Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioaccumulation and translocation factors of petroleum hydrocarbons in Aeluropus littoralis

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which consist of fused conjugated aromatic rings, not only are toxic to humans and other living organisms, but will also pollute groundwater. These compounds can be point source or non-point source and are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. Some of them are suspected carcinogens and are linked to other health problems. This study was carried out to assess the petroleum hydrocarbon phytoremediation potential of the Aeluropus littoralis species. Accumulation of PAHs in roots and upper parts of A. littoralis has been determined. Translocation factor (TF) was also calculated. Methods: In this study, soil samples were taken from the vicinity of Isfahan oil refinery, and the PAHs compounds were analyzed with gas chromatography. One-meter soil columns were prepared from the control and contaminated soil. Unplanted A. littoralis treatments were also prepared to eliminate the effects of environmental factors on the reduction of oil-based contaminants. Seventeen weeks after planting, soil columns were sampled at 25, 50, 75, and 100 cm depths, and the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons and number of oil-degrading bacteria were counted. Moreover, the roots and shoots of A. littoralis were separated and weighed. Results: Results indicated that A. littoralis reduced the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons to a significantly higher extent than the control treatment. Increasing depth was associated with improved petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations and decreased number of oil-degrading bacteria. Mostly, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of PAHs was <1, which shows A. littoralis could be an excluder of PAHs. The results also showed that the TF of PAHs was less than one, and hence, A. littoralis could be considered as an accumulator of PAHs. Conclusion: It can be concluded that this species is suitable for use in the phytoremediation of PAHS contamination. For further confirmation, an evaluation under field conditions should be undertaken.
Deviations from Put–Call Parity and Volatility Prediction: Evidence from the Taiwan Index Option Market

This study examines whether deviations from put–call parity are informative about future volatility in the underlying index. Using the difference in implied volatility between call and put options to measure these deviations, we find that deviations from put–call parity predict future volatility. The predictability becomes stronger as option liquidity increases and the liquidity of the underlying index decreases. The results for volatility prediction remain significant even after controlling for implied volatility, information shocks, other information variables on return and volatility used widely in the literature, and short sales constraints. In addition, our results also show that deviations from put–call parity contain information about the future trading volume of options and the underlying index. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:1122–1145, 2014
Dose response and potential thresholds in activation and inactivation of procarcinogens.

ECNIS is a Network of Excellence within the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme, Priority 5: Food Quality and Safety. It brings together some of the best European research groups in a concerted effort to achieve improved understanding of the environmental causes of cancer, of the potential of diet to prevent cancer, and of the ways by which heredity can affect individual susceptibility to carcinogens, with the ultimate aim of reducing the cancer burden in Europe. ECNIS is coordinated by Prof. Konrad Rydzynski, The Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Sw. Teresy 8, 91-348 ¸Lodz, Poland. This review has been prepared as part of ECNIS Work Package 10: Mechanistic research to support cancer hazard and risk assessment.
SUITABILITY OF SEAWEED MEAL INCORPORATED WITH RHODOVULUM SP. BACTERIUM AS FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR FINFISH LARVAE

The proximate compositions of three Chlorophyta (Caulerpa sp., Halimeda macroloba, and Halimeda opuntia), three Phaeophyta (Sargassum sp., Padina minor, and Dictyota sp.), and one Rhodophyta (Laurencia sp.) were determined in order to evaluate their suitability for feed supplement. The evaluated seaweed showed variable protein content between 4 to 14% (dry weight). The highest protein level of 14% dry weight (lDW) was determined in Sargassum sp. , but this species also recorded the lowest level (0.2-0.5%) of lipid. On the other hand, the highest content of 4% (DW) lipid and 11% (DW) protein level was observed in the species Dictyota. Of the other species, Padina minor from the same group, shows 10% (DW) and 1% (DW) levels of protein and lipid respectively. Seaweed meal of these three species was prepared and mixed separately with 2% of Rhodovulum sp. Thus, three types of supplementary diet were prepared for Tilapia fry feeding trials. Rhodovulum sp. bacterium biomass alone was used as control diet. The preliminary feeding trial showed that the growth and survival of fin fish larvae were improved with the supplemented diet made from Dictyota meal mixed with 2% of Rhodovulum sp. Thus, indigenous self-flocculated phototrophic bacterium Rhodovulum sp. is improved when used as a feed additive enhanced with this seaweed meal in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry rearing period.
Accumulation and removal of UVBR-induced DNA damage in marine tropical plankton subjected to mixed and simulated non-mixed conditions

Accumulation and removal of UVBR (ultraviolet-B radiation: 280 to 315 nm)-induced DNA damage (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers; CPDs) were studied in 2 size fractions (0.2 to 0.8 and 0.8 to 10 µm) of natural populations of tropical marine bacterio- and phytoplankton off Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Plankton was either directly sampled from the surface layer (mixed situation), or incubated in UVR-transparent bags at 2 water depths (simulated non-mixed situation). A DNA dosimeter was used to measure biologically effective UVBR doses as well as attenuation of biologi- cally effective radiation in the surface layer. A significant difference in CPD level between the 2 plankton size fractions could not be measured. In the mixed as well as in the non-mixed situation, DNA damage was accumulated between 09:00 and 14:00 h irrespective of the variability in incident UVBR. Surface layer samplings on consecutive days showed a clear diel pattern of increase and decrease, indicating that, in the field, DNA damage is repaired or diluted during the afternoon or at night. No significant repair of DNA damage could be measured in samples that were incubated dur- ing the afternoon at 0.2 or 10 m depth. The UVBR sensitivity of surface-incubated plankton was expressed as the ratio between damage induced in the cells to damage induced in (unshielded and unrepaired) bare DNA. In both plankton size classes this ratio fluctuated around 0.32. In conclusion, the results show that plankton cells present in the clear waters off Curacao undergo UVBR stress despite the fact that they are subjected to vertical mixing. No significant difference in CPD levels between 2 size fractions of plankton could be measured, suggesting that in this plankton population other aspects, e.g. repair capacities or cell morphology, were more important than cell size.
A comparison on early maladaptive schemas, body image concerns and attribution styles among the teenagers with social anxiety and normal ones

Introduction: Since the teenage years are of the most important and sensitive stages of evolution, the social and individual characteristics within these eras have been paid into attention by several authors. Purpose: Present study was conducted to compare early maladaptive schemas, body image concerns and attribution styles among the teenagers with social anxiety and normal teenagers. Method: the present study is a descriptive casual-comparative work. Hence, a number of 220 students (110 ones with social anxiety disorder and 110 normal ones) were chosen and compared by multistage cluster sampling method from high schools of Karaj. Both groups completed Young’s Schema Questionnaire, Body Image Concerns Questionnaire, Attribution Style Questionnaire and Social Phobia Inventory. The data was analysed using the methods descriptive statistics and independent t-test and stepwise regression. Results: the findings showed that the individuals with social anxiety have a more negative attitude to their body compared to normal ones. There is a significant difference between the normal teenagers and those with social anxiety in terms of directedness, vigilance and impaired limits while no significant difference was observed in terms of impaired autonomy and performance, disconnection and rejection. In addition, insignificant differences were found for the variable internal/external attribution styles while significant ones were found in terms of stability/instability and specific/general position. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the individuals with social anxiety have a more negative attitude to appearance specifications and inefficiency attribution styles. This factor causes to intensify social anxiety symptoms among such teenagers. Since this disorder prevents growth of interpersonal skills in the relationships with the peers, the researchers are proposed to develop interventional/educational packages to offer psychological supports for the teenagers with such a disorder.
Smooth Equivalence of Deformations of Domains in Complex Euclidean Spaces

We prove that two smooth families of 2-connected domains in $\mathbf{C}$ are smoothly equivalent if they are equivalent under a possibly discontinuous family of biholomorphisms. We construct, for $\infty > m \geq 3$, two smooth families of smoothly bounded $m$-connected domains in $\mathbf{C}$, and for $n\geq 2$, two families of strictly pseudoconvex domains in $\mathbf{C}^n$, which are equivalent under discontinuous families of biholomorphisms but not under any continuous family of biholomorphisms. Finally, we give sufficient conditions for the smooth equivalence of two smooth families of domains.
The Correlation of Lithium and Beryllium in F and G Field and Cluster Dwarf Stars

Although Li has been extensively observed in main-sequence field and cluster stars, there are relatively fewer observations of Be. We have obtained Keck HIRES spectra of 36 late F and early G dwarfs in order to study the Li-Be correlation we found previously in the temperature regime of 5900-6650 K. The sample size for this temperature range with detectable and (usually) depleted Li and Be is now 88, including Li and Be abundances in both cluster and field stars. Therefore we can now investigate the influence of other parameters such as age, temperature, and metallicity on the correlation. The Be spectra at 3130 Å were taken over six nights from 1999 November to 2002 January and have a spectral resolution of ~48,000 and a median signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 108 pixel-1. We obtained Li spectra of 22 stars with the University of Hawaii 88 inch (2.2 m) telescope and coudé spectrograph with a spectral resolution of ~70,000 and a median S/N of 110 pixel-1. We have redetermined the effective temperatures for all the stars and adopted other parameters from published data or empirical relations. The abundances of both Li and Be in the stars we observed were determined from spectrum synthesis with MOOG 2002. The previously observed Li equivalent widths for some of our Be stars were used with the new temperatures and MOOG 2002 in the "blends" mode. For the 46 field stars from this and earlier studies we find a linear relation between A(Li) and A(Be) with a slope of 0.375 ± 0.036. Over the Teff range 5900-6650 K, we find the modest scatter about the Be-Li relation to be significantly correlated with Teff and perhaps also [Fe/H]. Dividing the sample into two temperature regimes of 6300-6650 K (corresponding to the cool side of the Li-Be dip) and 5900-6300 K (corresponding to the Li "plateau") reveals possible small differences in the slopes for the two groups, 0.404 ± 0.034 and 0.365 ± 0.049, respectively. When we include the cluster stars (Hyades, Pleiades, Praesepe, UMa Group, and Coma), the slope for the full temperature range (88 stars) is essentially the same, at 0.382 ± 0.030, as for the field stars alone. For the hotter temperature group of 35 Li-Be dip stars in the field and in clusters the slope is higher, at 0.433 ± 0.036, while for the cooler star group (54 stars) the slope is 0.337 ± 0.031, different by more than 1 σ. This small difference in the slope is predicted by the theory of rotationally induced mixing. The four stars with [Fe/H] less than -0.4 are all below the best-fit relation, i.e., there is more Be depletion at a given A(Li) or less Be ab initio. The youngest stars, i.e., Pleiades, have less depletion of both Li and Be. This too is predicted by rotationally induced slow mixing. Combining the Be results from both field and cluster stars, we find that there are stars with undepleted Be, i.e., near the meteoritic values of 1.42 dex, at all temperatures from 5500 to 6800 K. Depletions of Be of up to and even exceeding 2 orders of magnitude are common between 6000 and 6700 K.
Weld Cracking in Precipitation Hardening Ni-based Superalloys

Manufacturing of hot structural components for aero engines requires the materials being used to be weldable. The high demands on strength and temperature resistance make nickel based superalloys the material of choice for this application. Alloy 718 has been the standard grade for several years, providing high strength at elevated temperatures while being weldable due to the relatively slow precipitation kinetics of its hardening phase gamma double prime. Increasing operating temperatures as well as intermittent cycling of land-based gas and steam turbines motivate research on highly temperature stable alloys such as nickel based superalloys. Increased temperature stability of precipitation hardening superalloys is generally achieved via the gamma prime phase, which in contrast to gamma double prime causes a very rapid hardening effect in the material. Rapid hardening of the gamma prime phase can cause strain age cracking (SAC), a cracking phenomenon occurring during heating towards the post weld heat treatment when stress relaxation mechanism coincide with the precipitation of hardening phases. With the general mechanism of SAC being established, detailed knowledge about the material response is necessary to be able to predict the welding behaviour and to prevent SAC. This is especially relevant with regard to newly developed alloys such as Haynes® 282®, where limited weldability data is available. This work hence sets focus on investigating the weldability of the relatively new superalloy Haynes® 282®. It was found that the welding response of Haynes® 282® is generally good, with the heat input during welding being identified as main effect on the cracking response under the studied conditions. Solidification cracks were observed in the material, while neither heat affected zone liquation cracks nor SAC could be confirmed. A simulative Gleeble test was developed to provide more data on ductility in the SAC temperature range and its dependence on ongoing precipitation reactions during thermal exposure, correlating the loss in ductility with hardness evolution in the material.
Effects of Stocking Rate on a Rough Fescue Grassland Vegetation

their construction, to a stable range condition, took from 14 years in the lightly grazed field to more than the length of the study in the A study was conducted to examine the effects of 4 stocking rates on the vegetation in a Rough Fescue Grassland vegetation in southwestern Alberta. Stocking at a light rate (1.2 AUM/ha) for 32 very heavily grazed field. The duration required for recovery was years did not affect range condition. However, a modest increase in stocking rate (1.6 AUM/ha) led to a marked decline in range related to the original range condition of the exclosures. condition. This was associated with a change in the composition of rough fescue from 38 to 21% of basal area. Rough fescue (FestzCQ ScQbreflQ) was nearly eliminated with a stocking rate of 2.4 AUM/ha. Rough fescue was repiaced by Parry oat grass (DQnthoni~ parryi) which increased from 24% at 1.2 AUM/ha to 48% at 2.4 AUM/ha. However, stocking at 4.8 AUM/ha resulted in severe deterioration of the grassland. This required annual adjustment of the stocking rate to avoid animal losses. The recommended stocking rate for good condition range in the area is 1.6 AUM/ha. Recovery of the vegetation within the exclosures, from the time of setting stocking rates. The stocking rate, expressed in this paper as animal unit months per hectare (AUM/ ha), defines the relative quantity of forage that will be harvested during the grazing period in a given year. The effect of increasing the stocking rate is to increase the proportion of forage utilized, which may lead to changes in species composition of grasslands (Ellison 1960). The species that increase because of an increased stocking rate are often sub-dominants in the plant community and are potentially less productive than the dominant species (Looman 1969). The purpose of this study was to examine the changes that occur in species composition of a Rough Fescue Grassland as a result of stocking with cattle at different rates. The work described is part of a final assessment of the study which was reported earlier (Johnston 1961, Peake and Johnston 1965).
Identifying the predictors of academic achievement: The relationship between IQ, EQ, Motivation, Stress and Grades

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between grades, intelligence, motivation and test-related stress while identifying the predictors of academic achievement. The research also included two hypotheses: 1. IQ, EQ and Motivation will have a positive correlation with academic achievement; 2. Test-related stress will have a negative correlation with academic achievement. Methods: 93 participants from various universities, backgrounds and courses were selected using an opportunistic sampling technique. The participants took part in four online questionnaires, an IQ test, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Short-Form) (Petrides and Furnham, 2006), Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich et al., 1991), and the Test Anxiety Questionnaire (Nist and Diehl, 1990). Results: A Pearson’s correlation test demonstrated that the results agree with both hypotheses. While a multiple regression analysis revealed that IQ scores is the only statistically significant predictor of academic achievement. Conclusion: Applications of these results are discussed in light of previous research while relating to theory, limitations and future research. Further analyses revealed interesting results regarding self-efficacy, stress and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, these findings and their implications are also discussed.
Kosova-Referat 2

Iliria International Review – 2013/1 © Felix–Verlag, Holzkirchen, Germany and Iliria College, Pristina, Kosovo Abstract Starting with Modigliani and Miller theory of 1958, capital structure has attracted a lot of attention from different scholars. The main question that they raised where: How do firms choose their capital structure or leverage? Does firm have a target capital structure? What are the main firm’s specific factors or determinants that influence the choice of capital structure? Does the economic conditions of the country (GDP growth rate, inflation rate, base lending rate etc.) influence on the determination of the firm’s level of debt? This paper provides a survey of the literature on trade off theory of capital structure. The aim of this paper is to give useful information in understanding corporate finance and in a particular way the trade-off theory of capital structure. This study represents a theoretical approach which has in focus the literature review of same earlier studies which have proved the existence or not of this theory in different contents. We can conclude that economists have not yet reached a consensus on how to determine the optimal capital structure, the one that would bring the maximization of firm’s value.
The Impact of Internal Marketing on Employees’ Performance in Private Jordanian Hospitals Sector

This study aims to identify the impact of internal marketing on the performance of employees in Jordanian private hospitals sector. This study was conducted on all employees of several administrative levels in this sector. The study also aims to find out the impact of independent variables namely, in-house training, incentives, rewards, internal communication, empowerment and culture of the organization, on the dependent variable, which is the performance of employees. To achieve the study objectives, data were collected through the selection of a random sample of workers in private Jordanian hospital sector from various levels. 450 copies of the designed questionnaire were distributed over the targeted sample group. However, only 333 copies of the questionnaire were recovered, and this is 74% of the total number of the distributed copies. The results show that the organization culture has strong impact on the employee’s performance. This variable came first among other variables, followed by the variables about incentives and rewards regarding the impact on the dependent variable employees. On the other hand, the rest of variables showed weak impact on the dependent variable either due to lack of employee’s interest, or the lack of their awareness regarding the importance of these variables and the need to apply them in order to improve the performance of employees and increase their efficiency and effectiveness at work.
CARROT SLICES THICKNESS AND TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE ON THE HIGH TEMPERATURE DRYING DYNAMICS

The aim of this paper is to determine the drying and diffusion coefficients of removed moisture applying convection drying of carrot slices. In this study was investigated the slices thickness and temperature effect on the carrot drying process. The experiments were carried out with potato slices of three different thickness 10 mm, 15 mm and 20 mm on laboratory conditions. There are compared drying processes by four different drying temperatures: 60, 70, 80 and 90oC with the purpose to investigate slices thickness and temperature effect on the carrot drying process. Using the experimental data the theoretical drying coefficient and diffusion coefficient were calculated. The results of this research showed that the diffusion coefficient is directly proportional to the moisture content in material. Diffusion coefficient dependence on the moisture content better describe exponential equation. The theoretical results are useful for description and modelling of the drying process with time dependent drying coefficient and diffusion coefficient for carrot slices and pieces on two- and three-dimensional case. Calculated parameters can be used for further research work and for improvement of the whole drying process.