Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo activities of blends of crude aqueous extracts from Allium sativum L, Callistemon citrinus (Curtis) Skeels and Moringa stenopetala (Baker F) Cufodontis against Leishmania major

Leishmania major caused cutaneous leishmaniasis leads to painful skin so res in humans and usual drugs are expensive, toxic, and require prolonged use. The in vitro and in vivo efficacy of aqueous crude extracts from Callistemon citrinus flowers (B), Allium sativum bulbs (C) and Moringa stenopetala leaves (A) against L. major was studied. Con- trols were pentostam, liposomal amphotericin B, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Dried and ground plant materials were soaked in distilled water at 70 o C for 1.5 hours, filtered and freeze dried to obtain aqueous extracts. L. major infected BALB/c mice were treated orally or intra peritoneally (ip) with blends of the extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentra- tions (MICs) of single extracts ranged from 3 to 5mg/ml while IC 50 from 297 to 575µg/ml compared to MICs of 12.50 and 6. 25µg/ml and IC50 of 0.26 and 0. 82µg/ml for pentostam and liposomal amphotericin B respectively. Blends of M. stenopetala and C. citrinus (AB), M. stenopetala and A. sativum (AC), and C. citrinus and A. sativum (BC) at concentra- tions based on MICs of individual extracts wer e active at ratios 1:1, 1:9 and 1:1 with promastigotes' viabilities of 33.82%, 17.41% and 60.74 % respectively. IC50 for blends AB, AC, and BC ranged from 174µg/ml to 1314µg/ml against promastigotes. The individual extracts comprising blends AB, AC and BC interacted additively and synergistically in several combination ratios. Blend AC (1:1) at 125µg/ml had in vitro infection rate (IR) of 71% and multiplication index (MI) of 48.20% for L. major amastigotes compared to IR of 67% and MI of 47.51% for pentostam at 12.50µg/ml. Oral blend BC (1:1) reduced the mice footpad lesion size significantly (P < 0.05). Both oral blends BC and AC reduced mice spleen amastigotes by 48.33% and 60.94% with total LDUs of 6.35 ± 0.66 and 4.80 ± 0.95 respectively. Oral blend AB (1:1) lowered spleen amastigotes by 6.5% with total LDU of 11.49 ± 6.84. In conclusion, aqueous blends of C. citrinus, A. sativum and M. stenopetala extracts that interacted additively or sy nergistically were less toxic but active against L. major.
Atmospheric turbulence profiling using multiple laser star wavefront sensors

This paper describes the data pre-processing and reduction methods together with SLOpe Detection And Ranging (SLODAR) analysis and wind profiling techniques for the Gemini South Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS). The wavefront gradient measurements of the five GeMS Shack–Hartmann sensors, each pointing to a laser guide star, are combined with the deformable mirror (DM) commands sent to three DMs optically conjugated at 0, 4.5 and 9 km in order to reconstruct pseudo-open loop slopes. These pseudo-open loop slopes are then used to reconstruct atmospheric turbulence profiles, based on the SLODAR and wind-profiling methods. We introduce the SLODAR method, and how it has been adapted to work in a closed-loop, multi-laser guide star system. We show that our method allows characterizing the turbulence of up to 16 layers for altitudes spanning from 0 to 19 km. The data pre-processing and reduction methods are described, and results obtained from observations made in 2011 are presented. The wind profiling analysis is shown to be a powerful technique not only for characterizing the turbulence intensity, wind direction and speed, but also as it can provide a verification tool for SLODAR results. Finally, problems such as the fratricide effect in multiple laser systems due to Rayleigh scattering, centroid gain variations, and limitations of the method are also addressed.
Proteomic Analyses of Human Fetal Atria and Ventricles

In this study we carried out a mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis of human fetal atria and ventricles. Heart protein lysates were analyzed on the Q-Exactive mass spectrometer in biological triplicates. Protein identification using MaxQuant yielded a total of 2,754 atrial (91%) and 2,825 ventricular protein groups (83%) in at least 2 of the 3 runs with ≥2 unique peptides. Statistical analyses using fold-enrichment (>2) and p-values (≤0.05) selected high confidence chamber enriched atrial (134) and ventricular (81) protein groups. Several previously characterised cardiac chamber-enriched proteins were identified in this study including atrial isoform of myosin light chain 2 (MYL7), atrial natriuretic peptide (NPPA), and connexin 40 (GJA5) for atria, and ventricular isoforms of myosin light chains (MYL2 and MYL3), myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7), and connexin 43 (GJA1) for ventricle. Our data was compared to inhouse generated and publicly available human microarrays, several human cardiac proteomes, and phenotype ontology databases.
Tropical stabilization of the thermohaline circulation in a greenhouse warming simulation

Most global climate models simulate a weakening of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) in response to enhanced greenhouse warming. Both surface warming and freshening in high latitudes, the so-called sinking region, contribute to the weakening of the THC. Some models even simulate a complete breakdown of the THC at sufficiently strong forcing. Here results are presented from a state-of-the-art global climate model that does not simulate a weakening of the THC in response to greenhouse warming. Large-scale air‐sea inter←
Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of true type 2 Seyfert galaxies

We present the results of a campaign of simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of ‘true’ type 2 Seyfert galaxies candidates, i.e. active galactic nuclei without a broad-line region (BLR). Out of the initial sample composed of eight sources, one object, IC 1631, was found to be a misclassified starburst galaxy, another, Q2130−431, does show broad optical lines, while other two, IRAS 01428−0404 and NGC 4698, are very likely absorbed by Compton-thick gas along the line of sight. Therefore, these four sources are not unabsorbed Seyfert 2s as previously suggested in the literature. On the other hand, we confirm that NGC 3147, NGC 3660 and Q2131−427 belong to the class of true type 2 Seyfert galaxies, since they do not show any evidence for a broad component of the optical lines nor for obscuration in their X-ray spectra. These three sources have low accretion rates ( u m = Lbol/LEdd 0.01), in agreement with theoretical models which predict that the BLR disappears below a critical value of Lbol/LEdd. The last source, Mrk 273x, would represent an exception even of these accretion-dependent versions of the Unification Models, due to its high X-ray luminosity and accretion rate, and no evidence for obscuration. However, its optical classification as a Seyfert 2 is only based on the absence of a broad component of Hβ, due to the lack of optical spectra encompassing the Hα band.
Dynamically dual vibration absorbers: a bond graph approach to vibration control

This paper investigates the use of an actuator and sensor pair coupled via a control system to damp out oscillations in resonant mechanical systems. Specifically the designs emulate passive control strategies, resulting in controller dynamics that resemble a physical system. Here, the use of the novel dynamically dual approach is proposed to design the vibration absorbers to be implemented as the controller dynamics; this gives rise to the dynamically dual vibration absorber (DDVA). It is shown that the method is a natural generalisation of the classical single-degree of freedom mass–spring–damper vibration absorber and also of the popular acceleration feedback controller. This generalisation is applicable to the vibration control of arbitrarily complex resonant dynamical systems. It is further shown that the DDVA approach is analogous to the hybrid numerical-experimental testing technique known as substructuring. This analogy enables methods and results, such as robustness to sensor/actuator dynamics, to be applied to dynamically dual vibration absorbers. Illustrative experiments using both a hinged rigid beam and a flexible cantilever beam are presented.
Experiences and Opinions of E-learners: What Works, What are the Challenges, and What Competencies Ensure Successful Online Learning

This paper reports findings of a survey of online learners from Western (mostly US), Israeli, Mexican, and Japanese cohorts. An instrument with 58 questions, including several open-ended items, allowing 318 respondents to tell their “stories” as online learners, was disseminated online in late 2008-early 2009. This research study attempts to better understand how students engage in online learning in terms of interacting with the medium and materials, with the instructor, and with one another. Also, with four distinct cohorts, representing four countries and cultures, there is some value in determining if there might be certain differences between these learner populations that are driven primarily by cultural orientation. The study revealed that the majority of respondents rated their satisfaction with their online learning to be positive. The findings further reveal that these cohorts produced a diverse list of positive/negative aspects influencing satisfaction/dissatisfaction, identified items critical to being a successful online learner, as well as challenges in their online learning environment. The majority indicated that success as online learners ultimately depended more on self-determination than on institutional support. Summary findings and analyses presented here provide evidence of some commonalities across groups and reveal experiences and opinions that can contribute to formulating a set of competencies useful to both online learners and providers.
Laser Doppler Interferometry (LDI) to obtain full stiffness tensor: A case study on a deformation zone in Sweden

Estimation of elastic anisotropy, which is usually caused by rock fabrics and mineral orientations, has an important role in exploration seismology and a better understanding of crustal seismic reflections. If not properly taken care of during data processing steps, it leads to wrong interpretation and/or distorted seismic image. In this work, a state-of-the-art under the development Laser Doppler Interferometer (LDI) device is used to measure phase velocities on the surface of rock samples from a major poly-phase crustal scale deformation zone (Osterbybruk Deformation Zone) in the Bergslagen region of eastern Sweden. Then, a general inversion code is deployed to invert the measured phase velocities to obtain full elastic stiffness tensors of two samples from the deformation zone. At the end, results are used to correct for the anisotropy effects using three dimensionless Tsvankin’s parameters and a non-hyperbolic moveout equation. The resulting stacked section shows partial reflection improvement of the deformation zone compared with the traditional isotropic processing approach. This illustrates that rock anisotropy contributes to the generation of the reflections from the deformation zones in the study area although they do not show significant density contrast with their surrounding rocks.
Role of Relationship Marketing in Building Customer Loyalty in Services Sector of Pakistan

The basic aim of this study is to unfold the emerging importance of relationship marketing in the present era and build trust and relationship commitment for the customer loyalty for successful relational exchange. The idea was to determine the differential effects of trust, perceived service quality and relationship commitment on customer loyalty. This paper also includes the service quality antecedents and their effect on the loyalty of the customer. The proposed model has been tested with adapted survey questionnaire in context of insurance sector service. The sample size was 100 respondents having insurance policy of two renowned life insurance companies of the country. The regression analysis and PCA (Principle Component Analysis) was performed. This approach of single industry may create the internal validity of the proposed model, repetition in alternative service settings is required to upsurge the generalizability of the results. The results underwrite to understanding of the relationships between dissimilar elements of trust, service quality, relationship commitment, and customer loyalty; offer critical inferences for managers of service organizations; and climax directions for future research. This also helps to understand the firm’s intentions towards the quality and the role quality in customer loyalty. Key w ords: Customer Loyalty, Trust, Relationship commitment, Services marketing, services quality, Salesman Characteristics, Relationship Marketing
Acceleration estimator for low-velocity and low-acceleration regions based on encoder position data

Acceleration computation based on simple numerical differentiation from an optical encoder signal may be very erroneous, especially in the low-velocity and low-acceleration regions. To overcome this problem, a novel approach to estimating acceleration in these regions is proposed in this paper. This low-acceleration estimator, which is a computer algorithm, is based on the fact that the displacement signal from the encoder is accurate. Since the bandwidth of this estimator is rather limited, it can be used in combination with the traditional numerical differentiation approach in order to cover a wide velocity range. It was shown in various simulations and experiments that this combined acceleration estimator can yield accurate acceleration estimates over a wide range of velocities. Furthermore, when this estimator is applied to a friction compensation system, the effect of low-velocity friction can be reduced significantly by its capability to detect small changes in acceleration caused by friction.
Performance Analysis of SRAM Cell Using DG-MOSFETs

As the technology in electronic circuits is improving, the complexity in these circuits also increases. The complexity in the circuits leads to the need of that type of circuits which are portable and fast circuits. The portability in the electronic circuits is achieved by the use of battery. So we have to develop such sort of circuits that use very less power. The main focal point in designing a high performance digital system such as microprocessors and various Digital signal Processors is given to low power design. The key part of any digital system is its memory unit. It is not possible to design a digital system without memory. So we can say that memory is the main part which employ the highest power in the system. The most used memory cell in the digital systems is the SRAM cells. They are the static RAM cells. Low-power Random Access Memory (RAM) has seen a remarkable and rapid progress in power reduction. The high density and low power SRAMs are needed for application such as hand held devices, laptops, notebooks, IC memory card because of the fact that they are portable devices and uses batteries for power source so they must consume power as low as possible. As the semiconductor technology scales down, the read stability and write capacity of a static random-access memory (SRAM) cell are degraded because of the increased mismatch among its transistors. In sub-threshold conduction, leakage current is main culprit to increased power dissipation and degradations. There are scale issues which arise in nanometer range of operation. These issues cannot be resolved in conventional MOS transistors. DG-MOSFETs are one of the attractive candidates to reduce these problems in extremely nano-scaled devices. Further SRAM cell are chief component for today’s electronic industry. This report presents a novel CMOS four and two-transistor SRAM cell for very high density and low power embedded SRAM applications as well as for stand-alone SRAM applications. Keywords: SRAM, Tanner 16.0, 4T&2T SRAM Cell
Identification of quantitative trait loci for resistance to two species of root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus) in wheat

Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus are two species of root-lesion nematode that cause substantial yield losses in wheat. No commercially available wheat variety has resistance to both species. A doubled-haploid population developed from a cross between the synthetic hexaploid wheat line CPI133872 and the bread wheat Janz was used to locate and tag quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to both P. thornei and P. neglectus. Wheat plants were inoculated with both species of nematode in independent replicated glasshouse trials repeated over 2 years. Known locations of wheat microsatellite markers were used to construct a framework map. After an initial single-marker analysis to detect marker-trait linkages, chromosome regions associated with putative QTLs were targetted with microsatellite markers to increase map density in the chromosome regions of interest. In total, 148 wheat microsatellite markers and 21 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers were mapped. The codominant microsatellite marker Xbarc183 on the distal end of chromosome 6DS was allelic for resistance to both P. thornei and P. neglectus. The QTL were designated QRlnt.lrc-6D.1 and QRlnn.lrc-6D.1, for the 2 traits, respectively. The allele inherited from CPI133872 explained 22.0-24.2% of the phenotypic variation for P. thornei resistance, and the allele inherited from Janz accounted for 11.3-14.0% of the phenotypic variation for P. neglectus resistance. Composite interval mapping identified markers that flank a second major QTL on chromosome 6DL (QRlnt.lrc-6D.2) that explained 8.3-13.4% of the phenotypic variation for P. thornei resistance. An additional major QTL associated with P. neglectus resistance was detected on chromosome 4DS (QRlnn.lrc-4D.1) and explained a further 10.3-15.4% of the phenotypic variation. The identification and tagging of nematode resistance genes with molecular markers will allow appropriate allele combinations to be selected, which will aid the successful breeding of wheat with dual nematode resistance.
Single-Resistance-Controlled Sinusoidal Oscillator Using Single VD-DIBA

This paper presents a new single-resistance-controlled sinusoidal oscillator (SRCO). The proposed oscillator employs only one voltage differencing differential input buffered amplifier (VD-DIBA), two resistors, and two grounded capacitors. The proposed configuration offers the following advantageous features: (i) independent control of condition of oscillation and frequency of oscillation, (ii) low active and passive sensitivities, and (iii) a very good frequency stability. The validity of the proposed SRCO has been established by SPICE simulations using 0.35 μm MIETEC technology.
Fabrication of Core-Shell PLGA-Chitosan Microparticles Using Electrospinning: Effects of Polymer Concentration

This investigation aims to fabricate the core-shell microparticles composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and chitosan (PLGA-CS MPs) using electrospinning. The challenge of using electrospinning is that it has many parameters which change product outcome if any single parameter is changed. However, the advantage of this system is that we can fabricate either micro/nanofibers or micro/nanoparticles. To learn about the effect of liquid concentration, the electrospinning parameters (voltage, needle sizes, distance from needle to collector, and ejection speed) were fixed while the concentration of PLGA or chitosan was varied. The results showed that PLGA microparticles can be fabricated successfully when the concentration of PLGA is smaller than 10 wt%. Presence of the chitosan shell was confirmed by zeta potential measurements, FT-IR, optical observation, and fluorescence observation. Thickness of the chitosan shell can be controlled by changing the concentration of chitosan and measured by fluorescamine labeling method. Moreover, SEM observation showed that concentration of chitosan affected the size of PLGA-CS microparticles. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay test showed that PLGA-CS microparticles possess excellent biocompatibility.
College Students' Metacognitive Awareness of Difficulties in Learning the Class Content Does Not Automatically Lead to Adjustment of Study Strategies 1

This study examined college students' awareness of difficulties in learning class content and selection of study strategies to address the perceived challenges. Data consisted of responses by 94 students to two survey questions on 11 weekly monitoring worksheets. Data analyses, using the constant comparative method and Chi-Square tests, revealed that students' awareness of different kinds of difficulties in learning the class content did not lead to adjustment of study strategies. Students reported relying primarily upon passive rehearsal strategies throughout the semester rather than strategies supported by previous literature as being more effective. Suggestions for promoting students' abilities to self-regulate the learning process were discussed.
Improved method for laser damage testing coated optics

The laser damage test for qualifying a coating run of anti-reflection coated optics consists of scanning a pulsed 1064 nm laser to illuminate approximately 2400 sites over a 1 cm x 1 cm area on a test sample. Scans are repeated at 3 J/cm2 increments until the fluence specification for the optic is reached. In the past, initiation of 1 or more damage sites was classified as a failed coating run, requiring the production optics in the corresponding coating lot be reworked and recoated. Recent laser damage growth tests of 300 repetitive pulses performed on numerous damage sites revealed that all were stable up to 20 J/cm2. Therefore the acceptance criteria has been modified to allow a moderate number of damage sites, as long as they are smaller than the allowed dig size and are stable (do not grow). Consequently many coating runs that previously would have been rejected are now accepted, resulting in higher yield, lower cost, and improved delivery schedule. The new test also provides assurance that initiated damage sites are stable during long term operation.
Chapter IV Location-Based Service ( LBS ) System Analysis and Design

Advances in GPS, personal locator technology, Internet and network technology, and the rapidly growing number of mobile personal devices are helping to drive the fast growth of mobile e-commerce, we refer to as m-commerce. A special case of m-commerce is enabled with location based services (LBS) where often the actual position of the terminal is used in the service provision. In this chapter, we concentrate on the analysis and design issues and techniques for the LBS. We give a brief introduction of LBS and its applications and present the most important user, system, and infrastructure requirements. We also present the architecture and database design issues in LBS systems and study the performance an LBS system and evaluate its properties.