Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A determinant of marketing system choice by rubber smallholders in Indonesia

Antoni, M. & Tokuda, H. (2019). A determinant of marketing system choice by rubber smallholders in Indonesia. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 25(4), 702–709 The objective of the research was to determine the driving factors behind rubber smallholders’ decision to sell their rubber material either by a Processing and Marketing Unit (PMU) or by a non-PMU marketing system. The study population comprised 240 farmers, half of which represented the PMU members and the rest were non-PMU smallholders. These were interviewed to record the farming behavior of smallholders in the largest rubber production area in Indonesia, namely South Sumatera Province. T-test analysis was used to analyze for different characteristic and a binary logistic regression equation to determine factors affecting choice of the marketing system. Research results showed that formal education of household head, rubber price and income of PMU members was higher than that of non-PMU members, while rubber farming experience of non-PMU members was greater than PMU members. Land acreage and its production, plus age of the household head and family size were not signifi cantly different between PMU members and non-PMU members. Age of the household head, formal education, land acreage and rubber income seemed to be the main driver that increased the likelihood of being a PMU member as compared to family size, rubber production, and rubber farming experience. Efforts for more smallholders are interested to join as a member of the PMU is by conducting intensive agriculture extension to them about the benefi ts of PMU and providing rural economy fi nance institutions such as credit unions managed by co-operatives.
Effect of shellac coating on minimally processed grapes

Edible coating extends the post-harvest life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Effect of different concentration of shellac coating on grapes quality and shelf life at both ambient and refrigerated conditions was studied at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana. The shellac coatings in different concentration were applied on the surface of the grapes by directly dipping the fruits in the solution and then dried for 15 minutes at room temperature. After coating, samples were stored at ambient (30±3C) and refrigerated (4±1C) conditions and analyzed after 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of storage. Grapes quality was evaluated by weight loss, firmness, titra table acidity, total soluble solid and sensory evaluation. Shellac coating having 12% shellac, 1% oleic acid, 4.4% morpholine and 0.30% ammonia was found optimum.
Italia Ti Ascolto [Italy, I am listening]: an app-based group psychological intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted individuals’ psychological wellbeing resulting in heightened perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. However, a significant issue in accessing psychological care during a lockdown is the lack of access to in-person interventions. In this regard, research has shown the efficacy and utility of psychological app-based interventions. ‘Italia Ti Ascolto’ (ITA) has been developed as a population tailored internet-based intervention to offer an online professional solution for psychological support needs. The ITA app is available on iOS and Android systems. Users completed a baseline assessment on emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression), psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and perceived social support. Participants could select among several one-hour long clinical groups held by expert psychotherapists. After every session, people were asked to complete a quick users’ satisfaction survey. Our contribution presents ITA’s intervention protocol and discusses preliminary data on psychological variables collected at baseline. Data showed significant associations between emotion regulation strategies, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and level of stress. Moreover, the role of perceived social support is considered. Future developments and implications for clinical practice and treatment are discussed.
Effect of side chains on the thermal degradation of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)

The PHAs with different pendant units such as methyl, vinyl, epoxide and hydroxyl groups at the terminus were prepared by biosynthesis or chemical modifications following the biosynthesis. The thermal decomposition behavior of these PHAs have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The TGA curves of PHB, P(3HB-co-3HV), P(3HB-co-4HB) and PHO, which mainly differ in the average length of their side chains, revealed only a one-step degradation process with almost the same maximum decomposition temperatures. The thermal degradation of the PHOU sample with pendant vinyl groups also followed the same type of reaction pathway as that for PHB. However, PHO and PHOU with longer average side chains had higher activation energies on their thermal degradation. On the other hand, the thermal decomposition pattern of PHOE, which was the partially epoxidized product of PHOU, followed a considerably different pattern from that of PHOU. This degradation behavior of PHOE, which has a higher thermal stability as measured by weight loss, is probably due to crosslinking reactions of the pendant epoxide groups in the polymer during the degradation process, and the exothermic peaks in its DTA curves could be attributed to the occurrence of such reactions. The reduced thermal stability of PHOD, which was the partially hydroxylated product of PHOU, may be associated with the hydroxyl group in its side chain. The hydroxyl groups attack the ester linkage in the main chain as nucleophiles and, subsequently, accelerate the thermal degradation of main chain.
Influence of direction and type of applied force on the detachment of macromolecularly-bound particles from surfaces

In biological adhesion experiments, cells use surface receptors to attach to ligand-coated substrata, and forces, such as centrifugation or shear forces, are used to remove cells. Receptors bind with a high-affinity lock-and-key mechanism, and their bonds are weaker than covalent bonds. The magnitude of the force at which the cell relents is quoted as the strength of adhesion. However, the character or direction of the force, which depends on the adhesion assay, can affect the results of an adhesion assay, even if forces of precisely the same magnitude are applied in the different assays. We demonstrate this principle by simulating the detachment of receptor-coated hard spheres from ligand-coated surfaces using normal, tangential, and shear forces after the particles are allowed to bind to steady state. For a single bond, a 20-fold greater force is required to detach the particle if a normal, rather than tangential, force is applied. At high receptor densities, tangential forces can be as much as 56 times.
The feeding response of a marine planktonic copepod to quantity and quality of particles

Particles of varying food quality but similar size were offered singly and in mixtures to copepodid Stage V of Eucalanus pileatus to determine the rates at which calanoid copepods ingest naturally occurring particulate matter. The sequence of ingestion rate was: living phytoplankton cells > dead phytoplankton cells > fecal pellets > polystyrene spheres. Cinematographic observations revealed that both long range and short range chemoreception contributed to these differences. Living phytoplankton cells were ingested at rates 1.2 to 3 times higher than similarly-sized non-living food particles. Non-food particles offered alone were not ingested. In mixtures, the rate at which non-food particles were ingested was a function of the feeding rate on food particles. At environmental concentrations the presence of non-food particles does not appear to reduce feeding rates on food particles.
Effect of organic formulations on growth of mulberry (Morus alba L.) at nursery stage

Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides in modern agriculture resulted in the development of several problems such as pesticide resistant insects, resurgences of target and non-target pests, destruction of beneficial organism like honey bee, pollinators, parasites, and predators and pesticide residues in food and fodder. Crop + dairy is the predominant cultivating framework in the country practiced by over 70 % farm households. The abundant quantity of cattle excreta consisting of dung and urine is available at rural family. In spite of that only cow dung is utilized for manure and a significant amount of urine goes waste. Cattle urine is a good source of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorite and sulphate. The influence of organic formulations has been well recognized on fruits and vegetables while such studies on fodder crops are rarely available. Mulberry is a high biomass producing fodder crop rich in protein content. Therefore keeping in view the importance of fodder crops the present study was undertaken. The treatments consist of cow urine decoction, cow urine, Jivamrit and sanjeevak at five different concentration along with control. Maximum height (150cm), leaf width (11.86cm) and leaf area (159.60cm) were recorded for treatment T2 (urine) with concentration C2 (40%). Maximum diameter (12.07cm) and maximum number of branches (5) were recorded for treatment T1 (cow urine decoction) with concentration C2 (40%). Maximum number of leaves (29.67), root length (71.83cm) and leaf length (21.16cm) were recorded for treatment T3 (Jivamrit) with concentration C3 (60%).
General overview: European Integrated project on Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality interactions (EUCAARI) - integrating aerosol research from nano to global scales

In this paper we describe and summarize the main achievements of the European Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality Interactions project (EUCAARI). EUCAARI started on 1 January 2007 and ended on 31 December 2010 leaving a rich legacy including: (a) a comprehensive database with a year of observations of the physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosol particles over Europe, (b) comprehensive aerosol measurements in four developing countries, (c) a database of airborne measurements of aerosols and clouds over Europe during May 2008, (d) comprehensive modeling tools to study aerosol processes fron nano to global scale and their effects on climate and air quality. In addition a new Pan-European aerosol emissions inventory was developed and evaluated, a new cluster spectrometer was built and tested in the field and several new aerosol parameterizations and computations modules for chemical transport and global climate models were developed and evaluated. These achievements and related studies have substantially improved our understanding and reduced the uncertainties of aerosol radiative forcing and air quality-climate interactions. The EUCAARI results can be utilized in European and global environmental policy to assess the aerosol impacts and the corresponding abatement strategies.
Effect of Direct Acting Anti-Hepatitis C Drugs on the Heart

Background: The introduction of direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for its treatment represents a major advance in terms of sustained virologic response (SVR) rates and adverse effect profiles; however, few data are available on cardiac side effect. Objectives: We aimed to study the effect of DAA on echocardiographic changes. Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty (150) patients with HCV were divided into 3 groups according to type of treatment given: Group 1 included 50 patients received dual therapy (Sofosbuvir plus Daclatasvir), group 2 included 50 patients received triple therapy (Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir and Ribavirin), and Group 3 included 50 patients received Qurevo ± Ribavirin. All participants went through a cardiac assessment for detection of development of cardiovascular changes after 3 months of treatment. Results: In compare to baseline values, no significant difference regarding echocardiographic findings and the mean changes in values of QT & QTC interval among all patients’ groups. Dual therapy produced a significant lower serum levels of Albumin (Alb), prothrombin time (PT) and a significant increase in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, hemoglobin. Triple therapy produced significant lower serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, hemoglobin concentration, WBCs, RBCs and platelets, while a significant increase was observed in the mean values of the Alb and alkaline phosphatase. In the third group, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of PT while a significant increase was observed in serum values of alkaline phosphatase. Conclusion: DAAs are safe drugs to use in non-cardiovascular patients and in cardiac patients with caution and avoidance of some drugs.
Evaluation of the Contribution of Pastures on the Economic Sustainability of Small Ruminant Farms in a Typical Greek Area

Small ruminant production is predominantly linked to the use of natural pastures; however the intensification process in past decades has led to a gradual abandonment of grazing and the prevalence of intensive patterns. This paper contributes to the discussion about the economic performance of small ruminant farms relative to the use of pastures. Using data from a sample of Greek sheep and goat farms it is shown that grazing does not necessarily increase economic performance. If not organized carefully, farms which graze more do not reduce their feeding costs or they counterbalance this reduction with increases labor expenses. An efficiency analysis of the sample using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) shows that farms which graze less are generally more efficient than the ones which graze more. Furthermore, the input-oriented DEA model reveals that the same level of output could be achieved with less a reduction of hours grazing by 12.5% and 11.9%, respectively for farms which graze less than 1800 h and more than 1800 respectively. It is concluded that a higher level of organization is required to render grazing a practice with positive economic impact on farms, including infrastructure for better accessibility of pastures, more efficient rations and training. This applies also to the framework for pasture use in Greece, as the delivery of Integrated Grazing Management Plans is expected to provide guidance and stability to small ruminant farmers.
Establishment of base line values for susceptibility of Tetranychus urticae Koch to major acaricides over successive generations

The susceptible culture of two spotted spider mite, T. urticae Koch was successfully maintained on mulberry leaves under laboratory condition without exposing to any acaricides for two years designated as the susceptible reference population. The susceptibility of the spider mite to selected acaricides viz., fenazaquin, propargite, chlorfenapyr, dicofol, diafenthiuron, spiromesifen and abamectin was determined after every five generations starting from 118 to 128 generation. The LC50 values of different acaricides in 128 generation were 0.18 ppm for fenazaquin, 0.20 ppm for propargite, 0.29 ppm for spiromesifen, 0.32 ppm for abamectin, 0.42 ppm for chlorfenapyr and 0.30 ppm for diafenthiuron and dicofol. This laboratory population was the reference population and the dose-mortality values estimated for laboratory population during 128 generation was considered as base-line susceptibility of spider mite for corresponding acaricide and was further used to estimate the level of resistance in different field population.
Factors affecting exercise self-efficacy in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) places a continuous burden on public health worldwide, partially attributable to a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise self-efficacy has emerged as a priority for improving physical activity. Here we conduct a survey to determine exercise self-efficacy and factors associated with lower exercise self-efficacy in non-dialysis patients with CKD. Methods A single-center cross-sectional study was performed from October 2018 to April 2019 using the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES) to assess exercise self-efficacy. In addition to socio-demographic data, Leicester Uremic Symptom Score (LUSS) was used to evaluated symptom burden for non-dialysis CKD patients. Multiple linear regression was carried out to identify factors that were significantly associated with exercise self-efficacy. Results One hundred and thirty-seven patients participated in the current study. The median score on the ESES was 48.89 (interquartile range: 33.31–64.72). A significantly negative correlation with ESES and symptom burden was observed. The results of multiple linear regression showed a significantly positive association between exercise self-efficacy and higher average monthly income, higher level of daily physical activity. Conclusion The study reveals several important variables that can be taken into consideration when dealing with exercise self-efficacy in non-dialysis CKD patients. our findings reinforce the need to educate patients who are elderly, female, underweight, lower-income, physical inactivity, and higher symptom burden to promote their exercise self-efficacy.
Study of anthocyanin stability derived from the fruit pulp of Melastoma malabathricum in a coating system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the stability of anthocyanin colorant with and without ferulic acid (FA) stabilising agent in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder coating system.Design/methodology/approach – The anthocyanin colorant was extracted using methanol acidified with 0.5% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). FA was added to improve thermal stability of the colorant. The FA added colorant was mixed with PVA to develop a coating system. To test the ability of the coating mixture to withstand heat in the liquid state, spectroscopic studies were carried out in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum when the liquid samples had cooled down to room temperature after being heated at 80 and 90°C for 30 minutes. This procedure was repeated six times until a total heating time of 180 minutes has been accomplished. The liquid samples were also coated on glass slides, cured and then stored in different incubators at 30, 40 and 50°C. The visible spectrum was taken everyday for 30 days to stud.
POWER OUTAGES AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF MANUFACTURING FIRMS: EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

The deficiency of secure and reliable electrical power is a constraint to firm performance and its competitiveness in developing countries. Several countries in the south Asian region face electricity shortages leading to frequent power outages. This study investigate the effect of power outages on the technical efficiency of firms in selected South Asian countries. The study employed the stochastic frontier approach to estimate the technical efficiency of firms. We use the OLS and Beta regression to estimate the effect of power outages on technical efficiency of manufacturing firms. The results of the study reveal that power outages reduce the technical efficiency of manufacturing firms operating in selected South Asian countries. These results are robust to the alternative empirical specifications and estimation techniques. Overall results suggest that South Asian countries should invest in the secure and reliable energy to amplify productivity growth and resulted competitiveness of firms in global market.
THE STRUCTURE OF SOIL CRUMBS

Summary A model of a soil crumb is proposed in which the crumb consists of domains of orientated clay and quartz particles. A clay domain is defined as a group of clay crystals which are orientated and sufficiently close together to behave in water as a single unit. In normal agricultural soils, where calcium is the dominant exchangeable cation, the clay crystals in the crumbs are all aggregated into domains by drying. Drying to the wilting point is apparently sufficient. In the model the domains and the quartz particles may be linked to each other by organic matter or soil conditioners. The domains may also be held together by electrostatic forces. The model satisfies four conditions derived from experiment on the effect of organic matter on soil crumbs: 1The crystalline swelling of the clay in the crumb is unaltered—the individual crystals within the domains are unaffected by organic matter and are free to take up water. 2Slaking is prevented—the strains set up in the crumb on wetting are shared between several domains through their common linkages by organic matter to quartz particles. 3Dispersion of Na-saturated crumbs is prevented—the linkages of the domains by organic matter restrain the diffuse double layer swelling of the clay. 4pF—moisture content curve is unaltered—the stabilization by organic matter does not require a rearrangement of the structure of the crumb. On the basis of the model, conventional wet-Sieving or dispersion tests assess the strength of the organic-matter linkages. Remoulding crumbs breaks many of the Previously Stable quartz-domain bonds, so that on drying and re-testing the stability of the crumbs has decreased. The model has been shown to be consistent with present knowledge of the action of cement and h e in stabilizing soil, cement or lime being substituted for organic matter in the model. It also accounts qualitatively for the sensitivity of Soils, that is the decrease in shear strength after remoulding. On the basis of the model the amount of organic matter resistant to microbial attack should be proportional to the surface area of the clay domains. Remoulding soil (or tillage) by breaking the organic-matter bonds joining the clay domains to the quartz will free organic matter for microbial attack. This model does not apply to soil crumbs in which the crystalline swelling of the clay is prevented, for example by heat treatment.
Phospho‐olivines as Positive‐Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Reversible extraction of lithium from (triphylite) and insertion of lithium into at 3.5 V vs. lithium at 0.05 mA/cm2 shows this material to be an excellent candidate for the cathode of a low‐power, rechargeable lithium battery that is inexpensive, nontoxic, and environmentally benign. Electrochemical extraction was limited to ~0.6 Li/formula unit; but even with this restriction the specific capacity is 100 to 110 mAh/g. Complete extraction of lithium was performed chemically; it gave a new phase, , isostructural with heterosite, . The framework of the ordered olivine is retained with minor displacive adjustments. Nevertheless the insertion/extraction reaction proceeds via a two‐phase process, and a reversible loss in capacity with increasing current density appears to be associated with a diffusion‐limited transfer of lithium across the two‐phase interface. Electrochemical extraction of lithium from isostructural (M = Mn, Co, or Ni) with an electrolyte was not possible; but successful extraction of lithium from was accomplished with maximum oxidation of the occurring at x = 0.5. The couple was oxidized first at 3.5 V followed by oxidation of the couple at 4.1 V vs. lithium. The interactions appear to destabilize the level and stabilize the level so as to make the energy accessible.