Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of sweeteners on physical attributes and microstructure of sweet-dried chicken meat

Jerky or dried cured meat is traditionally snack food preferable with glossy and light brown color, specific flavor, chewiness texture, and high protein content. In Thailand, the dried meat sometimes added more sugar to produce the sweet taste which is different to jerky, so this product might be called “sweetdried meat”. Chicken could be one choice of meat consumption which is considered as the cheapest meat, low cholesterol and restriction food in religion. However, the color of sweet-dried chicken meat was undesirable to the consumers because chicken meat has low myoglobin content resulting in pale color of the product. The main nonenzymatic browning reactions during process of sweet-dried chicken meat are caramelization and Maillard reaction. The caramelization is usually formed when sugar are being heated at high temperature (above 80°C, pH 3-9) without amino groups (Laroque et al., 2008). Maillard reaction is the spontaneous interactions occurring between carbonyls and amines, mainly in the form of reducing sugars and amino groups of proteins (Ajandouz et al., 2008). The rate of these browning reactions is strongly dependent on concentration, ratio and chemical nature of reactants (amino and carbonyl compound), temperature and time of heating, moisture content and pH (Laroque et al., 2008). Furthermore, sugar ingredient could act as plasticizers to improve texture of product. In this study, the effect of different sweeteners on color, texture, and microstructure of sweet-dried chicken meat were investigated accompany with the sensory evaluation.
CONSUMERS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DIETARY FIBRE – RESULTS OF A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IN HUNGARY AND ROMANIA

Dietary fi bres (DFs) are essential components of the balanced diet. Even though the adequate level of their consumption can be ensured from several natural (e.g. fruit, vegetables, legumes) and ‘artifi cial’ sources (e.g. functional foods), the consumed levels are below the recommendations. To analyse the Hungarian and Romanian consumers’ knowledge level, their perceptions of the health benefi ts associated with fi bre, as well as the recognition of the potential information sources, a survey questionnaire was conducted with the total of 713 consumers. Results showed that the level of knowledge about DFs was not adequate. Internet was found to be widely used and identifi ed as one of the most appropriate information sources to encourage the consumption of DF. It was a favourable result that three-quarter of the respondents was interested in the topic of healthy food consumption; however, just less than half of them took into consideration the label information during their shopping decisions. To increase the consumption of DF and to support the responsibility and conscious consumer decisions steps must to be done (e.g. education of children, pointing out of the sources). For this purpose, modern information technology and communication channels fi tting to the consumers’ cultural and personal particularities can be utilized.
Trade, Technical Change and Market Selection: Evidence from Manufacturing Plants in Colombia

We examine various channels through which trade liberalization affects aggregate productivity, exploiting tariff changes across sectors after the Colombian trade reform. An advantage of our analysis is that our TFP measure does not include demand and price effects. We find that higher plant-level productivity reduces the likelihood a plant exits, and that greater international competition magnifies this effect. Using a dynamic simulation, we find that improved selection increases aggregate productivity substantially. Trade liberalization also increases productivity of incumbent plants and improves the allocation of activity. We find larger effects on allocative efficiency with our TFP measure than with a traditional measure including price effects.
Consequences of CEO Overconfidence

We test the impact of CEO overconfidence on the cost of debt and the impact of SOX on overconfidence via CEO selection. Our CEO overconfidence measure is based on the degree of optimism in management earnings forecasts, and the measure for the cost of debt is bond yield spreads. Our evidence supports that the market discounts CEO overconfidence by increasing the cost of borrowing. Moreover, we find that the financial market also incorporates past CEO overconfidence into bond pricing. We document that the board prefers to appoint a more rational CEO over an overconfident CEO. Our findings are consistent with Banerjee et al.’s (2015) argument that an independent board mitigates the costs of CEO overconfidence in terms of investment and risk exposure.
ENTREPRENEURS’ SOCIAL AND HUMAN CAPITAL ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF FINANCE ALTERNATIVES: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA

This study aims to examine the impact of entrepreneurs’ social capital and human capital on their knowledge of finance alternatives. The study was conducted through a questionnaire survey of 90 entrepreneurs (employers) of creative businesses located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This study found several important things. First, entrepreneurs’ social capital had a positive influence on their knowledge of finance alternatives. Second, entrepreneurs’ general human capital, only a few indicators, affected their knowledge of finance alternatives. These results showed weak support for the influence of general human capital on the knowledge of finance alternatives. Third, interestingly, entrepreneurs’ specific human capital had no impact on their knowledge of advanced finance alternatives for the growth phase. These results also provided weak support for the influence of specific human capital on the knowledge of finance alternatives.
An Unknown Force Awakened by A Pyramidal Structure

We have been studying a non-contact effect by a meditator in a pyramidal structure on bio-sensors which are placed some distance from the meditator. So far we have demonstrated a meditator’s non-contact effect with very high statistical accuracy and also discovered that the non-contact effect has a time dependence. However, the details of the experimental results were completely opposite our expectations. Namely, to our surprise, the non-contact effect was detected when the meditator was not in the pyramidal structure, and it was not detected when the meditator was in the pyramidal structure. In this paper, we conducted a verification experiment to clarify the factors that led to the unexpected experimental results; in particular, we wanted to identify the necessary conditions for the non-contact effect to come into play. The verification experiment consisted of four patterns in which the presence/absence of the meditator and the presence/absence of the pyramidal structure are the differences in the experimental conditions. Before the verification experiment, we evaluated eight possible results which were expected from the four patterns. From the results of the verification experiment, we verified that the non-contact effect on bio-sensors was undetectable in the meditation period, regardless of the presence or absence of the meditator and the pyramidal structure. Furthermore, we showed that the condition in which the meditator is in the pyramidal structure during the meditation period is the only condition for the non-contact effect to be detected after the meditation period. The results of the verification experiment further solidified the hypothesis that had been proposed in our previous paper about the origin of the non-contact effect, i.e., how it comes into play. The hypothesis is as follows: The meditator exerts a peculiar influence on the environment around him, which does not have a direct effect on the bio-sensors. However, this peculiar influence is transformed by the pyramidal structure, which then has an effect on the bio-sensors.
Statistical distribution of gravitational-lensing excursion angles: winding ways to us from the deep Universe

We investigate statistical distributions of differences in gravitational-lensing deflections between two light rays, the so-called lensing excursion angles. A probability distribution function of the lensing excursion angles, which plays a key role in estimates of lensing effects on angular clustering of objects (such as galaxies, quasi-stellar objects and also the cosmic microwave background temperature map), is known to consist of two components: a Gaussian core and an exponential tail. We use numerical gravitational-lensing experiments in a ACDM cosmology for quantifying these two components. We especially focus on the physical processes responsible for generating these two components. We develop a simple empirical model for the exponential tail which allows us to explore its origin. We find that the tail is generated by the coherent lensing scatter by massive haloes with M > 10 14 h -1 M ○. at z < 1 and that its exponential shape arises due to the exponential cut-off of the halo mass function at that mass range. On scales larger than 1 arcmin, the tail does not have a practical influence on the lensing effects on the angular clustering. Our model predicts that the coherent scatter may have non-negligible effects on angular clustering at subarcminute scales.
Performance Evaluation of Three Vegetative Filter Strip Designs for Controlling Feedlot Runoff Pollution

A vegetative filter strip (VFS) is designed to reduce transport of sediments and nutrients downstream mainly through settling, infiltration (into soil profile), adsorption (to soil and plant materials), and by plant uptake. However, the performance of a VFS greatly depends on a VFS design and climatic conditions of a region. In this paper, relative performance of three VFSs (hereafter Cass County-CC, Sargent County-SC, and Richland County-RC buffers) was evaluated and compared in the context of VFS design for feedlot runoff pollution control and management under agro-climatic condition of North Dakota. Buffer at CC feedlot was established with broadleaf or common cattail (Typha latifolia) grass filter, SC feedlot buffer had Garrison creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus Poir.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceus), and RC feedlot buffer had mixed grasses. Automatic samplers were installed to collect runoff samples at each inflow and outflow locations. Collected runoff samples were analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS), ortho-phosphorus (ortho-P), total phosphorus (TP), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total nitrogen (TN), and potassium (K). Cass County (CC) VFS with cattails grass filter had the longest runoff-flow length (65 m) and resulted in better conducive environment for restricted TSS and TP transports reduction and better adsorption of ortho-P, NH4-N, and K compared to SC and RC feedlot buffers. Overall TSS, ortho-P, TP, NH4-N, and K removal efficacies were 88%, 90%, 89%, 91% , and 90%, respectively, at CC VFS. At SC feedlot VFS resulted in the highest NO3-N reduction. Relatively poor performance was observed for the RC feedlot which was due to smaller runoff-flow length (12 m). Overall, CC feedlot outperformed the SC and RC VFSs in respect of TSS, ortho-P, TP, NH4-N, TKN/TN transport reductions.
Conceptualizing technology influence on job characteristics and work outcomes of instructors in institutions of higher learning

This article conceptualized the framework of the possible impact of using different levels of technology on the roles and responsibilities of instructors in institutions of higher learning. Based on the literature reviewed, there is an indication that employees who use different types of technology in performing their tasks experience different degree of job attributes. This resulted in different levels of personal and work outcomes. This paper aims to examine any similar relationships among instructors who use different levels of instructional technology by employing Hackman and Oldham’s (1980) JDS instrument to measure core job characteristics and work outcomes. A conceptual framework and several propositions speculating the relationships between levels of technology, job characteristics and work outcome were forwarded.
Alpha-Linolenic Acid Supplementation is Associated with Changes in Inflammatory Markers and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Diabetic Rats

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation on inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods: We studied 40 Wistar rats divided into four groups: control, control+ALA, diabetes and diabetes+ALA. The +ALA groups received supplementation of 3 g of ALA from flaxseed, daily for a period of 8 weeks. Measurements of blood glucose levels, serum insulin, lipid profile, serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and INF-γ) and body weight were performed before and after the ALA supplementation. Protein expression of AKT, IRE1-α, XBP-1, BIP, HSP-70, HSP-90, TNF-α and CHOP were evaluated in liver tissue.Results: The diabetes+ALA group had lower liver and greater epidydimal adipose tissue weight in relation to the diabetes group, besides no difference in total body weight. Diabetes+ALA group showed lower glucose and triglyceride levels after the ALA supplementation compared to diabetes group, but no difference in total cholesterol. Insulin levels were significantly lower in the diabetic group compared to the control, but there was no difference between the control group and diabetes+ALA group. The ALA supplementation did not determine significant changes in TNF-α and IL-6 levels. However, the diabetic+ALA group showed a decrease in the serum INF-γ levels after the supplementation period. We also observed increased expression of HSP-90 and HSP-70 in hepatic tissue of the diabetes+ALA animals compared to the diabetes group, associated to lower BIP and XBP-1 protein expression. We also observed a decrease in AKT protein expression in the diabetes+ALA groupConclusion: In conclusion, supplementation of ALA reduced blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels associated to a reduction in systemic inflammation and it was also able to influence important pathways involved in the modulation of ERS.
Environment-Independent Moving Cast Shadow Suppression in Video Surveillance

Aquesta tesi esta orientada a la deteccio i l'eliminacio d'ombres en moviment. Les ombres es poden definir com una part de l'escena que no esta directament il·luminada, pel fet que la font d'il·luminacio es troba obstruida per un o diversos objectes. Sovint, les ombres en moviment que es troben en imatges o en sequencies de video son causa d'errors en l'analisi del comportament huma. Aixo es deu a que les ombres poden causar una degradacio dels resultats dels algorismes de processament d'imatges aplicats a: deteccio d'objectes, segmentacio, video vigilancia o en proposits similars. En aquesta tesi primer s'analitzen exhaustivament els metodes de deteccio d'ombres en moviment, i despres amb l'objectiu de compensar les seves limitacions es proposa un nou metode de deteccio i eliminacio d'aquest tipus d'ombres. El metode proposat no fa servir informacio a priori de l'escena, ni tampoc es restringeix a un tipus d'escena en concret. A mes, el metode proposat pot detectar tant ombres acromatiques com tambe les cromatiques, fins i tot quan hi ha camuflatge (es a dir, quan hi ha una forta similitud de color entre el foreground i l'ombra). Aquest metode explota una propietat de constancia local de color aconseguida a causa de la supressio de la reflectancia en les regions amb ombres. Per detectar les regions amb ombres en una escena, els valors de la imatge del background son dividits pels valors de la imatge actual, tots dos en l'espai de color RGB. Al llarg de la tesi es demostra com aquesta divisio sera utilitzada per detectar segments amb gradients baixos i constants, que al seu torn s'utilitzen per distingir entre ombres i foregrounds. Els resultats experimentals duts a terme sobre base de dades publiques mostren un rendiment superior dels metodes proposats en aquesta Tesi, comparat amb els metodes actuals mes sofisticats de detecci o i eliminacio d'ombres. A mes els resultats demostren que el metode proposat es robust i precis a l'hora detectar diferents tipus d'ombres en diferents tipus de videos.
Scaling and Regionalization of Flow Duration Curve Across the Contiguous United States

Author(s): Rahnamay Naeini, Matin | Advisor(s): Vrugt, Jasper Alexander | Abstract: The ﬂow duration curve (FDC) is a signature catchment characteristic that depicts graphically the relationship between the exceedance probability of streamﬂow and its magnitude. This curve is relatively easy to create and interpret, and is used widely for hydrologic analysis, water quality management, and the design of hydroelectric power plants (among others). In a recent paper, Vrugt and Sadegh [2013] proposed the van Genuchten model as parametric expression for the FDC. This model and other soil water retention functions were tested by Sadegh et al. [2016] and found to closely describe the FDCs of the MOPEX data set. In this thesis, we apply the similar media concept of Miller and Miller [1956] to surface hydrology and analyze the spatial variability of the FDC in the contiguous US. The scaling method is used to coalesce the FDCs of the MOPEX data set into a "mean" reference curve for the contiguous US using single scaling factors for the FDC of the watersheds. Results demonstrate that the scaling factors exhibit a strong geographical trend with spatial patterns similar to those observed in US precipitation maps. Regionalization of the scaling factors is particularly successful for the peak ﬂows of the FDC. Cokriging with environmental covariates such as the annual rainfall amount of each watershed improves further the prediction of the FDC for ungauged basins.
Relations Between Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus Lagopus) Density and Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) Breeding Performance in Sweden.

ptarmigan is considered a key factor for successful breeding of Gyrfalcons (e.g., Cade et al. 1998, Hagen 1952, Koskimies 1999, Potapov and Sale 2005). In many parts of Europe, Lagopus spp. often represent over 90% of the Gyrfalcon’s diet during the breeding season (Koskimies and Sulkava 2002, Nielsen 2003, Nystrom et al. 2005). Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) is the most important prey for the Finnish Gyrfalcon population (Koskimies 2005) while Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is the main prey in Iceland (Nielsen 2003), and an important part of the diet in the high alpine areas in Sweden and Norway (Nystrom et al. 2005). This study, focusing on the spatial and temporal relations between ptarmigan density and Gyrfalcon breeding performance, analyzed data from 55 Gyrfalcon territories and ten ptarmigan census areas in Central Sweden at 63°–64°N between 1996 and 2010.
An Approach to Using Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Variables from the Second National Longitudinal Transition Study

(1977). Research to improve vocational rehabilitation: Employment barriers and strategies for clients who are blind or visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91, 377–392. McDonnall, M. C. (2014). Employer attitudes towards blind or visually impaired employees: Initial development of a measurement instrument. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 58(1), 29 –36. McDonnall, M. C. (2017). Additional evidence for the validity of the Employer Attitudes toward Blind Employees Scale. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 60(3), 155–162. McDonnall, M. C. , O’Mally, J., & Crudden, A. (2014). Employer knowledge of and attitudes towards individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 108(3), 213–225.
Sharp thermal transition in the forearc mantle wedge as a consequence of nonlinear mantle wedge flow

In the forearc mantle wedge, the thermal field depends strongly on slab‐driven mantle wedge flow. The flow is in turn affected by the thermal field via the temperature dependence of mantle rheology. Using thermal modeling, we show that the nonlinear feedback between the thermal and flow fields always leads to complete stagnation of the mantle wedge over a shallow, weakened part of the slab‐mantle interface and an abrupt onset of mantle flow further down‐dip. The abrupt increase in flow velocity leads to a sharp thermal transition from a cold stagnant to a hot flowing part of the wedge. This sharp thermal transition is inherent to all subduction zones, explaining a commonly observed sharp arc‐ward increase in seismic attenuation.
Avante: Investigating the use of imagery by elite ballet dancers

By using an applied model of imagery use developed for sport (Martin, Mortitz, <6 Hall, 1999), the purpose of the present study was to examine the use of imagery by professional ballet dancers. In addition, the relationship between imagery use and the levels of self-confidence and anxiety that dancers may experience just prior to performing were also investigated. Forty-two fiill time professional ballet dancers were administered the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and the Sport Imagery Questionnaire. Results indicated that professional dancers use imagery for both cognitive and motivational fiinctions. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed motivational general-mastery imagery to be a significant predictor of self-confidence, and cognitive specific imagery to be a significant predictor of the direction of both somatic and cognitive anxiety symptoms.
Is the laissez-faire approach to interest rate liberalization a desirable option? A theoretical construct

This paper presents the arguments for and against interest rate liberalization; and, in particular, it seeks to demonstrate why the laissez-faire approach to interest rate liberalization may not be such a desirable policy for many developing countries. The paper has been motivated by the current debate on the efficacy of interest rate liberalization, on the one hand, and the painful experiences some of the countries have had with the liberalization of their interest rates, on the other hand. The paper begins with a review of the theoretical underpinnings of the interest rate liberalization theory, as it is described in the literature. It then proceeds to discuss the controversies around the role of interest rate liberalization from a theoretical perspective. Based on the findings of this study, it is worth concluding that the laissez-faire approach to interest rate liberalization is undesirable in the main. It is unattainable; and it is merely a myth. Consequently, countries implementing interest rate liberalization should do so with extreme caution.
Incar ceration of drug offenders: costs and impacts

In attempting to reduce the availability of illicit drugs and the levels of use of such drugs, some governments have chosen to pursue law enforcement oriented domestic drug control policies that rely heavily upon incarceration. Such a policy choice is influenced by the desire to incapacitate, provide an element of retribution to and sometimes attempt to rehabilitate offenders. It is also largely underpinned by the concept of deterrence. Consequently, irrespective of its other roles, the prospect of time behind bars should discourage would-be offenders from engaging in criminal acts, (what is called general deterrence), and discourage the individual offender from re-offending upon release from prison, (a concept described as specific deterrence). The effectiveness of specific deterrence is believed to depend upon a number of factors including the severity, certainty and immediacy of legal sanctions. Policy makers are therefore often heard to state that police activity and tougher sentences are Incarceration of drug offenders: costs and impacts