Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Seed Priming on Germination and Seedling Growth of the Caper (Capparis Spinosa) Under Drought Stress

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chemical stimuli on germination and seedling growth of Caper (Capparis Spinosa) under drought stress. Methods: Factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment were performed. First factor of priming include three levels of acetylsalicylic acid (300, 200 and 100 mg/L), gibberellic acid levels (500, 250 and 125 ppm), ascorbic acid levels (300, 200 and 100 mg/L) and distilled water as a control and the second factor was drought stress levels (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa). Results: The results showed that priming increases germination rate, germination percent, root length, seedling length, shoot length and seed vigor index under drought stress. Among of levels used in priming, acetylsalicylic acid 200 mg/L has greatest effect on the germination of plants under drought stress. According to the survey results, priming with salicylic acid compared with other acids have more effect on germination characteristics of Caper under drought stress. Conclusions: Thus, using of this method can be useful for improving seed germination characteristics of plants in arid and semi-arid regions.
Analysis of the Mechanism and the Current Situation of the Plasma Purification Technology for Diesel Exhaust

In this study, the mechanism and the current situation of the plasma purification technology for diesel exhaust is introduced. Research indicates that cleaning the diesel exhaust with the plasma produced by corona discharge or dielectric barrier discharge has too high energy consumption to direct use without catalyst. To solve this problem, the study gives some new ways about cleaning diesel exhaust with arc discharge.
Behavioralizing the Black-Scholes Model

In this article, I incorporate the anchoring-and-adjustment heuristic into the Black-Scholes option pricing framework, and show that this is equivalent to replacing the risk-free rate with a higher interest rate. I show that the price from such a behavioralized version of the Black-Scholes model generally lies within the no-arbitrage bounds when there are transaction costs. The behavioralized version explains several phenomena (implied volatility skew, countercyclical skew, skew steepening at shorter maturities, inferior zero-beta straddle return, and superior covered-call returns) which are anomalies in the traditional Black-Scholes framework. Six testable predictions of the behavioralized model are also put forward.
Thermal annealing effects on low-frequency noise and transfer behavior in magnetic tunnel junction sensors

We have investigated the low-frequency noise and transfer curve behavior in NiFe/AlOx/NiFe magnetic tunnel junction sensors as a function of the annealing temperature. The magnetoresistance reaches a maximum of 35% with a maximal field sensitivity of 5%/Oe at an optimal annealing temperature of 170 °C. The origin of 1/f noise is explored by measuring the magnetic field dependence of noise at low frequencies. Our data indicate that samples annealed near this temperature exhibit 1/f noise that originates from magnetization fluctuations, whereas electronic noise due to charge trapping is dominant for other temperatures.
Stromal SPARC Expression Patterns and Diagnostic Potential in Mucocutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) is a key player in the stromal remodeling associated with invasive carcinomas, and its detection by immunohistochemistry may prove diagnostically useful in detecting invasion. The present study explores stromal SPARC expression patterns in invasive mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The patterns are then compared to those of SMA, a relatively well-studied but imperfect marker of cancer-associated stroma. Methods: Nineteen cases of infiltrating keratinizing SCCs from skin and mucous membranes were assessed semi-quantitatively for immunoreactivity with anti-SMA or anti-SPARC antibodies in tumor-free and tumor-associated stroma. Results: All cases of invasive SCCs (n=19) demonstrated stromal expression of both SMA and SPARC. However, SPARC showed more diffuse reactivity than SMA, with SPARC demonstrating a mean percentage reactivity range of 50-75%, versus 25-50% for SMA. In tumor-free stroma, SMA was negative in all cases, whereas SPARC was positive in up to 5% of dendritic stromal cells in more than half of the cases. Conclusions: Stromal SPARC overexpression is a consistent finding in invasive SCC, and SPARC is more sensitive but less specific for cancer-associated stroma than SMA. While H&E examination remains the gold standard for determining whether invasion is present, stromal SPARC expression patterns may serve as an adjunct to the histopathologic impression.
A new method for the derivation of the closed nets in the phase diagram space of multisystems. I. The absent phase substitution method

A new convenient combinatorial method is developed here to derive the invariant points in multisystem closed nets – the absent phase substitution (APS) method. It substantially simplifies the derivation of the closed nets in multisystems with many components and phases. For the multisystems whose total phase number (NPS) ≤ twice the number of the absent phases (m) in an invariant assemblage, the method can yield regular closed nets with or without globally absent phases; for other multisystems, the method can yield the regular closed nets with globally absent phases. As examples, the APS method was used to predict: (1) the regular closed nets of unary to quinary n + 4‐phase multisystems, unary 6‐phase multisystem and ternary 8‐phase multisystem; (2) the basic properties of the regular closed nets of the quaternary and quinary multisystems with n + 4 and n + 5 phases. Two multisystems were chosen to demonstrate how to select a realistic closed net from the numerous possible closed nets of a complex multisystem, and how to derive a realistic partially closed‐net, closed‐net‐diagram and the related realistic straight‐line‐net‐diagram. Comparisons of our APS method for the derivation of complicated closed nets with other methods indicate that this method is much simpler and more efficient.
Trade costs and development : a new data set

The World Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) jointly prepared a new global data set of bilateral trade costs based on trade and production data. Accessible on the World Bank Open Data Web site, it opens new analytical possibilities for policy makers and researchers working on trade integration. The data stress the importance of supply chains and connectivity constraints in explaining the higher costs and lower levels of trade integration observed in developing countries. To measure trade costs in the developing world over the 1995-2010 period, UNESCAP and the World Bank embarked on a joint data collection exercise. In addition to data on export and import flows, calculation of trade costs using the inverse gravity methodology also requires information on domestic production in each country. Usage can then be calculated as domestic production less total exports. The result of the data collection exercise is a database covering up to 178 countries, two sectors, and the 1995-2010 period. Based on the available data, trade costs data are calculated for as many bilateral pairs as possible, and interpolation used to fill in missing country- year combinations when feasible.
Re-estimation of company insolvency prediction models: survey on Italian manufacturing companies

The global research stems from the relevance of the global economic crisis. The research has several objectives: 1) to test the degree of effectiveness of the insolvency prediction models, most widely used in the literature, including recent works (Jackson and Wood, 2013), with reference to Italian manufacturing companies; 2) to modify the insolvency prediction models selected with the aim of identifying a company insolvency “alert model” which can be used by the various stakeholders; 3) to compare the effectiveness of the re-estimated models visà-vis the original ones. The following models were used, selected according to their diffusion and the statistical technique used: 1) Discriminant analysis: Altman (1983), Taffler (1983); 2) Logit Analysis: Ohlson (1980). The study was carried out on a population of Italian companies (27,982 non-failed and 478 failed) with financial statements available for the years 2007-2012. It emerged that, the overall error of the original models, using the original cut-off points, is significant. The error is reduced for cut-off points different from those identified by the original authors. Furthermore, the new re-estimated models have an improved or identical effectiveness vis-à-vis the original models. In particular, the Ohlson re-estimated model is the one that improves most compared to the original model; however, the effectiveness of the Ohlson re-estimated model is lower than the Altman re-estimated model.
Randomized Comparison of Burch Urethropexy Procedures Concomitant with Gynecologic Operations

Objective: We compared the success of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension with the laparotomic Burch colposuspension for the treatment of genuine stress incontinence (GSI) concomitant with gynecologic operations. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two women with symptoms of GSI, also requiring additional gynecologic operations, were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic (n = 26) or laparotomic (n = 26) Burch colposuspension. For all patients complete histories were taken and physical examination, urinalysis, urine culture, multi-channel urodynamics with cystometry, uroflowmetry, and measurement of Valsalva leak-point pressure were performed. Variables analyzed included: age, surgical time, length of catheterization, number of days in hospital, and complications. Results: Both groups were similar in age, parity and menopausal status. Valsalva leak-point pressure significantly increased in the laparoscopy group after the operation. There were no statistical differences in other urodynamics in both groups. The mean operating time in the laparoscopy group was longer than in the laparotomy group. The laparoscopy group required a significantly shorter hospitalization and catheterization than the laparotomy group. The success and complication rates did not differ significantly for both groups. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach for the treatment of GSI in patients requiring additional gynecologic procedures is associated with a shorter duration of hospital stay compared with the abdominal approach.
Comparison of Grain Yield and Some Characteristics of Hulled, Durum and Bread Wheat Genotypes Varieties

In spite of the low grain yield they produce, the hulled wheat have become even more important in recent years because of their resistance to negative environmental conditions and healthy nutritional content. The research was carry out in order to comparison the yield and yield characteristics of durum (Kiziltan-91 and C-1252), hulled (Einkorn and Emmer) and bread wheat (Tir) varieties in Isparta ecological conditions in 2013-14 and 2014-15 vegetation periods. In both years, the highest grain yield was obtained in Kiziltan-91 variety (3992 and 3758 kg ha-1 respectively). The grain yield of hulled wheats in the first year (Einkorn 1269 kg ha-1, Emmer 2125 kg ha-1) was around Turkey averages. However, grain yield decreased of commercial wheat varieties due to the negative effect of high amount of rainfall in June in the second year, but considerably increased in (Einkorn 2150 kg ha-1, Emmer 2533 kg ha-1). N uptake was found to be lower in the than durum wheats. In terms of grain protein content, the highest values were obtained in Emmer variety (16.4%-15.3%).
Evaluation of the Physicochemical, Structural, Thermal, and Behavioral Properties of the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treated Zinc Chloride

Zinc chloride is a source of zinc used in various pharmaceutical/nutraceutical formulations. The objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Treatment) on physical, structural, thermal, and behavioral properties of zinc chloride using PXRD, PSD, FT-IR, UV-vis, and DSC analysis. Zinc chloride was divided into two parts – one part was control, while another part was treated with The Trivedi Effect® remotely by twenty renowned Biofield Energy Healers and defined as The Trivedi Effect® Treated sample. A significant alteration of the crystallite size and relative intensities of the PXRD peaks was observed in The Trivedi Effect® treated sample compared with the control sample. The average crystallite size of the treated sample was significantly increased by 23.18% compared with the control sample. The particle size values at d10, d50, and d90 values were significantly decreased by 3.70%, 4.13%, and 6.13%, respectively in the treated sample compared with the control sample. Therefore, the surface area of the treated sample was increased by 4.21% compared with the control sample. The FT-IR spectroscopic analysis revealed that Zn-Cl stretching in the control sample was found at 512 cm-1, whereas it was significantly shifted upward to 520 cm-1 in the treated sample. The UV-vis analysis exhibited that wavelength of the maximum absorbance (λmax) of the control and treated samples were at 197.6 nm and 197.1 nm, respectively. The DSC analysis exhibited that the melting temperature was decreased by 0.22%, while decomposition temperature was increased by 2.56% in the treated sample compared to the control sample. The latent heat of fusion of the treated sample (320.44 J/g) was significantly decreased by 16.70% compared with the control sample (284.67 J/g). Similarly, the enthalpy of decomposition of the treated sample (952.53 J/g) was significantly increased by 122.61% compared with the control sample (427.90 J/g). Thus, the results indicated that the thermal stability of the treated zinc chloride was improved compared with the control sample. The current study anticipated that The Trivedi Effect® - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment might lead to produce a thermally stable new polymorphic form of zinc chloride, which would be more soluble and bioavailable compared with the untreated compound. Hence, the treated zinc chloride would be very useful to design better nutraceutical/pharmaceutical formulations that might offer better therapeutic response against inflammatory diseases, immunological disorders, aging, stress, cancer, etc.
Cu diffusion-induced vacancy-like defects in freestanding GaN

Positron annihilation spectroscopy was employed to elucidate the nature and thermal behavior of defects induced by Cu in freestanding GaN crystals. Cu atoms were intentionally introduced in GaN lattice through thermally activated diffusion from an ultrathin Cu capping layer. During isochronal annealing of the obtained Cu-doped GaN in the temperature range of 450–850 K, vacancy clusters were found to form, grow and finally vanish. Doppler broadening measurements demonstrate the presence of vacancy-like defects across the 600 nm-thick layer below the surface corresponding to the Cu-diffused layer as evidenced by secondary ion mass spectrometry. A more qualitative characterization of these defects was accomplished by positron lifetime measurements. We found that annealing at 450 K triggers the formation of divacancies, whereas further increase of the annealing temperature up to 550 K leads to the formation of large clusters of about 60 vacancies. Our observations suggest that the formation of these vacancy-like defects in bulk GaN is related to the out-diffusion of Cu.
Cultural Conditions Necessary for Optimal Cellulase Yield by Cellulolytic Bacterial Organisms as They Relate to Residual Sugars Released in Broth Medium

A total of 115 samples made up of 42 (36.5%) rumen fluid, 36 (31.3%) cowdung and 37 (32.2%) soil samples were collected with the aid of sterile swab sticks except for rumen fluid samples which were collected by use of stomach tubes inserted into mouths of cows and by suction, liquor was collected into prewarmed thermo flasks under continuous flushing with carbondioxide. Soil samples were collected into sterile universal containers. All samples were obtained from abattoirs situated at three locations in Benin City, Nigeria. Samples were investigated for cellulolytic bacteria by Filter Paper Yeast Mineral broth method. Cellulase production was assayed by Carboxymethyl cellulose submerged broth culture while residual sugar yield and other cellulolytic activities were determined by 3, 5 – Dinitrosalicylic acid, Filter Paper, Microcrystalline and Viscometric methods. Cellullolytic bacterial organisms isolated from both soil and rumen fluids were Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium cellobioparum and Clostridium thermocellum . Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from both soil and cowdung samples while Erwinia spp was obtained from both rumen fluid and cowdung samples. Bacillus circulans and Serratia spp were obtained from soil samples only. Clostridium thermocellum and Erwinia spp produced the highest and lowest cellulase yields respectively. All isolates at 40 o C and pH 6, recorded optimal sugar yields in culture broth of which Clostridium thermocellum recorded the highest. Lowest yields were recorded at 30 o C and pH 3 although there was significant difference in individual yields (P < 0.05). Clostridium thermocellum recorded optimal cellulolytic activities at 50 o C and pH 6. All isolates attained optimal cellulolytic activities at 32.6 ± 6.2 o C and pH 6.29 ± 0.9 with other broth cultural conditions kept constant. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Building an Experiment Baseline in Migration Process from SQL Databases to Column Oriented No-SQL Databases

Today No-SQL databases are becoming more popular in addressing Big Data problems to complement relational databases used in cloud environments. Currently, the migration process from relational databases to No-SQL databases is not clear and mainly based on heuristics approaches such as the developers’ experience or intuitive judgments. This paper is part of a research whose goal is to propose a set of guidelines to support this migration process. This paper presents an experiment designed to obtain a baseline that allows a comparison between two migration approaches: the traditional heuristic approach without use of any guidelines and an approach where guidelines are used to help with the conversion. The experiment showed that guidelines can reduce the level of difficulty of the migration process.
Short-period QpP-P in Vrancea area - Romania

An investigation of P -wave attenuation in the northwestern part of the Vrancea seismogenic body (Romania) is performed by using the two major seismic events 1986 August 30 th and 1990 May 30 th , recorded by the University of Utah Regional Network and Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network. The results suggest both horizontal and vertical QP variability, with values around 50 for the upper mantle above 89 km and no dependence on frequency. For the upper mantle above 137 km QP is around 90, with a possible frequency dependence. A decreasing of Q (increasing of attenuation) from SW to NE is suggested along the north -western side of the Vrancea seismogenic volume, above 89 km depth. It is a possible consequence of a horizontal variation of the thermal field and / or of the tectonic stress in the
Fusion Execution of NaCl on Tree-Shaped MSA

Fractal tree microstrip antenna utilizing NaCl execution strategy is exhibited in this paper. The fractal tree MSA provides scaling down and multiband operation. NaCl affidavit is a standout amongst the most intriguing method. Trial result on the return loss over the band of 1 to 11 GHz and radiation pattern were exhibited. It is well known that atmospheric corrosion of the metal is accelerated by the sea salt particles near the seashore environment. Objective of the paper is to add NaCl manually on tree-shaped MSA and test the result at different environmental condition. NaCl testimony system unmistakably demonstrates the moving of all resonance frequency bands from high frequencies to low frequencies. VSWR is under 2 for all resonance frequency. Same antenna tried following half year to know the conduct of the MSA and the result is exhibited.
Effect of Corporate Leniency Program on Cartel Dissolution under Market Uncertainty

Cartelists operate in an uncertain environment, facing market demand uncertainty and the possibility of being detected by the antitrust agency. We develop a dynamic model in which an incumbent cartel decides whether or not to voluntarily dissolve the cartel based on the observed profit and the antitrust agencyâ€™s cartel deterrence index when there is leniency program available and when there is none. We find that the government does not have to spend equal amount of resources on cartel detection and prosecution across industries. Based on the market structure such as the concentration level, demand elasticity, industry size, and the cost of entry which determine excess profits jointly, the antitrust agency might be able to use appropriate damage multiplier and allocate just a small amount of resources to result in the self-dissolution of the ongoing hard-core cartels if there is no leniency program. With the introduction of a leniency program, even less resources can be enough to deter cartel operation. Our paper sheds light on the effective allocation of current antitrust resources to limit cartel operation in different industries, and how to evaluate the effect of the leniency program on the cartelâ€™s voluntary dissolution decision.
Print versus Digital Texts: Understanding the Experimental Research and Challenging the Dichotomies

This article presents the results of a systematic critical review of interdisciplinary literature concerned with digital text (or e-text) uses in education and proposes recommendations for how e-texts can be implemented for impactful learning. A variety of e-texts can be found in the repertoire of educational resources accessible to students, and in the constantly changing terrain of educational technologies, they are rapidly evolving, presenting new opportunities and affordances for student learning. We highlight some of the ways in which academic studies have examined e-texts as part of teaching and learning practices, placing a particular emphasis on aspects of learning such as recall, comprehension, retention of information and feedback. We also review diverse practices associated with uses of e-text tools such as note-taking, annotation, bookmarking, hypertexts and highlighting. We argue that evidence-based studies into e-texts are overwhelmingly structured around reinforcing the existing dichotomy pitting print-based (‘traditional’) texts against e-texts. In this article, we query this approach and instead propose to focus on factors such as students’ level of awareness of their options in accessing learning materials and whether they are instructed and trained in how to take full advantage of the capabilities of e-texts, both of which have been found to affect learning performance. Published: 3 November 2017 Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2017, 25 : 1976 - http://dx.doi. org/10.25304/rlt.v25. 1976