Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Turbidity removal from surface water and landfill leachate using cactus opuntia

The effectiveness of cactus opuntia, a natural macr omolecular coagulant, for turbidity r emoval was studied via jar test. The jar test was conducted to remove turbidity from two aqueous solutions, namely , surface water and landfill leachate. The surface water studied were estuarine and river water . Initial turbidity values measured at 499 NTU and 547 NTU for estuarine and river water respectively were r educed by as much as 98% (estuarine) and 70% (river). Other parameters such as pH as well as alkalinity were also studied. High turbidity removal effectiveness shown in this bench-scale study indicates that cactus opuntia has the potential to be utilised for surface water tr eatment applications. Turbidity removal was less effective in the case of landfill leachate (31.6 - 41.9%) but the r emoval percentage was observed to increase in the presence of Mn 2 + (bivalent cation).
Understanding participation in modern supply chains under a social network perspective – evidence from blackberry farmers in the Ecuadorian Andes

In this paper, we use semi-structured interviews with firm representatives and original survey data to study the factors influencing farmers’ participation in modern supply chains in the Ecuadorian blackberry sector. Previous research has emphasized the important role of farm size and non-farm assets enabling participation in these chains. Going beyond this scope of analysis, we argue that farmers’ social networks can be an important avenue to facilitate inclusion. Using different probit model specifications, we find that individual farmers’ social networks are important determinants for participation in modern supply chains in an environment characterized by a homogenous farm sector. Further research is needed to explore the specific pathways through which social networks exert their influence.
EFFECT OF SEED SOAKING AND FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH SELENIUM ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF LETTUCE UNDER SALINE STRESS

he implementation of proper agricultural practices is important for reducing the effect of salt stress in plants. Therefore, this experiment was conducted in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons at Ras Sudr station of Desert Research Center, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, to determine the most effective selenium (Se) dose and application method on lettuce plants Bruma cultivar under salt stress conditions. Six different Se treatments; Se0 (without application as a control), Se1 (seed soaking in 30 μmol l -1 for 12 h), Se2 (seed soaking in 50 μmol l -1 for 12 h), Se3 (foliar application of 10 μmol l -1 ), Se4 (foliar application of 20 μmol l -1 ) and Se5 (foliar application of 30 μmol l -1 ) were applied. The results showed that Se provision through both of the tested methods improved the plant leaf number, chlorophyll content, as well as N, P, K and Ca concentrations in the leaves, when compared with the control treatment. Moreover, Na content decreased in the leaves, which were treated than those of the control treatment. The plants grown under the Se treatments had larger heads and higher yields than the untreated plants. Foliar spraying was the most effective method of Se application of the lettuce plants, and the best results were obtained with the foliar spraying treatment at 20 μmol l -
Analysis of the effect of technological processing on changes in antioxidant properties of cocoa processed products

Antioxidant properties were studied by determining the ability to deactivate stable two chromogen radicals – 1.1-dipheny-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH.), [2.2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (AbTS•+) as well as inhibition of reactions that yield peroxides in emulsions of linoleic acid and chelation of iron. The study demonstrated the influence of technological processing on changes in antioxidant properties of cocoa processed products. Cocoa beans were characterised by the highest whereas cocoa butter by the lowest content of polyphenols. This study demonstrated that the products under investigation exhibited antioxidant properties in relation to AbTS•+ and DPPH•. Extracts were more effective in scavenging AbTS•+ than DPPH•. Extracts from cocoa beans, cocoa mass as well as dark chocolate were characterised by very high capacity (at 100% level) to inhibit the formation of peroxides in emulsion systems. Dilution of extracts had an impact on the antioxidant properties of the products under investigation. Correlations were found between the total content of polyphenols in cocoa products and the ability of extracts to scavenge AbTS•+ and DPPH• as well as to chelate iron and inhibit peroxide production in emulsion systems.
Teachers’ Beliefs about First- and Second-Order Barriers to ICT Integration: Preliminary Findings from a South African Study

Teachers’ beliefs have been shown to play a critical role in their decision to utilize technology in their classrooms, but few studies have examined those beliefs among South African teachers. This paper reports preliminary findings from a qualitative study of Cape Town secondary school teachers that analyzed their belief statements in order to establish their perceptions of first and second order barriers to technology integration. Preliminary findings suggest that a variety of socio-cultural factors impact on teachers’ beliefs and pedagogic practices pertaining to technology use. These factors may inhibit South African teachers from adopting more student-centered pedagogies that foster technology integration. Implications for future research are also discussed.
First record of the Valanginian positive carbon isotope anomaly in the Mendoza shelf, Neuquén Basin, Argentina: palaeoclimatic implications

The Tithonian-Valanginian time interval in the Mendoza Shelf (Neuquen Basin, Argentina) is well exposed in the Rio Salado, Puesto Loncoche and Cuesta del Chihuido sedimentary sections. From those localities, more than fifty preserved oyster shells of the genus Aetostreon sp. were selected and sampled in order to perform the first δ13C curves for this particular time interval. Mineralogical and cathodoluminiscence properties, inner micromorphology of the valves, added to major and trace element geochemistry were analyzed in order to highlight the best C-O isotopic preservation. The δ13C isotope curves show values varying between 0 and -3‰ VPDB for the Tithonian-Berriasian basal section, and a positive excursion of ~2.4-2.7‰ VPDB in the Valanginian upper section. This δ13C up section trend is here considered in order to reveal eminent correlations with other sections from the Neuquen Basin, as well as the Weissert Event from the Tethys area, also on the basis of their ammonite faunal zones. The palaeotemperatures obtained from δ18O preserved values, added to a detailed sedimentological study suggest that observed δ13C anomaly may responds to a global climatic change from warm and dry to warm and humid conditions.
The Determinants of Abandoned M&As in the Banking Sector

The consolidation process that characterized the banking industry in the last decades has been widely analyzed, but very few studies have investigated what are the reasons why a number of announced deals were not concluded. We fill this gap in the literature analyzing the characteristics of abandoned M&A operations in a large sample that includes all the major domestic and cross-border deals in the banking sector announced worldwide between 1992 and 2010. The results show that hostile operations, deals of larger size and deals implying swaps of shares are less likely to be concluded. Controlling for size, cross-border operations are more likely to be successfully concluded, contrary to the expectation that the presence of strong cultural barriers and regulations, implicit and explicit, could determine a higher abandonment ratio. Finally, deals announced in countries with stronger supervisory authorities have a higher probability of failure.
Anomalous rainfall and associated atmospheric circulation in the northeast Spanish Mediterranean area and its relationship to sediment fluidization events in a lake

Changes in the dynamics of sediment transport in a Mediterranean lake (sediment fluidization events) are linked to atmospheric circulations patterns (trough monthly precipitation). In the basins of Lake Banyoles, located in the northeast of Spain, water enters mainly through subterranean springs, and associated fluctuations in the vertical migration of sediment distribution (fluidization events) present episodic behavior as a result of episodic rainfall in the area. The initiation of the fluidization events takes place when the monthly rainfall is ∼2.7 times greater than the mean monthly rainfall of the rainiest months in the area, especially in spring (April and May), October, and December. The duration of these events is found to be well correlated with the accumulated rainfall of the preceding 10 months before the process initiation. The rainfall, in turn, is mainly associated with six atmospheric circulation patterns among the 19 fundamental circulations that emerged in an earlier study focused on significant rainfall days in Mediterranean Spain. Among them, accentuated surface lows over the northeast of Spain, general northeasterly winds by low pressure centered to the east of Balearic Islands and short baroclinic waves over the Iberian Peninsula, with easterly flows over the northeastern coast of Spain, are found the most relevant atmospheric circulations that drive heavy rainfall events.
Diagnosis of Hybrid Systems by Consistency Testing

We propose a new approach of diagnosis of hybrid systems using SMT (SAT Modulo Theory) technology. Diagnosis of hybrid systems is reduced to a series of diagnosis questions that are solved using SMT solvers. We show that this approach allows to deal with a new class of systems and paves the way to a new approach to diagnosis of hybrid systems.
A consistent test of the distance-duality relation with galaxy clusters and Type Ia Supernovae

We propose a new consistent method to test the distance-duality relation which related the angular diameter distances (D-A) to the luminosity distances (D-L) in a cosmology-independent way. In order to avoid any bias brought by redshift incoincidence between galaxy clusters and Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia), as well as to ensure the integrity of the galaxy clusters samples, we obtain the luminosity distance of a certain SN Ia point at the same redshift of the corresponding galaxy cluster by interpolating from the nearby SNe Ia. With the observational data pairs at the same redshifts of the angular diameter distances from the complete 38 galaxy clusters for the spherical model and the corresponding luminosity distances interpolated from the Union 2 set, we find that eta equivalent to D-L(1 + z)(-2)/D-A = 1 is satisfied within 2 Sigma confidence level for parametrizations of eta(z), which are more stringent than previous results without considering redshift bias.
Differential Expression of Tight Junctions and Cell Polarity Genes in Human Colon Cancer

Tight junction and cell polarity proteins are paramount to epithelial cell polarity and transport. In vivo studies have shown the differential expression of tight junctions in colorectal cancer, with little to no human data to corroborate those findings. We investigated whether tight junction genes were differentially expressed in human colon cancer versus normal controls.
Integrating experimental and simulation length and time scales in mechanistic studies of friction

Friction is ubiquitous in all aspects of everyday life and has consequently been under study for centuries. Classical theories of friction have been developed and used to successfully solve numerous tribological problems. However, modern applications that involve advanced materials operating under extreme environments can lead to situations where classical theories of friction are insufficient to describe the physical responses of sliding interfaces. Here, we review integrated experimental and computational studies of atomic-scale friction and wear at solid–solid interfaces across length and time scales. The influence of structural orientation in the case of carbon nanotube bundles, and molecular orientation in the case of polymer films of polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene, on friction and wear are discussed. In addition, while friction in solids is generally considered to be athermal, under certain conditions thermally activated friction is observed for polymers, carbon nanotubes and graphite. The conditions under which these transitions occur, and their proposed origins, are discussed. Lastly, a discussion of future directions is presented.
Pore-Scale Evaluation of Enhanced Mixing within Preferential Transport Zones

A prerequisite to determining risk from a subsurface contaminant plume is to determine chemical concentrations down gradient from the source zone. For a conservative contaminant, down gradient concentrations depend on the initial source zone concentrations and the extent to which the contaminant mixes (i.e., dilutes) with surrounding groundwater. For a (bio)reactive contaminant, down gradient concentrations also depend on the rate of reaction; this can be governed by the rate that the contaminant mixes with other substrates and the reaction rate constant. In this work we examine the effect of a high conductivity preferential flow zone on contaminant mixing and reaction at the pore scale. Two reactive substrates are introduced into a network of pores via two separate and parallel fluid streams. The substrates mix within the porous media via transverse dispersion and react. The lattice-Boltzmann (LB) method is used to solve for interstitial pore velocities. Reactive transport is simulated by combining pore velocities from the LB model with a reactive transport finite-volume model (FVM). The extent of mixing and reaction is quantified by evaluating product formation rates from the two substrates. Results from the LB-FVM simulations indicate that (i) the amount of product formed can be 40-50% higher due to flow focusing in the preferential flow zone, (ii) the amount of enhancement depends on the length and width of the preferential flow zone, and (iii) the bi-molecular reaction rate can have an effect on the total amount of product formed. Results are compared with an analytical solution developed for flow focusing scenarios at the continuum scale, and with reactive fluorescent micro-model experiments which were conducted utilizing an identical porous media configuration to the base preferential mixing scenario evaluated utilizing the LB-FVM. This study suggests that flow focusing can significantly affect the overall extent of mixing and reaction in groundwater flow, and hence may need to be considered when evaluating reactive transport.
Teacher Education beyond Transmission: Challenges and Opportunities for Iranian Teachers of English.

The teacher education field has recently undergone dramatic changes leading to a shift of focus from transmission models towards alternative approaches and theories that emerged in the post-transmission era addressing sociocultural, political, ideological, and critical issues. Despite worldwide changes in teacher education programs, it seems that alternative theories and ideas have had little or no impact on teacher education for English language teaching (ELT) in Iran. This study investigated the applicability of the post-transmission perspectives and theories to the Iranian teacher education context, in addition to the concerns and challenges faced by teachers and instructors working in that context. To this end, the views and beliefs of ten experienced English teachers and three educators were collected using three methods of data collection: collaborative dialogue; currere or reflexive narrative; and, interviews. The data were analysed to identify emerging themes relating to the current status of teacher education in Iran, including impediments, constraints, and concerns in case of any change. The study found that participants believed that policy makers, educators, and teachers needed to adopt alternative theories and approaches in order to improve pre-service and in-service ELT teacher education in Iran. However, given the local context, they indicated that any action taken towards transformation required meticulous consideration on the part of the key stakeholders.
The Determinants of Corporate Cash Holdings: The Case of a Small Emerging Market

This study investigates the factors influencing the level of corporate cash holdings in the context of Jordan, a small emerging market characterized by large market frictions. This article employs the framework of the trade off, financing hierarchy, and managerial discretion theories to predict determinants of cash reserves. Then it examines these predictions using a sample of listed nonfinancial Jordanian firms over the period 2005-2013 using alternative estimation methods. Consistent with the trade-off theory, the results show that firm size and cash substitutes have negative and significant impact on cash holdings while growth opportunities and cash flow volatility have positive and significant impact. In addition, and consistent with the financing hierarchy view, the results show that cash flow and growth opportunities have positive and significant impact on cash holdings. Also, the study documents that leverage is negatively related to cash holdings while squared leverage is positively related to cash reserves. Finally, the results indicate that there are significant dynamic effects in determining cash holding targets.
The impact of industrial effluent discharge on physico- chemical and microbial parameters of Orogodo River, Agbor, Nigeria

The microbiological and physico-chemical analyses of water samples obtained from the Orogodo River, Agbor, at point of industrial effluent discharge (Location 2) and at 100 m before (Location 1) and 100 m after (Location 3), were carried out using standard methods to determine the impact of the discharge on the water quality. While the temperature, conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and coliform counts increased from Stations 1 to 3 and pH, hardness, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen decreased from Stations 1 to 3, the solids (total, suspended and dissolved) and nitrates increased from Station 1 to 2 and decreased thereafter to Station 3 while heterotrophic bacterial counts increased from Station 1 to 2 and 3 and sulphate, which was equal for Stations 1 and 2, decreased in Station 3. Most of the parameters were above set limits by regulatory bodies. Thus, the industrial effluents contained much solids and oxygen-demanding materials with deleterious effects on the water quality, to the extent that it may not be potable without treatment. There is the paramount need to treat these industrial effluents prior to discharge into the River Orogodo. Key words: Water, analyses, effluent, treatment, discharge, potable.
Is It Possible to Beat the Random Walk Model in Exchange Rate Forecasting? More Evidence for Brazilian Case.

Abstract The seminal study of Meese et al. (1983) on exchange rate forecastability had a great impact on the international finance literature. The authors showed that exchange rate forecasts based on structural models are worse than a naive random walk. This result is known as the Meese--Rogoff (MR) puzzle. Although the validity of this result has been checked for many currencies, studies for the Brazilian currency are not common. In 1999, Brazil adopted the dirty floating exchange rate regime. Rossi (2013) ran an extensive study on the MR puzzle but did not analyse Brazilian data. Our goal is to run a “pseudo real-time experiment” to investigate whether forecasts based on econometric models that use the fundamentals suggested by the exchange rate monetary theory of the 80s can beat the random model for the case of the Brazilian currency. Our work has three main differences with respect to Rossi (2013). We use a bias correction technique and forecast combination in an attempt to improve the forecast accuracy of our projections. We also combine the random walk projections with the projections of the structural models to investigate if it is possible to further improve the accuracy of the random walk forecasts. However, our results are quite in line with Rossi (2013). We show that it is not difficult to beat the forecasts generated by the random walk with drift using Brazilian data, but that it is quite difficult to beat the random walk without drift. Our results suggest that it is advisable to use the random walk without drift, not only the random walk with drift, as a benchmark in exercises that claim the MR result is not valid.
Domestic Debt and Economic Growth in Tanzania-An Empirical Analysis

The main objective of this paper was to examine the impact of domestic debt on economic growth in Tanzania for the period 1990 to 2015 using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression method to estimate the effects. The study finds that there is an inverse but insignificant relationship between domestic debt and the economic growth of Tanzania as measured by GDP annual growth. The inverse relationship between domestic debt and GDP may be caused by different factors such as; increased trend in domestic borrowing, government lenders’ profile dominated by commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions which promotes the “crowding out” effect; the nature of the instruments used by the government ; the improper use of the domestic borrowed funds which may include funding budgetary deficits, paying up principal and matured obligations on debt, developing financial markets as well as fund other government operations. Other control variables relate with the GDP as predicted. For example, Inflation (INF) has a negative effect on the GDP growth rate, but the relationship is not statistically significant, while gross capital formation (GCF) has a positive statistically significant effect on GDP growth rate. Furthermore, foreign direct investment (FDI) showed a positive effect on the GDP growth rate and export (X) has a positive effect on GDP growth rate, and the relationship is statistically significant explaining that if a country applied an export-led growth economic strategy it enjoys the gains of participating in the world market. This means that an increase in export stimulates demand for goods which leads to increase in output, and as a country’s output increases, the economic performance also takes a similar trend. Finally, government expenditure (GE) had a negative effect on the GDP growth rate which may be explained by the increased government expenditures which are funded by either tax or borrowing. Therefore, what is required for countries like Tanzania is to have better debt management strategies as well as prudential financial management while maintaining to remain within the internationally acceptable debt level of 45% of GDP and maintain a GDP growth rate of not less than 5%. It is important for the country to realize from where to borrow from, the tenure, the risks involved and limitations to borrowing and thus set the right balance of combination of both kinds of debt. Another requirement is to properly utilize the borrowed funds. The central government’s objective should be to use the funds in more development-oriented projects that bring positive returns to the economic development. The government should not only create a right environment and policies for investment to attract investment from domestic and foreign sources but also be cautious about the kind of investments that the foreign investors make.