Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GC-MS screening and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethanolic leaves and stem barks extracts from Dialium guineense Willd, Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex Benth. and Tamarindus indica L

Inflammation has been shown to be greatly involved in the degenerative processes of human skin such as photo aging and atopy. Reduction of low-grade inflammatory reactions by topical products may be necessary in case of skin aggression, to obtain an optimal wound healing and restore the physiological balance of human skin. Present work evaluated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and phototoxic properties of ethanolic extracts from leaves and stem barks of Dialium guineense Willd. , Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. Ex Benth. and Tamarindus indica L. The antioxidant power of the extracts, measured in vitro by the KRL method, showed that each gram of D. guineense bark extract, P. biglobosa leaves extract and T. indica bark and leaves extracts has an antioxidant capacity equivalent to 1585, 2092, 5071 and 2246 mg of Trolox respectively. Simultaneously with their actions on cell viability, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was monitored measuring their effects on NO production by mouse macrophages submitted to LPS from E. coli to determine the anti-inflammatory ratio of each extract. The bark and leaves of D. guineense Willd. , the leaves of P. biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. Ex Benth. and the bark of T. indica L. have anti-inflammatory ratios from 161 to 458.2, whereas Dexamethasone (positive control) has a ratio of 37.87. The in vitro 3T3 NRU test was used on mouse fibroblasts to determine the phototoxicity of the six extracts. Only D. guineense Willd. stem bark was photo-toxic with a photo-irritation factor greater than 5 (PIF = 8.39). Our study report some molecules such as lupeol, amaryn, sitosterol for the first time in the extracts and shows that the use of these plants in traditional medicine is justified.
Is there convergence of national environmental policies? An analysis of policy outputs in 24 OECD countries

A central issue of globalisation research is the question whether globalisation leads to the convergence of policies or whether domestic responses to global challenges remain strongly influenced by existing domestic structures. In the field of environmental policy, there is some analysis of the diffusion of policy innovations, but there is a lack of systematic knowledge as to whether this leads to policy convergence at a broad scale. To what extent does environmental policy convergence take place? The analysis of policy development uses a data-set covering 22 different environmental policy measures in 24 OECD countries from 1970 to 2005. It reveals increases in the similarity of individual policies across countries, in the homogeneity of their policy repertoires and, particularly, in the strictness of regulations, as well as processes of catching-up and overtaking among countries.
How adaptive agents learn to deal with incomplete queries in distributed information environments

Queries that are not indicative of real information needs are a major problem for information retrieval systems. In this work we study how individual learning helps adaptive agents, when searching for information in a distributed environment, to modify incomplete queries in order to improve their retrieving performance. Two learning procedures, occurring in two different levels, are proposed and their effect is studied in several situations. Preliminary results show that changes induced by learning in the query vector of adaptive agents, provide an important advantage and enable them to make correct decisions about how to deal with this problem.
DIFFERENCES IN FMO2*1 ALLELIC FREQUENCY BETWEEN HISPANICS OF PUERTO RICAN AND MEXICAN DESCENT

A polymorphism for the phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme, flavin-containing monooxygenase isoform 2 (FMO2), encoding either truncated inactive protein, FMO2X472 (FMO2.2A), or full-length active enzyme, FMO2Q472 (FMO2.1), is known and exhibits significant interethnic differences in allelic frequency. FMO2 is the major or sole FMO isoform expressed in the lung of most mammals, including nonhuman primates. To date, FMO2.1 has been found only in African-American and Hispanic populations, rendering individuals with this allele subject to drug metabolism that is potentially different from that of the general population. Approximately 26% of African-Americans (n = 180) possess the FMO2*1 allele. In preliminary studies, we initially estimated that 5% of Hispanics (n = 40) have the FMO2*1 allele, but access to large cohorts of individuals of defined national origin has allowed us to determine the occurrence among Mexican-American and Puerto Rican-American groups. We used allele-specific genotyping to detect FMO2*1 from 632 Hispanic individuals, including 280 individuals of Mexican origin and 327 individuals of Puerto Rican origin. Statistical analysis indicated that results from Mexican (five sample sources) and Puerto Rican (three sample sources) samples were consistent with the hypothesis of homogeneity within each group from different sources. Data were subsequently pooled across sources to test for evidence of a difference in occurrence of FMO2*1 between ethnic groups. There was strong evidence (p = 0.0066) that FMO2*1 is more common among Puerto Ricans (7%) than among individuals of Mexican descent (2%). The overall occurrence of FMO2*1 among Hispanics of all origins is estimated to be between 2 and 7%.
Signals for Previous Goal Choice Persist in the Dorsomedial, but Not Dorsolateral Striatum of Rats

The cortico-basal ganglia network has been proposed to consist of parallel loops serving distinct functions. However, it is still uncertain how the content of processed information varies across different loops and how it is related to the functions of each loop. We investigated this issue by comparing neuronal activity in the dorsolateral (sensorimotor) and dorsomedial (associative) striatum, which have been linked to habitual and goal-directed action selection, respectively, in rats performing a dynamic foraging task. Both regions conveyed significant neural signals for the animal's goal choice and its outcome. Moreover, both regions conveyed similar levels of neural signals for action value before the animal's goal choice and chosen value after the outcome of the animal's choice was revealed. However, a striking difference was found in the persistence of neural signals for the animal's chosen action. Signals for the animal's goal choice persisted in the dorsomedial striatum until the outcome of the animal's next goal choice was revealed, whereas they dissipated rapidly in the dorsolateral striatum. These persistent choice signals might be used for causally linking temporally discontiguous responses and their outcomes in the dorsomedial striatum, thereby contributing to its role in goal-directed action selection.
Fractionation, rearrangement and subgenome dominance

Motivation: Fractionation is arguably the greatest cause of gene order disruption following whole genome duplication, causing severe biases in chromosome rearrangement-based estimates of evolutionary divergence. Results: We show how to correct for this bias almost entirely by means of a ‘consolidation’ algorithm for detecting and suitably transforming identifiable regions of fractionation. We characterize the process of fractionation and the performance of the algorithm through realistic simulations. We apply our method to a number of core eudicot genomes, we and by studying the fractionation regions detected, are able to address topical issues in polyploid evolution. Availability and implementation: Code for the consolidation algorithm, and sample data, is available at: http://137.122. 149.195/Software/Fractionation/fractionation.html Contact: sankoff@uottawa.ca
Multiple deficits in ADHD: executive dysfunction, delay aversion, reaction time variability, and emotional deficits

Background The notion that ADHD constitutes a heterogeneous disorder is well accepted. However, this study contributes with new important knowledge by examining independent effects of a large range of neuropsychological deficits. In addition, the study investigated whether deficits in emotional functioning constitute a dissociable component of ADHD. Method The study included children with ADHD (n = 102; 7–13 years) and a control sample individually matched with regard to age and gender. The administered tasks were designed to tap into three different neuropsychological domains: executive functions (i.e., working memory, inhibition, and shifting), delay aversion, and reaction time variability. Parent ratings of emotion regulation and a test of emotion recognition were also included. Results Children with ADHD differed significantly from controls on all measures, except for delay aversion and recognition of disgust. No main effects of gender or interaction effects of gender and group were found. More importantly, executive functioning, reaction time variability, and emotional functioning all contributed independently to distinguishing between children with ADHD and controls. Conclusions The current study supports the view of ADHD as a heterogeneous disorder related to multiple neuropsychological deficits. In addition, emotional functioning appears to be an area of importance for ADHD that needs to be incorporated into future theoretical models.
Search, Costly Price Adjustment and the Frequency of Price Changes - Theory and Evidence *

We establish a new empirical finding that the intensity of search for the best price affects the frequency of nominal price changes. This relationship holds in very different economies and for various proxies for search intensity. We derive this relationship from a model of monopolistically competitive firms that face menu costs of changing nominal prices and heterogeneous consumers who search for the best price. We discuss alternative explanations and argue that they do not explain the observed correlations. Our results establish that pricing policies differ endogenously in the cross-section. This may be an important feature missing in many macroeconomic models based on nominal rigidities with exogenous frequency of price changes.
Induction Machine Fault Identification using Particle Swarm Algorithms

The principles of a new technique using particle swarm algorithms for condition monitoring of the stator and rotor circuits of an induction machine is described in this paper. Using terminal voltage and current data, the stochastic optimization technique is able to indicate the presence of a fault and provide information about the location and nature of the fault. The technique is demonstrated using experimental data from a laboratory machine with both stator and rotor winding faults.
A compendium of existing econometric software packages

This compendium of existing econometric software packages is intended to be a full census of all existing packages of this type that are publicly available and used by economists today. It is intended to provide the developer’s view of each package: in all but a few instances, the person providing each entry is the primary author or current principal developer of the package. These program descriptions generally provide both a development history and a statement of current capabilities. Most entries also include references to more detailed descriptions, including manuals and other publications, as well as providing a website URL.
An Effective Test Generation System for Sequential Circuits

This paper describes a test generation system capable of high fault coverage in complex sequential circuits. Sequential logic is efficiently processed by a unidirectional time flow approach. This single path sensitization technique dynamically expands to multi-path sensitization in reconvergent fan-out structures. Sophisticated conflict analysis is used to reduce back-tracking. User guidance is also accepted to further improve performance.
Preservice teachers’ ideas about how to enhance pupils’ long-term interest in science

ABSTRACT Background: The four-phase model of interest development is a widely accepted theoretical perspective on the development of long-term interest. Our future teachers will be faced with the task of developing their students’ long-term interest in science. Yet it is not known whether they have workable ideas for how to achieve this. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify preservice teachers’ ideas about how to increase students’ long-term interest in science. Sample: The participants were 235 preservice primary teachers and 33 preservice secondary science teachers. Design and Methods: Data collection was by questionnaire, interview and classroom observations. Results: It was found that participants in both primary and secondary groups had very similar ideas about how to develop pupils’ long-term interest in science. These ideas mainly involved the use of hands-on activities, making science relevant, and using student-centred strategies or electronic media to make lessons fun and to enhance engagement. These can be interpreted as representing sources of situational interest (i.e. short-term interest arousal). These ideas broadly parallel the current theory on interest development, such that long-term individual interest is thought to develop from repeated experiences of short-term, situational interest. Conclusion: The participants’ ideas in this study were intuitive, because they were not derived from an understanding of theory, but rather from their personal experiences of interest arousal at university, school and practicum. Nevertheless, their ideas were workable for a practitioner, because they broadly paralleled current theory on interest development.
Prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in subgingival biofilm and saliva of subjects with chronic periodontal infection

P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. are important pathogens associated with late nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized and institutionalized individuals. The oral cavity may be a major source of these respiratory pathogens, particularly in the presence of poor oral hygiene and periodontal infection. This study investigated the prevalence of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in subgingival biofilm and saliva of subjects with periodontal disease or health. Samples were obtained from 55 periodontally healthy (PH) and 169 chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. DNA was obtained from the samples and detection of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. was carried out by multiplex and nested PCR. P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. were detected in 40% and 45% of all samples, respectively. No significant differences in the distribution of these microorganisms between men and women, subgingival biofilm and saliva samples, patients ≤ 35 and > 35 years of age, and smokers and non-smokers were observed regardless periodontal status (p > 0.05). In contrast, the frequencies of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in saliva and biofilm samples were significantly greater in CP than PH patients (p < 0.01). Smokers presenting P. aeruginosa and high frequencies of supragingival plaque were more likely to present CP than PH. P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. are frequently detected in the oral microbiota of CP. Poor oral hygiene, smoking and the presence of P. aeruginosa are strongly associated with periodontitis.
Epidemiological Evidence for the Effectiveness of the Noise at Work Regulations

are designed to minimise risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the UK. The present study examined their effectiveness in a longitudinal field study, where participants were seen annually over a period of 3 years. Audiometric and otoacoustic emission measures were obtained in 154 recruits aged 18-25 years at risk of noise-induced hearing loss through occupational exposure and 99 non-exposed controls. The study had power to detect approximately 1-2 dB change per year, which is a smaller change than would be expected in the noise-exposed participants without protection. There were no significant effects on auditory function, or rate of change in function, of risk group when other potential explanatory variables were taken into account. Nor were there significant effects when contrasting exposed participants working in companies demonstrating relatively lower or higher compliance with the Regulations. Noise levels in exposed participants averaged approximately 88-89 dB(A) before accounting for hearing protection. The only significant effects on hearing demonstrated in the study were small effects of estimated social noise prior to the study, for example at nightclubs or from personal audio systems. Limitations of the study arise from the range of noise level encountered and the restricted duration of the study, which precludes showing longer-term effects. The companies involved in the study are not necessarily representative of the UK in terms of their compliance. Within these limitations, no evidence for lack of effectiveness of the Regulations was found. This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank Russell Ecob, who designed and implemented the statistical modelling elements of the work. Gordon Brown contributed to the design of the compliance assessment schedule and carried out all of the assessments. Dr Stephen Karmy advised on the original design of the study and recruitment of participants. Several research assistants performed the data collection aspects of the study over its duration-in Nottingham: Kim Holmes and very special thanks to Kezia Hills who tested virtually all the participants; in Horswell. The MLS otoacoustic …
Appearance of multiple stable load flow solutions under power flow reversal conditions

In complex power systems, nonlinear load flow equations have multiple solutions. Under typical load conditions only one solution isf stable and corresponds to a normal operating point, whereas the second solution is not stable and is never realized in practice. However, in future distribution grids with high penetration of distributed generators more stable solutions may appear because of active or reactive power reversal. The systems can operate at different states, and additional control measures may be required to ensure that it remains at the appropriate point. This paper focuses on the analysis of several cases where multiple solution phenomena is observed. A noniterative approach for solving load flow equations based on the Gröbner basis is introduced to overcome the convergence and computational efficiency associated with standard iterative approaches. All the solutions of load flow problems with their existence boundaries are analyzed for a simple 3-bus model. Furthermore, the stability of the solutions is analyzed using a derived aggregated load dynamics model, and suggestions for preventive control are proposed and discussed. The failure of naïve voltage stability criteria is demonstrated and new voltage stability criteria is proposed. Some of the new solutions of load flow equations are proved to be both stable and acceptable to the EN 50610 voltage fluctuation standard.
Meta Searching the Web using Exemplar Texts : Initial Results

An Exemplar Text is the ideal model result for Web searches: It characterises what we would like our queries to find. Yet, this rarely happens, since the World Wide Web (WWW) suffers from several deficiencies as an Information Retrieval system. Firstly, the Web does not contain a document collection since the material i t contains has not been gathered for one subject or purpose. It is also incompletely indexed because of its size. Consequently retrieving text from a search engine is time consuming and laborious. Hesperus is a system designed to address this problem. Using an electronic encyclopaedia as a source of subject defining texts, queries are made to MetaCrawler. This searches several search engines in parallel returning the best 10-20 links. Hesperus retrieves these web pages, and computes their conceptual similarity to the Exemplar Text using a method based on thesaurally determined lexical chains. Initial results show that users prefer the Hesperus page order to MetaCrawler's statistical ordering. The technique consequently shows promise as a way to improve the effectiveness of Web searching.
How Similar Are European Business Cycles

In this paper, we focus on how European economic integration has affected the synchronization and the magnitude of business cycles among participating countries. We measure, based on bandpass filtered data, the characteristics of European business cycles analyzing to what extent they have become more similar over time. We also consider the role of other factors such as differences in fiscal and monetary policy, border effects, and trade intensity. Our main finding is that European business cycles are highly synchronized, although we also find that synchronization was higher during periods with highly flexible exchange rates. In addition we find a positive tradeoff between timing and magnitude such that more synchronization coincides with larger relative magnitude. These results raise concern about the consequences of a common monetary policy within EMU.
Functional relations and analytic Bethe ansatz for twisted quantum affine algebras

Functional relations are proposed for transfer matrices of solvable vertex models associated with the twisted quantum affine algebras Uq(Xn( kappa )), where Xn( kappa )=An(2), Dn(2), E6(2) and D4(3). Their solutions are obtained for An(2) and conjectured for D4(3) in the dressed vacuum form of the analytic Bethe ansatz.
The Effects of Data-Based, Individualized Interventions for Behavior

Data-based individualization (DBI) is a systematic process used to guide teachers in making decisions related to students’ responsiveness to intervention. Whereas this process has been used extensively with academic interventions, far less is known about DBI used within the context of behavioral interventions. In this study, elementary general and special education teachers (a) implemented a technology-based, self-monitoring intervention with students exhibiting challenging behavior; and (b) used DBI to evaluate student progress and make intervention adaptations accordingly. Results of multilevel modeling indicated students improved their positive behavior significantly (p < .001) from baseline to intervention. For most students, once they began intervention, positive behaviors either maintained or increased gradually when teachers made adaptations to the self-monitoring intervention. In addition to these results, an analysis of the effects of different intervention adaptations (e.g., raising or lowering goals, increasing or decreasing interval length) and visual analysis of individual students’ response are discussed.