Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ozonation of Brazil Nuts in Aqueous Media at Different pH Levels: Ozone Decomposition, Aspergillus flavus Inactivation, and Effects on Nut Color and Crude Oil Lipid Profile

ABSTRACT The present work aimed to evaluate the decomposition kinetics of ozone in aqueous media with Brazil nuts. It also intended to investigate the potential of ozonation for inactivating Aspergillus flavus, and to determine changes in nut color and crude oil lipid profile. To do so, an inlet ozone concentration of 13.0 mg L−1, at a flow rate of 1 L min−1 and 25°C, was adopted. For the ozonation process, distilled sterilized water at the pH levels of 8.1, 7.1, and 3.0 was used. The second-order kinetic model was fit to the residual ozone concentration data. To evaluate the effect of ozonation on A. flavus, the treatment was performed for 120 min at the different water pH levels aforementioned. The quality of Brazil nuts was appraised by analyzing their moisture content, as well as their color and the lipid profile of the crude oil. The sharpest decrease in the ozone concentration was noticed at pH 3.0, at which the ozone within the medium with Brazil nuts displayed a half-life of 16.14 min. At the pH levels 7.1 and 8.1, the half-life values were equal to 37.42 and 188.54 min, respectively. The A. flavus count reduced by 1.25 and 1.28 log cycles, when the water was ozonated at the pH levels of 7.1 and 3.0, respectively. Despite promoting some color alteration in the nuts, the ozonation did not change the fatty acid profile of the crude oil. In conclusion, the second-order kinetic model satisfactorily represented the ozone decomposition in aqueous media containing Brazil nuts. Moreover, as the pH reduces, there is an increase of the initial concentration of ozone dissolved in aqueous media in the presence of Brazil nuts and, consequently, a trend of reduction of the ozone half-life. The ozonation proved to be more efficient at controlling A. flavus in Brazil nuts when performed in an aqueous medium with an acid pH.
Convergence and public debt in the European Union: An overlooked trade-off?

ABSTRACT The paper brings together two distinct strands of literature that discuss the process of convergence in the EU and the impact of public debt on growth. It makes a contribution to both literatures, by challenging the standard approach that relates public debt to growth, on two grounds. First, it shows that the process of convergence that took place among EU countries prior to the crisis was driven primarily by public policies that, however, increased public debt. Second, it provides evidence that the component of public debt that is related to infrastructure development, public goods provision and caching-up with the more advanced countries has a positive impact on growth and convergence. The findings of the paper call for a re-examination of the role of public policies in the processes of economic integration and development, leaving some room for a debt-led growth strategy.
Hydroclimatic variability in Santiago (Chile) since the 16th century

The long‐term hydroclimatic variability in Santiago (Chile) was analysed by means of a new 481‐year (1536–2016 CE) tree‐ring reconstruction of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) of August, integrating the hydroclimatic conditions during the preceding 14 months. Results show a high frequency of extreme drought events in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, while the frequency of extreme wet events was higher in the 17th–18th centuries. The mid‐20th century represents a breaking point for the hydroclimatic history in the region, including some significant changes: (a) the interannual variability increased; (b) the wet events became less intense; (c) the extreme dry events became more frequent; and (d) the most intense dry event of the entire period was identified, coinciding with the so‐called Megadrought (2006–2016). A correlation analysis between the reconstructed SPEI and three climate indices (PDO, SOI and Niño3.4) was performed at monthly scale, considering different multi‐annual aggregations. The analysis shows diverse impacts on the hydroclimatic variability, with positive correlations between SPEI and PDO as well as Niño3. 4, and negative correlations between SPEI and SOI. The most significant correlations were, overall, found at multi‐annual time scales (>7 years). Results help to better understand the current hydroclimatic changes (Megadrought) in a long‐term context.
Prevalence of Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne Species) on Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) in Three Locations in University of Calabar, Nigeria

Aim: A comprehensive survey of root-knot nematodes was conducted in three locations (Unical farm, Biological Science and Botanical Garden) between June, 2018 to August, 2018 to determine the intensity of Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne hapla on the three locations of University of Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: A randomized sampling pattern was used during sampling, were a total of 60 samples (30 infected roots and 30 infected soil) samples were collected from the three major locations. In each location, 10 sampling points were selected randomly. Data were collected on Number of galls per root system, Gall index (G.I), Nematode density in soil and Number of nematode per plant. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of chi-square. Original Research Article Etim et al.; SAJP, 4(3): 18-26, 2020; Article no.SAJP. 60384 19 Results: The prevalence of Root-knot nematodes was recorded with varying degree in all locations. The highest prevalence of Root-knot nematodes (M. incognita) 62.25% with (G.I = 4.00) was recorded from Botanical garden followed by 39.12% with (G.I = 4.00) in Biological Science block compared to Unical farm which recorded minimum prevalence of 15.41% with (G.I = 3.00). The result of the survey obtained showed that (M. incognita and M. hapla are prevalence in all the three locations. However, Unical farm had the least Root-knot infection of (M. hapla) compare to (M. incognita). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the composition of nematode communities (plantparasitic and free-living) may be used as bio indicators of soil health or condition. This further suggests that magnitude of nematode problem needs serious consideration to tackle by the use of useful nematode management strategies.
EFFECT OF DIETS FORMULATED ON THE BASIS OF FOUR CRITICAL ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS ON THE CRUDE PROTEIN REQUIREMENT, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKS REARED UNDER TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

In commercial poultry production, formulating diets to adequate amino acids and crude protein are critical to maximize performance and meat yield of broiler chickens. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets formulated on the basis of four critical essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan) on the crude protein requirement, performance, nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum indices of broiler chicks reared under tropical environment. One hundred and ninety two, mixed sex Arbor Acre day- old chicks were used in this experiment. The experiment was a completely randomized design, consisting of four treatments with three replicates (16 birds per replicate). Four isocaloric (3101 metabolizable energy) starter (1-28 days) experimental diets were formulated in a gradual crude protein decline from 23 to 20% by 1% interval. All the diets met or exceeded the National Research Council recommendations except for the crude protein which was in graded levels. Final weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P<0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Chicks fed 21%CP with essential amino acids had the best result in terms of the weight gain and feed conversion ratio, although their performance was similar to chicks fed 22%, and 23% crude protein. The values obtained for all the haematological and serum indices fell within the normal range for healthy birds. Dietary treatment had significant (P<0.05) effects on apparent crude protein, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract. Chicks fed 21%CP with essential amino acids had better apparent nutrient digestibility values. In summary, crude protein requirement for broiler starter chicks (1-28d) reared under the tropical environment can be reduced to 21% with essential amino acids supplementation without having any adverse effects on performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, haematological and blood serum indices
Genetic Diversity of the Atlantic Ghost Crab Ocypode quadrata (Decapoda: Ocypodidae) in Two Beaches With Different Anthropogenic Disturbance in the North Coast of Veracruz, Mexico

The constant demographic expansion of human population is now recognized as a stressing factor for ecological communities on beaches, and their effects have been barely explored in developing countries such as Mexico, where heavy coastline industrialization is currently undergoing. In this work, we study how anthropogenic factors have affected the Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) in two beaches with different anthropogenic disturbance in northern Veracruz (near Tuxpan and Tamiahua), Mexico. To this end, we evaluated the species genetic diversity using a fragment of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene, along with several measurements (number of haplotypes, haplotype diversity, and nucleotide diversity, etc.), estimations of genetic relationship (haplotype network, phylogenetic analysis, gene flow), and statistical tests on average genetic distances (Student’s t test). We found 32 haplotypes, 22 from Tuxpan and 15 from Tamiahua. Despite the occurrence of almost 50% more haplotypes in Tuxpan than in Tamiahua, the correction for differences in sample size indicated that such a difference is statistically nonsignificant. A similar pattern was found with other genetic measurements. Similarly, the haplotype network and the phylogenetic reconstruction failed to recover haplotype clusters or haplogroups associated exclusively to one or another beach, whereas gene flow between localities was of the same order of magnitude in both directions. The Student’s t test showed that differences in genetic distances between localities (estimated using p-distances and Jukes-Cantor 69) were not statistically significant. Finally, although the anthropogenic effects between beaches in Tuxpan and Tamiahua are remarkable different, this has not been reflected in the genetic diversity of O. quadrata.
Deformation of porous flexible strip in low and moderate Reynolds number flows

We present results from a combined experimental and numerical investigation of the fluid-structure interaction of cantilevered porous flexible strips, towed through a fluid bath. We characterize the steady-state deformation of the strips and their associated drag, focusing on the low and moderate Reynolds (Re) number regimes. Our microfabricated strips offer independent control over porosity and permeability, a feature not available in previous studies. We fabricate strips with different levels of permeability, spanning over two orders of magnitude, while fixing their porosity at 50%. Then, the vertically clamped porous strips are towed inside a viscous bath. In parallel to the experiments, we model the strip as an elastica that is loaded locally by low (or moderate) Reynolds forces, via local drag coefficients. At low Re, we find that the drag coefficient, which can be obtained from Stokes simulations of rigid strips under perpendicular flow, varies with permeability by less than 10%. By contrast, at moderate Re, the drag coefficient depends significantly and nonmonotonically on permeability. Whereas porosity dictates the drag coefficient at low Re, our results demonstrate that a precisely designed permeability plays a major role at moderate Re, enabling large variations of the drag coefficients at a set level of porosity. Since porosity is directly linked to weight via the density of the effective solid, understanding how porous structures of fixed porosity and varying permeability interact with the surrounding fluid is of relevance to flying insects and microdrones.
Does Global Outsourcing Affect Corporate Customers’ Voluntary Disclosures?

Global outsourcing has become an economic imperative for many major corporations worldwide, but at the same time, it has brought substantial risks and uncertainties to these firms. In this study, we examine whether global outsourcing of goods or services shapes U.S. corporate disclosure policies. Our main results indicate a negative relation between global outsourcing and voluntary disclosure. Further, identification tests show that managers reduce voluntary disclosures when they first outsource their inputs globally and when suppliers’ countries experience spikes in trade uncertainty and political risks. The global outsourcing effect on disclosure is stronger when corporate customers face a higher litigation risk, when there is less information transfer between customers and suppliers, and when customers are in more competitive product markets. Collectively, these results suggest that corporate customers decrease voluntary disclosures due to increased uncertainties along the global supply chain.
Geographical Origin Discrimination of White Rice Based on Image Pixel Size Using Hyperspectral Fluorescence Imaging Analysis

Geographical origin discrimination of white rice is an important endeavor in preventing illegal distribution of white rice and regulating and standardizing food safety and quality assurance. The aim of this study was to develop a method for geographical origin discrimination between South Korean and Chinese rice using a hyperspectral fluorescence imaging technique and multivariate analysis. Hyperspectral fluorescence images of South Korean and Chinese rice samples were obtained in the wavelength range of 420 nm to 780 nm with intervals of 4.8 nm using 365 nm wavelength ultraviolet-A excitation light. Partial least squares discriminant analysis models were developed and applied to the acquired image to determine the geographical origins of the rice samples. In addition, various pre-processing techniques were applied to improve the discrimination accuracy. Accordingly, the pixel size of the hyperspectral image was determined. The results revealed that the optimum pixel size of the hyperspectral image that was above 7 mm × 7 mm showed a high discrimination accuracy. Moreover, the geographical origin discrimination model that applied the first-order derivative achieved a high discrimination accuracy of 98.89%. The results of this study showed that hyperspectral fluorescence imaging technology can be used to quickly and accurately discriminate the geographical origins of white rice.
Regularized representation of bacterial hydrodynamics

Fluid flows induced by a flagellated bacterial swimmer are often modeled as a simple force dipole, valid in the far field. A refined swimmer representation is presented that makes use of regularized singularities, retaining simplicity while capturing details of the complex flow field near the swimmer. A simple model system is then considered, demonstrating that these nuanced hydrodynamics are significant for bacterial interactions.
The Spectrum of Proactive, Resilient Multi-Microgrid Scheduling: A Systematic Literature Review

Multi-microgrids address the need for a resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective electricity supply by providing a coordinated operation of individual networks. Due to local generation, dynamic network topologies, and islanding capabilities of hosted microgrids or groups thereof, various new fault mitigation and optimization options emerge. However, with the great flexibility, new challenges such as complex failure modes that need to be considered for a resilient operation, appear. This work systematically reviews scheduling approaches which significantly influence the feasibility of mitigation options before a failure is encountered. An in-depth analysis of identified key contributions covers aspects such as the mathematical apparatus, failure models and validation to highlight the current methodical spectrum and to identify future perspectives. Despite the common optimization-based framework, a broad variety of scheduling approaches is revealed. However, none of the key contributions provides practical insights beyond lab validation and considerable effort is required until the approaches can show their full potential in practical implementations. It is expected that the great level of detail guides further research in improving and validating existing scheduling concepts as well as it, in the long run, aids engineers to choose the most suitable options regarding increasingly resilient power systems.
Indications and Outcome of Patients who had Re-Laparotomy: Two Years' Experience from a Teaching Hospital in a Developing Nation

Background Complications from abdominal surgery may necessitate a second or more surgeries, re-laparotomy. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Data on relaparotomy from the developing nations is limited. This study aims to assess the indications and outcome of patients who had relaparotomy Methods A retrospective review of medical records of all patients who underwent Re-laparotomy at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College from January 2016 to December 2017 was done. Result Of 2146 laparotomies, 6.9% (149) needed re-laparotomy and 129 patients were analyzed. Most (123,95.3%) had on-demand re-laparotomy. Patients operated on emergency made 70.5% (91) of the cases making the ratio of emergency to elective surgery 2.4:1. The three most common surgeries that needed re-laparotomy were, Perforated appendicitis (35,27.1%), bowel obstructions (28,21.7%) , and trauma (20,13.4%). The most common indications for relaparotomy were intra-abdominal abscess (57,44.23%), wound dehiscence (17,13.2%) and anastomotic leak (15 ,11.6%). Surgical site infection (128,100%) and malnutrition (58,45%) were the leading complications. The overall mortality rate was 12.8 % (19). There was no statically significant difference in mortality rate between on-demand and planned re-laparotomy (P=0.388), urgency of the primary surgery (P=0.891) and the number of relaparotomy (p=0.629). Re-laparotomy for anastomotic leak (p=0.001) and patients above fifty years of age (P=0.015) had significant associations with mortality. Conclusion Intra-abdominal abscess collection, wound dehiscence and anastomotic leak were the most common indications of re-laparotomies. Age above fifty years and anastomotic leaks were significantly associated with mortality.
The function of Arabidopsis microRNAs in defense against the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicicola

Plants constantly have to cope with abiotic and biotic stresses and they do that by a variety of regulatory mechanisms including adjustment of gene expression. Gene expression can be regulated by various means, including epigenetic regulation or post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). Concerning the part of microbial and fungal attacks, so far the interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and (hemi-)biotrophic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae has been studied in detail, wherein microRNAs where shown to be an important factor in plant defense. The understanding how Arabidopsis thaliana interacts with necrotrophic pathogens still exhibits considerable gaps. Therefore, we asked the question in what way microRNAs are involved in defense of Arabidopsis thaliana against the necrotrophic model organism Alternaria brassicicola, which causes the black spot disease on virtually all plant species in the Brassicaceae. In order to identify crucial microRNAs, I conducted a small RNA sequencing approach showing that several microRNAs are responsive to treatments with Alternaria brassicicola. I picked two of them and elucidated their function in more detail. The recently evolved microRNA163 (miR163) is clearly upregulated after A. brassicicola inoculations and showed a change in the splicing ratio of the intron-containing pri-miRNA. Infections assays with the Alternaria brassicicola fungi exhibited a more resistant phenotype of mir163 mutants revealing that miR163 is a negative regulator of plant defense that putatively integrates external stimuli through its changed splicing ratio that affects proper miRNA processing. The investigated mir827 mutant did not show any changes phenotype when treated with A. brassicicola but miR827 is clearly upregulated and buffers the extensive increase of expression of its target mRNA VPT1. As miR827 is likely involved in the complex phosphate-response network, knock-out or overexpression of one component of the phosphate network could be insufficient to disturb the phosphate-starvation network and resistance remains unaltered. An increasing amount of studies suggests that DNA methylation represent a key player in the regulation of plant defense. Therefore, I established an inducible vector system that knock-down DNA methylation genes by artificial microRNAs. The inducibility of this system allows to knock-down gene in a certain stage of the infection process and gives the opportunity to studies genes that are embryonic lethal or have strong developmental defects if knocked out.
Effect of Zr Additions on Non-Metallic Inclusions in X11CrNiMo12 Steel

The production of clean steel is associated with high-quality steel grades for demanding applications. The formation of oxide inclusions mainly depends on the deoxidation practice; it is usually carried out through Al additions, but alumina inclusions can have detrimental effects. An alternative zirconium inclusion modification was used in a creep-resistant steel to improve the cleanliness of laboratory-made steel. The thermodynamics behind the inclusion modification are presented, the reaction products are identified and the steel cleanliness improvement is quantified. The resulting influence of zirconium addition on non-metallic inclusions and mechanical properties is discussed. While the Zr additions drastically reduce the non-metallic inclusion size and area, additions above a certain amount result in the formation of zirconium nitrides that ultimately soften the martensitic steel due to the depletion of nitrogen in solid solution.
Bank Lending Rates and Spreads in Emdes : Evolution, Drivers, and Policies

This paper analyzes the main trends and patterns of nominal lending interest rates and lending-deposit interest rate spreads in emerging markets and developing economies. Using data from 140 emerging markets and developing economies, analysis shows that nominal lending rates and spreads declined between 2003 and 2017, with regional heterogeneity. In addition, it finds that less economically and financially developed countries tend to exhibit higher lending rates and spreads. These higher rates tend to be driven by higher spreads, not deposit interest rates. Also, illustrative regressions suggest that relevant correlates of nominal lending rates include inflation, public debt, and policy interest rate (macro-fiscal conditions); overhead costs, nonperforming loans, and non-interest income (banking characteristics); and credit bureau coverage and time to resolve insolvency (business environment). Finally, illustrative decompositions of the level and 10-year change between 2007 and 2017 of nominal lending rates find relative differences across regions. On the decline of nominal interest rates in that decade, rising public debt and nonperforming loans have pushed rates up, which was counterbalanced by a reduction in inflation, the policy interest rate, and overhead costs and a better business environment. Since the global financial crisis, a common global factor has increased in importance and has contributed to the downward trend in nominal lending rates.