Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of colour parameters and drying effici ency in osmotically pretreated microwave assisted drying of yellow sweet pepper ( Capsicum annum L.) using Response-Surface Methodology

Yellow sweet pepper ( Capsicum annum. L) were dried in a microwave-assisted drying system with four levels o f microwave power (0.35, 0.70, 1.05, 1.4 W/g) and three levels of air temperature (30, 45 and 60 o C) at constant air velocity of 1.5m/s. Color parame ters viz. Total Colour Difference (TCD), Browning Index (BI) and Total Carotenoid (TC), along with drying efficiency and sensory scor e of dehydrated capsicum were analyzed by means of response surface methodology. Analysis of variance showed that a second-order pol ynomial model predicted well to the experimental data. The system microwave power level strongly affected quality attributes of dehyd rated capsicum. The result showed that a power level of 180 (0.90W/g) a t a process temperature of 60 o C were sufficient to draw optimum product.
Socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory profile and outcome in children with scorpion envenomation

Scorpion envenomation is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries including India. The annual estimate of cases with scorpion sting exceeds 1.2 million with 2.3 billion people at risk. Children are prone to develop severe cardiac and respiratory complications as compared to adult population. Furthermore, scorpion anti-venom is not available in this region indicating the seriousness of the problem. More than 86 species of scorpions exist in India, most of which are harmless. Mesobuthus tamulus (Indian red scorpion) and Palamneus swammerdami (black scorpion) are of medical importance. These scorpions residing in the underground burrows and crevices of dwelling emerge only at night, thus most stings are reported at night. ABSTRACT
Finite-Size Effects in the Absorption Spectra of a Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube

The determination of the optical spectrum of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is essential for the development of optoelectronic components and sensors with application in many fields. Real SWCNTs are finite, but almost all the studies performed so far use infinite SWCNTs. However, the spectra of finite and infinite systems are different. In this work the optical spectrum of finite (3,3) and (5,5) SWCNTs is calculated as a function of nanotube length. For the (3,3) SWCNTs, the calculated absorption spectra for light polarized both parallel and perpendicularly to the nanotube axis are in good agreement with experimental results. However, our results indicate that the lowest energy peak present in the experimental results for light polarized parallel to the nanotube axis can be attributed to a surface-plasmon resonance that is a consequence of the finite nature of the SWCNTs and not to the presence of SWCNTs with other chiralities, as claimed by the previous theoretical works. The surface-plasmon reson.
Dietary supplementation with chitosan oligosaccharide affects serum lipids and nutrient digestibility in broilers

This research was conducted to determine the effects of supplementation of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on the growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits, fatty acid composition of breast meat, and apparent nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. A total of 375 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were allocated to a control diet (T1) or diets supplemented with 50 ppm (T2) and 100 ppm (T3) of COS. There were five replicates of 25 chicks for each treatment. All the experimental birds were fed a starter (days 1 - 4), grower (days 15 - 28), and finisher diet (days 29 - 42). No differences were detected among treatments for live weight, gain, feed intake or feed conversion, except that feed intake was depressed in T3 during the grower period. Serum total protein and albumin levels did not differ among the treatments. Serum total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglyceride concentrations were reduced significantly by supplementation with COS, whereas the high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration was significantly lower only for T2 relative to T1. The dressing percentage was significantly higher for T2 and T3 than for T1. Fatty acid composition of the breast meat was unaffected by the treatments. The digestibility of the diet and some of its constituents was affected in a graduated manner by the addition of COS. Thus, supplementation of broiler diets with COS improved carcass yield and had a hypolipidemic effect in improving the serum lipid profile Keywords: carcass, digestibility, hypolipidemic effect, performance
Impact of social isolation by Coronavirus disease 2019 in food: a narrative review

ABSTRACT The objective of this narrative review, with a systematic survey, was to investigate the impact of social isolation on food (eating habits) during the 2019 Coronavirus disease pandemic. A retrieval of studies published from January 1st, 2019 to June 18th, 2020 was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases. The screening was structured using the terms corresponding to Coronavirus disease 2019, social isolation and food. All steps were carried out independently by three reviewers. Twelve studies were included, totaling 20,789 people assessed, with a predominance of cross-sectional studies of adult population. The studies reviewed had been carried out in Italy (n=4), Spain (n=2), Poland (n=1), China (n=1), India (n=1), United States of America (n=1), South Africa (n=1) and in a continental multicenter (n=1). The analysis of the studies included showed that most people reported that they did not change their usual diet; in addition, an increase in cooking habits, consumption of fruits and vegetables and a decrease in the consumption of alcoholic beverages was observed. A decrease in fish consumption and an increase in comfort foods were also reported. It was found that food habits changed in times of social isolation. We suggest that new investigations be carried out in different socioeconomic and demographic frameworks. We propose to continue the study on this theme, with a systematic review with or without meta-analysis.
Effects of daytime exposure to different monochromatic lights on the excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) in a hospital environment

ABSTRACT Hospitalized patients are frequently deprived of contact with natural light and constantly exposed to artificial lighting, losing biological synchronism. However, few studies have been conducted to assess the consequences of inadequate exposure to light in hospital environments, whether related to insufficient light in the period daytime, or to light peaks at night. This study assesses the effect of daytime exposure to different monochromatic lights on the excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), a hormone that reflects variations in the light/dark cycle. The light intensity was adjusted to 300 lx. Forty voluntary patients under transfusion were randomly assigned into five groups of light exposure for five hours, during the day. The concentration of aMT6s was determined in the urine samples collected at four intervals in a period of 24 hours during two days (before and at intervention). Exposure to green light resulted in significant acute melatonin reduction; blue light, in delay of night secretion; red, yellow and white light, kept it unaltered. These findings indicate that exposure to light during the day can lead to changes in the pattern of melatonin secretion. This research can be useful in artificial lighting environments, such as hospitals, to maintain adequate lighting and preserve the sleep/wake cycle.
The Pengaruh Desentralisasi Dan Ketidakpastian Tugas Terhadap Kinerja Manajerial Dengan Sistem Akuntansi Manajemen Sebagai Variabel Intervening

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh variable Desentralisasi dan ketidakpastian tugas terhadap kinerja manajerial melalui sistem akuntansi manajemen (SAM) Disamping itu penelitan ini juga menguji pengaruh masing - masing variabel kontekstual dengan SAM, pegnaruh SAM terhadap kinerja manajerial baik secara langsung, maupun dengan dimoderasi kedua variabel kontekstual.Responden dalam penelitian ini adalah manajer fungsional dari perusahaan percetakan skala besar di Banten. sampel yang digunakan berjumlah 100 manajerial fungsional. Alat analisis dengan menggunakan Structural Equational Modelling (SEM) melalui Partial Least Square (PLS) dan Sobel Test.Dalam penelitian ini, desentralisasi memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhdap kinerja manajerial, ketidakpastian tugas memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kinerja manajerial, sistem akuntansi manajemen memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kinerja manajerial. Hasil uji pengaruh tak langsung terbukti ketidak pastian tugas berpengaruh terhadap kinerja manajerial yang dimediasi oleh Sistem Akuntansi Manajemen. Kata Kunci : Ketidakpastian tugas, desentralisasi, sistem akuntansi manajemen, Kinerja manajerial
Composite Life Cycle of West Pacific Jet-Superposition Events and the Large-Scale Environmental Response over Western North America

Vertical alignment of the polar and subtropical jet streams in the west Pacific basin occurs most often during the boreal cold season. Recent work has revealed that the large-scale environment conducive to producing such superpositions involves interaction between East Asian winter monsoon cold-surge events, lower-latitude convection, and internal jet dynamics. The evolution of the large-scale environments associatedwith these events post-superposition as well as the significance of that evolution on aspects of the wintertime Northern Hemisphere general circulation is examined through construction of a 44-case composite. The post-superposition west Pacific jet extends eastward associated with an anomalous positive–negative geopotential height couplet straddling the jet’s exit region. This jet extension results in ridge building overAlaska and northwesternCanada. The large-scale evolutions associated with the composite post-superposition environment occur consistently among the majority of cases considered within this analysis. The positive–negative geopotential height anomaly couplet, enhanced jet entrance circulation, low-latitude convection, and internal jet dynamics present in the pre-superposition environment weaken post-superposition. As a result, the characteristic vertical PV ‘‘wall’’ associated with the composite vertically superposed jet weakens. Last, investigation of the value of using the two most dominant modes of west Pacific jet variability in observing the evolution of the superposed west Pacific jet post-superposition reveals that, while the extension of the jet is exhibited, significant variability exists when analyzing each of the 44 cases of interest individually.
The “Zero Miles Product” Concept Applied to Biofuel Production: A Case Study

To make biofuel production feasible from an economic point of view, several studies have investigated the main associated bottlenecks of the whole production process through approaches such as the “cradle to grave” approach or the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis, being the main constrains the feedstock collection and transport. Whilst several feedstocks are interesting because of their high sugar content, very few of them are available all year around and moreover do not require high transportation’ costs. This work aims to investigate if the “zero miles” concept could bring advantages to biofuel production by decreasing all the associated transport costs on a locally established production platform. In particular, a specific case study applied to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) campus is used as example to investigate the advantages and feasibility of using the spent coffee grounds generated at the main cafeteria for the production of bioethanol on site, which can be subsequently used to (partially) cover the campus’ energy demands.
The Early Impact of Government Financial Intervention Policies and Cultural Secrecy on Stock Market Returns During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Developing Countries

This paper examines the role of government financial intervention policies and cultural secrecy on equity market returns during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in developing countries’ stock markets. We employ global data including 939 observations across 32 developing countries (23 emerging and 9 frontier stock markets) from December 1 to April 28, 2020. Our results show that the above-mentioned policies that set out to curb the COVID-19 pandemic succeed in increasing equity returns. It reflects investors’ improved perceptions of governments’ commitment to stabilizing the economy during the pandemic in developing, emerging, and frontier equity markets. Results show that investors in all equity markets discount differences in cultural secrecy in processing market information when investing in stock markets. We find that equity market investors in developing and emerging countries truly react negatively to the rise in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported. Yet, we find that COVID-19 wields no influence on equity market returns in frontier equity markets. This presents frontier equity markets as a safe-haven investment destination during a global health outbreak. Our work helps investors during such events to identify the best and worst investment destinations in developing, emerging, and frontier stock markets. At the same time, it is important to understand the critical roles of: firstly, the introduced government financial intervention policies; and secondly, the daily growth in reported COVID-19 cases on stock market returns.
Source-Side Virtual RC Damper-Based Stabilization Technique for Cascaded Systems in DC Microgrids

Cascaded connection of power converters is a dominant connection form in DC microgrids. In such systems, despite the possible instability caused by the impedance interactions between the individually designed converters, tightly regulated load converters acting as constant power loads (CPLs) tend to destabilize the system owing to their negative resistance characteristics. Hence, this paper proposes a new virtual series RC damper in parallel with the source-side converter's capacitor without compromising the load's dynamic performance. Using this design-oriented active damping method, which utilizes a simple control structure with a more straightforward tuning of the control parameter, the stability and performance of the system are guaranteed. The feasibility and robustness of the suggested active stabilization idea against unanticipated variations in input voltage amplitude, and CPL power rating (load changes) as well as step changes in output voltage reference, are also authenticated. The control and operation principles, as well as the circuit physical meaning realized by the presented technique for three cascaded systems comprising the basic DC/DC converters feeding CPLs, are theoretically analyzed. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed active stabilizer.
Throughput Maximization of Hybrid Access in Multi-Class Cognitive Radio Networks With Energy Harvesting

In this paper, the hybrid interweave/underlay channel access mode is studied for an energy harvesting (EH) cognitive radio network with multi-class secondary users (SUs). The hybrid channel access mode combines the benefits of interweave transmission (opportunistic access with high throughput) and that of the underlay transmission (any time transmission with controlled power). EH upgrades the SUs’ devices to be self sustainable. Additionally, classifying the SUs helps to meet their different quality of service (QoS) requirements. The system is modelled as a mixed observable Markov decision process (MOMDP) to handle the uncertainty in the primary user (PU) activity and consider future rewards. The MOMDP model is solved to maximize the SUs’ throughput using two algorithms, namely, the point-based value iteration and the heuristic search value iteration (HSVI). Moreover, skipping the schedule of some SUs is proved to increase the channel utilization. The HSVI is proved to be efficient and reduces the time complexity significantly. Compared to related work in literature, the proposed model is proved to be superior in terms of throughput, tunable to meet the different QoS requirements of SU classes, and can accommodate any number of SU classes. Finally, the effect of some system parameters on the proposed system performance is studied and some insights are derived about the structure of the optimal policy and the system parameters values.
Horizon Bias in Expectations Formation

We provide empirical evidence that optimism bias increases with the forecasting horizon. We label this empirical regularity the horizon bias. We document significant horizon bias in the macroeconomic expectations of professional forecasters, both in the U.S. and abroad. In our empirical setting, horizon bias is unlikely to be the result of strategic considerations, information rigidities, or common heuristic rules of belief formation. At the same time, we show theoretically that horizon bias can arise in theories of motivated beliefs. Moreover, following the conceptual framework of Benabou(2015), we show that many theory-based drivers of motivated beliefs can help explain time-series variation in horizon bias.
Antidepressant Activity of Nardostachys jatamansi Extract in Animal Models of Depression

Background: Depression refers to a wide range of mental health problems characterized by the loss of interest in routine activities, low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms. It is one of the major causes of mortality as tendency of suicidal attacks are exhibited in these patients. The diagnosis of depressive patients is very complicated in many cases and they do not respond to rational clinical prescription. In traditional medicine, Nardostachys jatamansi has been used as stimulant, antispasmodic, laxative and antiepileptic in ayurvedic and unani systems of medicine. The objective of our study was to evaluate and compare the antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract with fluoxetine in animal models of depression. Methodology: It was a preclinical experimental study in which Total 100 BALB/c mice divide into 14 groups i.e. Group 1 & 2 control 0.9% NaCl i.p for forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) respectively, Group 3 & 4 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg i.p for FST and TST respectively, Group 5, 6 & 7 of N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for FST, Group 8, 9 & 10 N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for TST, Group 11 N. jatamansi (most Original Research Article Saleem et al.; JPRI, 32(40): 102-111, 2020; Article no.JPRI. 63968 103 effective dose) for Locomotor Test, Group 12 NaCl 0.9% for Yohimbine Potentiation Test (YPT), Group 13 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg for YPT and Group 14 Received extract of N. jatamansi (most effective dose) for YPT. Antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract at different doses after induction of depression via FST and TST was recorded. Moreover the antidepressant effect was confirmed by locomotor test. YPT was also applied to comment on possible underlying mechanism. Results: In our study 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses of N. jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and 500 mg/kg showed significant reduction as compared to group given fluoxetine in FST model. All the groups in TST model showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine given group. N. jatamansi at the dose of 500 mg/kg was found to be most effective in both the models. No significant change in locomotor activity was found in locomotor test. The percentage mortality of 50% was observed in N. jatamansi group using yohimbine potentiation test. Conclusion: In our study Nardostachys jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine.
Exploring the consequences of person–environment misfit in the workplace: A qualitative study

There exists a large body of research examining the construct of person–environment (PE) fit (Andela & Van der Doef, 2019; Oh et al., 2014). Broadly, PE fit has been defined as the ‘compatibility between an individual and a work environment that occurs when their characteristics are well matched’ (Kristof-Brown, Zimmerman, & Johnson, 2005, p. 281). Past research has suggested that PE fit could be linked to a range of beneficial, individual and organisational outcomes. For example, studies have demonstrated that people who share similar values, personality or other characteristics with their organisational environment or people in it are more satisfied and committed to their jobs (Park, Oh, & Lee, 2018; Silverthorne, 2004). Person–environment fit has also been shown to be positively associated with job performance (Kristof-Brown et al., 2005) and inversely related to stress and job burnout (Edwards & Cooper, 1990; Siegall & McDonald, 2004). Research has revealed that PE fit is a sought-after construct and that organisations should recruit and select new employees on the basis of fit (Barrick & Parks-Leduc, 2019).
Sensory and Physicochemical Quality Characteristics of Haddock Fish Cake Enriched with Atlantic Mackerel Quality of Fish Cakes

SUMMARY Research background It is desirable to increase the consumption of pelagic fish rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Partial replacement of traditionally used white fish species by pelagic fish will increase the content of omega-3 fatty acids, and thus improve the nutritional value but it may also affect the consumer acceptance. The aim of this study is to assess the physicochemical and sensory quality of novel fish cake prototypes prepared from haddock and mackerel mince. Experimental approach Fillets of haddock and Atlantic mackerel were used as raw material for preparation of fish cakes. The fish fillets were minced, mixed together (in haddock/mackerel mass ratio of 100:0, 75:25 and 50:50%) with salt, potato starch, pepper and full fat milk. Physicochemical and sensory analyses were further performed. Results and conclusions The fatty acid composition analysis showed that the recommended daily intake of 250 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid can easily be reached by consumption of fish cakes enriched with mackerel. The oxidation levels of all fish cakes were low in terms of peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS). Fish cakes prepared with higher mass fraction of mackerel mince (>50%) had significantly (p<0.05) softer texture than other fish cakes due to higher amount of fat in their formulations. At the same time, these fish cakes were significantly darker than haddock-based (>50%) fish cakes due to higher myoglobin content in the fish muscle. Moreover, fish cakes with higher amount of mackerel mince had increased yellowness due to the accumulation of water-soluble (r=0.990, p<0.05) and fat-soluble (r=0.976, p<0.05) TBARS. Metabolites relevant for taste and quality were quantified by using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The mass fraction of anserine, trimethylamine oxide and β-alanine decreased, while the mass fraction of histidine, glutamic acid and alanine increased with the addition of mackerel. Sensory tests have shown the addition of mackerel did not reduce consumer acceptability towards the new fish cakes. Novelty and scientific contribution The research demonstrated that Atlantic mackerel can be successfully used for partial replacement of white fish species in fish cake formulations to produce healthy and tasty ready-to-cook products and increase the consumption of small pelagic fish in Europe.