Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Heavy Metals in Harvested Plantains from Bodo, Rivers State

A Plantain harvested from Bodo community, Gokana L.G. A Rivers state were analyzed for heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations. Physicochemical properties of the agricultural soil used for the plantain cultivation showed the following: pH (5.7) while the control experiment was seen at 7.4. Soil conductivity of 721 and 398 were obtained for both the test and control experiments, respectively. Soil mineral contents: Potassium (6.88 mg/g), phosphorus (2.63 mg/g), Magnesium (12.42 mg/g), chloride ions (1021.21 mg/g). Heavy metal analysis of the soil showed a greater proportion of copper and iron in while Hg, As and Cd were below detectable limit in both tested samples. Pb was found relatively in lower concentrations of 24.12 mg/g in the test sample, 6.23 mg/g in the control experiment. Total Oxidizable Carbon Content (TOC) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) content of the soil were observed at 104.12 and 2567 mg/g respectively in the tested sample. The control experiment showed TOC and TPH concentrations of 42.85 and 1094 mg/g. Heavy metal analysis of harvested plantain from Bodoh community showed the presence of the following: Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) in the following order: Cu>Fe>Pb in the test sample while in the control experiment, iron (Fe) was seen greater than copper (Cu). Heavy metals of mercury, cadmium and arsenic were below detectable limit at in both the harvested plantain from Bodo community and those of the control experiment, respectively. Bioaccumulation factor of all the heavy metals identified were <1. PAHs of Acenaphthalene, Acenaphthene, chrysene, pyrene and fluranthene were not detected in the control experiment while only chrysene was not detected in the test samples. Naphthalene,methyl naphthalene, acenaphthalene, acenaphthene, benzo (k) fluranthene and flourene were relatively high in concentration than pyrene and flouranthene in the test samples. Naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, flourene and benzo(k) flouranthene were only recorded in the control experiment. Acenaphthalene (0.034 mg/g) was seen as the highest PAHs in bioaccumulation in the test sample while flourene (0.005 mg/g) recorded the highest in the control experiment.
BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM BIODEGRADABLE BIOPLASTICS

In this study, the potential for biogas production from biodegradable bioplastics was evaluated. Mater-Bi® (a family of maizestarch based flexible films) and PLA (PolyLactic Acid; a rigid, polylactide-based, polymer) bioplastics were digested in laboratory batch reactors, alone or in co-digestion with pig slurry or scotta (partially deproteinized cheese whey), at 35°C or 55°C. Methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) production were monitored during the incubation period. Maximum CH4 (Mmax) or H2 (Hmax) production per reactor, potential CH4 (BMP) or H2 (BHP) production g-1 volatile solids (VS), and residual VS in the digestates were determined. Methane was produced when bioplastics were digested alone or with pig slurry, whereas H2 was produced only in co-digestion with scotta. Mmax, BMP, Hmax and BHP were on average higher at 55°C than at 35°C (+69%, +158%, +51% and +45%, respectively). At 35°C, in monodigestion, small amounts of CH4 (33 mL g-1 VS) were produced with Mater-Bi® only. At 55°C, the BMP for Mater-Bi® and for PLA were equal to 113 mL and 282 mL CH4 g-1 VS, respectively. Monodigestion of MaterBi® and PLA at 55°C reduced the initial VS content by 51%. When PLA was in co-digestion with pig slurry, Mmax was 12% higher than the theoretical one, with a synergistic effect. In co-digestion with scotta, a nearly significant 12% increase in H2 production was observed for Mater-Bi® incubated at 35°C. The exploitation of bioplastic waste in anaerobic digestion for biogas production, together with or in alternative to conventional composting, appears a promising possibility for a successful waste management.
How can surgical continuity be maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic? A quality improvement study in the pre-vaccination period.

Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the elective surgeries had to be postponed. However, it is not possible to delay the surgical treat- ment of cancer patients for a long time. The aim of this study was to present how gastrointestinal system surgery operations are managed without delay and how employee safety is ensured , together with the results of the last five months. For this purpose, a preclinical and clinical screening system was created. Material and Methods Data of the patients who presented to our outpatient clinic between April 1st 2020 and August 31st 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results During the last five months of the pandemic, a total of 387 patients were hospitalized and 309 of these patients underwent surgical procedures. 165 of the patients who underwent surgery were newly diagnosed malignancy patients. All patients who were hospitalized were subjected to a screening for COVID-19 during the preclinical, clinical and surgical period. In the preclinical period, five patients were found positive and were directed to COVID-19 treatment without hospitalization. In the clinical period, six patients were isolated by showing symptoms during the hospitalization period. Only one of these patients received surgical treatment. The remaining five patients underwent endoscopic and interventional procedures. In this process, COVID-19 positivity was detected in a total of five healthcare workers. Conclusion With this preclinical and clinical screening method, it is shown that a COVID-19 sterile environment can be provided by early detection of positive cases in both patients and healthcare workers. In this way, the possibility of surgical continuity was demonstrated.
Knowledge Management Approaches of Small and Medium-Sized KIBS Firms: a Descriptive Analysis of Four Countries

Purpose –There is evidence that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) do not manage knowledge the same way as large firms, and that they approach knowledge management (KM) in various ways. However, the literature on this topic is still scarce and fragmented. In order to fill this gap, the paper aims to single out and discuss the different features that characterize the approaches to KM adopted by small companies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the KM approaches followed by companies of various KIBS sectors in 4 countries (Italy, Poland, Spain, and Romania) as they emerge from the findings of a quantitative survey which involved 223 small KIBS firms. KIBS companies were investigated because knowledge and its management are their distinctive elements, as highlighted in past studies. Research results - The study confirms that small KIBS firms regard knowledge as a key competitive resource, and transferring/sharing knowledge as the main KM process. However, their approaches to KM are firm-specific and differ in several aspects, e.g.: number and kind of adopted KM practices; motivation and promoters of implementation; obstacles encountered in introduction; strategic and operational aims of such practices; level of formalisation and use in the company. Despite this variety, some regularities also emerge. In particular, the study shows that companies that implement KM activities as a response to knowledge-related problems coming from the daily practice follow a substantially different approach from those that implement them after a strategic analysis by the management. Originality/value – The paper contributes to a better understanding of KM strategies followed by small KIBS companies with a diversified number of employees and belonging to different sectors. Also, it provides an evidence-based survey of the features in different countries, which helps to highlight regularities in KM approaches even across multiple national contexts. Practical implications – The study provides useful insights into possible KM approaches in the KIBS sector; also, it contributes to a better understanding of KM in small enterprises in general. This can be of use to company executives for revising their KM approach, for implementing more suitable strategies in their organizational settings and, more generally, for developing awareness of KM-related problems and possible solutions.
Effect of Replacement of Soybean Meal with Toasted Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Seed Meal on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

| Scarcity and the high market price of conventional protein concentrates are some of the major constraints of poultry production in the tropics. To alleviate this problem utilization of non-conventional feedstuffs like pigeon pea could contribute to the increased supply of animal protein sources in the tropics. to determine the effects of replacement of soybean meal with toasted pigeon pea seed meal (PSM) on the growth performance of broilers. A total of 180 unsexed, day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups and randomly assigned to four treatment rations containing 0 % (T1), 10% (T2), 20% (T3), and 30% (T4) toasted PSM in a complete randomized design with three replications. There were highly significant differences (P<0.001) in daily and total DM intake overall. The birds fed T3 and T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher daily and total DMI compared to the control group during the finisher phase and the overall period. There were high significant (P<0.001) BW gain, and ADG during the finisher phase and overall period. Birds fed T3 and T4 had significantly (P<0.05) higher, BW gain, and ADG compared to the control group birds. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in FCR in all phases. Therefore, replacement of SBM by toasted PSM in diets of broiler particularly at the levels of 20% and 30% enhanced optimum growth of birds without any adverse effect on the growth performance of broiler birds.
Delaying winter pruning, after pre‐pruning, alters budburst, leaf area, photosynthesis, yield and berry composition in Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.)

Background and Aims Earlier ripening of grapes due to global warming could be mitigated by delaying hand pruning on pre‐pruned canes. Hand pruning on pre‐pruned vines was delayed until after distal buds on canes had burst for Sangiovese (Vitis vinifera L.) vines, and the effect on phenology, canopy development, leaf gas exchange, yield and berry development and composition was assessed. Methods and Results Pre‐pruned vines, which were subsequently hand‐pruned during winter, were compared to vines where hand pruning was delayed (DP) until shoots from distal nodes of canes had burst and developed 3–4 (DP3) or 7–8 (DP7) expanded leaves. Delayed pruning delayed budburst by about 30 days in DP3 vines and 37–47 days in DP7 vines, which led to a slowing of canopy development and berry growth. Veraison was delayed by between 10 and 20 days. Yield was substantially reduced by delaying hand pruning but the concentration of phenolic substances and the acidity of berries was increased. Conclusions Delaying hand pruning on vines that had already been pre‐pruned delayed budburst, anthesis and veraison, reduced yield and significantly affected berry composition. The magnitude of these effects increased with the length of the pruning delay. Significance of the Study Delaying hand pruning on pre‐pruned grapevines may represent a promising technique to mitigate against some of the deleterious effects of global warming in vineyards.
Artificial-Intelligence-Based Triple Phase Shift Modulation for Dual Active Bridge Converter With Minimized Current Stress

The dual active bridge (DAB) converter has been popular in many applications for its outstanding power density and bidirectional power transfer capacity. Up to now, triple phase shift (TPS) can be considered as one of the most advanced modulation techniques for DAB converter. It can widen zero voltage switching range and improve power efficiency significantly. Currently, current stress of the DAB converter has been an important performance indicator when TPS modulation is applied for smaller size and higher efficiency. However, to minimize the current stress when the DAB converter is under TPS modulation, two difficulties exist in analysis process and realization process, respectively. First, three degrees of modulation variables in TPS modulation bring challenges to the analysis of current stress in different operating modes. This analysis and deduction process leads to heavy computational burden and also suffers from low accuracy. Second, to realize TPS modulation, if a lookup table (LUT) is adopted after the optimization of modulation variables, modulation performance will be unsatisfactory because of the discrete nature of the LUT. Therefore, an AI-based TPS modulation (AI-TPSM) strategy is proposed in this article. Neural network (NN) and fuzzy inference system (FIS) are used to deal with the two difficulties mentioned above. With the proposed AI-TPSM, the optimization of TPS modulation for minimized current stress will enjoy high degree of automation which can relieve engineers’ working burden and improve accuracy. In the end of this article, the effectiveness of the proposed AI-TPSM has been experimentally verified with a 1-kW prototype.
MOF-derived synthesis of mesoporous In/Ga oxides and their ultra-sensitive ethanol-sensing properties

A series of In/Ga-based MIL-68s, with batch molar ratios of In(III) to Ga(III) (In/Ga ratio) equaling 5 : 0, 4 : 1, 3 : 2, 1 : 1, 2 : 3, 1 : 4, and 0 : 5, were solvothermally prepared. Calcinating the as-prepared MOFs at 500 °C for 3 h produced a series of mesoporous In/Ga oxides (IGOs) of hexagonal morphology with a characteristic main pore radius of 3 nm to 12 nm, and a specific surface area of up to 60–135 m2 g−1. Studies on the ethanol gas-sensing properties of the as-prepared IGOs revealed that the two IGOs produced from MIL-68 with In/Ga ratios of 3 : 2 and 1 : 1 present high response values of 80–110 towards 300 ppm ethanol and a low detection limit of no more than 2 ppm. However, the response value of In2O3, produced from MIL-68 with an In/Ga ratio of 5 : 0, was 11 towards 300 ppm ethanol. At the same time, the two IGO samples exhibited a high response to ethanol, which was more than 2.6 times higher than response values towards CH3CHO, CH3COCH3, H2, CO, CH4, and NO2, at a concentration of 300 ppm. This gas-sensing performance is suggested to be attributed to their comparatively larger specific surface area, and remarkable oxygen vacancy capabilities.
Securities Issuance Considerations As an External Funding Source for Sharia Commercial Banks

Abstract: This research is to formulate dominant aspects and sub-aspects of benefits, opportunities, costs, risks for the Issuance of Sukuk and shares as an external funding source for Sharia Banks (IBs). The fundamental problem is related to the less optimal role of Islamic banking in the national economy because the market share is 5.94% (early 2019). It is necessary to increase external funding sources through the Issuance of Sukuk and shares. There were 3 IBs share issuers: BPDS, BRIS, BTPNS, and 4 IBs Sukuk issuers: BMI, BSM, BNIS, BRIS. The method uses Analytic Network Process to identify dominant aspects and sub-aspects that IBs consider to issue Sukuk and shares. The primary data from in-depth interviews with each 5 Sukuk and share issuer expert practitioners of IBs Treasury and Corporate Planning. The consideration of IBs is much influenced by the benefit and opportunity aspects. Dominant sub-aspects of IBs considerations in Sukuk issuance: sources of funds for capital and business expansion (benefit aspects), oversubscribed investor demand (opportunity aspects), cost of capital (cost aspects), sharia compliance risks (risk aspects). Dominant sub-aspects of public share issuance: increasing capital (benefit aspect), broad investor base (opportunity aspect), underwriter costs (cost aspect), information disclosure demands (risk aspect). Abstrak: Penelitian ini untuk merumuskan aspek dan sub-aspek dominan dari manfaat, peluang, biaya, dan risiko (BOCR) atas penerbitan sukuk dan saham publik sebagai sumber pendanaan eksternal Bank Umum Syariah (BUS). Dasar masalah terkait belum optimalnya peran perbankan syariah dalam perekonomian nasional karena pangsa pasar yang baru mencapai 5,94% dari total perbankan nasional (awal tahun 2019). Ini disebabkan minimnya permodalan dan skala industri serta individual BUS, sehingga perlu peningkatan sumber pendanaan eksternal melalui penerbitan sukuk dan saham publik. Di awal 2019 terdapat 3 BUS emiten saham: BPDS, BRIS, BTPNS dan 4 BUS emiten sukuk: BMI, BSM, BNIS, BRIS. Metode analisis data menggunakan Analytic Network Process untuk mengidentifikasi aspek dan sub-aspek dominan yang menjadi pertimbangan BUS menerbitkan sukuk dan saham publik. Data utama hasil wawancara terhadap masing-masing 5 praktisi ahli Treassury dan Corporate Planning BUS emiten saham dan emiten sukuk. Pertimbangan BUS dominan dipengaruhi aspek manfaat kemudian aspek peluang. Sub-aspek dominan pertimbangan BUS dalam penerbitan sukuk yaitu: sumber dana ekspansi usaha dan permodalan (aspek manfaat), permintaan investor berlebih (aspek peluang), biaya modal (aspek biaya), risiko kepatuhan syariah (aspek risiko). Sub-aspek dominan penerbitan saham publik yaitu: meningkatkan permodalan (aspek manfaat), luasnya basis investor (aspek peluang), biaya penjamin emisi (aspek biaya), tuntutan keterbukaan informasi (aspek risiko).
Comparative Characteristics and Assessment of the Relations of Anthropometric Indicators and Motor Abilities of Girls’ Basketball Players 12-14 Years Old

Anthropometric indicators and motor abilities are significant components of the successful implementation of the physical potential of young basketball players. The aim of the study was to describe and compare anthropometric characteristics, indicators of physical and special preparedness for basketball players under the age of 12 and up to 14 years, to identify the presence and degree of relationship between these indicators in each group of athletes. Athletes (n = 50) were grouped in groups under 12 years (U12, 10.97 ±0.48 years; n = 24), and under 14 (U14; 12.96 ±0.49 years; n = 26), body height and body weight were measured, dexterity and indicators of special preparedness were tested and compared (“Throws into the basket from different positions”, “Free Throws”, “Ten eights”). U12 players showed lower performance than the U14 group in all tests except the “Free Throws” test. All athletes showed astrong correlation between jumping and dexterity (p < 0.01). The U14 athletes showed astrong (p < 0.01) and moderate (p < 0.05) relationship between the indicators of special preparedness. Assessment of indicators of physical development, physical and special preparedness of athletes, the study of the relationship of these indicators at different periods of ontogenesis will help rationally differentiate training loads, emphasize pedagogical influences and optimize the training process.
High-Efficiency Module Design of Solid-State Transformers for Railway Vehicles

The solid-state transformer (SST) can be a promising solution to replace the conventional 50- or 60-Hz main transformer (MTr) for railway vehicles. Unlike the existing SST technologies for stationary power applications, the SST applied to railway vehicles requires severe constraint of installation space and intensive management of heat dissipation. To optimally design the SST module applied to the railway vehicles, which is one of the major components in the whole SST system, the optimal magnetic component designs for high-efficiency and thermal stable operations in the confined installation space are proposed in this article. In order to meet the SST system requirements for ac 25-kV-to-dc 1.5-kV power conversion, an overall SST topology and its control schemes are established. Based on the proposed SST topology, considering the operating drive profile of the urban railway vehicles, the operating sequence of the proposed SST is introduced and verified by simulation. By virtue of the proposed magnetic component design, the optimal number of turns for the inductor and transformer in dual-active-bridge converters can be appropriately determined for 50-kV high-voltage insulation and high-efficiency operation when the installation space for the magnetic components is given. For targeting the 3.0-MW maximum power transfer capability of the proposed SST system, the 300-kW SST modules, operating at 500 Hz and 10 kHz for ac/dc converters and dc/dc converters, respectively, were fabricated and verified by experiment. By two experimental SST module sets, the static performance of the power converters in the SST module and the dynamic operating sequence has been successfully implemented. For the 300-kW full-load operation, 99.7% of power transfer efficiency for the proposed magnetic components and 97.2% of total power efficiency were obtained. As a result, the measured temperature characteristics for the proposed SST module, including the magnetic components, were managed below 125 °C under a severe experimental environment.
Influence of storage and drying methods on invertebrate elemental and isotopic measurements

ABSTRACT Optimised pre-analytical methods for measuring the chemical properties of soil macro-organisms are needed. We tested the effects of ethanol immersion, freezer storage, and drying method on the reliability of estimates of key stoichiometric elements (carbon [C], nitrogen [N], phosphorus [P]) and abundances of 13C and 15N in samples of crickets (Acheta domestica), cockroaches (Nauphoeta cinerea) and mealworms (larval Tenebrio molitor). Ethanol immersion tended to increase A. domestica C and N, and reduced A. domestica P, relative to the reference treatment (deep freezing and oven drying). For N and P these effects were only present after 28-day ethanol immersion. Nauphoeta cinerea and T. molitor samples were generally unaffected by storage treatments, while δ13C and δ15N were not affected by any storage treatment for any species. Thus, five days of ethanol immersion may be acceptable prior to elemental and stoichiometric analyses of hard-bodied soil invertebrates in comparative studies.
Density functional theory calculations, vibration spectral analysis and molecular docking of the antimicrobial agent 6-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-5-ethyl-2-{[2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl] sulfanyl}pyrimidin-4(3H)-one

Abstract Vibrational spectral analysis and quantum chemical computations based on density functional theory have been performed on the antimicrobial agent 6-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-5-ethyl-2-{[2-(morpholin- 4-yl)ethyl]sulfanyl}pyrimidin-4-(3H)-one.The equilibrium structural geometry, various bonding features and harmonic vibrational wavenumbers of the title compound have been investigated using DFT-B3LYP function at 6-311++G(d, p) basis set. The detailed interpretations of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the aid of VEDA 4 program. The various intramolecular interactions of the title compound have been exposed by natural bond orbital analysis. The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of the title molecule have been recorded and analyzed. Blue-shifting of the C-H wavenumber along with a decrease in the C-H bond length attribute for the formation of the C-H.O hydrogrn bonding provide an evidence for a charge transfer interaction. Also, the distribution of natural atomic charges reflects the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The analysis of the electron density of HOMO and LUMO gives an idea of the delocalization and the low value of energy gap indicates electron transfer within the molecule. Moreover, molecular docking studies revealed the possible binding of the title molecule to different antimicrobial target proteins. Graphical Abstract