Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF FOUR AGROBOTANICAL EXTRACTS AND THREE TYPES OF BAGS ON THE CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS AND MOULDS OF STORED YAM CHIPS

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of four agrobotanical extracts and three types of storage bags as alternative options to the use of agrochemical insecticides for yam chip storage. Dried yam chips were obtained from Shaki area of Oyo State, Nigeria and treated with extracts from Azadiractha indica (neem) leaf, Xylopia aethiopica (uda) pod, Occimum graticimum (nche anwu) leaf and Zingiber officinale (ginger) stem tuber. The storage bags were 0.05mm gauge polythene bags, 0.05mm gauge polythene-lined-jute bags and jute bags. After 3 or 6 months of storage, chip weight loss was always low at 1-5% with Azadiractha indica, Occimum graticimum, Zingiber officinale compared with the weight loss of 13 to 24% obtained where no agrobotanical was applied. At either 3 or 6 months of storage, insect damage through boring of holes was evident but was significantly higher with no agrobotanical treatment or with X. aethiopica than with the other agrobotanical treatments especially at 6 months of storage. There was little or no mould growth at 3 months of storage while at 6 months, mould growth was rather enhanced by X. aethiopica, Z. officinale and O. gratissimum and by A. indica to a lesser extent. The type of storage bag did not significantly improve the various criteria measured at either 3 or 6 months of storage. However insect damage appeared lower and chip quality assessment showed lower blemishes in polythene-lined-jute or jute bag alone. A. indica followed by O. graticimum gave better chip quality than the other treatments irrespective of the type of storage bag. Correlation analysis revealed that chip weight loss was highly and positively related with insect damage (r = 0.92) and highly but negatively related with quality assessment (r = 0.89). Insect damage was also negatively related with chip quality score at the end of storage (r = -0. 87).
Size-specific predation by dominant consumers maintains a 'trophic cul-de-sac'

Manipulations of fully grown (>60.0 mm) detritivorous Sydney mud whelks Pyrazus ebeninus Brugiere 1972 suggest that the species serves as a 'trophic cul-de-sac', limiting flow of car- bon from producers to top consumers. However, although large P. ebeninus individuals experience negligible predation, smaller individuals that do not cause the same depletion of primary and sec- ondary producers may suffer predatory losses. To assess the role that predation on the small whelks might play in weakening the trophic cul-de-sac provided by larger conspecifics, we investigated size- and habitat-specific patterns of predation on P. ebeninus through a series of field and laboratory ex- periments. Field tethering of 3 size classes of snail indicated that irrespective of seasonal differences in predation intensity, small (30.1 to 40.0 mm shell height, SH) individuals experienced significantly greater predatory mortality (25% over 7 wk) than medium (50.1 to 60.0 mm SH: 7.5%) or large (70.1 to 80.0 mm SH: 2%) conspecifics. Predatory mortality was largely attributable to naticid predators, al- though several tethered snails were crushed, perhaps by elasmobranchs, toadfish or crabs. For some size classes there were differences in predatory mortality between low shore mudflats and higher shore mangrove forests, but the direction of these differences varied between autumn and spring, and the differences disappeared altogether when densities of predators were held constant, indicating that they were not driven by habitat per se. In laboratory experiments, the relative contributions of small, medium and large P. ebeninus individuals to the total prey consumed by the naticid gastropod Conu- ber sordidus Swainson 1821 were similar between choice and no-choice experiments, and even in the absence of small prey items, large P. ebeninus snails were not consumed. Thus, even when there is de- pletion of small size classes of P. ebeninus, it is unlikely that common benthic predators would con- sume sufficient numbers of large snails to prevent deleterious effects of this species on primary and secondary production. To the contrary, predatory mortality of small P. ebeninus individuals may en- sure that its populations continue to be dominated by the large, damage-causing size classes.
New Nine-accelerometer Configuration for Improving Estimating Precision of Angular Rate

A new nine-accelerometer configuration of non-gyro inertial measurement unit(NGIMU) is proposed based on a conventional six-accelerometer configuration,and its mathematic model is constructed.A novel algorithm for estimating the angular velocity is also provided to improve the estimating precision.The algorithm uses the redundant information of the accelerometer outputs to solve the sign problem of the angular velocity and to alleviate the error accumulation which arises from integrating the angular acceleration.A simulation case for estimating the displacement,the head angle,the pitch angle and the roll angle is investigated.The simulation results show the feasibility of the configuration and the effectiveness of the algorithm.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND MICROBIOLOGY OF BEE-COLLECTED ALMOND (PRUNUS DULCIS) POLLEN AND BEE BREAD. I- Fatty Acids, Sterols, Vitamins and Minerals

Almond (Prunus dulcis) pollen was handand honey bee-collected (corbicular) for chemical analysis. Corbicular pollen was packed by bees into wax combs for conversion (via natural fermentation) into bee bread. Chemical analyses of 12 fatty acids, 3 sterols, 3 vitamins, inositol, titratable acidity, and 5 minerals were made on the hand-collected and corbicular pollen. The bee bread was analyzed after 7, 2l, and 42 days for all of the above except the fatty acids and sterols. Lipoidal and acidic additions by the bees constituted the greatest differences between hand-collected and corbicular pollen. Sitosterol content decreased while titratable acidity increased during conversion to bee bread. The only vitamins which decreased as the pollen was converted to bee bread were ascorbic acid and pyridoxine.
Do companies in the food sector measure up? A case study of Ireland, implications and lessons to be learned for EU member states

Ireland's geographical isolation in Western Europe is a challenge that most Irish business sectors must learn to deal with on a daily basis. This paper reports on an in-depth study into the food industry in Ireland. It reports on improvements made in the supply chain operations of the Irish food industry over the past two years. The implementation of effective supply chain management principles has enabled these food companies to reduce their overall costs, improve their service and enhance their revenues. This research into the improvements in the practices of the food sector through the adoption of supply chain management practices is grounded in the identification and definition of sector appropriate key performance indicators (KPI's). The paper then goes on to show how the performance of Irish food companies compared when benchmarked against international standards. In the final part of this study, all respondents from the 2003 survey were split into groups of small, medium and large sized companies. This offered an insight into how the three separate entities compared with one another in terms of their logistics development and capability. The results showed that all three groups had unique strengths and weaknesses in relation to the management of their logistics activities that were not present in the other two groups. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.
WP / 2010 / 11 Party system Closure : Conceptualization , Operationalization and Validation

The predictability of party relations is a crucial dimension of party systems. The most recent innovation in the conceptualization and measurement of this dimension is due to Peter Mair (1996, 2001, 2007). This paper revisits the measures employed by Mair and his colleagues, points out the weaknesses of the existing operationalizations and suggests new indicators. The analysis of the psychometric characteristics of the new measures is done with the help of new data set that covers the first two decades of party politics in 29 democracies. The analysis shows that the role of government alternation is less relevant, while the role of governmental formulae is central in the construction of closure.
The natural effect of multi-currency cross-hedging

This thesis investigates the power and accuracy of the natural effect of multi-currency cross-hedging, based on the non-zero correlation between currency pairs, with the purpose of deter-mining if this could be a suitable hedging strategy for small- and medium-sized enterprises hav-ing transaction exposure to currency risk. The investigation, performed through an out-of-sample approach, is based on the minimization of the risk measure Conditional Value at Risk. By using a sample of exchange spot rates from 2010 to 2017, divided into two periods, we test a set of hedged portfolios (computed in the setting of a multi-currency cross-hedging strategy) from the estimation period on the data of the test period. The results show that the investigating hedging strategy performs poorly already in the estimation period, and even worse when applied to the test period. The conclusion of this thesis is that the natural effect of multi-currency cross-hedging lacks power and accuracy over time, probably due to the instability of correla-tions between periods, and is therefore not considered as a suitable hedging strategy for small- and medium-sized enterprises. (Less)
Loughborough University Institutional Repository Backing off : hierarchical decomposition of activity for 3 D novel pose recovery

For model-based 3D human pose estimation, even simple models of the human body lead to high-dimensional state spaces. Where the class of activity is known a priori, lowdimensional activity models learned from training data make possible a thorough and efficient search for the best pose. Conversely, searching for solutions in the full state space places no restriction on the class of motion to be recovered, but is both difficult and expensive. This paper explores a potential middle ground between these approaches, using the hierarchical Gaussian process latent variable model to learn activity at different hierarchical scales within the human skeleton. We show that by training on full-body activity data then descending through the hierarchy in stages and exploring subtrees independently of one another, novel poses may be recovered. Experimental results on motion capture data and monocular video sequences demonstrate the utility of the approach, and comparisons are drawn with existing low-dimensional activity models.
An Investigation Study of Total Harmonic Distortion in a Flying Capacitor Multilevel Inverter With / Without Closed – Loop Feedback Schemes

This paper focuses on the investigation study of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in a sevenlevel Flying Capacitor Multilevel Inverter (FCMLI) with / without closed-loop feedback schemes. For that, a closed-loop model is designed for the existing FCMLI through this paper. Conventionally full bridge and half bridge inverter configurations are used for certain applications where DC-AC conversion is needed. But the main drawbacks of these inverters are high harmonic content and used only for limited power applications. In order to overcome this, a novel approach called closed-loop FCMLI will be proposed, which significantly increases the level number of the output waveform and thereby dramatically reduces the low-order harmonics and THD. The proposed system consists of a DC–DC power converter and a DC–AC multilevel inverter. In order to achieve low cost, easy control, high efficiency, and high reliability, a capacitor clamped DC–DC boost converter using minimal devices is introduced to interface the lowvoltage Photovoltaic (PV) module.
Social capital interventions at firm level affecting performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector

Social capital research has largely focused on developed economies and there is conflict of acceptance on the legality of some network relations across cultures. This study pioneered the interventions at firm level aimed at building social capital for company performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. This was in an effort to provide evidence of the need for network relations to enhance business performance. A survey method was used to collect data to confirm empirically the social capital interventions existing in the sector. Using an econometric model, 10 social capital variables were regressed to determine importance of the interventions. The bivariate results indicated that networks, level of trust and entertainment were significantly associated to firm performance. On the multivariate level, trust, presences of an entertainment budget and government liaison were positively associated with firm performance. It was concluded that investment in social capital through entertainment budget created profitable relationships which if nurtured builds trust which reduces transaction costs thus affecting the bottom line. So social variables which were significantly associated with performance worked in a symbiotic, cyclical nature.
Territory and regional products: an attempt to evaluate the effects of territory information on product price

Regions are not mere geographical spaces, being also endowed with specific resources that can be mobilized to increase local producer’s value. Experimental research on Portuguese wine prices contradicted this idea, since region of origin information highlighted on the label or the brand does not have significant impact on price. Even when compared with other product attributes, region of origin information, as a whole, is generally of low importance. However, other product attributes like colour (red wine), age (more than 3 years) and special attributes (grape or reserve) all have positive effects on price.
Acquisition of Vocabulary by Dint of Unique Strategies: Indispensible for Fostering English Language Skills.

Vocabulary is the gateway to knowledge that unlocks the doors of sublime ideas to the readers. The competency on the lexical items of language plays a significant role in learning a new concept. Any learner who has excellent command over the use of vocabulary excels in his/her study of different subjects. Vocabulary learning is one of the important features of language learning and language use. In fact, it is what makes the essence of a language. Learning vocabulary is a natural and lifelong phenomenon. Throughout the life span, individuals develop their vocabulary effectively and almost effortlessly as long as they see words in meaningful contexts. Children in school will encounter plethora of words in their reading. In schools they may continue to learn vocabulary without much direct and explicit help from Teachers. For the most part, vocabulary growth in school occurs informally and incidentally rather than formally and intentionally. Students should be helped to understand the meaning of each word both contextually and non-contextually. The teachers teaching second language must follow varieties of effective strategies for teaching vocabulary. As the strategies are very easy, interesting and effective, learning of any word retains in the memory of the students for a long-term. Only innovative strategies will enable the students enrich their power of vocabulary. This article highlights unique strategies for learning vocabulary in the ambiance of Indian English classrooms.
Biodiesel Production from Municipal Sewage Sludges

Biodiesel is a fuel comprised of monoalkyl esters traditionally derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. There is currently an unprecedented increase in interest and demand for biodiesel and other fuels derived from renewable biomass. However, pure vegetable or seed oils are expensive and constitute between 70% and 85% of the overall biodiesel production cost. Municipal sewage sludge is gaining traction in the U.S. and around the world as a lipid feedstock for biodiesel production. It is plentiful and consists of significant concentrations of lipids that can make production of biodiesel from sludge profitable. However, there are challenges to be faced by biodiesel production from waste sludge. Determining how best to collect the different fractions and treat them for maximum lipids extraction is a major challenge. To accelerate biodiesel production, cosolvents and high shear mixing have been proposed. Nevertheless, there is very little information on the cost-effective means of increasing lipid solubil.
Study on the Impact of New Accounting Standards on Earnings Management

Earning management is a very hot and disputed topic can be influenced by many factors. Compared to old standards, our new accounting standards can restrict earning management in lots of aspects. Inevitably, as immature standards, it can’t avoid and eradicate all the situations in earning management. This paper will compare the difference between the old and new standards and research its impact on earnings
Animal models of chronic wound care: the application of biofilms in clinical research

php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php). Chronic Wound Care Management and Research 2016:3 123–132 Chronic Wound Care Management and Research Dovepress
Desiccation-Tolerant Rhizobacteria Maintain their Plant GrowthPromoting Capability after Experiencing Extreme Water Stress

1,4Laura Abisaí Pazos-Rojas, 1Osvaldo Rodríguez-Andrade, 2,5Ligia Catalina Muñoz-Arenas, 1,6Yolanda Elizabeth MoralesGarcía, 3Andrés Corral-Lugo, 1,7Verónica Quintero-Hernández, 1Antonino Baez, 1,6Dalia Molina-Romero, *1Jesús MuñozRojas *1Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular Microbiana (LEMM), Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas (CICM), Instituto de Ciencias (IC), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), Puebla, México 2Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Popular Autónoma de Puebla 3Institut de Biologie Integrative de la Cellule, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France 4Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología Aplicada, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tepetitla, Tlaxcala, México 5Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala 6Facutad de Ciencias Biológicas, BUAP, Puebla, México 7CONACYT, LEMM, CICM, IC, BUAP
Resources for a modern society and grants for democracy. ICT in technical higher education

The paper presents the Romanian expertise in ICT-based education in technical universities. It is emphasized that the master orientation of the entire Romanian society regarding the European values and standards has triggered the political decision made by the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research to implement the ICT-based Education Program. Using examples from the educational activity developed in the University Politehnica of Bucharest, the paper focuses on learning and teaching as processes which have always been closely related to technology. Discussing the fact that the introducing of ICT in education is a significant investment for the future, the paper shows the impact of the instructional strategies assisted by computer on the achievement of learning objectives.
Alternatives for At-Risk and Out-of-School Youth. ERIC Digest.

THIS DIGEST WAS CREATED BY ERIC, THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ERIC, CONTACT ACCESS ERIC 1-800-LET-ERIC "At risk" is a problematic term, a label that "may place students at more risk than internal and external factors" (Sanders 2000, p. 3). Many youth "at risk" are not well served by mainstream schooling, and in this era of standardized testing the stakes are high for them and for schools (Raywid 2001). Thus, educators are considering alternative ways to help these youth succeed in school and beyond. This Digest
Partial Purifi cation, Stability Analysis, and Preservation of Xylanase from Xylanolytic Alkalophylic Bacteria

A xylanase, which produces xylose from oat spelt xylans, was isolated from the culture medium of xylanolytic alkalophylic bacteria mutant. The enzyme was purifi ed by ammonium sulphate with level 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90%. The purify of the fi nal preparation was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular masses of the purifi ed xylanase were 137.61 and 165.34 kDa. Result of ammonium sulphate saturation with the highest activity was used as standart for saturation for enzyme production and preservation, using corn, tapioca, soy bean meal and gaplek fl our as carriers. Addition of 60% ammonium sulphate showed the highest xylanase activity (62.03 U/g), and produced 89.40% enzyme recovery. Tapioca, as a carrier, produced the highest xylanase activity. Key words: preservation, purifi cation, stability analysis, xylanase.
Determination of the Relationships of Electrical Resistivity, Sound Velocity, and Density/Porosity of Sediment and Rock by Laboratory Techniques and Well Logs from Deep Sea Drilling Project Sites 415 and 416 off the Coast of Morocco

Comparisons of compressional-sound velocity and its relationship to wet-bulk density from well-log data with those of laboratory data, from depths of 113 meters to 273 meters below sea floor in Miocene nannofossil marl and chalk, indicate that the porosities of laboratory samples are about 5 porosity units greater than those of in situ sediments (or on the logs). This is in agreement with predictions by Hamilton (1976) for porosity rebound with the release of overburden pressure. The electrical-resistivity relationship with porosity agrees well with the Archie (1942) type relationship. The models, in decreasing order of agreement are: Boyce (1968), Archie (1942), Kermabon et al. (1969), Winsauer et al. (1952), and Maxwell (1904). In general, acoustic anisotropy increases with age and depth. Anisotropy is typically 0 to 5 per cent (maximum of 14%) faster parallel to bedding in Tertiary sediments, from 0 to 661 meters below the sea floor, and typically 0 to 30 per cent in mainly Mesozoic sedimentary rock, from 661 to 1624 meters. Acoustic anisotropy is particularly significant (0.4 km/s or greater) when velocities are from 2.0 to 4.2 km/s.
Interactive interfaces for movement rehabilitation in virtual environments

This paper discusses a system for movement rehabilitation that uses low-cost widely available input devices supporting force-feedback, enabling the design of an individualised therapy curriculum. Interactive 3D environments present tasks that can be adapted in terms of complexity and ease of goal attainment. The system is focused upon promoting increase in the range of movement, control of tremor, control of limb velocity and control of smoothness of movement. Our system exploits the use of augmented feedback to enable the patient to identify the strategies and sensory cues that support re-organisation of the impaired motor response. Stress is laid on flexible mapping between the limb movement and the virtual environment action; this provides an extensible system to cope with diverse movement (dis)abilities and also encompass advances in input device technology.