Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water-Stress Influences on Three New Promising HLB-Tolerant Citrus Rootstocks

Drought and flooding conditions are increasingly common abiotic factors that affect citrus crops in both the Mediterranean Basin and Florida. Furthermore, emerging diseases, such as Huanglongbing (HLB), are a potential risk for these crops in those producing areas. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior under water-stress treatments of three new citrus rootstocks (UFR-6, B11R5T60, and 2247 x 6070-02-2) with reported tolerance of HLB, comparing them with a common commercial citrus rootstock (Carrizo citrange). Four water conditions were established: Control, Medium Water Stress (MWS), Drought, and Flooding. Chlorophyll index (SPAD), growth in height, relative growth rate, biomass (fresh and dry weight) and plant water status were evaluated. Citru rootstock response were different for each genotype; Carrizo citrange was negatively affected by all water treatments in the chlorophyll index (SPAD) and biomass production. By contrast, UFR-6 showed a positive response in SPAD and growth under MWS and Drought, B11R5T60 displayed similar behavior to Control under all water stresses, and the response of 2247 x 6070-02-2 under MWS treatment was adequate but was not under Drought or Flooding conditions. Our study describes the behavior of these promising new citrus rootstocks against water stress; B11R5T60 exhibiting the best performance. These results can be useful for the citrus industry to address water-stress problems in these crops.
FIR digital filter design with variable parameter window families

It is well known that the design of nonrecursive digital filters of the lowpass, symmetric bandpass and highpass types using the window function approach is simple and quite easy to implement. It has already been shown that the I0-sinh family of window functions gives designers flexibility because of its adjustable parameter. In this paper, two other well-known window function families, namely the I1-cosh and raised-cosine types, which have variable parameters to control the ripple, are considered. Expressions are derived for filter order in terms of ripple magnitude and transition band-width. The performance of these two families are compared with the modified zeroth-order Bessel (I0-sinh.) family and the results in the time and frequency domains are presented.
The Temporal And Spatial Changes Of Beijing’s Pm 2.5 Concentration And Its Relationship With Meteorological Factors From 2015 To 2020

Currently, Beijing is facing increasing serious air quality problems. Atmospheric pollutants in Beijing are mainly composed of particulate matter, which is a key factor leading to adverse effects on human health. This paper uses hourly data from 36 environmental monitoring stations in Beijing from 2015 to 2020 to obtain the temporal and spatial distribution of the mass concentration of particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5). The 36 stations established by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Beijing Environmental Protection Monitoring Center and obtain continuous real-time monitoring of particulate matter. And the 36 stations are divided into 13 main urban environmental assessment points, 11 suburban assessment points, 1 control point, 6 district assessment points, and 5 traffic pollution monitoring points. The annual average concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing was 60 μg/m3 with a negative trend of approximately 14% year-1. In urban areas the annual average concentration of PM2.5 was 59 μg/m3, in suburbs 56 μg/m3, in traffic areas 63 μg/m3, and in district areas 62 μg/m3. From 2015 to 2020, in urban areas PM2.5 decreased by 14% year-1, in suburbs by 15% year -1, in traffic areas by 15% year-1, and in district areas by 12% year-1. The quarterly average concentrations of PM2.5 in winter andspring are higher than those in summer and autumn (64 μg/m3, 59 μg/m3, 45 μg/m3, 55 μg/m3, respectively). The influenceof meteorological factors on the daily average value of PM2.5 in each season was analysed. The daily average PM2.5 in spring, summer, autumn and winter is significantly negatively correlated with daily average wind speed, sunshine hours, and air pressure, and significantly positively correlated with daily average rainfall and relative humidity. Except for autumn, the daily average PM2.5 is positively correlated with temperature. Although Beijing’s PM2.5 has been declining since the adoption of the‘Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan’, it is still far from the first level of the new ‘Ambient Air Quality Standard’(GB309S-2012) formulated by China in 2012.
Impact of harvesting time and postharvest ripening duration on the seed quality of Solanum melongena L. (eggplant)

The best harvesting stage of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to obtain quality seeds has not been given due attention under local seed production programs. The present practice is to allow fruits to ripen on the plant, however, it is believed that it may result in fewer fruits and low-quality seeds. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to identify the best maturity stage and the effect of postharvest ripening on the quality of eggplant seeds. Two eggplant varieties; Thinnavelli purple and Padagoda were grown and fruits were harvested at 35, 42 and 49 days after pollination (DAP) to determine the optimum harvesting time. Three postharvest ripening (PHR) periods (0, 1 and 2 weeks after harvesting) were also employed. Seeds from the fruits harvested at 35 DAP showed less germination %, vigour index and longer duration for 50% germination (T50). Germination percentage was increased up to 89% (Thinnavelli purple) and 72% (Padagoda) in seeds from fruits harvested at 35 DAP followed by 2 weeks PHR duration. Moreover, T50 was decreased from 1.74 to 0.94 days in Thinnavelli purple. The assessed seed quality parameters were much poorer in seeds from fruits harvested at 42 and 49 DAP. The results revealed that postharvest ripening enhances the seed quality of eggplant when fruits are harvested at the early ripened stage.
From Content- to Competence-Based Curricula – An Educational Account of Curriculum Policy in Kosovo

Abstract This qualitative study examines the changes introduced in curriculum policy in Kosovo in the latest curriculum reform of 2011. Framed by curriculum and didaktik education traditions theoretically, the findings reveal that introduction of key competences and associated learning outcomes in 2011 marked the most substantial departure from the previously content-based curriculum policy in place. It is concluded that European education trends provided the macro narrative and legitimation for the 2011 competence-based curriculum reform in Kosovo.
Mechanical Properties of Vinyl Ester Resin/Epoxidized Plam Oil/Nanoclay Composite

The aim of this study is to develop vinyl ester resin (VE) with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Nanocomposites vinyl ester resin (VE)/ epoxidized palm oil (EPO)/ clay were prepared at different amount of epoxidized palm oil (EPO) (5, 7.5 and 10 wt%) in presence of various ratio of clay (1,2 and 3 phr) by free radical polymerization. The curing agent for polymerizing nanocomposites was methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP). Studies on their mechanical and physical properties were carried out by tensile and flexural tests. The results obtained revealed interactions between the vinyl ester resin (VE) and epoxidized palm oil (EPO). Based on the results of tensile strength, the optimum loading content for EPO and clay was 5wt% and 1 phr, respectively. When the concentration of EPO increased, the ductility was improved, indicated higher toughness.
Interactive Effects of Air, Liquid and Canopies on Spray Patterns of Axial-flow Sprayers

Pesticide application to fruit crops such as apples and grapes requires adjustment of thesprayer to direct spray into the canopy zone as it develops over the growing season. The objective ofthis study was to investigate the impact of nozzle orientation on vertical spray patterns at the centerof the grapevine row, using an air-blast sprayer. The interaction between nozzle orientation andairflow was also studied. Results have shown potential for improving deposition and reducing spray drift by carefullyadjusting the nozzle orientation. It was also observed that adjustments in nozzle orientation on twosides of the sprayer should be independent and in consideration of airflow rate and direction on eachside. Orientation of the nozzles to counteract the blast of air in the vicinity of the sprayer air outlethave shown improvements not only in better targeting of sprays to canopies but also in improvinguniformity of deposition between heights. Correct orientation of nozzles has shown to enhance theeffect of air assistance of the sprayer.
The Methodological Challenges of Studying “Fake News”

ABSTRACT This study empirically investigates two controversial Canadian news media outlets in an attempt to detect and analyze “fake news”. Relying on academic and general literature about fact-checking, the main goal of this study is to elaborate on the methodological challenges we faced in detecting and analyzing “fake news”. We discuss our case study which is Global Research and Rebel News as well as the codebooks and sample stories. To understand what kinds of news stories audiences of Global Research and Rebel News engaged with the most, we selected a sample of the top 400 news stories shared on Twitter and Facebook. Findings show that 71% of the top news stories examined contained either some falsehood, misleading, and/or doubtful information, with Global Research being more active in disseminating “fake news” than Rebel News. Audiences were mostly engaged with stories concerning politics, internal order, and human interest stories, with international news garnering more attention than national news stories regarding Canada.
Long-shunt and short-shunt connections on dynamic performance of a SEIG feeding an induction motor load

This paper presents a comparative study of long-shunt and short-shunt configurations on dynamic performance of an isolated self-excited induction generator (SEIG) feeding an induction motor (IM) load. The studied IM is suddenly connected to the output terminals of the studied configurations of the SEIG. Both simulated results and experimental results based on laboratory 1.1 kW induction machines are clearly compared to examine the effects of both connections on voltage variation of the studied SEIG. The analyzed results show that the long-shunt configuration may lead to unwanted oscillations while the short-shunt connection provides better voltage variation. The eigenvalue technique is also employed to examine the possible voltage collapse and unstable conditions in the studied SEIG-IM system.
Emotional experiences and challenges faced by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who attend a support group in Ghana

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disorder in which a person’s immune system attacks the tissues and organs of the body, causing inflammation, damage, and dysfunction. Challenges associated with systemic lupus erythematosus include cognitive and behavioural changes as well as problems with perceived quality of life. It affects mainly women between the ages of 15 and 45 years. This study explored the lived experiences of adults living with systemic lupus erythematosus in Accra, Ghana. The study employed a qualitative research approach where 11 systemic lupus erythematosus patients were purposively recruited from Accra. Data were collected through one on one in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Data collected were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings of the study revealed two main themes: Challenges living with systemic lupus erythematosus and Emotional experiences of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Participants reported physical, financial, fertility challenges, struggles with medications, difficulty explaining the condition, and memory lapses as challenges. Emotional experiences reported include depressive feelings, sadness, fear, suicidal ideation, worry, dislike of the condition (systemic lupus erythematosus), and hope. These findings imply that participants are prone to psychological or psychiatric disorders if their emotions are not managed appropriately. The outcome of this study offers suggestions to policymakers and other organisations involved in the care and management of people with chronic conditions to adopt and effectively implement a multidisciplinary approach in health care by taking into consideration the mental health of persons living with systemic lupus erythematosus and other chronic conditions.
Ethical Considerations for Qualitative Research Methods During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Emergency Situations: Navigating the Virtual Field

Qualitative research is integral to the pandemic response. Qualitative methods are ideally suited to generating evidence to inform tailored, culturally appropriate approaches to COVID-19, and to meaningfully engaging diverse individuals and communities in response to the pandemic. In this paper, we discuss core ethical and methodological considerations in the design and implementation of qualitative research in the COVID-19 era, and in pivoting to virtual methods—online interviews and focus groups; internet-based archival research and netnography, including social media; participatory video methods, including photo elicitation and digital storytelling; collaborative autoethnography; and community-based participatory research. We identify, describe, and critically evaluate measures to address core ethical challenges around informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, compensation, online access to research participation, and access to resources during a pandemic. Online methods need not be considered unilaterally riskier than in-person data collection; however, they are clearly not the same as in-person engagement and require thoughtful, reflexive, and deliberative approaches in order to identify and mitigate potential and dynamically evolving risks. Ensuring the ethical conduct of research with marginalized and vulnerable populations is foundational to building evidence and developing culturally competent and structurally informed approaches to promote equity, health, and well-being during and after the pandemic. Our analysis offers methodological, ethical, and practical guidance in the COVID-19 pandemic and considerations for research conducted amid future pandemics and emergency situations.
Dipole Mode of the Precipitation Anomaly Over the Tibetan Plateau in Mid‐Autumn Associated With Tropical Pacific‐Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly: Role of Convection Over the Northern Maritime Continent

Based on observational data and numerical simulation results with the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM4), version 4 atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM), the influence of the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) of the tropical Pacific–Indian Ocean mode (PIM) on the interannual variability of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) precipitation in mid‐autumn (October) is investigated. We find that the interannual variation of the mid‐autumn TP precipitation is characterized by a dipole mode with a southeast–northwest inverse pattern, which is influenced significantly by the large‐scale circulation anomalies induced by PIM. During a positive phase of PIM, that is, positive SSTA in both the tropical central‐eastern Pacific and western Indian Ocean accompanied by negative SSTA around the Maritime Continent, a robust lower‐level anticyclonic anomaly over the South Asia region (SAAC) and an upper‐level cyclonic anomaly over subtropical Asia are generated owing to the Rossby wave response to the suppressed convective heating over the northern Maritime Continent. As a result, the southerly (northerly) anomalies on the west (east) side of the SAAC can enhance (reduce) the transportation of moisture and the ascending motion over the northwestern (southeastern) TP. Meanwhile, the southward‐shifted East Asian westerly jet can further enhance the ascending motion over the northwestern TP by stimulating secondary circulation. Correspondingly, a positive (negative) precipitation anomaly appears over the northwestern (southeastern) TP. During a negative phase of PIM, the opposite case is also true. Therefore, the suppressed convective heating over the Maritime Continent serves as a pivotal medium by which PIM affects the TP precipitation in mid‐autumn.
Service Quality and Product Quality Key to Improve Customer Loyalty

This research is motivated by the importance of maintaining customer loyalty for the survival of the company. This study aims to determine and analyze customer satisfaction and product quality as keys to increasing customer loyalty. The population of this study were visitors to the Rava Motor workshop for one year, amounting to 3161 customers where the population data was seen from the actual customer entry unit in 2019. Based on Slovin calculations with an error of 10%, a sample of 97 visitors was obtained using incidental sampling technique. The research method used is a survey method with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques used in this study are questionnaires, observation and interviews. The instrument used has been tested for validity and reliability. The data analysis technique used is the descriptive data analysis technique, multiple correlation and multiple regression. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive effect of service quality on customer loyalty and there is a positive effect of product quality on customer loyalty. In addition, simultaneously that there is a positive effect of service quality and product quality on customer loyalty.
Transimpedance amplifier-based full low-frequency noise characterization setup for Si/SiGe HBTs

An experimental setup, based on current/voltage conversion through transimpedance amplifiers (TAs), has been implemented for the direct full low-frequency noise (LFN) characterization of Si/SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) in terms of base and collector short-circuit current noise sources. This setup performs a full characterization, as it measures simultaneously the two noise current sources and their correlation, thanks to an original technique based on the specific properties of a specially designed buffer amplifier using a low-noise common-base bipolar transistor (CB BJT). By means of translation formulae, the obtained measurements are compared with those carried out with a multi-impedance technique. They show a good agreement both for the noise sources spectral densities and for their correlation. The TA-based setup provides enhanced capabilities in terms of measurement speed and remote control potentialities.
Daily to annual net primary production in the North Sea determined using autonomous underwater gliders and satellite Earth observation

Abstract. Shelf-seas play a key role in both the global carbon cycle and coastal marine ecosystems through the drawn-down and fixing of carbon, as measured through phytoplankton net primary production (NPP). Measuring NPP in situ, and extrapolating this to the local, regional and global scale presents challenges however because of limitations with the techniques utilised (e.g. radiocarbon isotopes), data sparsity and the inherent biogeochemical heterogeneity of coastal and open-shelf waters. Here, we introduce a powerful new technique based on the synergistic use of in situ glider profiles and satellite Earth Observation measurements which can be implemented in a real-time or delayed mode system. We apply this system to a fleet of gliders successively deployed over a 19-month time-frame in the North Sea, generating an unprecedented fine scale time-series of NPP in the region (Loveday and Smyth, 2020). At the large-scale, this time-series gives close agreement with existing satellite-based estimates of NPP for the region and previous in situ estimates. What has not been elucidated before is the high-frequency, small-scale, depth-resolved variability associated with bloom phenology, mesoscale phenomena and mixed layer dynamics.
Complementary metamaterial transmission line for monoband and dual‐band bandpass filters application

A novel composite right‐/left‐handed transmission line (CRLH TL) and its equivalent circuit model are proposed based on cascaded complementary single split ring resonator (CCSSRR). It features an intrinsically balanced wider band and an additional transmission zero above the right‐handed band relative to CRLH TL using complementary single split ring resonator and complementary split ring resonators. Moreover, two single negative (SN) metamaterial (MTM) TLs constructed by using complementary electric inductive‐capacitive resonator on the conductor strip and on the ground, respectively, are researched. Both SN MTM TLs exhibit electric resonance above the fundamental magnetic resonance. For application, a monoband (MB) bandpass filter (BPF) covered WLAN band, and a dual‐band (DB) BPF covered satellite DMB band and WiMAX band are designed, fabricated, and measured. The SN MTM TLs are adopted for the sake of deep and wide out‐of‐band suppression while CRLH MTM TLs using square‐shaped and Sierpinski‐shaped CCSSRR are critical factors of the MB and DB behavior. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2012.
Analog MIMO spatial filtering

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Analysis of Seismic Action on the Tie Rod System in Historic Buildings Using Finite Element Model Updating

Historic buildings have a high architectural value and their maintenance, repair and rehabilitation require a special approach. This approach is mainly based on the buildings’ performance under non-destructive tests such as operational modal analysis (OMA). Under extreme loads, such as earthquakes, these buildings require representative numerical models to simulate their expected response. In historic buildings, tie rods transfer axial loads and are typically used to balance horizontal trust due to static and dynamic loads associated with seismic actions. It is very important to determine the possibility of exceeding their load-bearing capacity under extreme loads, such as an earthquake. In this context, this paper presents an approach for the analysis of seismic action on the tie rod system in a historic building. The analysis was performed by combining the on-site experimental testing and the finite element model updating (FEMU) of the local models of tie rods and the global model of the structure. It was shown that the combination of analyzing local and global structural models, experimental on-site testing and FEMU is a viable solution for assessment of historic buildings’ load bearing capacity.