Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition of Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) and the Quality Control of its Herbal Medicinal Products

Eurycoma longifolia which is known as Tongkat Ali is commonly found in Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. This plant is famously known for its various pharmacological activities. The plant is also reported to consist of various types of important bioactive compounds such as quassinoids, canthine-6-one alkaloids, triterpenes, squalene derivatives, $-carboline alkaloids etc which are mostly found in the root part. The presence of these important phytochemicals contributes to their different types of therapeutic effects more especially in terms of aphrodisiac properties which have resulted in a massive increase in demand and production of their Herbal Medicinal Products (HMP). These situations have resulted in the production of E. longifolia HMPs whose quality are questionable, which might be as a result of restricted of sources that might lead to some unethical activities carried out by suppliers and manufacturers in order to gain more profit. Therefore, this review focused on adulteration issues such as contamination and substitution of E. longifolia HMP. The review also includes the possible solutions on how to improve the quality of these HMP so as they can be safe for consumption. Embracing pharmacovigilance in the preparation of the HMP, proper implementation of agricultural practices such as Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) together with the establishment of effective regulatory bodies would undoubtedly improve the quality of E. longifolia HMP sold in the market. The detailed knowledge about the main composition of the E. longifolia HMP will help to ascertain their quality, efficacy and safety as these are very important toward quality control.
Differential Hallmarks of Celiac Versus Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is an intestinal tissue transglutaminase (TG2)- and IgE-independent form of GS. NCGS is approximately 6× more prevalent than the classical celiac disease (CD), and its incidence is on the rise. Because of its high rela- tive prevalence and striking resemblance to other forms of GS, there is a greater need to develop new and accurate diagnostic assays to facilitate its definitive diagnosis. As the presence of serum anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) in the absence of TG2 antibodies is suggestive of NCGS, several reports have recommended AGA immunoassays for differential diagnosis. Although AGA immunoassays are in general suitable for diagnostic purpose, to corroborate NCGS and to distinguish it from CD, a simultaneous use of CD-specific diagnostics, i.e., TG2 antibody-based assay, is also required. Due to lower accuracy of AGA assays than those of TG2-based ones, there will always be a chance (estimated to 5–10%) of misdiagnosing NCGS. Moreover, AGA-based diag-nostics would not take into consideration the fact that NCGS is potentially triggered by not only gluten but also other molecules such as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs). Therefore, a second gen- eration of assays needs to be developed to differentiate NCGS from CD with high accuracy. (LPS) [35]. several for their be used as differential diagnostic tools including anti-LPS, anti-flagellin, and anti-soluble CD14 (sCD14), the best predictive values were attributed to antibodies targeting LPS and sCD14. These results corroborated that NCGS and CD have common and differential features that can be further exploited for the development of more sensitive and accurate differential diagnostic assays.
Life on the Edge: A Study of Cryobiosis in the Tardigrada

The search for life on other planets has brought with it a renewed interest in the study of extremophiles as it relates to cold-tolerance. The means for the elucidation of these studies has been through the use of analog-sites in the polar regions of Earth as approximations of extra-planetary environments. These extreme environments are typified by low annual temperatures, low levels of available liquid water, food and light. Despite these conditions, however, life prevails. Perhaps one of the most "extreme" organisms residing in these environments are tardigrades. These micrometazoans are capable of withstanding temperature extremes from 150°C to -276°C, pressure, X-ray radiation, dessication and salinity. Of relevance to this thesis is the ability of the tardigrade to withstand extreme low temperature, which they do by entering a cryobiotic, or latent state. Cryobiosis is seen as an extreme form of cold-tolerance, but apparently lacking a lower lethal temperature (LL T). Despite the incredible advantages that this strategy confers, cryobiosis remains poorly understood. This study provides a review of the literature on freeze tolerance and cryobiosis to bridge the two spheres of research, as well as clarifying the nomenclature used in these papers. Particular attention is paid to the terms of cryoprotective dehydration and cryobiosis, proposing that cryoprotective dehydration be thought of instead as a process leading to the latent state. Experiments were conducted to explore the relationship that time and temperature have on cryobiotic capability in the tardigrade Macrobiotus harmsworthii. Results showed that both time and temperature played a significant role above -80°C, with poor survivability at -20°C. At -80°C, however, time no longer appeared to play a role in viability.
Effect of Ethanol Extract of Glycine Max (Soy Bean) on Serum Lipid Profile of Fat-Fed Hyperlipidemic Rats

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the important causes of cardiovascular disease related mortality and morbidity and recently it has become a significant issue in public health problem of developing countries. The purpose of the study was to see the effect of glycine max (soy bean) on serum lipid profile of experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by high cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol in olive oil. This study was done on 24 long Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus) weighing about 200-210 gram. For convenience, the study was divided into Experiment I and Experiment II. In experiment I, 12 rats were divided into two groups- Group A (n = 6, control group) fed on laboratory diet and Group B (n=6) fed on laboratory diet and soy bean extract for 35 days. In experiment II, the remaining 12 rats were divided into 2 groups, Group C (n=6) were fed on laboratory diet and high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 35 days and Group D (n=6) were fed laboratory diet and high cholesterol diet on initial 10 days and soy bean extract was added along with high cholesterol diet for next 25 days. Serum TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured after 35 days. HCD increased TG, TC and LDL-C significantly in group C. Glycine max (soy bean) treated group showed that it decreased plasma TC, TG and LDL-C in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats but Glycine max (soy bean) did not show any significant lipid lowering effect in normolipidemic rats. The results of this experimental study indicate that Glycine max can act as a cholesterol lowering agent and thereby can improve cardiovascular functions. Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2017; 10(1): 21-26
Intérêts des hydrolysats de levure dans les procédés de culture de cellules CHO productrices d'anticorps : analyse cinétique, fractionnements et caractérisation des composés actifs

Ce travail etudie l'interet de l'ajout d'hydrolysats de levure dans un procede de culture de cellules CHO productrices d'anticorps en vue, d'une part, de determiner leur condition d'utilisation et leur role, et, d'autre part, de caracteriser les composes actifs. Pour repondre a ces objectifs, une demarche integrant des etudes cinetiques, des strategies de fractionnement et l'analyse biochimique des hydrolysats et de leurs fractions a ete developpee. En premier lieu, il a ete montre que les hydrolysats de levure presentent des effets significatifs sur les cultures selon leur composition et les conditions d'ajout. De meme, des effets synergiques ont ete mis en evidence par le melange d'hydrolysats generes a partir de differents procedes. D'autre part, des etudes cinetiques ont permis de correler l'influence positive des hydrolysats sur la croissance cellulaire a l'amelioration du metabolisme energetique. Dans un deuxieme temps, la nature biochimique et le role des composes actifs ont ete etudies par la mise en oeuvre d'un procede de nanofiltration membranaire et la reconstitution de melanges de molecules contenues dans un extrait de levure (EXL). Ces resultats ont mis en evidence l'interet des di- et tri-peptides pour approvisionner le metabolisme energetique et de molecules non nutritives, de poids moleculaire superieur a 500 Da, pour stimuler la vitesse specifique de croissance des cellules. Finalement, le retentat issu de la nanofiltration de l'EXL a ete fractionne a l'aide de divers procedes chromatographiques, unitaires ou associes, pour caracteriser les proprietes physico-chimiques des composes actifs. L'effet des fractions sur la culture de cellules a alors souligne l'interet des molecules chargees positivement, et plus particulierement, des peptides hydrophiles et cationiques pour stimuler la croissance des cellules. Ainsi, nos travaux permettent de mieux apprehender les mecanismes d'action des hydrolysats de levure sur les cellules CHO productrices d'anticorps et proposent des voies d'optimisation pour la simplification d'additifs complexes dans les milieux de culture dedies a la culture de cellules animales
Application of critical discourse analysis in media discourse studies

The critical period in discourse analysis emerged between the late 1990s and early 2000s in the field of applied linguistics drawing upon a variety of analytical frameworks and approaches. The purpose of this review is to find out how CDA plays a vital role in unravelling the hidden ideologies while scrutinizing the presence of power in media discourse studies. This study reviewed fifteen journal articles to examine the ways and methods in which CDA has been used to discover the social phenomenon while revealing the authentic identity of the social actors. It was found that CDA has been utilised widely to unmask the ideologies which discriminate the oppressed group while presenting a positive image for the group with the highest authority. Keywords: CDA; media discourse; ideology; power; social actors
The Future of Internet Corporate Reporting – Creating the Dynamics for Change in Emerging Economies: A Theoretical Framework and Model

This study aims to develop a generic framework for the adoption of Internet corporate reporting (ICR), in developing countries, and to test the applicability of this framework by undertaking an empirical study in a developing country, namely Jordan. The key literature focuses mainly on economic-based theories in explaining different ICR practices as a voluntary disclosure channel. The theoretical foundation underpinning the study integrates several of these disclosure frameworks with innovation diffusion theories. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 150 CEOs and CFOs of companies, with usable websites, listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. Based on managers’ evaluation, four factors were further identified as significant contributors to ICR adoption, namely cost-benefit balance, management commitment, internal technology readiness, and users’ attention. Given the lack of an overarching theoretical framework for studying ICR, this study presents an assessment framework for ICR adoption, which enables managers to evaluate the current status of a company in respect of three aspects of readiness to engage in ICR, these being: organisation, technology, and environment.
LIMB-DARKENING COEFFICIENTS FOR ECLIPSING WHITE DWARFS

We present extensive calculations of linear and nonlinear limb-darkening coefficients as well as complete intensity profiles appropriate for modeling the light-curves of eclipsing white dwarfs. We compute limb-darkening coefficients in the Johnson–Kron–Cousins UBVRI photometric system as well as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) ugrizy system using the most up to date model atmospheres available. In all, we provide the coefficients for seven different limb-darkening laws. We describe the variations of these coefficients as a function of the atmospheric parameters, including the effects of convection at low effective temperatures. Finally, we discuss the importance of having readily available limb-darkening coefficients in the context of present and future photometric surveys like the LSST, Palomar Transient Factory, and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). The LSST, for example, may find ∼105 eclipsing white dwarfs. The limb-darkening calculations presented here will be an essential part of the detailed analysis of all of these systems.
A Trend Analysis of Temperature and Rainfall to Predict Climate Change for Northwestern Region of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one in all the foremost climate vulnerable countries of the world. In recent years, climate change studies over the country get plenty of attention by the researchers and policy makers. A substantial quantity of global climate change studies over the country use climate models to estimate future projections and uncertainties. Maximum temperature, precipitation and their potential future changes are evaluated in an ensemble of the 5th Phase Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP5) within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) diagnostic exercise for the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and the available historical data collected by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) during the period 1981-2008 in the north-western region of Bangladesh and also the comparison between these two values. It has been found that average maximum temperature shows a positive trend of increase at a rate of 0.29°C and 5.3°C per century respectively, for BMD data and MPI-ESM-LR (CMIP5) model data. But the rainfall is decreasing at a rate of 8.8 mm and 40.1 mm per century respectively for BMD data and MPI-ESM-LR (CMIP5) model data. It is seen that July was the maximum monsoon rainfall month and January was the lowest rainfall month. The peak frequency is slightly smaller than 12 months, which indicates that the major events are occurring before ending a year compared to the previous year. According to MPI-ESM-LR (CMIP5) model data, future normal temperature on north-western region will be increased at a rate of 1.62°C during the period 2040-2100.
An App to Manage Grammar Level Tests in Language Schools

A typical task in language schools is to assign a level of skill to the students with respect to the language they are going to study. For this, the students are evaluated through a set of level tests that measure the student’s competence. Normally, the assessment consists of an oral competency test, a written competency test, and a listening comprehension test. A characteristic of this type of test is the possibility of evaluating them remotely (usually they are tests with questions where every question has associated a set of possible answers where only one of the answers is correct) without the necessity of the presence of any evaluator. For this reason, it is possible to create computer applications that automate the evaluation and management of test results. This chapter presents a computer application that has been created with the aim of automating the process of management and evaluation of level tests for students of Spanish as a foreign language. The application has been tested at the University of Zaragoza.
Reservations Regarding the Soil Quality Concept

We consider the appropriateness of institutionalizing soil quality as a defined parameter in soil science. The soil management research of land grant universities and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the mission and goals of state, federal, and private conservation agencies stand to be significantly affected. We feel that a non-advocalive examination of this concept could provide a positive contribution. The definition of soil quality has proven elusive and value laden. There is concern by some that the concept has developed arbitrary policy overtones. Our reservations stem from concerns regarding premature acceptance and institutionalization of an incompletely formulated and largely untested paradigm, potential unintended negative outcomes, promotion of a narrowly defined environmental policy in a context normally associated with value-neutral science, and taxonomic andlor regional bias in establishing the paradigm. To date, soil quality assessments have drawn from a relatively narrow crop production and ecological perspective to positively or negatively weight soil quality assessment factors. Although the soil quality paradigm acknowledges multi-defined soil functions, it has yet to operationally recognize and integrate the simultaneity of diverse and often conflicting functions and soil property requirements. Thus, we are attempting to articulate the concerns of many of our colleagues who are reluctant to endorse redefining the soil science paradigm away from the value-neutral tradition of edaphology and specific problem solving to a paradigm based on variable, and often subjective societal perceptions of environmental holism. Traditionally, it has been the soil science profession's role to perform the science to enable resource management policy and problem solving, not to establish relational-based value systems within the science. We suggest emphasizing quality soil management rather than soil quality management as a professional and scientific goal.
A Study into the Effects of Competitive Team-Based Learning and 'Learning Together' on the Oral Performance of Intermediate EFL Learners

The present study intended to look into and compare the possible effects of Competitive Team-Based Learning (CTBL) with Learning Together (LT) or Cooperative GroupBased Learning (CGBL)– the most popular method of Cooperative Learning (CL)-on oral performance of Iranian EFL intermediate students. After administering the oral interview, the researcher selected a group of 40 almost homogeneous Iranian intermediate students and randomly assigned them to control and experimental groups – 20 per group. Based on their scores, the experimental class was divided into 5 almost heterogeneous teams - four members each. But in the control group, the participants were allowed to shape their own favourable groups. For six weeks (18 sessions of 90 minutes each), both the groups received the same course materials, instructor, curriculum, out of-class and in-class assignments, schedule of instruction and equivalent methods of evaluation, but the experimental group experienced language learning via CTBL rather than via the CGBL as their counterparts in the control group. At the end of the course again the oral interview was administered to both the groups. Then the obtained scores on pre-test and post-test were analyzed through different statistical procedures. The results of the study rejected the null hypothesis and provided evidence supporting the hypothesis that CTBL can have a more significant effect on improving the oral performance of Iranian intermediate students. This researcher will discuss the probable causes for the results of the study, and will shed light on the pedagogical implications. She will also suggest recommendations for further research.
Chemical NO x budget in the upper troposphere over the tropical South Pacific

The chemical NOx budget in the upper troposphere over the tropical South Pacific is analyzed using aircraft measurements made at 6–12 km altitude in September 1996 during the Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM) Tropics A campaign. Chemical loss and production rates of NOx along the aircraft flight tracks are calculated with a photochemical model constrained by observations. Calculations using a standard chemical mechanism show a large missing source for NOx; chemical loss exceeds chemical production by a factor of 2.4 on average. Similar or greater NOx budget imbalances have been reported in analyses of data from previous field studies. Ammonium aerosol concentrations in PEM-Tropics A generally exceeded sulfate on a charge equivalent basis, and relative humidities were low (median 25% relative to ice). This implies that the aerosol could be dry in which case N2O5 hydrolysis would be suppressed as a sink for NOx. Suppression of NO2O5 hydrolysis and adoption of new measurements of the reaction rate constants for NO2 + OH + M and HNO3 + OH reduces the median chemical imbalance in the NOx budget for PEM-Tropics A from 2.4 to 1.9. The remaining imbalance cannot be easily explained from known chemistry or long-range transport of primary NOx and may imply a major gap in our understanding of the chemical cycling of NOx in the free troposphere.
The Morphology of Income Convergence in US States: New Evidence using an Error-Correction-Model

This paper reconsiders the question of regional convergence across the US States over the long-run. The analysis is carried out over the period 1929-2005. Our analysis advocates and implements an Error-Correction-Model (ECM) approach to deal with this issue. The aforementioned model is applied in order to assess the possibilities of intraregional convergence towards steady-state equilibrium, approximated in terms of the State with highest per-capita income in each broad region. Empirical analysis suggests a pattern of convergence in accordance with the ECM supporting its validity. Further inspection of the results provides an indirect indication of the agglomerative effects in shaping the patterns of convergence.
Type Directed Observable Sharing

Haskell is a great language for writing and supporting embedded Domain Specific Languages (DSLs). Some form of observable sharing is often a critical capability for allowing so-called deep DSLs to be compiled and processed. In this paper, we describe and explore uses of an IO function for reification which allows direct observation of sharing.
Dynamics of land use in the Katiola area (Center-north of Côte d'Ivoire) using satellite imagery

Laboratoire Geosciences et Environnement (LGE), UFR-SGE Universite d'Abobo_Adjame, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Cote d'Ivoire Abstract: The degradation of the vegetation cover and the soils is being accelerated in the Katiola area. As a consequence, natural resources, in particular forests disappear in favor of naked grounds. It also causes the loss of fallow land resulting in arable lands infertility, the rarefaction of water resources, vegetation and aquatic species, and an increase in the flows on basin. The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in land use between 1974 and 2000. The Methodology used is based on a multicriteria analysis and an interpretation of the air- photography. In 1974, the vegetation cover of the ground was diversified and abundant. However, in 1986, this cover regressed considerably in favor of naked grounds. In 2000, we can note a light resumption of the vegetation in some area in the South-east of the region. This light recovery is also due to a light resumption of precipitations in West and Central Africa, as a result of the abandonment of several arable lands exploitation and bush fire.