Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tackling Food Waste through a sharing economy approach: an experimental analysis

Food security, along with growing population and the associated environmental concerns, make food waste and loss a central topic in economic analysis. While food losses occur mostly at the production, postharvest and processing phases of the supply chain, food waste takes place mainly at the end of the chain and therefore concerns primarily the habits and behaviour patterns of retailers and consumers. Many solutions and practices have been proposed and oftentimes implemented in order to “keep food out of landfills”, thus reducing food waste at the source. However, little attention has been paid to the possible sharing of consumer-side food surplus. In this context, food sharing could represent an effective way to tackle food waste at the consumers’ level, with both environmental and economic potential positive effects. Currently, several initiatives and start-ups are being developed in the US and Europe, involving the collection and use of the excess of food from consumers and retailers and the promotion of collaborative consumption models (e.g. Foodsharing, Growington, Feastly, etc.). Nevertheless, there is still little empirical evidence testing the effectiveness of introducing sharing economy approaches to reduce food waste. This study seeks to fill this gap through a framed field experiment. We run two experimental treatments; in the control treatment students were asked to behave according to their regular food consumption habits, and in the food sharing treatment the same students were instructed to purchase food, cook and consume it collectively. Preliminary results showed that the adoption by households of food sharing practices do not automatically translate into food waste reduction. A number of factors (environmental and economic awareness, domestic skills and collaborative behaviors) might act as ‘enablers’ to make sharing practices effective.
Determining Impediments to Gene Flow in a Natural Population of Cornus florida L. Cornaceae, Using Integrative Landscape Genetic Techniques

DETERMINING IMPEDIMENTS TO GENE FLOW IN A NATURAL POPULATION OF CORNUS FLORIDA L. CORNACEAE, USING INTEGRATIVE LANDSCAPE GENETIC TECHNIQUES By Crystal A. Meadows, M.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Dr. Rodney J. Dyer, Associate Professor, Department of Biology This study examined the impact intervening environment has on gene flow in the insect pollinated understory tree, Cornus florida L. , by combining GIS and landscape genetic techniques (Least Cost Path Analysis, Circuit Theory, and Conditional Genetic Distance). Traditional population genetic analysis indicated pair-wise relatedness was significantly correlated to distance (Pearson; r = -0.312, P < 0.001) suggesting a spatial component to offspring relatedness. Dispersal throughout the study site was non-random, exhibiting a high degree of pollen pool structure due to restricted gene flow (Two-Generation Analysis; Φft = 0.161, P = 0.001). Forest structure was quantified in GIS layers representing coniferous canopies, mixed hardwood canopies, C. florida canopies, open understory (roads), and open understory/canopy due to tree removal. Of these layers, landscape isolation for the roads layer provided the best-fit model for describing genetic differentiation among sampled pollen pools (Mantel; r = 0.542, P = 0.001). These data also suggest that improved biological inferences can be gained by examining a range of landscape isolation models.
Effect of dietary inclusion of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on growth performance, immune responses and blood parameters of broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of four levels (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%) of two forms(powdery and granular) of live yeast of Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S.c) on performance, humoral immune responses and blood parameters in broiler chickens. Two hundred and seventy three day-old commercial male broiler chicks were divided to 21 groups of 13 chicks each. Then each 3 groups were allocated to one of the 7 experimental diets, randomly. Data were collected for body weight, daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio during the experimental period (0-49d of age). At the end of the experiment carcass yield and percentage of abdominal fat to live body weight were recorded. Antibody titers against Influenza disease virus (IDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in serum, on the 10th day of postimmunization(18, 28 and 38 d of age) were determined. On day 49, concentration of proteins, lipids in serum and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H/L) in chick’s blood were evaluated. Results showed that use of live yeast S.c had no significant effect on performance of male broiler chickens. However, treatment containing 0.3% S.c (powdery) in compare to granular and control groups had a higher body weight (2792 g vs. 2711 and 2762 g), daily gain (56.2 vs. 54.5 and 55.6 g/d) and feed intake (105.3 vs. 101.5 and 103.6 g/d). The chickens fed powdery S.c in compare to granular and control groups had a lower abdominal fat and higher carcass yield. The use of S.c had no significant effect on antibody titers against IDV, but at 38d of age chicks fed 0.2% powdery S.c had a higher antibody titers against NDV than control group(P<0.05). The chickens fed diets containing granular S.c had a lower H/L ratio in compare to powdery and control groups. The groups fed diets containing 0.1 and 0.2% powdery S.c had a lower serum cholesterol and higher serum HDL concentrations, respectively(P<0.05). The results suggested that both granular and powdery forms of live yeast Saccharomyces cervisiae have not a growth stimulating effect in male broiler chicks. However in compare to granular type, addition of 0.1 or 0.2% of powdery form of live yeast S.c to diet can improve humoral immune responses, decrease serum lipids and suppress abdominal fat accumulation in broiler chickens.
Combined radiofrequency and chemoembolization vs. chemoembolization in management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. If left untreated, liver cancer has a poor prognosis with more than 90% of patients dying of the disease within 5 years of diagnosis. The aim of this study is to assess the value of combined radiofrequency ablation (RFA), followed by trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the management of HCC. Methods: Fifty HCC patients with chronic liver disease were categorized into two groups according to the modality of locoregional treatment: 25 HCC patients treated with RFA followed by TACE within 5 days and 25 HCC patients treated with TACE only. Results: Complete response was achieved in 100% and 84% of the HCC patients after 1 month from combined RFA-TACE therapy and TACE only respectively. The rate of objective response after 7 months was 84% and 44% in the RFA-TACE and TACE groups respectively. One year disease free survival rate was 56% and 24% in RFA-TACE and TACE groups respectively, and overall survival rate was 88% in the RFA-TACE group and 80% in the TACE only group. Conclusion: Combined RFA-TACE appears to be an effective modality and superior to TACE only for the treatment of HCC.
Interpretability in sequence tagging models for Named Entity Recognition by Sofia Herrero Villarroya

The field of Explainable Artificial Intelligence has taken steps towards increasing transparency in the decision-making process of machine learning models for classification tasks. Understanding the reasons behind the predictions of models increases our trust in them and lowers the risks of using them. In an effort to extend this to other tasks apart from classification, this thesis explores the interpretability aspect for sequence tagging models for the task of Named Entity Recognition (NER). This work proposes two approaches for adapting LIME, an interpretation method for classification, to sequence tagging and NER. The first approach is a direct adaptation of LIME to the task, while the second includes adaptations following the idea that entities are conceived as a group of words and we would like one explanation for the whole entity. Given the challenges in the evaluation of the interpretation method, this work proposes an extensive evaluation from different angles. It includes a quantitative analysis using the AOPC metric; a qualitative analysis that studies the explanations at instance and dataset levels as well as the semantic structure of the embeddings and the explanations; and a human evaluation to validate the model’s behaviour. The evaluation has discovered patterns and characteristics to take into account when explaining NER models.
Predictors of Effectiveness in a Multifamily Therapy Program for Adolescents with Externalizing Behaviors

Severe externalizing behavior among adolescents is a significant societal problem, in terms of both emotional and financial costs. Much research has focused on factors that increase or decrease the risk of adolescents developing such behavior. In addition, various treatment methods have been developed to address this problem, with promising results under some circumstances. The present study examined archival data from one multifamily therapy program to examine potential predictors of the effectiveness of treatment. These predictors were communication style and relationship quality between parents and adolescents, as well as parents’ readiness for change. Parent-adolescent relationship quality and communication style were both found to significantly predict treatment outcomes in some, but not all, problem areas examined. Parent readiness did not predict treatment outcomes. Results have implications for improving the clinical outcomes of family treatment programs.
Social Networks and the Intention to Migrate

Using a large individual-level survey spanning several years and more than 150 countries, we examine the importance of social networks in influencing individuals’ intention to migrate internationally and locally. We distinguish close social networks (composed of friends and family) abroad and at the current location, and broad social networks (composed of same-country residents with intention to migrate, either internationally or locally). We find that social networks abroad are the most important driving forces of international migration intentions, with close and broad networks jointly explaining about 37% of variation in the probability intentions. Social networks are found to be more important factors driving migration intentions than work-related aspects or wealth (wealth accounts for less than 3% of the variation). In addition, we find that having stronger close social networks at home has the opposite effect by reducing the likelihood of migration intentions, both internationally and locally.
Response of Two Sesame Varieties ( Sesamum indicum L . ) to Partial Replacement of Chemical Fertilizers by Bioorganic Fertilizers

Two field trials were conducted during the two successive summer seasons of 2005 and 2006 in a private farm at El Nagah Village, South El-Tahrir Province, El Behaira Governorate. The present work aimed to investigate partial replacement of NPK chemical fertilizers by bio-organic fertilizers on sesame yield and its attributes of two varieties (Giza 32 and Shandawel 3 ) grown in poor sandy soil. Seven treatments used which were the combinations of the recommended chemical fertilizer NPK (40 :30 : 48), organic farmyard manure (20 m /fad*) and 75,50 or 25 % of the recommended doses with 3 biofertilizers ( microbien and cerealine ). Data presented clear significant differences between treatments for most studied characters. Treatment of 75 % rec. chem. fert. + 25 % organic + bio came in the first order for sesame yield attributes (number of capsules/plant and seed weight/plant), yield and yield components i.e. seed, straw and biological yield as kg/fad, oil and protein yield (kg/fad ) and P% in sesame seeds. While treatment of 50 % rec. chem. fert. + 50 % organic + bio came in the second order with higher seed index. The lowest treatment was by using organic fertilization alone in comparison with the other experimental treatments for all characters studied. Concerning the effect of varietal differences, data illustrate no significance differences between the two varieties in all determined characters except for plant height, Shandawel 3 surpassed Giza 32 in plant height and K% and protein % in seeds. The effect of the interaction between varietal differences and fertilization treatments on all growth, yield, yield components and chemical traits in sesame seeds are not significant. The results showed the importance of applying bio-organic fertilizers against chemical fertilizers to protect the environment from harmful chemical pollution.
Export upgrading and growth in China: the prerequisite of domestic embeddedness

Our work contributes to the literature relating output structure and economic development by showing that growth gains from upgrading are not unconditional. Relying on data from a panel of Chinese cities, we show that the level of capabilities available to domestic _rms operating in ordinary trade is an important driver of economic growth. However, no direct gains emanate from the complexity of goods produced by either processing-trade activities or foreign _rms. This suggests that the sources of product upgrading matter, and that domestic embeddedness is key in order for capacity building and technology adoption to be growth enhancing.
Recognition and Use of Empirically-Supported Treatments Among Clinicians Treating Clients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

In order to provide adequate care, it is important for clinicians to be informed about the level of empirical support for various treatment approaches. The present study analyzes data culled from a survey of clinicians who work with PTSD. Respondents were presented with a range of treatments. They were then asked to rate their familiarity with and training in each treatment, their theoretical orientation, their level of experience conducting psychotherapy in general, and their experience with PTSD in particular. Finally, they were asked to categorize each of these treatments as “empirically supported” or “not empirically supported,” and to rate how often they used each treatment. Multivariate GLM was conducted to determine whether familiarity with ESTs, training in ESTs, theoretical orientation, level of experience, or level of experience with PTSD predicted accuracy and use of ESTs. The results indicate that experience with PTSD predicts use of ESTs, that training in ESTs predicts use of ESTs, and that familiarity with ESTs predicts both use of these treatments and accuracy in the categorization task. It may be the case that clinicians who are trained in ESTs use them more often simply because those are the interventions they have been trained to use. The reasons why clinicians who work with PTSD are more likely than their peers to use ESTs, but no more accurate in identifying them, are less clear.
CHANGES IN PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN MATURING EQUINE TESTIS : A QUANTITATIVE DIGE ANALYSIS

Changes in Protein Expression in Maturing Equine Testis: A Quantitative DIGE Analysis. (April 2009) Pilar Roper-Foo Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics Texas A&M University Research Advisor: Dr. Lawrence J. Dangott Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics Gross observation of testicular parenchyma of prepubertal horses reveals both light and dark regions. The light regions are associated with localized initiation and regulation of spermatogenesis. It is hypothesized that different proteins and protein expression levels in the light regions are factors contributing to successful sperm production. Differential Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) and DeCyder Image analysis of testicular extracts from prepubertal stallions has identified forty proteins that may be involved in the regulation of the onset of spermatogenesis. Preliminary LC/MS/MS mass spectrometric analysis of six protein spots has been analyzed, but no protein identifications have yet been made. The results of this preliminary research are inconclusive with respect to protein identification, but the developments of protocols for procurement, protein extraction of light and dark tissue and DIGE analysis have been successful.
A Multi-Step Forecast Density

This paper makes two contribution to the literature on density forecasts. First, we propose a novel bootstrap approach to estimate forecasting densities based on nonparametric techniques. The method is based on the Markov Bootstrap that is suitable to resample dependent data. The combination of nonparametric and bootstrap methods delivers density forecasts that are flexible in capturing markovian dependence (linear and nonlinear) occurring in any moment of the distribution. Second, we improve the testing approach to evaluate density forecasts by considering a set of tests for dynamical misspecification such as autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity and neglected nonlinearity. The approach is useful because rejections of the tests give insights into ways to improve the forecasting model. By Monte Carlo simulations we show that the proposed evaluation strategy has much higher power to detect misspecification of the density forecasts compared to previous analysis. The proposed nonparametric-bootstrap forecasting method exhibits the ability to capture correctly the dynamics of linear and nonlinear time series models. We also investigate the performance at higher orders and propose methods to deal with the \u201ccurse of dimensionality\u201d. Finally, we empirically investigate the relevance of the method in out-of-sample forecasting the density of 3 business cycles variables for the US: real GDP, the Coincident Indicator and Industrial Production. The results indicate that the method gives reliable density forecasts for all variables and performs better compared to parametric forecasting methods.
Interplay between diffraction and the Pancharatnam-Berry phase in inhomogeneously twisted anisotropic media

We discuss the propagation of an electromagnetic field in an inhomogeneously anisotropic material where the optic axis is rotated in the transverse plane but is invariant along the propagation direction. In such a configuration, the evolution of an electromagnetic wavepacket is governed by the Pancharatnam-Berry phase (PBP), responsible for the appearance of an effective photonic potential. In a recent paper [A. Alberucci et al., "Electromagnetic confinement via spin-orbit interaction in anisotropic dielectrics", ACS Photonics \textbf{3}, 2249 (2016)] we demonstrated that the effective potential supports transverse confinement. Here we find the profile of the quasi-modes and show that the photonic potential arises from the Kapitza effect of light. The theoretical results are confirmed by numerical simulations, accounting for the medium birefringence. Finally, we analyze in detail a configuration able to support non-leaky guided modes.
Probing grain boundary mechanisms by in-situ TEM

In small grained metals, specific elementary deformation mechanisms such as GB sliding, dislocation emission from GB, shear coupled GB migration, grain rotation are expected to be active. However, their relative preponderance and activation during the overall plastic deformation is still difficult to assess, mainly because identifying these mechanisms in small crystallite at the appropriate time scale is a challenge. To that respect, in-situ TEM experiments have proven to be an adequate tool to probe the dynamics of these mechanisms.
Shallow and peripheral volcanic sources of inflation revealed by modeling two‐color geodimeter and leveling data from Long Valley Caldera, California, 1988–1992

We refined the model for inflation of the Long Valley caldera near Mammoth Lakes, California, by combining both geodetic measurements of baseline length and elevation changes. Baseline length changes measured using a two-color geodimeter with submillimeter precision revealed that the resurgent dome started to reinflate in late 1989. Measurements between late 1989 and mid-1992 revealed nearly 13 cm of extension across the resurgent dome. Geodetic leveling surveys with approximately 2-mm precision made in late 1988 and in mid-1992 revealed a maximum of about 8 cm of uplift of the resurgent dome. Two ellipsoidal sources satisfy both the leveling and two-color measurements, whereas spherical point sources could not. The model's primary inflation source is located 5.5 km beneath the resurgent dome with the two horizontal axes being nearly equal in size and the vertical axis being 4 times the length of the horizontal axes. A second ellipsoidal source was added to improve the fit to the two-color measurements. This secondary source is located at a depth between 10 and 20 km beneath the south moat of the caldera and has the geometry of an elongated ellipsoid or pipe that dips down to the northeast. In addition, the leveling data suggest dike intrusion beneath Mammoth Mountain during the 1988-1992 interval, which is likely associated with an intense swarm of small earthquakes during the summer of 1989 at that location. Our analysis shows the dike intrusion to be the shallowest of the three sources with a depth range of 1-3 km below the surface to the top of the intrusion.
Part-invariant Model for Music Generation and Harmonization

Automatic music generation has been gaining more attention in recent years. Existing approaches, however, are mostly ad hoc to speciﬁc rhythmic structures or instrumentation layouts, and lack music-theoretic rigor in their evaluations. In this paper, we present a neural language (music) model that tries to model symbolic multi-part music. Our model is part-invariant, i.e., it can process/generate any part (voice) of a music score consisting of an arbitrary number of parts, using a single trained model. For better incorporating structural information of pitch spaces, we use a structured embedding matrix to encode multiple aspects of a pitch into a vector representation. The generation is performed by Gibbs Sampling. Meanwhile, our model directly generates note spellings to make outputs human-readable. We performed objective (grading) and subjective (listening) evaluations by recruiting music the-orists to compare the outputs of our algorithm with those of music students on the task of bassline harmonization (a traditional pedagogical task). Our experiment shows that errors of our algorithm and students are differently distributed, and the range of ratings for generated pieces overlaps with students’ to varying extents for our three provided basslines. This experiment suggests some future research directions.
Seasonal variation of atrazine residues in groundwater in agricultural area of Serbia.

Seasonal variations of atrazine and its metabolite residues in groundwater in the agricultural area of Serbia were determined in this study. Sampling was performed during spring and autumn 2007/2008 and autumn 2009 in 250 localities in the region of Serbia, where 1100 samples of groundwater of the first welling-up were collected. The extraction of atrazine and metabolites from water was carried out with methanol using C-18 DSK 47 mm. Residue levels were analyzed by GC/MS. In the groundwater samples collected in spring 2007, average value of the atrazine residues was 0.21 μg/l, DEA 0.18 μg/l and DIA 2.79 μg/l. In the autumn of the same year the increase in atrazine residue level and metabolites was found. In the groundwater sampled in spring 2008, the average value of the atrazine residues was 0. 23μg/l, DEA 0.21 μg/l and DIA 2.78 μg/l, while the content of analytes during autumn was increased. In autumn 2009 contents of atrazine, DEA and DIA were 0.12, 0.51 and 4.01 μg/l, respectively. The study found that the atrazine and metabolites in the environment are present in a greater content in late summer and early autumn, after application period, and that rainfall significantly affects the level of the compounds in the groundwater.