bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audit Quality, Ownership Structure, and Agency Cost in Nigerian Quoted Industrial Goods Firms
Authors: Dr. Adewumi, Ademola Adeniran  , Omole Ilesanmi Isaac  , Fakunle Isaiah Omotayo
Published: October 2023

This study examines the relationship between Ownership Structure, Audit Quality, and agency cost of Nigerian quoted industrial goods companies. Data from the annual reports of nine (9) selected companies whose data were readily available at the time of the study were included in the sample over a period of eleven years (2011-2021) on audit quality, managerial ownership share, institutional ownership share, administrative expenses ratio, and payout ratio were analyzed. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Audit Quality, Ownership Structure and agency cost of quoted Nigerian industrial goods companies. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including correlation matrix and fixed panel model regression. The correlation analysis revealed that all variables AER, AUQ, IOS, MOS, and PAR had correlation coefficients that were positive or negative and less than 0.9. Moreover, the results of the Fixed Effect panel model regression indicated that the probability values of the predictors were less than the study's adopted 5% level of significance (p-values 0.05), except for managerial ownership share and institutional ownership share, whose probability values were greater than 5% level of significance (p-values > 0.05). The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between the Audit Quality, Ownership Structure of industrial goods companies and agency costs. As a result, it was suggested that there should be a balance between equity ownership managers and institutional investors to reduce agency costs and that audit quality should be improved by utilizing the Big-4 to reduce asymmetric information by managers and minimize agency conflicts.
Effect of Capital Adequacy on Liquidity of Microfinance Banks in Kenya
Authors: Joseph Munyao Kiio  , Lucy Wamugo  , Job Omagwa
Published: October 2023

The study sought to assess the effect of capital adequacy on the liquidity of microfinance banks in Kenya. The capital buffer theory and liquidity preference theory were employed for the investigation. The study used an explanatory research design and a positivist worldview. The 13 Kenyan microfinance banks that were operational between 2012 and 2018 were the demographic that was targeted. The study used a census methodology and concentrated on all 13 MFBs in Kenya. The study used secondary data from published financial statements and Central Bank regulatory reports. Descriptive analysis and panel regression analysis was used to analyze the data. At a significance threshold of 0.05, the hypothesis was tested. The study discovered that adequate capital has a substantial impact on Kenyan microfinance banks' liquidity. Notably, higher capital held above the minimum requirement depletes the liquidity levels of banks; hence, managers need to strike a balance between capital levels and optimum liquidity levels. This, in turn, will allow the Microfinance Banks to carry out other liquidity functions without interruptions emanating from rising capital adequacy.
An Analysis of the Strategic Planning Practices of Public Institutions in Tanzania
Authors: Dr. Kaanaeli Gabriel Nnko
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to analyze the implementation of strategic planning practices in public institutions in Tanzania. The finding of the study is expected to improve the development and implementation of strategic planning in public institutions in Tanzania. The analysis of strategic planning is crucial for public institutions as it will enable them to prioritize resources and align their activities with their goals. The study used a qualitative approach and conducted interviews with 14 senior officials from various public institutions in Tanzania sampled purposively.

The study findings inform that despite the recognition of the significance of strategic planning in public institutions, there are several challenges that hinder its successful implementation. The challenges include fragmented planning systems, inadequate coordination and strategic thinking, and insufficient environmental scanning techniques. To address the challenges, the study suggests measures to improve the situation, such as establishing a unique planning system, enhancing understanding of strategic management, promoting strategic thinking, as well as setting measurable and realistic goals.
Interrogative of Enterprise Risk Management Practices on the Banks’ Financial Performance in Nigeria
Authors: Chukwu Alexander.O  , Akintoye Ishola Rufus  , Ajibade Ayodeji. T
Published: October 2023

Deposit money banks play critical roles in any economy through their financial intermediation and their financial performance is of great importance to various stakeholders. Over the years, the banking sector has been experiencing unstable financial performance that often results in to collapse of some of the deposit money banks. Some of the challenges attributable to the banks fluctuating financial performance include the absence of adequate and effective enterprise risk management practices, unethical practices, liquidity crises and unnecessary government inferences. This has resulted in poor financial performance in terms of their Return on Assets, Tobin's Q, Net Profit margin and Earnings Per Share, among others. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design and content analysis. The population of the study was all the 12 listed deposit money banks in Nigeria in the Nigeria Exchange Group for the period 2007 – 2021. A total enumeration technique was adopted for the study. Data were sourced from the audited annual reports of the selected deposit money banks. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that enterprise risk management has a significant effect on return on assets, Adj.R2 = 0.218, F (7, 172) = 89.01, P < 0.05). Enterprise risk management has a significant effect on Tobin's Q, Adj.R2 = 0.3367, F (7, 172) = 142.80, P < 0.05). The study concluded that enterprise risk management impacts the financial performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Management of banks should put in place an independent Board Risk Management Committee as well as a functional Risk Management Committee with a versatile Chief Risk Officer that will ensure the effective implementation of enterprise risk management policies and processes, as its effective implementation will minimize operational, credit, market and liquidity risks, thereby enhancing banks' financial performance for the benefit of various stakeholders.
Sustainability Reporting and Return on Assets of Selected Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria
Authors: Adenuga Solomon Idowu  , Akintola Francis Abolade  , Alalade Yimka Samson
Published: October 2023

The paper investigated sustainability reporting and return on assets of deposit money banks in Nigeria from 2013 – 2022 using data collected from the annual report of selected deposit money banks. Ordinary Least Square regression technique was used to evaluate the relationship between sustainability reporting and return on assets of the sampled banks.

The empirical result obtained from the study showed that sustainability reporting has a significant and positive effect on return on assets of selected deposit money banks in Nigeria for the period of the study. It was recommended that deposit money banks in Nigeria should sustain sustainability practices in order to improve their financial performance.
Technology Integration in Science Learning Areas in the Kenyan Competency-Based Curriculum
Authors: Dr. Wilbrodah Adhiambo Orina  , Dr. Susan Macharia  , Dr. Elizabeth Ngozi Okpalaenwe
Published: October 2023

This study assesses the pedagogical content knowledge of Senior High School Social Studies teachers in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana. A sample size of 86 teachers was chosen using a multi-stage (purposive, convenience) sampling approach. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides were the primary data-gathering tools. The study's findings revealed that a substantial number of teachers met the minimum academic qualification for teaching social studies at the Senior High School level in Ghana, with the majority of teachers holding a B. Ed/BA in Social Studies. Again, the majority of instructors believed that their academic experience influenced their social studies teaching. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service should only recruit teachers with the required academic background in social studies to teach the subject. Also, the teachers without the required academic background should be taken through in-service training to provide them with the appropriate social studies Pedagogical Content Knowledge.
Analysis of Multidimensional Nature of Poverty in Kitui County, Kenya
Authors: Alice Mwangangi  , Rhodah Manyanza
Published: October 2023

The battle to end poverty in the world at large has continued since time immemorial. Despite stringent measures to overcome this global challenge, poverty levels remain high. Kenya has not been left behind in fighting this battle. The country has formulated various development plans and strategies to end this challenge. The fight towards ending poverty began when Kenya attained her independence in 1963 and continues up to date. To effectively reduce the levels of poverty in the country, there is a need to understand first the multidimensional nature since poverty differs in different areas. Then being fully equipped with this nature, one can understand the focal point to start developing the measures to curb this challenge. Thus, this paper aims to analyze the multidimensional nature of poverty in Kitui County, whose poverty level stands at 63.1 percent as of 2021, an increase from 47.5 percent in 2019 and above the country's poverty level of 41.9 percent. The study used secondary data from Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey collected in 2015/16 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Analysis of data based on the Alkire and Foster procedure for analyzing the multidimensional nature of poverty was used in the study. The study found that the households in Kitui County are multidimensionally poor and are deprived more of living standard indicators than indicators in health and education. Based on the study's findings, the County Government of Kitui and other stakeholders should prioritize measures to improve living standards since many of the households in the county are mainly affected by economic shocks. Also, the government should ensure there is easy accessibility to credit. This will enable households to get resources that can be used to start economic activities, generate income and improve their welfare.
Indonesia Cryptocurrencies in Islamic Law
Authors: Christopher Panal Lumban Gaol, S.H., M. Hum,
Published: October 2023

Cryptocurrencies have become a significant phenomenon in the global financial world. However, in the context of Islamic law, the question of the validity and regulation of cryptocurrencies remains a complex debate. This research aims to conduct a normative juridical analysis regarding cryptocurrency regulation in Islamic law, focusing on case studies in Indonesia. The research method used is a normative juridical approach, which involves collecting and analyzing legal data from relevant legal sources, such as laws, regulations, and religious fatwas. This legal data is then analyzed using legal arguments and theoretical approaches to understand and explain the legal status of cryptocurrencies in Islam. The research identifies key issues emerging in cryptocurrency regulation in Islamic law in Indonesia, including usury, gharar, maysir, and consumer protection. In this normative juridical analysis, researchers explore existing legal interpretations, relevant legal documents, and views of Islamic scholars and scholars related to the legitimacy and halalness of cryptocurrencies. The results of this study provide an in-depth understanding of how cryptocurrencies can be categorized within the framework of Islamic law, as well as the legal implications arising from the use and trading of cryptocurrencies. The research also identifies loopholes and challenges in cryptocurrency regulation in Islamic law in Indonesia and provides recommendations for the development of more effective regulation and in accordance with Islamic principles.
An Evaluation of the Implementation of the ‘Functionality’ Aspect in Nigeria’s Education System
Authors: Adamu James Nanbak
Published: October 2023

This essay answers one of my questions under my Ph.D. Research topic "A Critique of Nigeria's Basic Education in the Light of John Dewey's Concept of Education for Functionality." The study identified Four Research Questions, out of which this one also emerged: "What are the challenges faced in the implementation of educational policies in Nigeria for the purpose of attaining educational functionality?" In carrying out this research, the study discovered that Nigeria's education system is enmeshed in a series of challenges. These challenges become more domineering when a specific focus is placed on education for functionality. The research discovered these problems as the major setbacks to Nigeria's possibility of attaining education for functionality:

Poor Method of Assessment of Students' Performance,

Inadequate Teaching and Learning Process,

Lack of sufficient Teacher Training in Functionality,

Inadequate Qualified Teachers,

General lack of Motivation for technically viable Fields of Studies,

Government's poor commitment to the provision of learning equipment, among many others.
Disciplinary Guarantees for Public Employees in Jordanian Legislation
Authors: Dr. Feras Syah Matar Alshrafat
Published: October 2023

The study aims to illustrate the availability of appropriate disciplinary guarantees in Jordanian legislation that ensure the protection of the public employee from the encroachment and abuse of the disciplinary authority in exercising its disciplinary rights in accordance with the law. The Jordanian legislator has identified a set of disciplinary penalties in the civil service system that the administration exercises against the public employee in the event of his breach of the duties assigned to him or his failure to perform his duties as required.

I have reached several results, including, despite the development in the Jordanian civil service system and the Administrative Judicial Law, there are still some aspects that need attention and scrutiny, the most important of which is the issue of impartiality. The study also showed that the expiration of the period for submitting a complaint without being answered by the competent authority means rejecting it. This is an escape from the administration to not answer the complaint until it relieves itself from having to give a reason for rejecting the complaint.

The study recommends that the Jordanian legislator develop clear provisions that effectively guarantee the principle of impartiality as a disciplinary guarantee for public employees in real life and issue the Code of Administrative Procedure, especially considering the Administrative Judiciary Law, under which the administrative judiciary has become two-tier.
The Role of Employee Commitment in the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Catherine Njoki  , Dr. Peter O.K'obonyo  , Dr. Florence Muindi  , Dr. Kingsford Rucha
Published: October 2023

The general objective of this study was to establish the role of employee commitment in the relationship between transformational leadership and performance of Deposit taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The theories chosen to anchor the variables include:

Transformational leadership theory,

Self-determination theory,

Organizational culture theory and

Contingency theory

The study adopted a census survey design. The data used for the study was primary data. Regression models were used to test the significance of the study variables. The study found that employee commitment plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational performance. The findings have a number of implications on policy, human resource management, methodology and practice, among others. From human resources viewpoint, SACCOs can become more competitive and thus enhance sustainability if they manage employees to perform their duties through proper leadership and required employee commitment strategies. Further, this study has a significant role for policymakers as the insights learnt will help them develop HRM frameworks and policies that will encourage greater comparability of SACCOs and knowledge sharing amongst different stakeholders to develop capacity and capabilities.
Local Religions and the Rituals in Ndoto Music Performance: A Case Study of Cultural Paradigms in Indonesia
Authors: Blandina Wenika Djawa  , Dr. Dra. Kun Setyaning Astuti  , Evi Putrianti
Published: October 2023

Indonesia is an archipelago with many regional cultures. Flores Island, one of the islands in the East Nusa Tenggara region, is rich in traditional ceremonies. The Ngagha Mere ritual is a ritual to give thanks to the ancestors for the abundant crops. During the celebration, Ndoto music is played as a way of communicating with the ancestors. The uniqueness of Ndoto is that it has various meanings and symbols of life. The ethnographic method and Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis were used to reveal the regional wealth and the deepest meaning in the implementation of Ndoto Music. Through this research, it is concluded that Ndoto is a local wisdom that carries meaningful values and functions for the people of Flores, West Nusa Tenggara, in which there is an understanding of life that can be contemplated together.

Indonesia is an archipelago with many regional cultures. Flores Island, one of the islands in the East Nusa Tenggara region, is rich in traditional ceremonies. The Ngagha Mere ritual is a ritual to give thanks to the ancestors for the abundant crops. During the celebration, Ndoto music is played as a way of communicating with the ancestors. The uniqueness of Ndoto is that it has various meanings and symbols of life. The ethnographic method and Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis were used to reveal the regional wealth and the deepest meaning in the implementation of Ndoto Music. Through this research, it is concluded that Ndoto is a local wisdom that carries meaningful values and functions for the people of Flores, West Nusa Tenggara, in which there is an understanding of life that can be contemplated together.
Integrated Environmental Assessment of COVID-19 Hazardous Waste Management Policy and Strategy in Jakarta’s Quarantine and Self-Isolation Location
Authors: Sharyne Sylvani  , Dr. Rachmadhi Purwana  , Dr. Haryoto Kusnoputranto
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics of global waste generation, so it needs special attention. Recently, many studies have been carried out to confirm the transmission of COVID-19 through waste. Waste management is becoming a more severe issue for countries that cannot provide adequate facilities for safety and hygiene practices, such as adequate PPE. Jakarta is one of the provinces with the most severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta is the highest in Indonesia. In addition to the highest number of cases, the number of COVID-19 hazardous waste generation also occupies the highest position. At the beginning of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government issued several policies to regulate the management of COVID-19 hazardous waste. However, several spilt COVID-19 hazardous waste cases were found at several points in Jakarta. This study aims to examine government policies and the interrelationships of the impact of waste management amid a pandemic and describe the management of COVID-19 hazardous waste in an outline to recommend later strategies for handling the generation of COVID-19 hazardous waste. This research is analyzed using SWOT and DPSIR. It is concluded that to effectively manage COVID-19 hazardous waste, policies, infrastructure development, public awareness, education, waste reduction measures, collaboration, monitoring, enforcement, and research and innovation is critical. Raising awareness about government policies regarding COVID-19 waste management is essential to encourage responsible behavior and prevent potential risks associated with improper waste handling.
Imbalanced Dataset and Optimization Technique Use for Disease Treatment Default Prediction
Authors: Owusu-Adjei Michael  , James Ben Hayfron-Acquah  , Twum Frimpong  , Gaddafi Abdul-Salaam  , Owusu-Debrah Nicholas  , Kofi Fofie
Published: October 2023

A critical component of predictive algorithm use is the performance evaluation metrics of algorithms used. Performance evaluations are influenced by output results obtained after extensive modeling. Many research works in machine learning domains are presently focused on improving predictive performance metrics of learning algorithms. Characteristically, real-world applications, especially in healthcare systems, have dataset classes that are extremely skewed towards one side (positive or negative). The challenge of predictive contributions from the minority class being overlooked by various machine learning algorithms is real. To address this challenge, different optimization techniques have been applied to enhance predictive performance metrics for evaluation. Many of these optimization techniques, such as under-sampling the majority class and over-sampling the minority class, lead to the loss or introduction of additional dataset information. Overcoming this challenge of information loss due to either oversampling or undersampling remains the focus of this research work. Therefore, this research work uses a novel optimization technique called class weight optimization to address this challenge. Results obtained showed that the optimum weight value for a trade-off between false positives and false negatives was 0.8553 for the minority class and 0.1447 for the majority class. However, in real-world applications like identifying disease treatment default patients, the ultimate goal is to identify Patients positive for default in treatment and this is achieved by a focus on learning techniques capable of improving recall score values. By using the class weight optimization technique, we obtained the following scores from performance evaluation: Precision score of 0.07, Recall score of 0.84 and f1 score of 0.13. Emphasis on achieving a higher recall score for our predictive model will ensure that a higher number of potential treatment default patients can be correctly identified for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of treatment default and its consequences.
Redefining “No Evidence of a Breach” in Election Security
Authors: Kim Yunsieg P.
Published: October 2023

For legal purposes, we rightly understand the lack of evidence to mean a lack of existence. For example, many candidates in the 2022 elections baselessly claimed that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. But, absent evidence of systemic fraud, the law correctly determines that President Biden was duly elected. If the law entertained any outlandish assertion regardless of evidentiary support, accusers could peddle whatever claims they please, forcing the accused to disprove them. Similar to the legal understanding of “no evidence,” many appear to believe that no evidence of a security breach in our voting equipment indicates no breach. For example, in the run-up to the 2022 elections, Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger “spent months voicing skepticism that . . . a security breach ever occurred” in Coffee County’s voting machines, arguing that “[t]here’s no evidence of any of that” and therefore that “[i]t didn’t happen.”

A lack of evidence is rightly equivalent to a lack of existence, for legal purposes. But, for security purposes, no evidence of a breach does not necessarily mean no breach because security breaches can occur without the target’s knowledge. Indeed, the more competent the infiltrators are, the more likely they are to commit breaches undetected. The Allies taught the world this lesson in World War II, when they infiltrated the encrypted communications of the Axis powers without being exposed. To this day, it remains an axiomatic rule of cyber security practice that one should never interpret the lack of evidence of a security breach to mean no breach. Shortly after Raffensperger claimed that a breach did not happen because there was no evidence, it was revealed that voting machines in Coffee County had been breached.

This Article calls for a bifurcated understanding of “no evidence of a breach” in the context of elections. For election fraud claims, we should continue to take no evidence to mean no fraud. But for evaluating the security of our election infrastructure, officials and legal scholars must understand that a breach can still occur despite the lack of evidence of a breach. I argue that the widespread conflation of no evidence of a breach and no breach is a frequently overlooked obstacle to election security reform. If one interprets no evidence of a breach as no breach, both the public and the politicians who represent them can rationalize not spending money on updating voting equipment as long as there is no definitive evidence that it was breached. Persuading the public of the fact that security breaches can occur despite the lack of evidence, while also showing why no evidence must still be interpreted as no existence for legal purposes, is a critical challenge that scholars must meet in order to effect meaningful election security reform.
Analisis Daya Dukung Wilayah untuk Pengembangan Sapi Bali di Kecamatan Baito Kabupaten Konawe Selatan
Authors: Abadi M , Nafiu L O , Libriani R , Rahman R , Gerhana G
Published: October 2023

Analysis of the carrying capacity of the region is needed as an appropriate development direction. This study aims to analyze the carrying capacity of the area for the development of Bali cattle in Baito District, South Konawe Regency. The data used in the study are primary. Primary is obtained directly from interviews with Balinese cattle farmers in Baito District. The method used is the census method of all breeders. The data analysis used in this study was livestock density analysis. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that economic density can still be developed, the density of agricultural businesses is possible to accommodate Balinese cattle to be developed, and the density of the area is still very likely. Baito sub-district is based on a combination of livestock density, which includes distribution and development areas in a combination of farmer-region and development areas in 2 combinations, namely economy-farming and economy-region.
Tingkat Pengetahuan Panitia Kurban Tentang Penyakit Lumpy Skin Disease di Kota Bandar Lampung
Authors: Habsari I K , Pertiwi V R , Maradon G G , Putritamara J A
Published: October 2023

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is transboundary disease and characterized by the presence of nodules on the skin This Study is aimed to assess the level of knowledge of the sacrificial committee towards Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Bandar Lampung City. The data were taken by using research instruments (questionnaire) with 100 respondents. The Research subjects in this study were sacrificial committees in 20 districts around Bandar Lampung City. Sacrificial committees were dominated by 50-60 years old, level of education Senior High School, and 1-10 years experienced in becoming sacrificial committee. Results showed that the average level of respondents’ knowledge regarding the LSD symptoms is high (80), whereas the knowledge towards LSD transmission, and control are in the medium level (72.06 and 64.3)
Uji Daya Simpan Inokulum dan Ketahanan Lactobacillus plantarum terhadap pH Rendah sebagai Agensia Direct Fed Microbials untuk Ternak Ruminansia
Authors: Suryani H , Marya D T , Sinaga D M , Usman N A
Published: October 2023

Direct Fed microbials (DFM) merupakan suatu produk mikroorganisme hidup non patogen yang menguntungkan jika diberikan pada manusia atau ternak untuk memperbaiki kesehatan ternak, efesiensi konversi ransum dan laju pertumbuhan dengan cara menekan mikroorganisme patogen dalam saluran pencernaan dan mempengaruhi keseimbangan mikroba usus. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberikan informasi tentang potensi Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0020 sebagai agensia DFM. Penelitian ini mengunakan metode eksperimen secara deskriptif. Parameter yang diamati meliputi uji ketahanan terhadap pH asam ( 5, 3, 2), pH 7 juga turut diujikan untuk mengetahui ketahanan pada pH netral. Kemampuan Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0020 bertahan pada suhu ruang dengan lama waktu inkubasi berbeda (5, 7, 10 hari) juga diuji untuk mengetahui daya simpan inokulum Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0020 pada suhu ruang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0020 memiliki ketahanan terhadap pH terendah (2) dan masih bertahan pula pada pH netral (7) dengan total koloni 2.25 x 108, dan 1.3 x 107 CFU mL-1 secara berturut – turut. Inokulum Lactobacillus plantarum FNCC 0020 dapat disimpan pada suhu ruang hinga 10 hari masih memiliki total koloni 3,8 x 107 CFU mL-1.
A Discussion on Geodynamic Modeling Methodology: Inferences from Numerical Models in the Anatolian Plate
Authors: ŞENGÜL ULUOCAK Ebru
Published: October 2023

Numerical models have found widespread use in geosciences, mainly due to high-resolution datasets and the development of supercomputing facilities with powerful data processing and storage capabilities during the past two decades. Instantaneous and time-dependent geodynamic modeling studies were carried out in many regions of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, including the Anatolian Plate, to investigate mantle dynamics such as lower lithosphere deformation, upper mantle flow, and their surface implications.

This study focuses on the instantaneous numerical modeling technique by considering multidimensional thermomechanical models in the Central and East Anatolian plateaus. To this end, conventional geodynamic modeling processes are explained with a conceptual flow chart that shows a feed-forward backpropagation modeling architecture which is nonlinearly fed by a large parameter space. While addressing a complex natural phenomenon controlled by variables on a wide range of space-time scales, the limitations as well as advantages of numerical models are analyzed.

In addition to conventional techniques, systematic data improvement is discussed as a new strategy in data/parameter-dependent numerical model design through an iterative process based on the Grounded Theory method for the construction of an explanatory theory from the model. This involves not refinement but (re)construction of the data (i.e., measurement/analysis/scaling) as an effective way to reveal theory/information grounded in data.

It is speculated that this procedure, which includes problem-oriented data reconstruction accompanying the numerical modeling process, may provide an integrated perspective for instantaneous numerical modelling.
Experimental Study of The Potential for Energy Absorption and Drying Time of Coffee Beans Using a Dome Dryer Type Dryer in The Sukmailang Area of Pesawaran Regency
Authors: Santoso Yopi Rusdian , Afisna Lathifa Putri , Syaukani Muhammad , Saragih Gita Johannes
Published: October 2023

The traditional drying method has many weaknesses, namely it is very dependent on the weather, so that drying takes a long time. Traditional drying methods result in frequent contamination of dust, dirt, insects, and if wet they are prone to moss growth due to delays in drying during cloudy or rainy weather. This study designed a coffee bean dryer with electric power which is the result of converting solar energy with the help of photovoltaic which is first stored in the battery. The main components of this tool are: drying chamber, drying roof, tray, thermostat, heating element, this test is carried out to determine changes in seed moisture content, required power and efficiency. The temperature is set at 50°C with  a fan speed of 3m/s. The fastest decrease in water content occurred in the mass of 1 kg coffee bean samples starting on June 22, 2022 from 28.5% water content to 12% moisture content. Meanwhile, the longest decrease in the water content of coffee beans was at a mass of 2 kg coffee beans on June 24, 2022, the initial water content of coffee beans was 29.3% to 13.2%. The greater the mass of the coffee beans to be dried, the greater the time required to dry the coffee beans using a dome dryer. The maximum power is in the Sukmailang area, Pesawaran district which has a plateau as high as 1200 meters above sea level (MDPL) with an average power of 11.38 Watt. The highest power is produced at 12:00 WIB with a value of 16.49 Watts. The use of solar panels in the Sukmailang area, Pesawaran Regency which has a plateau as high as 1200 (MDPL) is still not effectively utilized because the results obtained have an average efficiency value of 2.22%
Comprehensive study on elementary school children’s 24-hours movement guidelines in physical education class
Authors: Dinafi Yusra , Saputra Adhe , Muzaffar Ahmad
Published: October 2023

Sedentary behavior changes during the pandemic caused a crucial reduction in the need for physical education and the time involved in physical activity so all parents and teachers at school experienced this challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the 24-hours movement guidelines, sleep quality, and screen time during and after the pandemic. This study used a cross-sectional method with an observational approach. The total subjects in this study were 1070 elementary school students with an average age of 10.69 ± 0.83 years, body weight 37.32 ± 10.57 kg, and height 139.66 ± 9.78 cm. The results showed that after the pandemic, children's playing habits outdoors and sleep duration increased sharply as the time in front of the screen decreased, although they tended to be the same as during the pandemic. Thus, it is hoped that these findings can serve as a reference for parents and teachers in schools to adopt a healthy lifestyle by prioritizing physical activity compared to using screens. so that habits during a pandemic can be overcome and students can improve their fitness levels. This investigation is limited to Jambi and its surrounding areas. Additional research can investigate the rise in the number of elementary school and respondents, as well as expand the scope to include the province, island, and country of Indonesia. This study findings may assist in restoring the physical activity behaviors of elementary school-aged children whose well-being is presently being compromised by excessive screen time, so that habits during a pandemic can be overcome and students can improve their fitness levels.
Extraction and Purification of Bromelain Enzyme from Fruits and its Therapeutic Application Study
Authors: Suresh Anushree , Varghese Saira , Rajendran Remya , Soni Rajat , Abraham Jayanthi
Published: October 2023

Food processing industries release a lot of fruit wastes mainly of seed, skin, rind, pomace, crown etc. containing potential bioactive compounds. Bromelain is a crude protein extracted from certain fruits. Bromelain is a sub-type of cysteine protease enzyme extensively investigated for its therapeutic properties such as anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity with good ferric reducing power. The present study deals with isolating and purifying bromelain from kiwi and avocado fruits and assessing their therapeutic application. Fruit samples were taken from a juice shop in VIT, Vellore, for performing all the experimental analysis. Different parts such as stem, pulp, peel and leaves of the avocado and kiwi fruits were collected for the bromelain extraction process. The extraction of protein was done by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method. Estimation of protein content was performed and the concentration of crude enzyme was found to be 970μg/ml and 900μg/ml for avocado peel and kiwi pulp respectively. Avocado peel showed good activity in ferric reducing power and also a potent radical scavenging activity of 40% at 200μg concentration. Crude bromelain extracted from both fruits showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Hence it can be concluded that bromelain can be used as an effective health supplement.
Anti-cancer effects of the bioactive compounds of Prunus dulcis against ovarian cancer cell lines (PA-1)
Authors: Rakshanaa R. , Jemima Aashmi P.L. , Rahul Amin Sheikh , Vishnudas D. , Danie Kingsley J.
Published: October 2023

The use of natural substances in cancer treatment is the current need because alternative approaches are intensive and have numerous negative side effects. In this current study, the natural product Prunus dulcis (Almond) was screened for its ability to inhibit the proliferation of (PA-1) cancer cells. In the MTT assay, IC50 values obtained are 220 μg/ml. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) and Apoptosis induction in cancer cells of the ovary are noticed and this assay shows the anti-cancerous activity of Prunus dulcis. Catechin has emerged as the major bioactive compound of Prunus dulcis. Anti-bacterial activity of Prunus dulcis at various concentrations of 50, 80, 90 and 100μl was tested. 90μl of Prunus dulcis extract showed a good antibacterial effect against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This research shows that the almond bioactive molecules inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer cell lines. The identified promising active pharmaceutical ingredient catechin needs focused research.
In vitro anti-mycobacterial property and phytochemical profiling of Senna auriculata and Trachyspermum copticum
Authors: M.B. Shreya , K. Neeraja , Das Subhankar , Sundararajan Sadhana , Muniyan Rajiniraja
Published: October 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a contagious disease that is the leading cause of death by a single causative organism. The present study aims to investigate and assess the anti-mycobacterial property of some traditionally important medicinal plants and analyze their phytochemical constitution. The extracts of some plants based on their medicinal importance were checked for their activity against M. smegmatis using anti-mycobacterial disc diffusion plate assay. Aqueous extracts of Senna auriculata, Trachyspermum copticum and Musa spp. were tested against M. smegmatis. Further Senna auriculata and Trachyspermum copticum extracts were taken to bioactivity guided sequential extraction. On screening, ethyl acetate extract of S. auriculata, T. copticum and methanol extract of S. auriculata showed considerable inhibition with an average zone of inhibition of about 2 cm dia against M. smegmatis. Further phytochemical analysis was done to narrow down the class of compounds that might be responsible for the inhibitory activity. The tests revealed the presence of some important group of natural compounds like alkaloids, anthocyanins, tannins, β- cyanins, coumarins and terpenoid. GC-MS analysis of the samples showed some biologically important compounds with potent anti-tubercular activity.
Association of Autophagy and Inflammation with Aging
Authors: Bendale Hrushikesh , Thirumurugan Kavitha
Published: October 2023

Autophagy is a catabolic process by which cells degrade damaged organelles via lysosomal degradation and recycle intracellular macromolecules and organelles to produce ATP. Autophagy clears cytosolic molecules that have a potential role in inflammasome formation. Hyperinflammation in the aging process can cause inflammasome formation that results in multiple inflammatory response-mediated diseases. Damaged mitochondria may induce oxidative stress in cells via ROS which leads to the activation of the inflammasome. Therefore, mitophagy-induced suppression of inflammasome can reduce oxidative stress. Inflammation in aging comes with diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Decreased function of autophagy in aging is the main reason behind the improper clearing of cytosolic organelles and induction of inflammation. Autophagy can slow down aging in cells and many other disorders by suppressing inflammatory genes. Also, ROS can directly activate NLRP3 and other proinflammatory pathways that increase in aging. Suppression of the NLRP3 gene which is responsible for inflammasome formation showed inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR/AKT pathway, which is directly linked to autophagy. This suppression of NLRP3 promoted longevity in cells. The interrelation between such pathway data mining from various biological databases can resolve the complex interconnection between autophagy and inflammatory pathways which can elucidate its role in aging. By using various bioinformatics tools such as DAVID and CYTOSPACE, string matching will confirm and support a relationship between the pathways. This will give a better level of understanding of interrelated pathways of autophagy, inflammation and aging.
Biodegradation of Glyphosate in Aqueous Medium by Strain JAN3 Aspergillus tubingensis isolated from Agricultural Soil
Authors: Kwatra Nancy , Ramchandani Nehalika , Abraham Jayanthi
Published: October 2023

The use of glyphosate has raised a major concern among researchers around the world because of its adverse effects and toxic nature. In the present study, the enrichment technique was used to isolate the strain JAN3 Aspergillus tubingensis from agricultural soil. The ability of the isolate to utilize glyphosate as the sole carbon and energy source was evaluated using HPLC and FTIR. The results revealed that the strain JAN3 could mineralize 96% of glyphosate within 5 days of incubation. The infrared spectrum of standard glyphosate when compared to degradation by strain Aspergillus tubingensis showed the absence of peak for major functional groups which could be due to the breakdown of the compound into simpler structures. IR spectra of the degraded sample showed the presence of an aldehyde group and carboxylic acid which confirmed that glyphosate was mineralized by the strain JAN3. The degradation results were further fitted into different kinetic models and the results showed that the reaction followed pseudo first order kinetics. The extracellular enzymatic activity was analysed during glyphosate degradation. The results of the study highlight that the strain Aspergillus tubingensis may have the potential to mineralize high concentrations of the herbicide in the contaminated areas.
Bacterial bioremediation of textile effluent dyes contaminated sites
Authors: Sakthishabarish K. , Karthika T. , Sandhya S.N. , Yazhini A. , Kannabiran Krishnan
Published: October 2023

Water and soil pollution caused by industrial effluent has become an alarming threat to environmental safety. This is mainly because of the direct discharge of textile effluents into the water bodies, without any pre-treatments. To resolve this, microbial bioremediation is used for the effective removal of the dyes and toxic compounds present in textile effluents. The textile dye-degrading isolates (3A, 4A, 5B and 6B) were isolated from the soil samples collected at the dye contaminated sites. Synthetic textile dyes, Brill Red 3BN and Blue SE2R obtained from the textile dyeing units were used as positive control for this study. The genus of the dye degrading isolates was identified by morphological and biochemical characterization. Based on the results, the isolates were belonged to the genus Pseudomonas. All four strains are producing both pyomelanin (brown) and pyoverdine (green) pigments during their growth. Maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) test, growth kinetics, decolorization and degradation studies were performed to analyze the dye degrading potential of isolates. Strain 3A and 6B showed more than 80% of decolorization up to 2500 ppm dye mix within 5 days of incubation. Isolates used textile dye as their sole carbon source for their growth and development. The biodegraded dye was analysed by GC-MS to measure the dye degrading ability of isolates.
Microwave-assisted gelatin nanoparticles preparation: Green tea polyphenol mediated cross-linking and its enhanced bio-efficacy
Authors: Kulandaivelu Karikalan , Banerjee Shrila , Mandal Abul Kalam Azad
Published: October 2023

Gelatin nanoparticles (GNP) were successfully prepared by microwave-assisted method without using polar solvent acetone and cross-linker glutaraldehyde which are generally used in the double desolvation method. Moreover, we tried using green tea polyphenol (GTP) as a natural cross-linker. The particles were spherical, around 98.5 nm in size with a polydispersity index (P.I) of 0.813 and the surface charge was -11.6 mV. About 20% of free amino groups present in GNPs-GTP are made by microwave-assisted method with an encapsulation efficiency of 69.8 %. The predominant release was observed to fit in zero-order and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic models.
Association of leptin gene polymorphism with obesity
Authors: Nijin Varghese , Aswathi Pootheri , Vigneshwaran G. , Badari Nath A.R.S. , Radha Saraswathy
Published: October 2023

Obesity is a multifactorial disorder with a high morbidity rate worldwide and is associated with various diseases. Certain mutations in the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene may cause splicing abnormality resulting in a truncated receptor, aberrant signal transduction, leptin resistance, and obesity. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to assess the association of Q223R, K109R, and K656N polymorphisms with obesity and overweight in 293 subjects (obesity n= 136, overweight n=44 and controls = 113) belonging to the rural population of Chennai using PCR-RFLP and in silico analysis. The analysis of Q223R in of leptin gene showed a significant association with obesity and overweight individuals when compared with controls (P<0.05). In obesity, heterozygote genotype showed correlation (OR=0.53, p-value=0.03), demonstrating risk association in the study groups. Also, a significant association was observed in the overweight group having a heterozygous genotype (OR=0.32 p-value=0.005). Analysis of K109R showed no association between obesity and overweight (OR=1.18 in obesity, p-value=.0.368, OR=1.02 p=0.575 in overweight). K656N showed a significant association in overweight individuals (OR=2.34, p-value = 0.0162) and no association with obesity (OR= 2.81, p-value 0.075). The functional impact prediction resulted in typing all the alterations not to be damaging or deleterious, with K656N alone predicted to influence the functioning of the protein. The structural impact prediction showed that all the alterations have a destabilizing effect on the resultant protein. The study showed that Q223R is associated with obesity and overweight. K109R showed no association with obesity and overweight. K656N was significantly associated with overweight but showed no association with obesity. However, scale-up studies from ethnic populations related to more than one risk factor could accomplish obesity pathogenesis.