Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-TB Activity of Sterculia setigera Del., Leaves (Sterculiaceae)

The use of herbs (medicinal plants) for the treatment of diseases is as old as the history of mankind. Sterculia setigera is an example of such plant endowed in nature to serve the needs of man. Folkloric claims on antibacterial activity of S. setigera were investigated in-vitro on a micro-scale using the Alamar Blue Assay. Three of four successive solvent extractions of the plant leaves extracts inhibited the growth of a virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, H37Rv (ATCC27294) in the concentrations tested (1-128 µg/ml). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined for the hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts were 84 µg/ml, 62 µg/ml and 128 µg/ml respectively. The combined active extracts were subjected to an extensive bioactivity-guided fractionation using a combination of normal phase (NP VLC) and reverse phase (RP MPLC) chromatography. Purification of active fractions led to pure sub-fractions with good activity (MICs 15.13 µg/ml-31.43 µg/ml). The cytotoxicity effect of the most active fractions was determined against African green monkey kidney cells (Vero cells) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The fractions were non-toxic to Vero and HepG2 cells. Two pure compounds have been isolated from these active sub-fractions and structural elucidation is being carried out. The results show that S. setigera leaves are active against M. tuberculosis, and the anti-TB activity of ethnomedicinally used S. setigera leave has been confirmed by in vitro tests for the first time. This current report further suggests the presence of potential anti-mycobacterial agent(s) or anti-TB drug leads in S. setigera leaves.
Rational Drug use in Pakistan: A systematic review

Background: This article provides a review of different studies about rational use of drugs in Pakistan and different interventions to improve drug use in the country. The analysis of these studies focused on the quality of services offered by these pharmacies, knowledge of drug sellers and dispensing practices. Material and methods: The summary of rational drug use and their possible health consequences is based on reviews of drug use in Pakistan. A systematic inventory of published research work since 1990 to 2015 was undertaken to identify studies which focused on different aspects of rational drug use. Annals and computerized databases of International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD), WHO, PubMed, Science Direct were screened for relevant journal articles, research reports and newsletters. To expand and fortify the search process, the general search engine Google was utilize. Results: Initially, a total of 60 articles were retrieved for electronic databases by the authors. These articles were then again matched with the objectives of this study and those articles which did not qualify, were excluded. After further screening, 20 articles were selected and 15 appropriate studies were finally included in the review. Conclusion: In this study, we find out that large number of drugs is being used in wrong way. The current paper highlighted that quality of services provided at community pharmacies in Pakistan is not satisfactory. The situation of rational drug use indicators in the hospitals where the study was conducted is alarming. There is an urgent need for intervention to improve the situation. Key words: Rational drug use, Irrational drug use, Pakistan.
Infrared correlations in de Sitter space: Field theoretic versus stochastic approach

We consider massive λ ϕ 4 theory in de Sitter background. The mass of the scalar field ϕ is chosen small enough, such that the amplification of superhorizon momentum modes leads to a significant enhancement of infrared correlations, but large enough such that perturbation theory remains valid. Using the closed-time-path approach, we calculate the infrared corrections to the two-point function of ϕ to two-loop order. To this approximation, we find agreement with the correlation found using stochastic methods. When breaking the results down to individual Feynman diagrams obtained by the two different methods, we observe that these agree as well.
Temperature-dependence of aerosol optical depth over the southeastern US

Abstract. Previous studies have indicated that summer-time aerosol optical depths (AOD) over the southeastern US are dependent on temperature but the reason for this dependence and its radiative effects have so far been unclear. To quantify these effects we utilized AOD and land surface temperature (LST) products from the Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) with observations of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) column densities from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). Furthermore, simulations of the global aerosol-climate model ECHAM-HAMMOZ have been used to identify the possible processes affecting aerosol loads and their dependence on temperature over the studied region. Our results showed that the level of AOD in the southeastern US is mainly governed by anthropogenic emissions but the observed temperature dependent behaviour is most likely originating from non-anthropogenic emissions. Model simulations indicated that biogenic emissions of volatile organic compounds (BVOC) can explain the observed temperature dependence of AOD. According to the remote sensing data sets, the non-anthropogenic contribution increases AOD by approximately 0.009 ± 0.018 K−1 while the modelled BVOC emissions increase AOD by 0.022 ± 0.002 K−1. Consequently, the regional direct radiative effect (DRE) of the non-anthropogenic AOD is −0.43 ± 0.88 W/m2/K and −0.17 ± 0.35 W/m2/K for clear- and all-sky conditions, respectively. The model estimate of the regional clear-sky DRE for biogenic aerosols is also in the same range: −0.86 ± 0.06 W/m2/K. These DRE values indicate significantly larger cooling than the values reported for other forested regions. Furthermore, the model simulations showed that biogenic emissions increased the number of biogenic aerosols with radius larger than 100 nm (N100, proxy for cloud condensation nuclei) by 28 % per one degree temperature increase. For the total N100, the corresponding increase was 4 % which implies that biogenic emissions could also have a small effect on indirect radiative forcing in this region.
RBF networks with mixed radial basis functions

After the introduction to neural network technology as multivariable function approximation, radial basis function (RBF) networks have been studied in many different aspects in recent years. From the theoretical viewpoint, approximation and uniqueness of the interpolation is studied and it has been established that RBF network can approximate arbitrarily well any multivariate continuous function provided enough radial basis functions are employed. For the number of hidden nodes, type of radial base functions, width of the basis functions, cluster centres of the basis functions are some example issues on which numerous research works appeared in the literature. In contrast with this, however, there is remarkably only a few papers pointing out the functional approximation from the frequency domain view-point. They identify that basis functions basically behave as low pass filters. Due to this over filtering effect the RBF networks are not favourable for high frequencies unless relatively high number of hidden nodes is used. Therefore, for approximations that have only low frequency components, RBF networks provide satisfactory results and this is presumably the case in many favourable RBF applications reported in literature and vice versa. However, considering the filtering characteristics of different radial basis functions, one can improve the performance of RBF networks with mixture of radial basis functions.
On the Indivisibility and Interdependence of Basic Rights in Developing Countries

The concept of the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights has gained widespread acceptance among advocates and scholars alike. First, this article empirically looks at the degree to which two fundamental basic rights, subsistence and security, are simultaneously respected in developing countries. A modest but significant correlation coefficient of . 15 was found. The authors then construct a new composite Basic Rights index to find the determinants behind simultaneous fulfillment of basic rights. The country rankings reveal a high correlation over a five year period, though some ascend significantly (e.g., Chile, Guatemala, Brazil), while others fall (e.g., Botswana, Thailand, China). Regression analysis suggests that a country's income, degree of trade openness, democratic political institutions, population size, and degree of internal conflict are all important factors in Basic Rights attainment. In contrast, a country's legal origins and whether it has endorsed international covenants are modest factors, while the degree of foreign direct investment and whether it is involved in an international conflict do not seem to matter much.
Evaluation of acute and subchronic toxicity of Stachytarpheta angustifolia (Mill) Vahl (Fam. Verbanaceae) extract in animals.

Stachytarpheta angustifolia is an important and a highly valued medicinal plant ethnobotanically used in the treatment of various diseases. The present study was carried out to evaluate acute and subchronic toxicity in animals and also evaluate the phytochemical profiles of hydroethanolic extract of S. angustifolia (Mill) Vahl plant. S. angustifolia attracted the attention of the researchers because of its uses as an anti-infective, antidiabetic in folkloric medicine and also as soap by local farmers. The aqueous ethanol (80%) extract of the powdered dried plant was obtained by maceration. Evaluation of acute and subchronic toxicity and phytochemical profiles of the plant extract was performed using standard procedures. The median acute toxicity value (LD50) of the extract of S. angustifolia was determined to be 8.721g/kg body weight. The extract lowered blood plasma glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) levels but raised high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) level. The protein, creatinine, and phosphorous levels were significantly affected only by the highest dose of the extract while calcium level was not affected by all the doses used. The extract contained triterpenoid saponins as the major bioactive constituent. The LD50 value indicated the drug as being slightly toxic. The extract did not produce any toxic effect in the animals’ tissues at low and moderate doses but could cause kidney damage in higher doses. Lowering of plasma glucose level and the positive effects of the extract on the cardiovascular risk factors were an indicator that the extract could have some good antidiabetic activity.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL SIMULATIONS OF SEISMIC TORSIONAL POUNDINGS BETWEEN TWO ADJACENT STRUCTURES

Most existing buildings in regions of moderate seismicity are built without seismic provisions, and very often asymmetric structural form is used. Seismic torsional pounding between two adjacent asymmetric buildings can lead to serious consequences. Thus, both shaking table tests and theoretical analysis for torsional pounding between two adjacent structures of different natural frequencies and damping ratios subject to different combinations of stand-off distance and seismic excitations are conducted in the present study. Two steel towers with adjustable dynamic characteristics are tested on the shaking table at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The center of mass of both towers may differ from the center of stiffness such that torsional response of both buildings can be induced even subject to one-direction ground excitation. Subjected to sinusoidal excitations, poundings between the two towers could appear as either periodic or chaotic. The torsional responses are found more chaotic than the translational responses. A type of periodic group poundings was observed for the first time (i.e. a group of non-periodic poundings repeating themselves periodically). A new theoretical formulation is being derived for such system by incorporating nonlinear Hertz impact, and much theoretical works remain to be done.
Variation in nectar volume and sugar content in male flowers of Musa cultivars grown in Rwanda and their non-effect on the numbers of visiting key diurnal insect vectors of banana Xanthomonas wilt

Insects are a major mode of banana Xanthomonas wilt (XW) spread. High insect activity has been blamed for the high XW incidence in ‘Kayinja’ (ABB-genome) dominated banana landscapes across east and central Africa. ‘Kayinja’ male bud nectar composition reportedly contributes to high insect activity. The variation in nectar composition with agro-ecological zones and banana cultivars and its influence on the number of visiting insects in Rwanda were assessed. Three male buds were collected per cultivar for nectar extraction and analysis using a high performance liquid chromatography. Nectar volume and sugar concentrations varied (P<0.001) across 27 banana cultivars, annual seasons and agro-ecological zone. The highest nectar volume was recorded among the East African highland cooking cultivars (AAA-genome) in the high altitude site and the short-heavy rainy season. Nectar contained three sugars: glucose, fructose and sucrose, though hexose (glucose and fructose) was dominant. The three sugars varied significantly (P<0.001) within each cultivar. The total nectar-sugar concentration ranged from 2.3–32%, with the highest among dessert cultivars ‘Kamaramasenge’ (AABgenome) and ‘Gisukari’ (AAA-genome). No strong correlation occurred between insect population and total nectar sugar concentration or nectar volume. Insect populations were rather influenced by the weather conditions, the long rainy season characterized by moderate well distributed rainfall recording the highest insect populations as compared to the short rainy season (with heavy rainfall) and the dry seasons.
Integration of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Boltzmann Transport Equation in Phonon Thermal Conductivity Analysis

The thermal conductivity of the Lennard-Jones argon crystal is predicted using the Boltzmann transport equation under the single mode relaxation time approximation. The temperature and frequency dependence of the phonon dispersion and phonon relaxation times are obtained from lattice dynamics calculations based on the results of molecular dynamics simulations. No fitting parameters are required. The thermal conductivity results are in agreement with predictions from the simulations using the Green-Kubo method. Assuming that the dispersion is linear or temperature independent, as is often done in analytical calculations, leads to large errors in the predictions. This result suggests that the fitting parameters required in such calculations offset significant errors introduced by these simplifying assumptions.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Designing for the Ubiquitous Computing era: towards the reinvention of everyday objects and the creation of new user experiences

ABSTRACT . Researchers of the Ubiquitous Computing community (Ubicomp) have been pursuing the vision of a world where technologies and services permeates every object of our lives for years. With components getting smaller, cheaper and more powerful, it has become possible to manufacture connected objects capable of interacting with resources of the World Wide Web. This opens up the possibility for researchers and practitioners to consider information as a design material and objects as platforms for services. By allowing users to personalize, complement or repurpose the functions of their objects, such services have a great impact on the way artifacts are designed. Designing for the Ubiquitous Era requires modifying our practice and reinforcing collaboration between disciplines at every steps of the creation process. In this article, we discuss the need to reinvent objects and to investigate the tools supporting the creation of engaging user experiences. KEYWORDS: Ubiquitous Computing, design research, interaction design, product design, user experience design, connected objects, smart objects, object-based services, web of things.
Emerging issues and challenges in conservation of biodiversity in the rangelands of Tanzania

Tanzania rangelands are a stronghold for biodiversity harbouring a variety of animal and plant species of economic, ecological and socio-cultural importance. Efforts to protect these resources against destruction and loss have involved, among other things, setting aside some tracks of land as protected areas in the form of national parks, nature reserves, game reserves, game controlled and wildlife management areas. However, these areas and adjacent lands have long been subjected to a number of emerging issues and challenges, which complicate their management, thus putting the resources at risk of over exploitation and extinction. These issues and challenges include, among other things, government policies, failure of conservation (as a form of land use) to compete effectively with alternative land uses, habitat degradation and blockage of wildlife corridors, overexploitation and illegal resource extraction, wildfires, human population growth, poverty, HIV/AIDS pandemic and human-wildlife conflicts. In this paper, we review the emerging issues and challenges in biodiversity conservation by drawing experience from different parts of Tanzania. The paper is based on the premise that, understanding of the issues and challenges underpinning the rangelands is a crucial step towards setting up of plausible objectives, strategies and plans that will improve and lead to effective management of these areas. We conclude by recommending some proactive measures that may enhance the sustainability of the rangeland resources for the benefit of the current and future generations.
Avaliação morfométrica do coração canino sem alterações macroscópicas de doença cardíaca

The purpose of this study was to collect data on the cardiac morphometry of thirty adult male and female dogs without macroscopic changes indicative of heart disease, regardless of animal's body weight and score. The dogs were weighed, grouped according to their body weight, and necropsied for a macroscopic evaluation of their cardiac measurements. The data obtained were included in a database. The following cardiac measures were evaluated: vertical and horizontal axes, weight, volume, thickness of the right and left atria and ventricles, and horizontal and vertical axes of the atrial and ventricular chambers. The heart weight was found to represent 0.6 to 1.1% of the animal's body weight. No differences were found in cardiac size and weight as a function of sex. The ratio between the vertical and horizontal cardiac axes was 1.11. The left ventricle was found to be 1.6 to threefold thicker than the right ventricle. The results were considered standard for dogs and can be used for macroscopic evaluations of cardiac hypertrophy or dilation. Keywords: atria; dog; heart chambers; myocardium; ventricles.
Branding for the Better: Sustainable branding as driver of more sustainable fashion consumption

This article focuses on how sustainable branding within the fashion industry can drive more sustainable fashion consumption. Present Western fashion industry is characterized by unsustainable consumption, where consumers’ urge to keep up with fast-changing trends using cultural and symbolic meanings prevents more sustainable fashion consumption development. We study how sustainable fashion branding is used in consumers’ ongoing identity creation processes and how such branding can set coordinates for consumer action that guide towards more sustainable fashion consumption. The findings and analysis are based on a qualitative method where phenomenological interviews seek to capture consumers’ first-hand experiences of consuming a sustainable fashion brand. The study shows the importance of considering how consumers’ varying perspectives of a sustainable fashion brand leads them to view, use and consume the brand in different ways. The study also shows that it is possible to drive more sustainable fashion consumption by providing consumers with a brand-controlled set of coordinates that generates and facilitates more sustainable consumption.
Internal structure and composition of a rock glacier in the Andes (upper Choapa valley, Chile) using borehole information and ground-penetrating radar

Abstract This study uses boreholes, ground temperature monitoring and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in order to understand the internal structure and composition of a rock glacier in the upper Choapa valley, northern Chile. The rock glacier is a small valley-side feature, 200 m long and ranging between 3710 and 3780 ma.s. l. Two boreholes were drilled down to depths of 20 and 25 m, respectively, using the diamond drillhole technique. An ice-rock mixture was encountered in the boreholes, with heterogeneous ice content averaging 15-30%. Data from common-midpoint (CMP) and constant-offset (CO) GPR surveys acquired, respectively, near the boreholes and across the whole rock glacier were processed to highlight the internal stratigraphy and variations in the radar-wave velocity. The GPR profiles depict a rock glacier constituted of stacked and generally concordant layers, with a thickness ranging from 10 m in its upper part to ∼30m towards its terminus. The CMP analysis highlights radar-wave velocities of 0.13-0.16 m ns–1 in the first 20 m of the structure. Larger vertical and lateral velocity variations are highlighted from CO data, reflecting the heterogeneous composition of the rock glacier and the likely presence of unfrozen water in the structure. Given the average air temperature registered at the site (+0.5°C), the near-melting-point temperature registered in the boreholes over more than a year and the presence of locally high water content inferred from GPR data, it is thought that the permafrost in the rock glacier is currently degrading.
Amorphous Ge-Sb-Se thin films fabricated by co-sputtering Properties and photosensitivity

Amorphous Ge-Sb-Se thin films were fabricated by a rf-magnetron co-sputtering technique employing the following cathodes GeSe2, Sb2Se3, and Ge28Sb12Se60. The influence of the composition, determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, on the optical properties was studied. Optical properties were analyzed based on variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometry. The results show that the optical bandgap range 1.35-2.08 eV with corresponding refractive index ranging from 3.33 to 2.36 can be reliably covered. Furthermore, morphological and topographical properties of selenide-sputtered films studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed a good quality of fabricated films. In addition, structure of the films was controlled using Raman scattering spectroscopy. Finally, irreversible photoinduced changes by means of change in optical bandgap energy and refractive index of co-sputtered films were studied revealing the photobleaching effect in Ge-rich films when irradiated by near-bandgap light under Ar atmosphere. The photobleaching effect tends to decrease with increasing antimony content.