Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil organic carbon in agricultural systems of six countries in East Africa – a literature review of status and carbon sequestration potential

Cropland soils are considered to have the potential to sequester atmospheric CO2 through agronomic best management practices (BMPs). To estimate this potential in East Africa, the authors reviewed 69 published studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi assessing the effect of land use conversion from native vegetation to cropland on soil organic carbon (SOC) and the extent to which carbon sequestration is feasible through BMPs. Reported losses of SOC in the top 30 cm of the soil profile in short (<10 years), medium (10–25 years), and long (>25 years) term were 6.7 ± 6.0, 13.0 ± 9.2, and 2.8 ± 1.0 t C ha–1 year–1, respectively, for forest-to-cropland; and 16.0, 2.1 ± 2.2 and 0.3 ± 0.8 t C ha–1 year–1 respectively, for woodland-to-cropland conversion. Duration to steady-state SOC was 21–38 years for forest-to-cropland conversion. Short-term SOC sequestration (t C ha–1 year–1) in the 0–30 cm layer as a result of BMPs was 19.7 ± 3.9 from crop residues, 14.8 ± 8.7 from farmyard manure, 3.5 ± 4.5 from inorganic fertilizers, 2.7 from agroforestry, and 2.5 from improved fallow. However, the studies reviewed were mostly short-term and concentrated to a few locations. Future research should address these gaps.
Key Players in Economic Development

This paper analyzes the role of networks in the spatial diffusion of local economic shocks in Africa. We show that road and ethnic connectivity are particularly important factors for diffusing economic spillovers over longer distances. We then determine the key players, i.e., which districts are key in propagating local economic shocks across Africa. Using these results, we conduct counterfactual policy exercises to evaluate the potential gains from policies that increase economic activity in specific districts or improve road connectivity between districts.
A 50 Year Accomplishment in Marine Science: A History of the Journal Published by the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) has a 50 year history of annual publication of the peer-reviewed journal Gulf and Caribbean Research (GCR, 2000-present; formerly Gulf Research Reports (GRR) from 1961 - 1999). Other extant journals serving the region during this time include Contributions in Marine Science (since 1945), Proceedings of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (since 1948), Bulletin of Marine Science (since 1951), Revista de Biologia Tropical (since 1953), and Caribbean Journal of Science (since 1961). In the early years of the GCR publication, papers were primarily concerned with research in Mississippi and the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), and the majority of authors were from USM/GCRL or the GOM region. However, in the past 15 years, studies from Mexico and the Caribbean have dramatically increased, with a concurrent increase in the geographical diversity of authors. Overall, surveys and invento- ries, taxonomy, and life history studies have been most common, and taxa have been dominated by fish and crustaceans. Offshore, benthic and marsh habitats have been the most commonly studied during GCR's 50 year history. In general, publications during the last 15 years are more similar to each other (≥ 65% similarity based on CLUSTER analysis and MDS ordinations) than to earlier publications for geography, taxon, habitat and subject areas. The journal is well cited in peer-reviewed literature, with 72% of the papers published in GRR and 65% of those published in GCR cited at least once. GCR provides an important outlet for peer-reviewed publications from the GOM and Caribbean region.
Jumping Flying Distance and Jump Performance of Elite Male Volleyball Players at FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship

We investigated different specific jumping performances of high-level male volleyball players. The aim of this study was to assess covered jumping distance, jump height, and number of jumps performed at certain positions by volleyball players competing at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Poland. A total of 140 male volleyball players from national teams participated in the study. The analysis was performed for jumping flying distance (JFD), jump serve height (SJH), attack jump height (AJH), block jump height (BJH), and quantity of jumps (JC). The analysis of JFD of attack jumps showed that the middles covered a shorter distance than the other players. When analyzing the block jump lengths, distance during jump performance covered by the receivers (R1) was shorter than that of the opposites. Analysis of SJH by volleyball players at various positions showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) among the middles (M1, M2), receivers (R1, R2), and opposites (O). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in BJH were found between the middles and the rest of the players. The results of the experiment show a high degree of reliability for jump height during serve and attack, jumping flying distance covered during an attack, and number of block jumps. The strongest relationship was seen between jump components, which predominantly depend only on a volleyball player performing a specific action (e.g., jump serve or attack jump).
Repellent Properties of Compounds and Blends from Nigella sativa Seeds Against Anopheles gambiae

Malaria, transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes is a public health concern. Some available repellents against the insect have adverse effects on humans and environment. This study determined Anopheles gambiae repellent compounds and blends from Nigella sativa L. seed. From GC-EAD analysis, repellent compounds were 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentane, α-thujene, α-pinene, β-pinene, tetradecane, p-cymene, α-longipinene and longifolene. Repellency of blend 1 consisting of six GC-EAD active compounds was lower than that of essential oil and DEET. Subtraction of p-cymene and (-)-α-pinene from blends 2 and 6 respectively significantly increased repellency while subtraction of (+)-β-pinene, (-)-β-pinene, (+)-α-pinene, tetradecane or 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentane significant decreased repellency of the blends. Blends 2 and 6 repelled 100% of mosquitos at 0.1g/ml while (+)-α-pinene repelled 99.38%. These findings confirm that essential oil of N. sativa L. seeds contain compounds that repel An. gambiae. The positive enantiomer of α-pinene was the most repellent which confirms the compound to be the main active ingredient the oil.
Paleoneurology, Auditory Region, and Associated Soft Tissue Inference in the Late Oligocene Notoungulates Mendozahippus fierensis and Gualta cuyana (Toxodontia) from Central-Western Argentina

ABSTRACT Noninvasive computed tomography (CT) scanning techniques performed on the high-quality preserved holotypes of Mendozahippus fierensis (grouped within the paraphyletic ‘Notohippidae') and Gualta cuyana (Leontiniidae) allowed a thorough description of both endocasts, not only associated with the brain but also with closely related endocranial spaces, which proved to be highly diagnostic among Notoungulata and relevant from a paleobiological perspective. The specimens come from Quebrada Fiera (Mendoza, Argentina), an upper Oligocene locality extensively studied, especially during the last decade. Regarding brain endocast proportions and neocortical complexity, M. fierensis shows morphological affinities to coeval ‘notohippids,' whereas G. cuyana resembles Leontinia gaudryi. An acute olfaction is inferred from the large olfactory bulbs and piriform lobes. Conversely, evidence concerning the development (and implications) of some necortical areas (i.e., somatosensory cortex and auditory cortex) were inconclusive. The encephalization quotients are around those previously reported for ‘notohippids’ and Toxodontidae Nesodontinae, and slightly lower than in Typotheria (except for Mesotheriidae). Other endocranial traits previously unexplored (such as the transverse diploic communication between the temporal sinuses in M. fierensis and the large temporal sinuses inferred for G. cuyana) show that there is relevant variability within Toxodontia that deserves further research. Extending similar approaches to early diverging taxa will certainly contribute to a better understanding of the morphological evolution of the brain, special sense organs, and associated blood circulation pattern in toxodontians and notoungulates in general.
Optimal Design of High-Speed Solid-Rotor Cage Induction Motors Considering Ferromagnetic Materials Behavior and Manufacturing Process

Numerous high-performance industries (i.e., natural gas compression) require high-speed motors. Solid-rotor cage induction motors (SRCIMs) are perfect nominees to such applications, owing to their high reliability and relatively low cost among their rivals. However, the restrictions over ferromagnetic materials and manufacturing processes overwhelm the SRCIM's design process. The motor is required to have low power losses in stator core and the solid rotor. Furthermore, a small number of rotor slots are demanded industrially in order to facilitate the welding process in rotor's side. Those two objectives are contradicting in the design stage. This study investigates the loss characteristics of high-speed SRCIM, considering the behavior of different ferromagnetic materials and the complexity of the welding process of solid rotors. With 160-kW and 3000-kW SRCIMs, the influences of slot combination, air-gap length, stator ferromagnetic material, and rotor conductivity on the power loss characteristics are comprehensively analyzed. Based on the aforementioned analysis, an optimal design criterion for SRCIM is proposed to decline the eddy current losses in the solid rotor and to decrease the complexity of the welding process. To verify this criterion, a 160-kW SRCIM prototype is designed and manufactured. Experimental validation is performed, and the effectiveness of the proposed design procedure is verified.
The impact of department structure on policy-making: How portfolio combinations affect interdepartmental coordination

Departments are the primary structure of the bureaucratic apparatus of governments. They can be structured as silo organizations responsible for one policy sector or as non-silo organizations combining different portfolios under one roof. While several studies have identified explanations for the structure of government departments and their portfolio combinations, little is known about the effects portfolio combinations have on public policy. This article theoretically discusses department structure from a procedural perspective, and, taking an empirical approach, explores its effects on policy coordination as one aspect of policy-making. Circumventing the problem of lacking counterfactuals of national governments, the study analyzes the 16 German substate governments and their joint decision-making processes in the German Bundesrat. The analysis is based on two original datasets, one on the combination of portfolios in departments and one network dataset on the policy coordination process. Applying the tools of social network analysis, the findings show that departments develop preferences and goals and allocate attention based on their portfolio combination. Consequently, governments with atypical portfolio combinations are less integrated into the policy coordination process while departments comprised of similar policy sectors coordinate more closely with each other, which make them more likely to influence policy according to their interests. This study thus provides useful insights not only to researchers but also practitioners. The bureaucratic structure of departments has consequences for policy-making and, ultimately, for policy itself, which should be considered when setting up and structuring government departments.
Influence of various factors on plant homologuous recombination

The genome of living organisms is constantly subjected to the environmental influences that result in different negative, negligible or positive impacts. The ability to maintain the genome integrity and simultaneously provide its flexibility is the main determinant for the evolutionary success of any species. One of the important aspects of genome maintenance is the precise regulation of the DNA repair machinery. Results reported here indicate the existence of a tight, age-dependent regulation of homologous recombination, one of the two main DNA double-strand break repair pathways. We show that recombination is influenced by conditions such as the change of temperature (cold or warm), day length, water availability (drought or overwatering stress) and salinity. These stresses not only influence the genome stability of stress-subjected generations but also change the recombination in subsequent generations. This indicates the possible involvement of homologous recombination in plant evolution and development of plant stress tolerance.
Systematics and ecology of the New Zealand Mastigoteuthidae (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida)

Mastigoteuthid squids are ecologically important, being prey to many apex predators, yet the diversity and systematics of the family remain poorly understood. Delicate by nature, they are often damaged during capture; this has led to a controversial and unstable taxonomy for this family. Recent reviews have accepted one or two genera, and eight to 17 species. A complete taxonomic review of the New Zealand mastigoteuthids is undertaken here first time. A morphological revision of New Zealand material was completed to identify and describe locally occurring species, and to re-evaluate the status of the genera in this family. Morphological examinations focused on both internal and external anatomy. A set of morphological characters have been identified to distinguish five genera: Mastigoteuthis [Mt.], Idioteuthis, Mastigopsis [Mp. ], Echinoteuthis, and Magnoteuthis [Mg. ]. Eight species were identified: Mt. dentata, Mt. psychrophila, Mt. sp. X, Mt. sp. Y, I. cordiformis, Mp. hjorti, Mg. sp. nov., and E. famelica. The Mastigoteuthidae now appears to be second most diverse squid family in New Zealand waters. Three mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA, 12S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI]) were analysed for eight different species, in order to assess the utility of DNA barcodes to differentiate between species and to test the morphological hypothesis for the division of the five genera. Genetic evidence was found that supports Mg. sp. nov. as a distinct species that has been previously misidentified as the morphologically similar species Mg. magna. Each species analysed herein exhibited unique mitochondrial DNA haplotypes for all genes, and the morphological distinction between the genera was strongly supported using a combined phylogeny with all genes. However, I. cordiformis grouped with the chiroteuthids. Of the three genes examined, the DNA barcode region shows the greatest divergence between species and should be used in future systematic work on the Mastigoteuthidae. Because most mastigoteuthid specimens are badly damaged, integrative taxonomy is especially important for this family. Unfortunately, most specimens are formalin fixed, rendering DNA extraction difficult or impossible. Therefore, some preliminary tests were conducted on DNA from formalin-fixed museum specimens. Two sequences were recovered out of eight specimens tested using a silica-gel column-based extraction, with critical-point-dried tissue and a DNA purification protocol. The third sequence was recovered using an alkaline lysis extraction, with non-critical-point-dried tissue and without DNA purification. The sequences that were recovered showed a close relationship between Mt. agassizii, Mt. dentata, and Mt. sp. X. Idioteuthis cordiformis is the largest mastigoteuthid squid species and may currently be facing the potential of a local extinction in New Zealand; however, its…
Productivity Improvement in a Vegetable Canning Manufacturing Facility

This paper investigates current productivity levels of baked beans in a fast manufacturing consumer goods (FMCG) company. The market demand for baked beans on average has increased by 14% year on year over the past two to three years. This growth was unexpected and was unplanned for, hence equipment was utilized to maximum capacity, at times ignoring maintenance issues. The outcome of this approach was a major concern of unplanned stoppages on the production line. The canning process has manual activities such as soaking and sorting. Blanching is semi¬automatic while filling and seaming are fully automated. The filling station was identified as the bottleneck station due to its slow speed (145 cans/minute) as compared to the seamer (200 cans/minute). The major objective of this study was to evaluate how the productivity of the canning process was achieved. Efforts were made to increase the output of soaking, sorting and blanching. This led to the reduced cycle time of the filler and the elimination of sources of contaminations. Industrial engineering tools such as autonomous maintenance, total productive maintenance, total quality management and some of the 20 keys were used to improve the plant’s production output. This paper contributes to the theory of productivity improvement and to industry practitioners it highlights challenges faced when improving productivity.
CHECKERBOARD ELECTROMAGNETIC BAND GAP (EBG) STRUCTURED S-SHAPED ANTENNA FOR WEARABLE APPLICATIONS

A miniaturized wearable antenna with a compact EBG with checkerboard structure is designed. The structure is placed on a denim jeans material with thickness of 0.7mmand having dielectric constant of 1.7 and a loss tangent of 0.02. The antenna operates at a frequency of 2.5 GHz and has 0.33GHz bandwidth and 13.2% impedance bandwidth for ISM band applications. The prototype is robust as well as compact and adheres to the wearable applications. The EBG is used to improve the gain and reduces the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) which is an essential in wearable applications. The gain of 6.5dBi and SAR of 0.0312W/Kg is achieved, satisfying the required conditions of the antenna in the presence and absence of EBG to assess the changes caused in the performance of the antenna due to the insertion of EBG.
The interdependence of managerial capabilities toward investment decisions of manufacturing companies on IDX period 2014-2016

Following the opening of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Indonesian companies must have a reliable manager to benefit from the existence of this AEC. This research aims to explain the effect of managerial ability on investment decisions. Therefore, the dependent variable in this study is the company's fixed-asset investment decision, while the independent variable is the managerial ability to improve the efficiency of company resources. The sample of this study is go-public manufacturing companies in 2011-2016. This study uses multiple linear analysis techniques such as data envelopment analysis with a banxia frontier analyst as an analysis tool. The results showed managerial ability harmed the investment decision that reflected by the company's fixed assets improvement.
OPTIMAL RESIDENTIAL LOAD CONTROL COMPARISON USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING AND SIMULATED ANNEALING FOR ENERGY SCHEDULING

Many tariffs are used for electricity pricing. Electricity bills can be reduced by choosing the optimal working hours of appliances and for appropriate tariffs in smart homes. In this study, Linear Programming (LP) and Simulated Annealing (SA) methods are realized and compared each other to find minimum bill. The multi-time tariffs that have different energy unit prices at different times of the day are preferred. Energy Management System (EMS) shifts time slots of some appliances to cheap energy unit prices. Optimal load control is applied to prevent high peak demand because there may be overload in system because of shifting of working hours of appliances. Mathematical model of the problem is constructed and LP method is solved by GAMS and SA technique is realized by C# program. The cost table consisting of the energy unit prices of each time slots is used as input. Optimum electricity cost, working hours of the appliances and peak to average ratio are achieved by two different solutions and the results are compared. According to result, LP gives lower cost than SA.
Implementation of Fault-Tolerant Control for a Robot Manipulator Based on Synchronous Sliding Mode Control

In this paper, an active fault-tolerant control for a robot manipulator based on synchronous sliding mode is proposed. As the synchronization errors approach zero, the joint errors tend to become equal and also approach zero. Therefore, the synchronization technique is inherently effective for a fault-tolerant controller. To demonstrate such a system, the following implementation is presented. First, an estimator was designed with an extended state observer to estimate uncertainties/disturbances along with faults/failures. The estimator signal was used for an online compensator in the controller. A fault-tolerant controller with a combination of synchronous sliding mode technique and estimator was proposed. The stability of the system was established using Lyapunov theory. Finally, fault tolerant control was implemented in a three degree-of-freedom robot manipulator and compared to the conventional sliding mode control. This comparison shows the effectiveness of the proposed active fault-tolerant control with synchronous sliding mode technique.
Robust Model-Predictive Control for Inductively Coupled Plasma Generation With a Semiphysical Simulation

In this article, a novel robust tuning approach based on model-predictive control (MPC) for an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) generation process is presented. Several key aspects related to this methodology are the modeling of the ICP generation process, the robust joint tuning (RJT) algorithm, and the semiphysical simulation of the MPC algorithm. The ICP generation process model is built by a system identification method based on steady and dynamic responses, followed by a general model-predictive controller. Then, an automatic RJT algorithm is developed for the model-predictive controller to quickly obtain the optimal weighting parameters. The proposed RJT algorithm can minimize the ICP generation control system's maximum total variations in the output with a specific dynamic performance requirement and model uncertainty, providing a tradeoff between the dynamic performance and robustness. Finally, a semiphysical simulation system based on dSPACE and a field-programmable gate array is designed to illustrate the effectiveness of the model-predictive controller for the ICP generation control process and the RJT algorithm. Experimental results indicate the validity and good performance of the proposed model-predictive controller and the RJT algorithm.