Influence of garlic extract on larval performance and survival of juvenile angelfish Pterophyllum scalare during transport

The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of garlic as a growth promoter in larvae of angelfish Pterophyllum scalare and its benefits during transport of juveniles of this species. The experiment was conducted in recirculation aquaculture system, consisting of 20 tanks of 40 L equipped with independent water input and output. We used 1,400 larvae distributed among five treatments, with four repetitions, which totaled 20 experimental units. The treatments were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg of garlic extract per kilo of feed. The results showed that the inclusion of levels of garlic extract in the feed did not significantly effect the fish’s development or their transport. Neither did the inclusion of levels of garlic extract affect the survival of the larvae during the trial period. New research with extracts of higher dosages should be performed to elucidate the effect of garlic extract as a growth promoter.

Traffic Simulation with Open-Source and Commercial Traffic Microsimulators: A Case Study

The analysis of traffic problems in large urban centers often requires the use of computational tools, which give the possibility to make a more detailed analysis of the issue, suggest solutions, predict behaviors and, above all, support efficient decision-making. Transport microsimulation software programs are a handy set of tools for this type of analysis. This research paper shows a case study where functions and limitations of Aimsun version 8.2.0, a commercial-like European software and Sumo version 1.3.1, a European open-source software, are presented. The input and output data are similar in both software and the interpretation of results is quite intuitive for both, as well. However, Aimsun's graphical interface interprets results more user-friendly, because Sumo is an open-access software presented as an effective alternative tool for transport modeling.

Reconfigurable of current-mode differentiator and integrator based-on current conveyor transconductance amplifiers

The reconfigurable of the differentiator and integrator based on current conveyor transconductance amplifiers (CCTAs) have been presented in this paper. The proposed configurations are provided with two CCTAs and grounded elements. The configurations can be operated in the differentiator and integrator by selecting external passive elements. The input and output currents have low and high impedances, respectively; therefore, the configurations can be cascaded without additional current buffer. The proposed configurations can be electronically tuned by external direct current (DC) bias currents, and it also has slight fluctuation with temperature. An application of universal filter is demonstrated to confirm the ability of the proposed configurations. The results of simulation with Pspice program are accordance with the theoretical analysis.

Red Tape, Rule Legitimacy, and Public Service Motivation: Experimental Evidence From Korean Citizens

While legitimacy plays a key role in determining if a public sector rule or process objectively qualifies as red tape, it is unclear if legitimacy shapes subjective red tape judgments. We use a sample of South Korean citizens and a vignette-based survey experiment describing applying for a small business COVID-19 relief fund to test the relevance of rule legitimacy for perceived red tape. We find that obtaining a favorable outcome (receiving the fund) reduces perceived red tape, but that neither input nor output legitimacy plays a consistent role. Second, we find that public service motivation moderates the role of both input and output legitimacy on perceived red tape, though in different directions. For those with high levels of public service motivation, output legitimacy reduces perceived red tape. However, for the same group, input legitimacy increases it. We provide a detailed discussion of the contributions of our study.

AbsorbanceQ: An App for Generating Absorbance Images from Brightfield Images

The AbsorbanceQ app converts brightfield microscope images into absorbance images that can be analyzed and compared across different operators, microscopes, and time. Because absorbance-based measurements are comparable across these parameters, they are useful when the aim is to manufacture biotherapeutics with consistent quality. AbsorbanceQ will be of value to those who want to capture quantitative absorbance images of cells. The AbsorbanceQ app has two modes - a single image processing mode and a batch processing mode for multiple images. Instructions for using the app are given on the ‘App Information’ tab when the app is opened. The input and output images for the app have been defined, and synthetic images were used to validate that the output images are correct. This article provides a description of how to use the app, software specifications, a description of how the app works, instructive advice on how to use the tools and a description of the methods used to generate the software. In addition, links are provided to a website where the app and test images are deployed.

Integrating Wikipedia in the Information Service Space

This chapter examined the input and output of WikiAfLibs training, the struggles, and lessons learned. The study used spidergram design of 5Ws and 1H (who, what, where, why, when, and how). Instruments used were online questionnaire and FGD. The participants were librarians in the #WikiAfLibs Cohort 1 drawn from Anglophone countries. It was discovered that live sessions, office hours, and learning resources were mostly favored among the activities (39% and 33%, respectively). Respondents used personal data subscriptions (75%) and received the training from their homes. Some have joined Wikipedia communities in their countries and have received funds. They struggled with cost of data subscription, fear of internet disruption, and not meeting the deadline of the assignments. They agreed that Wikipedia would give librarians more visibility, enrich services, and build partnerships. The findings imply that librarians' full embrace of Wikipedia will add value to information services. The study concluded that librarians should integrate Wikipedia in information service delivery.

The effect of air velocity on the performance of the direct evaporative cooling system

This experimental study aimed to determine the effect of airflow velocity on the performance of a direct evaporative cooling system. Rectangular-shaped honeycomb cooling pads with a length of 34 cm, a width of 25 cm, and a thickness of 3.5 cm are used as cooling media. The main parameters of the study are low air velocity (2.3 ms−1), medium (3.2 ms−1), and high velocity (3.7 ms−1). The data collected include dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, output air temperature, input and output air velocity, input and output humidity, and solar radiation. These data are used to determine saturation efficiency, cooling capacity, temperature decreases, and feasibility index. The experimental results are presented in the form of tables and graphs and analysed based on existing theories. The results showed that the evaporative cooling system could produce output temperatures up to 27.5°C with input 31.4°C at low airspeed, 27.97°C with input 31.47oC at medium speed, and 27.7°C with input 31.30°C at high air speed. It was concluded that a low airflow rate would add to the cooling efficiency, and the higher the airflow rate, the lower the cooling efficiency. The results showed that evaporative cooling is achievable with a feasibility index of 19.89 ≤ F*≤ 20.67. The results also affirmed that cooling capability is higher where the feasibility indexes are comparatively low.

What drives small-scale farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices in Tanzania?

Conservation Agriculture (CA)-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices in this study comprised minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, intercropping of maize and legumes, and use of improved crop genotypes and fertilizers, and were tested on-farm in different agroecologies in northern and eastern Tanzania. The results for six consecutive years of study indicate increased adoption of CASI practices compared to the baseline year (2010). The major impacts of these practices were reduced production costs, labour savings and overall increased crop and land productivity. The average area allocated to improved maize-legume (ML) intercrop rose during the project period by 5.28 ha per household, of which 15% was under complete CASI practices. Adoption trends show that, on average, 6.5% of adopters across the study and spillover communities started adoption in the 2nd year and about 14% of farmers adopted the practices over the next 3-5 years. Demographic and human capital (family size, education, age and farming experience), on-farm CASI demonstrations, farmer to farmer exchange visits, social capital (farmers' group or a cooperative), access to input and output markets (improved seeds, herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides and equipment) and food security were found to have positive and significant effects on adoption of a range of CASI practices. These results suggest continued and long-term efforts in investments in demonstrations, institutionalizing CASI practices in NARS, and good links to input and output markets, including appropriate machinery, are necessary to achieve sustained adoption.

Development of methodology for determining a-parameters of an asymmetric rail line

The article considers the methodology of forming the matrix of A-parameters of a rail line, represented by a multi-pole equivalent circuit. It is shown that when using a four-pole equivalent circuit of a rail line in case of violation of the equipotentiality of the circuit, it is impossible to take into account the flow of current along bypass paths, along the earth path, and the influence of adjacent track circuits. A multi-pole equivalent circuit of a rail line is represented as a 2x4 pole, in the rail lines of which self-induction EMF sources are included, and an earth path is used as the second wire. An equivalent multi-pole of equivalent circuit is represented by two groups of poles – at the input and output of the rail line, including one common (ground). The parameters of all elements of the equivalent multi-pole circuit are presented in the form of matrices, which makes it possible to analyze the state of the rail lines when changing the primary parameters of the rail multi-pole in a wide range. Using Kirchhoff's laws and solving a system of ordinary differential equations, the A-parameters of a rail multi-pole are obtained.