Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drought and salinity stress management for higher and sustainable canola (Brassica napus L.) production: a critical review

The oil of canola ('Brassica napus' L.), a globally important major oilseed crop, is used for salads, frying, the development of margarines, shortenings, and other food products. However, the growth and yield of canola are mainly restricted by drought and salinity, which can become acute in climate change. The exogenous application of some antioxidants has been shown to enhance tolerance to drought and salinity in select plants. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the effect of drought and salinity stress is crucial for understanding their adverse effect on canola cultivation and to establish useful strategies to maximize oil productivity. Given the economic importance of this crop, we reviewed studies within the extensive canola literature to assess the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, with a special emphasis on drought, water deficit and salinity, and how these stresses impact its growth and productivity in a bid to determine the role that antioxidants might play in alleviating the adverse effects of environmental stresses. This review notes how the productivity of canola tends to decrease under different abiotic stresses due to their adverse effect on morphological, physiological and biochemical processes, including lowered or reduced leaf area, leaf relative water content, stability of cell membranes, photosynthetic capacity, stomatal conductance, damage to chlorophyll and the production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, this review also discusses management strategies that would allow researchers or farmers to mitigate salinity and drought stress by using compatible solutes, nutrient management or other means to maximize canola yield. The application of antioxidants to soil, in combination with essential nutrients, alongside other management strategies, may assist in alleviating the harmful effects of environmental stresses in canola production.
Statistical Analysis on the Impact of Nigerian Immigrants on the Economy of Ghana

Ghana has been a destination for immigration in the post-colonial era and is still today hence the detrimental and potential contributions made by immigrants are worthy of investigation and examination. The country's non-enforced immigration laws have often made it a place for its neighbors to enter and work. Nigeria, a neighbor of Ghana breeds more developmental challenges than Ghana hence the movement of its citizens to Ghana for jobs and other purposes. Preferably, they move to Ghana because of the many cultural similarities and English as the official languages of the two countries. The research employs a mixed-method approach, as the subject cannot be addressed by just using either a qualitative or a quantitative method. The Study analyzes the contribution of Nigerian immigrants with multiple linear regression models and examines the relationship between Labor Market, Public Finance, and Real GDP. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between each independent variable and dependent variables. To find out Nigerian immigrant contribution to the economy of Ghana, labor Market, and Public Finance were measured against the dependent variable Real GDP in the multiple linear regression models. The results showed that there was no positive relationship between the independent variables (Labor Market and Public Finance and the dependent variable Real GDP). This implies Nigerian immigrants do not contribute to the Real GDP of Ghana.
SLC status and NLC design and R and D

In this paper, the authors will first review the status of the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC). In particular, they discuss the luminosity and performance issues and the accelerator studies that relate to future linear colliders. Next, they describe the present state of the Next Linear Collider (NLC) design and the ongoing R and D effort which is, in addition to the work at the SLC, supporting the design. This includes extensive ground motion measurements to verify the required stability, measurements of the dipole wakefields to verify the performance of the Damped-Detuned accelerator Structures (DDS), and tests of the rf structure BPMs that are needed to align the structure to the beam trajectory. It also includes the development and fabrication of the X-band structures, klystrons, and rf pulse compressors that are needed to accelerate the beams with gradients in excess of 50 MV/m. It should be noted that much of the material reported here is described in greater detail in other papers submitted to this conference and thus the appropriate references are included throughout. In addition, because of space limitations, they only briefly describe the design of the NLC and, instead, concentrate on the R and D that is supporting the more » design. « less
Pull the plug or take the plunge: Multiple opportunities and the speed of venturing decisions in the Australian mining industry

Effectively capturing opportunities requires rapid decision-making. We investigate the speed of opportunity evaluation decisions by focusing on firms' venture termination and venture advancement decisions. Experience, standard operating procedures, and confidence allow firms to make opportunity evaluation decisions faster; we propose that a firm's attentional orientation, as reflected in its project portfolio, limits the number of domains in which these speed-enhancing mechanisms can be developed. Hence firms' decision speed is likely to vary between different types of decisions. Using unique data on 3,269 mineral exploration ventures in the Australian mining industry, we find that firms with a higher degree of attention toward earlier-stage exploration activities are quicker to abandon potential opportunities in early development but slower to do so later, and that such firms are also slower to advance on potential opportunities at all stages compared to firms that focus their attention differently. Market dynamism moderates these relationships, but only with regard to initial evaluation decisions. Our study extends research on decision speed by showing that firms are not necessarily fast or slow regarding all the decisions they make, and by offering an opportunity evaluation framework that recognizes that decision makers can, in fact often do, pursue multiple potential opportunities simultaneously.
The influences of grafting density and polymer–nanoparticle interaction on crystallisation of polymer composites

ABSTRACT Crystallisation of polymer chains grafted onto a nanoparticle and the effects of grafting density and polymer–nanoparticle interaction were investigated by Monte Carlo simulations. The increase of grafting density leads to the improvements of nucleation ability and the increase in both melting point and final crystallinity. Moreover, the increase of interfacial interaction can lead to the changes of nucleation mode from homogenous nucleation to heterogeneous nucleation, accelerating the nucleation process. To explain the increase of melting point induced by grafting, a prediction of theoretical formula is established, which indicates that the melting point is related to the deformation and concentration of grafted polymer chains. Our findings develop a thermodynamic background for the crystallisation of grafted polymer systems and explain the corresponding experimental results, which has a certain guiding implication for the design, preparation and application of polymer nanocomposites.
Neoadjuvant Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by low resection and high postoperative recurrence rates, and conventional treatment strategies have failed to meet clinical needs. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is widely employed in the routine management of several solid tumors because it increases resectability and reduces the rate of postoperative recurrence. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the effects of NAT on HCC. As systemic therapy, particularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy, is given for HCC treatment, accumulating evidence shows that the “spring” of NAT for HCC is imminent. In the future, HCC researchers should focus on identifying biomarkers for treatment response, explore the mechanisms of resistance, and standardize the endpoints of NAT.
Compact wideband differential bandpass filter based on the double-sided parallel-strip line and transversal signal-interaction concepts

Two compact wideband differential bandpass filters based on the double-sided parallel-strip line (DSPSL) and transversal signal-interaction concepts are proposed in this study. Two transmission zeros and good harmonic suppression can be achieved for the first wideband differential DSPSL filter, because of the two transmission paths with different lengths for input/output ports. In addition, another improved common suppression wideband differential DSPSL filter with two 180/ phase inverters is introduced. Four λ /4 shorted lines are added to improve the passband transmission characteristic for the two differential DSPSL filters. Two prototypes with 3/dB fractional bandwidth of 94 and 117.6/, and return loss greater than 15/dB for differential mode are designed and fabricated. The measured results show good agreement with the theoretical expectations.
INFLUENCIA DO HIDROGEL NO CRESCIMENTO E NO TEOR DE NUTRIENTES DAS MUDAS DE Eucalyptus dunnii

Objetivou-se avaliar doses do hidro-retentor adicionado ao substrato sobre crescimento, teor nutricional e qualidade de mudas de Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden . O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos, constituidos de concentracoes crescentes do hidrogel (0; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 g.L -1 ). Foram utilizadas seis repeticoes, cada uma composta por 24 plantas. Aos 90 dias apos a semeadura, foi realizada a avaliacao de parâmetros morfologicos das mudas e analise nutricional da parte aerea. A dose em torno de 4,5 g.L -1 ocasiona a melhor resposta quanto as variaveis avaliadas, proporcionando maior altura, diâmetro de coleto, massa seca da parte aerea e radicular e indice de qualidade de Dickson. O uso de doses abaixo de 3 g.L -1 ou acima de 4,5 g.L -1 diminuiram a qualidade das mudas. Todos os macronutrientes apresentaram maior teor na parte aerea (caule + folhas) na presenca do hidrogel. O teor dos macronutrientes na parte aerea das mudas aumenta com a adicao do hidrogel, porem diminui o teor dos micronutrientes. Em geral, o uso do polimero hidro-retentor aumentou a qualidade das mudas de E. dunnii . Palavras-chave : Producao de mudas; polimero hidroretentor; retencao de agua e nutrientes; analise nutricional. Abstract Doses of hydrogel influencing growth and nutritional content in seedlings Eucalyptus dunnii. The objective was to evaluate different dosages of hidroretentor added to the substrate on the growth, nutrient content and quality of Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden . The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six treatments, and increasing concentrations of the hydrogel (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 g.L -1 ). Were six replicates, each consisting of 24 plants. At 90 days after sowing was evaluated morphological parameters of seedlings and nutritional analysis of the seedlings. The dose around 4.5 g.L -1 brings the best answer for the variables evaluated, providing greater height, diameter collect, shoot dry mass, root parts and Dickson quality index. The use of doses below 3 g.L -1 or above 4.5 g.L -1 decreased the quality of seedlings. All macronutrients showed higher content in shoots (leaves + stem) in the presence of the hydrogel. The macronutrient content of the shoots of seedlings increases with the addition of the hydrogel, but decreases the content of micronutrients. In general, the use of polymer hidroretentor increased the quality of the seedlings of E. dunnii . Keywords : Seedling production; polymer hidroretentor; retention of water and nutrients; nutritional analysis.
Integrated Design and Engineering using Building Information Modelling: A Pilot Project of Small-Scale Housing Development in The Netherlands

Abstract During the design phase, decisions are made that affect, on average, 70% of the life-cycle cost of a building. Therefore, collaborative design relying on multidisciplinary knowledge of the building life cycle is essential. Building information modelling (BIM) makes it possible to integrate knowledge from various project participants that traditionally work in different phases of the building process. BIM has been applied in a number of large-scale projects in the industrial real estate and infrastructure sectors in different countries, including The Netherlands. The projects in the housing sector, however, are predominantly small scale and carried out by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs are looking for practical and affordable BIM solutions for housing projects. This article reports a pilot project of small-scale housing development using BIM in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands. The conceptual knowledge derived from European and national research projects is disseminated to the SMEs through a series of experimental working sessions. Action learning protocols within a pilot project are developed to ensure direct impacts in terms of cost reduction and quality improvement. The project shows that BIM can be applied without radical changes to the SMEs' information and communication technology systems or to their business organizations.
IMPLEMENTASI PEMBELAJARAN RQA DIPADU TPS MELALUI LESSON STUDY TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR MAHASISWA

The effort to master the competency can be done by creating a planned learning community, systematic, and continuous (continuous improvement). An alternative attempt to do to make continuous improvement is through Lesson Study. The purpose of this study is to determine the application of RQA learning combined by TPS through lesson study on student learning outcomes. Lesson Study conducted in three (3) stages: Plan (planning), Do (implement), and See (reflection). Subjects in the test phase the product user groups through lesson study, were 29 students (rombel 1), 3 members from the team of Plant Anatomy course, and 4 graduate students of Biology Education FKIP Syiah Kuala who has got the socialization Lesson study as an observer. Learning materials that has been agreed is: plant cells. The data analysis was conducted descriptively on the observation sheet, sheet discussions, and learning outcomes (postes), and student responses. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that: The application of RQA strategy combined with TPS through lesson study can improve student learning activity in plant cell material. Postes values shown 44.83% of students obtained A, 41.37% of students obtained B +, and 13.80% of students obtained B. Student response to the strategy that used by the implementation of lesson study is very good. Learning strategies which received is a new thing for them, make them aware about the importance of independence in learning. In addition, the learning that they follow, have been able to set up a new way of their learning, and able to evaluate the learning that they do. They agreed to implement these strategies in studying other biology course.
Contemporary Topics in In Situ Testing, Analysis, and Reliability of Foundations

Proceedings of the International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo, held in Orlando, Florida, March 15-19, 2009. Sponsored by the Geo-Institute of ASCE; International Association of Foundation Drilling; Pile Driving Contractors Association. This Geotechnical Special Publication contains 84 selected, peer-reviewed papers covering technological advances, case histories, present challenges related to foundations, ground support, and earth retention. Topics include: in situ testing; computational modeling; reliability, serviceability, and LRFD; scour of bridge foundations; laterally loaded deep foundations; issues in geotechnical education.
Development of guidelines for the rating, inspection, and acquisition of railroad flatcars for use as highway bridges on low-volume roads

Due to budget constraints, many state and county highway agencies are often forced to develop innovative and economical rehabilitation strategies for deteriorated bridges. One such option is to use a retired railroad flatcar for a bridge superstructure. Railroad flatcars can be found in many lengths, making them versatile options for replacing bridges of a range of span lengths up to about 90 feet. Railroad flatcars are also completely modular and lightweight, allowing for quick construction. Within Indiana, as well as other states, several of these bridge structures have been in service for many years. Although their performance has been satisfactory, there is little to no guidance in the AASHTO Specifications for load rating and inspecting these structures. This inexperience has led to many of these bridges being conservatively posted for traffic loads which are likely less than their actual capacity. Furthermore, inspectors may not be familiar with the details and areas which require special attention during field inspection. County and state highway officials also have little guidance when choosing which railroad flatcars are suitable for use as bridges. This research is focused on the development of load rating guidelines for railroad flatcar bridges through the use of field instrumentation and controlled load testing. The proposed load rating guidelines intended to be a simple, yet not over-conservative, alternative to existing load rating procedures as well as those developed in previous research studies. Proposed inspection and acquisition guidelines were also developed based on field observations of numerous Indiana railroad flatcar bridges and discussions with county officials who possess a great deal of experience with these structures.
Cinema going in the United States in the mid-1930s: a study based on the Variety dataset

Throughout the 1930s, the entertainment industry trade journal Variety published extensive information on the North American exhibition market in each of its weekly issues. The 'Pictures' section of Variety included weekly box-office reports from as many as 200 cinemas in 20 cities. The cinemas included were mainly 'first-run' venues with a large seating capacity, but there were also some smaller, second-run and specialty cinemas. The reports were organized by city, and they provided general comments on the trading conditions, audience preferences and promotional strategies seen in each city during the previous week, as well as more specific reports from a selection of the city's cinemas, indicating the box-office results for the week, and listing the items on each cinema's programme.
GPR30 negatively regulates inflammation in gout by inhibiting IL-1β production

Background: Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis induced by monosodium urate crystal (MSU) precipitation.The incidence of gout attack was significantly higher in men than women, indicating the important role of oestrogen system in pathogenesis of gout, but the specific mechanisms underlying remained to be explored. GPR30, the newly defined estrogen receptor, had been proved participated in regulating inflammation in some diseases. As different estrogen receptors paly different role in inflammation regulation, how GPR30 was involved in the inflammation induced by MSU in gout was still unknown. Methods: In this work, we investigated the function of GPR30 in inflammation induced by MSU in cultured macrophages and in mouse model by using G-1(the agonist of GPR30). We further tested the expression of the TLR and NOD like receptor protein3 (NLRP3), which are the key receptor involved in pathogenesis of gout. ROS and cleaved-caspase-1 expression were also detected to confirm the regulation role in NLRP3 pathway. Seahorse analysis was used to detect the metabolism profile in macrophages by G-1 to investigate the mechanism of GPR30 in inflammation. The relative expression of GPR30 were detected according to the inflammation state to confirm the role of GPR30 in gout. Results: Negative regulation role of G-1 in IL-1β expression and NLRP3 expression were found both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the negative regulation of ROS production and NLRP3 as well as cleaved-caspase-1 expression were also found in G-1 stimulated macrophages. Our data also showed that G-1 inhibited aerobic glycolysis in LPS activated macrophages, which might be responsible for IL-1β and NLRP3 expression. Higher expression levels of GPR30 were found in patients with remitted gout inflammation. Conclusion: Together, our data suggested that GPR30 was involved in the negative inflammation regulation induced by MSU and high expression of GPR30 might contribute to part of the mechanism of inflammation remission of gout.
Emergent Citizen Groups in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Activities

This is a report briefly summarizing a three and a half year project that extended from late 1981 until the end of 1984. As a global and general summary, it can be read by many audiences as an overall introduction to our work. disaster researchers and social and behavioral scientists who might want to know how we conducted our study and/or who might be interested in the inductively but empirically generated hypotheses and models we generated. With a heavy emphasis on research procedures and general findings, the r~ ort does not present much of the data as such. The more specific details, including the quantitative and qualitative data are given in the more specialized cmpleted or planned papers and publications listed in an appendix to this report. Similarly, while we allude to some of the implications of our work, those policy makers, planners, and citizens concerned with disasters, will have to look at our other writings other than this volume, to derive concrete and specific applications of our research results. However, this report is primarily aimed at The relocation of DRC from Ohio State University to the University of Delaware at the end of December 1984, while it did not interfere with the completion of the data gathering phase of the project, did delay more than would otherwise have been the case, the finishing of some of the more specific analyses and more specific topical papers that were planned. It is anticipated that the uncompleted analytical and writing work will be concluded in the coming months. However, there is no reason to think that the yet unfinished specifically oriented analyses will alter or modify in any significant ways the general findings summarized in the this final report, which is partly based OF more than two dozen publically circulated specific analyses, as well as twice as many analyses presently available only in DRC internal documents.