Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of uptake rate of phosphorus and changes in COD and BOD during photoautotrophic cultivation of microalgae in sewage effluent

Photosynthetic organisms like microalgae possess useful potentials such as nutrient uptake, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from wastewater which are crucial for wastewater treatment. This study was conducted to determine the rate of phosphorus uptake and changes in COD and BOD during microalgae cultivation in sewage effluent. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater were used to analyse the characteristics of the effluent samples (test), BG-11 medium (control) and also determine algal growth rates under continuous light illumination and constant aeration at varying temperatures. Results obtained showed that; removal efficiencies of Chlorella sp were higher in the test samples than control. Removal efficiencies for BOD, COD and PO43- were 92.8%, 59.6% and 61.8% respectively for the test samples and 39.8%, 41.7% and 28.2% for the control. Also, Chlorella sp demonstrated better removal efficiencies at higher growth rates, exponential growth phase, constant aeration and temperature range between 25-30oC. Hence, microalgae, under controlled and optimal conditions can be efficient in removal of pollutants in wastewater (sewage effluent).
An update on the application of nano-scaled carriers against fluconazole-resistant Candida species: nanostructured lipid carriers or solid lipid nanoparticles?

Background and Purpose: Encapsulation can lead to improved efficacy and safety of antifungal compounds. The attention of scientists has recently turned to biocompatible lipids as the carriers for the delivery of antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole. Although several research reports have already been published on fluconazole loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (FLZ-SLNs) and fluconazole loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (FLZ-NLCs), the possible advantages of NLCs over SLNs have not yet been fully established. Studies performed so far have given several contradictory results. Materials and Methods: Both formulations of fluconazole were synthesized using probe ultrasonication method and the characteristics were analyzed. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) was performed with FLZ, FLZ-SLNs, and FLZ-NLCs using CLSI document M60 against some common fluconazole-resistant Candida species. Results: A significant decrease was observed in minimum inhibitory concentration values when both formulations were applied. Nonetheless, FLZ-NLCs were significantly more effective (P<0.05). However, three species groups were not statistically different in terms of the activity of FLZ-NLCs. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, FLZ-NLCs could reverse the azole-resistance phenomenon in the most common Candida species more effectively, as compared to FLZ-SLNs.
Autonomous language learning: teachers’ beliefs and practices in Saudi universities

Learner autonomy plays a key role in the field of foreign language learning. Recent studies related to learner autonomy have attempted to explain learner autonomy’s relation to different cultures and contexts. Previous studies have not investigated what learner autonomy means to teachers in much detail; this study was an attempt to fill this gap. This study aimed to examine the concept of learner autonomy among Saudi teachers of English, particularly how they define it and how it is reflected in their teaching practices. A combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches was used in the data collection and analysis stages of the study. The respondents to the questionnaire were 31 teachers of English working at King Saud University and King Abdul-Aziz University in Saudi Arabia. ISSN: 2616-9185 Multi-Knowledge Electronic Comprehensive Journal For Education And Science Publications ( MECSJ) ISSUE (26), November ( 2019 )
Efficiency of savory (Satureja Khuzestanica Jamzad) essential oil on performance, carcass traits, some blood parameters and immune function of Male Ross 308 heat stressed broiler chicks

To investigate the efficiency of savory essential oil on performance, organs relative weight, some blood parameters, immune response and hepatic enzymes of broiler chickens, a total 320 male Ross 308 chicks were allocated to four treatments and four replicates of twenty birds as a completely randomized design from. The varidifferent levels savory oil. The body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded at continues weeks of the experiment. Relative weight of visceral organs was determined and blood serum glucose and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured after blood sampling at 42 days old and plasma IgG immunoglobulin was quantified. Data showed that BW and FI increased with savory oil inclusion (p≤0.05). Besides, the savory oil decreased the plasma glucose, AST and ALT and serum blood Ig G of heat stressed broilers, increased significantly (p≤0.05) instead. In conclusion we may suggested that, the savory oil at 0.4 ml/L could improve economic proficiency in broiler flocks due to accumulation of minute advantages in greater BWG, FI, and improved immune system and lowered hepatic enzymes under heat stress condition.
Characterization of Historical Trends of Droughts and Pluvial Scenarios over Kenya, East Africa

This work examines drought and pluvial events based on Standardized PrecipitationEvapotranspiration Index (SPEI) over Kenya from 1981 to 2016. Spatiotemporal analysis of dry and wet events is conducted for 3 and 12-month SPEI. The drought incidences were observed during the period 1984, 1987, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2015, and 2016 for SPEI-3 whilst the SPEI-12 demonstrated the manifestation of drought during the year 2000 and 2006. SPEI clearly shows the wettest period, 1997 and 1998 coinciding with the El Nino event in both time steps. SPEI -3 shows a reduction in moderate drought events while severe and extreme cases were on increase towards the end of the twentieth century. Conversely, SPEI-12 depicts an overall severe drought occurrence over the study location with observed intensity of -1.54 and cumulative frequency of 64 months during the study period. The trend of wet events is upwards in the western and central highlands while the rest of the regions show increase in dry events during the study period. Moreover, moderate dry/wet events predominate whilst extreme events occur least frequent across all grid cells. It is apparent that the study area experiences mild extreme dry events in both categories although moderately severe dry events dominate most parts of the study area. High intensity and frequency of drought is noted in Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 25 December 2019 doi:10.20944/preprints201912.0343. v1 © 2019 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license. SPEI-3 while least occurrences of extreme events are recorded in SPEI-12. Although drought event prevails across the study area, there is evidence of extreme flood conditions over the recent decades.
The relationship of serum vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus levels of mothers with growth indices of their newborns in pregnant women admitted to Hajar hospital of Shahrekord in 2016

Background and aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a known pandemic problem which has thousands of bad health outcomes. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of maternal vitamin D, Ca, and PO4 levels on growth indexes of newborns at birth and 1 month and 3 months after delivery in pregnant women admitted to Hajar hospital of Shahrekord, Iran in 2016. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 196 pregnant women admitted to the hospital. During pregnancy, 5 mL of mother’s blood and 5 mL of umbilical cord blood were taken. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were determined immediately after sampling and then centrifuged. After collecting the samples, 25-OHD levels were measured by ELISA method. Neonatal growth indexes such as weight, height, and head circumference atbirth,1 month, and 3 months were measured. Data were analyzed using independent samples t test, ANOVA, and correlation coefficient by SPSS version 16.0. Results: Deficiency of vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium was observed in 76%, 1%, and 25% of women, respectively. Moreover, deficiency of vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium was reportedin56.1%, 15.8%, and 9.2% of newborns, respectively. There was a significant relationship between calcium level in newborns and their weight and height at birth, one month, and three months of age ( P<0.05). Levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus of mother and newborns were significantly correlated ( P<0.05). Conclusion: More than two-thirds of mothers and more than half of the newborns were deficient in vitamin D. There was also a lack of calcium in one third of mothers and 9.2% of newborns, and phosphorus deficiency was observed only in 1% of mothers and 15.8% of newborns. Due to the low intake of these materials through nutrition, the supplementation of these substances, especially vitamin D and calcium, is required during pregnancy.
Biological activities and phytoconstituents of the lower plant

Lower plants are regarded as unstudied portion of plant kingdom that are not traditionally employed for healing, treatment and management of ailments in folklore medicine. The ethanolic extract of Platycerium angolense, Welwex Hook was phytochemically screened and analyzed for flavonoid content with a view to investigating its biological activities. The flavonoid fractions were assayed for anti-oxidant, 1, 1, diphenyl-2-pycrilhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of free radical-induced haemolysis and red blood cell membrane stabilizing activities and the toxicological effects on some biochemical parameters in white albino rats. The results of the present study revealed that phytoconstituents of P. angolense included: saponins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, deoxysugars and cardiac glycosides. The flavonoid fractions possessed and exhibited appreciable free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The fractions also inhibited appreciably free-radical induced haemolysis of red blood cells and exerted membrane stability on bovine erythrocytes exposed to both heat and hypotonicinduced lyses. The activities of the fractions were concentrations dependent and compared favourably with those of standard drugs acetaminophen, prednisolone, rutin, and ascorbic acid. Toxicologically, the fractions caused hepatopathy and metabolic derangement in the treated rats. Based on the phytochemicals and biological activities exhibited by the extract of P. angolense and its flavonoid fractions, we conclude that the plant contained potentially useful bioactive molecules with therapeutic activities, and can therefore, be listed as a medicinal plant. However, care must be exercised when the plant is to be used for any form of treatment.
Teshome Dega

This study aimed at assessing the effect of ‘ Aloe soap value chain initiative’ on pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in supplementing their livelihood diversification strategy to overcome impacts of recurrent shocks in the Didayabello, Fulduwa and Dambala Badana Pastoral Associations (PA) in Yabell o, Arero and Dire districts, respectively, of Borana Zone. Wild Aloe plant is on e of the abundant plant species found in the area and most neglected/underutilized as means of livelihoods except for few traditional medicines and ritual purposes. The research employed qualitative and quantitative research methods using both primary an d secondary data . Purposive sampling method was used by which three sample PA a dministrations with potential aloe soap processing sub-centers were selected for ata collection. A total of 120 sample households (60 participants and 60 nonpartic ipants) were selected by using probability proportional to size for the survey. Data analysis was made by descriptive statistics an d econometrics using propensity score matching method. The study, therefore, had ev luated the effect of aloe soap value chain initiatives interventions in the target PAs. It has used cross-sectional survey data of 2012-2013 to see the effect of the i ntervention in supplementing the participants livelihood diversification strategy. T he intervention has resulted in an increased amount of income to participants earning a average total income of Birr 2688.70 per month from the aloe soap production. Besides being a productive plant species with best economic value, the Aloe plant sp ecies are found to be environmental friendly, drought tolerant and best f or soil and water conservation, in addition to its magnificent medicinal uses. Based on the results obtained, such innovative product of market development interventi ons has a paramount importance for the enhancement of alternative livelihood diver sification strategies of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.
Factors Affecting Director Remuneration: A Study of Manufacturing Companies Listed on ASEAN State Stock Exchanges

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of financial distress, rewards and company performance using return on assets (ROA), managerial ownership, ownership concentration, directors’ composition and leverage on directors’ remuneration with company size, leverage and company age as control variables. The study population comprised manufacturing companies in the food and beverage sector listed on the ASEAN state stock exchange. The study used a purposive sampling method. The sample number consisted of 68 manufacturing companies. The data used are secondary data obtained from ASEAN state stock exchanges. Data analysis used multiple linear regression. The results indicate that ROA, managerial ownership, ownership concentration, firm size and leverage have a significant effect on directors’ remuneration, while financial distress, reward, company age and state have no significant effect on directors’ remuneration. The implications of study mean that boards of directors can conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the directors’ remuneration system by establishing a team that has the authority to provide input and formulation of a remuneration system that meets the principle of fairness.
Use of Culturally Tailored Media to Increase HIV Screening Among African Americans

Over one million people in the United States have HIV with a substantial portion of these individuals being African American. Innovative approaches to improving the HIV disparity among African Americans have been encouraged by the federal government. Culturally tailored HIV risk reduction interventions have been noted as effective in several studies in reducing risk behavior. The purpose of the intervention was to determine if the use of culturally tailored HIV risk reduction media would result in an increase in HIV screening among African Americans. A one-time community based-intervention with no control group was utilized to determine impact of media. Screening rates were measured over a pre-determined time frame and compared to prior months and year’s rates. Use of culturally tailored media did not result in an increase in HIV screening rates among African Americans. While the selected media was very well prepared, several barriers to successful distribution were identified. Recommendations for better distribution are identified.
Epidemiological Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Infections Among the Patients Attending Nyanza District Hospital, Rwanda in 2018

Background and aims: Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite and a causative agent ofamoebiasis which is a common life-threatening parasitic disease. This study was intended to determinethe prevalence of E. histolytica and to provide the primary data about its infections among the patientsattending Nyanza District Hospital in Rwanda.Methods: Bottles were used to collect 138 stool specimens from patients. All the samples were physicallyanalyzed based on their colors, states, and the presence of blood or mucus. The wet preparationmethod and zinc sulphate floatation technique were used to concentrate the parasites. Microscopicanalysis was done to examine the presence of cysts and trophozoites. Data were statistically analyzedby SPSS using chi-square test and independent t test.Results: The prevalence of E. histolytica was 15.94%. The sex distribution of infections revealed thatmales (21.54%) were more infected than females (10.95%). The highest prevalence of E. histolyticawas found in the age group of 1-19 years old (27.11%) and the lowest prevalence was observed in theage group of 20-39 years old (6.89%). A prevalence of 33.33% was reported among the people whodirectly drink tap water and 40% of infections among the patients who did not wash their hands beforeeating and after using latrines.Conclusion: Overall, E. histolytica is still considered as a health burden in Nyanza District Hospital.Therefore, it is vital to control direct exposure to its risk factors for mitigating the occurrence ofamoebiasis.
Effects of International Financial Integration on Domestic Financial Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries

This paper aims to analyze the effects of international financial integration on the development of domestic financial system in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically the banking system over the period 2000-2015. The estimation of parameters by system GMM shows that international financial integration is beneficial to the activity and efficiency of the banking system. Moreover, we don’t find a breakdown in the relationship, considering only the post-financial crisis period. In addition, the withdrawal of South Africa and Mauritius due to their levels of international financial integration and domestic financial development cancels out the significant effect on the activity and efficiency of the banking system. Keywords: International financial integration, domestic financial development, financial crisis, sub-Saharan Africa DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-18-03 Publication date :September 30 th 2019
Pedestrians and E-Scooters: An Initial Look at E-Scooter Parking and Perceptions by Riders and Non-Riders

Since 2018, pedestrians in many U.S. cities have been sharing sidewalk space with dockless shared e-scooters. The introduction of e-scooters has received pushback from pedestrians. Complaints reported in the media include e-scooters blocking walkways and sidewalks when parked illegally as well as safety concerns from pedestrians who do not feel safe around moving e-scooters. However, little is known beyond a few initial studies on e-scooter parking and anecdotes about pedestrian perceptions of e-scooter safety. Our case study from Rosslyn, Virginia, helps shed light on these two issues. First, we conducted a survey of 181 e-scooter riders and non-riders asking about their perceived safety around riders of e-scooters and experiences of sidewalks blocked by e-scooters. We found highly divergent responses about safety and sidewalk blocking perceptions from riders and non-riders. Second, we conducted an observational study of 606 parked e-scooters along three mixed-use corridors in Rosslyn to investigate the relationship between the built environment and e-scooter parking. We found that 16% of 606 observed e-scooters were not parked properly and 6% (36 e-scooters) were blocking pedestrian right-of-way. Moreover, our survey showed that e-scooter trips in Rosslyn replaced trips otherwise taken by Uber, Lyft, or a taxi (39%), foot (33%), bicycle (12%), bus (7%), or car (7%).
The Influence of the Work Environment, Organizational Commitment and Organizational Citizenship Behavior on Employee Performance and Motivation as Intervening (Studies in the Matahari Department Store Tbk. Tunjungan Plaza in Surabaya, Indonesia)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the Influence of the Work Environment, Organizational Commitment And Organizational Citizenship Behavior On employee Performance through Motivation as an intervening Matahari Department Store Tbk Tunjungan Plaza in Surabaya. The population of this research was conducted by using the sampling technique of the research is taken from the population by using the method the sample is saturated, meaning that all existing populations as a complement to the sample, so the sample used the same magnitude with the population of 125 employees. Path analysis and hypothesis test using t test. The results of this study show that work environment has positive and significant effect on employee performance; work environment influential positive and significantly to the motivation; organizational commitment and significant positive effect on employee motivation; organizational commitment and significant positive effect terhaadap employee performance; OCB positive and significant effect on employee performance. OCB have a positive and significant impact on employee motivation; motivation has positive and significant effect on employee performance; work environment influential positive and significant on employee performance through motivation; commitment otganisasi positive and significant effect on employee performance through motivation, and OCB positive and significant effect on employee performance through motivation. Keywords: Work Environment, organizational commitment, OCB, motivation, performance DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-35-08 Publication date: December 31 st 2019
Elections and Market Provision of Information Beiträge zur Jahrestagung des Vereins für Socialpolitik 2013 : Wettbewerbspolitik und Regulierung in einer globalen Wirtschaftsordnung-Session : Search , No . G 04-V 3 Provided in Cooperation with : Verein

Economists usually think that rational voters have little incentives to acquire costly information. We present a theoretical model to show that, in contrast to this widely held belief, rational voters acquire considerable amounts of information if media technology is available because then they do not condition their informational decisions on being pivotal. The model also shows that the quality of media coverage is inefficiently low because voters have incentives to free-ride. Further, we show how the quality of information depends on the size of the electorate, the prior knowledge of voters and on the technology to produce information. ∗I would like to thank Robert Schwager for very helpful discussions and advice. Many thanks go also to Emre Aytimur, Lars Ehlers, Steffen Huck, Cesar Martinelli, Panu Poutvaara, Andreas Wagener as well as seminar participants at the Workshop on Economics in Tübingen, the 2nd World Congress of the Public Choice Societies in Miami, the WZB, the IIPF Congress in Dresden and the 6th CESifo Workshop on Political Economy for helpful comments and suggestions. This paper is a substantially revised version of an earlier paper whose title was Too Little News Collective Decision-Making and Market Provision of Information.