Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AUTOMATIC TRAINING SITE SELECTION FOR AGRICULTURAL CROP CLASSIFICATION: A CASE STUDY ON KARACABEY PLAIN, TURKEY

This study implements a traditional supervised classification method to an optical image composed of agricultural crops by means of a unique way, selecting the training samples automatically. Panchromatic (1m) and multispectral (4m) Kompsat-2 images (July 2008) of Karacabey Plain (~100km 2 ), located in Marmara region, are used to evaluate the proposed approach. Due to the characteristic of rich, loamy soils combined with reasonable weather conditions, the Karacabey Plain is one of the most valuable agricultural regions of Turkey. Analyses start with applying an image fusion algorithm on the panchromatic and multispectral image. As a result of this process, 1m spatial resolution colour image is produced. In the next step, the four-band fused (1m) image and multispectral (4m) image are orthorectified. Next, the fused image (1m) is segmented using a popular segmentation method, Mean- Shift . The Mean-Shift is originally a method based on kernel density estimation and it shifts each pixel to the mode of clusters. In the segmentation procedure, three parameters must be defined: (i) spatial domain (h s ), (ii) range domain (h r ), and (iii) minimum region (MR) . In this study, in total, 176 parameter combinations ( h s , h r , and MR ) are tested on a small part of the area (~10km 2 ) to find an optimum segmentation result, and a final parameter combination (h s =18, h r =20, and MR=1000) is determined after evaluating multiple goodness measures. The final segmentation output is then utilized to the classification framework. The classification operation is applied on the four-band multispectral image (4m) to minimize the mixed pixel effect. Before the image classification, each segment is overlaid with the bands of the image fused, and several descriptive statistics of each segment are computed for each band. To select the potential homogeneous regions that are eligible for the selection of training samples, a user-defined threshold is applied. After finding those potential regions, the training pixels are automatically selected and labelled. Thereafter, those training pixels are utilized in a traditional Maximum Likelihood Classification to classify five crop types namely; corn, tomato/pepper, rice, sugar beet, and wheat. The accuracy of the classification is evaluated in pixel-based manner with the help of a reference map including crop information of the area. Promising results are achieved for pixel-based approach. Based on the error matrices used in the evaluation, overall accuracy of the pixel-based analysis is computed as 89.31%. Similar to the overall accuracies, high individual class accuracies are obtained as well. The results point out that automatically collecting the training samples by extracting representative homogenous areas significantly increases the speed of the classification and minimizes the human interaction. The results also confirm that the proposed approach is highly appropriate for the extraction of representative homogenous training areas.
Optimization of cholesterol oxidase production by Brevibacterium sp. employing response surface methodology

An ultrasound-assisted emulsification as a pretreatment for cholesterol oxidase production by submerge fermentation using Brevibacterium sp. in a batch system was studied. Medium improvement for the production employing response surface methodology (RSM) was optimized in this paper. The concentration of Tween-80, cholesterol and the time of ultrasonic pretreatment medium were further optimized by RSM. Results from RSM showed that the initial concentration of cholesterol, Tween-80 and pretreatment time exerted a significant effect on cholesterol oxidase production, but these factors did not exert a significant effect on cell growth. The improved medium consisted of 4.076 g/L cholesterol, 0.2932‰ (v/v) Tween-80, 22.361 (min) treatment time, and cholesterol oxidase production reached 1.483 U/ml after 36 h culture, which was 83.57% greater than the control medium.
Development of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy ( NIRS ) calibration model for estimation of oil content in a worldwide safflower germplasm collection

The development of NIRS calibration model as a rapid, precise, robust, and cost-effective method to estimate oil content in ground seeds of worldwide safflower germplasm collection grown under different agro-climatic conditions was the key objective of this research project. The oil content was measured by accelerated solvent extraction method in a total of 328 samples collected across 2004 (165 samples) and 2005 (163) growing seasons and used as reference values. Two thirds of the measured samples were used for building the calibrations and one third for the validations. Combined and annual calibration and validation models were carried out by NIRCal 4.21 using the partial least squares (PLS) regression. Different data pretreatments such as full multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), first derivative or smoothing way of Savitzky-Golay with a gap of 9 data points were used to improve the calibration models. The optimum PLS factors for developing the best calibration were 12, 10, and 14 for combined model, annual model of 2004 and of 2005, respectively. In combined and annual models, the statistical parameters in calibration model were consistent with the respective parameters in validation model. Coefficient of variation (15.5 to 25.1) demonstrated high variability in calibration and validation models. The standard error of estimation (SEE) and standard error of prediction (SEP) for combined model were 1.40 and 1.43, respectively. Although the quality value (Q-value) of calibration was slightly higher in annual models (0.66 for both), the combined calibration model (0.64) precisely predicted oil content as indicated by higher coefficient of determination (0.90) and RPD (3.2%) compared to annual calibration. The accuracy and precision of the combined calibration model were sufficient to use NIRS as a tool for screening of oil content in a diverse safflower germplasm in the range obtained.
Determinant Attribute Analysis: A Tool for new Wood Product Development

Determinant attribute analysis was employed to identify the physical product characteristics most crucial in the purchase decision process for office furniture substrate materials. Fastener withdrawal strength, surface smoothness, flatness, stiffness (MOE), and edgebanding capability had the most effect on selection decisions. These results were then viewed in terms of the development of a new substrate product and the opportunities that could arise from achieving a superior competitive advantage based on those characteristics. The importance of recognizing customer needs in the new product development process is central to the analysis, and the potential of determinant attribute analysis as a powerful tool for this process is demonstrated.
Abstract On the Constant Reductions of Valued Function Fields and their Automorphism Groups

On the Constant Reductions of Valued Function Fields and their Automorphism Groups T. C. Raza ndramahatsiaro African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, 6-8, Melrose Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa. Dissertation: PhD (Mathematics) December 2015 The aim of the project is to investigate properties of the automorphism group of a function eld in one variable over an algebraically closed eld in relation to its reductions with respect to special valuations. Let X be a stable curve de ned over a Dedekind scheme S, with smooth generic ber Xη. It is well known (From Deligne and Mumford) that there exists a natural injective homomorphism between the automorphism groups of Xη and any special bre of X . In this thesis, we give a generalisation of this theorem in the function eld setting of Deuring's theory of constant reductions. The result brings us to one of the central topic in Arithmetic Geometry after Grothendieck, Deligne and Mumford: The lifting problem for curves. We will consider the so-called "weak" Lifting problem for automorphism groups of cyclic curves in this thesis. We will also study good reduction for function elds. In particular, we are interested in corresponding reduction of divisors via the Deuring's arithmetic divisor homomorphism. Together with the generalised Deligne and Mumford Theorem above, we will discuss the Tchebotarev Density Theorem for function elds. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Entanglement spectrum of mixed states

Entanglement plays an important role in our ability to understand, simulate, and harness quantum many-body phenomena. In this work, we investigate the entanglement spectrum for open one-dimensional (1D) systems and propose a natural quantifier for how much a 1D quantum state is entangled while being subject to decoherence. We demonstrate our method using a simple case of single-particle evolution and find that the open system entanglement spectrum is composed of generalized concurrence values, as well as quantifiers of the state's purity. Our proposed entanglement spectrum can be directly obtained using a correct scaling of a matrix product state decomposition of the system's density matrix. Our method thus offers observables that are easily acquired in the study of interacting 1D systems and sheds light on the approximations employed in matrix product state simulations of open system dynamics.
Imaging 3-way closures by combining a deconvolution imaging condition with vector offset output RTM

Summary In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), steeply dipping three-way closures are familiar subsalt targets. However, they are generally poorly imaged due to low illumination caused by complex salt geometry in the overburden. The weak underlying signal is masked by excess noise coming from migration artifacts, residual multiples or converted waves. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is low in these areas. This paper presents a specialized reverse time migration (RTM) technique, which combines a deconvolution imaging condition together with vector offset output to address this issue. Synthetic and real data examples are used to show that this technique can enhance the subsalt signal amplitude and reduce noise, thereby providing a cleaner subsalt image and decreasing subsalt exploration risk.
Analysing cognitions in a hypermedia learning environment

The paper describes the theoretical basis and methodology for research seeking to identify higher order cognitive activity occurring in students' information seeking and learning tasks with hypermedia. It reviews difficulties arising from the inconsistency among schemes of cognitive analysis, and of articulating such schemes closely with accounts of the desirable attributes of graduates in employment, where the display of higher order skills is expected. It concludes that such analyses of learning with hypermedia must, despite these problems, be guided by more holistic theoretical accounts of thinking, and constantly adapt methodologies to avoid reliance on over-simplified models.
MICRO-RADAR AND UWB AIDED UAV NAVIGATION IN GNSS DENIED ENVIRONMENT

Abstract. During the last decade, the number of applications of UAVs has continuously increased, making the global UAV market one of those with the highest rate of growth. The worldwide increasing usage of UAVs is causing an ever-growing demand for efficient solutions in order to make them usable in every kind of working condition. In fact, nowadays the main restriction to the usage of UAVs is probably the need of reliable position estimates provided by using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): since UAVs mostly rely on the integration of GNSS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) to properly fulfil their tasks, they face a major challenge while navigating in GNSS denied environments. The goal of this paper is that of investigating possible strategies to reduce such main restriction to UAV usage, i.e. enabling flights in GNSS denied environment by providing position estimates with accuracy quite comparable to that of standard GNSS receivers currently mounted on commercialized drones. To be more specific, this paper proposes the combined use of a novel Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar, a set of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices, and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) measurements in order to compensate for the unavailability of the GNSS signal units. A 24-GHz micro FMCW radar and a UWB device have been attached to a quadcopter during the flight. The radar receives the reflections from ground scatterers, whereas the UWB system provides range measurements between a UWB rover mounted on the UAV and a set of UWB anchors distributed along the flying area.
Effect of intensive planting density on tree growth, wood density and fiber properties of maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.)

Abstract: Planting density is a major factor in determining tree growth and wood quality. Although the effect of low planting density on the variation of tree and wood characteristics has been already reported, the effect of intensive initial densities in plantations has not been fully assessed yet. In this study, the effect of intensive planting densities on tree growth, wood density and fiber cell properties was investigated in the context of the development of densely-stocked maple plantations for wood production. The study was carried out in a 12-year-old Acer velutinum trial plantation in northern Iran, with initial densities of 10000, 4444, and 2500 trees ha-1 planted. The variation of diameter at breast height, annual ring width, stem taper, wood density, and fiber cell properties were examined. As expected, low planting densities showed trees with larger diameter at breast height and annual ring width. The largest trees at higher densities were smaller than those in lower planting densities. However, initial planting density had no significant effect on stem taper, wood density and fiber cell properties. In addition, no significant relationships between tree growth features and wood properties were detected, indicating similar wood properties at all planting densities. Therefore, stand/tree growth attributes under intensive planting densities could not be considered as reliable predictors of the wood properties.
Is There Price Discovery in Equity Options?

We use tick-by-tick quote data for 39 liquid US stocks and options on them, and we focus on events when the two markets disagree about the stock price in the sense that the option-implied stock price obtained from the put-call parity relation is inconsistent with the actual stock price. Option market quotes adjust to eliminate the disagreement, while the stock market quotes behave normally, as if there were no disagreement. The disagreement events are typically precipitated by stock price movements and display signed option volume in the direction that tends to eliminate the disagreements. These results show that option price quotes do not contain economically significant information about future stock prices beyond what is already reflected in current stock prices, i.e., no economically significant price discovery occurs in the option market. We also find no option market price discovery using a much larger sample of disagreement events based on a weaker definition of a disagreement, which verifies that the findings for the primary sample are not due to unusual or unrepresentative market behavior during the put-call parity violations.
Science-Based Service-Learning in Science Teacher Education

Service-learning is a teaching practice in which students engage in community service that is relevant to their course goals, and has been shown to improve students achievement, attitudes, and application of course content. While there have been many studies on service-learning in teacher education, and the experiences have been very positive for teachers, e.g., for working with multicultural populations, few of the service-opportunities have been science-based. This qualitative case study examined two science education students engaged in an intensive service-learning experience, working with scientists on wetlands restoration. The study uncovered the ways in which the intensive service-learning experience influenced the teachers practice. Through analysis of varied data sources, including interviews, blog posts, and classroom artifacts, findings suggest that the experience affected how the science teachers conceptualized ideas about science practices and the nature of science, and that the teachers used their experience in their instruction. Science-based service-learning may be a way to assist science teachers in developing their pedagogical content knowledge and ideas about science practices and the nature of science.
Effect of soy and bovine milks on the dental plaque pH

10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min after taking with 3 tested materials (soy milk, plain milk 1.5% and 10% sucrose solution as a positive control). Then pH curves were drawn according to the time of each test product. In this study, using pH=6 was considered as critical pH. Maximum pH drop and ∆pH after taking 3 tested materials were analysed Repeated measure ANOVA (P<0.05). Results: According to the test materials, the lowest pH was after rinsing with 10% sucrose solution following soy milk and in the last was 1.5% bovine milk. All the test materials showed significant differences among each others (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bovine milk in none of frequent timing dropped its pH below basic pH but also significantly increased the plaque pH above the critical pH. The maximum pH drop for soy milk was in 2minutes after consumption but it never reached below the critical pH.
Two-Phase Thermophilic Acidification and Mesophilic Methanogenesis Anaerobic Digestion of Waste-Activated Sludge

Biological pretreatment methods of waste-activated sludge (WAS) have recently received attention because of their efficiency and relatively low investment. The application of hydrolysis/acidification step before methanization in anaerobic digestion or the two-phase anaerobic digestion process constitutes one of these methods. Two phase (thermophilic acidification and mesophilic methanogenesis) anaerobic digestion of WAS was investigated and reported to perform better in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) solubilization, volatile solids destruction, gas production, and pathogen indicator reduction. The solids loading rates (SLR) used in these studies were significantly high (6.5–28.9 g volatile solids (VS)/L · day). It is well-known that high SLRs along with low retention times lead to higher acidification in two-phase systems. However, WAS from different wastewater treatment plants is likely to have different concentrations due to different process configurations and operational practices that lead to .
Rapidly Solidified Melt-spun Bi-Sn Ribbons: Surface Composition Issues

Tin-bismuth alloy ribbons were produced using melt-spinning technique. The two main surfaces (in contact with the rotating wheel and exposed to the air) were characterized with Optical Microscopy and AFM, revealing that the surface exposed to the air is duller (due to a long-range heterogeneity) than the opposite surface. Also the XPS chemical composition revealed many differences between them both on the corrosion extension and on the total relative amounts of tin and bismuth. For instance, for the specific case of an alloy with a composition Bi-4 wt % Sn, the XPS atomic ratios Sn/Bi are 1.1 and 3.7 for the surface in contact with the rotating wheel and for the one exposed to air, respectively, showing, additionally, that a large segregation of tin at the surface exists (nominal ratio should be 0.073). This segregation was interpreted as the result of the electrochemical process yielding the corrosion products.
TOWARD SMART CONTROL OF TURBULENT JET MIXING AND COMBUSTION(Keynote Lecture)

Recent progress in active control of jet mixing and combustion is introduced. Miniature electromagnetic flap actuators are mounted on the periphery of an axisymmetric nozzle exit. It is demonstrated that even weak disturbances introduced into the initial shear layer by these actuators can significantly modify the large-scale vortical structures. This control technique is extended to the control of methane/air mixing and diffusion combustion by using a coaxial jet nozzle with the same flap actuators. As a result, the flame characteristics can be much improved in terms of stability and emission. Direct numerical simulation of a confined coaxial jet control has also been carried out. Although the distributed actuators are modeled somewhat ideally, DNS clearly demonstrates enormous effects of the present control scheme on the initial shear layer dynamics and concentration mixing.
HUSSERL AND THE PHENOMENOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF IMAGERY: SOME ISSUES FOR THE COGNITIVE SCIENCES?

In this paper I am dealing with two phenomenological theories of imagery Husserl has outlined. My interest is not actually a merely historical and philosophical one. In fact, I am going to sketch which properties of imagery a husserlian phenomenological description could bring to the fore, in order to see whether it be possible to put some phenomenological constraints upon the theoretical models about imagery which guide the modern empirical research. To do so, I will compare the descriptions and some consequences of a husserlian theory of imagery with those supported by the theory proposed by Kosslyn and Colleagues.
Effect of Information and Communication Technology Adoption on Non-Financial Performance of Quoted Manufacturing Industries in Nigeria

This study examined the effectiveness of ICT adoption on Non-Financial Performance of quoted manufacturing industries in Nigeria. The study adopted stratified sampling technique for the selection of 76 respondents from the study area. Primary data was used for this study. Regression analysis model was used to establish the extent of the relationship between observed variables. The variables include ICT, growth and efficiency. The Adj. R- squared (0.3402, 0.2167) revealed that there is a feeble relationship between ICT and Non-Financial Performance of quoted manufacturing industries. The hypotheses of this study are measured at level of 95% confidence interval. In continuation to the findings from this research, it revealed that the adoption of ICT in quoted manufacturing companies operations over the years has really contributed to the effectiveness, quality of service as well as customer satisfaction. It was recommended that ICT should be align with business plan in order to enhance manufacturing company effectiveness, quality of service and customer satisfaction in order to enhance organizational objectives.