Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drying studies of patchouli spent charge – in special reference to its use in incense sticks production

The Patchouli ( Pogostemon cablin Benth.) herbaceous medicinal plant is a member of the Lamiaceae family, and is grown for its essential oil extraction. Aromatic patchouli herbage after steam distillation of essential oil is currently a waste material that can be advantageously used in incense sticks production if dried and powdered to a suitable particle size. To use this waste spent charge (herbage after steam distillation) in the incense sticks production, drying study of this wet material was conducted. The drying characteristics of patchouli spent charge w ere studied under various methods , namely, tray, shade and sun drying. The initial drying bed thickness was uniformly maintained at 50 mm in all the methods and the spent charge was dried from 60%(wb) initial moisture to 8-9 % final moisture. Under Bangalore climatic conditions (24.4 - 28°C; 25%-58% RH), patchouli spent charge required 46 h of drying time in shade while under sun, it took just 11 h of drying. In a convectional electrical tray dryer, the drying time at 50, 60 and 70 °C was 10, 6 and 5 h, respectively. Keywords: Patchouli, spent charge, drying, drying characteristics
Traditional Cultural Use as a Tool for Inferring Biogeography and Provenance: A Case Study Involving Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) and Hopi Native American Culture in Arizona, USA

Inferring the natural distribution and native status of organisms is complicated by the role of ancient and modern humans in utilization and translocation. Archaeological data and traditional cultural use provide tools for resolving these issues. Although the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) has a transcontinental range in the United States, populations in the Desert Southwest are scattered and isolated. This pattern may be related to the fragmentation of a more continuous distribution as a result of climate change after the Pleistocene, or translocation by Native Americans who used turtles for food and ceremonial purposes. Because of these conflicting or potentially confounded possibilities, the distribution and status of C. picta as a native species in the state of Arizona has been questioned in the herpetological literature. We present evidence of a population that once occurred in the vicinity of Winslow, Arizona, far from current remnant populations on the upper Little Colorado River. Members of the Native American Hopi tribe are known to have hunted turtles for ceremonial purposes in this area as far back as AD 1290 and possibly earlier. Remains of C. picta are known from several pueblos in the vicinity including Homol'ovi, Awatovi, and Walpi. Given the great age of records for C. picta in Arizona and the concordance of its fragmented and isolated distribution with other reptiles in the region, we conclude that painted turtles are part of the native fauna of Arizona.
Biological control potential of the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

____________________________________________________________ Biological control studies were conducted with isolates of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarrhizium anisopliae from Ethiopia and South Africa against the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus. The study was conducted from April 2002 to April 2003, at the department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The objectives were to screen these isolates for pathogenicity and to determine the susceptibility of different larval instars; to study the effect of temperature on fungal development and virulence; to investigate food consumption of fungus treated larvae; to determine compatibility of fungal isolates with insecticides; to study the effect of exposure methods and diets on larval mortality; and to evaluate promising isolates under greenhouse conditions using artificially infested maize plants. Four isolates of B. bassiana and six isolates of M. anisopliae were tested against second instar larvae. Of these isolates, B. bassiana (BB-01) and M. anisopliae (PPRC-4, PPRC-19, PPRC-61 and EE-01) were found to be highly pathogenic inducing 90 to 100 % mortality seven days after treatment. In subsequent assays, the fungal isolates were tested against third, fourth, fifth and sixth instar larvae. Second and sixth instar larvae were more susceptible to these isolates than third, fourth and fifth instar larvae. Conidial germination, radial growth and sporulation of the isolates PPRC-4, PPRC-19, PPRC-61, EE-01 and BB-01 were retarded at 15 and 35 C. A suitable temperature range for the isolates was from 20 30 C. At 25 and 30 C the isolates induced 100 % mortality to second instar larvae within four to six days. Second and third instar C. partellus larvae were treated with the isolates PPRC-4 and BB-01, and daily consumption of maize leaf was measured. Treatment with the fungi was associated with a reduction in mean daily food consumption. In in-vitro studies, five concentrations (0.1 ppm, 1 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, and 100 ppm active ingredients) of the insecticides benfuracarb and endosulfan were tested with the isolates PPRC-4, PPRC-19, PPRC-16, EE-01 and BB-01. Increasing the concentration of the insecticides adversely affected germination, radial growth and sporulation of the isolates. In in-vivo studies combining the fungi, PPRC-4 and BB-01,
HBsAg Mutants Clustered Mainly Outside of “a” Determinant in Chronic Carriers From Azarbayjan Province, Iran

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genetic and protein variations have been observed in chronic patients frequently. However, their role in the pathogenesis of chronicity has not been explored yet. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the genotypes as well as the patterns of variations distribution in chronically infected patients from the north western part of Iran. Materials and Methods: The surface genes from 17 chronic carriers were amplified, sequenced and subsequently aligned using international and national Iranian database. Results: All strains belonged to genotype D, subgenotype D1 and subtype ayw2. Of all 56 "mutations" that occurred at 37 nucleotide positions, 25 (44.6%) were missense (amino acid altering) and 31 (55.4%) were silent (no amino acid changing) (S/M ratio: 1.2). At the amino acid level, 21 (91.3%) out of 23 amino acid mutations occurred in different immune epitopes within the surface proteins, of which 3 (14.3%) occurred in B cell, 8 (38%) in T helper and 10 (47.7%) inside CTL epitopes. In general, the association between amino acid mutations and especially, immune epitope substitutions was more significant in terms of HBeAg status than ALT levels in patients. Conclusions: The distribution of amino acid mutations as well as the ratio between missense and silent nucleotide mutations (dN/dS) showed that a narrowly focused immune pressure had already been on the surface protein (especially CTL epitopes) which led to the emergence of escape mutants in these patients who were in tolerance phase of chronicity.
Relationship of Linear Conformation Traits with Bodyweight, Body Condition Score and Milk yield in Friesian × Bunaji Cows

Abstract Alphonsus, c. , Akpa, G.N. , Oni, O.O. , Rekwot, P.I. , Barje, P.P. and Yashim, S.M. 2010. Relationship of linear conformation traits with bodyweight, body condition score and milk yield in Friesian × Bunaji cows. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 97–100. To study the relationship of linear body measurements with body weight, body condition score and milk yields, data of 50 (F1) Friesian X Bunaji cows were collected. Analyzed conformation traits were; stature(ST), chest width(CW), wither height(WH), heart girth(HG), body length(BL), body depth(BD), rump width(RW), rear udder height(RUH), rear udder width(RUW), udder depth(UD), udder cleft(UC), fore teat position(FTP), rear teat placements(RTP) and teat length (TL). The genetic correlations of the body conformation traits (ST, CW, BD, HW, HG, BL, RW) with average BW and BCS were positive and ranged from 0.179 to 0.854 BW and 0.214 to 0.845 BCS, indicating that taller, wider, deeper and fatter cows tended to be heavier. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk yield and BCS were negative; −0.465 and −0.373, respectively. However, the genetic and phenotypic correlations between BW and milk yield were positive; 0.625 and 0.247, respectively. The genetic correlations between milk yield and body conformation traits (except ST and BD) were positive ranging from 0.188 (RW) to 0.823 (HG). It is concluded that selection emphasis on milk yield in these crosses might result in taller and less deeper animals. With reduced BCS and pendulous udder causing serious health and fertility problems. Therefore, selection based on more balanced breeding objectives is recommended.
Synthesis of jasmonate-induced proteins in barley (Hordeum vulgare) is inhibited by the growth retardant tetcyclacis

BarJey leaf segments treated with jasmonate respond with the synthesis of specific proseins, referred to as jasmonate-induced proteins (JIPs). Application of abscisic acid (ABAl also induced JIP synthesis (Weidhase et al. 1987). In this study the effects of inhibitors on sorbitol-induced increases of endogenous jasmonates and ABA were investigated. The promotion of jasmonates by sorbitol was inhibited by the growth retardant tetcyclacis at concentrations as low as 1 ftM. In parallel with the decrease of jasmonates, JIP gene expression was reduced as reflected by a decline in the level of a 23-kDa protein UIP-23) and mRNAs of JIP-6 and JIP-23. 12-Oxo-phytodienoic acid, an inlermediale in the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway leading to jasmonic acid was able to overcome the inhibition by tetcyclacis and increases both the endogenous jasmonate content and transcript accumulation. This suggests that tetcyclacis acts upstream of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid and in keeping with this proposal, an increase in relative LOX activity was detected after tetcyclacis treatment. Although tetcyclacis was shown to inhibit the degradation of ABA to phaseic acid, its effect on jasmonate synthesis is much more pronounced.
Sparse Recovery with Fusion Frames

Sparse signal structures have become increasingly important in signal processing applications as the technology progresses and a plethora of data needs to be handled. It has been shown in practice that various signals have fewer degrees of freedom compared to their actual sizes, i.e., can be expressed in terms of a small number of elements from some dictionary. Alongside an increase in applications, a recent theory of sparse and compressible signal recovery has been recently developed under the name of Compressed Sensing (CS). This approach states that a sparse signal can be efficiently recovered from a small number of random linear measurements. Another powerful tool in signal processing is frames which provide redundant representations for signals. Such redundancy is desirable in many applications where resilience to errors and losses in data is important. The increase in data has also significantly increased the demand to model applications requiring distributed processing which goes beyond the classical frames. The recent theory of Fusion Frames, which can be regarded as a generalization of classical frames, satisfies those needs by analyzing signals by projecting them onto multidimensional subspaces. Fusion frames provide a suitable mathematical framework to model large data systems such as sensor networks, transmission of data of communication networks, etc. In this thesis, we combine these two recent theories and consider the recovery of signals that have a sparse representation in a fusion frame. As in the classical CS, a sparse signal from a fusion frame can be sampled using very few random projections and efficiently recovered using a convex optimization that minimizes the mixed `1/`2-norm. This problem has close connections with other similar recovery problems studied in CS literature such as block sparsity and joint sparsity problems. A key contribution in this thesis is to exploit the incoherence of the fusion frame subspaces in order to enhance the existing recovery results by incorporating this structure. In particular, we derive upper and lower bounds for the number of measurements required for the sparse recovery and the error derived by convex optimization. Aside from our results in the fusion frame setup, we also present results in the classical CS where we focus on improving constants appearing in the number of measurements required and prove optimal constants in the nonuniform setting with rather concise and simple proofs.
Biological Connections across the Sea of Japan:: A Multivariate Comparison of Ancient and More Modern Crania from Japan, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia

A great many studies in physical anthropology have demonstrated that the Ainu of Japan are living descendants of the prehistoric Jomon (e. While major agreement has been reached regarding the relationship between Jomon and Ainu, the biological relationship between these two groups and the Ryukyu Islanders from the remote southern region of Japan is less clear. In contrast to earlier studies, several researchers (e. have demonstrated that the Ainu and Jomon are not closely related to Ryukyu Islanders. These same researchers, as well as others (e.g., Omoto and Saitou 1997), have also challenged the more traditional view that the Jomon, Ryukyu Islanders, and Ainu are of Southeast Asian origin (K. Hanihara 1991; Turner 1992a). There is now major consensus among physical anthropologists that, beginning approximately 2,500 years BP at the commencement of the Yayoi period, a major influx of new people (and culture) entered the main Japanese Islands by way of the Korean peninsula, with northern Kyushu and southwestern Honshu as the likely entry points (see figure 7.1). While the magnitude and timing of this new incursion of people are still under debate, most agree that this new migrant group displaced and/or assimilated Jomon hunter-gather-ers, a view articulated by Kazuro Hanihara (1991) in the popular dual structure hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, the modern Japanese are an amalgamation of earlier Jomon, whose antecedents arrived in late Pleisto-cene times from a presumed southern origin, and a later group of immigrants proof
Separating genetic and environmental influences on temporal spawning distributions of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Environmental and genetic factors influence fish spawning periodicity (i.e., the distribution of spawning events during the breeding season), but their relative contributions have rarely been evaluated. We evaluated the relative contribution of genetic and environmental effects on spawning periodicity by rearing Florida largemouth bass (FLMB, Micropterus salmoides floridanus) from Lake Okeechobee and intergrade largemouth bass (ILMB, Micropterus salmoides salmoides × M. s. floridanus) from Lake Seminole in a similar environment. Fish from each genetic source population were translocated to experimental ponds at an intermediate latitude in Gainesville, Florida, in September 2003. We used estimated ages of offspring as an index of spawning events to compare spawning distributions between brood sources in ponds and related those results to spawning distributions at source populations for 2004. FLMB began spawning earlier than ILMB in all ponds, and FLMB had a longer spawning season than ILMB. Similarly, FLMB at Lake Okeechobee began spawning earlier and had a longer spawning season than ILMB at Lake Seminole. Environmental factors (e.g., temperature effects) influenced spawning periodicity for both FLMB and ILMB, but spawning periodicity was also influenced by genetic composition in ponds because translocated fish reflected characteristics of their source populations. Thus, both environmental factors and genetic composition influenced spawning periodicity. Resume : Les facteurs environnementaux et genetiques influencent la periodicite de fraye (c'est-a-dire la repartition des evenements de fraye au cours de la saison de reproduction), mais leurs contributions relatives ont rarement ete eva-
Manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura da mandioca

A mandioca (Manihot esculenta) e cultivada em varios paises, sendo de grande importância como fonte de energia para alimentacao humana e animal e na geracao de empregos e renda. No Brasil, apesar de essa cultura apresentar alto potencial produtivo - em alguns estudos alcancando valores superiores a 100 t ha-1 de raizes - , a produtividade nacional e baixa, atribuida em grande parte ao manejo inadequado das plantas daninhas. A interferencia dessas plantas resulta em competicao pelos recursos essenciais, como nutrientes, agua e luz. Alem disso, o controle realizado de maneira incorreta das plantas daninhas nos mandiocais dificulta outros tratos culturais e aumenta os custos de producao. Nesta revisao sao abordados os aspectos relativos ao manejo das plantas daninhas na cultura, descrevendo, de forma detalhada, os principais componentes de interferencia. Discute-se, em varias situacoes, o periodo critico de competicao. Por fim, sao apresentados os principais metodos de controle visando a utilizacao do manejo integrado como forma sustentavel do controle de plantas daninhas nessa cultura.
Uncertainty about uncertainty: the futility of benefit-cost analysis for climate change policy

The moral argument for aggressively mitigating continued greenhouse emissions is very strong. The economic case is not as clear, however, owing to great uncertainty about the benefits and costs. Three distinct types of uncertainty – predictive, valuational, and moral – hamper and severely limit the usefulness of social benefitcost analysis by introducing irreducible subjectivity into the analysis. The complex nature of climate change compels us to rethink the role of economics in policy and better balance it with qualitative reasoning and judgment.
The effect of implementing self-management plan on selfconcept of family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients

Background and aimsCaring for patients with multiple sclerosis causes family caregivers many problems and challenges. Self-management interventions can facilitate the caring process and increase the quality of patient care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a self-management program on Self-concept of the family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients.MethodsThis quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2018 at the MS Treatment Center of Shahrekord. The samples were selected through convenience sampling method. First, participants were assigned to two groups of men and women by stratified random sampling, and then men and women were assigned randomly to intervention (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. For the intervention group, the self-management program was implemented twice a week in 8 sessions. Data collection was performed using the Coopersmith self-concept Inventory in two groups before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0. ResultsThe mean scores of self-concept in the intervention and control groups before the intervention were 72.6±9.1 and 72±10.6, respectively. There was no significant difference between the mean score of self-concept between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P > 0.05). The mean scores of self-concept immediately after the intervention in the two groups were 86.4±9.2 and 73±10.6, and three months after the intervention, they were 103±7.4 and 73.9±10.5, respectively. A significant increase in the scores of self-concept in the intervention group (P<0.001) was observed. Moreover, the independent t test showed a significant difference in the two groups immediately after and three months after the intervention (P<0.001). ConclusionSelf-management program increased the self-concept of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ caregivers. Therefore, self-management can play a critical role in improving the quality of life of family caregivers and coping with the physical and psychological stress related to their caring role
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI TINGKAT KUNJUNGAN IBU DENGAN ANAK BALITA KE POSYANDU DALAM KEGIATAN PENIMBANGAN DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS SURADITA KECAMATAN CISAUK KABUPATEN TANGERANG

ABSTRAK Keberadaan Posyandu perlu direfitalisasi kembali sedemikian rupa. Keberadaan Posyandu mampu memberikan pelayanan dan pemantauan kesehatan secara terpadu dan komprehensif di tingkat komunitas. Konsistensi Kehadiran ibu ke Posyandu setiap bulannya dapat memaksimalkan kondisi kesehatan ibu dan anak. Penelitian Dilakukan Untuk Menggali Dan Mengetahui Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan dan memengaruhi Tingkat Kunjungan Ibu Dengan Anak Balita Ke Posyandu Dalam Kegiatan Penimbangan. Kegiatan penelitian dilakukan dengan pendekatan cross sectional pengembangan kearah tipe deskriptif analitik yang bersipat mixed methode riset antara pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil analisis menunjukan bahwa kunjungan ibu balita ke posyandu di Wilayah Kerja PKM Suradita relative sudah tinggi.Tidak semua faktor yang diduga berkaitan terbukti secara signifikan berhubungan dengan Kunjungan ibu dalam penimbangan balita ke posyandu. Tingkat Kunjungan Ibu dalam Penimbangan Balita ke Posyandu dipengaruhi secara dominan oleh adanya Dukungan Keluarga, 0.498/49.8%,Sikap Ibu 0.302/30.2%,Jumlah tanggungan 0.190/19.0% ,dan Pekerjaan ibu 0.156/15.6%. Keywords : Faktor-faktor, Tingkat Kunjungan Ibu, Kegiatan penimbangan Posyandu.
Electrical Load Forecasting Using Edge Computing and Federated Learning

In the smart grid, huge amounts of consumption data are used to train deep learning models for applications such as load monitoring and demand response. However, these applications raise concerns regarding security and have high accuracy requirements. In one hand, the data used is privacy-sensitive. For instance, the fine-grained data collected by a smart meter at a consumer’s home may reveal information on the appliances and thus the consumer’s behaviour at home. On the other hand, the deep learning models require big data volumes with enough variety and to be trained adequately. In this paper, we evaluate the use of Edge computing and federated learning, a decentralized machine learning scheme that allows to increase the volume and diversity of data used to train the deep learning models without compromising privacy. This paper reports, to the best of our knowledge, the first use of federated learning for household load forecasting and achieves promising results. The simulations were done using Tensorflow Federated on the data from 200 houses from Texas, USA.