Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of pH-shift processing on biochemical and functional properties of surimi extracted from pink perch Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791)

The pH-shift processing involves the process of solubilization of muscle protein at high alkaline pH (11.0) and low acidic pH (3.0) while precipitation at pH (5.5) of fish muscle. This method of processing was used for the preparation of surimi from the minced obtained from pink perch, Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791). The study compared biochemical and functional properties of surimi prepared by conventional and pH-shift processing (alkaline and acid) solubilization, along with change in characteristics, if any, during frozen storage. The highest protein recovery rate (%) was obtained in alkaline (76.12%) method, followed by (58%) and conventional method (54.57%). With regard to the proximate composition, highest moisture content was observed in acid surimi, highest protein content in conventional surimi. Lipid and ash content were low in all the surimi samples. The protein solubility and total -SH groups were highest in conventional surimi followed by alkaline-aided and acid-aided surimi. The initial Ca ATPase activity of NAM was in the order of conventional > alkaline > acid which decreased during frozen storage. The gel strength of conventional surimi was observed to be 255.56 g.cm which was significantly higher than alkaline-aided and acid-aided surimi which continues to decrease in frozen storage. The whiteness value was also significantly higher in conventional surimi than other two samples. The expressible moisture content has shown decreasing trend during frozen storage. The SDSPAGE of the sample proteins remains unaffected during frozen storage with molecular weight approx. 210 kDa and the actin with a molecular weight of 45 kDa, however, appearance of myosin heavy chain (MHC) was replaced by light chain (25 kDa) during frozen storage.
A reliability-centred maintenance strategy based on maintenance-free operating period philosophy and total lifetime operating cost analysis

Abstract Maintenance intervention is necessary for the equipment, such as aircraft structures and systems, to maintain their operational performance status during their lifetime. Generally maintenance costs make a significant contribution to overall operating costs. Accordingly, developing an optimal maintenance strategy to minimize maintenance costs and total lifetime operating cost (TLOC) is a critical task. This article proposes a methodology for the optimization of a reliability-centred maintenance strategy based on maintenance-free operating period (MFOP) philosophy by considering the TLOC. The method can be used to evaluate the TLOC of alternative maintenance strategies and determine the optimal maintenance interval while meeting the proposed reliability requirements. The method is also suitable for evaluating and optimizing the MFOP-based reliability design of the products. An example based on line replaceable unit replacement strategy is introduced to illustrate the proposed maintenance strategy optimization approach. And a sensitivity analysis on the TLOC index for each of the two reliability requirement parameters is also performed.
Analysis of arbitrary conducting periodic structures embedded in layered media

An analysis of arbitrary periodic conducting structures embedded in layered media has been performed using triangular patch basis functions and the mixed potential formulation implemented in the original PATCH code. Greens functions in layered media were used to develop closed-form expressions for the modified scalar and vector potentials due to an infinite array of arbitrarily oriented triangular patch basis functions in the form of double summations of Floquet modes. Arbitrary periodic conductors may then be modeled using the triangular patch basis functions. Results are presented concerning power transmitted through a strip grating and a printed dipole on a ground slab. <<ETX>>
A new technique for the calculation of the energy stored, dissipated, and recovered in different ankle-foot prostheses

Previous research reported calculation of mechanical power of ankle-foot devices using the dot product of the ankle moment times the ankle angular velocity. Unfortunately, there are two errors in this analysis technique. The biomechanical model used assumed a rigid foot articulating around the ankle and there was no accounting for energy storage or dissipation and recovery in the viscoelastic material of the cosmetic cover. The first purpose of this paper is to propose a rigorous technique for the calculation of the net energy efficiency that could be used for any articulated or nonarticulated ankle-foot prosthesis. The second purpose is to quantify the amount of energy stored or dissipated and then recovered in order to discriminate between different ankle-foot prostheses. The SACH, Seattle, Flex-foot, and Golden-Ankle ankle-foot prostheses; were evaluated on the same amputee, while walking at his natural cadence. The power entering and leaving the distal end of the prosthetic leg was calculated as the sum of the translational (force-velocity product) and rotational (moment-angular velocity product). All ankle-foot prostheses showed the same distal power pattern. After initial contact, a large energy storage was observed in the cushioned heel, which was followed by some energy recovery. Then, during mid and late stance, another period of storage or dissipation and recovery was observed. Even the SACH foot should be considered an energy storing foot prosthesis since it's cosmetic material was seen to be capable of recovering energy. The balance between the rate of change of foot mechanical energy and the foot powers showed that the new technique takes into account the energy stored or dissipated and then recovered within the compliant material and flexing keel. The new analysis technique can be used by prosthetic designers to assess any type of ankle-foot prostheses. Criteria for ankle-foot prosthesis selection should include, not only the net mechanical efficiency for both rearfoot and forefoot sections, but also, the total energy recovered by the ankle-foot prostheses. >
Response of Crop Yield and Yield Components of Tomato to Different Tillage Methods in the Arid Lands of Varamin, Iran

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Site of Varamin Agricultural Research Center, Varamin, Iran on sandy loam soils to study the response of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to different tillage methods during 2007 and 2008. Tillage treatments in the study included were conventional tillage (CT; moldboard plowing + two passes of disk harrowing), minimum tillage (MT; one pass of disk harrowing) and no-tillage (NT). Crop yield, yield components (plant population density, PPD; number of fruits per plant, NFPP; fruit weight, FW; fruit length, FL; fruit diameter, FD) and a fruit quality parameter (total soluble solids, TSS) were determined for all treatments. Results indicated that tillage methods significantly (P less or equal 0.05) influenced crop yield, yield components and TSS. Results also showed that PPD and NFPP are the most important yield components explaining crop yield difference under different tillage methods. The maximum PPD (10025 plants ha-1), NFPP (19.1) and as a result crop yield (12.2 t ha-1) were observed with CT, while maximum values of FW (71.2 g), FL (70.0 mm), FD (59.2 mm) and TSS (7.27%) were noted NT plots. On the other hand, minimum PPD (5117 plants ha-1), NFPP (10.2) and hence crop yield (3.70 t ha-1) were obtained with NT, while the minimum values of FW (63.6 g), FL (61.0 mm), FD (53.6 mm) and TSS (5.81%) were noted in case of CT treatment. Therefore, one pass of moldboard plow followed by two passes of disk harrow was found to be more appropriate and profitable tillage method in improving crop yield of tomato in the arid lands of Iran.
Gradient error cancellation and quadratic error reduction in unary and binary D/A converters

A novel geometrical arrangement of unit cells in a digital-analog converter (D/A) converter, along with a new switching sequence results in full cancellation of gradient errors. This is achieved without using quad, quad-quad, or triple-quad techniques which increase the number of units by a factor of 4 or 16. In an M-b D/A, by proper arrangement of (2/sup M/-1) units in a matrix having odd number of rows and odd number of columns, a central unit is established allowing complete cancellation of gradient errors. The decoding logic has the same simplicity of a standard row-column decoder with the advantage of being half in size. This technique, called "symmetric-pair switching," avoids large routing between multiple subunits in quad, quad-quad and triple-quad techniques thus improving D/A performance. Another independent technique, "balanced-ring switching," is introduced for reduction of quadratic errors. This technique achieves an order of magnitude reduction in quadratic errors compared to the "Q/sup 2/ Random Walk" technique.
Effect of Systematic Corrective Exercises on the Static and Dynamic Balance of Patients with Pronation Distortion Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systematic corrective exercises on the static and dynamic balance of students with pronation distortion syndrome. Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial study, 30 volunteers were selected and randomly divided into the control and experimental groups (15 subjects per group). The experimental group performed systematic corrective exercises for 12 weeks, while the control group performed the routine exercise. Static and dynamic balance was evaluated before and after the interventions. The data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests (P < 0.05). Results: The results showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the static and dynamic balance in the experimental group, but not in the control group. A significant difference was evident between the experimental and control groups in terms of static and dynamic balances, in static balance including Flamingo balance test (42.26 ± 5.35 vs. 10.13 ± 1.92) stabilometr (1.23 ± 0.48 vs. 3.71 ± 1.02), and in dynamic balance including star excursion balance test (anterior direction 82.4 ± 6.2 vs. 66.7 ± 6.9, Posterior-internal direction 87.8 ± 4.7 vs. 69.6 ± 6.3, posterior-external direction 86.06 ± 6.93 vs. 67.2 ± 6.2), stabilometr (3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 11.18 ± 1.8) (P < 0.05 for all variables). Conclusions: It can be concluded that systematic corrective exercises improve static and dynamic balance in students with pronation distortion syndrome and it could be recommended as modalities for these people.
Effects of CM/GC Project Delivery on Managing Process Risk in Transportation Construction

AbstractTeams that deliver complex transportation construction projects need tools that manage risk and allow for successful delivery. Construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) project delivery is an alternative method that furnishes public agencies with an attractive option for delivering projects in a less adversarial and more constructive manner by involving the contractor during the design phase. This paper identifies the effects of CM/GC delivery on construction process risk. Owners, contractors, and design engineers with sizable CM/GC experience on transportation-related projects were surveyed to identify differences in the perception of CM/GC processes, especially compared to design-build and design-bid-build project delivery methods. The perceived benefits and disadvantages regarding quality, schedule, cost control, and collaboration/flexibility are discussed. The benefits include strategies for robust process risk management and successful project delivery, while the disadvantages expose ba.
A Zeno-Free Event-Triggered Control Strategy for Asymptotic Stabilization of Switched Affine Systems

This article investigates the event-triggered control problem for switched affine systems (SASs). The presence of affine terms brings many difficulties on the exclusion of triggering Zeno behavior when ensuring asymptotic stability. We propose an event-triggered control strategy dynamically updated with triggering to solve this problem, in which the triggering condition is associated with the affine terms and given with a time-varying term that is updated at triggering instants. Based on the triggering strategy, the controllers for subsystems and a switching rule are designed to achieve asymptotic stability of the resulting closed-loop system. Moreover, due to the special feature of event-triggered SASs, a new method for proving the exclusion of Zeno behavior is given. Finally, the developed results are illustrated by an electric circuit example.
Understanding Furniture Design Choices Using a 3D Virtual Showroom

This study is a Web–based investigation that utilizes virtual reality technology to understand the factors considered for residential furniture purchase and furniture style preference. In residential interior design, furniture has significant financial and symbolic meaning. From a broader perspective, residential furniture is important to the domestic furniture industry as well as to woodworking and textile markets. Despite this importance, little is known about how consumers make residential furniture choices and what designs or styles are preferred. The purpose of this study is to understand the most important factors involved in choosing living room furniture and to identify preferences for furniture style using an online virtual showroom application. In this survey, 301 college participants responded to questions regarding priorities and style preferences when purchasing living room furniture. The participants evaluated 117 living room furniture items representing three style categories: traditional, modern, and casual. The survey results demonstrated significant differences between males and females in their priority considerations, style preferences for furniture, and the number of possibilities they try before making final choices. This empirical study is an effort to provide important information on consumer characteristics and their furniture choices for interior practitioners and furniture industry personnel in a three–dimensional virtual furniture showroom constructed for the study.
Raising of Lazarus: Rediscovery and Redescription of Apostolepis niceforoi Amaral, 1935 (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Elapomorphini)

Apostolepis is a speciose Neotropical snake genus, encompassing approximately 40 species, widely distributed at South America. Most species of the genus are known based on small series, which has contributed to a convoluted taxonomic history. In this study, we report the rediscovery of Apostolepis niceforoi, a taxon that remained known from a single specimen since 1935, providing a detailed redescription, with comments on its close congeners, as well as taxonomic misidentifications related to this species.
Simulations of the High Temperature Test Facility using SAM

Under the support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, an effort is being pursued to support the modeling and simulation needs of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology development. There is a particular need for advanced modeling and simulation methods and tools to predict thermal-fluid behavior in the nuclear reactor primary system during safety-related transients. This report focuses on one such activity related to HTGR: developing a model of the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) at Oregon State University using the system-level code SAM, and using the model to understand thermal response behavior in the facility. Note this activity is coordinated with the DOE-NE’s Advanced Reactor Technology Gas-Cooled Reactor Program. Specifically, this work encompasses three main activities in FY20:
Finite element method based absolute pressure sensitivity optimized membrane type double cavity vacuum sealed piezoresistive sensor

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use finite element method for optimizing the membrane type double cavity vacuum sealed structure for the best achievable sensitivity in a piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor and its validation using a standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. Design/methodology/approach – A double cavity vacuum sealed piezoresistive absolute pressure sensor has been simulated and optimized for its performance and an analytical model describing the behaviour of the sensor has been described. The 1×1 mm sensor chip has two membrane type 100×30×1.7 μm diaphragms consisting of composite layers of plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) each hanging over 21 μm deep rectangular cavity. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) based anisotropic etching of single crystal silicon using front side lateral etching technology is used for the fabrication of the sensor. The electrical readout circuitry uses 318 Ω boron.
Energy piles: current state of knowledge and design challenges

Energy piles offer a promising and eco-friendly technique to heat or cool buildings. Energy piles can be exploited as ground heat exchangers of a ground source heat pump system. In such application, the energy pile and its surrounding soil are subjected to temperature changes that could significantly affect the pile–soil interaction behaviour. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge on the design of energy piles in terms of the geostructural and heat exchanger functions. Furthermore, a conceptual understanding of the potential temperature effects on the mechanical behaviour of piles is proposed in this paper. Based on this conceptual understanding as well as the reported thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of saturated clays in the literature, the challenging geotechnical aspects facing the energy pile design are highlighted, and further research efforts to refine them are recommended.
Do board characteristics affect the financial soundness of Islamic banks

AbstractThis paper was conducted to analyze the impact of the Board of Directors’ characteristics on the financial soundness of Islamic banking, using panel data regression. Composed of 67 Islamic banks over 2015-2018 period. The level of Islamic bank soundness is individually employing the Z-score measure Overall, the results of this study indicate that the soundness of Islamic banks is not adversely affected by the appointment of the independent non-executive director and the institutional director. However, the foreign director and the femal director have a positive impact on the financial soundness of banks. While, the Board of Directors’ size does not have any significant effect on the financial soundness of Islamic banks. With this study, we hope to provide new insights to the literature review andidentify the relationship between the Board of Directors and the financial soundness of Islamic banking. It has been recommended to increase the level of female presence and the foreignon the Board of Directors of Islamic banks. KeywordsBoard of Directors, Corporate Governance, Financial soundness, Gender diversity, Islamic Banking, Shariah compliance.
Green Economy: Researching Working from Home in Building Sector

The rapid growth of telework or working from home (WFH) is inspired by the growth in knowledge-based economy, rapid technology progress, virtual operations and digital workforce. The original push on teleworking as a tool for cutting traffic congestion and improving air quality did not lead to large-scale adoption of teleworking in Malaysia. Indeed the research of WFH in Malaysia is scarce and its implementation among the organizations almost unavailable even though the nation is moving towards promoting green economy. However, with the sustainability and green concerns, teleworking can be considered a part of firm’s strategic and innovative to enhance competitive advantage which may lead to economic and environmental improvement. Thus the emerging trend for sustainable growth (e.g. quality education, modern workforce, green innovation, knowledge and digital society) has inspired this research to seek the benefits of working from home (WFH), factors that trigger WFH and basic requirements for WFH to be initiated have been unearthed by many researchers and implemented by many developed countries in the world. This paper explores the literature on WFH in some of the developed countries and the topic of WFH in Malaysian scenario is discussed by proposing a framework for future research to be carried out by Malaysian organizations.
Implementation of Task-based Collaborative Dialogues in EFL Speaking Classes: Focus on Achievements and Perceptions

Collaborative dialogue (CD) in developing L2 skills known as ‘knowledge-building dialogue’, in spite of its momentum in foreign language acquisition, has rarely been conjoined and empirically investigated with Task-based approach. To this end, the present research was conducted with a two-fold aim: firstly, investigating the effect of task-based collaborative dialogue on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ speaking ability, and secondly, exploring teachers’ and learners’ perceptions towards the exercised treatment process. The participants of the study consisted of 100 Iranian B.A. TEFL and Translation Studies students, who identified relatively homogeneous with regard to their language proficiency through administering Oxford Placement Test (OPT), and ten Iranian EFL teachers. The experimental group was exposed to task-based collaborative dialogues, while the control group experienced conventional mainstream teaching speaking skill. Upon accomplishing the treatment, CD questionnaires were administered to the learners of experimental group and teachers to investigate their perceptions of implementing CDs in the speaking classes. Subsequently, the teachers and 12 students from the experimental group attended the semi-structured interview sessions to explore their views regarding the efficiency of task-based CDs. The findings indicated that the experimental group outperformed the control one regarding speaking skill. The results of questionnaires and the semi-structured interviews complemented each other and indicated that the teachers and the learners adopted positive views towards applying the task-based CD. The findings offer some implications for the stakeholders, including material developers, EFL learners, and teachers, to incorporate task-based collaborative dialogues in second language education.