Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomics approaches to unlock the high yield potential of cassava, a tropical model plant

Cassava, a tropical food, feed and biofuel crop, has great capacity for biomass accumulation and an extraordinary efficiency in water use and mineral nutrition, which makes it highly suitable as a model plant for tropical crops. However, the understanding of the metabolism and genomics of this important crop is limited. The recent breakthroughs in the genomics of cassava, including whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis, as well as advances in the biology of photosynthesis, starch biosynthesis, adaptation to drought and high temperature, and resistance to virus and bacterial diseases, are reviewed here. Many of the new developments have come from comparative analyses between a wild ancestor and existing cultivars. Finally, the current challenges and future potential of cassava as a model plant are discussed.
Enhancing firm financial position by reducing white collar crime through financial crime control remedies: A study of KP hospitals

This study focuses on a sympathetic activation of a structure which encounters three factors namely; financial crime control remedy (FCCR), white-collar crime (WCC) and firm financial position (FFP). Questionnaires were distributed on cross-sectional basis among the staff members of 6 different private hospitals of Peshawar and Kohat cities of KP Pakistan. Structure equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the impact of predictors on response variable. The findings provided evidence on the dynamics of FCCR on controlling WCC which further leads to enhancement of FFP. The recommendation and future area of the research was also given in the study.
The effect of ethanol and temperature on the structural properties of mesoporous silica synthesized by the sol-gel method

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are synthesized in the presence of ethanol as a co-solvent and different temperatures by the sol-gel process. The spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles are obtained at 50˚C in presence of 1 ml ethanol. Increasing the reaction temperature with constant amount of ethanol from 30˚C to 50˚C, decreases the particle size scarcely from 84–115 to 86–94 nm and further increasing of temperature from 50˚C to 80˚C, increases the particle size to 160 nm with disordered morphology of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Presence of ethanol leads to formation of high quality, clear and uniform particles with desirable spherical morphology and larger particles up to 170nm in constant temperature. Furthermore, the structural properties of mesoporous silica nanoparticles are improved by increasing ethanol in the synthesis. According to N2 adsorption-desorption, with 5 ml ethanol, the pore size, pore volume and specific surface area are 3.93 nm, 0.40 Cm3 g−1, and 531 m2 g−1, respectively.
Planetary Gearbox Fault Diagnosis Using Envelope Manifold Demodulation

The important issue in planetary gear fault diagnosis is to extract the dependable fault characteristics from the noisy vibration signal of planetary gearbox. To address this critical problem, an envelope manifold demodulation method is proposed for planetary gear fault detection in the paper. This method combines complex wavelet, manifold learning, and frequency spectrogram to implement planetary gear fault characteristic extraction. The vibration signal of planetary gear is demodulated by wavelet enveloping. The envelope energy is adopted as an indicator to select meshing frequency band. Manifold learning is utilized to reduce the effect of noise within meshing frequency band. The fault characteristic frequency of the planetary gear is shown by spectrogram. The planetary gearbox model and test rig are established and experiments with planet gear faults are conducted for verification. All results of experiment analysis demonstrate its effectiveness and reliability.
On the Mark Information Monotonicity in Random Disambiguation Paths

We consider the problem of navigating an agent to safely and swiftly traverse a nondeterministic network along a random disambiguation path (RDP). Other than assuming that the probability of existence of any nondeterministic is known as a priori, we assume that a sensor characterized by two conditional distribution functions is available to generate a maker for each nondeterministic arc after an observation. We study whether the improvement on the sensor quality incurs the reduction of the total cost (traveling cost plus disambiguation cost) the agent pays to reach the target given a navigation protocol and in the same terrain. We introduce the concepts of stochastic ordering of sensors and mark information monotonicity (MIM) of protocols. We propose two types of concrete navigation protocols: threshold protocol and penalty protocol and introduce some preliminary analytical results. We also introduce some Monte Carlo simulation results in minefield application.
A new species of Cantharellus (Cantharellales, Basidiomycota, Fungi) from subalpine forest in Yunnan, China

Cantharellus versicolor is described and illustrated as a new species based on morphological and molecular characters. The most significant features to distinguish the new species from other known Cantharellus are its extremely fleshy, turning gray after injury and with black floccose-fibrillose scales composed of thick-walled and irregular, erect hyphae on the pileus. It is described from the subalpine belt of Shangri-La, northwestern Yunnan, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the transcription elongation factor 1-alpha sequence data further support its systematic position in the subgenus Cantharellus and its description as a new species.
Analysis, Perception and Aspects of Risk Management in the Construction Sector of Pakistan

Management of risk is very significant in the construction sector of Pakistan. Firstly, risk and uncertainty are defined and described in detail. Risk management and risk management process is also defined, described and explained. This risk and risk management provided necessary details and background for this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted for collection of data and information about risk management in Pakistan. Interviews were also conducted for the deeper investigation, study and analysis of the particular specific aspects of risk management in construction sector of Pakistan. Data analysis was done on the basis of data, information, ideas and views regarding risk management from the results of questionnaire survey and interviews. In data analysis, we discussed the aspects of risk management, documentation analysis, research trustworthiness, contracting types and the role of collaborative relationships such as relational contracting and joint risk management. This analysis and discussion provided the important concepts of better and effective risk management. Keywords: Construction Project, Risk Management, Questionnaire Survey, Interview, Analysis.
The towing tank for manoeuvres in shallow water

cm Centimetre FHR Flanders Hydraulic Research GSP Groningen Seaports kHz Kilohertz kn Knots (nautical speed) KSN Keep Sediments Navigable N.A. P. Normaal Amsterdams Peil (reference height) m Meter Pa.s Pascal second UKC Under Keel Clearance W&P Wiertsema & Partners UKC210kHz UKC with respect to 210kHz based on survey of 2 of May 2015 UKC33kHz UKC with respect to 33kHz based on survey of 2 of May 2015
Baryon Budget of the Hot Circumgalactic Medium of Massive Spiral Galaxies

The baryon content around local galaxies is observed to be much less than is needed in Big Bang nucleosynthesis. Simulations indicate that a significant fraction of these “missing baryons” may be stored in a hot tenuous circumgalactic medium (CGM) around massive galaxies extending to or even beyond the virial radius of their dark matter halos. Previous observations in X-ray and Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) signals claimed that ∼(1–50)% of the expected baryons are stored in a hot CGM within the virial radius. The large scatter is mainly caused by the very uncertain extrapolation of the hot gas density profile based on the detection in a small radial range (typically within 10%–20% of the virial radius). Here, we report stacking X-ray observations of six local isolated massive spiral galaxies from the CGM-MASS sample. We find that the mean density profile can be characterized by a single power law out to a galactocentric radius of ≈200 kpc (or ≈130 kpc above the 1σ background uncertainty), about half the virial radius of the dark matter halo. We can now estimate that the hot CGM within the virial radius accounts for (8 ± 4)% of the baryonic mass expected for the halos. Including the stars, the baryon fraction is (27 ± 16)%, or (39 ± 20)% by assuming a flattened density profile at r ≳ 130 kpc. We conclude that the hot baryons within the virial radius of massive galaxy halos are insufficient to explain the “missing baryons. ”
Active Learning for Semi-Supervised Kernel Logistic Regression (Numerical Optimization methods, theory and applications)

The purpose of this paper is to introduoe new approaches for kernel logistic $reyae8ion$ in a semi-supervised setting. Using the special structure of Laplacian kernel matrices, we propose new formulations which minimize the negative log likelihood of the kernel logistic regroesion model quite eﬃciently. The proposed formulations can be seen as a natural extension of the recently developed semi-supervised learning method based on Gaussian random ﬁeld and harmonic functions. Also, we propoee new algorithms for performing pool-based active learning based on A-optimality in which the semi-supervised kernel logistic regression is used to estimate the chae probabilities. We show that the active learning algorithms csn be carried out in the feature space deﬁned by the wciated kernel matrices. We give experimental results showing that the proposed active learning method can generate accurate classiﬁers using a fewer number of labeled data points $ \infty mprd$ with the random queries.
Gamecloud - A Platform for Connecting Video Games

The growing video game markets, especially the mobile market, have caused problems in terms of new game products being found by players. Cross-promotion and in-game advertising have been used to promote video games inside each other. However, the digital nature of video games as an interactive medium enables deeper collaboration between video games, and could be used in a more profound manner. We interviewed Finnish video game companies to understand if they were interested in creating deeper collaboration between their game products, and how such collaboration could take place. Based on the results, we built a platform called Gamecloud for connecting games together. We present the platform architecture and demonstrate it in use, with examples of connecting games with other games and connecting games with the real world, alongside an example of physical exercising.
Differences in Genetic Structure among Fagus orientalis Lipsky (Oriental Beech) Populations under Different Management Conditions: Implications for in situ Gene Conservation

Resource sustainability requires a thorough understanding of the influence of forest management programs on the conservation of genetic diversity in tree populations. To observe how differences in forest management affect the genetic structure of Fagus orientalis Lipsky (oriental beech), we evaluated thirteen beech sites across Hyrcanian forests, based on six microsatellite loci. Significant differences between managed (mostly shelter wood system) and unmanaged populations was revealed. Inbreeding coefficient in managed populations was higher than unmanaged populations. A low, but significant, differentiation among all populations was found which reveals a clear geographic structure. Although the results indicate that the shelter wood system has minimum impact on the genetic diversity on a short term in oriental beech, but definitely inbreeding can increase in beech populations under intense management for long periods of time. According to these results, 4 populations from different part of Hyrcanian forests are suggested as potential in situ conservation sites. in this area not reached by ice periods; only they have been influenced indirectly from glacial. From the point of view of its floristic composition, the beech belt is linked with European forests. This level particularly has some affinities with the beech forests of Balkans. The lower levels, on the contrary, are much more specific and include subtropical elements.
Employment Dynamics and the Nashville Tornado

This study examines changes in Nashvilleâ€™s labor market following the April 16, 1998 tornado. Specifically, the study focuses on whether or not employment growth experienced a change in mean around the time of the tornado. A time series intervention model that allows for timevarying variance is used to examine the labor market dynamics associated with the impact of the tornado and the ensuing recovery process. The analysis of employment growth is conducted at the aggregate (overall) level as well as for seven industrial sectors. The empirical findings may be summarized as follows. The aggregate Nashville labor market, along with manufacturing, service, transportation and public utilities, and wholesale, retail trade sectors, experienced a more stable employment growth rate in the post-tornado period. Employment in the construction and mining and government sectors exhibited no evidence of change between the pre- and post-tornado periods. Employment growth in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector was lower in the posttornado period than in the pre-tornado period, while employment growth in the transportation and public utilities sector significantly increased in the period following the tornado.
Critical Success Factors for Building Information Modelling Implementation

Adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the global construction industry is fast growing. This paper expounds the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for BIM implementation and explore their ranking and underlying relationships. A total of 28 CSFs was identified from the review of previous studies on success factors. Survey questionnaire containing these 28 factors was used to collect data from industry practitioners in Nigeria. Benchmark metrics was developed to rank the success factors. The topmost five success factors for BIM implementation in order of importance are: standard platforms for integration and communication; cost of development; education and training; standardization (product and process); and clear definition and understanding of users’ requirement. Analysis of variance shows that significant differences exist in the pattern of rating for the topmost CSFs based on turnover. Factor analysis was further adopted to group the 28 CSFs into five components, using rotated component matrix method. The five components extracted are: (i) industry stakeholders’ commitment and knowledge of BIM, (ii) capacity building for technology adoption, (iii) organisational support, (iv) collaborative synergy among industry professional and (v) cultural orientation. The rankings of the CSFs provide basis for prioritising the most significant factors that industry stakeholders should focus attention for successful implementation of BIM. In addition, the underlying relationships among the success factors identified in this study, will assist industry stakeholders to determine best strategy to adopt in implementing BIM at industry level.
Random Error Reduction Scheme for Combinational Stochastic Circuit

In conventional stochastic computation, all the input streams are Bernoulli sequences (BSs), which may result in large random error. To reduce random error and improve computational accuracy, some other sequences have been reported as alternatives to BSs. However, these sequences only apply to the specific stochastic circuits, have difficulties in hardware generation, or have length constraints. To this end, new sequences without these disadvantages should be considered. This paper proposes the random error analysis method for stochastic computation based on autocorrelation sequence (AS), which is more general than the conventional one based on BS. The analysis results show that we can use the proper ASs as input streams of stochastic circuits to reduce random error. On the basis of that conclusion, we propose the random error reduction scheme based on maximal concentrated autocorrelation sequence (MCAS) and BS, both of which are ASs. MCAS and BS are applicable to any combinational stochastic circuit, are easily generated by hardware, and have no length constraints, which avoid the disadvantages of sequences in the previous work. Moreover, we apply the proposed random error reduction scheme into several typical stochastic circuits as case studies. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Comparative Analysis of Portable Weeders &Powers Tillers in the Indian Market

Comparative study for portable weeders and power tillers in the Indian market is discussed. Various methods used for weed removal in crops are also discussed. Main focus of this is to study various equipment’s used for mechanical weed removal. This study revealed that most of the Indian farmers, majority of which are small scale farmers can afford only portable weeders. These small scale farmers as such don’t use mechanical weed control methods. Chemical and manual weeding is predominantly used by these small scale farmers. The literature survey indicated that portable weeders are relatively less expensive in operation and maintenance but are also less versatile. Power tillers are considerably more expensive but are also very much more versatile and can operate in variable soil conditions. Due to these constraints most smaller farmers resort to chemical and manual weeding. These methods are labor intensive and as such a major constraint in crop production. Research has been carried out in many countries to involve technologies such as image analysis, GPS navigation, etc. in mechanical weeding machines. But most these efforts are yet to leave a lasting effect in market place. Hence it is necessary to develop more efficient and cost effective methods of mechanical weeding so as to lessen the use of chemical and manual weed removal methods
LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE WITH CONCOMINANT TRICUSPID VALVE REPAIR: IMPACT ON RIGHT VENTRICULAR REVERSE REMODELLING AND SURVIVAL

Background. In the end stage heart failure (HF) patients with moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the surgical decision for tricuspid valve (TV) repair during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation surgery is not clear. Methods. We included 31 patient with end-stage heart failure and moderate to severe TVR (≥II degree) to our retrospective study analysis. 19 patients received TV annuloplasty during LVAD implantation (TVR+ group), whereas 12 patients didn’t (TVR- group). Demographic, clinical and echocardiographic parameters were assessed in both groups preoperatively and 1 month after surgery. Overall 12 months survival was analysed with Kaplan – Meier method and compared between groups. Results. Inhospital or 30 days mortality rate in TVR+ and TVR- groups was 21.1% and 8.3%, respectively (p=0.624). The overall survival rates up to 12 months did not differ between groups (75% vs 57.89%, p=0.452). TV regurgitation grade was reduced significantly after LVAD implantation with (p=0.001) and without TV repair (p=0.008). Dimensions of RV and right atrium decreased in TVR+ group (p<0.001). The size of RV did not change significantly in TVRgroup postoperatively, however, the diameter of right atrium reduced significantly in this group (p=0.01). Systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures decreased significantly in both groups of patients. The indices of RV longitudinal function were reduced preoperatively and did not change after LVAD implantation with and without TV repair. Conclusions. Pulmonary artery pressures decreased in all patients after LVAD implantation, while the diameter of RV reduced significantly in patients after concomitant TV repair. Early postoperative mortality and 1 year survival rates did not differ between end stage heart failure patients after LVAD implantation with or without TV annuloplasty.
The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: single-probe measurements from CMASS anisotropic galaxy clustering

Citation: Chuang, C. H. , Prada, F. , Pellejero-Ibanez, M. , Beutler, F. , Cuesta, A. J., Eisenstein, D. J., . Thomas, D. (2016). The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: Single-probe measurements from CMASS anisotropic galaxy clustering. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 461(4), 3781-3793. doi:10.1093/mnras/stw1535
Determination of Grouting Defects in “Deep” PT Ducts Using Gamma Rays

When the ducts are in larger structures, it is necessary to seek a technological alternative. This paper describes an adaptation of THASA s technology to satisfy a request to determine the possible existence of voids and defective grout in ducts in a pier cap 49 -5.5” long and 9 -6” thick. Since it is the center of the cap that sits on the pier, the ducts reach their maximum altitude at the center of the cap and the section of interest is at this high point where the tendon occupies the lower part of the duct.
Main Attributes of Quality and Price Perception for a la Carte Restaurants

This paper presents a qualitative study of the main determinants of perceived quality and perceived price as seen by clients of a la carte restaurants. Focus group interviews were conducted covering four types of consumers: couples without children, groups of friends, families, and groups of executives. The main determinants of perceived quality identified in this study were: attributes of the food, service, ambience, waiting time, cleanliness, security, support facilities, menu, attributes of drinks, privacy, accuracy, decor, and confirmation of expectations. On the other hand, the most important determinants of perceived price were: food quality, decor, ambience, service, support facilities, menu, cleanliness, attributes of drinks, portion size, prior expectations, and privacy. Results suggest a strong relationship between determinants of perceived quality and perceived price, an important aspect to be considered by restaurant managers in order to improve the customer satisfaction. The importance of this work lies in its contribution to research carried out in the restaurant industry, since the findings suggest that quality and price attributes are differently prioritized by customers as a function of their reason for using the service. Hence, managers should look into these factors to position their services according to client characteristics.
Comparison of European and Asian valuation of options with underlying average and stochastic interest rate by Monte Carlo simulation

This paper proposes a methodology to obtain the price of an asian option with underlying averagethrough Monte Carlo simulation. It is assumed that the interest rate is driven by a mean reversion process of Vasicek and CIR type with parameters calibrated by maximum likelihood. The simulation includes the quadratic resampling which reduces the use of computational resources, in particular the method improves the generation of variance covariance matrix. The proposed methodology is applied in the valuation of options with underlying price AMXL. The results show that by comparing prices of european options, with both simulated and published by MexDer with their asian counterparts, asian options prices are lower in the case of call and put options in the money. For put options simulated prices were lower in all cases. It was also found that the difference increases as the time to maturity of the option increases.