Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Video Denoising Based on Adaptive Thresholding and Clustering

In this paper we propose a novel video denoising method based on adaptive thresholding and -means clustering. In the proposed method the adaptive thresholding is applied rather than the conventional hard-thresholding of the VBM3D method. The adaptive thresholding has a high ability to adapt and change according to the amount of noise. More specifically, hard-thresholding is applied on the higher noise areas while soft-thresholding is applied on the lower noise areas. Consequently, we can successfully remove the noise effectively and at the same time preserve the edges of the image, because the clustering approach saves more computation time and is more capable of finding relevant patches than the block-matching approach. So, the -means clustering method in the final estimate in this paper is adopted instead of the block-matching method in the VBM3D method in order to restrict the search of the candidate patches within the region of the reference patch and therefore improve the grouping. Experimental results emphasize the superiority of the new method over the reference methods in terms of visual quality, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and Image Enhancement Factor (IEF). Execution time of the proposed algorithm consumes less time in denoising than that in the VBM3D algorithm.
EFFECT OF APPLICATION OF JASMONIC ACID ON RESISTANCE IN TOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum, syn. Lycopersicon lycopersicum) INFECTED WITH ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne incognita)

The present investigation was carried out with objectives such as (a) to evaluate in-vitro mortality of root-knot nematode using different phenolic acids, (b) to study the effect of jasmonic acid as foliar spray on development and multiplication of root-knot nematodes and plant growth parameters of susceptible and resistant tomato plants, and (c) to study the change in the levels of jasmonic acid after root-knot nematode infection in susceptible and resistant tomato plants. Accordingly, in-vitro analysis of five phenolic acids viz., 2-hydroxy benzoic acid (Salicylic acid), ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, 2hydroxy cinnamic acid and jasmonic acid on mortality of second stage juveniles (J2s) of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) at 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 μg/ml concentration exposed for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were tested. The results showed that out of five chemicals two were found more effective than others percent mortality of J2s were to the tune of 57.42-78.14% and 55.14-63.63% for 24-96 h exposure for 2-hydroxy cinnamic acid and jasmonic acid respectively at 62.5 to 500 μg/ml concentrations. Further, the LC50 for these two chemicals ranged from 821-260 and 777-432 mg/L suggesting there positive effect on mortality of root-knot nematode J2s. Whereas, the other three chemicals i.e. 2-hydroxy benzoic acid (Salicylic acid), ferulic acid, pcoumaric acid proved ineffective with non-significant LC50 values. Studies on in-vivo effects of Jasmonic acid as foliar spray at 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml including systemic nematicide carbofuran @ 1 kg a.i/ha as soil application, inoculated and un-inoculated controls revealed that with respect to plant growth parameters like shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight, initially (7 days of inoculation) there was phytotoxic effect on both susceptible (Pusa Ruby) and resistant (Hisar Lalit) cultivars. Further, growth was recovered at later stages and plant growth increased significantly at 14 and 30 DAI. Nematode penetration, root galling, final population build up reduced significantly in susceptible cultivar (Pusa Ruby). Interestingly, there was root galling, population build-up in resistant cultivar (Hisar Lalit), which can be correlated with the cross talk between Salicylic acid and Jasmonic acid. Percentage changes in the amount of JA recovered was more pronounced in susceptible cultivar than in resistant ones and more in shoots than in roots.
Ultrastructural evidence of amyloid β-induced autophagy in PC12 cells

Herein we demonstrate that PC12 cells overexpress human amyloid beta precursor protein bearing double Swedish mutation(AbetaPPsw), showing the phenotype characteristic for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Examination of cells at ultrastructural level revealed the intracellular presence of peptide aggregates. Furthermore, autophagy induction was found to be a hallmark of amyloid beta-induced cytotoxicity. Importantly, autophagic vacuoles were co-localized within amyloid beta (Abeta) deposits. This suggests the involvement of autophagy in amyloid beta-elicited cell degeneration.
CIRCULATING TUMOR CELLS IN RECTAL CANCER PATIENTS – A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Rectal cancer treatment has been continuously improving in the past decades and research has rightly been directed for this purpose, because this is a major public health issue. On the other hand, circulating tumor cells have emerged in the past two decades as an important element in oncology, because of the large potential they offer. They have been studied mostly in breast cancer and have already been implemented as a tool in certain strategies in this field. Thus, circulating tumor cells in rectal cancer may have the same important applicability, with a wide range of usages, from screening to diagnostics, guidance of the treatment and even follow-up. This article aims to review the literature and exhibit data about the pathophysiology, utility and methods of identification of circulating tumor cells with focus on their link to rectal cancer.
Effect of Improved Management Practices on Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Wheat-maize Double Cropping System in North China

Carbon sequestration in cropland soils which could be achieved through improved management practices (IPMs) represents an important opportunity to offset a portion of greenhouse gas emissions. North China is the main wheat and maize production region where many IMPs have been widely used during the last several decades, but the effect size and duration of IMPs on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in wheat-maize double cropping system in this region is scarcely studied. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effect size and duration of four IMPs on SOC sequestration in wheat-maize double cropping system in north China. A total of 29 long-term experiments, consisting of 119 paired treatments were compiled in this analysis. The results indicated that the four IMPs of organic manure application (OM), organic manure combined with chemical fertilizer application (MF), straw return (SR) and reduced or no tillage (RNT) all had significant effects on SOC sequestration in the study area. On average, the IMPs of OM, MF, SR and RNT enhanced SOC density by 260, 328, 278 and 134 kg ha-1 yr-1, respectively. The effect duration of OM, MF, SR and RNT on SOC sequestration were about 48, 26, 22 and 18 years, respectively. Accumulation enhancements of SOC for OM, MF, SR and RNT over SOC sequestration period were about 34.7%, 36.1%, 22.0% and 12.7%, respectively. OM and MF could be the appropriate practices on SOC sequestration in wheat-maize double cropping system in the research area.
A STUDY ON ERP ASSIMILATION AND BENEFIT REALISATION BASED ON DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION THEORY

Along with the development of information technology, lots of companies implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems because ERP systems promise a lot of benefits. Although many companies have successfully implemented ERP systems, not all companies get the benefits of ERP system since ERP systems have not been able to diffuse in the routine of organization. This study examined the influence of organisational factor on enterprise resource planning (ERP) benefits realisation through ERP assimilation process. A conceptual model was developed based on the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. The developed model was tested using empirical data gathered from a questionnaire survey. Data processing was done using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the support of Lisrell 8.7 statistical software. The result of hypotheses testing shows that ERP assimilation significantly influences overall ERP benefit. Further, this study found that outcome orientation and communication process influence ERP assimilation process significantly.
A Diagnostic Appraisal of Sorghum Farming in Striga Endemic Areas of Eritrea

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench), the most important cereal crop in Eritrea, is grown in more than 210,000 ha annually but its productivity is hampered by many factors including: farmer perception, lack of appropriate varieties, undeveloped seed systems, drought stress and Striga infestation. This study was aimed at understanding the sorghum smallholder livelihoods, farming systems, Striga incidence and infestation levels, and types of varieties grown in Striga infested sorghum growing areas. A semi structured questionnaire and focused group discussions were used to gather information from a total of 136 randomly selected farmers from three Striga endemic sub-regions of Eritrea namely, Hamelmalo, Goluj, and Tesseney. The results indicated that the most important cereal crops in the study area were sorghum, pear millet, ground nut and sesame. The most important constraint to sorghum production was identified as drought stress followed by Striga infestation. The majority of the respondents (81.6%) reported that their sorghum was affected by Striga and the level of infestation varied from mild (10%) to severe (70% and above). Small-holder farmers also indicated that high grain yield, drought tolerance/resistance and Striga resistance were their most important criteria when selecting sorghum varieties. Up to 31 different landraces were listed as the most popular in the study area. The dominant source of seed for cultivation was the local varieties retained by farmers from previous harvests. The information documented from this study may be used in future as a basis for a participatory farmer-oriented sorghum breeding program.
An Ingham type proof for a two-grid observability theorem

Here, we prove the uniform observability of a two-grid method for the semi-discretization of the 1D-wave equation for a time $t>2\sqrt{2}$; this time, if the observation is made in $(-T/2,T/2)$, is optimal and this result improves an earlier work of Negreanu and Zuazua [C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. I 338 (2004) 413–418]. Our proof follows an Ingham type approach.
A Poisson-Fault Model for Testing Power Transformers in Service

This paper presents a method for assessing the instant failure rate of a power transformer under different working conditions. The method can be applied to a dataset of a power transformer under periodic inspections and maintenance. We use a Poisson-fault model to describe failures of a power transformer. When investigating a Bayes estimate of the instant failure rate under the model, we find that complexities of a classical method and a Monte Carlo simulation are unacceptable. Through establishing a new filtered estimate of Poisson process observations, we propose a quick algorithm of the Bayes estimate of the instant failure rate. The proposed algorithm is tested by simulation datasets of a power transformer. For these datasets, the proposed estimators of parameters of the model have better performance than other estimators. The simulation results reveal the suggested algorithms are quickest among three candidates.
Software Development for Transitions of Graphs from Discrete State into the Continuous State

Manifolds are suitable differentiable mathematical objects for information to be defined on. By their very definition they are non-Euclidean in the global view but in local scales they resemble Euclidean spaces. This property provides that the contemporary information models can also be defined within the previsioned new models of information models. One of the most basic representations of information is through graphs. They are discrete and highly computable mathematical objects. In this research, the main aim is to investigate methods of embedding this simple piece of information onto manifolds. This research shows that the very fundamental data structures of computer science can be transformed into the continuous spaces and wide area of applications can be engineered such as pattern recognition or anomaly detection. The visualizations of the inspected methods are the evidence of that the graph data can carry new characteristics other than classical properties of graphs such as c urvature, locality or multi-dimensionality.
Neuroprotective Effect against Cerebral Ischemia of Passiflora foetida

Problem statement: Although cerebral ischemia induced by stroke has been regarded as the important problem worldwide, the therapeutic efficacy is still inadequate. Since the free radicals are implicated in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia, the prophylactic protection against stroke with neuroprotective agent possessing antioxidant effect has gained much attention. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether the alcoholic extract of Passiflora foeida, a plant possessing antioxidant activity, could protect against brain damage and impairment in the cerebral ischemia induced by the occlusion of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO). Approach: Male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 g, were orally given the extract once daily at doses of 25, 100 and 400 mg kg-1 BW at a period of 2 weeks before and 3 weeks after the occlusion of right Middle Cerebral Artery (MCAO). The animals were assessed the cerebral infarction volume at 24 h after occlusion while the neurological score and % of foot withdrawal reflex in respond to mechanical stimuli were performed after single dose and every 7 days throughout the experimental period. Results: Rats subjected to P.foetida at dose of 25 mg kg-1 BW significantly decreased brain infarct volume both in cortical and sub cortical structures. The increasing doses further to 100 and 400 mg kg-1 BW could produce the significant reduction only in cerebral cortex. In addition, it was found that the plant extract could enhance neurological score and improved sensory response to both mechanical and temperature stimuli. Conclusion: The current study clearly demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of P.foetida. Therefore P.foetida may provide the advantage as functional food to protect against cerebral ischemia induced by stroke. However, further researches about possible active ingredient and the precise underlying mechanism are still necessary.
The Real-Option Value Contained in Consumers' Initial Purchase

In this paper, we propose a model to evaluate the real options embedded in consumers’ initial purchase. Due to high uncertainty of perceived value for initially-purchased products, the real-option values contained in those products would be substantial, and thus should be considered. We fairly value the two real options about consumers’ initial purchase, i.e., the repeat-purchase call option and the Money-Back Guarantee put option. The mutually exclusive relationship between the two options leads to an interesting valuation issue. When applied to products involving two types of risks, i.e., valuation risk and breakage risk, mutual exclusion of the aforementioned two options makes model calibration rather challenging. The model expresses how these real options can create added-value for consumers and their interaction effects. In addition to model derivation, this study also conducts numerical analysis to illustrate effects of several factors on the options value. The research can broaden the understanding of consumers’ perceived value for initial purchases, and thereby can help management to improve product-pricing decision making, especially in the case of developing a new product or a new market.
SPORTS LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT INSTITUTE OF SPORTS TEACHER EDUCATION

Aim. This research was about sports leadership practices in physical education at institute of sports teacher education (ISTE) which had demonstrated success in the area of physical education (P.E). The overall research goal was to examine to what extent and how leadership-related practices impacted sports leadership practices in physical education at ISTE. A case study approach was used to explore four key sports leadership-related practices (supervision, curriculum, professional development, and knowledgeable leaders) and their impact based on P.E instructional strategies. The study participants included two leaders and fourteen lecturers from a single ISTE located in Perlis. To collect and analyze opinions of leader and lecturer behaviors, sixteen interviews were conducted. Qualitative coding techniques were used to develop common themes/ categories of information. Conclusion. Analysis of the data provided two dominant categories that lecturer participants viewed as significant factors in her or his ability to successfully teach P.E and the influence of sports leadership practices and the impact of P.E instructional strategies. Overall, this study supports previous research on this topic in that if a coherent P.E framework is supported through the leaders’ supervision; its foundation is a comprehensive curriculum; and the leaders, as well as lecturers, become knowledgeable of the framework through P.E professional development, then classroom instruction will be influenced and students will experience quality of P.E instruction. The findings from this study further add to the literature based by providing a deeper understanding of how leaders can impact P.E instruction.
Issues Raised by the Impact of Tax Reforms and Regional Devolution on Health-Care Financing in Spain, 1996–2002

The authors aim to describe and discuss the likely effects of three recent policy measures related to the financing of the Spanish National Health System which have been introduced over the period 1996–2002 under the conservative Popular Party government. First, tax incentives for private health insurance were introduced with the 1999 income tax reform. Second, in 2002 the devolution of health-services management to regional governments was completed along with reform of the regional mechanism of allocation of public funds (intergovernmental grants, tax revenues, and fiscal accountability). Third, earmarked indirect taxes were introduced in 2002 as a source of additional revenues devoted to public-health financing.
Optimization of Loss Minimization Using FACTS in Deregulated Power Systems

Losses are an important parameter of consideration for mitigation and thereby enhancing the Available Transfer Capability of Power Systems. Loss mitigation is a two stage process the first stage is the Planning phase and the second stage is the Operational phase. The paper discusses briefly the Planning phase activities. The various methods of mitigating the losses in the Operational phase have been presented in the paper with emphasis on one technique the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System devices. The Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System Devices are the latest power electronics devices by which losses can be reduced and transfer capability enhanced. Thyristor Control Series Compensator is used to reduce losses. The method is tested on IEEE 9 bus, 14 Bus and 30 bus systems and validated. Results have been presented and analyzed in this paper. Keywords: Available Transfer Capability, B- Loss Coefficients, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems, Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator.
Tourism and hospitality education : The panacea for sustainable tourism development in the Maldives?

The concept of sustainable tourism has been advocated as a means of maximising tourism’s benefits while minimising some of the negative impacts associated with tourism development. Education is crucial in responding to the broader issues within tourism development that affect the wider society (Lewis, 2006). However, in many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the focus of sustainable tourism development usually only extends to tourism policy, planning and infrastructural development, and in many cases, tourism and hospitality education is either ignored or is not given sufficient emphasis at the policy level. The extent to which education is incorporated at the tourism policy and planning stage could be crucial in achieving sustainable development outcomes, as well as improving the overall human development status of many SIDS. This paper explores the development of tourism and hospitality education in the Maldives highlighting the sustainable development issues facing the educators, government, the tourism industry, and local residents.
EVALUATION OF BANANA (MUSA SP. VAR. NANJANGUD RASA BALE) FLOWER AND PSEUDOSTEM EXTRACTS ON ANTIMICROBIAL, CYTOTOXICITY AND THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The present study is centered on potential utilization of banana flower (FB) and pseudostem (PB), as a source of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic contributor, which otherwise is discarded as waste or burnt. Methods: FB and PB, the by-products of banana cultivation were extracted sequentially using various solvents viz . , ether: chloroform (1:1), ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol and water. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against six bacterial strains using standard disc diffusion method and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed by microdilution method. Further to validate the safe consumption, extracts were assessed for toxicity evaluation in cell culture against 3T3-L1 cell line (obtained from adipose tissues) using MTT assay. Also, the thrombolytic activity was performed by clot disruption method. Results: Phytochemical analysis demonstrated that FB and PB were a rich source of polyphenols (saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins), cardiac glycosides and steroids. Extracts possessed antimicrobial activities against all the microorganisms tested, with MIC values in the range between 1.2 to 2.5 mg/ml. The investigation on thrombolytic activity by the aqueous extracts of FB (18%) and PB (13%) expressed a significant percentage of clot lysis with reference to Streptokinase (64%). Also, all the extracts of FB and PB exhibited no cytotoxic effect against 3T3L1 cell line. Conclusion: The present work demonstrates the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activities of FB and PB extracts. The activities exhibited could be the basis for their alleged health promoting abilities and serve as new source of natural nutraceutical with potential applications.
Citizen participation in policy and planning processes : the case of Qacha's Nek, Lesotho

This article focuses on a study that explored citizen participation in the planning and policy processes in Lesotho with specific reference to Qacha's Nek. Qacha's Nek is one of the districts classified as a remote mountain area of Lesotho and is characterised by a low population density, and in most cases, can be viewed as predominantly rural with a need to develop and focus on policy development and planning. In Lesotho, citizen participation has been encouraged by the different governments since the era of Moshoeshoe in 1824. Since then, Lesotho has gone through many changes and different styles of government until local government was formally established in 2005. Since 2005, one of the main objectives of local government is to promote citizens' participation in decision-making, planning and the implementation of developmental programmes. This article supports the theoretical framework that citizen participation in policy and planning processes is important, since it is through citizen participation that government may be rendered accountable and responsive to the needs of the local community. To determine the current level of citizen participation in Qacha's Nek, interviews were conducted. The research found that, although citizen participation is currently taking place, it is limited and mostly undertaken by the community to get a reward. Although the main purpose of this article was to determine the level of citizen participation in Qacha's Nek, it also aims to make recommendations to improve citizen participation that could be relevant and beneficial to any community.