Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking restorative human health outcomes to protected area ecosystem diversity and integrity

Human health and well-being benefits have increasingly been associated with contact with nature. However, limited research has focused on the influence of ecosystem type and quality on these outcomes. This paper reports on the results of an in-situ survey of 467 visitors to an Ontario protected area. Results revealed high overall restorative outcomes across all ecosystem types, with greater benefits reported for women than men. Perceived ecosystem quality, including species richness, naturalness, and ecological integrity, had the greatest impact on restorative outcomes, while the type of ecosystem and time spent had surprisingly little influence. Greater restorative outcomes for women were also associated with specific ecosystem types. The study advances our limited understanding of the nuanced relationship between human health and well-being outcomes and exposure to diverse ecosystems, and by extenstion the unique aspects of biodiversity and ecosystem condition that Canada’s protected areas exhibit.
Energetic analysis of succinic acid in water droplets: insight into the
size-dependent solubility of atmospheric nanoparticles

Abstract. Size-dependent solubility is prevalent in atmospheric nanoparticles, but a molecular level understanding is still insufficient, especially for organic compounds. Here, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the size dependence of succinic acid solvation on the scale of ~1–4 nm with the potential of mean forces method. Our analyses reveal that the surface preference of succinic acid is stronger for a droplet than the slab of the same size, and the surface propensity is enhanced due to the curvature effect as the droplet becomes smaller. Energetic analyses show that such surface preference is primarily an enthalpic effect in both systems, while the entropic effect further enhances the surface propensity in droplets. On the other hand, with decreasing droplet size, the solubility of succinic acid in the internal bulk volume may decrease, imposing an opposite effect on the size dependence of solubility as compared with the enhanced surface propensity. Meanwhile, structural analyses, however, show that the surface to internal bulk volume ratio increases drastically, especially when considering the surface in respect to succinic acid, e.g., for droplet with radius of 1 nm, the internal bulk volume would be already close to zero for the succinic acid molecule.
Sağlık Harcaması ve Ekonomik Büyüme İlişkisi: OECD Ülkeleri İçin Panel Veri Analizi

Beseri sermayenin ekonomik buyume ile iliskisi son yillarda siklikla incelenen bir arastirma konusudur. Beseri sermaye saglik gibi en temel bir ihtiyac gostergesini icinde barindirmaktadir. Bir toplumu meydana getiren bireylerin saglik duzeylerinin yuksek olmasi, o toplumun ekonomik anlamda gelisme potansiyelini artirmaktadir. Saglikli bireyler yetistirmek ve bireylerin saglik duzeylerini korumak amaciyla gerceklestirilen saglik harcamalari, beseri sermayenin niteligini artiran faktorlerin basinda gelmektedir. Saglik harcamalarinin beseri sermayeye sagladigi olumlu katkilar, ekonomik buyume icin ciddi bir kaynak olusturmaktadir. Bu calismayla, secilmis 17 OECD ulkeleri icin saglik harcamalari ve ekonomik buyume arasindaki iliski incelenmektedir. Yapilan ampirik analizde soz konusu ulkeler icin 1976-2017 yillarini kapsayan donemde cari fiyatlarla kisi basi saglik harcamalari ve kisi basi GSYIH verileri kullanilmistir. Saglik harcamalari serisi icin veriler OECD resmi veri tabanindan derlenmistir. Ekonomik buyume verileri ise Dunya Bankasi resmi veri tabanindan temin edilmistir. Seriler arasindaki sakli esbutunlesme iliskisi Hatemi-J (2018) tarafindan onerilen test ile sinanmistir. Seriler kendi aralarinda uzun donemli ilskiye sahip degilken, pozitif ve negatif soklar arasinda uzun donemli iliski bulunmustur. Ayrica serilerin asimetrik nedensellik iliskisi sinanmis ve serilerin negatif soklari arasinda cift yonlu bir nedensellik iliskisi tespit edilmistir.
Exergy characteristics of woody biomass

ABSTRACT The exergy characteristics of 60 woody biomass are investigated in this study. These include the moisture-related exergy, S-related exergy, ash-related exergy, and LHV (lower heating value)-related exergy. The results obtained from this study show that the moisture-related exergy, S-related exergy, ash-related exergy, and LHV-related exergy are in the ranges of 0–1,757.52, 0–30.28, 1.46–314.93, and 6,204.83–25,759.04 kJ/kg, respectively. The exergy values of woody biomass are in the range of 7,966.35–25,901.79 kJ/kg, and they are most contributed by LHV (77.89–99.97%), followed by moisture content (0–22.06%), ash content (0.01–1.94%), and S content (0–0.18%).
Flexible electrochromic supercapacitor based on multifunctional hydrogel

The world is facing serious environmental problems such as global warming, air pollution, rising energy extraction costs, and declining oil and gas production capacity, scientists are paying more and more attention to environmental protection, saving resources, and developing clean energy. In recent years, electrochromic supercapacitors have cleverly combined the two characteristics of electrochromism and energy storage, so they have received more and more attention and have broad application prospects in the fields of smart windows and smart displays. In this paper, a three-layer electrochromic supercapacitor based on the multifunctional hydrogel is proposed. It consists of the silver conductive film made of silver nanowires, Polymer (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) film and the multifunctional hydrogel based on lithium chloride and acrylamide. The single-layer hydrogel layer has both good conductivity and high ion mobility, replacing the ion conducting layer and ion storage layer in traditional devices, simplifying the device architecture, thereby greatly reducing production costs. The silver conductive film made of silver nanowires has the advantages of simple manufacturing process and high conductivity. PEDOT:PSS is a material with good electrochromic and capacitive activity. The device has a contrast ratio of 35 % at a wavelength of 650 nm at a voltage of -1.8 V, and the area capacitance can reach 0.58 mF/cm2 at a low scan rate of 0.1 V / s. We believe that this novel electrochromic supercapacitor will have huge potential applications in smart electronic products and smart windows.
Chicken Feather Ash (CFA) as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Concrete

Every day, large quantities of chicken feathers are disposed of as waste at markets where birds are slaughtered and sold for meat. The possibility of using Chicken feather ash (CFA) as a partial replacement of cement in the concrete making was investigated. Water-cement ratio and percentage CFA used for replacement were chosen as variables in the design of the experiment. Compressive strength and workability were chosen as the required responses to observe and analyzed using response surface methodology. Full factorial design was used for the design of experiment, with CFA replacement and water-cement ratio ranging from 2 – 11% and 0.3 – 0.7 % by mass respectively. There were 27 trial mixes and the freshly made concrete mix was tested for workability. Concrete cubes were molded and cured for 7 and 14 days and were crushed to determine the compressive strength. It was found that as the CFA percentage increases, the workability of the concrete increases making it more fluid. The optimum water-cement ratio was observed to range from 0.49 to 0.51 % as the curing age increases. The optimum compressive strength was observed to range from 15.6 to 18.6 N/mm 2 as the curing age increased. However, the allowable range of CFA to be used for concrete making is 3.8 to 6.34 % beyond which compressive strength reduces. Original Research Article Amah et al.; JERR, 20(1): 130-140, 2021; Article no.JERR. 64514 131
Performance improvement of shunt active power filter under variable grid frequency condition using complex coefficient filter‐frequency locked loop

Synchronizing methodology for shunt active power filter (SAPF) based on the resonant controller using generalized integrator (GI) in the stationary reference frame is of great interest for researchers now a day. In this paper, a phase synchronizing technique based on the complex coefficient filter (CCF) embedded with a frequency locked loop (FLL) is proposed for the fundamental active and reactive component extraction of load current and unit template generation from grid supply. The proposed CCF‐FLL–based control works effectively under varying grid frequency, distorted and unbalance grid voltage conditions to generate the reference source current at a unity power factor for proper harmonic compensation using an indirect current control method. In this work, a detailed mathematical modeling for development of control logic for CCF‐FLL is done, and its feasibility with the bode plot is also confirmed. Simulation for SAPF is performed using both CCF and CCF‐FLL–based control strategy separately to judge the performance of each. Simulation confirms that the proposed CCF‐FLL based control is capable of maintaining the source current with low total harmonic distortion (THD) as per the IEEE‐519 standard with the nonlinear load. The effectiveness of the proposed controller for desired harmonics compensation is also validated through real‐time simulation using OPAL‐RT OP4510 platform.
Biotransformation of Citrus Waste-I: Production of Biofuel and Valuable Compounds by Fermentation

Citrus is the largest grown fruit crop on the globe with an annual production of ~110–124 million tons. Approximately, 45–55% of the whole fruit post-processing is generally discarded as waste by the food processing industries. The waste is a huge problem to the environment in terms of land and water pollution along with displeasure from aesthetic viewpoint and spread of diseases owing to its huge content of fermentable sugars. The waste can be utilized as a raw material feedstock for producing a number of valuable chemicals and products, such as bioethanol, biogas, bio-oil, organic acids, enzymes, and so on. The production of these chemicals from waste biomass gives an inexpensive alternative to the harsh chemicals used during industrial synthesis processes as well as the possibility of controlling pollution from the waste discarded to the environment. The derived chemicals can be further utilized in the production of industrially important chemicals, as solvents and building blocks of newer chemicals. Furthermore, organic acids, pectin, enzymes, prebiotics, etc., derived from citrus wastes have an edge over their synthetic counterparts in practical applications in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries.
Influence of Soaking Corn Kernels (Zea mays L.) with or without potash on the Fungal and Physico-chemical Quality of Their Flour

Corn is one of the most consumed cereals in Cote d'Ivoire. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the soaking time of corn kernels with or without potash on the fungal and physicochemical quality of their flour. The method used consisted of determining the pH of the different samples using a pH meter. For the water content, the method used was oven drying. Concerning the fungal load, the mould count was done on the DRBC medium and the subculture on the MEA medium. All these analyses were carried out with flour samples of two corn varieties (yellow and white corn with or without potash) according to three durations (6, 9 and 12 h) of grains soaking. The results obtained show that yellow or white corn flours without potash are acidic with pH values between 4.2 and 6.1 while those with potash are basic, with pH ranging from 7.7 to 9.9. The moisture content of all the flours obtained just after grinding the grains varies between 31.7 and 37.6%. Significant differences were observed between the water contents of the flours obtained at the three different soaking times. Thus, the water contents of the flour obtained after 6 h of soaking the grains are lower than those obtained after 9 and 12 h of soaking. All cornmeal samples analyzed showed high fungal loads (105 to 109 CFU/g). However, a slowdown in fungal growth was observed with the flour samples with potash. The different moulds isolated from corn flour and identified belong to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor and Rhizopus. The genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are potential producers of mycotoxins and therefore capable of causing poisoning in consumers of these flours.
Developing Research Competence of Teachers as a Way of Increasing Competitiveness of HEIs in Kazakhstan

The present article shows the findings of a basic quantitative research of the teachers’ research competence and its influence on higher educational institutions’ (hereafter: HEI) competitiveness on the sample of Kazakh University of International Relations &World Languages after Ablaikhan (hereafter: KazUIR&WL). Using the method of questionnaire, the study investigates the level of satisfaction of the students and parents with the education quality in KazUIR&WL, their needs and expectations, as well as shows the linkage between teachers’ research competence and the quality of education. The research involves 19 teachers, 70 students and 70 parents, who present their opinions by answering both open-ended and close-ended questions. The present research is inductive non-experimental and helps build a strong theoretical platform for generating further research questions. The main purpose of the research is mostly an assessment of the current situation in teaching English in Kazakhstan, with elements of evaluation and description. In this aspect, the current study can become a good scientific background for generating further research ideas in the sphere of education, linguistics, methodology, history, foreign culture studies and others. The method used in the present research is the method of questioning.
Determination of the requirement resistant for Ship-RUV trust power to maneuvering and performance

The resistance requirement of Ship-RUV is very much needed for the maneuvering process by placing the motor and the propeller as the driving force. In this case the propeller and motor components in the Ship-RUV component are installed with a KV 1000 KV motor with 12000 RPM with a number of 6 Motor-propellers. Propeller conditions are installed in the rear and bottom conditions of the Ship-RUV. This function is used for operational movement when the hull of the ship. Where the design of the motor propeller selection is based on the calculation of resistance obtained from the empirical calculation formula. In the calculation of resistance, the amount of resistance of the Ship-RUV is 16 N to be able to move and operate. The condition of the speed of the Ship-RUV in its operation is planned to be able to move in the air reaching a service speed of 5 knots.
Phosphorus Adsorption Capacity of Four Soil Series for P Requirement of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L)

A pot experiment was conducted in order to know the phosphorus requirement of wheat as affected by different levels of phosphorus (P) for obtaining 95% relative yield grown in four soil series i.e. Gishkori, Buzdar, Sultanpur and Tikken of Dera Ismail Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The various treatment levels were consisted of 0, 5.5, 11.0, 16.5 and 22.0 mg P/kg of soil. Wheat dry matter yield remained at highest (1.1g) where P was supplemented at 22.0 mg P/kg in Gishkori and lowest (0.95g) in Tikken soil with the same P applied level. An increase in phosphorus concentration was recorded in wheat shoot with an increase in applied P level. Maximum phosphorus percentages recorded in wheat were 0.28 and 0.26 grown in Gishkori and Buzdar soil series followed by Sultanpur and Tikken with values of 0.11 and 0.10 respectively against P applied level of 22.0 mg P/kg soil. Minimum P concentration was noted in control. The phosphorus content of wheat and P levels were highly correlated with r values of 0.99. 0.99. 0.98 and 0.74 for Gishkori, Buzdar, Sultanpur and Tikken soil series respectively.
Integración de un Sistema de Monitoreo de Condiciones Climáticas al Sistema de Gestión de Energía Nacional

This work presents the development of a data acquisition system in real time for climatic variables such as temperature and climatic conditions; and its integration with the Energy Management System - EMS of CENACE. The acquired climatic variables will be used to analyze the relationship between temperature and electricity demand in different cities of Ecuador. Additionally, the presentation of meteorological conditions in an operational display within SCADA / EMS will help decision-making in the real-time operation of the National Interconnected System. This article shows the different concepts and components used for its development, as well as the results achieved at the visualization level.Finally, the results of an analysis of the variability of the daily hourly demand for six months will be presented, focusing on the cities of Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca. Through the data mining technique called Orthogonal Empirical Functions, this work explains the existing correlation between the amplitude of the orthogonal empirical vectors calculated of the demand and the temperature of each city.
Corporate Tax Avoidance, Free Cash Flow and Real Earnings Management: Evidence from Nigeria

Financial statements are supposed to convey comprehensive information about firms’ financial position, performance and changes in financial positions to assist a wide range of users in making economic decisions. Audited financial statements provide independent assurance that the information presented by management about the company’s financial performance and positions are true and fair. However, even with audited financial statements, there is no guarantee of zero risk of financial statements manipulation. The art of manipulating the reported earnings to achieve pre-set objectives is termed as earnings management and it can be categorized into real or accrual earnings manipulations. This study extends existing research on the real earnings management by examining the effects of corporate tax avoidance and free cash flow on real earnings management in Nigeria. The analyses involve a sample of 72 non-financial firms with 360 firm-year observations for a five-year period (2014-2018). Data was obtained from the annual reports of these companies as well as from Thompson Reuters and Bloomberg databases. Multiple regression technique was used to test the model studied. The results show that both corporate tax avoidance and free cash flow increase management’s real earnings manipulation activities. The study can benefit policymakers, shareholders, and regulators on the importance of effective internal control mechanisms to help curtail real earnings manipulations and improve the quality of reported financial statements.
Earnings Management in Frontier Market: Do Institutional Settings Matter?

We analyse whether differences in earnings management practices in frontier countries can be explained by institutional settings, considering their diverse corporate governance environments, legal regimes, and accounting standards. Across 22 frontier market countries from 2000–2017, we find that financial disclosure, legal environments, and the number of analysts following to be correlated with reduced levels of earnings management (EM). The impact of wealth, GDP growth, firm size, and the use of Big-4 auditors were also associated with reduced EM. Contrary to developed markets and novel to this study, higher levels of societal trust failed to show significance in its ability to constrain EM, suggesting informal institutions are less influential as control monitors. Findings herein verify that the factors that moderate EM are not universally applicable, and help highlight international differences in the management of earnings.
Putting Indigenous Harm Reduction to Work: Developing and Evaluating “Not Just Naloxone”

First Nations people and communities have long been championing the provision of holistic, self-determining, culturally safe, and responsive health care. In April 2016, a catastrophic rise in illicit drug overdose deaths in the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada, led to the declaration of a public health emergency. Due to the compounding historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, including trauma and inequitable access to health services, First Nations people in BC are disproportionately impacted by this crisis. In response, the First Nations Health Authority created Not Just Naloxone (NJN), a train-the-trainer workshop designed to build Indigenous harm reduction knowledge and skills within First Nations communities. This article describes the NJN program and presents the results of a follow-up evaluation of 37 participants from six NJN workshops held between December 2017 and October 2018. Core strengths of the training included an Indigenized approach and the opportunity to build networks of support. Respondents reported increased knowledge and confidence presenting about harm reduction and feeling more prepared to respond to overdoses. Areas for improvement included maintaining up-to-date training materials and navigating emotional triggers for participants. Trainees went on to train over 2,400 community members in naloxone and Indigenous harm reduction, and reported that communities’ awareness and attitudes around harm reduction began to change. Challenges providing community trainings included buy-in from local leadership and persistent abstinence-based beliefs. This evaluation demonstrates the impact of holistic, culturally safe harm reduction training and the need for a connected community of Indigenous harm reduction champions.
Mathematical modelling of upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) systems treating carbohydrate waste waters

A mathematical model is presented describing product formation and product utilisation along the line of flow in a pelletised sludge bed of a single UASB reactor system with soluble carbohydrate as influent substrate. The model proposes 12 essential processes incorporating 16 essential compounds, and includes product (compound) utilisation/formation by interaction between four groups of organisms, viz (1) acidogens, (2) acetogens, (3) acetoclastic methanogens, and (4) H 2 -utilizing methanogens
Rare events out of equilibrium: mobility through the liquid–liquid interface

Transition state theory provides a well established means to compute the rate at which rare events occur; however, this is strictly an equilibrium approach. Here we consider a nonequilibrium problem of this nature in the form of transport through a liquid–liquid interface. When two immiscible liquids are coexisting in equilibrium, there will be a certain amount of mixing between the two phases, resulting in a finite linear mobility across the liquid–liquid interface. We derive an exact relationship between the mobility and the local diffusion in the direction perpendicular to the interface. We compute the mobility using both nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and a variety of linear response type approaches, with accurate agreement being obtained for the best of these. Our analysis makes it clear how the local diffusion is influenced by the inhomogeneities of the interface, even when at a distance from it. This nonlocal character to the mobility has not been appreciated before and results in a strong variation in the local diffusion, which is formally coupled to the variation in the potential of mean force. The nonlocal aspect of the diffusion requires the velocity autocorrelation function to be integrated out to far longer times than is the case for homogeneous liquids, and requires special care with regard to the choice of numerical approach.