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The purpose of this paper is to investigate fast pyrolysis of maple fruit as an energy sources. This could serve as a solution to the energy sources problem.

Fast pyrolysis of maple fruit (samara) was achieved in a fixed bed reactor. The pyrolysis experiments have been conducted on the sample of maple seeds to particularly determine the effects of pyrolysis temperature, particle size and sweep gas flow rate on the pyrolysis product yields.

The oil of maple fruit from fast pyrolysis has good properties to be a potential candidate as a biofuel or as a source of chemicals. In addition to being environmentally desirable, it can reduce the energy cost, e.g. that Turkey imports a majority of its energy.

The use of maple fruit for fast pyrolysis and pyrolysis conditions impact on the yields of pyrolysis liquid can be considered as novel aspects of this paper.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of audit mechanisms on earnings management (EM) practices in listed Saudi Arabian companies. Specifically, it examines the association between audit committee (AC) characteristics, external audit quality and EM before and after the revision of Saudi Regulations on Corporate Governance (SRCGs) in 2017.

The study analyzes a data set comprising 135 Saudi-listed companies observed from 2013 to 2020. EM practices are measured using the absolute value of discretionary accruals, and external audit quality is assessed by the involvement of BIG 4 auditors. The authors also consider four variables to gauge AC characteristics: independence, size, meeting frequency and expertise. To test the hypotheses, the authors use multivariate regression on panel data.

The findings provide robust evidence regarding the impact of audit mechanisms on EM practices. The presence of accounting and finance experts within the AC is shown to have a substantial and statistically significant effect in reducing EM practices. Similarly, AC independence demonstrates a negative association with EM after the implementation of the SRCGs 2017. However, the study does not uncover any statistically significant impact of AC size and meeting frequency on EM practices. Moreover, the research highlights a noteworthy positive relationship between EM practices and engagement with BIG 4 audit firms before the SRCGs 2017. However, this relationship ceases to exist following the regulatory amendment.

The practical implications of this research are significant for policymakers and companies operating in Saudi Arabia, as well as for practitioners and auditors working in the region. The findings underscore the importance of high-quality auditing work to prevent EM practices and promote transparent financial reporting. The study recommends increasing the number of independent members and financial experts on the AC, as well as rigorous monitoring of AC size and meetings. It also emphasizes the need for compliance with governance regulations to focus on effective monitoring of the AC rather than mere fulfillment of requirements.

The study enhances the existing literature on the effectiveness of ACs and external audit quality in mitigating EM by providing evidence from a unique and Islamic context that has not been extensively studied before. This can help in validating or challenging the findings of previous studies and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that impact EM in different contexts.

Coag-flocculation behavior of Brachystegia eurycoma coagulant (BEC) in respect of pH variation in coal washery effluent has been investigated at room temperature using various dosages of unblended BEC. Coag-flocculation parameters such as order of reaction α, rate constant (K and Ks), coagulation period, τ_1/2 e.t.c were determined. Turbidity measurement was employed using the single angle nephelometric method while BEC processing was based on work reported by Adebowale and Adebowale. Maximum parameter values are recorded at K of 6.6667×10^-3m³/kg.s; dosage of (0.2 and 0.4kg/m³), pH2 and τ_1/2 of 1.7293s while the minimum values are recorded at 5.00×10^-4m³/kg.s, dosage of 0.3kg/m³, pH 6 and τ_1/2 of 23.0572s. Minimum value of coag-flocculation efficiency is >98%; thus establishing BEC as a potential effective coag-flocculant. Parameters obtained lie within the range of previous works and confirm that the theory of perikinetics holds for coag-flocculation of the coal washery effluent using BEC at the experimental conditions.

Chrysophylum albidium seed shell was utilized as an adsorbent for suspended and dissolved particle removal from coagulated coal washery effluent. Several parameters were investigated using batch mode and 2³ full factorial central composite designs (CCD) (for optimization purposes). There exist single generality in optimal values for acid treated shell (ASAA) and salt treated shell (ASAS) at pH 6.8, 30°C, 10g/L dose, 30 min equilibrium time and 1g adsorbent mass for batch mode and CCD, respectively. Equilibrium data sufficiently fit the Langmuir isotherm (R² > 0.99 and SSE (%) ≤ 0.093). Pseudo-second order kinetics provides best correlation (R² > 0.99 and SSE (%) < 0.1) with experimental data. Thermodynamics constants (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) were respectively evaluated as -122.190 KJ/mol, 69005.967 J/mol and 228.146 Jmol^-1K^-1 for ASAA and -1537.455 KJ/mol, 68008.026 J/mol and 229.523 Jmol^-1K^-1 for ASAS. The shell biomass promises high potential as an efficient adsorbent since the adsorption process was favorable, endothermic and spontaneous.

Chitin Derived Coag-flocculant (CDC), is a cheap, abundant and eco-friendly deacetylated cationic polymer applied in this study at a pilot scale for the treatment of Brewery Effluent (BRE). The study investigates the influence of varying BRE pH on the coag-flocculation kinetics and behavior of the aggregation process at varying CDC dosages. The best coag-flocculation performance is recorded at rate constant, K_m, of 0.0003 l/mg·min, half life, τ1/2, of 0.6846 min, pH of 4, dosage of 100 mg/l and efficiency, E (%) of 99.8791. Minimum efficiency (%) > 96 was achieved at 3 minutes of coag-flocculation, establishing CDC as an effective water treatment agent at the conditions of the experiment.

Africa is a vast, immensely diverse continent with hundreds of local languages, traditions, values, and cultures that shape the lives of its people. The vast resources available on the continent present numerous opportunities for economic development and prosperity. The preceding chapters in this volume have explored many of these resources, highlighting the importance of indigenous knowledge in driving sustainable business structures across Africa. This chapter concludes with practical recommendations for implementing and sustaining indigenous knowledge on the continent and building a more equitable and sustainable future for Africa. We anticipate that these observations and recommendations will aid African researchers, government and non-governmental organisations, educators, business actors and leaders, legislators, and the general public in thinking globally but acting locally to advance indigenous knowledge in Africa.

There are notable indigenous business models in the African context that have either been unexplored or are yet to be highlighted and given due attention at the international level. This chapter provides a cross-case analysis of the indigenous business practices of three ethnic groups across West Africa: Nigeria (Igbos), Ghana (Ewes) and the Benin Republic (Guns), thus viewing business models, from anglophone and francophone perspectives. Specifically, the chapter discusses the apprenticeship models igba-boi, of the Igbo society, dorsorsror, among the Ewes, and eyi alo within the Guns society and succession models in the three societies ‘Inochi anya, domenyinyi and eyi kanta’ respectively, with the aim of highlighting insights for practice, policy and academia. Historically, there have been relevant structures to ensure the transfer of knowledge and wealth to the next generation; this is driven by both cultural and traditional systems of the ethnic groups. The findings show that the family unit plays a significant role in building a sustainable channel, though informal, through which the heritage of business models is attained. To this end, the authors recommend leveraging the unique models of apprenticeship and business succession practised in these ethnic groups to support current policies, such as those relating to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the main organizational factors that contribute to the successful implementation of business process reengineering (BPR) in the Egyptian banking sector. These factors include management commitment, information technology (IT) infrastructure, people management, change readiness, centralization and formalization.

The key organizational enablers were identified through an extensive literature review. Then, statistical analysis was carried out based on data collected, using a questionnaire instrument, from 184 managers employed in 38 banks operating in Egypt.

The results of the study indicate that management commitment, IT infrastructure, people management, change readiness and organizational structure with a low degree of formalization are critical enablers for implementing a successful BPR program within the Egyptian banking sector.

The results may support managers of banks in identifying and assessing the influence of integrating organizational factors that facilitate or hinder the successful implementation of BPR.

Since 2004, the Egyptian banking system has involved in major reform programs and many BPR efforts. Much research effort is required to investigate the BPR projects within the Egyptian banks in order to develop a concrete base of knowledge and understanding of the nature of BPR and factors that support its successful implementation. Moreover, there is an insufficiency of empirical studies regarding the implementation of BPR within the Egyptian service sector. The current study fills this gap by exploring and examining the main organizational factors affecting BPR implementation in a developing country.

The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the perceptions of residents of Southeastern Nigeria about glocalizing tourism in the region to help improve their support for the sustainability of the industry. Emphasis is laid on their expectations and strategies to maximize the positive impacts while minimizing the negative aspects in a bid to address their specific local needs.

This paper adopts an ethnographic approach to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders in Southeastern Nigeria's tourism industry. These include traditional rulers, men, women and youth representatives, chief priests and local security agents. Decision-making theory is adopted to frame the study.

The findings identified residents' expectations from glocalizing tourism. They see tourism as an avenue for initiating community projects, creating jobs, patronizing farm produces, reviving cultural practices and addressing religious crises.

This research focused only on selected communities within Southeastern Nigeria. The implication is that the findings do not represent what obtains in other communities within the region. Future research should extend to these areas to have a deeper understanding of how residents perceive the glocalization of tourism.

As the government and developers continue to invest in the tourism industry in the study area, glocalization could be a good way to address specific local needs and gain residents' support in the future.

This paper represents a new research approach for understanding the perceptions of residents about the Nigerian tourism industry.

The use of the internet and World Wide Web to source information is now an emerging practice in developing countries and seems to be obscuring the use of printed resources in libraries. This paper aims to investigate the impacts of internet services on the use of prints in academic libraries in Nigeria.

The design of the study was ex post facto. The population of the study was the 131,670 students registered in the library from 2005 to 2014 academic sessions. The instruments for data collection were documentary records, oral interviews and observations. Statistics of past physical transactions at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Libraries University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were consulted and adapted for the study. Tables, graphs and a benchmark for assessment guided the analysis and discussion of the data.

Readers’ registrations, average daily readership and consultation of theses/dissertations were among the physical services that are multiplying and exerting pressures on existing facilities in the library. Books and periodicals consulted were constantly declining since the advent of internet services. Academic libraries in Nigeria should be adequately funded to sustain information and communication technology (ICT) backbone for internet usage and better marketing and stabilization of library services to retain users in academic libraries.

Increased availability of full-text online could force academic libraries in developing countries to cancel much of their online subscriptions. Serious efforts must be embarked by academic libraries to bring back the users to the library.

This article is the first to investigate the impacts of internet usage on printed resources in academic libraries in Nigeria. The originality lies in its contribution to internet use on information resources in academic libraries in developing regions.