Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Social Media Posts Influence Consumption Behavior towards Plastic Pollution?

The continuous generation of plastic wastes is one of the most serious environmental problems that we are facing. Information campaigns have been used to encourage people to reduce plastic consumption. Moreover, social media has become the most prevalent and influential form of communication in this current era. This study seeks to analyze the influence of social media on consumer behavior towards plastic products. The survey includes 213 individual observations wherein four information posts that represent the overall facets of plastic usage problem were presented. These scenarios include (1) a general information post on sachet use, (2) an information post discouraging use of plastic bottles in celebration of zero waste month, (3) an information post on the adverse health effects of plastic food storage and (4) an information post on the harmful effects of plastic use to marine life and its indirect effect to human health. Results show that, prior to any information, most participants consume products in plastic packaging except for the usage of single-use plastic containers for storing food. For the first three scenarios, it has been found that social media intensifies the probability of avoiding plastic consumption when the likelihood on the involvement of self-interest on the topic, as well as the ability to read the link attached to the post, increases. However, for the scenario that shows harmful effects of plastic use to marine life, the probability of avoiding the use of plastic packaged products after seeing the post is only affected by the likelihood that the respondent will recommend the link to friends or network. This study establishes that social media can effectively influence consumer behavior towards plastic consumption if the information presented are from confirmed studies that can easily translate to results based on their own action and has a direct impact on their health. The contrasting findings based on the different scenarios can be used as palettes in constructing modulated social media posts that can effectively influence consumer behavior towards reducing plastic pollution.
Speciation and gene flow across an elevational gradient in New Guinea kingfishers

Closely related species with parapatric elevational ranges are ubiquitous in tropical mountains worldwide. The gradient speciation hypothesis proposes that these series are the result of in situ ecological speciation driven by divergent selection across elevation. Direct tests of this scenario have been hampered by the difficulty inferring the geographic arrangement of populations at the time of divergence. In cichlids, sticklebacks, and Timema stick insects, support for ecological speciation driven by other selective pressures has come from demonstrating parallel speciation, where divergence proceeds independently across replicated environmental gradients. Here, we take advantage of the unique geography of the island of New Guinea to test for parallel gradient speciation in replicated populations of Syma kingfishers that show extremely subtle differentiation across elevation and between historically isolated mountain ranges. We find that currently described high elevation and low elevation species have reciprocally monophyletic gene trees and form nuclear DNA clusters, rejecting this hypothesis. However, demographic modeling suggests selection has likely maintained species boundaries in the face of gene flow following secondary contact. We compile evidence from the published literature to show that while in situ gradient speciation in labile organisms such as birds appears rare, divergent selection and post-speciation gene flow may be an underappreciated force in the origin of elevational series and tropical beta diversity along mountain slopes.
Midwives’ knowledge and practices regarding the screening for and management of chorioamnionitis: A qualitative study

Background Screening for chorioamnionitis, or the risk thereof, by midwives is largely lacking during antenatal care and no best practice guidelines for chorioamnionitis in South Africa was noted. Aim To explore and describe midwives’ knowledge and practices related to the screening and management of women who are at risk of or diagnosed with chorioamnionitis. Setting Public healthcare institutions in a health district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methods A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Ten midwives were purposively included in this study, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. The data were analysed using an adapted version of Tesch’s eight steps for data analysis. Results The main theme revealed that midwives lack knowledge regarding chorioamnionitis, resulting in incorrect practices including a lack of screening, misdiagnosis and mismanagement of the infectious condition. Conclusions Findings of this research showed that midwives lacked knowledge regarding the screening and management of women with chorioamnionitis resulting in incorrect practices in this regard. There is thus a need for midwives to update their knowledge regarding the screening and management of chorioamnionitis and training (e.g. through a short learning programme). Contribution Findings of this study could be used by midwives to update their knowledge regarding screening and managing women with chorioamnionitis, which is expected to translate to better practices. Moreover, study findings were synthesised with the results of a literature review study to form the basis for the development of a best practice guideline for screening and managing women with chorioamnionitis.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF DIESEL ENGINE INDICATORS WORKING ON THE MIXTURES OF BIODIESEL FUELS RECEIVED FROM BLUE-GREEN ALGAE

This article considers usage of blue-green algae as biomaterials for creation of motor biofuels. The object of the study is effect of blended biodiesel fuels from blue-green algae on the environmental and energy performances for the diesel engine. The purpose of the work is experimental study of changes of power and ecological characteristics of automobile diesel engines using petroleum diesel and their mixtures with biofuels derived from blue-green algae. Methods of research are experimental, laboratory ones. As a result of performed experimental researches dependences of changing of the effective engine power on the use of diesel fuel and a mixture of diesel fuel with the received bioactive supplements based on methyl esters of the lipid fraction of blue-green algae Chroococcfles in the amount of 5, 10 and 20% were established. It has been experimentally established that the effective power of an engine using a mixture of diesel fuel with the derived bioactive compounds based on methyl esters of the lipid fraction of blue-green algae Chroococcfles in the amount of 5, 10 and 20% will decrease by an average of 0,9, 1,8 and 3,5 %. It has been experimentally determined that the content of carbon monoxide in the use of a mixture of diesel fuel with the derived bioactive compounds based on methyl esters of the lipid fraction of blue-green algae Chroococcfles in the amount of 5, 10 and 20 % will decrease by an average of 6,5, 13,9 and 28,7 %. The obtained results allow to optimize the choice of fuels for power systems of internal combustion engines and to reduce emissions of harmful substances in exhaust gases of automobile diesel engines. KEY WORDS: BIOFUELS, DIESEL ENGINE, ALGAE, POWERFUL CHARACTERISTICS, ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS.
Prior Forage Type Influences Ruminal Responses to a Wheat Grain Challenge in Lactating Dairy Cows

Simple Summary High-producing dairy cows require more than just pasture to meet the energy demands of milk production. Wheat is an excellent energy source for milk production; however, cows require careful adaptation and monitoring to avoid ruminal upset when large amounts of wheat are introduced. The results of this study show that careful selection of the forage that precedes wheat could allow safer and more aggressive grain introduction strategies to be used in the dairy industry. Abstract To increase the dry matter and metabolisable energy intake of cows, dairy farmers often supplement pasture with concentrates and conserved fodder. Feeding large amounts of highly fermentable concentrates to cows can result in metabolic issues, such as ruminal acidosis, and thus safer but more efficient introduction strategies are desirable. We assessed the role that forages play in ruminal, behavioural and production responses to a wheat grain challenge in dairy cows with no previous wheat adaptation. Multiparous lactating Holstein dairy cows (n = 16) were fed a forage-only diet of either lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) hay or one of two cultivars of zero-grazing fresh perennial ryegrass herbage (Bealey or Base), for 3 weeks. The forage diet was then supplemented with crushed wheat grain at 8 kg dry matter/cow day−1, with no adaptation period. Wheat comprised between 32 and 43% of total dry matter intake. Cows fed hay maintained a higher mean ruminal fluid pH than those fed herbage, on both the forage-only diet (6.43 vs. 6.17) and the forage plus wheat diet (6.03 vs. 5.58). Following supplementation of wheat, cows fed herbage exhibited minimum ruminal fluid pH levels indicative of acute ruminal acidosis, at 5.15 and 5.06 for cultivars Bealey and Base, respectively. Furthermore, for both herbage cultivars, adding wheat resulted in a ruminal fluid pH under 6 for >20 h/day. The ruminal environment of cows fed lucerne hay remained most stable throughout the grain challenge, spending the least amount of time below pH 6.0 (9.0 h/day). Hay created a ruminal environment that was better able to cope with the accumulation of acid as wheat was digested. A combination of increased ruminating time and a slower rate of fermentation, due to higher neutral detergent fiber and lower metabolisable energy concentrations in the hays, is likely responsible for the higher ruminal fluid pH values. Forage plays a critical role in wheat introduction strategies; aggressive adaptation strategies could be implemented when a hay such as lucerne is used as the base forage.
Analysis of Shipborne Helicopter's Guidance Error in Anti-Ship Missile Over-the-horizon Attack

The over-the-horizon(oth) attack of anti-ship missile guided by helicopter is a common style in the attack of surface ship's missile. This paper does a research on the helicopter guiding error, and a proper method based on error transfer principle is proposed. Taking the unilateralism relative location method for example, the paper particularly analyzes the location error made by shipborne helicopter during the anti-ship missile over-horizon attack, and gives out formula for the error. The simulation is also used to validate the formula.
Two-Phase Flow and Transport in the Interdigitated Air Cathode of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The two-phase flow and transport in an interdigitated air cathode is studied numerically by applying the multiphase, multicomponent transport model previously developed for conventional air cathodes. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique is used to solve the two-dimensional model for the interdigitated air cathode, and the contours of oxygen concentration, water vapor concentration and liquid water saturation as well as the velocity vector fields of gas and liquid phases are obtained. A polarization curve is presented which includes both the single- and two-phase operating regimes. It is found that the threshold critical current density at which the two-phase zone begins to appear inside the porous cathode is higher than that of the conventional air cathode. The maximum liquid water saturation is found to be about 0.045 for a dry inlet at an average current density of 2.07A/cm2. Both gas diffusion and convection play significant roles in oxygen supply and water removal. A higher inlet relative humidity produces a more extensive two-phase zone in the interdigitated air cathode.
Simulation of the economics of quality improvement in manufacturing

The study of quality economics for manufacturing has focussed mainly on investments and costs, rather than attempting to quantify the benefits of improved quality in the market. This article presents an approach based on both costs and benefits. Systems dynamics‐based simulation has been employed with an optimisation technique, to identify quality spending levels which result in maximum overall profit. The simulation models are based on a Thai automotive manufacturer, which had employed Kaizen for many years, and hence this quality improvement approach was simulated. Two market conditions were modelled: fixed and variable‐price according to the market response to changes in quality level. Optimum profits were found at higher levels of quality spending than actual company spending. The paper examines the details of the optimum condition for the variable‐price market condition. Conclusions are drawn concerning quality improvement strategies and the potential effects of different market pricing conditions on optimum quality spending.
Biomass to energy in the southern United States: Supply chain and delivered cost

Supply chain and delivered cost models for seven feedstocks (loblolly pine, Eucalyptus, natural hardwood, switchgrass, Miscanthus, sweet sorghum, and corn stover) were built, simulating a supply of 453,597 dry tons per year to a biorefinery. Delivered cost of forest-based feedstocks ranged from $69 to $71 per dry ton. On the other hand, delivered cost of agricultural biomass ranged from $77.60 to $102.50 per dry ton. The total production area required for fast growing feedstocks was estimated as between 22,500 to 27,000 hectares, while the total production area for feedstocks with lower biomass productivity ranged from 101,200 to 202,300 hectares (corn stover and natural hardwood, respectively). Lower delivered cost per ton of carbohydrate and million BTU were found for loblolly pine, Eucalyptus, and natural hardwood. In addition, agricultural biomass had higher delivered costs for carbohydrate and energy value.
A distributed floating-gate amplifier in charge-coupled devices

The operation of a distributed floating-gate amplifier employing twelve charge-amplifying stages to sense extremely small charge packets in a buried channel CCD will be reported. Signal charges ranging from 30 to 105electrons have been detected with an estimated RMS noise equivalent signal of approximately 10 to 20 electrons at room temperature and a 3-MHz bandwidth.
Internet-related Behavior and Mind Wandering

Awareness of attention, especially mind-wandering, is more prominent nowadays because of the development of technology that empowers a person to do several jobs and focus on several things simultaneously. This study examines internet-related behavior, namely online fear of missing out and compulsive internet use on mind wandering on active internet users. This study involved 327 internet users aged 17-40 years selected by convenience sampling. This research confirms that fear of missing out and compulsive internet use positively correlate with mind wandering. Furthermore, mind wandering and fear of missing are contrarily related with age.This study explicates that the contribution of internet-related behavior is significant to the incidence of mind wandering, which proves the influence of internet use on inattention, especially in young internet active users. Therefore, the younger generation must be cognizant of and monitor the use and impact of internet use, especially concerning the necessity to maintain focus when handling task demands. This study proposes addressing the adverse consequence of FOMO, compulsive internet use, and mind-wandering on productivity and wellbeing further, notably for the young age.
Competitiveness of Agricultural Products in the Eurasian Economic Union

This article discusses the outcomes of a quantitative analysis using econometric panel data models of the competitiveness of grains in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The analysis was based on the public authorities’ statistics of EAEU countries as well as the United Nations Comtrade Database, which is a repository of official international trade statistics. The results of the analysis allowed us to assess the level of competitiveness of the agricultural products produced in EAEU countries and to determine the extent to which various factors affect the competitiveness. The research conclusions can be used to develop and adjust the agricultural policy in the EAEU.
Evolution of the Late Cretaceous Nanaimo Basin, British Columbia, Canada: Definitive provenance links to northern latitudes

Accurate reconstruction of the Late Cretaceous paleogeography and tectonic evolution of the west- ern North American Cordilleran margin is required to resolve the long-standing debate over proposed large-scale, orogen-parallel terrane translation. The Nanaimo Basin (British Columbia, Canada) contains a high-fidelity record of orogenic exhumation and basin subsidence in the southwestern Canadian Cordillera that constrains the tectonic evolution of the region. Integration of detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, conglomerate clast U-Pb geochronology, detrital muscovite 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology, and Lu-Hf isotopic analysis of detrital zircon defines a multidisciplinary provenance signature that provides a definitive linkage with sediment source regions north of the Sierra Nevada arc system (western United States). Analysis of spatial and temporal provenance variations within Nanaimo Group strata documents a bimodal sediment supply with a local source derived from the adjacent magmatic arc in the southern Coast Mountains batholith and an extra-regional source from the Mesoproterozoic Belt Supergroup and the Late Cretaceous Atlanta lobe of the Idaho batholith. Particularly robust linkages include: (1) juvenile (εHf >+10) Late Cretaceous zircon derived from the southern Coast Mountains batholith; (2) a bimodal Proterozoic detrital zircon signature consistent with derivation from Belt Supergroup (1700–1720 Ma) and ca. 1380 Ma plutonic rocks intruding the Lemhi subbasin of central Idaho (northwestern United States); (3) quartzite clasts that are statistical matches for Mesoproterozoic and Cambrian strata in Montana and Idaho (northwestern United States) and southern British Columbia; and (4) syndepositional evolved (εHf >−10) Late Cretaceous zircon and muscovite derived from the Atlanta lobe of the Idaho batholith. These provenance constraints support a tectonic restoration of the Nanaimo Basin, the southern Coast Mountains batholith, and Wrangellia to a position outboard of the Idaho batholith in Late Cretaceous time, consistent with proposed minimal-fault-offset models (<~1000 km).
Microbiome Profiling of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) Carriers Highlights Signature Differences between Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Individuals

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in children in low- and middle-income countries. However, these bacteria are often identified in both patients and healthy controls. ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, large-scale pathogen burden studies in children have identified ETEC in the guts of both symptomatic patients and controls. The factors that influence this balance are poorly understood, but it is postulated that the gut microbiome may play a role in either resistance or progression to disease. In this study, we profiled the microbiomes of children and adults from Bangladesh who were asymptomatically or symptomatically infected with ETEC. Symptomatic patients had significantly higher numbers of sequenced reads mapping to both E. coli and two ETEC toxins, suggesting higher bacterial burden. They were also significantly more likely to be coinfected with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and had higher proportions of other Gammaproteobacteria, including Klebsiella, Salmonella, and Haemophilus. Colonization with ETEC was also associated with increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, most notably those of the β-lactamase class. Taxonomic profiles were distinctly different between all groups in both species richness and composition, although the direction of these changes was different in adults and children. As seen previously, children with high E. coli burdens also had higher proportions of Streptococcus spp. , while healthy children were more heavily colonized by Bifidobacterium spp. Our study provides insight into the microbiome changes that occur upon infection with ETEC in an endemic setting and provides rationale for future studies investigating how the microbiome may protect or predispose individuals to symptomatic infections with gastrointestinal pathogens. IMPORTANCE Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in children in low- and middle-income countries. However, these bacteria are often identified in both patients and healthy controls. We do not yet understand why only some people get sick, but it has been suggested that the gut microbiome might play a role. In this study, we used metagenomic sequencing to profile the gut microbiomes of individuals in Bangladesh, with or without a symptomatic ETEC infection. In general, individuals with high levels of ETEC also harbored other pathogenic E. coli strains, higher proportions of Gammaproteobacteria such as Salmonella and Klebsiella, and a higher burden of antimicrobial resistance genes in their guts. Healthy children, in contrast, had higher levels of bifidobacteria. These data confirm that the composition of the gut microbiome is different between symptomatic and asymptomatic people and provides important preliminary information on the impact of the gut microbiome in intestinal infections.
Electrophoretic Effects for Environmental Safety Technologies: Evacuation of Micro-Particle Conglomerations from the Surfaces

The actuality of the problem of contamination of objects by macro-molecular compounds is a growing problem today (especially given the terrible consequences of the pandemic). In fact, macromolecular complexes are mostly located on the surface layers of the surface covered with fine dust. Therefore, the development of technology for the removal of macromolecular components is actually a problem of fine (so we will call it) dust removal. This problem cannot be effectively solved by traditional mechanical removal methods alone, as contaminated objects have a rather complex, not even Euclidian, surface morphology. Therefore, it is important to develop effective technologies based on the use of properties of special configurations of external inhomogeneous electric field and removable components by means of a specially configured inhomogeneous electric field. The paper analyzes modern technologies of fine dust cleaning both mechanically and with the help of external electrical fields under the particular conditions and creation of levitation and electrophoretic motion. It has been found exact solutions of the model, which indicate in favor of the theoretical validity of decontamination technology using electric field with manipulative properties; the conditions of the most effective use of levitation-electrophoretic technology in the tasks of dust cleaning and decontamination, including decontamination of the surface-distributed macromolecular contaminants such as coronaviruses. Index Terms dust pollution dust cleaning levitation electrophoresis macromolecular pollution coronavirus