Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF A STAGGERED CONFIGURATION OF A TIDAL TURBINE ARRAY EMBEDDED INTO A BOUNDARY LAYER ON FLOW STRUCTURE

There is a rapid development in tidal current turbines to provide a fair share of global energy requirements. Tidal turbines are being installed in arrays to maximise the energy extraction. The performance of the tidal turbines and their impact on the flow will depend on the layout. This study aims towards improving the understanding of the effect of a staggered layout i.e. lateral and longitudinal spacing between the turbines, on flow structure. Four sets of experiments have been conducted for a four model turbines array. Each of the lateral and longitudinal spacing in the array has been changed twice. Velocity measurements have been taken with an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). The measurements were taken in six cross-section.
CHASTE: Incentive Mechanism in Edge-Assisted Mobile Crowdsensing

Mobile crowdsening (MCS) recently has been regarded as a newly-emerged sensing paradigm, which consists of a centralized cloud-based platform, some data demanders and some workers. However, since the platform needs to process tons of sensory data which is requested by the demanders and submitted by a large number of workers, this traditional MCS system may cause a heavy latency and serious network congestion, and thus can not be employed to some real-time and large-scale applications. Therefore, a new MCS system has been proposed recently by combining the edge computing, where some edge nodes (e.g., the base stations, laptops, smartphones) are added between the platform and workers to offload some operations from the platform to the network edges. Similar to the traditional MCS system, since participating in such edge-assisted MCS system is costly, it is important to attract more participation. However, this is more difficult since the platform and workers do not have direct communications with each other, which makes the edge nodes arbitrarily manipulate the information they transfer. Therefore, unlike the prior arts, we propose a novel incentive mechanism, namely, CHASTE, for such edge-assisted MCS system consisting of multiple demanders, some edge nodes and a crowd of workers where all of them behave strategically to maximize their own utility. Specifically, CHASTE is able to stimulate the participation, and satisfies the three-party truthfulness, three-party individual rationality, budget balance, as well as high social welfare. The desirable properties of CHASTE are validated through both theoretical analysis and extensive simulations.
Assessment of photosynthetic performance in the two life history stages of Alaria crassifolia (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae)

Understanding of the physiological responses of kelp to environmental parameters is crucial, especially in the context of environmental change that may have contributed to the decline of kelp forests all over the world. The current study presents the photosynthetic characteristics of the macroscopic sporophyte and microscopic gametophyte stages of the brown alga Alaria crassifolia from Hokkaido, Japan, as determined by examining their photosynthetic responses over a range of temperature and irradiance using dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Net photosynthetic rates of the sporophyte were consistently higher than those of gametophyte across temperature gradients and irradiance levels. Photosynthesis–irradiance curves at 8°C, 16°C, and 20°C revealed similar initial slopes (α = 0.4–0.9) on the two life history stages, but higher compensation (E c = 4–7 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and saturation irradiances (E k = 53–103 μmol photons m−2 s−1) for the sporophyte than for the gametophyte (E c = 0–7 μmol photons m−2 s−1; E k = 7–10 μmol photons m−2 s−1). Both stages exhibited chronic photoinhibition, as shown by the failure of recovery in their maximum quantum yields (F v/F m) following high irradiance stress, with greater possibility of photodamage at low temperature. Gametophytes were less sensitive to low temperatures than sporophytes, given their relatively stable F v/F m response. Nevertheless, temperature optima for photosynthesis of both stages coincide with each other at 20–23°C, which correspond to the growth and maturation periods of A. crassifolia in Japan. This species is also likely to suffer from thermal inhibition as both GP rates and F v/F m decreased above 24°C.
Analysis of the Relationship between Financial Development and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nepal

The present article aims to examine the link between financial development and economic growth in Nepal covering the period from 1979 to 2018. The study applies the method of Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound test cointegration approach to investigate both the long and short runs relationship among the variables. The empirical results found that the long-run cointegrated relationship between financial development and economic growth in Nepal. The findings clearly shows that financial development has a positive impact on economic growth both in the long-run as well as the short-run, which suggests that financial development has been a key contributor and an important engine of growth performance in the Nepalese economy. Moreover, the results may help policy makers to take into account financial development variable as an instrument for economic growth in the country.
Access and Availability of ICT Tools Used by Farmers for Crop Practice in Bihar, India

ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encircling radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, with the various services and applications connected with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. It also consist of a wide range of technologies starting from radio, television and telephone to modern technologies like mobile phone, multimedia, internet and satellite based communication systems.
Bank Regulation/Supervision and Bank Auditing

We investigate how overlapping activities of bank regulators and supervisors and bank auditors influence banks’ internal control quality, auditor-client contracting (audit fees and audit effort), and financial statement reliability. Using material weaknesses in internal controls as a proxy for internal control quality, we find that banks exhibit fewer internal control problems than do nonbanks. Using audit fees, earnings announcement lags and audit report lags as alternative proxies for audit effort, we find that auditors expend less effort in audits of banks than in audits of nonbanks. Despite the lower audit effort, we find that banks report fewer and less severe restatements of prior period financial statements than do nonbanks, suggesting that the aggregate efforts of bank regulators/supervisors and bank auditors generate more reliable financial reporting by banks. A notable implication of our study is that bank regulation and supervision alter the auditor-client contracting equilibrium, with a notable benefit being an increase in banks’ financial reporting quality.
Peptide 17, an inhibitor of YAP/TEAD4 pathway, mitigates lung cancer malignancy

Purpose : To investigate whether and how peptide 17 affects lung cancer cells. Methods : Human lung carcinoma cells, LLC and PC-9, were employed to study the therapeutic effect of peptide 17 on lung cancer. After exogenous expression of peptide 17, a co-immunoprecipitation experiment was used to examine the inhibitory effect of peptide 17. CCK8 assay was employed to assess the lung cancer cells’ viability while clone formation assays were used to assess lung cancer cell proliferation. Colony number was also determined. The stimulatory effect of peptide 17 on lung cancer cell apoptosis was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results : Peptide 17 efficiently disrupted the interaction between YAP and TEAD4 (p < 0.001), and decreased the expression of CTGF and Cyr61. In addition, lung cancer cell viability and proliferation significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly elevated with rising concentration of peptide 17. Conclusion : Exogenous expression of peptide 17 activates Bcl2/Bax/caspase-9 signal and is responsible for its inhibitory effects on lung cancer cells. Thus, peptide 17 is a promising target drug in lung cancer treatment. Keywords : Lung cancer, Yes-associate protein, Transcriptional enhancer activation domain 4 (TEAD4), Peptide 17, Apoptosis
Evaluation of Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) Varieties for Vegetative and Floral Characters under Bundelkhand Conditions

Bulbous plants constitute one of the most important groups of plants grown for their floral wealth (Kumar et al., 2011a). Among bulbous crops, gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus Hort.), generally called glad (plural gladioli, gladioluses, glads) occupies a prime position among commercial cut flower crops due to high demand in both domestic and international markets. It is called queen of bulbous flowers for its excellent aesthetic value and display life (Bhattacharjee and De, 2005).
Analysis of Rhythm Generation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Motor Circuit

Understanding the neuronal control of movement has been a central goal of neuroscience for decades. In many organisms, chains of neural oscillators underlie the generation of coordinated rhythmic movements. However, the sheer complexity of spinal locomotor circuits has made understanding the mechanisms underlying rhythmic locomotion in vertebrates challenging. The roundworm C. elegans generates rhythmic undulatory movements that resemble those of swimming vertebrates, but using only a few hundred neurons. The relative simplicity of this organism has allowed a complete synaptic map of the nervous system to be developed. Moreover, C. elegans has a three-day life cycle and is amenable to a powerful battery of genetic techniques that allow the molecular basis of circuit functions to be probed much more rapidly than is possible in more complex organisms. Because of these advantages, C. elegans offers the possibility of understanding the network, cellular, and molecular principles of rhythmic locomotion in deeper detail than has been possible in any other model organism. However, it is currently unclear where in the C. elegans motor circuit rhythms are generated, and whether there exists more than one rhythm generator. I used optogenetic and lesioning experiments to probe the nature of rhythm generation in the locomotor circuit. I found that rhythmic activity in different parts of the body can be decoupled by both methods, implying that multiple sections of forward locomotor circuitry are capable of independently generating rhythms. By perturbing different components of the motor circuit, I localized at least two rhythmic sources to a network of cholinergic motor neurons that are distributed along the body. Moreover, I used rhythmic optogenetic manipulations to show that imposed rhythmic signals in any portion of the motor circuit can entrain oscillatory activity in the rest of the body, suggesting bidirectional coupling within the motor circuit. This organization, in which distributed oscillating circuits exist along the body but are closely linked by bidirectional coupling, is found in wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. My results show that the functional architecture of the C. elegans motor circuit is highly analogous to that of much more complex organisms. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Bioengineering First Advisor Christopher Fang-Yen Second Advisor Vijay Balasubramanian This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/2903
The Influence of Principal’s Leadership and Teacher’s Performance on Student’ Achievement

This study aimed at determining the effect of school principal’s leadership and teacher’s performance together on student’s achievement. This research is quantitative using ex post facto. The sample in this study was all teachers in SD Negeri Rayon 2, Pulau Rimau, which consisted of 67 teachers. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data were analysed using quantitative descriptive analysis and multiple regression. The results of this study stated that 1) there was significant influence of principal’s leadership on the student’s achievement; 2) there is significant influence of teacher’s performance on the student’s achievement; 3) there is significant influence jointly between the principal’s leadership and the teacher’s performance on the student’s achievement.
One-step synthesis of hierarchical [B]-ZSM-5 using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as mesoporogen

One-step facile synthesis of boron containing ZSM-5 microspheres is developed using 1,6-diaminohexane as the structure-directing agent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the mesoporogen. High boron incorporation up to Si/B ratio of 38 is achieved and evidenced by the stretching vibrations of B–O–Si at 667 cm-1 and 917 cm-1 using Fourier-transform infrared spectra. The morphology of the crystals resembles berry-like spheres with sizes approximately 15 μm, which is composed of aggregated nanocrystals having sizes around 450 nm, is observed using scanning electron microscopy. The textural properties, i.e. the surface areas and pore volumes are investigated using N2 adsorption at –196 °C. t-plot micropore volume of 0.11 cm3/g and mesopore volume of 0.14 cm3/g are obtained applying this synthesis method for mesopores having pore diameters within the range of 2–10 nm.
Investigation of the dynamic load unit to hydraulic workstation

Hydraulic systems of agricultural, forest and road construction machinery are affected by different negative and positive loads. In order to mediate the dynamic properties of the hydraulic system with positive and negative forces, a dynamic load unit is used as an attachment to the hydraulic workstation. Heavy vertical load unit (80 kg) is suspended by an industrial type hydraulic cylinder CD70H25/16+DBDS6G1X/50. The Festo Didactic hydraulic Training Station lets to create the necessary hydraulic control circuit, which is presented. For negative load forces, when the directional valve shifts to load lowering, overrunning load forces occur. Then the actuator moves faster than the pump flow can fill it. Incorporating a pressure control valve called a counterbalance valve is a better way to control running-away loads. The hydraulic control system was developed for adjustment the dynamic load unit with the hydraulic work station. For the hydraulic cylinder piston diameter 25 mm, rod diameter 16 mm and load unit 80 kg the counterbalance valve calculated necessary pressure setting is 27 bar. Physical simulation with the load unit lifting and lowering was realized experimentally. For pressure measurements in pressure and return lines a pressure sensor SCPT-600 was used. Pressure was registered during the load unit lifting and lowering cycles with a service and diagnostic instrument “Service Master” and a portable computer. The obtained pressure diagrams during simulation show that the counterbalance calculated pressure setting 27 bar lets prevent overrunning load forces, when the actuator moves faster than the flow can fill it. Dynamic load unit is equipped with load springs at the end of load lowering, therefore, the linear characteristic of pressure change is observed. At the hydraulic cylinder, there is a throttle screw, by means of which the top end position cushioning of the piston can be set. Thus, the stroke speed of the hydraulic cylinder in the top end position is decelerated and the cylinder moves into the top end position in a dampened form.
The EIL transcription factor family in soybean: Genome‐wide identification, expression profiling and genetic diversity analysis

The ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3‐LIKE (EIL) transcription factor family plays a critical role in the ethylene signaling pathway, which regulates a broad spectrum of plant growth and developmental processes, as well as defenses to myriad stresses. Although genome‐wide analysis of this family has been carried out for several plant species, no comprehensive analysis of the EIL gene family in soybean has been reported so far. Furthermore, there are few studies on the functions of EIL genes in soybean. In this study, we identified 12 soybean (Gm) EIL genes, which we divided into three groups based on their phylogenetic relationships. We then detected their duplication status and found that most of the GmEIL genes have duplicated copies derived from two whole‐genome duplication events. These duplicated genes underwent strong negative selection during evolution. We further analyzed the transcript profiles of GmEIL genes using the transcriptome data and found that their spatio‐temporal and stress expression patterns varied considerably. For example, GmEIL1–GmEIL5 were found to be strongly expressed in almost every sample, while GmEIL8–GmEIL12 exhibited low expression, or were not expressed at all. Additionally, these genes showed different responses to dehydration, salinity and phosphate starvation. Finally, we surveyed genetic variations of these genes in 302 resequenced wild soybeans, landraces and improved soybean cultivars. Our data showed that most GmEIL genes are well conserved, and are not modified in domesticated or improved cultivars. Together, these findings provide a potentially valuable resource for characterizing the GmEIL gene family and lay the basis for further elucidation of their molecular mechanisms.
Students’ stereotypes about instructors in higher education in Ethiopia

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2020/13-4/8 ABSTRACT. No recent study has yet examined gender stereotypes on service expectations using the SERVQUAL model in Ethiopia. Although the model has been used to measure perceived service quality and performance, customers’ stereotypes in service expectations are overlooked. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if students hold stereotypes and their expectations vary across the gender of the instructors. This study was conducted on three conveniently selected universities between March and April 2019. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select students taught by both female and male instructors in the previous semester. First, students were asked to rate their expectations of their instructors over the dimensions of service quality namely tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Consequently, no significant difference was observed across the two genders. However, when the students were asked to rate their general expectations of their instructors, they showed significantly lower expectations of female instructors than male instructors. This indicated that there is a contradiction on students’ expectations which might be caused due to preconceptions or stereotypes against female instructors. Governmental bodies, policymakers, and politicians have to be involved to take a radical step for accepting women instructors and support them in their professional works.
Effect of dietary probiotic on the pH and colour characteristics of carcasses, breast fillets and drumsticks of broilers

This research was carried out to determine the effects of commercial probiotic (115-Biogallinox) on the colour properties of carcasses and dissected products in broilers. Ross-308 male chicks were given probiotic (P0:0 g/kg, P1:1 g/kg and P2:2 g/kg) containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 49 days. At the end of the trial all birds were slaughtered, and pH and skin colour of the carcasses were determined at various times during the first 24 h (1, 3, 7, 12, 17 and 24 h). After dissection, breasts and drumsticks were divided into two groups for vacuum packaging and aerobic packaging. Packaged breasts and drumsticks were stored at 3 ± 0.5°C for 12 days. During the storage period, the colours of breast meat, drumstick meat and drumstick skin were determined. pH values of carcasses decreased (P
Sustainability of black nera laying birds on pig dung meal based diets.

The study was undertaken on utilization of farm animal organic waste as feeds for livestock and poultry. Increasing feed costs and international concern for the conservation of resources have focused attention on the nutrients in animal wastes that have in the past been used largely as fertilizer or as a major source of fuel for villagers in a number of countries. Animal wastes represent a vast reservoir of cheap nutrients, particularly for ruminants. The limitation in using animal waste as feed is that it needs processing. Dehydration, ensiling, chemical and physical treatments can be used to maintain the nutrient composition and increase the palatability and feeding values of the waste. Animal waste can potentially be used not only to maintain animals in the dry time but also to encourage performance quite satisfactorily. Feeding cattle manure in poultry and pigs promotes meat and egg productivity respectively. Pig waste, when processed and properly balanced with other ingredients, may become a potential feed substitute for cattle at levels up to 30%. No differences in the quality of meat from animals fed waste have been detected, nor has there been a problem of consumer acceptance in animal products.Keywords: Black Nera Laying Birds, Pig Dung Meal, Diets, Feed Cost, Organic Waste.
Population structure and effects by the invasive exotic indian-almond over autochthonous vegetation from a sandbank

In the face of the severe effects caused by biological invasions, this study aimed at evaluating the population structure and impacts caused by the invasive exotic species T. catappa L. over native plant composition, richness and diversity. The study area is located at Atalaia Beach, Aracaju, Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, and comprises sandbank sites. In order to evaluate the population structure of this invasive exotic species and its impacts on the biota, pertinent statistics were carried out. The results demonstrated that T. catappa shows density of 9,480 ind.ha-1, being 8,430 ind.ha-1 for non-adults and 1,050 ind.ha-1 for adults, and self-regenerating population. The average species richness for invaded (I) areas and non-invaded (NI) were 6.1 ± 2.42 and 9.7 ± 2.45, respectively. The average abundance of individuals in NI was 1,057.6 ± 432.85 and 184.9 ± 126.66 for I. The diversity and the equability were 2.38 and 0.66 in I and 2.86 and 0.75 in NI, respectively. Thus, T. catappa causes significant impacts on species composition and richness, abundance and autochthonous diversity. Keywords: biological invasion, ecology, environmental impacts.
The Effect of Dosage Rate on The Chemical and Sensory Changes Occurring During Micro-oxygenation of New Zealand Red Wine

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