Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chondroprotective potential of bioactive compounds of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. against cytokine-induced cartilage degradation in explant culture

The active compounds, cis-3-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-{(E)-2''',4''',5'''-trimethoxystyryl}cyclohex-1-ene (Compound C) and (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol (Compound D), have been identified in hexane fraction of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. , the medicinal plant which has been used for pain relief in arthritis including osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was therefore interesting to investigate the chondroprotective activity of these compounds in vitro. Articular cartilage explants were cultured in the culture media containing 7 ng/ml of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in the presence or absence of Compound C or Compound D at the concentration range of 1 to 100 μM. It was found that these compounds at concentrations of 10 and 100 μM significantly inhibited the IL-1β-induced cartilage degeneration by conserving the content of the cartilage matrix biomolecules such as collagen and uronic acid (UA) within the cartilage explants; and also resulted in the decline of releasing sulfated glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid (HA) into the culture media. The increase in activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-13 caused by IL-1β was significantly diminished by Compound C and Compound D. Additionally, the results showed no significant difference between the two active constituents and diacerein, an anti-arthritic agent used in OA, in those activities at a concentration of 100 μM. This is a pioneering evidence that indicate the potential chondroprotective property of the Z. cassumunar active compounds. Key words: Zingiber cassumunar, chondroprotective activity, cartilage explant, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cis-3-(2',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-{(E)-2''',4''',5'''-trimethoxystyryl}cyclohex-1-ene, (E)-4-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-ol.
Proteomics - A Powerful Tool to Deepen the Molecular Mechanisms of Aortic Stenosis Disease

Felix Gil-Dones1, Fernando de la Cuesta1, Gloria Alvarez-Llamas2, Luis R. Padial3, Luis F. Lopez-Almodovar5, Tatiana Martin-Rojas1, Fernando Vivanco2,4 and Maria G. Barderas1 1Department of Vascular Physiopathology. Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, SESCAM, Toledo, 2Department of Immunology, IISFundacion Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, 3Department of Cardiology, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, SESCAM, Toledo, 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, 5Cardiac Surgery, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo Spain
Structural Performance Evaluation of Landolphia buchananii Shear Reinforced Concrete Beams

This study aims to evaluate the performance of Landolphia buchananii shear reinforced concrete beams to establish the potential of Landolphia buchananii as a shear reinforcement of concrete beams. Tensile strength test on Landolphia buchananii was performed and reinforced concrete beam test was done. The performance of Landolphia buchananii shear reinforced concrete beam was compared to that of steel shear reinforced concrete beam. Varying size/area of shear reinforcement of Landolphia buchananii was used for beam specimen made of concrete of average compressive strength of 20.8 N/mm2. The results showed that the failure loads increased with increase in area/size of shear reinforcement. Tensile strength of Landolphia buchananii was found to be 65 percent lower than that of conventional mild steel. The study showed that Landolphia buchananii can be used as shear reinforcement in concrete beams and can be used as a substitute of steel under low loading regimes.
Time-delayed feedback control of shear-driven micellar systems

Suspensions of elongated micelles under shear display complex non-linear behaviour including shear banding, spatio-temporal oscillatory patterns and chaotic response. Based on a suitable rheological model [S. M. Fielding and P. D. Olmsted, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 084502 (2004)], we here explore possibilities to manipulate the dynamical behaviour via closed-loop (feedback) control involving a time delay $\tau$. The model considered relates the viscoelastic stress of the system to a structural variable, that is, the length of the micelles, yielding two time- and space-dependent dynamical variables $\xi_1$, $\xi_2$. As a starting point we perform a systematic linear stability analysis of the uncontrolled system for (i) an externally imposed average shear rate and (ii) an imposed total stress, and compare the results to those from extensive numerical simulations. We then apply the so-called Pyragas feedback scheme where the evolution equations for one or both variables are supplemented by a control term of the form $K\left(\xi_i(t)-\xi_i(t-\tau)\right)$. Focusing on parameters close to a Hopf bifurcation, where the uncontrolled systems display oscillatory or chaotic states, we demonstrate that the Pyragas control can stabilize homogeneous steady states for both types of control. We explore in detail the regimes of successful stabilization in the $K$-$\tau$-plane by a linear stability analysis and by simulations. It turns out that the results from the (simpler) diagonal Pyragas scheme, which acts on both variables, are quite close to those from the physically more meaningful non-diagonal scheme acting on the stress alone.
ANFIS AND BPNN BASED POWER ESTIMATION METHOD FOR CMOS VLSI CIRCUITS

Newer advancement in VLSI technology has led to integration of large number of transistors in a single chip and complexity of the circuits increases rapidly so that the power estimation became vital task at this stage. This work presents an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System and Back Propagation Neural Network based method of power estimation for CMOS VLSI Circuits. The significant aspect of the proposed technique is that it can estimate power precisely without the requirement of detailed structure of the circuit and its interconnections. Fuzzy logic system is an artificial intelligence tool and its application within the power estimation problem is relatively new. Power estimation using ANFIS is done by creating initial FIS models using Subtractive clustering and hybrid learning is used for training adaptive neuro fuzzy inference systems. The BPNN is trained with various training functions and a relative study on various training algorithms for power estimation is made. The experimental results show that ANFIS gives better result in terms of training error with 0.063 % and testing error with 0.424 percent when compared to BPNN because ANFIS takes the initial fuzzy model and tunes it by means of a hybrid technique combining gradient descent back.
Impacts of Tropical Forest Disturbance Upon Avifauna on a Small Island with High Endemism: Implications for Conservation

Tropical forests are rapidly being lost across Southeast Asia and this is predicted to have severe implications for many of the region's bird species. However, relationships between forest disturbance and avifaunal assemblages remain poorly understood, particularly on small island ecosystems such as those found in the biodiversity 'hotspot' of Wallacea. This study examines how avifaunal richness varies across a disturbance gradient in a forest reserve on Buton Island, southeast Sulawesi. Particular emphasis is placed upon examining responses in endemic and red-listed species with high conservation importance. Results indicate that overall avian richness increases between primary and 30-year-old regenerating secondary forest and then decreases through disturbed secondary forest, but is highest in cleared farmland. However, high species richness in farmland does not signify high species distinctiveness; bird community composition here differs signifi cantly from that found in forest sites, and is poor in supporting forest specialists and endemic species. Certain large-bodied endemics such as the Knobbed Hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix) appear to be sensitive to moderate disturbance, with populations occurring at greatest density within primary forest. However, overall endemic species richness, as well as that of endemic frugivores and insectivores, is similar in primary and secondary forest types. Results indicate that well-established secondary forest in particular has an important role in supporting species with high conservational importance, possessing community composition similar to that found in primary forest and supporting an equally high richness of endemic species.
Catalogue of particle-accelerating colliding-wind binaries

Massive systems made of two or more stars are known to be the site for interesting physical processes – including at least in some cases – particle acceleration. Over the past decade, this topic motivated a particular effort to unveil the properties of these systems and characterize the circumstances responsible for the acceleration of particles and the potential role of pre-supernova massive stars in the production of high energy particles in our Galaxy. Although previous studies on this topic were mostly devoted to processes in general, or to a few individual objects in particular, a unified target-oriented census of particle-accelerating colliding-wind binaries (hereafter PACWBs) does not exist yet. This paper aims at making a general and unified census of these systems, emphasizing their main properties. A general discussion includes energetic considerations along with wind properties in relation with non-thermal emission processes that are likely at work in colliding-wind binaries. Finally, some guidelines for future observational and theoretical studies are drawn.
PreParatiOn and PrOPertieS Of fly aSh-baSed geOPOlymer fOamS

An extremely porous geopolymer material – an incombustible alumino-silicate foam – can be prepared by incorporating gas-forming agents into mixtures consisting of an alkaline activating agent (NaOH + sodium water glass) and fly ash. Aluminium powder or materials containing elemental Si (silica fume, FeSi or SiC) may be used as gas-forming agents. Macroscopic pores are given rise thanks to the release of gaseous hydrogen generated during the reaction of aluminium, respectively Si, in a strong alkaline environment. The formation of the foam becomes more intense if aluminium powder is used instead of silica fume. The effect of silica fume can only be observed at concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 percent by weight and at temperatures above 60°C because of a low content of elemental Si in silica fume. The foam formation takes place immediately after the addition of aluminium powder to the mixture but the foam collapsing must be prevented by incorporation of portland cement or lime. The Si reaction in the strong alkaline environment is boosted by the presence of an alumino-silicate material, ie the fly ash. Geopolymer foams prepared by addition of gas-forming aluminium powder or silica fume are characterized by similar pore sizes; the pore size is comparable with that observed in lime-silicate materials produced in autoclave. The volume weight of geopolymer foams is similar to that of other inorganic foams. The strength of geopolymer foams is dependent on their volume weigth. Mechanical properties of geopolymer foams were stable over the investigated period of a year. Geopolymer foams are incombustible and can resist temperatures of up to 1000°C without any sign of decomposition. Their shape does not change after exposure to temperatures ranging from 400 to 800°C. In contrast to lime-silicate foams and cement-based foams the firing of geopolymer foams is not accompanied by the formation of any cracks or by any additional changes (rehydration).
COMSOL Based Multiphysics Analysis of Surface Roughness Effects on Capacitance in RF MEMS

In this paper, the effects of roughness in the surfaces of the plates caused due to nonuniform etching during their release and/or due to defects in the original wafer on the capacitance in RF MEMS parallel plate varactors are analyzed. Capacitance extraction due to surface roughness has been carried out by mixed mode analysis in three steps: 3D modeling of rough surface in COMSOL, linking of the displacement results with MATLAB for generation of best fit polynomials and evaluation of capacitance by closed form integral expressions. This mixed mode of analysis enables fast computation of capacitances for rough surfaces with different boundary conditions in a flexible manner. The analysis has been carried out on different two plate varactor structures reported by others. It has been found that incorporation of small asperities of 80nm heights in these structures reduces the percentage error in the simulated capacitance from the experimental values by more than 10% which is quite significant.
Decreasing airline delay propagation by re-allocating scheduled slack

Passenger airline delays have received increasing attention over the past several years as air space congestion, severe weather, mechanical problems, and other sources cause substantial disruptions to a planned flight schedule. Adding to this challenge is the fact that each flight delay can propagate to disrupt subsequent downstream flights that await the delayed flight's aircraft and crew. This potential for delays to propagate is exacerbated by a fundamental conflict: slack in the planned schedule is often viewed as undesirable, as it implies missed opportunities to utilize costly perishable resources, whereas slack is critical in operations as a means for absorbing disruption. This article shows how delay propagation can be reduced by redistributing existing slack in the planning process, making minor modifications to the flight schedule while leaving the original fleeting and crew scheduling decisions unchanged. Computational results based on data from a major U.S. carrier are presented that show that significant improvements in operational performance can be achieved without increasing planned costs.
Long term trends in fair and unfair inequality in the United States

ABSTRACT This article analyses the microeconomic sources of wage inequality in the United States from 1967–2012. Decomposing inequality into factors categorized by degree of personal responsibility, education explains over twice as much of inequality today as 45 years ago. However, neither hours worked nor education, industry, marital status, or geographical location can explain the rise in income inequality. In fact, ‘unfair’ inequality (income disparity derived from non-responsibility factors) has risen faster than ‘fair’ inequality (income disparity derived from responsibility factors), regardless of the set of variables chosen as fair sources of inequality. We further examine income inequalities within gender and racial groups, finding substantial heterogeneity. Overall, using micro data to understand the sources of inequality and how these changes over time can provide better information for policymakers motivated to combat rising inequality.
Above Real Time Training for Team Invasion Sport Skills

Decision-making is identified as a key element of elite sporting success. There are many challenges, however, in the design and implementation of a decision-training tool. These include difficulty in recreating a scenario in which the simulation allows the participant to feel like they are performing in the ‘real game’, and creating a training tool that can complement an existing physical training regime. The main aim of this paper is to present arguments for the use of above-real-time training, as popularly used in military and pilot training, as a viable simulation training method in the sporting arena. Above-real-time simulations are simulations that are played above normal speed. The potential benefits of using traditional video simulations are discussed, especially with respect to the promotion of key characteristics of elite performance, such as automaticity. Furthermore, the possible practical applications of using above-real-time video simulations will be explored in relation to fast-paced invasion sports.
Time Efficient and Improved Parallel Processing Method for Detecting Duplicate Data in CD-Dataset

IJRAET Abstract−In Data mining, we are getting data from the cloud databases and large size datasets will be increased in the cloud. Hence, when we want to use that dataset, user must clean that dataset. In the processes of data cleaning, duplicate detection is one phase. At present, users wants to process the larger datasets in the less time and that not possible in the existing system. To detect the duplicates in the datasets traditionally, number of methods are there but those are not time efficient and users cannot get accurate data results. Traditionally, we used two methods namely, 1) Progressive Sorted neighborhood Method (PSNM), 2) Progressive Blocking (PB) Method. These two methods are providing the good quality in duplicate detection but those are not time efficient. To overcome this drawback, in this paper we propose a time efficient parallel processing method. This method extended by traditional progressive sorted neighborhood method only. This parallel Processing method, detect the duplicate data faster than the existing methods. In experiments, we can observe the processing time of the parallel method and normal method.
Blood pressure, heart rate and its autonomic modulation in malnourished rats at different ages

Malnutrition is responsible for a number of alterations that occur in the organism, including alterations in the cardiovascular system. We hypothesize that long periods of malnutrition occurring after weaning may also be responsible for alterations in the cardiovascular system. Wistar rats were separated into the two following experimental groups: a labina ® diet-fed control group (CG) and a malnourished group (MG), fed a multi-deficient diet. Results showed that the mg presented significantly lower body weight (p < 0.001) in rats of all ages, higher heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05) when rats were 3, 4 and 5 months old and lower HR in rats from 6 to 9 months of age, in relation to the CG. Spectral analysis showed a significant increase in the low frequencies (LF) components in the MG compared to the CG from the third month onwards (p < 0.05), showing evidence of sympathetic predominance greater cardiac autonomic balance in the MG versus that of CG indicated that, although aging influences autonomic behavior, it may also be altered by nutrition. Morphologically, an increase in the ventricle weight/body weight ratio was seen in the MG. These results show that the hearts of rats in the MG were not spared from malnutrition age-related detrimental cardiac effects associated with malnutrition.
Construction of a molecular marker linkage map and its use for quantitative trait locus (QTLs) underlying drought tolerance at germination stage in soybean

A backcross inbred line (BIL) population of soybean was examined under polyethylene glycol (PEG) and well-watered conditions to identify the quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling the drought-tolerance at germination stage. The recipient, SNWS0048, was a wild soybean with strong drought tolerance and the donor, Jinda73, was a drought-sensitive variety with superior agronomic traits. The molecular genetic linkage map was produced using the technique of simple sequence repeats (SSR) marker and tool of gene mapping, and 120 SSR markers and 2 morphology markers covering 1655.4 cM were produced. The average genetic distance between markers was 17.68 cM. The range of markers per linkage group was from 2 to 9, and the length was from 2.8 to 230.0 cM. Most of the markers among linkages were well distributed. 17 QTLs with additive effects and/or additive × environment interaction effects, involved in drought tolerance of soybean in germination stage, were found on linkage group G2-A2, G10-D2, G11-E. Out of these QTLs, 9 QTLs only were significant in additive effects, 8 QTLs had additive effect and additive effect by PEG treatment. Four tightly linked QTLs (Sat_199-I on MLG G2-A2, I-Satt327 on G2-A2, Satt528-Sat_365 on MLG G10-D2, Satt573-Satt606 on MLG G11-E) controlling drought tolerant traits in germination stage were revealed, and would be useful in future for marker assisted selection programs (MAS) and cultivar improvement. Key words : Soybean, molecular marker linkage map, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), drought tolerance, germination stage.
In Their Eyes: HIV prevention from an Islamic perspective in Lamu, Kenya.

Despite efforts to curb the spread of HIV amongst the youth and its positive indication of success in Kenya, the epidemic continues to pose serious challenges to these efforts amongst all demographic groupings across Kenya. This article presents findings of a qualitative study involving 45 youth and 23 Islamic leaders from Lamu, Kenya. The study looked at participant’s perceptions of HIV/AIDS. It also explored participant’s perceptions on what they see as the factors influencing HIV transmission amongst the Lamu youth. Additionally a literature review was used together with the study findings to identify elements for an Islamic based HIV prevention intervention. Our findings indicated that both the youth and religious leaders’ perceptions of HIV/AIDS comprise a mixture of facts and misconceptions. The participants identified idleness, drug abuse and premarital sex as key factors contributing to the risk of HIV infection amongst the Lamu youth. The symbiotic relationship between religious leaders and youth on various aspects of daily practices was evident throughout the study thereby suggesting the importance of working with both in addressing HIV/AIDS in Lamu.
A model for multi-perspective opinion inferences

A text might give rise to various projections: a writer, a text and a reader projection. Given the (proclaimed) factuality of a text, the overt or hidden attitudes between the various referents can be inferred, as well as the writers opinion and given the reader’s preferences his or her perception of the whole. Moreover, some sentences might even indicate controversial topics if viewed from a common sense perspective. We introduce an approach based on Description Logics that integrates these various perspectives into a joint model.