Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical Composition of Ethanol Extract of a Cocktail Herbal Mixture (Aju Mbaise)

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituent of ethanol extract of Aju Mbaise herbal mixture. Study Design: In the course of the experiment, fresh samples of the plants that make up Aju Mbaise were collected and identified as Cnestis ferruginea, Xylopia aethiopica, Uvaria chamae, Palisota hirsuta, Scleria sp. , Napoleona imperialis, Dialium guineense, Combretum racemosun, and Heterotis rotundifolia respectively. The fresh plants were air-dried, cut into small pieces and blended before the extraction process. Ethanol was used as the extraction solvent. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, in July 2018. Methodology: The qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined by Standard methods described by Sofowara (1993), for testing alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids, while the quantitative phytochemical was estimated spectrophotometrically. Results: The phytochemical result showed the presence of alkaloids (8.69%), flavonoids (19.10%), glycosides (6.86%), hydrogen cyanide (0.92%), phenols (31.56%), saponins (0.83%), steroids (0.94%), tannins (16.80%), and terpenoids (14.31%). Conclusion: The study showed that ethanol extract of Aju Mbaise herbal mixture contains tremendous amount of phytochemicals.
EFFECTS OF DRIED YELLOW CASHEW PULP IN DIETS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS ON IN VITRO FERMENTATION PARAMETERS, VOLUME OF GAS PRODUCED AND FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS

Twenty growing West African Dwarf (WAD) goats aged 6-7 months, with an average initial weight of 6.42kg were randomly assigned to four treatments; containing 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30 % dried cashew pulp coded as T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4, respectively. Each treatment had five experimental units. The effect of in vitro fermentation on first gas (a), potential gas production (b), potentially degradable fraction (a+b), rate of gas production (c), organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolisable energy (ME), short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), methane (CH 4 ) production and in vitro gas production (IVGP) of the experimental diets were studied. Completely randomized design was used and data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means that were significantly different were separated using LSD. Results showed that for the treatments, in vitro gas production for incubation periods of 6 hours was significant (P < 0.05), while those for 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 hours were highly significant (P < 0.01). Values of IVGP, ME, OMD, SCFA and Methane for the treatments were highly significant (P < 0.01). Apart from the values for first gas produced, all the other fermentation characteristics for the treatments were highly significantly affected (P < 0.01) by the levels of inclusion of cashew pulp meal. The results also showed that T 1, T 2 andT 3 were not different from each other in in vitro gas production (at 24hrs), ME, OMD and SCFA, hence the diets containing sun-dried cashew pulp meal performed similarly with the control diet.
Application of New Dietary-fiber Measuring Method for the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan

The Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (FCTJ) is the only official database on food ingredients and is used for various purposes in Japan. However, the method used in the FCTJ, the FCTJ manual, is sometimes unsuitable for accurately measuring some components. In this report, we focused on dietary fiber analysis mainly by reviewing resistant starch and low molecular weight water-soluble dietary fiber (LMWSDF) data. The data from three methods other than the FCTJ manual were compared as follows: AOAC 2011 . 25, the improved 2011 . 25 reported by McCleary, and a modified method of the FCTJ manual in which the LMWSDF by HPLC was added. Although the results showed that all three methods are suitable for the FCTJ, AOAC 2011 . 25 as a CAC Type 1 method is considered to be best suited to the FCTJ.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Copper(II) Complex with Schiff Base Derived from 2,2-dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione and Tryptophan

Schiff bases and complexes are today the subject of many studies because of the established biological, inhibitor and catalytic properties. The aim of this paper is to investigate the interaction of Schiff base obtained by reaction of 2,2-dihydroxyindane-1,3-dione (ninhydrin) and the essential amino acid tryptophan with copper(II) ion. Spectral characterization and examination of the potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the synthesized complex were performed. The imine Cu(II) complex is characterized by FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Stoichiometric M:L ratio was determined by Joe and Yones method. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH and FRAP method. Antibacterial and antifungal activity was determined by diffusion technique on reference strains from the ATCC collection. The results showed that the synthesized Schiff base coordinates the Cu(II) ion as a tridentate ligand, in a molar ratio of 1:2 (M:L). The synthesized complex showed significant antioxidant activity. The antimicrobial effect of the Cu(II) complex in the case of S. aureus, E. faecalis, L. monocytogenes, B. subtilis and C. albicans was obtained, with inhibition zones of 11-20 mm.
Effective Removal of Humic Acid from Aqueous Solution in an Al-Based Metal–Organic Framework

The adsorption of humic acid (HA) onto an Al3+-based metal–organic framework (MIL-68(Al)) was investigated. MIL-68(Al) was synthesized and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption, scanning electronic microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Adsorption of HA onto MIL-68(Al) was investigated systematically under various conditions. Experimental results indicate that the adsorption kinetics follow a pseudo-second-order model and adsorption can reach equilibrium at ∼15 min. The adsorption isotherm can be well-fitted with Freundlich model, and the adsorption capacity (115.5 mg g–1) is much higher than those of chitosan, fly ash, activated carbon, etc. Thermodynamic study indicates that the adsorption of HA can be enhanced under lower temperature based on the negative value of adsorption enthalpy (−10.52 kJ mol–1). Besides, MIL-68(Al) can exhibit a high adsorption capacity of 28.53 mg g–1 in a real water sample from Fenhe R.
Differentiation of Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Into Dendritic Cells In Vitro Under Stimulation of PPAR-Gamma

The differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro is not yet under full control and although PPAR-γ stimulation may interfere with DC differentiation from cord blood progenitors, the expression of PPAR-γ by different precursors and the effect of PPAR-γ stimulation on DC differentiation are poorly known. To address these issues, CD14+ monocytes, CD34+ progenitors and CD133+ progenitors were isolated from adult healthy donors and cultured with cytokines; rosiglitazone (1 μmol/l) was used to stimulate PPAR-γ. All precursors generated large, HLA-DR+ DCs, a proportion of which, highest when starting from CD133+ precursors expressed the Langerhans cell marker CD207/langerin; many cells expressed the connective tissue DC marker CD209/DC-SIGN, even together with CD207, and some cells contained Birbeck granules. Only CD133+ precursors expressed PPAR-γ mRNA appreciably; the DCs from these precursors contained a higher proportion of Langerhans like cells and caused 25% less stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation when generated in the presence of rosiglitazone. In conclusion, the phenotype of DCs differentiated in vitro does not match exactly that of DCs in vivo; PPAR-γ is expressed by freshly isolated CD133+ precursors; PPAR-γ agonists can direct DC differentiation from CD133+ precursors towards Langerhans type cells and inhibit the lymphocyte stimulating activity of the generated DCs.
Dictionaries on computer: how different markets have created different products

The fact that good paper-based dictionaries for advanced learners of English have gained weight is largely a consequence of changing attitudes to language teaching and learning. The earliest editions of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary broke away from the native speaker dictionary tradition by providing detailed information about the valency patterns of verbs. Since then there has been an increasing amount of grammatical information in all the learners' dictionaries, but the trend towards communicative language teaching, which stresses the importance of language appropriacy in addition to accuracy, has also led dictionary makers to add more and more information about word behaviour in context. Consequently all the major advanced learners' dictionaries now contain usage notes, comments on pragmatic function, warnings of register restrictions, and examples taken from corpora of authentic texts.
Blood vessel segmentation

The present invention relates to a vessel segmentation. In order to provide an improved method for providing segmentation information with reduced X-ray exposure, X-rays image processing apparatus having an interface unit (12) and a data processing unit (14) (10) is provided . Interface unit is configured to provide a sequence of time-series angiography 2D images of the vascular structure obtained after contrast injection. Data processing unit, for each of the plurality of determined pixels along the time sequence, to determine the arrival time index of predetermined characteristics associated with contrast injection, based on the arrival time, for each of a plurality of determined pixels configured to calculate a connectivity index. Data processing unit is configured to generate segmentation data vasculature from a plurality of the determined pixels. Here, the segmentation data is based on the connection index pixel. Data processing unit is configured to provide a segmented data for further purposes.
Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) on Endogenous Enzyme Activity and Quality Parameters of Hairtail (Trichiurus japonicus)

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising non-thermal technology that offers the capability of enzyme denaturation without the destruction of important components. The effect of CAP generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) on endogenous enzyme activity and quality parameters of Hairtail (Trichiurus japonicus) was investigated. DBD voltage (30 kV, 40 kV, and 50 kV) and treatment time (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10, and 15 minutes) were employed. In all cases, a significant reduction in endogenous enzyme activity of Hairtail (p<0.05) was observed. Our results showed that the treatment time and voltage, significantly affected endogenous enzyme activity and carbonyl content. Nevertheless, the initial temperature and pH did not show significant changes after plasma treatments. From these results, we conclude that cold atmospheric plasma could be utilized as a good technology to maintain product quality and prolong the shelf life.
Analysis of Nucleotide Pools in Bacteria Using HPLC-MS in HILIC Mode

Nucleotides, nucleosides and their derivatives are present in cells at varying concentrations that rapidly change with the nutritional, and energetic status of the cell. Knowledge of the concentration dynamics of these molecules is instrumental for understanding their regulatory effects. Determination of these concentrations is challenging due to the inherent instability of these molecules and, despite many decades of research, the reported values differ widely. Here, we present a comprehensive and easy-to-use approach to determine intracellular concentrations of >25 target molecular species. The approach uses rapid filtration and cold acidic extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) mode using zwitterionic columns coupled with UV and MS detectors. The method reliably detects and quantifies all the analytes expected to be observed in the bacterial cell and paves the way for future studies correlating their concentrations with biological effects.
Single-channel ECG suitable for ECG-derived respiration

Electrocardiogram (ECG)-derived respiration (EDR) is a tool used for estimating respiration using ECG. EDR signals are often used to avoid the use of devices such as air flow sensors, pressure transducers. Several EDR algorithms have been proposed; however, an effective ECG channel for estimating respiration has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine an effective ECG channel for accurately estimating respiration. Twelve novel ECG channels were placed around the lower chest, and six channels: NASA, CC5, CM1, CM2, CM4, and CM5 were used for comparison. To identify the effective ECG channels, we recorded the ECG and actual respirations in 47 subjects. The actual respiratory signals were measured using an air flow sensor and a pressure transducer. To estimate the respiration waveform, 11 EDR algorithms, including the principal component analysis, were employed. The evaluation indices used to determine the effective ECG channels were the root-mean-square percentage error (RMSPE), the correlation coefficient between the actual respiratory rates and those obtained from the estimated respiratory waveforms, and limit of agreement (LOA). A conclusive evaluation was performed based on two RMSPEs of the respiratory signals measured using the air flow sensor and pressure transducer, based on the two correlation coefficients obtained from them, and based on the LOA. The estimations were most accurate when the positive and negative electrodes were attached in a way that they could measure both the bucket-handle and pump-handle movements of the ribs and when one of the two electrodes was attached near the heart. (The channel called ALPHA in a body text yielded most accurate results: RMSPEs < 0.5, correlation coefficients > 0.8, and almost all ∣LOAs∣ ≤ 8.0.) The respiration estimated with one of the proposed ECG channels was more accurate than those with conventional ECG channels.
Von-Neumann and Beyond: Memristor Architectures

Von-Neumann and Beyond: Memristor Architectures Rawan Naous An extensive reliance on technology, an abundance of data, and increasing processing requirements have imposed severe challenges on computing and data processing. Moreover, the roadmap for scaling electronic components faces physical and reliability limits that hinder the utilization of the transistors in conventional systems and promotes the need for faster, energy-efficient, and compact nano-devices. This work thus capitalizes on emerging non-volatile memory technologies, particularly the memristor for steering novel design directives. Moreover, aside from the conventional deterministic operation, a temporal variability is encountered in the devices functioning. This inherent stochasticity is addressed as an enabler for endorsing the stochastic electronics field of study. We tackle this approach of design by proposing and verifying a statistical approach to modelling the stochastic memristors behaviour. This mode of operation allows for innovative computing designs within the approximate computing and beyond Von-Neumann domains. In the context of approximate computing, sacrificing functional accuracy for the sake of energy savings is proposed based on inherently stochastic electronic components. We introduce mathematical formulation and probabilistic analysis for Boolean logic operators and correspondingly incorporate them into arithmetic blocks. Gateand system-level accuracy of operation is presented to convey configurability and the different effects that the unreliability of the underlying memristive components has on the intermediary and overall output. An image compression application is presented to reflect the efficiency attained along with the impact on the output caused by the relative precision quantification. 5 In contrast, in neuromorphic structures the memristors variability is mapped onto abstract models of the noisy and unreliable brain components. In one approach, we propose using the stochastic memristor as an inherent source of variability in the neuron that allows it to produce spikes stochastically. Alternatively, the stochastic memristors are mapped onto bi-stable stochastic synapses. The intrinsic variation is modelled as added noise that aids in performing the underlying computational tasks. Both aspects are tested within a probabilistic neural network operation for a handwritten MNIST digit recognition application. Synaptic adaptation and neuronal selectivity are achieved with both approaches, which demonstrates the savings, interchangeability, robustness, and relaxed design space of brain-inspired unconventional computing systems.
Stable CuCrO2 nanoparticles - ZnO fibres p-n heterostructure system for effective photocatalytic activity

Heterostructured photocatalysts were fabricated by coupling electrospun n-type ZnO fibres and hydrothermally derived p-type CuCrO2 nanoparticles. The effect of the amount of CuCrO2 nanoparticles on the photocatalytic activity of the heterostructured photocatalyst was systematically investigated. The formation of the heterojunctions between the two semiconductors was revealed via detailed XRD, XPS, TEM and optical property measurements. The experimental results indicated that the optimal CuCrO2 amount in the composite photocatalyst was 1.0wt. % due to the optimum doping and surface coverage, higher absorption onset edge, larger absorption intensity and optimum band gap energy. This composite photocatalyst, fabricated by drop casting of CuCrO2 nanoparticle dispersion on ZnO fibres, displayed 30% higher rate constant (k) value compared to the pure ZnO fibres in the degradation of methylene blue dye molecules and reached 93.4% decomposition in 1 h under UV-visible light exposure. The obtained results are highly encouraging in comparison to only UV/light active p-n heterostructured photocatalysts previously reported in literature. Therefore, we believe that the proposed approach here opened the way for simple synthesis of highly-efficient visible light active heterostructured semiconductor photocatalyst systems.
Role of C-terminal methylation and side chain guanidinium group of arginine in stabilization of gold nanoparticles

The methylation of arginine plays a significant role in deciding the gene expression, however, no study is available in which differentiation between amino acids L-arginine and L-arginine methyl ester has been demonstrated on the basis of C-terminal methyl group. Though the interaction between arginine and gold nanoparticle surface has potential biological applications, the impact of arginine binding motif on gold nanoparticle surface remains poorly understood. To fully understand these binding interactions, herein, we have modified the citrate capped gold nanoparticles with L-arginine and L-arginine methyl ester. The optical properties of these particles were examined using UV-vis spectroscopy which showed absorption maxima at 518 nm and the size of the particles was found to be 14 ± 2 nm analyzed using TEM. The results presented here indicated that the stability of gold-amino acid interface is governed by the presence of free carboxyl group and cationic side chain of arginine. The amino acid and nanoparticle interactions can be used for the specific fictionalizations of the amino acid capped nanomaterials. These results may help in the specific functionalization of the amino acid capped nanomaterials that exploit surface-based activity.
Multi-Stage Detection Technique for DNS-Based Botnets

Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the most widely used protocols in the Internet. The main purpose of the DNS protocol is mapping user-friendly domain names to IP addresses. Unfortunately, many cyber criminals deploy the DNS protocol for malicious purposes, such as botnet communications. In this type of attack, the botmasters tunnel communications between the Command and Control (C&C) servers and the bot-infected machines within DNS request and response. Designing an effective approach for botnet detection has been done previously based on specific botnet types Since botnet communications are characterized by different features, botmasters may evade detection methods by modifying some of these features. This research aims to design and implement a multi-staged detection approach for Domain Generation Algorithm (DGA), Fast Flux Service Network, and Domain Flux-based botnets, as well as encrypted DNS tunneled-based botnets using the BRO Network Security Monitor. This approach is able to detect DNS-based botnet communications by relying on analyzing different techniques used for finding the C&C server, as well as encrypting the malicious traffic.
A Nonvolatile Phase‐Change Metamaterial Color Display

Chalcogenide phase‐change materials, which exhibit a marked difference in their electrical and optical properties when in their amorphous and crystalline phases and can be switched between these phases quickly and repeatedly, are traditionally exploited to deliver nonvolatile data storage in the form of rewritable optical disks and electrical phase‐change memories. However, exciting new potential applications are now emerging in areas such as integrated phase‐change photonics, phase‐change optical metamaterials/metasurfaces, and optoelectronic displays. Here, ideas from these last two fields are fused together to deliver a novel concept, namely a switchable phase‐change metamaterial/metasurface resonant absorber having nonvolatile color generating capabilities. With the phase‐change layer, here GeTe, in the crystalline phase, the resonant absorber can be tuned to selectively absorb the red, green, and blue spectral bands of the visible spectrum, so generating vivid cyan, magenta, and yellow pixels. When the phase‐change layer is switched into the amorphous phase, the resonant absorption is suppressed and a flat, pseudowhite reflectance results. Thus, a route to the potential development is opened‐up of nonvolatile, phase‐change metamaterial color displays and color electronic signage.
Electrospun scaffolds limit the regenerative potential of the airway epithelium

Significant morbidity and mortality are associated with clinical use of synthetic tissue‐engineered tracheal grafts (TETG). Our previous work focused on an electrospun polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane (PET/PU) TETG that was tested in sheep using a long‐segment tracheal defect model. We reported that graft stenosis and limited epithelialization contributed to graft failure. The present study determined if the epithelialization defect could be attributed to: 1) postsurgical depletion of native airway basal stem/progenitor cells; 2) an inability of the PET/PU‐TETG to support epithelial migration; or 3) compromised basal stem/progenitor cell proliferation within the PET/PU environment.
EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF LEAVES OF Duguetia furfuracea (ANNONACEAE) USING GREEN AND ORGANIC SOLVENTS

Duguetia furfuracea (Annonaceae) is a shrub found in the Brazilian Cerrado that is used in popular medicine as an antirheumatic, for wound healing, treatment of kidney pain and against pediculosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the extraction of leaves of Duguetia furfuracea, using supercritical CO2, ethanol and hexane as solvents. For the supercritical extraction, an experimental planning 23 with triplicates of the central point was used to evaluate the effects of temperature (313-333 K), pressure (15-23 MPa) and volumetric flow rate (3-6 mL min-1) on the extraction yield, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared with extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The effects of the variables on the extraction yield were positive and the pressure had greater influence. However, the highest performances, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities were obtained by the Soxhlet method. The mathematical model based on the Brunauer-EmmettTeller theory of adsorption correlated satisfactorily the experimental values of the supercritical extraction.