Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Pratylenchus coffeae in Biochar Applied Soil, Coffee Roots and Its Effect on Plant Growth

Biochar improve physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. It may also be used as botanical pesticides. The experiment was aimed to determine the effect of biochar on population development of parasitic nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. The experiment was carried out in Nematology Laboratory and in a greenhouse of Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), Jember, Indonesia. The experiment was arranged according to completely randomized design with six treatments of biochar concentrations, i.e. 4%; 3%; 2%; 1%; 0.5% and 0% dry weight of soil. Research results revealed that biochar application of 4.0% was effectively killed 74.5% of P. coffeae, while the lowest mortality level of 37.5% at biochar 0.5% treatment. In the greenhouse trial, application of biochar 4.0% was the most effective in suppressing the population of parasitic nematode in coffee seedlings. Application of biochar was also able to increase the growth and biomass of coffee seedlings.
Detecting Saliency in Infrared Images via Multiscale Local Sparse Representation and Local Contrast Measure

For infrared images, it is a formidable challenge to highlight salient regions completely and suppress the background noise effectively at the same time. To handle this problem, a novel saliency detection method based on multiscale local sparse representation and local contrast measure is proposed in this paper. The saliency detection problem is implemented in three stages. First, a multiscale local sparse representation based approach is designed for detecting saliency in infrared images. Using it, multiple saliency maps with various scales are obtained for an infrared image. These maps are then fused to generate a combined saliency map, which can highlight the salient region fully. Second, we adopt a local contrast measure based technique to process the infrared image. It divides the image into a number of image blocks. Then these blocks are utilized to calculate the local contrast to generate a local contrast measure based saliency map. In this map, the background noise can be suppressed effectually. Last, to make full use of the advantages of the above two saliency maps, we propose combining them together using an adaptive fusion scheme. Experimental results show that our method achieves better performance than several state-of-the-art algorithms for saliency detection in infrared images.
Intruder localization wireless sensor network radar design with virtual reference tags

This research designs a WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) algorithm for human intruder localization and path detection. There are two commonly used position estimation techniques in WSN, ToA (Time of Arrival) and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). In ToA the difference between arrivals of signal is estimated and based on this information position of target is calculated. This technique produces better results but in real time the cost of nodes used increases due to synchronization requirement. On the other hand RSSI technique requires no synchronization and can be considered as most simple and low cost technique but its accuracy is very low. To increase the accuracy of RSSI this research introduces VRTs (Virtual Reference Tags). VRTs are previously used in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system to provide reference to the system. Four reference nodes are used such that one acts as transmitting while three as receiving nodes. These nodes are placed at the edges of surveillance area. NS2 (Network Simulator 2) is used to design the WSN. The surveillance area of system is taken as 80X80 meters. Nine scenarios are checked with varying number of VRTs mapped over surveillance area. From the results it is observed that as the number of VRT is increased, accuracy of WSN radar also increases. But in actual implementation greater number of VRT can result in greater hardware requirement in terms of processor and high speed data storage. Since the proposed WSN radar is designed for human intruder localization, the WSN accuracy is kept to 0.2 meters. In simulation for a surveillance area of 80X80 meters to locate and track human intruder with 0.2 meter accuracy, 1721 VRTs are required to be virtually mapped over surveillance area. This research also presents a proposed design of WSN which can be used in vehicles as road safety feature providing assistance to driver. The WSN consists of three receivers, one on each side and one in front and the surveillance area around the vehicle is divided into levels which determine whether it is safe for driver to move towards that side. Driver alerting method is also presented using vehicle‟s steering wheel.
Regional Boundary Gradient Strategic Sensors Characterizations

The purpose of this paper is to characterize regional boundary gradient strategic sensors notions for different cases of regional boundary gradient observation to be achieved. Then, the characterizations based on how to a cross from internal gradient region to the boundary gradient region. Thus, the obtained results are applied in two dimensional linear infinite distributed systems in Hilbert space where the dynamics are governed by strongly continuous semi-group. Moreover, we give the relation between the regional gradient observability on a subregion of the spatial domain with the regional boundary gradient observability on a subregion of the boundary of . Finally, sufficient conditions of regional boundary gradient strategic sensors notions are explored, analyzed and discussed in connection with the regional boundary gradient of exact (weak) observability, positive definite observability operator and rank conditions.
Identifying the Strains having Ability to Produce Ligninolytic Enzyme Laccase from the Plethora of Actinomycetes Isolated from Soil and Mangrove Samples

To identify laccase producing actinomycete strains a different approach was used in this study. Actinomycete strains were first grown in the presence of an inducer to better the enzyme induction. Later these strains were screened for the production of laccase enzyme which is very scarce in this group of bacteria. 62 actinomycete strains were isolated from the soil and mangrove samples collected from various locales. Aromatic inducers like guaiacol, 2,5 xylidine and tween 80 at the concentrations of 1mM were incorporated in the liquid medium. Also a lignin rich natural inducer pearl millet (bajra) powder at the concentration of 8% was incorporated in the liquid medium. The induction process with the variety of inducers was carried out for all the isolates for 2 weeks. After induction, enzyme activity was detected qualitatively by incorporating guaiacol in the medium. One isolate showed a reddish brown halo around the colony after 72 hours of incubation at 37 0 C indicating laccase positive activity. Laccase activity of this isolate was further confirmed by decolorization of two dyes RBBR and congo red. K e y w o r d s Laccase, actinomycetes, inducer, RBBR, congo red.
Exploring the Positive Peer and Identity Experiences Occurring in Australian Adolescents' Leisure Activities

This study compared the degree to which social networking sites and structured extracurricular activities provided adolescents with positive developmental experiences. Given the relatively unique nature of social networking sites as a leisure context for adolescents, and the extremely fast rate at which this leisure activity has been adopted by the majority of youth in countries where the technology is easily accessible, it is important that research explores how this leisure context compares to more traditional extracurricular activities. Adolescents from eight high schools across the state of Western Australia were surveyed. The results showed that traditional structured leisure activities (e.g., sport, art) provided adolescents with more experiences of identity exploration and reflection and positive peer interactions than social networking site use. Further analysis compared differences within social networking site use and found that both the frequency with which an adolescent visited their social networking site, and the degree of investment they had in their social networking site, positively predicted greater experiences of identity exploration and reflection and positive peer interactions. Though social networking sites are a popular adolescent leisure activity, they do not provide the same level of positive developmental experiences that are afforded through adolescent participation in traditional structured extracurricular activities.
A NEW AMPHICYONINE (CARNIVORA: AMPHICYONIDAE) FROM THE UPPER MIOCENE OF BATALLONES‐1, MADRID, SPAIN

Abstract: The vertebrate community of the late Miocene locality of Batallones‐1, Madrid Province, Spain, is mainly composed of mammals of the order Carnivora, which represents 98 per cent of the total number of macro‐mammal fossils. Here, we describe craniodental remains of approximately 12 individuals of a new, highly specialized member of the Amphicyonidae, previously assigned to Amphicyon sp. cf. A. castellanus. A phylogenetic analysis of Amphicyoninae shows that this new form, named Magericyon anceps gen. et sp. nov., is markedly distinct from all other known Amphicyoninae, specifically in its hypercarnivorous features (strongly compressed upper canines, absence of dP1/dp1 and P2/p2, single‐rooted p3, absence of a metaconid on the lower molars, and reduction of M2 relative to M1).
Abel transform inversion of radio occultation measurements made with a receiver inside the Earth's atmosphere

Abstract. Radio occultation measurements made with a receiver inside the Earth’s atmosphere can be inverted, assuming local spherical symmetry, with an Abel transform to provide an estimate of the atmospheric refractive index profile. The measurement geometry is closely related to problems encountered when inverting seismic time-travel data and solar occultation measurements, where the Abel solution is well known. The method requires measuring both rays that originate from above and below the local horizon of the receiver. The Abel transform operates on a profile of "partial bending angles" found by subtracting the positive elevation measurement from the negative elevation value with the same impact parameter. In principle, the refractive index profile can be derived from measurements with a single frequency GPS receiver because the ionospheric bending is removed when the partial bending angle is evaluated. Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (pressure, density and temperature) – Radio science (remote sensing)
Economic Interdependence in Northeast Asia:Production Side Perspective with Emphasis on Russia

The inter-regional inter-industry input structure of Northeast Asia with emphasis on Russia was analyzed by applying the value-added dependency ratio to a 34-sector version of the multi-regional input-output table for the region for the year 1995. The analysis revealed that the economic ties of Russia with the other Northeast Asian economies are remarkably weak, except for Mongolia, which receives most of its inputs from Russia while Russia has virtually no dependency on Mongolia. Furthermore, the Russian economy has substantially more links with the rest of the world (particularly Europe) than it has with Northeast Asia with respect to inputs. The analysis also revealed that Russia's self-dependency ratios for the textiles and apparel, leather products, metal products, and machinery sectors are quite low and that Russia's input structure in manufacturing is less balanced compared to China's, the other BRIe member in Northeast Asia.
Reliability of the Persian Version of the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition (SSI-4) for Preschool-Age Children

* :همانایار shafiei_al@yahoo.com 1. MSc in Speech Therapy, Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran; 2. MSc in Speech Therapy, Instructor at Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; 3. MSc in Speech Therapy, Instructor at Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4. PhD. in Curriculum Development, Assistant Professor of Medical Education, Department of Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. *Corresponding author’s address: Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezarjarib St, Isfahan, Iran; *Tel: 09133277196, 03137922085, *Email: shafiei_al@yahoo.com Reliability of the Persian Version of the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition (SSI-4) for Preschool-Age Children
Long-term unemployment as a screening device and its consequences for active labour market policies

Using a stochastic job model, Riccardo Welters and Joan Muysken show that employers use employment status as a screening device to minimize hiring costs. The implied exclusion of long-term unemployed in hiring decisions might lead to market failures. These market failures can be corrected by employment subsidies for long-term unemployed. Firms can use the subsidies as compensation for extended search among long-term unemployed or to school these unemployed. In both cases the design of the employment subsidy should be different. When firms extend their search process, the level of the subsidy should depend on unemployment duration, whereas the subsidy should be uniform when the firm uses it to school unemployed.
Innovative system of very wide field optical sensors for space surveillance in the LEO region

We present the results of a large scale simulation, reproducing the behavior of a data center for the build-up and maintenance of a complete catalog of space debris in the upper part of the low Earth orbits region (LEO). The purpose is to determine the achievable performances of a network of advanced optical sensors, through the use of the newest orbit determination algorithms developed by the Department of Mathematics of Pisa (DM). Such a network was designed and proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) framework by Carlo Gavazzi Space SpA (CGS), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), DM and Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologie dell'Informazione (ISTI-CNR). The latest developed orbit determination algorithms were used to process simulated observations from the proposed network. In particular two innovative methods for preliminary orbit determination based on the first integrals of the Kepler problem were compared, by using them to process the same data. In both cases, the results showed that it is possible to use a network of optical sensors to build up a catalog containing more than 98% of the objects with perigee height between 1100 and 2000 km, and diameter greater than 8 cm. Such a catalog is obtained in just two months of observations. However, such results depend upon specific assumptions on the sensor and on the software technologies.
Modeling and Controller Design of Non Ideal Z-Source Converter

This paper deals with the study of the non-ideal Z- Source inverter where the inductors and capacitors resistance are taken into account, while the main aim of the Z-source inverter for performing voltage buck and boost capabilities using a unique impedance network between the power source and converter circuit is guarded. In this paper an average model for the Z- Source inverter using state space averaging is proposed. Then, the behaviors of the studied system is analyzed based on the stability of the presented model, this analyze leads to the design of the suitable controller to be used to ensure the stability of the presented model. Finally the average model analyze is verified by simulation results.
How Different Sports Establish Different Athletic Identity Levels

Background: In order for coaches and sport psychologist help athletes to improve their athletic identity, they need to be aware of athletes’ athletic identity with different sporting background. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine different levels of athletic identity among different types of sports and also more specifically, between team and individual sports. Methodology: A sample of 107 athletes (57 women and 50 men) who were members of national teams in taekwondo, karate, wushu, basketball, volleyball, and canoe polo were selected. Athletic identity questionnaire was used. To identify athletic identity and its four sub categories differences among six groups and also between team and individual sports One way Manova and independent T-test were used respectively. Results: The findings showed that different sports influence athletic identity. F (2,350) = 5.41, p < 0.005. The highest athletic identity was observed within taekwondo athletes. The second and third highest were in karate and wushu athletes, followed by basketball, volleyball, and canoe polo. Canoe polo was the only team that had significant differences in total athletic identity, and three sub categories: self-identity, social identity, and exclusively compared to other sports. While karate athletes had the highest exclusively, taekwondo athletes had the highest score on self-identity, social identity, and negative affectivity. There was no significant difference on negative affectivity among all six groups, indicating that facing up to a fail or physical injury is very difficult for all athletes. Conclusion: The findings suggest coaches and sport psychologists should take these different identity levels and the reasons causing them into account when they work with different athletes within different sports. Keywords: Athletic identity (AI (, self-identity, social identity, negative affectively, exclusively
Nitrogen management strategies for maize production systems: Experimental data and crop modeling

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop among Brazilian smallholder farmers, who are also responsible for 40% of the poultry and egg production in the country. Although poultry litter is considered a potential pollutant, if properly stabilized and distributed in the field it can be used as a source of nitrogen for maize production. In this study, the response of maize to mineral fertilizer and poultry litter as source of nitrogen was evaluated and the results were then used to parameterize a processbased model. For both sources of nitrogen used in the second trial the average observed yield was higher than the average yield obtained by farmers during the preceding years, indicating that there is a potential for improvement of maize yield in the region. A rate of 195 kg ha -1 of nitrogen as poultry litter provided a slightly higher yield than a rate of 145 kg ha -1 of nitrogen as mineral fertilizer. After adjustments in the CSM-CERES-Maize cultivar-specific coefficients the model satisfactorily simulated maize anthesis, physiological maturity and yield. Poultry litter has the potential to be an alternative source of nitrogen for maize production in smallholder farms. The CSM-CERES-Maize model properly simulated maize growth, development and yield for both, mineral fertilizer and poultry litter sources of nitrogen.
TESTING FOR LATITUDINAL BIAS IN DIVERSIFICATION RATES : AN EXAMPLE USING NEW WORLD BIRDS

Study of the latitudinal diversity gradient to date has focused largely on pattern description, with relatively little work on the possible mechanisms underlying the pattern. One proximate mechanism is a latitudinal bias in the discrepancy between speciation and extinction rates, leading to higher rates of species diversification toward lower latitudes. Despite being central to many explanations for high tropical diversity, this mechanism is tested very rarely. We discuss some of the problems involved in testing for latitudinal bias in diversification rates and present an example phylogenetic analysis for endemic bird genera of the New World. The results provide evidence for higher diversification rates in clades inhabiting lower latitudes, both when genera are considered independent and when phylogeny is controlled for using independent contrasts. High rates of diversification are also associated with larger geographic area and higher net primary productivity, although these do not fully account for the latitudinal effect. The latitudinal pattern is stronger in younger clades, supporting the prediction of a simple model in which the signal of latitudinal bias in diversification rates diminishes as clades age and become saturated with species. Our study demonstrates that a clade-based approach can help answer important questions that a geographic approach cannot, but large phylogenies and geographic databases are needed to cope with the large amount of noise inherent in this type of analysis.
Genetic Insights from a Molecular Pathway Analysis on Two Independent Samples of Autistic Patients

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by limited interest and lacking ability in social interactions, repetitive behavior and dysfunction in social communication. ASD runs in families. Twin studies suggest a strong genetic basis for ASD. The complete definition of a genetic profile at risk for ASD is nevertheless currently lacking.Methods: NIHM-Autism datasets 3 and 4 (n=1233 and n=2890 respectively) were analyzed. A molecular pathway analysis was conducted. Quality analysis was run as usual (λ values). Plink and R (ReactomePA and Bioconductor packages) served for TDT, association tests and the molecular pathway analysis.Results and Discussion: The “Adherens junctions’ interactions pathway” and “Axon guidance” were enriched in the first sample, while the “Extracellular matrix organization pathway” was enriched in the second sample. The “Axon guidance pathway” showed a trend for enrichment in the second sample. A trend of significant enrichment was observed for the “NCAM1 molecular pathway” when the severity of autistic symptoms was investigated.Conclusion: Cell to cell interaction and the cell-matrix interaction may hold the genetic risk for ASD. Both neurodevelopment and immune response (T-cell) rely on those processes and may be involved in the pathophysiology of ASD.
A Time Series Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: A Case Study of Nepal

This study has been carried out to find out the linkage between FDI and economic growth for Nepal over the period 1980-2006; using the Granger Causality test, Unit root test and Co-integration test. The results show that there exit a long term relationship between the variable and direction of causality runs from Foreign Direct Investment to the Gross Domestic Product.
IS LONG-RUN OUTPUT CONVERGENCE ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION? SOME NEW EVIDENCE FOR SELECTED AFRICAN COUNTRIES

This study assesses long-run real per capita income convergence among selected African countries. The empirical investigation is based on an alternative approach. Strong convergence is determined on the basis of the first largest principal component, based on income differences with respect to a chosen base country, being stationary. This qualitative outcome of the test is invariant to the choice of base country and, compared to alternative multivariate tests for long-run convergence, this methodology places less demands on limited data sets. Using annual data for the period 1960-2000, strong convergence is confirmed for the Communaute Financiere Africaine and South African Customs Union countries. An amended version of the test is unable to confirm weaker long-run convergence in the case of the Economic Community of West African States countries.