Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social stratification of leisure time sport and exercise activities: comparison of ten popular sports activities

ABSTRACT Guided by a social inequality perspective that combines Bourdieu’s conception of socially shaped tastes and lifestyles with Peterson’s notion of omnivorous consumption, this paper addresses the link between social inequality and participation in specific subfields of sport. Ten popular sports and adjacent activity subfields are analysed and compared. Based on representative data from Germany, the paper points out that participation in different fields of sport is socially structured, however to different degrees and in different ways. Almost all fields of sport appeal to individuals with above-average levels of cultural capital, whereas lower social classes dominate the group of inactive individuals. Football is least structured by cultural and economic capital, while racket sports, nature-related activities, yoga, fitness and water sports are socially most selective. Beyond social class, gender is also key for structuring participation. Finally, findings show that cultural capital is closely associated with multiple engagements in a broader range of different sports, thus buttressing the notion that omnivorous participation signifies a higher social status.
A coupled closed-form/Doubly Asymptotic Approximation approach for the response of orthotropic plates subjected to an underwater explosion

ABSTRACT A closed-form analytical solution procedure is proposed to solve the coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) equations that involve the first-order Doubly Asymptotic Approximation (DAA1) formulation. An efficient method comprised of the nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme is applied. First of all, analytical equations are developed to analyze the response of a rigid mass-spring oscillator in an air-backed condition when it is subjected to a plane shock exponential wave coming from a far-field underwater explosion. After validating the results with LS-DYNA/USA (DAA1), these equations are extended to determine the response of a two-dimensional, simply-supported rectangular plate, and then tested on the isotropic and orthotropic plates within a small deflection regime. Parametric studies are also performed by varying the load decay times, peak pressures, as well as the aspect ratios of the plate. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the proposed formulae are exposed along with suggestions for the future work.
Knowing Music as Representation or as Operation: Exploring Musical Diversity through Collaborative Music Making in Kaleidoscope

A society considered to be in a multicultural condition is likely to condition the way things are seen and what is seen as important. Attention is likely to be drawn to difference and diversity and the prospects of including it, and high hopes may be set on music in this. Within a certain multicultural discourse, music is expected to affirm and represent identities, while at the same time to create unity across diversity. Departing from a Norwegian context, drawing on results from fieldwork within the intercultural ensemble Kaleidoscope, this paper explores collaborative music making in relation to diversity and knowledge production. It is argued that musical knowledge may be generated in useful ways by thinking beyond music as representation. Knowing music as operation may better benefit co-construction of diverse and inclusive music practices.
Small-Signal Stability Analysis and Enhanced Control Strategy for VSC System During Weak-Grid Asymmetric Faults

Small-signal stability issues of the voltage source converters (VSC) connected weak-network during asymmetric faults is currently rarely studied. This paper develops mathematic model of VSC system during weak-grid asymmetric faults, which reveals dynamic coupling between the phase-locked loop (PLL) and both positive-sequence (PS) control system and negative-sequence (NS) control system. Based on the deduced model, the generalized Nyquist criterion (GNC) method and modal analysis are adopted to study the small-signal stability of the VSC system during asymmetric fault steady-state. The analysis demonstrates that the small-signal stability of the system during asymmetric faults is dominated by the PLL mode, and the dynamic coupling between PLL and current control loops (CCLs) will produce negative damping, which will introduce the small-signal instability risk to the system. Moreover, an improved control strategy is designed for enhancing the small-signal stability of the VSC system during weak-grid asymmetric faults, by compensating the disturbance terms related to PLL dynamic to suppress the negative damping introduced by coupling between the PLL and both the PS and NS CCLs. Finally, this paper verifies the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy through simulation and experiment.
Genotype × Environment Interaction Studies of Promising Teppi Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) Genotypes in Southwestern Ethiopia

Coffee is the stimulant crop plant that belongs to the genus Coffea, in the family Rubiaceae. The yield variation and pattern of the crop varied within short geographic distance and thus attributed to low productivity and unpredictable production. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of genotype × environment interaction on yields of promising Teppi coffee genotype. In this study, seventeen Arabica coffee genotypes, representing coffee growing areas of Teppi, southwestern Ethiopia were evaluated at six environments. This study was conducted by using completely randomized block design with two replications. The extent of genotype × environment interaction was analyzed by using additive main effect and multiplicative interaction model and genotype main effect and genotype × environment interaction biplot analysis model. The analysis of variance for yield revealed the presence of highly significant differences ( P < 0.01 ) within genotypes, environments and genotype by environment interaction. From the total sum of squares of genotype × environment interaction of yield, environment accounted for 51% while genotypic and GEI effects were 20.5% and 25.32%, respectively. Generally, genotypes with superior performance and suitable environments for coffee were identified. However, further researches have to target hybridization of those superior genotypes with elite lines in feature Arabica coffee breeding program.
The Early (2009–2017) Experience With Robot-assisted Cholecystectomy in New York State

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: The aim of this study was to examine real-life patterns of care and patient outcomes associated with robot-assisted cholecystectomy (RAC) in New York State (NYS). Background: Although robotic assistance may offer some technological advantages, RACs are associated with higher procedural costs and longer operating times compared to traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs). Evidence on long-term patient outcomes after RAC from large population-based datasets remains limited and inconsistent. Methods: Using NYS inpatient and ambulatory surgery data from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (2009–2017), we conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine patterns of utilization, complications, and secondary procedures following cholecystectomies. Results: Among 299,306 minimally invasive cholecystectomies performed in NYS between 2009 and 2017, one thousand one hundred eighteen (0.4%) were robot-assisted. Compared to those undergoing LC, RAC patients were older, travelled further for surgery, and were more likely to have public insurance and preoperative comorbidities. RAC versus LC patients were more significantly likely to have conversions to open procedure (4.9% vs 2.8%), bile duct injuries (1.3% vs 0.4%), and major reconstructive interventions (0.6% vs 0.1%), longer median length of stay (3 vs 1 day), readmissions (7.3% vs 4.4%), and higher 12-month post-index surgery hospital charges (P < 0.01 for all estimates). Other postoperative complications decreased over time for LC but remained unchanged for RAC patients. Conclusions: Patients receiving RAC in NYS experienced higher rates of complications compared to LC patients. Addressing patient-, surgeon-, and system-level factors associated with intra/postoperative complications and applying recently promulgated safe cholecystectomy strategies coupled with advanced imaging modalities like fluorescence cholangiography to RAC may improve patient outcomes.
Evaluation of Storage and Freezing, Baking, and Boiling Treatments on Total Carotenoids Content in the Fruits of Selected Cucurbita moschata Duch. Varieties

Cucurbita moschata Duch. is a seasonal crop, appreciated for its nutrimental and bioactive components especially carotenoids. From the whole edible plant, fruit is most often consumed which can be stored and also processed. Six varieties—Liscia, Matilda, Orange, Serpentine, UG 205 F1, and Waltham—of Cucurbita moschata Duch. were investigated, in order to analyze and evaluate the changes in total carotenoids content in the pulp during storage and after the effect of heat treatments—freezing, baking, and cooking (water boiling). The average total carotenoids content ranged from 3.32 mg/100 g (Serpentine) to 9.35 mg/100 g fresh matter (FM) (Orange). After 60 days of storage, a slight increase in the total carotenoids content of all analyzed varieties was observed. The values of the monitored varieties ranged from 4.18 mg/100 g FM (Serpentine), which represents a 26% increase to 10.96 mg/100 g FM (Orange), where a 17% increase was observed. After 120 days of storage, the results were mixed. In some varieties (Liscia and Matilda), the total carotenoid content decreased, while in the varieties Serpentine, UG 205 F1, and Waltham, its content increased slightly (11%, 3%, and 11%), but the content of the Orange variety remained unchanged. The total carotenoids increment after 60 and 120 days of storage in the dry matter (DM) was statistically significant, as well as the effect of the variety. The total carotenoid content of cooked samples of all varieties increased, from 119.78 mg/100 g DM (Waltham) to 255.19 mg/100 g DM (Orange). After baking, an average of 12% increase in the total content of carotenoids was recorded, after freezing, a decrease in its level of 5% was indicated. The findings of this work show that Cucurbita moschata Duch. is a good source of carotenoids, even after several weeks of storage and after exposure to heat treatments.
Experimental study on mechanical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with a hybrid graphene/PP-g-MA/kenaf fiber by response surface methodology

In this study, the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanosheets, kenaf fiber, and polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used as the experimental design. The blends fabricated in three levels of parameters include 0, 0.75, and 1.5 wt% graphene nanosheets, 0, 7.5, and 15 wt% kenaf fiber, and 0, 3, and 6 wt% PP-g-MA, prepared by an internal mixer and a hot press machine. The fiber length was 5 mm and was being constant for all samples. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted to determine the blend properties. The purpose of this research is to achieve the highest mechanical properties of the considered nanocomposite blend. The addition of graphene nanosheets to 1 wt% increased the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths by 16%, 24%, and 19%, respectively, and an addition up to 1.5 wt% reduced them. With further addition of graphene nanosheets until 1.5 wt%, the elastic modulus was increased by 70%. Adding the kenaf fiber up to 15 wt% increased the elastic modulus, tensile, flexural, and impact strength by 24%, 84%, 18%, and 11%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA has increased the adhesion, dispersion and compatibility of graphene nanosheets and kenaf fibers with matrix. With 6 wt% PP-g-MA, the tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased by 18% and 75%, respectively. The addition of PP-g-MA to 5 wt% increased the flexural and impact strengths by 10% and 5%, respectively. From the entire experimental data, the optimum values for elastic modulus, as well as, tensile, flexural, and impact strengths in the blends were obtained to be 4 GPa, 33.7896 MPa, 57.6306 MPa, and 100.1421 J/m, respectively. Finally, samples were studied by FE-SEM to check the dispersion of graphene nanosheets, PP-g-MA and kenaf fibers in the polymeric matrix.
Madame President, Madame Ambassador? Women Presidents and Gender Parity in Latin America’s Diplomatic Services

This study focuses on the gendered nature of ambassadorial appointments. Analyzing the diplomatic services of ten Latin American countries between 2000 and 2018, we examine the factors that explain the designation of women to ambassadorships. More especially, we are interested in whether the election of women to the presidency in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Costa Rica had an impact on the gender gap at the top of those countries’ foreign services. Drawing on an original dataset on diplomatic appointments, we show that the presence of women ambassadors has increased only marginally over the past two decades. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis demonstrates that women presidents on the left have (partially and temporarily) corrected the gender gap in their foreign services through political appointments, provided they had the discretionary powers to do so. Our findings suggest that the impact of women-led presidencies is conditional on the chief executive’s vested interest in gender parity and the scope of presidents’ prerogatives to appoint ambassadors. In so doing, the study contributes to debates on the descriptive underrepresentation of women in executive positions and the gender gap in diplomacy.
Safeguarding of Key Minerals Deposits as a Basis of Sustainable Development of Polish Economy

Secure and sustainable supply of minerals is important for the stable development of a country’s economy, as well as the global economy. Poland’s economic performance—as a dynamically developing country—is also largely dependent on the availability of minerals and security of their supplies both from internal sources and form imports. In Poland, 42 key minerals—i.e., those of fundamental importance for the proper functioning of the economy and satisfying the living needs of the society—have been recently indicated. From among them, 19 key minerals have been recognized by authors as having a proven resource base in Poland and—on the other hand—having moderately- or strongly growing domestic consumption trends. An assessment of the mineral resource base for their production, a sufficiency of the resources of developed deposits, as well as possible means of undeveloped deposits safeguarding were analyzed and discussed. It was found that the long-term needs of the Polish industry can be satisfied only for some of them: coking coal, copper, and silver, as well as numerous industrial and construction minerals. Moreover, existence of a sufficient resource base and appropriate means of their safeguarding may potentially have a significant impact on Poland’s and Europe’s minerals security, in particular regarding several minerals for which Poland is an important supplier to the European market, i.e., coking coal, copper, silver, and elemental sulfur.
Trends in hospitalizations and mortality for inflammatory bowel disease from a nationwide database study between 2008 and 2018

Abstract This study aimed to describe the trends, inpatient outcomes, and disease burden of hospitalizations for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Our study included data on hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of CD and UC gathered from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Individuals ≤18 years and elective hospitalizations were excluded. From 2008 to 2018, we noted a rising trend for UC hospitalizations (P trend < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant trend for CD hospitalizations (P trend = 0.249). The overall inpatient mortality for UC downtrended from 1.09% in 2008 to 0.42% in 2014 (P trend < 0.001). Additionally, inpatient mortality for CD also downtrended with a decrease from 0.28% in 2008 to 0.17% in 2016 (P trend = 0.002). Odds of inpatient mortality from 2008 to 2018 were significantly higher for UC than for CD. In conclusion, both CD and UC saw a significant decline in mortality over the study period, but UC hospitalizations had a higher odds of inpatient mortality for all study years.
Experimental Study of Thermal Properties and Dynamic Viscosity of Graphene Oxide/Oil Nano-Lubricant

This experimental study was carried out based on the nanotechnology approach to enhance the efficacy of engine oil. Atomic and surface structures of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were investigated by using a field emission scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The nano lubricant was produced by using a two-step method. The stability of nano lubricant was analyzed through dynamic light scattering. Various properties such as thermal conductivity, dynamic viscosity, flash point, cloud point and freezing point were investigated and the results were compared with the base oil (Oil- SAE-50). The results show that the thermal conductivity of nano lubricant was improved compared to the base fluid. This increase was correlated with progressing temperature. The dynamic viscosity was increased by variations in the volume fraction and reached its highest value of 36% compared to the base oil. The cloud point and freezing point are critical factors for oils, especially in cold seasons, so the efficacy of nano lubricant was improved maximally by 13.3% and 12.9%, respectively, compared to the base oil. The flash point was enhanced by 8%, which remarkably enhances the usability of the oil. It is ultimately assumed that this nano lubricant to be applied as an efficient alternative in industrial systems.
Occupational Health and Safety Management System and Organizational Performance in Selected Industries in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study adopted qualitative research design to examine Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) implementation and organizational performance of Food/ Beverage and Building/Construction industries in Cross River State, Nigeria. Three companies from each category and 25 workers from each company totaling 150 research subjects were selected for the study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study, while the internationally accepted OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 checklists, directed the preparation of a validated questionnaire which was used for data collection. Mean, standard deviation and Analysis of Variance were used for data analysis. Results showed significantly high and positive influence of OHSMS implementation on the performance of Food/ Beverage and Building/Construction industries in Cross River State. This stresses the strategic importance/need of OHSMS as a yard stick for organization and operation of every industry. Comparatively however, a more significant influence of OHSMS implementation was recorded in Food/Beverage, indicating a difference in implementation level. Furthermore, each of all the OHSMS elements significantly influenced study industries, except for auditing, indicating that all the essential elements of OHSMS are important at every point of OHSMS implementation. However, more attention should be paid to auditing, in order to achieve a more reliable and successful implementation. In addition, OHSMS, with a consideration for local environment, was highly recommended for its application in all study industries, to bring about optimal performance in the areas of management influence and employee participation.
Defining requirements for integrating information between design, manufacturing, and inspection

Industry desires a digital thread of information that aligns as-designed, as-planned, as-executed, and as-inspected viewpoints. An experiment was conducted to test selected open data standards' ability to integrate the lifecycle stages of engineering design, manufacturing, and quality assurance through a thorough implementation of a small-scale model-based enterprise. The research team set out to answer: from design, through production, and final inspections, what are the hurdles that a manufacturer would face during the development of a fully linked and integrated information chain? The research team was not able to fully link all the required information, but value for the industry was still identified. This paper presents the results of the experiment, provides guidance on how to overcome or mitigate identified challenges, and discusses the benefits or incentives to be gained from tracing or linking information through multiple stages a product lifecycle.
Characterization of Fish Community Structure And Development of An Estuarine Fish Community Index For Temporarily Closed Estuaries (TCEs) From India’s Western Coast

We present for the first-time data on fish assemblage structure for ten temporarily closed estuaries (TCEs) along the western coast of India. Fish community structure differed significantly between TCEs based on species presence/absence, estuarine use and feeding mode - differences based on estuarine surface area and geographical position (northern and southern locations). Marine migrant and freshwater stragglers dominated the ‘fish guilds’ in all estuaries, while piscivores and zoobenthivores were the major feeding guilds. We used the estuarine fish community index (EFCI) and a combined anthropogenic pressure index (CPI) to determine ecological quality of the TCEs. The application of functional guilds and EFCI could represent the use of TCEs by fish communities, and functional similarities existing between fish assemblages of these estuaries, despite considerable taxonomic, physical and chemical differences. Analysis of EFCI indicated that the ecological health of TCEs in south-western India ranges from “poor” to “good”. Through this index, we also established a significant relationship between CPI, EFCI and ecological quality in various TCEs (EFCI = A + (b X CPI)). Thus, the EFCI provides an integrated measure of the ecological status of fish community for TCEs along Indian coast.
Investigation of parametric and artificial neural network modeling approaches for total tree height prediction in cedar plantations

Background: Height-diameter relationships are of critical importance in tree and stand volume estimation. Stand description, site quality determination and proper forest management decisions originate from reliable stem height predictions. Methods: In the context of this work, the prediction ability of the developed height-diameter models was investigated for cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) plantations in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Towards this direction, parametric modeling methods such as fixed-effects, generalized models, and mixed-effects were evaluated. Furthermore, in an effort to come up with the construction of more reliable stem-height prediction models, artificial neural networks were employed using two different modeling algorithms: the Levenberg-Marquardt and the resilient back-propagation. Results: Taking into account the prediction behavior of each respective modelling strategy while using a new validation data set, the mixed-effects model with calibration using 3 trees for each plot seems to be a reliable alternative to the rest standard modelling approaches given the evaluation statistics regarding the predictions of tree heights. Conclusion: Finally, as for providing the most reliable results as compared to the remaining, the resilient propagation algorithm showed its capability of providing more accurate predictions of the tree stem height and thus it can be a reliable alternative to pre-existing modelling methodologies.