Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relevance of the Physicochemical Properties of Calcined Quail Eggshell (CaO) as a Catalyst for Biodiesel Production

The CaO solid derived from natural quail eggshell was calcined and employed as catalyst to produce biodiesel via transesterification of sunflower oil. The natural quail eggshell was calcined at 900°C for 3 h, in order to modify the calcium carbonate present in its structure in CaO, the activity phase of the catalyst. Both precursor and catalyst were characterized using Hammett indicators method, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), CO2 temperature-programmed desorption (CO2-TPD), X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption-desorption at −196°C, and distribution particle size. The maximum biodiesel production was of 99.00 ± 0.02 wt. % obtained in the following transesterification reaction conditions: (sunflower oil/methanol molar ratio of 1 : 10.5 mol : mol), (catalyst loading of 2 wt.%), (reaction time of 2 h), stirring rate of 1000 rpm, and temperature of 60°C.
Monitoring of Workers and Product Market Competition: The Role of Works Councils

type="main" xml:id="ecin12182-abs-0001"> Often the consent of worker representations, such as works councils, is required before firms are allowed to install technologies that monitor workers' behavior. Absent monitoring, workers produce low output, while at the same time receiving an information rent. To gain the works council's consent to the installation of a monitoring technology, firms need to compensate workers for the lost information rent. Hence, by making it more costly to produce high output, works councils can serve firms as an instrument to commit to low output levels. This provides a rationale for why works council rights are not opposed more strongly by employers. (JEL D43, D86, J83, L13)
The interstellar medium and star formation on kpc size scales

I would like to thank the referee for a constructive report, which has helped significantly improve this paper. The calculations for this paper were performed on the DiRAC machine ‘Complexity’, and the supercomputer at Exeter, a DiRAC jointly funded by STFC, the Large Facilities Capital Fund of BIS, and the University of Exeter. CLD acknowledges funding from the European Research Council for the FP7 ERC starting grant project LOCALSTAR. CLD thanks Ian Bonnell for providing data for Fig. 11, and Jim Pringle, Sarah Ragan and Ana Duarte-Cabral for useful comments and discussions. Several figures in this paper were produced using SPLASH (Price 2007).
The mean star formation rate of X-ray selected active galaxies and its evolution from z~2.5: results from PEP-Herschel

We study relationships between star-formation rate (SFR) and the accretion luminosity and nuclear obscuration of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using a combination of deep far-infrared (FIR) and X-ray data in three key extragalactic survey fields (GOODS-South, GOODS-North and COSMOS), as part of the PACS Evolutionary Probe (PEP) program. The use of three fields with differing areas and depths enables us to explore trends between the global FIR luminosity of the AGN hosts and the luminosity of the active nucleus across 4.5 orders of magnitude in AGN luminosity (LAGN) and spanning redshifts from the Local Universe to z = 2.5. Using imaging from the Herschel/PACS instrument in 2−3 bands, we combine FIR detections and stacks of undetected objects to arrive at mean fluxes for subsamples in bins of redshift and X-ray luminosity. We constrain the importance of AGN-heated dust emission in the FIR and confirm that the majority of the FIR emission of AGNs is produced by cold dust heated by star-formation in their host galaxies. We uncover characteristic trends between the mean FIR luminosity (L60) and accretion luminosity of AGNs, which depend both on LAGN and redshift. At low AGN luminosities, accretion and SFR are uncorrelated at all redshifts, consistent with a scenario where most low-luminosity AGNs are primarily fueled by secular processes in their host galaxies. At high AGN luminosities, a significant correlation is observed between L60 and LAGN, but only among AGNs at low and moderate redshifts (z 1) suggesting that the role of mergers is less important at these epochs. At all redshifts, we find essentially no relationship between L60 and nuclear obscuration across five orders of magnitude in obscuring Hydrogen column density (NH), suggesting that various mechanisms are likely to be responsible for obscuring X-rays in active galaxies. We discuss a broad scenario which can account for these trends: one in which two different modes of AGN fueling operate in the low- and high-luminosity regimes of SMBH accretion. We postulate that the dominant mode of accretion among high-luminosity AGNs evolves with redshift. Our study, as well as a body of evidence from the literature and emerging knowledge about the properties of high redshift galaxies, supports this scenario.
Pragmatics before Syntax? Evidence from U-Shaped Acquisition

This study examines the claim that structures that hinge on the interfaces between syntax and other cognitive systems (i.e. external interfaces) are more problematic for learners than those that do not depend on this interface (i.e. internal interfaces/narrow syntax) (Sorace and Filiaci, 2006; Tsimpli, Sorace, Heycok & Filiaci, 2004; Sorace 2011; inter alia). In particular, I studied the L2 acquisition of Spanish psych-verbs (e.g. gustar ‘to like’) as a testing ground for this prediction since their numerous intricate properties can be tested independently with regard to the type of interface to which they belong. This paper is organized as follows: section 2 presents the theoretical background relevant to the current project; section 3 introduces the two experiments that make up this study; section 4 is a general discussion that links my empirical results to the theoretical rationale presented in section 2, and; finally, section 5 closes the paper with some concluding remarks.
DIFFERENT VOLUMES AND CONCENTRATIONS IN FIXED DOSES OF BUPIVACAINE IN LUMBOSACRAL EPIDURAL IN RELATION TO CRANIAL SPREAD IN LIVE DOGS

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess whether the volume or concentration of local anesthetic influences its spread and quality of lumbosacral epidural blockade when the total drug dose is fixed.Methods: A total of 30 healthy bitches, undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy received a lumbosacral epidural block with a fixed dose of 0.5 mg/kg b.w. bupivacaine after general anesthesia induction with propofol. Treatment 1 group (low volume, high concentration [LVHC], n=15) received 0.2 mL/kg b.w. of 0.25% bupivacaine, whereas treatment 2 group (high volume, low concentration [HVLC], n=15) received 0.3 ml/kg b.w. of 0.167% bupivacaine. Both solutions contained radio-opaque dye. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, cranial spread, first analgesic rescue, and motor blockade were determined at predetermined intervals.Results: At 5 min, the dorsal cranial spread levels of bupivacaine confirmed by radiographic examination were T8 (T1–T10) for HVLC treatment and T8 (T6–T10) for LVHC treatment (p=0.957). However, there was a significant difference (p=0.029) in the ventral spread levels between HVLC treatment (T2; C7-T6) and LVHC treatment (T6; T5–T11). The first analgesic rescue was needed after 249±58 min in the LVHC treatment group and after 179±32 min in the HVLC treatment group (p=0.0005). Conclusion: It was concluded, if the total dose is fixed, then administration of an HVLC bupivacaine local anesthetic solution in the lumbosacral epidural space seems to produce effective post-operative analgesia for ovariohysterectomy surgery in bitches.
Lavender foal syndrome in Egyptian Arabian horses: molecular and pathological studies

Lavender foal syndrome is one of fatal genetic coat color -associated disorders in Arabian horses caused by a recessive gene. Arabian horse harbor heterozygous genes represent a carrier case with normal criteria, while that harbor homozygous genes mostly will had a characteristic lavender coat color and represented an affected case that will die within few days. Egyptian Arabian horses are incriminated to harbor up to 10% of this syndrome recessive gene and hence of great economic important for Arabian horse’s industry. In this study we trace the historical appearance of LFS in the records of one Arabian horses farm, apply PCR followed by sequence analysis for 8 suspected cases. On the other side pathological investigation of early dead foal with lavender coat color was carried out.Our results detected the incriminated single base deletion at the molecular level by sequence analysis of hair samples in four out of the eight suspected horses. Histopathological investigation was carried out on liver, kidneys and different regions of the brain of dead foal with lavender coat color. Moreover, immuno-histochemistry technique was done to clarify the possible LFS pathogenesis. Our result reflects the principle role of myosin Va as a cargo molecule in LFS pathogenesis in association with development of endoplasmic reticulum stress effect with end result of multi-systemic effects
The Influence of Workload Perceptions and Human Resource Management Practices on Employees’ Burnout (A Case Study on Mercu Buana University Administrative Staffs)

As an organization that has implemented a quality assurance system of higher education, Mercu Buana University (UMB) routinely evaluates the service quality of supporting units to the students’ satisfaction. The evaluation indicated that the students’ satisfactions are still below the target. The research carried out in order to assess whether the lack of service is a result of employee burnout. Research carried out against non-faculty employees at UMB, where the data obtained using a questionnaire filled in by the respondents with self-rating scale. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with the 20th version of the AMOS program. Based on respondents' perceptions, the employee workload is high scores categorized. The results showed that the workloads positively and significantly affect the employees’ burnout, while human resource management practices significantly and negatively affect the employees’ burnout. Keywords : strategic human resource management, continuous improvement
N_2O Flux in Alas Ecosystems Formed by Forest Disturbance Near Yakutsk, Eastern Siberia, Russia

An alas is a round area of grassland with a pond at the center, formed by subsidence associated with permafrost thawing in taiga forests in eastern Siberia. To characterize the relationship between the N2O dynamics and soil properties of forest–alas ecosystems, we investigated soil N2O fluxes in four thermokarst ecosystems composed of forest, grassland, and ponds near Yakutsk in July 2000. At all sites, pH, EC, and organic carbon (OC) content in soil were higher in the grasslands (pH 7.3–9.3, EC 22–63 mS m, OC 1.4%–15.3%) than in the forests (5.6–6.3, 1.4–6.8 mS m, 0.4%–1.7%), and C/N was lower in the grasslands (10–18) than in the forests (18–24). Both emission (positive values) and uptake (negative values) of N2O occurred in the forests (–2.1 to 1.0 μg N m h) and grasslands (–1.3 to 31 μg N m h). N2O emissions at the edge of ponds varied widely (0 to 140 μg N m h). N2O was taken up in the ponds (–2.2 to 0.0 μg N m h). There were significant differences in N2O fluxes among land cover types. N2O flux was positively correlated with soil moisture, but N2O fluxes were smallest in the ponds because of the biological denitrification there. Therefore, an increase in soil moisture increased N2O flux.
Awareness, Knowledge and Misconceptions about Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) in a Family Practice Setting in Nigeria, West Africa

Background: An epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), perhaps the most ravaging epidemic in contemporary history is on-going in certain West Africa Countries with significant mortality. Although the WHO’s representative in Nigeria officially declared Nigeria Ebola free on 20th October 2014, comprehensive knowledge of EVD is generally low in Nigeria with associated paucity of data on the subject matter, hence the objective of this research was to assess the awareness, knowledge and misconceptions about EVD in Nigeria. Methods: This was a hospital based, cross sectional, descriptive study of four hundred respondents who attended the Kwara State specialist hospital, Sobi, Ilorin, Nigeria, West Africa from 1st October, 2014-1st December, 2014. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, awareness, knowledge and misconceptions among the respondents. Results: The minimum age of the respondents was 20 years while the maximum was 80 years. The mean age was 43.3150 ± 17.11133. There were more female 344 (86.0%) than male 56 (14.0%). Majority were married 264 (66.0%). One hundred and nineteen (29.8%) had primary education, 171 (42.8%) secondary while 82 (20.5%) were without formal education. They were predominantly Muslim 288 (72%) and of Yoruba extraction 358 (89.5%). Majority were traders 131 (32.8%) only (14.0%) were students. Although 370 (92.5%) had heard of EVD, only 16 (4.0%) knew the number to call when EVD was suspected. In addition, One hundred and fifty six (39.0%) had poor knowledge of EVD, 102 (25.5%) had a fair knowledge, while 142 (35.5%) had good knowledge. Eighty eight (22.0%) thought EVD was curable. Three hundred and twelve (78.0%) knew that neither drug nor vaccine is currently available. Twenty six (6.5%) of the 88 (22.0%) who thought that EVD was curable believed that traditional medication could cure EVD. The major source of information was through the radio 313 (78.2%) followed by 37 (9.3%) from neighbours. Health workers constituted only 32 (8.0%). One hundred and fifty eight (39.5%) believed that EVD was air borne, 32 (8.0%) through mosquito bites, 26 (6.5%) by bacteria. Eighty nine (22.2%) had the right knowledge of EVD being of viral origin. Seventy nine (19.8%), 76 (19.0%), 53 (13.2%) believed that traditional healers, spiritual healers and bathing with salt and hot water respectively could treat EVD successfully. Conclusion: In Nigeria, EVD awareness is high, but comprehensive knowledge of EVD is generally low with serious misconceptions. Radio is by far the preferred means for receiving information about EVD.
STRATEGIC EFFECTS OF AIRLINE ALLIANCES

This paper looks at the endogenous formation of airline alliances bymeans of a two-stage game where first airlines decide whether to form analliance and then fares are determined. We analyze the profitability and thestrategic effects of airline alliances when two complementary alliances,following different paths, may be formed to serve a certain city-pair market.The formation of a complementary alliance is shown to hurt outsiders and thatfares decrease in the interline market. Contrary to what might be expected, wefind that complementary alliances are not always profitable, even in thepresence of economies of traffic density. The interplay between market size, thedegree of product differentiation and the intensity of economies of trafficdensity determines whether the market equilibrium entails no alliances, a singlealliance or a double alliance.
Increasing Perceptions of Tastiness and the Intent to Purchase Unbranded Food Offered in Retail Stores by Using Consummatory Images

Martina Maurer is lecturer and doctoral student at the chair of marketing, University of Augsburg, Universitaetsstrasse 16, 86159 Augsburg, Germany, Phone: +49-821-598–4054, E-Mail: martina.maurer@ wiwi.uni-augsburg.de Heribert Gierl is professor of marketing, University of Augsburg, Universitaetsstrasse 16, 86159 Augsburg, Germany, Phone: +49-821-598–4051, E-Mail: heribert.gierl@wiwi. uni-augsburg.de * Corresponding author Increasing Perceptions of Tastiness and the Intent to Purchase Unbranded Food Offered in Retail Stores by Using Consummatory Images
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ADSORPTION TEST OF POLY-TETRA-p-PROPENYLTETRAHYDROXYCALIX(4)ARENE FOR CADMIUM ION

Synthesis, characterization and adsorption test of poly-tetra-p-propenyl-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene for cadmium ion had been done. The synthesis was carried out in five steps, which were (1) synthesis of p-t-butylcalix[4]arene from p-t-butylphenol, (2) debutylation of p-t-butylcalix[4]arene, (3) tetraallylation of 25, 26, 27, 28 tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene with NaH and allylbromide in dry tetrahydrofuran, (4) Claissen rearrangement of 25, 26, 27, 28-tetrapropenyloxycalix[4]arene, and (5) polymerization of tetra-p-propenyltetrahydroxycalix[4]arene to yield poly-tetra-p-propenyltetrahydroxycalix[4]arene. Analysis of products was performed using melting point analysis, FT-IR, and 1 H NMR spectrometers. The yield of polymerization was 80.35% and m.p > 380 °C. Characterization of poly-tetra-p-propenyltetrahydroxycalix[4]arene was done using SEM and SAA. Structure of poly-tetra-ppropenyltetrahydroxycalix[4]arene was sparsely porous with crosslinked netty architectures, and possessed surface area of 46.572 m 2 /g. The application of poly-tetra-p-propenyltetrahydroxycalix[4]arene in the adsorption of Cd(II) cation had also been conducted. Adsorption parameters investigated included medium pH and contact time as well as adsorption isotherm. The resin could be applied as a good adsorbent in the adsorption of Cd(II) metal cation. The adsorption followed Langmuir isotherm model, where the measured adsorption capacity, adsorption constant (K), and adsorption energy were 8.5933 x 10 -2 mmol/g, 485 L/mmol, and 32.653 KJ/mol, respectively.
Leaf area estimatites of custard apple tree progenies

Leaf area measurements are required in several agronomical studies. Usually, there is an interest for measurement methods that are simple, quick and that will not destroy the leaf. The objectives of this work were to evaluate leaf area (y), length (l) and width (w) of 20 half-sibling progenies of custard apple tree (Annona squamosa L.), and to fit regression equations of the type y = a + bx, where x = l.w, that will allow y to be estimated based on l and w. The experiment was conducted as random blocks with five replicates and four plants per plot. Five mature leaves were randomly collected from each plant. Leaf area was measured with an automatic measuring device and leaf dimensions were determined with a ruler. All values of b were different from zero. Differences occurred only in 11% of the 190 possible comparison pairs between progenies, with regard to the estimates of b. No differences were observed between progenies with respect to leaf length, width and area. In view of this fact, the equation y = 0.72 x (R2 = 0.77) was fitted for all progenies.
GSB WORKING PAPER NO . 72 THE LINK BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY : EVIDENCE FROM THE OIL & GAS INDUSTRY

This study sought to investigate the link between corporate governance and sustainability in oil and gas firms across two countries. Sustainability was conceptualized as including three firm obligations: (1) economic performance; (2) social responsiveness; and (3) environmental quality. Using archival data from 53 Australian and 65 Canadian oil and gas companies from 2004, we found that Australian firms were more socially responsive while Canadian firms demonstrated higher levels of environmental quality. Board size was a significant predictor of social responsiveness and environmental quality for Australian firms, whereas none of the corporate governance variables provided explanations for the sustainability levels of Canadian firms.
Factor accumulation and economic growth in Pakistan: incorporating human capital

The objective of this study is to analyze relationship between factor accumulation and economic growth in Pakistan for the time period of 1973 to 2014 using ARDL bound testing approach to cointegration. Considering human capital as a core factor of production we have constructed a series of human capital as average year of schooling and real capital stock is also generated on the basis of gross fixed capital formation. Under endogenous growth model bound testing approach to cointegration suggest that human capital stock, real physical capital stock per worker and GDP per worker are highly cointegrated. Moreover, human capital and real physical capital stock are highly significant and growth friendly. Our findings are consistent with the endogenous growth model suggesting that developing countries like Pakistan should increase share of education and health in GDP in order to accelerate economic growth.
Criteria for Invariance of Convex Bodies for Linear Parabolic Systems

We consider systems of linear partial differential equations, which contain only second and first derivatives in the $x$ variables and which are uniformly parabolic in the sense of Petrovski\v{\i} in the layer ${\mathbb R}^n\times [0,T]$. For such systems we obtain necessary and, separately, sufficient conditions for invariance of a convex body. These necessary and sufficient conditions coincide if the coefficients of the system do not depend on $t$. The above mentioned criterion is formulated as an algebraic condition describing a relation between the geometry of the invariant convex body and coefficients of the system. The criterion is concretized for certain classes of invariant convex sets: polyhedral angles, cylindrical and conical bodies.
Molecular Diversity of Kenyan Lablab Bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) Accessions Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet is a multipurpose legume that combines use as human food and animal feed in addition to serving as a cover crop for soil conservation. In this work, molecular diversity in Lablab purpureus was assessed using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers on fifty Kenyan lablab accessions obtained from farmers’ fields and the Kenya National gene bank. One hundred and eighty polymorphic bands were revealed using fifteen selective primer pairs. The overall mean expected heterozygosity (He) for the five populations was 0.189. Estimates of components of molecular variance revealed that most of the genetic variation resided within populations (99%) and only 1% variance was among the populations, while Principal Coordinate Analysis showed an overlap between accessions from different geographic origins. The UPGMA cluster analysis generated from the distance matrix of the 50 assayed accessions, revealed low diversity among most of the accessions. The low diversity observed may be due to the narrow genetic base for breeding stocks, and extensive exchange of germplasm among smallholder farmers across the country. Results obtained from this study are discussed in light of the need to enhance the genetic management and improvement of this multipurpose crop species.
Assessment of bacterial contamination of paper currency notes in Bangladesh

Handling of paper currency notes might be a regular means of exposure to microbiological contamination. To assess the extent of bacterial contamination of Bangladeshi paper currency notes (known as Taka) in circulation, a total of 540 notes of three denominations (2, 10 and 100) were collected from different occupational groups and were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Among the notes examined, 506 (93.70%) were found to be contaminated with 5 different bacterial isolates. The load of Salmonella spp. , Shigella spp. , Vibrio spp. , Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. ranged between 0 to 2.49×108 cfu/cm2, 0 to 1.50×108 cfu/ cm2, 7.7×107 to 1.59×109 cfu/cm2, 4.5×107 to 8.24 ×108 cfu/cm2and 3.6×107 to 1.32 ×107 cfu/cm2, respectively.Furthermore, 200 bacterial isolateswere tested for their resistance against 10 commonly used antibiotics and 20-86% Salmonella, 8-96% Vibrio, 16-82% Pseudomonas and 18-82% Staphylococcus isolates were found to be resistant against at least one of the antibiotics tested. Thus, the present study revealed that most of the currency notes were contaminated with a huge range of bacteria including the antibiotic-resistant ones which might pose a severe public health risk.