Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are nonwoven synthetic pollination bags a better choice for sorghum breeding

This work investigated the effects of seven pollination bag treatments on three varieties of sorghum for: grain loss to birds; total weight of five panicles (g); total grain weight of five panicles (g); average grain weight per panicle (g); germination per cent; and occurrence of grain mold during 2016. Varieties were: 1167048 hybrid (brown seeded); BR007B (red seeded); and P9401 (white seeded). The bag treatments were: 1. No bagging; 2. Kraft paper; 3. Kraft paper + plastic bag screen; 4 Used duraweb® SG1; 5. Used duraweb® SG2; 6. New duraweb® SG1; 7. New duraweld® SG2. High bird pressure resulted in 100% seed loss on uncovered panicles and 75% under Kraft paper pollination bags. Birds preferred white seeded P9401, which led to no seed recovery under Kraft paper bags. There was virtually no bird damage with all other pollination bags. For panicle and grain yields the varieties performed in the order 1167048>BR007B>P9401. Unprotected panicles and paper bag treatments had the lowest yields. Panicles covered with the new synthetic bags exhibited 195 to 652% higher yields compared to Kraft paper bags. Varieties x bag type interactions were not important as they contributed 4 to 6% to the total sum of squares for yield traits. Germination test under normal and stress conditions showed no significant adverse effect of bag treatments on seed health. Reused bags performed as well as new bags for all of these traits. Varieties differed significantly for the occurrence of five grain mold pathogens, with highest occurrence of Alternaria, up to 40%, on 1167048 hybrid. Of the five pathogens, bag types differed significantly for Phoma with the highest occurrence of 9% on re-used duraweb®SG2 bags. Thus bags require disinfecting and cleaning before re-use. It is concluded that nonwoven synthetic bags are a better choice than the Kraft paper pollination bags for increasing the grain yield and virtually eliminating the bird damage in sorghum. Key words: Sorghum, nonwoven fabrics, kraft paper, pollination bags, bird control, grain mold.
On the magnetic fields of Be/X-ray pulsars in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We explore the possibility to explain the properties of the Be/X-ray pulsars observed in the Small Magellanic Cloud within the magnetic levitation accretion scenario. This implies that their X-ray emission is powered by a wind-fed accretion onto a neutron star (NS) which captures matter from a magnetized stellar wind. The NS in this case is accreting matter from a non-keplerian magnetically levitating disc (ML-disc) which is surrounding its magnetosphere. This allows us to explain the observed periods of the pulsars in terms of spin equilibrium without the need of invoking dipole magnetic fields outside the usual range ~ 10^11- 10^13 G inferred from cyclotron features of Galactic high mass X-ray binaries. We find that the equilibrium period of a NS, under certain conditions, depends strongly on the magnetization of the stellar wind of its massive companion and, correspondingly, on the magnetic field of the massive companion itself. This may help to explain why similar NSs in binaries with similar properties rotate with different periods yielding a large scatter of periods of the accretion-powered pulsar observed in SMC and our galaxy.
Ares I Flight Control System Overview

This paper describes the control challenges posed by the Ares I vehicle, the flight control system design and performance analyses used to test and verify the design. The major challenges in developing the control system are structural dynamics, dynamic effects from the powerful first stage booster, aerodynamics, first stage separation and large uncertainties in the dynamic models for all these. Classical control techniques were employed using innovative methods for structural mode filter design and an anti-drift feature to compensate for translational and rotational disturbances. This design was coded into an integrated vehicle flight simulation and tested by Monte Carlo methods. The product of this effort is a linear, robust controller design that is easy to implement, verify and test.
Reinterpreting Architectural Education: Exploring Methods for Incorporating Sustainability Themes

This paper explores prospective means of incorporating sustainability and green building themes into formal architectural education. By unpacking and understanding the most common and perceived successful methods of including these themes in curriculum, suggestions can be made to steer and capitalize on the effective integration of sustainability and green building topics within the framework of architectural education. Grounded theory methodology focuses on the generation or discovery of a theory to develop a framework for further research in a field where no strong, generally accepted theories exist (Strauss and Corbin 1998; Creswell 2007). The topic of integrating sustainability into formal architectural education is a prime candidate for this type of exploration, as it is a field of great interest, but without a substantial theory. Referencing constructivist grounded theory, this study was framed in how individual faculty members and their groups of peers interact to create their perceived social constructs, thereby establishing a reality of their own processes and the familiarity of colleagues’ processes. Through purposeful sampling, a list of potential participants included eighteen faculty members from different architecture programs around North America. Twelve were interviewed before theoretical saturation was reached. The datasets were analyzed through an iterative coding process, and resulted in themed categories and clustered data addressing the primary topic of interest and other sub-research questions. Core categories of Student Engagement and Repositioning the Worldview emerge from exploring relationships within the gathered data. It is perceived by study participants that the most promising opportunities for leverage in this arena include establishing frameworks for student reference, defining levels of context for projects, addressing differences in sustainability terms, engaging studio courses, and integrating themes across support courses.
Pressure-induced Effect on the Light Reflection of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Using the Finite Element Method

Bragg reflections of cholesteric liquid crystals were investigated by the finite element method (FEM). The Galerkin FEM formulations and the absorbing boundary conditions are adopted. The number of chiral pitches required for establishing the Bragg reflection was calculated. Two models for the relationships between the applied pressure and the pitch of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) were simulated: one is the linear model of the relative maximum reflection wavelength proportional to the reduced pressure, and the other is the model introduced by Pollamnn and Stegemeyer. In each case, the effect of pressure-induced changes in the peak of the reflection wavelength is demonstrated. The concept of pressure sensing performed on the CLCs is discussed and was simulated numerically. CLCs can be applied to measure for a required range of pressure.
The CharacteriVics of Effective Teacher Preparation Programs

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Pius Postage. DESCRIPTORS Admission Critia; Classroom Techniques; Educational Research; Eighoe Education; *Institutional Charactevistict. *Preservice Teacher Education; *Program Efitecl:;:veness; Student Motivation; Teacher Education Carriculum; *Teacher Education Programs; Teacher Eaact3veness; Teaching Experience; Time Factors (Learzong) IDENTIFIERS National C(comAsion on Excellence in Teacher Educ
Maxwell’s demon in the quantum-Zeno regime and beyond

The long-standing paradigm of Maxwell’s demon is till nowadays a frequently investigated issue, which still provides interesting insights into basic physical questions. Considering a single-electron transistor, where we implement a Maxwell demon by a piecewise-constant feedback protocol, we investigate quantum implications of the Maxwell demon. To this end, we harness a dynamical coarse-graining method, which provides a convenient and accurate description of the system dynamics even for high measurement rates. In doing so, we are able to investigate the Maxwell demon in a quantum-Zeno regime leading to transport blockade. We argue that there is a measurement rate providing an optimal performance. Moreover, we find that besides building up a chemical gradient, there can be also a regime where the feedback loop additionally extracts energy, which results from the energy non-conserving character of the projective measurement.
Effect of Mg Addition (in Zinc Bath) on Galvanized Sheet Quality

In order to improve the corrosion resistance of the conventional hot dip galvanized sheets, a new type of Zn-Mg coating has been developed. Experiments were conducted in HDPS by varying zinc bath Mg level, bath temperature & dipping time. It has been found that steel sheet galvanized in zinc bath composition of 0.50%Mg, 0.25%Al, 0.08%Si & 0.08%Sb and processed at bath temperature of ~460 o C and dipping time : 2.0 sec. results in best combination of properties in terms o f corrosion rate : 4.0 mpy (~1/3 rd w.r.t conventional GI sheets : ~12 mpy), formab ility of the co mposite (Ev : 10.4 mm fo r sheet thickness of 0.8 mm) at par with substrate material, coating adherence as per Lock Forming Quality (LFQ) standard and appearance bright and smooth. The imp roved corrosion resistance of newly developed coating is attributed to the presence of Mg-Zn intermetallic phases along the grain boundary inhibiting the cathodic reaction as well as formation of protective MgO & protective corrosion products of zinc. The presence of Sb in the galvanizing bath has also led to improved intergranular corrosion resistance. Superior formability, adherence and appearance of the coating is due to presence of adequate Al & Si level in the galvanizing bath, which led to suppression of brittle Fe-Zn phase formation at the coating-steel interface.
Phonological Differences between Received Pronunciation and Standard Scottish English

Native English speakers from different countries and regions use a variety of accents and dialects. English accents are part of English dialects. Any dialect of English has unique features in pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. The term accent describes only the first of these, namely, pronunciation. In the UK, accents and dialects vary widely across its different regions. The aim of this paper is to explore phonological differences between Received Pronunciation and Standard Scottish English. Based on some collected speech data and application of speech analysis software Praat, their phonological distinctions are mainly discussed in vowels, consonants and prosody. The research on accents and dialects across the UK plays a critical role in the study of English Phonetics and Phonology. Investigating phonological differences between Received Pronunciation and Standard Scottish English is of great significance in English pronunciation education.
Rear and release: a new paradigm for dengue control

Dengue continues to be the largest cause of arboviral human disease. Australia is no exception, with annual outbreaks in north Queensland. Until recently, we were restricted to measures, such as pesticide sprays and container removal, that reduce populations of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). However, the Eliminate Dengue research program, an international collaboration led by Professor Scott O'Neill of Monash University, uses the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis to block dengue virus replication in the mosquito and reduce dengue transmission. To date, releases of adult A. aegypti infected with the wMel strain of Wolbachia have been made at seven different locations near Cairns Queensland. Wolbachia has successfully established in each release area, with some populations having persisted for three consecutive years. Success using wMel has come relatively easily, with fixation (>90% mosquitoes infected) obtained after 3 months of weekly releases of adult mosquitoes that required no concurrent vector control. We have not had success establishing wMelPop strain, due to the high fitness costs of this more virulent strain of Wolbachia to its mosquito host. New release strategies of wMel that allow us to simply place egg papers in rearing buckets in the field are also showing promise. Going forward, we hope to scale up the program so that large urban areas can be treated with a minimal number of releases and labour. Finally, what evidence is there that Wolbachia actually prevents dengue in human populations? The definitive studies will be taking place in dengue endemic countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam where sufficient transmission allows for carefully controlled trials, although dengue incidence in Wolbachia treated areas of Queensland will be watched with interest.
The Causes of Corporate Refocusing

This paper investigates the extent of and causes of change in corporate focus in the 1980s. We find that most of the 2,500 largest U.S. firms became more specialized in the 1980s. The greatest change in focus took place through the exit of diversified firms which were replaced by smaller, less diversified, and more often private entrants. While most firms focused, the largest firms in the economy continued their historical trend towards greater diversifi cation during the 1980s. As a consequence, the fraction of assets and revenues in the economy controlled by highly diversified firms fell only slightly. While the results do not support most explanations for corporate refocusing, we find that firms with strong core market positions and high R & D expenditures tended to diversify while other firms refocused. This suggests that refocusing during the 1980s was primarily a response to changing competitive forces in the U.S. economy.
Micro-macro Modeling of Particle Crushing Based on Branch Lengths

A micro-macro model of particle crushing is proposed. Microstructure changes are tracked with the density and size distribution of branch lengths. At the scale of a Representative Elementary Volume (REV), the free energy density of a set of branches of same length is written as the product of the total deformation energy stored in the REV by an energy split function, assumed to follow a power law. The distribution of deformation energy stored by the branches of a granular assembly subjected to isotropic compression is calculated with PFC3D Discrete Element Method (DEM) program. It is shown that this distribution varies indeed with branch lengths, and that the power-law provides a good fit for an exponent of 3. A macroscopic crushing parameter is defined to follow the progress of particle comminution (and therefore, dissipation). Constraints on the expression of the dissipation potential associated to particle crushing are explained, in order to ensure the convexity of the elastic domain. The proposed framework is expected to improve current thermodynamic models of particle crushing based on Grain Size Distributions (GSDs), especially to predict “shielding effects”. Better energy estimates could be used to optimize processes to make powders in the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Mechanical Design of a Nb$_{3}$Sn Quadrupole Magnet

One possible application of Nb 3 Sn is the fabrication of short and powerful quadrupole magnets for the crowded interaction regions of large particle accelerators. To learn about Nb 3 Sn technology and evaluate fabrication processes, CEA/Saclay has undertaken a R&D program aimed at designing and building a quadrupole magnet model. After a brief review of the mechanical design, we report on mechanical computations carried out to optimize the magnet straight section. The DAPNIA/STCM at CEA/Saclay has undertaken an R&D program to design and build a single-aperture quadrupole magnet model with a Nb 3 Sn Rutherford-type cable. Nb 3 Sn can be used either to achieve a high magnetic field gradient in a large aperture or to permit magnet operation in a sizeable background magnetic flux density. The conceptual design of a 1-m-long, 56mm-single-aperture Nb 3 Sn quadrupole magnet, with a nominal field gradient of 211 T/m at 11870 A and 4.2 K is presented. Then, we report the main results of FE computations performed to optimize the magnet coil prestress. This R&D program is aimed at the final focus system of the TESLA linear collider now under consideration at DESY. 1
Vulnerability to air embolism of three European oak species (Quercus petraea (Matt) Liebl, Q pubescens Willd, Q robur L)

La vulnerabitite a la cavitation induite par stress hydrique et la conductivite specifique foliaire (LSC) ont ete etudiees sur des branches excisees de Q petraea, Q pubescens, Q robur et Q rubra. L'evolution saisonniere de l'embolie xylemienne des petioles et des tiges de Q petraea adultes a ete suivie au cours de l'etablissement d'une secheresse edaphique (.)
Life experience and the asymmetry of the human auditory system : clinical and auditory science laboratory implications

It is now almost 60 years since Doreen Kimura first described the asymmetries of the human auditory system (HAS). It is 30 years since Kenneth Hugdahl, and almost 15 years since David Poeppel, did the same. Our knowledge of these asymmetries is now considerable and detailed. Here we review some of the literature concerning what is known about the asymmetry of the HAS, and use it to construct a simple model of how the central and peripheral components work together. The model details some of the asymmetry, the life-experience-dependant maturation of this asymmetry throughout the first two decades, possible reasons for the population variance in speech-in-noise perception, the central role of the corpus callosum, the involvement of the efferent auditory pathways, and the corticofugal control of the peripheral auditory system. Although our knowledge of HAS asymmetry remains incomplete, this should not prevent the introduction of required changes to the current practices of audiologists and auditory science researchers, practices which fail to recognize the existence of any asymmetry in the HAS The model described here . suggests a clear need for: “asymmetry sensitive” hearing test tools that provide normative data for the lifespan, closer childhood and aging-adult hearing monitoring, and the development of a range of auditory training modules. Notably, the model suggests that without such tools our HAS asymmetry knowledge will remain incomplete. The status quo is a preoccupation with understanding hearing through knowledge of the peripheral hearing system, no answers for those with a “normal audiogram” but with an obvious difficulty hearing speech-in-noise, limited success cochlear implant rehabilitation, and missed opportunities to successfully intervene with childhood hearing/speech/language development problems.
IMAGING CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSION IN THE STARBURST GALAXY NGC 6000

We present measurements of carbon monoxide emission in the central region of the nearby starburst NGC 6000 taken with the Submillimeter Array. The J = 2–1 transition of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O were imaged at a resolution of ∼3″ × 2″ (450 × 300 pc). We accurately determine the dynamical center of NGC 6000 at αJ2000. 0 = 15h49m49. ˢ5 and δJ2000. 0 = −29°23′13″ which agrees with the peak of molecular emission position. The observed CO dynamics could be explained in the context of the presence of a bar potential affecting the molecular material, likely responsible for the strong nuclear concentration where more than 85% of the gas is located. We detect a kinematically detached component of dense molecular gas at relatively high velocity which might be fueling the star formation. A total nuclear dynamical mass of 7 × 109 M☉ is derived and a total mass of gas of 4.6 × 108 M☉, yielding a Mgas/Mdyn ∼ 6%, similar to other previously studied barred galaxies with central starbursts. We determined the mass of molecular gas with the optically thin isotopologue C18O and we estimate a CO-to-H2 conversion factor XCO = 0.4 × 1020 cm−2(K km s−1)−1 in agreement with that determined in other starburst galaxies.
Biodegradable PHBV/PEO Blend Microspheres for Controlled Release of Bosentan Monohydrate: Preparation, Characterization and In Vitro Release Studies

The aim of this study was to prepare Polymeric blend microspheres of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co- 3- hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly (ethylene oxide) by solvent evaporation method using poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a stabilizer. Bosentan monohydrate (BMH), an anti pulmonary arterial hypertensive drug was encapsulated successfully into these microspheres. Various formulations were prepared by varying the ratios of PHBV, PEO and drug. The prepared microspheres were characterized by various instrumental techniques like Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (X-RD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectral data showed the blending of PHBV and PEO polymers. DSC and X-RD studies of BMH loaded blend microspheres confirmed the molecular level distribution of drug in the polymer matrix. SEM images of the microspheres indicated the formation of porous spherical particles with distinct size. Successful encapsulation of the drug up to 82.5 % was achieved. Controlled release behavior of the BMH drug loaded microspheres was studied in pH 7.4 buffer media. In vitro results indicated that the drug release rate was dependent on the amount of PEO and % of drug present in the polymer matrix. All these results indicated that the prepared microspheres are potentially useful in drug delivery systems and the prolonged release rate was observed up to 12 h.
Comparison on Surface Roughness and Its Effect on Bonding between Conventional Bur and Laser Cut Cavities: An in vitro Study

Buccal surfaces of human extracted molars were obtained and divided into three groups for cavity preparation. Class V cavities were prepared using diamond bur for Group 1, tungsten carbide bur for Group 2, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser for Group 3. The surface roughness was measured using a 3D noncontact profilometer. The samples were subdivided into subgroups A and B, where subgroup B underwent additional acid-etching procedure. The temperature rise during cavity preparation was recorded using a digital thermostat. The samples were then restored with composite resin following application of bonding agent and light cured for 20 seconds for bond strength evaluation under Universal Testing Machine at a cross speed of 0.5 mm/minutes. The data obtained were finally statistically analyzed. On surface roughness evaluation, laser group (G3) produced maximum surface roughness when compared to conventional bur groups (G1 and G2). On depth of surface roughness evaluation, additional acid etching increased surface roughness of all three groups with laser group (subG3B) followed by acid etching exhibiting maximum surface roughness. On bond strength evaluation, diamond group (G1) exhibited increased bond strength when compared to laser (G3) and tungsten carbide group (G2). On thermal change estimation, all the three groups (G1, G2, and G3) produced minimal temperature rise which was below 5.5. Despite increased surface roughness produced by laser, conventional diamond bur (G1) produced highest bond strength when compared to laser (G3) and tungsten carbide groups (G2).
Non Parametric Classification Using Learning Vector Quantization

Abstract : We study several properties of Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ). LVQ is a nonparametric detection scheme proposed in the neural network community by Kohonen. We examine it in detail, both theoretical and experimentally, to determine its properties as a nonparametric classifier. In particular, we study the convergence of the parameter adjustment rule in LVQ, we present a modification to LVQ which results in improving he convergence of the algorithm, we show that LVQ performs as well as other classifiers on two sets of a simulations, and we show that the classification error associated with LVQ can be made arbitrarily small. (r.r.h.)