Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Production and Utilization of Crop Residues in Horro and Guduru Districts, Western Ethiopia

A survey was conducted in the highland and mid altitude areas of Horro and Guduru districts of Oromia Regional State, western Ethiopia, to identify crop residue management and utilization practices in both agro-ecologies using a single-visit multi subject formal survey method. Of the number of respondents (household heads) interviewed were 210 (60 from highland and 150 from mid altitude area). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The major crop residues used in the study areas include teff, wheat, barle, maize,, faba bean, field pea straw and Noug chaff. The amount of crop residues produced depends on the area of land cultivated. Accordingly higher (P 0.05) between the highland and mid altitude areas agro-ecologies in the overall amount of crop residues produced. The interviewed farmers rank the feed value of crop residues based on their softness, fineness and ease of storage and transportation. Tef straw is the most preferred feed whereas faba bean haulm is the least preferred in both agro-ecologies. The high ranking crop residues are given better attention and conserved for future use. Accordingly 96.7% of respondents from the highland and 99.3% from the mid altitude area conserve teff straw for future use, whereas only 5% and 2% of the interviewed households in the highland and mid altitude areas, respectively, conserve faba bean haulms for future use. The crude protein content (CP) of the crop residues varied from 3.6% (wheat straw) to 8.1% (noug chaff). The highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was recorded in noug chaff (84.5%) while the lowest was in field pea straw (49.9%). In general, the crop residues have low protein and high fiber contents, which necessitate some degree of supplementation or treatment to support reasonable livestock performance. Keywords . Crop residues, nutritive value, supplements, treatments of crop residues
Gender, Development and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

A plethora of scholars have attempted to discern the causes of slow growth in the sub-Saharan Africa region. The effects of global economic integration, corruption, geography and ethnic diversity have been widely explored. Mainstream growth analyses, however, have not yet integrated the body of scholarship that identifies the linkages between gender, economic development and growth. This paper explores the theoretical and empirical macro-growth effects of gender inequality in sub-Saharan Africa. It further identifies two key policy avenues for promoting gender equality and thus growth: public investment to reduce the gender gap in care burdens, and a shift in emphasis of central bank targets to employment.
User Selection for Uplink Multiuser SIMO Systems in Multicell Environments

Interference-aware user selection schemes are proposed for uplink multiuser single-input multiple-output systems in multicell environments. The proposed user selection schemes consider the effects of intercell interference to improve the conventional iterative and correlation-based schemes. In the proposed schemes, intercell interference is considered in the form of the covariance matrix which is practically measurable. The number of the selected users may be less than the number of receive antennas when the power of intercell interference is high. This indicates that the degrees of freedom obtained from multiple receive antennas are utilized to suppress intercell interference, as well as to receive desired data streams. Channel whitening is employed to reflect the effects of intercell interference especially in a correlation-based user selection scheme. Numerical results show that the proposed schemes outperform conventional ones which assume intercell interference as white Gaussian noise.
Global and Local Mechanical-Fabric Measurements in Granular Assemblies Using DEM

Classical soil mechanics treats a soil sample subjected to laboratory testing as a homogeneous soil element and uses the homogenized strains in constitutive modeling. This method does not appropriately consider the fact that strain localization (i.e. shear banding) is almost an inevitable phenomenon in soils. After shear banding takes place, the continued deformation of the sample localizes in one or few shear bands, whereas the remaining portions experience essentially rigid body motions along the shear bands. In this situation, the mechanical interpretation of homogenized (i.e. average) measurements of soil element behaviors becomes ambiguous, and the effort of constitutive modeling should focus on local measurements within the shear bands whenever applicable. The present paper describes a number of innovative local quantification techniques that we have recently developed or tailored on a numerical platform in order to facilitate characterizing soil behaviors within shear bands. With these new techniques, we compare average mechanical and fabric measurements homogenized over the entire sample, to those retrieved from the shear bands only in the context of numerical simulation with the discrete element method (DEM).
DETERMINISTIC FRACTALS BASED ON ARCHIMEDEAN SOLIDS

In the present work, the construction of fractals based on Archimedean solids was discussed. The methods of 3D fractals construction based on uniform polyhedra were pre- sented. It was shown that the contraction mapping p rocedure for the construction of fractals with non-overlapping or -disjointed contractions co uld be applied only for a limited number of the polyhedra. The contraction ratios and the Ha usdorff dimensions were determined for the existing fractals with adjacent contractions ba sed on Archimedean solids.
The Socio–Cultural Responsiveness of Household Size on Housing Quality In Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract This paper which emanated from a previous research by the author identified household size as one of the required Socio-cultural parameters with respect to the target population in the provision of adequate housing for the different sub-cultures. In doing this the township of Osogbo has been selected for the study. Information on housing quality and Sociocultural parameters of respondents was collected from 406 houses using the household heads in three (3) identified zones reflecting periods of urban development in Osogbo;Data analysis was by frequencies, cross tabulation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) The analysis revealed a high level of significance between household size and the overall housing quality in Osogbo. It also revealed the predominance of the Yoruba ethnic group over other ethnic groups (Hausa, Igbo etc) while the average household size recorded in each of the three zones identified is above six (6) persons.The data further revealed a poor quality of the existing housing and physical environment of the city’s core area than other residential areas of Osogbo.The paper submitted that overall quality of the existing housing stock and environment should be improved through government intervention in the form of compulsory rehabilitation and urban renewal programs.
COMPARATIVE BIOEFFICACY OF SOME NEW MOLECULES AGAINST JASSIDS AND WHITEFLY IN COTTON

Field studies were conducted during 2009 and 2010 to evaluate the bio-efficacy of some new molecules against jassids, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) and whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) of cotton at Agricultural Research Station- Banswara (Rajasthan). Six molecules i.e. acephate 75 SP @ 500 a.i./ha, triazophos 40 EC @ 600 a.i./ha, fipronil 5 SC @ 40 a.i./ha, imidacloprid 70 WG @ 50 a.i./ha, spinosad 45 SC @ 75 a.i./ha and dimethoate 30 EC @ 300 a.i./ha were evaluated. Spinosad, imidacloprid, acephate and fipronil effectively control the population of jassids and whiteflies and gave significantly higher seed cotton yield over to untreated check and standard check. The highest avoidable losses (52.65%) were recorded in spinosad followed by imidacloprid (42.38%), acephate (31.47%), fipronil (28.23%) and dimethoate (28.12%).
Lie Ideals in Prime Rings with (σ, τ)−Derivation

Let R be a prime ring ,charR � 2 and σ, τ, α, β, λ, μ, ϕ, θ are automorphisms of R. In this note the following basic results are given. (i) Let d be a nonzero (σ, τ) −derivation of R such that dσ = σd, dτ = τd and (a, d(I)) α,β ⊂ Cλ,μ then a ∈ Cα,β or R is commutative, where I � 0 is an ideal of R and a ∈ R. (ii) Let U be a nonzero Lie ideal of R and d1, a nonzero (σ, τ)−derivation of R.I fd2 is a nonzero (ϕ, θ)−derivation of R such that d2ϕ = ϕd2 ,d 2θ = θd2 and I � 0 an ideal of R such that (d1(U) ,d 2(I))α,β ⊂ Cλ,μ then U ⊂ Z. The above results are generalizations of Theorem 5 and Theorem 6 in (7) respectively.
An Extension of Principal Component Analysis

Principal component analysis (PCA), which is also known as Karhunen-Loeve (KL) transform, is a classical statistic technique that has been applied to many fields, such as knowledge representation, pattern recognition and image compression. The objective of PCA is to reduce the dimensionality of dataset and identify new meaningful underlying variables. The key idea is to project the objects to an orthogonal subspace for their compact representations. It usually involves a mathematical procedure that transforms a number of correlated variables into a smaller number of uncorrelated variables, which are called principal components. The first principal component accounts for as much of the variability in the dataset as possible, and each succeeding component accounts for as much of the remaining variability as possible. In pattern recognition, PCA technique was first applied to the representation of human face images by Sirovich and Kirby in [1,2]. This then led to the well-known Eigenfaces method for face recognition proposed by Turk and Penland in [3]. Since then, there has been an extensive literature that addresses both the theoretical aspect of the Eigenfaces method and its application aspect [4-6]. In image compression, PCA technique has also been widely applied to the remote hyperspectral imagery for classification and compression [7,8]. Nevertheless, it can be noted that in the classical 1DPCA scheme the 2D data sample (e.g. image) must be initially converted to a 1D vector form. The resulting sample vector will lead to a high dimensional vector space. It is consequently difficult to evaluate the covariance matrix accurately when the sample vector is very long and the number of training samples is small. Furthermore, it can also be noted that the projection of a sample on each principal orthogonal vector is a scale. Obviously, this will cause the sample data to be over-compressed. In order to solve this kind of dimensionality problem, Yang et al. [9,10] proposed the 2D-PCA approach. The basic idea is to directly use a set of matrices to construct the corresponding covariance matrix instead of a set of vectors. Compared with the covariance matrix of 1D-PCA, one can note that the size of the covariance matrix using 2D-PCA is much smaller. This improves the computational efficiency. Furthermore, it can be noted that the projection of a sample on each principal orthogonal vector is a vector. Thus, the problem of over-compression is alleviated in the 2DPCA scheme. In addition, Wang et al. [11] proposed that the 2D-PCA was equivalent to a special case of the block-based PCA, and emphasized that this kind of block-based methods had been used for face recognition in a number of systems. 2
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF DODONAEA VISCOSA JACQ. EXTRACTS AGAINST SOME PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

The present study has been conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the aerial plant part (leaves and bark) extracts of D. viscosa before and during flowering against some pathogenic bacteria for human, plants, and against yeast (Candida albicans) by using different polarity organic solvents: Ethanol and Diethyl ether. The agar well diffusion method was used to evaluate the inhibitory actions of these extracts with eight concentrations: 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg/ml. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values were also determined, in addition to compare the results of the plant extracts with the results of the susceptibility of pathogenic microorganisms for antibiotics, The completely randomized design (CRD) was used with three replications. Better effect was observed in the liquid dilution assay with all extracts showing a degree of effect. The results showed that ethanolic extracts of the bark and leaves, and diethyl ether extracts of the leaves demonstrated clear inhibitory effect against the tested microorganisms. ethanolic extracts of the bark was superior over leaf extracts in the inhibitory effects on the growth of C. albicans. In general, the results showed no significant differences between the concentrations of 30, 40 or 50 mg/ml. The microbial screening showed that the MIC of ethanolic extracts of the bark before and during flowering was at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml, and for leaf extracts ranged between 2.5-10 mg/ml. As for MBC effects was ranged between 550 mg/ml, depending on the type of solvents, microorganism and the period of collection (before or during flowering). In comparison with antibiotics, the results showed high similitude between D. viscosa extracts at concentrations of 30, 40 or 50 mg/ml and antibiotics against the tested microorganisms. When our results compares with other studies that conducted in other parts of the world, we concluded that the type of solvent, method of extraction, period of collection (before or during flowering) and the geographical distribution of D. viscosa significantly affect the rate of the chemical components and its effect against microorganisms.
Comparison of bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage vs blind lavage with a modified nasogastric tube in the etiologic diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to compare the results of a blind lavage vs a bronchoscopic-guided bronchoalveolar lavage for the etiologic diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN Prospective study in consecutive patients with high probability of VAP. Every patient underwent both procedures, in a formally randomized fashion. The interpretation of quantitative cultures was done in a blind fashion. SETTING Single center study, with a 20 bed medical and surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. PATIENTS Twenty-five patients with high probability of VAP. INTERVENTIONS Every patient underwent blind bronchoalveolar lavage with a modified nasogastric tube, and a bronchoscopic-guided bronchoalveolar lavage. RESULTS Twenty-one patients underwent both procedures. Four patients were excluded due to contamination of the cultures. The quantitative cultures were compared in a paired fashion. Only two patients had discordant cultures. The correlation coefficient between the number of colonies was very high, r=0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.96; p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The blind bronchoalveolar lavage with a modified nasogastric tube is a valuable tool for the identification of etiologic agent in VAP, particularly when trained bronchoscopists or the necessary resources for bronchoscopic-guided bronchoalveolar lavage are not readily available.
German Works Councils Old and New: Incidence, Coverage and Determinants

Although works councils are a core element of the German system of industrial relations, there is little reliable information on their incidence and coverage. This paper uses data from the nationally representative IAB establishment panel to fill this gap. We examine the frequency of works councils by establishment size and broad sector for eastern and western Germany, while at the same time charting the determinants of their presence. Furthermore, we identify newly established works councils and the circumstances of their formation. Finally, we discuss the consequences of our findings for economic analysis of the institution and for public policy.
On the elusive hot oxygen corona of Venus

After more than two years in orbit still no Venus Express observations were published concerning the hot oxygen corona of Venus which could verify the corresponding controversial observations of Venera 11 and PVO, three decades ago. Based on recent energy and mass dependent collision cross sections, the energy distributions of hot atomic oxygen created via dissociative recombination of O2+ are calculated in the daytime thermosphere by means of a 3D Monte Carlo approach. The exosphere density is obtained from the corresponding energy density and angular distribution at 240 km altitude by using a test particle model which traces the ballistic trajectories of hot O atoms in the exosphere. Our study indicates that upon taking into account proper input parameters, the hot oxygen corona appears to be substantially less dense than suggested by previous simulations.
Response of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to Sulphur application under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was carried out at Yavatmal (Maharashtra) India in consecutive years of 2013 to 2015 to study the response of Response of bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum l.) to sulphur application under rainfed conditions. Eight treatments comprising sulphur application (application of 15, 30, 45kg sulphur through gypsum, 15, 30, 45 kg sulphur through bentonite sulphur and control) were tested. Results indicated that application of 45kg sulphur through gypsum registered significantly higher plant height, bolls/ plant, boll mass, seed index, oil content and yield of seed cotton, uptake of nutrients and registered the higher sulphur use efficiency. Similarly the same treatment recorded higher gross and net monetary returns and benefit: cost ratio.
Intellectual Capital Transformation Evaluating Model

Purpose – This paper presents the framework that is developed for analysis of intellectual capital transformation into companies’ value, including an identification of the key factors of this process. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs intellectual capital on the intersection of the value-based management (VBM) and resource-based view (RBV). Starting from a review of the results provided in the literature regarding intellectual capital evaluation and its link with firm performance, the system of proxy indicators related to IC transformation in both concepts was designed. The evaluation ability of the developed model was justified with the regression analyses. Findings – The detailed algorithm for intellectual capital evaluation in terms of the input-outcomes transformation. The Intellectual Capital Transformation Evaluating Model (ICTEM) provides a holistic view of intellectual resources as companies’ strategic investments. Research limitations/implications – The paper emphasizes that the ICTEM framework could be mostly applied for the analysis of a firm as a typical representative of the industry or the country. In that sense it is not applicable for specific features analysis of a company. Practical implications – The paper highlights the ICTEM as a tool of investments decision making mostly taking into account common trends, the prospects of industries and economies’ development. Originality/value – The ICTEM provides the ostensive framework of intellectual capital transformation analysis using a statistical approach.
Partisan Moods: Polarization and the Dynamics of Mass Party Preferences

Inquiry into the origins of partisan polarization has generally treated polarization as a simple, symmetric phenomenon—the degree to which the worldviews of the mass Democratic and Republican parties have or have not diverged from one another. In this article, we disaggregate polarization into its constituent parts, the dynamic preferences of the mass Democratic and Republican Parties. This approach allows for the possibility that intraparty dynamics may influence interparty differences and for the integration of studies of polarization with literatures addressing other dynamics in aggregate public opinion. Building on individual-level research on partisan identities and macrolevel research on public mood, we argue that party polarization may be catalyzed, in part, by the mass parties’ differential responsiveness to changes in the macro political-economic context. We find support for this position, showing asymmetries in the dynamics of polarization that are associated with differential partisan responsiveness to domestic policy choices.
Stabilizing Role of Nanodiamonds on the Amaranth Transformation in Model Biofilters

The present article is focused on studying the first phase of a model dye biodegradation, the reduction of the azo bond, and the following amaranth decolorization. This phase is speed-limiting, i.e. it defines the speed of the whole process. The process is with a periodic regime of feeding and is simulated in reactors of the “biofilter’ type in the presence of trivial organic matter (peptone and yeast extract). In the first part of the studies the dynamics of the amaranth and the organic matter (measured as TOC) is followed as well as the decolorization effectiveness and the effectiveness of decreasing concentration of the organic matter. The spatial and temporal distribution of important groups of microorganisms in depth of the inert carrier has been followed, which take part in the biotransformation of the azo dye. The azoreductase activity of the immobilized community is studied. The second part of the article investigates the modulation effect of nanodiamonds on the residual concentration of amaranth and organic matter, as well as on the effectiveness of their biotransformation. The obtained results showed that the medium layer of the inert carrier in the biofilter has the most favorable conditions for carrying out the reduction of the azobond. The key groups of microorganisms in the biofilm which carry out the process are: the anaerobic heterotrophs; the anaerobic azo degraders, the bacteria from genus Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. Nanodiamonds have a stimulating effect on the technological parameters of the system. It is expressed in maintaining a stable biofilm with a high activity, maintaining an optimal flow of the system and increasing the effectiveness of amaranth decolorization and organic matter removal.
Behavior of the pollen tube of Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L. P. Queiroz after compatible and incompatible crosses

Aiming to analyze the pollen tube growth behavior in compatible and incompatible crosses in Poincianella pyramidalis, on-field crosses were performed using flowers of 30 randomly selected individuals, which were self- and cross-pollinated. In the cross-pollination, the pollen germinated and the pollen tube grew in the transmitting tissue of the pistil, followed by a succession of callose rings through the growth of the tubes towards the ovary; after 8 h, the ovules were fertilized. On the other hand, in self-pollination, the pollen grains germinated, but the pollen tubes were inhibited during growth at the stylar transmitting tissue, indicating that the self-incompatibility of the species is homomorphic and gametophytic. Key words: Fabaceae, self-incompatibility, Caatinga, Poincianella pyramidalis, incompatible crosses, compatible crosses.