Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prison Experience and Reoffending: Exploring the Relationship Between Prison Terms, Institutional Treatment, Infractions, and Recidivism for Sex Offenders

Given that sex offenders have been found to serve longer prison terms compared with other types of violent criminals, it has been suggested that the influence of imprisonment may impact subsequent reoffending. However, institutional factors are often overlooked in risk assessment studies and very few risk assessment instruments include institutional items within their models. The current study explores prison experience explanations for recidivism among convicted sex offenders and indicates that, with respect to time served, both institutional treatment and institutional infractions demonstrate a significant impact. Findings indicate that misconduct in custody was positively associated with revocation and sexual recidivism. Moreover, longer periods of incarceration significantly increase postrelease reoffending for high-risk sex offenders. Policy implications are made regarding further modifications to risk assessment instruments that will take into account institutional risk factors.
The Construction and Psychometric Properties of the Questionnaire for Online Sexual Solicitation and Interaction of Minors With Adults

The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to assess the online sexual solicitation and interactions of minors with adults in order to document the extent of this problem. The questionnaire was constructed in four phases: (a) a review of the previous literature; (b) interviews with convicted online child-sex offenders; (c) a review of the questionnaire items by experts; and (d) a pilot study of the questionnaire administered to adolescents. The validation sample consisted of 2,731 minors (12-15 years old, 50.6% girls). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure. The first factor, called “sexual solicitation,” included items referring to sexual requests from an adult to a minor. The second factor, termed “sexualized interactions,” included items indicating an adult groomed a minor with the purpose of committing a sexual offense. Of participants, 12.6% reported sexual solicitations, and 7.9% reported sexualized interactions. These findings open possible directions for research on the characteristics and consequences of online sexual solicitation and abusive interactions.
Phenolic Acids and Antioxidant Activities in Husk of Different Thai Rice Varieties

This study was designed to investigate the free and bound phenolic acids as well as their antioxidant activities in husk of 12 Thai rice varieties consisting of pigmented rice and normal rice. The pigmented rice husk gave higher free total phenolic contents than normal rice husk. However, there was no significant difference in bound total phenolic contents between pigmented rice and normal rice husks. Ferulic and p-coumaric acids were the major phenolic acids in the free fraction of pigmented rice husks, whereas vanillic acid was the dominant phenolic acid in the free fraction of normal rice husks. On the other hand, p-coumaric acid was highly found in bound form of both pigmented and normal rice husks. The antioxidant activity of husk extracts was positively correlated with the total free phenolics content and individual of phenolic acids especially ferulic acid. On the basis of this study, it is suggested that the rice husk could be a potential phenolic acid source and may therefore offer an effective source of natural antioxidant. Our findings provide valuable information on phenolic acids composition and antioxidant activity of husk for further food application.
Comparison of Nonfried Apple Snacks with Commercially Available Fried Snacks

The study was carried out to evaluate the selected quality attributes of a prototype nonfried apple snack produced by application of vacuum impregnation (VI) of maple syrup and vacuum drying. When maple syrup concentration was adjusted to 20—40% in the VI solution, vacuum-dried apple slices are resulted in the greatest textural attributes, whiteness index, and desirable moisture content and water activity. Comparison of the VI-treated, vacuum-dried apple slices with commercially fried apple and potato snacks revealed that the consumer acceptability was greater for the fried snack products due to their flavor and texture; however, in addition to higher oil content (>30%), commercial fried apple and potato snacks possessed lower antioxidant capacity than nonfried apple snacks. VI process enhanced the calcium content of the nonfried apple snack products.
Extraction of bromelain from pineapple peels

Large amount of pineapple peels (by-products) is left over after processing and they are a potential source for bromelain extraction. Distilled water (DI), DI containing cysteine and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (DI-CE), sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (PB) and PB containing cysteine and EDTA (PB-CE) were used as extractants for bromelain from the pineapple peels. The highest bromelain activity was obtained when it was extracted with PB-CE (867 and 1032 units for Nang Lae and Phu Lae cultv, respectively). The PB could maintain the pH of the extract (pH 5.1—5.7) when compared with others. Under sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the extract showed protein bands in the range 24—28 kDa. The protein band with a molecular weight of ∼28 kDa exposed the clear zone on blue background under the casein-substrate gel electrophoresis. The effects of the bromelain extract on the protein patterns of beef, chicken and squid muscles were also determined. Trichloroacetic acid soluble peptide content of all the treated muscles increased when the amount of bromelain extract increased. Decrease in myosin heavy chains and actin was observed in all the muscle types when bromelain extract was used. The best extractant for bromelain from pineapple peels was PB-CE. Moreover, bromelain extract could be used as a muscle food tenderizing agent in food industries.
Assessment of Coagulation Profile and its Correlation with Severity of Preeclampsia in Women of Odisha

Background: Preeclampsia is an idiopathic multisystem disorder. It is associated with alteration of haematological profile of which thrombocytopenia is the most common which may be accompanied by a clinically evident consumptive coagulopathy or may be the sole abnormality seen. Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the coagulation parameters in the patients with preeclampsia and normal pregnant women. Material and methods The study comprised of 100 pregnant women with preeclampsia in age group 18-35years. 100 healthy age matched pregnant women served as controls. Coagulation parameters done were total platelet count (TPC), prothrombin time (PT) activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), bleeding time (BT), coagulation time (CT) . The parameters were compared by using Student's t-test. Result: In preeclamptic women, mean age group is 25.52 ± 4.38 years. A significant decline in platelet count (p<0.001), increase in PT (p<0.05), aPTT (p<0.001), BT (<0.001) and CT(p<0.05) was seen in preeclampsia as compared to normal pregnancy. With severe fall in platelet count in preeclamptic subjects prolongation of aPTT is more pronounced than PT. Conclusion: it is concluded from the study that total platelet count estimation can be taken as an early and rapid procedure for screening preeclampsia cases at
Efficacy of different washing solutions and contact times on the microbial quality and safety of fresh-cut paprika

The role of different washing solutions and contact times was investigated to determine their use as potential sanitizers for maintaining the microbial quality and food safety of fresh-cut paprika. Samples were cut into small pieces, washed for both 90 and 180 s by different washing solutions: tap water, chlorinated water (100 mg/L and pH 6.5–7), electrolyzed water (pH 7.2) and ozonized water (4 mg/L). Then, samples were packaged in 50 µm polypropylene bags and stored at 5 °C for 12 days, followed by an evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of the treatments. Various quality and safety parameters, such as gas composition, color, off-odor, electrical conductivity and microbial numbers, were evaluated during storage. Results revealed insignificant differences in gas composition, and no off-odor was observed in any of the samples during the storage period. However, longer contact time resulted in slightly lower hue angle value than a short one for all washing solutions. Moreover, samples washed with ozone washings showed lower electrolyte leakage than other washing solutions. Samples washed for longer contact time except those washed in ozonized water showed increased microbial numbers during storage. Hence, it has been concluded that longer contact time with ozone has positive effects, whereas the other washing solutions adversely affect the microbial quality and safety aspects of fresh-cut paprika.
The Effects of Switching Costs on User Resistance to Enterprise Systems Implementation

It is estimated that up to 70% of the large-scale information systems [i.e., enterprise systems (ESs)] implementation projects conducted to date have failed. User resistance to ESs implementation is consistently identified as a critical reason for this high failure rate. While previous research, primarily through case studies, has explored several reasons for user resistance, the results of status quo bias research suggest that switching costs are the main reason. This study classifies switching cost subtypes based on status quo bias research, develops a theoretical model based on the equity implementation model, and examines the effects of switching costs on user resistance through a survey of employees at a manufacturing company that was in the process of implementing a new ES. The results of this survey indicate that uncertainty costs and sunk costs directly increase user resistance, while transition costs and loss costs indirectly increase user resistance by reducing the perceived value of switching. The results of this study advance the theoretical understanding of ESs implementation and user resistance to change. These findings also offer suggestions to organizations for managing user resistance and may help reduce the failure rates of ESs implementation projects due to user resistance.
Alliance Formation of SMEs: Empirical Evidence From Standardization Committees

This paper explores the decision of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in official standard setting alliances. Based on micro data of German firms in the electrical engineering and machinery industry, we show that innovation-related variables follow the predictions of our hypotheses. Research and development (R&D) intensity exhibits an inverse U-shaped relationship on the likelihood to join alliances. The positive relation suggests that SMEs aim to access the knowledge of larger firms whereas the negative relationship indicates that SMEs exceeding a certain threshold of R&D activity are reluctant to participate in standardization because their knowledge is too essential to disclose to competitors. The importance to access external knowledge via standardization committees is underlined by a positive correlation with the relevance of incoming knowledge spillovers and a negative correlation with the relative size of companies' patent portfolios. Besides these variables, we also explore the traditionally considered factors for alliance formation and show that firm size and export intensity are positively correlated with participation.
Antimicrobial activity of nisin, thymol, carvacrol and cymene against growth of Candida lusitaniae

Yeasts are tolerant to acid pH values, are able to grow in anaerobic media and have minimum nutrition requirements. These capabilities enable them to survive and even grow in foods prepared from acid fruits or vegetables. Among yeasts, Candida is one of the genus most frequently isolated from fruit juices. Bacteriocins and essential oils from spices and aromatic herbs are an alternative to preservatives and other technological treatments and have the advantage that their natural origins do not lead to consumer rejection. However, before the food industry uses them on a large scale, it is necessary to know their effects on microorganisms. The objective of this research was to study the effect of different concentrations of nisin, thymol, carvacrol and cymene on the growth of Candida lusitaniae in pH 5 broth at 25 ℃, and their potential uses as food preservatives. The addition of nisin at the concentrations tested (up to 3 µmol L−1) did not affect the yeast growth. Thymol, carvacrol and cymene completely inhibited the yeast growth at concentrations over 1 mM for at least 21 days at 25 ℃. Below this concentration, inhibitions on yeast growth were observed at increasing concentrations. The effect of thymol was also proved in tomato juice. This study indicates the potential use of essential oils for preservation of minimally processed foods.
Effect of microwave power on kinetics and characteristics of microwave vacuum-dried longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) pulp

The drying kinetics of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) pulp processed by microwave vacuum under different microwave levels (2.67, 5.33, 8.00, and 10.67 W/g) was investigated (pressure controlled at −85 ± 2 kPa) in the present study. It was found that the drying rate of longan pulp was dependent on the microwave power, and the rehydration rate increased from 1.96 to 2.17 with the increase of microwave power from 2.67 to 10.67 W/g. Among nine selected thin layer models, the microwave vacuum drying of longan pulp was well represented by five models, which were Page, Modified Henderson and Pabis, Wang and Singh, Logarithmic, and Midilli models. Furthermore, the results of statistical analysis indicated that the Midilli model could describe the best experimental data. In addition, scanning electron microscope observation showed that the microwave vacuum-dried longan pulp had a porous structure.
Gender Biases in Hiring Project Managers: Perceptions of Trust and Likeability

There have been numerous studies examining the effects of social role theory on negative stereotyping of female managers, including low perceived likeability and unwillingness by subordinates to trust them. These attributions are particularly relevant in the context of “male-dominated” jobs, such as technical disciplines like engineering and project management. We investigated the specific setting of project manager job candidate selection, a professional discipline that has historically been male-dominated, but one that has seen a large rise in female project managers over the past decade. We examined the perceptions of respondents to differences in male and female job candidates based on the critical personal/managerial characteristics of trust and likeability. Using a scenario-based survey questionnaire, we sampled 312 project management personnel and tested subjects' reactions to two candidates for a project management position, employing identical descriptions and language while only changing the candidate's name: Susan or Stan. Our results suggested that, contrary to expectations, respondents' perceptions of the female candidate, Susan, were significantly higher across both managerial dimensions of likeability and trust. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Counseling African Americans in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Implications for Comprehensive Lifestyle Modification

African Americans are more likely to die of a myocardial infarction than any other racial group and have higher rates of sudden cardiac death, and in comparison to whites, these deaths are likely to occur at a younger age. Because secondary prevention interventions have been reported to reduce overall mortality, it is important that health care providers understand and respond with sensitivity to the needs and preferences that African Americans bring to cardiac rehabilitation. Providing culturally appropriate cardiac rehabilitation services to African Americans has the potential to improve access to care, quality of care, and health outcomes. This article reviews the historical legacy and general values and beliefs that African Americans bring to their participation in cardiac rehabilitation and examines values and beliefs about diet, weight, body image, exercise, rest, and preferences for depression treatment that should be considered when counseling African Americans. Social-ecological factors that influence the ability to commit to and maintain cardiovascular risk—reducing behaviors are also discussed. Strategies for responding to the health-related beliefs and cultural values of African Americans are examined.
A clinical audit of thalassaemia management at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo

Objective: To assess the adherence of management of beta thalassaemia major patients at Lady Ridgeway Hospital to an established standard treatment protocol Method: A clinical audit was carried out in all six medical wards of Lady Ridgeway Hospital from 1 st February 2008 to 31 st March 2008 with retrospective data collected over the period 1 st January 2005 to 31 st December 2007. The study population comprised all beta thalassaemia major patients admitted to the wards during the study period. Patients who did not give consent and those having other transfusion dependant anaemias were excluded from the study. The study instrument used was a pretested structured data collection form. Data collection was done by referring the past medical records. Data on ‘compliance’ was based on recall by the parent. Data analysis was done on a Microsoft Excel worksheet. Results: During the study period data was collected from 61 patients. Age at time of diagnosis ranged from 2 months to 5 years. All patients had their diagnosis confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography or both tests. Pre-transfusion haemoglobin levels ranged from 4.1 mg/dl to 11.2 mg/dl. Number of blood transfusions per year ranged from 4–18 per year. Almost 50% of the patients had serum ferritin levels above the potentially cardiotoxic level of 2500 µg/l. Conclusions: Compliance of the patients with the treatment protocol was unsatisfactory. A high proportion of patients had cardiotoxic levels of serum ferritin. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health , 2011; 40 : 48-53 (Key words: clinical audit; thalassaemia; blood transfusion; chelation; desferrioxamine; deferiprone; iron overload) doi: 10.4038/sljch.v40i2. 3090
Impact of heating on sensory properties of French Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) blue cheeses. Relationships with physicochemical parameters

The aim of this study was to measure the impact of heating on the sensory properties of blue-veined cheeses in order to characterise their sensory properties and to identify their specific sensory typology associated with physicochemical parameters. Sensory profiles were performed on a selection of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses representing the four blue-veined cheese categories produced in the Massif Central (Fourme d’Ambert, Fourme de Montbrison, Bleu d’Auvergne and Bleu des Causses). At the same time, physicochemical parameters were measured in these cheeses. The relationship between these two sets of data was investigated. Four types of blue-veined cheeses displayed significantly different behaviour after heating and it is possible to discriminate these cheese categories through specific sensory attributes. Fourme d’Ambert and Bleu d’Auvergne exhibited useful culinary properties: they presented good meltability, stretchability and a weak oiling-off. However, basic tastes (salty, bitter and sour) are also sensory attributes which can distinguish heated blue cheeses. The relationship between the sensory and physicochemical data indicated a correlation suggesting that some of these sensory properties may be explained by certain physicochemical parameters of heated cheeses.
Efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene on the mitigation of storage disorders of “Rocha” pear under normal refrigerated and controlled atmospheres

Alternatives are needed for long-term preservation of European pears (Pyrus communis L.) after the ban on diphenylamine. “Rocha” pear fruit harvested at commercial maturity were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-methylcyclopropene, SmartFresh™) and diphenylamine and stored at 0 ℃, 90–95% relative humidity, under normal atmosphere for up to six months or under controlled atmosphere (controlled atmosphere, 3 kPa O2 + 0.7 kPa CO2) for up to 9.4 months. At 312 nl l−1, 1-methylcyclopropene reduced softening and yellowing, and increased soluble solids content during shelf life in comparison with fruit treated with diphenylamine. 1-Methylcyclopropene at 312 nl l−1 was also more effective than diphenylamine in reducing superficial scald and internal browning disorders. 1-Methylcyclopropene at 150 nl l−1 had little effect on ripening-related changes but was effective against physiological disorders of pears stored in regular atmosphere or under controlled atmosphere. Delayed controlled atmosphere slightly reduced internal browning disorders but increased superficial scald. 1-Methylcyclopropene at 312 nl l−1 reduced physiological disorders in “Rocha” pear under refrigerated storage and delayed ripening-related softening and color changes during shelf life. At 150 nl l−1, 1-methylcyclopropene is as effective as diphenylamine against storage disorders without ripening impairment.
Determinação das fontes alimentares de Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, pelo teste de precipitina

Anopheles aquasalis e um mosquito ora encarado como antropofilico, ora como zoofilico ou ecletico. Realizou-se estudo em Guapimirim, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, de maio a novembro de 1992, com o intuito de se verificar a fonte alimentar preferida desse anofelino atraves de teste imunologico de precipitina. De 1.366 femeas capturadas em abrigos naturais, 725 estavam ingurgitadas. O conteudo digestivo de apenas 473 delas reagiu no teste de precipitina, sendo que em 75,3% dos casos foi identificada apenas uma fonte alimentar. Mais da metade dessas femeas havia se alimentado em boi (52,2%), enquanto poucas tinham sugado homem (1,1%). Por outro lado, 24,7% dos especimes haviam se alimentado em mais de uma fonte sanguinea, principalmente boi e cavalo. Conclui-se que An. aquasalis e zoofilo nessa regiao do Pais, utilizando grande variedade de hospedeiros, porem preferindo se alimentar em animais de grande porte, especialmente o boi e cavalo.
Effect of microalgae incorporation on physicochemical and textural properties in wheat bread formulation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of different microalgae on physicochemical and textural properties of bread. Four species of microalgae Isochrysis galbana, Tetraselmis suecica, Scenedesmus almeriensis, and Nannochloropsis gaditana were used in this study. Properties such as water activity, pH, microbiological counts, viscosity, and color were analyzed to determine the effect of microalgae addition on sourdough. The technological quality of breads was analyzed in terms of physicochemical properties, color, texture profile, and porosity. The main effect of microalgae addition was changes in bread color, crust, and crumb that implies an increase of browning and an evolution to more green-yellow tonalities. The textural parameters of breads such as hardness, chewiness, and resilience are not modified by microalgae addition.