Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Control of a 2-DOF Teleoperated Manipulator Using UDP Scheme

In this paper, a workspace-control system was developed to deals with the problem of position-tracking of bilateral teleoperated two degrees of freedom manipulators, and aid the human operator in driving and controlling the slave robot that performs critical and difficult tasks such as under water works. The developed system consists of, "JUPITER XL SCARA" robot as a slave manipulator with only the first two links activated, a wireless User Datagram Protocol (UDP) network, and PC as a master controller. The system model parameters identified using the Least-Squares method. A PID and FLC controllers with different input signals were applied to the system. It was proved experimentally and by simulation on Matlab that the FLC gave a better performance than the PID controller. The two parallel loop subroutine technique proved a great enhancement to the system performance as it decreased the total delay time in the system to almost 25 milliseconds.
Spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4 in South China influenced by Maritime Silk Road and “Huguang Filling Sichuan” population migration

Background Lineage 4 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), mainly epidemic in Europe and Americas, presents in high proportions in South China and is believed to enter China around the 13th century, when the important human migratory events of the Maritime Silk Road and “Huguang Filling Sichuan” population migration happened in China. This study was to explain the coincidence of these two events with lineage 4’s high proportion in South China. Methods Based on the spatial interpolation analysis of the genotyping data of 25,575 MTBC isolates, the distribution of lineage 4 was compared with that of targeted surname populations and the Maritime Silk Road’s main ports. Results The results showed that lineage 4 distribution in China could be mapped to the regions affected by “Huguang Filling Sichuan” population migration; while the distribution of lineage 4’s two sub-lineages in Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania could be best explained by the Maritime Silk Road. Conclusion Our results suggest that these two events might pose a crucial shared influence, leading to the greater incidence of lineage 4 in South China. And this may contribute to our better understanding of the prevailing tuberculosis landscape in China and facilitate the epidemiological investigations and tracking of emerging MTBC clones.
Readiness in Accrual-Based Accounting Implementation among Malaysian Public Healthcare Sector

The aim of this study is to identify the level of readiness in the implementation of accrual-based accounting among Malaysian public healthcare sector and to examine the relationships between human resources competency, software and technology capability, accounting policies and standards suitability and the level of readiness in the implementation of accrual-based accounting. Data were collected using questionnaires from a sample of 200 administrative officers in the Finance Department at 20 public hospitals and State Health Departments.The finding showed that the level of readiness to implement accrual-based accounting in Malaysian public healthcare was moderately high. The results also revealed that there were significant relationships between human resources competency, software and technology capability and accounting policies and standards suitability and the level of readiness to implement accrual-based accounting. The results implicated that users of accounting system in Northern Malaysian public healthcare are ready to implement accrual-based accounting. However, improvement should be directed towards relevant areas as identified in the study to ensure a more successful and beneficial implementation of this new accounting system in Malaysian public sector.
Investigation of the Physicochemical, Organoleptic and Dietary Properties of Trout Fermented Sausages through Probiotic Strains and Fat Replacer

Decrease in nitrosamine and optimal smell and flavor gives credit to such meat products as fermented sausages for their considerably optimal storage period and better nutritional values. Replacing red meat with fish and using fat replacer and probiotics in such products have played a great role in the production of such a highly functional food. Therefore, the focus of this study is mainly on the production of fermented trout sausages applying lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Plantarum, substituting part of its fat with inulin (2% of the total fat of the formulation) while examining the physicochemical, textural, dietary, and sensory properties and comparing with control sample, too. The effect of the inulin present in formulation, the type of probiotic strains, and life time (30 days) influencing the physicochemical and textural properties and nitrosamine samples were compared in three ten-day periods as independent valuables completely randomized factorial design. Sensory evaluation was also performed at the end of the 30-day maintenance period. Results suggest that samples with inulin content have experienced less moisture loss during storage. Little fat was also observed in probiotic content samples at the end of the storage. The pH value in the probiotic samples, as compared to the control sample, shows more decline. Inulin content samples caused a marked decline in lightness and an increase in redness. Meanwhile, probiotic presence has caused more declines in lightness intensity in samples. Inulin content samples show more hardness as compared to high fat samples and the probiotics present after pH decline to isoelectric point caused an increase in intensity and hardness of protein fibers. Simultaneously, along with an increase in fat, cohesiveness increased. Nitrosamine content in probiotic samples was lower than the one in test sample much as there was an increase seen in all samples. Despite a little more odor being present, sensory analysis was in favour of the test samples. Other samples demonstrated little difference in sensory evaluation.
Factors Affecting the Establishment and Growth of Cover Crops Intersown into Maize (Zea mays L.)

In the North Central USA, intersowing cover crops into standing maize (Zea mays L.) is required to establish plants large enough to afford the benefits of a cover since there is limited favorable weather for cover crop growth after maize harvest. The objective of this study was to quantify the impacts of the planting method and time of planting of three cover crop species when grown with or without maize competition on their establishment. Experiments were conducted in three environments during 2018 and 2019. Experiments consisted of a factorial combination of timing of cover crop planting (V7 and R4 growth stage of maize), cover crop species (camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz), rye (Secale cereale L.), or radish (Raphanus sativus L.), method of sowing (drilled or broadcast), and maize removal. Initial cover crop populations were similar regardless of maize removal or stage of maize when sown, but intersown cover crops produced only 3% of the fall biomass, compared with treatments with maize-removed when sown at the V7 stage of maize and 14% when sown at the R4 stage. Limited light intensity (less than 20%) under the maize canopy was the main factor affecting interseeded cover crop development. Radish was more sensitive to shading than the other cover crops. Camelina and rye sown at the R4 stage of corn produced similar spring biomass as earlier-sown cover crops. Intersown cover crops had no negative effect on maize grain yield.
Ethnobotanical investigation of herbal food additives of Morocco used as natural dyes

We undertook this ethnobotanical study for identifying and valorising medicinal plants exploited as food additives, and to establish a database of aromatic and medicinal plants used as food additives in traditional phytotherapy in Morocco (Fez-Meknes, Beni-Mellal, Khenifra, Draa-Tafilalt). Methods: An ethnobotanical investigation was carried out among 200 main actors in traditional medicine (herbalists, healers, collectors, researchers) of Meknes, El Hajeb, Taza, Azrou, Ain Leuh, Boulemane, Ifrane, Khenifra, M'rirt, and Midelt; data on the use of plants as food additives and especially those used as tinctorial plants was collected via questionnaire sheets. The data was then subjected to principal component analysis. Results: The population surveyed use plants for three major purposes: therapeutic (39.60%), food (35.84%) and cosmetics (24.56%). Majority (33.01%) of the people surveyed use plants to provide aroma, followed by dyes (25.24%), spices (24.27%) and as food preservative (17.48%). We identified 56 plants used as dyes among the 79 species identified. From a botanical point of view, the 79 species listed are divided into 35 families. The most represented families are Asteraceae (16.55%), Lamiaceae (15.17%), Punicaceae (7.24%) and Zingiberaccea (7.24%). The survey confirmed the excessive use of Punica granatum L. , Curcuma longa L. , Matricaria camomilla L. , Crocus sativus L. and Carthamus tinctorius L. Conclusion: This study showed that the indigenous populations of the Pre-Rif, Middle Atlas and High Atlas regions use the plants as natural food additives, especially dyes. This wealth of plants is accompanied by knowledge and practices in phytotherapy acquired by the inhabitants over the centuries. We recommend that the documented plants be evaluated for their safety and efficiency in order to conclusively demonstrate their beneficial effects on health.
3D pose estimation enables virtual head fixation in freely moving rats

The impact of spontaneous movements on neuronal activity has created the need to quantify behavior. We present a versatile framework to directly capture the 3D motion of freely definable body points in a marker-free manner with high precision and reliability. Combining the tracking with neural recordings revealed multiplexing of information in the motor cortex neurons of freely moving rats. By integrating multiple behavioral variables into a model of the neural response, we derived a virtual head-fixation for which the influence of specific body movements was removed. This strategy enabled us to analyze the behavior of interest (e.g., front paw movements). Thus, we unveiled an unexpectedly large fraction of neurons in the motor cortex with tuning to the paw movements, which was previously masked by body posture tuning. Once established, our framework can be efficiently applied to large datasets while minimizing the experimental workload caused by animal training and manual labeling.
Gastrointestinal Segments Influenced Fermentation End-Products, Microbiota and Microbial Abundances in Goats

Purpose: Carbohydrate diets altered fermentation end-products and microbial community in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of goats. Gastrointestinal contents used to determine the impact of carbohydrate feeds on fermentation end-products and microbial community in goats.Methodology: in the study goats were assigned to one of the two treatments corn meal (CM) or Corn gluten (CG) in a randomized block design (400 g/kg DM each). Goats were slaughtered, GIT liquids were used to determine dissolved gasses, fatty acids and microbial community.Results: Goats fed CG increased molar acetate (P < 0.05), lowered butyrate and propionate in the fore and hindgut comparing to those goats received CM. Goats received CM had higher (P < 0.05) dH2 while lowered dH2S in the fore and hindgut than those goats fed with CG treatment. The fore and hindgut had higher (P < 0.01) 16S rRNA gene copies of bacteria, protozoa, methanogens and 18S rRNA gene copies fungi than in the ileum and cecum. Goats fed CG diet had higher (P < 0.05)16S rRNA gene copies of bacteria, protozoa, methanogens, and 18S rRNA gene copies of fungi than those goats fed with CM diet. Conclusion fore and hindguts improved dissolved gasses, fatty acids and microbial community comparing with in the ileum and cecum. Goats fed CM had improved the Methanobacterials order and Methanobrevibacter genus as compared with those goats fed CG. The study suggested that hindgut segments have a reasonable contribution as foregut to methane emissions from goats.
Thermomechanical modelling of lithospheric slab tearing and its topographic response

Lithospheric slab tearing, the process by which a subducted lithospheric plate is torn apart and sinks into the Earth’s mantle, has been proposed as a cause for surface vertical motions in excess of 100 s of meters. However, little is known about the mechanisms that help initiate and control the propagation of slab tearing and the associated uplift. This study aims to explore these processes by means of 3D thermo-mechanical geodynamic modelling of a slab retreat oblique to a continental margin, using the Gibraltar Arc region (Betic Cordillera) as a scenario for inspiration. Our results suggest that the obliquity of the continental passive margin relative to the subduction trench leads to an asymmetric distribution of subduction forces and strength, facilitating the initiation of slab tearing. The model results predict a lateral migration of the tearing point at a velocity ranging between 38 and 68 cm/yr for a sublithospheric-mantle viscosity of up to 1e+22 Pa s. This fast slab tearing propagation yields uplift rates of 0.23–2.16 mm/yr above the areas where the subducted slab is torn apart, depending on mantle viscosity. Although a more detailed parametric exploration is needed, this range of uplift rates is compatible with the uplift rates required to overcome seaway erosion along the Atlantic-Mediterranean marine corridors during the Late Miocene, as proposed for the onset of the Messinian Salinity Crisis.
Geology and Geochemistry of Noachian Bedrock and Alteration Events, Meridiani Planum, Mars: MER Opportunity Observations

We have used Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity data to investigate the origin and alteration of lithic types along the western rim of Noachian‐aged Endeavour crater on Meridiani Planum. Two geologic units are identified along the rim: the Shoemaker and Matijevic formations. The Shoemaker formation consists of two types of polymict impact breccia: clast‐rich with coarser clasts in upper units; clast‐poor with smaller clasts in lower units. Comparisons with terrestrial craters show that the lower units represent more distal ejecta from at least two earlier impacts, and the upper units are proximal ejecta from Endeavour crater. Both are mixtures of target rocks of basaltic composition with subtle compositional variations caused by differences in post‐impact alteration. The Matijevic formation and lower Shoemaker units represent pre‐Endeavour geology, which we equate with the regional Noachian subdued cratered unit. An alteration style unique to these rocks is formation of smectite and Si‐ and Al‐rich vein‐like structures crosscutting outcrops. Post‐Endeavour alteration is dominated by sulfate formation. Rim‐crossing fracture zones include regions of alteration that produced Mg‐sulfates as a dominant phase, plausibly closely associated in time with the Endeavour impact. Calcium‐sulfate vein formation occurred over extended time, including before the Endeavour impact and after the Endeavour rim had been substantially degraded, likely after deposition of the Burns formation that surrounds and embays the rim. Differences in Mg, Ca and Cl concentrations on rock surfaces and interiors indicate that mobilization of salts by transient water has occurred recently and may be ongoing.
Warm-season net CO2 uptake outweighs cold-season emissions over Alaskan North Slope tundra under current and RCP8.5 climate

Arctic warming has increased vegetation growth and soil respiration during recent decades. The rate of Arctic warming will likely amplify over the 21st century. Previous studies have revealed that the most severe Arctic warming occurred during the cold season (September to May). The cold-season warming has posited significant CO2 emissions to the atmosphere via respiration, possibly offsetting warm-season (June to August) net CO2 uptake. However, prevailing Earth system land models poorly represent cold-season CO2 emissions, making estimates of Arctic tundra annual CO2 budgets highly uncertain. Here, we demonstrate that an improved version of the energy exascale Earth system model (E3SM) land model (ELMv1-ECA) captures the large amount of cold-season CO2 emissions over Alaskan Arctic tundra as reported by two independent, observationally-constrained datasets. We found that the recent seven-decades warming trend of cold-season soil temperature is three times that of the warm-season. The climate sensitivity of warm-season net CO2 uptake, however, is threefold higher than for the cold-season net CO2 loss, mainly due to stronger plant resilience than microbial resilience to hydroclimatic extremes. Consequently, the modeled warm-season net CO2 uptake has a larger positive trend (0.74 ± 0.14 gC m−2 yr−1) than that of cold-season CO2 emissions (0.64 ± 0.11 gC m−2 yr−1) from 1950 to 2017, supported by enhanced plant nutrient uptake and increased light- and water-use efficiency. With continued warming and elevated CO2 concentrations under the representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario, the increasing rate of warm-season net CO2 uptake is more than twice the rate of cold-season emissions (1.33 ± 0.32 gC m−2 yr−1 vs 0.50 ± 0.12 gC m−2 yr−1), making the modeled Alaskan Arctic tundra ecosystem a net CO2 sink by 2100. However, other geomorphological and ecological disturbances (e.g. abrupt permafrost thaw, thermokarst development, landscape-scale hydrological changes, wildfire, and insects) that are not considered here might alter our conclusion.
Pengaruh Self Efficacy terhadap Kinerja Karyawan dengan Kepuasan Kerja sebagai Variabel Intervening (Studi PT. Ultrajaya Milk Industry, Tbk Surabaya Bagian Marketing)

The purpose of this research is to test and analyze the role of Job satisfaction as an intervening variable between self-efficacy and employee performance. Research object at PT. Ultrajaya Milk Industry, Tbk Surabaya area, is the marketing department. Several factors that can improve employee performance are the employees' sense of security and comfort in the work environment. This research is using a quantitative approach. The population in this study are 56 employees at PT. Ultrajaya Milk Industry, Tbk in Surabaya Area. The data analysis technique used Structural Equation Model Partial Least Square with software SmartPLS version 3.0. The technique of collecting data using questionnaires and interviews. The result showed that self-efficacy has no significant effect on employee performance. Self-efficacy has a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Job satisfaction as an intervening variable affects the relationship between self-efficacy and employee performance at PT. Ultrajaya Milk Industry, Tbk in Surabaya Area, is the marketing department. This study implies that if the company wants to improve employee performance, then employee job satisfaction must be realized, maintain a comfortable work environment, and provide motivation to training to maximize and increase self-efficacy.
Suitability of Pedigree Method for Improving Seed Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality Traits

Background: Cotton is grown around the globe for its fiber, which consists of unicellular seed trichome. Converging decent fiber quality and good fiber yield in cotton varieties is crucial for textile industry of any country. Pedigree method is mostly used for developing cotton varieties in Pakistan. Suitability of pedigree method for developing cotton variety is accessed in an experiment. Genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, heritability, co-heritability, genetic advance, mean comparison and correlation analysis was carried out of nine breeding lines of in fifth filial generation. Gene action was thus determined to target the traits for further yield and quality improvement of cotton fiber. Results: Substantial genetic variability existed in F5 lines. Genotypic and phenotypic variances had less differences and phenotypic variances were higher than genotypic variance indicating influence of environment on the final expression of the traits. All traits had medium to high heritability. Seed cotton yield per plant came up with high genetic advance and high heritability indicating additive gene action and can be improved by selection. Mean comparison indicated more variation for GOT% compared to other traits. Correlation analysis indicated selecting more sympodial branches for improving seed cotton yield per plant and selecting more monopodial branches for improving fiber fineness and fiber length. However, co-heritability had high value indicating that all the traits are in balance for improvement. Conclusion: Pedigree method is suitable for improving seed cotton yields and fiber quality. However, statistical check points are recommended with each proceeding generation to apply suitable selection pressure and monitor the gene action for each trait in each generation.
Information Diffusion and Spillover Dynamics in Renewable Energy Markets

The aim of this paper is to analyze the connectedness between renewable energy (RE) sectors, the oil & gas sector and other assets using time-scale spillover approach. We find that the RE bioenergy firms are the most connected to oil & gas firms and oil prices. The bond market transmits spillover to the RE sectors, while it receives spillover from the oil & gas sector. Moreover, short-run connectedness drives the dynamic total connectedness. Since changes in bond rates mainly spillover to RE firms and not to oil & gas firms, policy makers should also be aware that changes in interest rates may impact the societal transition to a RE based energy system. Since a shock that increases connectedness in the short run will deter investors from investing in RE assets, it is important for climate policy makers to develop policies that reduce the effect of increased connectedness on RE investments.
A Study of Impacting Factors on Technology Adoption in the Public Sector of Pakistan

Social media technology provides different services for the greater benefit of citizens. Like many other developing nations, Pakistan has a low level of social media technology adoption in the public sector. The purpose of this study is to investigate the obstacles and hindrances of the adoption of social media from the public sector's point of view. In this study, a changed variant of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) demonstration is utilised to examine the factors impacting the take - up of social media by the public sector in Pakistan. The outcomes demonstrate that the factors affecting the adoption of social media in Pakistan are identified as: usability, value, social impact, innovation issues, lack of proper training and human resource, information security, and trust. Suggestions for online services providing e - organisations and information regarding the government top management approach are likewise considered in this study.