Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased vitamin E intake is associated with higher a-tocopherol concentration in the maternal circulation but higher a-carboxyethyl hydroxychroman concentration in the fetal circulation 1 – 3

Background: The transfer of vitamin E across the placenta is limited, but no data exist on the concentrations of vitamin E metabolites carboxyethyl hydroxychromans (aand c-CEHCs) in the fetal circulation. Objective: We measured aand c-CEHC concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood pairs and examined their relations to circulating vitamin E (aand c-tocopherol) and maternal dietary
The Classroom: Exploring its Effects on Student Persistence and Satisfaction

The academic persistence of students in higher education continues to be a critical issue among academicians. Emphasized in previous studies is the recognition that intuitional variables do influence student’s decisions to persist in attaining their educational goals. However, little or no past research exists on the effects of the higher education classroom on student persistence and satisfaction. For this reason it seemed feasible to identify institutional variables cited in relevant literature as being primary determinants of the student departure process. The purpose of this article is to explore the higher education classroom and its effects on student persistence and satisfaction.
In vivo antidiabetic activity of aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract of Senna singuena (Delile) in alloxan induced diabetic mice

The folkloric claims that Senna singuena confers antidiabetic effect to prescribed patients has received long term clinical application accompanied by limited scientific data in support of such claims. This study aimed at bioscreening for hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous and organic fractions of S. singuena in alloxan induced diabetic mice. Type I diabetes mellitus was induced in mice by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate followed by graded doses of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract administered to the experimentally diabetic mice following an overnight fast. The composition of the various phytochemicals of the plant extract was quantitatively assessed using standard procedures. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract caused a significant reduction in plasma glucose level in a dose independent manner in both fractions. The hypoglycemic activity could be attributed to phytoconstituents found in the plant extract. The generated data supports the folkloric claims associating S. singuena with hypoglycemic effects. However, there is need for further studies on this plant to investigate the mechanism of its activity and determine its safety profiles in order to explore possibilities of developing a new antidiabetic drug.
Novel cell-wall teichoic acid from Nocardiopsis albus subsp. albus as a species-specific marker.

Cell walls of the three Nocardiopsis albus subsp. albus strains, DSM 43377T, 43378 and 43120 contain structurally identical teichoic acids. The cell wall of each strain has three distinct types of teichoic acids: (1) unsubstituted 3,5-poly(ribitol phosphate), (2) 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) partially substituted at C-2 with α-N-acetylglucosamine residues, and (3) 1,5-poly(ribitol phosphate) with each ribitol unit carrying a 2,4-pyruvate ketal group. Types 1 and 3 are reported in prokaryotes for the first time. The structure of the teichoic acids was elucidated by chemical analysis and NMR-spectroscopic methods. Structural identity of the teichoic acids from the three strains belonging to the same species may demonstrate the species-specificity of these polymers.
Evaluating the diurnal cycle of South Atlantic stratocumulus clouds as observed by MSG SEVIRI

Abstract. Marine stratocumulus (Sc) clouds play an essential role in the earth radiation budget. Here, we compare liquid water path (LWP), cloud optical thickness (τ), and cloud droplet effective radius (re) retrievals from 2 years of collocated Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) observations; estimate the effect of biomass burning smoke on passive imager retrievals; and evaluate the diurnal cycle of South Atlantic marine Sc clouds.The effect of absorbing aerosols from biomass burning on the retrievals was investigated using the aerosol index (AI) obtained from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). SEVIRI and MODIS LWPs were found to decrease with increasing AI relative to TMI LWP, consistent with well-known negative visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) retrieval biases in τ and re. In the aerosol-affected months of July–August–September, SEVIRI LWP – based on the 1.6 µm re – was biased low by 14 g m−2 ( ∼ 16 %) compared to TMI in overcast scenes, while MODIS LWP showed a smaller low bias of 4 g m−2 ( ∼ 5 %) for the 1.6 µm channel and a high bias of 8 g m−2 ( ∼ 10 %) for the 3.7 µm channel compared to TMI. Neglecting aerosol-affected pixels reduced the mean SEVIRI–TMI LWP bias considerably. For 2 years of data, SEVIRI LWP had a correlation with TMI and MODIS LWP of about 0.86 and 0.94, respectively, and biases of only 4–8 g m−2 (5 %–10 %) for overcast cases.The SEVIRI LWP diurnal cycle was in good overall agreement with TMI except in the aerosol-affected months. Both TMI and SEVIRI LWP decreased from morning to late afternoon, after which a slow increase was observed. Terra and Aqua MODIS mean LWPs also suggested a similar diurnal variation. The relative amplitude of the 2-year-mean and seasonal-mean LWP diurnal cycle varied between 35 % and 40 % from morning to late afternoon for overcast cases. The diurnal variation in SEVIRI LWP was mainly due to changes in τ, while re showed only little diurnal variability.
Content and Quality of Information: Analysis of the Management Discussion Session in the Italian Financial Reports in the Period 2003-2008

Recently, the socio-economic environment in which companies operate has changed considerably. Three events in particular have affected the management of listed companies: (i) the increasing importance of the intangible assets as basic elements of the competitive advantage in business; (ii) the accounting harmonisation and the evolution of the management discussion regulation both at European and national level in the period 2003-2008; (iii) the world financial crisis. In this worldwide context, regulators view narrative disclosures as the key to achieving the desired step-change in the quality of corporate reporting. To satisfy the new stakeholder information needs, business reporting has to expand beyond the traditional financial reporting model towards more forward-looking information of a non-financial nature. The paper wants to study the quantity of financial communication in the management discussion for each information category selected and its quality in terms of: time orientation (historical information, forward-looking information, intertemporal information), nature (financial, non-financial) and mode of expression (narrative, quantitative, mixed). The analysis is performed considering the 2003, 2005 and 2008 financial reports in Italy. Content analysis is the method applied. One of the main results that emerges, is that the quantity of information increases and that this information is always mainly related to the business and it is non-financial, narrative and historical. Very little space is dedicated to forward-looking information.
Globalization, financial allocation efficiency and regional economic dynamics: asymmetric panel evidence from Africa

This paper examines how regionalization in the face of globalization has affected financial development in the context of banking system efficiency in Africa. Results which are robust to financial system efficiency and growth-led-finance nexus reveal that in the post-regionalization era: (1) UEMOA and CEMAC regional banks’ ability to finance credit by deposits has reduced; (2) financial institutions of COMESA have improved their capacity to fund openness related activities/projects with deposits; (3) increase in welfare has positively affected the intermediary role of banks; (4) globalization tends to be more detrimental to financial systems of ‘economic and monetary’ regions than to those of purely economic regions. As a policy implication, national and regional authorities should gain knowledge of the fact that with openness, the role of domestic and regional banks seems to lessen in the funding of openness related activities and projects. Much needs to be done on the improvement of infrastructure that curtails information asymmetry in the banking industry. JEL Classification: A10 ; D60 ; E40 ; O10 ; P50
Study on bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women and associated factors on maternal and fetal outcome

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which the normal, lactobacillus-predominant vaginal flora is replaced with anaerobic bacteria, gardnerella vaginalis and mycoplasma hominis1. It is one cause of vaginitis among pregnant and non-pregnant women and an extremely prevalent vaginal condition.Methods: The present study was conducted on all antenatal women attending OPD satisfying the inclusion criteria was taken during the study period 1st October 2012 to 30th June 2014 in GSL General Hospital, Rajahmundry was examined for bacterial vaginosis using Nugent score. All pertinent obstetric and neonatal data covering antenatal events during the course of pregnancy, delivery, puerperium and condition of each newborn at the time of birth was collected. BV was detected by both Gramstain (Nugent criteria) and gold standard clinical criteria (Amsel’s composite criteria). Results: In this study bacterial vaginosis is seen in 313 cases of educated women (62.6%) as most of them have got primary education and 187 (37.4%) cases are uneducated. In this study, symptomatic bacterial vaginosis is more common in multigravida (Bladder -23; Discharge -50) 73 (22%) when compared with primigravida 11 (6.5%) probably because of longer period of marital life. In this study antenatal risk factors like previous IUCD (4.2%) use, H/O STD’s (1.4%), husband having h/o of multiple sexual partners (1.8%) are 7.4%. No cases of smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, douching were reported.Conclusions: Both primigravida and multigravida asymptomatic cases are more when compared to symptomatic cases leading to the need for routine screening. Routine screening of antenatal women resulted in the decrease of adverse pregnancy outcome.
Analysis of the Electric Field and the Potential Distribution in Cavities Inside Solid Insulating Electrical Materials

Solid extruded polymeric materials such as crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) are widely used in the electrical insulation of underground high voltage power transmission cables. However, the electric strength of the high voltage cable is affected by the presence of cavities (voids) in the insulating part. During service, when the insulation is subjected to electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses, these cavities may create a larger discontinuous region. As embedded gases and XLPE have different permittivities (respectly 1 and 2.3), the potential distribution is not equally distributed and may exceed the breakdown voltage of the gas. On the other hand, under high voltage operating conditions, trapped or low mobility electrically charged species within the bulk can give rise to space charge build up. This paper treats the combined effect of space charge and cavities on the electric field, potential and temperature distribution within solid insulation. The values of their magnitudes in cavities are calculated, enabling us to envisage if partial discharges appear in these weak parts. The model is a 3D stationary linear FEMLAB model in electrostatic s and heat transfer by conduction mode.
Foliar Applied Potassium and Zinc Enhances Growth and Yield Performance of Maize under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted for two years (2013 and 2014) to study the effect of foliar spray of potassium and zinc on maize crop under rainfed environment. Nine treatments were examined as: control, recommended rate of zinc (RRZn) to soil @ 15 kg Zn2SO4 ha, foliar zinc spray (FZS) @ 0.1%, recommended rate of potassium to soil (RRK) @ 75 kg K2O ha, RRK + RRZn, RRK+ FZS, foliar potassium spray (FKS) at 1% concentration, FKS + RRZn, FKS + FZS. The experiments were arranged in split plot with three replications. All integrated and individual foliar sprays of potassium and zinc surpassed all other treatments. Among all foliar treatments, integrated use of foliar potassium and zinc spray at 25 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) @ 1.0 and 0.1%, respectively enhanced all plant growth, yield, physiological and quality traits of maize. The highest 1000 grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha) were recorded under the combined foliar spray of potassium and zinc (FKS + FZS), followed by FKS + RRZn and RRK+ FZS. Greater net benefit and benefit cost ration were examined under all foliar sprays. Foliar spray of potassium and zinc is a fertilizer use efficient technique for increasing the maize yield attributes and net income under rainfed conditions. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers
Using a knowledge management evaluation framework for improving an ERP system

Organisations need to rely on leadership, information support and human capital in order to ensure a knowledge advantage over their competitors. Knowledge management (KM) provides organisations with sustainable competitive advantage, because it becomes extremely difficult for an organisation to cut expenditure and increase revenue by simply re-engineering its business model. Project delivery and success has been traditionally viewed and measured as management of a three-legged stool, with the legs defined as cost, schedule and quality. However, KM can be linked to success by organisations becoming more effective as well as being more efficient.
Registration Based Retrieval using Texture Measures

The aim of the study presented in this manuscript was to develop and analyze registration based retrieval of medical image using texture measures. Three main methods are implemented in this work. The first method includes Affine transformation, Demons and Affine with B-spline. The second method implemented is medical image retrieval system using content based medical image retrieval. GLCM, LBP and GLCM with LBP are used for texture based retrieval. Shape based retrieval is processed using canny edge with the Otsu method. From registration based retrieval, Affine with B-Spline performs well and produces best result by increasing the retrieval rate and the next better performances are given by Demons and Affine registration. The results showed that the best results for registration based retrieval are given by Affine with B-Spline registration based retrieval using GLCM+LBP with (100/50). Based on more relevant retrieved images, Brain (100/50) and Knee (100/50) observed to have more relevant retrieved images.
Optimization of DNA isolation for RAPD-PCR analysis of selected (Echinaceae purpurea L. Moench) medicinal plants of conservation concern from Turkey

Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation protocols and PCR conditions for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal plants of conservation concern from Turkey, containing high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites. These methods involve a modified CTAB extraction employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone while grinding, successive long-term Chloroform-lsoamylalcohol extractions, and EZ1 Nucleic Acid isolation protocols. The yield of DNA ranged from 1 2 g/ l per gram of the leaf tissue and the purity (ratio) was between 1.7 1.8 indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. EZ1 nucleic acid isolation technique is ideal for isolation of DNA from different plant species and the DNA isolated was used for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. RAPD protocol was optimized based on the use of 50 ng of template DNA and annealing temperature of 37°C, resulted optimal amplification. Thus, the results indicate that the optimized protocol for DNA isolation and PCR was amenable to plant species belonging to different genera which is suitable for further work on diversity analysis. Furthermore, here we used suitable DNA isolation protocol for RAPD analysis to study the genetic variation in the future in Echinaceae sp. grown in Turkey.
A LABORATORY STUDY OF SUSCEPTIBILITY OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

Objective: To study the mode of infection, incidence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and their susceptibility against glycopeptides and Fucidic acid, so that awareness may be created for consultants against such notorious rapidly spreading bacteria and recommendation can be made for their prevention and control. Design: 350 S.aureus Strains were isolated from 1800 random clinical specimens. 135 MRSA out of these cultures were selected for determining susceptibility to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin & Fucidic acid. Place and Duration: The samples were processed in the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical College, Lahore, during June 2000 -December 2000. Methods: The specimens from various infections suspected on clinical ground were processed by Standard methods and antibiotic susceptibility testing of all the 350 S.aureus and 135 MRSA isolates was done by using modified Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion technique. Result: Of 350 positive S.aureus cultures, 135 were found to be Methicillin resistant (38.5%) which showed susceptibility 96%, 94% and 86% to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin and Fucidic acid respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a high incidence of MRSA at Mayo Hospital Lahore. Glycopeptides and Fucidic acid were found to be valuable antibiotics against MRSA.
Influence of gibberellin inhibitors applied during flowering of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado trees

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors on shoot growth above the panicle, as well as on fruit yield, size, and shape of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana) trees. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with five treatments, four replicates, and 40 trees. From 2013 to 2015, the following treatments were applied at full bloom, as foliar sprayings: water (control), 250 mg L-1 prohexadione-calcium, 2,500 mg L-1 trinexapac-ethyl, 1,750 mg L-1 paclobutrazol, and 350 mg L-1 uniconazole; the first two are acylcyclohexanediones and the last two, triazoles. Fruit yield, yield efficiency, and alternate bearing were not affected by the application of plant growth regulators. However, the gibberellin inhibitors increased fruit size and modified the fruit shape of nonirrigated 'Hass' avocado. Uniconazole reduces shoot growth above the panicle, and this effect may vary depending on environmental conditions, especially water supply.
Computed tomography perfusion in detecting malignant middle cerebral artery infarct

Background: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is an emerging modality which produces maps of time-to- peak (TTP), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV), with a computerized automated map of the infarct and penumbra. This modality provides a better evaluation of the extent of infarction, making it a potential method for assessing patients suffering from large middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions. Methods: A prospective cohort study of all patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who presented with the clinical diagnosis of a large MCA infarction within 48 h of onset were subjected to CT brain, and CTP scans on admission and were followed up to determine the development of malignant infarction requiring surgical decompression. Results: CTP parameters were generally lower in patients with malignant brain infarct (MBI) group compared to the nonMBI group. The largest mean difference between the group was noted in the TTP values (P = 0.005). CTP parameters had a comparable positive predictive value (83%–90%) and high net present value (88–93). CBF with cutoff value of >32.85 of the hemisphere could accurately predict malignant infarctions in 81.4% of cases. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of more than 13.5 was also found to be able to accurately determine malignant infarct (97.6%). Functional outcome of patients based on Glasgow outcome scale was similar on discharge, however, showed improvement at 6 months during reviewed base on modified Rankin scale (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CTP parameters should be included in the initial evaluation of patients to predict malignant brain infarction and facilitate surgical treatment of large MCA infarctions. Key messages: CT perfusion parameters have an important role in predicting malignant brain infarction and should be included in the initial evaluation of patients to facilitate the early identification and surgical treatment of large middle cerebral artery infarctions, to improve patient’s prognosis.
THE EFFECTS OF VIDEO SHOOTING PROJECT ON LEARNER AUTONOMY

Development of learner autonomy has been recognized as an important subject in education for a long time as autonomous learners are found to take responsibility for their own learning and make independent decisions. There have been an increasing number of studies conducted to find out the ways of fostering learners’ autonomy, but there are only a few in the field of English Language Education; thus this study aims to promote Turkish EFL learners’ autonomy through a collaborative video-shooting project assigned by the instructor. Data was collected by means of Autonomous Learning Scale (Macaskill &Taylor, 2010) given to the 20 students at the beginning and end of the project and semi-structured interviews conducted with eight randomly chosen students. The results of the study showed that videoshooting project had positive impacts on learners’ autonomy. This project developed students’ language skills and technological skills, promoted their independence of learning eg. intrinsic motivation, taking responsibility for their own learning, self-confidence and ability to deal with new activities and challenges and improved their study habits like managing time and meeting deadlines.
An analysis of modern business practises

The magnitude of organizational change is one of the measures of sustained success in a competitive globalized market such as that which exists today. With new technology and practices, organizational change occurs rapidly in today’s economy. The process of change needs special attention and consideration of professional managers towards building a sustainable and successful organization. This study analyzes the need for changes, and the external environment that accentuates the change process. It presents the change phenomena in the six major areas: i) economic scenario, ii) organizational behaviour and human resource management, iii) operations management, iv) management information system, v) financial management, and vi) accounting practices.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry, NBO and Hyperpolarizability Analysis of Yohimbine Hydrochloride

Yohimbine (C 21 H 27 N 2 O 3 ) is one of the most important indole alkaloid. Differential scanning calorimetry, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and dipole moment with hyperpolarizability have been performed for molecular characterization. Stability of the molecule arising from hyper conjugative interactions, charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. The results show that charge in electron density (ED) in the ? * and ? * anti bonding orbitals and E(2) energies confirms the occurrence of intra molecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. The Himalayan Physics Vol. 3, No. 3 2012 Page : 44-49