bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NATURE AND DETERMINANTS OF STUDY HABITS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Authors: Bentil Joseph , Kuranchie Alfred , Ayisi-Boateng Hagar
Published: August 2021

This investigated the nature of study habits and how the demographic variables (sex, age, level and residential status) determine the study habits among full-time regular undergraduate students. Using the cross-sectional survey design, 621 full-time undergraduate students were sampled through proportionate stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaire which had a reliability co-efficient of 0.91 determined through Cronbach alpha was the main instrument used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, and standard deviation and inferential statistics such as independent samples t-test and One way between groups ANOVA. The study revealed that the undergraduate students practised homework and assignment most, followed by concentration related study habits, reading and note-taking, examination related study habits while time management related study habits was the least study habits practiced among the students. It was also discovered that students’ demographic variables like sex and level were statistically significant with their study habits. This was seen as male students had better study habits than the females while level 100 full-time undergraduate students had better study habits than their counterparts in level 200, level 300 and level 400 respectively. Besides, it was disclosed that though not statistically significant, students who were resident on-campus had better study habits than their counterparts living outside campus. Furthermore, it was revealed that there is a general disinterest in the practice of study habits as students advanced in age. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the University Management and Academic Board through various departments should introduce study skill courses to assist students in the development of effective study habits. In so doing, these demographic variables should be factored in rolling out interventions for improved academic performance.

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Application of Transient Electromagnetic in Detection of Water Accumulation in Broad Coal Mine
Authors:   school of resources and environment, henan polytechnic university, jiaozuo 454003, china, Chong Gao
Published: August 2021

In view of the problem of serious water accumulation and frequent accidents in the coal mine mining area, the distribution range of Yuzhou Shenhuo Kuanfa Mining Coal (hereinafter referred to as Kuanfa Coal Mine) is detected by transient electromagnetic method. The transient electromagnetic emission wire frame is 480m × 480m, frequency is 8Hz, power supply current is 16A. The research conclusion preliminarily determines that the transient electromagnetic and controllable source audio earth electromagnetic method is applicable for the exploration of the mined space area in Yuzhou mining area, and the construction parameters provide a reliable reference for the accurate exploration of the mined space area in Kuanmining area.
KOLERASI EMOTIONAL SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT (ESQ) TERHADAP PROFESIONALISME GURU
Authors: Rahimi Rahimi
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The success of the transformation of knowledge from a teacher to a student is largely determined by the intelligence of three aspects, namely intelligence, emotional and spiritual. This study discusses the concept of teacher professionalism and its relation to ESQ. In discussing the above problems, the writer uses library research with qualitative analysis research methods. From the results of the study the authors conclude that teacher professionalism is a profession that animates a teacher in generating intellectual, emotional and spiritual intelligence of students, ESQ is the result of the integration of IQ, EQ and SQ through the principle of tawhid. With the awareness of monotheism, emotions will be controlled, so that a sense of calm and peace will arise. With this controlled emotional calm, the God spot or the door of the heart opens and works, so that divine whispers invite the qualities of justice, compassion, honesty, responsibility, care, creativity, commitment, togetherness, peace and heart whispers. other noble will be heard so that the potential for intellectual and emotional intelligence works optimally.

Keywords: ESQ, Teacher , Profesionalism

Abstrak

Keberhasilan transformasi ilmu dari guru kepada seorang murid sangat ditentukan oleh kecerdasan dari tiga aspek yaitu inteligensi, emosional dan spiritual. Penelitian ini membahas kosep profesionalisme guru dan kaitannya dengan ESQ. Dalam membahas permasaalahan di atas, penulis menggunakan penelitian perpustakaan (library research) dengan motode penelitian analisis kualitatif. Dari hasil kajian penulis menyimpulkan bahwa profesionalisme guru merupakan profesi yang menjiwai pada seorang guru dalam membangkitkan kecerdasan intelektual, emosional dan kecerdasan spiritual peserta didik, ESQ merupakan hasil integrasi IQ, EQ dan SQ melalui prinsip tauhid. Dengan kesadaran tauhid, maka emosi akan terkendali, sehingga akan timbul rasa tenang dan damai. Dengan ketenangan emosi yang terkendali tersebut, maka God spot atau pintu hati terbuka dan bekerja, sehingga bisikan-bisikan Ilahiah yang mengajak kepada sifat-sifat keadilan, kasih sayang, kejujuran, tanggung jawab, kepedulian, kreativitas, komitmen, kebersamaan, perdamaian dan bisikan hati mulia lainnya akan terdengar sehingga potensi kecerdasan intelektual dan emosional bekerja dengan optimal.

Kata Kunci: ESQ, Profesioanalisme, Guru
Academic staff promotion system and its influence on the quality of vocational and technical education - College of Technological Studies, as a case Kuwait
Authors: Al-Ali Salah
Published: August 2021

The need to enhance local capability is one of most Kuwaiti government priorities that is embodied in the overall governmental plan. In fact, the Kuwaiti government has exerted efforts to forge the College of Technological Studies, CTS, in order to equipped students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required by essential sector in the country’s economy (e.g., Oil and Electricity and Water). However, the success of the College of Technological Studies in achieving its objectives would rely on the competencies of the CTS management and academic staff in meeting industrial requirements. The shaping and enhancing of student’s ability in managing, maintaining, and adapting the imported technology in industries would rely on the level of academic staff knowledge, skills, experience, and attitude in meeting industrial requirements. The efficiency of the promotion system for academic staff would indeed contribute significantly to shaping the standard of the CTS graduates. The need to absorb and evaluate the current status of the CTS academic staff promotion system must be one of highly management priority in order to achieve the CTS overall objectives. The aim of this paper is to identify and examine the efficiency of the academic staff promotion system. Several issues would be investigated and examined. Among which: the criteria’s applied in selected and approving academic journals, the criteria’s required for promoting academic staff, work ethics and its relation to the academic staff promotion system, and the obstacles that might face the CTS management in applying the academic staff promotion system. The paper would conclude that unless the management of the CTS realised and appreciate the significant role of the academic staff promotion system, industries would continue to rely on expatriate for years ahead.
The potential offered by smart cities to promote smart tourist destinations
Authors: Nezai Azzeddine , Abdellah Noureddine , Yazid Kada
Published: August 2021

Abstract. The digital revolution has radically changed the world, as new digital technologies have introduced important innovations in factories, hospitals and schools, especially cities, improving the efficiency of city operations and life quality of its citizens and visitors. This study is a demonstration of the capabilities provided by smart cities to promote smart tourism through global experiences, where the study concluded that the inclusion of smart city determinants will make it a smart tourism destination and thus realize the concept of smart tourism as part of smart city, and improve the Provided tourism services quality and tourism experiences, since the innovation and sustainability are the only way to improve life quality and social value of both  local residents and tourists.
The hypostatic union – the foundation of the theandry of the Church
Authors: Petrov George Daniel
Published: August 2021

God being love, He decided from ages the incarnation of Christ for the salvation of the whole mankind, which was subject to sin and death. In the Person of Christ, through the act of incarnation, performed at ”the fulness of time” (Galatians IV,4), the divine and the human nature are harmoniously completed, the latter becoming entirely obedient to the Father. If Christ had not been incarnated and if He had not lifted our own nature towards complete obedience to the Father, humanity would have never been able to obtain divine forgiveness and would not have known how to exist in the love of the Holy Trinity.
The relationship between the priesthood and the church from the perspective of unity
Authors: Petrov George Daniel
Published: August 2021

The Church is the extension of the resurrected body of the Son of God in history and in the believers as totality, believers that through baptism and chrismation become her living and active members. The relationship between the sacramental priesthood and the Church can only take place in perfect unity, the Church being absolutely necessary for salvation. Without the historical Church of Christ, namely the laboratory where salvation is being accomplished, humanity would remain subjected to sin and death, unable to know the perfection for which it has been created. Only by getting closer to Christ through the visible hand of the sacramental priesthood in the Church through the Holy Sacraments, the relationship between the Divine and humans acquires a different meaning, and humanity receives a meaning that goes beyond the materiality of the world.
Круглый стол Central Asian Journal Of Art Studies на тему «Человек в современном искусстве в контексте гуманитарных наук»
Authors: Олдфилд Анна , Наурзбаева Альмира , Ахмедова Нигора , Сыргакбаева Акмарал , Халыков Кабыл , Недлина Валерия
Published: August 2021

13 апреля 2021 года научно-редакционный отдел Казахской национальной академии искусств им. Т. К. Жургенова организовал международный круглый стол на тему «Человек в современном искусстве в контексте гуманитарных наук». Целью круглого стола являлось обсуждение вопросов, которые определили методологические и теоретические вопросы для новых выпусков Central Asian Journal of Art Studies. В круглом столе приняли участие международные эксперты Анна Олдфилд из США, Нигора Ахмедова из Узбекистана, Рауза Султанова из Татарстана, а также Альмира Наурзбаева, Акмарал Сыргакбаева, Кабыл Халыков, Валерия Недлина, Алия Алимжанова, Ольга Батурина, Евфрат Момбеков, Асия Нурдубаева из Казахстана.
Среди обсужденных задач можно выделить определение роли и состояния искусства в условиях пандемии во всем мире (в искусстве Америки и Центральной Азии), выявление новых горизонтов видов искусств и направлений с точки зрения истории и теории критики искусства; осознание реакции и адаптации искусства в эпоху пандемии; оценка социальной отзывчивости в сфере информирования людей искусства в условиях пандемии; исследование педагогических подходов в проблеме художественного, осмысление антропологического дискурса в гуманитарной сфере: квинтэссенция проблем, современного искусства; сравнительный анализ советского, независимого традиционного и современного искусства в контексте трансформации художественного сознания человека; восстановление междисциплинарного синтеза в процессах антропологии, этнологии, которые были упущены в прошлые эпохи; определение культурной памяти и ее сохранения преемственности прошлого, настоящего и будущего как важного средства формирования идентичности человека (и в новом аспекте, материалы гендерных и постколониальных исследований); реакция на искусство как объект философской рефлексии и формирование современного человека как интеллектуальной личности (мимезис, калокагатия, эстетическое воспитание); определение искусства как сложной системы интенциональности, не только как направленности сознания на объект, но и выхода за пределы сознания, «маргинального» состояния бытия человека в современном искусстве.
Тема антропологии искусства безгранична. Обсужденная на круглом столе реальная картина мира находится по многим показателям в теоретическом поле антропологии искусства. Поэтому несколько номеров журнала так или иначе будут сосредоточены на этой или смежной тематике, чтобы отчасти решить некоторые вопросы, которые сегодня находятся на острие дискурса современной гуманитарной науки.
The Law of State Immunity before the Brazilian Supreme Court: what is at stake with the “Changri-La” case?
Authors: Saliba Aziz Tuffi , Lima Lucas Carlos
Published: August 2021

It was 1943 when the Changri-La fishing boat and its ten fishermen crew disappeared near Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro. But only in 2001 the Tribunal Marítimo da Marinha do Brasil recognized that the vessel had been sunk by a German submarine. The relatives of the victims sought compensation at the Brazilian courts for its material damages and non-pecuniary losses. However, they stumbled upon a customary norm of Public International Law: the rule prescribing that a State is entitled to immunity in respect of acta jure imperii before the domestic courts of another State. After a long journey within the Brazilian courts, the case reached the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) – the Brazilian Supreme Court, which blends functions of constitutional review and court of last appeal – and in March 2021, the trial finally started. In the Extraordinary Appeal with Interlocutory Appeal (ARE) 954858 – currently suspended after Justice Alexandre de Moraes’ request to see the records –, it is discussed whether human rights violations are an exception to the rule of States’ sovereign immunity. While the case has not yet reached a conclusion, some Justices have already expressed their legal views – their votes, as they are called in the Brazilian Supreme Court – offering potential outcomes for the discussion. In this essay, we analyze two issues present in some of the votes: absence of proper engagement with international legal arguments, revealing a detachment from international law, and the possible consequences of the thesis proposed by the reporting Justice, Edson Fachin. Our endeavor is both to comment and to explain what is at stake with the Changri-la case.
Formulation Of Beta Capm Index With Weighted Average Methods And Market Risk Comparison Of Listed Banks During Post-Global Crisis Period 2011-2020
Authors:   Banking University HCMC, Ho Chi Minh city Vietnam., Ngoc Huy Dinh Tran , Huong Le Thi Thanh ,   Dai Nam University, Vietnam., Hang Nguyen Thi ,   Thai Nguyen University, University of Information and Communication Technology, Vietnam., Nam Vu Quynh ,   Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA), Vietnam.
Published: August 2021

In emerging markets such as Vietnam, stock markets has been developing with fast growth and implies risk, hence, we need to focus on risk management strategies. One of this study’s purposes is to state formulation of weighted beta Capm index, a development from traditional beta Capm formula by Sharpe (1964) and Lintner (1965). We chose 3 cases of market risk measures in listed banks in Vietnam including ACB – Asia commercial bank, NVB- Navibank (later became National citizen bank NCB) and Weighted beta index. We also select the post-global crisis time 2011-2020 in the survey to conduct market risk comparison among Vietnam banks. By using OLS regression which is a reliable method, our research results tell that ror internal effects, we see that CPI has negative correlation and IN has positive correlation with beta in all 3 cases (weighted beta, NVB beta and ACB beta). In addition to, CPI, G, R anf Rf have higher impacts on beta values. Therefore, our study can be expanded for other markets.
Effect of pH on biogas production during anaerobic digestion
Authors:   Middle Technical University Engineering Technical College-Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq., A. ali Hussain , J. Faraj Johain ,   Middle Technical University Engineering Technical College-Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq., M. Hussien Fawziea ,   Middle Technical University Engineering Technical College-Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq.
Published: August 2021

The disposal of organic waste is one of the most important problems facing society at the present time, as letting it ferment in the open produces unpleasant odors and causes many diseases. It also contributes significantly to increasing the phenomenon of global warming as it helps to produce toxic gases that affect the environment and cause global warming Including methane gas resulting from the process of decomposition of waste. Therefore, the process of anaerobic decomposition is the best solution for disposing of waste in a safe way and at the same time biogas is produced that can be used for the purpose of cooking and heating, as this process produces good quality fertilizer that is used for the purpose of fertilizing the soil. This research is subjected to studying the effect of different pH on biogas production and studying the concentrations of methane and carbon dioxide during the fermentation period, which reached 55days. The results are presented in clear curves to facilitate the study. The substrate used is corn with the addition of suitable primers to speed up the fermentation process. The results showed that the highest production of biogas and methane gas was at the digester whose pH was 7, followed by the digester that had pH 6.5, 5.5 and 4.5, respectively.
Decimating an Oligopoly: Study of how Jio Telecoms conquered the Indian Network Industry
Authors:   University Institute of Science, Department of mathematics Chandigarh university, Ghuran, Punjab, 140413, India., Debnath Joydeb
Published: August 2021

One of the most debatable and informational business contemplates is that of how Reliance Jio took over a commercial center control by BSNL, the latter who is uncertain of staying alive these days. Among a concise range, viable ways were utilized by Jio and the awkward obstacles looked at by BSNL lead to the creation of one the biggest network providers in India and furthermore made an exceptionally beneficial organization go to obligation. The paper expects to reveal the components and factors for BSNLs ruin and the manner in which it influenced the insights of telephone clients inside the nation. This paper furthermore reveals insight into Jio selling its SIM card without charge and the undeniable reality that not charging any money for a long time since its release changed the total telephone-charge structure in the nation. It’s a comprehensive report on the monetary, political, and psychological ways utilized by a shiny new organization known as Jio and its uncommon impacts until now, where Jio holds over half piece of the pie. The discoveries of this examination are masterminded get into terms of the effect on the all-out scope of endorsers in accordance with the Telecom Statistics India Reports from 2019.T
DETERMINANTS OF HERBAL SOAP SMALL ENTERPRISES AND MARKET-LED DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA
Authors: OLUWALANA E. O. A. , ADEKUNLE M. F. , ADURADOLA A. M. , OKOJIE L. O., , ASHAOLU O. F , SANUSI R. A.
Published: August 2021

Research into alternative natural products with health potential such as herbal soap has become very important to curb the disastrous effects of mercury-based soap on healthy living and so enhance women’s productive activities of the rural peasantry. The study examines the factors affecting herbal soap small enterprises development and marketing. In identifying the factors affecting the small enterprises, five hundred and two (502) herbal soap processors and marketers were surveyed from South West, Nigeria comprising 65 villages in the sampled 16 Local Government Areas. A close-ended questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. The data collected from herbal soap entrepreneurs was fitted into three regression functional forms. The functional forms were linear, semi-log and double log functions. The double log function was selected as the lead equation based on the significance of the individual coefficients and their signs, the magnitude of the coefficient of the multiple determinations (R2) and the magnitude of the standard error (SE) which was 0.80 and F- statistics of 2.35. The R2 of 0.829 indicated that 82.9% of the variation in the gross profit of herbal soap production (Y) was accounted for by the regressors/explanatory variables. Regression analysis result revealed that, household size and labour were significant at 10% while extension contact was significant at 5%. It is therefore recommended that, extension contact should be encouraged among the herbal soap processors in other to generate more income, also, awareness should be created for existing and prospective entrepreneurs about business opportunities in Natural resources utilising agricultural-wastes.
MANAGEMENT OF ETHNO-LINGUISTIC CONFLICT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BELGIAN AND NIGERIAN MODELS
Authors: OLAIFA T. , SOTILOYE B. , DARE I. I.
Published: August 2021

The spate of violent conflict all over the world since the end of the cold war has been chiefly engineered by ethno-linguistic supremacy based on prevalent ethnic pluralism. Ethno-linguistic pluralism is a conflict issue in Nigeria and it has antecedents of major conflicts trailing its existence. Ethno-linguistic conflicts have been on the rise since the commencement of the Fourth Republic basically due to the liberalisation of the political space and this has resulted in violent conflicts claiming lives and wantonly destroying property. Most of the strategies deployed to resolve ethno-linguistic conflicts in Nigeria are often unable to diagnose accurately the nature of the conflicts and the resolve the main issues causing them. Therefore most of the conflicts become intractable. However, Nigeria is not an isolated case as some other nations around the world are either battling with ideas to resolve the numerous conflicts it has generated or have evolved home-grown mechanisms to manage the ethno-linguistic challenges it has posed. This paper seeks to highlight ethno-linguistic conflict issues in Belgium and the strategies deployed in resolving it and at the same time reflect on the Nigerian experience drawing out unique experiences, similarities and lessons to be learnt from both countries
MOTIVATION AND ETHICS: CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA
Authors: ADEWUSI O. A. , OGUNYEMI S. Y. , ALUKO Y. A.
Published: August 2021

The primary function of any government is to ensure an equitable distribution of public goods and services to its citizens. Despite the material and human resource in Nigeria, Nigerians have been short-changed by the quality of public service delivery in the country. Against this backdrop, this paper: examined the issues affecting public service delivery and demonstrated how motivation can enhance ethical behaviours among public servants. Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from year 2000 to 2016 was used to argue the position of the paper. The study discovered, among other things that certain Human Resource (HR), political and institutional factors have led to the erosion of moral conduct by public servants. While measures such as reforms and campaigns have been taken to curb political and institutional issues, limited remedial actions have been proffered to tackle that of HR. These have negatively affected public service delivery in Nigeria. Therefore, apart from putting some ethical principles in place, there is need to motivate public servants to get at their best. In addition to this, good behaviour is to be rewarded and bad behaviour is to be punished across all public services in the country, by a truly independent and incorruptible statutory body. By doing this, sanity and equitable service delivery will be achieved.
EATING HABIT AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF A NIGERIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors: ANI I. F. , EBOKA Y. I. , ADEOYE B. K. , NGOZI E. O. , AJUZIE N. C.
Published: August 2021

The study aimed at determining the eating habit and nutritional status of Babcock university undergraduate students. Multiple stage random technique and systematic sampling was used to select 288 respondents and a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on the socio-demographic data and eating habit. The BMI of the respondents was determined using weight and height squared and the 24- hour dietary recall was analyzed using Total Dietary Assessment software. The relationship between eating habit and nutritional status was determined using Chi- square.  Most of the respondents in the study were between 18-21 years (73.6 %) consisting of 45.6 % male and 53.7 % female. The respondents (54.8 %) consumed two meals in a day, 63.9 % eats in response to hunger while others eat due to different factors. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was poor as only 17.0 % and 14.9 % consumed fruits and vegetable daily. Many of the respondents consume snack regularly (85.4 %) with 33.7 % consuming in- between meals and 14.2 % snacking late in the night. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was high among the respondents as 30.4 % were overweight and 27.1 % were obese. Mean calorie intake and % RDA being 3223.04± 687.66 and 111.14 for males and 2429.45 ± 243.14 and 110.43 for females.   Frequency of consumption, snacking, period of snacking, soft drink consumption and, poor fruit and vegetable consumption all had significant (P< 0.05) effect on the nutritional status.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY REFUSE PICKER
Authors: OLA I A , DADA P O.O , ADEOSUN O J , ISMAILA S O , ADEWUMI J K , AJISEGIRI E S.A
Published: August 2021

Handling and removal of harmful waste from our environment is a collective responsibility that all must embrace to make the world a safe habitat. A low cost environmental friendly waste picker was devel-oped. Biometric force evaluation of the end user obtained averaged 469.73 N. The refuse picker was calibrated to obtain the spring constant of 3030.73 N/m. The tool was tested and found to perform well in picking objects of different weights and of regular and irregular shapes ranging from 0.12 g to 2.72 kg. Serrated jaw enhanced the picking performance of the unit whilst picking a circular object without slipping off. The maximum safe horizontal and vertical loading recommended for the tool at picking was 0.5 kg. The picker was used to pick the smallest item, a pin of diameter 0.70 mm and weight of 0.12 g successfully. This tool can be very handy in the hospital where harmful waste such as needles, syringes and other unhealthy substances and waste must be removed from the environment. The tool was made from low cost materials with 40% less than the existing ones.
ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS OF NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDES IN SOME COMMERCIAL BOTTLED WATERS FROM PARTS OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Authors: ALATISE O O , AKINSANYA Y S
Published: August 2021

In this work, the presence of natural radioactivity in bottled waters from parts of south-west Nigeria was investigated. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the water samples were ob-tained using a high-purity germanium detector. The ranges of activity concentrations obtained for 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were 0.15 to 1.25Bq l-1, 0.02 to 2.94Bq l-1 and 6.96 to 46.47 Bq l-1, respectively. 40K has the highest activity concentration in the bottled water samples while 232Th has the least value. The activity concentrations obtained together with ingested dose conversion factors, were used to calculate the annual effective doses for six age groups ranging from < 1 to >17 years. The calculated total annual effective doses (mSvy-1) ranged from 0.01 to 4.16 and the values are age dependent (highest for < 1year and lowest for 7-12years age groups). The results showed that the average annu-al effective dose for 35% of the bottled water brands were below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 0.1 mSvy-1 for drinking water. Furthermore, out of the remaining 65% that were higher than the WHO recommended level, 9% were higher than 1 mSvy-1, which is the radia-tion exposure limit for the general public according to the recommendation of the International Com-mission on Radiological Protection. Consequently, consumption of some of the bottled water brands investigated in this study could constitute radiological hazard especially for the < 1 and 12-17years age groups.
EFFECT OF GROUNDNUT CAKE AND SOYA BEANS ON ENHANCED CITRIC ACID PRODUCTION FROM PAWPAW AND ORANGE PEEL BY MUTANTS OF ASPERGILLUS NIGER
Authors: BALOGUN-ABIOLA H. T. , KAREEM S. O. , AFOLABI R. B. , AKINLOYE O. A.
Published: August 2021

This present study was concerned with the biosynthesis of citric acid (CA) with mutant strain of Aspergillus niger using pawpaw and orange peel as substrates by solid state fermentation process. The A. niger strain isolated from spoilt orange was identified, screened for CA production on Czapek-Dox Agar and subjected to mutation by ethidium bromide. The effect of carbon sources, nitrogen sources and substrates were also determined.  Among the mutant strains, A. niger PJ-02 A120 was found to be the best mutant that produced citric acid (65.00±0.58f) after 48 hours in Vogel’s medium. The effects of carbon sources (sucrose and glucose) on CA production from each substrate (orange and pawpaw peel) using mutant A. niger PJ-02 was determined and sucrose, the best carbon source was combined with two the nitrogen sources (groundnut cake and soyabeans) to determine the most suitable supplement for CA production. Groundnut cake enhances the production of citric acid while soyabeans was inhibitory. Citric acid was further produced in pawpaw peel and orange peel medium containing sucrose (5 %) groundnut cake (2 %), methanol (1.5 %) and the mutant strain. The orange peel substrates yielded 112.07g/kg of CA while 107.17g/kg was recorded for pawpaw peel when fermented for 5 days at 30°C. The Production of citric acid with mutant Aspergillus niger proved better with orange peel than pawpaw peel when optimized with alcohol.
CASSAVA FLOUR SUBSTITUTION AND MOISTURE CONTENT VARIATION ON SOME QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAT PUMP DRIED EXTRUDED FISH FEED
Authors: FAYOSE F. T. , HUAN Z.
Published: August 2021

This study examined the effect of substitution of maize with cassava flour at varying moisture contents on heat pump drying and some quality attributes including strength properties, durability index, micro-structure and floatability. The samples identified as S1- S6, were prepared from various levels of cassava flour before being extruded at steady state at 3 moisture contents (30, 35, and 40% db) in a single screw cooking extruder. Drying was done with an open loop heat pump dryer while a scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) was used to study the microstructure of the fish feeds. Results showed that drying rates and pellet durability were proportional to the source and concentration of starch in the samples. Some of the samples floated in water.   The Coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump used for the drying decreased with increase in ambient temperature; the average COP being 4.77. The thermal efficiency of the heat pump dryer was 92.45%. The scanning electron microscopy indicated that cassava substituted samples lack some elements required of fish feed. Also, extrusion cooking resulted in changes in mineral composition of fish feed blends.
QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF PANCAKES FROM PEELED AND UNPEELED SWEETPOTATO FLOURS WITH CASSAVA STARCH
Authors: OMIDIRAN A. T. , ADERIBIGBE O. A. , SOBUKOLA O. P. , AKINBULE O. O.
Published: August 2021

This study evaluated some quality attributes of pancakes from peeled and unpeeled sweetpotato flours and cassava starch. Cassava starch was substituted up to 30% of the total composite flour. The proximate composition, colour, carotenoid and functional properties of the different flour blends were determined. The flour blends were processed into pancakes and the proximate composition and sensory acceptability of the pancakes were determined. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. The result showed that they were significant differences (p<0.05) in the functional properties of the flour blends. Bulk density, Water absorption capacity, Oil absorption capacity, swelling capacity ranged from 0.70 to 0.78 g/ml, 1.87 to 2.30 g/ml, 1.02 to 1.40 g/ml and 5.18% to 6.66%  respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the proximate composition of the pancake samples. The values ranged from 42.76 to 45.53%, 2.13 to 3.98%, 9.06 to 10.34%, 5.01 to 7.18%, 3.75 to 6.01% and 29.19 to 35.33% for moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Pancake produced from 100:0 peeled and unpeeled sweetpotato flour had the highest score for overall acceptability which can compare favorably, with pancakes from wheat flour which is the control sample. In conclusion, sweetpotato flour blended with cassava starch at different ratio gave good proximate and functional properties which resulted in pancakes of good quality attributes.
IMPORTÂNCIA DAS PRÁTICAS DE HIGIENIZAÇÃO DE FRUTAS E HORTALIÇAS NO AMBIENTE DOMICILIAR
Authors: Raul Marina Passos , Leite Natália das Neves , Silva Larissa de Oliveira , Magalhães Hiolanda de Negreiros , Lima Simone Kelly Rodrigues
Published: August 2021

As doenças desenvolvidas no contexto da alimentação ainda representam um importante problema de saúde pública, em um panorama mundial em que as falhas nas medidas de higiene têm contribuído de forma significativa na propagação e agravos na saúde da população, o que tem levado a uma ampla discussão acerca desse tema. Este artigo, através de uma revisão, traz uma abordagem sobre os potenciais riscos de contaminação de frutas e hortaliças pelos patógenos responsáveis pela maioria dos surtos de origem alimentar. O levantamento abrange os principais micro-organismos encontrados em frutas e hortaliças, assim como os principais sintomas e período de incubação. Conta ainda com as principais orientações acerca das recomendações para higienização/sanitização de frutas e hortaliças que podem ser realizadas em ambiente domiciliar, a fim de garantir um alimento seguro para consumo.
Impact of Dry Intrusion Events on Composition and Mixing State of Particles During Winter ACE-ENA Study
Authors: Tomlin Jay M. , Jankowski Kevin A. , Veghte Daniel P. , China Swarup , Wang Peiwen , Fraund Matthew , Weis Johannes , Zheng Guangjie , Wang Yang , Rivera-Adorno Felipe , Raveh-Rubin Shira , Knopf Daniel A. , Wang Jian , Gilles Mary K. , Moffet Ryan C. , Laskin Alexander
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Long-range transport of continental emission has far reaching influence over remote regions resulting in substantial change in the size, morphology, and composition of the local aerosol population and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) budget. Here, we investigate the physiochemical properties of atmospheric particles collected onboard a research aircraft flown over the Azores during the winter 2018 Aerosol and Cloud Experiment in the Eastern North Atlantic (ACE-ENA) campaign. Particles were collected within the marine boundary layer (MBL) and free troposphere (FT), after long-range atmospheric transport episodes facilitated by dry intrusion (DI) events. Chemical and physical properties of individual particles were investigated using complementary capabilities of computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectro-microscopy to probe particle external and internal mixing state characteristics in the context of real-time measurements of aerosol size distribution, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration, and back trajectory calculations. While carbonaceous particles were found to be the dominant particle-type in the region, changes in the percent contribution of organics across the particle population (i.e., external mixing) shifted from 68 % to 43 % in the MBL and from 92 % to 46 % in FT samples during DI events. This change in carbonaceous contribution is counterbalanced by the increase of inorganics from 32 % to 57 % in the MBL and 8 % to 55 % in FT. The quantification of organic volume fraction (OVF) of individual particles derived from X-ray spectro-microscopy, which relates to the multi-component internal composition of individual particles, showed a factor of 2.06 ± 0.16 and 1.11 ± 0.04 increase in the MBL and FT, respectively, among DI samples. We show that supplying particle OVF into the κ-Köhler equation can be used as a good approximation of field measured in-situ CCN concentrations. We also report changes in the κ values between κMBL, non-DI = 0.48 to κMBL, DI = 0.41 and κFT, non-DI = 0.36 to κFT, DI = 0.33, which is consistent with enhancements in OVF followed by the DI episodes. Our observations suggest that entrainment of particles from long-range continental sources alters the mixing state population and CCN properties of aerosol in the region. The work presented here provides field observation data that can inform atmospheric models that simulate sources and particle composition in the Eastern North Atlantic.
Using carbon-14 and carbon-13 measurements for source attribution of atmospheric methane in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region
Authors: Gonzalez Moguel Regina , Vogel Felix , Ars Sébastien , Schaefer Hinrich , Turnbull Jocelyn , Douglas Peter
Published: August 2021

Abstract. The rapidly expanding and energy intensive production from the Canadian oil sands, one of the largest oil reserves globally, accounts for almost 12 % of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions according to inventories. Developing approaches for evaluating reported methane (CH4) emission is crucial for developing effective mitigation policies, but only one study has characterized CH4 sources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR). We tested the use of 14C and 13C carbon isotope measurements in ambient CH4 from the AOSR to estimate source contributions from key regional CH4 sources: (1) tailings ponds, (2) surface mines and processing facilities, and (3) wetlands. The isotopic signatures of ambient CH4 indicate that the CH4 enrichments measured at the site were mainly influenced by fossil CH4 emissions from surface mining and processing facilities (53 ± 18 %), followed by fossil CH4 emissions from tailings ponds (36 ± 18 %), and to a lesser extent by modern CH4 emissions from wetlands (10 < 1 %). Our results confirm the importance of tailings ponds in regional CH4 emissions and show that this method can successfully separate wetland CH4 emissions. In the future, the isotopic characterization of CH4 sources, and measurements from different seasons and wind directions are needed to provide a better source attribution in the AOSR.
Differential absorption lidar measurements of water vapor by the High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO): Retrieval framework and validation
Authors: Carroll Brian J. , Nehrir Amin R. , Kooi Susan , Collins James , Barton-Grimley Rory A. , Notari Anthony , Harper David B. , Lee Joseph
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) offers a uniquely capable solution to the problem of measuring water vapor (WV) with high precision, accuracy, and resolution throughout the troposphere and lower stratosphere. The High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO) airborne WV DIAL was recently developed at NASA Langley Research Center and was first deployed in 2019. It uses four wavelengths at 935 nm to achieve sensitivity over a wide dynamic range, and simultaneously employs 1064 nm backscatter and 532 nm high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) measurements for aerosol and cloud profiling. A key component of the WV retrieval framework is flexibly trading resolution for precision to achieve optimal data sets for scientific objectives across scales. A technique for retrieving WV in the lowest few hundred meters of the atmosphere using the strong surface return signal is also presented. The five maiden flights of the HALO WV DIAL spanned the tropics through midlatitudes with a wide range of atmospheric conditions, but opportunities for validation were sparse. Comparisons to dropsonde WV profiles were qualitatively in good agreement, though statistical analysis was impossible due to systematic error in the dropsonde measurements. Comparison of HALO to in situ WV measurements onboard the aircraft showed no substantial bias across three orders of magnitude, despite variance (R2 = 0.66) that may be largely attributed to spatiotemporal variability. Precipitable water vapor measurements from the spaceborne sounders AIRS and IASI compared very well to HALO with R2 > 0.96 over ocean and R2 = 0.86 over land.
Bioaerosols and atmospheric ice nuclei in a Mediterranean dryland: Community changes related to rainfall
Authors: Tang Kai , Sánchez-Parra Beatriz , Yordanova Petya , Wehking Jörn , Backes Anna Theresa , Pickersgill Daniel Andrew , Maier Stefanie , Sciare Jean , Pöschl Ulrich , Weber Bettina , Fröhlich-Nowoisky Janine
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Certain biological particles are highly efficient ice nuclei (IN), but the actual contribution of bioparticles to the pool of atmospheric IN and their relation to precipitation are not well characterized. We investigated the composition of bioaerosols, ice nucleation activity, and the effect of rainfall by metagenomic sequencing and freezing experiments of aerosol samples collected during the INUIT 2016 campaign in a rural dryland on the Eastern Mediterranean island Cyprus. Taxonomic analysis showed community changes related to rainfall. For the rain-affected samples, we found higher read proportions of fungi, in particular of Agaricomycetes, which are a class of fungi actively discharging their spores into the atmosphere in response to humidity changes. In contrast, the read proportions of bacteria were reduced, indicating an effective removal of bacteria by precipitation. Freezing experiments showed that the IN population in the investigated samples was influenced by both rainfall and dust events. For example, filtration and heat treatment of the samples collected during and immediately after rainfall yielded enhanced fractions of heat-sensitive IN in the size ranges larger than 5 μm and smaller than 0.1 μm, which were likely of biological origin (entire bioparticles and soluble macromolecular bio-IN). In contrast, samples collected in periods with dust events were dominated by heat-resistant IN active at lower temperatures, most likely mineral dust. The DNA analysis revealed low numbers of reads related to microorganisms that are known to be IN-active. This may reflect unknown sources of atmospheric bio-IN as well as the presence of cell-free IN macromolecules that do not contain DNA, in particular for sizes < 0.1 μm. The observed effects of rainfall on the composition of atmospheric bioaerosols and IN may influence the hydrological cycle (bioprecipitation cycle) as well as the health effects of air particulate matter (pathogens, allergens).
Combined antibiotic therapy spacers either commercial or handmade are superior to monotherapy – a microbiological analysis at the second stage of revision
Authors: Dias Carvalho André , Ribau Ana , Soares Daniel , Santos Ana Claudia , Abreu Miguel , Sousa Ricardo
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Background: Antibiotic-loaded spacers are often used during two-stage
exchange for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) both for its mechanical
properties and as a means of local antibiotic delivery. Purpose: The main goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of different
options of antibiotic(s) in spacers concerning the rate of positive cultures
at the second stage. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated two-stage exchange
procedures for infected hip or knee arthroplasty performed between 2012 and 2018 in
which adequate (at least four deep tissue samples) culture results in both
stages were available. The type of spacer and antibiotics used, in
addition to several other patient, infection and treatment-related variables,
were registered and correlated to microbiological findings in the second
stage. Results: Fifty-eight cases were included with a 19.0 % (11/58) overall rate
of positive cultures during reimplantation. With a mean follow-up of 46
months, failure rate was significantly higher at 63.6 % (7/11) in cases
with positive cultures at reimplantation compared to 4.3 % (2/47) for those
with negative cultures during reimplantation (p< 0.001). The need
for additional surgeries was also significantly higher (odds ratio (OR) 122.67, confidence interval (CI) 95 % 11.30–1331.32, p< 0.001).
Multivariable analysis revealed antibiotics in the spacers were the main
independent prognostic risk factor associated with positive cultures at the
second stage with an advantage for combined antibiotics. Monotherapy is
associated with failure with an OR of 16.99. Longer time between surgeries
did not have statistical significance (p= 0.05), and previous surgical
treatment for PJI, presence of difficult-to-treat microorganism(s), duration
of systemic antibiotic therapy or even treatment within a dedicated septic
team were not shown to be independent risk factors.
Among combined antibiotic spacers, there were no significant differences
between the rate of positive cultures during the second stage, comparing
commercially available vancomycin/gentamicin spacers to hand-mixed
vancomycin/meropenem manufactured spacers (8.3 % [2/24] vs. 15.0 %
[3/20], p= 0.68).
Conclusions: Results show that combined antibiotic therapy spacers are
advantageous when compared to gentamicin monotherapy as they produce
significantly lower rates of subsequent positive cultures during the second
stage. Hand-mixed high-dose vancomycin/meropenem spacers seem to perform
just as well as prefabricated commercially available
vancomycin/gentamicin options.
Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level III.