Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ameliorative effect of Vitamin C in experimentally induced colon cancer in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effect of vitamin C administration on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),Urea, Creatinine, Alphafetoprotein(AFP), Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA 199), in addition to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) , Cytochromep4502E1 and Caspase-9 gene expression in colon cancer induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)in rats. Forty white female albino rats were divided into four equal groups (10 each). Group I(control group):received no drugs. Group II:(DMH group): rats injected subcutaneously with DMH (35 mg/kg body weight),twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks for colon cancer induction. Group III:(protective group): rats administrated vit C(200 mg kg-1 b. wt) orally and for 4 weeks before DMH injection and continued with vit C administration daily till the end of the experiment . Group IV:(treatment group):rats injected subcutaneously with DMH then administrated Vit C for 6 weeks till the end of the experiment. Blood and colon tissue samples were collected from all animal groups at the end of the experiment. The obtained results showed that DMH injection to rats significantly increased serum(ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine, AFP, CEA, CA 19-9) and colon tissue TNF-α and CYP2E1while colon tissue caspase-9 gene wassignificantly decreasedwhen compared to control.Administration of Vit C significantly decreased serum (ALT, AST, Urea, Creatinine, AFP, CEA, CA 19-9) in addition to TNF-α and CYP2E1in colon tissue. How every, caspase-9 gene expression showed a significant increase. Histopathological examination of colon tissue edesquamation of the colon epithelium with heavy leukocytic infiltrationin DMH group. While administration of vitamin C in colon cancer induced rats showed mild destruction of the lining epithelium with mild leukocytic infiltration in addition to mild malignancy of epithelium when compared to DMH group. These results indicated the protective effect of Vit C against DMH induced colon cancer.
Insecticidal activity of plant extracts and essential oils of bleed water against the bean weevil

This study was aimed to evaluate the toxicity of semi-purified fractions (FS) (Hexane - FH, ethyl acetate - FAE, ethanol/water - FEA) and the essential oils of the bark and leaves of Croton urucurana against the bean weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus). The insects were subjected to concentration-mortality bioassays of the FS, to determine the LC50. Subsequently, the effect of the FS was evaluated, through the method of vaporization and multiple choices. The fumigation action was evaluated using the essential oils, and the population growth was assessed using the FAE-leaf. All FS were toxic for C. maculatus, however, the lowest LC50as well as a higher mortality in the vaporization method were obtained with the FAE-leaf. The essential oils from the bark caused an insect mortality greater than 80%. The least preferred rate of insects was obtained with the beans treated with FAE-bark while the beans treated with FAE-leaf reduced the population growth of the C. maculatus. Thus, we conclude that the semi-purified fractions and the essential oils of bark and leaves of C. urucurana interfere with the survival and biology of C. maculatus. Key words: Euphorbiaceae, Plant extracts, repellency, bean weevil.
Thymoquinone Attenuates Ovariectomy Induced Alteration in Bone Architecture and Metabolism in Rats

Thymoquinone (THQ) reported to have beneficial effects on bone disorders. Thus the present study was designed to investigate its protective effects on experimentally-induced osteoporosisin ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The OVX rats were treated with different doses (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg/day) of THQ for ten weeks. Bone turnover biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA techniques. Changes in bones cortical and trabecular morphometric parameters were determined using micro-CT scan. Body weights and abdominal fats were significantly increased in OVX rats while the uterus and femoral bone weights were markedly inhibited in OVX rats. Estrogen deficiency elevated the level of bone turnover biomarkers as well as inflammatory cytokines in serum. Moreover, cortical and trabecular morphometric parameters of the femoral bones were severely altered by ovariectomy operation.THQ treatments inhibited the increased bone turnover biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in dose dependent manner. The altered morphometric parameters of the femoral bones were also markedly attenuated by THQ. Present data revealed that THQ has osteoprotective properties may be due to its ability to inhibit osteoclastogenesis inducing factors and inflammation, which stabilize the osteoclasts and decreased their bone matrix's degradation or resorption. We believe that this effect may be through its both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Correlated Noise in Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

This thesis explores one of the differences between the visual cortex and deep convolutional neural networks, namely, correlated fluctuations of neuron response strength. First, we describe the similarities and differences between biological and artificial neural networks and provide motivation for bridging the gap between the two, with a focus on correlated variability. Next, we present a regularisation method for convolutional neural networks using correlated noise. The structure of the correlations are inspired from biological observations using two factors: spatial extent and tuning similarity of neurons. We provide empirical results on improved robust image classification in the setting of occluded and corrupted images. We then move on to studying the connection between popular dataset augmentation techniques and correlated variability. We compute a smooth estimate of the correlations of neural network activity as a function of distance and kernel similarity, and show the similarity to biological correlations. Finally, we introduce a structured form of Dropout for convolutional neural networks, taking into account spatial and kernel correlations. We show improvement in image classification for the VGG architecture on the CIFAR-10 dataset.
Two-dimensional mineral dust radiative effect calculations from CALIPSO observations over Europe

Abstract. A demonstration study to examine the feasibility of retrieving dust radiative effects based on combined satellite data from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) and CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) lidar vertical profiles along their orbit is presented. The GAME (Global Atmospheric Model) radiative transfer model is used to estimate the shortwave and longwave dust radiative effects below the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite) orbit assuming an aerosol parameterization based on the CALIOP vertical distribution at a horizontal resolution of 5 km and additional AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) data. Two study cases are analyzed: a strong long-range transport mineral dust event (aerosol optical depth, AOD, of 0.52) that originated in the Sahara Desert and reached the United Kingdom and a weaker event (AOD = 0.16) that affected eastern Europe. The radiative fluxes obtained are first validated in terms of radiative efficiency at a single point with space–time colocated lidar ground-based measurements from EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) stations below the orbit. The methodology is then applied to the full orbit. The strong dependence of the radiative effects on the aerosol load (and to a lesser extent on the surface albedo) highlights the need for accurate AOD measurements for radiative studies. The calculated dust radiative effects and heating rates below the orbits are in good agreement with previous studies of mineral dust, with the radiative efficiency obtained at the surface ranging between −80.3 and −63.0 W m−2 for lower dust concentration event and −119.1 and −79.3 W m−2 for the strong event. Thus, results demonstrate the validity of the method presented here to retrieve 2-D accurate radiative properties with large spatial and temporal coverage.
Relationship between the Chinese Language Classroom Environment and Students' Motivation to Learn Mandarin in Malaysia

Associations between the nature of Mandarin Classroom Environments and Malaysian Chinese Independent High school students' motivation to learn Mandarin was investigated using a perceptual measure approach. A sample of 460 grade 8 students from 4 Independent Chinese High schools were involved in the study. The Mandarin Classroom Environment Inventory (CLCEI) (Chua, 2004) was used to investigate teachers' and students' perceptions towards their Mandarin classroom learning environments in six dimensions, namely 'Student Cohesiveness', 'Teacher Support', 'Involvement', 'Cooperation', 'Task Orientation' and 'Equity'. Students' motivation to learn Mandarin was examined using the Chinese Language Motivation Scale (CLMOTS) (Soh, 1993). Two statistical procedures, simple correlational analysis and multiple regression analysis, were used to examine the relationships between students' motivation to learn Mandarin and the nature of their Mandarin classroom learning environments. The results show that students' motivation to learn Mandarin was positively correlated with all the six learning environment dimensions. Multiple regression analysis show that students' motivation to learn Mandarin was associated with three dimensions of the learning environments, 'Teacher Support', 'Task Orientation', and Equity. Task Orientation had the most significant association with students' motivation to learn Mandarin.
Recovery of cobalt ions from diluted solutions by means of protonated dry alginate beads

Mining effluents contain cobalt ions that can damage humans and flora. However, this metal also has high commercial value when recovered. The objective of this research work was to recover cobalt (Co2+) from diluted solutions using a biosorbent, specifically protonated dry alginate beads (PDAB). Experimental work was carried out in batch from an initial concentration of 22×10-6 kg dm-3 Co2+ and 80 mg alginate. Variables such as agitation, pH solution, experimental time, isotherm values, and temperature were analyzed. Maximum cobalt recoveries were obtained at pH values above 5.0, reaching 60.6×10-3 kg kg-1 of PDAB. Cobalt recovery occurred with ion exchange mechanisms from alginate carboxyl group proton release. Experimental data had excellent fit with both the Lagergren kinetic model (pseudo-first order) and the Langmuir isotherm model. As temperature increased, cobalt recovery increased. The calculated activation energy was 12.8 kJ mol-1. Compositional measurements obtained by scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for alginate crosssections showed uniform distributions of cobalt concentrations throughout the spherical alginate structure, independent of solution pH, contact time, or temperature. Furthermore, elution gave significant cobalt re-extraction (98.2%) and demonstrated PDAB reusability.
Food Democracy from the Top Down? State-Driven Participation Processes for Local Food System Transformations towards Sustainability

Food democracy is a concept with growing influence in food policy research. It involves citizens regaining democratic control of the food system and enabling its sustainable transformation. In focusing mainly on civil society initiatives, food democracy research has so far neglected the potential of state-driven food-related participation processes. We base our study on qualitative interviews with local stakeholders in two smaller cities in southern Germany where the city administration and city council initiated participatory processes. The study aims to understand how local actors are framing state-driven participation processes concerning sustainable local food system transformation along key dimensions of food democracy. We identify eight categories that conceptually constitute food democracy: mutual knowledge exchange; legitimacy and credibility of knowledge claims; transparent processes for deliberating ideas; shared language for sharing ideas; expectations of and experience with efficacy; role model function of municipalities; raising awareness; and motivation and justification of the normative orientation. Furthermore, the empirical analysis shows that state actors can have important roles in food-related participation processes as potential initiators, shapers and implementers depending on how they interact with local food-related actors and how they design and coordinate food system transformation processes. This suggests that food democracy research should not necessarily conceptualize state actors, local entrepreneurs and citizens as opponents, but rather, should reconsider how these various actors can drive food democracy and citizenship in a supportive and coordinated way.
Response of green snap bean plants to different plant densities and some chemical compounds under cool atmosphere condition

The present study was carried out during the two successive fall seasons of 2017 and 2018, at private farm in Kafr El-Sheik Governorate, under clay soil condition using furrow irrigation system. These experiments aimed to evaluate the effect of some combinations among four plant densities (20, 30, 40 and 60 plants/m2) with four types of chemical compounds (its symbols i.e., chemical compound 1, 2, 3 and 4) beside the control treatment on growth, yield and pods quality of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv.Polista as a famous variety, grown under open field conditions. This study aimed to introduce a practical solution to resist atmospheric changes and instability in temperature and especially sudden sharp recursively during growth and fall season. All studied densities gave rise to a positive effect on plant growth expressed as plant height, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, foliage fresh weight and foliage dry weight per plant compared with control treatments. Positive impact in comparison with the treatments of the promo, which recorded the highest values of vegetation such as plant height, number of branches per plant and number of leaves / plant when growing 40 plants/m2 and using chemical compound 2, while cultivating 30 plants/m² with chemical compound 1 gave the highest values of fresh and dry weight, Leaf area and the stem diameter. Regarding the influence of interference on the pod weight in the first season only, the length of the pod and the number of pods/plant in both seasons did not show any differences moral consequences, while cultivating 30 plants/m² with chemical compound 2 gave higher values for the pod weight in the second season, the length of the pod and the total yield, if using 30 plants/m² with chemical compound 1 record higher values for the pod thickness. Regarding the chemical content of the leaves as chlorophyll, nitrogen, potassium, recorded the highest values when growing 30 plants/m² with chemical compound 2, except the highest phosphorus values when planting 30 plants/m² with chemical compound 1. Also treatment 30 plants/m2 with chemical compound 1 gave higher values for the content of vitamin C, TSS and less fiber content and acidity and therefore get the high yield plus high quality.
PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING DAYCARE AND ORPHANAGE CENTERS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA

Intestinal parasites are globally endemic, affecting the health, growth and development of children world-wide. Daycare and Orphanage centres are some of the environments where children are potentially exposed to infections. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children in some daycare and Orphanage centres in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna state, Nigeria, in order to assess the sanitary conditions under which these children are maintained. Stool samples were collected from 305 children (155 males and 150 females), age range 0 months to 6 years in 6 daycare centers. The samples were examined macroscopically and then microscopically for parasitic infections using visual observations and wet mount and concentration techniques. Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study was 9.2%. The protozoan identified were Entamoeba coli 4 (1.6%), Entamoeba histolytica 2 (0.7%), Giardia lamblia 1 (0.3%) and Taenia Saginata 1(0.3%). The helminthes identified were Ascaris lumbricoides 1(0.3%), Hookworms 11(3.6%), Trichuris trichuria 2 (0.7%) and strongyloides stercoralis 5 (1.6%). The infections rates were highest among age group 2 – 3 years, 18 (14.3%). The differences among age and sex related intestinal parasite infections rates were statistically significant (p>0.5). Poor sanitation and domestic hygiene, bad eating habits and general ignorance of the diseases were identified as the predisposing factors to intestinal parasite infections in the study area. These results can be a catalyst for ministry of Health and KEPA to pay special attention to intestinal parasites infections among children in daycare and Orphanage centres in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State. Furthermore, intervention curriculums and teaching of children and environmental hygiene must be taken into consideration to prevent and control intestinal parasites infections in their area.
Multi-dimensional change process in higher education : a qualitative investigation of organizational change in a public university in Turkey

This paper is a part of larger study that was designed to investigate administrative processes in a large Turkish public university. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data were subjected to content analysis and the results suggested that change process is a complex process with several dimensions: forces for change, change domains, means of change, and problems of change process. A hierarchy identified among these dimensions and this hierarchy enabled a model for organizational change process. Using this model the findings interpreted within the framework of both the recent global developments in higher education and peculiar characteristics of the Turkish Higher Education System.
Wantok-Centred framework for developing citizenship

This paper presents a framework for developing citizenship education in the Solomon Islands. By drawing on a qualitative study conducted with 24 students, 20 teachers, and four principals in four rural and urban schools in the Solomon Islands, this study reveals that wantok-centred relationships are a unifying symbol that holds the family unit, clan, tribe, church members, and people with the state. In order to strengthen wantok relationships that create a peaceful coexistence in the Solomon Islands, this article proposes a wantok framework to underpin the development of citizenship education in the Solomon Islands. It introduces three domains: democratic, spiritual, and cultural, which are all centred on the notion of relationality. It demonstrates how relationality is central to the wantok framework by connecting people through the pijin language, and cultural, spiritual, and democratic values. This article concludes by demonstrating how this framework can promote wantok-centric identities, values, and relationships in both the formal and non-formal education sectors in the Solomon Islands.
Regulation of Integrin β3 Protein Secretion on Implantation Embryo of Mouse (Mus musculus L.) Induced by Oil Atsiri of Purple Nutsedge Tubers (Cyperus rotundus L.)

Aims: This study aims to determine the regulation of β3 integrin protein in the period of embryo implantation after being induced by oil atsiri of purple nutsedge tubers. Study Design: The study employed a completely randomised design using four concentration levels repeated six times. Place and Duration of Study: Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Zoology Laboratory of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences University of Lampung, between June 2015 and April 2016. Methodology: This study used mouse as experimental animals with 24 female mouse, then mated with male mouse with a ratio (1 female: 1 male). After the vaginal plug was found in female mouse, then the essential oil of purple nutsedge tubers was induced orally (force-fed) according to the treatment dose. Each 6 female mice were grouped as a control group, and 3 treatment groups, consisting of controls (C) = 0.4 ml aquabides, treatment 1 (T1) = 4.5 mg/40g body weight, treatment 2 (T2) = 45 mg/40g body weight, and treatment 3 (T3) = 135 mg/40g body weight. After the one way Anova test, Ho is rejected, meaning there are significant differences and the analysis is continued with multiple comparison tests, in this case the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test is used. Results: The results shown that the induction of essential oils of purple nutsedge tubers can reduce the level of β3 integrin protein in uterus mouse significantly. Conclusion: It is suggested essential oil of purple nutsedge tubers has potential decrease and can reduce the level of β3 integrin protein in uterus mouse during the period of embryo implantation.
ASSESSMENT OF ACUTE AND SUB-CHRONIC TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NEOCARYA MACROPHYLLA SEED CAKE ON WISTAR RATS

The acute and sub-chronic toxicological effect of Neocarya macrophylla seed cake (NMSC) on wistar rats were investigated in a view to determine its suitability as an additive, food ingredient or nutrient supplement in human diet. The proximate analysis of NMSC showed that it had high protein and crude fibre values of 56.04±0.00 % and 7.41±0.01 % but low carbohydrate and ash contents of 13.19±0.49 % and 6.79±0.02 %respectively. The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed that NMSC contained tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Forty wistar rats with an average weight between 40-60 g were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments and fed with commercial feed (group I) and 0 %, 10 % and 20 % of NMSC diet for groups II to IV respectively for four weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and hematological parameters, plasma biochemical parameters and histopathological examination were carried out. The rats, when monitored weekly had good physical appearance and neither mortality nor any sign of acute and sub-chronic toxicity was recorded throughout the experimental period. There was no significant difference between most of the hematological parameters of test group rats when compared with those of the control groups. Histopathological analysis of the organs of the test rats showed no visible lesion in both the kidney and heart. The liver of the rats fed with 10 % diet had no visible lesions but there was a mild diffuse hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes at 20 % inclusion. NMSC seemed to have potential of being used as feed supplement. Keyword: Neocarya macrophylla, seed cake toxicity, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters Received: 15.09. 2017 Reviewed: 26.11. 2017 Accepted: 13.12. 2017
Morphological Cues in Children’s Processing of Ambiguous Sentences: a Study of Subject / Object Ambiguities in Greek

In this paper, we investigate the on-line processing of locally ambiguous sentences, in which the ambiguity is resolved by morphological means, namely by S-V agreement and Case on DPs. Moreover, we compare the parsing strategies employed by adult readers with those used by children in order to examine the development of the parser. The method used is an on-line measure, more specifically a self-paced reading task. The structures we tested involve subject/object ambiguities, in which the verb of a pre-posed adverbial clause is optionally transitive and followed by a DP which could be either the object of the embedded verb (1a) or the subject of the main verb (1b):