Detection of fungal damaged popcorn using image property covariance features

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Covariance-matrix-based features were applied to the detection of popcorn infected by a fungus that causes a symptom called "blue-eye". This infection of popcorn kernels causes economic losses due to the kernels' poor appearance and the frequently disagreeable flavor of the popped kernels. Images of kernels were obtained to distinguish damaged from undamaged kernels using image-processing techniques. Features for distinguishing blue-eye-damaged from undamaged popcorn kernel images were extracted from covariance matrices computed using various image pixel properties. The covariance matrices were formed using different property vectors that consisted of the image coordinate values, their intensity values and the first and second derivatives of the vertical and horizontal directions of different color channels. Support Vector Machines (SVM) were used for classification purposes. An overall recognition rate of 96.5% was achieved using these covariance based features. Relatively low false positive values of 2.4% were obtained which is important to reduce economic loss due to healthy kernels being discarded as fungal damaged. The image processing method is not computationally expensive so that it could be implemented in real-time sorting systems to separate damaged popcorn or other grains that have textural differences. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve

Archaeogenetic analysis of Neolithic sheep from Anatolia suggests a complex demographic history since domestication

Sheep were among the first domesticated animals, but their demographic history is little understood. Here we analyzed nuclear polymorphism and mitochondrial data (mtDNA) from ancient central and west Anatolian sheep dating from Epipaleolithic to late Neolithic, comparatively with modern-day breeds and central Asian Neolithic/Bronze Age sheep (OBI). Analyzing ancient nuclear data, we found that Anatolian Neolithic sheep (ANS) are genetically closest to present-day European breeds relative to Asian breeds, a conclusion supported by mtDNA haplogroup frequencies. In contrast, OBI showed higher genetic affinity to present-day Asian breeds. These results suggest that the east-west genetic structure observed in present-day breeds had already emerged by 6000 BCE, hinting at multiple sheep domestication episodes or early wild introgression in southwest Asia. Furthermore, we found that ANS are genetically distinct from all modern breeds. Our results suggest that European and Anatolian domestic sheep gene pools have been strongly remolded since the Neolithic

Higher education students’ achievement emotions and their antecedents in e-learning amid COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country survey

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide range of negative consequences for higher education students. We explored the generalizability of the control-value theory of achievement emotions for e-learning, focusing on their antecedents. We involved 17019 higher education students from 13 countries, who completed an online survey during the first wave of the pandemic. A structural equation model revealed that proximal antecedents (e-learning self-efficacy, computer self-efficacy) mediated the relation between environmental antecedents (cognitive and motivational quality of the task) and positive and negative achievement emotions, with some exceptions. The model was invariant across country, area of study, and gender. The rates of achievement emotions varied according to these same factors. Beyond their theoretical relevance, these findings could be the basis for policy recommendations to support stakeholders in coping with the challenges of e-learning and the current and future sequelae of the pandemic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Academic student satisfaction and perceived performance in the e-learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence across ten countries

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shaped higher education and seen the distinct rise of e-learning as a compulsory element of the modern educational landscape. Accordingly, this study highlights the factors which have influenced how students perceive their academic performance during this emergency changeover to e-learning. The empirical analysis is performed on a sample of 10,092 higher education students from 10 countries across 4 continents during the pandemic’s first wave through an online survey. A structural equation model revealed the quality of e-learning was mainly derived from service quality, the teacher’s active role in the process of online education, and the overall system quality, while the students’ digital competencies and online interactions with their colleagues and teachers were considered to be slightly less important factors. The impact of e-learning quality on the students’ performance was strongly mediated by their satisfaction with e-learning. In general, the model gave quite consistent results across countries, gender, study fields, and levels of study. The findings provide a basis for policy recommendations to support decision-makers incorporate e-learning issues in the current and any new similar circumstances.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Natural history of the Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus in Turkey (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Aspects of the ecology, karyology, and taxonomic status of the Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus, in the Mediterranean region of Turkey were investigated based on 41 specimens obtained between 1977 and 2003. Distribution, external and cranial morphometrics, pelage coloration, baculum morphology, karyology, colony size, roosting and feeding ecology, and conservation and management issues were recorded. The fruit bat in Turkey is represented by the nominate subspecies, R. a. aegyptiacus. Sexual dimorphism was recorded in pelage coloration and morphometric data. The aiploid number of chromosomes (2n) is 36. Records of feeding behavior were obtained from both field and laboratory studies. Seasonal changes in diet were recorded in both wild and cultivated fruits, including Persian lilac (Melia azadirachta), rubber tree (Ficus elastica), plum (Prunus sp.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), apple (Malus sp.), fig (Ficus carica), pomegranate (Punica granatum), grape (Vitis viniferia), persimmon (Diosyros kaki), date (Phoenix dactylifera), mulberry (Morus sp.), cherry (Prunus sp.), peach (Prunus persica), apricot (Prunus sp.), and citrus (Citrus sp.). It was determined that the fruit bats in Turkey reproduce in late August. © TÜBİTAK