Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Infrastructure Investments on Services and Wholesale/Retail Productivity: A Panel-Data Evidence from the Philippines

In recent years, infrastructure investments in the Philippines have sharply increased; however, there has been a limited study about whether these have effectively improved productivity, specifically in the Philippines' services and wholesale/retail sectors. This paper examines the effects of investments in roads, bridges, and water supply systems on services and wholesale/retail productivity using the annual dataset from 15 regions in the Philippines from 2017 to 2019. The results of a panel-data analysis with Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) show that investments in roads, bridges, and water supply systems positively influence productivity in services and wholesale/retail, with investment for the construction or rehabilitation of roads having the greatest impact.
Quantitative imaging of acoustic reflection and interference

This paper presents a method for time resolved quantitative imaging of acoustic waves. We present the theoretical background, the experimental method and the comparison between experimental and numerical reconstructions of acoustic reflection and interference. Laser Doppler vibrometry is used to detect the modulation of the propagation velocity of light, c, due to pressure-dependant changes in the refractive index of air. Variation in c is known to be proportional to variation in acoustic pressure and thus can be used to quantify sound pressure fluctuations. The method requires the laser beam to travel through the sound field, in effect integrating pressure along a transect line. We investigate the applicability of the method, in particular the effect of the geometry of the sound radiator on line integration. Both experimental and finite element reconstructions of the sound field are in good agreement, corroborating punctual pressure measurements from a precision microphone. Spatial limitations and accuracy of the method are presented and discussed.
Information Search and Decision Making in Computer-Based Wildfire Simulations

Decision making in complex environments has been investigated in many domains, including medicine, aviation, business, and police operations. However, how incident commanders (ICs) make protective-action recommendations (PARs) to populations exposed to wildfire risks is underinvestigated. In this study we examined the effect of expertise on IC non-time-limited information search and decision making and how ICs update information during the evolution of complex, computer-simulated wildfire scenarios. The results indicate that higher expertise reduces the overall amount of information being searched for, without affecting the quality of PAR decisions. In addition, a statistical trend suggests that information updating during the progression of the scenario involves disproportionate less-static information versus dynamic information. Finally, ICs demonstrated a strong preference for evacuation recommendations over alternative recommendations, even when an evacuation may result in less optimal outcomes.
Aflatoxin B1 in imported cinnamon consumed in the Yazd province of Iran

ABSTRACT Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, which are fungal contaminants found in several foodstuffs, including spices. In this study 40 cinnamon samples were collected in November and December 2020 in the Iranian province of Yazd and analysed for the presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by high performance liquid chromatography. Seven out of 40 (17.5%) samples were contaminated with AFB1 at levels ranging from 0.59 to 5.8 μg/kg. In addition, 2.5% of cinnamon samples contained AFB1 concentrations above the maximum level of 5 μg/kg, as established by the Iranian national standard. Due to the harmful effects of aflatoxins, even at low amounts, these can cause serious chronic health problems. Therefore, continuous control to avoid AFB1 contamination in foodstuffs is required.
How do Student Attributes Influence the Way Students Experience Problem-Based Learning in Virtual Space?

Summary The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study into how student attributes influence their experience of problem-based learning (PBL) in virtual space. Some engineering faculties in Australia are turning to the PBL paradigm to engender necessary skills and competence in their graduates. At the same time, due to economic and other factors, some faculties are moving towards distance education. Logically, questions are being asked about the effectiveness of PBL for technical fields such as engineering and surveying when delivered in virtual space. This paper outlines an investigation of how student attributes such as final course grade, age, academic study major and interaction with their team facilitator affect the student learning experience in PBL courses offered in virtual space. A phenomenographical study was carried out on a suitable PBL course. A frequency distribution was then superimposed on the outcome space to assist analysis and to aid interpretation of results. This frequency distribution was then used to analyse the effect of different student attributes on the learning experience. It was discovered that the quality, quantity and style of facilitator interaction had the greatest impact on the student learning experience. This highlighted the need to establish consistent student interaction plans, and to set and ensure compliance with minimum standards with respect to facilitation and student interactions. The findings also have ramifications for future staff professional development activities before starting as facilitators in these courses.
Exploring the Potential for Electric Retrofit Regulations and an Accreditation Scheme for the UK

Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Electric retrofits involve converting an ICE vehicle to an electric drivetrain, aiding the transition to zero emission vehicles by adapting current vehicles and, thus, reducing the transport sector emissions. Other benefits include charge exemptions in major cities, reduced driving costs, and lower maintenance. The UK has a considerable retrofit market, with a large price range of services offered. There is a varying level of practice undertaken and current regulations may not adequately cover these retrofits. Industrial engagement has highlighted the varying levels and common themes of practice, such as restoration work, computer-aided design, and finite element analysis. Converting the registered fuel type of a vehicle to electricity, post-retrofit, appears to be a limited process, with few steps. Therefore, a regulatory framework, such as an accreditation scheme, could be introduced to ensure high levels of safety and good practice. Future work suggestions include further meetings with the DVLA and DVSA, and meeting the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Alterations in the Ca2+ toolkit in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Aim: To investigate alterations in transcription of genes, encoding Ca2+ toolkit proteins, in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) and to assess associations between gene expression, tumor grade, nodal-metastatic stage, and patient survival. Methods: The expression of 275 transcripts, encoding components of the Ca2+ toolkit, was analyzed in two OAC datasets: the Cancer Genome Atlas [via the University of Alabama Cancer (UALCAN) portal] and the oesophageal-cancer, clinical, and molecular stratification [Oesophageal Cancer Clinical and Molecular Stratification (OCCAMS)] dataset. Effects of differential expression of these genes on patient survival were determined using Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests. OAC grade- and metastatic-stage status was investigated for a subset of genes. Adjustment for the multiplicity of testing was made throughout. Results: Of the 275 Ca2+-toolkit genes analyzed, 75 displayed consistent changes in expression between OAC and normal tissue in both datasets. The channel-encoding genes, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2D (GRIN2D), transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel classical or canonical 4 (TRPC4), and TRP ion channel melastatin 2 (TRPM2) demonstrated the greatest increase in expression in OAC in both datasets. Nine genes were consistently upregulated in both datasets and were also associated with improved survival outcomes. The 6 top-ranking genes for the weighted significance of altered expression and survival outcomes were selected for further analysis: voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunit α 1D (CACNA1D), voltage-gated Ca2+ channel auxiliary subunit α2 δ4 (CACNA2D4), junctophilin 1 (JPH1), acid-sensing ion channel 4 (ACCN4), TRPM5, and secretory pathway Ca2+ ATPase 2 (ATP2C2). CACNA1D, JPH1, and ATP2C2 were also upregulated in advanced OAC tumor grades and nodal-metastatic stages in both datasets. Conclusions: This study has unveiled alterations of the Ca2+ toolkit in OAC, compared to normal tissue. Such Ca2+ signalling findings are consistent with those from studies on other cancers. Genes that were consistently upregulated in both datasets might represent useful markers for patient diagnosis. Genes that were consistently upregulated, and which were associated with improved survival, might be useful markers for patient outcome. These survival-associated genes may also represent targets for the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents.
The relationship between elevated plasma zonulin levels and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Background/aim Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases. The intestine microbiota is strongly associated with autoimmune diseases. Zonulin, a modulator of tight junctions that controls the selective permeability of the intestine can induce an elevation in gut permeability. We aimed to investigate the association of plasma zonulin levels with HT. Materials and methods We compared 77 HT patients with 66 age-gender and BMI-matched healthy individuals in the case of plasma zonulin levels. Plasma zonulin levels were measured by ELISA. The statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t-test and chi-square tests. The predictive power was investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results We found that the increase in plasma zonulin levels in the HT group was statistically significant compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The regression analysis showed that urea, anti-thyroid peroxidase, aspartate aminotransferase, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T3, and serum zonulin levels were found to be associated with HT in both univariate and multivariate models (p < 0.05). Conclusion Zonulin is a possible biomarker candidate that may link intestinal permeability with the etiology of autoimmune diseases.
Review of Relationship between TQM and Business Performance

In todays highly competitive market, the demand for quality is the single most critical factor for companies to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of total quality management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. The purpose of this paper is to propose relationship between TQM practices and business performance based on extensive review of the literature. The main contribution of this paper is to identify comprehensive construct of TQM and business performance for improving previous models. Authors also introduce Business ethics as a new construct for TQM practices, which it has not been seen in previous literature as one of the key of sustainability factor. This proposed research will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding on the importance of TQM implementation and business performance to the company in terms of financial performance, customer satisfaction, quality and production performance.
Optimum analog preprocessing for folding ADCs

Folding analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that use symmetrical number system (SNS) preprocessing, require fewer comparators than those that use conventional binary encoding. This paper considers an alternate SWS definition that considerably extends the dynamic range of the SNS ADC. The efficiency of this definition is compared to previous definitions and is shown to be optimum. As an example, a unipolar 7-b SNS ADC using pairwise relatively prime moduli m/sub 1/=4, m/sub 2/=5 and m/sub 3/=7 is evaluated numerically. Transfer functions are shown which detail encoding errors that occur when the folded input samples lie at one of the code transition points. To discard the encoding errors that occur, a decimation band is constructed at each transition point. The effectiveness of the decimation band in eliminating the encoding errors is also quantified.
Recovery of Energy from Leading- and Trailing-Edge Vortices in Tandem-Airfoil Configurations

CP = nondimensional power c = airfoil chord cl = sectional lift coefficient cd = sectional drag coefficient f = frequency h = plunge amplitude k = reduced frequency, fc=U1 p = pressure Re = Reynolds number, U1c= Ret = turbulent Reynolds number t = period u = streamwise velocity v = normal velocity x = streamwise direction y = normal direction = angle of attack o = mean angle of attack 1 = amplitude of angle of attack = low Reynolds number coefficient = angular frequency, 2 f ij = Kronecker delta = kinematic viscosity t = eddy viscosity = phase between pitch and plunge = airfoil phasing ! = vorticity Subscripts
Isolation and Identification of Wild Yeast from Malaysian Grapevine and Evaluation of Their Potential Antimicrobial Activity against Grapevine Fungal Pathogens

Pathogenic fungi belonging to the genera Botrytis, Phaeomoniella, Fusarium, Alternaria and Aspergillus are responsible for vines diseases that affect the growth, grapevine yield and organoleptic quality. Among innovative strategies for in-field plant disease control, one of the most promising is represented by biocontrol agents, including wild epiphytic yeast strains of grapevine berries. Twenty wild yeast, isolated and molecularly identified from three different Malaysian regions (Perlis, Perak and Pahang), were evaluated in a preliminary screening test on agar to select isolates with inhibition against Botrytis cinerea. On the basis of the results, nine yeasts belonging to genera Hanseniaspora, Starmerella, Metschnikowia, Candida were selected and then tested against five grape berry pathogens: Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus ochraceus, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. Starmerella bacillaris FE08.05 and Metschnikowia pulcherrima GP8 and Hanseniaspora uvarum GM19 showed the highest effect on inhibiting mycelial growth, which ranged between 15.1 and 4.3 mm for the inhibition ring. The quantitative analysis of the volatile organic compound profiles highlighted the presence of isoamyl and phenylethyl alcohols and an overall higher presence of low-chain fatty acids and volatile ethyl esters. The results of this study suggest that antagonist yeasts, potentially effective for the biological control of pathogenic moulds, can be found among the epiphytic microbiota associated with grape berries.
Supplemental effect of bamboo charcoal and bamboo vinegar, alone or in combination, on laying hen performance, egg quality, intestinal bacterial populations and alteration of intestinal villi

Abstract This experiment aimed to determine the effects of bamboo charcoal (BC), bamboo vinegar (BV) and their combinations in laying hen diet on performance, egg quality, intestinal bacterial populations and alteration of intestinal villi. A total of 450 Hy-Line Brown hens aged 40 weeks were divided into 9 treatment groups, with 5 replicates per treatment and 10 hens per replicate. They were fed diets with 0% BC and BV (control), 0.5% BC, 1% BC, 0.3% BV, 0.6% BV, 0.5% BC + 0.3% BV (BCV53), 0.5% BC + 0.6% BV (BCV56), 1% BC + 0.3% BV (BCV13) or 1% BC + 0.6% BV (BCV16) from 40 to 56 weeks of age. The overall feed conversion ratio was better in all supplemented groups than in the control (p < .05). Eggshell strength and shell thickness at week 56 were higher in the 0.3% BV, 0.6% BV, BCV56 and BCV16 groups when compared to the control group (p < .05). In the ileal digesta, population of Salmonella spp. decreased in the 0.3% BV, 0.6% BV, BCV56 and BCV16 groups (p < .05) and the population of Lactobacillus spp. increased in the 0.3% BV, 0.6% BV and BCV56 groups (p < .05). Villus height and areas of the duodenum were higher in the groups receiving BV (p < .05), and villus height and areas of jejunum were higher in all groups receiving BV at 0.6% level (p < .05). The present results indicate that feeding of BV alone at 0.3% level was sufficient to improve feed efficiency, eggshell quality, growth of Lactobacillus spp. and function of duodenal villi in laying hens. Supplementation with BV at 0.6% level, either alone or in combination with BC in the diet, had an additional positive effect in stimulating jejunal villi. HIGHLIGHTS Supplementation of BV alone in the diet at 0.3% level was sufficient to improve feed efficiency, eggshell quality and intestinal microbial balance Supplementation of BV at 0.6% level, either alone or in combination with BC in the diet, had a stimulant effect on the functioning of intestinal villi.
Relationships between satisfaction with life, posttraumatic growth, coping strategies, and resilience in cancer survivors: A network analysis approach

Cancer survivors' satisfaction with life should be seen through the psychological factors related to a person's capabilities to face and handle the situation. This study aimed to (1) examine the relationships of satisfaction with life, posttraumatic growth, resilience and coping strategies in a global network model, (2) find the bridge indicators between satisfaction with life and the other constructs, and (3) test for the invariance of the network structures across several moderating variables.
The Impact of Auditory Task Complexity on Primary Task Performance in Military Land Vehicle Crew

Military land vehicles are becoming more technologically advanced, offering much greater capabilities for command and control on the move. The capabilities afforded by these modern vehicles are likely to place greater cognitive demands on the vehicle operators, and an increased requirement for vehicle crews to communicate effectively. This study explored the influence of a secondary task load on both individual and crew performance. Eight driver/co-driver crews operated a driving simulator over two days, during which the complexity of an auditory secondary task, which incorporated a crew-based communication component, was manipulated. The impact of this manipulation on both individual and crew performance was assessed. The results suggest that participants prioritized and protected performance on their primary task when the complexity of the secondary task was increased, at the cost of declines in their secondary task performance. Implications for the use of modern land vehicles in defense fleets are discussed, along with our research program aimed at further exploring the impact of varying cognitive load on crew performance.
Speed sensorless field-oriented control of induction machines using current harmonic spectral estimation

This paper proposes a direct field-oriented controller for induction machine drives based on a new sensorless speed measurement scheme. Current harmonics which arise from rotor slotting and eccentricity are analyzed using digital signal processing techniques. An on-line initialization algorithm determines slot harmonic parameters which depend on machine structural characteristics. A digital spectral estimation algorithm then analyzes multiple current harmonics to produce accurate results at any nonzero speed, independent of time-varying motor parameters. This robust speed information is used to tune the parameters of a mechanical model of the motor and the load. A speed observer based on the mechanical model provides a speed signal to the field-oriented control algorithm. A controller utilizing this tachometer-less observer has the advantage over other sensorless schemes of being able to obtain high accuracy speed information down to very low speeds. This is due to the fact that this scheme does not rely on flux (voltage) measurement, which is significantly degraded at low speed. The algorithm applies to a broad class of induction motors and requires no special machine modifications. <<ETX>>
Adsorption and Reaction Mechanisms of Direct Palladium Synthesis by ALD Using Pd(hfac)2 and Ozone on Si (100) Surface

Palladium nanoparticles made by atomic layer deposition (ALD) normally involve formaldehyde or H2 as a reducing agent. Since formaldehyde is toxic and H2 is explosive, it is advantageous to remove this reducing step during the fabrication of palladium metal by ALD. In this work we have successfully used Pd(hfac)2 and ozone directly to prepare palladium nanoparticles, without the use of reducing or annealing agents. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to explore the reaction mechanisms of palladium metal formation in this process. DFT results show that Pd(hfac)2 dissociatively chemisorbed to form Pd(hfac)* and hfac* on the Si (100) surface. Subsequently, an O atom of the ozone could cleave the C–C bond of Pd(hfac)* to form Pd* with a low activation barrier of 0.46 eV. An O atom of the ozone could also be inserted into the hfac* to form Pd(hfac-O)* with a lower activation barrier of 0.29 eV. With more ozone, the C–C bond of Pd(hfac-O)* could be broken to produce Pd* with an activation barrier of 0.42 eV. The ozone could also chemisorb on the Pd atom of Pd(hfac-O)* to form O3-Pd(hfac-O)*, which could separate into O-Pd(hfac-O)* with a high activation barrier of 0.83 eV. Besides, the activation barrier was 0.64 eV for Pd* that was directly oxidized to PdOx by ozone. Based on activation barriers from DFT calculations, it was possible to prepare palladium without reducing steps when ALD conditions were carefully controlled, especially the ozone parameters, as shown by our experimental results. The mechanisms of this approach could be used to prepare other noble metals by ALD without reducing/annealing agents.
Time Domain Models for Damping-Controlled Fluidelastic Instability Forces in Multi-Span Tubes With Loose Supports

This paper presents simulations of a loosely supported multi-span tube subjected to turbulence and fluidelastic instability forces. Several time-domain fluid force models simulating the damping controlled fluidelastic instability mechanism in tube arrays are presented. These models include the negative damping model based on the Connors equation, fluid force coefficient-based models (Chen; Tanaka and Takahara), and two semi-analytical models (Price and Paidoussis; and Lever and Weaver). Time domain modelling challenges for each of these theories are discussed. The implemented models are validated against available experimental data. The linear simulations show that the Connors-equation based model exhibits the most conservative prediction of the critical flow velocity when the recommended design values for the Connors equation are used. The models are then utilized to simulate the nonlinear response of a three-span cantilever tube in a lattice bar support subjected to air crossflow. The tube is subjected to a single-phase flow passing over one of the tubes spans and the flow velocity and the support clearance are varied. Special attention is paid to the tube/support interaction parameters that affect wear, such as impact forces, contact ratio, and normal work rate. As was seen for the linear cases, the reduced flow velocity at the instability threshold differs for the fluid force models considered. The investigated models do, however, exhibit similar response characteristics for the impact force, tip lift response, and work rate, except for the Connors-based model that overestimates the response and the tube/support interaction parameters for the loose support case, especially at large clearances.Copyright © 2010 by ASME