Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breeding for Tolerance to Heat Stress and on Changing Environment: A Case Study on Potato

Potato crop is the fourth leading food crops in the world after maize, rice, and wheat. It is characterized by specific temperature requirements and develops best at about 20°C. Temperature is one of the essential uncontrollable factors affecting crop yield and heat stress has become a serious concern in many areas of the world. As most commercial potato cultivars are developed in temperate regions, therefore producing the greatest yield under long photoperiods and high temperatures is a serious problem. Thus our need increases for developing potato germplasm that can tolerate these adverse conditions. However, the development of new methodology, such as association genetics in conjunction with marker-assisted selection, offers promise that stresstolerant germplasm can be developed as our need increases.
Deviation from Purchasing Power Parity: Evidence from Malaysia, 1973–1997

This paper presents an empirical test of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) applied to the Malaysia ringgit for the period from 1973 (CPI) and 1984 (WPI) to 1997. Consistent with other research findings, it is detected that real exchange rate follows a random walk. Using multivariate cointegration methodology for the long-run relationship between real exchange rate and certain macro-economic variables, the study provides evidence supporting a long-run relationship between the real exchange rate and the current account balance and government spending, the last two variables have been not included in previous studies of this economy. The causality test between real exchange rate with the current account balance and government spending, however, does not receive support from the error-correction model. This suggests that both government spending and current account balance are not adequate to explain the changes in ringgit real exchange rate.
An Examination of Two Dimensions of Physician Perceived Value on Physician Satisfaction in the Yemeni Pharmaceutical Industry

This paper explores the relationship between dimensions of perceived value by the physician and his level of satisfaction in the pharmaceutical industry in Yemen. The two dimensions of customer perceived value, namely, perceived quality (PQ) and perceived sacrifices (PS) are considered critical antecedents to physician satisfaction. Marketing researchers generally study two dimensions of perceived value, especially in the service sector: PQ and perceived sacrifice. However, the literature lacks studies on the two dimensions together, customer perceived value (CPV) (Li & Green, 2011), and influence on customer satisfaction (CS). In this quantitative research, a survey of 170 physicians in Yemen was analyzed using the software SPSS version 19 adopting statistical techniques. The research results indicated the three hypothesized significant positive relationships between perceived value dimensions and physician satisfaction. However, PQ explained more of the variance in physician satisfaction than the perceived sacrifice. The empirical study and the results provided an evidence for managers that the critical influence of the dimension perceived values by the physician on his level of satisfaction in the pharmaceutical industry is important.
Tunable multiwavelength narrow linewidth Brillouin erbium fiber laser based on Rayleigh backscattering

A Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) assisted Brillouin erbium fiber laser scheme with multiwavelength narrow linewidth output is proposed and investigated experimentally. The stimulated Brillouin scattering and RBS take place at two conventional single-mode fibers (SMFs), respectively. RBS is used as a mechanism to compress the linewidth of each Stokes component, and it has been realized and maximized in conventional SMF by optimizing injection power of Stokes light through adjusting variable optical attenuator (VOA). By adjusting VOA attenuation, the laser can obtain three wavelengths output with 3 dB linewidth less than 2 KHz for each wavelength, or six wavelengths output with 3 dB linewidth less than 5 KHz.
Estimation of Combining Ability and Gene Action for Improvement Drought Tolerance in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using GGE Biplot Techniques

Study of combining ability and gene action for drought tolerance in wheat were carried out using Genotype-by-Environment (GGE) biplot techniques. Eight-parental diallel crosses, excluding reciprocals, were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications under two different water regimes (irrigated and rainfed) in the Agricultural Research Institute of Sararood, Kermanshah, Iran. Significant differences were found for yield potential (Yp), stress yield (Ys), stress tolerance index (STI), water use efficiency (WUE) and evapotranspiration efficiency (ETE). GGE biplot analysis showed that the parent A, A, A and B were the best general combiners with two additive genes (A1 and A2), for improvement of Y, STI, WUE and ETE under drought conditions, respectively. Parents A and C also exhibited positive GCA for all the studied traits. The crosses (A, D and H) × (C, E, F and G), (A, C and F) × (B, E, H and G), (A, C and E) × (B, G, H and F) and (A, C, G and D) × (F, B, E and H) for Y, STI, WUE and ETE were identified as heterotic groups with different dominant tolerance genes (D1 and D2), respectively. The polygon view of the biplot indicated that combining of A × G and A × C produced the best drought tolerance hybrids for all the traits through integrated the four tolerance genes (A1, A2, D1, and D2).
Improvement of Channel Estimation in MIMO-OFDM Using Improved LS Algorithm on Multipath Channels

In high capacity systems, as the bit transmission rate increases, Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) caused by the multi-path channel reduces the system efficiency. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique acts very well against this phenomenon. Moreover, an accurate estimation of the communication channel coefficients improves the performance of communication systems effectively. In this paper, for Multiple Input Multiple output(MIMO) systems using OFDM technique that is based on the least Squares (LS) algorithm, an improved channel estimation algorithm is presented. Accordingly, investigating the channel estimation method, we can design optimum training courses for these systems based on LS algorithm. Simulation shows the efficiency of suggested LS algorithm. We also provided the results of the communication channel estimation.
Growth and population dynamics of Posidonia oceanica on the Spanish Mediterranean coast:elucidating seagrass decline

The growth and population dynamics of Posidonia oceanica were examined in 29 meadows along 1000 km of the Spanish Mediterranean coast (from 36"46' to 42"22' N). oceanica developed the densest meadows (1141 shoots m-') and the highest aboveground biomass (1400 g DW m") between 38 and 39"N. P. oceanica shoots produced, on average, 1 leaf every 47 d , though leaf formation rates in the populations increased from north to south (range 5 7 to 8 .9 leaves shoot-' yr-'). P oceanica is a long-living seagrass, with shoots able to live for at least 30 yr P, oceanica recruited shoots at low rates (0.02 to 0.5 In units yr-l) which did not balance the mortality rates (0.06 to 0.5 In unlts yr.') found in most (57 %) of the meadows. If the present disturbance and rate of decline are maintained, shoot density is predicted to decline by 50% over the coming 2 to 24 yr. Because P. oceanica rhizomes grow very slowly (1 to 6 cm yr-' apex-'), maintenance of existing meadows is essential, and our results suggest bad future prospects for P. oceanica in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea like most other seagrass species in the world oceans.
Music as Sound: A Dynamic and Experiential Approach to Real-Time Musical Sense-Making

Music has been studied traditionally in logocentric terms, using a propositional and disembodied approach to musical sense-making. This takes a discrete-symbolic stance that proceeds outside of the time of unfolding. Recently there has been a paradigm shift in music research that argues for a dynamic and experiential approach to musical meaning, taking account also of the richness of full perception. This entails a transition from a structural approach of music to a process-like description of the music as it unfolds overtime. Music, in this view, is not merely an artefact, but a vibrational phenomenon that impinges upon the body and the mind. Musical sense-making, accordingly, must be studied from analog-continuous point of view in a realtime listening situation. Central in this view is the concept of interactions between the listeners and the music, either at a physical or epistemic level of dealing with the sounds. The former are continuous in their unfolding, the latter are discrete to the extent that they reduce the continuous unfolding to successive assignments in a time-series. It is a major aim of this contribution to bypass this dichotomy by defining real-time musical sensemaking as a combination of the continuous and discrete approach.
DYNAMICS OF SINGLE SEMIFLEXIBLE FILAMENTS IN A VISCOUS FLUID BY HARISHANKAR MANIKANTAN THESIS

Numerous cellular functions rely on semiflexible filaments as structural elements (F-actin, microtubules), locomotive organs (flagella, cilia) or carriers of information (DNA). Flexible and semiflexible polymers are also commonly encountered in technological applications, specifically in chemical engineering and materials sciences. A thorough description of the physics involved can be achieved only through a detailed modeling and understanding of their mechanical properties and dynamics. With recent advances in nanofabrication techniques and experimental capabilities using microfluidic devices, there has been a renewed interest in the dynamics of semiflexible polymers. In this work, we present a detailed and efficient simulation method for solutions of short single semiflexible polymers using slender body theory in Stokes flow. An algorithm is developed that takes into account the inextensibility and elasticity of the filament, and accounts for hydrodynamic as well as Brownian forces. This is tested against theoretically known and experimentally verified equilibrium properties and scaling laws. We then focus on flow fields commonly observed in microfluidic devices, particularly the dynamics of bio-polymers in linear shear flows and near hyperbolic stagnation points. In linear shear flow, Brownian fluctuations dislodge the filament from an otherwise stable axis resulting in a characteristic tumbling motion. A sub-linear growth of tumbling frequency with shear rate is obtained that matches with experimental observations. Also, interesting non-linear behavior of the filament shape is observed in the case of hyperbolic flow geometries that are prevalent in microfluidic devices used to separate, observe and manipulate single macromolecules. Thermal fluctuations are suppressed by the flow when the filament is aligned with the extensional axis, and this suppression is shown to
Antioxidant Properties of Individual vs. Combined Extracts of Rosemary Leaves and Oak Fruit

The aim followed in the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of individual vs. combined extracts of rosemary leaves and oak fruit to detect the possible interactions in their antioxidant activity following combination and in order to find a way to use oak fruit natural antioxidants as an available massive source in Iran. Towards this end, methanolic extracts of rosemary and oak fruit were prepared and antioxidant activity of individual vs. combined extracts evaluated through 2, 2-Di Phenyl-1-Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAOC), reducing power assays as well as peroxide value measurement in soybean oil. Rosemary extract revealed a significantly (P< 0.05) higher antioxidant activity than the extract of oak and than the synthetic antioxidant [butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)] taken as standard. In combined samples, all the three kinds of interactions were observed namely: as additive effect at 50 and 150 µg ml -1 in DPPH assay, synergistic effect at 150 and 200 µg ml -1 in total antioxidant capacity assay and antagonistic effect in the process of peroxide value measurement in soybean oil. In the peroxide value measurement assay, antioxidant activity of the combined extract was significantly (P< 0.05) higher than those of the individual extracts and that of BHT. Thus, the combined extracts of oak and rosemary can be used as natural sources’ to replace such synthetic antioxidants as BHT to either alleviate or prevent the oxidation process in vegetable oils.
How trustable are West African mutual savings and loan institutions?: an application of the PASMEC databank

Based on data for six countries within the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in 1997. Develops a method for the development of a "trust index" to assess the amount of risk a prospective member is facing when joining a mutual savings and loan institution. Describes the characteristics of mutual savings and loan institutions in the region and proposes improvements in the collection of more accurate statistical data.
Constraints on N 2 O budget changes since pre-industrial time from new firn air and ice core isotope measurements

A historical record of changes in the N2O isotope composition is important for a better understanding of the global N2O atmospheric budget. Here we have combined measurements of trapped gases in the firn and in ice cores of one Arctic site (North GReenland Ice core Project - NGRIP) and one Antarctic site (Berkner Island). We have performed measurements of the 18O and position dependent 15N isotopic composition of N2O. By comparing these data to simulations carried out with a firn air diffusion model, we have reconstructed the temporal evolution of the N2O isotope signatures since pre-industrial times. The decrease observed for all signatures is consistent from one pole to the other. Results obtained from the air occluded in the ice suggest a decrease of about -2.8, -2.4, -3.2 and -1.6 for d15N, 1d15N, 2d15N and d18O, respectively, since 1700 AD. Firn air data imply a decrease of about -1.1, -1.2, -1.0 and -0.6 for d15N, 1d15N, 2d15N and d18O, respectively, since 1970 AD. These results imply consistent trends from firn and ice measurements for d15N and d18O. The trends for the intramolecular distribution of 15N are less well constrained than the bulk 15N trends because of the larger experimental error for the position dependent 15N measurements. The decrease in the heavy isotope content of atmospheric N2O can be explained by the increasing importance of agriculture for the present atmospheric N2O budget.
F eb 2 01 8 From Gauss Graphs to Giants

We identify the operators in N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory that correspond to 1 8 -BPS giant gravitons in AdS5×S. Our evidence for the identification comes from (1) counting these operators and showing agreement with independent counts of the number of giant graviton states, and (2) by demonstrating a correspondence between correlation functions of the super Yang-Mills operators and overlaps of the giant graviton wave functions. 1 robert@neo.phys.wits.ac. za 2 lwazi.nkumane@gmail.com
Explanation in variable phonology: An exponential model of morphological constraints

ABSTRACT Variationist treatments of phonological processes typically provide precise quantitative accounts of the effects of conditioning environmental factors on the occurrence of the process, and these effects have been shown to be robust for several well-studied processes. But comparable precision in theoretical explanation is usually elusive, at the current state of the discipline. That is, the analyst is usually unable to say why the parameters should have the particular values that they do, although one can often explain relative ordering of environments. This article attempts to give a precise explanation — in the form of a quantitative theoretical prediction — of one robust quantitative observation about English phonology. The reduction of final consonant clusters (often called -t,d deletion) is well-known to be conditioned by the morphological structure of a target word. Deletion applies more in monomorphemic words (e.g., mist) than in inflected words (e.g., missed). In the theory of lexical phonology, these classes of words are differentiated by derivational history, acquiring their final clusters at different levels of the morphology. The theory further postulates that rules may apply at more than one level of the derivation. If -t,d deletion is treated as a variable rule with a fixed rate of application (p0) in a phonology with this architecture, then higher rates of application in underived forms (where the final cluster is present underlyingly and throughout the derivation) are a consequence of multiple exposures to the deletion rule, whereas inflected forms (which only meet the structural description of the rule late in the derivation) have fewer exposures and lower cumulative deletion. This further allows a precise quantitative prediction concerning surface deletion rates in the different morphological categories. They should be related as an exponential function of p0, depending on the number of exposures to the rule. The prediction is empirically verified in a study of -t,d deletion in seven English speakers.
IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PIPER LONGUM L. AND FICUS RELIGIOSA AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI

In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of water and ethyl alcohal solvent extracts of leaves of Piper longum L and F. religiosa against E. coli isolated from tap water by using disk diffusion method. Aqueous and ethyl alcohol extract of F. religiosa showed antibacterial activity. It was observed that aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa was highly active against E. coli which showed 27mm diameter of zone of inhibition whereas aqueous extract of Piper longum was also active against E. coli with 17mm zone of inhibition while no activity was shown by ethyl alcohol extract. Test organism was resistant against most of the antibiotics whereas co-trimoxazole was highly active against E. coli with 27mm zone of inhibition. Life Sciences
The 1640 Great Code: an Inner Asian parallel to the Treaty of Westphalia

Two recent studies, Johan Elverskog's Our Great Qing (2006) and David Sneath's The Headless State (2007), have made bold and fascinating contributions to overcoming the lingering legacy of representing and framing the pre-modern Inner Asian social and political order in terms of evolutionist, nationalist or nation-statist logics. Joining the cause and building on these works, yet critically examining them, this article argues that the late sixteenth and early seventeenth-century Mongolian political order was akin to that of the Holy Roman Empire and the 1640 Great Code was an Inner Asian parallel to the Treaty of Westphalia.
Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the hexane extract of Lacistema pubescens mart. leaves

Traditionally, leaves of Lacistema genus are used to combat rheumatism, vomiting, dysentery, body aches and as antipyretic. Due to the ethnopharmacological importance of this genus, the aims of this study were to investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the hexane extract from the leaves of L. pubescens (PHEX). Also, the total amount of flavonoids was determined and the chemical composition of the extract was analyzed. The antinociceptive effects were carried out using acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, formalin and tail flick tests and the anti-inflammatory effect was investigated employing the croton oil induced ear edema in mice. The total amount of flavonoids was determined by AlCl 3 reagent method. The composition of the extract was analyzed using TLC and GC/MS. PHEX significantly decreased the number of acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions being as potent than indomethacin used as reference drug. Also PHEX decreased the paw licking time in early (0 - 5 min) and late (15 - 30 min) phases of formalininduced nociception, similar to morphine. No effect was observed using tail flick test. PHEX showed a topical anti-inflammatory effect on croton oil induced ear edema similar to the anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, but when administered orally, no effect was observed. Besides the presence of triterpenes and sterols, phytochemical screening also showed the presence of flavonoids, which constituted 32.7 mg/g of PHEX. In conclusion, the findings support some of L. pubescens traditional uses involving anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, and also represent the first report on the chemical profile and biological activities of this specie.
Genetic population structures of the blue starfish Linckia laevigata and its gastropod ectoparasite Thyca crystallina

Comparative analyses of the genetic population structure of hosts and parasites can be useful to elucidate factors that influence dispersal, because common ecological and evolutionary processes can lead to congruent patterns. We studied the comparative genetic population structure based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene of the blue starfish Linckia laevigata and its gastropod ectoparasite Thyca crystallina in order to elucidate evolutionary processes in the Indo-Malay Archipelago. AMOVA revealed a low fixation index but significant genetic population structure (φST = 0.03) in L. laevigata, whereas T. crystallina showed panmixing (φST = 0.005). According to a hierarchical AMOVA, the populations of L. laevigata could be assigned to the following groups: (1) Eastern Indian Ocean, (2) central Indo-Malay Archipelago and (3) West- ern Pacific. This pattern of a genetic break in L. laevigata between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, con- gruent to studies on other marine species in the Indo-Malay Archipelago, is likely due to allopatry caused by Pliocene and Pleistocene glacial sea level low stands.
Features of the karyotypes of Pelophylax ridibundus Pallas, 1771 and Rana macrocnemis Boulenger, 1885 (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Armenia

hromosomal complements of Pelophylax ridibundus Pallas, 1771 from 9 localities (Northern, Central and South Armenia) and Rana macrocnemis Boulenger, 1885 from one locality (North-West Armenia) have been analyzed. The chromosome sets of P. ridibundus collected from 8 localities showed 2n=26, (10m+12sm+4st; NF=52). A secondary constriction has been observed in all studied individuals on the 10-th chromosome pair showing NOR-positive reaction. C-positive heterochromatin blocks have been observed on long arms of the 2-nd and 10-th pairs of chromosomes (7 localities). In addition, C-heterochromatin blocks have been found on interstitial regions of short arms of the 12-th pairs, as well as in telomeric regions of long arms of the 9-th pairs and on short arms of the 5-th pair in the frogs from 2 localities. The karyotype of P. ridibundus from populations near Ejmiatsin differs from other popula- tions (2n=26, 12m+10sm+4st). Diploid number of chromosomes of R. macrocnemis was also 26 (8m+12sm+6st, NF=52). Blocks of C-positive heterochromatin have been revealed in telomeric parts of the 1-st, 2-nd (p), 3-rd (q), 4-th (q), 6-th, 9-th (p), 10-th (p,q) and 13-th (q) pairs, as well as in interstitial regions of the 1-st and 2-nd pairs of chromosomes. Intrapopulation and interpopulation geographic variations of karyo- types and C-heterochromatin banding patterns of P. ridibundus have been revealed. Karyotypically, morphotypes "macrocnemis" and "camerani" are closely related.