Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of Cinnamomum tamala leaves in rats

Context: Health is one of the commonly mentioned motivations behind food choices, and functional foods offer promising health benefits. Aims: In this study, the folklore claim of Cinnamomum tamala leaves as hepatoprotective functional food is evaluated. Settings and Design: Prophylactic and curative hepatoprotective properties of selected functional food was carried out against commonly used analgesic antipyretic paracetamol (PCM). Subjects and Methods: Prophylactic and curative hepatoprotective property of suspension of C. tamala leaves (SCT) was studied against PCM-induced hepatic damage in albino rats. Pre- and post-treatment with SCT, before and after PCM treatment, reduced the biochemical markers of hepatic damage like serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol, total and direct bilirubin, and tissue glutathione (GSH). Histopathological studies also revealed that pre- and post-treatment with SCT, before and after PCM treatment protected the liver from PCM-induced liver damage. In addition, an antioxidant study was carried out by in vitro lipid peroxidation. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed with one-way analysis of variance (one-way) followed by Tukey test. Results: In this study, it has been found that prophylactic study showed better hepatoprotection than the curative study. Conclusions: In the prophylactic study, lipid peroxidation and protection of GSH may be the reason behind better hepatoprotection and C. tamala possess hepatoprotective activity possibly because of its antioxidant potential.
Effect of seed priming on germination characteristics, polyphenoloxidase, and peroxidase activities of four amaranth cultivars.

Amaranth is a C 4 crop with increasing potential for cultivation in Iran. Amaranth is a very nutritious crop due to high quality amino acids and minerals in its seeds. Seed priming known as pre-sowing treatment which improve germination characteristics and results in uniform seed emergence. Peroxides (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) are two plant enzymes and play very important role in tolerance to environmental stress. Four amaranth cultivars from two genuses, namely, Amont, Trigin, Mercado, and Plainsman were used. Treatments consisted of four osmotic potentials (0, -10, -12 and -14 bars) and four treatments duration (3, 6, 9 and 12 hours). A randomized completely design with five replications were conducted. POD and PPO activities were determined in primed (-10 bar for 3 hours) and non-primed seeds after 8 hours of imbibitions. Results indicated that the best priming treatments for amaranth cultivars were -10 bars for 3 hours. According the results of this study, primed seeds significantly exhibited higher germination percentage, speed of germination, root length and seed vigor in all amaranth cultivars. Trigin cultivar showed the best performance among cultivars. Total seed protein, POD and PPO were also increased significantly by seed priming. Amont and Plainsman cultivars exhibited high protein content and POD activity. PPO activity increased by seed priming comparing to controls for Amont, Plainsman and Mercado cultivars, but for Trigin cultivar, no increase was detected. The highest increase in PPO activity was observed in Mercado cultivar.
EFFECT OF MODIFIED DIESEL FUEL ON ENGINE FUEL EFFICIENCY

For decades much more attention has been devoted to emissions from transport vehicles and to usage of various fuels and fuel blends for vehicle engine operation than to fuel consumption by this giving a chance for under-researched aftermarket products that allegedly reduce engine fuel consumption. The paper summarizes four fuel innovation product investigations commissioned to and carried out by the Department of Automotive Engineering of the Riga Technical University in a year scope. The innovative solutions offered by entrepreneurs contained a fossil diesel fuel treated by specific technology and three diesel fuel additives. The promoters of the products referred to pre-existing measurements showing 10 to 30 percent reduction of fuel consumption. Comparative experimental measurements using diesel fuel available in retail with and without usage of the proposed products have been done in laboratory conditions. The tests were performed on a stationary diesel generator RD2.0. Solid, repetitive results have been gained. The results did not confirm any significant positive effect of the products on engine brake specific fuel consumption. Factors affecting errors in this kind of product efficiency investigations for market promotion purposes and causes of positive effects from similar product applications in certain situations are discussed.
Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Somatic Indices and Cost BenefitAnalyses of African Basil Leaf Additive Diets on Clarias gariepinus (Burchell,1822) Fingerlings

Twelve weeks feeding experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of Ocimum gratissimum as additive in the diet of Clarias gariepinus. 40% isoproteic diet was formulated and fermented O. gratissimum was included at 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. The diets were coded T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 150 fingerlings of mean weight 3.54 ± 0.12 g and length 5.95 ± 0.12 cm were stocked in 15 circular tanks of diameter 0.55 m at the rate of 10 fingerlings per tank in wet laboratory of the Fisheries department. They were fed 5% bodyweight for 12 weeks. Highest mean weight gain of 26.21 was recorded in T1 and lowest of 22.60 g from T2 while specific growth rate ranged between 1.03–1.12%/day. Highest Feed intake of 26.50 g was recorded in T1 and lowest of 18.92 g in T5, feed conversion ratio of 1.01 was recorded highest in T1 and lowest (0.83) in T5 which are not significantly different (p>0.05) and protein intake of 10.73 was recorded highest in T1 and lowest of 7.73 in T5. Highest hepatosomatic of 1.66 was recorded in T5 and lowest of 0.76 in T2 and viscerosomatic was recorded highest in T4 with value of 12.12 and lowest of 7.03 in T1. The highest cost of feed with value of â¦39.50 was recorded in T1and T5 had the lowest value of 38.90, cost of feeding was recorded highest in T1 with value of â¦10.47 and lowest value was recorded in T5 with value of â¦7.53. the net profit of â¦45.53 was recorded as highest value in T1 and â¦41.90 which is lowest was recorded in T2, the profit index of â¦1.92 was recorded highest in T1 and â¦1.78 was recorded in T2 as the lowest value and lastly benefit cost ratio of â¦ 2.56 recorded highest in T5 and â¦2.47 which is lowest value was recorded in T2. T4 is therefore recommended for the health status, growth and cost benefit.
Persistence and Cure Rates of Primary Hyperparathyroid Disease after Bilateral Neck Exploration (BNE)

Eighteen patients suffering from primary hyperparathyroid (PHPT) disease underwent BNE in Alexandria University Hospital in the last two years with the objective to estimate the accuracy of imaging in localizing the site of the disease and the efficacy of BNE in cure rates in these patients. Single gland disease (SGD) was found in 13 patients (72%) and multigland disease (MGD) in 5 patients (28%). In the 13 patients with SGD, the disease was confined to one of the lower parathyroid glands (5 in the right gland and 8 in the left one). During the period of regular postoperative follow up for six months, 15 patients achieved complete cure (83%) and 3 patients (17%) showed persistence of the disease. These three patients were having SGD; one of them the cause of persistence was carcinoma of the excised PT gland while in the other two the cause of persistence was activation of an occult adenoma in the other neighboring lower PT gland.
Growth Determinants of Micro and Small Enterprises: Evidence from Northern Ethiopia

This study aims to investigate the growth determinants of MSEs based on a survey covering 178 randomly selected MSEs from Mekelle city, Tigray regional state of Ethiopia through the test of four main hypotheses that are formulated concerning the role of gender of owner, initial investment on the firm, location and sector in which the firm operates as a main determinants of growth of an enterprise. Semi-structured questionnaire and interview were used to collect data, and the binary choice model which is logistic regression was used to identify factors that significantly affect the growth of MSEs using change in employment size since startup as a measure of firm growth in which about 76.4% of MSEs are found survival and the remaining 23.6% are growing. The binary choice logit model result shows that there is a significant gender difference on the growth of MSEs with male owner growing faster than those owned by female. In addition, the initial investment on the firm, the location and the sector in which the MSEs operates matter a lot for the growth of these enterprises. Hence, government and non government organizations that are concerned with unemployment reduction and poverty alleviation through the promotion and development of MSEs need to take these factors in to account to accomplish better result and increase the potential contribution of MSEs to the economic growth of the country. Key words : Determinants, Employment, Growth, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Binary Choice Model, Survival, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Family Planning Among Women of Reproductive Age in Suva, Fiji in 2017

Objective: This study aims to identify the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of family planning among women of reproductive age in Suva, Fiji in 2017. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire among women of reproductive age who attended three designated health clinics around Suva, Fiji from 15th March to 28th April 2017 was used. Using random sampling, those who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study were asked to fill a questionnaire survey. Once the data was collected, it was analyzed with SPSS. Results: About 325 women participated in the study with the mean age of 31.53(± 7.35). Less than half (148 or 45.5 %) of the participants had a good level of knowledge towards family planning whereas 178 (53.5%) of them had a moderate level of knowledge of family planning. An overwhelming majority of the participants (176 or 54.2%) had high level of attitudes towards family planning. Only 3% of the respondents showed poor level of attitude towards family planning. With regards to practice, the participants showed a poor level of practice of family planning at 80 (24.6%) whereas those with good level of practice of family planning constituted only 31 (9.5%). Conclusion: This study provides a useful source of empirical information to policy makers to achieve the desired goals in family planning. These findings of the study will help health care providers promote family planning in Fiji.
A Path Analysis Model Pertinent to Undergraduates' Academic Success: Examining Academic Confidence, Psychological Capital and Academic Coping Factors.

The major purpose of this study was to create a path analysis model of academic success in a group of university students, which included the variables of academic confidence and psychological capital with a mediator variable - academic coping. 400 undergraduates from Marmara University and Istanbul Commerce University who were in sophomore, junior and senior years participated in the study. The Academic Behavioral Confidence Scale, the Academic Coping Strategies Scale and the Psychological Capital Test Battery composed of the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Life Orientation Test, the Hope Scale and the Resilience Scale were utilized to disclose the predictive roles of these variables on academic success. The results of path analyses showed that academic confidence and psychological capital had pivotal direct and indirect effects on academic success via the mediator variable – academic coping. Academic coping had also a direct influence on academic success. The findings of the study are essential for telling both vocational counselors and educational psychologists the fact that career interventions for university students should consider the non-cognitive factors on their academic achievements.
Building a Process Performance Measurement System: Some Early Experiences

In order to gain a competitive advantage many companies are engaging in the reorgani zation of their business processes and implementing process-based management. However, the effects of such change programmes are often not readily apparent. Process Performance Measurement Systems (PPMS) can be used to deal with this shortcoming. The authors argue that modern process-oriented organizations need to establish a system which provides comprehensive and timely information on the performance of business processes. Based on the authors' experience with several enterpri ses, an approach to composi ng a sound PPMS is described and conclusions are reported .
Farmers and Agricultural Extension Officers Perception ofStriga gesnerioides(Willd.) Vatke Parasitism on Cowpea in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp] is an important food security crop in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, cowpea production in some parts of this region is constrained byStriga gesnerioides(Willd.) Vatke infestation resulting in yield losses. This study assessed the farmers and agricultural extension officers (AEOs) perception ofS. gesnerioidesparasitism on cowpea in the Upper East Region of Ghana. In all, 200 respondents—179 cowpea farmers and 21 AEOs—in five cowpea growing districts were randomly sampled to answer closed- and opened-ended questions coupled with visit to cowpea farms. Majority of the farmer respondents were males between the ages of 21 and 60 with very little or no formal education. Almost all of the respondents could identify the parasitic weed,S. gesnerioides,but they lacked adequate knowledge of the parasitic effects on the host, cowpea plant.S. gesnerioidesinfestation was widespread and devastating in almost all the fields surveyed. Its effects on the host plants (cowpea) included stunted growth, leaf senescence, chlorosis, death of the crop, and reduced yield. Different management strategies employed by the farmers to contain the spread of the parasite include weeding (90%), application of manure (5.5%), and crop rotation and fallowing (4.0%). Both farmers and extension officers had very little knowledge on existence ofS. gesnerioidesresistant cowpea genotypes for cultivation. Farmers expressed the desire to cultivateStriga-resistant cowpea varieties when made accessible, since it is the most reliable and environmentally friendly method of controlling the parasitic weed.
PREDICTION OF AN OPTIMUM TECHNIQUE FOR THE WOMEN'S YURCHENKO LAYOUT VAULT

The purpose of this study was to identify an optimum technique for the women’s Yurchenko layout vault through an application of optimal control theory on a five-segment model consisting of the hand, whole arm, upper trunk, lower trunk and whole leg. An optimum technique for the vault was determined which, compared to the data, had greater post-flight amplitude and a better layout posture throughout post-flight. However, it involved a larger angular velocity of the segments and greater shoulder extension by about 9o, than the data. The impact phase of the optimum technique was shorter than the data by 0.003 s, and served to increase both the angular momentum of the model as well as the vertical horse takeoff velocity. There is thus, evidence of a ‘blocking technique’ during impact.
Impact of climate change on groundwater point discharge

E. Joigneaux, P. Albéric, H. Pauwels, C. Pagé, L. Terray, and A. Bruand Université d’Orléans, CNRS/INSU, UMR6113, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans (ISTO), 1A rue de la Férolerie, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France BRGM, Service Eau, 3 Avenue Claude Guillemin, BP36009, 45060 – Orléans Cedex 2, France Sciences de l’Univers au CERFACS, URA 1875, CERFACS/CNRS, 42 Avenue Gaspard Coriolis, 31057 Toulouse Cedex 01, France
The Effect of Lycopene on Serum Ghrelin Levels and Body Weight in Adult Female Rats

Introduction: Lycopene is a red carotenoid that is effective in controlling body weight. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating peptide that plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene on ghrelin serum level in adult female rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats including monitoring, control, experiments receiving lycopene (at concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/kg). The animals were fed by gavage of lycopene. Twenty-nine days after the start of the experiment and after weighing the animals, cardiac puncture was performed and serum ghrelin level was measured. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan’s test at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The concentration of lycopene 10 mg/kg significantly decreased the ghrelin hormone as well as the average body weight more than the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Lycopene reduces body weight by decreases serum ghrelin levels. Keywords : Lycopene, Ghrelin, Body Weight, Rat
Becoming A Traditional Medicinal Plant Healer: Divergent Views of Practicing and Young Healers on Traditional Medicinal Plant Knowledge Skills in India

Traditional medicinal plant knowledge (TMK) helps meet the health needs of a large section of the world’s population, especially socially and economically disadvantaged and aboriginal communities of developing countries like India. However, there is little known about TMK skills and their intergenerational transfer and growing concerns over the erosion of TMK within these communities. Through in-depth interviews with 33 practicing village healers from two remote and economically poor villages of Western India, we identified a set of ten crucial TMK skills and their relative importance. We then interviewed 27 young budding healers from the same villages to establish their views on crucial TMK skills. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in importance that old and young healers attach to TMK skills. We found that old and young healers significantly differ on ascribing importance to five crucial TMK skills, including: interest, identification, rare plants, consultation and harvesting. It was discovered that such differences in perception of old and young healers about critical TMK skills can be attributed to lack of interest by young healers in learning some TMK skills, complexity of the skills, incomplete transmission (due to stricter adherence to transmission rules by old healers) and the impact of formal schooling and modern medicines in generating negative values among young healers towards learning new TMK skills.
COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT PERFORMANCE

Relationships, explained variance, measurement error, and limits of agreement were examined among field and laboratory countermovement vertical jump tests, including Vertec, 3D video, and force platform data. Data were simultaneously collected on a single countermovement jump trial for 13 female varsity volleyball players. Vertical jump height computed using maximum centre of mass (COM) velocity from force platform data demonstrated the greatest precision, as well as the strongest correlation (r=0.90), greatest explained variance (R2=0.81), and lowest standard error of the estimate (0.02m) in vertical 3D video COM displacement. Jump height calculation using maximum COM velocity may highlight relevant performance measures, providing jump height estimations more quickly and easily, and with greater precision via force platform analysis.
Biosorption of amaranth red in aqueous solution onto treated and untreated lignocellulosic materials (pineapple peelings and coconut shells)

The removal of amaranth red dye from aqueous solution by untreated and treated pineapple peelings and coconut shells with phosphoric acid was studied in batch mode at room temperature. The study highlighted several parameters such as the contact time, the mass of the adsorbent, the pH of the solution, and the initial concentration of the dye. The results showed that the removal of dyes by the bioadsorbents depended on the pH and the initial concentration of the adsorbate. The adsorption capacity increased with increasing amaranth red dye concentration and the mass of the bioadsorbent. It was also established that maximum adsorption took place at pH = 2 for different adsorbents. The treated raw materials have greater surface area than the untreated materials. In order to deduce the adsorption mechanism, four simplified kinetic models were investigated. The kinetic data were well represented by the pseudo second order kinetic model giving high correlation coefficients R2 values for all the biosorbents suggesting that chemisorption was the rate determining step. An equilibrium study of the adsorption process also showed that the Langmuir model best described the adsorption on all the biosorbents. The values of energy obtained from the Temkin isothermare also positive, this shows that the adsorption process isexothermic. These results indicate that pineapple peelings and coconut shells have a high potential as adsorbents for removing amaranth red dye from aqueous solution Received 18 Feb 2017, Revised 09 Jun 2017, Accepted 11 Jun 2017
Urbanization and pollution of surface water resources in the two largest cities in Ghana

Pollution of freshwater resources draining urban centres in the developing world poses a threat to human health and environmental sustainability. This, apart from inadequate infrastructure, is primarily propelled by explosive urban pop-ulations. The study seeks to determine the level of pollution and sources of pollution in selected surface water resources in Accra and Kumasi. Water samples from specific locations of the Aboabo river in Kumasi and the upper reaches of the Korle Lagoon in Accra were collected and analysed for their physico-chemical and microbial quality during the study period. The results from the study pointed out that the upper reaches of the Lagoon is rendered anaerobic during the dry season and with appreciably low DO even during the wet season. Drastic depreciation in DO levels in the Aboabo river as it flows through highly populated areas (Aboabo, Moshie Zongo and Anloga) were depicted through the study. Elevated BOD (upper reaches of the Korle Lagoon: 27.7 - 200mg/L; Aboabo river: 38.25mg/L - 260mg/L) and E. coli (upper reaches of the Korle Lagoon: 5.0x106 - 2.8x109 CFU/100mL; Aboabo river: 4.0x106 CFU/100mL - 1.3x108 CFU/100mL) levels were also recorded in both waterbodies generally attributed to disposal of organic wastes and faecal matter into them. An integrated approach that takes cognizance of both technical and socio-economic factors behind this phenomenon is proposed by the study.
Covariance Bounds Analysis during Intermittent Measurement for EKF-based SLAM

This paper deals with Extended Kalman Filter(EKF)-based SLAM estimation considering intermittent measurement. The study proposes a method to ensure that a designer is able to secure the state covariance or system uncertainties even though the mobile robot sometimes losses its measurement data during its observations. EKF which is based on Bayesian, is chosen in this work for estimation purposes in determining mobile robot position and the environment conditions. In addition, as most of estimation techniques uses Bayesian method, our propose results is expected to provide a general estimation guidelines especially on the filter statistical behavior. The analysis started from the review of theoretical studies of EKF including the expected condition occurred when mobile robot do not received information from its sensors. Simulation results have consistently supports our theoretical analysis which determines that a designer can determine the state error covariance explicitly whenever measurement data is not available.