Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of spraying methanol solution and drought stress on level of antioxidant enzyme activity, growth, biomass and yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.cv. COS16)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of methanol solution spray treatment on growth, biomass, and functional properties of bean plant under drought stress. The experiment was set up as a fully-randomized design with three replications. The first factor was four concentration levels of spray solution (Control, 10, 20, and 30%) and the spray was applied three times during the plant growth season at 10-day intervals. The second factor was three levels of drought stress; severe drought stress (25% field capacity), moderate drought stress (75% field capacity), and non-stress (100% field capacity). Test results showed that under 20% of methanol and conditions of non-stress there was significant growth of protein content of root and leaf in comparison with the control. Antioxidant enzyme activity was not affected by application of methanol solution spray but leaf antioxidant enzymes activity declined. Under non-stress and methanol concentrations of 10 and 20%, results showed a significant increase in all morphological properties compared with the control treatment. Under conditions of severe and moderate drought stress, level of methanol solution spray did not mitigate the negative effects of drought stress on the studied properties.
A cluster-based external plagiarism and parallel corpora detection method

A CLUSTER-BASED EXTERNAL PLAGIARISM AND PARALLEL CORPORA DETECTION METHOD Ceyhun Efe Karbeyaz M.S. in Computer Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Fazli Can July, 2011 Today different editions and translations of the same literary text can be found. Intuitively such translations that are based on the same literary text are expected to possess significantly similar structure. In the same way, it is possible that a text that is suspected to have plagiarism can possess structural similarities with the text that is believed to be the source of the plagiarism. Textual plagiarism implies the usage of an author’s text, his/her work or the idea that is inserted in another textual work without giving a reference or without taking the permission of the original text’s author. Today, existing intrinsic and external plagiarism detection methods tend to detect plagiarism cases within a given dataset in order to run these algorithms in a reasonable amount of time. Hence a reference document set is built in order to search for plagiarism cases successfully by these algorithms. In this thesis, a method for detecting and quantifying the external plagiarism and parallel corpora is introduced. For this purpose, we use the structural similarities in order to analyze plagiarism detection problem and to quantify the similarity between given texts. In this method, suspicious and source texts are partitioned into corresponding blocks. Each block is represented as a group of documents where a document consists of a fixed amount of words. Then, blocks are indexed and clustered by using the cover coefficient clustering algorithm. Cluster formations for both texts are then analyzed and their similarities are measured. The results over PAN’09 plagiarism dataset and over different versions of the famous literary text classic Leylâ and Mecnun show that the proposed method successfully detects and quantifies the structurally similar plagiarism cases and succeeds in detecting the parallel corpora.
Incoherent Dictionary Learning Method Based on Unit Norm Tight Frame and Manifold Optimization for Sparse Representation

Optimizing the mutual coherence of a learned dictionary plays an important role in sparse representation and compressed sensing. In this paper, a efficient framework is developed to learn an incoherent dictionary for sparse representation. In particular, the coherence of a previous dictionary (or Gram matrix) is reduced sequentially by finding a new dictionary (or Gram matrix), which is closest to the reference unit norm tight frame of the previous dictionary (or Gram matrix). The optimization problem can be solved by restricting the tightness and coherence alternately at each iteration of the algorithm. The significant and different aspect of our proposed framework is that the learned dictionary can approximate an equiangular tight frame. Furthermore, manifold optimization is used to avoid the degeneracy of sparse representation while only reducing the coherence of the learned dictionary. This can be performed after the dictionary update process rather than during the dictionary update process. Experiments on synthetic and real audio data show that our proposed methods give notable improvements in lower coherence, have faster running times, and are extremely robust compared to several existing methods.
Hyperspectral Image Compression By Using Distributed Source Coding

This paper presents an efficient compression algorithm based on distributed source coding. The proposed algorithm employs a block-based quantizer followed by distributed lossless coding. First, a bit-rate allocation algorithm is used to assign the rational bit-rate for each block. Subsequently, the multi-linear regression model is employed to construct the side information of each block, and the optimal quantization step size of each block is obtained under the assigned bit-rate while minimizing the distortion. Finally, the quantized block is encoded by distributed lossless compression. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides competitive compression performance, low encoder complexity and error resilience.
Safety and efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin sodium) in comparison with standard unfractionated heparin for haemodialysis anticoagulation

In this issue of the African Journal of Nephrology (AJN Vol 18, No 1) we publish original articles ranging from the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in an African population in general, to the role of HIV in kidney disease. An elegant study of fractionated heparin use in haemodialysis is also presented. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is an important modality of renal replacement to be considered in Africa in view of its ease of operation. However, beware of potential complications including sclerosing peritonitis as reported in Cape Town (South Africa). As in the past, this issue covers a wide variety of topics with contributions from diverse authors from south to west and North Africa. On behalf of the editorial board, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the authors and reviewers who have contributed to this issue of the journal, as well as to the readers for their sustained interest in the African Journal of Nephrology . Prof A. Assounga, Editor-in-chief
Characteristics of Welding Fume Aerosol Investigated in Three Swedish Workshops

Potentially high human exposures to nanometer sized airborne particles occur due to welding and other thermal processes in industrial environments. Detailed field measurements of physical and chemical particle characteristics were performed in three work-shops in Sweden. Measurements were performed both in the plume 5-20 cm above the welding point and in the background air (more than 5 m away from the nearest known particle source). Particle number and mass concentrations were measured on-line. A low pressure impactor was used for size-resolved chemical particle composition. The in-plume measurements generated the chemical signatures for different welding processes. These signatures were then used to identify contributions from various processes to the particle concentrations in different size classes. The background number and mass concentrations increased by more than an order of magnitude during intense activities in the work-shops compared to low activities during breaks.
Wireless implicated H-Shaped Slotted Circular Patch Antenna

: In this dissertation, Micro strip antennas with their advantages and with the availability of tools to design were remains as a centre of research attraction. The main research aspect of the Micro strip Patch is to enhance its bands and bandwidth. To enhance the bands or bandwidth of the Micro strip Patch antenna several techniques were proposed. The slot on the patch, which increases the fringing fields, remains simple and effective technique. This paper provides an insight in the design of Micro strip antenna and presents a design of fifer band H shaped slot Circular Patch Antenna. The design utilizes the circular patch of radius 20mm and obtains multiband at the frequencies 2.44 GHz, 3.84GHz, 5.22 GHz, 6.35 GHz, 8.07 GHz. HFSS the Finite Element Method based analysis software is used to design the Patch Antenna and to simulate the results.
Understanding L1-L2 Fluency Relationship Across Different Languages and Different Proficiency Levels

Understanding L1-L2 Fluency Relationship Across Different Languages and Different Proficiency Levels Olga V. Maletina Center for Language Studies, BYU Master of Arts The purpose of this research was to better understand the relationship between L1 and L2 fluency, precisely, whether there is a relationship between L1 and L2 temporal fluency measures and whether this relationship differs across different languages and different proficiency levels. In order to answer these questions, L1 and L2 speech samples of the same speakers were collected and analyzed. Twenty-five native speakers and 45 non-native speakers of Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian were asked to respond to questions and perform picture descriptions in their L1 and L2. The recorded speech samples were then analyzed by means of a Praat script in order to identify mean length of run (MLR), speech rate, and number of pauses. Several different statistical analyses were then performed to compare these L1 and L2 temporal features across different languages and different proficiency levels. The results of this study indicate that there is a strong relationship between L1 and L2 fluency and that this relationship may play a role in L2 production. Furthermore, it was found that native languages differ in their patterns of L1 temporal fluency production and that these differences may affect the production of L2 temporal fluency. It was also found that L1-L2 fluency relationship did not differ at different proficiency levels suggesting that individual factors may play a role in L2 fluency production. Thus, it was found that an Intermediate speaker of Spanish, for instance, did not speak faster than an Intermediate speaker of Russian, suggesting that naturally slower speakers in their L1 will still speak slower in their L2. These results indicate that fluency is as much of a trait as it is a state. However, it was also found that not all of the L1-L2 language combinations demonstrated the same results, indicating that the L1-L2 fluency relationship is affected by the L2. These findings have different implications for both L2 teaching and learning, as well as L2 assessment of fluency and overall language proficiency.
Genetic diversity of Verticillium dahliae isolates from olive trees in Algeria

Verticillium wilt of olive trees (Olea europaea L.), a wilt caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae (Kleb), is one of the most serious diseases in Algerian olive groves. To assess the pathogenic and genetic diversity of olive-infecting V. dahliae populations in Algeria, orchards from the two main olive-producing regions (north-western Algeria and Kabylia) were sampled and 27 V. dahliae isolates were recovered. For purposes of comparison, V. dahliae strains from France and Syria were added to the analysis. By means of PCR primers that specifically discriminate between defoliating (D) and non-defoliating (ND) V. dahliae pathotypes it was shown that all V. dahliae isolates belonged to the ND pathotype. The amount of genetic variation between the 43 isolates was assessed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A total of 16 RAPD haplotypes were found on the basis of the presence or absence of 25 polymorphic DNA fragments. Genotypic diversity between the 27 Algerian isolates was low, with two RAPD haplotypes accounting for 70% of all isolates. Genotypic diversity was however greater between isolates from Kabylia than between isolates from north-western Algeria. Cluster analysis showed that most of the Algerian V. dahliae isolates grouped together with the French and Syrian isolates. On the basis of their ability to form heterokaryons with each other, a subset of 25 olive-pathogenic isolates was grouped into a single vegetative compatibility group (VCG). These results suggest that the olive-infecting V. dahliae populations in Algeria show limited diversity and that caution should be taken to prevent introduction of the D pathotype.
OEM Participation in SME Suppliers??New Product Development Efforts

This study examines the effects of product complexity, criticality, and innovativeness on OEM performance when those links are mediated by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)’s participation in the SME supplier’s new product development and moderated by the manufacturer’s culture. A cross-sectional sample of 169 purchasing managers from the industrial and commercial machinery, computer, electrical, and transportation equipment industries participated in the study. Respondents completed questionnaires that were delivered via surface mail or email. Both mediation and moderation were examined using standard regression techniques. Results show significant positive relationships between the three different types of product characteristics and manufacturer participation, and significant relationship between manufacturer participation and performance. Results also indicate a moderating role for organizational culture on the relationship between manufacturer participation and NPD performance.
How returns to skills depend on formal qualifications: Evidence from PIAAC

Using PIAAC (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) data for 21 countries, we study interrelationships between formal qualifications, cognitive skills, and labour market outcomes, focusing on comparisons between less and intermediate-educated adults (i.e. between adults with a degree below the upper secondary and at the upper secondary level). Less-educated adults tend to have lower cognitive skills than intermediate-educated adults, yet both groups are internally heterogeneous. In country-specific individual-level regressions, cognitive skills partly explain the lower occupational status of less-educated adults, but cross-national variation in their disadvantage remains substantial after accounting for skills. Country-level regressions show that the remaining disadvantage increases with the aggregate skills gap and with the internal homogeneity of the two educational groups. We further show that the association between skills and occupational attainment is weaker among the less educated than among the intermediate group. These findings are consistent with the idea that employers statistically discriminate on the basis of formal qualifications.
Detecting the Trajectory of Moving Object for Single-Pixel Imaging System

In order to get the trajectory of moving object using single-pixel imaging system, an algorithm is proposed. The same pseudorandom masks are employed to illuminate the different time scene. A time weighted sum of the background correction signals is employed to get the trajectory information using compressed sensing (CS) method. In ideal situation, we can obtain other parameters (e.g., speed, orientation) besides the trajectory. However, the reflective intensity of the object can be change due to the reflective angle change caused by the motion in some situations. This will mislead for achieving the speed, orientation parameters. In order to eliminate this effect, a division method is utilized. At last, the computer simulation results prove the effect validity of the proposed algorithm.
Adiabatically driven frequency conversion towards short extreme-ultraviolet radiation pulses

(Received 14 October 2010; published 14 December 2010)Wepresentanexperimentaldemonstrationofsum-frequencygenerationtowardtunablepicosecond,broadbandradiation pulses in the extreme-ultraviolet regime, supported by adiabatically prepared atomic coherences. Wedrive a two-photon transition in a dense medium of xenon atoms with a long (nanosecond) pump laser pulseat the Fourier-transform-limited bandwidth and with a wavelength of 225 nm. The frequency of the pumppulse is slightly detuned from exact two-photon resonance. In this conﬁguration, the medium is adiabaticallydriven by a process of coherent population return. The adiabatic passage process generates a maximal coherentsuperposition of two quantum states with large energy spacing. An additional, short (picosecond) probe laserpulse at a wavelength of 540 nm beats with the maximal atomic coherence and generates a short (picosecond)signal radiation pulse at 93 nm. As compared to conventional (diabatic) frequency conversion, the adiabaticallydriven maximal atomic coherence yields enhanced conversion efﬁciency and signiﬁcantly enhanced stability.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.82. 063817 PACS number(s): 42
Accelerating 3D Fourier migration with graphics processing units

Computational cost is a major factor that inhibits the practicalapplicationof3Ddepthmigration.Wehavedevelopeda fastparallelschemetospeedup3Dwave-equationdepthmigration on a parallel computing device, i.e., on graphics processing units GPUs. The third-order optimized generalized-screen propagator is used to take advantage of the builtinsoftwareimplementationofthefastFouriertransform.The propagator is coded as a sequence of kernels that can be called from the computer host for each frequency component. Moving the wavefield extrapolation for each depth leveltotheGPUsallowshandlingalarge3Dvelocitymodel,but this scheme can be speeded up to a limited degree over the CPU implementation because of the low-bandwidth data transfer between host and device. We have created further speedupinthisextrapolationschemebyminimizingthelowbandwidth data transfer, which is done by storing the 3D velocity model and imaged data in the device memory, and reducing half the memory demand by compressing the 3D velocity model and imaged data using integer arrays instead of float arrays. By incorporating a 2D tapered function, timeshiftpropagator,andscalingoftheinverseFouriertransform intoacompactkernel,thecomputationtimeisreducedgreatly. Three-dimensional impulse responses and synthetic data exampleshavedemonstratedthattheGPU-basedFouriermigration typically is 25 to 40 times faster than the CPU-based implementation. It enables us to image complex media using 3D depth migration with little concern for computational cost.Themacrovelocitymodelcanbebuiltinamuchshorter turnaroundtime.
CT Gently: A Mobile Tool for CT/CBCT Dose and Cancer Risk Estimation

Computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans have been widely used in the radiotherapy of cancers worldwide. Yet, so far there has been no efficient way available to estimate the organ dose and cancer risk originated from those imaging studies. To address this issue, we have recently developed an iPhone app called CT Gently that can be used to estimate organ doses and associated cancer risk from CT and CBCT scans based on individual anatomy and scan mode. In addition, the CT Gently app can be used to generate optimized mAs and kVp settings for personalized low-dose CT and CBCT scans.
Examining University Students' Motivation and Their Motivational Behaviors in English Learning with Structural Equation Modeling

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of four end/exogenous motivation variables (i.e. integrativeness, instrumentality, intrinsic orientation and extrinsic orientation) on students’ motivational behaviors, using structural equation modeling with the goal of understanding students’ English learning processes. In this study, 343 students from 4 universities in Taipei responded to a survey about four components of motivation, and their motivation-related behaviors in learning English. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that significant relationships among four motivation variables exist, and they were positively and directly influenced motivational behaviors.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Precipitation Recycling across the Arid Regions of Asia and Africa

The degree of water vapour recycling in terrestrial precipitation is still a debatable topic, particularly in arid regions. Here, the spatiotemporal evolution of evaporation, calculated via the water balance method [1], and the precipitation recycling ratio, calculated using a water recycling model [2], are investigated across Asia and Africa for the 1984-2013 time period. The results show that the precipitation recycling ratio in North Africa and China-Mongolia is stronger in summer but weaker in winter. However, it is stronger in winter and spring in West Asia but weaker in summer. Evaporation accounts for a small proportion of the precipitation uptake in arid regions, with external water vapour transportation exerting the primary influence on precipitation recycling. Increasing global temperatures and evaporation potentials over the past 30 years have driven the actual evaporation and precipitation recycling ratio increases in North Africa and West Asia and corresponding decreases in China-Mongolia.
China and the World Equity Markets: A Review of the First Decade

With more than a decade of Chinese equity markets, we study how variance, covariance, and correlations have developed for these markets and relative to world markets based on the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) model of Engle (2002). Chinese markets trade A-shares for domestic investors and otherwise identical B-shares for foreign investors. For A-shares, we find that volatility declined over the decade. Relative to world markets, we find no asymmetric volatility in China and less volatility persistence for B-shares. And, contrary to the global trend of increasing cross-country correlations, we find stationary correlations for China. A-share indices never correlated with world markets and B-share indices exhibit low correlation with Western markets and Japan (0-5%) and slightly higher correlation with the other Australasian markets (10-20%). We interpret these findings using Gordon’s growth model. Portland State University Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Tsinghua University Beijing Contact details of the authors: KuanPin Lin, link@pdx.edu, Department of Economics, Portland State University, 241 Cramer Hall, 1721 SW Broadway, P. O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, USA, phone: +1 503 7253915, fax: +1 503 7253945; Albert J. Menkveld, ajmenkveld@feweb.vu. nl, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, FEWEB, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands, phone: +31 20 5986130, fax: +31 20 5986020; Zhishu Yang, yangzhsh@em.tsinghua. edu.cn, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P.R. China, phone: +86 10 62771769, fax: +86 10 62785562. This research was supported by grants from NSFC (Project Number: 70103002) and the School Basic Research Fund, School of Economics and Management,Tsinghua University. For research assistance, we are grateful to Qi Zhang. The usual disclaimer applies. China and the World Equity Markets: A Review of the First Decade