Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Balancing Bees and Livestock: Pastoralist Knowledge, Perceptions and Implications for Pollinator Conservation in Rangelands, Northern Tanzania

Insect pollinators provide numerous ecosystem services that support other living organisms. While pollinators play a large role in cropping systems, little is known about their presence and function in rangeland ecosystems, which have recently become fragmented and overexploited at an extraordinary rate. We assessed local Maasai knowledge on insect pollinators and how pollinators affect livelihood diversification in Simanjiro rangelands, Tanzania. Through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, we found varied insect knowledge among Maasai herders. Lasioglossum of sub genus Ipomalictus and Syriphidae were the least commonly recognized pollinators as only 24%, and 7% of participants could identify them, respectively. Responses varied significantly between men and women (F = 7.397, p = .007). Commiphora africana, Acacia mellifera and Albizia anthelmintica were noted as most important bee forage plants while observations showed Aspilia mossambicensis, Justicia debile and Acacia tortilis. Most (77%) of Maasai herders showed limited ability to link pollinators and rangeland wellbeing. Beekeeping contributed to livelihood diversification for 61% of respondents, with women participating more frequently than men (χ2 = 46.962, p = .0001). Beekeeping was positively influenced by education level (R = .421, p < .0001) and occupation (R = .194, p = .009). Pollinator declines were attributed to climate change (47%), agriculture (37%), and habitat destruction (8%). We conclude that Maasai have limited knowledge of common pollinator groups and their roles. Community outreach and training should bridge the knowledge gap in pastoralist communities to fully realize pollinator benefits and highlight the importance of rangeland health.
Modelling Detailed-Chemistry Effects on Turbulent Diffusion Flames using a Parallel Solution-Adaptive Scheme

Modelling Detailed-Chemistry Effects on Turbulent Diffusion Flames using a Parallel Solution-Adaptive Scheme Pradeep Kumar Jha <jhapk@utias.utoronto. ca> Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Aerospace Science and Engineering University of Toronto 2011 Capturing the effects of detailed-chemistry on turbulent combustion processes is a central challenge faced by the numerical combustion community. However, the inherent complexity and non-linear nature of both turbulence and chemistry require that combustion models rely heavily on engineering approximations to remain computationally tractable. This thesis proposes a computationally efficient algorithm for modelling detailed-chemistry effects in turbulent diffusion flames and numerically predicting the associated flame properties. The cornerstone of this combustion modelling tool is the use of parallel Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) scheme with the recently proposed Flame Prolongation of Intrinsic low-dimensional manifold (FPI) tabulated-chemistry approach for modelling complex chemistry. The effect of turbulence on the mean chemistry is incorporated using a Presumed Conditional Moment (PCM) approach based on a β-probability density function (PDF). The two-equation k-ω turbulence model is used for modelling the effects of the unresolved turbulence on the mean flow field. The finite-rate of methane-air combustion is represented here by using the GRI-Mech 3.0 scheme. This detailed mechanism is used to build the FPI tables. A state of the art numerical scheme based on a parallel block-based solution-adaptive algorithm has been developed to solve the Favreaveraged Navier-Stokes (FANS) and other governing partial-differential equations using a second-order accurate, fully-coupled finite-volume formulation on body-fitted, multiblock, quadrilateral/hexahedral mesh for two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow
Effect of Leaf Extracts and Panchagavya Foliar Spray on Plant Characters, Yield and Resultant Seed Quality of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] cv. CO 6

Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) also known as “Urad” one of the most important pulse crops grown all over India. It is also grown in tropics and sub tropic countries. It is mostly consumed as pulse and in the preparation of typical Indian dishes like pappad, idli, dosa and vada (Indira and Kurup, 2003). In India the blackgram production is estimated to achieve 2.89 lakh tonnes during the year (2016 – 2017) (Anon, 2017). Blackgram contains higher amount of protein (24-26%) and is reported to be rich in Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P) and Calcium (Ca) with good amount of Sodium (Na) (Eswara Raghava Kumari et al., 2018). The potential of blackgram is very low due to various physiological, biochemical as well as inherent factors associated with the crops (Devaraju and Senthivel, 2018). The low productivity of blackgram was due to delayed monsoon, nonInternational Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 02 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Informational frictions in financial markets

This thesis consists of three chapters on informational frictions in financial markets. The chapters analyze problems related to markets’ ability to guide real investment, and what drives liquidity. Both problems are important to ensure efficient resource allocation in the economy. The first chapter studies the interaction between financial markets and real investments. I develop a model that simultaneously study the equilibrium in financial markets, the choice of investors to produce information, and real decisions by the firm. The chapter provides a new method to overcome non-linearities in the security price, and the equilibrium is surprisingly simple. The results provide insights into when real investments have a substantial impact on market efficiency and when we can analyze equilibrium market efficiency separately. Equilibrium behavior may hide some inefficiencies from standard empirical tests. Some changes in financial markets may increase or have little effect on market efficiency, but reduce real efficiency by increasing the cost of information production. The second chapter analyzes time-variation in liquidity. I develop a tractable model where conditions among traders vary over time. The resulting equilibrium offers several new predictions on what drives liquidity variation. For example, there may be significant reductions in liquidity from even tiny changes among the traders’ conditions. Strategic behavior drives the results, and the model explains how liquidity may suddenly evaporate without a clear cause. Empirical results are in line with the predictions of the model. Surprisingly, everyone may benefit from sometimes restricting some traders from the market. Doing so can reallocate liquidity to periods with more significant liquidity needs. The third chapter studies the choice of anonymity among traders. All traders end up revealing their identity unless doing so is costly, or the order flow is noisy. The intuition is that there is always at least one trader who prefers to reveal his or her identity. If the order flow is noisy, then there is a threshold type, and more patient traders stay anonymous. The results suggest that a fully anonymous market is most efficient, but the gains from anonymity are distributed unevenly. This result explains why different markets vary significantly in choices related to anonymity.
New Approaches to the General Linearization Problem of Jacobi Polynomials Based on Moments and Connection Formulas

This article deals with the general linearization problem of Jacobi polynomials. We provide two approaches for finding closed analytical forms of the linearization coefficients of these polynomials. The first approach is built on establishing a new formula in which the moments of the shifted Jacobi polynomials are expressed in terms of other shifted Jacobi polynomials. The derived moments formula involves a hypergeometric function of the type 4F3(1), which cannot be summed in general, but for special choices of the involved parameters, it can be summed. The reduced moments formulas lead to establishing new linearization formulas of certain parameters of Jacobi polynomials. Another approach for obtaining other linearization formulas of some Jacobi polynomials depends on making use of the connection formulas between two different Jacobi polynomials. In the two suggested approaches, we utilize some standard reduction formulas for certain hypergeometric functions of the unit argument such as Watson’s and Chu-Vandermonde identities. Furthermore, some symbolic algebraic computations such as the algorithms of Zeilberger, Petkovsek and van Hoeij may be utilized for the same purpose. As an application of some of the derived linearization formulas, we propose a numerical algorithm to solve the non-linear Riccati differential equation based on the application of the spectral tau method.
Hygroscopicity of dimethylaminium-, sulfate-, and ammonium-containing nanoparticles

Abstract Dimethylamine (DMA) and sulfuric acid (SA) are the important constituents of atmospheric aerosols. To accurately predict the behavior of DMA-containing aerosol systems, exact thermodynamic models are needed. The applicability of these models needs to be tested carefully in different experimental settings to continuously validate and improve their performance. In this work, the Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) was used to simulate the hygroscopicity of aerosol particles generated from five different aqueous DMA-SA solutions. The applicability of the model was tested in the 10–200 nm size range and from DMA-SA molar ratios ranging from 1:3 to 2:1. The aerosol hygroscopic growth at 0–80% RH was determined with two tandem differential mobility analyzers, and the composition of the generated particles was measured with the Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS), which revealed that the particles contained also ammonium. The model accurately captured the hygroscopicity for particles larger than 80 nm. With particles smaller than 80 nm, the model underestimated the hygroscopicity in all the studied experimental conditions. An increase in hygroscopicity parameter κ with decreasing particle size implied a plausible base evaporation in the experimental setup, which in turn may have affected the modeled hygroscopicity as the composition of the smallest particles may have differed from the AMS measurements. Coupling E-AIM to a dynamic evaporation model, however, could not produce compositions whose modeled hygroscopic behavior would match the measured hygroscopic growth at smaller sizes. Our results, therefore, suggest that DMA thermodynamics are not modeled correctly in E-AIM or there exists uncertainty in the physicochemical parameters. © 2018 American Association for Aerosol Research
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hepatitis B among Informal Caregivers at Ndola Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a highly contagious infection. It is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. It is the world’s most common liver infection, which is caused by a DNA-virus, the hepatitis B virus and is transmitted between people through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and mucous membranes. Basic knowledge about hepatitis B is necessary; with more knowledge people take preventive actions against hepatitis B, such as using stick proof cannulas. The general objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection among informal caregivers at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Ndola, Zambia. Method: A Cross sectional study was carried out at Ndola Teaching Hospital from June 2020 to September 2020. Systematic random sampling was used using questionnaire based interviews to consenting informal caregivers above the age of 18 years who were waiting for their patients in Gynecological ward, surgical wards and internal medicine wards. Results: A total number of 165 informal caregivers at Ndola Teaching Hospital were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The highest age group (44.2%) interviewed was between 25 to 34 years of age. The majority of informal caregivers (52.1%) went up to secondary education level and 63.0% of the informal caregivers were females. Most informal caregivers (53.3%) only had an average knowledge about hepatitis B infection. Informal caregiver’s education level was directly associated with the level of knowledge about Hepatitis B (p-value<0.001). Majority (87.3%) of the informal caregivers had good attitude towards hepatitis B. There was a direct association (p value <0.001) between informal caregiver’s knowledge on hepatitis B with their attitude. All the informal caregivers (100%) had bad practices on Hepatitis B and majority of the respondents 159 (96.4%) were not vaccinated only 6 (3.6%) were vaccinated against HBV. Conclusion: Hepatitis B is a major health problem globally casting an enormous burden on the health-care system a major source of patient’s misery. This illness or disease is preventable. In this study, the majority of the participants had good attitudes making knowledge as the main determinant of their practices. Therefore, primary prevention approach be taken by extensively and frequently teaching all informal care givers in all hospitals and clinics on how to protect themselves from the disease. Pictorial Posters depicting the proper way of handling patients by informal caregivers be displayed in health centers (wards and OPDs).
Investigations of Plasma-Enhanced CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotubes and Potential Applications

Carbon nanotubes and nanofibres are promising materials for many different applications. Their interesting electrical, thermal and mechanical properties have been attracting attention for their use in electronic circuits, thermal handling and as components in composites. One method of producing carbon nanotubes is plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PE-CVD). This method allows control of length and po­ sition of vertically aligned carbon nanofibres (VACNFs), as well as the growth of forests of aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). We have investigated PE-CVD growth of both VACNFs and MWCNT to elucidate what parameters are important in the control of the growth and to optimise the growth conditions. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to monitor the plasma composition in situ. It was found that the growth of CNTs and CNFs was strongly affected by the amount of atomic hydrogen in the plasma. Laser reflection was also used for in situ monitoring of the growth speed and the deposition of a morphous carbon on top of t he MWCNT forests. Investigations of some applications of the grown tubes and fibres are also pre­ sented. Emission spectroscopy was used to investigate light emission from carbon nanotubes used as electron field emitters. We also examined the pos­ sibility of using carbon nanotubes in microfluidic coolers. VACNFs embed­ ded in a polystyrene membrane showed promising results as an anisotropic electric conductor.
Designing for the pandemic: individual and collective safety devices

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has generated a demand for health-related safety equipment. The development of these emergency products raises several questions, in particular the possible lack of concern for health, satisfaction, and safety of users in addition to the immediate safety against the COVID-19. Considering these issues, the objectives of this work are to categorize, identify trends, and propose strategic approaches to the development and alteration of individual and collective safety solutions for facing the pandemic. For that, we conducted a review and categorization of industrial design products developed during the pandemic using the database Behance. We found 171 developed products. Of these, we classified 99 as individual safety solutions, with the majority being masks and face shields, 59 as being collective safety solutions like disinfection booths, physical transparent separators, and sanitary dispensers. And 13 were solutions geared to hospital use such as hospital furniture, testing solutions, and medical safety procedures. From the analysis of these products, we noted four major themes: protection from the infection, isolation, and physical barriers for enabling safe interaction, disinfection, and testing that can be used as a strategic guideline for the development of new solutions for this context.
An unmodified graphene foam chemical sensor based on SVM for discrimination of chemical molecules with broad selectivity

Compared to conventional chemical sensors, this paper presented a chemical sensor system with broad selectivity for a variety of molecules without any surface modification. The system consisted of an unmodified graphene foam as sensing element, an electrical resistance time domain detection system and a Support Vector Machine (SVM) identification system. The chemical sensor adopted 3D graphene foam to increase the reaction area and improve the sensitivity for detecting target molecules. The electrical resistance time domain detection system was constructed to record the graphene resistance curve in real time with different molecules. Based on the diverse shapes of the electrical resistance curves, SVM was used to extract features of each resistance curve and discriminate the corresponding molecules via pattern recognition of each resistance curve without any graphene modification. As validation experiments, six kinds of chemical molecules (chloroform, acetone, ether, toluene, ethyl benzene and methanol) have been tested. The discrimination accuracy for each molecule could be above 98% which showed a broad selectivity for a variety of molecules. Furthermore, through theoretical calculation with the first principle, we concluded that different band structures of the graphene caused by different molecules were the mechanism for the graphene chemical sensor system to discriminate chemical molecules with selectivity. This work may present a new strategy for research and application for graphene chemical sensors.
A Functional Full-Scale Heat Exchanger Coated with Aluminum Fumarate Metal–Organic Framework for Adsorption Heat Transformation

Metal–organic frameworks represent a class of microporous adsorbents with high application potential for adsorption heat transformation. Here, we present a functional, full-scale heat exchanger coated with the microporous aluminum fumarate MOF Basolite A520 using a polysiloxane-based binding agent. The function of the heat exchanger was evaluated resulting in a gross cooling power of 2900 W (at the beginning of the adsorption cycle) or, respectively an average cooling power of 690 W (up to a limit of 90% equilibrium loading in 7 min) under the working conditions of a realistic adsorption chiller of 90 °C – 30 °C – 18 °C (temperature level of heat source, heat rejection/condenser, and evaporator).
Effective Radiation Damage to Floating Gate of Flash Memory

Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices, based on floating gate (FG) technology, including EEPROM, NAND and OR Flash memories, are increasingly used today in both consumer products and high-end applications. Quality of 3D NAND Flash in solid-state drive (SSD) storage used in data center, automotive and space science is critical. While NOR Flash used in TWS earbuds for smartphones and IoT/5G products offers a quality of live option. To ensure reliability of the high-end products, e.g. for space application where ionizing radiation can produce potential damage to FGs, single event effects (SEEs) and total ionizing dose (TID) are typical assessments to evaluate product quality of Flash memory, subject to ionizing radiation particles of different energy and hence linear energy transfer (LET) in interactions with CMOS materials, Si and SiO2. Reported studies of SEE and TID using energy; stopping power (SP or S) or LET on various Flash memories are numerous. However, the quantitative results at various energy, S or LET can be misleading, as neither energy nor LET is an ideal quality factor in interpreting radiation hazards. Based on previous analysis of various radiation particles in CMOS silicon gate, the current study is extended to using the characteristics of range (R) of particle trajectory and specific ionization (Is) to analyze mean free path (Δ, distance between two ionization events) of electron, proton and several heavy ions in FG of Flash memory and the impact of electric charges generated by ionizing radiations. In the past decades the silicon process (of the gate length) has progressed from 100 nm down to 10 nm, our work further aims to explore effective radiation damage of SEE and TID by different types of particles, with respect to gate sizes of NVM cells.
Methane Production and Oxidation in Mangrove Soils Assessed by Stable Isotope Mass Balances

Considerable variability in methane production and emissions has been reported in mangroves, explained by methane inhibition and oxidation. In this study, soil pore waters were collected from mangrove forests located in the Gulf of California (Mexico) exposed to shrimp farm disturbance. The δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and CH4 were analyzed along with the δ13C of the soil organic matter to assess the proportion of CO2 derived from methanogenesis, its main pathway, and the fraction of methane oxidized. We performed slurry incubation experiments to fit the isotope–mass balance approach. Very low stoichiometric ratios of CH4/CO2 were measured in pore waters, but isotope mass balances revealed that 30–70% of the total CO2 measured was produced by methanogenesis. Mangrove soils receiving effluent discharges shifted the main methanogenesis pathway to CO2 reduction because of an increase in refractory organic matter. Isotope–mass balances of incubations indicated that methane was mainly oxidized by anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to sulfate reduction, and the increase in recalcitrant organic matter should fuel AOM as humus serves as a terminal electron acceptor. Since methanogenesis in mangrove soils is strongly controlled by the oxygen supply provided by mangrove roots, conservation of the forest plays a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
A Compact Octa-Band Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for Wireless Applications

This paper presents the design and realization of a compact frequency reconfigurable antenna for multiband wireless applications. The antenna can operate at overall eight different bands in four dual-band modes. A slot in the radiator and defected ground structure are utilized to achieve a compact size, while PIN diodes are used for frequency reconfigurability in the proposed antenna. The antenna shows broad bandwidth in each operating frequency and has a compact size of 18 mm × 18 mm × 1.524 mm. Moreover, stable radiation patterns and a high value of efficiency make it a potential candidate for various wireless applications. Furthermore, to demonstrate the worth of this work, its performance is compared with state-of-the-art designs reported for similar applications.