Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alfalfa Growth under Changing Environments: An Overview

Crop production is one of the most important agro-global issues, in particular questions of production under changing environmental conditions. This production needs to be increased to meet global needs for food, feed, fiber and fuel. Alfalfa is classified as "the queen of the forage crops" due to its high protein content and nutritional value as well as its unique availability during the summer compared with other forage crops. The production of alfalfa under different stressful environments is a great challenge due to several problems with alfalfa crop production, which represent a serious threat to global food security. These stresses may cause a decline in the global feed production from alfalfa due to harmful effects resulting from stresses at the physiological, biochemical and histological levels. To improve the production of alfalfa under these stresses, there is a crucial need to understand the response of alfalfa plants to stresses, the mechanisms of tolerance and the management options. The bio-organic fertilizers derived from alfalfa plants are a crucial and sustainable solution in particular under stressful environments. This review represents an attempt to highlight the positive sides of alfalfa production, particularly the sustainable use of this crop in bio-organic fertilizer production. The chemical and anatomical properties of this plant will also be reviewed. The histology of alfalfa plants under changing environments still needs further investigation.
Miniaturised SH EMATs for Fast Robotic Screening of Wall Thinning in Steel Plates

Electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) are well suited to generating and detecting a variety of different ultrasonic wavemodes, without the need for couplant, and they can be operated through some coatings. EMATs can be used to generate shear horizontal (SH) waves, which show promise for fast screening of wall thinning and other defects. However, commercial SH-wave EMATs are not suitable for robotic implementation on ferritic steel due to the large magnetic drag force from the magnets. This article describes the design and characterisation of miniaturised SH guided wave EMATs, which significantly reduce the magnetic drag and enable mounting onto a small crawler robot for sample scanning. The performance of the miniaturised EMATs is characterised and compared to a commercial EMAT. It is shown that signal to noise ratio is reduced, but remains within an acceptable range to use on steel. The bandwidth and directivity are increased, depending on the exact design used. Their ability to detect flat bottomed holes mimicking wall thinning is also tested.
Nutrient concentrations and trophic state of three Andean lakes from Junín, Perú

The study assessed the trophic state of three lakes used as fish farms in the region of Junin-Peru, under different hydrological conditions. Surface water samples were collected from three points at each lake in 2018 during the rainy (March-April) and dry (June-July) seasons. Total phosphorus, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were measured. Trophic indexes (TSI Chl-a, and TSI TP) were also computed. The water trophic state categorization was performed by adapting and calculating the Trophic State Index (TSI). The TSI (TP) classified the three lakes in both seasons (rainy and dry) as mesotrophic (30 < TSI ≤ 60). Pomacocha and Tipicocha were classified as eutropic (60 < TSI ≤ 90) in the two seasons according to TSI (Chl a ), while Tranca Grande was classified as mesotrophic (also two seasons). The results for TSI showed a predominance of eutrophic and mesotrophic conditions in all lakes used as fish farms.
Structural Equation Modeling of Health Related Quality of Life of Lymphatic Filariasis Patients

Health Related quality of Life (HRQoL) assess the perceived well being of the individuals in their physical, mental and social well being of their daily life. The items in the HRQoL measures are interrelated and the relationship between them is complex in nature and the domains, which are the constructs of the HRQoL cannot be observed or measured directly. One of the major challenges in the modeling of HRQoL is related to the complexity and collinearities of the relationships among the variables, which cannot be unraveled by standard statistical analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a powerful statistical tool, which combines factor analysis and mathematical modeling to test hypotheses consisting of interacting variables and pathways with reference to substantive theory. The HRQoL of patients with filarial lymphoedema was assessed by using SF-36 and the Structural Equations Model was used to model the HRQoL data. Structural Equation Models consist of two interrelated components, a measurement model and a structural model. The measurement model, which specifies how the latent constructs are indicated by their observed variables, describes these observed variables measurement properties and is analogous to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The structural equation model specifies causal relationships among the latent variables, describes their direct and indirect effects, and allocates explained and unexplained variance of the dependent constructs. The present study developed a SEM of HRQoL with 16 indicator/measured variables of SF-36, 4 first order latents, 2 second order latents and one third order latent. This model was developed from the HRQoL data of filarial lymphoedema patients and it is novel in HRQoL among lymphoedema patient in our population. This model is highly useful to understand the inter relationship of the variables related to different health domains in HRQoL and it will help in the planning and implementing a comprehensive morbidity management program to improve the HRQoL in lymphatic filariasis patients.
Some useful results for the simulation of non optimal general equilibrium economies

This paper investigates the empirical evaluation of infinite horizon non-optimal economies by means of numerical simulations. In particular, the paper answers the following question: is it possible to derive a general framework which guarantees that numerical simulations truly reflect the behavior of endogenous variables in the model? Under mild assumptions, this paper provides an affirmative answer to this question for endowment economies with incomplete markets and infinitely many exogenous states. For this type of models, the paper presents an accurate calibration method. For economies with finitely many shocks, even under stronger assumptions, it is only possible to show that a numerically computable, time independent and recursive representation of the sequential equilibrium generates a stationary Markov process, which is a necessary condition to answer the above mentioned question.
Factors Affecting Change Management through Technology Adoption in Public Organizations in Bangladesh

The purpose of this study is a clarification of changes in supply chain management (SCM) in public organizations and the nature of change management (CM). The paper also examines and demonstrate the trust of influencing CM in technology adoption in Bangladesh public organizations. The aim of this paper is, consequently, to identify precarious success factors for CM. Also, it focuses on the adoption of technology such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), highlighted the need to broaden the scope of theoretical mechanisms. Besides this, research obtained the empirical data necessary to validate the theoretical framework. Therefore, a total of 460 self-administered questionnaires was used to derive public sector responses in Bangladesh in their perceptions of trust and aspects of change management. In addition, this study provides an outline of FC in TA projects is recognized based on the literature review and empirical evidence. This study will enhance the service and management of the public organization through technology adoption. Besides that, it will provide the factors influential in quality service for a public organization. Finally, it introduces a framework base on TAM theory. This paper concludes with an elaboration of previous work, framework and contributions as well as the stream of future research.
МАТЕМАТИЧНЕ МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ В ПРИРОДНИЧИХ НАУКАХ ТА ІНФОРМАЦІЙНІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ

The objective of this article is developing a new computer model of explanatory combinatorial dictionary for intellectual systems of text generation based on Meaning-text theory (MTT) and solving problems of model software implementation by means of mathematical and algorithmic description of article paragraphs and preliminary formation and preparation of knowledge bases aimed at improving system adaptivity. Researches of theoretical insights into the issue of NL description as well as researches of existing software text generation facilities were performed. Assessment of considered methods was performed and choice of these methods was grounded taking into account their applicability to solving the matter of text generation. On the basis of the research results the most appropriate theory of language formal description was chosen. Main disadvantages of the selected theory were defined for developing applicable software systems of scientific text generation. With a help of statistical analysis methods and instruments of artificial intelligence and algorithm of solving theory scientific problems in the context of forming question-and-answer system of automatic text synthesis.
REGIONAL SST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND ASSIMILATION WITHIN THE MEDITERRANEAN FORECASTING SYSTEM

A regional Sea Surface Temperature product covering the Mediterranean Sea and the western Atlantic Ocean at 1/16° spatial resolution has been developed and is operationally produced and distributed in nearreal time in the framework of the MFSTEP (Mediterranean Forecasting System Toward an Environmental Prediction) project. The MFS processing chain is described here. It includes several steps, from the cloud detection and removal, to the images compositing and merging of CNR-ISAC and CMS datasets. Night time maps of SST for each day are interpolated on the model domain through statistical methods and then assimilated in the MFS General Circulation Model. The data assimilation techniques and their impact on the modelling tasks are also briefly discussed.
Characterization of anti-oxidative effects of Mori Cortex Radicis

We tested to determine if Mori Cortex Radicis extract has antioxidant activities and its potential mechanism of action was explored. Anti-oxidative effects were tested by measuring free radical and nitric Oxide (NO) scavenging activity, and reducing power. Since iNOS and COX-2 are important enzymes responsible for the production of free radicals in the cell, Mori Cortex Radicis extract was tested as to whether it could inhibit iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS stimulated Raw cells. 70% methanolic extract of Mori Cortex Radicis exerted significant DPPH free radical and NO scavenging activities. In addition, the Mori Cortex Radicis extract exerted dramatic reducing power with maximal activity observed at 1 mg/ml (11-fold over control). Production of iNOS induced by LPS was significantly inhibited by the Mori Cortex Radicis extract, suggesting it could inhibit NO production by suppressing iNOS expression. COX-2 induced by LPS was also significantly inhibited by the Mori Cortex Radicis extract. The extract contains well known antioxidant components including phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanin at the concentration of 0.23 mg/g, 42.97 mg/g and 12.08 mg/g, respectively. These results suggest that 70% methanolic extract of Mori Cortex Radicis exerts significant anti-oxidant activity via inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 induction.
Extinction-prone attributes of terrestrial mammals in China

We collected data on four basic traits of 367 terrestrial mammal species in China: body size, fecundity, use and endangered status. Using randomization test and regression analyses, we examine whether: (1) threatened species are randomly distributed among families. If not, which families contain more or less threatened species than would be expected by chance? What is the relationship between threatened proportion and exploitation among taxa? (2) threatened species are randomly distributed with respect to body size and fecundity. What do the relationships between proportion of threatened species and body size/fecundity look like? Has exploitation generated important effects on the threatened pattern? Results show that threatened species are not randomly distributed among families. Felidae, Bovidae and Cercopithecidae contain more threatened species than expected, while Muridae and Soricidae contain significantly fewer threatened species than expected. Proportion of threatened species in families is positively correlated with the proportion of exploited species. Threatened species also are not randomly distributed with respect to fecundity or body size. Once phylogeny has been statistically controlled, threatened status is positively associated with increases in body size and decreases in fecundity. In multivariate stepwise regressions, only body size is a predictor of threatened status. Average body size of species within taxa is positively correlated with the proportion of exploited species. These results suggest that overexploitation has a great effect on the threatened patterns of mammals in China.
PCR-RFLP and genetic diversity in Anopheles coluzzii populations in Benin (West Africa)

Knowledge of the genetic diversity of species is necessary to better develop programs for the management of living resources. Molecular polymorphism in Anopheles coluzzii is of interest in that the gene pool certainly offers its populations the possibility of colonizing extremely different environments in Africa and elsewhere. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the spectacular adaptation observed in this vector, it is imperative to have a perfect mastery of the biology and ecology of these organisms and to identify the genetics of its populations. To this end, several methodological and analytical approaches have been used using the Kdr gene. They were completed by the study of molecular diversity using PCR-RFLP of intron 1 and exon 32-33 of the same marker. Populations of this species showed a heterozygous deficiency. Enzyme digestion revealed monomorphism even though some cases of diversity were observed.
Investigating ‘ Aspect ’ in NMT and SMT

One of the important differences between English and French grammar is related to how their verbal systems handle aspectual information. While the English simple past tense is aspectually neutral, the French and Spanish past tenses are linked with a particular imperfective/perfective aspect. This study examines what Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) and Neural Machine Translation (NMT) learn about ‘aspect’ and how this is reflected in the translations they produce. We use their main knowledge sources, phrase-tables (SMT) and encoding vectors (NMT), to examine what kind of aspectual information they encode. Furthermore, we examine whether this encoded ‘knowledge’ is actually transferred during decoding and thus reflected in the actual translations. Our study is based on the translations of the English simple past and present perfect tenses into French and Spanish imperfective and perfective past tenses. We examine the interaction between the lexical aspect of English simple past verbs and the grammatical aspect expressed by the tense in the French/Spanish translations. It results that SMT phrase-tables contain information about the basic lexical aspect of verbs. Although lexical aspect is often closely related to the grammatical aspect expressed by the French and Spanish tenses, for some verbs (mainly atelic dynamic verbs) more contextual information is required in order to select an appropriate tense. The SMT n-grams provide insufficient context to grasp other aspectual factors included in the sentence to consistently select the tense with the appropriate aspectual value. On the other hand, the encoding vectors produced by our NMT system do contain information about the entire sentence. An analysis based on the English NMT encoding vectors shows that a logistic regression model can obtain an accuracy of 90% when trying to predict the correct tense based on the encoding vectors. However, these positive results are not entirely reflected in the actual translations, i.e. part of the aspectual information is lost during decoding.
Sub-lethal predatory shell damage does not affect physiology under high CO2 in the intertidal gastropod Tritia reticulata

Ocean acidification (OA) poses a major threat to marine animals, especially marine shelled invertebrates such as molluscs. Although many organisms are capable of compensating for the effects of OA, this can impose physiological costs and impact performance (e.g. through increased metabolism and decreased growth). Sublethal injuries on shells may provoke changes in energy allocation. Under acidified conditions, organisms would spend less energy on reproduction and somatic growth to repair the damage. Therefore, we analysed the physiological responses of the intertidal gastropod Tritia reticulata during shell regeneration under OA conditions. We simulated a sub-lethal predation event (a notch in the outer lip of the shell) and individuals were exposed to control (pH 8.08) and low pH scenarios (pH 7.88 and 7.65). After two months exposure, all individuals showed shell repair, with a full repair rate observed in 75% of individuals. Contrary to expectations, shell repair following sub-lethal damage and OA had no apparent impact on physiological state in terms of energy reserves (as measured by whole-animal Carbon/Nitrogen) or growth potential (as measured by whole-animal RNA:Protein and RNA:DNA ratios). As an intertidal organism, T. reticulata could be resilient to future global environmental change because of compensatory mechanisms that are inherent in intertidal animals, and may represent a robust species with which to study future scenarios of OA in temperate coastal ecosystems. However, unrestricted food availability during experiment could have played a role in the results and therefore food limitation should be considered in future studies regarding shell repair and metabolism under the effects of OA.
Risk Evaluation on the Impact of Deer Overabundance Consisting with Global Worming and Natural Park Management Policy, A Case

We analyzed spatial model on sika deer (Cervus nippon) habitat selection and their distribution as well as the future risks for the forest ecosystem aiming to evaluate the influence of global warming and park management system in Pacific climate zone in Japan. We chose a local deer population on the Tanzawa Mountains. , Central Japan where is less snow and employs typical natural park management system. The area has thereby suffered serious forest degradation due to deer overabundance earlier than other areas. In first part, we summarized the causes of deer overabundance with the ecological viewpoints. Second part consists of a GIS macro-scale analysis on the limiting factor of current deer distribution and the habitat selection of recent deer populations with special reference to terrain future and park management system. Regression analysis showed urban area was limiting factors of current deer distribution and such factors as slope angle, intensity of solar radiation and the presence of hunting area among well-explained deer density. These findings showed good agreements with the current spatial distribution of deer impact on the mountains. Final parts provided discussions on the future risk of deer overabundance consisting with warmer future and sustaining current natural park management policy. Thus we concluded that the risk of deer overabundance will be worsening and expanding without the bold reforms of natural park management policy and hunting system.
Dual Image Encryption Technique Using Pixel Shuﬄing Algorithm and Bitwise operations for Colour images

The rapid adoption of Cloud in various domains like Education, Science, Engineering, Marketing and Business, face issues when it comes to Medical and Health-care industry adopting the Cloud. The Compliance and Security of Medical images and Conﬁdential images needs to be secured using suitable approaches so that the image conﬁdentiality is not sacriﬁced at any instance. The Image encryption aims at achieving ideal NPCR and Entropy values when comparing with the original image, the encryption should be loss-less and identical to original image. The approach towards securing the image can be preserved through modiﬁed Fisher Yates Pixel-shuﬄing algorithm which distorts the structure of the image and increasing the randomness using Binary Transformation further. The prototype was evaluated and the average Entropy was observed to be 7.76 and NPCR was 100% which produces better results in terms of NPCR and compartitively similar for Entropy to that of the other methods.
Quality of the Surface Texture and Mechanical Properties of FDM Printed Samples after Thermal and Chemical Treatment

Quality of the Surface Texture and Mechanical Properties of FDM Printed Samples after Thermal and Chemical Treatment Kozior, T. – Mamun, A. – Trabelsi, M. – Sabantina, L. – Ehrmann, A. Tomasz Kozior1 – Al Mamun2 – Marah Trabelsi2,3 – Lilia Sabantina2 – Andrea Ehrmann2,* 1 Kielce University of Technology, Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Poland 2 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Germany 3 National School of Engineers of Sfax, Tunisia
Joint European Research Infrastructure network for Coastal Observatory – Novel European eXpertise for coastal observaTories-JERICO-NEXT

The coastal area is the most productive and dynamic environment of the world ocean with significant resources and services for mankind. JERICO-NEXT (33 organizations from 15 countries) emphasizes that the complexity of the coastal ocean cannot be well understood if interconnection between physics, biogeochemistry and biology is not guaranteed. Such an integration requires new technological developments allowing continuous monitoring of a larger set of parameters.
Assessment of occurrence of metabolic syndrome among post-menopausal women

Background: Metabolic syndrome is described by the clustering of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, Insulin resistance, and high fasting plasma glucose. Objective of this study was to determine the frequency and evaluate the components of metabolic syndrome in post-menopausal women. Methods: This Descriptive study was conducted in OPD as well as IPD of Department of Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical college Hospital and Research Centre, Tumkur After obtaining written informed consent. Period of study was 24 months. Purposive sampling was used. Results: Mean age of post-menopausal women was 54.19±8.454 years. Mean age of menopause was 45.41±2.428. Majority of patients between were between 45-50 years (33.7%). There were high number of women (34.6%) whose postmenopausal duration ranged between 6-10 years. In our study 10(9.6%) postmenopausal women had type 2 DM and 15(14.4%) postmenopausal women had HTN. Metabolic syndrome was present in 65(62.5%) postmenopausal women and absent in 39(37.5%) postmenopausal women. Waist circumference >80 cm (68.3) was the most prevalent component of metabolic syndrome followed by HDL 130/80 mmHg (51%) triglycerides >150 mg/dl (44.2%)/ and FBS>100 mg/dl (39.4%). There was statistical significance observed between the components of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in our study. The components of metabolic syndrome such as waist circumference, FBS, blood pressure, triglycerides were significantly raised and HDL levels were significantly reduced in post-menopausal women with metabolic syndrome.