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Part 2 of 2. This series of articles seeks to present a coherent pedagogical framework for equipping disciplers in local congregations. Part 2 examines the role of equippers—those entrusted with preparing disciplers within local churches. Although gifted leaders are assigned the role of equipping the saints, there appears to be a discernible deficiency in their pedagogic methodologies, rendering them less efficacious in fulfilling their responsibilities. This article advocates for an intricate role definition for these equippers, predicated on an amalgamation of biblical and pedagogical foundations. This study was conducted within the delimited context of Baptist churches in Victoria, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part 1 of 2: This series of articles seeks to present a coherent pedagogical framework for equipping disciplers in local congregations. Shortcomings in the equipping ministry may be attributable to churches' pedagogical paradigms. Part 1 critically navigates through four divergent pedagogical ideologies—scholar academic, social efficiency, learner centered, and social reconstruction—examining their implications for a holistic approach to equipping. The article concludes with practical implications for equipping disciplers in local congregations. This study was conducted within the context of Baptist churches in Victoria, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among Polish cities facing socioeconomic difficulties are the former regional capitals which lost their administrative status due to the 1998 reform, reducing the number of regions. Making use of this quasi-experimental setting, we assess the impact of the loss of administrative status on the affected cities with difference-in-differences estimations. Our findings show the negative impact of the regional amalgamation on economic and, to a lesser extent, on other dimensions of local development. We identify the reform's contribution to the growing disparity between the second-tier and the largest cities and reflect on the design of place-based compensatory measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to establish the gold and mercury losses in an artisanal mining deposit (Uke) in Nigeria to convince miners about their inefficiency and suggest changes in their gold extraction practices. Samples of feeds and tailings from five sluice box concentration processes previously ground in hammer mills below 1 mm (P80 = 0.5 mm) were systematically sampled every 15 min. for 4 h and sent for gold analyses by a fire assay and intensive cyanidation. Dry grain size analyses of primary and amalgamation tailings allowed us to find out in which size fraction gold and mercury are lost. Total mercury losses in sixteen operations were obtained by weighing mercury at the beginning and in all steps of the concentrates' amalgamation. After analyses, the average gold grade in the feed resulted in 3.80 ± 1.52 ppm (two standard deviations). The gold recovery was 29.24 ± 13.24%, which is low due to a lack of liberation of the fine gold particles from the gangue (silicates). Finer grinding would be necessary. The mercury balance revealed that 42% of the mercury added is lost, in which 26% involves tailings and 16% evaporated. The HgLost-to-AuProduced ratio was found to be 3.35 ± 9.46, which is exceedingly high for this type of amalgamation process that should have this ratio around 1. One reason is the excessive amount of mercury in the amalgams, 76.5 ± 38.12%, when the normal is around 40%–50%. Mercury lost by evaporation in open bonfires is clearly contaminating amalgamation operators (usually children), neighbours, and the environment. The Hg-contaminated tailings and primary tailings are sold to local cyanidation plants, and this can form toxic soluble Hg(CN)2 in the process. The results of this research were brought to the attention of the miners and other stakeholders, including the regulatory agencies of the government. The % gold recovery by amalgamation was not established in this study, but if this process recovers 50 to 60% of the liberated gold particles in a concentrate and 30% of gold was recovered in the sluice boxes, then the total gold recovery should be between 15 and 20; i.e., 80 to 85% of gold mined is lost. On average, an operation produces 8.26 g of gold/month, which is split to six miners, representing USD 69/month/miner or USD 2.3/day. It was discussed with miners, authorities, and community members (in particular female miners) how to avoid exposure to mercury, how to improve gold recovery without mercury, and the health and environmental effects of this pollutant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amalgamations in democratic settings often result in disadvantages for small and peripheral units, as their political power diminishes in the merged jurisdictions. This article extends the discussion to China by assessing the economic outcomes of county-level units after their conversion into districts directly controlled by city authorities. Leveraging a large county-year panel dataset and employing an advanced causal effect estimator, my analysis reveals a generally less optimistic outlook for these county-turned districts following the mergers. The negative impacts are initially evident in microeconomic indicators, especially in resident deposits, and later materialize in the long-term trajectories of macroeconomic indicators. Furthermore, heterogeneous analysis and a comparative case study in Hangzhou city link the problem to the loss of administrative autonomy. Notably, the negative impacts are less likely to manifest in county-turned districts that are under provincial protection and therefore maintain a certain degree of administrative autonomy after the mergers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of head movement has been debated since its discovery (see Dékány 2018 for discussion). While it is generally agreed that head movement (the sort that results in the formation of complex heads) is subject to more stringent locality restrictions than phrasal movement, little else is uncontested. In this article, I will argue that a flexible (but literal) interpretation of Harizanov and Gribanova's (2019) definition of head movement (more specifically, their "amalgamation") is needed to account for the movement of suffixal adjectives (As) in Aleut. These As typically suffix to nominals, but under certain conditions surface in verbs between the root and agreement morphology. I show that these As base-generate as adjuncts of NPs and undergo head movement into the verbal complex. I then explore two theories of word-building which would require only phrasal movement on the part of suffixal As—based on ideas put forth in Julien (2002) and Compton and Pittman (2010)—and conclude that phrasal movement alone is too unrestricted to account for the phenomenon, overgenerating As in unacceptable sites. In contrast, previous theories of head movement are too restrictive, only permitting a head and the head of its complement to form a complex head (e.g., Travis 1984; Embick and Noyer 2001); this excludes heads in adjunct positions, like suffixal As, from participating. However, Harizanov and Gribanova's definition of amalgamation, whereby heads Raise or Lower into the nearest c-commanding or c-commanded head, uniquely allows head movement to occur out of specifier positions and even adjunct positions. This comparative flexibility correctly permits Aleut suffixal As to form a complex head with verbal morphology, explaining their incorporation deep within the structure of the verbal complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why are some countries able to go ahead with comprehensive top-down local government amalgamation reforms, despite the many challenges such a reform entails? So far, we have limited theoretical and empirical understanding of how central governments manage to adopt such reforms. Drawing on different theoretical frameworks around public policy as well as research into territorial reforms, this article presents key political and institutional factors that are likely to facilitate top-down municipal mergers and examines whether these theoretical propositions help to explain the adoption of comprehensive top-down municipal amalgamation in four cases: Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, and Portugal. Key political and institutional factors identified in existing frameworks provide a useful starting point for understanding and explaining top-down comprehensive municipal amalgamation reforms, such as the role played by the breaking up of existing policy monopolies and emergence of new venues for discussing the reform. At the same time, the cases also reveal some important nuances that at times run counter to theoretical expectations. Our cases also reveal further factors, including the "bundling" of amalgamation reforms with other wider initiatives, and the potential effect of "distracting events" that should be taken into account in the further development of theoretical frameworks concerning top-down amalgamations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrary to the common perception of colonialism as an exercise of power within the context of 'divide and rule', this study foregrounds Ali Mazrui's concept of 'unite and rule' as another fundamental aspect of British colonial policy in East Africa. Unable to implement indirect rule in the multifarious Busoga states, the British colonialists were compelled to adopt the policy of unprecedented amalgamations, thereby creating a single ethnic identity at the beginning of the twentieth century. Overtime, Busoga came to be perceived as a territory of the Basoga: one of the major ethnic groups in modern Uganda. The rise of the Abataka Associations as opposition groups to the politics of states amalgamation enhanced the Basoga ethnic identity. However, the transition from the pre-colonial independent states to a single Basoga ethnic identity is hardly historicised in previous scholarship. This qualitative study therefore uses primary sources of archival materials in the Uganda National Archives and Jinja District Archives and five key informant interviews to historicise the primacy of agency in the process of Busoga ethnic formation between 1900 and 1950. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Erqis tectonic belt, situated at the junction of the Chinese Altai‐East Junggar, originated through the subduction of the Ob‐Zaisan Ocean, playing a pivotal role in unraveling the tectonic evolution of the southern Altaids. Tectonic and provenance analyses discern three distinct arcs: the Chinese Altai in the north exhibits a protracted history from the late Cambrian to early Permian with a slender accretionary complex (AC) termed the Supute AC; the Kuerti intra‐oceanic arc in the middle emerged during the Silurian to Devonian coevally with a minor AC known as the Tesibahan AC; and the Dulate arc in the south predominantly evolved from the Middle Devonian to Permian, giving rise to the Fuyun AC that independently developed on its northern margin at least until ∼273 Ma. Our findings indicate the existence of multiple arcs within the Ob‐Zaisan Ocean, forming an archipelago paleogeography in the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. Provenance studies lead us to propose that cryptic sutures demarcating the Chinese Altai, Kuerti, and Dulate lie approximately along the Kuerti and Tesibahan faults, respectively, and that the oceanic branches between these arcs subducted northward beneath the Chinese Altai and Kuerti arcs and southward beneath the Dulate arc. Additionally, our work demonstrates the closure of the Ob‐Zaisan Ocean most probably postdates ∼273 Ma. Combining our data with previous research, we present a novel tectonic evolution model, elucidating several arc amalgamations with multiple subduction polarities between Chinese Altai and East Junggar throughout the late Cambrian to Permian. Key Points: The Erqis tectonic belt predominantly comprises accretionary complex and slices of arcsThe cryptic suture between Chinese Altai and East Junggar extends along the Tesibahan‐Mayine'bo faults rather than the Erqis faultThe Ob‐Zaisan Ocean had subducted southward beneath the East Junggar and closed later than the Permian [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining has commonly used the mercury amalgamation method for gold ore extraction. The processing waste or tailings often contain gold and other metals. This study examined the effects of cow manure amendment and the ratio of gold mine tailings on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) gold phytomining. The pot experiment was conducted in the Faculty of Agriculture greenhouse at Padjadjaran University in Indonesia. The sweet potato MZ119 clone (an orange-fleshed sweet potato) was planted on a polybag (40 x 40 cm) consisting of 10 kg of planting media, which was a mixture of gold mine tailing and soil. The design used was a completely randomized design factorial with three replications. The first factor was ratios of gold mine tailing consisting of three levels, namely 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% (w/w). The second factor was doses of organic manure, namely without cow manure, 250 g pot-1, 500 g pot-1, and 750 g pot-1. The results demonstrated that the application of cow dung and the gold mine tailings ratio (w/w) had a significant (p = 0.05) effect on plants' dry weight biomass, gold accumulation, and gold phytomining by sweet potato. The highest gold mass yield of 0.066 mg gold plant-1 was achieved by a 50% (w/w) gold mine tailing ratio and 750 g pot-1 cow manure treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness level of the Provus-Alkin-amalgamation evaluation application based on Weighted-Product-Rwa-Bhineda modification through the results of field trials. This evaluation application was an evaluation tool formed by a combination of educational evaluation models (Provus model and Alkin model), decision support system methods (weighted product), and the concept of Balinese local wisdom (Rwa Bhineda). This research approach was developed, using the Borg and Gall model. The focus of the development phase in this study was field trials and revisions to field trials. The tool used to provide scores by respondents in field trials was a questionnaire. Subjects involved in field trials were 164 respondents. The research location was at several IT vocational schools in Bali. Data analysis was done by comparing the results of field trials with effectiveness standards referring to a five scale. The results showed that the percentage of effectiveness was 81.20%. It proved that the Provus-Alkin-amalgamation evaluation application based on Weighted-Product-Rwa-Bhineda modification was good. The impact of the results of this research is as a trigger to develop innovations in educational evaluation by integrating various fields of science (multidisciplinary science) in the form of one digital application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darjeeling is an important tourist destination and situated in the lower Himalayas at an average elevation of above 2000 m. Next to water, tea is the most extensively consumed beverage by human beings. Today, hills of Darjeeling positioned as one of the best quality tea productions in the world. Darjeeling tea has a complex and unique amalgamation of agro-climatic conditions which contributed to its unique savour and quality that has won the heart of millions of consumers across the globe. The unique quality and reputation of the tea attributable to its geographical origin was the major reason for Darjeeling tea to get the first Geographical Indications (GI) status in India in 2004. The basic objective of the study is to analyse the role of Geographical Indications in improving the living standard of the local community. After the analysis, it was concluded that tea is a labour-intensive industry which required a good number of labourers to plant, bend, pluck and manufacture. Darjeeling's fragile ecosystem has been endangered by increasing demand for natural resources. There is an urgent need to make locals aware about the different advantages of GI so that they can avail the benefits of it and improve things in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to create consolidated city-county governments have persisted in recent decades, with many local government reformers touting this type of organizational change as a solution to a number of challenges in metropolitan areas. Overall, research in this area has generally shown no conclusive outcomes related to achieving greater efficiencies as measured by a reduction in expenditures. However, the 2014 consolidation of Macon-Bibb County, Georgia presents an opportunity to explore a substantively important case due to a mandated 20% reduction in expenditures over a 5-year period. This analysis finds that while officials generally met their goal of reducing budgeted expenditures, an analysis of actual expenditures and questions pertaining to longer-term outcomes, including reductions in staffing, performance, and credit ratings may be a cautionary tale for similar efforts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) is garnering escalating interest. Yet, joining dissimilar materials faces formidable challenges due to solubility limitations and divergences in thermophysical properties. Taking the joining of high-strength steel (HSS) and Ti6Al4V (TC4) as an example, this work seeks to address various challenges encountered in MMAM. An exhaustive inquiry was undertaken to scrutinize the effects of various joining strategies (direct joining, composition gradient paths, and interlayer strategy) and deposition strategies (deposition sequence, interlayer thickness, and process parameters) on the AM-induced bonding of HSS to TC4. The findings demonstrate that these advanced strategic designs can effectively mitigate challenges arising from disparities in material compatibility and thermophysical properties between HSS and TC4. Leveraging rigorous thermodynamic analyses and the strategic orchestration of building techniques, three HSS–Cu10Sn–Nb–TC4 samples were successfully fabricated via laser-directed energy deposition (LDED), each manifesting tensile strengths exceeding 200 MPa. This achievement heralds a notable leap forward in the amalgamation of materials, particularly high-strength steel and titanium alloys, which could provide valuable insights into other MMAM structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaseous elemental mercury (GEMHg0(g)) is a highly toxic global pollutant with environmental and human health effect concerns. Monitoring the GEM released in gold mining operation regions is extremely necessary. Herein, we develop an indirect surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-miniaturized sensor for the direct detection of Hg0(g) using gold nanorods (AuNRs) and rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule. SERS spectra show a suppressed signal after exposure to Hg0(g) in different concentrations caused by the morphologic transition of the nanorods to spheres. Discrete dipole approximation (DDA) and density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that the energetic phenomena involved during the Au–Hg amalgam formation process can lead to drastic changes in the AuNR's plasmonic characteristic, suppressing the SERS signal. This effect is the key to achieving the high performance to detect Hg0(g) until 0.08 μg. Additionally, the SEM-EDS results confirmed the AuNR's morphological changes after exposure to Hg0(g), and principal component analysis and root-mean-square error reveal the high sensitivity, mainly for the lower amount of Hg0(g) (0.08–1.02 μg), corroborating the DDA and DFT simulations whose Au–Hg alloy formation on the AuNR's surface is energetically more favorable, occurring more quickly and efficiently than the diffusion process. Moreover, these results show nanorod structures are more efficient than spherical ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new normal era allowed learning at IT vocational schools to be carried out directly (synchronously) through online meeting platforms and indirectly (asynchronously) through email, WhatsApp groups, and learning management system (LMS). However, the reality showed that not all synchronous and asynchronous learning implementations were effective. Based on these problems, it was necessary to evaluate and used an appropriate evaluation model. A breakthrough was used, namely the Amalgamation evaluation model based on the modification of the weighted product with the Provus and Alkin models in view of the Rwa Bhineda concept. The purpose of this research was to show the Amalgamation evaluation model design based on weighted product modification with the Provus and Alkin models in view of the Rwa Bhineda concept as the basis for determining the dominant indicators that need to be maintained for the synchronous-asynchronous learning effectiveness. This research used a development approach that focused on the design, initial trial, and initial trial revision. The analysis of this study results used a quantitative descriptive technique, namely the percentage descriptive calculation. This research results showed the evaluation model design was good categorized as evidenced by the average percentage of effectiveness was 88.67%. The emerging significance and value of this research results was the existence of innovation in the educational evaluation field, which makes it easier for evaluators to determine the dominant indicators that need to be maintained in supporting the effectiveness of synchronous-asynchronous learning implementation in IT vocational schools generally, and specifically in IT vocational schools in Bali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Richard T. Greener was the first Black graduate of Harvard College in 1870, and he served briefly as a professor of philosophy at the University of South Carolina from 1873 to 1877. Historians and biographers have uncovered many of the facts of his unusual life, but to date his philosophy has remained unappreciated. This essay reconstructs his philosophy from published and archival sources, evaluating it in relationship to the work of his better-known mentor, Frederick Douglass. I argue that Greener's account of Reconstruction politics, especially his arguments on land redistribution, race, and Black intellectual history, possess notable advantages over Douglass's views. Of particular importance is that he defended a more robust republican state than did his hero, while rejecting the originalism and constitutionalism that characterize Douglass's liberalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present study included 40 participants to investigate the association of circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) rs4580704 polymorphism with myocardial infarction (MI) cases. Materials and Methods: In this study, we enrolled 20 male and 20 female cases with MI. Genomic DNA extraction was done from lymphocytes using conventional techniques, employing the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) from lymphocytes. Genotyping was conducted through TaqMan singlenucleotide polymorphism genotyping assays, employing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on a 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). This streamlined approach ensures accurate and efficient analysis of genetic markers associated with MI across gender groups. Results: The study revealed significant associations between body mass index (BMI), hypertension, obesity, current smoking, and type 2 diabetes among both male and female MI patients. However, age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) did not exhibit significant differences between genders. Analysis of CLOCK rs4580704 polymorphism indicated no variance in genotype and allele frequencies between male and female MI patients. When considering both genders, CLOCK rs4580704 polymorphism was significantly associated with BMI, hypertension, obesity, current smoking, and type 2 diabetes (P = 0.02, P = 0.02, P = 0.04, and P = 0.02, respectively). Nevertheless, logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences among MI cases across the various models of CLOCK rs4580704 polymorphism. Conclusion: No significant association was found between CLOCK rs4580704 polymorphism and MI in both genders. However, significant links were identified between this polymorphism and various cardiovascular risk factors including BMI, SBP, DBP, hypertension, obesity, current smoking, and type 2 diabetes in MI cases. These findings underscore the potential influence of CLOCK rs4580704 polymorphism on cardiovascular risk profiles among individuals with MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coloring graph is giving a color to a set of vertices and a set of edges on a graph. The condition for coloring a graph is that each color is different for each neighboring member graph. Coloring graph can be done by mapping a different color to each vertex or edge. Rainbow coloring is a type of rainbow connected with coloring edge. It ensures that every graph G has a rainbow path. A rainbow path is a path in a graph where no two vertices have the same color. The minimum number of colors in a rainbow connected graph is called the rainbow connection number denoted by rc(G). The graphs used in this study are the Amal(Fn,xz,m) graph and the Amal(on, xn, m) graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has spurred population and economic growth in the small rural communities in which it is located, along with causing contamination of the soil, air, and water with grave effects on human health due to the uncontrolled use of mercury for gold processing activities. This study analyzes the levels of mercury in Secocha, an ASGM community in Arequipa, Peru. A total of 44 soil samples were taken from two ASGM commercial-extractive zones (n = 18) and non-processing urban zones (n = 26). Soil mercury analysis with atomic absorption spectrometry revealed average mercury levels of 86.11 mg/kg in commercial-extractive zone I, where ore processing has occurred for about 17 years, and mercury levels of 43.81 mg/kg in commercial-extractive zone II, where processing has occurred for about 7 years. In the urban zone, the average mercury level was 9.53 mg/kg. The average mercury concentrations for each zone exceed the relevant environmental quality standards established by the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment. In addition, urine samples were obtained from 15 miners and 15 people from the general urban population (non-miners). The average mercury level in the urine of miners was 7.04 µg/L, and in the urine of non-miners it was 0.49 µg/L. In both cases, the mercury urine level did not exceed the limits established by WHO and the Peruvian Ministry of Health, though miners’ elevated levels do raise concerns.

The introduction of mercury (Hg) into the environment by anthropogenic activities has resulted in negative implications for ecosystem functions and human health. Unlike the legacy of huge environmental pollution left by historic gold rushes in several developed countries, gold-rich nations in the developing world are currently witnessing what could qualify as a "new gold rush", conducted primarily by small-scale mining operators and characterized by the use of metallic Hg (Hg0) in the amalgamation process to extract gold from crude ores. Once introduced into the environment, Hg0 can undergo biogeochemical transformations to produce Hg species such as methyl-Hg, with well-established adverse impacts on living organisms. This review summarizes published data on both historical and recent trends of the use of Hg0 in artisanal gold mining (AGM) on a global scale and emphasizes the impacts of AGM on the environment. To achieve this, we used citations from research conducted in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, obtained from several search engines and databases. Our findings show that, in addition to the well-known environmental and human health adverse effects of gold mining with Hg0, gold extraction by the Hg amalgamation technique is boosting the economy in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia. Unfortunately, this appealing aspect of AGM may not be easily halted, pending the creation of alternative employment. Therefore, there is a clear need for the development of safe and affordable gold extraction and purification technologies. Ultimately, the growth of this specific economic sector should be regulated to help protect both the environment and human health. Information compiled in this review should help to (i) improve the mapping of AGM-impacted soil and aquatic systems on a global scale and (ii) stimulate discussions and research on how to take down current barriers to the development and implementation of safe AGM methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, eco-friendly method for the synthesis of gold nanoflowers using a non-proteinogenic amino acid is discussed in the present work. Gold nanostructure with unique morphology was synthesized, with the assistance of ornithine amino acid. Ornithine-stabilised gold nanoflowers were found to be highly sensitive towards mercury ions (Hg2+) due to Au–Hg amalgamate formation. Due to amalgamate formation, an evolution in morphology of ornithine-stabilised gold nanoflowers happens which can be monitored by the red shift in surface plasmon resonance. Under optimum conditions, our sensor shows a dynamic response range with a detection limit of 6 nM. This developed nanosensor can be used as Hg2+ ion sensor in polluted water/waste water by a one-step assay protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Literature & Humanities / Edebiyat ve Beşeri Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent decades, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has spurred population and economic growth in the small rural communities in which it is located, along with causing contamination of the soil, air, and water with grave effects on human health due to the uncontrolled use of mercury for gold processing activities. This study analyzes the levels of mercury in Secocha, an ASGM community in Arequipa, Peru. A total of 44 soil samples were taken from two ASGM commercial-extractive zones (n = 18) and non-processing urban zones (n = 26). Soil mercury analysis with atomic absorption spectrometry revealed average mercury levels of 86.11 mg/kg in commercial-extractive zone I, where ore processing has occurred for about 17 years, and mercury levels of 43.81 mg/kg in commercial-extractive zone II, where processing has occurred for about 7 years. In the urban zone, the average mercury level was 9.53 mg/kg. The average mercury concentrations for each zone exceed the relevant environmental quality standards established by the Peruvian Ministry of the Environment. In addition, urine samples were obtained from 15 miners and 15 people from the general urban population (non-miners). The average mercury level in the urine of miners was 7.04 µg/L, and in the urine of non-miners it was 0.49 µg/L. In both cases, the mercury urine level did not exceed the limits established by WHO and the Peruvian Ministry of Health, though miners' elevated levels do raise concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Completing partial latin squares is NP-complete. Motivated by Ryser's theorem for latin rectangles, in 1974, Cruse found conditions that ensure a partial symmetric latin square of order m can be embedded in a symmetric latin square of order n. Loosely speaking, this results asserts that an n-coloring of the edges of the complete m-vertex graph K_m can be embedded in a one-factorization of K_n if and only if n is even and the number of edges of each color is at least m-n/2. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions under which an edge-coloring of the complete \lambda-fold m-vertex 3-graph \lambda K_m^3 can be embedded in a one-factorization of \lambda K_n^3. In particular, we prove the first known Ryser type theorem for hypergraphs by showing that if n\equiv 0\ (\mathrm {mod}\ 3), any edge-coloring of \lambda K_m^3 where the number of triples of each color is at least m/2-n/6, can be embedded in a one-factorization of \lambda K_n^3. Finally we prove an Evans type result by showing that if n\equiv 0\ (\mathrm {mod}\ 3) and n\geq 3m, then any q-coloring of the edges of any F\subseteq \lambda K_m^3 can be embedded in a one-factorization of \lambda K_n^3 as long as q\leq \lambda \binom {n-1}{2}-\lambda \binom {m}{3}/\left \lfloor m/3\right \rfloor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To create effective learning environments for students, it is important to continually evolve curriculum and teaching strategies. This may involve an open pedagogy that encourages research within the classroom, promotes real-world problem-solving, and incorporates case studies, projects, and videos to enhance personalized and collaborative learning. These strategies can be implemented in both in-person, blended, and online learning settings to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education. This study delves into the practice of open pedagogy through the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, which helps to integrate the powers of Indigenous ways of knowing with one eye, and Western ways of knowing with the other eye, for the benefit of teaching ethical professional practice in undergraduate engineering and computing programs. The students' self-assessments and feedback revealed noticeable improvements in their skills and competencies. This integrated approach to curriculum and pedagogy fosters critical and creative thinking in learners and cultivates a growth mindset that empowers them to take charge of their learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental menace presented by olive pomace, a solid residue generated in the course of olive oil production, has been firmly established. Numerous investigations have underscored the efficacy of olive pomace as a soil enhancement. As a result, our examination centres on amplifying its agricultural advantages by means of composting and amalgamating it with other refuse materials. This strategy is designed to alleviate the environmental repercussions of olive pomace and trim down restoration expenses, thereby contributing to the transition toward a circular economy. Combinations for composting, comprising 15% to 50% olive pomace serving as a carbon input and 50% to 85% poultry manure as a nitrogen source, successfully underwent a 120-day composting procedure in barrels. The aim is to juxtapose the physic-chemical and microbiological traits of the composted olive pomace (Gr) and poultry manure (F), along with their amalgamations. This scrutiny endeavours to ascertain which treatment proves more efficacious as a plant fertilizer and soil amendment. The investigation also assesses the feasibility of reusing these two waste substances and gauges the maturity of the resultant compost. Throughout the composting progression, diverse microbiological and physic-chemical parameters like temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture levels, organic matter, and the evolution of the C/N ratio were systematically observed. The initial stages of the treatment disclosed heightened microbial activity in the blends, accompanied by a subsequent reduction in pathogen content towards the culmination of the composting course. The inquiry deduces that employing composts derived from olive pomace and poultry manure as sustainable substitutes for chemical fertilizers exemplifies the viability and potential for ecologically sound agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local government amalgamations are often prosecuted on the basis of expected efficiencies centred on capturing economies of scale. However, these economies are far from certain or straightforward. This paper draws on the extant literature to first develop a comprehensive picture of the complexity of the fiscal outcomes associated with amalgamation. We then take advantage of an eight-year panel of data and a serendipitous natural experiment to better understand the impact of amalgamation on operating unit costs. Our results confirm that the actual operating cost outcomes of amalgamation were indeed at odds with the expectations of the amalgamation architects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a well-established correspondence between interpolation and amalgamation for algebraizable logics that satisfy certain additional assumptions. In this paper, we introduce the Robinson property of a logic and show that a conditionally algebraizable logic without any additional assumptions has the Robinson property if and only if the corresponding class of Lindenbaum–Tarski algebras has the amalgamation property. Moreover, we give the logical characterization of the strong amalgamation property, solving an open problem of Andréka–Németi–Sain. It is also shown that given the mentioned extra assumptions the Robinson property implies the interpolation property. As conditionally algebraizable logics cover algebraizable logics as well as various quantifier logics such as classical first order logic, our results yield a generalization of some of the results concerning interpolation and amalgamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices. After giving some properties of such residuated lattices, we obtain a structure theorem for semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices. As an application, we make use of the structure theorem to prove that the variety of strongly semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices has the amalgamation property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amalgamation' is a form of business reorganisation or combination of existing business ventures, where both ventures continue to exist as part of the amalgamated company. In the event of an 'amalgamation', states in India levy stamp duty on the value of the immovable properties of the amalgamating company. This is because the states treat the amalgamation as a transfer of immovable properties by the amalgamating company to the amalgamated company, and the order of the court approving the scheme of amalgamation is treated as the 'conveyance' of such property. Two judgments of the Supreme Court of India lend credibility to this position. One holds that amalgamation results in sub-letting of a lease by the amalgamating company to the amalgamated company. The other judgment holds that amalgamation involves the transfer of properties, and the order of the court approving the scheme of amalgamation is the 'instrument' liable to stamped as 'conveyance'. As a result, amalgamating companies have to pay a substantial amount of stamp duty. The objective of this article is to analyse, and argue against, this established position, because 'amalgamation' is a restructuring tool available to companies to pool their resources and pursue their objectives. The authors argue that the process of amalgamation does not result in extinguishment of any company involved in the amalgamation, and both companies continue to exist, albeit jointly as one. Thus, treating the process of amalgamation merely as a transfer of immoveable property is unjustified. The authors argue that treating the amalgamation order of two companies as 'conveyance', and the issuance of shares to the shareholders of the transferor company by the transferee company as the consideration for transfer of property, is inconsistent with one of the basic tenets of company law - that a company is different and distinct from its shareholders. It is further argued with respect to the distribution of legislative power under the Constitution of India that the Union Parliament has, and the state legislatures do not have, competence to levy stamp duty on corporate restructuring activities such as an amalgamation, and the argument in favour of conferment of such power would violate jurisdictional restrictions imposed by the Constitution of India on states' competence to make laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Disability Sustaining Pedagogy (DSP) and its integration with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to address biases in educational practices related to disability identities. Topics discussed include the importance of DSP for teachers in fostering inclusive learning environments, the amalgamation of DSP with culturally sustaining pedagogy, and practical instances of applying DSP principles, such as involving students in text selection and promoting cultural competence.

Relativistic effects are important to understand the chemistry of heavier elements across the periodic table (PT). Three important relativistic effects are: contraction of s- and p-orbitals (direct relativistic effect), expansion of d- and f-orbitals (indirect relativistic effect) and spin–orbit (SO) coupling to split the p-, d- and f-orbitals. Each of these effects is approximately proportional to Z 2 (Z = atomic number) for the valence shell electrons in many electron atoms and consequently, these relativistic effects dominantly control the properties of the heavier elements (mainly the 6th and 7th period elements). These aspects are not given the proper importance in most of the inorganic chemistry text books and in chemistry education at the university level.

Contemporary cities are urban entities composed of multiple constituents, processes, and connections and operate across binary rhetoric. These very often are comprehended as urbanisms of multiplicity and warrant a different approach to understanding and reading. Plurality in the urban realm is not a new phenomenon. Many principles and urban design approaches in the past centuries adopted an amalgamation of differentials in their discourses to respond to contextual exigencies. This paper investigates such amalgamations through a critical literature review in a bid to lay the foundation of an urban design approach that will be capable of addressing the challenges of seeping multiplicity in the cities of the future.

This study examines the impact of amalgamation reforms on workload and digital governance within Armenian local authorities, against a backdrop of decentralization and government consolidation. It explores how these reforms affect public servants at different governmental levels and ordinary citizens, highlighting the transition towards e-governance as a mitigatory strategy. The research employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating document analysis, semi-structured interviews with government officials across various levels, and focus group discussions with citizens from amalgamated communities. This comprehensive methodology aimed to assess the shifts in workload distribution and the effectiveness of digital governance tools post-amalgamation. Findings indicate a significant shift in work responsibilities towards local administrators, particularly after community amalgamations, leading to increased workloads. While digital governance tools were introduced to alleviate these pressures, their effectiveness varied. Smaller communities reported satisfaction with service delivery improvements, attributing this to enhanced government support and capacity. However, larger communities faced challenges, including dissatisfaction with service delivery, loss of local identity, and perceived inequities in tax contributions versus benefits received. The study reveals that while amalgamation and digital governance initiatives aim to enhance administrative efficiency and public service delivery, they also present complex challenges. These include managing increased workloads and ensuring equitable service provision across communities. The research contributes to the discourse on local governance reform, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the implications for democracy, accountability, and citizen engagement in the face of significant structural changes.

Purified crude laccase of Enterobacter sp. Kamsi and Bacillus sp. NU2 in the hybrid and combined form was immobilized on sodium alginate beads and applied to decolourize various textile dyes through several decolourization reaction cycles. The enzyme/alginate (E/A) loading efficiency and immobilization yield were evaluated. The SEM-EDX analysis, pH, and temperature effects of both forms of immobilized laccases were examined. The maximum condition for Kamsi and NU2 laccases into Na-alginate beads is 2.5% (w/v), which resulted to >83 and 61.71% immobilization and loading efficiency, respectively. The SEM-EDX analysis showed a rough-spherical surface attributable to significant entrapment of the laccase at the centre of the beads. The hybrid laccase in the free and immobilized form showed >52% and 80% decolourization effects, while the amalgamated laccase showed >63 and 83% decolourizing effect on Malachite Green (MG), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR), Reactive Blue 4 (RB4), Congo Red (CR), and Methyl Orange (MO), respectively. The immobilized laccase retained >50 and 81% activity of the hybrid and amalgamated laccases, respectively, after six successive treatment cycles. The results showed that the immobilization technique of the Kamsi and NU2 laccase holds the potential for textile dye effluents degradation, but the amalgamation of an enzyme from different species could improve decolourization potentials for various dyestuff treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that can negatively affect human health and the environment; informal mining is one of the main sources of anthropogenic mercury release due to the separation or concentration by amalgamation that is still used to recover gold directly from ore. In the Nambija mining district, there is still informal mining based on practically no technical knowledge, which uses amalgamation as a processing technique for gold recovery. The production tasks that directly affect the handling of mercury during the in situ grinding–amalgamation process are monitored here. Experimental grinding tests were initially carried out in a "chancha" bar mill for a range of ore sizes and as a function of time; then, experimental tests were performed at the macro-level on grinding cycles in Chilean mills. Considering the characteristics of the ore mineral and the operation of the Chilean mills, it was determined that it is possible to reduce the Hg input to mill by up to 20% (at source). Experimental grinding–amalgamation tests were carried out at different times along with a grain size analysis of the ore; the recovery establishes the grinding time and the fraction in which the gold is extracted in a greater proportion, which affects the control of the amalgamation times. The mercury dosage used by the miners in the amalgamation process should be reduced, considering trials where there is better gold recovery and with the purpose of also reducing mercury losses; eventually, it is possible to jointly achieve an increase in gold recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce and characterize various gluing constructions for residuated lattices that intersect on a common subreduct, and which are subalgebras, or appropriate subreducts, of the resulting structure. Starting from the 1-sum construction (also known as ordinal sum for residuated structures), where algebras that intersect only in the top element are glued together, we first consider the gluing on a congruence filter, and then add a lattice ideal as well. We characterize such constructions in terms of (possibly partial) operators acting on (possibly partial) residuated structures. As particular examples of gluing constructions, we obtain the non-commutative version of some rotation constructions, and an interesting variety of semilinear residuated lattices that are 2-potent. This study also serves as a first attempt toward the study of amalgamation of non-commutative residuated lattices, by constructing an amalgam in the special case where the common subalgebra in the V-formation is either a special (congruence) filter or the union of a filter and an ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]