Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of N and P fertigation on fruit yield and quality of kinnow

The effects of N and P fertigation on productivity and quality of kinnow mandarin were investigated in southwestern part of Punjab at the Regional Research Station, Abohar of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2018–2020. Different combinations of the recommended dose (RD) of N and P, viz. 100, 75, and 50% were applied in equal splits at 5 stages of kinnow trees (February–October) and compared with conventional flood irrigation plus soil fertilization. The results showed that fertigation resulted in higher nutrient uptake, total leaf chlorophyll content, and vital physiological processes as compared to conventional practices. Tree volume under fertigation was about 29% higher than conventional practices. The data also revealed a significantly higher fruit set (20.13%), fruit weight (168.6 g), and fruit size (7.68 cm) as compared to flood irrigation plus soil fertilization. Fruit yield was about 33% higher in fertigated trees over flood irrigation and soil fertilization. Further, fruit quality parameters especially in terms of per cent juice, TSS-acid ratio, and ascorbic acid concentration were also superior in fertigated trees. In addition, fertigation resulted in a higher proportion of economic fruit grades over conventional flood irrigation and soil fertilization. The results suggest that fertigation @75% of N and P of recommended dose exhibited higher growth and productivity of kinnow mandarin, saving 25% N and P usage with better grade andhigher quality of kinnow.
Determinants of the Export Function in Morocco: Evidence from ARDL and Dynamic ARDL Models

Maintaining an acceptable level of trade deficit is one of the main challenges of the trade policy in developing countries like Morocco. Therefore, studying the most influential factors of the export function is of foremost importance. In this regard, our article studies the impact of a set of supply and demand determinants on export behavior in Morocco for the period Q1-1998–Q4-2018. The study uses an ARDL bound testing approach with structural breaks, extending to a future projection using the dynamic ARDL. The results of this study show that financial development, natural resources, and foreign investment output significantly influence Morocco’s export behavior. Consequently, forging a multidimensional policy that ensures the optimal allocation of financial resources, the modernization of the agricultural and phosphate sectors, and the transfer of know-how from foreign investors are some of the structural recommendations that will allow the promotion of exports in the future. JEL Classification C32, F14, F17
Speeding up Computation of Scalar Multiplication in

Bhilai- 490024 (C.G.) India Abstract. The basic operation in elliptic curve cryptosystem is scalar multiplication. It is the computation of integer multiple of a given point on the curve. Computation of scalar multiple is faster by using signed binary representation as compared to binary representation. In this paper 'Direct Recoding Method' a new modified algorithm for computation of signed binary representation is proposed. Our proposed method is efficient when compared to other standard methods such as NAF, MOF and complementary recoding method.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care for People Living with Motor Neurone Disease: Ongoing Challenges and Necessity for Shifting Directions

Although the progressive clinical trajectory of motor neurone disease (MND) is widely understood, multiple challenges remain preventing optimal end-of-life care for this population with unique needs from the patient, carer and service provider perspectives. This paper reports on the experiences, gaps in service and unmet needs of MND patients and family carers and explores public health palliative care approaches that would facilitate coordinated and integrated care to respond to their changing needs. This is a qualitative study of responses to questions in an online consumer survey (353 respondents) in Western Australia (2020), focusing on a subset of 29 current and bereaved carers of people with MND who have used health services in the last five years. The analysis identified themes, highlighting the insufficient integration of services across health and social care; poor and unequal access to coordinated palliative care; significant gaps in the knowledge base of the workforce and a failure to meet the consumer expectations of person-centred care. For palliative care to be accessible to those living with MND and other under-served conditions, there needs to be a shift to more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable options, such as the public health approach to palliative/end-of-life care that engages the assets of local communities in partnership with health services, one example being the “Compassionate Communities Connectors” model of care. Further considerations include advocacy for policy changes, fostering partnerships and developing indicators for evaluating the impact of the proposed models of care. The end result is not only better care but substantial savings for the health system.
Parallel genetic algorithm optimization of a cognitive model: investigating group and individual performance on a math stressor task

The purpose of the thesis was to enable an individual differences investigation of how stress affects cognitive performance in a mental serial subtraction task. To do this a new optimization approach was developed for computing the fit of a serial subtraction cognitive model to human performance data by varying architectural parameters. The new optimization approach utilizes a modified parallel genetic algorithm (PGA) on a high performance computing (HPC) cluster together with the ACT-R cognitive architecture and a serial subtraction cognitive model. Modifications to the PGA were necessary because of stochasticity embedded in the subsymbolic processes of the model's architecture. The optimization approach in this thesis was highly successful in fitting the serial subtraction model to three different levels of human data: average across subjects, challenge and threat task appraisal groups, and single-subject level performance. The optimization results revealed several interesting patterns in the parametric values found to produce best fits to the human data. Two of the patterns are supported by individual differences theories of stress and anxiety from cognitive performance research. If the field's traditional manual optimization process had been used instead, these patterns would have gone undiscovered. Contributions of the thesis include: development of a software system for individual differences modeling; increased understanding of ACT-R modeling, and the effects of anxiety on cognitive performance; a new application of PGAs; and a new paradigm for model creation and validation as the purposefulness of the thesis optimization approach was shown applicable in both model development and model validation.
Curing Efficiency of Three Different Curing Compound Applications to Concrete Pavements

Premature deterioration is a common concern for all types of concrete structures. To help mitigating this issue, the concrete hardening process is required to take place in a manner which provides optimum hydration development. This can be achieved through proper and adequate curing practices of concrete. The effect of curing on the performance of concrete is essential at controlling its mechanical and durability performance during service. Depending on the adiabatic conditions, type of application and project specifications, the curing approach may vary considerably (e.g. continuous fog spraying for long time, application of a curing compound, etc.). The aim of this research project is to assess the effect of three different curing compound applications (no curing, one coat of curing compound, two coats of curing compound) on the behavior of concrete pavements, and thus projecting their long-term durability. The project involved experiments on cores extracted from a newly (August 2014) constructed pavement sections in Mulvey Avenue, Winnipeg in comparison to corresponding specimens produced from similar concrete under laboratory conditions. Absorption and rapid chloride permeability tests were conducted on specimens to study the effect of the different curing methods, and the results were statistically analyzed by the analysis of variance method. The overall trends indicate that applying curing compounds is critical to ensure moisture retention in concrete for efficient hydration reactions and microstructural development. Even one coat of curing compound thoroughly applied to concrete is sufficient for achieving target strength and durability characteristics.
FUZZY LOGIC CONTROL SYSTEMS: FUZZY LOGIC CONTROLLER - PART I

During the past several years, fuzzy control has emerged as one of the most active and fruitful areas for research in the applications of fuzzy set theory. Fuzzy control is based on fuzzy logic. The fuzzy logic controller (FLC) based on fuzzy logic provides a means of converting a linguistic control strategy based on expert knowledge into an automatic control strategy. A survey of the FLC is presented; a general methodology for constructing an FLC and assessing its performance is described; and problems that need further research are pointed out
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, FINANCING AND FIRM VALUE OF LISTED FOOD AND BEVERAGE FIRMS IN NIGERIA

The relationship between corporate governance, corporate financing and firm value of listed food and beverage companies in Nigeria between 2011 and 2020 is the focus of this study. Secondary data from published audited financial reports of 10 randomly sampled companies in the industry was used. Panel pooled estimate least square regression results indicate the impact of corporate governance through CEO duality and audit committee on market capitalization value of food and beverage companies in Nigeria is mixed while corporate finance has positive and significant relationship with firm value of the sampled companies in the Consumer Goods sector in Nigeria. Consequently, the researchers establish that during the study period, corporate governance (CEO duality and audit committee) and corporate finance (short and long-term debts to total assets) have significant influence on the market capitalization value of food and beverage firms in Nigeria. Therefore, the researchers recommend that corporate governance decisions should be made in such a way that they reflect the interests of shareholders and potential investors. Again, companies should ensure that more financing decisions are made using debt funds rather than totally depending on equity financing.
Reply to the review provided by Marc Schleiss to the revised paper The use of citizen observations for better precipitation estimation and interpolation submitted for publication in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

The number of personal weather stations (PWS) with data available online through the internet is increasing gradually in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of these data for the spatial interpolation of precipitation using a novel approach based on indicator correlations and rank statistics.for high intensity events of different durations. Due to unknown errors and biases of the observations rainfall amounts from the PWS network are not considered directly. Instead, it is assumed that the temporal order of the ranks of these data is correct. The crucial step is to find 5 the stations which fulfil this condition. This is done in two steps, first by selecting the locations using time series of indicators of high precipitation amounts. The remaining stations are then checked whether they fit into the spatial pattern of the other stations. Thus, it is assumed that the quantiles of the empirical distribution functions are accurate. These quantiles are then transformed to precipitation amounts by a quantile mapping using the distribution functions which were interpolated from the information from German National Weather Service (DWD) data only. The suggested procedure 10 was tested for the State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. A detailed cross validation of the interpolation was carried out for aggregated precipitation amounts of 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. For each of these temporal aggregations, nearly 200 intense events were evaluated and the improvement of the interpolation was quantified. The results show that filtering the secondary observationsof observations from PWS is necessary as the interpolation error after filtering and data transformation decreases significantly. The biggest improvement is achieved for the shortest temporal aggregations. 15
Brain–Computer Interfaces Handbook Technological and Theoretical Advances

This chapter reviews the state of the art of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) that use elec-trocorticography (ECoG) signals as an input. We first present the clinical settings and signal acquisition systems, including subdural grid electrodes, that lend themselves to ECoG data collection. Second, we discuss the current understanding of ECoG signal physiology and ECoG features that cannot be captured by noninvasive electrophysiology or imaging, and how this knowledge can be translated to signal features that can control BCIs. Next, we review ECoG-based BCIs in the literature that enable control, communication, and therapeutic neuromodulation. This is followed by a review of current implantable ECoG device technologies approved or available for investigational use in humans. Finally, we present and discuss various open questions in the field of ECoG BCIs and future research directions that may lead to the translation of these technologies into clinical practice.
Alternating Projected SGD for Equality-constrained Bilevel Optimization

Bilevel optimization, which captures the inherent nested structure of machine learning problems, is gaining popularity in many recent applications. Existing works on bilevel optimization mostly consider either the unconstrained problems or the constrained upper-level problems. In this context, this paper considers the stochastic bilevel optimization problems with equality constraints in both upper and lower levels. By leveraging the special structure of the equality constraints problem, the paper first presents an alternating projected SGD approach to tackle this problem and establishes the ˜ O ( ϵ − 2 ) sample and iteration complexity that matches the state-of-the-art complexity of ALSET (Chen et al., 2021) for stochastic unconstrained bilevel problems. To further save the cost of projection, the paper presents an alternating projected SGD approach with lazy projection and establishes the ˜ O ( ϵ − 2 /T ) upper-level and ˜ O ( ϵ − 1 . 5 /T 34 ) lower-level projection complexity of this new algorithm, where T is the upper-level projection interval. Application to federated bilevel optimization has been presented to showcase the performance of our algorithms. Our results demonstrate that equality-constrained bilevel optimization with strongly-convex lower-level problems can be solved as efficiently as stochastic single-level optimization problems. The code is available at https:// github.com/hanshen95/AiPOD .
JACOBSTHAL AND PELL CURVES

In an earlier paper [2], a study was made of Fibonacci and Lucas curves in the plane, and their Laser-printed graphs were exhibited. These graphs were drawn from the equations of the curves, rather than from the tabulated lists of values of the Cartesian coordinates x and y9 which also served a purpose of their own. It is desirable to extend the work in [2] and so produce a more complete theory. Here, we present basic information about the corresponding curves associated with (i) Pell and Pell-Lucas numbers, and (11) Jacobsthal and Jacobs thaiLucas numbers, in our nomenclature. Curves associated with (i) will carry the generic name of Pell curves while those connected with (ii) will be designated Jacobsthal curves, There seems to be no theory related to (i) and (ii) which corresponds to the result of Halsey [1] for Fibonacci numbers. To avoid unnecessary duplication in our discussion, we will consider the numbers in (i) and (ii) (as well as the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers) to be special instances of a general sequence {wn} whose relevant properties will be investigated. Thus, the Pell and Jacobsthal curves, as well as the Fibonacci and Lucas curves, may be thought of as members of a family of curves which we shall designate as w-curves. The two Pell curves and the two Jacobsthal curves resemble the Fibonacci and Lucas curvess so we will not reproduce them here* Instead, the reader is invited to compare them in the minds eye with the curves exhibited in [2].
Habits, Goals, and Behavioral Signs of Cognitive Perseveration on Wisconsin Card-Sorting Tasks

Wisconsin card-sorting tasks provide unique opportunities to study cognitive flexibility and its limitations, which express themselves behaviorally as perseverative errors (PE). PE refer to those behavioral errors on Wisconsin card-sorting tasks that are committed when cognitive rules are maintained even though recently received outcomes demand to switch to other rules (i.e., cognitive perseveration). We explored error-suppression effects (ESE) across three Wisconsin card-sorting studies. ESE refer to the phenomenon that PE are reduced on repetitive trials compared to non-repetitive trials. We replicated ESE in all three Wisconsin card-sorting studies. Study 1 revealed that non-associative accounts of ESE, in particular the idea that cognitive inhibition may account for them, are not tenable. Study 2 suggested that models of instrumental learning are among the most promising associative accounts of ESE. Instrumental learning comprises goal-directed control and the formation of corresponding associative memories over and above the formation of habitual memories according to dual-process models of instrumental learning. Study 3 showed that cognitive, rather than motor, representations of responses should be conceptualized as elements entering goal-directed instrumental memories. Collectively, the results imply that ESE on Wisconsin card-sorting tasks are not only a highly replicable phenomenon, but they also indicate that ESE provide an opportunity to study cognitive mechanisms of goal-directed instrumental control. Based on the reported data, we present a novel theory of cognitive perseveration (i.e., the ‘goal-directed instrumental control’ GIC model), which is outlined in the Concluding Discussion.
Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Fish Oil as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on Growth Performance and Physiological Parameters of Growing Rabbits

Y. Eid1, S. Abo El-Sood1, A. Fawzi1, W.A. Morsy2* and H. Mehany3 1Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt 2Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, 12618, Egypt. 3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 33516, Egypt Article Information Received 02 August 2022 Revised 08 September 2022 Accepted 21 September 2022 Available online 24 May 2023 (early access)
Lempel-Ziv Networks

Sequence processing has long been a central area of machine learning research. Recurrent neural nets have been successful in processing sequences for a number of tasks; however, they are known to be both ineffective and computationally expensive when applied to very long sequences. Compression-based methods have demonstrated more robustness when processing such sequences -- in particular, an approach pairing the Lempel-Ziv Jaccard Distance (LZJD) with the k-Nearest Neighbor algorithm has shown promise on long sequence problems (up to $T=200,000,000$ steps) involving malware classification. Unfortunately, use of LZJD is limited to discrete domains. To extend the benefits of LZJD to a continuous domain, we investigate the effectiveness of a deep-learning analog of the algorithm, the Lempel-Ziv Network. While we achieve successful proof of concept, we are unable to improve meaningfully on the performance of a standard LSTM across a variety of datasets and sequence processing tasks. In addition to presenting this negative result, our work highlights the problem of sub-par baseline tuning in newer research areas.
Has bank credit really impacted agricultural productivity in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community?

Purpose – This paper investigates the impact of bank credit on agricultural productivity in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) from 1990 to 2019. Studies ’ results on the impact of bank credit on agricultural productivity are not conclusive. The studies demonstrate diverse outcomes which are debatable. The results are conflicting. Design/methodology/approach – Agricultural value added (AGRVA) to the gross domestic product (GDP) proxies agricultural productivity while domestic credit to the private sector by banks (DCPSB), broad money supply, land, inflation (INF), physical capital (PHKAP) and labour supply are explanatory variables. The autoregressive distributed lag technique is utilized. Findings – The co-integration test results show a long-run co-integration among the variables. The findings disclosethatDCPSB,landandPHKAPimpactpositivelyontheAGRVA.Broadmoneysupply,INFandlabour impact negatively on the AGRVA to the GDP. Researchlimitations/implications – TheresultssuggestthattheCEMACgovernmentsshouldencourage effective ways to increase bank credit flow to private enterprises in the agricultural sector through efficient bank ’ s intermediation. Practicalimplications – Thegovernmentsshouldcreatemoreagriculturalbanksandimprovetheoperation of existing ones to ensure direct credit to agricultural activities. The Bank of Central African Economic and Monetary Community should apply aggressive policy which eliminates all the bottlenecks undermining credit flow to the private sector in mutualism with agricultural productivity. Socialimplications – Thecommercialbanksshouldgivemorecredittoprivatesectortomutuallybenefitthe agriculturalsectorandthebankingsector.ThegovernmentsoftheCEMACeconomiesshouldexpandfundingintothecapitalmarketwhichconsiderablyboostsagriculturalproductivity. Originality/value – Studies ’ results on the impact of bank credit on agricultural productivity are not conclusive. The studies demonstrate diverse outcomes which are debatable. The results are conflicting; some
The Impact of Natural Disasters on Human Capital

We show that natural disasters affect a region’s aggregate human capital through at least four channels. In addition to causing out-migration, natural disasters reduce student achievement, lower high school graduation rates, and decrease post-secondary attendance. We estimate that disasters that cause at least $500 in per capita property damage reduce the net present value (NPV) of an affected county’s human capital by an average of $505 per person. These negative effects on human capital are not restricted to large disasters: less severe events – disasters with property damages of $100-$500 per capita – also cause significant and persistent reductions in student achievement and post-secondary attendance.