Cyanide detoxification by soil microorganisms.

Cyanides enter the environment through both natural and man-made sources. Natural sources include cyanogenesis by bacteria, fungi and plants. A number of cyanide catabolising microorganisms have also been reported in literature. This is the first reported instance of cyanide catabolism in Trichoderma harzianum. Four strains of T. harzianum, one of T. pseudokoningii were evaluated. An investigation was made into the occurrence and distribution of the cyanide catabolising enzymes. Three enzymes, cyanide hydratase, beta-cyanoalanine synthase and rhodanese, were studied. All the strains showed a high capacity to degrade cyanide via both the cyanide hydratase and rhodanese pathways, beta-cyanoalanine synthase activity, however, was not detected in any of the selected strains. In the studies on the kinetic characterization of the rhodanese enzyme, a broad pH optimum of 8.5 - 10.5 was obtained for all the strains and a broad temperature optimum of 35 - 55 °C was also observed. The KmCN and Vmax values ranged from 7-16 mM and from 0.069 - 0.093 betamoles. Min-1. mg protein-1, respectively, between the selected strains of Trichoderma. Strong evidence of cyanide biodegradation and co-metabolism emerged from studies with flask cultures where glucose was provided as a co-substrate. The rate of degradation of 2000 ppm CIST was enhanced almost three times in the presence of glucose. Plant microcosm studies carried out using pea and wheat seeds too gave further corroboration of the cyanide degrading and plant growth promotion capabilities of Trichoderma. Microcosms set-up with cyanide at 50 or 100 ppm CN, in the presence of Trichoderma, showed germination of both pea and wheat seeds. There was no seed germination in any of the controls in the absence of Trichoderma inoculation

The Relationship Between Learner Autonomy and English Proficiency of Yemeni Postgraduate ‎English Students: A Correlational Study in Hodeidah University

Knowing the level of students' learner autonomy and its impact on their language proficiency makes teachers aware of the significance of this term for better EFL learning. Also, this helps in fostering learner autonomy especially that one of advanced students. This study investigates postgraduate students’ level of learner autonomy and its relationship with their English proficiency in a sample of 35 second-year postgraduate students undergoing two-year Master degree course in English, in the Department of English at the Faculty of Education affiliated to the University of Hodeidah, Yemen. The needed data are collected by a means of a learner autonomy questionnaire and a standard proficiency test. For data analysis, one-sample t-test and Pearson Correlation are used. The findings reveal that the learner autonomy and English proficiency of postgraduate English students, in Hodeidah University, are not ‎significantly correlated and this implies that the high or low level of English proficiency of the ‎students doesn’t imply that their learner autonomy will be high or low correspondingly.‎ Keywords: Learner autonomy, language proficiency, postgraduate (PG) ,‎ correlation and relationship

Audit committees and accuracy of management earnings forecasts of Malaysian IPOs

This study aims to make a meaningful contribution to the IPO literature by examining the impact of audit committee characteristics on the accuracy of earnings forecasts in 190 Malaysian IPO prospectuses during the period of 2002-2012. This study also adds to the body of knowledge by investigating the accuracy of IPO earnings forecasts during the former mandatory earnings forecasts (January 2002 to January 2008) and the current voluntary earnings forecasts (February 2008 to February 2012). Furthermore, it explores the provided explanations in the first published annual reports after IPO, which explain the reasons behind the errors of earnings forecasts. Two proxies were used for accuracy; absolute forecast error and squared forecast error. The models were developed using the frameworks of the agency theory, the signaling theory, and the resource-dependence theory to examine the association of eight characteristics of the audit committee (size, independence, financial expertise, gender diversity, ethnicity, stock ownership, educational background, and experience) with the accuracy of IPO earnings forecasts. The findings indicate that the earnings forecasts of Malaysian IPO are pessimistic and the percentage of accuracy is unsatisfactory. Further, the results show that Malaysian IPO earnings forecasts have been more pessimistic and less accurate under the voluntary regulation regime than the mandatory regime. The findings of multiple regressions of the audit committee and absolute forecast error show significant relationships with positive impacts among size, experience and accuracy of earnings forecasts. In terms of the findings of multiple regressions of the audit committee and the squared forecast error, the results show significant relationships with positive impacts between size and earnings forecasts accuracy. Finally, the results indicate that the number of provided explanations was greater when the management were more optimistic and the forecasts errors were large. The results of this study can be of interest to investors, policymakers, investment analysts and other market participant

Underwriter's Attributes and Their Relationship with IPO Underpricing

Underwriting banks play a vital role in doing a successful initial public offering (IPO), which is considered as an important source of finance for Malaysian companies. This study aims to provide some evidence on the attributes of underwriters that affect the level of underpricing in IPOs in Malaysia. This evidence is on the application of IPO theories that are based on the information asymmetry between the IPO parties, issuing companies, underwriters, and investors. A total of 113 Malaysian IPOs listed from 29 June, 2006 until 24 February, 2011 were included in this study. For achieving the purpose of this study the OLS multiple regression technique was applied. In the multiple regressions, underpricing is used as the dependent variable and underwriter's reputation and spread as the independent variables while leverage, age, offer size, and company size were used as the control variables. The findings show that there is a negative significant relationship between reputation and underpricing. Also, the findings show that underwriter's spread has a positive significant association with underpricing. Besides that, the findings show the relationship between the control variables (leverage, age, offer size, and company size) and the dependent variable. One of these four control variables, leverage, has a positive significant relationship with IPO underpricing while the rest of these variables (age, offer size, and company size) have an insignificant negative relationship with IPO underpricing. Overall, evidence in this study supports the consensus of the existing international evidence that IPO underpricing increases or decreases following underwriting banks' attributes. These findings have implications for issuing companies, investors, and security analysts

Development of telemedicine system for remote biomedical operation

This study presents a system of teleoperation as a practical solution in order to eliminate the barriers and obstacles linked with deficiency of qualified medical experts in rural areas of the country. Therefore, in this work we presented an artificial robotic hand with comparable abilities to a human hand, such a multi finger gripper by using low cost artificial hand gripper (AHG). The (AHG) was printed in-house with a 3D printer. The (AHG) was designed with feasibility and flexibility for gripping activities such as opening and closing of hand by using 5 flex sensors, couple of force sensors and accelerometer sensor (master unit) positioned at each finger to measure finger flexion, extension, pressure and movements axis (x,y,z). The 5 fingers fixed activities controlled using a master unit which referred to as the smart glove. This system uses an Arduino mega microcontroller programmed for accurate and delicate detection respond via the master unit and transmitting to the slave unit. (AHG) has fast and real-time movement respond towards the activities created via the smart glove. An Ethernet shield and visual basic software were upgraded further in which master unit motion data were recorded and transmitted online through user friendly GUI system software, and the logged data can be further analyzed by other medical doctors for research, reference or diagnostic purposes

Arwa: An Inspiring Story for Landmine Survivors

In 1999, Arwa Ali Saeed Wais was herding sheep in Al-Atabat village in the Morais district of Al-Dhale’e governorate, Yemen. As was the tradition in Arwa’s village, she spent much of her childhood caring for her family’s sheep in the nearby mountainous area instead of attending school. When she was 10 years old, she stepped on a landmine. Her right leg was immediately torn off, and her left leg was severely damaged. She was sent to Ibn Khaldon Hospital in Lahj governorate, where she underwent an above-the-knee bilateral amputation. After she was discharged from the hospital, she returned home to her village, where she contracted an infection in her right leg and was sent to Al-Jemhori Hospital in Aden governorate for additional surgery

Breaking the silence: navigating adolescent knowledge, attitude, and perception on substance abuse in Diyala Province, Iraq

Background: Drug use often leads to a range of health risks, social complications, and involvement in criminal behavior. This study aims to investigate adolescents' understanding, opinions, and perspectives on substance abuse.  Methods: Between October and December 2023, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in Diyala Province, Iraq. High school students were sampled using a multistage sampling technique. Bivariate analysis utilized independent sample t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to predict factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 16. Results: The study encompassed 365 students, with a mean age (SD) of 17.5 (+ 8.2), predominantly male (57.3%). Overall accuracy rates for knowledge, attitude, and perception stood at 87.1%, 86.7%, and 88.7%, respectively. Approximately 5.2% of the sample reported cannabis (hashish) use. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between higher knowledge scores and male gender (p=0.002, 95% CI:0.341, 0.729), urban residency (p<0.0001, 95% CI:1.165, 4.524), and monthly income > US$400 (p >0.0001, 95% CI:0.907, 1573). Attitudes toward drug abuse prevention were influenced by male gender and highly educated parental backgrounds (p<0.001, 95% CI:1.412, 5.223; p=0.002, 95% CI: 2.160, 4.881; p=0.007, 95% CI:1.810, 5.690). Perception scores were significantly associated with male gender (p=0.001, 95% CI: 0.430, 0.691), students from smaller families (p=0.013, 95% CI:2.201, 5.003), and those in the sixth class (p=0.021, 95% CI:1.423, 4.202). Conclusion: While adolescents demonstrate a solid understanding of societal norms and consequences associated with substance abuse, there may still be areas where perceptions can be refined and aligned more closely with the realities of drug abuse

Perceptions of Al Jazeera arab satellite news channel\u27s image among yemenis after its news coverage of the southern yemenis movement and the northern yemenis rebellion

In the light of Al Jazeera recent heavy news coverage of the two Yemeni news events: the Southern Yemenis movement and the Northern Yemenis rebellion, this study aims to reveal perceptions of the channel\u27s image among its Yemeni viewers. The study explores how popular the channel is in Yemen among other prominent Arabic-language news channels. It also reveals how its viewers perceive its credibility regarding its general news coverage and its news coverage of the two recent Yemeni events in specific. The study also focuses on the channel\u27s non-viewers and why they do not follow news on Al Jazeera channel. The study is quantitative in nature where it uses a self-administered survey as a data collection tool. A total of 440 questionnaires were distributed to a non-probability purposive/quota sample targeting Sana\u27a city, the Capital of Yemen. Major Findings and Discussion: Among the primary study group (Al Jazeera viewers), the results reveal that Al Jazeera was rated the highest in popularity among other prominent Arabic-language news channels; however, the reasons behind its popularity were different from the reasons investigated by other studies. The two reasons with highest mean scores behind Al Jazeera popularity in Yemen are a) I follow news on Al Jazeera because it is a 24/7 news channel and b) I follow news on Al Jazeera because it carries extensive news coverage in Arabic. The two reasons with lowest mean scores are a) I follow news on Al Jazeera because it does not censor its news coverage and b) I follow news on Al Jazeera because its news sources are credible. Regarding the channel\u27s credibility, its Yemeni viewers perceive Al Jazeera general news coverage somehow credible; however, they perceive it as a â not credible source\u27 in its Yemen-related news coverage. A number of research hypotheses, which examine the relationship between education level, socioeconomic class and exposure against credibility, were all rejected. Such a result is backed up with Osgood\u27s Congruity Theory that focuses on the attitudes held by individuals towards sources of information. It emphasizes how the strength of the relationship between the subject (Al Jazeera viewers) and object (their country: Yemen) determines the attitude held towards the media (Al Jazeera channel). Among the secondary study group (Al Jazeera non-viewers), the results show that Al Jazeera ranked fourth in popularity after Al Arabiya, BBC Arabic and Al Hurra. The reasons which most non-viewers chose to reflect why they do not follow news on Al Jazeera channel are a) it exaggerates its reporting on news events, b) I trust my social networks\u27 (friends, family, co-workers, etc) opinions who think Al Jazeera news coverage is biased, c) I follow other news channels that my social networks (friends, family, co-workers..etc) trust to be reliable, and d) its news coverage of Yemen-related events is biased. Such a result is backed up by Newcomb\u27s Symmetry Theory and the Two-Step Flow concept which both emphasize the importance that interpersonal communication can play in a society