Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heavy metal residues in offals, muscle and eggs of intensively reared poultry birds in Umuahia, Abia State

Poultry meat and poultry products have gradually become delicacy in Nigeria and are used in most celebrations for entertainment. Therefore there is the need for constant monitoring to ensure they are wholesome and suitable for human consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and concentrations of Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) in the thigh muscle and offals (kidney, liver and gizzard) of both broilers and layers reared under intensive system of management using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). In both broilers and layers, all meat and offal samples had concentrations of Mn and Fe that were above the maximum permissible levels (MPL) stipulated by FAO/WHO. In layers, the concentrations of Mn (5.276 ± 0.023mg/kg) and Fe (7.067 ± 0.569mg/kg) were highest in the liver. The concentration of Zn (5.039 ± 0.009mg/kg) was found to be highest in the kidney. In broilers, Mn (5.105 ± 0.053mg/kg) accumulated more in the thigh muscle than any other organ whereas the highest concentration of Fe (6.256 ± 0.246 mg/kg) was found in the liver. The mean concentration of Mn, Zn and Fe in eggs was 5.081 ± 0.033, 5.092 ± 0.021 and 7.102 ± 0.146 (mg/kg) respectively. The concentration on Mn in eggs was slightly above the maximum residual limits of 5.0 mg/kg. The high mean concentrations of Mn and Fe found in the study are of great public health concern because these metals are bioaccumulation and with continuous consumption, may pose a serious threat to public health.
6 th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food and Environment (HAICTA 2013) Drivers of Precision Agriculture Technologies Adoption: A Literature Review

Abstract In this review, we identify the key drivers that affect the intention to adopt Precision Agriculture (PA) technologies. Research articles concerning the adoption of PA were collected and subdivided into two groups: (1) ex-post assessments that make use of utility-based models, and (2) ex-ante assessments that make use of predictive models. Principal classes of constructs were identified and utilized to interpret what factors promoted the use of PA technologies by farmers. Three classes of drivers influencing PA adoption are presented. This review confirms the necessity to focus on the design of an appropriated adoption process and on innovation’s features. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of HAICTA Keywords: Precision Agriculture; Technology Adoption; Innovation in Agriculture; Literature Review; Drivers of Adoption 1. Introduction The adoption of new technologies in agriculture is rarely immediate. Even though much effort is placed into in persuading users to adopt new ICT tools, adoption is a complex activity and many factors influence these decision-making processes [1,2].
Junction leakage measurements with micro four-point probes

We present a new, preparation-free method for measuring the leakage current density on ultra-shallow junctions. The junction leakage is found by making a series of four-point sheet resistance measurements on blanket wafers with variable electrode spacings. The leakage current density is calculated using a fit of the measured four-point resistances to an analytical two-sheet model. The validity of the approximation involved in the two-sheet model is verified by a comparison to finite element model calculations.
Research on innovative methods based on clustering and case-based reasoning

Innovation is one of the decisive factors for the prosperity of an enterprise. The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) is an effective method to promote system innovative design. However, TRIZ solution is a highly abstract conceptual solution, and its transformation to a specific solution requires a large amount of rich knowledge from different engineering fields. Designers themselves cannot master all the supporting knowledge required for problem solving, which increases the difficulty of TRIZ in practical application. In order to overcome these difficulties, this paper presents a method synthesizing TRIZ, CBR and GHSOM, in which TRIZ can systematically generate innovative solutions, CBR makes designers take full advantage of past experience and knowledge to transform abstract TRIZ solutions into solutions to specific design problems, and GHSOM as a clustering tool expands the scope of knowledge utilization and promote the diversification of design solutions. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the method.
2.5.3 Overcoming the Obstacles to Systematic Design Reuse

Although some level of design reuse is present in any engineering project, systematic design‐for‐reuse is less commonplace. Despite the known benefits of reuse, the implementation of systematic reuse faces strong resistance from management and designers. This paper considers inhibitors to implementing design reuse methodologies and the steps required to successfully transition from a no‐reuse culture to one of systematic reuse. Also considered are some of the pitfalls that can doom a poorly planned reuse initiative.
Devising and Testing Revised Validity and Reliability of Strategic Knowledge, Efficient Behaviour, and Affective Value in Outdoor Evaluation Questionnaire

This research aims to obtain revised validity and reliability of an outdoor survey instrument to self-evaluate strategic knowledge, efficient behaviour, and affective value among students aged 13-17 years. The researchers used six survey evaluation, namely the Tennessee Self Concept Questionnaire, Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), Participant Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ), Cooper Smith Inventory, Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ), and Outdoor Education Manual (MPL) to develop an outdoor self-evaluation questionnaire on strategic knowledge, efficient behaviour, and affective value (SKEBAV). The Development of the survey instrument involved 120 male and female research samples aged between 13 and 17 years old who were selected through purposive random sampling. The research method applied is in the form of pre-experimental one group pre-test–post-test design. Results of the analysis showed that overall activity expert validity is r = . 90 and language expert validity is r = . 93, while the Cronbach alpha reliability correlation value of outdoor education instrument evaluation survey is r = . 90. Next, this survey was tested again for construct validity using factor analysis method for statistical analysis where it validates each item to be either correctly evaluated according to the components or not. Analysis results showed that Bartlett’s test is significant at p < . 05 and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index range is r = . 80. A variant of 90.16 percent is explained from 18 components which were analysed with more than one eigenvalue. A total of 50 survey items were produced out of the survey’s 100 items based on this factor analysis method. Research has shown that the survey instrument developed is valid and reliable to be used for Sabah’s Co-curricular Camping activities. KeywordsValidity, Reliability, Strategic knowledge, Efficient Behaviour and Affective
Integrated Controls of Lateral Vehicle Dynamics

SUMMARY A study is presented dealing with the synergism coming from the integration of such controlled systems which are designed for improving the dynamic behaviour of road vehicles. A modified 1/4 car model is derived which allows suspension, torque and steering control to be applied to a low order vehicle model. A number of investigations, based either on complex vehicle models or on ground tests, show that important synergistic effects can be obtained from the integration of suspension, torque and steering controls. The straight running on irregular roads may take advantage from the co-operation of active suspension and four-wheel-steering systems. The braking under µ-split conditions can be improved with a proper control of ABS and rear wheel steering. The driveability of a car entering a curve with changing surface conditions could be substantially enhanced thanks to the combined exploitation of ABS and additional four wheel steering.
Heterogeneous CaMKII-dependent synaptic compensations in CA1 pyramidal neurons from acute slices with dissected CA3

Prolonged changes in neural activity trigger homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) allowing neuronal networks to operate in functional ranges. Cell-wide or input-specific adaptations can be induced by pharmacological or genetic manipulations of activity, and by sensory deprivation. Reactive functional changes caused by deafferentation may partially share mechanisms with HSP. Acute hippocampal slices constitute a suitable model to investigate relatively rapid (hours) pathway-specific modifications occurring after denervation and explore the underlying mechanisms. As Schaffer collaterals constitute a major glutamatergic input to CA1 pyramidal neurons, we conducted whole-cell recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) to evaluate changes over 12 hours after slice preparation and CA3 dissection. We observed an increment in mEPSCs amplitude and a decrease in decay time, suggesting synaptic AMPA receptor upregulation and subunit content modifications. Sorting mEPSC by rise time, a correlate of synapse location along dendrites, revealed amplitude raises at two separate domains. A specific frequency increase was observed in the same domains and was accompanied by a global, unspecific raise. Amplitude and frequency increments were lower at sites initially more active, consistent with local compensatory processes. Transient preincubation with a specific Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor either blocked or occluded amplitude and frequency upregulation in different synapse populations. Results are consistent with the concurrent development of different known CaMKII-dependent HSP processes. Our observations support that deafferentation causes rapid and diverse compensations resembling classical slow forms of adaptation to inactivity. These results may contribute to understand fast-developing homeostatic or pathological events after brain injury.
Risk Assessment of Water Environment Treatment PPP Projects Based on a Cloud Model

Risk assessment of public-private partnership projects has been recently acknowledged as a crucial issue in infrastructure projects. Objective assessment of risk status is conducive to the establishment of scientific and reasonable management measures. The particularity of evaluating water environment treatment PPP projects means that random errors in the evaluation index and the threshold fuzziness of evaluation degrees are issues that require attention. This paper uses the Pythagorean fuzzy cloud model to process the randomness and fuzziness of the indicators. This study assessed the risks of an iconic water environment treatment PPP project inn mid-China. The risk ranks were evaluated in terms of five dimensions: political, economic, construction completion, operational, and ecological. Moreover, the results of the evaluation were compared with results derived using a regular cloud model. It was found that the Pythagorean fuzzy cloud model produced results consistent with the regular method, while also having the advantage of reflecting the randomness and fuzziness of the evaluation indicators. According to the evaluation data in this case, the project risks were ranked as follows: political > construction completion > operational > ecological > economic. The overall project risk was medium. This study’s results could provide technical support for water treatment PPP project risk assessment, indicator measurement, and statistical error control.
Paleoclimate Scenarios to Inform Decision Making in Water Resource Management: Example from Southern California’s Inland Empire

AbstractSouthwestern United States paleoclimate reconstructions feature droughts that are longer and higher in magnitude than any water shortage during the twentieth century, and thus could aid water managers in planning for future severe droughts. This research used the robust decision-making (RDM) analytical framework to incorporate paleoclimate information into an analysis of long-range water management for a Southern California water agency. The analysis leverages a water management model to identify near-term management actions that may help mitigate water shortages over a wide range of future conditions reflecting various assumptions about climate, costs, and planning. Results indicate that a regional urban water management plan for 2005 is vulnerable to extended droughts and that enhancing water management actions in the near term reduces the risk of future unmet demand and shortage costs. Comparing results with previous work with the IEUA using climate model projections indicates some differences .
Cell Wall Biochemistry Drives Pollen Tube Mechanics and Affects Growth Rate

Pollen tubes live a life on a razor’s edge. They must maintain cell wall integrity whilst growing towards the ovule at extraordinary speed but explosively burst at just the right moment to release the sperm cells—with fatal consequences for reproduction if things go wrong. The precisely controlled growth of the pollen tube depends on the fine-tuned balance between the expansive force of turgor pressure and the restraining effect of the cell wall. Currently, it is not well understood how the composition of the cell wall affects its mechanical properties. Using Arabidopsis mutants, we have investigated these interactions by combining experimental and simulation techniques to determine instantaneous and time-dependent mechanical parameters. This allowed, for the first time, the quantification of the effects of cell wall biochemistry on turgor pressure and cell wall elasticity and to predict their effects on growth rate. Our systems biology approach is widely applicable to study the implications of mechanical stress on growth.
Acting within the boundaries of work systems development

This article proposes a model for analyzing and acting on the relationship between design and ergonomics. In applying their knowledge and methods in design processes, ergonomists encounter constraints that frame, orient, and limit their professional practices. It is argued that these constraints stem from the organizational boundaries of the design process. One of the challenges of ergonomics is to act on these boundaries to define constraints that contribute to or facilitate the promotion of workers' health and productive efficiency. This analytical model is applied to work systems development. Three types of organizational boundary (namely, “goal‐oriented boundaries,” “time boundaries,” and “collective boundaries”) and their constraints are identified, and proposals to act on those boundaries are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Superresolution of subsampled periodic targets by dual-magnification technique

Dual-magnification technique for the reduction of moire artifacts, the aliasing of periodic targets caused by sub- sampling, by using two aliased frames of the same periodic target with different optical magnifications is proposed. The technique makes aliasing noise be the source of higher frequency extraction so that superresolution is realized. Simulations and experimental results are presented.
A roadmap on smart textiles

Though industrial exploitation of smart textile systems is still in its infancy, the technological implementation is increasing. This is the result of substantial research and development investments directed towards this emerging field. In order to stimulate the progress in smart textiles, emerging developments need to be identified and selectively strengthened. Hence, this issue reports on a three-dimensional roadmap on smart textiles. It aims at contributing to set future actions in research, education and technology development. Research activities and technological developments are mapped, barriers and drivers of technological, strategic and societal and economical origins are identified. Finally, recommendations are phrased on how to overcome barriers and to progress in the field of smart textiles.
Probabilistic Safety Factor of Soil Liquefaction

The most widely used method of liquefaction prediction are perform in deterministic process. The deterministic method according to seismic Chinese code is introduced by Z. CAO et al (2008). The deterministic method used the standard penetration test (SPT) to evaluate the liquefaction of soil. With this method, liquefaction of soil is predicted to occur if the factor of safety(FS), which in the ratio of critical SPT-N value(Resistance) over the actual measurement SPT-N(Load), is less than or equal to one. If the factor of safety greater than one, no soil liquefaction is predicted. Because the significant uncertainties in variable involved in the deterministic factor of safety, the probability method need to use. because the significant uncertainties in the random variables involved, the probabilistic method is needed to predict liquefaction. Probability of failure may be performed in which the liquefaction potential is assessed in term of probability safety factor (central safety factor). The study case is shown that the probabilistic method given the much more information for engineering decision than the deterministic method that given only the safety factor.
Improving the Intermodal Freight Transport System Linking Western Europe with Central and Eastern Europe: Identifying and Prioritizing Policies

A major objective of the European Commission (EC) is to strengthen the position of intermodal transport to make it competitive with road transport. In particular, the EC would like to remove obstacles impeding the use of intermodal transport between Western Europe and Central and Eastern European countries. There is a description of work performed for the EC that examined the existing intermodal transport system, identified the major bottlenecks in the system, and identified and prioritized policies that the EC might implement for reducing the negative effects of the bottlenecks. Identification and prioritization of bottlenecks are described. Through desk research and surveys of forwarders, terminal operators, and link operators, 35 groups of bottlenecks were identified. They were prioritized with a set of 11 performance criteria determined on the basis of surveys. Also, identification and prioritization of policies are described. One or more policies were identified to help solve each of the bottlenecks. The resulting set of 70 policies was evaluated and prioritized by experts by using 6 performance criteria and 5 feasibility criteria. A final set of 7 policies for reducing the negative effects of the most important bottlenecks was recommended to the EC.
Classification of above burden profile using SOM and k-means

Blast furnace operators mostly depend on the measurements taken from the inputs and outputs in the control of the process to interpret the information available for vertical and radial distribution of variables, such as, heat load on the boundary and the distribution of the gas across the section of the furnace. Gas distribution inside the furnace is largely dependent on the distribution of the burden inside the furnace and its estimation is a challenge to the blast furnace operators. However, the measurement from the above burden probes gives some insight to the radial gas distribution in the shaft. Design of methods for automatic classification of above burden probe (ABP) profile is thus warranted. The self-organising map (SOM) is an excellent tool in the exploratory phase of data mining. It projects input space on prototypes of a low dimensional regular grid that can be effectively utilised to visualise and explore properties of the data. When the number of SOM units is large, to facilitate quantitative analysis of the map and the data, similar units need to be grouped, i.e. clustered. In the present investigation, a model for classification, visualisation and interpretation of ABP profiles has been developed by two stage procedure, i.e. SOM followed by k-means clustering. This classifier has the potential to be a useful tool for operator guidance in daily practice.
Key manufacturing capability elements and business performance

The purpose of this research was to extend the recent stream of work in operations strategy on the trade-off and cumulative models of manufacturing capability development. Using results from the 1996 Manufacturing Futures Survey, the paper attempts to test whether pursuing more capabilities (the cumulative model) is reflected in improved return on assets. We consider both industry and country effects. Firms with performance in the upper quartile on a capability are described as 'high' performers and the number of times a firm achieves this level represents the number of capability elements that they have. The results show no evidence of the cumulative model. Quality and delivery capabilities are nevertheless strongly evident. Simply adding more capabilities generally produced no improvement in return on assets. Stepwise regression of ROA on the capabilities produced models with good explanatory power in some countries and industries though not all capabilities loaded. When interactions between capability elements were added to the regression models, results were mixed. In some cases, no interactions loaded, while in others, large increases in adjusted R 2 occurred, particularly in industry models.
Evaluasi Pelaksanaan Pembelajaran Online Selama Pandemi Covid-19 Berdasarkan Perspektif Dosen dan Mahasiswa

Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan evaluasi pelaksanaan pembelajaran online secara umum selama pandemi Covid-19 berdasarkan perspektif dosen dan mahasiswa Teknik Informatika Universitas Islam Lamongan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuisioner Google form yang diberikan kepada 165 responden. Evaluasi pelaksanaan pembelajaran meliputi efektivitas pelaksanaan, kemudahan dalam menyampaikan dan menerima materi, platform pembelajaran yang sering digunakan, metode yang paling efektif digunakan, serta kendala yang dialami. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pembelajaran online sudah berjalan cukup efektif (70%), materi cukup dapat disampaikan dan diterima dengan baik (72%), platform yang paling sering digunakan adalah Google Classroom (85%), metode yang paling efektif melalui tatap muka virtual (53%), dan kendala yang paling sering dialami adalah jaringan yang tidak stabil (48%). Secara umum dapat disimpulkan pelaksanaan pembelajaran online sudah berjalan cukup baik.
A brief introduction to the Special Issue on clinical treatment of spinal cord injury

1 Institute of Neurorestoratology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China 2 Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Lingxiu building, No.1 at Gucheng Street, Beijing, China 3 Jordan Ortho and Spinal Centre, Al-Saif Medical Center, Amman, Jordan 1 Brief background Neurorestorative therapies are able to recover patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) some neurological functions [1]. Currently cell therapies, intramedullary decompression of injured spinal cord, neurostimulation or neuromodulation, brain machine interface (BMI), and nerve bridges are mainly strategies to treat patients with SCI for neurorestoration. Many experts in this area are trying their best to improve those methods or explore the reasons of different results through similar methods. This special issue includes six papers about clinical treatment of SCI, in which shows main clinical SCI therapeutic trend and achievements.