Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH, YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) BY FOLIAGE APPLICATIONS OF IAA

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a commercially adopted rational crop used for the conservative and nutritive purposes. By the foliage applications of IAA, morphological, physiological, biochemical, antioxidant, ions, yield and nutritive values of pea were studied. Pea showed a remarkable response to IAA as its growth, yield and nutritional values were increased. IAA applications increased the morphological and physiological attributes which resulted higher yield of the crop. High concentrations of K and N were also noted. CAT activities were increased which resulted better balance in plant metabolism and POD activities were reduced that increased the defense mechanism of plants. High rate of photosynthetic and its pigments concentrations helped to produce the higher crop yield. High contents of protein, carbohydrates and fiber were noted in fresh seeds that was a sign of better nutritional composition. It was concluded that increased morphological, physiological and changes in ionic contents and enzyme activities can be helpful to increase crop yield and nutrition composition of pea for better income and good diet. These changes can be used as indicators in pea varieties to predict better yield and nutritional values.
Chemiluminescence Behavior and Application of Ce (IV)-Tween20-Tryptophan System

It was observed that the chemiluminescence intensity from the reaction of Ce (IV) with Tween20 was greatly enhanced in the presence of tryptophan, and the possible reaction mechanism was explored. Based on the reaction, a sequential injection procedure with chemiluminescence detection was developed for the determination of tryptophan. Under the optimum conditions, a linear dynamic range of 0.2–8.0 μM, a 3σ detection limit of 0.15 μM and a coefficient of variation of 0.7% at 3.0 μM level were obtained. The method was applied to the determination of tryptophan in beer and amino acid injections.
Low Interest Rates and Asset Allocation: Evidence from Mutual Fund Flows

This paper studies the effect of monetary policy on investors’ asset allocation decisions by using data on aggregated and disaggregated mutual fund flows. First, we find that following an expansionary monetary policy, both equity funds and bond funds receive large inflows. Specific to asset classes, investors move money from large-cap assets to mid-cap and smallcap assets in the near term and then shift assets from domestic to developed and emerging markets. This leads us to the hypothesis that equity investors become more risk-taking when the interest rate is low, we then test this with individual funds panel data, our results indeed confirm this hypothesis. By contrast, bond investors become more risk-averse and move money into highly safe investment-grade funds and diversified global funds. Furthermore, we offer empirical evidence that the Fed’s long-lasting zero lower bound (ZLB) policy increases both equity investors’ and bond investors’ appetite for risk-taking, although it has a much greater impact on bond investors than equity investors. Bond investors change from being risk-averse during the normal interest rate period to become risk-taking during the ZLB period. ∗I am extremely grateful to my advisor Irina Panovska for her continuous guidance and support. I also would like to thank Victor Valcarcel for his detailed comments and suggestions, and Dong Li, Patrick Brandt for their helpful comments and discussions. †The University of Texas at Dallas, Email: licheng.zhang@utdallas.edu
Assessment of individual and combined toxicities of three heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Hg) by using Tigriopus fulvus

The toxicities of copper, cadmium, and mercury ions and their binary and ternary mixtures were studied using the copepods Tigriopus fulvus. The LC50 values measured after 48 h exposure to single metal solutions revealed a toxicities rank as follows: Cd<Cu<Hg. Results from mathematical approaches to predict the toxicity of all the possible mixtures of Cu, Cd, and Hg were compared to the observed toxicity of these mixtures to T. fulvus. The combined effect of the metals was found to be antagonistic for Cu‒Cd, Hg‒Cd, and Cu‒Cd‒Hg, additive for Hg‒Cu.
Exploring the mechanism of ion-pair recognition by new calix[4]pyrrole bis-phosphonate receptors: insights from quantum mechanics study

Three diastereomeric bis-phosphonate cavitands based on an aryl extended calix[4]pyrrole can act as ion-pair receptors for alkylammonium/phosphonium chloride salts. In this contribution, the ion-pair binding mode and binding affinity were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and new nonconvalent weak interaction analysis method. One of the three receptors was chosen as the host and two guests were chosen to model quaternary phosphonium chloride salts and primary ammonium chloride salts respectively, and two types of arrangements – separated and contact – were taken into account for each guest. The binding energy suggests that contact arrangement is the favorable binding mode for this receptor and it prefers to bind primary ammonium chloride salts rather than quaternary phosphonium chloride salts both in the gas-phase and in solution, in agreement with the experiment. Moreover, geometry analysis and charge transfer based on natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis suggest that the binding modes and binding affinities of the receptor towards different ion-pairs are determined by the amount and strength of hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, nonconvalent weak interactions between the host and the guests have been explored to unravel the driving forces responsible for the ion-pair recognition. There are hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, cation–π, ion-induced dipole and charge–charge interactions in ion-pair recognition, and hydrogen bonding interactions play the dominant role in this process. This work unveils the mechanism of ion-pair recognition by new calix[4]pyrrole bis-phosphonate receptors, while opening exciting perspectives for the design of novel calix[4]pyrrole-based ion-pair receptors.
In Situ Study of Soot from the Combustion of a Biomass Pyrolysis Intermediate—Eugenol—and n-Decane Using Aerosol Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

This paper is the first work where a typical atmospheric aerosol tool such as an Aerosol Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS) has been applied to study the mechanism of soot formation. In particular, it considers the formation of soot from one of the major components released during the initial stages of biomass combustion, namely, eugenol, and n-decane, a compound chosen as representative of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The analytical method has been optimized to be able to obtain reproducible mass spectra (MS) in minutes that allow the determination of elemental carbon/total carbon (EC/TC) ratios and qualitative determination of the organic composition of the analyzed soots. The compositions of the soots produced in the combustion of eugenol and n-decane are compared and the results from this study are compared with those obtained by offline techniques and interpreted in mechanistic terms confirming the key role of lignin in soot formation from pine wood combustion. The results have implications for h.
Modeling of TiO2 memristor: from analytic to numerical analyses

This paper points out that some hitherto published models of ideal memristors can generate serious numerical errors in the environment of SPICE-family programs. The reasons for these errors are analyzed on one model of the TiO2 memristor. From the character of these reasons one can deduce the rules for identifying other potentially problematic memristor models and also the starting points for designing models which are more robust and reliable.
Emerging methods for multiscale simulation of biomolecular systems

Three multiscale computational methodologies for biomolecular systems are described: the force-matching method for developing coarse-grained models directly from atomistic simulations; the quasi-particle approach of simulating field theory representations at the mesoscopic scale; and the multiscale-coupling method for direct information transfer between mesoscopic and atomistic scales on the fly. The statistical mechanical background for each of the methods is described in a comprehensive manner in order to highlight their theoretical foundations. Examples of various applications of these methods to model different biophysical processes are given. Combining with atomistic-level MD simulations, these three methods compose a powerful tool for bridging and spanning the multiple spatial and temporal domains that are present in many biological assemblies. Future directions of the methodology developments are also discussed.
Thermal Analysis of a High Speed Induction Motor Considering Harmonic Loss Distribution

In this paper, a thermal analysis of a high speed induction motor with a PWM voltage source was performed by considering harmonic loss components. The electromagnetic analysis of the high speed induction motor was conducted using the time-varying finite element method, and its thermal characteristics were carried out using the lump-circuit method. Harmonic losses from tests in the high frequency region were divided into core loss and conductor loss components using various ratios, in order to determine the loss distributions for the thermal analysis. The results from both the calculations and experiment were validated using a high speed induction motor prototype operating at 20,000rpm.
Cationic Starches of High Degree of Functionalization: 12. Modification of Cellulose Fibers toward High Filler Technology in Papermaking

Modification of cellulose fibers via adsorption of highly functionalized 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium propyl chloride starch (HPMA starch) with a degree of substitution (DS) in the range from 0.25 to 1.54 was investigated by electrokinetic measurements and filler retention tests. It was found that the amount of cationic HPMA starch adsorbed at the isotherm plateaus depends on two parameters: the DS of the starch derivative and, more remarkably, the amylose/amylopectin ratio. All studied HPMA starches allow significant improvement of kaolin particle retention in comparison to untreated fibers and fibers modified with low-substituted commercial starch. We suggest that, because of the local overcharging of the cellulose surface through the adsorption of starch macromolecules, the filler retention capacity is enhanced even at low and moderate degrees of coverage when the surface has a net-negative charge. Taking into account the efficiency and cost of starch cationization, the optimum DS of the HPMA starch .
Ultrasound-assisted regio- and stereoselective synthesis of bis-[1′,4′-diaryl-1-oxo-spiro-benzosuberane-2,5′-pyrazoline] derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the bis-hydrazonoyl chlorides with 2-arylidene-1-benzosuberone derivatives afforded the corresponding bis-[1′,4′-diaryl-1-oxo-spiro-benzosuberane-2,5′-pyrazoline] derivatives. The reaction is carried out under ultrasonic irradiation as well as under conventional heating. The factors affecting the optimization of the cycloaddition reaction are examined in detail. X-ray crystallographic analysis was used in the establishment of the regio- and stereochemistry of the cycloaddition products.
Description of time-varying desorption kinetics : release of naphthalene from contaminated soils

Release rates of naphthalene from suspensions of freshly contaminated (days to weeks) and aged (approximately 30 years) soil samples were obtained using a gas purge method. A continuously increasing resistance to desorption was observed with increasing purge time. Initial desorption rates were similar to those estimated using available empirical relationships, but subsequent desorption rates were lower by more than 1 order of magnitude. A model incorporating a continuum of compartments with a gamma ([Gamma]) distribution of rate coefficients was postulated to describe the experimental data. An analytical equation with two adjustable parameters was obtained for the mass fraction desorbed. Release profiles with this [open quotes][Gamma] model[close quotes] were able to describe the experimental release profiles for long term desorption experiments. An implication of the gamma model is that increased incubation time will allow organic compounds to be sorbed to compartments or regions in the sorbent that exhibit slow adsorption/desorption kinetics. This has important implications for the fate and remediation of sites that have been contaminated with hydrophobic organic compounds for extended time periods. 31 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.
Profits and balance sheet developments at U.S. commercial banks in 2004

U.S. commercial banks continued to be highly profitable in 2004. Return on assets and return on equity declined moderately, but the economy's continued expansion and supportive financial conditions helped keep bank profits in the elevated range that has prevailed since the mid-1990s. Profits were trimmed a bit by a narrowing of banks' net interest margins as the yield curve flattened and competition put pressure on loan spreads. In addition, gains in non-interest income were less pronounced than in 2003, and non-interest expenses increased. However, the continued improvement in the overall credit quality of business and household loans allowed banks to reduce their provisioning for loan and lease losses, and delinquency and charge-off rates for all loan categories trended down. Bank balance sheets also expanded. A robust housing sector and generally low interest rates supported residential mortgage lending, and increases in demand along with an easing of lending standards and terms throughout the year boosted commercial and industrial loans. Banks also reported easing their standards and terms on commercial real estate loans, and such loans increased despite soft conditions in some markets. Still-low interest rates supported the continued growth of core deposits, but the greater rise in bank assets required banks to rely more heavily on managed liabilities, which rose strongly last year.
An Enhanced Deep Autoencoder-based Approach for DDoS Attack Detection

Intrusion detection systems play a crucial role in preventing security threats and defending networks from attacks. Among the attacks, distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks literally get into the network and, in addition, they are terribly troublesome to avoid. With the advent of unknown threats, traditional machine learning approaches are impacted by lower detection rates and higher false-positive rates. As a result, the DDoS detection system requires an over-performing machine learning classifier with minimal false-positive and high detection accuracy. In this context, we propose an Improved Deep Sparse Autoencoder-based Framework (EDSA) for DDoS Attack Detection with a cost minimization strategy. The sparse autoencoder is used for dataset extraction functionality, while the softmax layer is used for traffic classification as malicious or bengin. However, intrusion detection includes the risk elements of inaccurate prediction; hence, we have used research metrics such as accuracy, precision, detection rate and specificity for our model analysis. The proposed solution uses the CICDDoS 2019 datasets and demonstrates high detection accuracy with a much less false positives percentage.
Adsorption Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide by Activated Coke Produced from Wood Pellet in the Recycle System of Biomass

Activated coke is produced from ligneous biomass molded pellets by different carbonization methods and conditions as the absorbents of hydrogen sulfide with the object of both the biomass recycle and the gas purification in a biomass gasification process. We clarified the differences of activated coke characteristics influenced by different production processes, such as the carbonization temperature, carbonization time and carbonization gases. The carbonization temperature was maintained from 723 to 1123 K, the carbonization time was set from 30 to 250 min and the carbonization gas used was either nitrogen or steam. The production process does not include the activation process for reducing the production steps and costs. The activated coke quality and characteristics that were evaluated were the specific surface area, pore size distribution, particle density and adsorption capacity of hydrogen sulfide. Other commercial adsorbents, such as activated carbon and activated char, were used to compare the adsorption performance. The measured adsorption performance of activated coke using the steam carbonization was better than that using the nitrogen carbonization. Comparing the activated coke with commercial absorbents, produced activated coke showed good adsorption results. There is a possibility of using activated coke in the gas purification process in a biomass recycling system instead of using expensive commercial adsorbents or other gas purification processes.
Analysis of a generalized Becker—Döring model of self-reproducing micelles

We analyse a model for the kinetics of formation of caprylate micelles from ethyl caprylate during hydrolysis by aqueous alkali. This chemical process provides a simple route to the formation of bounded cell-like structures under prebiotic conditions. Experimentally, it is observed that there is an extended induction period during which the concentration of micelles remains small; at the end of this period, ethyl caprylate is consumed and micelles are formed very rapidly. The theoretical model studied here is one proposed by Billingham & Coveney in an earlier paper (Billingham & Coveney 1994), based on a generalization of the Becker-Döring equations. It accounts for the formation of micelles under general non-equilibrium conditions. We derive a reduced description of the system which preserves all the properties of the infinite-dimensional Becker-Döring equations. Centre manifold theory is used to extract the nonlinear dynamics which govern the start-up behaviour of the system. From a careful incorporation of the perturbation terms into the centre manifold procedure an estimate of the induction time of the system is found which is in good agreement with experiment. This perturbed reduced system correctly predicts the form of the induction time, which reduces to zero as the amount of added monomer reaches a value corresponding to the critical micelle concentration. This behaviour was absent from previous models. A more general model is also proposed, which incorporates more rate processes than previously considered, while maintaining all the mathematical structure of the Becker-Döring system.
SinGAN-GIF: Learning a Generative Video Model from a Single GIF

We propose SinGAN-GIF, an extension of the image-based SinGAN [27] to GIFs or short video snippets. Our method learns the distribution of both the image patches in the GIF as well as their motion patterns. We do so by using a pyramid of 3D and 2D convolutional networks to model temporal information while reducing model parameters and training time, along with an image and a video discriminator. SinGAN-GIF can generate similar looking video samples for natural scenes at different spatial resolutions or temporal frame rates, and can be extended to other video applications like video editing, super resolution, and motion transfer. The project page, with supplementary video results, is: https://rajat95.github. io/singan-gif/
DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO-SCALE HIGH ASPECT RATIO PATTERNED FEATURES WITH ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATING

DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO-SCALE HIGH ASPECT RATIO PATTERNED FEATURES WITH ELECTROLESS NICKEL PLATING This thesis describes a novel method designed to pattern high aspect ratio metallic microscale features using a modified photolithography and electroless nickel plating process. This method utilizes modified photolithography techniques to create a polymer mold that is used to control the location of metal deposition on substrate during electroless nickel plating. In order to generate high aspect ratio mold features, a multiple spin-step process was developed to deposit thick layers of SU-8 photoresist, and inclined lithography was also used to generate tapered sidewalls that could help aid mold removal after plating. Results from electroplating experiments were evaluated using a Zygo interferometer and cast PDMS mold cross-sections to determine plating thickness and uniformity.
Synthesis of poly(styrene-co-diene)-block-polyglycidol. Self-association and stabilization of aggregates

A series of amphiphilic poly(styrene(S)-co-diene(D))-b-polyglycidol(G) block copolymers have been synthesized from a parent hydrophobic PS block. The block has been previously functionalized with double bonds of randomly distributed diene units (isoprene (I) or butadiene (B)). Hydrophilic PG blocks of different lengths have been introduced into the above prepolymers. Polymer aggregates of different size and shape have been obtained by dissolving the copolymers in organic and mixed organic/water solutions. The formation of nano- and microsized particles has been revealed by light scattering and microscopic studies. A protocol for preparation of aggregates of a tailored core/shell structure has been demonstrated. Stabilization of particles of the desired morphology with ongoing participation of double bonds in the diene units has been achieved by irradiation with UV light directly in solution.
Direct determination of iodide in seawater by cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry

A procedure for the direct determination of iodide in sea water is described. By use of cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry, it is possible to determine low and subnanomolar levels of iodide in sea water, freshwater, and brackish water. Precision is typically +/-5% (1sigma). The minimum detection limit is 0.1-0.2 nM (12 parts per trillion) at a 180-s deposition time. Data obtained on Atlantic Ocean samples show similar trends to previously reported iodine speciation data. This method is more sensitive than previous methods by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Triton X-100 added to the sample enhances the mercury electrode's sensitivity to iodide.
Sublinearly Morse boundaries from the viewpoint of combinatorics

Abstract We prove that the sublinearly Morse boundary of CAT ⁢ ( 0 ) {\mathrm{CAT}(0)} cubulated groups with factor systems continuously injects in the Gromov boundary of a certain hyperbolic graph Γ. We also show that for all CAT ⁢ ( 0 ) {\mathrm{CAT}(0)} cube complexes, convergence to sublinearly Morse geodesic rays has a simple combinatorial description using the hyperplanes crossed by such sequences. As an application of this combinatorial description, we show that a certain subspace of the Roller boundary continuously surjects on the subspace of the visual boundary consisting of sublinearly Morse geodesic rays.
Control of selectivity of chemical reaction via control of wave packet evolution

A time‐dependent formulation of two‐photon spectroscopy is employed to show that selectivity of reactivity can be achieved via coherent two‐photon processes. The problem of finding the optimum waveform (i.e., coherent pulse sequence) that will maximize the formation of a desired chemical species is formulated as a problem in the calculus of variations, and solved for two different cases.