Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Seed Coat of Borassus flabellifer Linn using Orthogonal Array (L16(44))

Since ancient times, plant products have been used to treat a variety of diseases as most of the bioactive compounds obtained from the plants appear to be less toxic to humans. Plant parts with medicinal importance are most commonly used for treatment of ailments such as cuts and wounds[1]. Those properties of many such plants remains unrevealed. One such plant is B. flabellifer, which belongs to family Arecaceae, commonly known as Palmyra palm or Asian toddy palm, a native of tropical Africa and widely distributed and cultivated in tropical Asian countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Malaysia[2]. This tree is tall and erect, grows up to the height of 30 m and it has large fan shaped leaves of diameter 0.9 to 1.5 m with a black stem and crown of leaves at the top, palmately fan shaped, petiole edges with hard horny spinescent serratures; flowers unisexual, male spadix branched female spadix simple; fruits large, subglobose drupes, on the greatly enlarged perianth[3]. There are three most economical and important species of genus Borassus, such as B. aethiopum Mart, B. flabellifer Linn and B. sundaicus Becc[4]. Previous studies reported optimum conditions for the extraction of flavonoids from red raspberry fruits. Factors like temperature, time, material ratio and solvent concentration were considered for optimization. Extraction of flavonoids was carried out by altering each parameter to find optimal condition in which the extraction is maximum. Orthogonal design was employed and the optimum extraction conditions were determined calorimetrically. The extraction of flavonoids was maximum at 80° for 3 h and the material ratio was 1:10 and 95 % aqueousethanol was the solvent[5]. Similarly, extraction, purification and characterization of flavonoids from Opuntia milpa alta skin was also reported. The parameters for extraction (volume of solvent, solvent to material ratio, temperature and time for extraction) were optimized by the orthogonal design[6]. Extraction and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Seed Coat of Borassus flabellifer Linn using Orthogonal Array (L16(44))
IS THE LAST YEARS ABRUPT WARMING IN THE NATIONAL OBSERVATORY OF ATHENS RECORDS A CLIMATE CHANGE MANIFESTATION ?

Instrumental data time series show an average global warming of approximately 0.9C over the last century. Eastern Mediterranean air temperature follows the northern hemisphere (NH) secular trend till 1970s, while the NH warming of the last 30 years is not noticeable in the eastern Mediterranean till 1990s. National Observatory of Athens (NOA) meteorological time series start from the last decades of the 19 Century, therefore are at first suitable for detection of long term trends in the region. In this study we investigate whether the abrupt increase of the NOA air temperature time series, which appears during the last few years, is the finger-print of the broader scale climatic change or it is a discontinuity in the record of urban effect or of station’s problems origin. It is shown that NOA air temperature records display a statistically significant discontinuity attributable to change of the station thermometers on 1995 and therefore NOA records must be treated with caution for long term air temperature trends detection.
Stealing Knowledge in a Landscape of Learning: Conceptualizations of Jazz Education

Theoretical approaches to learning in practice-based jazz improvisation contexts include situated learning and ecological perspectives. This article focuses on how interest-driven, self-sustaining jazz learning activities can be matched against the concepts of stolen knowledge (Brown & Duguid, 1996) and landscape of learning (Bjerstedt, 2014). Based on an extensive interview study with Swedish professional jazz musicians, it argues that the multidirectedness involved in jazz improvisational practice calls for a rich learning ecology framework including several didactic loci.
Efficiency spillovers from FDI in the Indian machinery industry: a firm-level study using panel data models

Adopting a micro-level framework of impact of FDI in an industry, this study empirically examines the following three issues in the context of Indian machinery industry (IMI) - division 28 of National Industrial Classification, 2008. First of all, it compares the technical efficiency of foreign affiliates of multinational enterprises (FAs) against the domestic firms (DFs) to know if there are spillovers from MNEs to their affiliates. Secondly, it identifies the differences in the determinants of technical efficiency between FAs and DFs. Finally, it examines the presence (or absence) of efficiency spillovers from FAs to DFs in terms of its two major sources: competition effect and demonstration and imitation effect. To examine these issues, we first compute the firm- and year-specific technical efficiency by estimating a stochastic frontier production function with the help of an unbalanced panel of data on a sample of 177 firms for 7 years covering FY 2000/01 to FY 2006/07. Thereafter, we estimate random-effect panel data models of the determinants of firm-level technical efficiency. One of the important finding of the study is that the FAs as a ownership group maintains higher level of technical efficiency than DFs even after controlling for the additional determinants (both observed and unobserved) of technical efficiency. Another significant aspect of the finding is that the competition effect generated by FAs does not play a positive role in enhancing the efficiency of DFs. Probably, the inefficient DFs have been ousted on account of competitive pressure from the efficient FAs. On the other hand, the demonstration and imitation effects generated by FAs through their R&D activities (i.e. knowledge spillover) act as the important channel in enhancing the efficiency of DFs. In sum, FDI is found to have efficiency enhancing effect in the IMI. This finding has considerable policy implication for the IMI, which suffers from the adverse impact of high level of imports of finished goods, limited technological capabilities and operational inefficiency. In the post-WTO era, restricting imports and implementation of trade related investment measures are not the feasible options. Beside, this study also indicates that the import of disembodied technology has no impact on technical efficiency despite the IMI entering into maximum number of foreign technological collaboration agreements during August 1991 to July 2007. Given the current policy of Indian Government for 100 per cent equity participation through FDI on an automatic basis in the manufacturing sector including IMI, the firms desiring to expand their base in this industry may consider the option of attracting FDI for building additional capacities and for enhancing their efficiency levels (viz. from knowledge spillovers from MNEs) and thereby upgrading this industry for facing the challenges of the global competition.
Distribution and Temporal Behaviour of O3 and NO2 Near Selected Schools in Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang and Parit Buntar, Perak, Malaysia

Air quality has deteriorated in urban areas as a result of increased anthropogenic activities. Quantitative information on the influence of meteorological conditions on several pollutants in a tropical climate is still lacking. Real-time ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were measured nearby selected schools in Malaysia to examine the impact of meteorological factors on monitoring pollutants. The results showed the overall 10 min average concentrations of the main parameters during school holiday were 24 ppb (O3) and 33 ppb (NO2) while during school day the overall 10 min average concentrations were 26 ppb (O3) and 51 ppb (NO2). Although there are no minimum requirements for short-term exposure by MAAQG, if compared to 1 h average requirements, all concentrations were still below the suggested values. Regarding spatial distribution, a different trend in pollutant concentration among the schools was observed because of the influence of temperature (AT) and wind speed (WS). The results were verified by Pearson correlation, where signifi cant correlations (p<0.01) were determined between air pollutants and meteorological factors, which were temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. Meanwhile, the distribution of O3 was moderately correlated with NO2. However, the results of multivariate analysis indicate that temperature and relative humidity had the most significant influence on the formation of O3. In summary, the results of this study showed that all precursors and meteorological parameters contribute to the production of O3. Hence, reducing O3 precursors, which are emitted by vehicles, is essential to lessening the exposure to O3.
Inpatients from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in mental health services in Wales: a secondary analysis of the Count Me In census, 20052010

Count Me In was an annual census of mental health inpatients that was undertaken in England and Wales from 2005 to 2010. Apart from brief, unpublished commentaries by the Welsh government, the data generated in Wales have received little attention and limited analysis. This paper presents a secondary analysis of the census data, with a focus on mental health inpatients from Black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds in Wales. Analyses focused on the number and characteristics of patients (age, gender, ethnicity, language and religion), the distribution of patients across Wales, sources of referral, detention status under the Mental Health Act 1983 on admission, and length of stay from admission to census day. The results revealed that the numbers of BME patients from different ethnic groups fluctuated over the 6 years; it was difficult to identify any distinct pattern. The number and proportion of BME patients admitted to, or being supervised by, inpatient facilities increased year on year from57 (2.7% of all patients) in 2005 to 76 (3.2%) in 2010. The three highest ethnic-group categories were ‘Other’, ‘Black African’ and ‘Mixed Caribbean. ’ Racialised minorities in Wales were over-represented in inpatient mental healthcare, including compulsory detention. A consistently higher proportion of BME people than White people in Wales were referred from the criminal justice system, while a consistently higher proportion of White people than BME people were referred by GPs. Although the results cannot reveal the care pathways followed by particular groups or indicate emerging trends for the BME inpatient population, there are differences between the majority and minority ethnic population groups.Action is required to address this imbalance, and future data collection is necessary to determine whether this action has any impact. In-depth exploration of care pathways remains another clear priority for research and policy.
Influence of insecticide treatment on ant diversity in tropical agroforestry system: Some aspect of the recolonization process

In order to assess the influence of insecticides treatment on ant diversity and recolonization processes in cocoa based agroforestry systems, sampling was performed using chemical knock-down technique during two consecutive cocoa campaigns (2006 and 2007) in six smallholding cocoa farms located in tree localities of the Centre Region of Cameroon. These localities are located along the South-North agroecological benchmark ranging from Ngomedzap in the humid tropical rainforest in the south through Obala in mixed degraded forest / savannah in the transitional zone to Bokito in savannah landscape. From sampled ants, community diversity was measured using Shannon index and similarities between communities calculated using the Bray Curtis distance. After one-year recolonization following insecticide treatment, species richness increased in all the study sites, from 23 to 48 species at Ngomedzap, from 39 to 46 at Obala, and from 37 to 40 at Bokito. The diversity index increased from 2.15 to 2.29 at Obala while decreasing respectively from 2.12 to 2.04 at Ngomedzap and from 2.0 to 0.89 at Bokito. After one year recolonization following treatment, a total of 35 newly establish ant species were observed. Among them 11 were arboreal and two ground-nesting species. Comparison of the community composition and population size between the two sample periods suggested that certain arboreal nesting species such as Oecophylla longinoda, Tetramorium aculeatum and some species of the genus Crematogaster may survive insecticide treatment, thanks to their nesting behaviour. Also, recolonization process may be strongly influenced by border effects. Key words: Ant, Bokito, cocoa farm, Cameroon, diversity, insecticides treatment, Ngomedzap, Obala, recolonization process.
Examining social media adoption and change to the stakeholder communication paradigm in not-for-profit sport organizations

The purpose of this study was to examine social media adoption within not-for-profit sport organizations to illuminate the impetus for change, the type of change undertaken, and change resistance. Using a contextualist approach depicting the external and internal forces as well as the change process, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten Canadian national sport organizations (NSO) representing varying degrees of social media presence. The findings suggest that, although social media is espoused as a radical, transformational vehicle, NSOs have only made incremental adjustments to their stakeholder communication and have situated social media within their extant organizational condition due to capacity constraints and resistance from staff and reticent stakeholders. Adopting social media in light of limited organizational capacity thus diminishes the utility of the communications tool. Theoretical and practical implications include how to improve social media-related capacity and the importance of continuing the social media and sport domain’s organizational theory agenda.
How Bad is Involuntary Part-Time Work?

We use a set of empirical and analytical tools to conduct parallel analyses of involuntary part-time work and unemployment in the U.S. labor market. In the empirical analysis, we document that the similar cyclical behavior of involuntary part-time work and unemployment masks major differences in the underlying dynamics. Unlike unemployment, variations in involuntary part-time work are mostly explained by its interaction with full-time employment, and since the Great Recession employed workers are at a greater risk of working part-time involuntarily than being unemployed. In the theoretical analysis, we show that the higher probability of regaining full-time employment is key to distinguish involuntary part-time work from unemployment from a worker's perspective. We also quantify the welfare costs of cyclical fluctuations in involuntary part-time work, and the amplification of these costs arising from the elevated levels of involuntary part-time work observed since the Great Recession.
Climate-vegetation modelling and fossil plant data suggest low atmospheric CO 2 in the late Miocene

Abstract. There is an increasing need to understand the pre-Quaternary warm climates, how climate–vegetation interactions functioned in the past, and how we can use this information to understand the present. Here we report vegetation modelling results for the Late Miocene (11–7 Ma) to study the mechanisms of vegetation dynamics and the role of different forcing factors that influence the spatial patterns of vegetation coverage. One of the key uncertainties is the atmospheric concentration of CO2 during past climates. Estimates for the last 20 million years range from 280 to 500 ppm. We simulated Late Miocene vegetation using two plausible CO2 concentrations, 280 ppm CO2 and 450 ppm CO2, with a dynamic global vegetation model (LPJ-GUESS) driven by climate input from a coupled AOGCM (Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Model). The simulated vegetation was compared to existing plant fossil data for the whole Northern Hemisphere. For the comparison we developed a novel approach that uses information of the relative dominance of different plant functional types (PFTs) in the palaeobotanical data to provide a quantitative estimate of the agreement between the simulated and reconstructed vegetation. Based on this quantitative assessment we find that pre-industrial CO2 levels are largely consistent with the presence of seasonal temperate forests in Europe (suggested by fossil data) and open vegetation in North America (suggested by multiple lines of evidence). This suggests that during the Late Miocene the CO2 levels have been relatively low, or that other factors that are not included in the models maintained the seasonal temperate forests and open vegetation.
Democratisation of education in South Africa: issues of social justice and the voice of learners?

The South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996 mandates that secondary school learners, who are members of the Representative Council for Learners, should be part of school governance through participation in school governing bodies. But they are often not afforded a full opportunity to participate in crucial decisions by the adult members of governing bodies, directly or indirectly. I explore the participation of learners in school governance by means of a literature review and empirical investigation using a qualitative approach. The findings are presented in terms of the role of learners in the school governing bodies, learners' involvement in decision making and in curriculum issues, and the role of governing bodies in promoting democracy in the school and in the wider South African society. Findings suggested that spaces should be created for learners to participate sufficiently in SGBs in order to allow them to exercise their right to participation, thus engaging fruitfully in deliberations dealing with school governance. This would in turn lead to social justice and there would be a great potential for their voice to be heard. They would in turn engage fruitfully in dialogues as they felt included in debates and decision-making processes. Silencing the voice of learners, implicitly or explicitly, means that the issues of social justice and democracy are not taken into consideration in SGBs. Keywords : democracy; education; learners; school governance; social justice South African Journal of Education Vol. 28 (1) 2008: pp. 77-90
Why Has China Grown so Fast? The Role of Physical and Human Capital Formation

Cross-province growth regressions for China are estimated for the reform period. Two research questions are asked. Can the regressions help us to understand why China as a whole has grown so fast? What types of investment matter for China's growth? We address the problem of model uncertainty by adopting two approaches to model selection to consider a wide range of candidate predictors of growth. Starting from the baseline equation, the growth impact of physical and human capital is examined using panel data techniques. Both forms of capital promote economic growth. ‘Investment in innovation’ and private investment are found to be particularly important. Secondary school enrolment contributes to growth, and higher education enrolment even more so.
Location-Routing Problems with Economies of Scale

The purpose of the location-routing problem is to select facility locations, assign customers to facilities, and design routes between facilities and customers. The most common objective is to achieve minimal cost. In general, for the standard location-routing problem, the total cost includes fixed costs to open Distribution Centers (DCs) plus the transportation costs from facilities to customers. In this thesis, we also consider the variable cost of facilities’ operations. Two forms of the variable cost are proposed. One is a linear cost function with a constant variable (operating) cost per unit; the other employs a concave function of total throughput at any DC as its cost model. The latter is studied because economies of scale can be achieved for large facilities. By economies of scale, we mean that the variable cost per unit is a decreasing function of the number of units of throughput; that relationship is expressed by a concave function. Two solution methods are developed, both based on a genetic algorithm. After some preliminary tests, one approach is employed for further testing. Computational experiments of the model without variable cost are performed on published data sets. Then extensive testing is done on modified data sets for cases with operating cost but without economies of scale, and for other cases when economies of scale are present. Analysis of the influence of economies of scale is provided. First, we briefly test how parameter values affect the economies of scale. Then we extensively analyze the tradeoffs between operating costs of facilities and transportation costs. Conclusions are drawn and further research is suggested.
Coping with unobservable and mis-classified states in capture-recapture studies

Coping with unobservable and mis–classified states in capture–recapture studies. — Multistate mark– recapture methods provide an excellent conceptual framework for considering estimation in studies of marked animals. Traditional methods include the assumptions that (1) each state an animal occupies is observable, and (2) state is assigned correctly at each point in time. Failure of either of these assumptions can lead to biased estimates of demographic parameters. I review design and analysis options for minimizing or eliminating these biases. Unobservable states can be adjusted for by including them in the state space of the statistical model, with zero capture probability, and incorporating the robust design, or observing animals in the unobservable state through telemetry, tag recoveries, or incidental observations. Mis–classification can be adjusted for by auxiliary data or incorporating the robust design, in order to estimate the probability of detecting the state an animal occupies. For both unobservable and mis–classified states, the key feature of the robust design is the assumption that the state of the animal is static for at least two sampling occasions.
Effective forms of the Manin-Mumford conjecture and realisations of the abelian polylogarithm

In this thesis we approach two independent problems in the field of arithmetic geometry, one regarding the torsion points of abelian varieties and the other the motivic polylogarithm on abelian schemes. The Manin-Mumford conjecture (proved by Raynaud in 1983) states that if A is an abelian variety and X is a subvariety of A not containing any translate of an abelian subvariety of A, then X can only have a finite number of points that are of finite order in A. In 1996, Buium presented an effective form of the conjecture in the case of curves. In this thesis, we show that Buium's argument can be made applicable in higher dimensions to prove a quantitative version of the conjecture for a class of subvarieties with ample cotangent studied by Debarre. Our proof also generalizes to any dimension a result on the sparsity of p-divisible unramified liftings obtained by Raynaud in the case of curves. In 2014, Kings and Roessler showed that the realisation in analytic Deligne cohomology of the degree zero part of the motivic polylogarithm on abelian schemes can be described in terms of the Bismut-Koehler higher analytic torsion form of the Poincare bundle. In this thesis, using the arithmetic intersection theory in the sense of Burgos, we give a refinement of Kings and Roessler's result in the case in which the base of the abelian scheme is proper.