Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical Pretreatment of Contaminated Microfibre Cloths after Their Use in Waterless Car Wash / Ar virsmas aktīvām vielām piesārņotu bezūdens automašīnu tīrīšanas mikrošķiedru audumu fizikāli-ķīmiskā priekšapstrāde.

Abstract Contaminated microfibre cloths (80 % polyester and 20 % polyamide) which were previously used in waterless car cleaning process were treated in ultrasonic bath. Efficiency of water, ethanol, 2-propanol and ethylene glycol as liquid phase for ultrasonic treatment was compared. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), concentration of surfactants and total nitrogen in the extract were tested after 0 min, 10 min, 30 min and 60 min ultrasonic (US) exposure (42 kHz). In all cases the COD values gradually increased in a time dependent manner from 6 % to 35 % with ethanol, from 17 % to 37 % with ethyleneglycol and from 17 % to 33 % with 2-propanol at 10 to 60 min US mode, respectively. Bezūdens automašīnu mazgāšana pamatojas uz virsmas apstrādi ar mazgājamo līdzekli, kas satur virsmas aktīvās vielas, vaskus un citus savienojumus, kas ir biodegradējami un nav toksiski. Šī līdzekļa noslaucīšanai no automašīnu virsmas, neizmantojot ūdeni, pielieto mikrošķiedras audumu (80 % poliesters un 20 % poliamīds). Lai atkārtoti izmantotu šo audumu, pētīja tā mazgāšanas priekšapstrādes efektivitāti dažādos šķīdinātājos (ūdens, etanols, etilēnglikols un 2-propanols) pie dažādiem ultraskaņas režīmiem (42 kHz, ekspozīcijas laiks 0 min, 10 min, 30 min un 60 min). Izvērtēja dažādu šķīdinātāju efektivitāti audumu attīrīšanā no netīrumiem, tīrīšanas līdzekļa virsmas aktīvām vielām un vaskiem. Analizējamā šķīdumā noteica ķīmiskā skābekļa patēriņu (ĶSP), virsmas aktīvo vielu daudzumu, kopējā slāpekļa daudzumu (Nkop) un šķīduma duļķainību. Priekšapstrādes procesos visos gadījumos ĶSP palielinājās, palielinoties ultraskaņas ekspozīcijas laikam no 10 min līdz 60 min: etanola gadījumā no 6 % līdz 35 %, etilēnglikola gadījumā no 17 % līdz 37 % un 2-propanola gadījumā no 17 % līdz 32 %. Mikrošķiedras audumu priekšapstrāde, nepielietojot ultraskaņu, nepalielināja analizējamo šķīdumu ĶSP. Nkop un virsmas aktīvo vielu koncentrācija mikrošķiedras audumu priekšapstrādes šķīdumos (izņemot ūdeni) palielinājās, attiecīgi palielinot ultraskaņas ekspozīcijas laiku no 0 min līdz 60 min. Ultraskaņas ekspozīcijas laiks praktiski neietekmēja virsmas aktīvo vielu koncentrāciju ūdens šķīdumā un sasniedza 0,18 %. Visefektīvākais no testējamajiem priekšapstrādes variantiem bija ultraskaņas ekspozīcijas laiks 60 min 2-propanola šķīdumā. Nkop un virsmas aktīvo vielu koncentrācija analizējamā paraugā attiecīgi sasniedza 200 mg·L−1 un 0.24 %. Optimālo priekšapstrādes variantu noteikšanai, kā arī iegūto šķīdumu ar augstu ĶSP tālākai izmantošanai ir nepieciešami tālāki pētījumi.
Progress in Tourism Management Customer satisfaction using low cost carriers

Low cost carriers (LCCs) have a competitive advantage over full service carriers (FSCs) in several nations due to their lower fares and similar levels of service quality. Not all customers’ needs are alike, and the market characteristics found in the LCCs industry may influence customers’ attitudes. Thus, this study examines the relative importance of perceived service quality and the relationship between perceived service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioral intention using multidimensional methods. The results from this study indicate that the significant dimensions of customer satisfaction are tangibles and responsiveness. In addition, the study confirms the significant consequences of customer satisfaction including word-of-mouth communication, purchase intentions, and complaining behavior. Based on these results, carriers should develop tangibles and responsiveness for the enhancement of customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Fasting blood sugar and clinical biochemistry profiles of diabetic rats treated with methanol leaf extract of Gnetum africanum Welw.

Gnetum africanum Welw. is widely used in West Africa for the treatment of diverse diseases including diabetes and as food. However, scientific information on its antidiabetic activity using dose-response tests and sub-acute anti-diabetic study is scarce. This was studied using alloxan induced diabetic rats. Dose response test (n = 6) was conducted using different doses of the extract (400, 800, 1600 mg/kg); distilled water and glibenclamide were administered to the negative and positive controls, respectively. A 21-day sub-acute antidiabetic study was used to assess the effect of different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of the extract on fasting blood sugar (FBS) and clinical biochemistry (n = 10). Gnetum africanum methanol leaf extract produced significant dose and time-dependent reductions in FBS. The highest reduction was observed six hours post treatment in rats treated with 1,600 mg/kg of the extract (p < 0.0001). The extract also elicited significant (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) reductions in FBS in the sub-acute study. The extract significantly (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) reduced the cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of diabetic rats. Serum liver enzymes, urea and creatinine were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in treated diabetic rats. These results validate the indigenous use of Gnetum africanum in treatment of diabetes.
Diurnal variations of organic molecular tracers and stable carbon isotopic composition in atmospheric aerosols over Mt. Tai in the North China Plain: an influence of biomass burning

Abstract. Organic tracer compounds, as well as organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of total carbon (TC) have been investigated in aerosol samples collected during early and late periods of the Mount Tai eXperiment 2006 (MTX2006) field campaign in the North China Plain. Total solvent-extractable fractions were investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. More than 130 organic compounds were detected in the aerosol samples. They were grouped into twelve organic compound classes, including biomass burning tracers, biogenic primary sugars, biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers, and anthropogenic tracers such as phthalates, hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In early June when the field burning activities of wheat straws in the North China Plain were very active, the total identified organics (2090 ± 1170 ng m−3) were double those in late June (926 ± 574 ng m−3). All the compound classes were more abundant in early June than in late June, except phthalate esters, which were higher in late June. Levoglucosan (88–1210 ng m−3, mean 403 ng m−3) was found as the most abundant single compound in early June, while diisobutyl phthalate was the predominant species in late June. During the biomass-burning period in early June, the diurnal trends of most of the primary and secondary organic aerosol tracers were characterized by the concentration peaks observed at mid-night or in early morning, while in late June most of the organic species peaked in late afternoon. This suggests that smoke plumes from biomass burning can uplift the aerosol particulate matter to a certain altitude, which could be further transported to and encountered the summit of Mt. Tai during nighttime. On the basis of the tracer-based method for the estimation of biomass-burning OC, fungal-spore OC and biogenic secondary organic carbon (SOC), we estimate that an average of 24% (up to 64%) of the OC in the Mt. Tai aerosols was due to biomass burning in early June, followed by the contribution of isoprene SOC (mean 4.3%). In contrast, isoprene SOC was the main contributor (6.6%) to OC, and only 3.0% of the OC was due to biomass burning in late June. In early June, δ13C of TC (−26.6 to −23.2‰, mean −25.0‰) were lower than those (−23.9 to −21.9‰, mean −22.9‰) in late June. In addition, a strong anti-correlation was found between levoglucosan and δ13C values. This study demonstrates that crop-residue burning activities can significantly enhance the organic aerosol loading and alter the organic composition and stable carbon isotopic composition of aerosol particles in the troposphere over the North China Plain.
How to Increase the Growth Rate in South Africa

Given the concern about the low growth rates in African countries, this paper deals with the issue of how to increase the said growth rates by using South Africa as a case study. This paper attempts to answer this question by examining the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP)and productivity growth. We utilise the theoretical insights from the Solow (1956) growth model and its extension by Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992). Our empirical methodology is based on the London School of Economics Hendry’s General to Specific Instrumental Variable method and Gregory and Hansen’s (1996a; 1996b) structural break technique. Our findings imply that variables like human capital, trade openness, foreign direct investment, financial efficiency, democracy and financial reforms improves TFP and productivity growth in South Africa. Importantly, the key determinants appear to be democracy and financial liberalisation.
Letrozole versus HRT in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles

Background: A progressive increase in FET cycles was observed in recent years. Different endometrial preparation strategies have been described, however, there is still some controversy as to the ideal endometrial preparation protocol.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of letrozole in the endometrial preparation for frozen thawed embryo transfer cycles and to compare it to the HRT with estrogen and progesterone.The Study Design : Retrospective study.Patients and Methods: 320 cycles of endometrial preparation for frozen thawed embryo transfer were analyzed from 1st of January 2015 to 31st of June 2017, the recruited patients were divided into two groups: Group1 (n =160): Induction of ovulation group (letrozole group ) and Group 2 (n = 160): Hormonal replacement therapy group (HRT group). Results: the biochemical pregnancy rate was not significantly higher in the letrozole group 90 (56.3%) than in the HRT group 78 (48.8%) ; while the implantation rate, the clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate were significantly higher in the induction group 22 (27.766), 81 (50.6%), 71 (44.4%) compared to HRT group 16.72 (24.096), 62 (38.8%), 44 (27.5%), respectively. First trimester abortion rate was significantly higher in the HRT group 19 (11.9%) compared to induction group 10 (6.3%). Conclusion: The use of letrozole in patients undergoing FET was associated with significantly higher implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and a lower 1st trimesteric abortion rate, than use of HRT in frozen thawed embryo transfer cycles
A Comprehensive Literature Survey on Recent Methods of Optimal Power Flow

Over the historyof five decades, Optimal Power Flow (OPF) has become one of the most important and extensivelyconsidered nonlinear optimization problems. In general, OPF needs to optimize the operation of electric power generation, transmission and distribution networks subjectedto varioussystem constraints and control limits. However, there is an extremely wide and variety of OPF formulations and solution techniques. Moreover, the character of OPF continues to evolve due to recent electricity markets and renewable resource integration. In this survey, both the conventional, intelligent OPF methods and both in the presence of Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) are surveyed in order to present a sound context for the state of the art in OPF formulation and solution methods. The survey contributes a comprehensive conversation of specific optimization techniques that have been applied to OPF, with an emphasis on the merits, drawbacks of each method of both conventional and intelligent methods of OPF.
Oxidation Studies of Alloy 600 in Low Pressure Hydrogenated Steam

The effect of stress on the oxidation behavior of solution-annealed Alloy 600 was investigated by exposing samples to low pressure steam environments containing hydrogen at temperatures up to 480�C. The resultant oxidized surfaces of stressed and unstressed samples were analyzed via several electron microscopy techniques. For hydrogen partial pressures greater than that corresponding to the Ni/NiO equilibrium, the strain-free surface of Alloy 600 was characterized by the presence of Ni nodules. Detailed Analytical Electron Microscopy (AEM) evaluations of the near-surface regions and grain boundaries were performed on site-specific cross-section specimen produced using the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) ? energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) microanalysis revealed discrete subsurface oxides, as opposed to a continuous oxide film, thus supporting an internal oxidation process. Furthermore, preferential grain boundary oxide penetration was observed. Although no macroscopic correlation between the magnitude of the residual stress and the surface morphology was detected, local stress measurements using a recently developed FIB micro-hole drilling technique revealed residual stress variations at microscopic level. These results correlated well with the presence of intergranular and internal subsurface oxide.
Diatomite Improves Productivity and Quality of Moringaoleifera Grown in Greenhouse

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tropical perennial, softwooded tree. Different parts of the tree have been used as traditional medicine, food, plant growth enhancer, animal feed, water coagulant, cosmetic ingredient, and biodiesel raw materials. In this study, we have investigated the effects of diatomite, a rich source of silicate on the growth and active compounds content in Moringa oleifera. We have irrigated our plants with 3 different concentrations (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/l), of diatomite solution. Our results indicated that plants irrigated with 2.5 g/l of diatomite shown highest rate of improvement in growth parameters such as plant height, number of branch, leaves, and roots, as well as fresh and dried weight of stem, leaves, and roots as compared to the control (irrigated with water only) and plants irrigated with 5 or 10 g/l diatomite. The enhancement in growth parameters is supported by the increased in photosynthetic pigments. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid as well as tocopherol and apigenin in the leaves and roots samples shown slight increment in all the diatomite treatment groups as compared to the control.
A Firefly Algorithm for Optimizing Spur Gear Parameters Under Non-Lubricated Condition

Firefly algorithm is one of the emerging evolutionary approaches for complex and non-linear optimization problems. It is inspired by natural firefly"s behavior such as movement of fireflies based on brightness and by overcoming the constraints such as light absorption, obstacles, distance, etc. In this research, firefly"s movement had been simulated computationally to identify the best parameters for spur gear pair by considering the design and manufacturing constraints. The proposed algorithm was tested with the traditional design parameters and found the results are at par in less computational time by satisfying the constraints.
Consumer Perceptions and Coping Strategies of Consumers Committed to Eating Local in Michigan (USA)

American consumers are presented with an increasing number of reasons to buy and eat local food products. One refers to the importance of the origin of the products they purchase. A second, and closely related reason, refers to being concerned about the food miles, or the distance foods have traveled from where they are grown or raised, to where they are purchased or consumed. If the act of "eating local" is often presented as beneficial and virtuous (for example, health, environment, community development and civic responsibility), it also embodies obstacles such as the time and sometimes skills required for both shopping and preparation. Such obstacles often discourage many from buying local fresh produce. This paper draws on the results of several focus groups with consumers in Michigan who are committed to eating local. The paper offers insights into how these consumers cope or balance their commitment to eating local with the constraints they face on buying and preparing local food. French Abstract : Les consommateurs des Etats-Unis sont de plus en plus incites a acheter et consommer des produits locaux. L'une des raisons est l'importance de l'origine des produits que l'on achete. Une autre raison est celle de la preoccupation par rapport aux " food miles " c'est a dire la distance parcourue par les produits entre la production et l'achat. Si le fait de consommer local est souvent presente comme vertueux (pour la sante, l'environnement, le developpement local ou la responsabilite sociale), il presente des obstacles tels que le temps passe et les competences necessaires pour les achats et la preparation. De tels obstacles peuvent decourager l'achat des produits locaux. Cet article presente les resultats de plusieurs focus groups avec des consommateurs du Michigan impliques dans l'achat de produits locaux. Il permet de comprendre quelles sont les strategies de coping utilisees par les consommateurs pour concilier leur engagement et les contraintes auxquelles ils doivent faire face lors de l'achat ou de la preparation des produits.
Phytochemical Analysis and Inhibitory Effect of Citrus aurantium L. (Bitter Orange) Leaves on some Bacterial Isolates in vitro

This study has been done in order to investigate the phytochemicals constitution and determine in vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanolic Citrus aurantium L. leaves extract against bacteria. The organic solvent extraction done by used Soxhlet apparatus, solvents used were methanol (80%), while aqueous extract was prepared by using magnetic stirrer. The phytochemical analysis of plant extract was performed using precipitation and coloration methods. Antibacterial activity of methanolic and aqueous of Citrus aurantium L. leaves extract determined by disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. The different concentrations of aqueous and methanolic Citrus aurantium L. leaves extract exhibited potent antibacterial activity against selected bacteria. The phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanolic Citrus aurantium L. leaves extract revealed the presence of steroids, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, phenols and tannins, while the glycosides detectable in the methanolic extract only, and the terpenoids not detectable. Both aqueous and methanolic Citrus aurantium L. leaves extract at concentrations (5% and 10%) showed considerable antibacterial activity against (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aerugenosa and Proteus mirabilis). To conclude, the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Citrus aurantium L. leaves was efficiency against some bacteria strains.
Present-day climate and climate sensitivity in the meteorological research institute coupled GCM version 2.3 (MRI-CGCM2.3)

A new version of the Meteorological Research Institute (MRI) coupled general circulation model MRICGCM2 (MRI2.3) is developed and compared with the previous version (MRI2.0). The cloud scheme includes diagnostic function for cloud amount separately specified for convective and layer clouds, which is one of the major modifications contributing to the improved model performance. MRI2.3 exhibits better agreement with the observations in many aspects of present-day climate simulations, including the global energy budget, meridional distributions of shortwave and longwave radiation at the top of the atmosphere, and geographical distributions of surface air temperature and precipitation. The effective climate sensitivity of each version is evaluated based on an experiment with a transient (1%/year) increase of carbon dioxide concentration. The effective climate sensitivity of MRI2.3 (2.9 K) is about twice that of MRI2.0 (1.4 K). The change in the cloud-forcing response, particularly for shortwave cloud forcing, is essential for increasing climate sensitivity. A difference in tropical low-level clouds over the subsidence regions contributes significantly to the difference in cloud-forcing changes in response to a climate change. Analyses based on circulation regimes, defined by the vertical velocity at the mid-troposphere, suggest that the cloud-forcing response in the tropics is controlled more by thermodynamic characteristics, such as changes of the stability in the lower troposphere, rather than by large-scale circulation changes, such as a change in the subsidence strength.
An overview of the theory of Microeconomics (consumer behaviour and market structures) in fast food marketing

This paper provides an overview of the application of microeconomic theories in fast food marketing. The aim is to bring out the interrelationship between marketing and microeconomics with respect to the fast food industry. The paper examines some conceptual and theoretical tools that will enhance the marketing practices of managers in the fast food industry. Hence, the marketing aspects of international fast food firms are analyzed within the framework of the concept of consumer behaviour and monopolistic market structures. The paper further analyzes the market structures and its implications on the profit, cost and revenue of fast food firms. The concluding part of this paper brings out the marketing implications of the theory of consumer behaviour and market structures and also describes the strategies that firms in a monopolistic market can use to increase their bottom line, become competitive and increase their market share.
The origin of S0s in clusters: evidence from the bulge and disc star formation histories

The individual star formation histories of bulges and discs of lenticular (S0) galaxies can provide information on the processes involved in the quenching of their star formation and subsequent transformation from spirals. In order to study this transformation in dense environments, we have decomposed long-slit spectroscopic observations of a sample of 21 S0s from the Virgo Cluster to produce one-dimensional spectra representing purely the bulge and disc light for each galaxy. Analysis of the Lick indices within these spectra reveals that the bulges contain consistently younger and more metal-rich stellar populations than their surrounding discs, implying that the final episode of star formation within S0s occurs in their central regions. Analysis of the α-element abundances in these components further presents a picture in which the final episode of star formation in the bulge is fuelled using gas that has previously been chemically enriched in the disc, indicating the sequence of events in the transformation of these galaxies. Systems in which star formation in the disc was spread over a longer period contain bulges in which the final episode of star formation occurred more recently, as one might expect for an approximately coeval population in which the transformation from spiral to S0 occurred at different times. With data of this quality and the new analysis method deployed here, we can begin to describe this process in a quantitative manner for the first time.