Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enablers of green innovation in the micro-firm—perspectives from Ireland and Canada

Abstract This research explores the enablers of green innovation in the micro-firm, applying a resource based view. The research poses the question, how are resources used to enable green innovation in a micro-firm? The authors apply a cross-country multi-case method, studying micro-firms in Ireland and Canada over a twelve month period. Results show that proactive use of green innovation enablers is influenced by; the owner/manager (O/M)’s natural environmental orientation and openness to engage with green innovation, their ability to identify, pool and bundle internal and external resources, their capacity to understand and implement green regulations and their ability to lever green potential for socio-economic gain. The findings show that engagement with both internal and external resource pools allow the O/M greater capacity to test new ideas, comprehend regulations and identify potential supports in pursuit of green innovation within the micro-firm. This study is important for a number of reasons. It explores green innovation resources within and outside the organisation and identifies the enablers of green innovation in micro-firms that could contribute to sustainable business goals.
Resource Exploitation in a Stochastic Horizon under Two Parametric Interpretations

This work presents a two-player extraction game where the random terminal times follow (different) heavy-tailed distributions which are not necessarily compactly supported. Besides, we delve into the implications of working with logarithmic utility/terminal payoff functions. To this end, we use standard actuarial results and notation, and state a connection between the so-called actuarial equivalence principle, and the feedback controllers found by means of the Dynamic Programming technique. Our conclusions include a conjecture on the form of the optimal premia for insuring the extraction tasks; and a comparison for the intensities of the extraction for each player under different phases of the lifetimes of their respective machineries.
Mindful and Mindless Anthropomorphism: How to Facilitate Consumer Comprehension Towards New Products

Individual’s perception of anthropomorphic platforms in promotion of really new products or novel innovations has not been examined fully. There are contradictions in the academic literature on how various presentations of social cues are perceived by audience mindlessly or mindfully. Perceived mindful and mindless anthropomorphism are explored in this study in order to understand its effect on individuals’ attitude, purchase intention and comprehension of new products. A single factor between-subject design using two innovative products and websites with four levels of social cues (voice, language, interactivity and social role) was used. Five hundred participants took part in the main experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to each experimental group. The analysis indicated that a human-like avatar is preferred by individuals over static avatar and perceived higher mindlessly. Interactive content didn’t improve individuals’ perceived mindless anthropomorphism. There was no significant increase in individuals’ mindful anthropomorphism in any condition. The study indicated perceived mindless anthropomorphism results into better comprehension, attitude and purchase intention towards really new products.
Allometric Biomass Model for Aquilaria Malaccensis Lam. in Bangladesh: A Nondestructive Approach

ABSTRACT Aquilaria malaccensis: Lam. is an important commercial tree species of Bangladesh. This species is widely planted for the increased demand for an essential oil locally knows as “Agar”. A nondestructive method was adopted to derive the allometric biomass model for A. malaccensis. Stem volume of 254 trees and the model of biomass expansion factor (BEF) were used to estimate the total above-ground biomass (TAGB). A total of five allometric equations with natural logarithm were tested to derive best-fit biomass models for crown, stem, and total above-ground biomass (TAGB). The best-fit allometric model was selected based on the lowest value of akaike information criteria (AIC), residual standard error (RSE), and the highest value of the coefficient of determination (R2) and akaike information criteria weighted (AICw). The best-fit model of BEF was BEF = exp(2.112318 – (DBH*TH)^0.1066121). The best-fit allometric biomass models for crown, stem and TAGB were crown biomass = exp(−0.6031 + 0.4279*Ln(DBH^2*TH), steam biomass = exp(−3.2483 + 1.7910*Ln(DBH) + 0.7881*Ln(TH) and TAGB = exp(−1.9121 + 1.5937*Ln(DBH) + 0.6152*Ln(TH). The best-fit TAGB model showed the highest efficiency in biomass estimation compared to commonly used pan-tropical biomass models in terms of model prediction error (MPE), model efficiency (ME).
Characterization of Core Optics in Gravitational-Wave Detectors: Case Study of KAGRA Sapphire Mirrors

We report the characterization of superlow-loss optics used in the second-generation gravitational-wave detectors currently in operation. The sapphire test-mass mirrors in the KAGRA detector are introduced as an example, but the techniques here are common to all detectors. In this work, we discuss mainly the surface topography obtained by interferometric techniques and the optical properties obtained with special setups.
Evaluation of External Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgery in a Secondary Level Facility in Kumasi, Ghana

Aims: We aimed at auditing hernia surgeries performed at a secondary care center and determine the outcome of surgery based on the grade of operating surgeon. Study Design: A single center retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery of Ashanti regional Hospital between October 2015 to September 2018. Methodology: We included 259 patients, age ranging between 1 and 84 years, who underwent external hernia surgeries. Information retrieved included patient demographics, type of hernia, duration of hernia, whether hernia was emergency or elective, method of repair, whether surgery was performed by a surgeon or non-surgeon and early post-operative complications. Data was Original Research Article Mensah et al.; JAMMR, 32(11): 1-7, 2020; Article no.JAMMR. 58801 2 analyzed using PASW Statistics for Windows, Version 18.0. Chicago: SPSS Inc SPSS. Bivariate analysis was done to ascertain relationship between complications and operating doctor. Results: A total of 259 hernia surgeries were performed over the study period. There were 186 (71.8 %) males and 73 (28.2 %) females, age range of 1 to 84 years. There were 66 (25.5%) children and 193(74.5%) adults. Children in their first decade were the majority (22.4%) age group followed by adults in their 5 th decade (17%). Inguinal hernia was the most common (75.7%) type of hernia, 49 (18.9%) children and 147(56.6%) adults. There were 32 (12.4%) emergencies. Small bowel (20) was the most common content found in the hernia sac with 6 of them being gangrenous. Hematoma was the most common early complication. The majority (63.7%) of the cases were performed by the general surgeon and (20.1%) by house officers (interns) under supervision. Complications like haematoma, surgical site infection and acute urinary retention were more likely to occur in the non-surgeon operators. There was no statistically significant relation between the grade of operating surgeon and Haematoma (p = 0.28) and surgical site infection (p= 0.76). Conclusion: Hernias are common in children in the first decade and in adults in the 5 decade. With a well-structured training programme non-surgeon physicians can be trained to perform hernia surgeries with relatively low complication.
The Use of Ground Source Heat Pump to Achieve a Net Zero Energy Building

Currently, ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology is being studied, as the use of the ground as a source of renewable energy allows significant energy savings to be obtained. Therefore, it is useful to quantify how these savings help to achieve the energy balance of a Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compared to an air source heat pump or a condensing boiler coupled to a chiller. This paper assesses how these savings affect the number of photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of a building to obtain the NZEB target. The study is conducted by dynamic simulation for a building used as a bed and breakfast, virtually placed in two Italian towns. The energy savings and reduction of CO2 emissions, the percentage of renewable energy used, and the photovoltaic surface needed are assessed. Finally, the discounted payback period is calculated. The results show that the GSHP, unlike the systems to which it is compared, allows an NZEB to be obtained by balancing yearly energy consumption with energy production systems which only use on-site renewable energy sources (by exploiting the surface available on the roof) for both of the climatic conditions considered. GSHP also allows primary energy requests equal to or less than 57 kWh/m2 to be obtained.
Analysis of Gaseous and Gaseous-Dusty, Premixed Flame Propagation in Obstructed Passages with Tightly Placed Obstacles

A recent predictive scenario of premixed flame propagation in unobstructed passages is extended to account for obstructions that can be encountered in facilities dealing with explosive materials such as in coalmines. Specifically, the theory of globally-spherical, self-accelerating premixed expanding flames and that of flame acceleration in obstructed conduits are combined to form a new analytical formulation. The coalmining configuration is imitated by two-dimensional and cylindrical passages of high aspect ratio, with a comb-shaped array of tightly placed obstacles attached to the walls. It is assumed that the spacing between the obstacles is much less or, at least, does not exceed the obstacle height. The passage has one extreme open end such that a flame is ignited at a closed end and propagates to an exit. The key stages of the flame evolution such as the velocity of the flame front and the run-up distance are scrutinized for variety of the flame and mining parameters. Starting with gaseous methane-air and propane-air flames, the analysis is subsequently extended to gaseous-dusty environments. Specifically, the coal (combustible, i.e., facilitating the fire) and inert (such as sand, moderating the process) dust and their combinations are considered, and the impact of the size and concentration of the dust particles on flame acceleration is quantified. Overall, the influence of both the obstacles and the combustion instability on the fire scenario is substantial, and it gets stronger with the blockage ratio.
Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Paleoproterozoic Kelle Bidjoka iron formations, Nyong group greenstone belts, southwestern Cameroon. Constraints from petrology, geochemistry, and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology

ABSTRACT The Kelle Bidjoka Iron Formations (IFs) occur at the northmost margin of the Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Nyong group greenstone belts in SW Cameroon. This contribution presents for the first time the petrographical, geochemical, and geochronological data of the Kelle Bidjoka IFs and associated metaigneous (metatonalite) and metasedimentary (pyroxene gneiss) rocks. The studied IFs form a thin unit of 3.21 m thick and comprise magnetite pyroxene gneiss, garnet-bearing magnetite pyroxene gneiss, pyroxene BIFs, and grunerite BIFs. Petrographic studies have revealed mineral assemblages indicating retrograde amphibolite facies metamorphism. Magnetite pyroxene gneiss and pyroxene BIFs show signatures of both seawater and hydrothermal fluids, with magnetite pyroxene gneiss deposited closer to the vent source. In contrast, garnet-bearing magnetite pyroxene gneiss and grunerite BIFs are devoid of hydrothermal characteristics and show significant crustal contamination. The lack of Ce anomaly in most samples indicates anoxic to suboxic conditions during their deposition. The geochemical characteristics of the associated metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks indicate that Kelle Bidjoka IFs were deposited in a submarine volcanic arc environment, similar to the Algoma-type BIFs. Detrital zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating suggests that the Kelle Bidjoka BIFs were deposited during early Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2423 Ma) and were metamorphosed up to granulite facies during the Eburnean/Transamozian (ca. 2050 Ma) orogeny.
Pediculosis humanus capitis: An Emerging Ectoparasitic Infection among Children in Maiduguri Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs), Borno State, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Pediculosis humanus capitus (Head lice infestation) among children in internally displaced camps in Maiduguri, Borno State. A cross sectional study was conducted in January 2019 to April 2020 among 2-6 years old children in the internally displaced camps. The children were critically examined for the present of live head lice (Pediculos humanus capitis), eggs or nits in the hair. Out of 198 subjects examined 100 (50.5%) were male, 98(49.5%) were female from four different internally displaced camps involved in the study. Among the children examined 54(27.3%) were found to be infested with Pediculosis humanus capitis while 144 (72.7%) were not infested. Male have slightly greater infestation with 50.5% in comparism to the female with 49.5% infestation. Whereas head lice infestation based age among study population revealed that, highest infestation rate was recorded among children with 7 years old with 16(45.7%) followed by 6 years old children 11(32.4%), 5 years old children with 9(24.5%), 4 years old with 8(20.5%), 3 years old children with 6(20.0) and 2 years old children with 4(18.2%). Likewise the population distribution of children enrolled in the four different internally displaced camps revealed as Bakasi IDPs camp 68(34.3%), Muna Da’alti IDPs camp 48(24.2%), Dalori IDPs camp 42(21.2%) and Ajiganaram IDPs camp 40(20.0%) respectively. The findings of this research work revealed that Pediculosis humanus capitis is a common public health concern among children in internally displaced camps in the study. Thus, immediate public and primary health care attention is needed to strategically plan for prevention and control measures to curtail the disease.
The Impact of Website Design on Users’ Trust

With rapid digitalization, trust has become a critical issue in designing and maintaining e-commerce platforms – without trust, no transaction takes place. Companies that design for trust have a strategic advantage over competitors. Although trust is a crucial factor in e-commerce, designing a trustworthy website can be challenging for companies that make most or part of their profits online. The study builds on prior research to propose a comprehensive and up-do-date checklist of trust-inducing design components. Trust components are divided into three dimensions of website design; their impact on users’ trust perceptions is studied in an online experiment with two websites. The results present demonstrable evidence that website design has a powerful impact on users’ trust perceptions. Professional design, primarily visual aspects, is responsible for creating a positive user first impression. Furthermore, additional trust is built through different dimensions of website design, increasing the likeliness of buying from the site.
Pity for economically disadvantaged groups motivates donation and ally collective action intentions

We argue that pity can motivate collective action intentions toward groups that are both politically and economically deprived. We tested this connection in four online surveys and an experiment. In Study 1 ( N = 1,007), pity for the Roma in Hungary predicted collective action intentions, which was replicated in Study 2 in connection with refugees in Germany ( N = 191) and in Hungary ( N = 563). Study 3 ( N = 475) demonstrated that for not economically but politically disadvantaged groups (e.g., sexual minorities), pity was not a predictor of ally action. In an experiment (Study 4, N = 447), pity was just as strong a predictor of collective action intentions as out-rage on behalf of an economically and politically disadvantaged outgroup. Pity can be a mobilizing emotion when it comes to groups that are both economically and politically disadvantaged; however, outrage remains more important in the absence of economic hardship.
CRISPR-Cas9 System for Plant Genome Editing: Current Approaches and Emerging Developments

Targeted genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 has been widely adopted as a genetic engineering tool in various biological systems. This editing technology has been in the limelight due to its simplicity and versatility compared to other previously known genome editing platforms. Several modifications of this editing system have been established for adoption in a variety of plants, as well as for its improved efficiency and portability, bringing new opportunities for the development of transgene-free improved varieties of economically important crops. This review presents an overview of CRISPR-Cas9 and its application in plant genome editing. A catalog of the current and emerging approaches for the implementation of the system in plants is also presented with details on the existing gaps and limitations. Strategies for the establishment of the CRISPR-Cas9 molecular construct such as the selection of sgRNAs, PAM compatibility, choice of promoters, vector architecture, and multiplexing approaches are emphasized. Progress in the delivery and transgene detection methods, together with optimization approaches for improved on-target efficiency are also detailed in this review. The information laid out here will provide options useful for the effective and efficient exploitation of the system for plant genome editing and will serve as a baseline for further developments of the system. Future combinations and fine-tuning of the known parameters or factors that contribute to the editing efficiency, fidelity, and portability of CRISPR-Cas9 will indeed open avenues for new technological advancements of the system for targeted gene editing in plants.
Assessment of physicochemical properties of popular brands of corn starch for custard preparation

In the present study, corn starch of ‘Brand A’ (carbohydrate 96.8 g/100 g) and ‘Brand B’ (carbohydrate 88.0 g/100 g) were analyzed for their physico-chemical properties to investigate their effect on viscosity of custard prepared using both the brands. The ‘Brand A’ corn starch contained significantly (P< 0.05) high moisture, ash, starch, amylose, sediment volume, total blue value, sodium content than ‘Brand B’ corn starch. On the contrary, ‘Brand B’ corn starch showed significantly (P< 0.05) high swelling power, solubility, pH, phosphorus, fat, iron and zinc contents than those of ‘Brand A’ corn starch. The mean particle size, protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium and apparent blue value of ‘Brand A’ and ‘Brand B’ did not differ significantly. The turbidity and syneresis of both the corn starch brands increased with storage period. The ‘Brand A’ corn starch showed significantly (P< 0.05) low turbidity and syneresis in comparison to ‘Brand B’ corn starch. Pearson correlation analysis showed positive correlation of swelling power with solubility (r = 0.986, P<0.01), turbidity (r = 0.933, P< 0.01), syneresis (r = 0.869, P< 0.01) while negative correlation with sediment volume (r = -.791, P< 0.01), total starch (r = -.910, P< 0.01), amylose (r = -.922, P< 0.01), amylopectin (r = -.825, P< 0.01), total blue value (r = -.919, P< 0.01), particle size distribution (r = -.714, P< 0.05). Both amylose and amylopectin have significantly negative correlation (P< 0.01) with swelling power, solubility, turbidity and syneresis.
Sunlight-driven photocatalysis of dissolved organic matter: 
Tracking by excitation emission matrix-parallel factor 
analysis and optimization using response surface 
methodology

This study investigates the photocatalysis of dissolved organic matter (DOM) under ZnO-assisted artificial sunlight irradiation. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was utilized for design of experiments with ZnO dosage and pH. Fluorescence excitation–emission matrices coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to track the DOM degradation during photocatalysis. EEM-PARAFAC analysis decomposed fluorescent DOM into two components (C1 and C2), identified as terrestrial humic-like organic matters. A pseudo-first-order DOM removal decreased with increased ZnO dosage, and were highest at pH 7 and lowest at pH 4. Response surface models of DOC, UV254, C1 and C2 removals demonstrated statistically significant and well matched with a second-order polynomial equation based on analysis of variance (ANOVA). First-order terms were the highest contributor, in which ZnO dosage had the highest level of significance, to the DOM removal. The optimal conditions for the photocatalysis of DOM were found to be ZnO 0.3 g/L and pH 10, showing that the removals of DOC, UV254, C1 and C2 were 57.9%, 94.5%, 100%, and 98.0%, respectively. In addition, ZnO showed a good stability and better photodegradation efficiency than TiO2 in the DOM removal.
Phytoalexin production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in hydroponics and its in vitro inhibitory effect on plant pathogenic fungi

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate phytoalexin production from five varieties of lettuce in hydroponics using abiotic (2.5, 5% CuSO4; 0.5, 1% AgNO3) and biotic elicitors (non-pathogenic Pythium sp.) at different plant ages. It showed that phytoalexin was successfully induced in tested lettuce grown in hydroponics after elicitation with abiotic elicitors throughout the trial. Phytoalexin showed yellow fluorescent spot under 365 nm UV light with Rf 0.45-0.48 and clear inhibition zone where Aspergillus niger failed to develop on TLC plate. For biotic elicitors, no yellow fluorescent spot on TLC plate was observed from tested lettuce varieties however inhibition zone at Rf 0.9 was detected at 8-9 weeks from red oak, green oak, and red coral. Moreover, crude extract of lettuce elicited with abiotic elicitors possessed in vitro antifungal activity against C. gloeosporioides, C. lunata, F. oxysporum, and P. aphanidermatum probably due to phytoalexin (lettucenin A) in the extract.
Molecular Detection and Identification of Bacteria in Urine Samples of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Pregnant Women by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify bacteria in urine samples of pregnant women of asymptomatic and symptomatic women by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This study aims to identify different strains of microbes causing urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: In the semi-quantitative culture technique, bacterial isolates such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Proteus were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing followed by BLAST analysis and phylogenetic tree formation. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was carried out to identify the specific strains of bacteria causing UTI. Results: According to the BLAST analysis, sample 1 revealed a 100% similarity to E. coli strain U5/41. Likewise, samples 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 exhibited a 100% similarity to Klebsiella aerogenes strain F26, Pseudomonas entomophila strain 2014, Staphylococcus aureus strain NCTC13616, Staphylococcus saprophyticus strain FDAARGOS_355, Proteus mirabilis strain NCTC 11938, respectively. Conclusions: Six bacterial isolates were analyzed by 16S RNA gene sequencing followed by the construction of a phylogenetic tree construction up to the species level. This method was a valuable tool for cost-effective and accurate diagnosis of an array of uropathogens in both asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women.