Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yield Effects of Tissue Culture Bananas in Kenya: Accounting for Selection Bias and the Role of Complementary Inputs

We analyze yield effects of tissue culture (TC) banana technology in the Kenyan small farm sector, using recent survey data and an endogenous switching regression approach. TC banana plantlets, which are free from pests and diseases, have been introduced in East Africa since the late-1990s. While field experiments show significant yield advantages over traditional banana suckers, a rigorous assessment of impacts in farmers' fields is still outstanding. A comparison of mean yield levels between TC adopters and non-adopters in our sample shows no significant difference. However, we find a negative selection bias, indicating that farmers with lower than average yields are more likely to adopt TC. Controlling for this bias results in a positive and significant TC net yield gain of 7%. We also find that TC technology is more knowledgeintensive and more responsive to irrigation than traditional bananas. Simulations show that improving access to irrigation could lift TC productivity gains to above 20%. The analytical approach developed and applied here may also be useful for the evaluation of other knowledgeintensive package technologies and innovations in perennial crops.
Doomed for Disorder? High Incidence of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Offspring of Depressed and Anxious Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE Early recognition of individuals at risk for depressive and anxiety disorders is key in influencing onset and course of these disorders. Parental history is a potent risk factor for the development of these disorders in offspring. However, knowledge about the magnitude of this risk is limited as large-scale longitudinal studies with a follow-up into adulthood are scarce. Those offspring at highest risk may possibly be identified by easy-to-determine parental psychiatric characteristics, family context, and offspring characteristics. METHODS From 2000-2002, we recruited 523 offspring (age 13-25 years) of 366 patients who had received specialized treatment for depressive and/or anxiety disorder. Offspring DSM-IV mood (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder) and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and agoraphobia) were assessed at baseline and at 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-year follow-up. RESULTS Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of mood and/or anxiety disorder was 38.0% at age 20 years and 64.7% at age 35 years. Parental early disorder onset (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.00-1.77), having 2 affected parents (HR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.10-2.27), and offspring female gender (HR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.74-3.15) were independent predictors of offspring mood and/or anxiety disorder. Balanced family functioning (HR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56-0.96) was found to be protective against offspring risk. CONCLUSIONS Offspring of depressed and anxious patients are at very high risk of a mood and/or anxiety disorder themselves. Parental early onset, having 2 affected parents, female gender, and family functioning are important additional markers that can be used in clinical practice to identify those offspring at greatest risk.
Author's Personal Copy Peak and Residual Strengths of Brick Masonry Spandrels

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: Keywords: Unreinforced brick masonry Spandrel elements Peak strength Residual strength Perforated masonry wall a b s t r a c t Unreinforced masonry (URM) walls comprise vertical piers and horizontal spandrels, which together form the lateral load resisting system. Whereas past research yielded significant advances in the understanding of the force–deformation characteristics of masonry piers, knowledge of the behaviour of masonry spandrels is lacking. This paper makes a contribution to our understanding of the seismic behaviour of brick masonry spandrel elements by describing typical behaviour modes and analysing the boundary condition of spandrel elements in URM walls. The main part of the paper concerns the development of simple mechanical models for estimating the peak and residual strength of brick masonry spandrels, which are supported either by a timber lintel or a shallow masonry arch. The proposed models are compared against results from experimental tests on four masonry spandrels. It is found that predicted and experimental values agree well. Past seismic events have shown that unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings are among the most vulnerable structures during earthquakes. In many parts of the world, older URM buildings belong to the cultural heritage and were constructed before seismic design codes were introduced. Improved models of their force–deforma-tion behaviour are required to assess their performance during seismic events and to plan effective retrofit measures. A frequently used method for the seismic analysis of URM buildings is the ''equivalent frame approach'' (e.g. [1,2]) or the ''macro-modelling approach'' (e.g. [3–6]). Both modelling approaches require as input the force–defor-mation characteristics of piers and spandrels (Fig. 1). The last two decades yielded significant advances in the understanding of the force–deformation characteristics of masonry piers. Experimental test programmes on different pier configurations revealed the typical failure mechanisms of URM piers. Mechanical models for the strength of URM piers associated with these failure mechanisms were developed and are included in today's structural engineering codes. The knowledge of spandrel behaviour is, however , lagging behind our understanding of the piers' behaviour. Although numerical analyses of masonry buildings have shown that spandrel elements can have a significant influence on the global force–deformation behaviour of URM buildings (e.g. [1,2,7,8]), only the FEMA 306 …
The Decision to Invest in Child Quality Over Quantity: Household Size and Household Investment in Education in Vietnam

During Vietnam's two decades of rapid economic growth, its fertility rate has fallen sharply at the same time that its educational attainment has risen rapidly. We explore whether the coincidence of these two trends could be explained by parents making a tradeoff between quantity and quality of children, and whether government policies to control family size may therefore have accelerated progress in education. Combining micro data from three sources, including a new survey focused on private tutoring expenditures, we find that families do indeed invest less in the education of school-age children who have larger numbers of (minor) siblings. This effect holds for several different indicators of educational investment—including the child's school enrolment, his or her attendance at private tutoring, and both the money and time spent on tutoring for that child— and is robust to instrumenting for number of siblings.
Clustering is semidefinitely not that hard: Nonnegative SDP for manifold disentangling

In solving hard computational problems, semidefinite program (SDP) relaxations often play an important role because they come with a guarantee of optimality. Here, we focus on a popular semidefinite relaxation of K-means clustering which yields the same solution as the non-convex original formulation for well segregated datasets. We report an unexpected finding: when data contains (greater than zero-dimensional) manifolds, the SDP solution captures such geometrical structures. Unlike traditional manifold embedding techniques, our approach does not rely on manually defining a kernel but rather enforces locality via a nonnegativity constraint. We thus call our approach NOnnegative MAnifold Disentangling, or NOMAD. To build an intuitive understanding of its manifold learning capabilities, we develop a theoretical analysis of NOMAD on idealized datasets. While NOMAD is convex and the globally optimal solution can be found by generic SDP solvers with polynomial time complexity, they are too slow for modern datasets. To address this problem, we analyze a non-convex heuristic and present a new, convex and yet efficient, algorithm, based on the conditional gradient method. Our results render NOMAD a versatile, understandable, and powerful tool for manifold learning.
Non‐isolated single‐switch DC–DC converters with extended duty cycle for high step‐down voltage applications

Several new topologies of single‐switch non‐isolated DC–DC converters with wide conversion gain and reduced semiconductor voltage stress are proposed in this paper. Most of the proposed topologies are derived from the conventional inverse of SEPIC (Zeta) converter. The proposed topologies can operate with larger switch duty cycles compared with the existing single switch topologies, hence, making them well suitable for high step‐down voltage conversion applications. With extended duty cycle, the current stress in the active power switch is reduced, leading to a significant improvement of the system losses. Moreover, the active power switch in some of the proposed topologies is utilized much better compared to the conventional Zeta and quadratic‐buck converters. The principle of operation, theoretical analysis, and comparison of circuit performances with other step‐down converters are discussed regarding voltage and current stress and switch silicon utilization. Finally, simulation and experimental results for a design example of a 50 W/5 V at 42‐V input voltage operating at 50 kHz will be provided to evaluate the performance of the proposed converters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Carpets in the National Bureau of Standards Flooring Radiant Panel

The burning behavior of carpets of very similar construction and contract com mercial carpets made from different fibers and blends in the National Bureau of Standard Flooring Radiant Panel were significantly affected by the pile fiber com position. Carpets of 100% wool and 80/20 wool/nylon produced critical radient flux (CRF) values > 0.5 W/cm2 and these values were not affected by underlays. The CRF values of nylon carpets depended significantly on carpet construction, with low weights producing low CRF values, and decreased significantly with underlays. An increase in the imposed heat flux decreased the CRF values for nylon, but in the case of wool, CRF values significantly increased. This is probably associated with the different heat outputs and melting or charring behavior of the two fibers. Other carpet parameters that can affect CRF values are Zirpro flame-retardent treat ment of wool, shorn pile density, backing fiber composition (jute or polypropylene), and flame retardant latex.
AspEm: Embedding Learning by Aspects in Heterogeneous Information Networks

Heterogeneous information networks (HINs) are ubiquitous in real-world applications. Due to the heterogeneity in HINs, the typed edges may not fully align with each other. In order to capture the semantic subtlety, we propose the concept of aspects with each aspect being a unit representing one underlying semantic facet. Meanwhile, network embedding has emerged as a powerful method for learning network representation, where the learned embedding can be used as features in various downstream applications. Therefore, we are motivated to propose a novel embedding learning framework-ASPEM-to preserve the semantic information in HINs based on multiple aspects. Instead of preserving information of the network in one semantic space, ASPEM encapsulates information regarding each aspect individually. In order to select aspects for embedding purpose, we further devise a solution for ASPEM based on dataset-wide statistics. To corroborate the efficacy of ASPEM, we conducted experiments on two real-words datasets with two types of applications-classification and link prediction. Experiment results demonstrate that ASPEM can outperform baseline network embedding learning methods by considering multiple aspects, where the aspects can be selected from the given HIN in an unsupervised manner.
Preparation and characterization of Dendrobium officinale powders through superfine grinding.

BACKGROUND Dendrobium officinale has been used in China for several thousand years as a health food and has become one of the most expensive tea materials worldwide as a result of extremely scarce resources in the wild and an increasing demand. Hence, it is very important to improve the depth and width of its application. In the present study, the physico-chemical, surface chemistry and thermal properties of micron range particles and coarse particles prepared by superfine grinding and shear pulverization were investigated. RESULTS As the particle size decreased, the specific surface area of D. officinale powders increased significantly. Microscopy observations confirmed that superfine grinding effectively changed the original structure of D. officinale. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra depicted the characteristic bands shifted in terms of absorbance and/or wave number as the powder particle size decreased. The crystallinity and intensity of the crystal peaks of D. officinale powders increased as the particle size decreased. Moisture sorption isotherms suggested that superfine powders were more unstable as a result of the increase in surface area, as well as the exposure of polar groups. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that superfine grinding may provide new methods of processing for D. officinale with respect to further enhancement of its application value. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Community-acquired Escherichia coli Enteritis in Korean Children: The Clinical Application of a Stool Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

Background Although Escherichia coli is a common cause of bacterial enteritis in Korea, reports on community-acquired E. coli enteritis in Korean children are scarce. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and pathotype distribution of community-acquired E. coli enteritis diagnosed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in Korean children. Materials and Methods The medical records of children aged 18 years or less who were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis by the attending physician between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with E. coli enteritis were investigated and compared with those diagnosed with Salmonella enteritis. E. coli and Salmonella infections were diagnosed by a stool PCR assay. Results Among 279 children, in whom PCR assays for E. coli and Salmonella spp. were performed, Salmonella enteritis and E. coli enteritis were diagnosed in 43 (15.4%) and 39 (14.0%) children, respectively. Among the 39 children with E. coli enteritis, enteropathogenic E. coli (n=21, 53.8%) and enteroaggregative E. coli (n=15, 38.4%) were the most common causative agents. Empirical antibiotics were administered to 33 (84.6%) children. A total of 31 (79.5%) children developed fever, and 25 (80.6%) of them had the fever for 3 days or less, which resolved a median of 1 day (range 0-3 days) after hospitalization. The most frequent gastrointestinal symptom was diarrhea (n=36, 92.3%). Significantly more children with E. coli enteritis were aged 2 years or less as compared with those with Salmonella enteritis (41.0% vs. 21.9%, P = 0.021). Children with Salmonella enteritis more frequently complained of fever (97.7% vs. 79.5%, P = 0.012), abdominal pain (90.7% vs. 64.1%, P = 0.004), and hematochezia (46.5% vs. 10.3%, P <0.001) than those with E. coli enteritis. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in children with Salmonella enteritis than those with E. coli enteritis (P <0.001). Conclusion Enteropathogenic E. coli was the most frequent pathotype in Korean children with E. coli enteritis that caused mild clinical symptoms. A stool PCR assay for E. coli may be useful for epidemiological purpose and for an early diagnosis of E. coli enteritis.
Oxidative Priority, Meal Frequency, and the Energy Economy of Food and Activity: Implications for Longevity, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic Disease

Abstract In most modern societies, the relationship that many individuals have with food has fundamentally changed from previous generations. People have shifted away from viewing food as primarily sustenance, and rather now seek out foods based on pure palatability or specific nutrition. However, it is far from clear what optimal nutrition is for the general population or specific individuals. We previously described the Food Triangle as a way to organize food based on an increasing energy density paradigm, and now expand on this model to predict the impact of oxidative priority and both nutrient and fiber density in relation to caloric load. When combined with meal frequency, integrated energy expenditure, macronutrient oxidative priority, and fuel partitioning expressed by the respiratory quotient, our model also offers a novel explanation for chronic overnutrition and the cause of excess body fat accumulation. Herein, we not only review how metabolism is a dynamic process subject to many regulators that mediate the fate of ingested calories but also discuss how the Food Triangle predicts the oxidative priority of ingested foods and provides a conceptual paradigm for healthy eating supported by health and longevity research.
Diagnostic Yield of Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopies in Children in a Tertiary Centre

Introduction: Endoscopy is integral to the diagnosis and management of many gastrointestinal problems in children. Recently the number of endoscopic procedures performed has increased considerably worldwide raising questions about their appropriateness and cost-efficacy. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic yield (the likelihood that a procedure or test will provide information required to establish a diagnosis) of endoscopy in a paediatric population in a large tertiary referral centre and to determine the terminal ileum intubation (TII) rate of paediatric ileocolonosocopy (IC) in an active training environment and compare with previously calculated rates. Methods: Random selection of cases from a theatre electronic database from a 30-month period covering April 2012 to October 2014. The data were collected for initial presenting symptoms; age at diagnosis; indications for endoscopy; endoscopic findings; histopathological findings; and any change in management postendoscopic procedure. The diagnostic yield of the endoscopies and the TII rate of IC were calculated. Change in and contribution to management was assessed. Results: Median age 9.58 (0.5–16.5) years and M:F ratio 1:1.42. The positive diagnostic yield was 18.9% for oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy alone, 32.6% for IC alone, and 39.2% when both occurred. In 45% management was actively changed due to endoscopy/histopathology findings and a significant management contribution occurred in all patients. TII was achieved in 98% of cases, which compares favourably to a TII rate of 89% at the same centre during the period 2009 to 2011. Conclusions: Diagnostic yield was 32.6% for IC and 39.2% when oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy also occurred. A TII rate of 98% should be achievable in children. A change in management occurred in 45% and as a significant negative finding may be as important as a positive diagnosis for exclusion of suspected disorders, with consequent reassurance and change in management. Contribution to management was therefore identified in all cases.
Differential HIF-1α and HIF-2α Expression in Mammary Epithelial Cells during Fat Pad Invasion, Lactation, and Involution

The development and functional cycle of the mammary gland involves a number of processes that are caricatured by breast cancer cells during invasion and metastasis. Expression of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors HIF-1 and HIF-2 has been associated with metastatic, poor prognosis, and high-grade breast cancers. Since hypoxia affects normal epithelial differentiation, we hypothesise that HIFs are important for normal breast epithelial development and regeneration as well as cancer initiation and progression. Here, we investigated the expression of the oxygen-sensitive HIF-alpha subunits during mouse mammary gland development, lactation, and involution. In breast epithelial cells, HIF-1α was expressed during early development, prior to cell polarisation. In contrast, expression of HIF-2α occurred later and was restricted to a subpopulation of luminal epithelial cells in the lactating gland. Mammary gland involution is a developmental stage that involves extensive tissue remodelling with cell death but survival of tissue stem/progenitor cells. At this stage, HIF-2α, but little HIF-1α, was expressed in CK14-positive epithelial cells. The temporal but differential expression of the HIF-alpha subunits during the mammary gland life cycle indicates that their expression is controlled by additional factors to hypoxia. Further functional studies of the roles of these proteins in the mammary gland and breast cancer are warranted.
Photophysical studies on curcumin-sophorolipid nanostructures: applications in quorum quenching and imaging

Sophorolipid biosurfactants are biodegradable, less toxic and FDA approved. The purified acidic form of sophorolipid is stimuli-responsive with self-assembling properties and used for solubilizing hydrophobic drugs. This study encapsulated curcumin (CU) with acidic sophorolipid (ASL) micelles and analysed using photophysical studies like UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). TEM images have revealed ellipsoid micelles of approximately 100 nm size and were confirmed by dynamic light scattering. The bacterial fluorescence uptake studies showed the uptake of formed CUASL nanostructures into both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. They also showed quorum quenching activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results have demonstrated this system has potential theranostic applications.
Study on uniformity of a melt-blown fibrous web based on an image analysis technique

Abstract Melt blowing is a one-step process to manufacture products with superfine fibers with diameter <5 μm (and even below 1 μm). As an intermediate product, a melt-blown (MB) web provides a strong influence on the functional properties of the final MB products. In this paper, the influence of processing conditions on the uniformity of a MB web is studied using an image analysis technique, including nominal air jet pressure, polymer volume flow rate, air suction velocity, and the moving speed of the collection belt. This study enables us to quantify the influence of the processing conditions on the uniformity of MB fibrous web.