Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening chemical composition of essential oils and antioxidant activities of two Artemisia species from Iran .

Essential oils of two wild-growing Artemisia species collected from west of Iran during the flowering stage were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Under the optimum extraction and analysis conditions, 23 and 19 constituents were identified in A. fragrans and A. hausskenechtii which represented 92.96% and 90.20% of the oils, respectively. The main constituents of A. hausskenechtii were camphor (42.50), 1,8-cineol (20.91 %) and isoborneol (7.27%). Chrysanthenone (41.05%), 1,8-cineol (11.09%), and n-pentane (9.07%) were the major components of essential oils in A. fragrans. Antioxidant activity was assayed by two complementary test systems, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene/linoleic acid systems. Antioxidant activity of polar sub-fraction of A. hausskenechtii was found to be higher than those of the others in DPPH assay while essential oil in A. hausskenechtii had the highest level of antioxidant activity in β-carotene/linoleic acid test (54.2± 0.5 μg/ml and 80.2±0.8% inhibition rate, respectively).
The utility of transcription factors for manipulation of floral traits

Cross-pollination is an effective method of breeding flowering plants to produce novel variation. However, this strategy is often protracted or demands repeated crossing for several generations to obtain desired traits. Recently, gene-modification technologies have been utilized in plant breeding for manipulation of floral traits. Many homeotic genes that regulate flower development have been shown to encode transcription factors. In this review we describe the utility of transcription factors and a novel gene-silencing technology, the CRES-T system, to effectively manipulate floral traits. When AGAMOUS (AG) and APETALA3 (AP3) were subjected to this system in Arabidopsis, ag-like and ap3-like phenotypes, respectively, were induced with high efficiency as a dominant trait. Plant transcription factors are conserved between different species to some extent and consequently the chimeric repressor derived from Arabidopsis can be applied to other species without any modification. By applying this system, new floral color and shape phenotypes were obtained in Torenia fournieri and Ipomoea nil. Since the CRES-T system is able to overcome the problem of gene redundancy, polyploid plants may be also manipulated with this system. In addition, with the CRES-T system modification of the flower morphology of plants for which limited genome sequence information is available can be expected.
Movement Evaluation Algorithm for video coding in Video Compression

The increase demand to incorporate video data into telecommunications services, the corporate environment, the entertainment industry, and even at home has made digital video technology a necessity. A problem, however, is that still image and digital video data rates are very large, typically in the range of 150Mbits/sec. Data rates of this magnitude would consume a lot of the bandwidth, storage and computing resources in the typical personal computer. For this reason, video compression standards have been developed to eliminate picture redundancy allowing video information to be transmitted and stored in a compact and efficient manner.
ON 1-DIMENSIONAL SHEAVES ON PROJECTIVE PLANE A TALK AT THE WORKSHOP “HIGGS BUNDLES AND HITCHIN SYSTEM – VBAC2016” CENTRE INTERFACULTAIRE BERNOULLI, LAUSANNE

Let M be the Simpson moduli space of semistable sheaves on the projective plane with fixed linear Hilbert polynomial P (m) = dm+ c. A generic sheaf in M is a vector bundle on its Fitting support, which is a planar projective curve of degree d. The sheaves that are not vector bundles on their support constitute a closed subvariety M ′ in M . We study the geometry of M ′ in the case of Hilbert polynomials dm − 1, d > 3, and demonstrate that M ′ is a singular variety of codimension 2 in M . We speculate on how the question we study is related to recompactifying of the Simpson moduli spaces by vector bundles.
Fishing for meta-knowledge: a case for transdisciplinary validation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the problem of validating new transdisciplinary knowledge. The problem of validating new knowledge is always hard, but in case of mono-disciplinary knowledge, we at least have the disciplinary knowledge against which to validate. However, when transdisciplinary knowledge is created, two additional problems appear. On the one hand, the new knowledge links to concepts in more than one discipline, which are thus likely to belong to different intellectual traditions. On the other hand, the new knowledge does not belong to any of these disciplines, and thus the usual ways of validating fail us. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper we choose the electric car (represented by the Tesla), which we look at from the viewpoint of mathematics, physics, psychology, and economics. For each discipline we consider a simplistic approach that we label ‘dogma’ and a more sophisticated approach that we label ‘philosophy’. We speculate about how new knowledge can be created within these disciplines as well as in a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner. Then we examine the problem of validating transdisciplinary knowledge. We conceptualise a three-step validation process for the new transdisciplinary knowledge and show how it can be supported using a knowledge-based expert system. Originality/value – Validating is always a difficult problem in academic research but in the case of transdisciplinary knowledge, it gains an additional level of complexity. In contrast, practitioners validate all the time, and their validation is nearly always transdisciplinary. Furthermore, what works well in academic research is validating experimental findings and similar results based on hard evidence. There are continuous attempts to develop validation principles in qualitative research but there is still no agreement or guidelines on how to execute validation correctly or, at least, in an acceptable way. Validating in case of conceptual results is virtually non-existent. The little that exists can be reduced to examining the consistency of new knowledge with the existing disciplinary knowledge. Therefore in this paper we initiate what can be a long journey of developing principles of validation in the case of new transdisciplinary knowledge resulting from a conceptual inquiry. This is what we call validating meta-knowledge. Practical implications – We believe that the most significant implication of our work in transdisciplinary validation will be education, particularly at the highest doctoral level. However, we also believe that creative problem solvers, academics and practitioners alike will also benefit from a better understanding of transdisciplinary validation.
Role of gap dynamics in the evolution of masting of trees

Question: When should masting (the intermittent and synchronized reproduction of forest trees) evolve? Mathematical models: The resource budget of each tree is traced. Trees need outcross pollen to produce fruits, and trees within an entire forest exchange pollen with each other (global pollen coupling). The forest is composed of a number of sites. Each site can lose its trees, after which it becomes a gap, available for recruitment from seeds. Model analysis: We developed a new graphical method called the finite pairwise invasibility plot (fPIP), which shows whether a mutant phenotype has a fixation probability higher than the neutral case. We search for the evolutionary outcome in a finite population. Conclusion: In the absence of seed predators, trees will evolve masting only if it improves their pollination efficiency. In addition, (1) empty sites (gaps) need to remain empty over multiple years, and (2) pollen limitation must be severe in non-mast years.
Remifentanil Attenuates Systemic Inflammatory Response in Patientsundergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background: Systemic inflammatory response plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of organ dysfunction after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to investigate whether remifentanil has the effects on the systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiac surgery with CPB. Methods: Sixty adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were randomly assigned to two groups: a remifentanil (n=30) and a fentanyl group (n=30). The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8 and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at preinduction (T1), just before aortic clamping (T2), just before aortic declamping (T3), 5 (T4), 30 (T5), and 60 (T6) min after aortic declamping. Hemodynamic variables serially recorded at that same times. Myocardial cell damage as assessed by plasma level of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin T were measured before and 24 hours after surgery. Results: The levels of IL-6, IL-8 and MDA significantly increased from just before aortic declamping in both groups. In the remifentanil group, all of those were significantly lower compared to the fentanyl group from just before aortic declamping (P<0.05). The level of CK-MB and troponin T significantly increased at 24 hours after surgery than preoperative baseline in both groups. In the remifentanil group, both were significantly lower than fentanyl group at 24 hours after surgery. Conclusion: Remifentanil attenuates systemic inflammatory response more effectively than fentanyl in cardiac surgery with CPB. The mechanism of its effects is likely to be through proinflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IL-8) and oxidative stress mediator (MDA).
GROWTH AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF MAIZE CULTIVATED IN SOILS CONTAMINATED WITH CADMIUM AND ZINC

ABSTRACT – Contamination with trace elements is characterized by an abiotic stress that represents a limiting factor in agricultural production. Considering that cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) are physically and chemically similar, they can interact with the environment, causing antagonistic or synergistic effects. In this sense, physiological mechanisms to exclude, detoxify or compartmentalize the excess of those trace elements is crucial for the survival of the plants under conditions of high concentrations of these elements. In order to understand the responses of the species sensible to the presence of Cd and Zn, this study aimed to access the behavior of maize plants (Zea mays L.) cultivated in Cambisoils and Latosol with growing concentrations of Cd/Zn in a 21 days period. Growth and biochemical analyzes were performed such as antioxidant enzyme SOD, CAT and APX activity, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation. The data obtained evidenced the specific behavior of maize plants grown in Cambisoils compared to Latosol, showing a superior activity of all the enzymes analyzed, and also a lower content of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation. The interaction between both the elements resulted in a synergistic effect, negatively influencing all the analyzed parameters. Keywords: trace elements, antioxidant enzymes, ROS, synergistic. CRESCIMENTO E RESPOSTAS BIOQUIMICAS DE PLANTAS DE MILHO CULTIVADAS EM SOLOS MULTICONTAMINADOS COM CADMIO E ZINCO RESUMO - A contaminacao por elementos traco caracteriza-se como um estresse abiotico que representa um fator limitante para a producao agricola. Em funcao das semelhancas fisicas e quimicas entre cadmio (Cd) e zinco (Zn), esses elementos podem interagir no ambiente, podendo causar efeitos antagonicos ou sinergicos. Nesse sentido, mecanismos fisiologicos para excluir, desintoxicar ou compartimentalizar o excesso de elementos traco sao cruciais para sobrevivencia dos vegetais quando expostos a elevadas concentracoes desses elementos. A fim de compreender melhor as respostas de especies sensiveis a presenca de Cd e Zn, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento de plantas de milho (Zea mays L.) cultivadas em Cambissolo e Latossolo contendo concentracoes crescentes de Cd/Zn. As plantas foram expostas a doses crescentes de Cd/Zn, por um periodo de 21 dias. Foram realizadas analises de crescimento e analises bioquimicas tais como, atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD, CAT, APX, assim como a quantificacao do peroxido de hidrogenio e peroxidacao lipidica. Os dados obtidos evidenciaram comportamento especifico das plantas de milho cultivadas em Cambissolo, quando comparado ao Latossolo, apresentando uma atividade superior, em todas as enzimas analisadas, e um menor conteudo de peroxido de hidrogenio e peroxidacao lipidica. Observou-se que a interacao entre ambos os elementos resultou em um efeito sinergico, afetando negativamente todos os parâmetros analisados. Palavras-chave: elementos-traco, enzimas antioxidantes, EROs, sinergismo.
Are United Kingdom expenditure data well-behaved?

Data users are aware that early estimates of Gross Domestic Product are likely to be revised as later vintages of the same data are published. This article analyses revisions to the expenditure measure of GDP and its main components in the UK, using a longer sample than previous studies which incorporates a number of economic cycles. I find that the revisions process is affected by cyclical factors and frequent structural breaks often resulting from the ad-hoc way important methodological changes are introduced to the National Accounts. Therefore care should be taken when using patterns and trends in past data to predict future revisions as empirical relationships tend to break down in longer samples.
Linking Teacher Quality, Student Attendance, and Student Achievement

Research on the effectiveness of educational inputs, particularly research on teacher effectiveness, typically overlooks teachers’ potential impact on behavioral outcomes, such as student attendance. Using longitudinal data on teachers and students in North Carolina I estimate teacher effects on primary school student absences in a value-added framework. The analysis yields two main findings: First, teachers have arguably causal, statistically significant effects on student absences that persist over time. Second, teachers who improve test scores do not necessarily improve student attendance, suggesting that effective teaching is multidimensional and teachers who are effective in one domain are not necessarily effective in others.
Effect of temperature on the physiology of two exotic frogs: possible causes of distribution

Two Australian frogs were introduced to New Zealand over 100 years ago. Since their introduction they have become widespread and well established with Litoria ewingii being more prevalent in alpine and cooler areas of New Zealand, while Litoria raniformis is found in more temperate coastal areas. Very little physiological data exists for these frogs and aside from their distribution not much is known about them in New Zealand. Thus the effects of thermal acclimation and temperature change on respiration and locomotion were examined in these two exotic frogs. The more terrestrial and alpine dwelling L. ewingii was found to be able to thermally acclimate its respiration performance, where respiration was highest when acclimation temperature matched test temperature. It was also able to thermally acclimate its locomotory performance, jumping significantly further at lower temperatures, however, acclimation to high temperatures impacted its jump performance at cold temperatures. The frog L. raniformis was found to only be able to thermally acclimate its respiration and locomotion to high temperatures, as performance at low temperatures was often poor. The data shows that L. ewingii is a cold temperate frog rather than a warm habitat frog, while L. raniformis is an animal adapted to warm temperatures. From this we can begin to see the effect that temperature has on the physiology of these two exotic frogs and the major role that temperature may be playing in driving the differences seen in the distribution of these two species in New Zealand.
Performance improvement of a sigma-delta modulator using fractional-order disturbance observer

This paper proposes a novel design of a high order closed-loop Sigma-Delta modulator using a fractional-order disturbance observer, which can reduce the influence of possible dispersions of the sensing element and offset the effect of the external disturbance. The proof mass can maintain near its position of equilibrium by using the proposed fractional-order disturbance observer, which ensures a better control of the proof mass displacement, and the small proof mass displacement can enhance the sensor resolution and the overall system performance. Fractional-order disturbance observer possesses stronger robust stability of interference elimination, because the introduction of fractional calculus makes Q-filter expanding from an integer domain to a real-number domain. Experimental results from the proposed architecture shows an increase of more than 2X improved in signal quantization noise ratio compared to the pure high-order closed-loop Sigma-Delta modulator, and also the proposed Sigma-Delta modulator with a fractional-order disturbance observer improves the performance of disturbance attenuation and system robustness.
Optimization of basic and reactive dye uptakes in binary dye solution using statistical experimental methodology

In the present study, the optimum adsorption conditions for the uptake of methylene blue (MB) and reactive orange 16 (RO16) in binary dye solution by ethylenediamine tetraacidic acid (EDTA) modified rice hulls was studied. By using the Plackett-Burman design, the significant variables in affecting the MB and RO16 uptake in binary dye solution were identified as pH and contact time. The combined effects of interaction between the variables were determined using response surface methodology (RSM). The model predicted that at optimum conditions: pH 6.77 and contact time of 205.58 min, the MB uptake greater than 95% could be obtained. As for RO16, the RSM indicated that pH 3.17 and contact time of 205.59 min were optimal for maximum percent dye uptake. These predicted values were also experimentally validated to confirm the reliability of the models.
Statistical Arbitrage Using Limit Order Book Imbalance

This dissertation demonstrates that there is high revenue potential in using limit order book imbalance as a state variable in an algorithmic trading strategy. Beginning with the hypothesis that imbalance of bid/ask order volumes is an indicator for future price changes, exploratory data analysis suggests that modelling the joint distribution of imbalance and observed price changes as a continuous-time Markov chain presents a monetizable opportunity. The arbitrage problem is then formalized mathematically as a stochastic optimal control problem using limit orders and market orders with the aim of maximizing terminal wealth. The problem is solved in both continuous and discrete time using the dynamic programming principle, which produces both conditions for market order execution, as well as limit order posting depths, as functions of time, inventory, and imbalance. The optimal controls are calibrated and backtested on historical NASDAQ ITCH data, which produces consistent and substantial revenue.
EFFECT OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS DENSITY ON RAGWORT EMERGENCE

The effect of the density of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) swards on the emergence of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) was investigated in the field and in trays. Ragwort seeds were sown into established perennial ryegrass and white clover (Trifolium repens) swards, and the seedlings were mapped at intervals to aid in identification of new seedlings. In the trays, seedlings were counted and mapped at four week intervals and the experiment was continued for four months. In the field plots, ragwort seedlings were counted before and after each grazing. There was no evidence for any negative effect of ryegrass tiller density on the number of ragwort seedlings emerging. The presence of white clover in trays, and clover and volunteer weeds in the field also provided competition for ragwort.
Effect of NaCl salinity on the pattern and rate of root development of blue panic grass (Panicum antidotale Retz.)

Identification of growth and development pattern of plant organs, especially the roots, is important to optimal management of halophytes production. In this study, blue panic grass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) was planted in a sandy loam soil in plastic tubes and 4-leaf seedlings were exposed to different levels of irrigation water salinities including 0, 10, 20, and 30 dS/m. These salinity levels were produced by dissolving 0, 5, 11, and 20 g of NaCl in one liter of distilled water. In order to investigate the pattern and development rate of different root components, morphological attributes of roots were measured at four stages including beginning of tillering, stem elongation, panicle emergence and seed ripening. Thereafter, the best equations were selected to express the trend of measured root characteristics with time via regression method. The results showed that with increasing the plant age and development of photosynthesis structures, the rate of increase in root weight in non-saline conditions reached to about 70 mg per day at the stem elongation stage. During this period, the rate of root weight increase at the 10, 20 and 30 dS/m salinity levels was 30, 60 and 40 mg/day per plant, respectively. The rate of root weight increase was reduced at different levels of salinity during stem elongation and panicle emergence stages. This reduction was significant at the 10 and 20 dS/m salinity levels. Also, the assimilates allocated to the roots during the seed planting to the beginning of tillering (0-18 days after planting) was about 25, 22, 9 and 10% at the 0, 10, 20 and 30 dS/m salinity levels, respectively. However, the assimilates allocated to the roots at stem elongation (18-35 days after planting) were 34, 21, 25 and 26% at 0, 10, 20 and 30 dS/m salinity levels, respectively. Salinity affected sigmoid development pattern of this plant’s roots by reducing the rate of development and size of its components, although different root characteristics showed various sensitivities to irrigation water salinity.
Artificial intelligence techniques in simulation of viscoplasticity of polymeric composites

The viscoplastic behavior of a carbon fiber/polymer matrix composite is investigated via different modeling schemes. The first model is phenomenological in nature based on the overstress-viscoplasticity. The second model utilizes neural networks paradigms. Genetic algorithm-based strategies are used to prune the proposed neural network. Several optimization algorithms are implemented for training the network. In comparison, the neurocomputational model is found to outperform the phenomenological model. POLYM. COMPOS. , 30:1701–1708, 2009. a 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Quantitative Analyses of Total Polysaccharides and Total Carotenes from Lycium barbarium Fruits

Lycium barbarium have been grown in Iraqi desert as wild plant, and its fruit contains many active constituents with important human biological activity. Polysaccharides give sweet taste for the fruit, and carotenes are responsible for the fruit color. The purpose of this study is qualitative and quantitative determination for both constituents, which had not been investigated in the country previously. The polysaccharides were estimated qualitatively by the Benedict's test, and quantitatively by the Dubois colorimetric assay. The total carotenes were estimated qualitatively in corresponding to β-carotene standard for detecting the λmax, and quantitatively by two methods, HPLC method and β-carotene standard curve method. The results showed that the dried fruit contained about 3.4 mg/g of total polysaccharides and 0.3 mg/g of total carotenes. The conclusion of this study was that Lycium barbarium fruit possesses nutritional and medical benefits that give the plant special importance for more investigation in the country.