Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Reproductive Toxicity of the Ethanolic Extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera Pods on Male and Female Swiss Albino Mice (Mus musculus)

Background and Aim: Tetrapleura tetraptera is used to treat various maladies in southwestern Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba tribe. This research was designed to examine the reproductive toxicity of the ethanolic extract of T. tetraptera in male and female mice respectively. Materials and Methods: To conduct a spermatogenic study, 20 male mice weighing averagely 19 – 25g were divided into four groups of 5 mice. Groups 1 – 3 were administered T. tetraptera extract of 200, 100, and 50m/kg -1 bwt. orally respectively. The control group was administered distilled water. All the groups were treated for 40 days after which they were sacrificed via jugular puncture. The testes were excised and sperms collected from epididymis for the preparation of slides. Various histologic studies have been carried out on the testes. For teratogenic studies, 20 female mice weighing averagely between 15– 20g were divided into four groups based on body weight, and then a male mouse was placed in each cage to ensure mating. Animals in group 1 – 3 received 200, 100, and 50m/kg -1 bwt of the extract orally, while the control group received distilled water. The animals were treated for 40 days after which their uteri were excised to observe embryos or foetuses. Results: In the spermatogenic studies, some abberrant sperm cells such as sperms without hook, armophous head, two tails, pin head and clusterd tails were observed. Histology revealed slight modification of histoachitechure of the testes like necrotic shreded cells with degenerating basal membrane, non-differentiated germinal cells, artrophy of sertoli cells and vacuolated sertoli cells. No embryo or foetus was found in the female reproductive organs after excission in all the mice treated with extract, but each mouse in the control group conceived and delivered an average of 6 mice. Conclusion: T.tetraptera may contain some cytotoxic agents inhibiting implantation and distorting sperm morphology. The extract may be unsafe for consumption at the doses investigated.
Characterisation of natural hydroxyapatite extracted from bovine cortical bone ash

Hydroxyapatite powder was prepared by burning bone and heat treating the bone ash obtained at 600-1100 C in an air furnace. The black ash was converted to a white powder after heat treatment. X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy indicated that the white powder was hydroxyapatite and did not contain any organic components of the bone. Furthermore, phase transformation of the resulting hydroxyapatite to other calcium phosphate phases did not occur up to 1100 C. X-ray fluorescence analyses revealed that calcium and phosphorous were the main elements and magnesium and sodium were present as minor impurities. The results of the energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio of this natural hydroxyapatite varies between 1.46 and 2.01. The resulting material was found to be thermally stable up to 1100 C. The density of natural hydroxyapatite heat treated at 800 C was measured to be 3.187 cm.
NUMERICAL SOLUTIONS OF EMCPROBLEMS OF SMALL AIRPLANES

The dissertation describes actual problems in certifying small airplanes, which are to be solved by numerical modeling of the airplanes. The work is closely linked to the European project HIRF-SE, which deals with this problem. The essential part of the work is devoted to describing design of two modules within the HIRF-SE framework: timedomain finite-element solver BUTFE and its excitation module BUTFE EXC. The thesis describes solution of absorbing boundary conditions, dispersive media, anisotropy and thin wire approximation. Special attention is devoted to a proper approximation of thin wires with sharp bends. Current implementation of the approximation leads to overlaps of wire segments.
High permittivity ceramics loaded silicone elastomer composites for fl exible electronics applications

The dielectric properties of silicone elastomer composites are important in designing flexible electronic devices. The recent explosive growth in wireless communication, automotive and biomedical applications increases the demand for flexible dielectric materials. However, it is very difficult to identify a homogeneous material which possesses these desired properties. Flexible silicone rubberceramic composites based BaTiO3 (BT), SrTiO3 (ST) and Ca(1−x)Nd(2x/3)TiO3 (CNT) ceramic fillers have been prepared. The relative permittivity, thermal conductivity and water absorption increase whereas the coefficient of linear thermal expansion decrease as the volume fraction of filler increases. In the case of dielectric loss; a decreasing trend is shown by SR-ST and SR-CNT composites with filler volume fraction whereas SR-BT composites show a reverse trend since BT is a lossy material. The composites have εr in the range 3–14 in the microwave frequency range. The composites with high filler loading are suitable candidates for core of flexible dielectric waveguide and embedded capacitor applications and the composites with ST and CNT are suitable for cladding of flexible dielectric waveguide and also for microwave substrate applications
A Hybrid Scatter Search Heuristic for Solving Cockpit Crew Rostering

This research introduces the development of Hybrid Scatter Search Heuristic for solving cockpit crew (pilot and co-pilot) rostering problem. This research aims to minimize the deviation of flight hours among the cockpit crew of an airline, Garuda Indonesia Airline, during the one-month planning horizon. The weakness of the existing algorithm used in the airline, which is a trial-and-error algorithm, is that the variation among crew flight times for one month is too significant and the scheduling process takes a quite long time. We tested the performance of our proposed algorithm to that of the existing algorithm. The numerical experiments showed that the proposed algorithm had outperformed the existing algorithm. More specifically, we found some in sensitivity analysis experiments. Our experiment results showed that that the higher the flight time target, the higher the total deviation of flight time. We also conducted several experiments to show the robustness of our proposed algorithm. First, we tested the relationship between the number of pilots who can use their preferences and the total deviation of flight time. We conducted experiments by giving the cockpit crew the opportunity to choose a day off. Finally, we analyzed the results by changing the number of cockpit crew.
Draft 1 Kolaviron attenuates diclofenac-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats

Complete List of Authors: Alabi, Quadri; Obafemi Awolowo University Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Akomolafe, Rufus; Obafemi Owolowo University, Ile-Ife Adefisayo, Modinat; Ondo State University of Medical Sciences Olukiran, Olaoluwa; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nafiu, Aliyat; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Fasanya, Micheal; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Oladele, Ayodele; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex
Demonstrating the Use of Optical Fibres in Biomedical Sensing: A Collaborative Approach for Engagement and Education

This paper demonstrates how research at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine can be presented in an interactive and educational way to a non-scientific audience. Interdisciplinary research with a focus on prevalent diseases provides a relatable context that can be used to engage with the public. Respiratory diseases are significant contributors to avoidable morbidity and mortality and have a growing social and economic impact. With the aim of improving lung disease understanding, new techniques in fibre-based optical endomicroscopy have been recently developed. Here, we present a novel engagement activity that resembles a bench-to-bedside pathway. The activity comprises an inexpensive educational tool (<$70) adapted from a clinical optical endomicroscopy system and tutorials that cover state-of-the-art research. The activity was co-created by high school science teachers and researchers in a collaborative way that can be implemented into any engagement development process.
A novel variant of SLC 26 A 4 and fi rst report of the c . 716 T > A variant in Iranian pedigrees with non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss

The autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) can be associated with variants in solute carrier family 26, member 4 (SLC26A4) gene and is the second most common cause of ARNSHL worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to determine the contribution of the SLC26A4 genotype in the hearing loss (HL) of 40 ARNSHL pedigrees in Iran. A cohort of the 40 Iranian pedigrees with ARNSHL, having no mutation in the GJB2 gene, was selected. The linkage analysis with five short tandem repeat (STR) markers linked to SLC26A4 was performed for the 40 ARNSHL pedigrees. Then, two out of the 40 pedigrees with ARNSHL that linked to DFNB4 locus were further screened to determine the variants in all exons of SLC26A4 gene by direct DNA sequencing. The 21 exons of SCL26A4 were analyzed for the two pedigrees. A known variant (c.716T>A homozygote), it is the first reported incidence in Iran, a novel variant (c.493A>C homozygote) were detected in the two pedigrees and pathogenesis of c.493A>C confirmed in this study with review 100 hearing ethnically matched controls by PCR-RFLP analysis. The present study suggests that the SLC26A4 gene plays a crucial role in the HL occurring in Iranian pedigrees. Also, the results probably support the specificity and unique spectrum of SLC26A4 variants among Iranian HL patients. Molecular study of SLC26A4 gene may lead to elucidation of the profile of the population-specific variants which has importance in diagnostics of HL.
Bridging with Meaning: An Empirical Study of Organizational Vocabularies and Communication Networks in Organizations ABSTRACT We examine how communication networks within organizations are structured by organizational vocabularies -- sets of words used by organizational participants to describe, int

We examine how communication networks within organizations are structured by organizational vocabularies -sets of words used by organizational participants to describe, interpret and share their personal experiences within hierarchically structured domains of activity. The basic question we explore asks: how does the overlap in organizational vocabularies affect communication and information sharing relations across formal organizational boundaries? We reconstruct the bipartite network between organizational participants and the words they use to describe their subsidiary company within a multi-unit group, and examine how dyadic patterns of association between participants and words affect interpersonal communication networks. In an analysis of the multilevel network linking managers both directly, as well as through their affiliation to words, we find that organizational members adopt similar vocabularies to describe their organizational units. However, overlapping organizational vocabularies per se do not imply that organizational members will be more likely to establish relations of task-related communication. Typically, organizational members tend to restrict communication ties within rather than between formal boundaries. Yet, overlapping vocabularies make organizational members significantly more likely to communicate and share information across the formal boundaries of their units. We discuss the role that organizational vocabularies play in sustaining knowledge transfer across organizational boundaries, thus bridging cultural holes within organizations.
D Construction Printing – A Review with Contemporary Method of Decarbonisation and Cost Benefit Analysis

Globally construction industry has highest carbon impacts which accounts for 40% of global energy consumption, 38% of carbon emission as well as 12% of water eutrophication. Thus, there is great demand for decarbonisation in this industry. 3D printing or additive manufacturing has emerged as a potential solution to reduce the energy demands, water wastage and carbon emissions. 3D printing in construction context is an innovative technology that creates 3D objects by reproducing physical objects with continuous layers. Recently, from polymer and steel the industry has leaped forward using concrete with potential applications in the construction engineering. Anecdotally, these technologies proved to reduce production time, minimise wastage and reduce labour costs significantly. The current challenges in 3D printing commercialisation, are lack of standard building codes, large scale investment, functional performance and architectural designs. In this research, concrete prototypes were printed for tests and a comparative study was established with the conventional manufactured concrete to analyse performance standards, cost benefits and lifecycle assessments. Future scope of this research is to develop a performance standards based on benefits for large scale implementation in construction industry. 1st International Conference on 3D Construction Printing 2
THE CaSE OF POlaND 1

The paper reports the advance of Polish companies in business excellence initiatives. It indicates how these activities influence their performance. EFQM Excellence Model indicators are used as the evaluation criteria for the study. The performance variable is introduced to ensure the calculation of correlations between EFQM model indicators and performance results. The data are next estimated as a structural equation model by partial least squares using SmartPlS software (ringle, Wende, Will, 2005). That estimation is conducted on the model of the Danish Business Excellence Index methodology (Kristensen, Juhl, Eskildsen, 2001a). The correlations and estimation results are used to discuss the condition of Polish companies and to point out the efforts that should be made for further development. The presented data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire which was sent to companies in the year 2005. The examined sample consisted of 79 companies coming from different areas of Poland representing 19 sectors. It appears from the data that the efforts of Polish companies undertaken in most areas of self-assessment according to the EFQM model do provide them with economic value. Nevertheless, people, people results and customers’ results are the areas which need the improvements to be made. at the same time they can be treated as potential for future growth.
Nutritional indices of three geographic populations ( Miandoab , Moghan and Kalposh ) of the fifth instar of Spodoptera exigua ( Lepidoptera : Noctuidae ) on four sugar beet cultivars

Nutritional indices of three geographic populations (Miandoab, Moghan and Kalposh) of the fifth instar of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on four sugar beet cultivars (Dorothea, Rozier, Persia and Perimer) were evaluated at 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % RH and a 16:8 L:D photoperiod. The estimates of all the nutritional indices were affected by the interaction effect of the geographic population and the sugar beet cultivars. Miandoab population reared on Dorothea, and Moghan and Kalposh populations reared on Perimer had the highest approximate digestibility (AD). Miandoab and Kalposh populations reared on Rozier showed the highest efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) values. Moghan population reared on Persia showed the lowest AD values and the highest ECI and ECD values. The present study showed that the nutritional indices of three populations, in most cases, were significantly different from with other, due to different environmental conditions that the pest collected from there. It is concluded that both geographic origins of the pest and host cultivar affected the nutritional indices of S. exigua larvae.
A counterclockwise PTt path of high-pressure / low-temperature rocks from the Coastal Cordillera accretionary complex of south-central Chile : constraints for the earliest stage of subduction mass flow

Within the metamorphic basement of the Coastal Cordillera of central Chile, the Western Series constitutes the high-pressure (HP)/low-temperature (LT) part (accretionary prism) of a fossil-paired metamorphic belt dominated by metagreywackes. In its eastern part, blocks derived from small lenses of garnet amphibolite with a blueschist facies overprint are locally intercalated and associated with serpentinite and garnet mica-schist. Continuously developed local equilibria were evaluated applying various independent geothermobarometric approaches. An overall anticlockwise PT path results. The prograde path evolved along a geothermal gradient of f 15 jC/km, passing the high-pressure end of greenschist facies until a transient assemblage developed within albite-epidote amphibolite facies transitional to eclogite facies at peak metamorphic conditions (600–760 jC, 11–16.5 kbar; stage I). This peak assemblage was overprinted during an external fluid infiltration by an epidote blueschist facies assemblage at 350–500 jC, 10–14 kbar (stage II) indicating nearly isobaric cooling. The retrograde equilibration stage was dated with a Rb–Sr mineral isochron at 305.3F 3.2 Ma, somewhat younger (296.6F 4.7 Ma) in an adjacent garnet micaschist. Localized retrograde equilibration continued during decompression down to f 300 jC, 5 kbar. The retrograde evolution is identical in the garnet amphibolite and the garnet mica-schist. The counterclockwise PT path contrasts the usual clockwise PT paths derived from rocks of the Western Series. In addition, their ages related to stage II are the oldest recorded within the fossil wedge at the given latitude. Its ‘‘exotic’’ occurrence is interpreted by the path of the earliest and deepest subducted material that was heated in contact with a still hot mantle. Later accreted and dehydrated material caused hydration and cooling of the earliest accreted material and the neighbouring mantle. After this change also related to rheological conditions, effective exhumation of the early subducted material followed at the base of the hydrated mantle wedge within a cooler environment (geothermal gradient around 10–15 jC/km) than during its burial. The exotic blocks thus provide important time markers for the onset of subduction mass circulation in the Coastal 0024-4937/$ see front matter D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.lithos. 2004.03. 002 * Corresponding author. Fax: +49-234-32-14433. E-mail address: arne.willner@ruhr-uni-bochum.de (A.P. Willner). A.P. Willner et al. / Lithos 75 (2004) 283–310 284 Cordillera accretionary prism during the Late Carboniferous. Continuous subduction mass flow lasted for nearly 100 Ma until the Late Triassic. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Improving the representation of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions in climate models : a new parameterization for the Community Earth System Model ( CESM )

ESMs (Earth System Models) are important tools that help scientists understand the complexities of the Earth’s climate. Advances in computing power have permitted the development of increasingly complex ESMs and the introduction of better, more accurate parameterizations of processes that are too complex to be described in detail. One of the least well10 controlled parameterizations involves human activities and their direct impact at local and regional scales. In order to improve the direct representation of human activities and climate, we have developed a simple, scalable approach that we have named the POPEM module (POpulation Parameterization for Earth Models). This module computes monthly fossil fuel emissions at grid point scale using the modeled population projections. This paper shows how integrating POPEM parameterization into the CESM (Community Earth System Model) enhances the realism of global climate modeling, 15 improving this beyond simpler approaches. The results show that it is indeed advantageous to model CO2 emissions and pollutants directly at model grid points rather than using the forcing approach. A major bonus of this approach is the increased capacity to understand the potential effects of localized pollutant emissions on long-term global climate statistics, thus assisting adaptation and mitigation policies. 20
EFFECTS OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON LARVAL AMPHIBIAN PREDATOR-PREY DYNAMICS

—Predation represents an important driver of species persistence and community structure. Climate change can influence predation through changes in the distribution and abundance of predatory species. Furthermore, predator-prey dynamics may be influenced by climate-induced shifts in the behavior of predators and/or prey. Our research employed a model system consisting of larval amphibians (Lithobates clamitans) as prey, and three species of predatory dragonfly larvae, Ladona julia, Aeshna interrupta, and Didymops transversa. Our goal was to assess whether simulated climate-induced changes in predator assemblages and abiotic conditions may influence predator-prey dynamics. The study was conducted in replicated aquatic microcosms, with water temperature manipulated across a range of temperatures. Predation studies involved a single dragonfly of a focal species and 10 larval L. clamitans. Our best-fitting model included dragonfly species, water temperature, and the interaction between the two factors. Survival of anuran larvae decreased for both Aeshna interrupta and Didymops transversa, but remained constant with increasing water temperature for Ladona julia. Our study demonstrates the potential for climate-induced changes in the composition of predator species to interact with altered abiotic conditions in shaping predator-prey dynamics.
- 1-What a difference does it make ? Understanding the empirical literature on taxation and international capital flows

This study explains the variation in empirical estimates in the literature on the elasticity of foreign direct investment with respect to company tax levels. To that end, we extend the meta analysis of De Mooij and Ederveen (2003) by considering an alternative classification of the literature and by including new studies that have recently become available. We pay specific attention to two new dimensions: the spatial and the time dimension of the underlying studies.
FOREIGN CUISINE OR LOCAL DELICACIES? HOW SECTORS AND FIRM HETEROGENEITY MATTER IN THE ACQUISITION-PRODUCTIVITY LINKAGE

This paper examines the productivity impacts of cross-border and domestic M&A under sectoral differences and firm heterogeneity. After studying both domestic and cross-border acquisitions pursued by Chinese listed firms in 2000-2013, I find that, in high-tech sectors, crossborder M&A are positively associated with firms’ productivity (especially among leading firms). However, in low-tech sectors, domestic M&A are positively associated with firms’ productivity (especially among lagging firms). This paper contributes to the literature on emerging market firms’ internationalization by shedding light on when cross-border (or domestic) M&A could be an appropriate catch-up strategy for enhancing firms’ productivity.
Understanding human mobility: A multi-modal and intelligent moving objects database

The research field of moving objects has been quite active in the past 20 years. The recording of position data becomes easy and huge amounts of mobile data are collected. Moving objects databases represent time-dependent objects and support queries with spatial and temporal constraints. In this paper we provide the vision of a multi-model and intelligent moving objects database. The goal is to enhance the data management of moving objects by providing extensive data models for different applications and fusing artificial intelligence techniques. Toward this goal, we propose how to develop corresponding modules and integrate them into the system to achieve the next-generation moving objects database.