Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Rhizobacteria Inoculant Application Methods and Phosphate Fertilizer Rates on Dry Matter Accumulation, Yield of Bambara Groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] and Soil Total Nitrogen Content in a Degraded Ultisol in Southeast Nigeria

Bacterial inoculants contribute to increased agronomic efficiency in the rhizosphere via its effects on biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and other plant growth promotion (PGP) traits. This study evaluates the influence of rhizobacteria inoculant application methods and phosphate fertilizer rates on dry matter accumulation, nodulation, yield of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc] and post-harvest soil total nitrogen content in a Typic Paleudult in Southeast Nigeria (6° 29′ N; 7° 54′ E). Field trials were conducted in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons in a 2 × 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were four rates of single super phosphate fertilizer (0 kg P ha-1, 25 kg P ha-1, 50 kg P ha-1 and 75 kg P ha-1) and two rhizobacteria inoculant application methods (seed applied method and soil applied method). The results from the study showed that soil applied rhizobacteria inoculant increased leaf, stem and root dry weight of Bambara groundnut significantly (P<0.05) by between 19%-25% when compared with seed applied rhizobacteria inoculants. Similarly, soil applied rhizobacteria inoculant increased number of root nodules, fresh pods of Bambara groundnut and soil total nitrogen content at 90 days after planting (DAP) significantly (P<0.05) by 29%, 22% and 19% respectively when compared with seed applied rhizobacteria inoculants. Soils fertilized with 75 kg P ha-1 produced the highest dry matter (above and below) yield of Bambara groundnut (97.37 g plant) and this was significantly higher than when P was applied at 0 kg P ha-1, 25 kg P ha-1 and 50 kg P ha-1 by 54%, 32% and 15% respectively for the two cropping seasons. The interaction effect showed that soils fertilized with 75 kg P ha-1 combined with soil application method of rhizobacteria inoculation produced the highest fresh pod yield of Bambara groundnut (178.4 g plant) and postharvest soil total N content (0.29%) and this was significantly higher in plots without P in seed applied rhizobacteria plots by 52% and 88% for the two cropping seasons. The results of our study showed that the inoculation method plays an important role in determining the success of microbial inoculation. Soil inoculation rather than seed application of exogenous rhizobacteria and up to 75 Kg P ha-1 is recommended that for optimal dry matter yield and increment in postharvest soil total nitrogen content for cultivation of Bambara groundnut in degraded Ultisols and soils with similar edaphic conditions.
of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society Title Statistical Word Learning and Object Categorization : A Cross-Linguistic Study in English and Mandarin Permalink

Previous research has shown that both adult and infant learners are able to learn the first-order regularities between individual words and objects under a cross-situational learning context. The present study further investigates whether, in addition to the first-order word-referent associations, adult learners are also sensitive to the secondorder correlations between the phonological features of labels and the visuo-perceptual features of objects and whether they can use such features as a cue in categorizing novel objects. Two experiments were conducted to examine whether native speakers of English and Mandarin Chinese performed differently when exposed to training data that either reflected, or were inconsistent with, the linguistic features in their native language. We found that when the training stimuli reflected the linguistic structures of their native language, both English and Mandarin speakers were able to use the phonological features of labels as a cue in object categorization. Moreover, our results also suggest bidirectional real-time interactions between learning the firstorder word-referent mappings and the higher-order mappings between phonological features in labels and perceptual features in visual objects.
Spin electronic magnetic sensor based on functional oxides for medical imaging

To detect magnetic signals coming from the body, in particular those produced by the electrical activity of the heart or of the brain, the development of ultrasensitive sensors is required. In this regard, magnetoresistive sensors, stemming from spin electronics, are very promising devices. For example, tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) junctions based on MgO tunnel barrier have a high sensitivity. Nevertheless, TMR also often have high level of noise. Full spin polarized materials like manganite La0.67Sr0. 33MnO3 (LSMO) are attractive alternative candidates to develop such sensors because LSMO exhibits a very low 1/f noise when grown on single crystals, and a TMR response has been observed with values up to 2000%. This kind of tunnel junctions, when combined with a high Tc superconductor loop, opens up possibilities to develop full oxide structures working at liquid nitrogen temperature and suitable for medical imaging. In this work, we investigated on LSMO-based tunnel junctions the parameters controlling the overall system performances, including not only the TMR ratio, but also the pinning of the reference layer and the noise floor. We especially focused on studying the effects of the quality of the barrier, the interface and the electrode, by playing with materials and growth conditions.
EDES PRICE MF 01 / PC 03 Plus Postage . DESCRIPTORS Learning : * Memory : * Military Training : * Mnemonics : Training Methods

An analysis bared on an extensive review of the scientific, and popular literature indicates that memory enhancement tecniques (mnemotechnics) can be used to increase the effectiveness of military training. An overview of the most common memory emLancement techniques provides backgrcun6 for an assessment of the geueral utility of such techniques based on a review of the experimental research. A strategy for applying mnemonics and mnemotechnics to military training is then given. It is concluded that mnemonics and mnemotechnics have the potential to significantly enhance training effectiveness. However, if they are not carefully researced and implemented, it is likely that their training potential will be mitigated, if not entirely lest. Intended primarily for pxofessional researchers to identify areas of needed research, this report can also be used by the military training community to assess the training potential cf mnemonics and mnemotechnics. (Author/LLS) sk,A! ,#*40titt***,t0tilist****3(1**xciOc**. ****#*#14*******************#*******. **4_
Presence of accessory renal artery and kinking of aorta due to the abnormal origin of renal arteries

A sound knowledge of variations of blood vessels is important during operative, diagnostic and endovascular procedures in the abdomen. This report describes the kinking of the aorta due to the variations in the origin of the renal arteries. The variation was found during routine dissection in an approximately 55 years old male cadaver. The cadaver was healthy and it did not have any other anomalies in the other parts of the body. The right and left renal arteries took their origin from the anterior aspect of the aorta just below the origin of superior mesenteric artery. There was a kink in the abdominal aorta above the level of the origin of these arteries. The cadaver also showed the presence of an accessory renal artery which took origin from the abdominal aorta, an inch above its bifurcation and entered the left kidney through lower part of its anterior surface. A good knowledge of vascular variations in relation to the kidneys is very important in kidney transplantation surgery.
Getting the best value from gravity gradiometry

The critically important steps to get best value from your gravity gradiometry data, assuming your contractor has done his job well in designing and acquiring the data, is the preparation of the representation of the potential field gradients. The ~200 m resolving power of existing gradiometer systems approaches what is necessary for minerals applications. In particular, beyond the aircraft, the topographic surface represents the largest and most proximal density contrast encountered in an airborne survey. Hence terrain effects can have significant impact on AGG data. The critical steps are: Terrain correction and determining ‘best’ terrain density Gridding, using all the measured gradients to constrain the interpolation Smoothing/de-noising by using the 3 rd order tensor constraints Anti-alias filtering of the gradient signals so that wave lengths are properly represented in all directions Transformation of the gradients by integration to estimate the gravity or magnetic field Terrain corrections are a necessary step in the processing of observed AGG data in rugged terrain, in order to highlight subsurface density variations with a minimal overprint from the terrain. We propose a simple and rapid AGG tensor-based method to estimate an optimum bulk terrain density for subsequent terrain-correction. Each of the currently deployed systems for acquiring gradiometry is evolving driven by competition and the users’ needs. Mining applications of the technology to directly detect ore-bodies that show up as anomalies can now be successful provided the dimensions are of the order of 200 m or more. High resolution 3D geology models of operating mines can be used to calibrate gradiometry surveys
Information Risk and Cost of Debt in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Qatar

This study examines the impact of information risk on the cost of debt incurred by companies in Qatar, a vital country within the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and Middle East region. The results suggest that information risk impacts debt pricing in Qatar. More specifically, there is a positive relationship between discretionary accruals and the cost of debt. This suggests that management uses discretionary accruals opportunistically to signal information about the company. However, the findings do not show that the cost of debt is affected by non-discretionary accruals. It is important to note that the reported results differ based on company size. Small companies, in particular, show a negative relationship between discretionary accruals and the cost of debt. This might indicate that discretionary accruals are used by these firms to inform about their performance and as a result creditors react by lowering the cost of debt.Keywords: Cost of Debt, Discretionary Accruals, Emerging Market, Firm Size, Non-Discretionary AccrualsJEL Classification: M40, M41
Movements and Mortality Rates of Striped Mullet in North Carolina

Abstract Striped mullet Mugil cephalus is an economically important species to commercial and recreational fishermen, as well as an ecologically significant detritivore linking lower trophic levels with a wide variety of estuarine and marine fish and birds. Despite this importance, striped mullet migration patterns and mortality rates are poorly understood. Approximately 15,000 striped mullet were tagged in North Carolina between 1997 and 2001, and monthly movement information was collected on recovered individuals (n = 384) from commercial and recreational fishermen and state agency personnel. A tag return model was used to estimate an instantaneous total mortality rate, and this rate was partitioned into natural and fishing components by means of life history methods. Nearly all (98.2%) striped mullet were recovered in North Carolina, the remaining few being recovered in nearby states. Striped mullet moved southward of their tagging locations and had the highest daily movement rate between the months of.
Designing a Math Game for Children Using a Participatory Design Experience

Today teachers have in their hands learning resources, such as games, to engage primary school students in dry subjects. Nevertheless, many of these games have a mechanic very similar to in-class exercises, e.g., question -answer and match up images. Then, children end up boring. In this research, we aim to design a game for and by children. We present results of two Participatory Design (PD) sessions performed with children of 6th grade of Primary School to jointly design a game about fractions. The experience has been very fruitful both for us and for children. On one hand, they had an exciting experience as game designers, enforced their learning about fractions, and contributed with numerous and diverse ideas. On the other hand, we have cocreated a game with enthusiastic stakeholders. Additionally, this research constitutes a further step in the study of methodologies and techniques of participatory game design with children. As a result of our experience we can say that participatory sessions with children should be very dynamic, with well-differentiated parts and using very different activities. We have used individual brainstorming using post-its, brainstorming and discussion in groups. We have also organised written activities, which seem to be adequate, provided that children have templates to be filled with ideas related to elements and mechanics of the game. We observed they showed really concentrated in these writing activities. Those parts of the participatory design that required the use of computers were the most appealing for them. Moreover, teachers and designers should pay attention and give children positive reinforcement regularly in order to avoid distraction during the PD sessions. Keywords–Serious Games;Participatory Design;child-computer Interaction.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF PARAMETRICALLY EXCITED CARBON NANOTUBES FOR MASS SENSING APPLICATIONS

In this paper, a computational model for large amplitude vibrations of a parametrically excited carbon nanotube (CNT) is developed. The continuous model includes geometric and electrostatic nonlinearities. The Galerkin discretization is used to transform the nonlinear partial differential equation to a finite degrees of freedom system which is numerically solved using the harmonic balance method (HBM) coupled with the asymptotic numerical method (ANM). The influence of higher modes on the nonlinear dynamics of the considered resonator is investigated in order to retain the number of modes which will be used by the HBM+ANM procedure. It is shown that at least two modes are required in order to predict accurately the CNT frequency responses.
An Empirical Examination of the Determinants of Food Insecurity among Rural Farm Households: Evidence from Kindo Didaye District of Southern Ethiopia

The major aim of this study was to assess the determinants of food insecurity among rural farm households in Kindo Didaye district, Ethiopia. Data for the study was obtained from 160 randomly selected farm households by using structured questionnaire. To select sample respondents, the stratified sampling technique was used. The adapted FGT index, Coping Strategy index and binary logit model were used for data analysis. The finding from FGT index revealed that 70.62 percent of households in the study area were found food insecure. The depth and severity of food insecurity were found 37% and 25.6%, respectively. The logistic regression model result showed that factors such as household size, livestock ownership of households, land size, opportunity to off-farm activities, and distance to the local market were found significant factors influencing households’ food security status. Thus, promotion of family planning, enhancing livestock packages, and creation of rural employment opportunities are recommended.
Perennial pastures for marginal farming country in southern Queensland. 1. Grass establishment techniques

Efficient ways to re-establish pastures are needed on land that requires a rotation between pastures and crops. We conducted trials in southern inland Queensland with a range of tropical perennial grasses sown into wheat stubble that was modified in various ways. Differing seedbed preparations involved cultivation or herbicide sprays, with or without fertilizer at sowing. Seed was broadcast and sowing time ranged from spring through to autumn on 3 different soil types. Seed quality and post-sowing rainfall were major determinants of the density of sown grass plants in the first year. Light cultivation sometimes enhanced establishment compared with herbicide spraying of standing stubble, most often on harder-setting soils. A nitrogen + phosphorus mixed fertilizer rarely produced any improvement in sown grass establishment and sometimes increased weed competition. The effects were similar for all types of grass seed from hairy fascicles to large, smooth panicoid seeds and minute Eragrostis seeds. There was a strong inverse relationship between the initial density of sown grass established and the level of weed competition.
Invitational Leadership: Does It Make a Difference?.

This study investigated the relationship between professionally and personally inviting behaviors of high school principals in the state of Mississippi and: (a) Teacher Job Satisfaction, (b) Principal Effectiveness, (c) Principal as an Agent of School Improvement, and (d) Principal’s Invitational Quotient, and (e) The Computed Accreditation Performance Index of their respective school district. The foundation for this study evolved as an extension of earlier research (Asbill, 1994) that examined the value of Invitational Education Theory (IET) as a workable theory for educational leaders in the school setting.
Relationship of status of polymorphic rapd bands with genotypic adaptation in early finger millet genotypes

Molecular characterisation of the 15 early duration finger millet (Eleusine coracana G) genotypes was done through RAPD markers. Twenty-five decamer primers were used for initial screening. Of these nine primers (OPA4, OPA13, OPA16, OPC12, OPC18, OPD8, OPN7, OPN15 and OPN16) showed polymorphic banding pattern for the genotypes. Total number of bands produced ranged from 2 to 9 bands per primer. The nine primers produced 60 amplification products, of which 9 were monomorphic and 51 were polymorphic. The primers OPA4, OPC18 and OPN15 produced a greater number of polymorphic bands than OPA16 and OPN16. Polymorphism ranged from 50 to 100%. Primers OPA13, OPC18 and OPN15 revealed 100% polymorphism, whereas OPA16 and OPN16 showed 50%. In order to study the relationship of presence/absence of a polymorphic band with genotypic adaptation, the 15 early finger millet genotypes were classified into ‘+’ group for presence and ‘–’ group for absence of the band-OPA4~1800 bp, OPC12~900 bp, OPD8~850 bp, OPN7~2600 bp, OPN15~2500 bp, OPN15~900 bp and OPN16~2600 bp. The genotypes were also classified into highyielding (HY) and low-yielding (LY) classes, two adaptability classes, i.e. specifically adapted to rich environments and specifically adapted to poor environments and into two stability classes, i.e. stable(S) and unstable (U). This experiment revealed that the presence of OPA4~1800 bp and absence of OPN15~900 bp bands in finger millet may give some indication about specific adaptability of genotypes to poor environments. Absence of OPA4~1800 bp and presence of OPN15~900 bp would indicate specific genotypic adaptation to rich environments. These findings may help to predict the genotypic adaptation of different genotypes before going for multilocation trial.
Tuija Keinänen INFRA-SLOW FLUCTUATIONS IN SIMULTANEOUS EEG-fMRI

Brain activity fluctuations occur in multiple spatial and temporal scales. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has shown that infra slow fluctuations (ISF) of blood oxygen leveldependent signal (BOLD) are organized into well-defined areas called resting state networks (RSN). ISFs have also been detected in full-band EEG (fbEEG) data and in recent years, many have combined these two modalities to enable more accurate measurements of brain fluctuations. In simultaneous EEG-fMRI measurements the ISFs of BOLD signal have been found to be correlated with amplitude envelopes of faster electrophysiological data, suggesting the same underlying neuronal dynamics. Also direct correlations have been found in task related studies but not previously in resting state studies. Understanding the relation between EEG and BOLD signal in resting state might prove beneficial in the research of baseline activity fluctuations of the brain. Functional connectivity (FC) of the RSNs has been found to vary in different tasks and in some diseases, but also in resting state in healthy people. Despite numerous studies, no clear cause for these variations has yet been found. To research these open questions we performed simultaneous fbEEG-fMRI studies. The measurements from both modalities were analyzed with independent component analysis to improve the comparability of these results. Correlation analysis revealed that the EEG ISFs correlate with BOLD signal both temporally and spatially. These correlations showed spatiotemporal variability that was related to the strength of RSN functional connectivity. These results indicate that the ISFs of EEG and BOLD reflect a common source of fluctuations. The understanding of the correlations between ISFs in EEG and fMRI BOLD signals gives basic information of brain dynamics and of the variables that affect it. A better understanding of the background of brain activity helps in the development of more effective treatments for various neurological diseases as the knowledge of the mechanisms behind them grows. The ability to measure RSN activity with EEG more accurately can help in the development of new methods for early diagnosis of diseases.
Constraints on the Nambu-Goto cosmic string contribution to the CMB power spectrum in light of new temperature and polarisation data

Cosmic strings generate vector and tensor modes in the B-channel of polarisation, as well as the usual temperature power spectrum and E-mode polarisation spectrum. We use the power spectrum obtained from high-resolution Nambu-Goto cosmic string simulations together with the Planck and BICEP2 likelihoods to explore the degeneracies appearing between cosmic strings and other cosmological parameters in different inflationary scenarios, as well as the constraints that can be imposed on cosmic strings in each of these situations. In standard ΛCDM, the Planck likelihood yields an upper limit Gμ<1.49 × 10−7 (95% confidence). We also analyse the possibility of explaining the BB power spectrum signal recently detected by the BICEP2 probe. We find that cosmic strings alone are able to explain only part of the B-mode polarisation signal. Apart from the standard ΛCDM model, we look at the following non-minimal parameters: the running of the spectral index, non-zero tensor-to-scalar ratio, additional degrees of freedom (Neff) and sterile neutrinos. We find that in both Planck and BICEP2 scenarios adding Neff induces degeneracies between cosmic strings and Neff and other ΛCDM parameters. With Neff a larger contribution from cosmic strings is allowed, even favoured, but after combining with large-scale structure data, such as BAOs, strings remain strongly constrained.
Short communication. Computer vision applied to saffron flower (Crocus sativus L.) processing

This paper presents a computer vision system to obtain, using image analysis, the optimal cutting point of saffron flowers in order to obtain their stigmas. For this purpose, an effective and flexible computer program has been developed to process the flower image in order to obtain the cutting point to be sent to the cutting element. Furthermore, experimentation with real saffron flowers has been carried out in order to validate the developed application. In particular, the tests show that the method has good robustness and high success percentage in the flower characterization regardless the shape and size of the flower. The high image processing rate of the proposed method (20 computations s –1 ) would allow to greatly increase the production rate obtained with an automated cutting system compared to that obtained with the traditional hand method.