Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Study of Crude Oil Degradation by Microorganisms Isolated from Polluted Soil in Okarki, River State, Nigeria

Pollution of the environment by hydrocarbon compounds has become a significant management challenge in oil-producing countries. Presently, the use of biological means for the reclamation of polluted sites is the most acceptable technique owing to its eco-friendliness. This study was carried out to assess the crude oil degradation potential of indigenous microorganisms in polluted soil. The polluted soil was obtained from a crude oil-ladened site in Okarki, River State, Nigeria. Bacterial and fungal organisms present in the polluted soil were isolated on Nutrient agar and Saboraud dextrose agar plates respectively. The isolates were identified based on their morphological, microscopic and biochemical characteristics. Gravimetric analysis of the crude oil degradation by the isolates was done in Bushnell Hass medium supplemented with 5% crude oil as the only carbon source. A total of 6 bacterial genera namely, Staphylococcus, Citrobacter, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Corynebacterium were identified while the fungal isolates were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium sp. Bacterial and fungal counts were 2.57±0.01 Log cfu/g and 2.08±0.07 Log cfu/g respectively. Bacillus sp. had the highest relative abundance (27.3%), while Micrococcus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. had the least occurrence (9.1%). Among the fungal group, A. niger showed the highest percentage occurrence in the polluted soil. All the indigenous organisms isolated from the polluted soil showed varying potentials for crude oil degradation. Bacillus sp. and Penicillium sp. were the highest crude oil-degrading bacterium and fungus respectively. The degradation potential of the bacterial consortium was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other consortia tested. This study has shown that indigenous organisms possess the potential for crude oil degradation.
Impact of Audit Committee Quality on the Financial Performance of Conventional and Islamic Banks

A lot of previous research studied the relationship between audit committee quality and the financial performance of conventional banks before and during the subprime crisis, whereas some other investigations analyzed the same association in the framework of Islamic banks. However, no study has compared these two correlations either before, during, or after the subprime crisis. Several reasons explain the differences, such as the audit committee quality of each bank type, the evaluation method of the financial performance, the research peculiarities, the methodology, the data, and the interpretation. This research aims to compare the impacts of the audit committees’ quality on the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks between 2010 and 2019. The financial performance measures and audit committees’ determinants of the conventional and Islamic banks concerned 112 banks of each type. The collected data covered four continents: America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Impacts were compared by using the Generalized Least Squares analysis. The results showed that the audit committee reduced the profitability of two bank types. Moreover, it harmed the conventional banks’ efficiency but reported an unclear effect within Islamic banks. Even so, we noticed that the audit committee had a positive impact on the conventional banks’ liquidity, while the same effect was apparently ambiguous for the Islamic banks’ liquidity. For solvency, the audit committee positively influenced conventional banks while it affected that of Islamic banks.
Correction of time-resolved SPAD array measurements for accurate single-photon time-resolved biological imaging

A 128x192 SPAD array (QuantiCam) with an on-chip time-to-digital converter in each pixel is used as a camera in a single-photon time-resolved fluorescence microscope. The SPAD array introduces systematic nonlinearities and timing offset to the measured photon arrival times. This limits the fidelity of the experimental results. A Monte-Carlo algorithm was developed to transform the raw photon time-stamp stream coming from the SPAD array into a corrected virtual “photon” time-stamp stream devoid of the systematic measurement errors. This data is compatible with existing downstream data processing pipelines used in time-correlated single-photon counting. We discuss the calibration measurement, the algorithm, their performance and application to live fluorescence lifetime imaging of photosynthetic organisms.
Predictors of Maternal Participation in Fatherhood Intervention Research With African American Nonresident Fathers

Purpose: The goal of this study was to understand factors that predict mothers’ decisions to participate as data informants in a randomized controlled trial of a fatherhood intervention for African-American non-resident fathers. Method: Baseline data from 178 fathers and 125 mothers in the Dedicated African American Dad (DAAD) study were examined. Prior research and theoretical frameworks by Feinberg and Morawska informed father variable selection. Data were analyzed via bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Mothers were likely to participate as data informants when they had younger children, the father reported higher stress, less conflict with the mother, and the mothers’ female relatives were less supportive of the father. Conclusion: Mothers’ decisions to participate as data informants in a fatherhood intervention are shaped by a complex array of social, interpersonal and family relationships that impact co-parenting. More research is needed to explore maternal characteristics and additional factors that could influence maternal predictors of participation. Future intervention research with African American non-resident fathers should seek to capitalize on the importance of the co-parenting relationship, by intervening prenatally, bolstering social support, and including extended family and kin networks.
A Comparative Analysis of Food

: In this present Era, diseases are spread all around the world, due to which the life of man is in crisis, it is known that in this difficult time, man should consider to increase his immunity and keep himself completely healthy. In this context firstly, man should think about his diet because we become what we eat. Thus, it is necessary for a man to follow his culture at this time and leave the western food system and adopt his traditional food and behave accordingly. Because as we know that our immunity is very important to defeat any disease and it is proportional to the food ,therefore every person should follow his tradition. In this critical time, people can stay healthy by following ayurveda rules and Charyas (dincjharya, ritucharya).
Minimizing Yield Losses and Sanitary Risks through an Appropriate Combination of Fungicide Seed and Foliar Treatments on Wheat in Different Production Situations

Among the fungal diseases that affect wheat in temperate growing areas, Septoria Leaf Blotch (SLB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) result in yield and sanitary risk losses that could be minimized through appropriate fungicide applications. Furthermore, the request from policy makers and the food market to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has driven research in the direction of performant defense strategies with a reduced spraying of pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different fungicide programs on the control of SLB and FHB, as well as on the grain yield and deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of common wheat. Field experiments were carried out in 2016 and 2017 in North Italy. Two seed treatments (conventional vs. systemic) and four combinations of foliar fungicide applications (untreated control, application at the end of stem elongation, at flowering, and a double treatment at stem elongation and flowering) have been compared, according to a full factorial design, under two agronomic conditions: plowing vs. minimum tillage. Foliar sprayings at the end of stem elongation were found to be more effective in controlling SLB, while a triazole application at flowering was found to be an essential practice to reduce the FHB and DON contents. The double foliar treatment led to significant benefits, albeit only in the production situations with the highest SLB severity (e.g., in the 2017 experiment, after ploughing and the use of a conventional seed treatment). The systemic seed dressing led to a higher and prolonged STB protection, with significant canopy greenness during ripening in all the production situations. In 2017, which suffered from high disease pressure, the seed treatment with systemic fungicide led to a significant increase in grain yield (+5%), compared to the conventional one. The combination of the systemic seed treatment and the triazole application at flowering guaranteed the highest control of both SLB and FHB, maximized grain yield, and minimized DON contamination. This study provides useful information that could be used to evaluate appropriate fungicide programs, based on a combination of seed and foliar treatments, for wheat yield and sanity in distinct SLB and FHB diseases pressure scenarios.
A Qualitative Exploration of Role Salience among Malaysian Professional and Managerial Dual-Career Couples

This paper explores work and family roles salience in the context of dual-career couples in Malaysia. Semistructured qualitative interviews has been conducted on 18 couples in professional and managerial position. The data were transcribed and analyzed using template analysis. The findings revealed that several factors namely culture, religious values, gender, work characteristics and personal preferences influence the couples’ role salience. Women tend to face more struggles to maintain the salience of both roles despite the fact that couples regard both roles to be central to their lives. Factors such as culture and religious values influence the couples’ role salience making them holding to traditional gender attitude and reduce the impact of family to work. Some couples are more affected with spouse work condition or personal preferencesleading them to practice less traditional roles in their family arrangements.Conflicting views within couples also exist, which influence their challenges and satisfaction. This study adds to the work and family research using couple-level analysis in a non-Western context. The qualitative data gained has also enabled the study to extend the understanding on how the dynamic of the interaction between culture, religion, gender, work characteristics and personal preferences come into play to shape couples’ role salience and consequently their work-family experiences and perceptions. Keyword: Role Salience, Work-Family Conflict, Dual-Career Couples
Career aspirations and decision making self efficacy: Secondary School Studentsassessment based on KCSE exams in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to determine career decision making self efficacy by assessing career aspirations and attainment in National examinations. The objectives of the study were to: Find out the students sources of career information, assess career aspirations, and to determine career decision making self efficacy. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of 4200 students. A sample size of 420 was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Questionnaires and document analysis guide were used for data collection. Reliability was computed using test re-test and the co-efficient was 0.7. Content validity was ascertained in literature. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was noted that 55.08% of the students relied on their career masters for career guidance. Career aspirations were presented in a table. It was found that the students had poor career decision making self efficacy. Only 10.6% of the students attained the cut off points for their career aspiration. The study may be useful to teachers, counselors, administrators and parents who will be able to assist students in making worthwhile career choices. Key words: Career choice, academic achievement, career aspirations, career decision making self efficacy, secondary school, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, career interest, national exams.
Quantifying isoprene and monoterpenes in the remote marine environment

Measurements of isoprene and six monoterpenes (alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, delta3-carene, ocimene and limonene) were made during research cruises in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic (80 degrees N - 50 degrees S). The trace gas species were quantified in the surface ocean, in depth profiles and in the marine boundary layer (MBL). Atmospheric mixing ratios of the analytes were typically below the detection limit (DL) to a few pptv over the Atlantic and mostly <DL (sub-pptv) in the Arctic, after careful quality control to exclude influence from contaminated air. Isoprene mixing ratios were similar to published observations in oligotrophic regions, but monoterpene levels much lower than previously reported. It is unclear whether this discrepancy is caused by sampling over lower-productivity waters, or by analytical differences including potential contamination. Isoprene concentrations in the surface ocean varied from ca. 1 to 70 pmol L^(-1), similar to the majority of previous studies, and correlated reasonably with several supporting biological parameters available for the cruises. Chlorophyll-a, various pigments including photoprotective carotenoids and Fucoxanthin, cyanobacterial cell counts and primary production yielded significant linear regressions (with R^2 = 0.4 - 0.6), which improved when separated into two temperature regimes with a threshold at 20 degrees C. Monoterpene concentrations in seawater are reported for the first time, varying from <DL (sub-pmol L^(-1)) to up to several pmol L^(-1) with no clear trends or relationships with biological data. The monoterpene generally showing the highest levels in water and air was limonene; however this was attributed mostly to contamination. The impacts of emissions derived from this new data on global atmospheric chemistry and secondary organic aerosol formation in the MBL were estimated to be small in light of recent literature and previously published marine terpene data; however they may play a role in nucleation processes as recently suggested, even at low concentrations.
Social Disorganization and Urban Homicide Rates: A Spatial-Temporal Analysis in São Paulo, Brazil 2000 to 2015

This study aims to contribute to understanding urban spatial and temporal patterns of social disorganization and homicide rates in São Paulo, Brazil (2000–2015). Using exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial panel regression techniques, we describe spatial-temporal patterns of homicide rates and assess to what extent social disorganization can explain between-district variation in homicide trajectories. The results showed some variation in the pattern of homicide decline across districts, and less disorganized communities experienced earlier, more linear declines. However, we found no evidence to suggest that changes in social disorganization are associated with differences in the decline in homicide rates.
Merging Hofstede, Schwartz, and Inglehart into a Single System

There are various sets of cultural dimensions in the literature. Can they be merged into a single system? While previous studies have mainly compared different dimensions empirically, this article takes a conceptual approach and explains how Hofstede’s, Schwartz’s, and Inglehart’s models can be merged into one system. Instead of looking at dimensions from different sets one by one, this study uses a novel approach: each set of dimensions is viewed as one unit covering a certain space of values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, etc. The results make it possible to arrange three sets of dimensions into one visualized system and confirm several conclusions in the existing literature. Knowing how different models are related to each other allows easier comparisons of the results of studies using different sets of cultural dimensions as explanations of extraneous variables.
Validation of wind measurements of two mesosphere–stratosphere–troposphere radars in northern Sweden and in Antarctica

Abstract. Two atmospheric VHF radars: ESRAD (Esrange MST radar) located near Kiruna in the Swedish Arctic and MARA (Moveable Atmospheric Radar for Antarctica) at the Indian research station Maitri in Antarctica perform wind measurements in the troposphere and lower stratosphere on a regular basis. We compared horizontal winds at altitudes between about 0.5 and 14 km derived from the radar data using the full correlation analysis (FCA) technique with radiosonde observations and models. The comparison with 28 radiosondes launched from January 2017 to August 2019 showed that ESRAD underestimates the zonal and meridional winds by about 8 % and 25 %, respectively. This is likely caused by the receiver group arrangement used for the FCA together with a high level of non-white noise. A similar result was found when comparing with the regional numerical weather prediction model HARMONIE-AROME (Bengtsson et al., 2017) for the period September 2018–May 2019. The MARA winds were compared with winds from radiosondes for the period February–October 2014 (291 occasions). In contrast to ESRAD, there is no indication that MARA underestimates the winds compared to the sondes. The mean difference between the radar and radiosonde winds is close to zero for both zonal and meridional components. The comparison of MARA with the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis for January–December 2019 reveals good agreement with the mean difference between 0.1 and − 0.5 m/s depending on the component and season. The random errors in the wind components (standard deviations over all estimates in 1 h averages) are typically 2–3 m/s for both radars. Standard deviation of the differences between radars and sondes are 3–5 m/s.
Volcano Clustering Promoted by the Cessation of Back‐Arc Spreading and Ensuing Nascent Lithospheric Drips

In Northeast Japan and Izu‐Bonin, arc volcanoes form in clusters or as cross‐arc chains. Their occurrence emphasizes the non‐uniform distributions of sub‐arc temperature and fluids that control the spacing of arc volcanoes. Here, using 3‐D numerical models, we show that the cessation of back‐arc spreading promotes volcano clustering by triggering the formation of nascent lithospheric drips – downward protrusions of cold and dense lithosphere‐adjacent to the thinned back‐arc lithosphere. The nascent drips interfere with the flow of the hot asthenospheric mantle from the back‐arc toward the arc, leading to gradual development of alternating hot and cold regions beneath the arc. The results indicate that along‐arc variation in the sub‐arc mantle temperature is largest not during back‐arc spreading but after its cessation, explaining the time offset by several million years between back‐arc spreading and volcano clustering in Northeast Japan and Izu‐Bonin.
Fabricating Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells on flexible substrates by a new roll-to-roll deposition system suitable for industrial applications

In this work, a new hybrid sputtering–evaporation system providing a scalable process for deposition of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) layers is presented. The growth apparatus has been designed and realized to fit a size suitable for direct industrial transfer. In this process the metal precursors are first of all sputtered on rotating transfer devices, then evaporated on the substrate by local heating in a Se atmosphere. The desired thickness and composition of the CIGS film are obtained by repeated sputtering–evaporation cycles. The cylindrical geometry of the deposition chamber has been designed to accommodate different types of flexible substrates with a maximum size of 20 × 120 cm2 in a roll-to-roll configuration. Several techniques, including secondary ion mass spectrometry, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, external quantum efficiency, and I–V under 1 Sun illumination, have been used to test both the as-grown CIGS layers and the solar cell devices based on them. A significant performance and good control of Ga grading and Na content were obtained for solar cells grown at 450 °C on polyimide substrates with high deposition rates. In spite of the fact that the present efficiency record for CIGS solar cells on polyimide substrates is 20.4%, the 10.1% obtained using the hybrid method presented in this work is significant because the growth apparatus meets the requirements for direct industrial transfer. In fact, this process is being transferred in a 1 MW production line, where standard CIGS layers are deposited at low temperature on flexible substrates in a single-step process with a 1 mm sec−1 substrate velocity.
Smart or partly smart? Accessibility and innovation policies to assess smartness and competitiveness of destinations

ABSTRACT In recent decades, policymakers worked to counteract the adverse effects of tourism on destinations, such as the problems of sustainability, wealth distribution or overtourism, among many other external issues. The answer seems to come from the so-called ‘intelligence’ in the destinations, that is, a necessary renewal to avoid losing competitiveness. In this research, we work on the hypothesis that smart or intelligent solutions applied in Spanish tourist destinations are having positive effects on their competitiveness. Hence, we apply a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) model to address tourism smartness by taking two concrete strategies that are continuously repeated in the literature, that is the promotion of accessibility and innovation.
Misinformation Concerns and Online News Participation among internet Users in India

The rise of misinformation often circulated in various social media platforms has not only raised concerns among the policymakers and civil society groups, but also among citizens. Drawing upon a cross-sectional survey (n = 1,013) among English-language internet users in India, this paper tries to identify factors that affect concerns for online misinformation among citizens and how online news participation is affected by the rise of misinformation. After controlling for gender, age, education and income, we found that WhatsApp use, party identification and trust in news are positively associated with the concern for misinformation. Similarly, partisans are more likely to engage with news online. While Facebook and Twitter use are positively associated with online news sharing, the use of WhatsApp is not significant. The empirical evidence adds new insights to the literature on misinformation and online news engagement from the world’s largest democracy.
Twenty-five years under the wind turbines in La Venta, Mexico: social difference, land control and agrarian change

ABSTRACT As wind energy investments expand across rural areas, unique class dynamics and accumulation patterns result from this industry. The ejido La Venta town has hosted wind farms since 1994, allowing us to analyse the effects of wind power on patterns of social difference, land control and agrarian change. By drawing on agricultural censuses and on 40 interviews with landowners, this paper argues that wind energy investments shift patterns of land control, through fostering land-based incomes, over the long term. The result is enhanced social differentiation benefitting landowners with more than 20 hectares and pauperising those with small tracts of land.