bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Writing skill difficulties for 'beginner' learners of the Arabic Language
Authors: Omari Fatma 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This field study on a group of non-native Arabic learners studying at the Language Center at the University of Jordan from beginner to intermediate levels, aims to highlight the main difficulties facing the students in the course of learning how to write Arabic correctly and how to distinguish between the sounds of letters and short vowels. The attempt to turn the pronounced sound into a written letter is something that occurs mostly while writing the points and vowels. If we go back to the syntactic khalilian ideas, we find that points are semi-letters and this can be achieved easily by non-speakers of Arabic. However, itâ€™s difficult for beginners to distinguish between the long and the short points in the single word, and secondly, in the sentence. A student who did not learn the written form of the word may confuse the word "Ø¬ÙŽÙ„ÙŽØ³ÙŽ"with "Ø¬Ø§Ù„Ø³", while others may think it to be"Ø¬Ø§Ù„Ø§Ø³". Others may confuse the word"Ø¬Ø§Ù„ÙØ³" with"Ø¬Ø§Ù„ÙŠØ³"ØŒ "Ø¬Ù„ÙŠØ³" or "Ø¬ÙŽÙ„ÙØ³".The reason why beginners make such mistakes is that during the early stages of teaching the sound of the short vowel is often accentuated. This results in students often exaggerating the short vowel point by giving it a bigger dimension and expressing it with a long vowel. When learners hear words in a fast-pronounced context; they think that the long vowels are short vowels, such as the word "ÙƒØªØ§Ø¨" they think it "ÙƒÙØªÙŽØ¨"and "ÙƒØªØ§Ø¨Ø©"or as "ÙƒÙØªÙŽØ¨ÙŽØ©", or may think the word"Ù‚ÙŽÙ„ÙŽÙ…ÙŒ"as"Ù‚Ù„Ø§Ù…"ØŒ "Ù‚Ù„Ø§Ù…ÙÙ†"ØŒ "Ù‚ÙŽÙ„ÙŽÙ…ÙÙ†"ØŒor "Ù‚Ù„Ø§Ù…ÙˆÙ†"This research emphasizes on the importance of teaching writing as one of the four skills upon which the language is acquired as well as the other skills; listening, reading, and conversation. Writing is a productive skill indicates the student has learned the best representation at the level of all that is true to the language and all that is below that in the lexicon and grammar, spelling and sound levels.
Keywords: Arabic, writing, unnative speakers, difficulties
Energy recovery and efficiency improvement for an activated sludge, agro-food WWTP upgrade
Authors: Callegari Arianna , Boguniewicz-Zablocka Joanna , Capodaglio Andrea G. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Wastewater treatment's primary purpose is to protect surface water quality, aquatic life, beneficial and recreational uses of waterways, and primarily comply with local water emission standards. Lately, additional requirements were added for these facilities, concerning minimization of a series of sidestream environmental impacts (i.e., odours, generated waste by-products, etc.), air emissions, including CO2, methane and nitrogen greenhouse gases (GHGs), and mitigation of various other likely impacts resulting from energy and chemical use in treatment processes. This paper describes a case study in Northern Europe, where critical analysis of an industrial wastewater treatment plant's present conditions, during an evaluation of upgrade possibilities to improve regulatory compliance, led to a sustainable intervention proposal. According to the formulated proposal, process improvement, energy recovery, and overall savings and GHG emissions reduction could be simultaneously achieved with a series of relatively simple interventions.
Inhibition of α-amylase Activity by Zn2+: Insights from Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Liao Si-Ming , Shen Nai-Kun , Liang Ge , Lu Bo , Lu Zhi-Long , Peng Li-Xin , Zhou Feng , Du Li-Qin , Wei Yu-Tuo , Zhou Guo-Ping , Huang Ri-Bo 
Published: December 2018

Background:Inhibition of α-amylase activity is an important strategy in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. An important treatment for diabetes mellitus is to reduce the digestion of carbohydrates and blood glucose concentrations. Inhibiting the activity of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes such as α-amylase and glucosidase significantly decreases the blood glucose level. Most inhibitors of α-amylase have serious adverse effects, and the α-amylase inactivation mechanisms for the design of safer inhibitors are yet to be revealed.Objective:In this study, we focused on the inhibitory effect of Zn2+ on the structure and dynamic characteristics of α-amylase from Anoxybacillus sp. GXS-BL (AGXA), which shares the same catalytic residues and similar structures as human pancreatic and salivary α-amylase (HPA and HSA, respectively).Methods:Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the protein (AGXA) in the absence and presence of Zn2+ were recorded on a Chirascan instrument. The content of different secondary structures of AGXA in the absence and presence of Zn2+ was analyzed using the online SELCON3 program. An AGXA amino acid sequence similarity search was performed on the BLAST online server to find the most similar protein sequence to use as a template for homology modeling. The pocket volume measurer (POVME) program 3.0 was applied to calculate the active site pocket shape and volume, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed with the Amber14 software package.Results:According to circular dichroism experiments, upon Zn2+ binding, the protein secondary structure changed obviously, with the α-helix content decreasing and β-sheet, β-turn and randomcoil content increasing. The structural model of AGXA showed that His217 was near the active site pocket and that Phe178 was at the outer rim of the pocket. Based on the molecular dynamics trajectories, in the free AGXA model, the dihedral angle of C-CA-CB-CG displayed both acute and planar orientations, which corresponded to the open and closed states of the active site pocket, respectively. In the AGXA-Zn model, the dihedral angle of C-CA-CB-CG only showed the planar orientation. As Zn2+ was introduced, the metal center formed a coordination interaction with H217, a cation-π interaction with W244, a coordination interaction with E242 and a cation-π interaction with F178, which prevented F178 from easily rotating to the open state and inhibited the activity of the enzyme.Conclusion:This research may have uncovered a subtle mechanism for inhibiting the activity of α-amylase with transition metal ions, and this finding will help to design more potent and specific inhibitors of α-amylases.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies of New Pyrazolines as an Antitubercular and Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Lokesh Bontha Venkata Subrahmanya , Prasad Y. Rajendra , Shaik Afzal Basha 
Published: December 2018

Background:
Many synthetic procedures were reported till date to prepare pyrazoline
derivatives. Some have published pyrazolines from different chalcone derivatives in the literature.

Objective:
A series of new pyrazolines containing novel 2,5-dichloro-3-acetylthiophene chalcone
moiety (PZT1-PZT20) have been synthesized, characterized by 1HNMR and 13CNMR and evaluated
for them in vitro antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain and in vitro
anticancer activity against DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines and all compounds were also
screened for molecular docking studies against specific targeted protein domains.

Methods:
All compounds were screened for potential activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
H37Rv (MTB) strain and anticancer activity against DU-149 prostate cancer cell lines using MTT
cytotoxicity assay.

Results:
Among the series, compound PZT5 with 2”, 4”-dichlorophenyl group at 5-position on the
pyrazoline ring exhibited the most potent antitubercular activity (MIC=1.60 µg/mL) and compounds
PZT2, PZT9, PZT11, PZT15, and PZT20 showed similar antitubercular activity against
standard pyrazinamide (MIC=3.12 µg/mL) by broth dilution assay. PZT15 and PZT17 with 4”-
pyridinyl and 2”-pyrrolyl groups on pyrazoline ring were found to exhibit better anticancer activity
against DU-149 prostate cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 2.0±0.2 µg/mL and 6.0±0.3
µg/mL respectively by MTT assay. The preliminary structure-activity relationship has been summarized.
The molecular docking studies with crystalline structures of enoyl acyl carrier protein
reductase InhA interaction with target protein (2NSD; PDB and 3FNG; PDB) of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) strain have also exhibited good ligand interaction and binding affinity.
Ligand interaction and binding affinity were estimated using crystal structures of both types of
enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase InhA (3FNG.pdb) and found to be much higher (-16.70 to -
19.20 kcal/mol) compared with pyrazinamide (-10.70 kcal/mol) as a standard target molecule.
Whereas the binding affinities of six active compounds with crystal structure of other type of
enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase InhA (2NSD.pdb) were much similar and higher (-9.30 to -
11.20 kcal/mole) than pyrazinamide (-11.10 kcal/mole).

Conclusion:
These new pyrazolines would be promising potent inhibitors of drug sensitive and
drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain and potential anticancer agents against prostate
cancer and other prototypes of cancers.
Natural plant colorants widely used in Vietnam traditional food culture
Authors: Le Quang- Ung , Lay Horng- Liang , Wu Ming- Chang , Nguyen Thi Hong- Hanh 
Published: December 2018

The artificial colorants have gradually been being replaced by natural pigments which are becoming increasingly important in Vietnam and other parts of the world due to the potential noxiousness of man-made food dyes to human health. This research covers colorant plants and sources used commonly in the food culture of ethnic communities in Vietnam with the current trend toward natural pigments and coloring foods. As a result, we reported 49 species which can be used as natural food pigments and of these, 7 colorant plants used mostly in Vietnam traditional food culture were detailed.
TEN-YEAR STATIN ADHERENCE IN SURVIVORS OF ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: INSIGHTS FROM THE AMI-QUEBEC STUDY
Authors: Huynh T , Lecca P , Montigny M , Gagnon R , Eisenberg M , Lauzon C , Mansour S , Rinfret S , Afilalo M , Nguyen M , Kouz S , Déry JP , Harvey R , Schampaert E , Tardif J-C 
Published: December 2018

Background
Adherence to statins is often sub-optimal and declines over time. Direct costs incurred by patients are often cited as responsible for inadequate statin adherence. To determine whether patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who benefit from low or no-cost drug dispensation have optimal long-term adherence to statins, we aimed to evaluate 10-year adherence to statin in a cohort of STEMI survivors.
Methods
The AMI-QUEBEC Study follows a cohort of STEMI patients hospitalized at 17 hospitals in Quebec, Canada during the year 2003. We obtained 10-year data on lipid lowering therapy (LLT) consumption in STEMI survivors with drug coverage by the Quebec Provincial Health Board (i.e., Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec – RAMQ). Optimal adherence was defined as the proportion of days covered (PDC) of ≥80%. We used multivariate logistic regression to determine factors independently associated with optimal adherence to statins.
Results
Complete 10-year data on statin dispensation was available for 524 patients. Optimal adherence remained stable over time at 80% and more during the 10-year follow-up period. During the last 5 years, despite being STEMI patients at very high-risk and therefore requiring some LLT therapy, 12% of patients did not use any LLT. Patients between the age of 60 and 80 years had the most optimal PDC. Older age (up to 80 years), living in less socially deprived areas, concomitant use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and admission to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI)-hospitals were associated with improved statin adherence.

Conclusion
Future studies are needed to explore the potential factors associated with concomitant use of ACEI/ARB, and admission to PCI-hospitals that may have optimized statin adherence. As for socially deprived patients (single, widow, single-parent family member, and those who lived alone), they may benefit from more support and encouragement to enhance their long-term statin adherence.
EFEKTIVITAS FUNGI MIKORIZA ARBUSKULAR INDIGEN UNTUK PADI GOGO DI LAHAN KERING MARJINAL
Authors: Margarettha Margarettha , Syarif Muhammad , Nasution Hasriati 
Published: December 2018

Peningkatan produksi padi gogo pada lahan kering marjinal seperti Ultisol tidak optimal disebabkan kesuburan tanah yang rendah. Kandungan bahan organik, reaksi tanah dan ketersediaan hara makro sangat rendah, sedangkan unsur-unsur yang bersifat toksik seperti Al, Fe cukup tinggi. Salah satu upaya yang dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas lahan kering marjinal adalah dengan memanfaatkan mikroba potensial seperti fungi mikoriza arbuskular (FMA). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas pupuk hayati FMA indigen yang diisolasi langsung dari rizosfir padi gogo terhadap kemampuan kolonisasi FMA pada akar tanaman padi gogo dan hasil padi gogo di lahan kering marjinal Ultisol. Percobaan menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok (RAK) dengan 10 perlakuan dan 4 kelompok, yaitu: A = Tanpa inokulan FMA indigen; B = Inokulan FMA indigen Glomus sp-1; C = Inokulan FMA indigenous Glomus sp-2; D = Inokulan FMA indigen Glomus sp-5; E Inokulan FMA indigen Glomus sp-8; F = Inokulan FMA indigen Acaulospora sp-1; G = Inokulan FMA indigen Acaulospora sp-2; H = Gabungan inokulan FMA indigen Glomus sp 1, 2, 5, 8; I = Gabungan inokulan FMA indigen Acaulospora sp 1, 2; J = Gabungan perlakuan H dan I. Petak percobaan ukuran 2 m x 2 m dengan jarak tanam 25 cm x 25 cm. Inokulan FMA diberikan 15 g per lobang tanam dan bibit padi gogo di tanam sebanyak 3 bibit per lobang tanam. Pupuk yang diberikan adalah 250 kg ha-1 Urea, 75 kg ha-1 SP-36 dan 100 kg ha-1 KCl. Pengamatan meliputi kolonisasi FMA, tinggi tanaman, jumlah anakan maksimum, jumlah anakan produktif, hasil dan bobot 1000 butir. Data dianalisis secara sidik ragam dan untuk mengetahui perbedaan pengaruh antar perlakuan analisis data dilanjutkan dengan Uji Duncan (DMRT) taraf 5%. Hasil penelitian diperoleh inokulan FMA indigen yang efektif untuk padi gogo adalah pemberian FMA secara bersamaan antara genus Glomus dan Acaulospora dengan tingkat kolonisasi sebesar 57,5% - 65%. Untuk anakan produktif terjadi kenaikkan sebesar 15% dan 23,78% untuk hasil gabah dari pemberian pupuk hayati FMA untuk semua jenis Glomus (FMA Glomus sp-1, Glomus sp-2, Glomus sp-5 dan Glomus sp-8).
Konservasi Tanah dan Karbon Melalui Pemanfaatan Biochar Pada Pertanaman Kedelai
Authors: Endriani Endriani , Kurniawan Agus 
Published: December 2018

Perbaikan kualitas lahan kering terdegradasi merupakan keharusan, khususnya untuk menunjang ketahanan pangan. Bahan pembenah tanah berupa biochar merupakan salah satu alternatif yang dapat digunakan untuk memulihkan lahan – lahan kering terdegradasi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah: 1. Mempelajari pengaruh beberapa formula arang hayati terhadap konservasi tanah dan karbon melalui pemanfaatan biochar pada pertanaman kedelai. Penelitian lapangan dilaksanakan pada lahan petani order Utisol di Desa Talang Kerinci Kecamatan Sungai Gelam Kabupaten Muaro Jambi, sedangkan analisis tanah akan dilakukan di Laboratorium Fisika dan Mineralogi Tanah dan Laboratorium Kimia dan Kesuburan Tanah Fakultas Pertanian UNJA. Penelitian akan dilakukan selama 6 bulan pada tahun 2017. Penelitian dirancang menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok (RAK) dengan perlakuan introduksi soil amandement sebagai berikut : b0 : kontrol; b1 : biochar sekam padi 5 ton/ha ; b2:biochar serbuk gergaji 5 ton/ha; b3 : biochar tempurung kelapa 5 ton/ha ; b4 : biochar sekam padi 10 ton/ha ; b5: biochar serbuk gergaji 10 ton/ha; b6 : biochar tempurung kelapa 10 ton/ha. Semua peubah kualitas tanah dan komponen agronomis tanaman kedelai serta komponen produksi dianalisis secara statistik dan dilakukan uji lanjut Duncan Mutiple Range Test (DNMRT) pada taraf α 5 %. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa : (1) Pemberian biochar sekam padi, biochar serbuk gergaji dan biochar tempurung kelapa sudah dapat meningkat kandungan bahan organik, menurunkan bobot volume dan meningkatkan porositas total; (2) pemberian biochar sekam padi, biochar serbuk gergaji dan tempurung kelapa meningkatkan biomassa pucuk dan biomassa perakaran tanaman, serta meningkatkan biomassa total; (3) Pemberian biochar sekam padi, serbuk gergaji dan tempurung kelapa menghasilkan cadangan karbon tanah tertinggi; (4) Sekuestrasi karbon tertinggi terjadi pada lahan, dimana cadangan karbon tanaman tertinggi adalah pada bagian puucuk tanaman ; (5) Pemberian biochar sekam padi, serbuk gergaji dan tempurung kelapa meningkatkan bobot kering biji kedelai. Hasil kedelai tertinggi dijumpai pada pertanaman uyang diberi biochar sekam padi 10 ton/ha.
Do Local Investors Always Know Better? Evidence from China's Market Segmentation
Authors: Cao Sean Shun , Ma Tao , Wan Chi 
Published: December 2018

SYNOPSIS
It is well documented that domestic investors have an information advantage over foreign investors. We utilize the market segmentation of Chinese A- and B-shares to disentangle the information sets of domestic versus foreign investors. We find that while domestic investors lead foreign investors in firm-specific information, the latter are better at incorporating macro-level information into stock prices. Thus, our results indicate that, in contrast to conventional beliefs, foreign investors are not at an absolute information disadvantage in emerging markets. In addition, we find that domestic investors' firm-specific information advantage is weakened among firms that have higher accounting quality and in situations where foreign investors face fewer cultural and communication barriers. Taken together, our paper indicates the key information role played by foreign investors and the importance of financial reporting quality in emerging markets.
Diamond Foods, Inc.: A Comprehensive Case in Financial Analysis and Valuation
Authors: Gujarathi Mahendra R. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACT
This real-world comprehensive case provides an experiential assignment to bring alive most major topics addressed in the financial statement analysis and valuation course. By demonstrating the interconnections between different topics, the case also serves as an integrative assignment to develop a holistic understanding of the course. The case presents a platform to develop students' critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. By requiring them to apply the frameworks of strategy and industry analysis, techniques of accounting and financial analysis, and by placing them in the role of a financial analyst, the case develops an understanding of the challenges involved in financial analysis and valuation in a real-world context. The case helps students to experience the power of using financial statements and other publicly available information to derive insights into firm valuation and to appreciate the role of accruals-based and real earnings management in stock valuation.
Casa dos pássaros: local de preparação de material zoológico a ser enviado para Portugal
Authors: D´Almeida José Mário , Dantas Regina 
Published: December 2018

ResumoA Casa de História Natural, conhecida pela população do Rio de Janeiro como Casa dos Pássaros foi criada por pelo Vice-Rei D. Luis de Vasconcelos em 1784 e extinta em 1813 por D. João VI. Para conduzir os trabalhos nessa instituição, o Vice-Rei convidou um artista plástico catarinense conhecido por Xavier dos Pássaros que, apesar de autodidata, preparou excelente material zoológico para ser enviado para Portugal. Com essa pesquisa espera-se elucidar algumas dúvidas, se a Casa dos Pássaros foi realmente precursora do Museu Nacional, como também, o destino dado ao material zoológico preparado por Xavier dos Pássaros, após a extinção da Casa de História Natural.Palavras – Chave: História da Biologia; Museu Nacional; Rio de Janeiro.AbstractThe House of Natural History, known by the population of Rio de Janeiro as House of the Birds was created by the Lord-Lieutenant D. Luis de Vasconcelos in 1784 and extinguished in 1813 by D. João VI. In order to conduct the work in this institution, the Lord-Lieutenant invited a Santa Catarina artist known by Xavier dos Pássaros that, self-taught, prepared excellent zoological material to be sent to Portugal. With this research it is hoped to elucidate some doubts, if the House of the Birds was really precursor of the National Museum, as well as the destiny given to the zoological material prepared by Xavier dos Pássaros, after the extinction of the House of Natural History. Keywords: History of Biology; National Museum; Rio de Janeiro.
The short-term turnover estimates in Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the VAT data
Authors: Kanlić Fahir , Abdić Ademir 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) strive to produce short-term business statistics (STS) indicators with the high quality estimates in a timely manner. NSIs are usually faced with the challenges, such as differences in definitions, incompleteness of administrative data, periodicity and timeliness, coverage issues, etc. Administrative Value Added Tax (VAT) turnover data can be used to partially or completely replace survey data for the estimation of short-term business turnover indicators. In this paper, main characteristics of administrative VAT turnover data in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be examined through cleaning of VAT turnover data and matching them with survey data. Hence, the main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between VAT turnover data and survey data in in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Monthly Retail Trade Turnover Indices (RTI) for in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be estimated by using administrative VAT turnover data. Spearman’s correlation coefficients are used to examine the presence of a linear relationship between VAT turnover data and survey data. Results gained by using survey and administrative VAT turnover data will be compared. Based on the results of the analysis, future challenges and perspectives for expansion of using administrative VAT turnover data will be identified.
Handling heteroskedasticity in labour demand functions of athletes
Authors: Rappai Gábor , Fűrész Diána Ivett 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Based on previous research it can be stated that modelling sport economics related demand curves (e.g. demand for sport events and athletes) is different from other types of modelling. The difference lies in the fact that some parts of the demand curves are nearly horizontal in case of sport goods and nearly vertical in case of athletes, because the price of sport events is inflexible and at the same time, salaries of top athletes are extremely flexible. This study investigates parameter estimation methods appropriate for the relevant demand functions of sport economics. In this cases the generally used ordinary least squares estimator is less robust, so the weighted least squares estimators are able to handle heteroskedasticity. If the distribution of the variables is known, the Newey-West heteroscedasticity corrected estimates give even stronger results. The empirical study analyses footballer transfer fees in top European leagues and identifies a threshold at which the traditional supply-demand functions are not appropriate. According to the results, word class athletes, in a way, can be considered prestige goods for which demand may be irrational.