Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the flavour of fresh uncooked onions by taste‐panels and analysis of flavour precursors, pyruvate and sugars

Flavour in fresh onions is dominated by volatile sulphenic and thiosulphenic acids that are liberated once alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxide (ACSO) flavour precursors are cleaved by the enzyme alliinase after tissue disruption. The levels of pyruvate and ACSOs in over 100 samples of onions marketed in the UK were measured, and compared with assessment by taste-panels. There was a linear relationship between the content of ACSOs and pyruvate. Measurements of pyruvate indicated that the marketing classification of some types of onion did not correspond to their pyruvate levels. A significant linear relationship was found between a sensory measure of strength and pyruvate over the range 1.2–9.3 µmol pyruvate g−1 fresh weight. In most cases, when a flavour classification of sweet, mild or strong was applied to a sample of onions based on pyruvate content, the taste-panels agreed with the categorization. The taste-panels were unable to identify a sweet flavour in onions, except at low levels of pyruvate. Taste-panels were able to define a likeability character (attractiveness of flavour) for onions, which correlated with the level of pyruvate. However, for some varieties, the flavour classification or likeability did not correspond to predictions based on pyruvate levels alone. Pyruvate measurements were seen as a suitable method for routine quality control once the characteristics of a variety of onion had been established, but initial evaluations should include well-designed taste-panel assessments. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Intrinsic and climatic determinants of population demography: The winter dynamics of tundra voles

The relative impacts of intrinsic factors (e.g., density dependence) and ex- trinsic factors (e.g., climate) on winter demography may be critical for the generation of different population dynamic patterns (including cyclicity) in northern vole and lemming populations. However, little is known about winter demography because studies with tem- poral and spatial replication at the population level and an adequate sample of individuals with known fates within each population are rare. In this study, we monitored the winter demography of 48 local tundra vole populations introduced to experimentally enclosed plots the preceding spring for four years in Norway. The rate of population change over the winter (November-May) was density dependent due to recruitment. However, the large variation in the rate of change between the different winters was due to a density-independent, and most likely a climatically driven, variation in survival rate. In particular, mild weather that led to the formation of ice on the ground seemed to be detrimental for winter survival. We predict that if increased frequency of such events arose, due to climate change, normal cyclic dynamics of northern small rodent populations would be disrupted. We found support for the hypothesis that voles adjusted their body mass toward a certain mean during the winter so as to maximize winter survival. The survival rate of males was lower than that of females, possibly due to their larger body mass, and this resulted in female-biased population sex ratios in the spring. This result suggests a link between sexual selection (responsible for the sexual size dimorphism) and natural selection (operating though size-dependent winter survival) with implications for the demographic structure of the population.
Preliminary Study of Palm Oil Based Coupling Agent for Polypropylene/Cocoa Pod Husk Composites

Background: The palm oil based coupling agent (POCA) was a type of gycidyl fatty acid ester that derived from palm oil and it used to treat filler for the purpose of improving properties of composites. Objective: This work discussed the effect of filler treatment with difference palm POCA content on tensile and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP)/cocoa pod husk (CPH) composites. Results: The filler treatment with 3 wt% POCA had effectively increased the tensile strength and tensile modulus of PP/CPH composites. The elongation at break of PP/CPH composites reduced with the increased of POCA content, then the elongation at break is increased after 3 wt% of POCA content. The scanning electron microscope analysis indicated the treated CPH with POCA had better filler dispersion and adhesion with PP matrix. Conclusion: From the results, the POCA show a potential as an effective coupling agent on PP/CPH composites, as the POCA had able to enhanced the tensile properties and interfacial properties.
Survey Evidence on the Rationality of Business Expectations: Implications from the Malaysian Agricultural Sector

The rational expectations hypothesis (REH) serves as an appealing mechanism in forming expectations compared to that of extrapolative or adaptive frameworks because of its consistency with the basic principles of maximizing behavior. This argument is particularly true as the basic idea of REH maintains that expectations in an uncertain world are formed under assumptions where no systematic errors and information are fully utilized. However, empirical findings from the present study showed diverse evidence of rationality in business operational forecasts formed by Malaysian agriculture firms, as capital expenditure expectations were found to be irrational but gross revenue expectations were supportive of the REH proposition. This implies that the survey of business forecasts may not work well in reflecting the true business outlook, specifically in value-related operational forecasts, which in turn would directly influence investment decisions as well as the capital budgeting process.
Capital structure determinants in Europe: The effect of profitability and the moderating role of firm size

Background: A review of the literature indicates that the extant research generally focused on identifying which of the two main capital structure theories, the trade-off theory (TOT) or the pecking order theory (POT), performs best, with only few papers aiming to reconcile the two. Purpose: This study seeks to assess the impact of size and profitability on capital structure, and to analyse the moderating role of size on the profitability–leverage relationship, in order to provide a means for reconciling POT and TOT. Methodology: The impact of size and profitability on leverage was gauged through OLS regressions, on a sample of 10.688 firm-year observations from France, Germany and the United Kingdom during 2006–2013. The moderating role of size was analysed graphically, the coefficients being computed via the Johnson–Neyman technique. Findings: In small and medium German and British firms profitability follows the predictions of TOT and has a positive effect on the debt level. Conversely, the effect of profitability in large firms is significant only in the British sample, and is negative, as predicted by POT. In French companies profitability negatively impacts leverage, which is consistent with POT. The effect, however, is significant only in the year 2006 and in the full period subsample, and only in medium and large companies. As regards firm size, the variable positively affects leverage across the studied years and countries, which is consistent with TOT. Implications: The main implications of the findings are twofold. First, POT and TOT can and should be reconciled, rather than be viewed as competing capital structure models. Second, a new capital structure model should be developed, which would encompass existing theories and take into account firm size and country differences.
Foreign Direct Investment & Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Empirical Study

This study has made an attempt to investigate and analyze empirically the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the economic growth for a panel of 32 Sub-Saharan African countries during the period 2008-2014. Both static panel regression techniques and dynamic panel estimates were employed to assess the causal link of our regressors, namely, FDI, trade openness, domestic investment, working population size and the effects of the 2009 European debt crisis on our dependent variable, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. The evidence from the statistical analysis suggests that aggregated FDI does have a positive and significant impact on economic growth and is thus consistent with the literature, especially with respect to developing countries. Based on static random effects, the inclusion of the 2009 Euro zone crisis did not diverge the results despite its negative impact on economic growth. The contribution of FDI is observed to be relatively higher than domestic investment.
Real Wages and Unemployment in the Big Squeeze

UK real wage growth has slowed down, stagnated and recently turned sharply negative. We document the nature of real wage changes across the wage distribution over the last three decades, showing that recent patterns represent a distinct break of trend that pre-dates the onset of recession. We explore whether unemployment has become a stronger moderating influence on real wage growth and report, using aggregate economy-wide and regional panel data, that real wage–unemployment sensitivities have become stronger in the period from 2003 onwards. Finally, we offer some assessment of possible drivers of this increased sensitivity of real wages to unemployment.
Development, Characterization, and Linkage Mapping of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Grain Amaranths (Amaranthus sp.)

The grain amaranths (Amaranthus sp.) are important pseudo‐cereals native to the New World. During the last decade they have garnered increased international attention for their nutritional quality, tolerance to abiotic stress, and importance as a symbol of indigenous cultures. We describe the development of the first single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for amaranth. In addition, we report the characterization of the first complete genetic linkage map in the genus. The SNP assays are based on KASPar genotyping chemistry and were detected using the Fluidigm dynamic array platform. A diversity screen of 41 accessions of the cultivated amaranth species and their putative ancestor species (Amaranth hybridus L.) showed that the minor allele frequency (MAF) of these markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 with an average MAF of 0.27 per SNP locus. One hundred and forty‐one of the SNP loci were considered highly polymorphic (MAF ≥ 0.3). Linkage mapping placed all 411 markers into 16 linkage groups, presumably corresponding to each of the 16 amaranth haploid chromosomes. The map spans 1288 cM with an average marker density of 3.1 cM per marker. The work reported here represents the initial first steps toward the genetic dissection of agronomically important characteristics in amaranth.
Simulation of electromagnetic pulses generated by escaped electrons in a high-power laser chamber

Intensive electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) can be generated when a high-power laser strikes a target. The transient electromagnetic field can have an intensity of up to several hundred kV m−1 with a broad frequency of up to several gigahertz, which may affect diagnostics and interfere with, or even damage, electronic equipment. In this paper, the process in which hot electrons produced by the laser−target interaction radiate EMPs is studied and simulated. The physical process is divided into three stages which are: the production of hot electrons; the escape of hot electrons; and the generation of EMPs. Instead of using a general finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to solve the Maxwell equations, a particle-in-cell method together with a time-biased FDTD method is applied in EMP simulation to restrain high-frequency noise. The results show that EMPs are stronger with higher laser intensity and larger target size.
An ESA State-of-the-Art Simulation Tool for Space Applications

During the last 16 years Empresarios Agrupados Internacional has been involved in the ESA multidisciplinary simulation tool project for space applications. From the very beginning the goal has been to produce state-of-the-art software for modelling complex and heterogeneous systems. The areas of application have been many: propulsion, electrical systems, fluids, environmental control, biological systems, etc. In 2000, EcosimPro became a commercial product, demonstrating that this effort is valid for application in fields other than space.
The mental footprint of marketing in the boardroom

Purpose – Marketing researchers continue to debate the significance of the managerial relevance of marketing, especially in the boardrooms. Despite a growing number of published papers on the topic, it is surprising that there are virtually none on mental models. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents mental models as a perspective to discuss marketing's position in companies, and reflects on the marketing mental models of boardroom members and top management. Findings – The paper addresses marketing's relevant issues and offers new insights into the role of marketing in companies by highlighting mental models, which drive the boardrooms’ and managers’ attentions, decisions, actions, and evaluations. The paper demonstrates the importance of mental models by introducing and discussing the notion of the mental footprint of marketing, or the impact marketing has on mental models. Research limitations/implications – The rapidly changing business .
Improving College Access and Success for Low-Income Students: Evidence from a Large Need-Based Grant Program

Using comprehensive administrative data on France's single largest financial aid program, this paper provides new evidence on the impact of large-scale need-based grant programs on the college enrollment decisions, persistence, and graduation rates of low-income students. We exploit sharp discontinuities in the grant eligibility formula to identify the impact of aid on student outcomes at different levels of study. We find that the provision of 1,500 euros cash allowances to prospective undergraduate or graduate students increases their college enrollment rates by 5 to 7 percent. Moreover, we show that need-based grants have positive effects on student persistence and degree completion.
Factors affecting nursing cultural competency in private hospitals at Bangkok, Thailand

Background: Cultural competency is particularly important in healthcare industry nowadays, where cultural beliefs have a significant impact on care access, treatment choices, effectiveness of nursing care, and other aspects of patient care. This study aimed to explore the level of cultural competency and the factors affecting the cultural competency of nurses, from two medium-size private hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand with similarity in therapeutic specialties and other characteristics in three categories: multi-cultural knowledge, attitude towards different cultures and cultural practice in nurses. Methods: This was cross sectional study by interviewing 166 nurses in two hospitals of Bangkok in December 2014. The samples were selected using proportional simple random sampling (SRS) method. The data was collected using a validated, piloted and reliable self-administered questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS 16.0 using descriptive statistics, regression and Chi-square analyses. Results: The analysis showed that the overall level of cultural competency of nurses was classified as low to moderate (75.9% of all nurses scored low multicultural knowledge competency while 63.3% and 71.7% of all nurses scored moderate attitude towards different cultures and cultural practice respectively). It was found that knowledge of different cultures was affected by responsibility, age and level of confidence of the nurses ( p < .05) while attitude towards different cultures was affected by work shift, level of confidence and marital status of the nurses ( p < .05). Further study showed that the level of confidence in communication and nursing care towards foreign patients and the level of attitude towards foreign patients significantly associated with the quality of cultural practice ( p < .05). It was found that level of confidence and attitude had positive correlation with the cultural practice. Conclusions: Study has concluded that the good quality of cultural practice was primarily driven by the positive confidence and attitude while the expedience factors, level of knowledge and other background marginally affected the quality of cultural practice.
Spectrophotometer-based student education program on health hazard assessment due to Cr(VI) and Pb contamination in surface and groundwaters of Hyderabad City, India

A student-centric research education program with the active participation of undergraduate students is initiated. The aim is to imbibe ―responsible citizenship behavior‖ in them so that each member becomes conscious and well trained to take up environmental-related issues and challenges for long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. In this work, we report spectrophotometer-based estimation of hexavalent chromium (57-268 gL-1) and lead (34–158 gL-1) concentrations in different surface waters and groundwater samples in and around the city of Hyderabad, India. Our results indicate that the studied surface water bodies and aquifers are contaminated to variable degrees and pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. In view of low geochemical baseline values for chromium and lead, the origin of heavy metal pollution is inferred to be anthropogenic, mainly originating from industrial effluents. The toxicological data are integrated with health data for risk assessment and impending health hazard. Finally, the novelty of this student-centric research program is highlighted.
The employment–population nexus and implications for sustainable economic development: insights from Irish regions using a partial adjustment model

Abstract In this paper, we use a partial adjustment model to analyse the relationship between employment and population growth in Irish district electoral divisions. We employ a spatial estimator to augment our partial adjustment model with a spatial lag and spatial error process. Our results indicate a dual relationship between employment and population growth, suggesting that not only do people follow jobs but also jobs follow people. This finding has implications for economic development policies, which typically focus solely on attracting jobs to a location. The results suggest that a dual-pronged approach to policy may be necessary including developing a region’s amenities to ensure that it is attractive to people and to stimulate population growth. We highlight how our analysis can be used to inform policy through the lenses of place-based and smart specialisation strategies.
Attributes of Ethical Leadership and Ethical Guidelines in Malaysian Public Sector

Malaysian Public Sector departments or agencies are responsible to provide efficient public services with zero corruption. However, corruption continues to occur due to the absence of ethical leadership and well-execution of ethical guidelines. Thus, the objective of this paper is to explore the attributes of ethical leadership and ethical guidelines. This study employs a qualitative research by analyzing data from interviews with key informers of public sector using conceptual content analysis (NVivo11). The study reveals eight attributes of ethical leadership which are role model, attachment, ethical support, knowledgeable, discipline, leaders’ spirituality encouragement, virtue values and shared values. Meanwhile, five attributes (guidelines, communication, check and balance, concern on stakeholders and compliance) of ethical guidelines are identified. These identified attributes should become the ethical identity and ethical direction of Malaysian Public Sector. This could enhance the public trust as well as the international community trust towards the public sector. Keywords—Check and balance, ethical guidelines, ethical leadership, public sector, spirituality encouragement
Mobile banking services adoption in Pakistan: are there gender differences?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive insight into the deciding factors affecting an individual’s intention to adopt mobile banking (m-banking) services in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach A survey approach was used with a sample of 189 responses from across Pakistan. Multi-group analysis was performed in order to detect gender differences among men and women in the process of adopting m-banking. Findings The paper found support for the positive effect of perceived behavioral control (PBC) and attitudes (ATT) toward m-banking adoption intentions. Significant differences between men and women were found to affect subjective norms (SN) on adoption intention, even though the combined sample of men and women was insignificant. The effect of SN on m-banking adoption is stronger for women than for men. Interestingly, the paper provides contradictory findings on the role of PBC on adoption intention. The effect of PBC on m-banking adoption intention was found to be significantly stronger for men than for women. Practical implications The results present implications of consumer behavior and marketing communication for bank marketing. Although men and women do not differ in their ATT toward m-banking service adoption in general, the succinct nuance between men and women in terms of the influence of SN and PBC with adoption intention calls for a strategic reorientation of how men and women as consumers of m-banking services should be appropriately segmented, targeted and communicated. The formulation of marketing strategies to target potential consumers and to reinforce the usefulness of m-banking to existing consumers should not be “one size fits all. ” The marketing of m-banking services to segments of men and women should be approached strategically in order to increase adoption rates in developing/emerging economies. Originality/value This is the first study on m-banking services adoption in Pakistan to examine the role of gender in the innovation adoption process. The differences between the two genders and the insightful results that we found in our study help shed light on the uniqueness of the context. This study is also one of the first to test a combined technology acceptance model and theory of planned behavior model in the context of m-banking adoption in a developing country using a variance-based modeling technique.