Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding climate change through Earth’s energy flows

ABSTRACT A perspective is given on human-induced climate change, contrasting two complementary approaches. The first is the conventional approach of using climate models as a means for developing understanding of the climate system variations and for projections of the future. Climate models have improved enormously, but even with the biggest supercomputers, models cannot resolve scales needed to depict many important phenomena. Major challenges remain in addressing chaotic natural weather and climate variability, and processing huge volumes of data. The second is an approach based upon understanding the changing Earth's energy imbalance (EEI) and tracking the consequences through the flows of energy through the climate system. A new assessment is given of the EEI through estimates of the uptake of heat by glaciers and ice sheets, land, and the oceans, and implications for the hydrological cycle. The oceans take up 93% of EEI of 0.9 ± 0.2 W m−2 (or 430 TW). Climate change is already readily apparent, with major consequences and costs.
Adverse Effect of Insecticides on Various Aspects of Fish’s Biology and Physiology

Today, water quality management faces greater problems than at any time in its history. In addition to natural pollutants, varied contaminants exist in surface waters including multiple chemical compounds and different products of industrial and agricultural revolution. The insecticides constitute one group of these pollutants, both synthetic and natural, which contribute to the environmental problems. At present, it seems that the problem is more conspicuous in developing countries, where lately there has been an increase in the use of insecticides as a means of increasing agricultural productivity, without much concern to the consequences of indiscriminate application. There are many pathways by which insecticides leave their sites of application and distribute throughout the environment and enter the aquatic ecosystem. The major route of insecticides to water ecosystems in urban areas is through rainfall runoff and atmospheric deposition. Another source of water contamination by insecticides is from municipal and industrial dischargers. Most insecticides ultimately find their way into rivers, lakes and ponds (Tarahi Tabrizi, 2001; Honarpajouh, 2003; Bagheri, 2007; Shayeghi et al., 2007; Vryzas et al., 2009; Werimo et al., 2009; Arjmandi et al., 2010) and have been found to be highly toxic to non-target organisms that inhabit natural environments close to agricultural fields. The contamination of surface waters by insecticides is known to have ill effects on the growth, survival and reproduction of aquatic animals. In the past few years, the increase of mortality among the fish in various streams, lakes and ponds of around the world has drawn scholars’ attention to the problems caused by insecticides and pesticides runoff associated with intense agricultural practices. Different concentrations of insecticides are present in many types of wastewater and numerous studies have found them to be toxic to aquatic organisms especially fish species (Talebi, 1998; Uner et al., 2006; Banaee et al., 2008). Fishes are particularly sensitive to the environmental contamination of water. Hence, pollutants such as insecticides may significantly damage certain physiological and biochemical processes when they enter into the organs of fishes (John, 2007; Banaee et al., 2011). Authors found out that different kinds of insecticides can cause serious impairment to physiological and health status of fishes (Begum, 2004; Monteiro et al., 2006; Siang et al., 2007; Banaee et al., 2009). Since fishes are important sources of proteins and lipids for humans and domestic animals, so health of fishes is very important for human beings. Recently, many studies have been conducted to determine the mechanisms of insecticides in fishes, with the ultimate goal of
Development and characterization of a dehydrated mixture based on pumpkin flour (Cucurbita maxima) incorporating modified starch of yam (D. alata cv. Diamante 22) with potential application for instantaneous soups

In Colombia, food industry seeks the u of raw materials f high nutritional value such as pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and yam (Dioscorea alata cv. Diamante 22) for the development of processed foods and diversification of agricultural production. The purpose of this work was to develop a dehydrated mixture using pumpkin flour and odified yam starch. The study included the formulation of dehydr ted mixture based on the starch/flour ratio and the type of starch modification. With analysis by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) peaks were identified in 1366 1367 cm−1 corresponding to beta-carotene in the flour. With starch modifications gelatinization temperature increased reaching values of 83.6 and 86.3oC. All the rehydrated formulations showed pseudoplastic rheological behavior where the viscosity decreased with the shear rate. The mixture most preferred by consumers and that showed the highest ov rall desirability (0.47) was the fo mulatio with 60% flour and 10% enzymatically modified starch. Finally, the pumpkin flour conferred favorable sensory characteristics and the starch improved the stability and consistency properties in the prepared product.
Effectiveness of a lean simulation training: challenges, measures and recommendations

Abstract Teaching adults in Lean Management faces certain challenges. One well-known concept to deal with them is activity-based learning like it is provided by learning factories. This paper explores the main challenges and its influence as well as learning methods in the context of a Lean Learning Lab from the system’s perspective. The effectiveness of the training is evaluated by the overall impression, by how easy it is to understand the theory and whether the participants dared to transfer the content into their working environment. The study was conducted in the Lean Lab of the University of Applied Sciences in Kufstein with a large sample of participants from different local companies. The study showed that participants had difficulties with understanding the benefits of Lean Management, its theory and the terminology. This was significantly influenced by the hierarchy of job and the participant’s level of education. Of major help during the training was the change between theory and practice. In addition, the ‘do-it yourself’ approach was supportive, too. Here again, the job position significantly determined the choice of support. When it comes to the effectiveness of the training with regard to understandability and transfer, not all of the Lean tools received equally good ratings. Transfer to real life was significantly influenced by how understandable the Lean tools were and how easy it was to implement them in the Lean Lab. This study provides a system model of the training situation with statistically proven insights into how to organise a Lean Basic Training for adults in order to provide an effective training for them.
Combining ability analysis in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

An experiment on okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] was conducted with 20 genotypes in 17 line × 3 testers fashion during 2012-2013 to procure 51 F1s and 51 F2s in RBD with three replications at HRC, Department of Horticulture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, to study the combining ability of various agronomic and economically important traits for genetic improvement and their effect in the population. Among the parents under study IC 218872 for plant height, VRO 5 for days to flowering, plant height, length of internode and yield/plant showed higher gca effect, whereas crosses IC 306053 × Parbhani Kranti (PK), C 7801 × Parbhani Kranti (PK), Azad Bhindi 2 × Parbhani Kranti (PK), BO 2 × Azad Krishna, FB 10 × Parbhani Kranti (PK) and VRO 1668 × Azad Krishna were showed significant positive effect for more than one character indicating their utility in further breeding programme. The best parents and their crosses are utilized in breeding programme for the improvement of yield components.
Young students with Down syndrome: Early longitudinal academic achievement and neuropsychological predictors

ABSTRACT Background: We examined longitudinal academic achievement and neuropsychological functioning across two time points in young students with Down syndrome (DS) and a typically developing (TD) comparison group equated on nonverbal mental age (NVMA). Method: Participants engaged in assessments of academic achievement, executive function (EF), and fine-motor integration. Results: From Time 1 to Time 2, students with DS demonstrated significantly more challenges than the TD group in the acquisition of quantitative skills. Additionally, EF and fine motor integration at Time 1 significantly predicted academic achievement at Time 2 for students with DS. Conclusions: The interpretation of these results extends our understanding of how early neuropsychological disruptions in DS manifest in the educational context and highlights potential targets for new interventions.
Near‐real‐time spatiotemporal analysis of convection and extreme rainfall leading to a flash flood using MSG‐SEVIRI and TRMM data: A case study of a flash flood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the November 25, 2009

This paper describes a convective system, which brought heavy rainfall leading towards a flash flood on November 25, 2009, over Jeddah city and its surrounding regions. Meteosat Second Generation Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (MSG‐SEVIRI) based near‐real‐time MSG‐RGB (red, green, blue) composites and cloud top temperature images are used for the assessment of convection stages during the event. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data is used to quantify the rainfall amount and found reliable as compared with ground observations. Air mass RGB serves as an effective tool for the visual enhancement of cumulonimbus (Cb) clouds as well as differentiating them from other local features. Cloud top temperatures obtained from MSG IR10.8 channel show that the threshold values of cloud top below 220°K can lead to rainfall with the intensity of 10 mm/hr or above over Jeddah region. The results from MSG‐SEVIRI and TRMM satellite data show that satellite data could serve as an effective tool for the near real‐time monitoring of the rainfall event, when analysing convection stages. The study suggests that where ground measurements are minimal, satellite information can be used in as part of a flood warning system to minimise the aftermaths of a flood disaster.
Cholesterol content and quality of eggs from hens fed feed mixture supplemented with Lentinus edodes mushroom

U pokusaju smanjenja sadržaja ukupnog kolesterola u jajima, tijekom sest tjedana tri skupine kokosi nesilica hranjene su hranom koja je sadržavala 3 % gljive Lentinus edodes, 20 % micelija iste gljive te kontrolnom hranom bez gljiva. Tijekom cijelog pokusa pracena je nesivost, masa jaja, cvrstoca ljuske, indeksi bjelanjka i žutanjka, Haugh jedinice svih snesenih jaja, kao i sadržaj kolesterola u žutanjcima reprezentativnog dijela jaja u svakom tjednu tretmana i u tjednu nakon tretmana. Rezultati su pokazali da plodno tijelo i micelij gljive Lentinus edodes u hrani kokosi nesilica nisu utjecali na znacajnije promjene sadržaja ukupnog kolesterola u jajima, kao sto nisu znacajnije promijenili nesivost ni parametre kakvoce jaja tretiranih kokosi u odnosu na kontrolne.
Interactions of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) on Pineapple

Ant and mealybug interactions were studied in a pineapple field near Honolua on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Big-headed ants (Pheidole megacephala (F.)) were found to have a positive association with gray pineapple mealybugs (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley) but no association with pink pineapple mealybugs (D. brevipes (Cockerell)). Sticky trap collections revealed that D. neobrevipes and D. brevipes are dispersed by the wind. Field experiments indicated that both species of mealybugs could establish on pineapple plants, even in the absence of ants. The positive association between P. megacephala and D. neobrevipes was not due to ants transporting mealybugs, but could have resulted from ants deterring natural enemies or removing honeydew.
Enhancing Writing Vocabulary Using Mentimeter

This paper aimed to examine the effectiveness of using Mentimeter, which is an online virtual platform to enhance the writing vocabulary among pupils. By using Mentimeter, they can access the platform to collaborate with their peers and teacher regardless of the time frame, geographical and self-confident factors. This collaborative discussion platform would expand pupils’ word bank and understanding about the writing task; thus helping them in accomplishing their writing tasks. An action research based on Kemmis and McTaggart model was carried out with 40 pupils with a marginal passing rate by using pre and post-test, questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The findings showed a significant difference between the results of pre and post-test and positive feedbacks from the pupils. In conclusion, Mentimeter is an effective tool to enhance pupils’ writing vocabulary. The results of this study may be beneficial to educators in employing Mentimeter in teaching of writing vocabulary. However, this paper is only focused on the effectiveness of using Mentimeter to increase the vocabulary of pupils in writing within the targeted group thus further study is needed to ascertain the efficacy of using Mentimeter and to generalise the findings to a larger population. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19. 3.7
The Impact of Capital Structure on Firm Performance: Evidence from Vietnam

This paper explores the impact of capital structure on firm performance in the context of Vietnam. The paper investigates the different effect of capital structure on firm performance in state-owned and non-state enterprises listed on the Vietnam stock market. The panel data of research sample includes 488 non-financial listed companies on the Vietnam stock market for a period of six years, from 2013 to 2018. The Generalized Least Square (GLS) is employed to address econometric issues and to improve the accuracy of the regression coefficients. In this research, firm performance is measured by return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), and earnings per share (EPS). The ratios of short-term liabilities, long-term liabilities, and total liabilities to total assets are proxy for capital structure. Firm sizes, growth rate, liquidity, and ratio of fixed assets to total assets are control variables in the study. The empirical results show that capital structure has a statistically significant negative effect on the firm performance. The result also shows this effect is stronger in state-owned enterprises than non-state enterprises in Vietnam. These evidences provide a new insight to managers of both state-owned and non-state enterprises on how to improve the firm ’ s performance with capital structure.
Systematically identifying and prioritising domestic abuse perpetrators for targeted intervention

International research finds that the majority of harm from crime can be attributed to a small proportion of perpetrators. Accurately identifying these individuals as priorities for intervention can lead to significant harm reduction. A new method, the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool, was implemented in three police force areas of England and Wales. Additional investment, restructuring of units and the development of bespoke policies and protocols were necessary to establish the pilots, which to date have seen the Priority Perpetrator Identification Tool used in nearly 1500 domestic abuse cases. Mixed-methods research illustrates how the pilots instigated a systematic approach to identify and prioritise perpetrators in order to inform decisions about the scope and type of intervention to be deployed to reduce their offending. The development of these new collaborative arrangements represents a step change in the way the most harmful domestic abuse perpetrators are identified and managed within a multi-agency partnership.
Variability of response of early Drosophila embryos to heat shock

Several embryonic stages (nuclear multiplication stage up to blastoderm) were incubated at 37°C. The 84,000 dalton heat-shock protein was always present in the heat-shocked embryos at all these stages. This protein was also found in nonheat-shocked controls. Different amounts of two other heat-shock proteins, the 70,000 and 68,000 daltons, were synthesized depending upon the embryonic stage. A massive synthesis of these two later proteins was observed in embryos which were able to recover from the heat-shock.
Do Stringent Bankruptcy Laws Always Deter Entrepreneurial Activities? A Study of Cultural Influences

Stringent bankruptcy laws are generally understood to increase the costs of failure and thus not conducive for entrepreneurship. In this paper, theory is developed and tested exploring the moderating influences of the dimensions of culture—individualism—collectivism, masculinity–femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance. Results of this study, from conditional fixed effects Poisson regressions, support that stringent bankruptcy laws are positively associated with the levels of entrepreneurial activity in certain cultural contexts.
FAMILY-CENTRED, GOAL-DIRECTED MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR LOWER EXTREMITY BOTULINUM TOXIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION IN CEREBRAL PALSY

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate lower extremity botulinum toxin (BT) and physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) application scoping “family-centered, goal-directed multidisciplinary approach (FGMA)” in the children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to assess the satisfaction of parents and children from this approach. Methods: A physician and physiotherapist evaluated 30 children (age=6.33±2.38 years) with ambulatory CP and their parents using the FGMA. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) were used to define the functionality of children. Selectivity was assessed using the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). Walking was evaluated using the Observational Gait Scale (OGS) and the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Satisfaction levels marked on the Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Nineteen (63%) children were GMFCS level III, 16 (53%) children were MACS level I, 19 (63.33%) children were CFCS level I. Half of children had visual problems. While the most preferred muscles were hamstring and gastrocnemius for BT, the most common device was ankle-foot orthosis. The median score of SCALE, OGS, and FAQ, and the satisfaction of parents and children were 8 (4-17), 12 (2-24), 2 (1-10), 9 (7-10), and 7 (6-10) points, respectively. The satisfaction level of parents with the new approach was higher than the previous traditional approach (p<0.001). Conclusions: Both the parents and children may be satisfied with the FGMA for BT with the PTR program. Clinicians should take into account lower extremity selectivity, walking performance, and satisfaction levels as much as muscle tone or range of motion. Key Words: Botulinum Toxin; Cerebral Palsy; Parent; Physical Therapy.
Automatic Generation of High-Accuracy Stair Paths for Straight, Spiral, and Winder Stairs Using IFC-Based Models

The indoor space model is the foundation of most indoor location-based services (LBS). A complete indoor space model includes floor-level paths and non-level paths. The latter includes passages connecting different floors or elevations such as stairs, elevators, escalators, and ramps. Most related studies have merely discussed the modeling and generation of floor-level paths, while those considering non-level paths usually simplify the formation and generation of non-level paths, especially stairs, which play an important role in emergency evacuation and response. Although the algorithm proposed by i-GIT approach, which considers both floor-level and non-level paths, can automatically generate paths of straight stairs, it is not applicable to the spiral stairs and winder stairs that are common in town houses and other public buildings. This study proposes a novel approach to generate high-accuracy stair paths that can support straight, spiral, and winder stairs. To implement and verify the proposed algorithm, 54 straight and spiral stairs provided by Autodesk Revit’s official website and three self-built winder stairs are used as test cases. The test results show that the algorithm can successfully produce the stair paths of most test cases (49/50), which comprehensively extends the applicability of the proposed algorithm.
Analysing the root cause of the damage risk in heavy vehicles to reduce traffic congestion

Abstract This study aims to investigate important damage risks in heavy vehicles on the highway using risk analysis method as well as to examine their root causes using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). This is important as the basis for formulating the solution to solve the Non-Recurrent traffic Congestion (NRC) problems which often happens in Surabaya's arterial roads. Data was collected through series of research steps consisting preliminary survey, questionnaire survey as well as expert's interview survey. Five top risk events were obtained from risk analysis using Probability-Impact Matrix, namely flat tire, engine failure, damage on the axle, damage on the leaf spring, and accident. Meanwhile, 25 basic events were obtained as the root cause the five high risks based on FTA method. Eight highest basic events are overloading, poor maintenance, inadequate periodic vehicle inspection, potholes on road, poor road surface, inadequate or improper pre-operational check, driver behavior, and the road up or down steeply. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by proposing a framework to investigate NRC problem due to damage risks in the heavy vehicle by combining risk analysis and FTA methods to obtain a comprehensive understanding about this problem and to create a more sustainable road transportation.
Pomological and biochemical characteristics of local apple genotypes grown in Uşak - Turkey

Apple is grown more than other fruits in the world. Recently, raising awareness in the community about consuming food rich in antioxidants is crucial for human health. This study was carried out to state the physical and biochemical properties of some local apple genotypes grown in Uşak district, Turkey. This region has a lot of apple genotypes with significant genetic variability. As a result of the field study conducted at Uşak district, thirteen different apple genotypes were collected for analysis. In the current Uşak local apple genotypes, oxalic acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid values were found between 2.89 and 561 ppm and 1725, 12159 ppm and 29 and 203 ppm, respectively. Citric acid was found at the trace level and no acetic acid and gallic acid were detected. Results further revealed that based on pomological and biochemical features of the genotypes, the apple genotypes UO1, UH, PB, EK1, and EK2 seem to be the promising ones in terms of their fruit weight, width, and height.