Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drying characteristics, quality and safety aspects of bamboo shoots using difference drying methods

Physical and chemical properties of bamboo shoots revealed that the middle part of bamboo shoots was suitable for drying and consumption. The optimum conditions for cyanide reduction were boiling at 100°C for 30 min. Modified Halsey and Modified Oswin models were the best fit for fresh and boiled bamboo shoots, respectively. Drying constant was increased with high drying temperature or microwave power as well as boiling treatment. The three parameter model was the most effective model to describe the drying behaviors of bamboo shoots. Boiled bamboo shoots and dried using microwave power at 720 W could decrease drying time up to 20 fold and increase the retention of total phenolics (11.08%), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (20.75%) and 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) (2.13%) compared to conventional tray drying at high temperature of 60°C and provide the lowest cyanide residue and shortest drying time.
Willingness to Pay for Police Reform

Consent decrees, authorized by Section 14141 of the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act, represent one of the most powerful governmental tools used to encourage—and possibly force—police reform. The consent decree process, however, carries a significant fiscal burden; in some cases, the cost of police reform inhibits agencies’ cooperation with the decrees. One possible solution to this problem calls for the creation of a public-supported police reform fund, whose monies are reserved strictly for consent decrees. Guided by focal concerns theory, this study reports on a factorial survey experiment used to assess variation across individuals’ willingness to pay for police reform. Results indicate that the seriousness of a police reform issue and the agency’s ability to pay for reform act as significant drivers of endorsement of a police reform fund.
Molecular dynamics simulations of heterogeneous ice nucleation by atmospheric aerosols

Water droplets in the atmosphere do not freeze homogeneously until -38◦C. Freezing at warmer temperatures requires heterogeneous ice nuclei (IN). Despite the importance of ice in the atmosphere, little is known about the microscopic mechanisms of heterogeneous ice nucleation. This thesis employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate ice nucleation by silver iodide, kaolinite, potassium feldspar, gibbsite, and a protein. Silver iodide is one of the best known ice nucleating agents. We examined seven surfaces of silver iodide and observed ice nucleation on three surfaces. The surfaces that nucleated ice organized the first layer of water molecules into a configuration resembling ice, such as chair conformed hexagonal rings. Surfaces that do not nucleate ice do not organize water into icelike configurations, such as planar rings. Results suggest lattice mismatch is insufficient in predicting ice nucleation, and a finer atomistic match is required. Finite silver iodide disks and plates were used to probe the relationship between the size of a nucleating surface and maximum temperature of ice nucleation. Larger disks nucleated ice at warmer temperatures than smaller disks by
Effect of cocoa roasting time on volatile composition of dark chocolates from different origins determined by HS-SPME/GC-MS

ABSTRACT In this study the volatile composition of six samples of dark chocolates varying in the cocoa roasting time (30.5, 34.5 and 38.5 min) and geographical origin (Ecuador and Ghana) was characterized by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). One hundred and twenty-one different compounds were identified using a carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR-PDMS) fiber comprising acids, alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes, esters, furans, ketones, nitrogen compounds, pyran derivatives, pyrazines, pyrroles and thiazoles. The effect of roasting time on the volatile composition of chocolates depended on their geographical origin. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to volatile composition of the six dark chocolate samples. Eight different groups of compounds were established according to the position of the aroma compounds on the PC plot and accordingly to variation among samples. Therefore, volatile compounds that appeared or disappeared during roasting of cocoa from each origin or both origins were identified.
Classification of Polar and Nonpolar Aquatic Pollutants Using Simple Descriptors. Differences between Polarity Prediction and Narcosis Classification

Motivation. The problem of toxicity prediction is mainly related to the necessity of processing many data that most of the time come from different sources and have different biological meaning. Often, the real mechanism of action of a toxicant is unclear or difficult to reproduce; in addition, a chemical compound exercises its toxic action through many steps that depend both on its structure and on the specific environment where it is acting. In this perspective, the classification of compounds can be of great help because decreases the number of the alternatives to those specific of that class, allowing a more focused analysis. The classification of narcotic pollutants into polar and nonpolar sets is certainly an important aspect of this type of problems. Method. Object classification requires two principal components: the selection of the molecular descriptors and the choice of the classification algorithm. The calculation of the molecular descriptors is performed using our own approach that is based on empirical equations. We calculated three descriptors (Helc, HQ
Optimization of Scanning Scheme for Low-height Vegetation Survey Based on Terrestrial Laser Scanning - A Case Study on the Restored Sand Land, Southern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Background: In recent decades, vegetation surveys based on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) have developed rapidly, especially on the forest inventory, but few studies have been conducted to the low-height vegetation. Because of the high investigation cost and subjectivity, it is impending to provide a scientific scanning scheme based on the TLS for the low-height vegetation survey (e.g. shrub, grassland, and meadow) in eco-fragile region (e.g. Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau). Method: In this study, we extracted the vegetation parameter i.e., number, height (H), and crown width (CW) of the two sample plots to evaluate the integrity of the data collected by TLS, on the restored sand land in southern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We assessed the difference between the scanning mode of single-scan (SS) and multiple-scan (MS), and evaluated the influence of terrain fluctuation (windward slope, leeward slope, and the peak of slope) on the determination of scanning spots.Results: The results showed that: (1) the accuracy of vegetation parameter extracted by the mode of SS was mainly affected by the occlusion and the distance from central scanning spot, the RMSE of vegetation parameters is the smallest (RMSEH = 0.186 m; RMSECW = 0.208 m) within 20 m from the central scanning spot. (2) For the MS mode, in addition to the central scanning spot, the scanning spot located at the peak of the slope is the most important, which was the connection of combining the data of windward slope and leeward slope.Conclusion: To sum up, the scientific layout of scanning spot is the key to collecting data by TLS efficiently, and topography is the main factor affecting the layout of scanning spot. Since occlusion effect cannot be avoided, it can only be compensated by setting up more scanning points. Secondly, the accuracy of different sensors will has influence on the distance between adjacent scanning spots.
A Comprehensive Investigation of Machine Learning Feature Extraction and Classification Methods for Automated Diagnosis of COVID-19 Based on X-Ray Images

The quick spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infection around the world considered a real danger for global health The biological structure and symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other viral chest maladies, which makes it challenging and a big issue to improve approaches for efficient identification of COVID-19 disease In this study, an automatic prediction of COVID-19 identification is proposed to automatically discriminate between healthy and COVID-19 infected subjects in X-ray images using two successful moderns are traditional machine learning methods (e g , artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), linear kernel and radial basis function (RBF), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), Decision Tree (DT), and CN 2 rule inducer techniques) and deep learning models (e g , MobileNets V2, ResNet50, GoogleNet, DarkNet and Xception) A large X-ray dataset has been created and developed, namely the COVID-19 vs Normal (400 healthy cases, and 400 COVID cases) To the best of our knowledge, it is currently the largest publicly accessible COVID-19 dataset with the largest number of X-ray images of confirmed COVID-19 infection cases Based on the results obtained from the experiments, it can be concluded that all the models performed well, deep learning models had achieved the optimum accuracy of 98 8% in ResNet50 model In comparison, in traditional machine learning techniques, the SVM demonstrated the best result for an accuracy of 95% and RBF accuracy 94% for the prediction of coronavirus disease 2019
Effects of Biomethanated Spentwash on Soil Properties, Nutrient Availability, Uptake, and Yield of Soybean–Wheat Sequence on Inceptisol

The research aimed to study the effect of presown application of primary biomethanated spentwash (PBSW) on soil properties, nutrient availability, uptake and yield of soybean–wheat sequence on Inceptisol. The field experiment with randomised block design was initiated during 2007–8 and present observation was recorded during 2009–10 and 2010–11.The five treatments were, recommended dose (RD) of NPK (T1), 100% RD of N through PBSW without (T2) and with P chemical fertilizer (T3), 50 and 25% RD of N through PBSW + remaining N and P through chemical fertilizers (T4,T5), respectively. The results revealed that the soil physical properties and microbial populations were improved in T2 and T3. The lowest soil pH and pHs were observed in T2. The soil electrical conductivity, organic carbon, exchangeable sodium percentage and sodium adsorption ratio of soil extracts and available K were increased with the increase in PBSW as compared to RD-NPK. The soil available N and P were decreased as PBSW increased at all the soil depths. The greatest yields and total N,P,K uptake of soybean and wheat were observed in T5.
Returns and network growth of digital tokens after cross-listings

This paper examines the role of cross-listings in the digital token marketplace ecosystem. Using a unique set of publicly available and hand-collected data from 3,625 tokens traded in 108 marketplaces, I find significant increases in price, trading volume, network growth and on-chain activity around the date of a token’s first cross-listing. Tokens earn a 16% crypto-market adjusted return in the two weeks around the cross-listing date. Daily network growth triples on the day of cross-listing. Using the uniquely heterogeneous characteristics of token marketplaces, I am able to identify specific value-creation channels. I provide the first evidence supporting value creation through network externalities proposed by recent token-valuation models. Consistent with equity cross-listing theory, I find higher returns for cross-listings that reduce market segmentation and improve information production.
Impact of social innovation on population change in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County

Technological and economic innovations cannot respond to all social challenges. Natural and material resources are becoming ever scarcer, so it is necessary to use investment assets, maximizing social and economic efficiency. It is a major task to address the backwardness originating from regional disparities and to create opportunities for catching up in peripheral regions. The study, based on the process-oriented model defined in our previous studies and the determination of the social innovation potential, tries to determine the relationship between social innovation potential, the spatial position of developmental image, and regional differences and population change in Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen County.
Dynamics of simultaneous measurements of hall and magnetoresistance effects in liquid metals and semiconductors

In the present paper the Hall measurement in the liquid state of metals, using two-frequency method, ac-dc method and simultaneous method will be described. The Hall effect has been measured in Hg and Ga, both solid and liquid state. We have also measured magnetoresistance and Hall effect in InSb single crystal in which magnetoresistance appears even in low magnetic field and Si in which magnetoresistance do not appear clearly. In order to investigate the magnetic field dependence of galvanomagnetic effects in metals (in solid and liquid state) and semiconductors, the measurement in high magnetic field up to ′9 [T] were also performed.
Utilization of Maternity Services and Associated Factors among Women Living in Addis Ababa Ethiopia Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-city, Woreda 1

Background: Maternal service is the health service provided to mothers (women in their child bearing age). In Ethiopia mothers and children make up over 2/3rd of the whole population. Most pregnant women in developing world receive insufficient or no prenatal care and deliver without the help of appropriately trained health care provider. The situation in countries like Ethiopia is worsened by different factors such as poor infrastructure and lack of accessibility to health facilities. Taking this into account this study mainly focuses on the utilization of maternal service and associated factors among women living in selected villages in Nifas silk Lafto, Woreda 1. Objective: This study assesses the utilization of maternity services and associated factors among women living in Nifas Silk lafto sub city, woredas 1. Method: A community based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the utilization of maternal service utilization and associated factors from January to March 2020. Mothers who gave birth in the past five years were included in the study. A pre tested Interview administered questionnaire was used for data collection; Data was coded and entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Result: The result showed that there is generally 38.6% maternal health service utilization practice. Availability of health facility ( OR:0.489, 95%CI(0.282,0.847),) and accessibility (OR:3.130, 95%CI (1.390,7.048) are found to have significant association with maternal health utilization practice. Conclusion: The finding revealed that the majority of the respondents have poor maternal health service utilization practice which might have an impact for the mother and the new born baby, it’s also indicated the majority of the respondents don’t have knowledge regarding danger signs of pregnancy and the risks associated with pregnancy and child birth, thus responsible authorities should establish a way to create awareness , and also government authorities should be involved in solving the problem of poor infrastructure and transportation.
Are preservice science teachers (PSTs) prepared for teaching argumentation? Evidence from a university teacher preparation program in China

ABSTRACT Background As a fundamental approach to fostering students’ scientific literacy, argumentation has received more and more attention from science researchers and educators. Preservice science teachers’ (PSTs) abilities to both construct and evaluate arguments are fundamental to their future science teaching. Research combining these two aspects of PSTs’ argumentation abilities is lacking. Purpose This study aims to investigate PSTs’ argumentation ability from both construction and evaluation perspectives and to explore their relationship. Sample A total of 76 first-year graduates enrolling in a postgraduate-level science teachers preparation program at a university in China participated in this study, and 69 valid responses were obtained. Design and methods This study employed the Chinese version of the Argument Evaluation Test (AET) translated from Martin-Gamez and Erduran (2018) to assess the participants’ abilities to evaluate arguments, and the Argument Construction Test (ACT) designed following Toulmin’s Argument Pattern (TAP) to assess the participants’ abilities to construct arguments. The participants completed the tests via an online questionnaire system. Results The findings show: (1) Many limitations concerning PSTs’ abilities to evaluate arguments were visible. They were more incompetent in identifying ‘what is a good rebuttal’ than in identifying ‘what is a good argument’. (2) PSTs had obvious deficiencies in constructing arguments. Their performance in the dimensions of data, rebuttal and backing was significantly lower than their performance in the dimesion of warrant. (3) PSTs performed significantly better in a socio-technological issue (STI) than in a socio-scientific issue (SSI) in the dimension of evidence, and significantly better in an SSI than in a social issue (SI) in the dimension of the warrant. (4) A significant and moderate correlation was found between PSTs’ abilities to evaluate arguments and their abilities to construct arguments. Conclusions This study suggests that first-year graduates (also postgraduate-level PSTs) are not well-prepared for teaching argumentation. There are a high necessity and urgency to offer systematic courses focusing on argumentation skills in PSTs programs. The ability to evaluate arguments and ability to construct rebuttals need to be highlighted in such courses. More attention needs to be paid to PSTs’ abilities to construct arguments with data and evidence rather than their abilities to simply propose claims and to show their warrants.
QoE-Oriented Resource Allocation for Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access

In this letter, we investigate the resource allocation problem, including user pairing and power allocation, for downlink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) networks. Different from most of the existing studies focusing on maximizing throughput, we aim to maximize users’ quality-of-experience (QoE) considering demand diversity. We apply mean opinion score (MOS) to evaluate user’s QoE level, and the optimization target is to maximize the sum MOSs of all users, which is a complex non-convex problem. To tackle this problem, we firstly propose a linear searching algorithm to get the optimal sum MOSs for a specific 2-user NOMA system. Then, we derive the corresponding power allocation strategy. Furthermore, we extend it to a general NOMA system with $2{K}$ users, and design a fast and low complexity scheme. Results show that our proposed scheme can significantly improve the users’ sum MOSs in the NOMA networks, compared with other existing schemes.
Overview of field-testing of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–5 years in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga, South Africa

Background: This paper provides an overview of a series of studies undertaken to assess the appropriateness and understanding of the revised, draft South African Paediatric Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (SA-PFBDGs) amongst mothers/caregivers of children aged 0–5 years. Previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages, barriers and enablers to following the guidelines were also assessed. Design: Qualitative methods were used to collect data from 38 focus-group discussions (isiXhosa = 11, Afrikaans = 11, English = 10 and siSwati = 6) resulting in 268 participants. Setting: Breede Valley sub-district (Worcester), Stellenbosch Municipality (Stellenbosch, Pniel and Franschhoek) and Northern Metropole (Atlantis, Witsand, Du Noon and Blouberg), City of Cape Town, Western Cape province, as well as Ehlanzeni District (Kabokweni) in Mpumalanga province. Subjects: Mothers/caregivers older than 18 years who provided informed consent to participate. Results: The majority of participants had previous exposure to guidelines with similar messages to the SA-PFBDGs. Information sources included nurses, local clinics, family, friends and media. Possible barriers to following the guidelines included limited physical and financial access to resources; cultural/family practices, poor social support and time constraints. Outdated information, misconceptions, inconsistent messages and contrasting beliefs were evident. The vocabulary of some messages was not well understood. Education on infant and young child feeding and visual portrayal of the guidelines could aid understanding. Conclusion: A degree of rewording should be considered for improved understanding of the revised, draft SA-PFBDGs. Once adopted, the guidelines can be used to educate various stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, healthcare providers and educators, on the correct nutritional advice for children aged 0–5 years ensuring the healthy growth and development of young children in South Africa.
Size-dependent adsorption and conformational changes induced in bovine serum albumin (BSA) on exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles

ABSTRACT In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes were synthesized using sol gel method and calcined at different temperatures ranging from 200 to 700°C. The specific surface area of TiO2 was found to decrease with the increase in calcination temperature. It was observed that adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on TiO2 NPs obeyed the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and the isotherm parameters were calculated from equilibrium adsorption batch experiments. The kinetics of adsorption was best fitted by pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The effect of particle dosage on BSA adsorption was also studied and it was observed that the adsorption increased with the increase in particle dosage and decrease in particle size. The conformational changes of BSA on exposure to TiO2 NPs of various sizes were investigated using circular dichroism spectropolarimetry. The results suggested that BSA underwent a distortion in the secondary structure which was quantified by the percent α-helicity. A size-dependent distortion was observed. The α-helix content changed from 32.3% for pure BSA to 21.9% when exposed to NPs calcined at 200°C (350 mg/L) and to 28.4% for NPs calcined at 700°C at the same concentration.
Adaptive Performance

COVID-19 has prompted an urgent need for organisations to adapt to continuously changing circumstances. Given the unpredictable challenges, a traditional, tightly planned approach to managing episodic change is likely to be suboptimal. Based on the need to manage continuous change and ensure workplaces are prepared for further unexpected events, it is argued that developing employees' adaptive performance is a better approach. Drawing on the literature identified in Park and Park's recent review of adaptive performance and its antecedents, the authors conduct a parallel review of the managerial implications of these findings. Findings are organised into sections related to employee selection, training, work design, leader behaviour, and organisational climate. Each practical recommendation is reviewed in terms of its feasibility of implementation and likely effectiveness.