Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smaller is better: Associations between personality and demographics are improved by examining narrower traits and regions

The personality of individuals is clustered by geographic regions; a resident of a region is more similar to another resident than to a random non-resident. Research in geographical psychology often has focused on this clustering effect in broad regions, such as countries and states, using broad domains of personality, such as the Big Five. We examined the extent to which (a) a narrower geo- graphic unit, the U.S. ZIP Code, accounted for more variance explained in aggregating personality than a broader region, the U.S. state; and (b) progressively narrower personality traits (domains, facets, and nuances, respectively) provided more specificity in describing personality-demographic relationships. Results from this study (n_participants = 39, 886, n_zipcodes = 2, 074) indicated that the variance explained by aggregating personality was multiple times as large for U.S. ZIP Codes than for states (median = 4.4). At the level of personality domains, ZIP Code population density and income disparity were positively correlated with Openness and negatively correlated with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness. Facets within each domain were differentially correlated with each demographic, which demonstrated that facets added specificity to the personality-demographic relationships beyond that of domains. Item-level analysis revealed the most specific finding: higher population density and income disparity were associated with politically liberal attitudes and beliefs of self-exceptionalism, while lower density and income disparity were associated with authoritarian attitudes and concern for abiding by rules and laws. Findings suggest that future studies in geographical and personality psychology could benefit from using the narrowest feasible unit of analysis.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALEXITHYMIA TO THE HOUSE-DRAWING-TEST AND THE ROOM-DRAWING-TEST

This study aimed to examine the relationship of alexithymia to the House-Drawing-Test and the Room-Drawing-Test, to identify what the Room-Drawing-Test can capture, and which drawing features should be focused when analyzing this test. In total, 433 undergraduate female students were classified into four subgroups based on cluster analysis using the subscale scores of the Japanese version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Group characteristics were discussed/compared based on their drawings using self-developed analysis indicators. The most alexithymic group showed significant features regarding perspective and space composition in the Room-Drawing-Test; participants had a vague distinction between the internal and external worlds, and faced difficulties to have an integrated perspective toward and to relate to the internal world. The significance of the Room-Drawing-Test when elucidating individuals’ attitudes toward the internal/ external worlds and that of focusing on perspective and on the degree of differentiation/elaboration of the interior space when analyzing this test, were highlighted.
International Journal of Food Engineering Mathematical Modelling of Thin Layer Sun and Solar Drying of Cassava Chips

In this paper, the effect of sun and solar drying and pretreatment conditions (soaking in water; soaking in water and then blanching; blanching and then soaking) on the drying characteristics and kinetics of cassava chips were investigated. The drying time was shorter for samples pretreated by soaking only (SK) compared to the others. It was observed that pretreatment conditions and drying method significantly (P < 0.05) affected the drying rate. The drying for all experiments occurred in the falling rate period with no constant rate period. Four mathematical models were studied for the description thin layer drying characteristics of pretreated cassava chips. The models considered were the Henderson and Pabis, Newton, Logarithmic and the Page model. Comparing the correlation coefficients (R2), chi-square (c2) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of four models, it was observed that the highest values of R2 and lowest χ2 and RMSE were obtained using Page model. This shows that the Page model represents drying characteristics better than other models. The effective moisture diffusivity values were estimated from Fick’s diffusional model. These values obtained for solar dried samples were generally higher than those obtained for sun dried samples.
Effect of Cross-Link Density of the Matrix on the Damping Properties of Magnetorheological Elastomers

The effect of cross-link density of the matrix on the controllable damping properties of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) has been investigated. MRE samples with different cross-link densities and plasticizer contents were fabricated and their microstructures were observed using an environmental scanning electron microscope (SEM). The dynamic performances of these samples were measured using a modified dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The experimental results indicated the magneto-induced change of loss factor was enhanced by decreasing the cross-link density. The plasticizer and the frequency markedly influenced the magneto-induced change of loss factor when the cross-link density of the matrix was low. In addition, by reducing cross-link density, the magneto-induced modulus and the relative MR effect increased. A mechanism for the magneto-induced change of loss factor was proposed and the analysis implied that the rearrangement of particles is an important influence on controlling the damping prop.
Studies of the oxygen and carbon cycles in the surface ocean

The thesis work consists of two projects that study carbon and oxygen cycles in the surface ocean. In the first project, net community O2 production (NCP) and gross primary O2 production (GPP) were estimated using [O2]/[Ar] ratios and the triple isotope composition of dissolved O2 in samples collected during 4 consecutive January cruises from 2008-2011 in the West Antarctica Peninsula (WAP) region of the Southern Ocean. Our study indicates large spatial and interannual variability of NCP and GPP, and suggests that light and iron are the most important factors that regulate NCP and GPP in the study region. While light availability is controlled by the surface irradiance and the mixed layer depth (MLD), iron could be largely regulated by deep winter mixing that supplies iron from the deep water. The relationships between NCP (NCP/GPP) and a number of physical properties implies that NCP is positively correlated with the strength of deep winter mixing. The deep mixing could be weakened when increasing heat content in the ocean and increasing air temperature inhibit sea ice growth and winter water formation. Overall, our study indicates that ocean productivity tends to decrease in the study region in response to changes in physical conditions associated with rapid warming in this region. In the second project, an automatic system using isotope dilution as its core method has been developed to obtain high-frequency measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon concentration ([DIC]) in the surface ocean. This system accurately mixes seawater samples and a NaHCO3 solution. The mixed solution is acidified and sent through a gas permeable membrane contactor. CO2 derived from DIC in the mixture is extracted and sent to a cavity ringdown spectrometer to for C/C analysis. [DIC] of the seawater can be calculated from the measured C/C, the known mixing ratio and the [NaHCO3]. The method has been tested in the laboratory and on a cruise. At 15 samples/hour, the precision and the accuracy of the method are <
Evaluating Customers and Retailers Eco-Behaviour for Identifying Focus Areas in Social Marketing Campaigns

Amid increasing adaptation of social marketing strategies, this empirical research focuses on evaluating customers' and retailers' behaviour that could be changed in favour of eco-friendly goods and practices, respectively, through social marketing campaigns. The main objectives are to find customers' willingness to buy eco-friendly goods even if they are priced higher and retailers' willingness to implement eco-friendly strategies even if they are expensive. Multiple response set analysis, chi-square tests, along post-hoc tests were conducted on the primary data collected from 237 shoppers and 46 retailers in Muscat. Findings indicated that both customers and retailers do not have a comprehensive awareness of the eco-friendly concept. Customers did not express willingness to buy eco-friendly goods if they are priced higher than standard goods. Retailers expressed willingness to use eco-friendly methods even if they are expensive. Social marketing campaigns must a) focus on the cost-benefit perspective of adopting an eco-friendly good, b) focus on the youth customer segment, and c) focus on small retailers. Issues related to environmentalism attain utmost importance in Oman's current transformation into the region's logistics hub. This research contributes to social marketing by identifying areas to be focused on social marketing campaigns in the retail sector.
Modelling the onset of frictional sliding: Rupture fronts, slow slip, and time-dependent junction laws

Friction is scientifically interesting and technologically important. We can characterize friction well, but even the friction force between macroscopic surfaces of known chemistry and topography under known loading conditions cannot yet be predicted from the bottom up. A major obstacle to predicting frictional properties is to link the macroscopic observations to the behavior of the myriad microscopic connections that make up the interaction.The onset of frictional sliding occurs through the breaking of the contacts that were keeping the interface stuck. Recent experiments performed with high spatial and temporal resolution show that rupture nucleates at weak or highly stressed points and propagates outwards from there. Understanding how the rupture travels is an important step towards understanding friction. This thesis presents simulations and theory aimed at improving our understanding of this onset of sliding in dry friction systems. The principal model combines 2D elasticity with an asperity level description of the interface and reproduces and explains many of the experimental results. Analytical calculations provide additional insights.
Enhanced capacitive desalination of MnO2 by forming composite with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The morphology and structure of the prepared MnO2/MWCNTs (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) composite are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and N2 sorption analysis. The electrochemical performance of the composite is studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge evaluation. The composite has a specific capacitance of 144 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1. It has higher conductivity which is affirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The capacitive deionization (CDI) test was conducted in a bath mode apparatus by assembling a capacitor. The capacitor made from MnO2/MWCNTs composite shows a higher desalination capacity of (6.65 mg g−1) in NaCl aqueous solution, higher than that made from the virginal MnO2 (1.60 mg g−1) and those of the formerly reported. Furthermore, the MnO2/MWCNTs composite electrode shows excellent recyclability with an efficient and rapid regeneration process.
Selective transport of zinc ions through novel polymer inclusion membranes (PIMS) containing β-diketone derivatives as carrier reagents

ABSTRACT The selective transport of various metal ions through a novel polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) doped with β-diketone derivatives (acetylacetone (1), 3-propyl-acetylacetone (2), and 3-benzyl-acetylacetone (3)) was investigated. Initial fluxes of metal ions transport across PIMs decrease in the following sequence: Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II). Results show that zinc(II) can be effectively separated by studied PIMs from equimolar aqueous solutions of copper, zinc, cobalt, and nickel nitrates. At pH 7.5 and after 24 hours 87–93% of Zn(II) was recovered. It was found that membranes containing 2 and 3 separate zinc better than PIM with 1. Prepared PIMs were characterized using AFM and thermal analysis techniques.
Understanding the Origin of the Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction by Au- and Cu-Loaded TiO2: A Microsecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy Study

Recent photocatalytic data for CO2 reduction by H2O using simulated sunlight have shown that, while TiO2 Evonik P25 containing Au nanoparticles (NPs; Au/P25) generates considerably higher amounts of hydrogen than methane, when P25 contains Au–Cu alloy NPs the selectivity toward methane increases dramatically. To gain insight into this photocatalytic behavior, in the present work we have performed a transient absorption spectroscopy study in the microsecond time scale of three samples, namely, Au/P25, Cu/P25, and (Au, Cu)/P25 using 355 (UV) and 532 nm (visible) lasers. The transient spectra exhibit as common features a narrower peak at about 320 nm and a broad band from 400 to 800 nm. Using oxygen as electron quencher and methanol as hole quencher, the transient signals have been assigned to charge separation. Several cases were observed, including: (i) absence of quenching attributed to the lack of accessibility of the quencher to the site, (ii) quenching of the signal, or (iii) increase of the transient .
Effect of Curing Regimes on the Mechanical and Fresh Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

Abstract Properties of concrete are affected by its fabrication process such as preparation, mixing, placing, finishing and curing. Since curing process is the ultimate stage of the fresh state of concrete before it is put into service, it is of great significance that is needed to be strictly handled. In the present study, steel fiber reinforced concrete was investigated in terms of different curing regimes including precast technology and comparative analysis was performed. To this end, beams and cubes specimens were fabricated and cured under steam process to represent the applications of precast concrete industry. Findings were compared with the other types of curing regimes. Mechanical behaviors of specimens were evaluated along with their strength development and workability in the presence of steel fiber. Results indicated that adequate workability and mechanical properties were obtained for steam-cured specimens compared to other specimens produced with different curing regimes. However, production parameters such as mixture proportion and fiber dosage were more pronounced for low-strength concrete specimens compared to high strength steam cured concrete specimens.
Impact of Lockdown Measures on Joint Music Making: Playing Online and Physically Together

A wide range of countries decided to go into lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020, a setting separating people and restricting their movements. We investigated how musicians dealt with this sudden restriction in mobility. Responses of 234 people were collected. The majority of respondents (95%) resided in Belgium or the Netherlands. Results indicated a decrease of 79% of live music making in social settings during lockdown compared with before lockdown. In contrast, an increase of 264% was demonstrated for online joint music making. However, results showed that most respondents were largely or even completely unaccustomed with specialized platforms for online joint music making (e.g., JamKazam, Jamulus). Respondents reported to mostly use well-known video-conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Skype when playing together virtually. However, when such video-conferencing platforms were used, they were often not employed for synchronized playing and were generally reported to insufficiently deal with latency issues. Furthermore, respondents depending on music making as their main source of income explored online real-time methods significantly more than those relying on other income sources. Results also demonstrated an increase of 93% in the use of alternative remote joint music-making methods (e.g., recording parts separately and subsequently circulating these digital recordings). All in all, results of this study provide a more in-depth view on joint music making during the first weeks of lockdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, and demonstrate users’ perceptions of performance and usability of online real-time platforms as well as alternative methods for musical interaction.
EFL Learners’ View on Online Learning Implementation During Covid-19 Outbreaks

During the Covid-19 outbreaks, the teaching and learning practice in Indonesia has been implemented in online setting to prevent the spread of the disease, and study from home using digital technology as promoted in Education 4.0 became a burning issue. The mainly purpose of the study is to investigate the views of Indonesian undergraduate EFL learners in online learning implementation during the Covid-19 outbreaks. Data were collected through online interview, involving 6 participants and analysed by using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Indonesian undergraduate EFL students consciously realize that study from home and using online learning is the best way during covid-19 outbreaks. Also, they reported that they faced several obstacles to online learning during the pandemic such as lack of knowledge and skills in online learning, unstable internet connection, and the teachers’ limited experience with online learning. Besides, the findings of the study revealed that implementing online learning contributes more on students’ learner autonomy. The results of the current study are hoped can stimulate further discussion in order to overcome online learning barriers by considering the importance of learners’ voice.
Clear-Cut Detection and Mapping Using Sentinel-1 Backscatter Coefficient and Short-Term Interferometric Coherence Time Series

Forest clear-cut detection would be valuable for forest management, if it could be done routinely in near-real-time with a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, which provides data all year and all-weather. In Sentinel-1 (S-1) time-series data, a forest clearing will lead to reduced backscatter intensity and increased interferometric SAR (InSAR) coherence magnitude. A time-series of 108 interferomtric wide (IW) Single look complex (SLC) S-1 images collected in 2016, 2017, and 2018 are used to study the potential for mapping clear-cut areas in eastern Ireland. We combined multitemporal InSAR coherence and backscatter intensity for the detection. This is an extension of previous studies that used either backscatter intensity or InSAR coherence magnitude, while we show the added value of both together. Coherence magnitude was the strongest predictor of the two.
Short communication: The improvement of the growth of tomato transplants by bokashi tea

Saabunud / Received 17.03. 2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 25.05. 2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 26.05. 2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: margit.olle@gmail.com
The antecedents of audit quality: The input-process-output factors

This paper is intended to explore the manifestation of attributes in reflecting audit quality as set by International Auditing and Assurance Standard Board (IAASB). This research focuses on the attributes of Input-Process-Output factors for engagement (auditor) and firm (public accounting firm) level. The input factors considered are: values, ethics, and attitude, knowledge, skill and experience. The process factors considered are: audit process, and quality assurance. The output factor considered is the audit report. The data gathered from 250 senior auditors who work in 100 public accounting firms in Indonesia. The data analysis and hypotheses testing were processed using Second Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis - Structural Equation Model (SEM) - SmartPLS 3.0. The results of the study confirmed that input, process, and output factors manifest the audit quality. All attributes of values, ethics and attitude for engagement and firm level, positively manifest the audit quality. All attributes of knowledge, experience and time, for engagement and firm level, positively manifest the audit quality. All attributes of audit process and quality assurance, for engagement and form level, positively manifest the audit quality. All attributes of output (audit report), for engagement and firm level, positively manifest the audit quality.
Investigating Barriers and Challenges to Tuberculosis Service Delivery in Hard-to-Reach Riverine Areas: A Mixed-Methods Study in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Background Little is known about the challenges and barriers to tuberculosis (TB) service delivery in hard-to-reach riverine populations in Nigeria. The missing TB cases in such key populations need to be found if the End TB targets are to be met. This study explored perceptions and attitudes related to TB, as well as the level of diagnostic and treatment delays in communities of the riverine Niger Delta.Methods This was an exploratory mixed-methods study carried out in two states (Bayelsa and Delta) situated in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria. It consisted of quantitative surveys of community members and TB patients, FGDs with community members and KIIs with health care workers.Results The questionnaire survey was completed by 597 community members (51.6% female) and 51 TB patients (56.9% female); 73 community members and 15 HCWs participated in FGDs and interviews respectively. Community members’ mean [SD] knowledge and attitude scores were 6.1/10 [2.2] and 4.8/12 [1.9] respectively. Older age (>40y) (p=0.04) and regular income (p<0.001) were independent predictors of TB knowledge. Good TB knowledge (aOR 2.5; 95% C.I. 1.5 – 4.4) and formal education (aOR 5.8; 95% C.I. 1.3 – 25.6) were associated with positive TB attitudes. Patients’ TB knowledge was similar at 6.8/8 [1.5]. Most (98.8%) respondents took >1 hour to access the nearest diagnostic centre. Mean patient-related and health system-related diagnostic delays were 16.3 and 3.7 weeks respectively. Mean treatment delay was found to be 0.5 weeks. Patient-related, financial, cultural and structural barriers were found to delay TB diagnosis and treatment in this environment. Belief in faith healing and herbal remedies, transport barriers, and negative HCW attitudes were prominent themes in FGDs. Problems transporting sputum samples and tracing mobile communities were primary HCW complaints.Conclusions A number of barriers affect TB service delivery in hard-to-reach riverine communities in Nigeria. Our study suggests that an appropriately designed community intervention can improve TB service delivery in these communities. The main focus will be to address information asymmetry between service providers and the community, empower affected communities to find cases, engage informal providers such as patent medicine vendors, and strengthen the health system.