Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QUALITY AND SAFETY CHARACTERISTICS OF CASSAVA CRISPS SOLD IN URBAN KENYA

Cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) crisps are increasingly popular in Kenya’s urban areas. Crisps are popularly consumed as snacks outside homes and in-between meals. However, limited information on the quality and safety of the crisps is available in the country. This study sought to characterise the quality and safety in terms of cyanide levels of cassava crisps commercially traded in Mombasa and Nairobi areas in Kenya. Samples of six commercially traded crisp brands were collected in duplicates, from venders and supermarkets; and evaluated for moisture, oil, cyanide and sodium chloride contents. Product colour and texture were also evaluated. There were significant differences among brand contents of moisture (P=0.0001), oil (P 0.07). Moisture content ranged from 4.3 to 6.77%, oil content 19.17 to 30.68%; and cyanide and salt contents ranged 13.5 to 32.24 ppb and 2.3 to 2.7%, respectively. There were no significant differences (P>0.57) in the texture, as well as in the yellowness (b*) parameter (P>0.137). On the other hand, significant differences were observed on colour. Moisture and cyanide levels exceeded the statutory limits. Key Words: Cyanide, Manihot esculenta, moisture, oil
HOST ASSOCIATIONS OF TWO ADVENTITIOUS-ROOT-CLIMBING VINES IN A NORTH QUEENSLAND TROPICAL RAIN FOREST

The abundance of adventitious-root-climbing vines, predominantly Freycinetia excelsa and Piper caninum, on potential host trees was investigated in a north Queensland tropical rain forest. All trees 10 cm DBH and greater were measured and assessed for adventitious-root-climber presence. Additional trees of the 17 most abundant species were examined giving a total of 833 trees. Some 1694 adventitious-root-climbing vines were recorded from the study area. Distribution over the rain forest trees was not homogeneous, but exhibited host associations. Interspecific differences between potential host trees were analyzed in terms of allelopathy, bark characteristics, and gross morphological features. Bark characteristics are proposed. as the main factor for the relative absence of adventitious-root-climbing vines on trees of Syzygium papyraceum and Austromyrtus shepherdii. Thin, peeling, sloughable bark characterize these members of the Myrtaceae. Trees heavily infested by adventitious-root climbers include Beilschmiedia collina with non-descript (though slightly rough) bark providing a good, stable climbing surface with little phytotoxicity, and Citronella smythii, with thick, corky, fissured bark, also lacking allelopathic materials. Allelopathic effects of bark phytochemicals seem to be predominantly responsible for the absence of infestation of Alphitonia petriei by adventitious-root climbers.
Advances on Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis through the Simulation of Forced Vibration Tests for a Building Model on the Actual Ground

We presented about the forced vibration tests for a large-scale reinforced concrete building model constructed on the actual site ground with various backfill conditions and confirmed the applicability of conventional design method for linear soilstructure interaction behavior with the embedment effects in case of limited range of soil improvement . Based on the previous study, this study focuses on more detail analyses of a number of vibration tests using large exciter in which nonlinear soil-structure interaction behavior was observed. The brief overview of this paper is as indicated below. First, microtremor observation analyses before and after a number of forced vibration tests using large exciter show that nonlinear soil-structure interaction behavior is caused by not plastic phenomena of soil or building itself but the change of boundary condition between soil and building. Second, more detail analyses of a number of forced vibration tests using large exciter are performed from the viewpoints of harmonic components and chronological change of response records of the soil surrounding the building. Their results show the geometrical nonlinear effect such as contact, slip and separation phenomena between side soil and building in a qualitative manner. Finally, to understand nonlinear soil-structure interaction behavior in more detail, numerical simulation analyses of soil-structure interaction (SSI) are performed comparing to the test results. To take into account for contact, slip and separation phenomena which were observed between surrounding soil and building based on the above test results, the joint elements are introduced in the soil-structure interface. Using 3-dimensional finite element method (3-D FEM) for SSI with joint parameters such as friction coefficient between soil and building, simulation analyses for the a number of vibration tests using not only small but also large exciters are achieved to confirm the applicability of more suitable model for evaluating the embedment effects.
COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONNECTIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON TIMBER FRAMES WITH MASONRY INFILL STRUCTURES’ SEISMIC BEHAVIOR

Recent tendency in buildings construction emphasizes the use of natural materials. Timber frames with masonry infills (TFM) structure represents one of these types of eco-friendly house. Besides this, latest research studies and earthquakes also proved they are earthquake resistant. TFM structures are still built nowadays, either for aesthetic reasons, seismic resilience, or both. Most important parameters in TFM structures are the timber connections, therefore the paper will present a comparison between five types of connections used for TFM structures and their influence on the main parameters governing the seismic behavior. Five specimens, each composed of a timber frame infilled with one masonry panel, were tested under static cyclic loading. The bottom connections were different for each specimen: cross-halved, mortise-tenon with a timber dowel, mortise-tenon with “L” shaped metal plates, mortise-tenon with “T” shaped metal plates, and mortise-tenon with hold-down. Results showed very similar hysteretic behavior for all specimens, the infill being responsible for the stiffness and strength of the structure, but the connections influenced the damage pattern for the masonry. Cracking of the masonry infill dissipates energy, thus the findings of this study give information on how to choose the connection type when building new TFM houses.
FOOTFALL PATTERN DURING RUNNING IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ACCORDING TO AGE AND FOOTWEAR

The aim of this study was to compare the footfall pattern (FP) in different age groups of preschool children while they ran in standard running shoes (SRS) and barefoot. Fortyeight children aged 3-6 years participated in the study and were split into 4 age groups (n=12). All children performed a simple running game (based on the shuffle run) in SRS and barefoot. The length of the runway was adjusted for each age group. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using 3-D motion capture system. We analyzed strike index (SI) and sagittal plane ankle angle (AA) at initial contact (IC) from 6 successful running trials for each child in each condition. We found differences between conditions in both SI (p=0.000, η2=0.448) and AA (p=0.000, η2=0.259) respectively, but we did not find any differences among age groups. Moreover, we found an interaction between age and conditions in AA (p=0.019, η2= 0.201). In preschool children, FP changed differently in certain age groups according to the footwear condition.
Propping Up the Wage Floor: Collective Labor Supply Without Unions

Social norms have the potential to alter the functioning of economic markets. We test whether norms shape the aggregate labor supply curve by leading decentralized individuals to maintain wage floors in their local labor markets. We partner with existing employers who create new jobs for workers in informal spot labor markets. Unemployed workers would like to find work, and prefer to do so even at wages below the prevailing wage rather than remain unemployed. However, they rarely do so when this choice is observable to other workers. In contrast, social observability does not affect labor supply at the prevailing wage. Consistent with the idea that norms could have aggregate implications, measures of social cohesion correlate with downward wage rigidity and business cycle volatility across India.
Enhanced Fluoride Removal in Biosand Filters Using Aluminum Oxide Coated Media and Modified Filter Design

v Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 7 2.1 Fluoride in Drinking Water . 7 2.2 Defluoridation . 8 2.2.1 Membrane Processes . 8 2.2.2 Coagulation/Precipitation . 10 2.2.3 Adsorption.11 2.3 Aluminum Oxide . 15 2.3.1 Physical and Chemical Characteristics . 15 2.3.2 Media Coating . 16 2.4 Point of Use Drinking Water Treatment . 17 2.5 Alternate Biosand Filter Media . 19 2.5. 1 Pumice.20 2.5. 2 Biochar . 21 2.6 Biosand Filter Design Modifications . 22 Chapter 3: Materials and Methods . 23 3.1 Materials . 23 3.1. 1 Media . 23 3.1. 2 Solutions . 24 3.1. 3 Filter Construction and Design . 25 3.2 Fluoride Adsorption Batch Experiments . 27
An investigation into the wear mechanisms of carbon- and silicon carbide-based refractory materials by silicomanganese alloy

Two carbon-based refractories were studied to elucidate the main wear mechanisms when in contact with SiMn alloy. The aim was to determine which refractory would be most suitable for application in the hearth area of a SiMn producing furnace. Thermodynamic calculations were conducted in FactSageTM 7.2 at temperatures of 1550°C, 1600°C, and 1650°C, with alloys containing 15, 17, and 18 mass % Si, in contact with type K or type SiC refractories. The calculations revealed that the SiMn alloy was not saturated in either C or SiC. In line with FactSageTM calculations, type SiC refractory (15 mass % Si) experienced the most wear when the temperature was varied. SEM analysis revealed that SiMn infiltrated both refractories, with type SiC experiencing more infiltration due to its porous nature. Type K refractory underwent the most wear when the temperature was 1600°C and the Si content varied from 15 to 18 mass %. Carbon solubility in the alloy decreased with increasing Si content, and the alloy was saturated with SiC at 17 mass % Si. SEM analysis revealed SiC precipitation products on the type K refractory surfaces. Similar to observations on temperature tests, higher infiltration was observed in type SiC refractory than in type K refractory. Type K refractory was assessed as the most suitable refractory to use in the hearth area of a SiMn producing furnace. In industry, carbon-based refractories generally last 1.2 times longer than SiC-based refractories in the tap-hole.
Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Studies of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees and Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees

The genus Andrographis which belongs to the family Acanthaceae comprises about 40 species. Only a few are famous for their use in folk medicine for different health concerns. Carbohydrate, coumarins, glycosides, phenol saponin, steroids, and tannin are present in the methanol extract of Andrographis paniculata and Andrographis echioides. The efficiency of antimicrobial activity from the aqueous and various solvents extract of ethnomedicines were screened against gram-negative bacteria of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholera and gram-positive bacteria of Bacillus subtilis, Lactococcus lactis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial activity of A. paniculata showed the maximum activity in ethyl acetate extract among the tested crude extracts such as methanol, aqueous cold and boiled against the tested human pathogen The A. echioides showed maximum activity in ethyl acetate extracts is 30 mm against B. subtilis and E. cloacae, 28 mm against S. aureus, followed by 28 mm against P. aeruginosa, 25 mm against V. cholera and S. aureus in methanol extract, 24 mm against E. coli in ethyl acetate extract and 18 mm against L. lactis both ethyl acetate and methanol extracts and 19 mm against P. aeruginosa in methanol extract. The difference of the antimicrobial activity has dependent on the concentration and types of active principle present in the extracts.
Synergic effects of histology subtype, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis on prognosis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma using the SEER database.

Background Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is the most common clinical type of thyroid carcinoma. There are rare reports on the synergic effects of the different clinicopathological risk factors on the prognosis of it. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data on 86,032 DTC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlation between clinicopathological factors and the prognosis of DTC. Relative excess risk (RERI) of synergic effect, attributable proportion (AP) of synergic effect, and synergy index (SI) were calculated to assess synergic effects. Kaplan-Meier analyses with log-rank tests was used to plot the survival curve affected by different risk factors. Results Histology subtype, lymph node metastasis (LNM) status, and distant metastasis (DM) were independent risk factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and all-cause survival (ACS) in the multivariate analysis (all, P<0.001). Patients' age at diagnosis, sex, extrathyroidal extension, and radiation also influenced prognosis (all, P<0.001). The cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and all-cause mortality (ACM) rates per 1,000 person-years were higher in patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and in those with N1 stage and M1 stage disease. Furthermore, we observed a significant synergic effect between histology subtype and N stage, as well as histology subtype and M stage for the CSM of DTC (RERI =48.806, AP =0.853, SI =7.565; RERI =37.889, AP =0.430, SI =1.771, respectively). However, no synergic effect was observed in the case of the N stage and M stage for the CSM of DTC (RERI =7.928, AP =0.084, SI =1.093). Conclusions Patients with histology subtype of FTC and N1 stage, histology subtype of FTC and M1 stage had significant additive synergic effects on DTC prognosis for CSM.
The Effect of Teaching English Lexical Clusters on Iranian EFL Intermediate Learners ’ Speaking Accuracy

This study intended to inspect the possible effects of teaching English lexical clusters on speaking accuracy of Iranian EFL intermediate learners. Also it examined the influence of gender on the effect of teaching English lexical clusters on speaking accuracy of the same learners. 41 male and female EFL intermediate learners, studying English at intermediate level at Zabankade Institute in Tehran, were selected based on their performance on OPT test to 60 EFL learners. Then they were randomly assigned into two groups, as the experimental (n=21) and the control (n=20) groups in two classes. This study had a quasi-experimental design in which there were both a control and an experimental group, and the pretest and posttest were administered to collect data. First, a PET speaking test was administered to the participants of two groups to examine the initial knowledge of speaking grammatically of them. The experimental group of the study was treated with the teaching of English lexical clusters and the control group through a traditional method of teaching without lexical clustering technique. At the end of the experimental period, a posttest of PET speaking test identical to the pretest of PET speaking test was administered to the both groups of the study. In order to analyze the scores obtained from the pretest and posttest and answer the research questions of the study, a mixed between-within subjects ANOVA was applied. Time was the within-subject factor, and group and gender were considered as the between-subject factors. Tests of between-subjects effects (Table 7) indicated that there was a statistically significant effect for the Group (F(1,37)=6.04, P<. 05, Eta square=. 14) in speaking accuracy. Consequently, the first null hypothesis is rejected, and therefore, it can be claimed that teaching English clusters significantly improves Iranian Intermediate EFL learners speaking accuracy. Tests of between-subjects effects failed to find any statistically significant effect for Gender (F(1,37)=. 99, P>. 5, Eta square=. 02) in speaking accuracy. So, the second null hypothesis was confirmed and it was revealed that gender does not affect the vocabulary performance of the same learners. This may have significant implications for language instructors, course book writers and learners to make more advancement in vocabulary learning and speaking accurately through employing vocabulary or lexical clustering
Overview: Integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE) – concept and initial results

Abstract. The role of polar regions is increasing in terms of megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography, and the use of natural resources with consequent effects on regional and transported pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project “iCUPE – integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments” to provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ observations, satellite remote sensing Earth observations (EOs), and multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term measurements, intensive campaigns, and satellites to deliver data products, metrics, and indicators to stakeholders concerning the environmental status, availability, and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas. The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and the provision of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary transport, the characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, an assessment of the concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and their cycling, the quantification of emissions from natural resource extraction, and the validation and optimization of satellite Earth observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project and summarize initial results arising out of the integration of comprehensive in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and multi-scale modeling in the Arctic context.
What proportion of the brain structural and functional abnormalities observed among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is explained by their prenatal alcohol exposure and their other prenatal and postnatal risks?

Background: Individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) often present with a myriad of other prenatal (e.g. exposure to tobacco and other illicit drugs, poor prenatal care) and postnatal risk factors (e.g. multiple home placements, physical/sexual abuse, low socio-economic status)-all of which are likely contributing to their adverse outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive neuropsychological battery, coupled with magnetic resonance imaging, was administered to children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in 2009. Study participants diagnosed with FASD by the University of Washington using the FASD 4-Digit Code were compared to typically-developing peers with no PAE. Data from this MRI study were used to explore the proportion of variance in brain structural and functional abnormalities explained by PAE and 14 other prenatal and postnatal risk factors. Results: PAE was the dominant risk factor explaining the largest proportion of variance in regional brain size (total brain, frontal lobe, caudate, hippocampus and corpus callosum) and brain function (intellect, achievement, memory, language, executive-function, motor, adaptation, behavior-attention and mental health symptoms). Other prenatal and postnatal risk factors were 3 to 7-fold more prevalent than in the general population. Individually, each risk factor explained a statistically significant, but smaller proportion of variance in brain outcome compared to PAE. In combination, the proportion of variance explained by the presence of multiple prenatal and postnatal risks rivaled that of PAE. Conclusion: A better understanding of the impact other prenatal and postnatal risk factors have on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of individuals with FASD can inform more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Experimental Estimates of Census Efficiency and Pseudoturnover on Islands: Error Trend and Between-Observer Variation when Recording Vascular Plants

(1) Vascular plant species on forty-one small islands in Lake M6ckeln, southern Sweden were recorded in 1976, 1978, 1980 and 1982. In 1982 the counts were made by two independent teams. (2) Census time per island increased over time to more than 200 man-minutes ha-' in 1982. Similarly, the number of species recorded per island increased with time. In 1982, both teams had similar census efficiency which was, at most, 79%. (3) Between-team pseudoturnover (i.e. sampling errors that increase species turnover estimates) was 11.4%, with 95% C.L. of 10 2-12 6%. Within-team pseudoturnover was significantly lower. (4) Pseudoturnover was negatively correlated with island area. The implication of this result for tests of island biogeographic theory is discussed. (5) The number of species found on each island in at least one of the years 1976-80, but not in 1982, as a percentage of the total number found on that island in 1982 was about 5%. This percentage, which is a maximum estimate of local population extinction, was negatively correlated with island area. We suggest that, at most, 1% of the vascular plant species present on an island becomes extinct each year.
The Effect of Intermittent Negative Air Pressure, iNAPandreg; on Subjective Daytime Sleepiness in Middle-aged Patients with Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: In a previous study, we have demonstrated that intermittent negative air pressure (iNAP®) therapy improves the apnea severity in patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of subjective daytime sleepiness for patients with moderate OSA. Methods and Materials: A total of seven men and one woman with moderate OSA were enrolled in this singlecenter, prospective, non-randomized clinical study. All patients used the iNAP® devices in their home during sleep between the diagnostic and second polysomnography assessment. To determine the changes in the subjective sleepiness between the diagnostic and iNAP®-treated PSGs, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was estimated immediately before the first and second PSG. Results: At baseline the mean (standard deviation) age and body mass index of the study participants were 41.5 (± 6.3) years and 23.2 (± 2.6), respectively. The baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 22.2 ± 2.2, and decreased to 15.6 ± 5.3 after the iNAP® therapy (p=0.007). The arousal index improved from 29.8 ± 9.2 at baseline to 19.3 ± 5.1 with the iNAP® device (p=0.0025). With the improvement of apnea severity, the ESS decreased from 14.0 ± 3.8 to 9.1 ± 4.4 (p=0.0076). Conclusions: The negative pressure therapy with the iNAP® Sleep Therapy System ameliorated both the apnea severity and the subjective daytime sleepiness in middle-aged patients with moderate OSA.
Migration in insects: cost and strategies

1. An optimal energy partitioning model is used to predict the optimum adult sizes of the soma, gonads and flight apparatus in insects. A comparison of the investment in gonads and lipoidal reserves in winged and unwinged individuals in species from three families of aphids is used to test the predictions and define the cost of developing a flight apparatus. 2. In accordance with theoretical predictions winged aphids had smaller gonads than wingless aphids and there appeared to be a trade-off between the investment in gonads and lipoidal reserves in both morphs. 3. Developing a flight apparatus prolongs development and resulted in a 20% reduction in gonad size