Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Stereospermum kunthianum on Carbon Tetrachloride - Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Aim: This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of the aqueous stem bark extract of Stereospermum kunthianum on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methodology: Analysis of qualitative phytochemical components and antioxidant activity were carried out. Experimental rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Group 1: served as the normal control group. Group 2: was administered with CCl4 only at a dose of 3 ml/kg b.wt by single intraperitoneal administration. Group 3: served as the standard control group. Group 4: was administered with 200 mg/kg b.wt of the aqueous stem bark extract + CCl4. Group 5: was administered with 400 mg/kg b.wt of the aqueous stem bark extract + CCl4. Group 6: was administered with 600 mg/kg b.wt of the aqueous stem bark extract+ CCl4. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoid, phenols, saponins, and terpenoid while tannins and alkaloids were absent. The antioxidant activity showed that the extract significantly (P<0.05) inhibits Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Thiobarbituric Acid Original Research Article Jada et al.; AJRB, 8(3): 44-52, 2021; Article no.AJRB. 66225 45 Reactive Substances (TBARS), giving high activity as the concentration of the extract increases. The elevated levels of ALT and AST coupled with Conjugated bilirubin, Total bilirubin, and total protein caused by CCl4 administration were all reduced significantly (P<0.05) by the extract in dose dependent manner. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that stem bark extract of Stereospernmum kunthianum could be an alternative medication for liver injury.
The Utilization of Digital Media by Insurance Agents in Developing Excellent Communication with Customers during COVID-19 Pandemic

In general, the insurance service business sector, including life insurance, experienced a significant decline in turnover during COVID-19. Prudential Life Assurance, Indonesia, as the market leader in the life insurance industry in Indonesia, was able to survive and adapt while still reaping the most significant profits compared to other life insurance companies. It is inseparable from Prudential's success in adapting and innovating in such a limited situation, especially by maximizing digital media. This study aimed to investigate how Prudential Life Assurance agents maximized the use of digital media during the pandemic to still give their excellent services. The findings show that the digital media used by the agents are WhatsApp, Zoom, Email, Pulse, PRUAkses, PUCekatan, PRUForce, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Prudential Life Assurance' official website. The most useful and frequently used applications are WhatsApp, Zoom, PRUAkses, Instagram and Facebook. The agents utilized various digital media to (1) establish communication and provide good service to the customers and (2) promote and market their products.
All-XUV Pump-Probe Transient Absorption Spectroscopy of the Structural Molecular Dynamics of Di-iodomethane

In this work, we use an extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) free-electron laser (FEL) to resonantly excite the I ∶ 4 d 5 = 2 – σ (cid:1) transition of a gas-phase di-iodomethane (CH 2 I 2 ) target. This site-specific excitation generates a 4 d core hole located at an iodine site, which leaves the molecule in a well-defined excited state. We subsequently measure the time-dependent absorption change of the molecule with the FEL probe spectrum centered on the same I ∶ 4 d resonance. Using ab initio calculations of absorption spectra of a transient isomerization pathway observed in earlier studies, our time-resolved measurements allow us to assign the timescales of the previously reported direct and indirect dissociation pathways. The presented method is thus sensitive to excited-state molecular geometries in a time-resolved manner, following a core-resonant site-specific trigger.
Forest fire recognition based on dynamic feature similarity of multi-view images

: Forest fire identification is important for forest resource protection. Effective monitoring of forest fires requires the deployment of multiple monitors with different viewpoints, while most traditional recognition models can only recognize images from a single source. By ignoring the information from images with different viewpoints, these models produce high rates of missed and false alarms. In this paper, we propose a graph neural network model based on the similarity of dynamic features of multi-view images to improve the accuracy of forest fire recognition. The input features of the nodes on the graph are converted into relational features of different gallery pairs by establishing pairs (nodes) representing different viewpoint images and gallery images. The new feature library relationship is used to update the image gallery with dynamic features in order to achieve the estimation of similarity between images and improve the image recognition rate of the model. In addition, to reduce the complexity of image pre-processing process and extract key features in images effectively, this paper also proposes a dynamic feature extraction method for fire regions based on image segment ability. By setting the threshold value of HSV color space, the fire region is segmented from the image, and the dynamic features of successive frames of the fire region are extracted. The experimental results show that, compared with the baseline method Resnet, this paper's method is more effective in identifying forest fires, and its recognition accuracy is improved by 2%. And the scheme of this paper can adapt to different forest fire scenes, with better generalization ability and anti-interference ability.
Analysis of Сandida species distribution isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and their antifungal susceptibility profile

Background. Candida species is usually a commensal fungus residing in the vagina, in about 30 %–50 % of healthy adults and remains the most common agent isolated from clinical samples of patients diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Culture is not recommended for all patients on a routine basis but is informative for the exclusion of non-albicans infections resistant to azoles, or recurrent VVC. Identification of Candida species and antifungal susceptibility testing are key elements in the correct management of recurrent VVC. The authors of this paper aimed to study the spectrum of pathogenic Candida species. The antifungal sensitivity patterns of the isolated strains during the years 2017-2019 are also presented. Material and methods. A descriptive study of Candida species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profile was performed. Identification of isolated Candida species was performed by the MALDI-TOF MS, bacterial strains by Vitek 2 automated system (BioMérieux) and antifungal susceptibility profiles by Fungitest (Bio-Rad). Results. Of the 1030 recovered strains, C. albicans species predominated 83.8% and Candida non albicans -16.2%. The most common species of the Candida non-albicans, were C.glabrata (7.5%). Also, it was observed that in 56.6% of the cases C. albicans presented bacterial associations. The most common microbial association was C. albicans and S.aureus (26.6%), followed by C. albicans and E.coli (20.8%). Candida spp. showed moderate antifungal resistance. The resistance rate of C. albicans isolates to miconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole was 25.5%, 17.0% and 11.4% compared to non-albicans Candida strains which showed a resistance rate of 10,8%, 14.4% and 10%, respectively. Conclusions. C. albicans is the most frequently isolated species among patients with VVC, but there is also an increase share of non-albicans Candida species such as C. glabrata. C. albicans isolates showed higher indices of resistance, than Candida non-albicans.
Trust, but verify: model-based exploration in sparse reward environments

We propose trust-but-verify (TBV) mechanism, a new method which uses model uncertainty estimates to guide exploration. The mechanism augments graph search planning algorithms with the capacity to deal with learned model’s imperfections. We identify certain type of frequent model errors, which we dub false loops , and which are particularly dangerous for graph search algorithms in discrete environments. These errors impose falsely pessimistic expectations and thus hinder exploration. We conﬁrm this experimentally and show that TBV can effectively alleviate them. TBV combined with MCTS or Best First Search forms an effective model-based reinforcement learning solution, which is able to robustly solve sparse reward problems.
Investigation and amelioration of long-term instrumental drifts in water vapor and nitrous oxide measurements from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and their implications for studies of variability and trends

Abstract. The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), launched on NASA's Aura spacecraft in 2004, measures vertical profiles of the abundances of key atmospheric species from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere with daily near-global coverage. We review the first 15 years of the record of H2O and N2O measurements from the MLS 190-GHz subsystem (along with other 190-GHz information), with a focus on their long-term stability, largely based on comparisons with measurements from other sensors. These comparisons generally show signs of an increasing drift in the MLS version 4 (v4) H2O record starting around 2010. Specifically, comparisons with v4.1 measurements from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) indicate a ~2–3 %/decade drift over much of the stratosphere, increasing to as much as ~7 %/decade around 46 hPa. Larger drifts, of around 7–11 %/decade, are seen in comparisons to balloon-borne frost point hygrometer measurements in the lower stratosphere. In contrast, the MLS v4 N2O product is shown to be generally decreasing over the same period (when an increase in stratospheric N2O is expected, reflecting a secular growth in emissions), with a more pronounced drift in the lower stratosphere than that found for H2O. Detailed investigations of the behavior of the MLS 190-GHz subsystem reveal a drift in its sideband fraction (the relative sensitivity of the 190-GHz receiver to the two different parts of the microwave spectrum it observes). Our studies indicate that sideband fraction drift accounts for much of the observed changes in the MLS H2O product and some portion of the changes seen in N2O. The 190-GHz sideband fraction drift has been corrected in the new version 5 MLS algorithms, which have now been used to reprocess the entire MLS record. As a result of this correction, the MLS v5 H2O record shows no statistically significant drifts compared to ACE-FTS. However, statistically significant drifts remain between MLS v5 and frost point measurements, though they are reduced. Drifts in v5 N2O are about half the size of those in v4 but remain statistically significant. Scientists are advised to use MLS v5 data in all future studies. Quantification of inter-regional and seasonal-to-annual changes in MLS H2O and N2O will not be affected by the drift. However, caution is advised in studies using the MLS record to examine long-term (multi-year) variability and trends in either of these species, especially N2O; such studies should only be undertaken in consultation with the MLS team. Importantly, this drift does not affect any of the MLS observations made in other spectral regions such as O3, HCl, CO, ClO, or temperature.
Millennial university students’ valuation of traditional wine: Evidence from an experimental auction

Th is paper analyzes whether the perception of traditional wine brings value to millennials. Based on survey data and experimental auctions (165 participants), this study identifi es the main factors aff ecting this consumer groups’ willingness to pay for traditional wine through a Tobit model methodology. Th e results suggest that millennials are willing to pay a higher price depending on demographic factors such as monthly disposable income, on wine involvement variables such as consumption frequency, and on nourishing and health aspects and product availability at points of sale, both of which are wine purchase decision criteria. Th e investigation has signifi cant marketing and policy implications.
Corporate Governance Mechanism on Financial Performance (Evidence from the Indonesia’s Listed State-owned Enterprises)

Objective – This study aims to find the impact of privatization, which proxied by good corporate governance toward the financial performance of SOEs in Indonesia. Methodology – This study used 16 privatized SOEs that are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange and also 16 privatized non-SOEs as the comparison. The data is collected from the year 2014 to 2018 and analyzed by using multiple regression panel data. Findings – This study found that director size and board independence have a positive impact toward SOEs financial performance. The director size and board independences have a positive significant impact toward the SOEs financial performance while the privatized non-SOEs is not significantly affected Novelty – This study examines proper governance structure in SOEs and non-SOEs, thus providing new insights about good corporate governance regulation in the Indonesian context.
Cancer Therapy: Preclinical Pazopanib Reveals a Role for Tumor Cell B-Raf in the Prevention of HER2þ Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

Purpose: Brain metastases of breast cancer contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. We have tested pazopanib, a recently approved antiangiogenic drug that targets VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, PDGFRb, PDGFRa, and c-kit, for prevention of experimental brain metastases and mechanism
Algorithms for analysis of next-generation viral sequencing data

RNA viruses mutate at extremely high rates, forming an intra-host viral population of closely related variants, which allows them to evade the host’s immune system and makes them particularly dangerous. Viral outbreaks pose a significant threat for public health. Progress of sequencing technologies made it possible to identify and sample intra-host viral populations at great depth. Consequently, the contribution of sequencing technologies to molecular surveillance of viral outbreaks becomes more and more substantial. Genome sequencing of viral populations reveals similarities between samples, allows to measure viral genetic distance and facilitate outbreak identification and isolation. Computational methods can be used to infer transmission characteristics from sequencing data. However, due to the specifics of next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, and the limited availability of viral data, existing methods lack accuracy and efficiency. In this dissertation, I present a novel, flexible methods, that allow tackling crucial epidemiological problems, such as identification of transmission clusters, sources of infection, and transmission direction. INDEX WORDS: Genetic relatedness, transmission networks, outbreak investigations, clustering. ALGORITHMS FOR ANALYSIS OF NEXT-GENERATION VIRAL SEQUENCING DATA
Hanguanadeflexa (Hanguanaceae), a new forest species from Sarawak, Borneo

Abstract Hanguanadeflexasp. nov. (Hanguanaceae) from Lawas district, Sarawak, Malaysia (northern Borneo) is described and illustrated, bringing the total number of species in Borneo to eight. The new species differs from all other recognized Hanguana species by a combination of flat leaf blade, deflexed infructescences, one-seeded dull red fruits with centrally positioned stigma and globose seed with wedge-shaped ostiole. Revised key for Bornean Hanguana species is presented.
Attack Prediction By Using Greedy Algorithm For Diminishing The Drop And Delay In Wireless Sensor Networks

The essential constraint of the internet is that forwarding the data packets of data among the restricted and trustworthy data nodes. If the receiver node is attacker node then it'll drop the data rather than forwarding the data to ensuing neighbor node. Therefore, efficient and secure data transmission is extremely necessary within the network data transmission. Each router node within the network can accept the data packets up to its buffer size only. Once the queue value reached the buffer threshold value then congestion can occur at the node. Once congestion happens then it would lose the data packets. By sending the data packets to the next neighbour node this problem will be resolved. This congestion will be handled by the Fully Distributed Congestion Control FDCC and Cooperative and Memory Efficient Token Bucket (CMTB) algorithms. Because the data is transmitted to the next neighbour node predicting the node behavior is extremely necessary because it is an attacker or the conventional transmitter node because it has to transmit the efficient data securely to the destination node. In this paper, the node behavior will be predicted by analyzing the trace file. The simulation results show that this proposed method would provide a lot of security in data transmission. The WSN comprises a group of sensor nodes that are disseminated on the network. These sensor nodes initially exchange their data packets to the near nodes to send the data packets to the target node. During the transmission of these data packets some data packets drop may also happen inside the network. This packet drop should be kept up as low as feasible for correct data transmission to the target node or destination node. This algorithm highlights the routes with high link quality, low packet delay and with low packet drop. Simulation results show that this proposed algorithm can provide the most effective path for transmitting the data to the destination meanwhile it reduces the packet drop and packet delay.
Biosystems Diversity

The distribution of virioplankton, abundance and production, frequency of visibly infected cells of heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic picocyanobacteria and their virus-induced mortality have been studied in mesotrophic and eutrophic reservoirs of the Upper and Middle Volga (Ivankovo, Uglich, Rybinsk, Gorky, Cheboksary, and Sheksna reservoirs). The abundance of planktonic viruses (VA) is on average by 4.6 ± 1.2 times greater than the abundance of bacterioplankton (BA). The distribution of VA in the Volga reservoirs was largely determined by the distribution of BA and heterotrophic bacterioplankton production (PB). There was a positive correlation between VA and BA and between VA and PB. In addition, BA and VA were both positively correlated with primary production of phytoplankton. Viral particles of 60 to 100 μm in size dominated in the phytoplankton composition. A large number of bacteria and picocyanobacteria with viruses attached to the surface of their cells were found in the reservoirs. Viruses as the most numerous component of plankton make a significant contribution to the formation of the planktonic microbial community biomass. The number of phages inside infected cells of bacteria and picocyanobacteria reached 74‒109 phages/cell. Easily digestible organic matter, which entered the aquatic environment as a result of viral lysis of bacteria and picocyanobacteria, could be an additional source of carbon for living bacteria. The results of long-term studies indicate a significant role of viruses in functioning of planktonic microbial communities in the Volga reservoirs.
The Empirical Analysis of Disease Burden and Wealth Creation in Nigeria

The study investigates the impact of disease burden on wealth creation in Nigeria using annual time series data ranging from 2006-2018. The different levels of integration of the data warrant the use of Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model as methodology for the analysis. The theoretical framework was based on the Disability Life Years (DALY) of Murray (1996) which says that the burden of disease is arrived at by the number of years a person loses as a result of dying early due to ailments and the number of years of life a person lives with disability caused by the disease. The long run empirical analysis revealed that wealth creation has impact on disease burden in Nigeria. This conversely infers that as the source of livelihood increase, the disease burden on the population is reduced because people will have income to attract health consideration which invariably will reduce the chances of suffering from diseases. The life expectancy at birth has a more significant impact on disease burden than population and even wealth creation. It is therefore recommended that measures that lead to wealth creation should be harnessed as this will greatly reduce the burden of diseases in Nigeria which will invariably increase life expectancy at birth.
PRIMING EFFECTS FOR THE UNEXPECTED STIMULUS IN INATTENTIONAL BLINDNESS

Anahtar kelimeler dikkatsizlik körlüğü, hazır olma, bilinç, algısal işleme, anlamsal işleme Abstract Studies on inattentional blindness demonstrate that a stimulus that unexpectedly appears in the visual environment may be undetected when attention is engaged in a task. The stimulus can still be processed and remembered at the perceptual and semantic level. The question of whether this is still the case when there are items to be ignored in the visual environment remains. In the present study investigating this question, participants attended to furniture pictures while they ignored other pictures. In the inattention trial, an unexpected word appeared in the middle of the circular display. Participants blind to the word were compared to ones who were not exposed to the word. In Experiment 1, participants were more likely to complete a word fragment with this word than the ones who were not exposed to the word. In Experiment 2, participants were more likely to choose the picture of this word than the ones who were not exposed to the word. These studies show that the undetected unexpected stimulus is processed at the perceptual and semantic level and produces priming effects on a subsequent task. Findings were discussed with regards to the possible memory correlates of undetected visual information and levels of consciousness.
From ‘Brexhaustion’ to ‘Covidiots’: the UK United Kingdom and the Populist Future

One consequence of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic is the acceleration of Britain’s shift towards populism, and the rejection of expert-informed policymaking in favour of vox populi claims. The continuation of this toxicity beyond Brexit means that nationalist narratives have become Britain’s new ‘politics of everything’ (Valluvan 2019). The past five years have seen growing British contempt for technocracy, with ‘us and them’ populist narratives gaining widespread traction as the United Kingdom’s (UK) volatile political environment moves away from the political procedures and economic values by which the UK has operated since 1945. Since early 2020, this narrative has been significantly accelerated by Covid-19 countermeasures, with anti-EU parties and narratives on the left and right becoming anti-lockdown or anti-vaccine advocates. This commentary approaches the surge in British populism as emblematic of the UK’s shift from centrism towards polarised factions defined not by party, but by cross-spectrum contempt for technical governance. We argue that while populism is a worldwide phenomenon, it is not homogenous and the UK is particularly vulnerable to anti-status quo discourses and narratives. We argue that British populism should be seen not as a temporary phenomenon in response to specific events and conditions, but as a fluid, amorphous and heterogeneous ‘new normal’ which, in an environment of social mistrust, contempt for expertise and disillusionment with traditional politics, is now becoming the defining characteristic of British politics. © 2021, Journal of Contemporary European Research. All Rights Reserved.