Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of underutilized fruits of Andaman Islands (India)

The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity and phytochemical contents in 10 underutilized fruits of Andaman Islands (India) namely Malpighia glabra L. , Mangifera andamanica L. , Morinda citrifolia L. , Syzygium aqueum (Burm.f) Alst. , Annona squamosa L. , Averrhoa carambola L. , Averrhoa bilimbi L. , Dillenia indica L. , Annona muricata L. and Ficus racemosa L. The antioxidant activity varied from 74.27% to 98.77%, and the methanol extract of M. glabra showed the highest antioxidant activity (98.77%; inhibitory concentration, IC50 = 262.46 μg/ml). Methanol was found to be a better solvent than acetone and aqueous for estimating the antioxidant activity. M. glabra was found to be rich in phytochemicals viz. polyphenol (355.74 mg/100 g), anthocyanin (91.31 mg/100 g), carotenoids (109.16 mg/100 g), tannin (24.39 mg/100 g) and ascorbic acid (394.23 mg/100 g). Carbohydrate content was estimated to be highest in M. glabra (548 mg/100 g). Phenols, tannins, anthocyanins and carotenoids contents showed positive correlation (r2 = 0.846, r2 = 0.864, r2 = 0.915 and r2 = 0.806, respectively) with antioxidant activity. The information generated in present study will be useful for bioprospecting of underutilized fruits of Andaman Islands.
Certification in the Indian Offshore IT Services Industry

Third-party process certification programs such as the ISO 9001 and capability maturity model (CMM) have been widely adopted in recent years. In this study we employ three competing theoretical frameworks---signaling, efficiency gains, and institutional theory---to analyze the motivations for a firm to acquire quality certification and the performance implications thereafter. We test these hypotheses in the context of CMM certification based on data from the Indian offshore IT services industry between 1997 and 2002. Our results indicate that more cost-effective firms and export-oriented firms are more likely to seek out and acquire certification. In addition, CMM-certified firms show significant improvements in exports, but not on the firm's cost structure. Furthermore, our findings suggest that CMM certification helps indicate firm capabilities to potential customers and thus appear to be most consistent with signaling explanations of certification rather than the efficiency gains or institutional theories.
Developmental changes in orienting towards faces: A behavioral and eye-tracking study

Previous studies show that newborn infants and adults orient their attention preferentially toward human faces. However, the developmental changes of visual attention captured by face stimuli remain unclear, especially when an explicit top-down process is involved. We capitalized on a visual search paradigm to assess how the relative strength of visual attention captured by a non-target face stimulus and explicit attentional control on a target stimulus evolve as search progresses and how this process changes during development. Ninety children aged 5–14 years searched for a target within an array of distractors, which occasionally contained an upright face. To assess the precise picture of developmental changes, we measured: (1) manual responses, such as reaction time and accuracy; and (2) eye movements such as the location of the first fixation, which reflect the attentional profile at the initial stage, and looking times, which reflect the attentional profile at the later period of searching. Both reaction time and accuracy were affected by the presence of the target-unrelated face, though the interference effect was observed consistently across ages. However, developmental changes were captured by the first fixation proportion, suggesting that initial attention was preferentially directed towards the target-unrelated face before 6.9 years of age. Furthermore, prior to 12.8 years of age, the first fixation towards face stimuli was significantly more frequent than for object stimuli. In contrast, the looking time proportion for the face stimuli was significantly higher than that for the objects across all ages. These findings suggest that developmental changes do not influence the later search periods during a trial, but that they influence the initial orienting indexed by the first fixation. Moreover, the manual responses are tightly linked to eye movement behaviors.
Institutional and contextual obstacles to sexuality education policy implementation in Uganda

ABSTRACT The successful implementation of sexuality education policy for young people has been shown to depend on a sound legislative and institutional framework. This article shows that both institutional factors and contextual obstacles have impeded the implementation of sexuality education policy in Uganda. Qualitative research techniques were employed in the form of systematic document reviews and extensive field-work with 64 participants, of which 32 were in-depth interviews with policymakers and key stakeholders in Kampala and Mbarara districts. In addition, four focus group discussions (n = 32) were conducted with teachers. The analysis was carried out thematically and manually, using open and axial coding. It was found that policy success was primarily limited by two broad factors: firstly, by institutional weaknesses such as a lack of capacity, inadequate financial commitment, poor coordination between relevant ministries and ineffective monitoring, and regulatory frameworks; secondly, by social, cultural and religious norms that give informal power to religious and cultural leaders. Two strategies are suggested as potential ways forward: (i) a commitment to both the human and financial resources needed to monitor adolescent sexual, and reproductive health programmes, but more importantly (ii) the initiation of negotiations with cultural and religious leaders to yield more positive outcomes.
Neuroinvasion by a Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease agent in the absence of B cells and follicular dendritic cells

With the potential spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to people as a variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD), it becomes critical to identify cells in the periphery that carry infection. Initial work with scrapie agents suggested that B cells were central vectors for neuroinvasion. Subsequent studies indicated that B cells played an indirect role by promoting the development of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) that accumulate abnormal prion protein (PrP). The mechanism for the role of FDCs, however, has not been clear. To further dissect potential B cell functions that contribute to neuroinvasion, we inoculated a CJD agent into mutant mice that (i) lacked B cells, (ii) had B cells unable to secrete Ig, or (iii) could secrete only IgM. Remarkably, all these mice developed disease with practically indistinguishable incubation times. The demonstration that neither immune complexes nor B cells were required for neuroinvasion from the periphery mandates a reanalysis of the accepted view of the essential role of B cells and FDC in these infections. Moreover, immune complexes were not required for the accumulation of pathologic PrP on the surface of FDCs, suggesting that PrP can bind to FDCs autonomously or by means of another factor. Wild-type mice had incubation times ≈50 days less than all mutant mice at the same peripheral doses, indicating that an intact immune system may increase agent uptake and delivery, but this condition is not essential. Specifically, the evidence to date suggests that IgG may enhance pivotal agent interactions with migratory myeloid cells.
The Effects of a Strategy and Sequenced Materials on the Inferential-Comprehension of Disabled Readers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether teaching disabled readers a structured inferencing strategy using materials sequentially arranged from easy to more difficult would improve their ability to answer inferential questions. The subjects consisted of fourth and fifth grade poor readers who were randomly placed in one of four groups—strategy plus materials, strategy only, materials only, control. An analysis of covariance revealed that the strategy plus materials group scored significantly better than the other three groups on experimenter—designed inference questions. In addition, the strategy plus materials group and the materials only group scored significantly better than the control group on a standardized reading test. Results suggest that disabled readers' apparent lack of logical reasoning in answering inferential questions may exist because they do not have a successful strategy for attacking problems. Furthermore, a strategy may be enhanced by the use of materials sequentially arranged from easy to more difficult.
Organization of the Musculature of Schistosome Cercariae

Phalloidin–fluorescein isothiocyanate staining of filamentous actin was used to identify muscle systems within the cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Examination of labeled cercariae by confocal scanning laser microscopy revealed distinct organizational levels of myofiber arrangements within the body wall, anterior cone, acetabulum, and esophagus. The body wall throughout showed a typical latticelike arrangement of outer circular and inner longitudinal myofibers, with an additional innermost layer of diagonal fibers in the anterior portion of the body. Circular and longitudinal fibers were also evident in the anterior organ and esophagus and, to some extent, the ventral acetabulum. Most striking was the striation of the cercarial tail musculature.
A rapid and specific whole blood HPA‐1 phenotyping by flow cytometry using two commercialized monoclonal antibodies directed against GP IIIa and GP IIb‐IIIa complexes

The human platelet antigen 1 (HPA‐1) system has been implicated in rare but severe diseases, such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, post‐transfusion purpura and immune platelet refractoriness. We developed a flow cytometry assay for HPA‐1 phenotyping using two commercial monoclonal antibodies, P2 and SZ21, directed against glycoprotein (GP) IIb–IIIa and GP IIIa respectively. One hundred and twenty‐seven healthy controls were studied and ratios of mean fluorescence intensity for P2 and SZ21 discriminated between HPA‐1a homozygotes and heterozygotes. These two monoclonal antibodies, coupled with flow cytometry represent a rapid and reliable tool for platelet HPA‐1 typing to aid diagnosis.
A ~2.5 Ga magmatic arc in NE China: New geochronological and geochemical evidence from the Xinghuadukou Complex

This study reports new LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb zircon ages from the Xinghuadukou Complex from the Erguna Block, NE China. A suite of the Palaeoproterozoic orthogneiss and a suite of the Vendian to Cambrian paragneiss are recognized with the co‐magmatic age of 2,464 ± 26 Ma and the maximum depositional age of 561 ± 10 Ma for their igneous and sedimentary protolith, respectively. The trace element geochemical analysis suggests a strong arc affinity for our orthogneiss, characterized by the enriched LREE and LILE, the elevated incompatible and fluid‐mobile elements and the depleted yet negligible fractionated HREE and HFSE. By comparing our samples with a suite of Cenozoic mantle‐derived granitoids from Hokkaido and a suite of Mesozoic active continental margin volcanics from NE China, it is suggested that the igneous protolith of our near Archaean orthogneiss formed in an arc environment and probably derived from the prior arc crust. The trace element features of the paragneiss highly resemble that of the orthogneiss, showing arc affinity, which suggests an arc basin environment for the sedimentary protolith of our Vendian to Cambrian paragneiss. Based on the synthesized evidence from the Xinghuadukou Complex, a new tectonic scenario is proposed that the basement of the Erguna Block might be forged by the accretion and collision of multi‐episodic igneous arcs and their correlated arc basins, which was probably lasting through the Proterozoic and followed by the Pan‐African period high‐grade metamorphism. The consolidated Erguna Block was later involved into the CAOB tectonic domain, modified and disrupted with the assembly of NE China.
Scaling Up HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in Africa

Although there is a widespread belief that scaling up HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) programs in Africa will have large prevention benefits through reductions in risk behaviors, these claims are difficult to establish from existing evaluations of VCT. Considerations from behavioral models and the available data suggest that as VCT coverage expands, marginal program effects are likely to decline owing to changes in the degree of client selectivity, and that potential uptake among those at highest risk is uncertain. The article also assesses two other common perceptions about VCT in Africa: that a policy of promoting couples-oriented VCT would be more successful than one emphasizing individual testing and that VCT demand and prevention impacts will be enhanced where scaling up is accompanied by the provision of antiretroviral drugs.
Factors influencing wetland plant communities during a flood-drawdown cycle in the Peace-Athabasca Delta, Northern Alberta, Canada

I analyzed two sets of the same 583 vegetation plots (0.25–10 m2) and 97 plant taxa sampled in 1993 and 2001 in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD), northern Alberta, Canada. Cluster analyses and Bray-Curtis ordinations were used to examine relationships between environmental and biological factors and wetland community changes over a flood-drawdown cycle. While water regime was key to explaining variation in the vegetation, the vegetation gradients were complex. Vegetation structure, bison grazing, and landscape attributes such as distance to nearest major river, relative elevation, and geographic location within the PAD also played significant roles in explaining variation in the vegetation. Autocorrelations among physical and biological factors indicate that the physical and biological regimes were integrated. The importance of environmental and biological variables in explaining vegetation variation changed from pre- to post-flood. The 1993 and 2001 vegetation matrices were positively associated, indicating that by 2001 the vegetation had returned to a state similar to that of 1993. Overall, 35% of the plots remained within the same cluster type from 1993 to 2001. Eight of the 25 cluster groups and 53% of all plots occupied the middle of environmental and biological gradients. There was a higher diversity of wet graminoid communities than there was of dry woody communities. Species turnover, unpredictable processes, and overlap in ecological tolerances impart an irreducible stochasticity to the vegetation at the plot scale. The future of the PAD’s vegetation and biota are uncertain due to the combined effects of climate change, wildfire, exotic species, water allocations, and discharge of contaminants and saline waters from the tar sands industry. Other than in areas of local infestation, weeds remain a minor cause for concern but without a transition to cooler, moister conditions, weeds may rise in dominance and affect the future of the ecosystem.
Lung Lesions in Pigs at Slaughter : A 2-Year Epidemiological Study in France

Lung lesions scoring at slaughter is difficult to plan and organize in pig production for veterinarians in France. A study was carried out as a service offered to veterinarians. All the herds for which they were interested in having lung scoring were proposed to be included into the study. For this, 7 technicians were trained to perform lung examinations and dispatched among the main French slaughterhouses from October 2003 to March 2004. In total, 110,865 pigs from 1196 herds located in the main area for pig production in France were scored. The majority of the herds were vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for more than one year (899 herds). For all the herds, the pneumonia-free mean rate was 27.6%, the pneumonia mean score was 3.7/24, the pleuritis rate was 14.4%, and the abscess rate was 2.3%. The scoring system Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 3, No. 3, 2005 Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 3, No. 3, 2005 260 nomic importance (growth, feed efficiency, treatment costs, etc.). According to Grest and colleagues, the prevalence of lung lesions varies enormously in slaughterhouse surveys from different countries. The prevalence of pneumonia lesions ranges from 6% to 81%, pleuritis from 2% to 28%, and pleuropneumonia from 1% to 11%. Recent information on the prevalence of respiratory diseases in fattening pigs in France was lacking. Veterinarians have made some lung controls in slaughterhouses to monitor respiratory diseases. A limiting factor for them is the difficulty to plan and organize the controls. However, they are interested in having a better knowledge of the general situation in their country in order to improve understanding of their own observations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of respiratory disease in an entire region. To achieve the objective of getting a large picture of the situation, we chose to include all the herds of which veterinarians were interested in having lung scoring. Thus, this choice implies that herds were not randomly selected. The first part of the study was carried out from October 2003 to December 2003 and allowed the control of 959 herds located in Brittany (27,208 km, 57% of French commercial pigs). The second part of the study was conducted in the region of the Loire Valley (32,404 km, 11% of French commercial pigs), neighbouring Brittany, from February 2004 to March 2004 using the same method. In this second part, we controlled 237 herds. This article displays all the results of the study. MATERIAL AND METHODS
Support from health care providers and the psychological adjustment of individuals experiencing infertility.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between support from health care providers and psychological adjustment for men and women experiencing infertility. DESIGN Survey research using confidential self-administered questionnaires. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twenty individuals experiencing infertility within their couple relationship participated in this study (60.8% women; 29.3% men). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perceived support from health care providers was hypothesized to be related to stress, anxiety, and depression. Various treatment variables were held constant in the regression analyses. RESULTS For women, perceived support from health care providers did not predict levels of stress, depression, or anxiety. For men, greater levels of perceived support from health care providers predicted lower levels of stress (FChange = 4.90, p < .05) and anxiety (FChange = 4.81, p < .05) but not depression. CONCLUSION Much research exists indicating that friend and family support is a buffer to negative psychological adjustment for women. The results of this study emphasize that the study of support from nurses and other health care providers might provide greater understanding of ways to buffer negative psychological adjustment for men experiencing infertility in the couple relationship.
Drum drying of unpeeled green banana pulp (Musa cavendishii) for bake stable fruit filling production.

There is a growing interest in food matrixes for the use of flour from unpeeled green banana in order to reduce waste in the production chain. Considering this, the present paper aims to studying the application of unpeeled green banana flour in the cold process performed to obtain bake stable fruit filling. The unpeeled green banana pulp (Musa Cavendishii) was dried using a single rotating drum, thus obtaining the flour. The dried flour was then analyzed for its chemical composition, amylose and resistant starch content, water absorption capacity and pasting properties. The drying reduced the amount of resistant starch and produced pregelatinized starch. The obtained flour showed physical and nutritional characteristics which enabled the development of the filling formula by using a central composite design combining levels -1 and +1, two axial points (± α), two central points, and chemical composition, water activity, Brix, and texture as response variables. The amount defined by central-composite design of unpeeled green banana flour, modified starches and other ingredients resulted in an elastic, viscous, bake stable fruit filling.
Effect of N-Hexane Oil Extract of Two Spices on Serum Lipid Profile and Blood Glucose Concentration of Albino Rats

Consumers are concerned with their health and physical fitness and are seeking for alternative plant products with potential for providing nutrients with enhanced health benefits. Hence, this study investigates the effect of mixture of Ehuru (Monodora myristica) and Njasang (Ricinodendron heudelotii) oil extract on serum lipid profile and blood glucose concentration of albino rats. The spices were processed into fine flour and the oil was extracted with n-hexane as the solvent. A total of twenty five rats weighing 125-160g were separated into five groups of five each to represent control, olive oil and varying concentrations of the spices. After acclimiatization for one week, experimental administration of the extract was carried out daily for 28 days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into tubes. A portion of the blood was used for fasting blood glucose determination. Serum was separated from the other portion and used for assay of lipid profile using standard kit methods. The results obtained showed percentage fatty acid yield for Ehuru and Njasang as 79.54 and 81.0 (polyunsaturated) and 13.40 and 15.0 (monounsaturated) respectively. Fasting blood glucose assay showed that only rats in group 1 (6.46mmol/L) became significantly (p<0.05) hyperglycaemic while groups 2-4(6.03, 5.98 and 5.53mmol/L) showed a hypoglycaemic effect with respect to control (6.13mmol/L).
Microendoscopic Discectomy Compared with Standard Microsurgical Discectomy for Treatment of Uncontained or Large Contained Disc Herniations

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive spinal techniques have been developed for years in an attempt to minimize trauma. However, most endoscopic techniques have been unable to address uncontained or large contained disc herniations. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the results of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and microsurgical discectomy in the treatment of patients with uncontained or large contained disc herniations. METHODS: An independent observer reviewed the treatment of 28 patients. The study group included 14 consecutive patients who underwent MED and 14 consecutive patients who underwent microsurgical discectomy for radicular pain secondary to uncontained or large contained disc herniations during the same period. Patients were followed up for an average of 12 months. They were assessed by use of Oswestry disability questionnaire and low back pain outcome score. RESULTS: The average outcome score improvement was of clinical significance in both patient groups. No difference in the scores was found between the two groups. Patients in the MED group required less postoperative analgesia during their stay. One patient in the MED group had a dural tear. CONCLUSION: MED is at least as effective as microsurgical discectomy for treatment of uncontained or large contained disc herniations, although the advantages over the open technique are short lived and did not reach significance. Nonetheless, for the surgeon accustomed to endoscopic techniques, MED seems to be a safe procedure.