Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of biofilter performance to remove dissolved arsenic: Wood Cadillac *

Summary The Wood Cadillac mining site, in north-western Quebec, is an important source of arsenic contamination. The arsenic-rich effluent is treated through a reductive biofilter, which allows arsenic to precipitate as a sulphide (likely As2S3). The top-fed biofilter, built at the end of 1999, is 50 m x 57 m by 1 m thick. The reducing conditions are provided by the decomposition of yellow birch bark chips. At the outlet, dissolved arsenic was maintained below 57 µg/L during the entire periods investigated, which is May 2000 to October 2002, except June 20 th 2001 (93 µg/L). Relative to mean input values of 103, 227, and 168 µg/L in 2000, 2001, and 2002, arsenic concentrations were removed on average by 92, 88, and 76 %, respectively. Dissolved sulphates were removed in the summer up to 99%, 95%, and 67% in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Alkalinity is a direct product of sulphate reduction, and its variation was found to be inversely proportional to that of sulphate removal. Unfortunately, water is also enriched with organic matter after its journey through the biofilter, with high COD, BOD, and, to some extent, phenols. The physical properties of the biofilter have been modified over time due to its compaction since its construction (6 to 10 %). Thus, the heterogeneity of the porous media has increased and preferential flow paths have been developed (shorter residence time), which could explained part of the decrease in arsenic removal in 2002. Furthermore, the geotextile near the surface of the biofilter got partly plugged by organic material limiting the infiltration. As a consequence, the maximum discharge decreased from 7 L/s in 2000 to 5 L/s in 2002. To sum up, the biofilter has improved the water quality of Wood Cadillac effluents with respect to arsenic. However, its performance has somewhat decreased in 2002 in comparison to the two previous years. This decrease is due to preferential flow paths, which shorten the residence time, and/or to less available easily degradable organic matter available to reducing sulphate bacteria. The quality of the biofilter effluent has somewhat degraded when one's consider organic matter. However, chemical and biological demands have significantly decreased in 2002 in comparison to the two previous years.
Graphical User Authentication LALZIRTIRA ( 211 CS 2058 ) under the guidance of Prof

Today, authentication technology is the main measure to guarantee information security, and the most common and convenient authentication method in use is the alphanumeric password. However, their inherent defects led to the development of graphical password as an alternative. Graphical password which uses images as passwords, rather than alphanumeric characters is motivated particularly by the fact that it is generally easier for users to remember and recall images than words, and it is conceivable that graphical password would be able to provide better security than alphanumeric password. In this thesis, a study of various schemes of graphical user authentication is made and a proposed graphical authentication scheme is implemented as an alternate to text-based authentication systems, various analysis are made and also several challenges in graphical authentication are discussed.
Detection of Optical Characters Using Text Structure Modeling

The basic use of back propagation(bp) neural network for textual content categorization and category in addition to type and could gather high everyday giant overall performance and accuracy. But, the high-quality drawback of this network is its prolonged training time. The genetic algorithm is regularly used to generate weights on network layer and beneficial for optimization. In proposed system we employ the mixture of each genetic set of rules and the returned propagation neural community for text categorization additionally the usage of the textual content structure we will understand the unique enter object through using characteristic extraction input item. We're able to use the genetic algorithm to reduce weights of edges within the but returned propagation neural community in used to backpropagating techniques. On the equal body, we are able to used to enhance the genetic algorithm to increase its performance and accuracy of neural network.
A hybrid approach to fake news detection on social media

Fake news has grown tremendously in recent times and this growth has had a great impact on how we make a number of sensitive decisions daily including becomes our President. There have been a wide range of solutions developed to help humans distinguish between fake and real news however, the solutions rely on either a machine-based approach or a human-based approach to detection. Research in the fields of computer science, artificial intelligence and psychology research has shown the limitations in both approaches. Based on these research findings, this paper proposes a hybrid model for detecting fake news on social media using a combination of both the human-based and machine-based detection approaches. Keywords: Fake news detection; Human decision making; Machine decision making
A Novel Adaptive Algorithm Addresses Potential Problems of Blind Algorithm

A hybrid algorithm called constant modulus least mean square (CMLMS) algorithm is proposed in order to address the potential problems existing with constant modulus algorithm (CMA) about its convergence. It is a two-stage adaptive filtering algorithm and based on least mean square (LMS) algorithm followed by CMA. A hybrid algorithm is theoretically developed and the same is verified through MatLab Software. Theoretical model is verified through simulation and its performance is evaluated in smart antenna in presence of a cochannel interfering signal and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) of zero mean. This is also tested in Rayleigh fading channel using digital modulation technique for Bit Error Rate (BER). Finally, a few computer simulations are presented in order to substantiate the theoretical findings with respect to proposed model. Corresponding results obtained with the use of only CMA and LMS algorithms are also presented for further comparison.
The emergence of word order and morphology in compositional languages via multigenerational signaling games

The experimental study of language change may provide novel insights into the nature of language, in particular on the role of cognitive biases and social processes in shaping grammatical and semantic structures. Here, we introduce multigenerational signaling games (MGSGs) as a new experimental paradigm for investigating how simple compositional languages emerge and change during transmission across generations in a diffusion chain, where each transmission step requires coordination between sender and receiver in a signaling game. We obtained three main results. First, we replicate and extend earlier findings by Moreno and Baggio suggesting that, in signaling games with fixed roles, mappings of signals to meanings tend to be transmitted from senders to receivers. We show that this holds for signaling games played in diffusion chains too, in which the receiver in one game becomes the sender in the next game. Second, we provide an experimental proof of concept that MGSGs are a viable laboratory model of cultural language change. Players consistently agreed upon a common signaling system after repeated signaling rounds, and the resulting code was effectively transmitted and gradually modified over generations. Third, we establish a baseline of results for further research using MGSGs. We found that the order of elements initially imposed on signals is largely maintained by successive generations. Moreover, the degree of coordination among players and the fidelity of inter-generational transmission exhibit a cumulative increase across generations. Finally, replicating a seminal result by Esper, we observed that morphological marking of semantic categories such as agent, action, and patient emerged gradually in the course of transmission.
Fast fabrication of silicon based microstructures using 355 nm UV laser

Abstract In this study, a 355 nm UV Nd:YAG laser is used to process silicon wafers. In order to obtain microstructures with high aspect ratio, a dual prism optical system is set up to control the cutting linewidth of the UV laser beam. During the laser beam propagation through the prisms, the two prisms are rotated with the same angular velocity, which results in the focal spot of the laser beam moving in a circular path on the silicon substrates. When the laser beam moves relative to the holder (workstation), a laser cutting process can be carried out. With this laser system, the cutting linewidth is controllable ranging from 10 μm to 1 mm by adjusting the initial phase difference in the two prisms. The experimental results show that arbitrary shaped silicon based microstructures with high aspect ratio can be fabricated by this 355 nm UV laser system, and the aspect ratio over 10 can be obtained.
Improved Model for Predicting Annulus Pressure Drop during Underbalanced Drilling

Most time during underbalanced drilling or cleaning of well, formation fluid (oil and water) influx is usually experienced as soon as productive zone is penetrated because formation pore pressure gradient are higher than hydrostatic pressure gradient. Successful flow of fine drilling cuttings and formation fluid (gas, oil and water) to the surface flow facilities therefore demands for accurate prediction of pressure drop along the well bore during underbalanced drilling. Previous studies on pressure profile prediction in the wellbore during underbalanced drilling have not taken into account the effect of cuttings volume. The purpose of this study is therefore to develop an improved model that predicts the effect of cuttings volume on annulus pressure drop in the wellbore during underbalanced drilling. This is an extension of Guo and Fadairo model for investigating the effect of cutting volume pressure drop during underbalanced drilling. The result of the study shows that the cutting flow rate increases with small pressure differential while it decreases with large pressure differential. This depicts that cutting retards fluid flow and increases bottom-hole pressure and fluid density, resulting in low fluid velocity and cutting lifting capacity of the drilling fluid. This may result in cutting accumulation, ultimately reducing the ability of the drilling fluid to effectively lift drill cuttings from bottom-hole to the surface and eventually lead into stuck drilling string.
Testability Factors : A New Perspective

Testability has always been an elusive concept. Its correct measurement or evaluation is a difficult exercise because of the potential factors affecting testability. It has been revealed from literature survey that researchers and practitioners had made some efforts to measure testability at source code level. Measuring testability at code level leads to late arrival of design flaws. Changes in design at a later stage costs more than the changes made at there itself. It is an inevitable fact that by estimating testability, a decision on such a change may be incorporated at design phase. Considerable efforts have been made to list out testability factors in order to find out measurable characteristics of software testability. It has been inferred from the literature on testability factors that there is a heavy need of proposing a commonly accepted set of the factors affecting software testability. This paper puts forth an effort in producing a set of testability factors in terms of direct measurable. Using the identified set of factors, software characteristics and metrics, testability may be quantified early
High-Throughput Route for Determining the Precise Location of an Individual Carbon Nanotube by Vapor-Phase Hydrofluoric Acid Etching

Knowing the precise location of an individual carbon nanotube is of great importance in regards to studying its extraordinary properties. Until recently, this has been a complex and time consuming process. We have realized the optical visualization of an individual carbon nanotube’s location via a hydrofluoric acid etching technique. This etching technique produces trenches on the Si/SiO2 substrate which are formed by the carbon nanotube-catalyzed etching of the SiO2 thin film. The trenches produced are visible under an optical microscope which allows for the precise location of an individual nanotube to be determined which facilitates their systematic study. Carbon nanotubes were grown by a metal-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition method. The samples were then etched and analyses of individual nanotubes were performed. The CVD grown nanotubes and etched trenches were analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Raman spectroscopy was implemented to study the effects of UV-ozone exposure on individual nanotubes within the trenches. It is shown that UV-ozone modifies the nanotubes structure by producing defects in the nanotube’s graphene lattice and ultimately degrades the nanotube. The degradation of the nanotube is evident by a disappearance of the G-band in the nanotubes Raman spectrum. The hydrofluoric acid etching technique presented here provides a high-throughput route for the systematic analysis of individual carbon nanotubes which is made possible by the optical visualization of a trench which contains the nanotube of interest.
THINNING OF 'FUJI' APPLE TREES WITH ETHEPHON, NAD AND BA, ALONE AND IN COMBINATION

A B S T R A C T The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of several thinning agents in reducing fruit set in ‘Fuji’ apple trees. The agents tested were NAD, ethephon, and BA. BA was sprayed at two different times during the thinning period. Multiple sprayings with various combinations of these agents were also evaluated. Ethephon applied alone was the only treatment which significantly increased fruit count at harvest time. None of the treatments had a significant affect on yield, mean fruit weight, the number of first class fruits, or the number of pygmy fruits. Ethephon applied alone was the only treatment which significantly increased the number of second class fruits. All BA alone applications slightly reduced final fruit number and increased mean fruit weight, both not significant. Also BA applied alone significantly reduced the number of second class fruits, regardless of which formulation was used or when it was applied.
INFERENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR LOW-COUNT RNA-SEQ TRANSCRIPTS: A CASE STUDY ON AN EDAPHIC SUBSPECIES OF DOMINANT PRAIRIE GRASS ANDROPOGON GERARDII

Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a wide-ranging dominant prairie grass of ecological and agricultural importance to the US Midwest while edaphic subspecies sand bluestem (A. gerardii ssp. Hallii) grows exclusively on sand dunes. Sand bluestem exhibits phenotypic divergence related to epicuticular properties and enhanced drought tolerance relative to big bluestem. Understanding the mechanisms underlying differential drought tolerance is relevant in the face of climate change. For bluestem subspecies, presence or absence of these phenotypes may be associated with RNA transcripts characterized by low number of read counts. So called low-count transcripts pose particular inferential challenges and are thus usually filtered out at early steps of data management protocols and ignored for analyses. In this study, we use a plasmode-based approach to assess the relative performance of alternative inferential strategies on RNA-seq transcripts, with special emphasis on low-count transcripts as motivated by differential bluestem phenotypes. Our dataset consists of RNA-seq read counts for 25,582 transcripts (60% of which are classified as low-count) collected from leaf tissue of 4 individual plants of big bluestem and 4 of sand bluestem. We also compare alternative ad-hoc data filtering techniques commonly used in RNA-seq pipelines and assess the performance of recently developed statistical methods for differential expression (DE) analysis, namely DESeq2 and edgeR robust. These methods attempt to overcome the inherently noisy behavior of low-count transcripts by either shrinkage or differential weighting of observations, respectively. Our results indicate that proper specification of DE methods can remove the need for adhoc data filtering at arbitrary expression threshold, thus allowing for inference on low-count transcripts. Practical recommendations for inference are provided when low-count RNA-seq transcripts are of interest, as is the case in the comparison of subspecies of bluestem grasses. Insights from this study may also be relevant to other applications also focused on transcripts of low expression levels.
Sport-specific psychological skills : a comparison between professional and social basketball players in South Africa

In the present study the psychological skills of professional and social basketball players were compared. A literature review has highlighted the need for domain specific and sport specific psychological skills research, from countries outside the United States of America. The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) was administered to professional (n=60) and social (n=67) basketball players. The ACSI-28 is a multidimensional scale that measures seven specific psychological skills and also yields a global psychological skills score. The results showed that professional basketball players rated their global psychological skills significantly higher than social basketball players. The results also showed that the professional basketball players scored significantly higher on five of the seven specific psychological skills namely: coping with adversity, peaking under pressure, goal setting, concentration and self-confidence. Cross-cultural differences were found between South African and Greek basketball players. The assumption that psychological skills is domain specific was not verified as baseball and basketball players from different countries showed remarkably similar ACSI-28 profiles. The results can be used to develop a psychological skills training programme which is relevant for elite and pre-elite basketball players in South Africa. III Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Impact of the representation of the infiltration on the river flow during intense rainfall events in JULES

Intense rainfall can lead to flash flooding and may cause disruption, damage and loss of life. Since flooding from intense rainfall (FFIR) events are of a short duration and occur within a limited area, they are generally poorly predicted by Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. This is because of the high spatio-temporal resolution required and because of the way the convective rainfall is described in the model. Moreover, the hydrological process descriptions of Land Surface Models (LSMs) are not necessarily suitable to deal with cases of intense rainfall. In this study different representations of infiltration into the soil were developed in the JULES land surface scheme with the aim of improving prediction of the amount of surface runoff, and thus ultimately river flow. Infiltration and surface runoff are explored in a test case of intense rainfall with a variable maximum infiltration. The modelled hydraulic conductivity profile is modified with depth to reduce the rate of outgoing fluxes. The new infiltration scheme is then applied to different UK catchments. The resulting river flow is evaluated against a benchmark river flow calculated using default infiltration in JULES and also observations. The results demonstrate improved representation of the highest flows with this new variable maxiumum infiltration scheme in some catchments but limited improvement elsewhere. This scheme shows best improvement in the wettest areas of the UK where the annual mean precipitation is above 1200 mm. This work highlights the requirement for substantial further work on the hydrological process representation in JULES.
Comparative Study of Post-Marriage Nationality Of Women in Legal Systems of Different Countries

In the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of e-learning systems being added into the educational processes. One of them is the Learning management system (LMS), an educational program that is based on web technology. The programs in this system provide support to instructors to achieve their pedagogical goals, organize course contents that in turn support students’ learning process. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that have brought success to the learning management system. The study examines the relationship between students’ outcomes (Perceived Usefulness) and information quality, for online learning through system use and user satisfaction. The respondents chosen for this study are undergraduate students from Limkokwing University in Malaysia. The number of respondents selected as sample of this study is based on the number of students in each faculty. The quantitative data are obtained from a survey using questionnaires. The analysis of the available data indicated that all relationships from independent variables to mediating variables and from mediating variables to dependent variable are significant, the most influential path was information quality  user satisfaction  perceived usefulness.
EFFECTS OF CHITOSAN COATING ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH TOMATOES (Lycopersicum pyriforme) IN DIFFERENT MATURITY STAGES

Tomato fruit undergoes many physicochemical changes after harvest caused by the process of metabolism. The method used to inhibit the metabolic processes in tomatoes can be overcome by controlled atmosphere storage. However, this method requires a high cost. Therefore there is another method that is more practical and economical to imitate the mechanism of the controlled atmosphere is by the use of coating materials (coating). Coating material must be able to form a barrier layer of the loss of water content and can maintain fruit quality and does not pollute the environment. Chitosan is a natural alternative as a coating material that is non-toxic and safe for health. This study aimed to observe the effect of chitosan coating on quality and shelf life of fresh tomatoes at different maturity levels. The study design used was completely randomized design (CRD) factorial with two factors. The factor I was the maturity stages which consisted of 3 (three) levels : K1 = full green (0-10% red skin), K2 = light red (30-60% red skin), K3 = ripe ( > 70% red skin). Factor II is storage duration which consisted of 5 (five) level : P1 = 0 day, P2 = 5 days, P3 = 10 days, P4 = 15 days, P5 = 20 days, with 2 (two) replications. The analysis conducted on tomatoes were weight loss, solusble solids concentration, total acid, and vitamin C. The results showed that the tomatoes were coated chitosan could inhibit weight loss, soluble solids concentration, total acid, and vitamin C than untreated tomatoes (control). Chitosan coating with a concentration of 1% and a long soaking for 10 minutes on the tomatoes with the maturity stages of 0-10% skin red and 30-60% skin red could maintain in good condition for 20 days of storage. But the tomatoes with the maturity stage > 70% red skin only able to survive 10 days of storage.