Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corrosion assessment of ferrocement element with nanogeopolymer for marine application

Corrosion is the major reason which limits the practical application of ferrocement structures in the marine environment. To protect the thin and strong wire mesh reinforcement, preventive methods are required to be employed. One of such methods implemented in this paper is novel application of geopolymer mortar on the surface of the wire mesh. The microstructural pores present in the highly durable fly ash based geopolymer mortar are further enhanced by using nanomodified fly ash particles to achieve the impermeable surfaces. Effect of alkaline solution concentration on the chloride ion penetration and corrosion has been investigated by using the different concentration of sodium hydroxide solution from 8 to 14 M. From the results, it is noted that for the geopolymer specimens, the chloride ions penetration values of 542.70 Coulombs is observed at 28 days which comes under the category of very low as per ASTM C1202‐10. The chloride ion penetration observed in geopolymer specimen is 17% lesser than ferrocement panel with conventional cement mortar. The time taken for cracking is delayed in the case of ferrocement panel with geopolymer mortar of 10 M concentrated sodium hydroxide solution by thrice the times of specimen with conventional cement mortar. This indicates that the incorporation of nanogeopolymer in ferrocement element not only increased the strength but also its serviceability against cracking and corrosion resulted in the extensive application of ferrocement construction in marine environment.
Investigation of enhancing effect and mechanism of basalt fiber on toughness of asphalt material

Abstract In order to investigate the enhancing effect of basalt fiber (BF) on toughness of asphalt, BF modified asphalt and mixture were prepared. Strip tensile test was performed to study the anti-cracking ability of BF modified asphalt. The effect of BF on toughness of asphalt mixture was investigated using MTS system. SEM was conducted to explore the enhancing mechanism of BF. The results showed that the ultimate tensile stress of BF modified asphalt peaked when fiber content reached 0.4% by weight of asphalt mixture. Composite materialization and self-healing force of BF led to the enhancing effect on toughness capacity of asphalt.
Promotive or suppressive effects of ultrafine bubbles on crop growth depended on bubble concentration and crop species

ABSTRACT Previous research into the effects of ultrafine bubbles (UFB) on plant growth have been contradictory. To facilitate the resolution of these contradictions, the aim of the present study was to clarify the interspecific differences in growth responses among cereal/leguminous species under different levels of UFB concentrations. Seedlings of six species were grown hydroponically with three different UFB concentrations and two levels of plant nutrition to evaluate biomass and elongation growth. UFB growth promotion under zero-nutrition occurred in all species. Interspecific differences were noted in response to differing UFB concentration levels. Rice and soybean had higher above-ground biomass production at both low and high concentrations. Conversely, other crops exhibited promoted growth at only one of the concentrations. Negative effects occurred in full nutrient conditions except for root elongation. This study demonstrated that growth-promoting effects with UFB depended on the crop species being tested and the concentration of UFB used. Graphical abstract
Promoting sense of community in an early childhood care and education consortium

ABSTRACT Continued professional development is important for promoting quality early childhood care and education (ECE) programs. One approach to fulfill this need for professional development is through the creation of a community of practice, which brings together professionals with similar interests. In this investigation, we report the evaluation results for one CoP, called the Early Childhood Consortium, that included ECE center directors and teachers. We examine if members of the consortium formed a Sense of Community (SOC). Factors that may relate to SOC were also considered for both teachers and directors, including trust in information shared, workplace characteristics (e.g., perceived support, hours worked), and Consortium members’ professional agency. Trust in the information exchanged within the Consortium and workplace characteristics within member centers were related to SOC, but differences, supported by t-tests, between director and teacher SOC did occur. SOC also significantly correlated with survey and activity measures of professional agency within the Consortium in that those endorsing stronger SOC said they would be more likely to share and adopt knowledge with one another. SOC also positively correlated with participation of center staff within the Consortium, but not with individual levels of involvement, suggesting that directors and teachers influence one another’s participation in professional development activities. CoP leaders should be intentional in supporting directors’ abilities to promote SOC within their own centers and to connect CoP professional activities with classroom practices.
Anti-black prejudice in Asian American public opinion

ABSTRACT Despite the growing size and political relevance of the Asian American population, existing research provides limited insight into how anti-Black prejudice shapes Asian American public opinion. Using four Cooperative Congressional Election Surveys (CCES) and additional tests using two National Asian American Surveys (NAAS), I show four key findings. First, US-born Asians exhibit lower levels of anti-Black prejudice than foreign-born Asians even after accounting for the effects of other plausible influences. Furthermore, both groups are more racially sympathetic than whites. Second, US-born Asians’ racial attitudes liberalized at a faster rate than foreign-born Asians’ after 2016, in line with trends found in existing research on white Democrats. Third, despite having lower overall levels of anti-Black animus, US-born Asians’ racial sentiments are more strongly correlated with a variety of political attitudes than the racial sentiments of their foreign-born counterparts. Fourth, this racialization of political attitudes for US-born Asians appears to be the result of racially liberal US-born Asians being especially likely to hold liberal political views.
Sensitivity of phytopathogenic and nodule bacteria of soybeans to microelements preparations obtained by electropulse ablation

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of soybean yields largely depend on the effectiveness of measures against pathogens caused by phytopathogenic bacteria, which lead to the loss of 30-40% of grain yield. One of the elements of biologization is the use of trace elements in the cultivation of soybeans. The work has been devoted to determining the sensitivity of highly active strains of nodule bacteria and representatives of pathogens of soybean bacteriosis to trace elements preparations Dobrodiy Comfort and Dobrodiy Comfort-Copper, which were obtained by electropulse ablation, and comparing their action with traditional chemical pesticides. For comparison, the drugs of traditional cultivation of soybeans have been used: Rankona, Maxim XL, Rydomil Gold, Propuls. Classical microbiological, phytopathological, statistical method shas been used in the work. In particular, the reliability of the influence of factors has been established by the value of the probability level "p", which was calculated using the program STATISTICA 8. The obtained results have indicated a high sensitivity of yellow pigment pathogens of soybean bacteriosis to preparations Dobrodiy Comfort and Dobrodiy Comfort-copper in native form. The causative agent of angular spot of soybeans has not been sensitive to these compositions. Study have shown that Dobrodiy Comfort and Dobrodiy Comfort-copper are non-toxic to bacteria of the genus Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium. According to the results of preparations titration, work has been determined that the effect of these preparations on phytopathogens remains in the range of 10-3-10-4. According to the For the first time absence of antibacterial activity at the specified dilution and toxic effect on nodule bacteria, the use of ecological drugs Dobrodiy-Comfort and Dobrodiy Comfort-Copper in the system of soybean protection against bacterial diseases has been analyzed and recommended.
Determination of Some Agronomic Traits of Fresh Bean Parents and Hybrids and Their Heritability with Diallel Analysis Method

In this study, three commercial fresh bean cultivars (SF08/03, Ribera and Java) and two pole-type fresh bean lines (Mor Toparlak and Beyaz Toparlak) were hybridized (20 hybrid combinations) in accordance with full-diallel analysis method in 2016. F 1 generations and parents were grown in fully-automated plant breeding greenhouse of Selcuk University in 2017. Measurements, counts, weightings and analyses were formed to determine plant height, pod length, number of pods per plant, number of seed per pod, number of seed per plant, seed yield, hundred-seed weight, protein ratio and protein yields of the parents and hybrids. For investigated traits, diallel analysis method was employed to determine general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), heterosis and heterobeltiosis values, broad and narrow sense heritability and correlations among the investigated traits of the parents and hybrids. For seed yield, non-additive gene effects and narrow sense heritability values were low. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis values for seed yield of F 1 generation were positive. As to conclude, proper parents and hybrids to be used in further bean breading programs were identified and their agronomic traits and heredities were determined.
The Correlation Between Self-Concept and Anxiety of Finding a Partner in Young Adults in Urban Communities

Many young adults with single status have anxiety about finding a partner which is indicated by the increasing number of online dating application users. Many factors influence a person in finding a partner, one of which is self-concept. Self-concept is an individual's perspective on abilities and self-evaluation which is manifested in the form of behavior. Young adult individuals with positive and negative self-concepts both have the potential to feel anxious about finding a partner. Anxiety is an emotional feeling that is caused by a threat that comes from within or outside, both real and perceived, causing tension within. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-concept and anxiety in finding a partner in young adults. This study using Quantitative method. Sampling was conducted on November 16-30, 2020 using a purposive sampling technique involving 360 participants who have an age range of 20-30 years consisting of 250 women and 110 men. In this study, the correlation method and the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) measurement tool by William H. Fitts were used and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measurement tool by Spielberger, Gorsuch, and Lushene. Based on the analysis of respondent data using the Spearman correlation technique, it was found that there was a significant negative correlation between self-concept and anxiety of finding a partner in young adults. This indicates that the more positive individual self-concept makes the value of the anxiety variable lower and vice versa.
Corporate governance and firm performance: empirical evidence from Jordan

Purpose This study aims to assess the effect of director board and audit committee attributes and ownership structure on firm performance. In general, resource dependency and agency theories have underlined the superior performance of firms equipped with stronger Corporate Governance (CG) versus those of deficient governance. Concurrently, the study delineated the provisions of ownership structure provision, specifically foreign ownership and institutional ownerships, thus describing the component denoting the structural significance in explicating firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The current study implemented an empirical approach involving the construction of extensive CG measures thus, subjected to 81 non-financial firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange spanning the period of 2014–2018. Findings The current study identified the positive and significant relationship between the board of directors and audit committee characteristics with the firm performance measures tested, namely, return on equity (ROE) and Tobin’s Q. In terms of ownership structure, both foreign and institutional ownerships yielded a significant and positive relationship with ROE. Meanwhile, Tobin’s Q led to an insignificant and negative relationship between both ownership types and firm performance measures. Practical implications The analytical outcomes substantiate the possibility of enhanced performance shown by growing global firms because of the implementation of CG mechanisms, specifically because of the practices resulting in minimised agency costs. Originality/value The current study offers novel evidence detailing the impact of CG effectiveness towards performance and its implementation in emerging markets following the minimal amount of scholarly efforts on the topic. It is a timely contribution towards the current understanding of the relationship linking governance and performance for the purpose of ensuring the adoption and imposition of a strong corporate governance code by the government.
Reconfigurable LC Elastomers: Using a Thermally Programmable Monodomain To Access Two-Way Free-Standing Multiple Shape Memory Polymers

This work details a novel polyurethane liquid crystal elastomer (PULCE) with exchangeable carbamate functional groups that enable programming of a uniformly aligned monodomain sample through the application of external stress and simultaneous activation of dynamic bond exchange of the carbamate. PULCEs were synthesized using a thiol-Michael addition reaction, and the reversion of the carbamate group was observed by real-time FT-IR and mechanical analysis. Two independent phase transitions (isotropic–nematic and nematic–smectic) were employed to actuate two-way autonomous strains and multiple shape memory effects in a single system. In addition, thermally activated bond exchange engineered into the network transformed the permanent configuration of the material into various complex shapes. The programmed network topology and bond exchange conditions controlled the two-way autonomous shape changes. Coupling the shape memory effect of the polymer network with the plasticity induced by the thermally activated.
A review on recent developments of solar stills to enhance productivity using nanoparticles and nano-PCM

ABSTRACT Employing phase change material (PCM) as a productivity-enriching medium in solar stills is the best source of storing the heat for a longer period in recent years. Few researchers incorporated the nanoparticles into PCM to examine the effect of nanoparticles on the productivity of a solar still. The current paper reviews the characteristic features of nanoparticles and the recent developments in the usage of nano-based PCM and pure nanoparticles as a thermal storage medium in solar stills. Nano-employed PCM is also being attracted and dragging the attention to increase the main key barrier of low thermal conductivity of PCM in industrial and household applications due to its higher solidification and melting rates. Merits of using nanoparticles and PCM with nanoparticles are presented in the article from the apex of its positive properties on solar stills for their improvement in thermal performance. Further, it showcases the use of pure nanoparticles and nanoparticles integrated with PCM which helps in increasing the PCM thermal conductivity when compared to base fluids and has been chosen as the best suitable technique (Nanoparticles) for increasing still productivity. The development of this review paper focuses on the enrichment of thermal energy capabilities of PCM using nanoparticles (or) nanocomposites that would afford to attain high productivity and improved thermal performance by different comparisons for a better understanding.
Socioeconomic background and gene-environment interplay in social stratification across the early life course

To what extent are genetic effects on children’s education, occupational standing, and income shaped by their parents’ socioeconomic characteristics? Does the impact vary over their children’s early life course, and are there differences across the social strata? We studied these research questions with Finnish register-based data on 6,542 pairs of twins born from 1975 to 1986. We applied the classical twin design to estimate the relative importance of genes. As outcomes, we compared education, occupation, and income in early adulthood. We found that shared environment influences were negligible in all cases. Notably, the proportion of genetic effects explained by parental characteristics mattered most for education and for occupation only because they were associated with their children’s education—but not for income. We did not find any variation across their early life course; however, we found that genetic influences were stronger among the advantaged families for income and education. Thus, gene-environment interactions (GxE) operate differently for different status-related characteristics. For the unique environment, the pattern was consistent across outcomes as the effect was greater among the advantaged families. Stratification scholars should therefore emphasize the importance of the unique environment as one of the drivers of the intergenerational transmission of social inequalities.
Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Poly(Lactic Acid) Blends

High amylose cornstarch, normal cornstarch and waxy cornstarch were plasticized using water and glycerol as plasticizers in a Haake Rheomix 3000 batch mixer. A two­ level factorial experiment design was used to investigate the effects of processing conditions and the water/glycerol ratio on the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic starches. The significances of factors (processing temperature, time, roller rolling rate and ratio of water to glycerol) on the mechanical properties were evaluated. The morphology, thermal properties, average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic starches were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). The mechanical properties and rheological properties of the materials were measured using an Instron tensile testing machine and a Rosand capillary rheometer. The thermoplastic starches were further blended with poly(lactic acid)(PLA) at different composition ratios. The morphology, thermal properties, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic starch/PLA blends were analyzed using SEM, DSC, HPSEC. Mechanical and rheological properties of the blends were investigated using the same methods as those used in the investigation of thermoplastic starches. The effects of amylose content in the starches, composition (starch/plasticizer ratio, water/glycerol ratio, starch/PLA ratio), molding methods and molding
Scattering of journals cited in legal theses and dissertations

The study employed bibliometrics methods to analyse the scattering of 596 journals cited in legal master’s theses and doctoral dissertations in three South African law schools from 2014 to 2018. In addition, the study included an analysis of the extent of citation of different sources and examined the effect of use of non-legal journals by law students. It was found that students used 449.2 documents on average in writing a doctoral dissertation and 110.9 references per master’s thesis. Journals received more citations than any other document formats although 16 master’s theses were completed without citing a single journal. Generally, the journals cited in legal theses and dissertations conform to Bradford’s Law but they differ in their level of conformity by law school. There was a high degree of overlaps between Zone 1 journals in the three law schools. All journals in the core lists were available in all the law schools which was attributed to the strength of collections in these schools. The results support the application of bibliometric analyses to legal master’s theses and doctoral dissertations to make collection development decisions. In making those decisions, however, law librarians would have to look beyond the Zone 1 journals of their own institution for wider access. These results also serve as a caution to law librarians to look beyond the traditional law journals in de/selecting journals, as some of the non-legal journals in this study made it to the core list of cited periodicals. Furthermore, this study points to the strength of library collections in the top law school libraries in the country.
Uncertainty analysis of transfer function of proton exchange membrane fuel cell and design of PI/PID controller for supply manifold pressure control

ABSTRACT Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell is one of the possible green solutions for energy generation. The response of the fuel cell system depends on the air and hydrogen feed, flow and heat/ water management. The main control task is to maintain the supply manifold pressure at the cathode side of PEMFC. In this article, an approximation of First Order plus Time Delay (FOPTD) model is obtained from the PEMFC dynamic model by process reaction curve method. The analysis of uncertainty for the FOPTD model was carried out. From the FOPTD model, a simple PID controller was designed and compared with other techniques like: ZN-PI, Skogestad – Internal Model Control (SIMC)-PI, Improved SIMC-PID and Smith Predictor. Also, MPC and decoupler design were implemented. The simulation results are obtained using MATLAB® which shows that the response of supply manifold pressure is well controlled. The gain and phase margins were found out from the Bode plots of open loop transfer function and closed loop transfer functions for stability analysis.
Efficient and Air‐Stable Aqueous‐Processed Organic Solar Cells and Transistors: Impact of Water Addition on Processability and Thin‐Film Morphologies of Electroactive Materials

The authors report the development of a desirable aqueous process for ecofriendly fabrication of efficient and stable organic field‐effect transistors (eco‐OFETs) and polymer solar cells (eco‐PSCs). Intriguingly, the addition of a typical antisolvent, water, to ethanol is found to remarkably enhance the solubility of oligoethylene glycol (OEG) side chain‐based electroactive materials (e.g., the highly crystalline conjugated polymer PPDT2FBT‐A and the fullerene monoadduct PC61BO12). A water–ethanol cosolvent with a 1:1 molar ratio provides an increased solubility of PPDT2FBT‐A from 2.3 to 42.9 mg mL−1 and that of PC61BO12 from 0.3 to 40.5 mg mL−1. Owing to the improved processability, efficient eco‐OFETs with a hole mobility of 2.0 × 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and eco‐PSCs with a power conversion efficiency of 2.05% are successfully fabricated. In addition, the eco‐PSCs fabricated with water–ethanol processing are highly stable under ambient conditions, showing the great potential of this new process for industrial scale application. To better understand the underlying role of water addition, the influence of water addition on the thin‐film morphologies and the performance of the eco‐OFETs and eco‐PSCs are studied. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the application of the aqueous process can be extended to a variety of other OEG‐based material systems.