nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the potential of red edge position (REP) of hyperspectral remote sensing data for real time estimation of LAI chlorophyll content of kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata) fruit orchards
Year: 2020

Leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content (Chl) content are important indicators of plants health and nutrition status. Hyperspectral remote sensing is useful for the real time estimation of plants biophysical and biochemical traits. The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the potential of red edge position (REP) extracted from hyperspectral reflectance profiles to estimate the LAI and Chl content of kinnow mandarin fruit orchards in Pakistan. First, we compared methods to extract the REP from hyperspectral reflectance profiles of kinnow mandarin tree canopies. Second, the ordinary least square (OLS) regression was used to investigate relationships of the derived REP with the observed kinnow mandarin traits (LAI and Chl content) Finally, kinnow mandarin traits for non observed locations were predicted and the validity of the calibrated models was confirmed through the validation dataset. The results showed that kinnow mandarin trees depicted higher spectral response in the red edge region (680 731 nm) with REP shifting towards longer wavelengths with higher values of LAI and Chl content. Among the four algorithms tested for extraction of REP from hyperspectral reflectance, the REP models calibrated with polynomial fitting and the linear extrapolation outperformed to predict LAI and Chl content of kinnow mandarin trees with R 2 values equal to 0.93 and 0.90 and RMSE values equal to 0.156% and 10.1% respectively while REP models calibrated with maximum first derivative and polynomial interpolation were less sensitive to predict these traits in kinnow mandarin trees. We conclude that the REP extracted from ground based hyperspectral reflectance can accurately estimate the kinnow mandarin LAI and Chl content and can be effectively used to assess crop health status in a wider range to manage nutritional requirement real time in the kinnow mandarin fruit orchards. The developed mechanism will help growers for real time monitoring orchards at different phenological stages and maximize fruit production in a precision agriculture setting.
Effective entrepreneurial marketing on Facebook A longitudinal study
Year: 2020

Social media offers a myriad of opportunities for entrepreneurial marketing strategies that leverage the power of communities, especially when they are combined with traditional approaches such as celebrity endorsement. The reach, frequency, and speed of communication on social media offer the ideal leverage for the drivers of entrepreneurial marketing. However, the rapid rate of change may threaten the effects of investments in entrepreneurial marketing on social media and they might become only short lived. Employing structural equation modeling, we test the long term effect of Facebook based celebrity endorsement on purchase intention among 234 members of a Facebook fan community in a two wave longitudinal design. We argue that this relationship is mediated by a sponsor's brand image and moderated by brand differentiation. This study is the first to investigate the long term effects of entrepreneurial marketing on social media. We present the contributions and implications of our findings as they affect research and practice.
SOSD: A Benchmark for Learned Indexes
Venue: ArXiv
Year: 2019

A groundswell of recent work has focused on improving data management systems with learned components. Specifically, work on learned index structures has proposed replacing traditional index structures, such as B trees, with learned models. Given the decades of research committed to improving index structures, there is significant skepticism about whether learned indexes actually outperform state of the art implementations of traditional structures on real world data. To answer this question, we propose a new benchmarking framework that comes with a variety of real world datasets and baseline implementations to compare against. We also show preliminary results for selected index structures, and find that learned models indeed often outperform state of the art implementations, and are therefore a promising direction for future research.
Securing cloud computing environment against DDoS attacks
Venue: 2012 International Conference on Computer Communication and Informatics
Year: 2012

Cloud computing is becoming one of the next IT industry buzz word. However, as cloud computing is still in its infancy, current adoption is associated with numerous challenges like security, performance, availability, etc. In cloud computing where infrastructure is shared by potentially millions of users, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have the potential to have much greater impact than against single tenanted architectures. This paper tested the efficiency of a cloud trace back model in dealing with DDoS attacks using back propagation neural network and finds that the model is useful in tackling Distributed Denial of Service attacks.
Porosity, water sorption and solubility of denture base acrylic resins polymerized conventionally or in microwave
Venue: Journal of applied oral science revista FOB
Year: 2018

The proper selection of polymerization cycle is important to prevent overheating of the monomer that could cause degradation, porosity and, consequently, deleterious effects on the denture base properties.  This study evaluated the porosity, water sorption and solubility of acrylic resins (Vipi Cril VC and Vipi Wave VW) after conventional or microwave polymerization cycles.  were made and cured: 1 WB 65degC during 90 min boiling during 90 min (VC cycle control group) 2 M25 10 min at 270 W 5 min at 0 W 10 min at 360 W (VW cycle) 3 M3 3 min at 550 W; and 4 M5 5 min at 650 W. Afterward, they were polished and dried in a dessicator until a constant mass was reached. Specimens were then immersed in distilled water at 37degC and weighed regularly until a constant mass was achieved. For porosity, an additional weight was made with the specimen immediately immersed in distilled water. For water sorption and solubility, the specimens were dried again until equilibrium was reached. Data were submitted to 2 way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (a=0.05) Results Porosity mean values below 1.52% with no significant difference among groups for both materials were observed. Resins showed water sorption and solubility values without a significant difference. However, there was a significant difference among groups for these both properties (P<0.013) The highest sorption (2.43% and solubility (0.13% values were obtained for WB and M3, respectively.  The conventional acrylic resin could be polymerized in a microwave since both the materials showed similar performance in the evaluated properties. Shorter microwave cycles could be used for both the materials without any detectable increase in volume porosity.
Ensuring success in a fully online Computer Literacy Module
Year: 2016

In recent years much has been written about the potential of e learning to address some of the difficulties that Higher Education Institutions are faced with in relation to reduced academic staffing levels catering to an increasing and diverse student population. The mere mention of e learning (Hunt, 2011) may indicate an assumption that e learning will solve these issues. Providing access to these systems without sufficient supports reduces the likelihood that these systems will succeed. This presentation and discussion will focus on the need for supports considered essential in the delivery of fully online courses.
Alligator osteoderms as a source of labile calcium for eggshell formation
Year: 2015

The calcium (Ca) demand on alligators in active reproduction is significant, yet the source of this additional Ca is unclear. Three possible sources for Ca mobilization are endolymphatic deposits, as in anurans and some lizards; short lived skeletal medullary bone or analogous deposits, as in birds; or some other source such as the osteoderm layer of the integument or simply mobilization of structural bone. Here, we investigate possible extra skeletal sources for labile Ca in the reproducing alligator, including endolymphatic Ca deposits, by analogy with anuran amphibian and some reptiles and integumentary osteodermal (scale) Ca deposits. We conducted X ray image analyses of skulls for the presence of significant endolymphatic Ca deposits. We also examined dermal bone of scutes (osteoderm, scales) from the dorsal integument using both X ray and histological analyses. Tissues from reproducing females containing mature but unovulated follicles were compared with those from specimens that had nested (laid eggs) or contained eggs within the oviduct at advanced stages of calcification. A small number of immature specimens and an adult male were also compared. No clear differences were observed in endolymphatic deposits between pre and post ovulatory specimens. Scute (osteoderm) X ray density was significantly greater in females with ripe ovarian follicles compared with those that had recently laid (nested) or contained heavily calcified eggs within their oviducts. The latter groups also showed histological evidence of scute resorption compared with the former, suggesting that the scutes play a role in Ca storage during egglay.
Ultrasonic attenuation of pure tetrahydrofuran hydrate
Year: 2017

Improved estimates of the amount of subsurface gas hydrates are needed for natural resource, geohazard, and climate impact assessments. To evaluate gas hydrate saturation from seismic methods, the properties of pure gas hydrates need to be known. Whereas the properties of sediments, specifically sands, and hydrate bearing sediments are well studied, the properties of pure hydrates are largely unknown. Hence, we present laboratory ultrasonic P wave velocity and attenuation measurements on pure tetrahydrofuran hydrates as they form with reducing temperatures from 25degC to 1degC under atmospheric pressure conditions. Tetrahydrofuran hydrates, with structure II symmetry, are considered as proxies for the structure I methane hydrates because both have similar effects on elastic properties of hydrate bearing sediments. We find that although velocity increased, the waveform frequency content and amplitude decreased after the hydrate formation reaction was complete, indicating an increase in P wave attenuation after hydrate formation. When the tetrahydrofuran hydrate was cooled below the freezing point of water, velocity and quality factor increased. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance results indicate the presence of water in the "pure hydrate" samples above the water freezing point, but none below. The presence of liquid water between hydrate grains most likely causes heightened attenuation in tetrahydrofuran hydrates above the freezing point of water. In naturally occurring hydrates, a similarly high attenuation might relate to the presence of water.
SciANN: A Keras/TensorFlow wrapper for scientific computations and physics informed deep learning using artificial neural networks
Year: 2020

In this paper, we introduce SciANN, a Python package for scientific computing and physics informed deep learning using artificial neural networks. SciANN uses the widely used deep learning packages Tensorflow and Keras to build deep neural networks and optimization models, thus inheriting many of Keras's functionalities, such as batch optimization and model reuse for transfer learning. SciANN is designed to abstract neural network construction for scientific computations and solution and discovery of partial differential equations (PDE) using the physics informed neural networks (PINN) architecture, therefore providing the flexibility to set up complex functional forms. We illustrate, in a series of examples, how the framework can be used for curve fitting on discrete data, and for solution and discovery of PDEs in strong and weak forms. We summarize the features currently available in SciANN, and also outline ongoing and future developments.
The perception of ecotourism. Semantic profusion and tourists' expectations
Year: 2015

The sector of the tourism meets numerous ecological problems today such as atmospheric and water pollution, degradation of the fauna and flora. These negative impacts on the environment allowed awareness on the necessity to adopt responsible tourism. The semantic abundance concerning this construct constitutes an indicator; we talk about sustainable tourism, ecotourism, responsible tourism, green tourism, etc. The offers considering these various concepts are very numerous. The objective of this research is to define the contents of the concept of "ecotourism" from the tourists' point of view and to determine the various expectations. We conducted a qualitative study with a sample of 26 French respondents by using face to face individual interviews. Their duration was of approximately thirty minutes each. Our results show that the concept of ecotourism evokes for the tourists essentially an environmental dimension related to the planet preservation, the visited sites' protection, the natural and sustainable character of the travel. Concerning their expectations, certain individuals express a preference for the regional travels. The tourists seek for rich educational and cultural experiences. The exchange based on the local populations' respect constitutes today an important concern for the responsible tourist. In terms of price, the tourists consider that the price of the ecological travels should be equivalent even lower than that of the conventional one. An additional cost must be justified by a superior quality service. Finally, our research highlights some barriers to the ecotourism development; they are particularly related to financial constraints and to a lack of confidence towards this kind of tourism. The profusion of labels observed last years strengthens distrust and harms ecotourism considerably. The conclusions of this research led to a set of recommendations for managers and decision makers.
Impact of Employee Training on Organizational Performance Case Study of Drilling Companies in Geita, Shinyanga and Mara Regions in Tanzania
Year: 2018

Employee training is one of the vital tools that help to enhance effective organizational performance and at the same time helps to promote the stability index of the organization. It is very important for the organization to exert extra efforts and invest much in employee training if it wants to achieve its objectives in the most economical way.Shaw (2011) defined training as a process that provides employees with skills,information and understanding of the organization and its goals. Training is a systematic process, which helps people to learn how to be more effective at work by modifying knowledge, skills or attitudes through learning experience to achieve effective performance (Buckley Caple, 2000).Training is very important in achieving the objectives of the organization by continuing to view the interest of employees and organization (Stone, 2002).Improved capabilities, knowledge and skills of the talented workforce have been proved to be the main source of competitiveadvantage in a global market (McKinsey, 2006).When the organization is unable to deliver effective training to its employees it is not only the employees who suffer, the impact can be felt by the organization itself.If someone is not delivering the training in an impressive style and he is not capturing the attention of the audience it means he is wasting the time(Griffin et al, 2000) Trainingprimarily focuses on teaching the organizational members how to perform their current jobs and at the same time help them to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be effective performers (Jones, George Hill, 2000)
REAPPRAISAL OF THE STRUCTURE OF ARTERIAL TUNICA ADVENTITIA AND ITS INVOLVEMENT IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Year: 2017

Tunica adventitia was previously considered an inert fibrous layer only involved in nutritional and physical support of the arterial wall. Recent studies reveal that it is an important dynamic layer actively involved in the regulation of vascular structure, function, response to injury and disease processes especially atherosclerosis. Many anatomical studies on arteries, however, still make only peripheral reference to it, without elucidating its detailed structure. Knowledge of the latter is important in understanding pathobiology and interventional approaches to atherosclerosis. This review, therefore, aims at consolidating contemporary literature on the structure and clinical significance of the arterial tunica adventitia. Google literature search was done using the key words tunica adventitia combined with: artery, aorta, cells, cell types, collagen, elastic fibres, vasa vasora, lymphatics, nerves, atherosclerosis. There is overwhelming evidence that the tunica adventitia comprises multiple types of collagen and elastic fibres arranged in various directions, a wide variety of cells including fibroblasts, smooth muscle, pericytes, myofibroblasts, leukocytes, mononuclear phagocytic, defence, mesenchymal stem and mast cells; vasa vasora including microvasculature, lymphatics and neural elements. The exact cellular, fibre composition and orientation vary between various arteries and regions of the same vessel. Its components are involved in the initiation, progression and complications of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, the tunica adventitia is an active dynamic layer which, besides mechanical and nutritive functions; has metabolic, regulatory and defence roles that are critical in arterial homeostasis and atherosclerosis. Vascular studies should always include detailed analysis of the biology of the tunica adventitia.  Tunica adventitia, cells, fibres, vessels, nerves, atherosclerosis
Crushed rock sand An economical and ecological alternative to natural sand to optimize concrete mix
Year: 2016

The study investigates the use of crushed rock sand as viable alternative to Natural River sand that is being conventionally used as fine aggregate in cement concrete. Various mix designs were developed for different grades of concrete based on IS, ACI and British codes using Natural River sand and crushed rock sand. In each case, the cube compressive strength test, and beam flexure tests were conducted. The results of the study show that, the strength properties of concrete using crushed rock sand are nearly similar to the conventional concrete. The study has shown that crushed stone sand can be used as economic and readily available alternative to river sand and can therefore help to arrest the detrimental effects on the environment caused due to excessive mining of river sand.
A History of Canadian Culture
Year: 2009

The First Artists 2. The Meeting and Mingling of Cultures 3. Colonial Societies 4. Common Showmen and Mountebanks 5. Culture on the Frontier 6. The Dream of Useful Knowledge 7. 'Streaks on the Horizon' 8. Importing Culture 9.  The First World War 11. The New Parliament of Art 12. Patron Saints of Culture 13. The Second World War 14. Government Patronage 15. The Cultural Flowering 16. The Regulatory State 17. Towards the Future
Variations in tree growth provide limited evidence of species mixture effects in Interior West USA mixed conifer forests
Year: 2020

Andrew Hector Abstract 1. In mixed stands, species complementarity (e.g. facilitation and competition reduction) may enhance forest tree productivity. Although positive mixture effects have been identified in forests world wide, the majority of studies have focused on twospecies interactions in managed systems with high functional diversity. We extended this line of research to examine mixture effects on tree productivity across landscape scale compositional and environmental gradients in the low functional diversity, fire suppressed, mixed conifer forests of the U.S. Interior West. 2. We investigated mixture effects on the productivity of Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Abies concolor. Using region wide forest inventory data, we created individual tree generalized linear mixed models and examined the growth of these species across community gradients. We compared the relative influences of stand structure, age, competition and environmental stress on mixture effects using multimodel inference. We analysed growth of neighbouring tree species to infer whether a mixture effect in a single species translated to the stand level. 3. We found support for a positive mixture effect in P. menziesii, although our results were equivocal in light of a weaker but still plausible alternative model. Growth of P. menziesii neighbouring species in mixed stands declined or held constant depending on aridity, suggesting that a positive mixture effect in P. menziesii does not necessarily extend to the stand level. We found no evidence for mixture effects in P. ponderosa, A. concolor or their neighbouring species. 4. Complementarity appears to have a limited influence on tree growth in the mixedconifer systems of the U.S. Interior West, reflecting limited functional diversity. Historical changes in stand structure following fire exclusion, particularly high stand densities, may limit the potential for positive species mixture effects. The limited species pool of Interior West forests increases the risk that, without careful management, what functional diversity exists could be lost to compositional changes resulting from stand dynamics or disturbance.
Does social capital matter for supply chain resilience? The role of absorptive capacity and marketing supply chain management alignment
Year: 2020

Marketing in an increasingly tumultuous marketplace requires resilience the ability to withstand, adapt, and flourish despite turmoil and adverse change that extends beyond firm boundaries. Although external resources are arguably essential to achieve resilience, little is known how and when firms' social capital derived from interorganizational relationships can lead to supply chain resilience. Therefore, we investigate the role of absorptive capacity and marketing supply chain management alignment in realizing the potential impact of social capital on supply chain resilience. Using data obtained from dual respondents from 265 Turkish firms, we test the mediating role of absorptive capacity and the moderating role of marketing supply chain management alignment. Our findings indicate absorptive capacity mediates the relationship between social capital and supply chain resilience, and the links between social capital and absorptive capacity and social capital and supply chain resilience are stronger when marketing supply chain management alignment is high. We also find that supply chain resilience is positively associated with organizational performance, empirically supporting the proposed value of supply chain resilience for firm strategy. Accordingly, our paper highlights that both absorptive capacity and marketing supply chain management alignment are necessary to realize the actual value of social capital for supply chain resilience and ensuing performance.