Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE SCREENING OF SOME PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN WATERMELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS) SEEDS CULTIVATED IN ESAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seeds are often discarded when consuming the fruit. Qualitative phytochemicals screening of the seeds using various solvents and standard methods of analysis revealed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, phenol, steroid, carbohydrate, tannins, saponins, phytosterols, terpenoids, and glycosides in various degree of concentration which was also a function of the extracting solvent. In the quantitative assay, alkaloid had the highest percentage composition of 0.57% (28.33mg/g) and flavonoids having the lowest percentage of 0.01% (0.67mg/g). Others include; phenol 0.02% (0.76mg/g), tannins 0.02% (1.08mg/g) and saponins 0.08% (16.87mg/g). This study suggests that the seeds are of high natural medicinal use as well as nutritional values with the identification and quantification of some bioactive chemical constituents.
Evaluating the OECD’s main economic indicators at anticipating recessions*

Using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) techniques, we evaluate the predictive content of the monthly OECD's main economic indicators for predicting both growth‐cycle and business‐cycle recessions at different horizons. From a sample that covers the 35 OECD countries as well as for Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russian Federation and South Africa, our results suggest that the indicators perform better at anticipating business cycles than growth cycles. Although the performance for OECD and non OECD members is similar in terms of timeliness, the indicators are more accurate to anticipating recessions for OECD members. Finally, we find that single indicators, such as interest rates, spreads and credit indicators, perform better than the composite leading indicators.
Pilot Based Channel Estimation and Synchronization in OFDM System

Channel estimation and synchronization are considered the most challenging issues in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. OFDM is highly affected by synchronization errors that cause reduction in subcarriers orthogonality, leading to significant performance degradation. The synchronization errors cause two issues: Symbol Time Offset (STO), which produces inter symbol interference (ISI) and Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO), which results in inter carrier interference (ICI). The aim of the research is to simulate Comb type pilot based channel estimation for OFDM system showing the effect of pilot numbers on the channel estimation performance and propose a modified estimation method for STO with less number of pilot to mitigate ISI effect. Channel estimation is simulated for different pilot number with 16QAM modulation in Ped-A Rayleigh channel. The STO effect assumed less than the cyclic prefix length to minimize ISI and maintain the orthogonality between subcarriers. The simulation results show that the high number of pilots are needed to achieve good channel estimation in case no synchronization used while similar results are achieved with smaller number of pilots if the propose modification on the synchronization method are used aligned with the channel estimation. The proposed system is evaluated in terms of BER and SNR.
Population biology of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1862) in the Middle Amazon Region, Brazil

The population structure and reproduction of Macrobrachium brasiliense were studied with the aim of better understanding the ecology of this species in relation to the Amazonian flood-pulse regime. A total of 3,306 animals were caught monthly from August 2011 to July 2013 at the Carú River, Itacoatiara, Amazonas State (Brazil). The average carapace length of males (6.87 ± 3.45 mm) and females (6.88 ± 4.78 mm) did not differ significantly (U = 0.608; p= 0.5432) for the overall study period. The sex ratio was biased toward females (M:F = 1:1.61; χ2=83.855; p< 0.0001). The reproduction was continuous, and although juveniles were present throughout the study period, the recruitment occurred primarily during the ebb (August–September) and drought (October–December) periods. Macrobrachium brasiliense presents a low number of large eggs, and egg volume increased during embryogenesis, by 21.1% from Stage I to III. The population size-frequency distribution presented no correlation with the abiotic variables, but its reproductive period seems to be related to the Amazonian flood-pulse regime.
Research on Side-Channel Attack Based on the Synergy between SNR and Convolutional Neural Networks

The data encryption process in the encryption chip will be leaked by means of timing operation time, probing data collecting operation power and electromagnetic signal interception, which makes side channel attack possible. Nowadays, the research on template creation of template attacks has shifted from Gaussian distribution to the use of machine learning algorithms to create templates. With many parameters, it is difficult to find a suitable network structure. Based on many experimental studies, the experience of a convolutional neural network structure suitable for side channel analysis is summarized and proposed.
Wheat resistance to blast using a non-host selective toxin and host metabolic reprogramming through a successful infection by Pyricularia oryzae

viii RESUMO . ix GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 References . 4 Chapter 1 . 8 Physiological and Biochemical Alterations on Wheat Leaves Pre-Treated with Picolinic Acid and Infected with Pyricularia oryzae.8 Abstract . 9 Introduction . 10 Material and Methods . 12 Effect in vitro of the α-picolinic acid (PA) on mycelial growth, conidia production and conidia germination . 12 Plant growth . 13 Effect of PA spray on the photosynthetic performance of wheat plants . 13 Histochemical localization of hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2) and superoxide anion radical (O 2 ) on wheat leaves sprayed with PA . 15 Inoculum production, PA application and plant inoculation with P. oryzae . 16 Assessment of blast severity . 16 Photosynthesis measurements and histochemical localization of H 2O2 and O2 . 17 Determination of enzymes activities . 17 Determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration . 20 Experimental design and data analysis . 21 In vitro effect of the PA on mycelia growth, conidia production and conidia germination 23 Effect of PA at different concentrations on leaf gas exchange . 23 Effect of PA at different concentrations on imaging and parameters of Chl a fluorescence . 23 Histochemical localization of H 2O2 and O2 . 24 Effect of different PA concentrations . 24 Effect of a non-phytotoxicPA concentration and plant inoculation with P. oryzae . 24 Wheat blast severity . 24 Effect of a non-phytotoxicPA concentration and plant inoculation with P. oryzae on leaf gas exchange . 25 Effect of a non-phytotoxicPA concentration and plant inoculation with P. oryzaeon imaging and parameters of Chl a fluorescence . 26 Enzymes activities . 26 Pearson correlations . 27
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fast Growing Polyploid Acacia Hybrids (A. auriculiformis × A. mangium) from Vietnam

Acacia plants are globally important resources in the wood industry, but particularly in Southeast Asian countries. In the present study, we compared the physical and mechanical properties of polyploid Acacia (3x and 4x) clones with those of diploid (2x) clones grown in Vietnam. We randomly selected 29 trees aged 3.8 years from different taxa for investigation. BV10 and BV16 clones represented the diploid controls; X101 and X102 were the triploid clones; and AA-4x, AM-4x, and AH-4x represented neo-tetraploid families of Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, and their hybrid clones. The following metrics were measured in each plant: stem height levels, basic density, air-dry equilibrium moisture content, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), compression strength, and Young’s modulus. We found that the equilibrium moisture content significantly differed among clones, and basic density varied from pith-to-bark and in an axial direction. In addition, the basic density of AA-4x was significantly higher than that of the control clones. Furthermore, the MOR of AM-4x was considerably lower than the control clones, whereas the MOE of X101 was significantly higher than the control values. The compression strength of AM-4x was significantly lower than that of the control clones, but AH-4x had a significantly higher Young’s modulus. Our results suggest that polyploid Acacia hybrids have the potential to be alternative species for providing wood with improved properties to the forestry sector of Vietnam. Furthermore, the significant differences among the clones indicate that opportunities exist for selection and the improvement of wood quality via selective breeding for specific properties.
Activation of intracellular transport by relieving KIF1C autoinhibition

The kinesin-3 KIF1C is a fast organelle transporter implicated in the transport of dense core vesicles in neurons and the delivery of integrins to cell adhesions. Here we report the mechanisms of autoinhibition and release that control the activity of KIF1C. We show that the microtubule binding surface of KIF1C motor domain interacts with its stalk and that these autoinhibitory interactions are released upon binding of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN21. The FERM domain of PTPN21 stimulates dense core vesicle transport in primary hippocampal neurons and rescues integrin trafficking in KIF1C-depleted cells. In vitro, human full-length KIF1C is a processive, plus-end directed motor. Its landing rate onto microtubules increases in the presence of either PTPN21 FERM domain or the cargo adapter Hook3 that binds the same region of KIF1C tail. This autoinhibition release mechanism allows cargo-activated transport and might enable motors to participate in bidirectional cargo transport without undertaking a tug-of-war.
The effects of bovine urine application on two soil nitrogen compounds and growth of three forage grasses in the Colombian Piedmont plains

The effects of application of bovine urine on biomass and nitrogen (N) accumulation in 3 tropical grasses (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. humidicola cv. Humidicola and Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa), and on available N concentrations in soil (NH4+-N, NO3--N) were studied using a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. There were significant interactions between species and urine application over time in terms of herbage accumulation and N concentration (P<0.01), with significant differences in the concentrations of N available in the soil (P<0.01). Soil temperature and precipitation had important effects on the concentrations of both soil ions. Application of bovine urine increased dry matter accumulation of all grasses in the short term and of U. decumbens over the whole year. Application of urine increased soil N levels, but for U. humidicola and M. maximus the effects were transient. It is necessary to continue with longer-term studies in the Piedmont plains to determine the effects of livestock grazing on the biogeochemical cycles, environmental impacts and natural mitigation options that the ecosystem offers, e.g. CO2 sequestration, biological nitrification inhibitors and organic matter decomposition.
STAKEHOLDERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS

This study aims to identify the challenges and extent of stakeholders’ contributions to the implementation of the school improvement program in primary schools. An explanatory sequential design was used with mixed research methods (QUAN→qual). Primary data were obtained from students, teachers, principals, and school improvement committees. However, secondary data were obtained via document analysis. A total of 571 (14.2%) sample size was comprised of 99(24.1%) teachers, 396(11.4%) students, 32(10%) principals, and 44(10%) committee members. A simple random sampling - lottery method was employed as a technique. A self-developed close and open-ended questionnaire was used with a combination of semi-structured interviews. Mean, SD, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc comparisons were used as a method of analysis at 0.05 significance level. As the results of the study, the stakeholders moderately contributed to the implementation of the program and, hence, there is statistically no significant view difference about their contributions. However, scarcity of instructional materials, lack of adequate budgets, improper utilization of school grants, absence of incentive mechanisms, and failure to search for additional budgets are found as the major hurdles. Moreover, these challenges significantly hinder the program implementation. Therefore, it is recommended to the education sector to properly apply the school improvement program Blue Print and framework, adopt incentive packages, link the program with teachers’ appraisal system, and timely release of grant budgets. On top of that, higher education institutions are advised to revise curriculum for course - 'school and society’ and encourage staff to design and implement school development projects. Article visualizations:
Muhammadiyah and the Early Statehood Politics of Indonesia

This article discusses Muhammadiyah and the statehood politics in Indonesia. Through the literature study method, this article reveals that Muhammadiyah is a social organization that grows and develops in tandem with the socio-cultural and political growth and development in Indonesia. In his journey, Muhammadiyah concentrated more on his social work, but he could not be separated from the correlation with power of politics. The consistency of the non-partisan missionary movement does not reduce the interest of Muhammadiyah activists involved in practical politics. Based on his khittah, Muhammadiyah is not a political organization and will not become a political party. However, with the belief that Islam is a religion that regulates all human life in the world, naturally all matters relating to the world become the fields of Muhammadiyah's work, including matters of state politics. This article underlines that religious modernity can be used as input for political development in the modern state.
Antecedents of Generation Y consumers’ usage frequency of online consumer reviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of perceived information and entertainment value, perceived credibility and perceived value on Generation Y consumers’ usage frequency of online consumer reviews. Design/methodology/approach The paper proposes and tests, with structural equation modelling analysis of moment structures, a research model using data from a large sample of Generation Y consumers. Findings The results confirm that Generation Y consumers perceive online reviews to be informative, entertaining, credible and valuable, and that they frequently consult such reviews. More specifically, the empirical analysis confirms that perceived information value, perceived entertainment value and perceived credibility significantly influenced the perceived value that Generation Y attach to online consumer reviews, which, in turn, was a significant predictor of their usage frequency of such reviews. Practical implications The results highlight the strategic importance of integrating online consumer reviews into the marketing communication mix when targeting Generation Y, together with the necessity of having filtering mechanisms to ensure that only authentic reviews are published and the need to implement tactics to ensure that such reviews are informative and entertaining and, consequently, of value. Originality/value This study contributes to marketers’ comprehension of strategically using online consumer reviews when targeting the Generation Y segment.
Hybrid Position-Force-Posture-Moment Control Based on Euler Angle/Quaternion Feedback

This paper proposes the robust system to control the position, force, posture, and moment of the multi-link manipulators. Disturbance Observer (DOB) has been researched as an effective method for the robust motion control, however the rotational components such as posture and moment had not been considered in conventional studies. This paper expands the existing DOB-based translational position control to the position-posture control in 6 Degrees-of-Freedom workspace using Euler angle/Quaternion which are the representative methods to describe the posture. Furthermore, the position-force-posture-moment hybrid control is proposed based on the position-posture control. Through the numerical simulation, the effectiveness of the proposed method was confirmed.
The impact of ICT on Financial Sector Policy Reforms in Post-Financial crisis era in Ghana:

Ghana, like most other developing countries, is not isolated from the global financial crisis through the impact of such a crisis on economies. This paper examines the financial sector reforms and its effect on the Ghanaian economy, within the developing country context in general and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The paper seeks to enhance the understanding of relevant policy measures and reflects on what else could be done. The article further studies the effect of change in the institutional environment on bank governance practices primarily to improve the industry’s supervision and regulation, related to the post-crisis exit strategies. This paper discusses the development of ICT infrastructure and application as a basis for the main dimension of Ghana’s digital transformation in financial services. This paper is, therefore, motivated by the lack of empirical studies that examines how the impact of the banking reforms play a substantial role in promoting innovative digital payment systems to replace cash transactions. From the perspective of institutional theory, the study looked at why (and how) a number of policy measures have a significant impact on the financial performance of banks? And how the applications of e-finance in ICT and financial practices, provides several benefits within the banking sector improve the sector’s image and leads to a broader, faster and more efficient market? The application of Koppenjan and Groenewegen (2005) ‘s four-layer model ‘levels of institutional analysis’ perspective seems to be the most useful starting point, which provides the basis for an improved understanding of revealing the inefficient delivery of Ghanaian banking industry in the past. A combination of a review of secondary and empirical data, interviewed used in the analysis. Findings indicate that the financial and banking sector reforms help the industry advance digital banking culture and impact on the general expansion of the financial and the infusion of financial inclusion in Ghana. These conclusions would be particularly useful in a similar picture in other developing countries, as well as by the bank authorities to create their future policy. It also joins the debate on the impact of the banking reform, a key turning point towards better regulation to refine crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms.
The board level reliability performance and process challenges of ultra-thin WLP (package height < 250 μm)

the trends of wafer level package (WLP) development are to be with small size and low profile feature. In this study, an ultra-thin WLP with overall package height less than 250 μm is presented to demonstrate the board level performance of thin silicon thickness with small bump height. The 4-layer fan-in WLP structure (2 passivation layers, 1 RDL metal layer and 1 UBM layer) with die size 3 × 3 mm2 and ball pitch 300 μm is used for evaluation. The micro-ball with 130 μm ball diameter is used and the silicon wafer is ground to relatively thin, from typical 305 μm to 100 μm to have an overall package height less than 250 μm. The performance of board level thermal fatigue and accelerated drop shock with enhanced bump stack-up are studied and compared for different silicon thickness and ball size. Furthermore, SMT with and without under-fill process for ultra-thin WLP are also collected and discussed. Efforts have also been made to understand the component level package fracture strength and failure modes post three point bending test.The results show comparable board level performance in ultrathin WLP with enhanced bump stack-up. As for the component level bending test, the origin of crack propagation and fracture failure mode are analyzed to understand the fracture strength variation.
Dissociating neural activity associated with the subjective phenomenology of monocular stereopsis: An EEG study

The subjective phenomenology associated with stereopsis, of solid tangible objects separated by a palpable negative space, is conventionally thought to be a by-product of the derivation of depth from binocular disparity. However, the same qualitative impression has been reported in the absence of disparity, e.g., when viewing pictorial images monocularly through an aperture. Here we aimed to explore if we could identify dissociable neural activity associated with the qualitative impression of stereopsis, in the absence of the processing of binocular disparities. We measured EEG activity while subjects viewed pictorial (non-stereoscopic) images of 2D and 3D geometric forms under four different viewing conditions (Binocular, Monocular, Binocular aperture, Monocular aperture). EEG activity was analysed by oscillatory source localization (beamformer technique) to examine power change in occipital and parietal regions across viewing and stimulus conditions in targeted frequency bands (alpha: 8-13Hz & gamma: 60-90Hz). We observed expected event-related gamma synchronization and alpha desynchronization in occipital cortex and predominant gamma synchronization in parietal cortex across viewing and stimulus conditions. However, only the viewing condition predicted to generate the strongest impression of stereopsis (monocular aperture) revealed significantly elevated gamma synchronization within the parietal cortex for the critical contrasts (3D vs. 2D form). These findings suggest dissociable neural processes specific to the qualitative impression of stereopsis as distinguished from disparity processing.
Dual-loop generalized predictive control method for two-phase three-wire railway active power quality controller

One of the most challenging topics in electric railway networks (ERNs) is power quality (PQ) problems caused by single-phase feeding of time-varying and high-power locomotives. During previous years, many techniques and compensators have been offered to alleviate these problems. Railway active power quality controller (RAPQC) is considered as one of the most efficient approaches. Due to the time-variant, uncertainty and distorted features of ERNs, the controlling of RAPQCs has always been a substantial concern to experts. This paper presents, a new robust control system for two-phase three-wire RAPQC (ThRAPQC) based on generalized model predictive control integrated with modified instantaneous reactive power theory (GMPC-MIRP). A dual-loop balancing system has been adopted in the proposed control system to equalize the active powers of traction power substation (TPSS) adjacent feeders, compensate reactive powers and suppress harmonic simultaneously. The performance of the proposed method in comparison with the conventional Fryze-Buchholz-Depenbrock (FBD)-based current strategy together with hysteresis current controller (FBD-HCC) has been evaluated through the detailed simulations and Opal-RT 5600-based laboratory setup results. The fast response, high precision, lower fluctuation in reference current tracking and high capability of working in distorted conditions are the outstanding privileges of the proposed method that are confirmed by the output results.