Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the antidiarrhoeal and antidiabetic activities of the leaf aqueous extract of Syzygium cordatum hoscht. ex C.Krauss (Mytraceae) in rodents

Syzygium cordatum Hoscht. ex C.Krauss is widely used by traditional medicine practitioners to treat many ailments including diarrhoea and diabetes. Despite the folklore use, little evidence can be found in literature to corroborate the claims of therapeutic success of the plant species. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiarrhoeal and antidiabetic activities of the leaf aqueous extract of the plant species in mice and rats, respectively. The antidiarrhoeal activity of the leaf aqueous extract of S. cordatum was investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhoeal test. The antidiabetic activity of the plant extract was studied using streptozotoxin-induced diabetes in rats. Acute toxicity study of plant extract was also carried out using a standard method. Leaf aqueous extract of S. cordatum significantly reduced the number of diarrhoeal episodes, decreased the stool mass and delayed the onset of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. Loperamide was shown to protect the animals against castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Both the leaf aqueous extract of S. cordatum and chlorpropamide significantly lowered the blood glucose levels in both normal and streptozotoxin-induced diabetic rats. The LD50 value obtained for the plant extract was over 4000 mg kg-1 orally. The results obtained suggest that the leaf aqueous extract of S. cordatum has both antidiarrhoeal and antidiabetic activities. This justifies the folklore use of the plant species by traditional medicine practitioners to treat diarrhoea and diabetes. The relatively high LD50 value obtained for the leaf aqueous extract shows that the plant species is non toxic to mice. Introduction The use of medicinal plants in South Africa is an age long practice. Many people living, especially in rural communities, in the country depend on plant medicines for their healthcare needs. Syzygium cordatum Hoscht. ex C. Krauss is one of such plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in South Africa to treat various ailments (Van Wyk et al., 1997; Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962). S. cardatum (family, Myrtaceae) is a mediwn sized tree which can grow as tall as 15 m in height with bluish-green coloured broad leaves. It is widely distributed in the eastern and northeastern parts of South Africa and is known locally as "montlho" in Northern Sotho, ''waterbessie" in
The Characteristic Features of Social Dialogue in the Baltics

This article analyzes the characteristic features of social dialogue in the Baltic states. The methodology of the current research is based on an intensive analysis of literature and statistical data. The aim of the present research is to address some gaps that were identified during the literature review. Firstly, why does the social dialogue develop so slowly in the Baltic states? Secondly, what was the role of social partners in that process? We find that the main achievement in social dialogue have been reached by social partners on the national level and, despite the painful austerity measures, the Baltic states showed the benchmark of advanced crisis management.
A quantitative approach for measuring sustainability in Geotechnical engineering

Civil Engineering is the major instrument of anthropocentric development over centuries through ever expanding infrastructure, cities and facilities. Over the last two decades, a growing awareness is noted towards making such growth sustainable as well. Efforts in setting up standards in construction management are mostly directed towards high level construction and material management but geotechnical engineering that can produce the most permanent change of the land use pattern, lacks proportional attention. Literatures available in this field are found to stress more on qualitative aspects of construction management than on developing quantitative efficiency parameters. This paper studies the energy efficiency of two types of pile foundation, drilled shaft and driven reinforced concrete pile, based on available energy-centric methods like exergy and emergy and provides an aid to the practitioner in making a sustainable choice.
A Conceptual Study Towards Delivery of Consumable Materials to AircraftAssembly Stations Performed by Mobile Robots Based on Industry 4.0Principles

This paper aims to present a conceptual study that integrates mobile robots and communication systems developed for delivery of materials to workstations of aircraft assembly lines. In the interest of providing deliveries of material in heights, a concept of a customized UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) has been proposed herein in order to assist the labor needs related to logistics requirements. A picker aerial vehicle has been designed to perform the operations through a man-machine interaction based on a proper software application developed for this specific intention. In order to integrate this whole process, an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) is used to deliver the materials on the floor and to transport the proper aerial vehicle to take-off in specific places. Accordingly, it is understood that these integrated automated systems commanded by CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems) could manage the information, perform tasks and contribute to a better process. Therefore, the major contribution and novelty of this paper is to show how an adapted UAV in conjunction with a special AVG and a tailor-made software application could bring several benefits to the aircraft manufacturing industry. Thus, this approach has looked for better results in terms of productivity, safety of people and costs related to down-time, number of ground support equipment and wastes associated with movements. A case study has demonstrated earnings of approximately USD 300 k per year. This proposal can also improve the flexibility of work tasks; manage production routines due to the balancing of the assembly line and easiness to attend requests online, adding value and providing a greater efficiency of the process based on Industry 4.0 trends. A proper framed-model is presented as a novelty in order to evidence advantages reached when robotics and internet of things are combined.
Crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid)-talc composites

The crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid) / talc composites were determined over a range of 0 to 15 wt% of talc. Talc was found to change the crystallization kinetics. The presence of talc increases the crystallization rate and this increase is related to talc concentration and to crystallization temperature. In order to understand the effect of talc and PLA crystallinity on mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical thermal analyses were performed on poly(lactic acid) / talc composites before and after an annealing process. It was demonstrated that the presence of crystals improves thermo- mechanical properties but in order to achieve good results at high temperatures the reinforcing effect of a filler such as talc is necessary.
3‐D surface wave tomography of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano using seismic noise correlations

We invert Rayleigh waves reconstructed from cross‐correlations of 18 months of ambient seismic noise recorded by permanent seismological stations run by the Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory. By correlating noise records between 21 receivers, we reconstruct Rayleigh waves with sufficient signal‐to‐noise ratio for 210 inter‐station paths. We use the reconstructed waveforms to measure group velocity dispersion curves at periods between 1.5 and 4.5 s. The obtained measurements are inverted for two‐dimensional group velocity maps and finally for a 3‐D S‐wave velocity model of the edifice from +2 to −1 km above sea level. Our results clearly show a high velocity body spatially delimited by the borders of the active 10 km wide caldera. The preferential N30°‐N130° orientations of this anomaly at −0.5 km below sea‐level is an evidence of the preferential paths of magma injections associated to the NE‐SE Rift Zones. This structure is surrounded by a low‐velocity ring interpreted as effusive products associated to the construction of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on the flank of the older Piton des Neiges volcano.
EFFECT OF EMPLOYMENT ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN URBAN BANGLADESH: AN INVESTIGATION ON KHULNA CITY

The study measured empowerment and revealed effect of women employment on their empowerment in the Khulna city of Bangladesh. Based on snowball sampling technique 100 respondents were interviewed, equally between employed and unemployed groups. An empowerment index was constructed based on three dimensions as decision making in family, freedom of movement and control over resources. Multiple linear regression model was used to estimate the effect of employment. Empowerment index showed that employed women were more empowered in all dimensions than unemployed women. Regression result found that employed group has 0.26 unit more freedom of movement, 0.17 unit more control over resources and possess 0.16 unit more in overall empowerment than unemployed group. Household head’s age and education were significant in three dimensions. Higher aged people enjoy more freedom to move and in overall empowerment. While comparing with day labors, it was found that almost no other categories of service make significant difference in empowerment dimensions. Among the employed women, those who contribute more than half of family income possess 0.21 unit more controlling power over resources than those who contribute nothing. This contribution is not making any difference in other dimensions because other factors influence family level decision making.
A Review on Resource Allocation Techniques in Small Cell LTE-A Heterogeneous Networks

: According to originating standards for LTE-A mobile networks, the small cells are expected to be deployed in future mobile and wireless networks to improve coverage in specific areas with low signal quality. By placing additional stations to the network, new cell boundaries are introduced. Since heavy deployment of the small cells with low radius is expected in LTE-A networks, the procedures for the user’s resource allocation becomes more frequently. Therefore, more often scanning of higher amount of entities in UE's neighborhood must be performed. Moreover, each resource allocation generates some management overhead and introduces interruption in user’s communication. All these aspects lead to a drop of user’s throughput and QoS. This is getting more apparent with dense deployment of small cells. Hence, large and efficient deployment of the small cells requires optimizing the principles of user’s service allocation support to ensure continuous high level of service quality.
Contesting transnationalism? Lessons from the study of Albanian migration networks from former Yugoslavia

Recent studies have questioned the concept of transnationalism, showing that transnational ties do not always have the weight attributed to them in the first studies conducted on the topic. Using a case study of social networks of Albanian migrants from former Yugoslavia, in this article I discuss the significance of trans- national ties in the context of: the decision to migrate; social support networks of Albanians in Switzerland; and reintegration on return. The results raise questions about the factors that determine the existence and form of transnational social spaces as well as the social relevance of transnational ties. While the transnational perspec- tive brings interesting insights to the study of migration processes, it is argued that transnational ties and social relations must not be presumed but rather carefully analysed, and that structural as well as cultural aspects must be introduced in this analysis.
Oxidative Stress for Smoking Persons in Suburbs Mosul City

The study was conducted in Mosul-suburb to show the effects of smoking on antioxidants and some biochemical parameters which include: Vitamin E, Vitamin A, βcarotene, Vitamin C, Folic acid, Ceruloplasmin (Cp), Total protein, Albumin, Calcium, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin, Uric acid, Creatinine, Total iron binding capacity (TIBC), Iron, Sulfate, Glutathione(GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Cholesterol, Glucose, Selenium and Transferrin saturation(%). The study included (102) persons living outside city center represented into two minor groups, smokers and non smokers. The results showed that the level decreased significantly in rural smokers when compared with rural non smokers in: vitamin C, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and MDA, and there was a significant increase in: vitamin A and Cp. , but there wasn’t any significant changes in: total protein, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, TIBC, iron, sulfate, cholesterol, selenium, calcium, vitamin E, β-carotene, folic acid, GSH, glucose and transferrin saturation(%). Depending on the period of smoking, the results predicted that antioxidants and some other parameters (vitamin E, vitamin A, β-carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, total protein, albumin, calcium, total bilrubin, direct bilirubin and GSH) were decreased, while: Cp. , uric acid, creatinine, TIBC, Iron, sulfate, MDA, cholesterol, glucose and selenium were increased with increased the period of smoking.
TOWARD A VIBRO-ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS OF FDB SPINDLE MOTORS

Introduction With the increasing use and the rapid development of hard disk drives in the consumer electronics industry, there is a growing demand for more stringent requirements on the level of acoustic noise. This gives new challenges to the design of the hard disk drive. The acoustic noise that a drive produces comes from movement inside the drive enclosure where the spindle motor is located. One of the primary sources of acoustic noise is the spindle motor. The acoustic noise generated in the operation of a conventional motor is originated from three sources: the electromagnetic excitation, mechanical excitation, and aerodynamic source [1]. The acoustic noise generation diagram of a motor is shown in Fig.1. Since the electromagnetic field is inherent to the operation of a motor, it creates electromagnetic excitation that causes mechanical deformation in the stator and the rotor as well. The mechanical deformation induces vibration in the motor structure and generates acoustic noise called electromagnetic noise. Moreover, the acoustic noise may originate from the vibration of mechanical components, such as bearings, and rotors, due to the mechanical excitation generated by their inherent defects, such as manufacturing defects and part installation errors. If the mass distribution of the rotor is not balanced, there will be a rotating unbalance force that creates mechanical excitation on the bearing. In addition to the electromagnetic noise and the noise of mechanical origin, spindle motors emits acoustic noise that caused by the flow of air inside and outside of spindle motors called aerodynamic noise. Usually each of these sources contributes to the generation of acoustic noise at different frequencies in the sound spectrum and to the overall sound level at different degree. In this study, the vibro-acoustic behaviors of fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) motors for hard disk drives are investigated. Fluid dynamic bearings are becoming more used in the spindle drives. For the FDB spindle motors, the bearings have no direct metal-to-metal contact, and the rotor is supported by a liquid thin film. Thus, they produce lower acoustic noise than their ball-bearing (BB) counterpart by eliminating mechanical forces from rolling balls in the bearings. According to the use of FDB and a well balanced rotor, it may be considered that the acoustic noise caused by the mechanical source is insignificant. Furthermore, for the FDB spindle motor itself the aerodynamic noise is low due to minimal air flow. This paper is, therefore, to investigate whether the effect of electromagnetic noise source becomes more pronounced in the FDB spindle motors. In addition, the range of frequencies that deemed important to the noise problem for the hard disk drive spindle motor is to be identified through experimental investigations.
Assessing the Impacts of Ecological Conditions on Consumer Acceptance of E-Banking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The pace of eBanking accepting is very slow in Pakistan, which is also one of the most debated issues among researchers of eBusiness in Pakistan generally and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in particular. This paper focuses on the perceived security effects of eBusiness on acceptance of eBanking, and the role of local environmental conditions i.e. attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral factors towards acceptance in of eBanking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in comparison of these factors in the Punjab province. This study is based on the information gathered from the (300) sample respondents i.e. individual banking customers in the provinces of KP and Punjab. The regression analyses were used. Findings of the study suggest that customer perceived non-repudiation; trust relative advantage, internet experience and banking needs as the most significant factors that shape and reshape the acceptance in KP, while in comparison, the internet experience and banking needs were found with significant impacts on eBanking acceptance in the Punjab province. Keywords : eBanking, Security, Trust, Internet Experience, Banking Needs, Ecological Conditions, KP, Punjab and Pakistan
CALORIC CONTENT , AND LIPID PEROXIDATION DURING EXOGENOUS-FEEDING OF Danio rerio LARVAE EXPOSED TO Cu

Copper is an essential micronutrient, involved as coenzyme in different metabolic processes. Due to its toxic effect, copper is also used as algicide and herbicide. Residual concentrations of this metal are released into aquatic environments as effluents from mining activities, industrial applications, and other sources, producing toxic effects on the aquatic biota. Although Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos and larvae have been broadly used as surrogate species to assess toxic effects in water, scarce information exists on copper’s effects on fish larvae starting to feed exogenously (after yolk sac depletion). For this reason, the toxic effect of Cu on exogenous feeding larvae was assessed. Acute toxicity (96 h) was determined in 10 and 20 day post-fertilization (dpf) larvae. Additionally, the effect of sublethal Cu concentrations on the main macromolecules concentration, caloric content, and lipid peroxidation was also determined in 10 dpf larvae, as these were the most sensitive during acute exposure. The median lethal concentration (LC50) and confidence limit values (P = 95 %) were 148.52 ± 13.5 and 274.20 ± 40.21 μg/L for 10 and 20 dpf larvae, respectively. The caloric content, glycogen, and lipid concentration were markedly reduced in the 10 dpf larvae exposed to Cu. The malondialdehyde concentration was significantly modified in D. rerio larvae exposed during 48 h to the toxicant. Cu2+ concentrations as low as 16.04 and 32.08 μg/L produced biochemical impairment in D. rerio exogenous feeding larvae. Our results warn about harmful effects on the aquatic biota exposed to Cu2+, because its concentrations in polluted waters can be higher than those assayed here. Palabras clave: pez cebra, metales tóxicos, estrés oxidativo, biomarcadores, estadios tempranos de desarrollo Rev. Int. Contam. Ambie. 31 (4) 397-404, 2015
Safe Evaluation of Dialogue Management

This extended abstract presents preliminary work on safe evaluation of the policy of a dialogue manager. The dialogue manager is trained through reinforcement learning with a user simulator. Safe evaluation takes into account the uncertainty over the user simulator’s behaviour during training. We show that including this uncertainty into the dialogue manager’s reward function leads to more accurate evaluation and more efficient exploration.
Flammability and serotiny as strategies: correlated evolution in pines

Fire may act as a selective force on plants both through its direct effects by killing or wounding susceptible individuals and through its effect on the environment: the post-fire environment may select specific physiological traits or life histories. We used phylogenetic independent contrasts to test the hypothesis that fire has selected for correlated evolution among alternative suites of traits in pines: a survival/avoidance suite characterized by thick bark, height, and self-pruning of dead branches; and a fire-embracing strategy in which plants invest little into survival, exhibit traits which enhance flammability, and use fire as a means to cue seedling establishment to the post-fire environment through serotinous cones. We created a set of alternative ‘supertree’ phylogenies for the genus Pinus from published sources. Using these alternative phylogenies, published ecological data for 38 pine species, and newly collected morphological data, we demonstrate that much variation in trait evolution occurs along a fire-surviving/fire-embracing axis. Pines vary in their susceptibility to ignition since a tree that retains dead branches is more likely to carry a fire into the canopy than a tree that self-prunes. The evolution of increased flammability may have altered evolutionary trajectories prompting an evolutionary switch from a fire-surviving to a fire-embracing life history. Alternatively, the fire-embracing strategy may in fact select for increased flammability to ensure canopy ignition and the realization of serotinous seed-release.
The quantity and nature of in-vehicle cognitive demands experienced by real-world drivers

A real-world driving study was conducted into the cognitive demands within the cabin of a modern domestic car. The quantity and nature of the interactions were recorded, along with dashboard and centre console glances. Ethnographic data was collected from a sample of 8 drivers using remote video analysis and a journey diary. The results suggest that glancing at the dashboard is the highest singularly demanding task, and the highest cognitive demands occur when several types of visuospatial sketchpad representational information are presented to the driver. Therefore, the type of information presented may be more demanding than the area it comes from.
Chemical Abundance Analysis of Three α-poor, Metal-poor Stars in the Ultrafaint Dwarf Galaxy Horologium I

We present chemical abundance measurements of three stars in the ultrafaint dwarf galaxy Horologium I, a Milky Way satellite discovered by the Dark Energy Survey. Using high-resolution spectroscopic observations, we measure the metallicity of the three stars, as well as abundance ratios of several α-elements, iron-peak elements, and neutron-capture elements. The abundance pattern is relatively consistent among all three stars, which have a low average metallicity of [Fe/H] ∼ −2.6 and are not α-enhanced ([α/Fe] ∼ 0.0). This result is unexpected when compared to other low-metallicity stars in the Galactic halo and other ultrafaint dwarfs and suggests the possibility of a different mechanism for the enrichment of Hor I compared to other satellites. We discuss possible scenarios that could lead to this observed nucleosynthetic signature, including extended star formation, enrichment by a Population III supernova, and or an association with the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Place‐product or place narrative(s)? Perspectives in the Marketing of Tourism Destinations

This paper utilises a narrative approach to appraise critically the challenges and paradoxes faced by tourism destination marketing, and the inherent weaknesses of the traditional marketing management framework to adequately address them. In so doing, the treatment of place as a set of attributes is contrasted with its conceptualisation as a set of meanings. In perceiving place as a set of meanings, the focus of attention shifts to a number of different issues, such as the role of culture and symbolic meanings in the construction and experience of place and the contested ‘realities’ involved in the making of a tourism destination.