Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organic micropollutant removal from groundwater: comparison of pellet softening and nanofiltration

This study investigated the fate of selected pharmaceuticals and estrogens and the characteristics of bulk organic matter during pellet softening and proposed a possible hybridization with nanofiltration (NF) treatment. A groundwater softening system called pellet softening was used to remove calcium ions from groundwater by crystallizing calcium carbonate on the surface of sand grains that were used as seeding material. This crystallization was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron micrographs were used to characterize the surface of the sand grains during pellet softening. The fluorescence excitation–emission matrix showed that humic-like substances were slightly removed and that specific UV absorbance values decreased after pellet softening. The humic fraction determined by liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection was slightly more attenuated than the fractions of biopolymers, building blocks, low molecular weight acids, and low molecular weight neutrals. Therefore, the aromatic content per unit of dissolved organic carbon was preferentially attenuated during pellet softening. The average removal efficiencies of the three estrogens and 12 selected pharmaceuticals during the softening process were 59 and 5.7%, respectively. However, there was a greater reduction of pharmaceuticals during NF.
The impacts of constructivist learning design and learning analytics on students’ engagement and self-regulation

ABSTRACT So far, the synergistic relationship between learning design and learning analytics and its impact on learners’ educational practices have been investigated. However, little work has been done to show how integrated learning design based on constructivism learning theory and learning analytics can affect learners’ engagement and self-regulation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the Constructivist Learning Design and Learning Analytics (CLDLA) Model on learners’ engagement and self-regulation. In this experimental study, 50 graduate students at Iranian’ Allameh Tabataba’i University were asked to participate in a Moodle course called “Teaching Skills” and fill out Agentic Engagement Scale and Self-Regulation Questionnaires in two steps as a pre-test and post-test measurements. Analysis of the data indicated that the CLDLA model has a positive impact on learners’ engagement and self-regulation. Based on the results, recommendations for further research and educational practices are suggested.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Ocular Morbidity among Prisoners of Luzira Prison (Uganda): Across-Sectional Based Study.

Background: Globally, ocular morbidity has emerged as a major public concern with over 284 million people visually impaired. Prisoners(inmates) tend to have limited access to health care especially eye health and as a result some conditions may go undiagnosed or mismanaged. With the increasing prison population in Uganda and in the face of limited facilities, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with ocular morbidity amongst prisoners(inmates) of Luzira prison. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on inmates of Luzira prison. The study included both male (334) and female (33) prisoners(inmates) using the Proportionate Strati�ed Random Sampling. Data on social demographic characteristics, medical, imprisonment factors and ocular assessment was collected using a questionnaire. All complete data was entered using an Epidata version 3.1 entry template. Logistic regression was used to determine associated factors. Results: Overall, a total of 367 inmates were examined consisting of 334 (91%) males and 33(8.9%) females. The male to female ratio was 10:1. The ages ranged from 18-76 years with mean age of 39 years (SD + 13.4). The overall ocular morbidity was found to be 49 percent. The most common ocular morbidity included; Presbyopia (27.4%), Allergic conjunctivitis (19.6%), Cataracts (11.4%). Other disorders included Refractive errors, Pterygia, Optic atrophy and Vitamin A de�ciency. There was a statistically signi�cant relationship between ocular morbidity and Age (OR 11.96, P-value=0.001), Trauma (OR 5.21, P-value 0.009), Non prison food (OR 0.45, P-value=0.006). Conclusion: The prevalence of ocular morbidity among inmates was found to be high. Ocular morbidity was signi�cantly associated with age, trauma and having meals besides prison food. A fully functional eye unit established within the prison with essential drugs and timely referral of complicated cases would help in offering quality eye services to the inmates.
Ownership structure and audit quality: the mediating effect of board independence

Purpose This study aims to examine the mediating effect of board independence on the relationship between ownership structure and audit quality. Design/methodology/approach The research uses generalized methods of moments regression to test the relationship between ownership structure and audit quality. The sample consists of 162 non-financial firms listed on the Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets between the years of 2009 and 2016. To test the significance of the mediating effect, this paper uses the Sobel test. Findings Empirical findings show that companies with higher family ownership are less likely to demand extensive audit services and, as a result, pay lower audit fees. Conversely, this study finds that companies with higher active and passive institutional ownership are more likely to engage high-quality auditors and pay larger audit fees. As for government ownership, it has no significant impact on audit fees. The results also reveal that the negative (positive) effect of family (institutional) ownership on audit quality follows the path through reducing (enhancing) board independence. Further tests are conducted and support the main findings. Practical implications This study has important implications for policymakers and regulators to address the conflict between controlling shareholders and minorities by promoting higher standards of audit quality. The study findings may be useful to investors, assisting them in making better-informed decisions and aids other interested parties in gaining a better understanding of the role played by ownership structure in audit quality. The study also contributes to the strategic board behavior by bringing a new perspective on how boards engage in monitoring by requesting external audit services. This behavior is likely to be influenced by the type of controlling shareholder. Originality/value The main contribution of the present paper is to examine the board composition as a potential mediating variable between ownership structure and audit quality. Moreover, it highlights the issue of improving governance mechanisms.
Plasma Pharmacokinetics of High-Dose Oral versus Intravenous Rifampicin in Patients with Tuberculous Meningitis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Higher doses of intravenous rifampicin may improve outcomes in tuberculous meningitis but are impractical in high-burden settings. We hypothesized that plasma rifampicin exposures would be similar between oral dosing of 35 mg/kg of body weight and intravenous dosing of 20 mg/kg, which has been proposed for efficacy trials in tuberculous meningitis. ABSTRACT Higher doses of intravenous rifampicin may improve outcomes in tuberculous meningitis but are impractical in high-burden settings. We hypothesized that plasma rifampicin exposures would be similar between oral dosing of 35 mg/kg of body weight and intravenous dosing of 20 mg/kg, which has been proposed for efficacy trials in tuberculous meningitis. We performed a randomized parallel-group pharmacokinetic study nested within a clinical trial of intensified antimicrobial therapy for tuberculous meningitis. HIV-positive participants with tuberculous meningitis were recruited from South African hospitals and randomized to one of three rifampicin dosing groups: standard (oral 10 mg/kg), high dose (oral 35 mg/kg), and intravenous (20 mg/kg). Intensive pharmacokinetic sampling was done on day 3. Data were described using noncompartmental analysis, and exposures were compared by geometric mean ratios (GMRs). Forty-six participants underwent pharmacokinetic sampling (standard dose, n = 17; high-dose oral, n = 15; intravenous, n = 14). The median CD4 count was 130 cells/mm3 (interquartile range [IQR], 66 to 253 cells/mm3). The rifampicin geometric mean area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0–24) values were 42.9 μg · h/ml (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.5 to 75.0 μg · h/ml) for the standard dose, 295.2 μg · h/ml (95% CI, 189.9 to 458.8 μg · h/ml) for the high oral dose, and 206.5 μg · h/ml (95% CI, 154.6 to 275.8 μg · h/ml) for intravenous administration. The rifampicin AUC0–24 GMR was 1.44 (90% CI, 0.84 to 2.21) and the maximal concentration of drug in serum (Cmax) GMR was 0.89 (90% CI, 0.63 to 1.23) for high-dose oral administration with respect to intravenous dosing. The plasma rifampicin AUC0–24 was higher after an oral 35-mg/kg dose than with intravenous administration at a 20-mg/kg dose over the first few days of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. The findings support oral rifampicin dosing in future tuberculous meningitis trials.
Role of Extratropical Wintertime Cyclones in Regulating the Variations of Baffin Bay Sea Ice Export

A cyclone is an intensive synoptic activity that occurs frequently over Baffin Bay. By modifying the large‐scale distribution pattern of sea level pressure, a passing cyclone can serve as an important regulator of sea ice outflow via the Davis Strait. We obtain a nearly 40‐year‐long record (1979/1980–2017/2018) of the sea ice area flux (SIAF) through the Davis Strait and Arctic cyclone activities in winter. A case study and statistical results indicate that the sea ice concentration and motion fields can be greatly altered by the occurrence of cyclones, thereby contributing to changes in sea ice export. Moreover, the effects of cyclones on sea ice export in Baffin Bay are dependent on the spatial distribution pattern of the storms. In terms of the cyclone center count and intensity, the key regions with significant impacts on sea ice export out of Baffin Bay are identified, one around Baffin Island (80°W–60°W, 60°N–70°N) and the other over the southern Labrador Peninsula (70°W–50°W, 40°N–60°N). A robust correlation exists between the winter‐accumulated SIAF via the Davis Strait and the average winter cyclone intensity (center count) in the critical regions with R = −0.57 (+0.49), affirming the vital role of cyclone activity in modulating the interannual variability of sea ice export in Baffin Bay.
Evaluating interactions between hyperglycemia and clotting factors in patients suffering with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background. With coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), patients with diabetes mellitus are dealing with two pandemics and are at a higher risk of mortality. The present study was undertaken to evaluate interactions between hyperglycemia and clotting factors in COVID-19 patients. Methods. In this retrospective observational study, 53 real-time RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in 40 to 70 years of age, representing both sexes, were enrolled in the study from SMS Medical College, Jaipur (Rajasthan, India). Based on their history of diabetes mellitus and exclusion criterion, patients were divided into diabetics (N = 11) and non-diabetics (N = 17) groups. The data on clinical profile and coagulation profile was recorded along with the markers of inflammation and infection. The two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and the Fisher’s exact test. Correlation coefficients between clotting factors were compared between two groups using Student t test. Results. There was no significant difference in age (p = 0.25) or gender (p = 0.12) between the two groups. The coagulation indicators FDP (p = 0.79), D-dimer (p = 0.30), APPT (p = 0.96), PT (p = 0.79), INR (p = 1.00) PLT (p = 0.17) and the markers of inflammation and infection did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was no significant difference in correlation coefficients among coagulation indicators between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The study concludes that pathogenesis in clotting system is not significantly different in stud-ied groups. Further research is needed to explain the higher mortality in diabetic patients suffering from COVID-19.
Facing the Global Financial Cycle: What Role for Policy

Abstract In this paper we ask whether countries can influence their exposure to changes in global financial conditions. Specifically, we show that even though we can model cross-country capital flows via a global factor that closely tracks changes in global financial conditions, there is a large degree of heterogeneity in the sensitivity of each country to this same global factor. We then evaluate whether this cross-country heterogeneity can be attributed to different policy choices, including measures of capital flow management, such as capital controls and macroprudential policies. In our main results, we show that higher levels of capital controls and macroprudential policies both dampen the sensitivity to the global factor. Furthermore, we show that countries’ monetary and exchange rate policies can also be successfully deployed. Overall, our results have implications that extend beyond the surge that preceded the 2008 global financial crisis, and that closely resonate in light of the financial disruptions that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
ENSO Modulates Summer and Autumn Sea Ice Variability Around Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Antarctica’s sea ice cover is an important component of the global climate system, yet the drivers of sea ice variability are not well understood. Here we investigated the effects of climate variability on sea ice concentration (SIC) around East Antarctica by correlating the 40‐years (1979–2018) satellite sea ice record and ERA5 reanalysis data. We found that summer and autumn SIC around Dronning Maud Land (DML) between 10 and 70°E exhibited a statistically significant negative correlation with the Niño 3.4 index. Sea ice in DML was also correlated with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Pacific, and to an atmospheric wave train pattern extending from the South Pacific to DML. We suggest that a southward‐propagating atmospheric wave train triggered by SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific extends into DML and alters sea ice concentration by encouraging meridional airflow. Our results showed that shifts in meridional flow in DML affected sea ice thermodynamically, by altering local heat transport and in turn altering sea ice formation and melt.
Experimental investigation on the performance degradations of the GaN class-F power amplifier under humidity conditions

To investigate the humidity dependency of the specifications for a GaN class-F power amplifier (PA), humidity experiments are conducted in the Vötsch Industrietechnik SC3 1000 MHG environmental test chamber. The experimental results show that the key specifications of the PA, such as the output power and power-added efficiency, the large-signal gain, and the drain current show degradation as humidity increases. The reason for this degradation may be the reduction of the 2DEG mobility density due to surface degradation at AlGaN recess regions caused by diffusion phenomena of Ga, and Al. The results concluded here would be helpful for the PA designers to understand the humidity effects on the key specifications for the GaN class-F PA comprehensively, so that the designers could consider the effects on the design cycle of the compensation circuits in advance.
Influence of Compounds Contents and Particle Size on Some Functional Properties of Moringa oleifera Leaves (Lam) Powders

Objective: This study aims to determine the influence of the contents of compounds and particle size on the functional properties of leaves powders of M. oleifera. Methodology: The leaves were collected from three farms in the localities of Mbouda and Maroua and processed in powders. The proximate composition, some functional properties such as particle size, true Water Absorption Capacity (WACt), apparent Water Absorption Capacity (WACa), Water Solubility Index (WSI), Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), and Bulk density were determined. Results: The mean contents of young and mature leaves powders are 24.96 ± 0.29 and 23.13 ± 0.50 g/100 DM in total proteins; 34.26 ± 0.52 and 29.11 ± 1.44 g/100g DM in available Original Research Article Armel et al.; AFSJ, 20(1): 60-71, 2021; Article no.AFSJ. 64946 61 carbohydrate, 8.34 ± 0.64 and 8.34 ± 0.68 g/100g DM in total lipids, 8.75 ± 0.74 and 9.08 ± 0.48 g/100g DM in total ash, 21.13 ± 1.34 and 27.14 ± 1.04 g/100g DM in total fibers, respectively. The particle size of powders is majority large. The fiber's contents significantly affect the increase of rehydration properties and the OHC, while the large particle size, the density. Values of WACt and WACa are 27.02 ± 0.20 and 32.88 ± 1.24 % in young leaves and 28.98 ± 0.15 and 35.88 ± 1.02 % in mature leaves, respectively. The WSI and OHC are 3.02 ± 0.06 and 257 ± 1% in young leaves and 3.5 ± 0.04 and 261 ± 2 % in mature leaves, respectively. The Bulk density is 0.42 ± 0.01 g/ml in young leaves and 0.39 ± 0.01 in mature leaves. Conclusion: Functional properties of M. oleifera leave powders do not always depend on the contents of compounds and particle size distribution.
THE USE OF CODE MIXING ON INSTAGRAM BY THE STUDENTS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION

This study aimed at analyzing the use of code mixing on Instagram by the students of English Language Education Department which covered the types and the reasons of using code mixing. The design of this study was descriptive qualitative study which only focused on describing Indonesian-English code mixing used by ELE students. The participants of this study were the fourth semester students of English Language Education Department at Ganesha University of Education. The data were collected by observing the participants’ Instagram account and interviewing the participants through Google Form. The data were analyzed using the combination of some theories. Hoffman, Ho, and Muysken’s theories were combined and used to analyze the types of code mixing. Meanwhile, to analyze the reason of using code mixing, Hocket, Hoffman, and Saville-Troike’s theories were used. The result showed that most of the participants used intra-sentential type of code mixing with 107 occurrences (56%) from the total of 191 data. The result also showed that need filling motive was the reason mostly chosen by 21 (43,8%) out of 48 participants.
Nonprofit Advocacy Coalitions in Times of COVID-19: Brokerage, Crowdfunding, and Advocacy Roles

This article analyzes the roles an advocacy coalition undertakes to support nonprofit organizations to cope with the challenges caused by lockdown and physical distance measures to stop COVID-19. We find that social workers and nonprofit members of the coalition created different kinds of solutions and innovative practices to support vulnerable target groups when confronted with the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting lockdown regulations. In particular, we show that the coalition was pushed to diversify its activities, leading to the development of three roles: a direct and indirect advocacy role, a brokerage role to provide information on new practices, and a crowdfunding role to provide finances for material aid. We conclude by emphasizing the implications of our analysis for both theory and practice.
Supply chain strategies as drivers of financial performance in liquefied natural gas networks

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate supply chain strategies (SCSs) that drive financial performance to guide practitioners, especially in liquefied natural gas (LNG) networks, to review and adopt SCSs that drive competitiveness and value creation for investors. Design/methodology/approach Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was deployed to prioritise SCSs according to their relative impact on financial performance in LNG networks. Interviews with experts were analysed using template analysis to establish latent drivers of financial performance specific to LNG networks. Findings Results support the significant role of SCSs in improving financial performance. Although findings prioritised collaborative strategy as the most important driver of financial performance in LNG networks, to fully optimise financial outcomes, all the SCSs should be implemented across LNG networks as no single strategy in isolation is a standalone driver of financial performance. Practical implications The AHP model provides a novel ranking for SCSs and measures to guide decision-makers. LNG practitioners may exploit the results to make informed decisions. Originality/value The study extends previous literature by proposing a framework and a new LNG empirical model that facilitates understanding of how SCSs contribute positively to financial performance and support practitioners in making strategic supply chain decisions.
Coping style as mediator between resilience, perceived social support, and health-related quality of life in Chinese mainland women newly diagnosed with breast cancer

Background Breast cancer may impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We examined the mediating role of coping style (CS) in the relationship between resilience, perceived social support (PSS), and HRQoL in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in the Chinese mainland. Methods A total of 431 patients completed a survey at two hospitals in Shaanxi Province, China, using self-report measures assessing HRQoL, resilience, PSS, and CS. A one-sample t-test analyzed differences between resilience, PSS, and CS in breast cancer patients and the corresponding norm. Multivariate linear regression analyzed the independent predictors of HRQoL. The mediating role of CS between resilience, PSS, and HRQoL were investigated using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results Participants had significantly lower scores for resilience and PSS and higher scores for the avoidance and resignation CSs than their corresponding norm. SEM analysis showed resilience had significant direct effects on CS (B:0.66, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.77) and HRQoL [0.32 (0.12, 0.49)]. PSS had significant direct effects on CS [0.18 (0.06, 0.29)]. Resilience [0.32 (0.19, 0.53)] and PSS [0.09 (0.03, 0.18)] had significant indirect effects, and resilience [0.64 (0.56, 0.71)] had significant total effects on HRQoL. CS had significant direct and total effects on HRQoL [0.48 (0.30, 0.72)]. Conclusions Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients of mainland China had lower resilience and PSS and higher negative CSs. CS appeared to mediate the influence of resilience and PSS on HRQoL. Multimodal intervention programs focusing on CS might increase the influence of resilience and PSS on HRQoL in breast cancer patients.