Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment on the Use, Knowledge and Conservation of Medicinal Plants in Selected Kebeles of Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern Ethiopia

The aim of the study was to assess and document the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants used in the communities and preserve it to be used by the next generations. Ten study sites (kebeles) were selected based on a reconnaissance survey and recommendations of elders and local authorities. The study was carried out in two different seasons, from September to November, 2014 and from June to August, 2015. Eighty informants including twenty traditional herbalists (as key informants) participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews, group discussions and guided field walk constituted the main data collection methods. Techniques of Preference Ranking, Informant consensus Factor, Fidelity level index and Pearson correlation were employed in data analysis. Medicinal plant specimens were collected identified and kept at the National Herbarium (ETH) of Addis Ababa University. A total of 129 plant species in 61 families and 109 genera constituting herbs (50%), trees (24%), shrubs (23%) and climbers (3%) were reported in the treatment of various health problems. Family Fabaceae was dominant representing 8.5 % of the plant species documented. Leaves (29.4 %) were the most frequently used parts in preparing herbal remedies. Crushing (29 %) and oral route (61%) were commonly used methods of herbal remedy preparation and administration, respectively. Health conditions grouped in 22 categories were treated using medicinal plants. Informant consensus factor was highest for mental illness, poisonous animal bite and head ache and fatigue that had ICF values of 1, 0.61 and 0.60, respectively. Sphaeranthus suaveolens, Barleria orbicularis, Solanum sepiculum and Cadaba farinosa had a fidelity level of 100% this indicated their outstanding preference for treating mental illness, snake bite and swollen body part (GOFLA). There was a positive correlation (r =0.48) between the age of informants and the number of species reported by the informants. However, there was a negative correlation (r = -0.26) between the number of species reported and informants’ educational level. The present paper represents significant ethnobotanical information on medical plants which provides baseline data for future pharmacological and phytochemical studies.
Raising the Bar: Differential Expectations for Ingroup performance

There is substantial evidence that individuals give preferential treatment to members of their own groups. By inflating evaluations of ingroup members, the group (and thus the self) may be viewed positively. The current paper examines whether pro-ingroup bias will extend to performance expectations. In Study 1, participants predicted ingroup and outgroup negotiation performance. Ingroup expectations were significantly and substantially inflated. In Study 2, participants set higher performance standards and indicated that an ingroup member would have to earn more points than an outgroup member in order to have performed “very well. ” This demonstration of inflated performance expectations and standards is discussed in terms of how these expectations may be difficult or impossible to live up to, ironically setting the stage for harsher evaluation of ingroup members if they are held to the unrealistically inflated standards.
Morpho-playnological and foliar epidermal anatomy of genus Cenchrus L.

This study confined to four species of genus Cenchrus using multiple parameters that is morphology, epidermal leaf anatomy (LM and SEM) and palynology (LM and SEM). The species Cenchrus biflorus Roxb, Cenchrus ciliaris Linn . , Cenchrus pennisetiformis Hochst. and Steud. ex Steud and Cenchrus setigerus Vahl. Playno-anatomical characterization based on SEM techniques provides useful information for differentiation of species in Genus Censhrus. The study demonstrated that all the four species may differ from each other on the basis of morphology, anatomy and palynology.
Structural and spectroscopic characterization of a suite of fibrous amphiboles with high environmental and health relevance from Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy)

Abstract This study reports new spectroscopic and structural data of fibrous amphiboles from the volcanic area of Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy) that generated interest because of an anomalous increase of pleural mesothelioma of inhabitants. Each of the four samples is made of loose fibers, which show an edenite-winchite (fluorine) compositional trend, with significant tremolite component. Small amounts of iron (3.6-6.0 wt% FeOtot) were identified in all samples, and the Fe3+/Fetot ratios were evaluated by Mössbauer spectroscopy: two samples are characterized by Fe3+/Fetot ratios between 50 and 70%, and the other two have Fe3+/Fetot ratios higher than 90%. The OH-stretching region was investigated by FTIR, and no absorption bands were observed. Structural investigation was carried out by X-ray powder diffraction using the Rietveld method. Cell parameters, positional parameters for all the atoms, and site scattering for M1, M2, M3, M4, A, and A(m) were refined. The most important differences with respect to prismatic fluoro-edenite are the decrease of β, a, and c with decreasing Ca content, A-site occupancy, and tetrahedral Al content, respectively. By combining chemical, spectroscopic, and structural data, possible site occupancies were obtained. In particular, it was found that Fe2+ is distributed between M1 and M2 sites; moreover, for the two samples enriched in Fe2+, it is also present at M4. Fe3+ is generally ordered at M2 site; however, for the two samples enriched in Fe3+, minor amounts are partially disordered between M1 and M3 sites. For the Biancavilla amphibole fibers, the large compositional variation observed in every sample makes the classification very difficult, so that the regulatory agencies would not classify as “asbestos” the whole mineral series, because of the large components of edenite and winchite in addition to tremolite. Many common features were found with respect to amphibole fibers from Libby, Montana, including Fe contents and oxidation state. Preliminary results of in vitro toxicological tests on Biancavilla fibers confirmed their high reactivity, and suggest that the samples with the highest Fe2+ contents induce a rapid start to cell mortality.
ENSO suppression due to weakening of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation

Changes of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) excite wave patterns that readjust the thermocline globally. This paper examines the impact of a freshwater-induced THC shutdown on the depth of the Pacific thermocline and its subsequent modification of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability using an intermediate-complexity global coupled atmosphere–ocean–sea ice model and an intermediate ENSO model, respectively. It is shown by performing a numerical eigenanalysis and transient simulations that a THC shutdown in the North Atlantic goes along with reduced ENSO variability because of a deepening of the zonal mean tropical Pacific thermocline. A transient simulation also exhibits abrupt changes of ENSO behavior, depending on the rate of THC change. The global oceanic wave adjustment mechanism is shown to play a key role also on multidecadal time scales. Simulated multidecadal global sea surface temperature (SST) patterns show a large degree of similarity with previous climate reconstructions, suggesting that the observed pan-oceanic variability on these time scales is brought about by oceanic waves and by atmospheric teleconnections.
Effects of soil-surface morphology on emergence and survival of seedlings in big sagebrush communities.

Various kinds of soil-surface microsites occur on ioess-mantled Aridisois in central and northern Nevada. Tbis study evaluates the potential of trampled and untrampled micro&es to influence natural revegetation and either secondary succession or retrogression. Microsites present on different soil surfaces included the litterand moss-covered Type I surface that occurs under tbe shrub canopy; the trench-lie cracks and pinnacled polygons of tbe Type II surface that occur adjacent to the Type I surface; and the narrow cracks and smooth polygons with crusted, vesicular structure of the Type III surface tbat occurs in tbe interspaces between shrubs. Emergence and survival of Wyoming big sagebrush generally were greatest on the Type I and III surfaces, in the untrampled crack microsite of the Type III surface, and on the heavily trampled polygon microsite of the Type III surface. Emergence and survival of perennial grasses generally were greatest on tbe untrampled Type I surface, in the untrampled trench microsite of the Type II surface, and on moderately trampled trench and pinnacle microsites of the Type II surface. Emergence of annual and perennial forbs generally was greatest on untrampled trench and crack micro&es of the Type II and III soil surfaces. Heavy trampling of trench and crack microsites reduced the emergence of perennial grasses, and both moderate and heavy trampling reduced the emergence of annual and perennial forbs. Tbe potential for seeondary succession would appear to be greatest where Types I and II surfaces and associated microsites predominate on a site and when trampling is moderate or absent. Tbe potentiai for retrogression would appear to be greatest where tbe Type III surface and associated microsites predominate and when trampling is heavy.
An Empirical Comparison of New Product Trial Forecasting Models

While numerous researchers have proposed diAerent models to forecast trial sales for new products, there is little systematic understanding about which of these models works best, and under what circumstances these findings change. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive investigation of eight leading published models and three diAerent parameter estimation methods. Across 19 diAerent datasets encompassing a variety of consumer packaged goods, we observe several systematic patterns that link diAerences in model specification and estimation to forecasting accuracy. Major findings include the following observations: (1) when dealing with consumer packaged goods, simple models that allow for relatively limited flexibility (e.g. no S-shaped curves) in the calibration period provide significantly better forecasts than more complex specifications; (2) models that explicitly accommodate heterogeneity in purchasing rates across consumers tend to oAer better forecasts than those that do not; and (3) maximum likelihood estimation appears to oAer more accurate and stable forecasts than nonlinear least squares. We elaborate on these and other findings, and oAer suggested directions for future research in this area. #1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Almost every textbook discussion of the new product development process includes a call to conduct some form of market test before actually launching the new product. Such an exercise serves several objectives, including the desire to produce an accurate forecast of the new product’s sales performance over time. These forecasts can help lead to a final go/no-go decision and can also assist in the marketing and production planning activities associated with the product launch. In the case of consumer packaged goods, conducting a market test historically saw the company’s sales force selling the product into retail distribution in one or more markets for one to two years, after which a decision of whether or not to go national with the new product was
EFFECT OF GYPSUM ON AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS EVALUATED BY MEHLICH-1, ION EXCHANGE RESIN, AND Pi-PAPER IN A BRAZILIAN TROPICAL OXISOL

Three soil tests: Mehlich-1, mixed cation-anion exchange resins with HCO3 as anion, and iron oxide impregnated filter paper (Pi strip), were used to assess available P in a highly weathered tropical Oxisol which received rates of 0, 2.5, 12.5, 25, 50 and 75 g kg-1 of phosphogypsum, natural gypsum (gipsite) or pure gypsum (reagent grade) and 0 and 100 mg kg-1 of P [(triple superphosphate (TSP) or phosphate rock (PR)]. The treated soil samples were incubated for 25 days at room temperature followed by P extraction with the three methods. The trend of Mehlich-P was similar to Pi-P in response to rates and types of gypsum applied. For resin-P, it was underestimated due to the reaction of resin-HCO3 and CaSO4 that resulted in the formation of CaCO3. Consequently, the strength of resin-HCO3 was weakened and the CaCO3 formed could also further adsorb/precipitate soluble P and thus resin-P was underestimated. Mehlich-1 overestimated available P from PR with respect to TSP because its strong acidity that extracted undissolved PR. Gypsum depressed PR solubility due to the Ca common-ion-effect and thus available P of PR was underestimated by the resin and Pi tests. It is concluded that as long as a significant amount of phosphogypsum or natural gypsum applied to tropical acid soils still remains in the soils, it should be cautious to select a proper soil P test and provide a scientific interpretation in order to make a correct recommendation for the rate of applied water-soluble or water-insoluble P fertilizers.
Mixed-Mode Cohesive Damage Model Applied to the Simulation of the Mechanical Behaviour of Laminated Composite Adhesive Joints

A study of the mechanical behaviour of laminated composite adhesive joints is presented in this paper. The study consists of both numerical simulations and experimental tests. It concentrates on single lap-shear joints made of carbon–epoxy laminated composites and an epoxy adhesive. The main objective is to verify the adequacy of cohesive damage models for the strength prediction of bonded joints. These models are attractive in modelling fracture problems since they do not require the definition of an initial crack and they model damage propagation without any user intervention. A mixed-mode cohesive damage model is used to simulate damage onset and growth in the adhesive layer. The model is an extension of pure mode (I and II) trapezoidal cohesive damage models. The trapezoidal shape in the constitutive law is more valid when ductile adhesives are used. The mixed-mode model requires a complete characterization of the cohesive parameters in pure modes, determined with an inverse method. Tensile tests are performed for joints with different overlap lengths. It is shown that the numerical simulations represent with a reasonable accuracy the mechanical behaviour of the joints tested.
KARYOTYPE ANALYSIS AND NUCLEAR DNA CONTENT IN ACACIA ( FABACEAE ) ESTIMATION OF SIX SPECIES OF

Karyotype analysis, determination of somatic chromosome number, total chromosome length and volume, estimation of 4C DNA content and Interphase Nuclear Volume (INV) were carried out in 6 species of Acacia of the family Fabaceae. Somatic chromosome number 2n=26 in A. auriculiformis, A. catechu, A. dealbata, A. decurrens, A. suma and 2n=52 in A. mollisima were recorded for the first time. Significant interspecific variations in nuclear DNA amount was noted. The 4C DNA content varied from 2.28 pg in A. catechu to 4.82 pg in A. mollissima. The INV varied from 210.22 p.3m in A. suma to 356.23 p.3m in A. dec u rr ens. Correlation coefficient studies showed positive correlation between the genomic chromosome lenght, chromosome volume and INV No interdependency was found between 4C DNA content and chromosome lenght or volume and INV. The structural alterations in the chromosomes as well as loss or addition of highly repetitive sequences in the genome caused variations in the nuclear DNA at interspecific level indicating a macroand microevolution of the species.
Do People Live at Sea Level and the Dead Sea Level Have Different Patterns of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

Background: people live at various areas of sea level may have different patterns of anti-hypertensive drugs. Such a relation has never been reported in Jordan. Study objectives: the current study investigated how the sea level will impact the prevalence of hypertension in these areas, and how will affect the pharmacological properties of such a population. Methodology: a cross-sectional study design was involved to collect data from study participants. A total of 1000 participants were randomly selected from the two study areas. 500 participants from each. Participants were matched for age and gender. Blood pressure were measured for all participants. Blood samples were withdrawn to investigate the level of angiotensin II. Data was collected through organizing a working excel sheet and was further analyzed through using SPSS version 20. Data was presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. The relationships between variables were examined using independent T-test. Significance was measured at an alpha 0.05). Conclusions: although the level of angiotensin II was not significantly varied between the study areas, but its trend was to be higher in the Sea level area. It was surprised to have higher levels of SBP and MBP in the Dead Sea rather than the Seal level area. It can be implied that the therapeutic options of hypertensive drugs follow different patterns independent of angiotensin II pathways.
Survey of Ascaris lumbricoides among pupils of primary school in Jos south local government area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Ascaris lumbricoides was surveyed among pupils of primary schools in Jos south local government. Four schools were visited: National Research Institute Staff Primary School, Rita Primary School, Joseph Primary School and St Andrew Primary School. A total of 471 samples were collected from pupils of these schools and processed using formol-ether concentration technique. Only 1 (0.2%) pupil from St Andrew Primary School was positive for A. lumbricoides. The prevalence of the infection among the age group showed that 1 (0.9%) in the age group (5 to 9) years was positive while the sex distribution showed a prevalence of 1(0.4%) among the male and no positive case was recorded among the females. The overall prevalence of other parasitic infections was 8.3% with hookworm having the highest prevalence of (5.3%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica with (0.6%), and Giardia lamblia (0.5%), while Hymenolepis nana and Taenia species had both a prevalence of (0.2%).
Distribution, abundance and biomass trends of the genus Sebastes on Flemish cap (division 3M)

In recent years raffish biomass has decreased substantially, at the same time as catches have increased considerably. The redfish resource is managed like a single stock, though it is formed of three species, Sebastes marinas, S. mentella and S. fasciatus are different, not only in their abundance, but also in their distribution and behaviour. A correct analysis should consider these aspects. In 1988 the EEC started bottom trawl surveys on Flemish Cap. In this paper, redfish distributions obtained in the last five years, and a year class analysis are presented.
Endo- and Ectoparasite Infections in Two Cattle Farms Located in Kuala Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

A study was conducted to determine the parasite infection in two cattle farms located in Felda Belara (Farm A) and Kampung Beladau Kolam (Farm B) Kuala Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Twenty cattle from each farm were examined for endo- and ectoparasites. Faecal samples were subjected to worm egg counts for estimation of nematode burden and sedimentation for detection of trematode infection. Blood samples were subjected to thin blood smear to detect the presence of blood parasites and packed cell volume (PCV) technique was used to determine the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. Besides, external body examination was also conducted for the recovery of ectoparasites. Results showed that Fasciola sp. (95%), Boophilus microplus (86%) and Theileria sp. (98%) were the most common parasites found in the two cattle farms in Kuala Terengganu.
Comparative study between microscopic and endoscopic stapes surgery

Background: To investigate whether endoscopic stapes surgery is safer and less invasive than conventional stapes surgery using an operating microscope. Methods: The subjects were 60 patients who were divided consecutively into group A undergoing microscopic stapedotomy and group B undergoing endoscopic stapedotomy. The procedures for endoscopic surgery were fundamentally the same as those for microscopic surgery, except for post aural incision used in some patients in microscopic group. The two surgical techniques were compared with respect to the operating time, approach, drilling of posterosuperior canal, manipulation of chorda tympani, visualisation of anterior crus, postoperative hearing, postoperative pain, and complications. Results: There were no differences of operating time or postoperative hearing between the endoscopic and microscopic groups. There was very little postoperative pain in the endoscopic group. Drilling at the posterosuperior part of the external auditory canal was less extensive in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group. Visualisation of anterior crus of stapes was good in endoscopic group. Conclusions: Endoscopic stapes surgeries are technically feasible, safe and promising. The main advantages were: easy access, virtually no trauma to the chorda tympani nerve and excellent vision. The disadvantages were the lack of stereoscopic vision, having to work with one hand only and the learning curve.
Radiation Impacts on Conditionally Unstable Moist Convection

AbstractThe present work analyzes the impacts of radiative cooling in three-dimensional high-resolution direct numerical simulations of moist Rayleigh–Benard convection. An atmospheric slab is destabilized by imposing a warm, moist lower boundary and a colder, dryer upper boundary. These boundary conditions are chosen such that the atmosphere is relaxed toward a conditionally unstable state in which unsaturated air parcels experience a stable stratification and unsaturated parcels experience an unstable one. Conditionally unstable moist Rayleigh–Benard convection in the absence of radiative transfer produces self-aggregated convectively active cloudy regions separated by a quiescent unsaturated environment. Such convection is strongly limited by diffusion and is unable to transport much energy. As radiative cooling partially compensates for the adiabatic warming in the unsaturated environment and destabilizes the lower unsaturated boundary, its inclusion results in a significant enhancement of convective .
Projections of Sea Level Along the East Coast of North America

Projections of sea level rise for the east coast of North America at 2100CE were generated considering contributions from: ocean warming, land ice melting and isostatic land motion. The primary contribution of this study is the development of an improved glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) model that includes an assessment of model uncertainty using 36 ice loading histories, 363 Earth models and a new sea level proxy database comprising over 500 sea level index points. We find that, while there are differences between our projections and the global mean sea level (GMSL) projections from the recent International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report, the two sets of results agree to within uncertainty largely because some of the regional processes cancel. Our results indicate that the isostatic signal is large, contributing up to 1/4 of sea level change at 2100CE, and so must be included to generate accurate projections for this region.
Design of dual band-notched CPW-fed UWB planar monopole antenna using microstrip resonators

In this letter, a new coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed ultra-wideband (UWB) planar monopole antenna with dual band-reject characteristics is proposed. Two resonators of different lengths are employed at the bottom layer to create two notches at the frequency of interest. The proposed fabricated antenna works from 2.8 to 11.34 GHz with two notched bands which cover the WLAN (5.725– 5.825GHz) and ITU (8.025–8.4 GHz) bands. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured for verification purposes. Good agreement between the measurement and simulation is found.