Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of rice bran extracts using different antioxidant assays

In the present work the antioxidant activity of different solvent (100% methanol, 80% methanol, 100% acetone, 80% acetone) extracts of rice bran was evaluated following different antioxidant assays and using sunflower oil as oxidation substrate. The rice bran extracts were evaluated from the estimate of % inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system, total phenolics content (TPC) and loss of β -carotene in a linoleic acid system. Additionally, crude concentrated rice bran extracts were added into the sunflower oil samples and stored under ambient conditions. The extent of oxidative deterioration was followed by the measurement of peroxide-, p -anisidine-, conjugated diene-, and triene- values. The general order of antioxidant efficacy of rice bran extracts as determined by various antioxidant assays was 80% methanolic extract > 100% methanolic extract > 80% acetone extract > 100% acetone extract. The results of the present comprehensive analysis demonstrate that rice bran extracts of the Super Kernel variety indigenous to Pakistan are a viable source of natural antioxidants and might be exploited for functional foods and nutraceutical applications.
Mapping grief. A conceptual framework for understanding the spatial dimensions of bereavement, mourning and remembrance

Abstract This paper highlights the significance of the spatial dimensions of the universal human phenomena of bereavement. Grief, mourning and remembrance are experienced in and mapped upon (i) physical spaces, including the public and private arenas of everyday life; (ii) the embodied-psychological spaces of the interdependent and co-producing body-mind and (iii) the virtual spaces of digital technology, religious-spiritual beliefs and non-place-based community. Culturally inflected, dynamic emotional-affective maps of grief can be identified, as a form of deep-mapping, which reflect the ways in which relationality to particular spaces and places is inflected by bereavement, mourning and remembrance. Individual’s emotional-affective cartographies can intersect, overlap, or conflict with, others’ maps, with social and political consequences. The conceptual framework outlined here is illustrated by a schematic representation of grief maps. This framework provides geographical scholars with a lens on the dynamic assemblage of self-body-place-society that constitutes culturally inflected individual and shared everyday grief maps, providing insight to relational spaces, emotional-affective geographies and therapeutic environments. The reflexive identification of such maps represents a potential resource for the bereaved and their therapeutic counsellors, facilitating the identification of places which evoke anguish or comfort etc. and which might be deemed emotionally ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ at particular junctures.
AMELIORATION OF CURCUMIN AGAINST CADMIUM INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN LUNG OF ALBINO MICE.

Amrita Kumari. Humans are exposed to a number of toxic elements in the environment. Cadmium, is a great environmental health problem of both humans and animals. The present study was carried out to evaluate the protective role of curcumin on lung against cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress in albino mice. Albino mice were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 mice were kept as control. Group 2 mice were administered an oral dose of 1mg/kg body weight of Cd on alternate days for 15 days. Group 3 mice were given an oral dose of 1mg/kg body weight of Cd on alternate days and 100mg/kg body weight of curcumin daily for 15 days. Group 4 mice were given an oral dose of 100 mg/kg body weight of curcumin daily for 15 days and will be kept as positive control. Autopsies were done on 15 days post treatment. A significant decrease in body weight and organ weight were observed. Biochemical analysis showed decline in antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidise (GPx) and increase in lipid peroxidation. However, the treatment with curcumin ameliorated Cdinduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidative stress in lung tissue as it provoked the antioxidant defense system more significantly. While, cotreatment of Cd with curcumin ameliorated the antioxidant level. The results of the present research work showed the protective action of curcumin on the cadmium induced oxidative stress in the lung of mice.
Penetration resistance according to penetration rate, cone base size and different soil conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of penetration rate and the size of the cone base on the resistance to penetration under different soil moistures and soil bulk density. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4x2x2x2 factorial arrangement, with the factors, soil bulk density of 1.0; 1.2; 1.4 and 1.6 Mg m -3 , soil moisture at the evaluation of 0.16 and 0.22 kg kg -1 , penetration rates of 0.166 and 30 mm s -1 and areas of the cone base of 10.98 and 129.28 mm 2 resulting in 32 treatments with 8 replicates. To ensure greater uniformity and similarity to field conditions, samples passed through cycles of wetting and drying. Only the interaction of the four factors was not significant. Resistance values varied with the density of the soil, regardless of moisture and penetration rate. Soil penetration resistance was influenced by the size of the cone base, with higher values for the smallest base independent of moisture and soil bulk density. The relationship between resistance to penetration and moisture is not always linear, once it is influenced by soil bulk density. Reduction in the area of the cone leads to an increase in the soil resistance to penetration.
Influence of Spacing, Bulb Size and Depth of Planting on Flower Yield and Quality of Tuberose ( Polianthes tuberosa L.) Cv. 'Single'

An experiment was laid out with three spacing (15, 20, 25 cm), two bulb sizes (2.5, 3 cm diameter) and three depths of planting (3,5,7 cm). In respect of spacing, flower yield and quality parameters except girth of the spike were significantly influenced in widest spacing (20 × 25 cm 2 ). Longevity of spike (19.23 days) and keeping quality at room temperature (14.30 days) was highest in widest spacing. The large bulb size (B 2 ) recorded significant increase in number of spikes per plant, the length and girth of spike, keeping quality of the spike at room temperature. Planting the bulbs at shallow depth (3 cm) resulted in the earliest spike emergence, but had no identical difference with medium depth (5cm) of planting. The length of spike, number of spikes per plant and longevity of spike in field increased significantly at 7 cm depth, while the treatment D 2 (5cm) recorded significantly superior results in case of diameter of spike, number of florets per spike and length of rachis. The bigger sized bulb (3 cm diameter) planted at widest spacing (20 × 25 cm 2 ) and at 5 cm depth of planting was found best to get maximum commercial advantage for achieving higher flower yield and quality of tuberose.
Running head: Body Checking Questionnaire and Body Checking Cognitions Scale Psychometric Properties of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) and of the Body Checking Cognitions Scale (BCCS): A Bifactor-Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling approach

This research sought to assess the psychometric properties of the French versions of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ) and the Body Checking Cognitions Scale (BCCS) among community samples. A total sample of 922 adolescents and adults was involved in a series of two studies. The results from the first study supported factor validity and reliability of responses obtained on these two measures, and showed that both measures were best represented by a bifactor-exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) representation of the data. The results from the second study replicated these conclusions, while also supporting the measurement invariance of the bifactor-ESEM solution and the equivalence of the correlations among the two measures (i.e., convergent validity) across samples. This second study also supported the criterion related validity of ratings on both measures with measures of global self-esteem, physical appearance, social physique anxiety, fear of negative appearance evaluation, and disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors. Finally, the results of this last study also supported the measurement invariance and lack of differential item functioning of both measures in relation to sex, age, diagnosis of eating disorders, and body mass index.
Impact of Personality Type on Job Productivity

The objective of this research is to find out the impact of personality type of an employee on his job productivity. A survey of 10,000 individuals was conducted from different cities to elucidate the associations between organizational goals and a number of intra-organizational variables. In this research, author found that there are many factors which affect the employee performance and which are either affected by employee’s performance or employee’s performance is affected by them. Among those factors, personality of an employee plays an important role. The findings of the study also have numerous implications for practitioners. At a strategic level, the study suggests that executives should acknowledge in their change processes that decisions at an organizational level regarding the personality of an employee could have a profound effect on the productivity of an employee. Further, managers of functions may find it beneficial to manipulate a range of intra-organizational variables to enhance employee productivity.
In search of greenhouse signals in the equatorial middle atmosphere

A series of Rocketsonde and Radiosonde data (balloon) were collected over the equatorial station Thumba (8°N, 76°E), India extended for about two solar cycle period (1971‐1993). This is one of a few longest sets of rare records available from equatorial stations. These data were now analyzed using two independent and upto date new regression models, which are based on multiple function regression theory and also takes account of successive instrumental modifications and tidal effects. These experimental results are complemented with 2‐D interactive model results simulated for the same duration and found to agree well. The model accounts for the actual measured growth rate of several greenhouse gases including CO2, CH4, N2O and CFCs for this period. Results of both balloon and rocket data analysis indicate a cooling of the order of 1°K /decade in the lower stratosphere which agrees well with low latitude data by other workers. A negative trend of 2 to 3°K/decade in the lower mesosphere and a rise in cooling up to 5.6°K/decade in the upper mesosphere has been observed. A loss of trend near the stratopause is noticed in annual trend analysis. However, on seasonal scales, trend structure gets modified and shows slightly stronger cooling in winter as compared to summer in the mesosphere.
Enhanced biohydrogen production from oat straw co-digested with cow dung / sewage sludge by combined aerobic digestion and anaerobic fermentation

Hydrogen was produced from oat straw by combined aerobic and anaerobic fermentation with fungi and cow dung. With aerobic pre-digestion, the maximum hydrogen production rate reached 133 ml/g volatile suspended solids per hour. The maximum hydrogen yield was 71.5 ml/g straw in 6 days by biological process. The lignocellulosic conversion of oak-straw waste was 39%, with the complex component converting 68% of the hemi-cellulose and 61% of the cellulose, but only 34% of lignin conversion. Aerobic pre-digestion by Trichoderma viride and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was significantly effective for lignin degradation. Combining aerobic digestion and anaerobic fermentation is a promising low-cost efficient and environmentally friendly method, not only for hydrogen production, but also for converting straw biomass.
Exploitation in economies with heterogeneous preferences, skills and assets: An axiomatic approach

This paper provides a novel axiomatic analysis of exploitation as the unequal exchange of labour in economies with heterogeneous optimising agents endowed with unequal amounts of physical and human capital. A definition of exploitation is proposed, which emphasises the relational nature of exploitation and the resulting inequalities in the allocation of labour and income. It is shown that, among all of the major definitions, this is the only one which satisfies two formally weak and normatively salient axioms, and allows one to generalise a number of core insights of exploitation theory.
Artificial neural networks and multiple linear regression model using principal components to estimate rainfall over South America

Abstract. Several studies have been devoted to dynamic and statistical downscaling for analysis of both climate variability and climate change. This paper introduces an application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and multiple linear regression (MLR) by principal components to estimate rainfall in South America. This method is proposed for downscaling monthly precipitation time series over South America for three regions: the Amazon; northeastern Brazil; and the La Plata Basin, which is one of the regions of the planet that will be most affected by the climate change projected for the end of the 21st century. The downscaling models were developed and validated using CMIP5 model output and observed monthly precipitation. We used general circulation model (GCM) experiments for the 20th century (RCP historical; 1970–1999) and two scenarios (RCP 2.6 and 8.5; 2070–2100). The model test results indicate that the ANNs significantly outperform the MLR downscaling of monthly precipitation variability.
GENETICALLY DIVERSE ROOT NODULE BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH ALYSICARPUS VAGINALIS FROM ALKALINE SOIL OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

About forty eight rhizobial strains were isolated and purified from the root nodules of Alysicarpus vaginalis growing in alkaline soil of eight different districts of Rajasthan. Rhizobial strains were initially grouped on the basis of colony characteristics as well as growth time and placed into three different colony groups comprising of both slow and fast growing rhizobia. Interestingly many of these strains showed some PGP traits like phosphate solubilization. On the basis of PCR-RFLP (ARDRA) pattern ten different genetic groups were formed showing significant genetic diversity among the strains. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of one strain from each of the three major phenotypic groups and the BLASTn results showed that the fast growing strains belong to the genera Ensifer (Colony group-I) and Rhizobium (Colony groupII) whereas the representative strain of third colony group (slow growing) belongs to the genus Bradyrhizobium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain AV11 was identical to Ensifer aridi strains and showed close similarity with the type strains E. kostiensis and E. saheli. Fast growing strain AV21 showed similarity with Rhizobium aegyptiacum, R. bangladeshense and R. binae. The slow growing strain AV34 has close similarity with type strain Bradyrhizobium vignae. It is suggested that in the alkaline soil of Rajasthan, Alysicarpus vaginalis is nodulated with diverse type of fast and slow growing rhizobia’s that needs further characterization.
The effect of a dynamic soil scheme on the climate of the mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract. In order to account for coupled climate–soil processes, we have developed a soil scheme which is asynchronously coupled to a comprehensive climate model with dynamic vegetation. This scheme considers vegetation as the primary control of changes in physical soil characteristics. We test the scheme for a warmer (mid-Holocene) and colder (Last Glacial Maximum) climate relative to the preindustrial climate. We find that the computed changes in physical soil characteristics lead to significant amplification of global climate anomalies, representing a positive feedback. The inclusion of the soil feedback yields an extra surface warming of 0.24 °C for the mid-Holocene and an additional global cooling of 1.07 °C for the Last Glacial Maximum. Transition zones such as desert–savannah and taiga–tundra exhibit a pronounced response in the model version with dynamic soil properties. Energy balance model analyses reveal that our soil scheme amplifies the temperature anomalies in the mid-to-high northern latitudes via changes in the planetary albedo and the effective longwave emissivity. As a result of the modified soil treatment and the positive feedback to climate, part of the underestimated mid-Holocene temperature response to orbital forcing can be reconciled in the model.
Auroral electrojet plasma irregularity theory and experiment: A critical review of present understanding and future directions

We review the experimental observations of meter scale plasna irreg- ularities in the auroral E region and the status of their theoretical understanding. Most of the experimental data is derived from VHF radar scatter experiments, but sounding rockets also provide crucial information not obtainable from radars. Linear theories correctly predict the altitude of occurence, strong magnetic aspect sensitivity, marginal instability, and typical phase velocities. Subsequent nonlinear theories have been developed to account for other observed features but with less satisfying application. Further understanding of auroral electrojet irregularities is impeded by precision limitations of existing instruments, by radar data which may seem incompatible, by the usually poor knowledge of the ambient conditions during these experiments, and by some confusion in the nomenclattu'e (e.g. "type 2") used to describe the irregularities. We hope to clarify some of these experimental and theoretical issues. We will discuss observational "facts" that need to be refined and point out weaknesses of existing theories or their common interpretations. Finally, we will outline some avenues for future experimental and theoretical pursuit.
Profile of eye lid lesions over a decade: a histopathological study from a tertiary care center in South India

Background: Eyelid lesions are commonly encountered in histopathology practice and encompass a wide variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Here we report the histopathological features of eyelid lesions in patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Kerala, South India. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 414 eyelid lesions were identified over a period of 10 years (January 2006 - December 2015). In each case, details including age, gender and final histopathological diagnosis were recorded from histopathology registers. Results: Non-neoplastic lesions (52.4%) were more common than neoplastic lesions (47.6%). In the neoplastic lesions, benign tumors outnumbered (37.7%) malignant tumors (9.9%). Age of patients ranged from 1 to 90 years with a mean age of 43.4 years. M: F ratio was 1:1.3. The most common non-neoplastic lesion was epidermal cyst (14.3%) followed by parasitic granuloma (9.2%), chalazion and dermoid cyst (5.6% each). Nevus was the commonest benign eyelid tumor (13.7%) followed by squamous papilloma (9.2%), seborrhoeic keratosis and capillary hemangioma (3.9% each). Sebaceous carcinoma was the most frequent malignant tumor (2.4%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (2.2%) and basal cell carcinoma (1.5%). Uncommon lesions encountered were actinomycosis, tuberculous granuloma, amyloid deposit, calcinosis cutis, molluscum, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, xanthelasma, granular cell tumor, benign fibrous histiocytoma, mucinous eccrine adenocarcinoma etc. Conclusions: Eyelid lesions were commoner in females and in 5th and 6th decades. Epidermal cyst and nevus were the commonest benign lesions and sebaceous carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor. The results are comparable with available data from South India.
Creep Investigation on Shale-Like Material with Preexisting Fissure under Coupling Temperatures and Confining Pressures

In order to investigate the influence of temperature, confining pressure, and preexisting fissure on creep characteristics of rock mass, multistage creep experiments were performed on shale-like material, with preexisting fissure under different temperatures and confining pressures. The results showed that new microcracks generated and propagated with the increase of temperature in both uniaxial and triaxial creep experiments, and the generation and propagation were most pronounced at 60°C and least at 20∼50°C in uniaxial creep experiments. The generation and propagation were restricted by confining pressure. Temperature had less influence on the creep strain rate in triaxial creep experiment, whereas it had a significant influence on the steady-state creep rate in uniaxial creep experiment. The influence of confining pressure on the steady-state creep rate was slight when confining pressure was 1 MPa, whereas it was obvious when confining pressure was 3∼7 MPa. The closure of preexisting fissure promoted the creep strain rate, and the closure was incomplete when confining pressure was below 3 MPa, whereas it was complete when confining pressure at 5 and 7 MPa.
Proceedings 12th ICA Conference Digital Approaches to Cartographic Heritage

The Fertile Crescent was defined by the celebrated U.S. archaeologist J. H. Breasted as a semicircle spanning the territory from the southeast corner of the Mediterranean to the north end of the Persian Gulf and passing through the area located immediately north of Arabia. In the classical Geography by Claudius Ptolemy, this land corresponds to the provinces of Judaea Palestina, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Babylonia, renowned for their ancient civilizations. In this paper, we utilize our mathematical methods involving triangulation, flocking, and Bayesian correction to convert ancient coordinates from Ptolemy’s Geography into coordinates that can be used directly in modern GIS tools, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth. We expand our coverage from India and Arabia to the aforementioned regions of the historically important Fertile Crescent. Known, unknown, tentatively identified and duplicate points are determined in the study. As part of the digital reconstruction process, the region of interest is surrounded by known points from adjacent regions – Arabia, Cilicia, Cappadocia (including Lesser Armenia), Greater Armenia, Assyria and Susiana. We compare the precision of reconstruction achieved for Ptolemy’s Fertile Crescent with the precisions that we had computed earlier for his India before the Ganges and provinces of Arabia. The expansion of the digital reconstruction coverage to the Fertile Crescent as described by Claudius Ptolemy represents a novel contribution to the study of our cultural cartographic heritage improving our ability to visualize and explore the ancient world using popular modern GIS tools.
The Possible Effects of Trans-Pacific Partnership on Turkish Economy

Due to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) deadlocked multilateral trade negotiations, many countries have started to establish Free Trade Agreements (FTA). In this context, twelve countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States (US) and Vietnam have decided to establish Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This study focuses on the impacts of this partnership on Turkish economy. By using Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) database and a general equilibrium model, the effects of various scenarios on GDP and exports are studied. Obtained results show that Turkey could be in a loss up to 1% of GDP if present 12 countries establish the TPP. Otherwise, potential countries’ inclusions in TPP could cause higher losses – up to 2.4% of GDP- for Turkey.