Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Brief History of Corn: Looking Back to Move Forward

Maize was domesticated from teosinte in Mexico some 7,000 to 10,000 years ago and quickly spread through the Americas. It has become one of the most important crops at a local and global level. Two types, Northern Flint corn and Southern Dent corns provided the basis of the genetic background of modern maize hybrids. The development of hybrids, first double-cross and later single-cross hybrids, along with a transition to high input farming provided huge yield increases, which have continued to improve with improving technology. Increase in maize production also caused a rise in Western corn Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). As maize cultivation increased it spread from Eastern Colorado into Nebraska in the 50’s, Indiana by the 70’s and the East coast by the 90’s, and even Europe in 1992. A broadcast soil application of organochlorine insecticides was a common control tactic beginning in the late 40s. By 1959 control failures were noted and resistance spread with the concurrent corn rootworm range expansion. Resistance spread into areas where organochlorine insecticides had never been used. New modes of action were adopted and, more importantly, new management practices reducing selective pressure. In 2003 Bt traits for rootworm control were released, but by 2009 resistance was documented. The Western corn rootworm has proven highly adaptable to control measures, including rotation. Many challenges face agriculture in the future including water use, soil degradation, pest and disease control issues, and stagnant yield potentials. Despite these challenges, a great deal of technological advances such as precision agriculture, improved molecular techniques, and better adoption and implementation of Integrated Pest Management will provide effective tools for addressing these challenges. Addressing the challenges of the future is not an issue of technology. Maize is more than a commodity; it has been and continues to be an essential part of our culture. The objective of this work is to illustrate that addressing the human dimension of these challenges will be crucial to addressing the current and future issues in agricultural production. Two separate examples of how this is being addressed are discussed.
Caracterização Sócio-Temporal de Conteúdos em Redes Sociais baseada em Processamento em Fluxo

A velocidade e a dinâmica de propagação de assuntos veiculados no Twitter caracterizam a plataforma como uma fonte de dados ininterrupta. Este artigo propõe uma abordagem distribuída baseada em métricas de redes complexas para a caracterização socio-temporal de dados textuais provenientes do Twitter. A proposta integra o Apache Kafka na ingestão dos dados e o Apache Spark Streaming no processamento em ﬂuxo dos dados para garantir a captura contínua e o processamento eficiente do conteúdo de diferentes fontes. A proposta identifica, correlaciona e monitora o uso de hashtags em tempo real, através de uma estrutura de grafo dinâmica, gerando uma ontologia sobre o tópico de interesse. Diferente de trabalhos anteriores, que empregam dados históricos, a proposta é aplicada a um caso de uso real com grande repercussão e engajamento dos usuários do Twitter. Avaliando as ﬂutuações de métricas como centralidade, diâmetro e densidade para múltiplas componentes do grafo de hashtags, os resultados revelam tendências de escrita e padrões de relacionamento que reforçam a sensação de câmaras de eco e oportunismo midiático na lógica de utilização de hashtags.
Design and Implementation of Integrated Network Management Methodology in a Regional Network

Praktijkproef Amsterdam (Field Operational Test Integrated Network Management Amsterdam) is a project focused on the design and implementation of an innovative system for the coordinated deployment of traffic management measures in the regional network around the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. On the basis of the generic functional architecture described in previous publications, monitoring and control functions were specified, implemented, tested, and tuned, both in a model environment and in practice. The focus here is on the controller design, which adapts and generalizes the master–slave structure used in the well-known HERO algorithm. It is shown how the principles are applied to use the urban arterials as storage locations for freeway metered traffic as well as to solve problems occurring on the urban arterials themselves—for example, in the case of spillback or gridlock. The key control principles are explained and the resulting feedback controller is analyzed to show how to choose its parameters to ensure stability and minimize the time needed to achieve the target value. To this end, a new methodology is proposed to analyze the dynamics of the controller in relation to the control parameters for different controller designs. Finally, the implementation of the system is discussed, and preliminary tuning and evaluation results from the field tests are provided.
What are the Drivers of Profitability of Broiler Farms in the North-central and South-west Geo-political Zones of Nigeria?

This study analyzed the drivers of the profitability of broiler farms in the north-central and south-west geo-political zones of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to choose a representative sample. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was employed to gather cross-sectional data from 645 respondents between November 2017 and February 2018 for 2017 production year by trained enumerators. The data were analyzed with budgetary model, descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that feed constitute about 75% of the total variable cost of producing 1 kg of the broiler. The cost implication of producing 1 kg of broiler stood at ₦583.20, while revenue realized from the sales of the same quantity of broiler was ₦734.69. The study further revealed that broiler farming is a profitable enterprise with profitability index of 39.85%. Furthermore, the positive drivers of profitability of broiler farms are years of experience of farmers, flock size, other means of livelihood, process broiler, and membership of the poultry association of Nigeria (PAN). Types of feed used and access to credit had a negative effect on the profitability of broiler farms. There will be a need to motivate farmers to increase their flock sizes by subsidizing high-quality day-old chicks, feed, and feed ingredients as well as other facilities. Research efforts should also focus on the development of efficient locally-made processing facilities to improve on the value addition activities of farmers thereby increasing the profitability of the farms. The enforcement of the policy on credit provision to farmers at a reasonable interest rate by commercial banks becomes crucial. In addition, it is suggested that farmers be encouraged to join PAN to increase the profitability of broiler farms.
Meditation Practices and the Onset of Psychosis: A Case Series and Analysis of Possible Risk Factors

similarly, chapter-VI of Gita mentions about the moderation in food and sleep [Atma-Samyama Yoga]),10 flouting of which could result in A/Es. The A/Es related to meditation are determined by various meditation-related (e.g., type, depth, duration of meditation, practice beyond prescribed format, etc.), practitioner-related (past or family history of psychiatric illness, psychological vulnerability, personality traits, etc.), and environment-related (sensory deprivation, fasting, practice in isolation, etc.) factors.3,7,8,11 Despite this potential A/E, including severe ones like psychosis, the literature is scarce in this area and limited to a few case reports or reviews.7,11–13 Even less literature is available about the important aspects of practice-related guidelines/recommendations to prevent A/E, including psychosis. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight issues pertaining to meditation-induced psychosis through a series of clinical cases; it also intends to provide recommendations on the prevention and early detection of psychosis associated with meditation.
Performance analysis on the electrical behaviour of Zinc oxide based nanowire for energy harvesting applications

A piezoelectric energy harvester using nanowires in an effort to improve the electrical behavior when subjected to low frequency mechanical vibrations is presented. The electrical characteristics can be improved by using semiconductor nanowires. Also, the conductivity of the nanowires are improved when added with impurity aluminum. Compared with one dimensional nanostructures the present 3D nanowire based energy harvester demonstrated better results. Moreover, in this investigation, the ZnO nanowire is replaced with other materials like CO2 molecules doped ZnO nanowire, Germanium, n-doped ZnO, Graphene, Barium Titanate (BaTiO3), Antimony Selenoiodide (SbSeI), gallium nitride, Cadmium sulphide and lanthanum doped nanowire. The obtained results are compared with other relevant research works with respect to area Vs electrical parameters. It is found that the proposed structure of energy harvester proved to provide better results.
The Stability of Gold Nanoparticles-Prussian Blue Based Sensors for Biosensor Applications in Clinical Diagnosis

Objective: Many medical biosensors have been widely developed for use in clinical diagnosis as point-of-care testing. However, most of them still suffer from inaccurate results, caused by the lack of biosensor stability under variable pH of biofluid samples; such as urine. Hence, the instability of pH variations is one of the key challenges for electrochemical biosensors. In this study, the development of gold nanoparticles-Prussian blue (AuNPs-PB) based screen-printed electrodes were investigated for their performance, in terms of electrochemical stability within various pH solutions.Material and Methods: The AuNPs-PB modified screen-printed gold electrode (SPAuE) was developed and optimized using an electrode-position technique and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. As compared to PB modified SPAuE, the signal response of cyclic voltammograms at AuNPs-PB modified SPAuE was examined in a phosphate buffer solution with different pH values. The electrochemical stability of the modified SPAuE was considered on the invariability of the PB redox current in different pH solutions.Results: The result revealed that stable current signals of PB in different pH solutions of the AuNPs-PB modified SPAuE showed good electrochemical stability, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of oxidation and reduction peak currents being 1.0% and 1.1%, respectively. The signal stability results exhibited over two and five times when compared to those of the PB modified SPAuE (without gold nanoparticles), which were 2.4% and 5.6% RSD, respectively.Conclusion: The AuNPs-PB modified SPAuE provides a potentially alternative tool for the enhancement of electrochemical stability for use in medical biosensor applications.
Harvesting vibrational energy due to intermodal systems via nano coated piezo electric devices.

Vibrational energy resulting from intermodal transport systems can be recovered through the use of energy harvesting system consisting of lead zirconium titanate (PZT) piezo electric material as the primary energy harvesting component. The ability of traditional PZT piezo electric materials can be enhanced to generate substantially more power by using special coatings made of nano-coating mixtures. It can be demonstrated that the enhanced system can be utilized to power intermodal transport safety lighting systems from roadway vibrations. The objectives of the project was achieved by performing three tasks; design and construction of the special nano coated piezo electric energy harvester, testing and enhancement of the newly designed and constructed system in the lab and implementation of the energy harvesting system to power a lighting system. Nano-coated PZT energy harvesting system showed substantial and explicit improvement as compared to non-coated PZT energy harvesting system. Also, in the experimental analysis of this project work, rectangular cantilever system performed substantially better than trapezoidal and triangular cantilever systems in terms of power harvesting capability. To incorporate this power harvesting system for the application to power LED bulbs, more number of PZTs was integrated into the system. The new multi nano-coated PZT composite cantilever system with six PZT composites was designed and constructed. This power output charged totally discharged 3.6 Volts NiMH Battery to 3.054 Volts in two hours. The charged battery easily lighted the LED bulb in the laboratory.
Characteristics of Protein Foam Agent by Stabilizer on the Ship Fire Extinguishment

Onboard fire extinguishing system is important to protect cargo and human lives and every oil tanker has foam type fire extinguishing system. Because of environmental problem, agent which contains materials such as Perfluorinated compounds are regulated and the development of the environmental friendly agent is required. The protein foam has less environmental pollution problem and has an excellent fire extinguish performance to oil fire. In the research, bivalency metal salts were added as stabilizer to increase fire resistance and stability of the foam. Ferrous sulfate, Iron chloride and Nickel chloride were used and to adjust to vessel, sea water was applied. As a stabilizer increased, the expansion ratio was raised. However 25% drainage time was decreased over 2.0 wt. % which is knowable that the foam brokes easily. The amount of generated foam was measured to check fluidity of foam and it appeared that when FeSO4 1.2 wt. % was added, the amount of generated foam reached large and also the 25% drainage time was high. To evaluate the fire extinguishing performance for oil fire, the small scale oil fire test was executed. When FeSO4 1.2 wt. % was added, fire extinguishing time was in its shortest which informs fluidity of foam and stability are important factors on fire extinguishing efficiency.
Long dsRNA mediated RNA interference (dsRNAi) is antiviral in interferon competent mammalian cells

In invertebrate cells, RNA interference (RNAi) acts as a powerful defense against virus infection by cleaving virally produced long dsRNA into siRNA by Dicer and loaded into RISC which can then destroy/disrupt complementary viral mRNA sequences. Comparatively in mammalian cells, the type I interferon (IFN) pathway is the cornerstone of the innate antiviral response. Although the cellular machinery for RNAi functions in mammalian cells, its role in the antiviral response remains controversial. Here we show that IFN competent mammalian cells engage in dsRNA-mediated RNAi. We found that pre-soaking mammalian cells with concentrations of sequence-specific dsRNA too low to induce IFN production could significantly inhibit viral replication, including SARS-CoV-2. This phenomenon was dependent on dsRNA length, was comparable in effect to transfected siRNAs, and could knockdown multiple sequences at once. Additionally, Dicer-knockout cell lines were incapable of this inhibition, confirming use of RNAi. This represents the first evidence that soaking with gene-specific dsRNA can generate viral knockdown in mammalian cells. Furthermore, demonstrating RNAi below the threshold of IFN induction has uses as a novel therapeutic platform.
Damage Assessment of Structures with Uncertainty

Evolutionary algorithms are suitable to solve damage identification problems in a multiobjective context. However, the performance of these methods can deteriorate quickly with increasing noise intensities originating numerous uncertainties. In this work, a statistic structural damage detection method formulated in a multiobjective context is proposed, taking into account the uncertainties existing. The presented method is verified by a number of simulated damage scenarios. The effects of noise on damage detection are investigated.
Students’ Perceptions of the Actual Use of Mobile Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic in Higher Education

Mobile learning (M-learning) has become a significant component of higher education technology. Moreover, M-learning allows students to study, collaborate, and exchange ideas while using the internet and technology. Furthermore, an acceptance of M-learning is necessary for students and educators when it comes to using M-learning systems. However, in Saudi Arabia, not enough studies have been conducted to address students’ perceptions of their actual use of mobile learning for the purpose of education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the current research aims to examine students’ satisfaction with their behavioral intention to use mobile learning, as well as their perceptions of their actual use of mobile learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education. The research is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The satisfaction and behavioral intentions of students to utilize mobile learning to make real use of mobile education was measured using four separate variables. A TAM survey was used to collect the majority of the data, with questionnaires being randomly distributed to 300 students from King Saud University. SPSS and Smart-PLS3.3. 3 were used to analyze the data. The results in terms of the students’ satisfaction and behavior in using M-learning show that M-learning has a good and constructive influence on the actual usage of M-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education. As a result, we encourage students to use M-learning in their classrooms and to collaborate with their peers at higher education institutions. The study’s empirical findings aid in the integration of the TAM model in order to increase students’ M-learning performance.
Environmental education policy of schools and socioeconomic background affect environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior of secondary school students

Abstract Measuring environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors in schools is crucial in order to assess how pedagogical work in the schools cope with the expectations to move sustainability related attitudes and behaviors of students toward more pro-environmental ones. These changes in students’ attitudes and behaviors are among the main possibilities that may lead societies toward sustainability transition. In this study we surveyed sustainability related attitudes and behaviors of students in 14 Hungarian secondary schools, as well as the efforts of their schools and teachers related to environmental and sustainability education. Factors affecting students’ attitudes and behaviors with the greater effect sizes were related to the socioeconomic background of students, i.e. socio-economical status of their schools, residency (settlement type and country region), and education of parents. Class grade and gender had only a smaller effect. Some measures of schools’ sustainability efforts also affected students’ measures of environmentalism indicating the effectiveness of focused educational policies. Final grade students became more pro-environmental consumers as compared to first grade students in schools with higher level of EE/ESD related infrastructure and facilities, while attitudes were quasi-significantly affected by the level of integration of diverse EE/ESD programs in their schools.
Strategies to counter the financial problems faced by manufacturing sector in Punjab - An empirical study of micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Manufacturing is very critical to economic growth, prosperity and a higher standard of living. Finance is a crucial ingredient for economic growth. There are various financing options that are present but in order to cater the industrial growth there should be the provision of industrial finance. Well functioning banks, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries, promote technological innovation and industrial growth by providing risk capital and funds to those entrepreneurs who have the highest probability of developing new products, production processes and competitive production facilities.
Microphone Array Analysis Methods Using Cross-Correlations

Due to civilian noise complaints and damage claims, there is a need to establish an accurate record of impulse noise generated at military installations. Current noise monitoring systems are susceptible to false positive detection of impulse events due to wind noise. In order to analyze the characteristics of noise events, multiple channel data methods were investigated. A microphone array was used to collect four channel data of military impulse noise and wind noise. These data were then analyzed using cross-correlation functions to characterize the input waveforms. Four different analyses of microphone array data are presented. A new value, the min peak correlation coefficient, is defined as a measure of the likelihood that a given waveform originated from a correlated noise source. Using a sound source localization technique, the angle of incidence of the noise source can be calculated. A method was also developed to combine the four individual microphone channels into one. This method aimed to preserve the correlated part of the overall signal, while minimizing the effects of uncorrelated noise, such as wind. Lastly, a statistical method called the acoustic likelihood test is presented as a method of determining if a signal is correlated or not.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Specificity of clinical trials of some osteoporosis medicines

Clinical trials of medicinal products related to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis cover all activities, operations, methods and means for obtaining summary data and their interpretation in order to reveal the nature of the procedures, as well as certain relationships and dependencies of interest imposed the relevant study. The main objectives of the analysis are to characterize the relationships and dependencies, to measure the significance of these relationships, to model statistically significant relationships and dependencies. An important condition for conducting the statistical analysis is that the data are comparable, i.e. to be based on unambiguously defined features and criteria for their internal content. Objective: This work covers a documentary analysis of conducted clinical trials of drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis, as well as an analysis of the conducted clinical trials of the drug. Denosumab. Methods: Gathering primary empirical information, allowing for: objectification of certain facts; for retrospective study of events and phenomena in a long period; allows to determine the direction of development of the process of clinical trials and processes. The applied statistical analysis covers activities, operations, methods and means for obtaining summary data and for their interpretation in order to reveal the nature of the procedures, as well as certain connections and dependencies. Results: Studies show that clinical trials of osteoporosis products have the following limitations: gender differentiation – although the disease occurs in both sexes, studies in female patients are more common, patients are required to are in menopause, in some studies it is required as including criteria – the presence of a fracture due to osteoporosis, the age characteristic of patients is on average 45–80 years. All analyzed drugs show a positive effect on the state of bone density and bone structure. Conclusion: All analyzed medicinal products show a positive effect on the state of bone density and bone structure but the process is irreversible, so early prevention associated with early diagnosis would lead to earlier treatment measures in the early stages of the disease, which in turn, it would lead to long-term savings in indirect and difficult-to-estimate costs for society as a whole.
American and British Technology in the Nineteenth Century: The Search for Labour-Saving Inventions

1. Introduction 2. Labour-saving methods in American industry: the problem 3. The economic effects of labour-scarcity 4. Labour-supplies and technology in the U.S.A. 5. Labour-supplies and technology in Britain 5. Technology and growth in Britain in the later nineteenth century.