Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent initiatives in effective modeling of spray drying

Abstract Recent initiatives covered in this review can be divided into three broad categories. The first category concerns mathematically describing the spray drying process using a plug-flow model which allows quick what-if evaluations of the process. Intricacies associated with capturing the drying of a range of droplet sizes are discussed. Challenges in adapting the plug-flow simulation approach to counter-current spray drying, which is common in the production of non-heat sensitive detergent powder, was further elaborated. The second broad category features modeling the spray drying process using the Computational Fluid Dynamics technique. A critical review was provided to guide readers on a common dilemma plaguing this area of spray drying modeling. Recent developments in agglomeration modeling in spray dryers are discussed as well. The final part of this review touches on modeling techniques which can be used to predict the development of specific powder qualities. This includes modeling the degree of protein denaturation during spray drying, predicting the characteristics of crystalline type spray dried powder, and determining the properties of the powder surface at the molecular scale.
Exchange rate misalignment, state fragility, and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract The sluggish and sometimes negative growth in sub-Saharan Africa has defined the objectives of most studies seeking to explain the sources of its slow growth. I contribute to this inquiry by estimating how state fragility influences the effect of exchange rate misalignment on economic growth. Since exchange rate misalignment captures the distortionary effects of inappropriate macroeconomic policies in the main, my hypothesis is that resilient and less fragile states cope better with macroeconomic imbalances making misaligned exchange rates less likely to have serious effects on growth in such countries. In testing this hypothesis, I first measure misalignment as deviations of the actual exchange rate from an estimated equilibrium level using the dynamic ordinary least squares method. I then insert this variable and its interaction with state fragility in a growth specification. In line with my hypothesis, results from the system generalised method of moments and data on 13 sub-Saharan countries observed between 2009 and 2018 show a significantly negative effect of exchange rate misalignment on growth that increases with state fragility. Based on this evidence, I urge countries in this region to improve state resilience as an effort to reduce the negative effect of exchange rate misalignment on economic growth.
A New Index for Measuring Uncertainty Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study contributes to the emerging literature offering alternative measures of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We combine both news-and macro-based trends to construct an index. The former involves the use of Google trends with plausible variants of words used to capture the pandemic, which are combined using principal components analysis to develop a news-based index. For the macro-based index, we identify global factors such as oil price, stock price, Dollar index, commodity index and gold price, and thereafter we obtain the macro-based uncertainty using variants of stochastic volatility models estimated with Bayesian techniques and using a dynamic factor model. Consequently, the new (composite) index is constructed by combining the news- and macro-based indexes using principal components analysis. Our empirical applications of the index to the stock return predictability of the countries hit worst by the pandemic confirm the superiority of the composite index over the existing news-based index in both the in-sample and out-of-sample forecast horizons. Our results are also robust to forecast horizons and competing model choices.
Harvest Anticipation, Yield and Economic Feasibility of Wheat by Application of Non-Selective Herbicides

The present work aims to evaluate the possibility of anticipating the wheat harvest by the application of non-selective herbicides in the pre-harvest conditions, thereby providing productive and economic viability. In total, 13 treatments were executed, which includes the spraying of different herbicide combinations (glufosinate-ammonium, glyphosate, and paraquat) in the phenological stages (Z-83, Z-85, Z-87, Z-92), and treatments without application of herbicides. Further, the treatment step was followed by providing different harvest conditions such as (i) glufosinate-ammonium: 9.5 and 8.8 days, (ii) glyphosate: 11.2 and 10.9 days, and (iii) paraquat: 7.9 and 8.5, where the first numerical value corresponds to number of days for the year 2016 followed by 2017. A mean reduction in seed yield of 4.6 % (BRS Parrudo) and 25.4 % (TBIO Sinuelo) was observed upon application of herbicides in the first two phenological stages. Additionally, an economic loss reaching up to R$ 2512 ha, was demonstrated. Therefore, the application of the non-selective herbicides glufosinate-ammonium and paraquat in the pre-harvest results in wheat phytointoxication, Journal of Agricultural Studies ISSN 2166-0379 2021, Vol. 9, No. 2 http://jas.macrothink. org 172 however, promoting harvest anticipation in 4.8 and 5.3 days, respectively.
Using recommender systems to promote self-regulated learning in online education settings: current knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research

Abstract Self-regulated learning (SRL) plays a significant role in promoting academic success in online education. In recent years, attention has focused on using new techniques to promote SRL—one of which is the recommender system. However, there has been little discussion of the actual effects of using recommender systems to facilitate SRL skills among online learners. This paper aims to elucidate the role that recommender systems play in assisting learners to gain self-regulation skills. The main topics addressed in this paper are as follows: (1) SRL strategies that are supported by recommender systems, as well as the techniques used by these recommenders to promote SRL strategies; and (2) evaluations conducted on the use of recommender systems and results. Our analysis of 20 empirical articles indicates that various features of recommender systems were designed to promote SRL strategies in different phases, and students were generally positive about using such systems to help them self-regulate. Five key knowledge gaps related to existing research on SRL recommender systems were identified. The conclusions suggest that future studies could be improved by demonstrating a more comprehensive understanding of the design of recommender systems, as well as by placing more emphasis on the evaluation process.
Early Education Care from Its Practitioners to Achieve Sustainability

(1) Background: Early intervention professionals are involved in the reconceptualisation of their service due to the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, within the family context and aware of the children’s needs, with an impact on their emotional well-being to ensure sustainability. An analysis of their socio–emotional profile and training is increasingly needed to face their professional development effectively; (2) Methods: In this study, 209 early intervention professionals participated (n = 209), with an average age of 37.62 (±9.02). The following instruments were used: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-S) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between early intervention (EI) and engagement as predictors of greater life satisfaction using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). (3) Results: There exists a relationship between some dimensions of the instruments used (p < 0.01). The model obtained good structural validity (χ² = 3.264; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) =. 021; Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) = 0.991; Comparative Goodness of Fit Index (CFI) = 0.999; Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.999). Subsequently, the results described above were verified through Bayesian statistics, thereby reinforcing the evidence provided; (4) Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of providing professionals with emotional tools and strategies, from the educational context, in order to carry out their activity effectively and ensure the sustainability within the current situation, while remaining fully engaged.
A note on the warehouse location problem with data contamination

To determine the optimal warehouse location, it is usually assumed that the collected data are uncontaminated. However, this assumption can be easily violated due to the uncertain environment and human error in disaster response, which results in the biased estimation of the optimal warehouse location. In this study, we investigate this possibility by examining these estimation effects on the warehouse location determination. Considering different distances, we propose the corresponding estimation methods for remedying the difficulties associated with data contamination to determine the warehouse location. Although data can be contaminated in the event of a disaster, the findings of the study is much broader and applicable to any situation where the outliers exist. Through the simulations and illustrative examples, we show that solving the problem with center of gravity lead to biased solutions even if only one outlier exists in the data. Compared with the center of gravity, the proposed methods are quite efficient and outperform the existing methods when the data contamination is involved.
Nordic research on gender equality in academic careers: a literature review

ABSTRACT We provide an integrative review of research on gender and academic careers conducted in the Nordic countries from 2003–2018. We investigate the nature and content of contemporary Nordic research and critically examine the methodological and theoretical approaches authors have used. We read, categorised, and analysed 74 articles retrieved from Web of Science. Our review shows that gender differences in academic careers persist, in line with earlier reviews. Also the early years seem crucial to the development of an academic research career. Studies focusing on gendered career trajectories and publication patterns together with studies on the influence of new public management on gender are the three main areas of research interest. Existing research lacks (1) a focus on the horizontal dimension (i.e. across disciplines), (2) studies developing concepts and theory and (3) studies focusing on the consequences of changes in the research policy framework for higher education.
Behaviour and morphology pattern analysis of Indian major carps fingerlings exposed to commercial diesel oil suspension

ABSTRACT Increased demand for commercial petroleum derivatives, including diesel has increased the possibility of numerous spills and leakages into the aquatic environment worldwide that can directly or indirectly pollute waterbody disrupting the health status of fish species and other aquatic organisms. This study was conducted to understand the effects of commercial diesel oil on freshwater species of rui (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) fingerlings. The fingerlings were exposed to four different concentrations (0; 0.25; 0.50 and 0.75 ppm) of diesel oil, each containing three replications for 96 h. After 96 h lethal concentration (LC50) for rui, 0.35 ppm; catla, 0.30 ppm; and mrigal fingerlings 0.3625 ppm, were calculated through probit analysis. Maximum mortality occurred at the highest concentration of diesel oil, and treated fingerlings showed behavioural and external morphologic alterations. Dissolved oxygen decreased with the increasing of oil concentrations, and water quality was poor among all the treatments. This study demonstrated that commercial diesel oil directly affects the survivability, behaviour, and external morphology of rui, catla, and mrigal fingerlings. It is expected that the present results will be beneficial to make awareness of the fretful effects of commercial diesel oil and other oils uses in the environment.
Early detection of riverine flooding events using the group method of data handling for the Bow River, Alberta, Canada

ABSTRACT While numerous studies have investigated physically-based analytical approaches for estimating stream flow probability distributions and occurrences of overbank flow, these types of models are limited by their associated complexity to incorporate a wide range of data from all components of the hydrologic system to model their influence on river flows. Alternatively, the Generalized Structure Group Method of Data Handling (GS-GMDH) is a polynomial network approach used in this study to train and test models for daily and hourly times series flow prediction for riverine flooding using available data from 1990 to 2018 and 1996 to 2018, respectively. The model is found to accurately predict daily flows with R 2, RMSE, MAE, Bias and NSE of 0.6441, 46.884, 6.700, 1.800 and 0.6441, respectively, for nine years of flow data in application to the Bow River in Alberta, Canada. Hourly flow data used to train (70%) and test (30%) the GS-GMDH model results in R 2, RMSE, MAE, Bias and NSE of 0.998, 3.323, 0.997, 0.00438 and 0.998, respectively. The trained hourly model can predict up to 17 h in advance while maintaining R 2 greater than 0.90. Horizontal error highlights a weakness in model performance, contrary to other evaluation statistics, due to presence of imitation error.
Prevalence, risk assessment, and predictors of osteoporosis among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

The link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoporosis is unclear and yet to be understood. The study goals were to detect the prevalence of osteoporosis and investigate its predictors among COPD patients. This is a longitudinal study conducted in a tertiary care setting. During the study, patients' bone mineral density was checked, pulmonary parameters were recorded, and a risk assessment tool was validated. Based on T-score, more than 50% of subjects were osteoporotic. Spirometric parameters were significantly lower among osteoporotic patients. For the risk assessment tool, a cutoff point of 34 made the optimum balance between sensitivity and specificity (0.867 and 0.087, respectively) with a generated area under the curve of 0.934. Severe COPD patients were four times at higher risk of getting osteoporosis, forced expiratory volume (FEV) % predicted, and FEV/forced vital capacity was inversely related to the risk of osteoporosis. Patients with severe dyspnea had twice the risk of getting osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was prevalent among COPD patients, and severe COPD patients were at higher risk of getting osteoporosis.
Describing Community Understanding of Male Involvement in Antenatal, Delivery and Postnatal care; “rural context of Ibanda District, Southwest Uganda”

Introduction:Male involvement in the reproductive health of their partners has been shown to have positive outcomes of health. However male involvement description varies within communities due to different social and gender contexts. The description of male involvement is not documented in Ibanda.Therefore this study was done to describe male involvement in the local context.Methods:The study was conceptualized, planned, and executed with combined cross-sectional, exploratory, and Grounded Theory research designs because of its complexity in nature and the fact that this theory conceptualizes behavior. Data collection was using qualitative methods; narrative interviews and analyzed using a content-based approach. All methods were done in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Results:The two broad themes that describe male involvement were mostly instrumentalist and included the Level of involvement and social support perspective of involvement. Sub-themes were obtained under the description of male involvement as the extent to which males were involved, including just impregnating the wife without further attachment throughout the engagement. The subthemes/activities on the describing of male involvement as the perspective of social support included emotional support, role play in the wellbeing of mother and child, men's preparedness, and physical support. Physical support included; nutritional support, buying clothes for the expected baby, providing transportation, escorting the mother to a health facility, helping the wife with household chores as well as informative/appraisal supports.Conclusion:The description of male involvement in antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care was mostly based on the "Instrumental" approach with two broad themes of Level of involvement and Social support. The level of involvement varied from none to high while social support included; emotional, having a role to play in the wellbeing of the mother and baby, the preparedness of man, and physical support.It is therefore important to understand the context of male involvement in each community to use the most appropriate intervention to increase male involvement.
Three new species of Micropsalliota (Agaricaceae, Agaricales) from China

Species diversity of Micropsalliota in China remains poorly known, especially in southwestern China, a hotspot of biodiversity. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS and nrLSU sequences, three new species named Micropsalliota delicatula, M. dentatomarginata and M. digitatocystis are introduced from China. Phylogenetc analyses results indicated the unique phylogenetic positions of three new species in Micropsalliota. Full descriptions, photo plates, illustrations and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of three new species are presented.
The Relationship Between Islamic Work Ethic and Public Service Motivation

The purpose of this article is to examine the differences between public and private sector employees’ public service motivation (PSM) levels and also examine the impact of Islamic work ethic (IWE) as a potential antecedent of PSM in a non-Western setting. This quantitative investigation is based on a sample of 419 employees in 13 public and private organizations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Independent t test results reveal no statistically significant differences in PSM level between public and private sector employees. The analysis of the data also reveals that PSM is significantly influenced by IWE. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
Biodiversity of urban street trees in Italian cities: a comparative analysis

Abstract Street trees are key elements in urban ecosystems from several points of view, and different species can have different functions (i.e., ecological, socio-economic). As such, a careful biodiversity assessment is pivotal. We evaluated urban street trees in 15 Italian cities along a geographical and bioclimatic gradient. The data was obtained from scientific literature and Garden Service Offices of the cities. The distribution patterns of the species were analyzed in terms of taxonomy, chorology, and tree size. We registered 277 tree species belonging to 48 families. The species richness is very variable in analyzed cities, and it is not directly correlated with the city’s size. Only three species (Platanus × hispanica, Celtis australis and Quercus ilex) are common to almost all cities, while 41.52% of the species are present only in one city. The comparative analysis of species, considering the floristic and city distribution, showed different results, highlighting Pinaceae as the most common family. The chorological analysis shows a predominance of exotic species and a good relationship with the bioclimatic conditions of cities. A selection of the species, as street trees to maximize their ecological and socio-economic functions, is pivotal in urban landscaping and green management.
Sparsity concepts and estimation procedures for high‐dimensional vector autoregressive models

High‐dimensional‐20 vector autoregressive (VAR) models are important tools for the analysis of multi‐variate time series. This article focuses on high‐dimensional time series and on the different regularized estimation procedures proposed for fitting sparse VAR models to such time series. Attention is paid to the different sparsity assumptions imposed on the VAR parameters and how these sparsity assumptions are related to the particular consistency properties of the estimators established. A sparsity scheme for high‐dimensional VAR models is proposed which is found to be more appropriate for the time series setting. Furthermore, it is shown that, under this sparsity setting, thresholding extends the consistency properties of regularized estimators to a wide range of matrix norms. Among other things, this enables application of the VAR parameters estimators to different problems, like forecasting or estimating the second‐order characteristics of the underlying VAR process. Extensive simulations compare the finite sample behavior of the different regularized estimators proposed using a variety of performance criteria.
Comparing motivations of pre-service and beginning teachers in China: impact of culture and experience

ABSTRACT The study examines beginning teachers’ and pre-service teachers’ motivation to teach in China. Data are drawn from questionnaires completed by 107 beginning teachers (full-time teachers with fewer than six years’ working experience) and 122 pre-service teachers, and semi-structured interviews with 19 of them. The respondents all emphasised social influences, personal utility value, and social utility value, and all viewed the teaching profession as a career high in demands but low in returns. However, pre-service teachers showed higher motivation than beginning teachers, except for items regarding intrinsic value, fall-back careers, and teaching ability. This study suggests a ‘culture-motivation’ framework for understanding teachers’ motivation in China.
“Words are picked up along the way” – Swedish EFL teachers’ conceptualizations of vocabulary knowledge and learning

Abstract Vocabulary is a core feature of language proficiency, requiring explicit attention in the language classroom. As teachers’ conceptualizations influence their teaching, their understanding of vocabulary deserves closer attention. Yet, few teacher cognition studies focus on vocabulary, and even fewer on non-native teachers’ conceptualizations of vocabulary. This paper presents an interview study with Swedish EFL teachers at secondary school level. Fourteen teachers were interviewed about their beliefs and practices in relation to vocabulary development in the classroom. The study shows that despite a general understanding of the importance of vocabulary in language learning among the teachers, vocabulary was not seen as a learning objective in its own right. Closely connected to this understanding, the teachers showed a great reliance on incidental vocabulary learning, where words were understood as “picked up along the way” while doing other things, such as reading and playing games. It was also found that although the teachers showed an awareness of the many aspects involved in word knowledge, they mentioned few methods to work with them. The study suggests a need for a more explicit focus on vocabulary instruction in the language learning classroom.