Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficiency of different fungal species in composting Municipal Solid Waste collected from Alwarkurichi Town Panchayat, Tamil Nadu

The fungal strains were isolated from the soil samples collected from Kodaikanal forest and it was inoculated with the Municipal Solid Waste collected from Alwarkurichi Town panchayat. The isolated fungal strains are Aspergillus species I, Aspergillus species II, Mucor species, Penicillium species I, Penicillium species II and Trichoderma species. During the decomposition process, there were gradual increase in pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium. There was continuous increase in bacterial and fungal population up to middle of the composting period and attainment of fairly stable bacterial and fungal count in the final product of decomposition. The actinomycetes population increased continuously and reached stable count at the end of decomposition. The micronutrient content showed a steady increase from the beginning to the end. The heavy metal concentration has decreased during the period of composting. The significant changes (P<0.05) were observed in all the parameters. While comparing the efficiency of different fungal strains employed for bio-degradation of MSW, it has been found that the fungus Mucor species played a vital role to bring bio-degradation of MSW, when compared to other fungal strains. All the physico-chemical and biological parameters exhibited significant (P<0.05) changes in accordance with number of days of decomposition in all the treatments.
ADEMU WORKING PAPER SERIES Sovereign Default : The Role of Expectations *

In the standard model of sovereign default, as in Aguiar and Gopinath (2006) or Arellano (2008), default is driven by fundamentals alone. There is no independent role for expectations. We show that small variations of that model are consistent with multiple interest rate equilibria, similar to the ones found in Calvo (1988). For distributions of output that are commonly used in the literature, the high interest rate equilibria have properties that make them fragile. Once output is drawn from a distribution with both good and bad times, however, it is possible to have robust high interest rate equilibria.
Multi vegetation model evaluation of the Green Sahara climate regime

During the Quaternary, the Sahara desert was periodically colonized by vegetation, likely because of orbitally induced rainfall increases. However, the estimated hydrological change is not reproduced in climate model simulations, undermining confidence in projections of future rainfall. We evaluated the relationship between the qualitative information on past vegetation coverage and climate for the mid‐Holocene using three different dynamic vegetation models. Compared with two available vegetation reconstructions, the models require 500–800 mm of rainfall over 20°–25°N, which is significantly larger than inferred from pollen but largely in agreement with more recent leaf wax biomarker reconstructions. The magnitude of the response also suggests that required rainfall regime of the early to middle Holocene is far from being correctly represented in general circulation models. However, intermodel differences related to moisture stress parameterizations, biases in simulated present‐day vegetation, and uncertainties about paleosoil distributions introduce uncertainties, and these are also relevant to Earth system model simulations of African humid periods.
Influence of Binary Oxidant (FeCl 3 :APS) Ratio on the Spectroscopic and Microscopic Properties of Poly(2,5-Dimethoxyaniline)

Poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline) (PDMA) has been synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization technique using varying ratio (wt/wt) of binary oxidants; ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ammonium persulfate (APS). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (Uv-vis) spectroscopic investigations provide the evidence of the presence of both benzenoid and quinoid ring units. The thermal analysis and structural characterization data suggests that the oxidant ratio greatly controls the molecular ordering in PDMA. Surface morphology shows the existence of both amorphous and crystalline domains wherein the crystalline domain size depends on the oxidant ratio. The dc conductivity (σdc) of PDMA is also a function of binary oxidant ratio and at FeCl3:APS (50:50), it increases by two orders of magnitude. Films of PDMA synthesized using FeCl3:APS (50:50) binary oxidant exhibits a decrease in the surface current on exposure to ammonia gas.
Phylogenetic analysis of the genera Rhodococcus and Nocardia and evidence for the evolutionary origin of the genus Nocardia from within the radiation of Rhodococcus species

SUMMARY: 16S rDNA analysis was performed on 32 strains of 26 species of the genera Rhodococcus and Nocardia in order to investigate the phylogenetic structure of these genera within the radiation of other mycolic-acid-containing genera such as Corynebacterium, Dietzia, Gordona, Mycobacterium and Tsukamurella. The genus Rhodococcus shows a complex structure, consisting of six phylogenetically equidistant lineages. The genus Nocardia does not appear to be a sister taxon of Rhodococcus but branches off from within the radiation of Rhodococcus; thus its species can be considered to be derived from a Rhodococcus ancestor. The main known phenotypic feature that separates Nocardia species from those of Rhodococcus appears to be the presence of a cyclic component in menaquinone of the MK-8(H4) type.
Effect of supplementation of various levels of inulin on meat and serum cholesterol in raja ii broilers

The present study was conducted at Department of Poultry Science, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore during April, 2016. The effect of feeding various levels of inulin on the meat and serum cholesterol in Raja II broiler chickens was studied. An experiment of 42 days duration was conducted with a flock of 225 day old straight run Raja II broiler chicks were selected randomly and out of this 45 chicks were assigned randomly to each treatments: control (without inulin), control + 0.25 percent inulin (T2), control + 0.5 percent inulin (T3), control + 0.75 percent inulin (T4) and control +1 percent inulin (T5). At the end of experiment the supplementation of various levels of inulin in broiler diets did not show any significant difference in meat cholesterol which ranges from 48.43±0.36, 48.54±0.19, 48.02±0.15, 48.11±0.15 and 48.50±0.31 in T1 to T5, respectively. The Serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, HDL also not show any significant difference among the different treatment. The results indicated that inulin have a no effect on meat and serum cholesterol.
THE DETERMINANTS OF LITTERING ATTITUDE IN URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS OF JOS

In Nigeria, the challenge of effective refuse collection and disposal by the appropriate authorities has made littering behavior an environmental hazard that is detrimental to human health. Given the prevalence of refuse in our communities, this paper using the survey method examined if prevalent attitude and place of residence of people affect littering behaviour. For this paper, a total of 200 participants in Jos metropolis were chosen as respondents. A 32 item questionnaire was administered to the participants after pilot study was conducted with a split half method, having a co relational co-efficient of 0.85. The instrument measures participants littering attitude. Using oneway Analysis of variance(ANOVA), the effect of residence on littering attitude was found to be statistically significant, with the F-value=3.915 at p=0.05. However there are negative littering attitude amongst participants in the 3 regions with the students scoring high with 83.1786 compared to the market place =74.1481 and the neighborhood=78.8762. On the effect of age on littering attitude, the result showed no significance using two-way ANOVA with F-value=1.156 at P=0.05. Means while negative attitude was found to increase with age. It was also found that there is no relationship between education and littering attitude, hence; littering attitude of both highly educated participants and the lower cannot be marked out distinctively different; it thus mean that all were found to have negative attitudes.
Superiority of Exporters and the Causality Between Exporting and Firm Characteristics in Vietnam

The study in this paper is on the causal relationship between export activities of firms and their characteristics in a transition country that is pursuing export-led growth strategies and experiencing a fast track of trade liberalization. For this purpose, we examine the superiority of exporters using a panel of firm-level data of manufacturing firms in Vietnam. We observe that exceptional performance of exporters, especially in TFP, does prevail in this country. Via testing self-selection hypothesis using a random-effects dynamic probit model to examine the causality from firm characteristics to export probability, we find significantly positive impacts of factors such as firm size, age or foreign ownership but not that of TFP. However, TFP superiority of exporters is satisfactorily explained by the existence of learning-by-exporting effects that are tested in a multivariate analysis using matching technique in combination with difference-in-differences approach. Besides contributing an empirical analysis to heterogeneous-firm trade theories, this study gives us some insights into the interpretation of mixed findings in macro-analysis of the effects of exports on growth in Vietnam.
Beam Breakup Studies for New Cryo-Unit

In this paper, we report the numerical simulations of cumulative beam breakup studies for a new cryo-unit for injector design at Jefferson lab. The system consists of two 1cell and one 7-cell superconducting RF cavities. The study has been performed using a 2-dimensional time-domain code TDBBU developed in-house. The stability has been confirmed for the present setup of beamline elements with different initial offsets and currents ranging 1 mA - 100 mA.
Economic Integration of Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Objective: This study investigates economic integration of immigrant entrepreneurs by comparing them with their native-born counterparts, and examines whether and how entrepreneurs socio-cultural integration affects their economic integration. Research Design & Methods: This study is based on data of the Social Surveys conducted by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics in 2008, 2010 and 2012. The sample included 1133 native-born and 576 immigrant entrepreneurs. Findings:: Socio-cultural integration is not necessarily associated with economic integration and a high income. Immigrants can earn the same and even more than native-born entrepreneurs do, even if they have a low level of socio-cultural integration. The impact of socio-cultural integration on immigrant entrepreneurs income varies by their origin. Implications & Recommendations: Understanding integration of immigrant entrepreneurs and the factors affecting their income will help policy-makers to facilitate their economic advancement. Contribution & Value Added: Based on Berry's concept, I propose a model of entrepreneurs integration. The model stresses interrelations between socio-cultural and economic integration.
Ameliorative Roles of Silymarin and Nigella sativa on Hematological Parameters and Immunological Capacities of Male Mice Affected by Paracetamol

Paracetamol (APAP-Acetaminophen) has been used extensively as antipyretic drug. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative role of silymarin or/and Nigella sativa extract against APAP-induced hematotoxicity in male mice at the hematological and immunological levels. The mice were divided into seven groups (10/ group). The first group was served as control. While, the second group was treated with dose of APAP. The third and fourth groups were treated with silymarin alone and Nigella sativa extract alone respectively, the fifth and sixth groups were treated with combination of APAP with silymarin and APAP with Nigella sativa extract respectively. The seventh group was treated with a combination of both ameliorative compounds (Silymarin and Nigella sativa extract) with APAP and all animals were treated for a period of 30 days. Exposure to APAP at the treated dose to mice led to an alteration of hematological and immunological parameters, increase W.B. Cs and TNF-, decreased R.B. Cs and Hb levels in APAP treated group. Administration of silymarin or/and Nigella sativa extract to APAP-treated mice alleviate the hematotoxicity of APAP, and this appeared clearly by biochemical improvement of hematological picture. But, the alleviation is more pronounced with the both antioxidants. Thus, the pronounce effect of Silymarin and Nigella sativa extract is most effective in reducing the hematotoxicity and immunotoxicity induced by APAP and improving immunological capacities of male mice.
‘He's got some nasty impression of me he has’: Listening to Children in the Secure Estate

In 2010, 260 children entered secure accommodation. Of these, 51 per cent were placed because they were on remand or sentenced for committing a serious offence. Thirty seven per cent were placed by social services for their own protection under a child welfare order and the remaining 12 per cent were placed under both categories concurrently. Secure accommodation is therefore used to simultaneously hold children sentenced for punishment with those who are ‘saved’ from tragedy by welfare professionals. This paper highlights findings from an ethnographic study conducted with girls in secure accommodation. The research used participant observations and in-depth interviews to explore girls’ experiences of being secured and found that all thirteen of the girls admitted from local authority care felt that they were perceived as ‘bad kids’—regardless of whether they had committed a crime or not. These feelings were exacerbated by the prominence of case files which followed children between care placements and were described as a source of anxiety and worry for young people. This paper hopes to inspire social work practice to be more inclusive of young people and to be aware of the impact of shrouding the information contained in case files.
Effect of dexamethasone as an adjuvant with bupivacaine in ultrasound guided single shot supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper extremity surgeries- a prospective randomized study

Background: Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is a good alternative to general anesthesia in surgeries of elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dexamethasone as an adjuvant with bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block in upper limb surgeries. Methods: This study was carried out on 60 adult patients of both sexes planned for upper limb surgery during the period from May 2015 to Jan 2016 after approval by the institutional Ethical Committee. Inclusion criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical Status I-II and age between 18 and 50 years. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 patients each [group I (bupivacaine alone) and group II (bupivacaine + dexamethasone)]. Group I received 30ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with 2ml normal saline while group II received 30ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with 2ml (8mg) dexamethasone for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), version 16.0. For analysis of demographic data and comparison of groups, χ 2 , unpaired Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were performed. Power of significance p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. We evaluated onset, quality and duration of sensory and motor block along with side effects if any. Results: The mean onset of sensory and motor block in Group I and II was statistically insignificant. The duration of motor and sensory block was significantly prolonged in Group II than in Group I. There were no statistically and clinically significant differences in respiratory and hemodynamic parameters. Conclusions: We conclude that dexamethasone as an adjuvant in supraclavicular brachial plexus block prolongs the duration of motor and sensory block with insignificant side effects.
Computer simulation of pressure-induced structural transitions in MgO [001] tilt grain boundaries

Abstract Atomistic simulations using lattice and molecular dynamics were carried out on the {210}, {310}, and {410} tilt grain boundaries of MgO as a function of pressure up to 100 GPa at a single temperature of 600 K. The calculations show a significant change in the structure of the tilt grain boundaries as pressure increases. The results show that, beyond the previously identified reversible pressure induced collapse of the channel structure, an irreversible shear was identified that forms a mirror grain boundary, which does not possess well-defined dislocation cores and is consequently denser. These mirror boundaries are energetically more favorable than the symmetric boundaries at elevated pressures. As applied pressure approaches 100 GPa a reversible structural transition occurs causing the boundaries to shear perpendicular to the boundary plane forming highly dense structures that contained seven coordinate ions at the boundary and the presence of an edge dislocation-like structure. We suggest that differences between the boundary structures seen in the HREM studies with those predicted by simulations may result from stresses upon the crystal during preparation causing irreversible shearing.
Cross-calibration of probabilistic forecasts

When providing probabilistic forecasts for uncertain future events, it is common to strive for calibrated forecasts, that is, the predictive distribution should be compatible with the observed outcomes. Several notions of calibration are available in the case of a single forecaster alongside with diagnostic tools and statistical tests to assess calibration in practice. Often, there is more than one forecaster providing predictions, and these forecasters may use information of the others and therefore influence one another. We extend common notions of calibration, where each forecaster is analysed individually, to notions of cross-calibration where each forecaster is analysed with respect to the other forecasters in a natural way. It is shown theoretically and in simulation studies that cross-calibration is a stronger requirement on a forecaster than calibration. Analogously to calibration for individual forecasters, we provide diagnostic tools and statistical tests to assess forecasters in terms of cross-calibration. The methods are illustrated in simulation examples and applied to probabilistic forecasts for inflation rates by the Bank of England.
Study of Vegetation Composition of Magada Forest, Borana Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

The Magada forest is one of the National Forest Priority Areas (NFPAs), which is located in the southern part of the country in the Borana Zone of Oromia National Regional State. It lies approximately between longitudes 38 0 15' E and 38 0 20' E and latitude 5 0 27 N and 5 0 32' N (EMA, 1987) in between Bule-Hora and Dugda Dawa districts. The objective of this work was to provide a list of plant species found in the forest and to recommend solutions for management and conservation problems. The vegetation compositions of the Magada forest were described based on the vegetation data collected between February 2013 and October 2013. Releves of 30 m x 30 m were taken for the woody species and 2 m x 2 m for field layers. A total of 66 releves were analyzed at altitude between 1750 and 2100 m a.s. l. Data on the species list was collected. A total of 197 species of vascular plants belonging to 64 families were identified. Out of these (100 (50.8 %)) are woody species and (97 (49.2 %)) are non-woody species (field layers). 84.3 % of the families are dicots while 12.5 % are monocots and gymnosperms and pteridophytes comprise 1.6 % each. Asteraceae is the largest family with (18 (9.1%)) followed by Acanthaceae (16 (8.1%)), Lamiaceae and Rubiaceae each with (14 (7.1%)) and Fabaceae (13 (6.6%)) species. The vegetation of the Magada forest is disturbed through grazing and browsing by domestic livestock, cultivation and other human uses. This further retard regeneration processes of the trees and shrubs. Pressure on the resources from human population could intensify and impose more rapid and more degenerative changes. Recognizing these issues as possible future scenario underlines the need for management intervention to increase quality of regeneration being recruited and accelerate the growth of the young plants already present.
Effect of Product Quality Perception, Trust, and Brand Image on Generic Drug Buying Decision and Consumer Satisfaction of Hospital Patients in East Kalimantan

The objective of this research is to analyze the effect of product quality perception, trust, and brand image on generic drug buying decision and consumer satisfaction of hospital patients in East Kalimantan.This research used the explanatory observational research design with the cross-sectional study. Its population was all of the general patients who did not use the facility of the Social Security Provider (BPJS) for Health or National Health Insurance/Local Health Insurance. The samples of research consisted of 260 respondents. They were taken by using the accidental random sampling technique. The data of research were analyzed based on the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS.The results of research are as follows: (1) the product quality perception has a significant effect but is proved to be not valid on the generic drug buying decision of the hospital clients in East Kalimantan; (2) the consumer trust has a significant effect and is proved to be valid on the generic drug buying decision of the hospital clients in East Kalimantan; (3) the brand image has a significant effect and is proved to be valid on the generic drug buying decision of the hospital clients in East Kalimantan; (4) the product quality perception has a significant effect but is proven to be true on the generic drug consumer satisfaction of hospital clients in East Kalimantan; (5) the consumer trust has a significant effect and is proved to be valid on the generic drug consumer satisfaction of hospital clients in East Kalimantan; (6) the brand image has a significant effect but is proved not to be true on the generic drug consumer satisfaction of hospital clients in East Kalimantan; and (7) the buying decision has a significant effect and is proved to be valid on the generic drug of hospital clients in East Kalimantan. Keywords : Product quality perception, trust, brand image, buying decision, customer satisfaction, and generic drug
The Effectiveness of Extrinsic Cues on Different Consumer Segments: The Case of Wine Awards

We investigated the effectiveness of awards on wine labels for different consumer segments. Four award configurations were tested: a well-known award, multiple awards, a fictitious award (an award without consumer trust) and no award. Participants tasted eight wine samples (four without and four with extrinsic cues - award configurations). Samples were rated for liking, likelihood to buy and price willing to pay. Low-involvement consumers' perceived liking and price willing to pay were improved by multiple awards compared to high-involvement consumers. Trust in awards increased the price consumers were willing to pay for wine with an award. For high-involvement consumers who distrusted awards, multiple wine awards and fictitious awards negatively influenced perceived liking, likelihood to buy and price willing to pay. This is the first study to measure the combined influence of wine awards and sensory perceptions of wine on perceived liking, likelihood to buy and price willing to pay.