Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective activity of fruit of Garcinia pedunculata on isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rat

The present study reveals the protective effect of Garcinia pedunculata aqueous fruit extract in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats. Isoprenaline (200 mg/kg) administration subcutaneous once daily for two consecutive days significantly (p<0.01) increased the CK-MB, AST, ALT, ALP activity and CRP (p<0.05) levels. Pretreatment with extract (400 mg/kg) orally for 14 consecutive days significantly ameliorated the effect of isoprenaline by reducing the activity of CK-MB and the levels of ALP, SGPT respectively. No significant changes were seen in the case of SGOT activity and CRP levels. Severe necrotic lesions in the myocardial tissue were observed in isoprenaline-treated group. In extract-treated group, mild degenerative changes of myo-cardial tissues to nearly normal cytoarchitecture were seen. The results indicate the cardioprotective effect of G. pedunculata against isoprenaline- induced myocardial infarction rat model.
Role of Lymphatics in Immunity - Introduction

The lymphatic system consists of a network of vessels connecting peripheral tissues and secondary lymphoid organs. The lymphatics vasculature is involved in the transport of fluid, fatty acids/cholesterol, local waste products, peripheral antigens, and immune molecules and cells throughout the body, and therefore plays critical roles in fluid, lipid, and immune homeostasis. However, while the lymphatic system was initially identified close to 400 years ago, the immune-roles for the lymphatics have only recently been appreciated, following the identification of lymphatic-specific markers. However, the lymphatics are still often perceived as a passive, inert conduit for immune cells and mediators rather than a tightly integrated and active component of the immune system. In addition, the lymphatics are often underrepresented or overlooked in immune studies of human disease.
Evaluating the lower-tropospheric COSMIC GPS radio occultation sounding quality over the Arctic

Abstract. Lower-tropospheric moisture and temperature measurements are crucial for understanding weather prediction and climate change. Global Positioning System radio occultation (GPS RO) has been demonstrated as a high-quality observation technique with high vertical resolution and sub-kelvin temperature precision from the upper troposphere to the stratosphere. In the tropical lower troposphere, particularly the lowest 2 km, the quality of RO retrievals is known to be degraded and is a topic of active research. However, it is not clear whether similar problems exist at high latitudes, particularly over the Arctic, which is characterized by smooth ocean surface and often negligible moisture in the atmosphere. In this study, 3-year (2008–2010) GPS RO soundings from COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) over the Arctic (65–90° N) show uniform spatial sampling with average penetration depth within 300 m above the ocean surface. Over 70 % of RO soundings penetrate deep into the lowest 300 m of the troposphere in all non-summer seasons. However, the fraction of such deeply penetrating profiles reduces to only about 50–60 % in summer, when near-surface moisture and its variation increase. Both structural and parametric uncertainties of GPS RO soundings were also analyzed. The structural uncertainty (due to different data processing approaches) is estimated to be within ∼ 0.07 % in refractivity, ∼ 0.72 K in temperature, and ∼ 0.05 g kg−1 in specific humidity below 10 km, which is derived by comparing RO retrievals from two independent data processing centers. The parametric uncertainty (internal uncertainty of RO sounding) is quantified by comparing GPS RO with near-coincident radiosonde and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim profiles. A systematic negative bias up to ∼ 1 % in refractivity below 2 km is only seen in the summer, which confirms the moisture impact on GPS RO quality.
Unsteady Measurements for a Periodically Plunging Airfoil

The fluid dynamics of wings under extreme gusts, oscillations and maneuvers is an area of current research interest. For civil aircraft, a more accurate prediction of the loads in extreme condition is required to reduce uncertainty and facilitate a more efficient structural design of the wing. Unsteady force and particle image velocimetry measurements are performed on a plunging airfoil at a low Reynolds number of Re =20,000 for a range of normalized amplitude from 0.05 to 0.5, reduced frequency from 0 to 0.95 and angles of attack from 0  to 15  . Results are compared to the classical Theodorsen model predictions. Good agreement is observed between theoretical and experimental results for the amplitude of lift fluctuation even for high frequencies and angles of attack. An overall good agreement is also observed between measured and predicted phase lag. This agreement of amplitude and phase lag is surprising given the vortical structures observed in the phase-averaged velocity field, which should invalidate the Theodorsen model. However, the measured time-averaged lift is substantially different from both the measured static and the theoretical values. In contrast with Theodorsen prediction, the time-average lift has a strong dependence on plunging frequency and amplitude when the effective angle of attack approaches or exceeds the stall angle. Flow field measurements show that this variation of mean lift is related to the intensity of the leading edge vortex.
Animal Performance with and without Supplements in Mombaça Guinea Grass Pastures during Dry Season

The objectives were to: 1) evaluate the potential of the animal performance on Panicum maximum cv. Mombaca (mombaca guinea grass) pasture during dry season, and 2) determine the effects of protein or protein-energy supplementation on liveweight gain of steers grazing guinea grass pasture. A complete randomized block design was employed with three treatments and three replicates. Treatments included non-supplemented animals (NS) and animals supplemented with protein (PS) or protein-energy (PES), provided at 0.15% or 0.6% of body weight for 115 days, during dry period. We used 36 weaned calves from initial bodyweigh (LW) of 192 kg (±5 kg) on nine plots of mombaca guinea grass (1.25 ha each). Each month, animals were weighed and pastures sampled to estimate forage characteristics. The average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P = 0.0001) for cattle fed supplement than for cattle fed no supplement (250 g steer-1), and greater for protein-energy supplement (770 g steer-1) than for protein supplement (460 g steer-1). Mombaca guinea grass pastures with 45 cm height at the end of the wet season have enough forage mass for maintenance throughout the dry season about 1.4 AU ha-1 (AU = 450 kg BW), and reasonable nutritive value (average of 8,1% of crude protein and 55,3% of in vitro organic matter digestibility) to provide small gains. Considering the nutritive value of Mombaca guinea grass during the dry period, protein and energy supplementation is required for weaned calves to optimize their performance.
Effect of cutting shapes and thicknesses on the quality of minimally processed pineapple (Ananas comosus) cv. 'Queen Victoria'

Cutting shape and size are physical factors that influence the keeping quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Since these factors have not been studied as determinants of the keeping quality of minimally processed pineapples (MPP) cv. ‘Queen Victoria’, this study was conducted. A 2 x 2 factorial treatment structure laid on a randomized block design (RBD) was used. The treatments, which were blocked by days, were combinations of two cutting shapes (slices and chunks) and two thicknesses (5 mm and 10 mm). Pineapples of 25 - 50% ripeness were minimally processed to give rise to the treatments, which were then vacuum-packed at 47.5 kPa in laminated Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) vacuum bags and stored at 4 ± 10 C for 12 days. Quality changes were evaluated at three-day intervals over a storage period of 12 days. Translucency score was evaluated by comparison method against standard colour charts. Electrical conductivity of leachate (ECL), firmness and pH were measured instrumentally. Ascorbic acid (AA) content was determined by titration with dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) dye. Yeasts and moulds counts (YMC) were also enumerated using the classical standard method. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and sum of squares due to treatment were split into main effect cutting shape, main effect thickness and interaction effect. All the keeping quality attributes of the MPP were significantly affected by storage time (p<0.001). Cutting shape also significantly affected translucency score (p<0.01), firmness (p<0.01) and YMC (p<0.01). Slices were firmer and had the lowest translucency score and minimized fungal growth as opposed to chunks. No significant interaction effect (p>0.05) was observed between cutting shapes and thicknesses on translucency score, firmness and YMC of the MPP. However, a significant interaction effect was noted between these two variables on ECL (p<0.05) and AA content (p<0.001). A thickness of 10 mm exhibited lower translucency score, higher ECL, reduced firmness and lower AA losses. pH was not significantly affected (p>0.05) by cutting shapes and thicknesses. Ten-mm slices maintained all the above-stated quality parameters, except ECL and pH, when stored at 4 ± 10 C for 12 days.
On ion gyro-harmonic structuring in the stimulated electromagnetic emission spectrum during second electron gyro-harmonic heating

Abstract. Recent observations show that, during ionospheric heating experiments at frequencies near the second electron gyro-harmonic, discrete spectral lines separated by harmonics of the ion-gyro frequency appear in the stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) spectrum within 1 kHz of the pump frequency. In addition to the ion gyro-harmonic structures, on occasion, a broadband downshifted emission is observed simultaneously with these spectral lines. Parametric decay of the pump field into upper hybrid/electron Bernstein (UH/EB) and low-frequency ion Bernstein (IB) and oblique ion acoustic (IA) modes is considered responsible for generation of these spectral features. Guided by predictions of an analytical model, a two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) computational model is employed to study the nonlinear processes during such heating experiments. The critical parameters that affect the spectrum, such as whether discrete gyro-harmonic on broadband structures is observed, include angle of the pump field relative to the background magnetic field, pump field strength, and proximity of the pump frequency to the gyro-harmonic. Significant electron heating along the magnetic field is observed in the parameter regimes considered.
Consumer Con fi dence in Portugal : what does it really matter ?

Confidence, in general, and consumer confidence, in particular, are subject to an increasing interest by many agents, such as central banks and governments, at a national level, as well as by supra-national entities, such as the European Commission of the European Union. Although this interest is shared by the academic community, the literature in this area is mainly focussed on the use of consumer confidence to predict variables which describe the business cycle, like consumption. Instead, the objective of our paper is to analyse the evolution of consumer confidence in Portugal and examine which factors underpin its formation. Our empirical study uses monthly data for the period January 1987 — December 2008. We find that consumer confidence, besides presenting some inertia, is basically explained by electoral circumstances. PsycINFO Classification: 2229, 3920 JEL Classification: C51, E21, E27, E32
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MIDDLE MIOCENE – LOWER PLIOCENE ASH FROM SITES 982 AND 9851

The Cenozoic volcanic activity on Iceland has been recorded in North Atlantic sediments drilled during several Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)/Deep Sea Drilling Project legs (Legs 104, 151, 152, 162, and 163). Leg 162 (North Atlantic–Arctic Gateways II) recovere ash layers at Sites 982, 985, and 907 (Jansen, Raymo, Blum, e 1996). The revisited Site 907 was first drilled during Leg 151, and ash from this site has been described in detail by Lacasse et al. (1 and Werner et al. (1996). Site 982 is located within the Hatto Rockall Basin on the Rockall Plateau, which is situated west of British Isles. Site 985 is located northeast of Iceland at the foot of eastern slope of the Iceland Plateau, adjacent to the Norwegian B (Fig. 1). Here we report chemical analyses of Neogene tephra la from Holes 982A, 983B, 982C, 985A, and 985B. The sedimentary sequence at Site 982 (for site positions, dep etc., see Table 1) spans the lower Miocene–Holocene; Site 985 re ered sediments spanning the upper Oligocene–Holocene (Fig Twenty-two distinct ash layers and ash-bearing sediments were s pled in Holes 982A–982C (Cores 162-982A-16H through 24H, 16 982B-14H through 56X, and 162-982C-15H through 27H), and ash layers were sampled in Holes 985A and 985B (Cores 162-98 11H through 59X, and 162-985B-11H through 14H). Almost 50% the sampled ash is strongly altered (predominantly from Site 985 cluster of altered thin layers in the lower Pliocene of Site 985 (top Unit III) is remarkable.
Right-lateral shear across Iran and kinematic change in the Arabia—Eurasia collision zone

SUMMARY New offset determinations for right-lateral strike-slip faults in Iran revise the kinematics of the Arabia–Eurasia collision, by indicating along-strike lengthening of the collision zone before a change to the present kinematic regime at ∼5 Ma. A series of right-lateral strike-slip faults is present across the Turkish–Iranian plateau between 48°E and 57°E. Fault strikes vary between NW–SE and NNW–SSE. Several of the faults are seismically active and/or have geomorphic evidence for Holocene slip. None of the faults affects the GPS-derived regional velocity field, indicating active slip rates are ≤2 mm yr−1. We estimate total offsets for these faults from displaced geological and geomorphic markers, based on observations from satellite imagery, digital topography, geology maps and our own fieldwork observations, and combine these results with published estimates for fault displacement. Total right-lateral offset of the Dehu, Anar, Deh Shir, Kashan, Ab-Shirin-Shurab, Kousht Nousrat, Qom, Bid Hand, Indes, Soltanieh and Takab faults is ∼250 km. Other faults (North Zanjan, Saveh, Jorjafk, Rafsanjan, Kuh Banan and Behabad) have unknown or highly uncertain amounts of slip. Collectively, these faults are inferred to have accommodated part of the Arabia–Eurasia convergence. Three roles are possible, which are not mutually exclusive: (1) shortening via anticlockwise, vertical axis rotations; (2) northward movement of Iranian crust with respect to stable Afghanistan to the east; (3) combination with coeval NW–SE thrusts in the Turkish–Iranian plateau, to produce north–south plate convergence (‘strain partitioning’). This strike-slip faulting across Iran requires along-strike lengthening of the collision zone. This was possible until the Pliocene (≤ 5 Ma), when the Afghan crust collided with the western margin of the Indian plate, thereby sealing off a free face at the eastern side of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. Continuing Arabia–Eurasia plate convergence had to be accommodated in new ways and new areas, leading to the present pattern of faulting from eastern Iran to western Turkey, and involving the westward transport (‘escape’) of Anatolia and the concentration of thrusting in the Zagros and Alborz mountains.
The Importance of Where to Dump the Refuse: Seed Banks and Fine Roots in Nests of the Leaf‐Cutting Ants Atta cephalotes and A. colombica 1

The location of the nutrient‐rich organic refuse produced by a leaf‐cutting ant colony varies among ant species. Atta cephalotes locate their organic refuse in subterranean chambers, whereas A. colombica place their organic refuse on the soil surface near the nest. We studied the effect of the absence or presence of external organic refuse on the abundance of fine roots and seed bank composition in the superficial horizons of ant nests. We sampled soils from ant nests or dumps and adjacent areas of 15 adult nests of A. cephalotes at La Selva (LS), Costa Rica, and of 15 of A. colombica nests on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. Soils from A. cephalotes nests did not differ from adjacent soils in abundance of fine‐root and seed diversity. In contrast, organic refuse from A. colombica nests was less diverse in seed composition (due to the great abundance of Miconia argentea) and had a greater abundance of fine roots than adjacent areas. Thus the external location of the ant‐nest organic refuse is potentially important in determining the different types of plant recolonization in abandoned or dead ant nests. The relative abundance of these Atta species may influence the structure and/or composition of tropical forests.
Baculovirus Replication: Uptake of Trichoplusia ni Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Particles by Insect Cells

Summary The uptake of two forms of Trichoplusia ni multiple nucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus by Spodoptera frugiperda cells in culture has been evaluated. Subtle differences in the Mg2+ and Ca2+ requirements for the uptake of cell-released virus (CRV) and polyhedron-derived virus (PDV) exist; otherwise, both forms of the virus appeared similar in their mode of uptake. Entry occurs by fusion of the plasma membrane of the cell with the envelope surrounding the virus nucleocapsid at neutral pH. The receptor turnover for the virus probably occurs rapidly since saturation of receptor sites for the virus was not achieved. The binding and penetration of the virus, and the uncoating and transport of the viral genome to the nucleus is rapid. Uncoating occurs predominantly in the cytoplasm. The lower infectivity of PDV, compared with CRV, for cells in culture may happen because this form of the virus accumulates in cell vacuoles and is unable to proceed with infection.
Aerosol optical thickness trends and population growth in the Indian subcontinent

The Indian subcontinent occupies 2.4% of the world land mass and is home to ∼17% of the world population. It is characterized by a wide range of population density (P), significant population growth and high levels of air pollution. The quantification of the effect of urbanization on aerosol optical thickness (AOT) trends was carried out by analysing 8-year (March 2000 to February 2008) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) satellite data. Here we show that over extensive areas with differing population densities, which are significant parts of the Indian subcontinent, (1) the higher the averaged population density the bigger the averaged AOT and (2) the larger the population growth the stronger the increasing trends in AOT. Over the regions with P > 100 persons km−2 (more than 70% of the territory), a population growth of ∼1.5% year−1 was accompanied by increasing AOT trends of over 2% year−1. The presence of the aforementioned AOT trends is evidence of air quality deterioration, in particular in highly populated areas with P > 500 persons km−2. This situation could worsen with the continued growth of the Indian population.
Three-dimensional flow around two circular cylinders of different diameters in a close proximity

Flow past two cylinders of different diameters in close proximity is simulated numerically for a constant diameter ratio of 0.45, a gap ratio of 0.0625, and a Reynolds number of 1000 (defined using the diameter of the main cylinder). The effect of the position angle α of the small cylinder relative to the large one on force coefficients and wake flow patterns are studied. Depending on the position angle α of the small cylinder, four wake flow modes are identified: the upstream interference mode for α = 0°, 22.5°, and 45°, the intermittent attached gap flow mode for α = 67.5° and 90°, the attached gap flow mode for α = 112.5° and 135°, and the wake interference mode for α = 157.5° and 180°. The RMS lift coefficients of both cylinders are reduced significantly compared with that of a single cylinder, regardless of the position angle of the small cylinder. Although the variation trends of the mean drag and lift coefficients with the position angle of the small cylinder obtained from the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations are similar, the 2D simulations overestimate the mean drag coefficient, the RMS drag and lift coefficients compared with those obtained from the 3D simulations.
Comparison of good and poor sleepers: stress and life satisfaction of university athletes

The aim of the present study was to compare differences in level of perceived stress, type of stress appraisal and life satisfaction between university athletes who declare problems with sleep (Poor Sleepers, PS, n = 72) and those without problems (Good Sleepers, GS, n = 105). In preliminary analyses the PS and GS were compared for group homogeneity with (a) the Chi-Square test for gender and type of sport, and (b) the Mann-Whitney U test for practice time and weekly frequency of trainings. In both analyses no differences were present. In the main analysis, prepared with the Mann-Whitney U test, GS and PS were compared in terms of psychological variables. Athletes who reveal problems with sleep quality (in comparison to their counterparts with good sleep quality) most often appraise stressful situations as a threat, perceive more stress in everyday life and declare lower life satisfaction. The differences between GS and PS groups may result from the bi-directional relationship between sleep quality and stress and life satisfaction. High stress and low life satisfaction can result in poor sleep quality and, on the other hand, sleep problems can aggravate stress and reduce the life satisfaction. Further studies and the use of advanced analyzes are needed to indicate the relationship between the studied variables in university athletes (e.g., mediation analysis, SEM).
Electroglottographic Measures Based on GCI and GOI Detection Using Multiscale Product

This paper deals with glottal parameter estimation such as local pitch and open quotient from electroglottographic signal (EGG). This estimation is based on glottal closing instants and glottal opening instants determined by a multi-scale product of this signal. Wavelet transform of EGG signal is made with a quadratic spline function. Wavelet coefficients calculated on different dyadic scales, show modulus maxima at localized discontinuities of EGG signal. The detected maxima and minima correspond to the glottal opening and closing instants called GOIs and GCIs. To improve the estimate precision, we operate the multi-scale product of wavelet transform coefficients of three successive dyadic scales. This processing enhances edge detection. A Multi-scale product is a nonlinear combination of successive scales; it reduces noise and spurious peaks. We apply cubic root amplitude on the product to improve the representation of weak amplitudes. The method has a good representation of GCI and a best detection of GOI. The method was tested on the Keele University database; it is effective and robust in multiple cases even for a typical signal showing undetermined GOIs and multiple peaks at GCIs. Finally precise measurement of these instants allows accurate estimation of prosodic parameters as local pitch and open quotient.