Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Video Display Operator's Eye Scanning, Comfort/Discomfort and Performance in a Hard Copy - Screen and a Split Screen Data Presentation

Six subjects, all experienced typists, were tested during two full working days in a VDT workstation using two different data presentation modes - from hardcopy to screen and split screen - and a mixture of data entry and file maintenance tasks. The results of this exploratory study indicate that looking for more than 80% of the time at the screen when using a split screen as compared to looking less than 40% at the screen when using a hard copy resulted only in small or no additional increases in both the visual and the musculoskeletal discomfort scores. The subjects maintained a similar overall performance for both data presentations. Based on these results we may conclude that 1) the amount of time looking at the screen appears to have no major influence on both visual and musculoskeletal comfort/discomfort, and that 2) a regimen to adequately reduce the work-stress in continuous VDT work should focus on the duration of uninterrupted constrained sitting while the screen viewing time should not be considered as a major factor.
The Effect of Humidity and Moisture Content on the Tone of Musical Instruments

The purpose of this research work is to investigate the relationship between humidity and tone in musical instruments. A basic hypothesis that motivates this work is that normal seasonal variations in relative humidity are thought to alter the tone of instruments constructed from wood. These changes in tone are believed to be due to changes in the dimensions and material properties of an instrument that are a result of wooden components absorbing and adsorbing water in equilibrium with their ambient environmental conditions. To investigate this hypothesis an experiment was conducted with a guitar acclimatized at different relative humidity levels. Sample sounds recorded at each humidity level were then evaluated by the test subjects using a three alternative forced choice listening test paradigm. Subjects were readily able to distinguish sounds recorded at different humidity levels, supporting the claim that changes in ambient humidity can create perceptible differences in instrument tone. A finite difference model was then developed to produce simulated sounds as a function of moisture content (MC being the weight percentage of a piece of wood that is water). The model was validated and further listening tests were conducted to determine the perceptual limit of MC differences. The just-noticeable difference value for MC change was established to be 0.7% MC difference. To be considered imperceptibly stable with respect to tone, materials used to replace traditional soundboard woods would need to have less variability than the equivalent material property changes due to this 0.7% MC difference. Testing of an acetylated plate in terms of its vibration and material properties followed. An increase in both stiffness and density was noted, yet even after modification the vibration properties of the plate were observed to remain within an acceptable range of material properties typical of soundboard grade woods. Instrument builders would likely welcome this new material, as long as its properties can be shown to not vary significantly from traditional choices. A second component of this thesis concerns the application of wavelets in musical analysis. Psychoacoustical signal parameters (PSPs) are a tool used to quantify aspects of sounds, such as brightness or percussiveness. These PSPs are often calculated using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), an algorithm that has certain limitations. To address the deficiencies of the FFT a wavelet transform was em- ployed and conventional PSPs were reformulated in the wavelet domain to improve their accuracy. Tonal differences due to changes in MC were shown to be well suited to analysis by wavelet PSPs where improved sensitivity was observed in comparison to the conventional methods. Finally, an acoustical study of the development of the piano from the clavichord to the modern grand piano was conducted. An improved bass response and the presence of more energy in the upper partials, particularly in these bass notes, were concluded to be due to an increase in soundboard…
Machine-checked Verification of Cognitive Agents

The ability to demonstrate reliability is an important aspect in deployment of software systems. This applies to cognitive multi-agent systems in particular due to their inherent complexity. We are still pursuing better approaches to demonstrate their reliability. The use of proof assistants and theorem proving has proven itself successful in verifying traditional software programs. This paper explores how to apply theorem proving to verify agent programs. We present our most recent work on formalizing a verification framework for cognitive agents using the proof assistant Isabelle/HOL.
University of São Paulo “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture Spatial and temporal analysis of native vegetation coverage for compliance with the New Forest Act

Spatial and temporal analysis of native vegetation coverage for compliance with the New Forest Act Compensation is one of the forms of compliance provided by Brazilian legislation as a mechanism to offset environmental impacts, which allows landowners of rural properties that do not meet their Legal Reserve requirements on their property, to compensate in third-party properties with surplus native vegetation. Failure to meet liabilities will result in the owner being punished with administrative sanctions. However, the current Forest Act (Federal Law 12.651 / 2012), provides in its article 68 that the rural owners and possessors who carried out native vegetation suppression before July 22, 2008, are obliged to fulfill the liability in accordance with the legislation in force at the time, without administrative sanctions. The complexity of the interpretation of the article due, for example, to the different concepts about phytophysiognomies contained in previous laws, in addition to the difficulty of proving historical suppression data in relation to the framework established by law, can slow down the coverage of the analysis of the deficit of native vegetation of rural properties and, consequently, the signature of a Term of Commitment by the owner in order to comply with the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), thus increasing transaction costs in law enforcement and generating insecurity regarding validity of the chopped documents. This project aims to analyze the interpretation of the rules for the demarcation of conserved areas in rural properties in the legislation prior to current Forest Act, to generate maps of native vegetation in past data based on this interpretation, as well as maps of deficit and surplus of native vegetation to compensate for Legal Reserve, providing the government with tools for the effective implementation of PRA in the State of São Paulo.
The Estrogenic Effects of the Soy Phytoestrogen Genistein on the Liver and Bone of Chickens

ii Acknowledgments. iv List of Tables . vii List of Figures . viii General Introduction . 1 Chapter 1: Review of Literature . 3 Estrogens.3 Estrogen Receptors . 6 Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors . 9 Phytoestrogens . 10 Soybean Isoflavones . 13 Genistein . 17 Hepatic Steatosis.20 Fatty Liver Syndrome . 22 Isoflavones Effect on Fatty Liver Syndrome and Hepatic Steatosis.24 Bone . 26 Medullary Bone . 28 Cage Layer Fatigue and Osteoporosis . 30 Effects of Isoflavones on the Bones and Eggs of Birds.33 References.35
Individual corrupt behavior: An experimental analysis of the influence factors personality and gender

There is no clarity in the literature on the extent to which the personality and gender factors influence the propensity of individual employees to engage in corruption. This topic is gaining importance not only in theory but also in practice due to increasing scandals and violations of regulations. In this paper, the influence of personality and gender on corruption propensity and corrupt behavior is investigated using an experimental design of 2×2 groups. A study of 134 students from different universities in 2020 served as the sample. It was found that there are significant differences in corruption propensity and corrupt behavior between subjects. The case underlying the experiment involved a company where the subjects of the experiment worked. As a result, they were asked by the CEO of the company to hand over a suitcase of money containing bribes. It was found that women showed a higher degree of conscientiousness than men, but a significantly lower propensity to corruption overall than the male subjects.
Soil properties, root morphology and physiological responses to cotton stalk biochar addition in two continuous cropping cotton field soils from Xinjiang, China

Long-term and widespread cotton production in Xinjiang, China, has resulted in significant soil degradation, thereby leading to continuous cropping obstacles; cotton stalk biochar (CSB) addition may be an effective countermeasure to this issue, with effects that are felt immediately by root systems in direct contact with the soil. In this study, we assess the effects of different CSB application rates on soil nutrient contents, root morphology, and root physiology in two soil types commonly used for cotton production in the region. Compared with CK (no CSB addition), a 1% CSB addition increased total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM) by 13.3%, 7.2%, and 50% in grey desert soil, respectively , and 36.5%, 19.9%, and 176.4%, respectively, in aeolian sandy soil. A 3% CSB addition increased TN, AP, and OM by 38.8%, 23.8%, and 208.1%, respectively, in grey desert soil, and 36%, 13%, and 183.2%, respectively, in aeolian sandy soil. Compared with the aeolian sandy soil, a 1% CSB addition increased TN, OM, and AP by 95%, 94.8%, and 33.3%, respectively, in the grey desert soil , while in the same soil 3% CSB addition increased TN, OM, and AP by 108%, 21.1%, and 73.9%, respectively. In the grey desert soil, compared with CK, a 1% CSB application increased the root length (RL) (34%), specific root length (SRL) (27.9%), and root volume (RV) (32.6%) during the bud stage, increased glutamine synthetase (GS) (13.9%) and nitrate reductase (NR) activities (237%), decreased the RV (34%) and average root diameter (ARD) (36.2%) during the harvesting stage. A 3% CSB addition increased the RL (44%), SRL (20%), and RV (41.2%) during the bud stage and decreased the RV (29%) and ARD (27%) during the harvesting stage. In the aeolian sandy soil, 1% CSB increased the RL (38.3%), SRL (73.7%), and RV (17%), while a 3% caused a greater increase in the RL (55%), SRL (89%), RV (28%), soluble sugar content (128%), and underground biomass (33.8%). Compared with the grey desert soil, a 1% CSB addition increased the RL (48.6%), SRL (58%), and RV (18.6%) in the aeolian sandy soil, while a 3% further increased the RL (54.8%), SRL (84.2%), RV (21.9%), and soluble sugar content (233%). The mechanisms by which CSB addition improves the two soils differ: root morphology changed from coarse and short to fine and long in the grey desert soil, and from fine and long to longer in the aeolian sandy soil. Overall, a 3% CSB addition may be a promising and sustainable strategy for maintaining cotton productivity in aeolian sandy soil in the Xinjiang region.
Optimizing Food and Feed in Maize–Livestock Systems in Northern Ghana: The Effect of Maize Leaf Stripping on Grain Yield and Leaf Fodder Quality

Access to feed for livestock during the cropping season is a constraint to the smallholder crop–livestock farming system in northern Ghana due to backyard farming. A two-year (2017–2018) study was conducted to determine the effect of leaf stripping on yield and feed quality in maize–livestock farming systems in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana. A factorial treatment combination of three maize-maturity types (extra-early: Abontem, early: Omankwa, and medium: Obatanpa) and three leaf stripping methods (control, leaf stripping at 50% tasseling, and leaf stripping at 50% silking of maize) were laid out in a strip-plot design with four replications per region. Stripped leaf biomass, grain yield, stover, cob size, and nutritional quality of stripped maize leaf were measured. The stripped leaf biomass, stover, and cob width of Obatanpa increased significantly relative to the other maize types in the Northern and the Upper West regions. Abontem recorded a higher (p < 0.01) grain yield than that of the other maize types in the Upper East Region. Leaf stripping had no significant effect on the grain yield and the crude protein (CP) content of maize leaf. The CP of the maize leaf (93–100 g/kg) was above the minimum CP requirement of a quality feed for body weight maintenance of ruminants. This suggests that smallholder maize–livestock farmers could strip maize leaves at either tasseling or silking to feed their livestock during the cropping season in northern Ghana and similar agro-ecological zones in West Africa.
Sophisticated Statistics Cannot Compensate for Method Effects If Quantifiable Structure Is Compromised

Researchers rely on psychometric principles when trying to gain understanding of unobservable psychological phenomena disconfounded from the methods used. Psychometric models provide us with tools to support this endeavour, but they are agnostic to the meaning researchers intend to attribute to the data. We define method effects as resulting from actions which weaken the psychometric structure of measurement, and argue that solution to this confounding will ultimately rest on testing whether data collected fit a psychometric model based on a substantive theory, rather than a search for a model that best fits the data. We highlight the importance of taking the notions of fundamental measurement seriously by reviewing distinctions between the Rasch measurement model and more generalised 2PL and 3PL IRT models. We then present two lines of research that highlight considerations of making method effects explicit in experimental designs. First, we contrast the use of experimental manipulations to study measurement reactivity during the assessment of metacognitive processes with factor-analytic research of the same. The former suggests differential performance-facilitating and -inhibiting reactivity as a function of other individual differences, whereas factor-analytic research suggests a ubiquitous monotonically predictive confidence factor. Second, we evaluate differential effects of context and source on within-individual variability indices of personality derived from multiple observations, highlighting again the importance of a structured and theoretically grounded observational framework. We conclude by arguing that substantive variables can act as method effects and should be considered at the time of design rather than after the fact, and without compromising measurement ideals.
A Varactor-tunable Filter with Constant Bandwidth and Loss Compensation

This article presents the basic concept and realization of a bandpass varactor-tunable filter with constant bandwidth and loss compensation. The filter components are based on step-impedance planar resonators, while the equalizing circuits of L- and T-types are lumped capacitances. The integration of the filter passive parts with a gain block is implemented to compensate for the insertion losses. Examples of practical realizations of two- and four-pole varactor-tunable filters in the 1.1 to 1.5 GHz frequency range are reported.
Optimizing PHB and Protease Production by Box Behnken Design

Mixed culture is more suitable to adapt more flexible fermentation process and produce different product simultaneously. In this study a mixed Bacillus culture was investigated for their ability to produce the bioplastic "Polyhydroxybutyrate" and both of the mesophilic and the thermophilic proteases in one flask. Box-Behnken experimental design was used. The produced amount of PHB has been increased significantly. Meanwhile there is a competition between PHB and proteases. The maximum produced amount of PHB using Box-Behnken design was 2.82 g/l/48 h with protease activity equal to 41.9 Units/ml/48 h for thermophilic proteases and 99.65 Units/ml/48 h for mesophilic proteases. Excel solver was used for extra-optimization for the optimum conditions obtained from Box-Behnken experiments and its model. The maximum PHB obtained after using Excel solver was 2.88 g/l/48 h. The maximum mesophilic and thermophilic activities obtained at the same PHB production conditions were 175.68 and 243.38 Units/ml respectively. The model accuracy as obtained from Excel solver was 118.8%, which prove the power of the experimental design in optimizing such complicated process. The strategies used in this study are recommended for the production of PHB and different proteases simultaneously using Bacillus mixed culture. ABSTRAK : Kultur campuran adalah lebih sesuai bagi proses penapaian yang fleksibel dan ia boleh menghasilkan produk yang berbeza secara serentak. Dalam kajian ini keupayaan menghasilkan "Polyhydroxybutyrate" bioplastik serta mesofilik dan termofilik protease dalam satu flask oleh kultur Bacillus campuran telah disiasat. Eksperimen rekabentuk Box-Behnken telah digunakan. Jumlah PHB yang dikeluarkan meningkat dengan ketara dan terdapat persaingan antara PHB dan protease. Jumlah keluaran PHB maksima menggunakan rekabentuk Box-Behnken adalah 2.82 g/l/48 jam dengan aktiviti protease sama dengan 41.9 Unit/ml/48 jam untuk protease termofilik dan 99.65 Unit/ml/48 h untuk protease mesofilik. Solver Excel telah digunakan untuk memperolehi kadar optimum tambahan dari keadaan optimum yang diperolehi dari experimen dan model Box-Behnken. PHB maksimum diperolehi setelah menggunakan solver Excel adalah 2.88 g/l/48 jam. Aktiviti mesofilik dan termofilik maksima diperolehi daripada keadaan pengeluaran PHB yang sama adalah 175.68 dan 243.38 Unit / ml. Ketepatan model diperolehi daripada solver Excel adalah 118.8%, membuktikan kekuatan eksperimen tersebut bagi mengoptimumkan proses yang rumit. Strategi yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah disyorkan bagi pengeluaran PHB dan proteas berbeza secara serentak menggunakan kultur Bacillus campuran. KEYWORDS : PHB; proteases; mixed culture; Box-Behnken design.
Verification of the accuracy of the recent 50 years of tree growth and long‐term change in intrinsic water‐use efficiency using xylem Δ14C and δ13C in trees in an aseasonal tropical rainforest

Growth analysis based on tree‐ring chronology is difficult in trees in aseasonal tropical rain forests, because annual growth rings may be unclear or completely absent. Fortunately, tree growth history recorded in xylem tissue is capable of providing valuable information on the responses of trees and forests to past and present environmental changes, including global warming. We have developed a new technique for aseasonal tropical forest trees which derives their growth rates from xylem Δ14C, and verified its accuracy. We also determined, from xylem δ13C, the intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) in the past 50 years. We analysed changes in xylem Δ14C and δ13C in 23 canopy trees of 12 species in 6 families growing in Pasoh Forest Reserve, Malaysia; each stem diameter at breast height (DBH) was recorded 14 times from 1969 to 2011. We found a significant positive relationship between the growth rates determined by 14C dating and the past DBH data. On the other hand, leaf‐internal CO2 (Ci) content did not change with increasing atmospheric CO2 (Ca). Thus, the iWUE increased significantly over the last 50 years in all the families and species tested. This study showed that the simultaneous measurements of xylem Δ14C and δ13C could reveal a long‐term change in tree growth and iWUE during the past 50 years with high accuracy in various species and/or individuals in aseasonal tropical rainforests exhibiting high species diversity.
Financial Leverage and Financial Performance of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societiesin Tanzania

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between financial leverage and financial performance of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Tanzania (SACCOS). The study used a panel data set of 115 SACCOS in Tanzania in the period 2011–14 and fixed-effects models for analysis. The study considered the direct relationship between financial leverage and financial performance and the moderating effect of board meetings on the relationship between financial leverage and the SACCOS’s financial performance. The results show that financial leverage is negatively and significantly related to SACCOS financial performance. Also, board meetings have the significant and positive moderating effect on the financial leverage–financial performance relationship. Finally, the study suggests that SACCOS in Tanzania need to embrace more on mobilising internal funds from their members instead of relying on debt. This can reduce the dependence on debt which has been one of the operational costs’ drivers of the SACCOS in Tanzania.
Return to Play after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Competitive Athletes of Distinct Sport Disciplines in Italy: A FMSI (Italian Federation of Sports Medicine) Study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 can lead to several systemic complications, including myocardial injuries; these might be worsened by heavy physical activity. The optimal approach to cardiac risk stratification following SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes for a safe return to play (RTP) still needs defining. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal RTP test results, according to the protocol of Italian Federation of Sport Medicine (FMSI), which was endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Health, potentially representing COVID-19-associated cardiac injuries. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. All consecutive competitive athletes who underwent COVID-19 RTP testing protocol from 1 May to 31 July 2021, across 60 Italian Centers of Sports Medicine, were enrolled in the study. Athletes were tested at least 30 days after negativization of the nasopharyngeal swab (or immediately after negativization in professional athletes or Probable Olympians). A 12-lead electrocardiography at rest and during maximal incremental exercise test with continuous O2 saturation monitoring and an echocardiographic examination were part of the protocol. In athletes with “moderate” disease (NHI classification), 24 h ECG monitoring (to be performed on a training day) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were also performed. Results: A total of 4143 athletes (67.8% males and 32.2% females) (53% > 18 years, 20% 18–35 years and 16% > 35 years), from more than 40 different sport disciplines, were included in the study. The mean age was 22.5 ± 13.3 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 80 years. Of these athletes, 52.3% were asymptomatic, 46.4% manifested mild symptoms, 1.1% and 0.14% had moderate or severe symptoms, respectively, while critical illness was evident in one athlete. Abnormal echocardiographic findings were detected in 80 cases (1.9%), and pericarditis in 7 cases (0.2%); all were from mildly symptomatic athletes. Arrhythmic events were recorded in 239 athletes, with 224 (5.4%) in the exercise test and 15 (0.4%) during 24 h ECG monitoring. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 101 (2.4%) athletes from the total population (mostly isolated or couples of premature ventricular beats): 91 in the exercise test and 10 during 24 h ECG monitoring. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed in 34 athletes; the presence of myocarditis was confirmed in 5 athletes (0.12% of the total population, 14.7% of athletes in which MRI was performed). Conclusions: According to our results, cardiac complications from SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic competitive athletes are rare, and an RTP assessment based on symptoms and ECG-monitored exercise test would ensure a safe RTP in these athletes.