Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dependence measures based on partial and total orderings

The aim of this paper is to propose a new operational measure for evaluating the degree of dependence existing between two nominal categorical variables. Given an r×c table T, representing bivariate statistical data, our approach to measure the strength of this relation is based on the consideration of the class  of all contingency tables with the same margins as T. Once a partial or total ordering of dependence in  (as defined in Greselin and Zenga [2004b]) has been given, the relative position assumed by T in  can be a meaningful measure of dependence. Some desirable properties of these indices are presented: by construction, they are normalized, coherent with each level of ordering and attain extreme values in extreme dependence situations. They are invariant to permutation of rows and columns in the table and to transposition (as qualitative variables classification requires), and, finally they show a sort of stability behaviour with respect to similar populations. Furthermore, their straightforward interpretability is compared with the classical interpretation of some well-known normalized indices. Interesting remarks arise when the comparison is carried out on the discussion of their values, particularly on the extreme dependence situations.
CONCEPT MAPPING IN CHEMISTRY LESSONS: TOOLS FOR INCULCATING THINKING SKILLS IN CHEMISTRY LEARNING

The aim of this study is to investigate the combination effect of concept mapping and vee diagrams as thinking tools in Chemistry among some 360 secondary students in Indonesia. This study employed a quasi-experimental approach whereby students were segregated into three intervention groups: concept mapping, vee diagram and thinking skills embedded throughout the lesson (E1), concept mapping (E2) and a conventional approach (E3). Students were also characterized in terms of their ability: High (H), Moderate (M) and Low (L). Students’ thinking skills were measured using a modified version of the Test of Integrated Process Skills (TIPS), which has beed systematically justified in terms of reliability and validity. Analysis of findings reveal that the EI approach is the most effective technique in inculcating students’ thinking skills. A series of follow-up analyses also demonstrate that the E1 approach is best suited for the high ability (H) students as compared to their moderate (M) and low (L) ability counterparts. Key words: chemistry learning, concept mapping, scientific thinking skills, vee diagram.
Accuracy Tests for COMSOL - and Delaunay Meshes

In the paper we examine the accuracy of various meshes for different model regions and simple differential equations in 2D and in 3D. We study the potential equation for a single irregular domain (2D testcase 1), for a simple domain with irregular sub-domains (2D testcase 2) and a 3D testcase. For testcase 1 we compare with the analytical solution, for testcases 2 with the best solution, obtained by several adaptive grid refinements on a fine mesh. We study meshes obtained by global refinements and by adaptive grid refinement, using various options available in COMSOL Multiphysics. For quadratic elements we find convergence rates between 1 and 1.5, i.e. significantly reduced in comparison to the theoretical rate. Moreover, for testcase 1 we examine imported meshes with Delaunay property and find no advantages in comparison to non-Delaunay meshes for the chosen set-up.
Fractal Dimension of the Kronecker Product Based Fractals

A simple method of calculating the Hausdorff-Besicovitch dimension of the Kronecker Product based fractals is presented together with a compact R script realizing it. The proposed new formula is based on traditionally used values of the number of self-similar objects and the scale factor that are now calculated using appropriate values of both the initial fractal matrix and the second order resultant matrix. This method is reliable and producing dimensions equal to many already determined values of well-known fractals.
TsDHN-2, a unique dehydrin protein from Thellungiella and its role in salt tolerance

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES. viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. ix 1.0 INTRODUCTION. 1 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW. 3 2.1 Salinity Stress. 3 2.1.1 Osmotic and Ionic Stresses. 3 2.2 Mechanisms of Salinity Tolerance . 4 2.2.1 Ion Homeostasis . 4 2.2.1.1 Na Influx and Ca Signaling. 4 2.2.1.2 The SOS Pathway and Na Efflux. 5 2.2.2 Compatible Osmolytes . 7 2.2.2.1 Proline . 8 2.2.3 Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) Proteins . 9 2.2.3.1 Structural Properties and Classification of Dehydrins. 9 2.2.3.2 Distribution and Function of Dehydrins . 12 2.3 Halophytes. 16 2.3.1 Thellungiella salsuginea. 17 2.3.2 TsDHN-2 . 18 2.4 Thesis Objectives.20 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 21 3.1 Plant Material . 21
Tryptophan and methionine levels in quality protein maize breeding germplasm

Because maize (Zea mays L.) is often used either as food for humans or as feed for monogastric animals, essential amino acid levels are important. Maize kernels containing the opaque-2 (o2) mutation have improved amino acid balance and poor agronomic qualities including opaque kernels that are soft and susceptible to mechanical and biological damage. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) developed through plant breeding has improved amino acid balance conferred by the opaque-2 (o2) mutation, lint lacks the agronomic deficiencies normally associated with this mutation. To characterize the amino acid balance in QPM breeding germplasm, we determined the levels of nutritionally limiting amino acids tryptophan and methionine. Tiyptophan levels were negatively correlated with endosperm translucence, a measure of kernel hardness suggesting the process of selection for hard-kernels reduces tryptophan levels. On average, germplasm containing the o2/o2 mutation had lower methionine levels than 02/02 germplasm regardless of kernel hardness, suggesting methionine levels could be reduced by the o2/o2 mutation. A series of inbred lines was test-crossed to the o2/o2 soft endosperm inbred line Tx804. The predictive value of the characteristics of the inbred line for the characteristics of the hybrids was examined. The amino acid levels of the inbred lines were significantly correlated with those of the hybrids, although the predictive value was low (R 2 = 0.13 and 0.27 for methionine and tryptophan, respectively). The reduction in tryptophan during conversion to the hard-kernel phenotype and the reduction in methionine in o2 germplasm both reduce the nutritional value of QPM. It may be possible to correct these deficiencies by breeding and selection for levels of tryptophan and methionine.
The Influence of Tourists’ Attitude and Self-efficacy Belief in Adopting Responsible Behavior in Bangladesh

This research examined tourists’ intention to adopt responsible behavior (RB). Toward this, two constructs of determinants (attitude and self-efficacy belief) of intention to adopt RB were identified through literature surveys. Also, three constructs of RB alternatives, namely, economically RB (ECNRB), environmentally RB (ENVRB), and socio-culturally RB (SCLRB), were identified through a focus group discussion. A self-administrated questionnaire was surveyed among 351 professionals in Bangladesh. Confirmatory factor analysis of both the independent and dependent variables was done prior to employing them in the structured equation model to validate the model and test the hypotheses. The research found that in Bangladesh, the self-efficacy belief influences tourists’ intention to choose RB more than the attitude does, but their influences on tourists’ intention to adopt ECNRB, ENVRB, or SCLRB are varied. Moreover, tourists were found to have less intention to adopt ECNRB than ENVRB and SCLRB. For the policy makers or promoters of responsible tourism (RT), those who want to promote any kind of RB in Bangladesh need to increase self-efficacy belief among tourists. The policy makers need to develop themes around tourists’ positive experience, emotional and physiological states along with verbal persuasion in their communication messages (Bandura, 1997) and in any kind of interpretations at the destination whilst targeting a particular market segment.
Dynamics of robotic and human positioning and contact processes

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Department of Applied Mechanics Doctor of Philosophy Dynamics of Robotic and Human Positioning and Contact Processes by Bálint Magyar The current Ph.D. thesis deals with the dynamics of robotic and human positioning and contact processes, and the kinematics of human functional movements. First, the simplified mechanical model of a PI controlled hydraulic cylinder is analysed; analytical, numerical and experimental results are also presented. Subsequently, a novel model of the approach-and-touch process is discussed, in case of stiff targets with low damping and/or inaccurate position feedback. Here, the approach phase takes the relevant part of the transition time. Simulation results indicated the robustness of the applied method, even considering parameter uncertainties, signal noise and sampling effects in the digital realization. Finally, the dynamic time warping algorithm is examined. The method was implemented in the analysis of human functional movements in activities of daily living. A comparison method is presented, based on dynamic time warping; it will be demonstrated that the performance of a post-stroke patient can be quantified by comparing his/her functional movements to the reference ones, i.e. the rehabilitation progress can be tracked by an objective, sensory based scale, which is lacking the possible errors related to human motion cognition.
Seismic Damage Estimation of an Actual Reinforced Concrete Structure Using Subset MCMC

To estimate seismic damage of structures under strong motions is very important to know true safety of structures. However, we have to deal with very small failure probability issue to investigate quantitatively. If we use standard MCS (Monte Calro Simulation) to discuss failure probability, e.g., 1 × 10-6 order, since we have to execute nonlinear dynamic response analyses of approximate 107 times, it is not realistic. Recently, a subset simulation, which reduces the computation time by replacing small failure probability into the product of conditional failure probabilities, was proposed. In this study, the subset simulation is applied to estimate failure probability of an actual reinforced concrete building with 11 stories, and discuss the safety of the structure by checking with design criteria.
An Environmental Context-Responsive Music Recommendation System with Scenic Images

This paper presents an implementation method of an environmental context-responsive music recommendation system. First, a user's environmental context is identified by a scenic image input by users in this system. Second, the correlation between environmental context and impression (feeling data) are calculated. Third, the highly-correlated music data to the impression are selected and recommended to the user. The main features of this system are (1) to set the relations between real scenery, environmental context and colors as "color-environment database" by numerical values, (2) to identify the environmental context of users and extract the impression of an environmental context from scenic images acquired by camera devices in real time, (3) to set a space which represents the relations between the environmental context and music through the attributes of impressions, and (4) to calculate the correlation between the impression of the environmental context and music data on the space. To examine the feasibility of the system, we have performed several experiments by setting images of sky as data, identifying the high-correlated whether to the target data, extracting the impression of the whether, and selecting the highly-correlated music data to the impression of the whether. Keyword Information Recommendation, Multimedia, Personalization, Semantic Associative Search
Numerical investigations of a cylindrical Hall thru ster

A new 3 dimensional Particle-in-Cell code was applied to simulate the operation of a 100 W CHT thruster. In the simulation a spoke moving with a velocity of about 0.8 cm/ μs was observed. The initial position of the spoke w as found to be strongly correlated with the cathode placement. The simulation has shown that the depletion of neutral gas can lead to azimuthal asymmetry of the discharge and possibly to the spoke phenomenon.
ANALYTICAL STUDY OF A LAMINAR DIFFUSION FLAME RESPONSE TO SIMULTANEOUS FLUCTUATIONS OF INLET MASS FRACTION AND FLOW VELOCITY

The unsteady response of a laminar diffusion flame to harmonic mass fraction oscillations and also flow velocity fluctuations has been investigated. Flame-sheet assumption is utilized to model the laminar unsteady two-dimensional co-flow diffusion flame mathematically. The initial combustion of most combustion chambers is through diffusion mechanism. Therefore, developing analytical model of diffusion combustion is of great importance. The flow is assumed subsonic (incompressible), inviscid, and uniform. The convection-diffusion equation for conserved scalar variable with appropriate boundary conditions is solved. Considering stoichiometric mass fraction surface to be the flame surface, it is possible to obtain the flame zone. In addition, different types of flame structures and transition from overventilated flame to underventilated flame are studied. Assuming that unburnt species have not passed across the flame surface and that the diffusion coefficient is constant, heat release rate can be considered proportionate to flame area. This method, for the first time in this work, is applied to diffusion flames to calculate heat release rate. Heat release rate oscillations, in the form of flame response function to fuel mass fraction fluctuations, flow velocity perturbations, and the simultaneous fluctuations of mass fraction and flow velocity, for the first and the second modes are acquired. At each Peclet number, frequency domain is divided into three regions, diffusion-dominant region, convection-diffusion region, and convection-dominant region. The obtained results indicate that the magnitude of response function decreases as excitation frequency increases, while phase difference approaches a constant value.
MALE AND FEMALE MORPHOLOGY OF SOME CENTRAL EUROPEAN DELIA (ANTHOMYIIDAE) PESTS

Based on male and female genitalia and chaetotaxy of legs, the authors give a key for the identification of some important Delia (Anthomyiidae) pests of vegetables. The article contains descriptions and drawings of male genitalia (D. antiqua, D. floralis, D. florilega, D. platura, D. radicum). The drawings and descriptions of female genitalia (D. antiqua, D. platura, D. radicum), are based on specimens from laboratory breeding.
Urinary Excretion Levels of MMX-Mesalazine as a Tool to Assess Non- Adherence

Objective: 5-Amino salicylicacid (5-ASA) is the cornerstone of ulcerative colitis treatment, with (assessment of) non-adherence as a challenge. Multi-matrix release (MMX)-mesalazine has the advantage of once-daily (OD) dosing. Primarily we assessed urinary (NAc-) 5-ASA excretion, as measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), in order to monitor nonadherence, in healthy volunteers taking MMX-mesalazine. Secondly, we established urinary (NAc-)5-ASA cut-off levels for (partial) nonadherence. Method: We studied 25 healthy adult volunteers who used MMX-mesalazine 2400 mg OD (days 1-4), followed by 1200 mg twice daily (BID) (days 8-11), separated by a drug-free interval of 3 days. Daily morning urine spot samples were collected. The cut-off level for adherence was set at the lowest steady state (NAc-)5-ASA urinary concentration level. Results: Stability of urinary 5-ASA and NAc-5-ASA, stored at room temperature during 24 hours was 96.4 ± 8.3% and 96.4 ± 4.1%. Recovery of urinary 5-ASA and NAc-5-ASA was 114.3 ± 10.4% and 107.5 ± 6.4%. The limit of detection and quantification were 1.1 ug/ml and 3.5 ug/ml for NAc-5-ASA and 0.4 ug/ml and 1.3 ug/ml for 5-ASA. The maximal 5-ASA within-run and between-run relative SD were 10.4% and 12.5%. The cut-off level for non-adherence was determined at 9.67 (OD) and at 15.39 (BID) mg/mmol (NAc-) 5-ASA per mmol creatinine. Conclusion: HPLC is a feasible, sensitive and reproducible method to measure urinary (NAc-) 5-ASA excretion in volunteers taking MMX-mesalazine. This study establishes urinary (NAc-) 5-ASA cut-off levels for MMX-mesalazine non-adherence that may be useful in clinical practice and future trials.
Partial genome sequence of a Potyvirus and of a virus in the order Tymovirales found in Senna macranthera in Brazil

Senna macranthera is a common tropical tree native to South- and Northeastern Brazil. In July 2006, symptoms of chlorotic spots in the young leaves and mild mosaic in the old leaves were observed in S. macranthera trees at Vicosa, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electron microscopy examination of leaf dip preparations from the young leaves revealed the presence of flexuous rods. Viral RNA was extracted from purified virion preparations and used as a template for the RT-PCR-based cloning of viral genomic fragments. Two fragments (0.9 kb and 2.0 kb in length) were cloned. Sequence analysis of the 0.9 kb fragment indicated that it corresponded to the NIb coding region of a potyvirus, with nucleotide (nt) identity level of 72% for Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) and Peru tomato mosaic virus (PTV), while analysis of the 2.0 kb fragment indicated that it corresponded to the putative replicase ORF, which displayed 74% nt identity with the ORF1 (replicase) of Garlic virus A (GarV-A). Based on molecular analysis and the isolates' host range, it is concluded that the viral fragments represent new viruses, for which we propose the names Senna virus Y (genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) and Senna virus X (unassigned genus, order Tymovirales).
A Survey on Conceptual Modeling From a Linguistic Point of View

Conceptual modeling remains a relevant research topic, even though more than thirty years have passed since Peter Chen enunciated his Entity-Relationship Model. Methods and methodologies for the creation of conceptual models have been the subject of studies and projects which goal is to produce clearer, complete and easier-to-read models. Several methods, modeling languages and tools, have been proposed over the years, some of which aim at creating and/or reading such models automatically, which can imply a simplification that might oppose the idea of semantic accuracy and completeness. The common denominator among all proposals is that, for a conceptual model to be effective and useful, a designer must learn the language used in the Universe of Discourse to be modeled, along with its underlying concepts, and then represent such concepts in a modeling language. Also, no matter the source of information, the knowledge about the scenario to be modeled is always passed to the designer in a natural language. For the resulting model to be both detailed and unambiguous, the modeling language must convey the semantics of such environment, in a way that anyone who is literate in this language can, from reading the model, get the same understanding as from the description in a natural language. In other words, the modeling language must be as rich and generative as the natural language in which the Universe of Discourse concepts are described. Several projects that focus on conceptual modeling have turned to linguistics as a support for the modeling process itself, relating natural language constructs to those of the adopted modeling language; what they all have in common is that their work is done from the perspective of the (meta)model itself. This report presents some of the aforementioned studies and proposes that the linguistic approach, invaluable as it is, should actually be applied to the modeling process from the natural language perspective.
Lungfish diversity in Romer's Gap: reaction to the end‐Devonian extinction

Romer's Gap, the interval following the end‐Devonian extinction event, has been described as a post‐extinction trough for vertebrates. It is a time roughly equivalent to the Tournaisian stage of the early Carboniferous and has been characterized by a lull in diversity of survivors. Lungfish typified this description. One species was known from one locality. Recently, a diverse collection of lungfish tooth plates, representing seven new forms, was recovered from new Tournaisian vertebrate localities in northern Britain. They display a range of previously unknown morphologies, with tooth shape and wear patterns not seen in other post‐Devonian forms. A comparison of tooth ridge number and tooth ridge angle in lungfishes from the Famennian, Tournaisian and Visean reveals marked differences between late Devonian and early Carboniferous taxa. The most common tooth plate shape in the Famennian is absent from our sample of Tournaisian taxa. Two completely new shapes have evolved, one with a relatively low tooth ridge angle, no greater than 40°, in which most of the tooth ridges are essentially parallel, and the other with a much higher tooth ridge angle of up to 180° where the tooth ridges are highly divergent. This high level of morphological diversity over a narrow time period suggests that, following the end‐Devonian extinction, gaps in ecospace left by the extinction of major groups of fishes were exploited by a previously unrecorded radiation of lungfishes. Whilst taxonomic diversity of lungfishes declined following the end‐Devonian extinction, recovery and diversification among tooth‐plated forms was rapid, and morphological disparity among these forms subsequently increased. Contrary to previous assumptions, morphological disparity among lungfish did not decline until much later in the Carboniferous.
Comparative Quality And Performance Analysis Of Manual And Motorised Traditional Portable Rice Threshers

Traditional motorized and manual portable threshers are the two types of threshers common to average farmer in the African continent and about 70% food production is in the hands of these categories of farmers. This paper compares the suitability of these types of threshers for traditional African farmers. The production rates (quantity threshed) and quality (seed loss and mechanical damage) were analyzed for both manual and motorized rice threshers using actual research data. The observed advantages and disadvantages based on production rate, quality, cost and farm sizes are outlined as a guide to farmers. The result of this analysis is also employed to improve the performance of motorized rice thresher. Key words : rice, threshers, farm machineries, portability