Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative genetic analysis of flowering time, leaf number and photoperiod sensitivity in maize (Zea mays L.)

Photoperiod sensitivity is a major difficulty of broadening the resources of breeding germplasms and widening the planting area of varieties in maize. The objective of this study was to dissect the quantitative genetic control of days to pollen shed (DPS), days to silking (DS), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), LNB (the leaf number below the top ear), LN (the total leaf number), and photoperiod sensitivity index (PSIs) of these traits into the main-effect quantitative trait loci (QTL) in an F2 population consisting of 232 F2:3lines from the cross between HZ32 (low sensitive to photoperiod) and Huangzao4 (high sensitive to photoperiod). DPS, DS, LNB and LN of the F2:3 families and parents were investigated in two locations, Beijing (with a longer photoperiod regime, east longitude 117, northern latitude 41) and Wuhan (with a shorter photoperiod regime, east longitude 113, northern latitude 29) in 2007. Further QTL analysis resolved the genetic components of DPS, DS, ASI, LNB and LN into the main-effect QTLs and gene × environment interactions. A total of fifty-nine QTLs for all PS related traits were found in the two photoperiod environments, twenty-two QTLs for PSIs and twenty-two QTLs for QTL × environment were included, respectively. Some important genes associated with photoperiod response and flowering time are found in the regions. The known QTLs and the implications of the results for maize breeding have been discussed. Key words: Maize (Zea mays), photoperiod sensitivity, quantitative trait loci.
Modeling cure fraction with frailty term in latent risk: a Bayesian approach

In this paper, we propose a flexible cure rate model with frailty term in latent risk, which is obtained by incorporating a frailty term in risk function of latent competing causes. The number of competing causes of the event of interest follows negative binomial distribution and the frailty variable follows power variance function distribution, in which includes other frailty models such as gamma, positive stable and inverse Gaussian frailty models as special cases. The proposed model takes into account the presence of covariates and right-censored survival data suitable for populations with a cure rate. Besides, it allows quantifying the degree of unobserved heterogeneity induced by unobservable risk factors, in which is important to explain the survival time. Once the posterior distribution has not close form, Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations are considered for estimation procedure. We performed several simulation studies and the practical relevance of the proposed model is demonstrated in a real data set.
A New Method for Detection and Evaluation of Winding Mechanical Faults in Transformer through Transfer Function Measurements

1 Abstract—Transfer function (TF) is an acknowledged method for power transformer mechanical faults detection. However the past published works mostly discovered how to specify the faults levels and paid less attention to detection of the type of faults using comparison of TFs. whereas, it seems important for most of the applications to specify the type of fault without opening the unit. This paper presents a new method based on vector fitting (VF) to compare the TFs and specify the type, level and location of the fault. For development of the method, and its verification the required measurements are carried out on four model transformers; under intact condition, and under different fault conditions (axial displacement, radial deformation, disc space variation and short circuit of winding) and the TFs are determined. Employing VF, the coefficients of TFs are determined with the required accuracy. Using those coefficients, a new index is introduced to specify the type, level and location of the fault in the winding. Convincingly good results were obtained. Therefore it is believed that this finding could be helpful in fault diagnosis in actual power transformer windings.
A Trust Algorithm based on the Latent Trust from Users to Items

Trust relationship plays an important role in helping customers arrive at a trade decision in e-commerce. Numerous models and prediction algorithms have been proposed to calculate trust value. However, these models and algorithms are impractical in e-commerce transaction. In this paper, customer-to-customer and customer-to-commodity trust relationship sub-networks are proposed to get clear trust network which can be maintained easily. Trust relationships are divided into three types which are functional trust, referral trust and latent trust. We propose a trust algorithm to compute the trust value of customer-to-commodity trust which can help customers to make final purchase decisions directly. Our algorithm is based on more comprehensive trust features such as the referral trust, latent trust, domain similarity of Web commodities that users are interested in, and the influence of different reputations of users within two sub-networks. Experiment results with data sets from Epinions.com illustrate more accurate trust prediction compared with those existed algorithms.
Structural Equivalence and International Conflict, 1816-2000: A Social Networks Analysis of Affinities and Conflict

The concept of international affinity—albeit under different names—captures a central place in international relations research. This study examines how different types of affinity affect the likelihood of conflict between states. We discuss notions of affinities derived from the realist, liberal, and culturlalist paradigm and derive hypotheses regarding the impact of different types of affinity on the probability of dyadic conflict. We point out some of the weaknesses in existing measures of structural affinity. We offer a social networks conception of structural affinity—the concept of structural equivalence—which reflects the similarity of international ties across a set of different networks. A test of the hypotheses derived from these paradigms using both existing measures of affinity and our own structural equivalence measures suggests several findings: (1) strategic affinity has a consistent dampening effect on the probability of dyadic conflict; (2) trade-related affinity does not have a significant impact on the probability of dyadic conflict; (3) IGOrelated affinity has a negative impact on conflict, mostly in the 20 century. (4) Cultural (linguistic and religious) affinity also does not appear to have a significant or consistent effect on the probability of dyadic conflict. We discuss the implications of our findings for theories of international politics. Structural Equivalence and International Conflict, 1816-2000 2
Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence among Prediabetic and Normoglucotolerant Women

Prediabetes is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes and lead to long term complications such as cardiovascular diseases. In Cameroon, they are limited data dealing with prediabetes prevalence among Cameroonians. Our study objective was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among prediabetic women and normoglyceamic women Methods: A total of 200 women (100 prediabetic women and 100 normoglyceamic) participated in the study, they were aged between 20-55 years. For their studied data, they were referred to the Andre Fouda Medical Fundation in Yaounde. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III [ATP-III] 2001 guidelines and prediabetes was defined as impaired fasting plasma glucose ranged between 6.1-6.9 mmol/l. Results: The frequency of various cardiovascular risk factors was not different among the two group of study; only fasting blood glucose was significantly high among prediabetics compared to normoglyceamics women. The mean age in prediabetic women was 34.34 ± 8.96 years and 35.48 ± 9.88 years among normoglyceamic women. Among the prediabetic population, a total 61% of patients had hyperglyceamia, 59% had hypertension, 58% had increased waist circumference and 56% were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The most common abnormalities in normoglyceamic women was hypertension (58%), increased waist circumference (53%) and low HDL (52%). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 23% of normoglyceamic women. Prediabetics women had a relative high risk of metabolic syndrome 2.43 compared to normoglyceamics women. Conclusion: This study shows that prediabetes is associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Cameroonian women. Lifestyle interventions and medication should be instituted to avoid complications among prediabetes.
Emotion Recognition using Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients

In this paper, we propose a new approach to emotion recognition. Prosodic features are currently used in most emotion recognition algorithms. However, emotion recognition algorithms using prosodic features are not sufficiently accurate. Therefore, we focused on the phonetic features of speech for emotion recognition. In particular, we describe the effectiveness of Mel-frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) as the feature for emotion recognition. We focus on the precise classification of MFCC feature vectors, rather than their dynamic nature over an utterance. To realize such an approach, the proposed algorithm employs multi-template emotion classification of the analysis frames. Experimental evaluations show that the proposed algorithm produces 66.4% recognition accuracy in speaker-independent emotion recognition experiments for four specific emotions. This recognition accuracy is higher than the accuracy obtained by the conventional prosody-based and MFCC-based emotion recognition algorithms, which confirms the potential of the proposed algorithm.
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MODIFIED SCREEN PRINTED CARBON ELECTRODE BY SELF ASSEMBLED DEPOSITION OF CHITOSAN AND ACTIVATED CARBON

The surface topographic characteristics generated after a modification of screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with either chitosan or activated carbon blending chitosan were closely investigated by atomic force microscopy and a complementary electrochemical techniques. Eighty five percent deacetylation degree chitosan was used at 1% in 1% acetic acid while the activated carbon blending ratio used was 1:1 in chitosan solution. The modification was performed via self assembled deposition directly onto the working electrode surface area. Growth feature of each modified surface was obviously differentiated by all roughness parameters such as an average roughness, root mean square, height different, grain and fractal. The highest roughness value with the least grain was from chitosan modified SPCE. A good correlation result was obtained with electrochemical cyclic voltammetry that a great change in current response was also appeared. Both the modified SPCE by chitosan and activated carbon blending chitosan could produce comparable higher current sensitivity with up to around 0.5 slope value following by their regression coefficient of 0.99. Thus affordable and efficient platforms for a fabrication of desirable pesticide biosensor could be achieved with these modifications as expected.
Lack of Peri-Procedural Myocardial Necrosis Reduction from Abciximab in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Revascularized with Rotational Atherectomy

Rotational atherectomy allows plaque remodeling in severely calcified lesions and, prior to the adoption of clopidogrel as standard therapy, small trials showed that abciximab reduces transient hypoperfusion associated with the procedure. However, no studies have evaluated it among patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. This study aimed to evaluate whether abciximab reduces procedure-related myocardial injury in a non-selected population of patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. The study comprised a retrospective review of a nonselected cohort of 139 consecutive procedures of rotational atherectomy performed in patients pre-treated with dual antiplatelet therapy. Abciximab was administered in 48 (34.5%) patients, whereas 91 (65.5%) did not receive it. The only difference between groups was a higher rate of diabetes mellitus in the abciximab group (89% vs. 51%, p=0.001). The rate of procedural complications was 10.5% for patients with abciximab vs. 6.2% for patients without (p=0.537). After 24 hours, the peak of biomarkers of myocardial damage (CKmb and TnT) did not differ, and the rate of procedure-related myocardial injury was 23.9% with abciximab and 20.7% without (p=0.664). In a restricted analysis to diabetic patients (n=84), the rate of myocardial injury was 27.5% with abciximab vs. 18.6% without, (p=0.435). After adjusting by clinical and procedural parameters in a logistic regression model, abciximab use did not confer any significant reduction on procedure-related myocardial injury. In conclusion, in a non-selected cohort of patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy, the administration of abciximab in the setting of rotational atherectomy did not reduce the incidence of procedure related myocardial injury.
ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN YOUNG MEN (41-44 YEARS)

Aim. To study the relationship of individual cardiovascular risk factors with arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis in young men. Material and methods. The study is part of a 32-year prospective cohort monitoring of males, beginning with childhood (11-12 years). The study-included 303 (30.1%) representatives of the initial population sample aged 41-44 who underwent an outpatient examination at the State Research-Center for Preventive Medicine in 2015-2016. The examination included a survey by a standard questionnaire, measurement of anthropometric parameters, blood pressure (BP), pulse counting. Biochemical assays were carried out according to standard laboratory procedures. Applanation tonometry-was used to measure stiffness of the arterial wall. Intima-media thickness (IMT) and subclinical atherosclerosis signs were determined in both left and right carotid arteries by ultrasound scanning. Results. Arterial stiffness and central pressure were significantly higher in the group with hypertension (HT). Risk of HT development depended on HT-presence in mother and did not depend on HT in father. HT was associated with obesity (79.4% vs 44.3%; p<0.001), especially of abdominal type and elevated triglycerides (1.3±0.9 vs 1.8±1.1 mmol/l; p<0.05), this indirectly reflected nutritional disorder and development of metabolic syndrome. The analysis of arterial stiffness parameters showed positive correlation with mean systolic (r=0.256) and diastolic (r=0.228) BP in the brachial artery and also with heart rate (r=0.133). A statistically significant positive correlation of central pressure in the aorta and pulse BP with indices of arterial-stiffness was noted. When comparing arterial stiffness and duplex scans, a correlation of mean IMT with the augmentation index (r=0.131) and augmentation BP (r=0.125) was obtained, but no correlation between IMT and pulse wave velocity was found. Correlation of vascular rigidity with total cholesterol level was also noted (r=0.121). Conclusion. The arterial stiffness was closely related to HT and already developed in early stages, in a fairly young age. Arterial stiffness in men was not associated with dyslipidemia and diabetes presence. Interrelation of arterial stiffness and degree of early atherosclerotic vascular lesions was ambiguous.
Abrogation and Appropriation in Selected Pre-war Philippine Short Stories in English

Postcolonial literature is characterized by abrogation and appropriation, in which writers take the language of the former imperial power and re-place it in a discourse fully adapted to the colonized place. Studies on literary traditions of former colonies have shown how native writers advance local collective sentiments. In this paper, the short stories of Manuel Arguilla, a literary icon of Philippine short stories in English, were analyzed using Ashcroft et al.’s (1989) textual strategies in postcolonial writing to unearth the strategies used by the writer in valorizing the use of an abrogated and appropriated “english” in expressing native sentiments. Qualitative content analysis of Arguilla’s four short stories suggests that the use of untranslated words and glossing were the most abundant strategies used to abrogate and appropriate the colonizer’s language. Further, thematic analysis of the stories point to four themes relating to how the author valorized the use of an english in expressing native sentiments: expression of an authentic self, expression of an authentic place, subtle form of subversion and advancement of Filipino identities and ideologies. These findings suggest that, like in other postcolonial literary traditions, postcolonial Philippine short stories, as seen from the writing of Manuel Arguilla, are typical of what Ashcroft et al. (1989) advance as a paradigmatic tension between the colonizer and the colonized, but are unique in that they serve as medium through which to voice out local Filipino sentiments and aspirations. Some implications for postcolonial literature are discussed.
Capital Destruction, Optimal Defense and Economic Growth

The effects of capital destruction are endogenized in a neoclassical growth model where the economy can optimally allocate part of its labor force to defend capital from being destroyed. The purpose is to explain the optimal allocation of the labor force between productive and deterrence activities along the optimal growth path in response to exogenous terrorist attacks against the material wealth of the economy. The article makes special case to the recent Colombian case and sheds some light on the dramatic increase in the defense activities in Colombia as a result of the increase of terrorist attacks by rebel groups.
Hotels Involvement in Sustainable Tourism Practices in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The hotel sector has been described as an industry of which activities constitute a great impact on the environment. Hotels consume vast amount of energy, water and non-durable goods, and has been reported to discharge huge amount of raw and solid waste in different quantities. Serious impacts on the environment were highlighted, calling for greater hotel’s participation in sustainable tourism practices by committing to environmental management system (EMS). Comprehensive studies among hotels in Malaysia on their contributing efforts in curbing environmental degradation have been inadequate. Hence, a current study was conducted and this paper presents findings on sustainable tourism practices most commonly adopted by Malaysian hotels within Klang Valley. The main findings indicate the use of occupancy sensor/key card control system as energy saving measures, as well as the use of energy-efficient equipments and products. This result, therefore, confirms a number of preliminary studies which indicates widespread adoption of energy management among hotels. Adopting these practices has enabled Malaysian hotels to benefit from improved image to the guests and the local communities as well as the enhancement of a safe and healthy environment for hotel guests and employees.
International Journal Agricultural, Research and Technology, 2011; x(x) http://ijasrt.webs.com

t is often argued that learning from best examples in the neighboring Burkina Faso and elsewhere, Ghana can succeed in revamping the collapsing cotton industry by introducing Bt cotton to farmers. This paper therefore presents a survey findings on farmers’ views and perceptions towards the possible introduction of Bt cotton. A stratified random sampling technique was applied in selecting 254 farmers from the four cotton producing zones in northern Ghana and Q methodology adopted in collecting narratives and perceptions towards Bt cotton. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was applied in extracting the underlying constructs from farmers’ narratives on Bt cotton. The extraction method was guided by Kaiser’s Eigenvalue-greater-than-one rule follow by Parallel analysis method of Monte Carlo and Scree test techniques. Results of the PCA identified five broad issues representing farmers’ views about the introduction of Bt cotton. The broad issues explaining farmers’ views and perception towards Bt cotton are ‘contractual issues with cotton companies’, ‘issues relating to problems and challenges in cotton farming’, ‘issues relating to farmers desire to go back to cotton farming’, ‘positive views on Bt cotton’ and ‘some reservations on Bt cotton’. This paper therefore recommends that for government and other stakeholders to succeed in revamping the cotton industry, there is the need for farmers’ concerns on contractual issues to be addressed and for more information on Bt cotton to be provided to resolve the reservation farmers have about Bt cotton.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. GJJM07 isolated from Mesua ferrea

Phomopsis sp. GJJM07 was isolated as an endophyte from the medicinal plant, Mesua ferrea. The crude ethyl acetate extract of the fungus was evaluated for antimicrobial and free radical scavenging (DPPH) activity. Hence this endophytic fungus were grown in different media and were tested for its potent antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, gram positive bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus; gram negative bacteria viz., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and yeast, Candida albicans. Among the different media, M1D medium showed good growth 1.57 g MDW/100 ml and broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity by exhibiting prominent zone of inhibition against the test pathogens such as E. coli (16±0.14), K. pneumoniae (16±0.19), B. subtilis (18±0.13), M. luteus (12±0.18) and C. albicans (12±0.20). Phomopsis sp. GJJM07 was also examined for the in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The ethyl acetate extract of the fungus showed potent antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 31.25 µg/ml compared to the IC50 value of standard ascorbic acid, 11.11 µg/ml.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Found in Students’ Written Reflection in Play Performance Course

As other courses, motivation plays important role in Play Performance course. That motivation can be from the students themselves or other factors outside themselves. This study aimed to examine intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of students’ learning in Play Performance course in English Language Education Study Program of Sanata Dharma University by analyzing their written reflection. There was one formulated research question: “To what extent is intrinsic and extrinsic motivation found in students’ written reflection in Play Performance course? ” In this study, document or content analysis was employed. The researcher analyzed 41 students’ written reflection in Play Performance course to find the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The findings showed some types of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. For intrinsic motivation, there were 15 statements which expressed motivation of knowledge; 19 statements expressing motivation of accomplishment; and 38 statements expressed motivation of stimulation. Meanwhile, for extrinsic motivation, it was found 9 statements expressed motivation of external regulation; 1 statement expressed motivation of introjected regulation; and 2 statements of identified regulation.