Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Efficiency of Bio-adsorption of Heavy Metals from Pharmaceutical Effluent by Rumex crispus L. Seed

The programs of managing waste materials in developing countries are often unsatisfactory and the unreasonable disposal of waste is a major issue in the worldwide. The main aim of the current study is to: Assess the applicability of Rumex crispus L. in removing heavy metals from the contaminated wastewater effluent form Pharmaceutical laboratories by bio-adsorption method. The dried R. crispus L. seeds were purchased from recognized herbal plant markets randomly in Tehran in May 2016 in order to investigate the influence of R. crispus seeds as an amendment to remove or decrease chemical forms of Co, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni. Experimental parameter were as follows: pH, temperature, dose of bio-adsorbent R. crispus L. seeds, contact time, particle size mesh were studied. Results revealed that bio-adsorption capacity of Lead, Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Nickel increases with increasing initial adsorbent concentration and reaches at maximum after a 2% initial concentration of S. incisa seeds concentration value. Heavy metals adsorption ranged from 83.5 -91 % after agitation for 1 week (equilibration time), and there was no significant further increase in % sorption of them after the equilibration time (P ≥ 0.05). This research area of using models for resolving nature of heavy metals complexation and sequestrations mechanism at heavy metals-bio-adsorption interface have been less explored . The results represents a critically important mechanism in the scientific ability which should be investigated in future research to unravel complex surface heavy metal sorption mechanism on the bio-sorbent’s surface by using various chemical modeling approaches. Current research is suggested for the characterization of novel bio-adsorbents from other waste of herbal plants, agriculture/food-industry with maximum heavy metals sorption capacities to promote large-scale use of bio-adsorbents.
IN VITRO COMPARISON OF PHYTASES FROM TWO MICROBIAL SOURCES

The chemical properties of two different commercial microbial phytases (Natuphos and Ronoxyme P) were compared. Natuphus production was based on the use of a recombinant of Aspergillus niger strain while the Ronoxyme P was from Peniophora lycii. The enzymes were studied for their optimum pH, optimum temperature and enzyme stability, resistance to protease and stability in digesta supernatants. The phytases were found to exhibit different properties depending on source of the phytase gene and production organism. An optimum pH of 5.5 was recorded for the enzyme from Peniophora lycii while pH of 5.0 was recorded for the enzyme from Aspergillus niger. Both phytases had 50 0 C as their optimum temperature. The result of the enzyme - stability in aqueous solution indicated that the Peniophora lycii phytase was more thermo-stable than the Aspergillus niger phytase. Incubation of the phytases preparations with porcine proteases revealed that Aspergillus niger was more resistant to pepsin and trypsin than Peniophora. Incubation of the phytases in digesta supernatants from various segments of the digestive tract of hens revealed that digesta from the small intestine (SI) inactivated the enzymes most efficiently. Nevertheless, the enzyme from Peniophora lycii retained more activity than the enzyme from Aspergillus niger in all of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In conclusion, phytases of various microbial origins behave differently with respect to their in vitro properties, which could be of importance for future developments of phytase preparation.
Use of organic acid, herbs and their combination to improve the utilization of commercial low protein broiler diets.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, plasma proteins and fecal N excretion in broilers fed a 18% crude protein diet supplemented with Thymus vulgaris, Curcuma longa, citric acid, lactic acid or their combinations. In the first experiment, 98 broiler chicks were fed a control diet or a control diet with 0.2% Thyme (TH), 0.2% Curcuma longa (CL), 0.2% Citric acid (CIT), 0.2% TH + 0.2% CL, 0.2% TH + 0.2% CIT, 0.2% CL + 0.2% CIT. In the second experiment, 98 broiler chicks were fed a control diet with 0.2% TH, 0.2% lactic acid (LAC), 0.2% CIT, 0.2% TH + 0.2% LAC, 0.2% TH + 0.2% CIT, 0.1% LAC + 0.1% CIT. Addition of 0.2% TH, or TH + CIT increased weight gain in 21 dayold birds in experiment 1 (p<0.05). Addition of supplements did not produce any significant increase in day 42 body weight. No significant effect of supplements on carcass characteristics, feed conversion, plasma proteins or organ weights were observed except for liver which was higher in birds fed CIT (experiment 1) (p<0.05). No difference was observed in the total protein, albumen or globulin in the plasma. No difference was noticed between dietary treatments on the percentage of fecal Nitrogen (N), AME or Nitrogen retention (NR). Although not significant, the birds fed TH + CL excreted 12.9% less fecal N than Control birds. Similarly, the NR was 13.25% higher in TH + CL when compared with Control birds. Considering the role of low protein diets in reducing feed cost and fecal N excretion, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of plant extracts and organic acids and their optimal levels for broiler birds fed a low protein diet that are raised under suboptimal commercial conditions.
Modified Bow-Tie Nanoparticles Operating in the Visible and Near Infrared Frequency Regime

In this contribution electromagnetic properties of traditional and modified bow-tie nanoparticles are investigated. The modified bow-tie particles consist of a pair of opposing metallic truncated triangles, embedded in a dielectric environment, with a rectangular dielectric hole engraved on the metallic structure. New analytical models for both structures are developed in order to describe the nanoparticles electromagnetic behavior in terms of resonant wavelength position, magnitude and amplitude width for the extinction cross-section. Analytical results are compared to the numerical values and to the experimental ones existing in literature. Good agreement among them is obtained. Then, the structures are analyzed in terms of sensitivity properties. Results reveal that the modified bow-tie structure can be applied for biomedical applications.
Environmental controls on the growth, photosynthetic and calcification rates of a Southern Hemisphere strain of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi

We conducted a series of diagnostic fitness response experiments on the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi, isolated from the Subtropical Convergence east of New Zealand. Dose response curves (i.e., physiological rate vs. environmental driver) were constructed for growth, photosynthetic, and calcification rates of E. huxleyi relative to each of five environmental drivers (nitrate concentration, phosphate concentration, irradiance, temperature, and pCO2). The relative importance of each environmental driver on E. huxleyi rate processes was then ranked using a semi‐quantitative approach by comparing the percentage change caused by each environmental driver on the measured physiological metrics under the projected conditions for the year 2100, relative to those for the present day, in the Subtropical Convergence. The results reveal that the projected future decrease in nitrate concentration (33%) played the most important role in controlling the growth, photosynthetic and calcification rates of E. huxleyi, whereas raising pCO2 to 75 Pa (750 ppm) decreased the calcification : photosynthesis ratios to the greatest degree. These findings reveal that other environmental drivers may be equally or more influential than CO2 in regulating the physiological responses of E. huxleyi, and provide new diagnostic information to better understand how this ecologically important species will respond to the projected future changes to multiple environmental drivers.
Feeding behavior of dairy cows fed different levels of xiquexique ( Pilosocereus gounellei )

This study evaluated the replacement of Tifton hay with xiquexique (0, 12, 24 and 36%) on feeding behavior of lactating dairy cows. To this end, eight cows with average milk production of 15 kg milk day -1 and average body weight of 465.2 ± 39.4 kg were distributed in a double 4x4 Latin square. Each experimental period lasted 16 days, ten for adaptation and six for data collection. The record of behavioral variables was made every five min. for 24 hours. The times spent in feeding, ruminating and total chewing, expressed in hours day -1 , as well as feeding (FE) and rumination (RE) efficiencies, expressed in g NDF h -1 , the number of cuds and cud chews per day showed a linear decrease according to the levels of xiquexique in the diet. There was a linear increase in time in idleness. Xiquexique levels in the diet for dairy cows did not influence FE and RE, expressed in g DM h -1 , number and time spent in chewing per cud. The replacement of Tifton hay with xiquexique in the diet alters the feeding behavior of dairy cows due to the reduction in fiber content.
DELINEATION OF ANISOTROPIC LAYERS THROUGH 1D INVERSION OF MARINE CSEM DATA

ABSTRACT This paper describes a method to invert marine CSEM data from anisotropic layered media. The method uses two types of constraints to generate stable solutions that improve the positioning of interfaces in anisotropic layers: applying the L1 norm equality constraints of the Total Variation method to parameters in adjacent layers, and imposing L2 norm equality constraints between the different components of the conductivity tensor in each layer. The solutions are compared favorably with those from previously published smoothing methods. The results show that the simultaneous application of the two constraints is able to improve the delineation of the anisotropic layers, including the resistive target commonly sought in the inversion of marine CSEM data. As an example, the method was applied to real data from an offshore Brazilian basin. Keywords: anisotropic layered media, inversion, CSEM. RESUMO Este artigo descreve um metodo para inverter dados do metodo marinho de fonte controlada CSEM de meios anisotropicos estratificados. O metodo usa dois tipos de vinculos para gerar solucoes estaveis que melhoram o posicionamento de interfaces entre camadas anisotropicas: aplicando os vinculos de norma L1 do metodo de Variacao Total a parâmetros de camadas adjacentes, e impondo vinculos de igualdade de norma L2 entre as componentes do tensor de impedância em cada camada. As solucoes obtidas mostraram-se melhores do que as solucoes encontradas na literatura com apenas o metodo de suavidade. Os resultados indicam que a aplicacao simultânea dos dois vinculos e capaz de melhorar o delineamento de camadas anisotropicas, incluindo as camadas-alvo resistivas normalmente buscadas na inversao de dados CSEM. O metodo foi aplicado a um conjunto de dados reais de uma bacia marinha brasileira. Palavras-chave: meios estratificados anisotropicos, inversao, CSEM.
In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity and Safety in Rats of Cissampelos pareira Traditionally Used in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Embu County, Kenya

Cissampelos pareira Linn has been used traditionally in the management of several diseases including diabetes mellitus but its efficacy and safety after long term use is not scientifically evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine in vivo hypoglycemic activity and safety of aqueous leaf extracts of C. pareira in white male albino rats. The extracts were screened for their hypoglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats using the oral and intraperitoneal routes. The safety of these extracts was studied in rats orally or intraperitoneally administered with 1 g/kg body weight daily for 28 days by recording the changes in body and organ weight, hematological and biochemical parameters and histology. Mineral composition of the extracts were estimated using total reflection X-ray fluorescence system (TRXF) while the types and quantities of phytochemicals present were assessed using standard procedures. Aqueous extracts orally and intraperitoneally administered at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg body weight demonstrated hypoglycemic activity with the intraperitoneal route being more effective than the oral route. Oral and intraperitoneal dose of 1 g/kg body weight of the leaf extracts significantly reduced the body weight gain. The same intraperitoneal dose increased the liver and spleen, and decreased the testis weight; and reduced the hemoglobin levels, packed cell volume and increased the platelet count; increased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased the activity of alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, and creatine kinase and histologically slightly injured the liver and spleen and orally increased the activity of alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase, and decreased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase. The extracts contained phenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and reducing sugars. Potassium, calcium, and iron levels in the extracts were below the recommended daily allowance. In conclusion, the observed hypoglycemic activity and slight toxicity could be associated with the phytonutrients present in this plant extract. This study recommends continued use of this plant as an herbal medicine.
Nutritional Epidemiological Study to Estimate Usual Intake and to Define Optimum Nutrient Profiling Choice in the Diet of Egyptian Youths

Objectives: To define optimum food and nutrient profiling in gender-specific and age group-specific variant regression models. Setting: 481 subjects of both sexes (18.4 years old) from Giza urban were set. Design: Dietary assessment used the 24-h dietary recall data to calculate the estimated energy and (24) nutrients eaten by each individual. Four indices—food variety diversity score, healthy eating index (HEI), mean probability of nutrients adequacy (MPA) and nutrient rich food (NRF9.3) index score were used for assessing the profiling of the diet. Results: A total of 163 individual food items were consumed by the participants within the 24-h dietary recall with an average daily intake of (6.6) different food varieties. Grains were the top contributors of energy and 10 macro and micro nutrients followed by the meat group. Based on the MPA data, the mean acceptable intake (AI) of dietary calcium (32.9%) and vitamin C (30%) were limiting in the diet. The diet profiling consumed by the teenagers aged 14.8 years was inferior compared to that consumed by subjects aging 23.9 years. Linear regression analyses were conducted between the 4 indices as the dependent variable and all possible combinations of 16 nutrients of interest as independent variables. NRF9.3 was the optimum nutrient index and correlated negatively with markers of abdominal obesity. Conclusion: Implementation of nutrition intervention program was directed to youths to include age appropriate good healthy foods to decrease the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
Co-Crystals Formation of Clarithromycin with Urea: An Efficient Approach to Enhance the Solubility and Dissolution Rate

Objective: Our main aim was to prepare co-crystals of Clarithromycin, which is having poor solubility but high permeability. Thus the main aim is used to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate. Methods: Co-crystal was prepared using the stoichiometric ratio of CLN: Urea in 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:2.5 respectively by using solvent evaporation technique. In this method co-crystal components or co-crystal formers are taken in stoichiometric ratio and solubilize in a common solvent. The resultant solution is allowed to evaporate slowly. This technique works on the principle that, when different molecules of complimentary functional groups afford hydrogen bonds that is more favorable than each of the individual molecular components. In this case, the co-crystal is likely to be thermodynamically favored. In-vitro dissolution studies were carried out in USP apparatus II (paddle) using 900mL phosphate buffer pH 7.4 as dissolution media at 75rpm for 30minutes. Results: In-vitro dissolution studies of co-crystals it was found that the Pure CLN shows only a release of 75% after 30min whereas, the co-crystals shows a few folds increase (80%) in the dissolution profile. Hence, it is clear that the CLN: Urea co-crystals shows better in-vitro drug release than pure drug. Conclusion: The prepared co-crystals showed improved solubility of CLN and in turn higher dissolution rate than the pure drug indicating co-crystal approach as a novel and valuable means to alter the physical characteristics of an API without chemical modification.
Factors adversely affecting quality in highway projects of Pakistan

Quality is one of an important parameter for measuring successful and sustainable construction projects. For a successful construction projects, it is essential that the projects are delivered according to the quality standards and in line with the customer desire. However, construction projects in both developed and developing countries are characterized by poor quality and highway projects in Pakistan has no exception. This paper aims to determine factors adversely affecting quality in highway projects of Pakistan. Research method for this study is a combination of both literature review and questionnaire survey. Literature review enabled identification of 24 common factors adversely affecting quality in construction industry. A questionnaire based on literature review was distributed amongst construction professionals of highway projects in Pakistan. Data collected from 215 respondents was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). It was discovered that incompetent main contractors, improper planning, and improper selection of materials are the main factors adversely affecting quality in highway projects of Pakistan. The findings of this study can assist construction professionals to develop strategies to improve the quality of construction projects in general and highway projects particularly.
Some Reflections on Structure and Agency in Migration Theory

This paper explores the complex relationship between structure and agency and the way it has been incorporated into migration theory. It argues that attempts to develop a coherent and robust body of migration theory have been thwarted by a structure–agency impasse: some approaches lean too close to functionalism while others veer into structuralism. Those who search for middle ground have tended to draw on Giddens' notion of structuration as a way of articulating the balance between structure and agency in migration processes. The article shows that, while structuration is beguiling, it has failed to offer any significant advances for migration theory. This is a result of theoretical weaknesses in structuration theory rather than a failure of its application; this argument is based on a critical realist critique of the dualism inherent in structuration. It is suggested that critical realism offers a fruitful avenue for a more sophisticated analysis of structure and agency in migration processes. The article ends with a brief outline of a critical realist approach to migration theory and argues that this may offer a way around the structure–agency impasse.
Accounting firm partners to public corporation employees: An exploration of implications and responses in a failed accounting company

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications on former accounting firm partners becoming employees of a publicly owned accounting corporation, the responses of the former partners and impacts on the acquiring company. Partners of accounting and other professional service firms selling their firms to publicly owned companies often remain with the acquiring company as employees and receive company shares as consideration for their firms. Agency theory suggests public ownership will result in changes to the roles of senior professionals with potential resistance and motivation consequences. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a case study approach involving the review of publicly available information and interviews with executives and senior professionals of an Australian publicly owned accounting company, Stockford Limited. Findings The Stockford case indicates that selling their firm to a publicly owned company can have significant negative implications for accounting firm partners. The former partners struggled to adapt to their new roles as senior professional employees and shareholders. Their responses had significant impacts on company performance, which ultimately contributed to the collapse of the company, thus reflecting the power senior professionals retain regardless of the change of ownership form. Research limitations/implications Care is required when generalising findings of a single case to other professions and other geographic jurisdictions. Practical implications This paper has significant implications for entrepreneurs and executives consolidating professional service firms, partners considering selling their firms and investors in publicly owned professional service firms. Originality/value Despite the emergence of publicly owned accounting and other professional service companies and the importance and power of senior professionals in professional service firms, this is the first study to explore the implications on senior professionals of selling their firms to public companies.
WORKING PAPER SERIES BUSINESS CYCLE DYNAMICS IN THE CEE COUNTRIES : A POLITICAL ECONOMY

This paper uses a simple VAR analysis to examine 5 CEE countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) in order to understand whether their business cycles are synchronized with each other and/or with the major economies that they are supposed to be linked with, namely the US, Germany and Russia. We find that there are differences across the CEE countries themselves and that there is no common CEE business cycle. Comparing the individual CEE business cycles with those of the dominant economies, we find that Hungary and Poland are related to the US business cycle, reflecting the fact that they are more integrated with the global economy, whereas Slovakia is closer to the Russian cycle. Finally, splitting the sample into the late 1990s and 2000s due to the transition nature of these economies in the former period shows that the influence of Russia on the CEE economies has declined over time. However, in contrast to the expectations that CEE countries are likely to be affected by Germany in the second half of the sample due to EU negotiations followed by full membership, among the CEE countries only the business cycle of Slovakia is synchronized with that of Germany. On the other hand the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland are synchronized with the US business cycle, showing that globalization has decreased the importance of distance.
Capital Market Frictions, Business Cycle and Monetary Transmission

Empirical evidence shows that some firms may be capital constraint because of capital market imperfections. We therefore extend the business cycle models with frictions 'a la Pissarides on the labour market by also introducing symmetric frictions on the capital market. We show that the capital market frictions (and their interactions with the labour market frictions) improve the statistical properties of the model and generate a financial accelerator.