Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of Plantago psyllium seed husk flour on the properties of cellulose sheet

Abstract This study examined the use of Plantago psyllium seed husk flour as paper additive with the aim of improving the properties of cellulose sheet. The husk flour was added in 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 30 wt% to the cellulose suspensions and its effect on the handsheet properties was studied. The results showed that the direct addition of husk flour highly improves the mechanical properties of the handsheets like tensile index (with up to 400 %), burst index (with up to 600 %) and tear index (with up to 1200 %). Cobb and contact angle tests with distilled water showed that the handsheets containing husk flour are more hydrophobic compared to the unmodified handsheets. The Cobb-Unger and contact angle tests with oil revealed that the additive reduces the oil absorbency of the handsheets as well, at the highest by 86 %. Additionally, the water vapor and especially the air barrier properties were improved. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant capacity test showed that the modified handsheets had free radical scavenging properties. The direct addition of Plantago psyllium seed husk flour can be a promising, easy and green method to improve the mechanical and barrier properties, oil and water resistance of cellulose sheets.
State export financial support of brazilian manufactured products : a microeconometric analysis

We investigate the impact of Brazilian state financing to exports – Proex, Exim and Drawback – on the performance of firms in foreign trade between 1998 and 2007. We focus on the i) risk of abandonment of export activity; ii) number of destinations; and iii) export value. Through a quasiexperiment with a unique dataset of Brazilian firms entering foreign markets, we find a positive relationship between export programs and the intensive and extensive export margins, as well as with persistence in international trade, although not all three programs are effective. Supported firms had their chance to keep exporting augmented between 4% and 13%, increasing their number of destinations by up to 43% and the export value between 74% and 90%. The results suggest that financial constraints may limit the export potential of firms and highlight the importance of the government’s export promotion policies, mainly in developing countries which systematically suffer from credit market failures.
Heavy metal concentration in water, sediment, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis in the Ciliwung River, Indonesia

Ciliwung River is one of the most polluted freshwaters in Indonesia, shown by its color, smell, and the wastes. Generally, the presence of heavy metals is an indicator of pollution in any river. Furthermore, the survival of waters biota is determined by the pollution levels of the water and sediment, including the Pterygoplichthys pardalis fish dominating the river. The purpose of this study therefore was to record the concentration of heavy metals in water, sediment, and P. pardalis in the Ciliwung River from upstream in Bogor to its downstream in Jakarta. The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was used to analyze the metals. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Hg, and Pb were relatively high in the water and sediment of the river, exceeding the threshold of Indonesian Government Regulation. The highest concentration of these metals was found in the samples from Ciliwung River Jakarta area. The concentrations of these metals were quite high in the P. pardalis flesh exceeding the threshold set through the provisions of National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and Indonesia National Standard (SNI). On analysis, there was a strong correlation between the metal content of fish flesh and sediment. This shows that the metals in the flesh were influenced by the accumulation of metals in the river sediments.
Snail Eggs as a Raw Material for the Production of a Caviar Substitute

Abstract Introduction Snail eggs can be the raw material for the production of a caviar substitute. The substitute varies from the original in caloric value and nutrient content which determine the nutritional value of every foodstuff. The present study aimed to determine and compare the nutritional value and protein quality of eggs from two subspecies of edible snail. Material and Methods The chemical composition of the snail eggs i.e. Cornu aspersum maxima and Cornu aspersum aspersum was determined in accordance with international standards. In order to evaluate the protein quality of the eggs of the two studied snail subspecies, the chemical score (CS), and a reference protein were used. Results Significant differences in the content of water, ash, and carbohydrates, but comparable protein and fat contents and caloric values were found. Conclusion The protein in the eggs of the snails was complete by the measure of the model adopted for this study, however, meeting the daily essential amino acid requirements of an adult would require an immense supply of both species’ eggs. Snail eggs of the Cornu genus were characterised by much lower nutritional value in comparison with caviar and caviar substitutes.
A Practical Toolset for TERS Experiments and Analysis

Escola de Engenharia Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering A Practical Toolset for TERS Experiments and Analysis by Hudson Luiz Silva de MIRANDA This work proposes a set of hardware and software tools to improve the usability of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) systems. TERS is capable of providing optical images with resolution beyond the light’s diffraction limit while also providing chemical and structural information, which makes it a technique of interest for nanoscience and nanotechnology applications. Specifically, this work aims to develop hardware and software solutions to better understand the TERS probe’s interaction with an electromagnetic field, providing insights on: optical probe alignment methods, optimization of probe’s constructive parameters and super-resolution. Aside from the development of the necessary instruments, this task also comprehends the study of TERS probe’s interaction with light via Finite Element Method simulations in addition to TERS experiments with graphene under a series of environmental conditions that affect the local electromagnetic field in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the work also comprehends the use of data analysis techniques, specifically Spectral Unmixing and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), with the objective of efficiently extracting information from hyperspectral images in a non supervised manner via dimensionality reduction.
NOTES ON THE TRANSMISSION OF PTOLEMY’S ALMAGEST THE ERA OF COPERNICUS

We trace the transmission of Ptolemy‘s Almagest from the time of its composition to Arabic translations, Latin translations, and the Epitome of the Almagest by Peurbach and Regiomontanus. Along the way, Ptolemaic astronomy and Aristotelian science acquired some new features in thirteenth century Marāgha and fourteenth century Damascus which may or may not have been transmitted to Copernicus himself. While present evidence still indicates that Copernicus derived his geodynamic, heliocentric system on his own, we now have evidence for the transmission of some ̳geometrical mechanisms‘ from Asia Minor to Italy and beyond after the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453. It stands to reason that if documents by medieval scholars appeared in Western Europe, and Renaissance scholars who understood these documents traveled to Italy at the time Copernicus was there, some of these geometrical mechanisms could have found their way into Copernicus‘ work.
Designing Open Informational Ecosystems on the Concept of Open Educational Resources

Abstract Open informational ecosystems play a crucial role in fostering open educational resources (OER) and allow new opportunities to share and collaborate in the learning and teaching environment. Such ecosystems containing interoperable infrastructures and open interfaces aim at fulfilling user needs and fostering practices related to the concept of OER and the five user rights (5 R’s). To fully embrace this role, those ecosystems need to be designed carefully. In this paper, we discuss implications for open informational ecosystems to fully comprise the concept of OER and related user needs. We carried out literature reviews to analyse recent aspects of the 5 R’s in relation to user behaviour and infrastructures. We will introduce the results from these reviews and illustrate upcoming questions and challenges for the design of an ecosystem respecting the 5 R’s conceptual ideas. With our recommendations, we aim at contributing to a better understanding of the concept of OER to improve ecosystem development and implement useful and user-friendly functions.
Effect of season and pregnancy on minerals serum variations of local rabbits in Tiaret, Algeria

Abstract The present study aimed to assess the season and pregnancy influence on minerals serum of local rabbits raised in semi-arid climate type. Fifty-nine multiparous does was used in this study during 2019. The semi-intensive rhythm of reproduction was used. All pregnant does were at the late stage of pregnancy at the sampling date. Serum samples were collected in two seasons: winter and summer. In this study, biochemical parameters concentrations of pregnant rabbits were significantly higher (p<0,05) compared with non-pregnant rabbit. The value of biochemical parameters total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, calcium, and phosphorusus changed significantly. In this study, most parameters were influenced by pregnancy.
Johnsprentia copemani gen. nov., sp. nov. (Haemoproteidae), a parasite of the flying-fox, Pteropus alecto (Pteropidae) from Queensland

Black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto Temminck, 1837) captured in Townsville, Queensland, are parasitised by a new species of Haemoproteidae which differs morphologically and in its tissue localisation, having highly distinctive gametocytes and tissue forms in the lungs, which are described here. It cannot be accommodated in any of the genera of the Haemoproteidae known from mammals and is here named Johnsprentia copemani gen. nov., sp. nov.  Haemoproteidae, Pteropus alecto, Johnsprentia copemani, new genus, new species, Queensland. Knowledge of the haemoproteid parasites of native Australian mammals is limited, with all those known to date being reported by O’Donoghue & Adlard (2000). Studies on flying foxes are particularly limited although one species, Hepatocystis pteropi (Breinl 1913), has been reported from a number of species of flying foxes (Mackerras 1959). We had the opportunity to examine the haemo­ proteid parasites of several black flying foxes, Pteropus alecto Temminck, 1837, over a period of time in captivity. It was apparent that, depending upon the individual, one to three species of haemoproteids were present, at differing levels, in their blood. Histological examination of internal organs using serial sections also revealed three types of schizonts which differed in their size, their morphology and their localisation. We describe here the gametocytes and schizonts of one of these haemoproteid species. It cannot be accommodated in any of the known genera. Here we describe and name it as Johnsprentia gen. nov. copemani sp. nov. after two noted Australian parasitologists, J.F. A. Sprent and D.B. Copeman. The remaining two species will be the subject of a later paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven Pteropus alecto Temminck (1837) captured in Townsville using a mist net and exhibiting a parasitaemia with Haemoproteidae, were tran­ Landau, Chavatte & Beveridge 62 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum | Nature  2012  56(1) sported to the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, shortly after their capture, arriving on the 15 December 1978 and the 07 June 1979 respectively. Blood samples from each animal were collected by pricking the radial vein and smeared onto a slide, air dried quickly, fixed with absolute methanol and stained by Giemsa stain (8% in buffer phosphate, pH7.4). They were examined over a period of several months. At autopsy, internal organs were fixed in Carnoy’s fluid and serial sections of each organ were stained by the giemsa­ colophonium method (Bray & Garnham 1962; Garnham 1966) and examined for tissue stages of the parasites. Type material has been deposited in the Queensland Museum, Brisbane (QM) and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Paris.
Impacts of the Transformation to Industry 4.0 in the Manufacturing Sector: The Case of the U.S.

Abstract Background and purpose: The transformation to Industry 4.0 increases the number of robots installed within industries, which brings great shifts in industrial ecosystems. For this reason, our research goal was to analyze the key performance indicators to investigate the economic and social sustainability of the changes in production. Methodology: The combination of official (World Bank, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and publicly available (Federal Reserve Economic Data, Industrial Federation of Robotics) data was used for statistical data processing, including comparison, correlation, cross-correlation and vector autoregression analysis, to present the past developments and also to predict future trends within the U.S. manufacturing sector. Results: In contrast to robust industry robotization observed in the 2008–2018 period, the share of manufacturing output and employment declined. Nonetheless, the vector autoregression model forecast shows, that the U.S. manufacturing sector has arrived at a turning point, after which robotization can increase employment and labor productivity of workers, while also stimulating further growth of their education levels. Conclusion: The transition to Industry 4.0 has a major impact on increasing demands for new knowledge and skills for increased productivity. Accordingly, forecasted growths of analyzed manufacturing indicators suggest that negative impacts of robotization in the recent past were only temporary, due to the entrance to the Industry 4.0 era. Nonetheless, additional policies to support sustainable industry development are required.
The Marikana Tragedy

The recent Lonmin platinum mine tragedy in Marikana in which the tally of fatalities is estimated to be between 34 and 45, depending on the source of the data, is being compared with that which occurred at Sharpeville in 1960 the first 10 fatalities are alleged to have occurred in the run-up and include two mine security guards who were hacked to death with pangas [machetes] by the miners. The issue that led to Sharpeville (21 March 1960) was the enforced carrying of the hated ‘dompas’ or passbook by blacks, the issuing of which allowed them to work and live in ‘white’ areas in apartheid South Africa. Marikana was essentially a dispute about remuneration and living conditions. The rock drill operators demanded a threefold increase in their salary package to R 12,500 per month and they embarked on a wildcat strike in support of their demand. A large, hostile gathering of the miners, armed with pangas, assegais (spears) and knobkieries (clubs) was visible on international TV channels, confronting near the mine, a detachment of policemen, intent on breaking up an illegal gathering and armed with automatic weapons with predictable results. The mine was closed in consequence, to be reopened on 20 September 2012 after the resolution of the strike, with mine management agreeing to pay increases of between 11 and 22%. The strike materially affected the platinum price and the strength of the Rand [2]. This has set a precedent with wildcat strikes quickly spreading to Anglo American Platinum [3] and Gold Fields of South Africa in the gold mining sector [4]. If such strikes become the norm, they will doubtless hasten plans to retrench staff due to continuing economic constraints in the platinum industry, commenced in 2008, for instance, at Anglo American Platinum [5]. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has traditionally represented black miners, under the umbrella of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). NUM is a member of the tripartite alliance that governs South Africa. This alliance consists of the majority political party, the African National Congress (ANC), the minute South African Communist Party (SACP) and COSATU. NUM’s turf is being threatened by the emerging [7] Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) formed by disaffected NUM members. AMCU is led by Joseph Mathunjwa, who in 1999 – as the branch chairman for NUM at the Douglas Colliery in Mpumalanga – was the cause of a walk out by the workforce demanding his reinstatement after a dispute [8]. Every year NUM negotiates with the employers’ organisation, the Chamber of Mines of South Africa (COM). This usually leads to pay increases related to the rate of inflation. Members of NUM were traditionally in the categories of unand semi-skilled miners (the majority) but this demographic detail has changed with the passing of time leading to the takeover at the local level by better educated workers in higher job categories [8]. Ambitious and better educated leaders see the union via the ANC as a stepping stone to International Journal of Environmental Studies Vol. 69, No. 6, December 2012, 871–873
Zinc distribution in Zimbabwean soils and its relationship with other soil factors

Abstract The distribution of zinc in some major Zimbabwean soils was studied using 120 profiles taken from 22 different locations. The total zinc status (TL‐Zn) of the horizons of soils studied was low (8 ppm), and the range was narrow (3.7 to 16.3 ppm). The residual zinc (RS‐Zn) fraction was about 65 percent of the total zinc found in the soils, while 15 percent was organically bound zinc (OG‐Zn), 14 percent was available zinc (MG‐Zn), and 6 percent was zinc associated with hydrous metal oxides (OX‐Zn). The total zinc status of the soils was related to parent material. Generally, texture had a significant effect on zinc distribution with heavier textured soils having more zinc in most fractions than the lighter textured soils. A decrease in zinc down the profile was observed for available, residual, and total zinc. If cropped intensively, 32 per cent of the soils with less than 1 ppm available zinc have the potential for zinc deficiency. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that organic matter, s.
Implementation of the Critical Thinking Strategies in the School Subject Technology: A Preliminary Study

The theoretical starting points of this treatise are based on the repeating demands coming from real practice regarding improvement of critical thinking of pupils at primary schools in the Slovak Republic. The question is – to what extent is the topic of critical thinking being introduced and implemented in the educational process by our teachers? The answer to this and also many other questions was explored via research that was carried out within the frame of APVV-15-0368 project called Practical Training in the Centre of Field Didactics, the Field Didactics in the Centre of Practical Training. The main goal of this treatise is to present the research outcomes regarding implementation of the critical thinking strategies within the subject Technology at primary schools in the Slovak Republic. Teachers have stated that the biggest importance is generally ascribed to the deployment of various teaching aids, acquisition of practical skills and frequent contact with technical materials and tools.
Single and Double Bubble Tubular Film Extrusion of Polyethylene Terephthalate

Abstract An experimental study of double bubble tubular film extrusion of polyethylene terephthalate is presented. In the second bubble, the film is passed through a hot air where it undergoes a significant increase in inflation level. The mechanical stability of both bubbles is investigated as a function of process conditions. The film produced by the first bubble is largely amorphous/glassy (5 to 7%, crystallinity), while that produced in the second bubble can have significant levels of crystallinity (7 to 45 %) dependent upon process conditions. Crystallinity notably increases with machine direction draw down ratio. The crystallinity levels are similar to those of biaxially stretched films. Subsequent annealing increases and perfects crystallinity. The surface roughness of double bubble tubular films is similar to that of glassy polymers produced from single bubble operations and is much less than for polyolefins. The orientation in the films has been determined by (i) wide angle x-ray diffraction applying both pole figure analysis and biaxial orientation factors (ii) measurement of in-plane and out-of-plane birefringence. Biaxiality of orientation increases with the second blowup ratio. The mechanical properties of the film were determined as a function of angle in the plane of the film.
Efficacy of expanded polystyrene as fine aggregate in cement mortars modified with latex paint as an alternative to polymer admixture

Abstract In this present study, the effectiveness of expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste used as 20, 40 and 60% fine sand replacement in development of lightweight cement composite was evaluated. The cement mortar was strengthened by 10% low cost latex paint emulsion as an alternative to the more expensive polymer admixtures. Six different mix designs were produced and tested for compressive and split tensile strength according to BS EN standards. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was also conducted to analysis the micrograph of the samples. It was observed that as the EPS content, latex paint polymer admixture and curing days were increased, marginal increment in compressive strength was obtained. However, EPS fines were most effective in improving the split strength while latex paint admixture had comparatively less part to play in the strength development. The micrograph images showed that the EPS fines were uniformly distributed within the microstructure and the latex paint developed polymer films. These mechanisms coupled with the cement hydrate products were responsible for the enhanced strength observed in the samples.
The Relationship between Politics and Administration at the Flemish Local Level: Intermunicipal Differences Explained

Abstract When it comes to political-administrative relations, New Public Management has aimed for a stronger differentiation between political and administrative matters and for an empowerment of the administration towards the political level. This article investigates the perceived degree of administrative discretion at the municipal level in the Flemish region of Belgium. We use data from a survey with Flemish municipal CEOs from 2019. The results suggest that the degree of administrative discretion in Flemish municipalities is relatively high during policy preparation. Nevertheless, during other phases of the policy cycle most municipal CEOs perceive a certain political impact on the functioning of their administration, which reaches further than steering on the main policy lines. Second, a majority identifies a lack of mutual trust between the executive board and the administrators. Furthermore, administrative discretion increases with the size of the municipality and the assessed capacity of the administration. Also in municipalities where the key actors of political-administrative relationships remained unchanged for a longer period, the administration has more leeway to act. Lastly, the results nuance the impact of the municipal financial situation and the composition of the majority on the degree of administrative discretion.