Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Valencia Eustress-Distress Appraisal Scale (VEDAS): Validation of the Italian Version

The aim of this study is to validate the Italian version of the Valencia Eustress-Distress Appraisal Scale (VEDAS). Two hundred and thirty-two Italian workers were involved in the study. Dimensionality, reliability, and concurrent validity were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-dimensional structure. In addition, the Italian version of the scale showed good internal consistency and validity. The results indicate that the Italian version of the VEDAS is a valid instrument for measuring eustress and distress appraisal in the Italian context.
Multiplex real-time PCRs for detection of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in carcasses of slaughtered animals

Abstract Introduction: The study objective was to develop and evaluate a new TaqMan multiplex real-time PCR method for Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) detection in slaughtered animal carcasses. Material and Methods: The procedure included an enrichment step, DNA extraction, and two multiplex real-time PCRs. The first PCR detected the invA and hly genes of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes respectively, the second the vtx1, vtx2, and eae genes of VTEC. Results: The validation of this method resulted in 100% relative sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy as compared to the reference ISO methods. The limit of detection per swab sample was established at 1 cfu for Salmonella and L. monocytogenes and 2 cfu for VTEC. The authors analysed 265 slaughterhouse-collected swabs from cattle, pig, and poultry carcasses. Among 125 from cattle, 51 were positive for VTEC, 29 for Salmonella, and 1 for L. monocytogenes. Among swabs from pig carcasses (n = 95), three, two, and one sample were positive for these pathogens respectively. None of the microorganisms tested for was identified in 45 samples of poultry origin. Conclusion: The obtained results showed that the method developed can rapidly identify the main bacterial pathogens that may contaminate carcasses of food-producing animals.
DESIGN OF AUDITORY PROCESSING AND SUBJECTIVE CLASSIFICATION FOR MUSIC

We used Kansei engineering to analyze how humans relate to sound and music. We analyzed what features of sound humans paid attention to and how humans interpreted sound. At the physiological level of sound processing, sound is processed according to its auditory characteristics. At this level, humans don’t interpret the image of the sound; there is no subjectivity. By using auditory characteristics, we investigated the features pertinent to the analysis of sound and music. We considered early processing in the auditory nervous system as extracting the changes in power, which are obtained from the segmentation of sound-signals by frequency band and time interval, and contrast, and the features obtained by that extraction. At the cognitive level, we analyzed the correlation of those features with words that subjects associated with the features. Through this modeling, we developed a method for retrieving sounds and music with similar associations, or images evoked by particular words.
Indigenous ecological knowledge, biodiversity and sustainable development in the central Himalayas

The paper has looked at traditional systems of forestry and agricultural system management in the central himalayan region. Based on a detailed analysis of traditional eco- logical knowledge that is linked with biodiversity, natural and human-managed, various possi- bilities for sustainable management of natural resources, with concerns for sustainable liveli- hood of local communities have been explored for the Garhwal region in the central himalayas. It is concluded that if the development interests of local people are marginalized for a long pe- riod of time, they might adopt actions detrimental to the goal of conservation. Capitalizing on the positive dimensions of traditional knowledge and overcoming its negative dimensions through conventional science-based inputs could ease the difficult process of securing people's participation in environmental conservation together with the socio-economic development of local communities. Resumen: En este trabajo se examinaron los sistemas tradicionales de foresteria y el manejo del sistema agricola en la region central de los Himalayas. Con base en un analisis de- tallado del conocimiento ecologico tradicional ligado a la biodiversidad, tanto la natural como la sometida a manejo humano, se han explorado varias posibilidades para el manejo sostenible de los recursos naturales, con miras en el interes en la provision sostenible de sustento para las comunidades locales en la region Grahwal de los Himalayas centrales. Se concluye que si los intereses en el desarrollo de los pobladores locales son marginalizados por largos periodos, estos pueden adoptar acciones que van en detrimento de la meta de la conservacion. La capi- talizacion de las dimensiones positivas del conocimiento tradicional y la superacion de sus di- mensiones negativas a traves de aportaciones basadas en la ciencia convencional, podrian fa- cilitar el dificil proceso de asegurar la participacion de la gente en la conservacion ambiental a la par del desarrollo socioeconomico de las comunidades locales. Resumo: O artigo debruca-se sobre os sistemas de silvicultura tradicionais e os sistemas de gestao agricola na regiao central dos Himalaias. Com base na analise detalhada do conheci- mento ecologico tradicional que esta ligado a biodiversidade, natural ou de gestao humana, va- rias posibilidades para a gestao sustentada dos recursos naturais, com preocupacao para a qualidade de vida das comunidades locais foram exploradas para a regiao do Grahwal nos Himalaias centrais. Concluiu-se que se os interesses de desenvolvimento das populacoes locais
The Random Walk Model Based on Bipartite Network

With the continuing development of the electronic commerce and growth of network information, there is a growing possibility for citizens to be confused by the information. Though the traditional technology of information retrieval have the ability to relieve the overload of information in some extent, it can not offer a targeted personality service based on user’s interests and activities. In this context, the recommendation algorithm arose. In this paper, on the basis of conventional recommendation, we studied the scheme of random walk based on bipartite network and the application of it. We put forward a similarity measurement based on implicit feedback. In this method, a uneven character vector is imported(the weight of item in the system). We put forward a improved random walk pattern which make use of partial or incomplete neighbor information to create recommendation information. In the end, there is an experiment in the real data set, the recommendation accuracy and practicality are improved. We promise the reality of the result of the experiment
Improved Minimum Delay Routing Using TBETX Routing Over DSDV Routing Protocol in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

The proactive of a routing protocol to solve the problem of delay in DSDV which is a table-driven routing protocol, applied in wireless Ad Hoc networks. Due to high mobility in wireless networks frequent link failure, delay is a problem in table-driven routing protocols which is cause of increasing delay time and packet loss in such wireless networks. The Proposed DSDV protocol of wireless ad-hoc networks depend on the efficiency of routing protocols, especially the routing metric operating within it. In this paper performance of the recently proposed routing metric traffic bandwidth adjusted expected transmission count (Traffic-BETX) metric is compared with two prominent existing metrics, the expected transmission count (ETX) and the minimum delay routing (MDR) over the destination sequenced distance Vector (DSDV) routing protocol. The performance differentials are analyzed using varying packet rates under heavy traffic. From the simulations results, Traffic-BETX metric outperforms the ETX and MDR metric because it implements the bandwidth sharing mechanism and makes use of the information available at the MAC layer.
A Fully Integrated Ka-Band Doherty Power Amplifier With 26.9 dBm Output Power, 42% Peak PAE and 32% Back-Off PAE

: We present the design and development of a fully integrated, two stage Doherty power amplifier (DPA) in the Ka-Band. The amplifier is fabricated in a 0.15- µ m Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) process. The DPA has a center frequency of 26.6 GHz, a measured small signal gain of 10.5 dB, output power at 1-dB compression point (P1dB) of 26.9 dBm, maximum power added efficiency (PAE) of 42%, and PAE of 32% at 6 dB back-off power. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this DPA is the first fully integrated millimeter-wave (mm-wave) power amplifier to achieve a record 32% PAE at 6-dB back-off power from 26.9 dBm at Ka-band.
Effects of local coagulants on the yield of cheese using cow and sheep milk

Cheeses were produced from cow and sheep milk using three different local coagulants of plant origin, namely: Calotropis procera leaf, Carica papaya leaf and lemon fruit. The objective of this study was to determine the yield, texture, dry matter, whey volume, pH and cuddling time of cheese made from the aforementioned materials. The results for both types of milk revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the yield of cheese using Calotropis procera and Carica papaya extracts (25.60 % and 24.16 % - cow milk; 30.41 % and 29.66 % - sheep milk, respectively); but showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the yield of cheese processed with lemon juice (18.31 % - cow milk and 23.52 % - sheep milk). The result of the main effect revealed a higher significant difference (P < 0.05 ) in the yield and cuddling time of cheese made from sheep milk (27.86 %) over that of cow milk (22.69%). In both types of milk the cheese produced using lemon juice was harder and had a higher significant value of dry matter (P < 0.05) than those processed with Calotropis procera and Carica papaya. In conclusion, this study suggests that sheep milk and Carica papaya extract could be good alternatives to commonly used cow milk and Calotropis procera extract in the cheese making industry.
Fractional Quantum Hall Effect in Graphene: Quantitative Comparison between Theory and Experiment

The observation of extensive fractional quantum Hall states in graphene brings out the possibility of more accurate quantitative comparisons between theory and experiment than previously possible, because of the negligibility of finite width corrections. We obtain an accurate phase diagram for differently spin-polarized fractional quantum Hall states, and also estimate the effect of Landau level mixing using the modified interaction pseudopotentials given in the literature. We find that the observed phase diagram is in good quantitative agreement with theory that neglects Landau level mixing, but the agreement becomes significantly worse when Landau level mixing is incorporated assuming that the corrections to the energies are linear in the Landau level mixing parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. This implies that a first order perturbation theory in $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is inadequate for the current experimental systems, for which $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is typically on the order of or greater than one. We also test the accuracy of the composite-fermion theory and find that all lowest Landau level projection methods used in the literature are very accurate for the states of the form $n/(2n+1)$ but for the states at $n/(2n\ensuremath{-}1)$ the results are more sensitive to the projection method. An earlier prediction of an absence of spin transitions for the $n/(4n+1)$ states is confirmed by more rigorous calculations, and new predictions are made regarding spin physics for the $n/(4n\ensuremath{-}1)$ states.
At Eternity's Gate: The Spiritual Vision of Vincent Van Gogh

Most scholars have argued that van Gogh was insane and that his religious life was a product of this madness - and was something he happily abandoned when he left the Christian ministry to pursue a career as an artist. This biography by Kathleen Powers Erickson is the first to demonstrate the falsehood of such assumptions and to argue that van Gogh's spiritual life was essential to the unfolding of his unique artistic vision. Basing her study on solid biographical evidence, van Gogh's personal correspondence, and informed insight into the painter's artistic imagery, Erickson clearly traces van Gogh's pilgrimage of faith, from his early religious training, through his evangelical missionary period, to his struggle with religion and modern thought, and finally to the synthesis of traditional Christian beliefs with the modern world-view that he achieved in both his life and his art. Unique to this study is Erickson's in-depth examination of van Gogh's mental illness, culminating in her convincing argument that van Gogh's "insanity," long assumed - indeed mythologically contrived - to be schizophrenia, was in fact a psychological disorder resulting from a form of epilepsy. Erickson shows that this famous facet of van Gogh's life, too, was not without a spiritual dimension. In addition, the volume includes five black-and-white pictures of van Gogh and members of his family and a collection of nineteen black-and-white illustrations that reproduce important pieces of van Gogh's artwork.
Career development of women in the hotel industry: An Overview

This paper focuses on factors affecting career progression of women in the hotel industry as discussed by researchers in different geographical locations in the world and to investigate whether women are indeed blocked in the process of advancing in their career. It is also focused to explore the mechanism adopted by the hospitality companies to mitigate the issue related to womenâ€™s career progression. An in-depth study was carried to by reviewing twenty-two articles related to the hotel industry and twenty-eight articles related to hospitality industry. It was revealed that specific factors are common to the industry irrespective of the geographical locations such as networking, gender discrimination, segregation, long and irregular working hours and work and family balance. However, factors like cultural barriers, taking risks on non-linear assignments and significance of finding a sponsor were limited to individual countries. Irrespective of the economic and social developments of the countries concerned covering America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Middle Eastern countries, Far East Asia and South Asian regions, the issue of lack of women leaders in the hotel industry has been a significant issue. The Glass ceiling effect on career development for women was widely discussed and confirmed the existence in many countries irrespective of legal frameworks of equal opportunities. Few uncommon issues were also publicised in the study in the USA commenting few challenges and barriers such as the importance of having a sponsor, making lateral moves with new opportunities and being a â€˜â€tokenâ€ in a male-dominated executive table.
Sustainable intensification in African agriculture

Over the past half-century, agricultural production gains have provided a platform for rural and urban economic growth worldwide. In African countries, however, agriculture has been widely assumed to have performed badly. Foresight commissioned analyses of 40 projects and programmes in 20 countries where sustainable intensification has been developed during the 1990s–2000s. The cases included crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture and novel policies and partnerships. By early 2010, these projects had documented benefits for 10.39 million farmers and their families and improvements on approximately 12.75 million ha. Food outputs by sustainable intensification have been multiplicative—by which yields per hectare have increased by combining the use of new and improved varieties and new agronomic—agroecological management (crop yields rose on average by 2.13-fold), and additive—by which diversification has resulted in the emergence of a range of new crops, livestock or fish that added to the existing staples or vegetables already being cultivated. The challenge is now to spread effective processes and lessons to many more millions of generally small farmers and pastoralists across the whole continent. These projects had seven common lessons for scaling up and spreading: (i) science and farmer inputs into technologies and practices that combine crops—animals with agroecological and agronomic management; (ii) creation of novel social infrastructure that builds trust among individuals and agencies; (iii) improvement of farmer knowledge and capacity through the use of farmer field schools and modern information and communication technologies; (iv) engagement with the private sector for supply of goods and services; (v) a focus on women's educational, microfinance and agricultural technology needs; (vi) ensuring the availability of microfinance and rural banking; and (vii) ensuring public sector support for agriculture. This research forms part of the UK Government's Foresight Global Food and Farming project.
The Role and Place of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in Establishing an Appropriate Relationship with Life Insurance Policyholders of Iran Insurance Company (IIC)

In view of the increasing importance of customers for organizations, effective and efficient relationships with customers has become a vital issue for organizations like insurance companies and considering the current weak situation of insurance companies in life insurance policies has reduced their market share and productivity. Customer relationship management (CRM) is therefore proposed as an effective solution. CRM will play an important role in the profitability of this company (IIC). In the long run, customers' profitability will be more than in short term and insurance companies will have a better place in competition in economic recession and guarantee their customers' loyalty. In the present research, the impact of CRM dimensions like trust, commitment, mutual relationship and conflict management on customer's loyalty was measured. This research is an applied research and it is descriptive from data gathering viewpoint and it is a survey research. Statistical population of this research was life insurance policyholders of IIC in Kermanshah city between 2009 and 2011 (656 people) and 125 people were selected as sample size by means of simple accidental sampling method and questionnaire was used as data gathering tool. Results showed that trust, mutual relationship and conflict management dimensions had positive impact on CRM and this increased customers' loyalty. But commitment had no impact on CRM and therefore no role in customers' loyalty.
Combination Therapies to Improve Delivery of Protective T Cells into the Melanoma Microenvironment

Incidence rates for melanoma continue to rise between 2-3% each year in the United States [1]. Although melanoma accounts for 5% of new cancer cases, the disease is responsible for most deaths resulting from skin cancer. Five-year survival rates for localized disease have historically been greater than 95% after successfully excising tumors that are less than 1 mm thick [2]. Yet, despite intense efforts in the field, the ability to improve patient survival with invasive forms of the disease has changed little over the past two decades. Current five-year prognostic rates for regional and metastatic melanoma are approximately 66% and 15%, re‐ spectfully [1].
ORGANIC AMENDMENT EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY DIVERSITY OF INDIGENOUS ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN A FIELD SOIL

ORGANIC AMENDMENT EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY DIVERSITY OF INDIGENOUS ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN A FIELD SOIL Christine D. George Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Professor R. Paul Voroney Management of community diversity of plant-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may be key to the improvement and sustainability of low-input agricultural systems. This research examined the diversity of the indigenous AMF community following an application of turkey litter compost (TLC) and broiler poultry manure (BPM) to a field soil cropped to winter wheat using PCRdenaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). By the first fall, 6 months after application of TLC at a rate of 19 T/ha, indigenous soil AMF community diversity was significantly increased compared to the control (no amendment). Additionally, increasing TLC application from 9.5 T/ha to 19 T/ha showed a trend to increase the indigenous AMF community diversity. There were no significant differences in AMF community diversity a year after application of TLC and BPM. This research provides insight into organic amendment effects on soil AMF community diversity which will assist in developing sustainable agricultural practices.
Destruction of Toluene by the Combination of High Frequency Discharge Electrodeless Lamp and Manganese Oxide-Impregnated Granular Activated Carbon Catalyst

The destruction of low concentration of toluene (0–30 ppm) has been studied under the UV/photogenerated O3/MnO2-impregnated granular activated carbon (MnO2-impregnated GAC) process by the combination of self-made high frequency discharge electrodeless lamp (HFDEL) with MnO2-impregnated GAC catalyst. Experimental results showed that the initial toluene concentration can strongly affect the concentration of photogenerated O3 from HFDEL and the efficiency and mass rate of destruction of toluene via HFDEL/MnO2-impregnated GAC system. Active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals generated from HFDEL/MnO2-impregnated GAC system played a key role in the decomposition of toluene process and the intermediates formed by photolysis are more prone to be mineralized by the subsequent MnO2-impregnated GAC catalyst compared to the original toluene, resulting in synergistic mineralization of toluene by HFDEL/MnO2-impregnated GAC system. The role of MnO2-impregnated GAC catalyst is not only to eliminate the residual O3 completely but also to enhance the decomposition and mineralization of toluene.
Getting better all the time? Selective attrition and compositional changes in longitudinal and life-course studies

Longitudinal surveys are valuable tools for investigating health and social outcomes across the life course. In such studies, selective mortality leads to changes in the social composition of the sample, but little is known about how selective survey participation affects the sample composition, in addition to the selective mortality. In the present paper, we followed a Swedish cohort sample over six waves 1968–2011. For each wave we recalculated the distribution of baseline characteristics in the sample among i) the sample still alive and ii) the sample still alive and with complete follow-up. The results show that the majority of the compositional changes in the cohort were modest and driven mainly by mortality. However, for some characteristics, class in particular, the selection was considerable and in addition, was substantially compounded by survey non-participation. We suggest that sample selections should be taken into account when interpreting the results of longitudinal studies, in particular when researching social inequalities.