Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variance components and heritability of yield and yield components of wheat under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions

This study estimated the variance components and heritability of yield and yield related traits of a population of 96 diverse bread wheat genotypes under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions. The genotypes were evaluated across eight testing environments during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons using an alpha lattice design with two replications. Combined analysis of variance and variance components were analysed following the General Linear Model (GLM)’s procedure. Results indicated the presence of significant effects of genotypes, seasons, sites, and water regimes and their interactions. From the eight testing conditions, high levels of genotypic variance (σ2g) were estimated for spike length (73%), number of spikelets per spike (44.19%), plant height (51.26%), number of kennels per spike (32.98%), number of days-to-heading (44.24%) and thousand seed weight (22.98%), resulting in high broad-sense heritability estimates of > 0.50. Conversely, genotypic variation was relatively moderate for the number of days to maturity, grain yield and number of productive tillers per plant, contributing to 15.03%, 8.46% and 6.13% of the total variation, respectively. The heritability estimates of the later traits were 20% ≤ H2 < 50% which may limit their selection gains under droughtstressed environments. Further, quantitative trait loci analysis and progeny testing are required to discern the number of genes and associated genetic effect and to pinpoint genomic regions in the tested wheat genetic resources for effective breeding for drought tolerance.
Dredging for edible cockles (Cerastoderma edule) on intertidal flats: short-term consequences of fisher patch-choice decisions for target and non-target benthic fauna

Intertidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea are protected by national and international treaties. Still, mechanical dredging for edible cockles Cerastoderma edule was allowed in 74% of 1200 km(2) of interticlal flats. Cumulatively, between 1992 and 2001, 19% of the intertidal area was affected by mechanical cockle-dredging at least once. On the basis of a grid of 2650 stations sampled annually, we evaluate the extent to which cockle-dredging from 1998 to 2003 was selective with respect to non-target macrozoobenthic intertidal fauna. In all 4 years that comparisons could be made, to-be-dredged areas contained greater diversity of macrobenthic animals than areas that remained undredged. Targeted cockles were 2.5 times more abundant in areas that were to be dredged shortly, but other species also occurred in higher densities in these areas. Small amphipods and some bivalves occurred less in to-be-dredged areas than elsewhere. In terms of short-term responses to dredging, four non-target species showed a significant decrease in abundance 1 year after dredging. Only Tellina tenuis showed an increase a year after dredging.
Asymmetric Price Transmission and Non-linear Adjustment in the Iranian Mutton Market

This paper analyses the asymmetric price transmission and non-linear adjustment at the farm and retail levels in the Iran’s mutton market. We applied a multivariate threshold error correction mechanism for monthly price data. We tested the non-linear adjustment using sup-LR, sup-LM and sup-Wald tests. The results confirm the presence of non-linear cointegration relationship between the retail and farm prices. In short-run, the price transmission behavior reveals that reactions of both the retail and farm prices to positive and negative deviations from the long-run price spread are asymmetric. More specially, the retailers show more strong responses to the both positive and negative shocks imposed to the farmers.
Targeting the vessel wall in cardiovascular prevention

Objective: Infl ammatory stimuli profoundly increase the vulnerability of the vessel wall to atherogenesis. The glycocalyx, a layer of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans covering the endothelium, has recently emerged as an orchestrator of vascular homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated whether endotoxin-induced infl ammatory reactions lead to a decrease of endothelial glycocalyx thickness in humans and whether Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) plays a role in this process. Design, subjects and intervention: Healthy male volunteers received low-dose endotoxin (1 ng/kg) intravenously, with (n = 8) or without (n = 13) pre-treatment with the soluble TNFα receptor etanercept. Endothelial glycocalyx thickness and related parameters were determined after endotoxin challenge. Results: Endotoxin resulted in a profound reduction in microvascular glycocalyx thickness (from 0.60 ± 0.1 to 0.30 ± 0.1 μm, p < 0.01). Concomitantly, plasma levels of the principal glycocalyx constituent hyaluronan (62 ± 18 to 85 ± 24 ng/mL, p < 0.05), monocyte activation and coagulation activation (F1+2; 0.3 ± 0.1 to 2.8 ± 1.5 nmol/L, p < 0.05) increased. Inhibition of TNFα by etanercept attenuated loss of microvascular glycocalyx thickness (0.54 ± 0.1 to 0.35 ± 0.1 μm, p < 0.05). Changes in hyaluronan (58 ± 13 to 46 ± 10 ng/mL, p < 0.05) and coagulation activation (F1+2: 0.3 ± 0.1 to 2.1 ± 0.9 nmol/L, p < 0.05) were also attenuated. Conclusions: These data suggest that infl ammatory activity, in part mediated by TNFα, leads to perturbation of the endothelial glycocalyx in humans. This may contribute to the vascular vulnerability induced by infl ammation.
Using English to teach English: Classroom English competence of English language teachers in Vietnam

The National Foreign Language Project 2020 (Project 2020) has been laying its emphasis on the development of general English language proficiency and English language teaching methods of English language teachers in Vietnamese schools. This article argues that these focuses might overlook an area which is essential for these teachers to use English efficiently in the classrooms: the development of classroom English proficiency. This argument is corroborated by a case study with qualitative data collected from videotaping 113 teachers in their microteaching sessions. It reveals certain limitations in their classroom English competence, especially linguistic and strategic competence. The article concludes by putting forward certain suggestions for Project 2020 as well as future studies to explore other facets of this competence.
Speech Based Access of Agricultural Dealers Information in Odia Language

A wide range of voice-enabled technologies are evolved over the last two decades as a result of advancements in speech recognition technology. Most of the applications developed were need based to automate a number of applications. Most of the information/ resources which are very much useful for the farmers are available online. But the statistics indicate that most of the farmers do not have access to these source of information because of the huge adoption gap between farmers and technology. This digital divide is a serious problem of the present. The mode of information access is one of the reasons for it. Speech is the most natural mode of communication among human beings and it has the potential to be the most convenient mode of interface for accessing information.in other words of voice-enabled technologies has the potential to bridge the digital divide gap. The objective of this work is to develop a voice interface using Odia speech recognition system by which farmers and other users can get information about the Agricultural Dealers in their native language, Odia. Odia is the language of the state of Odisha in India.
Factors influencing export fruit quality: 2001 season

The SAAGA Overseas Technical Officer inspected and sampled South African avocados exported to the European markets during 2001 ‐ this article reports on the quality of this fruit following post-season data analysis by the SAAGA Temperature Committee. South African avocados were prone to a number of quality defects during the 2001 export season; many of these defects can be ascribed to the fact that 2001 was a low-production season for most growers ‐ as a result the fruits were more prone to quality defects. Fuerte avocados were quite prone to Black Cold injury throughout the season. Soil nutrient imbalances have been found to influence the susceptibility of fruits to Black Cold injury. The main quality defects for Hass fruits were soft arrivals and internal Grey Pulp. Fruit maturity is indicated as a contributing factor towards the incidence of soft arrivals and grey pulp; fruit maturity of later season fruits thus needs to be carefully monitored. Time from packing to arrival in Europe was often longer (approximately 28 days on average) than generally considered desirable. The industry needs to land fruit on the overseas markets sooner after packing if quality defects are to be avoided. Numerous logistical difficulties in the South African harbours, together with shipping delays, were the major cause of the extended period between packing and arrival in Europe. Pinkerton fruit was often affected by Black Cold injury and Grey Pulp. Fruit from specific growers was often more prone to these defects. Soil nutrition and fruit maturity play an important role in determining Pinkerton fruit quality. Insufficient fruit of other cultivars was inspected for meaningful comments to be made on the arrival and ripe quality of these cultivars.
Application of Regression Models for Area, Production and Productivity Trends of Maize (Zea mays) Crop for Panchmahal Region of Gujarat State, India

The present investigation was carried out to study area, production and productivity trends and growth rates of maize (Zea mays) crop grown in Panchmahal region of Gujarat state, India for the period 1949-50 to 2007-08 based on parametric and nonparametric regression models. In parametric models different linear, non-linear and time-series models were employed. The statistically most suited parametric models were selected on the basis of adjusted R, significant regression co-efficient and co-efficient of determination (R). Appropriate time-series models were fitted after judging the data for stationarity. The statistically appropriate model was selected on the basis of various goodness of fit criteria viz. Akaike’s Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, RMSE, MAE , assumptions of normality and independence of residuals. In nonparametric regression optimum bandwidth was computed by cross-validation method. ‘Epanechnikov-kernel’ was used as the weight function. Nonparametric estimates of underlying growth function were computed at each and every time point. Residual analysis was carried out to test the randomness. Relative growth rates of area, production and productivity were estimated based on the best fitted trend function. Linear model was found suitable to fit the trends in area and production of maize crop whereas for the productivity nonparametric regression without jump-point emerged as the best fitted trend function. The compound growth rate values obtained for the years (1949-50 to 2007-08) in area, production and productivity of the maize crop showed that the production had increased at a rate of 0.49 per cent per annum due to combined effect of increase in area and productivity at a rate of 0.30 and 0.21 per cent per annum respectively.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEPTIONS OF DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT IN HEALTH SECTOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between perceptions of distributive justice and employee commitment in health sector non-governmental organizations in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs with a statistical sample of 195 employees responsible for key result areas in 17 health sector Non-Governmental Organizations. Justice perceptions were measured using Colquitt’s four construct model comprising of distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational justice while organizational commitment was measured through Meyer’s three component model comprising of affective, continuance and normative commitment. Inferential statistics comprising of correlation, multiple linear regression models and ANOVA analysis were applied `to establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data was analyzed through the use of questionnaires.Results: Based on the results of the Pearson correlation, the study concluded that there is a significant relationship between perceptions of distributive justice and employee commitment in health sector non-governmental organizations in Kenya.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that health NGO organizations promote organizational commitment by designing employment terms that are internally commensurate with employee’s efforts and externally competitive.
Studying Recorded lightning over Iraq for Period 1998-2011

This research studies distribution of thunderstorm in Iraq for the period (1998-2011), the result showed that the largest regions which had been hit by lightning stroke were between latitude (35-36◦)E and longitude (45-46◦)N, and April was the most frequent of lightning occurrence, also the results showed that the number of flashes of most lightning cases were between (50-100) with higher number of flashes for some special cases. The studying of meteorological parameters which accompanied thunderstorm formation such as (Mean sea level pressure, Lifting index, relative humidity and Vertical velocity) illustrates the values of mean sea level pressure were increased during the hours after lightning occurrence comparing with their values before and at the time of lightning occurrence and their monthly mean value much greater than that recorded at the time of lightning occurrence, in addition the values of lifting index were negative at the time of lightning occurrence that refer to instability whereas their monthly average showed positive values. The values of relative humidity were greater at lightning recorded time at the three levels (500, 700, 1000)mb and also through the hours before and after this time comparing with their monthly mean. Vertical velocity values were negative for the three levels at the time of lightning occurrence that is referring to upward motion which is necessary for thundercloud initiation, and their monthly mean values were mostly negative at (500, 700)mb whereas were positive at the surface level
SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF AGGREGATES AND ORGANIC CARBON UNDER THREE DIFFERENT USES OF INDIAN BLACK EARTH IN SOUTHERN AMAZONAS

Indian Black Earths (IBEs) are distributed throughout the Amazon. They are characterized by their high chemical fertility and agricultural potential. IBEs have high organic carbon, favouring the improvement of soil structure. This work aimed to evaluate the aggregates and organic carbon (OC) spatial variability in different IBEs in southern Amazonas. We evaluated the organic carbon spatial variability, mean weight diameter (MWD), soil bulk density (ρb) and aggregate classes under three uses of soil: pasture, cocoa, and coffee. We collected 528 soil samples in a point grid according to its use at two depths: 0.0-0.05 m and 0.10-0.20 m. Results were subjected to variance, descriptive, and geostatistical analyses. We concluded that the soil use influenced the IBEs physical attributes soil behavior, concentrating the higher values of CO, aggregates > 2.00 mm, and MWD at 0.0-0.05 m in relation to ρb and aggregates < 2.00 mm where the higher values were the ones at 0.10-0.20 m. Aggregates < 2.00 mm (0.10-0.20 m) and OC (0.0-0.05 m) did not show spatial dependence, while the class of aggregates > 2.00 mm was the only attribute which represented to be a natural characteristic of the soil, with a strong spatial dependence, independently the land use and depth. There was no spatial relationship between the attributes studied and the geomorphic diversity.
Impact of human-related disturbance on Eriochrysis rangacharii Fischer, a rare keystone endemic grass (Nilgiris, southern India): a preliminary assessment

We assessed the factors influencing the perceived decline of Eriochrysis rangacharii, a rare endemic swamp grass species of the Nilgiri plateau (Western Ghats of India), which had been listed as "presumed extinct" for over 100 years in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants. This grass is used by the Todas, a local ethnic community, to thatch their temple roofs. We conducted the study in 2001 - 2002 in five swamps in the Upper Bhavani region of the Nilgiris: two swamps were intensively grazed by livestock, one was burnt in 1995, one was surrounded by exotic pine plantation, and the last was an "undisturbed" control. We recorded species richness, the number of native/exotic species, and frequency of occurrence, cover, and average height of E. rangacharii in each swamp. Disturbance, particularly grazing, affected E. rangacharii and increased the proportion of invasive species. Resumen: Evaluamos los factores que influyen sobre el decremento observado de Eriochrysis rangacharii, una especie de pasto rara y endemica de pantano de la meseta Nilgiri (Ghates Occidentales, India), la cual aparecio enlistada como "supuestamente extinta" durante mas de 100 anos en el Libro de Datos Rojo de las Plantas de la India. Este pasto es usado por los Todas, una comunidad etnica local, para el techado de sus templos. Llevamos a cabo el estudio en 2001-2002 en cinco pantanos en la region de Bhavani Superior de los Nilgiris. Dos pantanos estaban pastoreados intensamente por el ganado, uno habia sido quemado en 1995, uno estaba rodeado por una plantacion de pinos exoticos, y la ultima era un control "sin disturbio". Registramos la riqueza de especies, los numero de especies nativas y exoticas, y la frecuencia, la cobertura y la altura promedio de E. rangacharii en cada pantano. El disturbio, sobre todo el pastoreo, afecto a E. rangacharii e incremento la proporcion de especies invasoras. Resumo: Os factores que influenciam o declinio percebido da Eriochrysis rangacharii, uma especie graminea endemica rara dos pântanos do planalto Nilgiri (Western Ghats da India), que havia sido listada como "presumivel extinta" por mais de 100 anos no Livro Vermelho das Plantas da India,foram avaliados. Esta erva e usada pelos"Todas", uma comunidade etnica local, para cobrir os telhados de palha dos seus templos. O estudo foi conduzido em 2001-2002, em cinco pântanos na regiao do Alto Bhavani do Nilgiris: dois dos pântanos eram intensamente pastados, um foi queimado em 1995, outro estava cercado por uma plantacao de pinheiros exoticos, e o ultimo foi o controlo, nao disturbado. Registou-se a riqueza de especies, o numero de especies nativas / exoticas, e a frequencia da ocorrencia, a cobertura e a altura media da E. rangacharii em cada pântano. A perturbacao, particularmente o pascigo, afectou E. rangacharii N
Circulating antigens of Schistosoma parasites in urine of schistosomiasis patients in Central Sudan

This study was aimed to detect circulating antigens of the schistosoma parasites in urine of schistosomiasis patients living in two camps, Hababna and Elshajara camps within Tyieba Elshiekh Elgorashi village, located North West from Hassahiesa city in the Gezira state- central Sudan. The prevalence of S. haematobium in the two camps was 15.4% and the prevalence of S. mansoni was 53.8%. Urine samples of individuals infected with S. mansoni (93), S. haematobium (13) and with both (co-infection, 19), were electrophoretically separated on SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted against confirmed schistosoma patient’s serum. Immunogenic protein band with molecular weight 91 kDa was observed in all urine samples of individuals infected with S. haematobium and co-infection. In addition to 48 kDa in 8(61.5%), 11(57.9%) urine samples of infected individuals with S. haematobium and co-infection, respectively. A 60 kDa was found in 61(65.6%) urine samples of infected individuals with S. mansoni. No band was observed in urine samples of healthy control groups from endemic and non-endemic area. The present study showed that a 91 kDa protein is a highly immunogenic and may be a useful marker for diagnosing urinary schistosomiasis. Key words: Circulating antigen, immunogenic protein, molecular weight, endemic area, urinary schistosomiasis.
Biodegradation of Aliphatic-aromatic Coplyester under Thermophilic Conditions

The biodegradation of poly (tetramethylene adipate-co-tetramethylene terephthalate) (BTA-copolyester) as synthetic polyester was investigated under thermophilic conditions. Two efficient BTA degrading actinomycetes were isolated from compost at thermophilic phase. These strains were identified as Thermobifida fusca and Thermobispora bispora. The degradation rate for BTA films within 7 days was 17.12 and 16.96 mg/week.cm 2 by T. fusca and T. bispora, respectively. The optimum BTA40:60 degradation conditions are obtained as pH7 and 55°C. The both strains exhibited a wider substrate spectrum as they are able to degrade synthetic polyesters (BTA40:60, PCL-S MaterBi ZF03U/A) and natural polymers (poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) and carboxymethyl cellulose). It was shown that the extracellular hydrolyases activity from the both strains was induced in the presence of BTA- copolyester, while the presence of additional carbon sources such as glucose or a complex medium suppressed enzyme formation. Tributyrin as triglycerides was degraded by the both crude concentrated BTA-hydrolases. In contrast the enzyme was not capable to depolymerize the natural polymers PHB and carboxymethyl cellulose, although the organism itself degraded both types of polymers. The obtained results showed that the degradation rate with T. fusca BTA40:60-hydrolase was 3.67 mg/day.cm 2 and was 3.5 mg/day.cm 2 with T. bispora BTA40:60- hydrolase. The pH optimum for BTA-hydrolases was 7 with 20 and 100 mM phosphate buffer and it was 6 with 150 mM citrate buffer. Finally, it could be concluded that actinomycetes and their hydrolases play an outstanding role in recycling of biodegradable plastics under thermophilic phase during composting process.
Existence and Uniqueness in the Quantum Marginal Problem

EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS IN THE QUANTUM MARGINAL PROBLEM Joel David Klassen Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Bei Zeng The quantum marginal problem asks whether a family of quantum marginals are compatible with a global quantum state. It is of central importance to a wide range of topics in both quantum many body physics and quantum information. Often it can be the case that when a family of quantum marginals are compatible with a global quantum state, that global state is unique. This thesis explores the role of uniqueness in the quantum marginal problem, in particular the distinction between uniqueness among pure states and uniqueness among all states. A particularly important variant of the quantum marginal problem is the symmetric extendibility problem. This thesis makes headway on characterizing the extremal points of a particular class of symmetric extendibility problems, and demonstrates the importance of understanding the distinction between being uniquely determined among mixed states and being uniquely determined among pure states in making further progress in this direction.
A CLASSIFICATION SCHEMA FOR PROCESS AND METHOD ADAPTATION IN SOFTWARE DESIGN PROJECTS

Aligning generic methodologies in human-centered design with the very specific demands of individual software projects presents a challenge during project planning and execution. Generally discussed in isolation of a particular context, many design process theories and methods need to be tailored to fit particular project needs. This work presents a classification schema to support in the project-specific adaptation of design processes. Based on design project observations, we identify four major project types ‘Usability’, ‘Capability’, ‘Extension’, and ‘Innovation’. The distinct process characteristics and commonalities for each category are discussed, qualifying the schema to support in the design project planning process.