Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute and sub-chronic toxicological evaluation of hydro-methanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum L. seeds

Coriandrum sativum L. (CS) seeds are known to possess therapeutic potentials against a variety of physiological disorders. This study assesses acute and sub-chronic toxicity profile of hydro-methanolic extract of CS seeds using OECD guidelines. In acute toxicity study, mice were once orally administered 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of CS extract. There were no any behavioral alterations or mortality recorded in CS treated groups. The LD50 value was more than 5000 mg/kg body weight. In the sub-chronic oral toxicity study, the animals were orally administered with CS extract (1000, 2000 and 3000mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days whereas; vehicle control group received 0.5 % carboxy methyl cellulose. There was significant reduction in food intake, body weight gain and plasma lipid profiles of CS2 and CS3 (2000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight respectively) groups as compared to the control group. However, there were no alterations in haematological profile, relative organ weights, histology and plasma markers of damage of vital organs (heart, liver and kidney). The overall finding of this study indicates that CS extract is non-toxic up to 3000 mg/kg body weight and can be considered as safe for consumption.
An Online Fuzzy Approach to the Structural Analysis of Handwritten Mathematical Expressions

This paper discusses the importance of the structural analysis of mathematical expressions and the significance of identifying the spatial relationships between symbols to determine the nature of an expression. It describes a recognition system based on a pen-based interface that can be used to analyse the structure of a mathematical expression by identifying these relationships. The solution is represented by an expression tree. When a new symbol is added to an expression, fuzzy rules are used to establish what relationships exist between the new symbol and the existing symbols. Once the best relationship has been identified, the expression tree is immediately updated.
Infrastructure and Economic Growth in East Asia

This paper examines whether infrastructure investment has contributed to East Asia's economic growth using both a growth accounting framework and cross-country regressions. For most of the variables used, both the growth accounting exercise and cross-country regressions fail to find a significant link between infrastructure, productivity and growth. These conclusions contrast strongly with previous studies finding positive and significant effect for all infrastructure variables in the context of a production function study. This leads us to conclude that results from studies using macro-level data should be considered with extreme caution. The Authors suggest that infrastructure investment may have had the primary function of relieving constraints and bottlenecks as they arose, as opposed to directly encouraging growth.
The Social Mood of News: Self-reported Annotations to Design Automatic Mood Detection Systems

In this paper, we address the issue of automatic prediction of readers’ mood from newspaper articles and comments. As online newspapers are becoming more and more similar to social media platforms, users can provide affective feedback, such as mood and emotion. We have exploited the self-reported annotation of mood categories obtained from the metadata of the Italian online newspaper corriere.it to design and evaluate a system for predicting five different mood categories from news articles and comments: indignation, disappointment, worry, satisfaction, and amusement. The outcome of our experiments shows that overall, bag-of-word-ngrams perform better compared to all other feature sets; however, stylometric features perform better for the mood score prediction of articles. Our study shows that self-reported annotations can be used to design automatic mood prediction systems.
UWB spectrally-encoded spread-time CDMA in the presence of multiple gaussian interferences: RAKE receiver and three-level codes

In this paper we study and analyze the performance of the RAKE receiver for a typical ultrawideband (UWB) spectrally-encoded spread-time (ST) CDMA in the presence of multiple Gaussian interference (GI) signals. We demonstrate that by combining useful properties of three-level codes, i.e., codes with values of -1, 0, +1, and RAKE receiver, we can introduce a new strategy in which it can result in superior performance when compared to previous results. In particular, following a discussion on three-level codes we can show that RAKE receiver with optimum multiplicative weights achieves a better performance when compared with simple two-level codes. With the help of an example we show various properties of RAKE receiver as well as three-level codes and relate these properties to a number of simple descriptive parameters of the communication media. Simulation results obtained in this paper indicate the precision with which the analytical results have been obtained in modeling the above system.
An Information and Control Framework for Optimizing User-Compliant Human–Computer Interfaces

We consider a general framework for a human–computer interface whereby the human's knowledge is represented as a point in Euclidean space, the intention of the human is signaled to the computer over a noisy channel, and the computer queries the human in a manner that is amenable to human operation. With these constraints at hand, we demonstrate a class of systems that are nonetheless information-theoretically optimal in that the computer very rapidly hones in on the intent of the human. Much recent work on feedback information theory has been dedicated to the exploration of methods by which optimal feedback may be derived for the purpose of expediting the communication of a message point between an inanimate encoder and decoder. Our framework not only takes advantage of previous work to demonstrate its communication optimality from this perspective as well as from an information-theoretic perspective but also contributes two distinct advantages. First, our framework provides a simplified method based on optimal transport theory to generate optimal feedback signals between the computer and human in high dimension, while still preserving communication optimality. Second, our framework specifically lends itself to the integration of a human user by attempting to moderate the difficulty of the task presented to the user, while still preserving optimality. We demonstrate applications of our framework within the context of multi-agent brain-computer interfaces.
The perceptions of men involved in a gender-based violence prevention programme at Sonke Gender Justice.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is particularly widespread in South Africa and it is reaching alarming proportions. Violence in South Africa is considered normative. Cognizance needs to be taken of the negative consequences thereof for the lives of men, women and children. Highly publicized acts of violence by men have captured the concern of the country, yet traditional intervention responses continue to focus more on women as victims. This research explored perceptions of non-perpetrating men involved in a GBV gender-based violence prevention programme at Sonke Gender Justice, Johannesburg. A qualitative research approach was used. Purposive sampling was applied when study participants were selected. Twelve participants were accessed from “One Man Can” – a prevention programme at Sonke Gender Justice. All the participants were male and had been involved in the prevention programme since its inception. Semi-structured interviews were used to conduct in-depth interviews. To enhance trustworthiness and rigour, data was triangulated, and in-depth interviews were also conducted with three key informants. The interviews were audio-recorded with the participants’ consent and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze all data collected, resulting in the identification of themes, sub-themes and categories. The data was subjected to literature control against the existing body of knowledge. The research report indicated that there was awareness by participants in the GBV prevention programme of the multiple forms of GBV as well as the interrelatedness of the different forms. Substance abuse was found to both cause and exacerbate GBV. Prevention programmes were acknowledged to be beneficial to participants in terms of the knowledge and skills that were gained. The research study will make a valuable contribution to social work’s understanding of GBV and the positive role men can play in prevention interventions. Subsequently the recommendations indicate that men can be positively involved as partners in raising awareness and development of GBV programmes.
Effect of surface sealing on stain resistance of a nano-hybrid resin composite

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of sealant application on stain resistance of a nanohybrid resin composite compared to the efficacy of a bonding agent used as a surface sealant on prolonging color stability of the resin composite. Materials and Methods: 28 disc-shaped materials were prepared from a nano-hybrid resin composite Filtek Z550 and assigned to four groups: G1K: nonsealed; G2:Adper Single Bond; G3: Fortify ; G4: Biscover LV. After 24 h storage in distilled water at 37˚C, all specimens were subjected to thermocycling and immersed into coffee solution. Color measurements were performed using spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade; Vident) according to CIEL*a*b* system. Results: Color change values were significantly different among the groups in each evaluation period except for after thermocycling (p<0.05). For 7 days evaluation period, the difference between G3 and G4 group was statistically significant while G4 exhibited statistically significant differences (p<0.05 and p<0.0001 respectively) compared to control (G1) in 14 day whereas no significant difference was found between GI and GII in 28-day evaluation period. However, ΔE values of sealed specimens (GIII, GIV) differed significantly from non-sealed (GI) specimens after 28 days of immersion in coffee solution (p<0.05 and p<0.0001 respectively). Conclusion: It may be concluded that using a bonding agent as a surface sealant does not increase stain resistance of resin composites of the sealants evaluated. Biscover LV showed the highest efficacy to prolong color stability of the resin composite.
Parents' involvement in sex education programmes in schools

This study was aimed at establishing the extent of parental involvement in their children's sexuality education. The researcher selected four schools of XhosaSpeaking learners in the Umtata district of the Eastern Cape. Four teachers, one from each school, were interviewed together with four Xhosa-Speaking learners and their parents. The method of data collection used was a semi-structured interview aided by tape recording of the session per interviewees' agreement.
Design of a Micro-Gripper and an Ultrasonic Manipulator for Handling Micron Sized Objects

This work reports on a system consisting of a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) gripper and an ultrasonic manipulator. The gripper is electrostatically actuated and includes an integrated force sensor measuring the gripping force. The device is monolithically fabricated using a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) fabrication process. The resolution of the force sensor is in the sub-micronewton range and, therefore, provides feedback of the forces that dominate the micromanipulation processes. A MEMS ultrasonic device is described which aligns small objects such as biological cells prior to manipulation with the gripper. The concept is demonstrated with polymer spheres, glass spheres and Hela cancer cells, thus providing a useful tool in micro-robotics and biological research
Proactive Conﬁguration of Data Centre Networks for Big Data Processing

Various studies have determined that the network is a performance bottleneck in Big Data processing applications running in the cloud such as Hadoop. Numerous attempts have been made to alleviate this network bottleneck by traﬃc engineering during execution of the applications, using Software-Deﬁned Networking. Such measures of traﬃc engineering are overwhelmingly reactive in nature and are bound to induce control traﬃc overhead in the network. In this project, we propose a proactive approach for conﬁguring Data Centre Networks as the means to optimize application traﬃc, speciﬁcally Hadoop; thereby accelerating the execution of applications in the cloud. We conﬁgure the network before execution of the application, to determine if there is a performance gain when there is no control overhead in the network. The network is conﬁgured proactively , by logging the ﬂow decisions made by the reactive algorithms from previous studies. These ﬂow rules are subsequently installed in the routing devices before the execution of the application, after which, the ﬂows are routed reactively . We demonstrate an average gain in network bandwidth utilization between 11.9% to 59.9% in comparison to reactive approaches, while Hadoop job completion times are reduced by 10% to 33.5%.
Mon1–Ccz1 activates Rab7 only on late endosomes and dissociates from the lysosome in mammalian cells

ABSTRACT Rab GTPases act as molecular switches regulating various aspects of membrane trafficking. Among them, Rab5 and Rab7 play central roles in the endolysosomal network. Although many effectors downstream of Rab7 have been elucidated, our present understanding of the mechanism regulating Rab7 activity is extremely limited. It has only recently been accepted that the Mon1–Ccz1 complex is a Rab7 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, but it still remains unclear what the location where Mon1–Ccz1 works with Rab7 is. To address what kind of change or switch exists in the regulatory mechanism upstream of Rab7 during its transition from the late endosome to lysosome, we examined Rab7 activity in steady-state cells and during EGF-induced macropinocytosis using a newly developed FRET sensor. A combination of a Rab7 sensor and confocal FRET imaging techniques revealed that the activation of Rab7 on late endosomes depends on Mon1–Ccz1 and is implicated in late-endosome–lysosome fusion. In contrast, Rab7 activity on lysosomes was independent of Mon1–Ccz1 and active Rab7 played a role in perinuclear clustering of lysosomes. Highlighted Article: A combination of a Rab7 sensor and confocal FRET imaging techniques revealed that the Mon1–Ccz1 complex activates Rab7 only on late endosome and dissociates from lysosome in mammalian cells.
Ordres bipartitionnaires et statistiques sur les mots

Soit $U$ un ensemble de couples de lettres. Foata et Zeilberger ont introduit les $U$-statistiques pour les mots quelconques. Dans cette note, on etablit une condition necessaire et suffisante pour que les deux definitions "maj$_U$" et "maj2$_U$", qu'on rencontre dans le cas classique, sont equivalentes. Il est remarquable que cette condition est exactement la meme que celle qui a ete trouvee pour l'equidistribution des deux statistiques "maj$_U$" et "inv$_U$".
Gain-bandwidth adjusting technique of A 36.1 GHz single stage low noise amplifier using 0.13μm CMOS process

This paper demonstrates that inserting a small resistance at the drain of a cascode LNA can be the simplest way of achieving higher Bandwidth with only a slight degradation in Noise Figure. A 36.1 GHz single stage Low Noise Amplifier is designed in 0. 13μm CMOS Process with a simple passive output matching circuit. The circuit is simulated using Cadence Spectre and simulation results show a forward gain (S21) of 11.4 dB at 36.1 GHz with 4.9 GHz Bandwidth. Reverse isolation is less than −24 dB, input-output matchings are −30.36 dB and −27.65 dB respectively. NF of the circuit is around 2.9 dB. Then the circuit is simulated again, this time employing a small resistance at the drain of the cscode LNA, to show that adding a small resistance at the drain of the cascode LNA is the easiest way to increase bandwidth of the circuit without significant sacrifice of noise figure. This single stage LNA consumes only 3.37 mW of power, when driven from a 1.2 V power supply. To the best of the authors knowledge Gain-Bandwidth adjusting technique of a single stage Low Noise Amplifier operating at such high frequency is yet to be reported.
Fuzzy Hyperheuristic Framework for GA Parameters Tuning

A fuzzy based hyperheuristic system is used for Genetic Algorithm self adaption. A fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Inference System is used as High level Heuristic and the GA is used as Low-level heuristic. The framework allows to the system to automatically adjust their own parameters without the need for manual adjustment. The fuzzy system to handle uncertainty about which or in what proportion should adjust the parameters.
Interpretation of Rank Histograms for Verifying Ensemble Forecasts

Abstract Rank histograms are a tool for evaluating ensemble forecasts. They are useful for determining the reliability of ensemble forecasts and for diagnosing errors in its mean and spread. Rank histograms are generated by repeatedly tallying the rank of the verification (usually an observation) relative to values from an ensemble sorted from lowest to highest. However, an uncritical use of the rank histogram can lead to misinterpretations of the qualities of that ensemble. For example, a flat rank histogram, usually taken as a sign of reliability, can still be generated from unreliable ensembles. Similarly, a U-shaped rank histogram, commonly understood as indicating a lack of variability in the ensemble, can also be a sign of conditional bias. It is also shown that flat rank histograms can be generated for some model variables if the variance of the ensemble is correctly specified, yet if covariances between model grid points are improperly specified, rank histograms for combinations of model variables.
Co-Firing Ramie Residue with Supplementary Coal in a Cyclone Furnace

Co-firing ramie residue with coal was carried out in a thermogravimetric analyzer and a cyclone furnace to evaluate the effects of coal fraction (0 to 30 wt. %) on combustion performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that devolatilisation was the predominant process when the coal percentage in the blend was below 30 wt. %. For pure biomass firing in the cyclone furnace, an optimum equivalence ratio (ER =1.16) was found. Coal additions (0 to 30 wt. %) led to less slagging/fouling problems, higher combustion temperature and higher combustion efficiency along with low pollutant emissions, while the improvement in combustion temperature was weakened as the coal blend ratio exceeded 20 wt. %. The maximum temperature in the cyclone furnace increased from 1215 to 1319°C as the coal fraction increased from 0 to 30 wt. %.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity the Relationship between Physical Fitness and Clustered Risk, and Tracking of Clustered Risk from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Eight Years Follow-up in the Danish Youth and Sport Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is usually caused by high levels of many risk factors simultaneously over many years. Therefore, it is of great interest to study if subjects stay within rank order over time in both the biological risk factors and the behaviour that influences these risk factors. Many studies have described stability (tracking) in single risk factors, especially in children where hard endpoints are lacking, but few have analysed tracking in clustered risk.
Capture, Conversion, and Analysis of an Intense NFS Workload

We describe methods to capture, convert, store and analyze NFS workloads that are 20-100× more intense, in terms of operations/day, than any previously published. We describe three techniques that improve capture performance by up to 10× over previous techniques. For conversion, we use a general-purpose format that is both highly space efficient and provides efficient access to the trace data. For analysis, we describe a number of techniques adopted from the database community and some new techniques that facilitate analysis of very large traces. We also describe a number of guidelines for trace collection that should prove useful to future practitioners. Finally, we analyze a commercial feature animation (movie) rendering workload using these techniques and discuss the characteristics of the workload. Our implementation of these techniques is available as open source and the exact anonymized datasets we analyze are available for free download.
Progressive gray matter damage in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT MRI) has the potential to provide in vivo information about tissue microstructure. In multiple sclerosis (MS), DT MRI has disclosed the presence of occult structural damage in the normal-appearing brain tissues. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether DT MRI is sensitive to longitudinal changes of brain damage that may occur beyond the resolution of T2-weighted images in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. DESIGN Twenty-six untreated patients with relapsing-remitting MS were followed up for 18 months. Dual-echo, DT and postcontrast T1-weighted MRIs of the brain were obtained at baseline and then every 3 months. Mean diffusivity (D) histograms of normal-appearing gray (GM) and white matter were produced. Total T2-hyperintense and T1-hypointense lesion volumes; normalized whole brain tissue, GM, and white matter volumes; percentage brain volume change between the study entry and exit images; average lesion D; and fractional anisotropy were also calculated. RESULTS During the study period, a significant decrease of normalized whole brain tissue, average lesion fractional anisotropy and normal-appearing GM D histogram peak height, and a significant increase of average normal-appearing GM D and T2-hyperintense lesion volumes were observed. Changes of normal-appearing GM diffusivity were independent of the concomitant changes of normalized whole brain tissue and GM volumes. CONCLUSIONS The DT MRI findings show progressive microstructural changes in the normal-appearing GM of patients with untreated relapsing-remitting MS. Such changes do not reflect a concomitant development of brain atrophy and confirm the importance of GM pathology in MS.
SERS and micro-SERS analysis of doxorubicin interaction in vitro and in living human cancer cells

A new technique for selective measurement of small amounts of ant i tumor drugs in the nucleus and cytoplasm of a living cancer cell, based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), is proposed. The ability to detect SERS signals from very diluted (up to 10 M) solutions of doxorubicin (0OX) as well as from its complex with DNA in vitro and in living cells, has been demonstrated. SERS spectra were obtained from a population as well as from single living erythroleukemia K562 cells treated with DOX. The SERS spectrum obtained from nucleus of living cells correlated well with the spectrum of the in vitro complex of DOX with Calf thymus DNA. The spectrum obtained from cytoplasm is different from the spectrum of free DOX. This means that DOX in the cytoplasm has some kind of target different from its target (DNA) in the cell nucleus.