Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF CICER ARIETINUM SEED EXTRACTS

Inflammation is a part of complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells or irritants. Cicer arietinum which is generally consumed as a seed food is a good source of protein and traditionally used in pacifying the burning sensation in stomach, hepatomegali, stomatitis, inflammations, skin diseases and bronchitis. In present study, the anti-inflammatory potency of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Cicer arietinum seeds at different doses were investigated against carrageenan and histamine induced paw edema in rats. The paw edema was measured using a digital plethysmometer. After performing the acute toxicity studies, no mortality was observed even at highest dose of 2 g/kg, p.o. So, we have selected two different doses 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of rats for the present study and they are administered orally. The results were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Almost all the treatments of extracts showed a significicant p<0.001 anti-inflammatory activity when compared to control groups and with standard drug (Indomethacin 10 mg/kg. p.o). Both the methanolic and ethanolic extracts showed the dose dependant activity. Among these extracts, the methanolic 500 mg/kg and ethanolic 500 mg/kg extracts of Cicer arietinum showed maximum anti-inflammatory activity from 2nd to 5th hours. There by the findings concluded that Cicer arietinum seeds exhibit an anti-inflammatory activity and further studies were suggested to isolate the active principles responsible for the activity.
Paleomagnetic tests of tectonic reconstructions of the India‐Asia collision zone

Several solutions have been proposed to explain the long‐standing kinematic observation that postcollisional upper crustal shortening within the Himalaya and Asia is much less than the magnitude of India‐Asia convergence. Here we implement these hypotheses in global plate reconstructions and test paleolatitudes predicted by the global apparent polar wander path against independent, and the most robust paleomagnetic data. Our tests demonstrate that (1) reconstructed 600–750 km postcollisional intra‐Asian shortening is a minimum value; (2) a 52 Ma collision age is only consistent with paleomagnetic data if intra‐Asian shortening was ~900 km; a ~56–58 Ma collision age requires greater intra‐Asian shortening; (3) collision ages of 34 or 65 Ma incorrectly predict Late Cretaceous and Paleogene paleolatitudes of the Tibetan Himalaya (TH); and (4) Cretaceous counterclockwise rotation of India cannot explain the paleolatitudinal divergence between the TH and India. All hypotheses, regardless of collision age, require major Cretaceous extension within Greater India.
Financial Development and the Determinants of Capital Structure in Vietnam

This paper explores the capital structure of listed Vietnamese companies in the broader context of financial development (the recent expansion of domestic equity and debt capital markets). Accordingly, the paper provides the first insights into the capital structure of listed companies in one of the most dynamic economies in the Asia-Pacific region and in an economy that has experienced rapid change in recent years. We employ a panel GMM (generalized method of moments) system estimator to analyse the determinants of the capital structure of 116 non-financial firms listed on either the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange or the Hanoi Stock Exchange for the period 2007-2010. From this analysis we conclude that despite the emergence in recent years of equity and (to a lesser extent) corporate debt capital markets, the capital structure of Vietnamese enterprises are still dominated by the use of short-term financing sources. Further, our results show that state controlled enterprises continue to have preferential access to finance and that high growth firms still rely principally on external debt rather than equity issuance. These results indicate that policymakers need to continue to pursue policies that will deepen capital markets and ensure that bank finance is allocated on a purely commercial basis.
Preparation of Y(Mn1−xFex)O3 and Electrical Properties of the Sintered Bodies

YMnO3 and the Fe doped samples were prepared and the lattice constants, electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficients were measured. The solubility limit of Fe for Mn of YMnO3 was 25 atomic %, the electrical conductivity increased in the range of 350°C - 700°C as Fe increased up to 10%, and the doped samples showed larger Seebeck coefficient than undoped samples.
Frequency estimates for linear extension majority cycles on partial orders

Un ordre lineaire L sur un ensemble X est une extension lineaire d'un ordre partiel P sur X si P⊆L. L(P) denote l'ensemble de toutes les extensions lineaires de P; L(x,y) denote le sous-ensemble de L(P) pour lequel xL i y si L i ∈L(x,y). Un ensemble lineaire majore (Linear Extension Majority ou LEM) M est defini par xMy si #L(x,y)>#L(y,x). Une periode LEM existe sur P si xMy, yMz et zMx pour certains x,y,z∈X. Parallelement, M' sur X est defini par xM'y si #L(x,y)≥#L(y,x) pour x¬=;y. Une quasi-periode LEM existe si xM'y, yM'z et zM'x pour certains x,y,z∈X et la partie d'egalite de la definition M' tient pour exactement une des paires du triple. Une etude de simulation de Monte Carlo est entreprise pour obtenir des evaluations de la frequence relative avec lesquels on observe les periodes LEM ainsi que les quasi periodes LEM
Prevalence of Uncorrected Refractive Errors in Schoolchildren; A Crucial Vision Screening to Consider!

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of the uncorrected refractive errors in Bojnourd students Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the samples were selected proportionate to the population of the schools using stratified randomized cluster sampling. The target population was the primary and junior high school students of the city of Bojnourd. Visual acuity (VA) (Snellen chart) and cycloplegic, non-cycloplegic and subjective refraction were measured in all students. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was defined as improvement in corrected vision for at least 2 lines as compared to the presenting vision. Results: Of 2,020 selected students, 1,551 were included in the study (response rate 76.7%). The prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors was 6.2% (95% CI: 5-7.4) in at least one eye and 2.8% of the students had uncorrected refractive errors in both eyes. The prevalence of the uncorrected refractive errors was marginally higher in girls (p=0.068). Age, education level of the father and employment of the mother did not correlate with uncorrected refractive error. Myopic individuals followed by astigmatic students had the highest uncorrected refractive error. The presenting vision did not differ with the corrected vision in 83.3% of the participants. In 2.5% and 0.8% of the study population, vision improved by at least 3 and 4 lines after correcting vision, respectively. In individuals with glasses, the vision improved by at least 2, 3 and 4 lines in 21.1%, 9.5% and 3.2% respectively as compared to their present glasses. Conclusion: The prevalence of the uncorrected refractive errors in students was not low in this study. Girls, myopes, and cases of astigmatism showed high rates of uncorrected refractive errors, and it is important that they receive attention. Correcting these errors can help prevent visual impairment at young ages. Identifying uncorrected refractive errors should be among priorities of the health system, specially for students.
The Use of 360-Degree Feedback Compared to Traditional Evaluative Feedback for the Professional Growth of Teachers in K-12 Education.

Empirical research on the use of 360-degree feedback in elementary and secondary educational settings is quite limited. This study sought to understand teachers’ perceptions of the quality of feedback they received from the traditional administrative evaluative feedback to feedback they received from a multi-source feedback process. Results from the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test indicated that the participants in this project found the multi-source feedback process to be significantly more helpful than the traditional method in a number of areas, including: the development of professional growth goals, identifying professional development needs and providing feedback focused on student achievement.
Rural development in Brazil: overcoming inequalities and building new markets.

ing of the actions and interventions of the state and international organizations in poor and backward regions. It is true that from 1970-1990 the state had an almost exclusive role in rural development. At that time, staterun rural development programmes, such as the “Integrated Rural Development Policies” programme (PDRI), were seen as the only mechanisms capable of creating and providing feasible solutions to poverty and the underdevelopment of social groups and regions that were incapable of engaging in the modernization process (Ellis, Biggs, 2001). This approach, based on modernization theory, promoted compensatory mechanisms intended to provide alternatives for those farmers and/or rural regions that struggled to modernize their agriculture or faced difficulty in developing other economic activities, such as industry, commerce and services. Since then, there has been an important change in both the focus and the understanding of rural development. There are several reasons for this, some of which will be highlighted here. The first is that rural development is no longer seen as being solely about social assistance or pro-poor policies and marginalized regions. Secondly, rural development initiatives now seek to give local rural actors an active role in the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of policies. The mandate for sustainable development provides a third incentive. Since the environmental critiques of agricultural modernization gained strength in the 1980s, many social organizations and even state-run initiatives started to promote an “alternative agriculture” (Schmitt, 2009), which later translated into organic farming and the agro-ecology movement. The latter has now become the strategic driver in challenging dependency on industrial inputs in family-scale SERGIO SCHNEIDER SHIGEO SHIKI WALTER BELIK
Improved PLL-based MUSIC Algorithm for Single Receiver DF Systems

In this paper we propose an improved version of a single receiver DF system that combines a PLL scheme with the MUSIC algorithm to obtain both azimuthal and zenithal angles. The new approach uses a more efficient algorithm to remove the typical ambiguities of PLL-based schemes. We carry out several experiments to assess the algorithm performance. Among them, we consider complex environments, such as wireless communication channels where the received signal is corrupted by noise and suffers from distortion, interference, and multipath effects. The new scheme is tested for BPSK and QPSK signals under these conditions. The simulated results show Â superior performance of the proposed PLL algorithm when compared to previous techniques.
Can we characterise ‘openness’ in the Holocene palaeoenvironmental record? Modern analogue studies of insect faunas and pollen spectra from Dunham Massey deer park and Epping Forest, England

This paper examines the degree to which tree-associated Coleoptera (beetles) and pollen could be used to predict the degree of ‘openness’ in woodland. The results from two modern insect and pollen analogue studies from ponds at Dunham Massey, Cheshire and Epping Forest, Greater London are presented. We explore the reliability of modern pollen rain and sub-fossil beetle assemblages to represent varying degrees of canopy cover for up to 1000 m from a sampling site. Modern woodland canopy structure around the study sites has been assessed using GIS-based mapping at increasing radial distances as an independent check on the modern insect and pollen data sets. These preliminary results suggest that it is possible to use tree-associated Coleoptera to assess the degree of local vegetation openness. In addition, it appears that insect remains may indicate the relative intensity of land use by grazing animals. Our results also suggest most insects are collected from within a 100—200 m radius of the sampling site. The pollen results suggest that local vegetation and density of woodland in the immediate area of the sampling site can have a strong role in determining the pollen signal.
Financial incentives influence ImPACT validity indices but not cognitive composite scores

ABSTRACT Introduction: Interpreting change in cognitive performance across baseline and post-concussion evaluations is complicated by poor understanding of how incentives, such as return-to-play, may impact performance. This study examines the influence of an anticipated financial incentive on two sets of outcomes from the ImPACT computerized battery: (a) cognitive composites, meant to serve as measures of cognitive function, and (b) validity indices, proposed as indicators of invalid performance. Method: 81 uninjured college students, randomized into two groups, completed a concussion assessment battery including ImPACT. The control group received standard administration instructions. The incentive group was told they would receive $20 if their scores ranked in the top third of students who completed testing. Test examiners were blinded to condition, and participants were debriefed upon study completion. Results: Given the non-normal distribution of the ImPACT cognitive composites and validity indices, non-parametric statistics were used to compare performance between incentive and control groups. Results of Mann-Whitney U tests revealed no significant differences between groups on the ImPACT cognitive composites (all p > .05, r = .04 to .19). In contrast, compared with the control group, the incentive group performed significantly better on all five validity indices: Impulse Control Composite (p = .036, r = .23); Xs and Os Total Incorrect (p = .035, r = .23); Word Memory Learning Percent Correct (p = .036, r = .23); Design Memory Learning Percent Correct (p = .018, r = .26); and Three Letters Total Letters Correct (p = .027, r = .25). Conclusions: Expectation of financial incentive did not influence performance on the four cognitive composites—the ImPACT’s standard metrics of cognitive function. However, the incentive group, relative to controls, exhibited better performance on each of the five validity indices. These results suggest that ImPACT validity indices are more sensitive to incentive-related changes in effort than the ImPACT cognitive composites, providing support for the validity indicator indices as measures of effort toward testing.
‘Not girly, not sexy, not glamorous’: primary school girls’ and parents’ constructions of science aspirations 1

Internationally, there is widespread concern about the need to increase participation in the sciences (particularly the physical sciences), especially among girls/women. This paper draws on data from a five-year, longitudinal study of 10–14-year-old children’s science aspirations and career choice to explore the reasons why, even from a young age, many girls may see science aspirations as ‘not for me’. We discuss data from phase one – a survey of over 9000 primary school children (aged 10/11) and interviews with 92 children and 78 parents, focusing in particular on those girls who did not hold science aspirations. Using a feminist poststructuralist analytic lens, we argue that science aspirations are largely ‘unthinkable’ for these girls because they do not fit with either their constructions of desirable/intelligible femininity nor with their sense of themselves as learners/students. We argue that an underpinning construction of science careers as ‘clever’/‘brainy’, ‘not nurturing’ and ‘geeky’ sits in opposition to the girls’ self-identifications as ‘normal’, ‘girly’, ‘caring’ and ‘active’. Moreover, we suggest that this lack of fit is exacerbated by social inequalities, which render science aspirations potentially less thinkable for working-class girls in particular. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential implications for increasing women’s greater participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The Nordic difference: Job quality in Europe 1995 2010

Previous empirical research has pointed out that Nordic countries are distinguished from the rest of Europe in terms of job quality. On the other hand, it has been debated whether, in the longer run, the Nordic welfare state is able to insulate workers from globalization effects. This article investigates whether Nordic countries have retained their advantageous position concerning job quality compared with other EU countries. Empirical analyses are based on the European Working Conditions Survey collected in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. We use data on employees in the 15 member states of the EU prior to enlargement in 2004 (n = 61,457). The results partly confirm previous findings of high job quality in the Nordic countries. However, there are clear differences between Nordic countries. To be precise, Denmark stands out from the rest of Europe and other Nordic countries with its higher level of job quality.
The Construct of Willingness to Communicate and Its Relationship with EFL Learners’ Perceived Verbal and Nonverbal Teacher Immediacy

Given the fact that developing an intimate relationship between teacher and students creates a safe learning environment (Harran, 2006), and because teacher immediacy is proved to increase students’ motivation for learning (Velez & Cano, 2008), this study was an attempt to explore the relationship between Iranian EFL learners’ perceived teacher immediacy and their willingness to communicate (WTC). To this end, first, a new WTC questionnaire, specific to EFL settings, was developed, piloted, factor analyzed, and then administered on 90 intermediate EFL learners. In the second phase, the participants were required to complete Gorham’s (1988) Verbal Immediacy Measure (VIM) and McCroskey et al.’s (1996) Revised Nonverbal Immediacy Measure (RNIM). The findings revealed that there are 7 factors underlying EFL learners’ WTC, one of which is teacher immediacy. Further analyses showed that there is a positive relationship between both verbal and nonverbal teacher immediacy behaviors and EFL learners’ WTC in EFL classes. It can be concluded that teacher immediacy is one of the constituents of EFL learners’ WTC and that their WTC is likely to increase when teachers demonstrate immediacy behaviors while teaching. The present study has implications for language practitioners as well as teacher trainers.
Partial Purification and Characterisation of Polyphenol Oxidase from Two Commonly Consumed Eggplants ( Solanum mellongena depressum and Solanum gilo ) in Nigeria

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes in the presence of oxygen, the oxidation of mono- and di- phenols to o-quinones. The browning in fruits, vegetables and their processed products occurs as a result of this oxidation reaction. PPO in this study was isolated and characterized from two species of garden egg; Solanum mellongena depressum and Solanum gilo. Extracts were purified using a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE sephadex and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 column. The effect of pH and temperature were carried out, pH and thermal stability, kinetic and substrate specificity, the effect of inhibitors and activator on the enzyme activity was investigated. About 6% protein yield for both species and a purification fold of 30.0 and 41.0 for S. depressum and S. gilo respectively was achieved. The optima pH of activity were found to be 4.0 – 4.5 and 7.0 for S. depressum and 4.0 and 8.0 for S. gilo while 4.5 and 8.0 were obtain in presence of SDS, the activity of the PPO increased in the presence of small concentration of SDS in all the pH investigated. The temperature optimum for both species was observed at 30°C. The PPO were stable at 30°C retaining about 88% and 87% of initial activity after 60minutes for S. depressum and S. gilo respectively while PPO from S. depressum was inactivated after 40min and 80°C and 70°C. A minimal remaining activity of 5% was observed at 80°C after 60min incubation time. PPO was fairly stable at pH 6.0 – 8.0 retaining a percentage remaining activity of 40.3% to 50% for S depressum and 45.5% to 52.1% for S. gilo. The PPO exhibited a marked activity towards o-diphenol and lower activities for monophenols. Ascorbic acid, EDTA and SDS inhibited enzymatic activity while the Km values using catechol, DOPA and catechin as substrate were 0.3mM, 0.095mM and 1.09mM for S. depressum and 1.9mM, 0.414mM and 0.56mM for S. gilo. PPO from S. depressum exhibited a higher enzymatic activity compared to S. gilo while S. gilo retained a fairly more stable activity.
Extracellular matrix contributes to macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis

During early atherogenesis, low density lipoprotein (LDL) induces the accumulation of cholesterol and oxysterols in arterial macrophages, and in the subendothelial accumulation of atherogenic lipoproteins in extracellular matrix (ECM), takes place. Retention of LDL and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) to ECM is mediated by the ECM proteoglycans (PGs), which in the presence of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL, acting as a bridging element), bind the lipoproteins. The structures of the ECM proteoglycans, as well as the lipoproteins binding sites for PGs determine the extent of the interaction between ECM PGs and lipoproteins. Following its retention to the ECM, Ox-LDL is taken up by activated macrophages at enhanced rate, leading to cellular accumulation of cholesterol and oxysterols in arterial wall macrophages. Moreover, LDL oxidation in the arterial wall can also take place after lipoprotein retention to ECM PGs. In this case, retained Ox-LDL can be taken up by macrophage after its release from ECM PGs; but also as a complex of Ox-LDL with ECM PGs. The amount and composition of ECM, produced by all major cells of the arterial wall (monocyte-derived macrophages, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells), determine the extent of lipoproteins cellular uptake. We have demonstrated that under oxidative stress, ECM PGs secretion from macrophages, binding of Ox-LDL to the ECM and uptake of the retained lipoproteins by macrophages are all significantly increased. Altogether, these processes contribute to macrophage foam cell formation and accelerated atherosclerosis.
MEDIAL: UN NUEVO ENFOQUE LOCAL MULTIPUNCTUAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS FOR MEDIAL TIBIAL STRESS SYNDROME: A NOVEL APPROACH

Medial stress tibial syndrome (MTSS) has been and remains one of the most common pathologic conditions of the lower extremity. The results of conventional therapies for this condition have been inconsistent. Local corticosteroid injection has been shown to have favourable effects in treating musculoskeletal disorders. The effect of local multipunctual injections of a corticosteroid combined with an anaesthetic was studied in 47 patients (29 male and 18 female subjects, with an average age of 23.8 years) with MTSS. Direct consultation and examination was used to assess outcome. Patients were evaluated once a week after first injection for the first 4 weeks, and 3 months after treatment as well. Level of symptoms-free activity was recorded for each patient. The outcomes of the multipunctual injections were determined by comparing preintervention and posintervention level of symptoms-free activity and ability of the athletes to return to presymptom levels of exercise. The results suggest that the treatment reduces the recovery time and improves functional outcomes.