Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 2 Improving Nitrogen and Phosphorus Efficiency for Optimal Plant Growth and Yield

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the most important nutrients for crop production. The N contributes to the structural component, generic, and metabolic compounds in a plant cell. N is mainly an essential part of chlorophyll, the compound in the plants that is responsible for photosynthesis process. The plant can get its available nitrogen from the soil by mineralizing organic materials, fixed-N by bacteria, and nitrogen can be released from plant as residue decay. Soil minerals do not release an enough amount of nitrogen to support plant; therefore, fertilizing is necessary for high production. Phosphorous contributes in the complex of the nucleic acid structure of plants. The nucleic acid is essential in protein synthesis regulation; therefore, P is important in cell division and development of new plant tissue. P is one of the 17 essential nutrients for plant growth and related to complex energy transformations in the plant. In the past, growth in production and productivity of crops relied heavily on high-dose application of N and P fertilizers. However, continue adding those chemical fertilizers over time has bad results in diminishing returns regarding no improvement in crop productivity. Applying high doses of chemical fertilizers is a major factor in the climate change in terms of nitrous oxide gas as one of the greenhouse gas and eutrophication that happens because of P pollution in water streams. This chapter speaks about N and P use efficiency and how they are necessary for plant and environment.
Gauss–Bonnet black holes and holographic heat engines beyond large N

Working in the extended black hole thermodynamics where a dynamical cosmological constant defines a thermodynamic pressure p, we study the efficiency of heat engines that perform mechanical work via the pdV terms now present in the First Law. Here the black hole itself is the working substance, and we focus on a judiciously chosen engine cycle. We work in Gauss–Bonnet–Einstein–Maxwell gravity with negative cosmological constant and, using a high temperature expansion, compare the results for these ‘holographic’ heat engines to that of previously studied cases with no Gauss–Bonnet sector. From the dual holographic large N field theory perspective, this amounts to studying the effects of a class of 1 / N corrections to the efficiency of the cycle.
Online Convex Optimization for Online Job Scheduling

Job scheduling/resource allocation problem has been a classical genre of problem in many fields for decades. In this problem, usually each job requires some certain amount of resource and also may have certain constraints (e.g., time). The goal is usually find a schedule for these jobs that optimizes some objective function (e.g, maximize overall system throughput and minimize the overall flow time of all jobs). Toward this end, researchers have developed many types of algorithms to solve it, e.g., greedy algorithm. But most of these algorithms are designed under a offline setting–information about these jobs are known beforehand. However, reality is often the opposite–jobs keep coming in the system and the decision needs to be made online. Therefore, in this project, I will work toward this online job scheduling problem and using relatively new technique, called Online Convex Optimization (OCO), to solve it and see how it performs by comparing it with classical greedy algorithm. Experimental results show that OCO approach achieves better performance than the shortest-job-first method and reduces the overall flow time by 33.3% in my experiments. The source code is released at https://github.com/ouyangzhibo/CSE592-Online-Convex-Optimization.
Preparation of Covalently Crosslinked Sodium Alginate/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose pH-Sensitive Microspheres for Controlled Drug Release

Due to their biocompatible and eco-friendly properties, natural polymers have attracted significant attention as controlled drug delivery carriers. In this paper, a facile method is presented for preparing pH-sensitive microspheres via acidic esterification between sodium alginate (SA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The resulting microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). To evaluate the potential applications of microspheres as a drug carrier, the controlled release of a model drug—diclofenac—was examined. The SEM analysis revealed that the microbeads were spherical with a relatively smooth outer surface and porous inner network structure. The drug release experiments indicated that the cumulative release of diclofenac was less than 1% in an acidic medium, whereas it was close to 100% within 3 h in a pH 6.8 phosphate buffer saline solution. These results demonstrated that the SA/HPMC microspheres are promising candidates as pH-sensitive drug delivery system.
The rise of non-canonical subjects and semantic alignments in Hindi

An inquiry into the emergence of non-canonical subjects in Hindi may be a first step in evaluating the importance of semantic alignments in the language. The modern data display a cline of subject properties depending on the case and semantic role (Section 1). A brief account of the ancient data in Sanskrit (Section 2) shows that the most innovative development was that of experiencer subjects, which emerged in early NIA along with inefficient and involuntary actors (Section 3). This rise was related to global systemic changes in the language, particularly the development of new case markers (Section 4). The last section examines the main factors responsible for this shift, particularly re-analysis, usage and speaker’s viewpoint, lexical renewal and contact.
Deep-space optical terminals (DOT)

A conceptual design study titled Deep-space Optical Terminals was recently completed for an optical communication technology demonstration from Mars in the 2018 time frame. We report on engineering trades for the entire system, and for individual subsystems including the flight terminal, the ground receiver and the ground transmitter. A point design is described to meet the requirement for greater than 0.25 Gb/s downlink from the nearest distance to Mars of 0.42 AU with a maximum mass and power allocation of 40 kg and 110 W. Furthermore, the concept design addresses link closure at the farthest Mars range of 2.7 AU. Maximum uplink data-rate of 0.3 Mb/s and ranging with 30 cm precision are also addressed.
Deception Detection: An Exploration of Annotated Text-Based Cues

Do embedded textual cues in asynchronous communication affect deceptive message detection? The expanded use of social media and rich media applications in business make this an important issue. Prior research indicates deception commonly occurs in all forms of communication and people have difficulty detecting its use. Asynchronous online communications are no exception and offer users a variety of media choices which may complicate deception detection, particularly if the sender has strategically selected a channel intended to disguise their intentions. The current study investigated whether embedded, non-verbal cues in common media forms found in asynchronous online venues influenced deception detection. Drawing on media synchronicity theory, results suggest embedding non-verbal cues in the form of annotated text can enhance deception detection. Overall, the findings suggest managers must be wary of sender motivations, which can influence message veracity, particularly in low synchronicity environments where media is subject to edits and manipulations.
A Comparison of Active and Passive Metamaterials from Equivalent Lumped Elements Modes

With ever-increasing operating frequencies and complicated artificial structures, loss effects become more and more important in applications of metamaterials. Based on circuit theory and transmission line principle, the design equations for effective electromagnetic (EM) parameters (attenuation constant α, phase constant β, characteristic impedance Z0) of general active and passive metamaterial are compared and derived from the equivalent lumped circuit parameters (R, G, LL, CL, LR, CR). To verify the design equations, theα, βand Z0 indifferent cases, including balanced, unbalanced, lossless, passive and active, are shown by numerical simulations. The results show that using the active method can diminish the loss effects. Meantime, it also has influence on phase constant and real part of characteristic impedance.
Impact of Direct Income Payments on Productive Efficiency of Korean Rice Farms

This paper examines the impact of direct income payments on productive efficiency of Korean rice farms, using farm-level cross sectional data in 2006. For representation of efficiency and its determinants, this paper uses a model that estimates the deviations of farms from a translog distance function and the determinants of these deviations. This paper especially estimates a stochastic frontier production function to explain deviations from best-practice productivity with a two-part error term including statistical noise from measurement error and technical inefficiency arising from farms not reaching the production frontier boundary. The empirical evidence finds that farms that get a higher share of direct payments in farm revenue are less efficient than others. This inefficiency is reduced by increases in farm size. Another result indicates that farms received greater direct payments on aggregate are more efficient than other farms since fixed payment, one part of rice direct payment, is tied to the amount of a farm's cropland that has been enrolled in programs, as well as yield histories.
Retrieval of optical and physical properties of African dust from multiwavelength Raman lidar measurements during the SHADOW campaign in Senegal

Abstract. West Africa and the adjacent oceanic regions are very important locations for studying dust properties and their influence on weather and climate. The SHADOW (study of SaHAran Dust Over West Africa) campaign is performing a multiscale and multilaboratory study of aerosol properties and dynamics using a set of in situ and remote sensing instruments at an observation site located at the IRD (Institute for Research and Development) in Mbour, Senegal (14° N, 17° W). In this paper, we present the results of lidar measurements performed during the first phase of SHADOW (study of SaHAran Dust Over West Africa) which occurred in March–April 2015. The multiwavelength Mie–Raman lidar acquired 3β + 2α + 1δ measurements during this period. This set of measurements has permitted particle-intensive properties, such as extinction and backscattering Angstrom exponents (BAE) for 355/532 nm wavelengths' corresponding lidar ratios and depolarization ratio at 532 nm, to be determined. The mean values of dust lidar ratios during the observation period were about 53 sr at both 532 and 355 nm, which agrees with the values observed during the SAMUM-1 and SAMUM-2 campaigns held in Morocco and Cabo Verde in 2006 and 2008. The mean value of the particle depolarization ratio at 532 nm was 30 ± 4.5 %; however, during strong dust episodes this ratio increased to 35 ± 5 %, which is also in agreement with the results of the SAMUM campaigns. The backscattering Angstrom exponent during the dust episodes decreased to ∼ −0.7, while the extinction Angstrom exponent, though negative, was greater than −0.2. Low values of BAE can likely be explained by an increase in the imaginary part of the dust refractive index at 355 nm compared to 532 nm. The dust extinction and backscattering coefficients at multiple wavelengths were inverted to the particle microphysics using the regularization algorithm and the model of randomly oriented spheroids. The analysis performed has demonstrated that the spectral dependence of the imaginary part of the dust refractive index may significantly influence the inversion results and should be taken into account.
The Influence of Mg(II) and Ca(II) Ions on Rutin Autoxidation in Weakly Alkaline Aqueous Solutions

Summary Rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) is one of the most abundant bioflavonoids with various biological and pharmacological activities. Considering the ubiquitous presence of Mg(II) and Ca(II) ions in biological systems we decided to investigate their influence on the autoxidation of rutin in weakly alkaline aqueous solutions. Changes in UV-Vis spectra recorded during the rutin autoxidation in aqueous solution at pH 8.4 revealed that this process was very slow in the absence of metal ions. The presence of Mg(II) and, especially Ca(II) ion, increased the transformation rate of rutin. UV-Vis spectra recorded after prolonged autoxidation indicated the formation of humic acidlike products in the presence of Mg(II) and Ca(II) ions. Four new compounds formed during the initial stage of rutin autoxidation in the presence of Mg(II) and Ca(II) ions were detected by HPLCDAD. Based on the analysis of their DAD UV-Vis spectra and comparison of their retention times with the retention time value for rutin, we concluded that the initial rutin transformation products were formed by the water addition on double bond in ring C and hydroxylation of ring B. A very small decrease of the initial rutin concentration (4%) was observed by HPLC-DAD in the absence of metal ions for the period of 90 minutes. However, rutin concentration decrease was much larger in the presence of Mg(II) and Ca(II) ions (14% and 24%, respectively). The more pronounced effect of Ca(II) ion on the rutin autoxidation may be explained by the stronger binding of Mg(II) ion to rutin and thus greater stabilizing effect on reaction intermediates caused by its higher ionic potential (charge/ionic radius ratio) in comparison to Ca(II) ion. The results of this study may contribute to the better understanding of interactions of Mg(II) and Ca(II) ions with natural phenolic antioxidants which are important for their various biological activities.
A Comparison of Habituation Rates in Adult-Born and General Population Neurons in the Zebra Finch

5 INTRODUCTION . 7 ADULT NEUROGENESIS . 7 Methods for Studying Adult Neurogenesis . 8 Adult Neurogenesis in Mammals . 9 Querying Functionality . 11 Turning to Songbirds . 11 SONGBIRDS AS A MODEL SYSTEM . 12 Song Learning . 13 Song Structure . 14 BIRDSONG AND THE BRAIN . 16 Studying the Songbird Brain Using Immediate Early Genes . 16 The Traditional Song System . 17 Beyond the Song System . 19 Adult Neurogenesis in the Songbird Brain . 19 The Caudomedial Nidopallium . 21 Habituation in the NCM . 23 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND HYPOTHESES . 24 METHODS . 26 BRDU INJECTIONS . 26 RECORDING AND PLAYBACKS . 26 IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY . 30 IMAGING . 30 DATA ANALYSIS . 31 RESULTS . 33 ACTIVATION OF NEW NEURONS . 33 COMPARING ACTIVATION AND HABITUATION RATES . 33 HEMISPHERE EFFECTS . 38 DISCUSSION . 40 NEW NEURON ACTIVITY IN THE NCM . 40 CONSEQUENCES OF PLASTICITY FOR ZEBRA FINCHES . 43 GENERALIZING UP: APPLICABILITY IN MAMMALS? 44
FIELD VALIDATION AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF A MECHANISTIC MODEL FOR TREE SEED DISPERSAL BY WIND

We present a temporally and spatially explicit mechanistic model of tree seed dispersal by wind, incorporating full stochasticity based on natural variation. The model simulates the dispersal of each individual seed by integrating the temporal effects of climatic conditions on the rate of seed release, and the spatial effects of wind direction and horizontal and vertical velocities, the terminal velocity of seeds (i.e., the constant descent velocity in calm air), and the height of seed release, partitioned into tree height and the distribution of seeds with tree height. The model was tested for two Pinus halepensis stands within the Mediterranean region of Israel, in which seed dispersal has been extensively monitored by seed traps. The predicted dispersal curve verified expectations of a positively skewed leptokurtic distribution and of peak location at some distance from a point source and at zero distance from an area source. Long-distance dispersal events occurred with very low frequency, but given th.
Russian Federation SiPM MEPhI megagrant developments in nuclear medicine

Three projects has been started in our laboratory as part of megagrant “High energy physics and nuclear medicine with silicon photomultiplier detectors” in NRNU MEPHI. The goal of these projects is development of devices for nuclear medicine in which replacement of photomultiplier tubes (PMT) with solid-state silicon photomultipliers promises various advantages. The first project is full-body SPECT, where replacement of PMT's could reduce size of the detector module and improve spatial resolution while keeping other parameters. The second project is development of a TOF-PET module. Replacement of PMTs with silicon photomultipliers makes it possible to use that detector not only in high magnetic fields but also for Time-of-Flight measurements (higher signal-to-noise ratio on final image) due to very high timing resolution of a SiPM. And the last project is the SiPM-based position-sensitive Gamma-spectrometer for dose monitoring in neutron-capture therapy based on SiPM's. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute).
CATCHMENT PROPERTIES IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK DERIVED FROM THE NEW TANDEM-X INTERMEDIATE DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL (IDEM)

Abstract. Digital Elevation Models (DEM) represent fundamental data for a wide range of Earth surface process studies. Over the past years the German TanDEM-X mission acquired data for a new, truly global Digital Elevation Model with unpreceded geometric resolution, precision and accuracy. First processed data sets (i. e. IDEM) with a geometric resolution of 0.4 to 3 arcsec have been made available for scientific purposes. This includes four 1° x 1° tiles covering the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Here we document the results of a local scale IDEM validation exercise utilizing RTK-GNSS-based ground survey points from a dried out reservoir basin and its vicinity characterized by pristine open Savanna vegetation. Selected precursor data sets (SRTM1, SRTM90, ASTER-GDEM2) were included in the analysis and highlight the immense progress in satellite-based Earth surface surveying over the past two decades. Surprisingly, the high precision and accuracy of the IDEM data sets have only little impact on the delineation of watersheds and the calculation of catchment size. But, when it comes to the derivation of topographic catchment properties (e.g. mean slope, etc.) the high resolution of the IDEM04 is of crucial importance, if - from a geomorphologist’s view - it was not for the disturbing vegetation.
Supercritical fluid extraction of wheat bran oil: Study of extraction yield and oil quality

The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of wheat bran oil with pure supercritical carbon dioxide at different extraction pressures (25, 40, and 55 MPa) and temperatures (40, 70, and 95°C) has been studied. Since wheat bran contains important bioactive compounds such as alkylresorcinols (AR) and other phenolic compounds, the content of these compounds in the extracted oil was evaluated in order to establish oil quality. The influence of extraction pressure and temperature and wheat bran moisture on the extraction yield and oil quality was studied. Oil quality was evaluated through parameters such as AR content and profile, total polyphenols index (TPI), antioxidant activity, and fatty acids profile. SFE performed over fresh wheat bran at 55 MPa and 95°C was found to provide wheat bran oil with the highest AR and phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of all the runs performed in this work. Some SFE experiments focused on oil fractionation showed that this technique can provide oil fractions enriched with AR and phenolic compounds.
Positive Technology for Helping People Cope with Stress

The emerging convergence of new technologies and health care is offering a new approach to support effective interventions. This chapter aims to describe how Positive Technology can help people cope with stress in several contexts. On the one hand, the potential capacity of sensor technologies to offer individuals the technology with which to monitor certain biological signals known to be associated with stress might serve to promote engagement with a mediated experience for stress management. On the other hand, the chapter focuses on the hedonic and eudaimonic experiences supported by technology in terms of inducing positive affective states and supporting personal growth by teaching strategies to reduce stress and enhance well-being. To further connect mediated experiences with real ones, the Interreality approach (IR) allows for the combination of assessment and intervention as inseparable parts of the general process of coping with stress.
Comparison of liquid based cytology cervical smears with histopathological findings

1 Seyhan Özakkoyunlu Hasçiçek1, Tuba Oğuzsoy2, Kamile Gülçin Eken1, Fevziye Kabukçuoğlu1, 1Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey Comparison of cervical cytology with histopathology Comparison of liquid-based cytology cervical smears with histopathological findings
An integrated algorithm for optimal floorplan sizing and enumeration

A generalized optimal sizing problem on a set of related slicing trees is considered. For computation efficiency, the tree enumeration and sizing process are combined in a unified algorithm where floorplan trees and cell sizes are computed simultaneously. The tree enumeration is based on a dual graph of the input cells, which ensures that the adjacency requirements of the cells are preserved. Experimental results using MCNC benchmarks are reported. <<ETX>>
Air Pollution and Health Effects in Children

Asthma, which is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and inflammation, is the most frequent chronic disease in children. Recent global studies showed, although the rising trends in occurrence of allergic diseases in children appear to have leveled off or even reversed in many developed countries, while in many developing countries, the increase in prevalence has only recently started (Asher et al. 2006; Bjorksten et al. 2008; Pearce et al. 2007). These findings indicate that the global burden of asthma is continuing to be rising with the global prevalence differences lessening (Pearce et al. 2007). It has been suggested that this increase can not be explained by genetic factors and improvements in diagnostic methods alone. Comparative studies of the population of the same ethnic background living in different environments revealed important environmental risk factors for asthma, especially for ambient air pollution, which may play an important role in the development of asthma symptoms (Asher et al. 2010; Berhane et al. 2011; Samoli et al. 2011; McConnell et al. 2010). A systematic review concluded that, although weather, pollen, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are important risk factors for asthma, each has been found to act independently of air pollution, and thus they do not explain the association between air pollution and asthma (Leikauf 2002).