Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intercropping of soybean and proso millet for biomass production

Sustainable agriculture considers production of high quality food and feed with minimal impact on environment. Intercropping is one of the most efficient ways to produce valuable biomass for animal feed rich in nutrients. Intercrop combinations: alternating rows of soybean and proso millet (S-M), alternating strips with 2 rows of soybean and 2 rows of millet (SS-MM-SS) and alternating strips with 2 rows of soybean and 4 rows of millet (SS-MMMM-SS); single crop of soybean and single crop of proso millet were tested. The effect of bio-fertilizer Coveron was also followed. Aboveground biomass was harvested and land equivalent ratio (LER), as well as leaf area index (LAI) was determined. All intercropping combinations increased LAI of soybean when compared to monocrop, to 43% and 84% in SS-MM-SS combination with and without Coveron, respectively. Coveron slightly increased LAI. The highest values of biomass yield were obtained in S-M intercrop for soybean (39% and 42% higher in relation to monocrop, in combination with and without Coveron, respectively) and in monocrop for proso millet. Nevertheless, the highest LER value was obtained for SS-MM-SS combination without Coveron (1.12). In intercrops treated with Coveron slightly lower LER values were obtained for S-M and SS-MMMM-SS combination (0.97 and 0.98, respectively). Irrespective to sowing way, results indicate that 1:1 ratio of soybean and proso millet in intercrop (S-M and SS-MM-SS combinations) is the most promising way to achieve high biomass yield.
Temperature-Controlled Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of Disordered Proteins

The liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is a commonly observed phenomenon within the cell, and such condensates are also highly attractive for applications in biomaterials and drug delivery. A better understanding of the sequence-dependent thermoresponsive behavior is of immense interest as it will aid in the design of protein sequences with desirable properties and in the understanding of cellular response to heat stress. In this work, we use a transferable coarse-grained model to directly probe the sequence-dependent thermoresponsive phase behavior of IDPs. To achieve this goal, we develop a unique knowledge-based amino acid potential that accounts for the temperature-dependent effects on solvent-mediated interactions for different types of amino acids. Remarkably, we are able to distinguish between more than 35 IDPs with upper or lower critical solution temperatures at experimental conditions, thus providing direct evidence that incorporating the temperature-dependent solvent-mediated interactions to IDP assemblies can capture the difference in the shape of the resulting phase diagrams. Given the success of the model in predicting experimental behavior, we use it as a high-throughput screening framework to scan through millions of disordered sequences to characterize the composition dependence of protein phase separation.
Gender Roles in Crop Production and Management Practices: A Case Study of Three Rural Communities in Ambo District, Ethiopia

Abstract A research on gender in agriculture was conducted in Ambo district, Ethiopia, between July and September 2007 to assess gender roles in crop production and management. This article is the first of two papers resulting from this research. The second article is on “Improving Access to Productive Resources and Agricultural Services Through Gender Empowerment: A Case Study of Three Rural Communities in Ambo District, Ethiopia”. A key premise of this first article is that female farmers contribute more significant to crop production and management than their male counterparts. The paper identifies and examines the roles of female and male farmers in crop production and management through a thorough analysis of secondary information and primary data collected in Ambo District with the help of questionnaires, interviews, observations, focus group discussions, participatory rural appraisal, gender analysis and case studies (life histories). Statistical package for social science (SPSS) and excel spreadsheet functions were used to treat and analyze the data. The results of the analysis indicate that female farmers contribute more than their male counterparts in crop production and management. However, despite their significant role in agriculture, the triple roles of female farmers are not well recognized or valued in the district. The promotion of sustainable agricultural development in the district requires that the needs of both rural male and female farmers are addressed in a comprehensive and systemic manner.
Postpartum nutritional status of Filipino women

Postpartum weight, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thicknesses (TSF) and upper arm circumferences (AC) were measured bimonthly for 24 months in a large cohort of urban and rural Filipino women. Weight loss, leading to an increasing prevalence of low BMI (<18.5) is the norm in this population where dietary intakes of energy, calcium, and iron fall below WHO recommended intakes. The effects of lactation on postpartum changes in weight and TSF during 6‐month intervals were examined by stratifying women into groups defined by lactation duration. In addition, multivariate models were used to examine the effects of lactation on changes in weight or TSF while controlling for other factors such as energy intake, seasonality, morbidity, pregnancy interval, parity, and age. Lactation was associated with significantly increased weight losses from birth to 18 months postpartum. Furthermore, full lactation (breast‐feeding with the addition of less than 20 kcal/day to the infant's diet) also significantly increased weight loss in the first 6 months, when the overall duration of lactation in that interval was controlled. Lactation had a small but statistically significant effect on changes in TSF as well. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combat-Related Hemipelvectomy: 14 Cases, a Review of the Literature and Lessons Learned.

OBJECTIVES Trauma-related hemipelvectomy is a rare and often fatal injury that poses a number of challenges to the treating surgeon. Our objective was to identify patient and injury characteristics that have proven difficult to treat, and to describe management techniques. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING Level II trauma center. PATIENTS Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent 14 combat-related hemipelvectomies between 2001 and 2013. INTERVENTION We reviewed our prospective trauma registry, along with the patients' medical records, radiographs, and clinical photographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Injury severity scores, required surgical procedures, ambulatory status, and bowel and bladder function. RESULTS Hemipelvectomy was indicated for insufficient soft tissue coverage, complicated by life-threatening local infection and/or a dysvascular hemipelvis. Five patients underwent resection for angioinvasive fungal infections. All patients sustained a genitourinary injury, with 7 requiring suprapubic catheters and all undergoing diverting colostomy. After a median of 2 years of follow-up, 2 patients had normal urinary continence and 3 regained fecal continence. The surviving patients required a mean of 44 operations. One patient returned to community ambulation. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest published series of trauma-related hemipelvectomies. Our lessons learned may benefit civilian surgeons who are confronted with high-energy open injuries to the pelvic girdle. Although the decision to perform hemipelvectomy should not be taken lightly, this procedure can be lifesaving and should be performed in a timely fashion when indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Students' Wage Expectations in Germany - New Evidence considering Tax Adjusted Estimates

This paper uses a rich dataset derived from a three-year survey to gain insights about the informational background of University applicants. We analyze the extent to which students expectations of their starting and future salary depend on different characteristics. More precisely, the paper investigates whether students with different backgrounds tend towards making larger or smaller errors when estimating salaries. The results point out that students salary estimates are heterogeneous and that this variation is correlated with individual traits and chosen subjects. Overall, students substantially underestimate actual starting salaries by about 20 percent. However, a prime finding of this paper is that estimation errors are highly attributable to students misconception of the German progressive income tax system. Correcting for the erroneous gross-net conversion, we find applicants to have a quite correct idea about what salaries to expect in the future. Overall, applicants adjusted expectations are in line with labor market outcomes. However, expectations remain strongly correlated with personal traits.
Proteomics and glycoproteomics of pluripotent stem‐cell surface proteins

Pluripotent stem cells are a unique cell type with promising potential in regenerative and personalized medicine. Yet the difficulty to understand and coax their seemingly stochastic differentiation and spontaneous self‐renewal have largely limited their clinical applications. A call has been made by numerous researchers for a better characterization of surface proteins on these cells, in search of biomarkers that can dictate developmental stages and lineage specifications, and can help formulate mechanistic insight of stem‐cell fate choices. In the past two decades, proteomics has gained significant recognition in profiling surface proteins at high throughput. This review will summarize the impact of these studies on stem‐cell biology, and discuss the used proteomic techniques. A systematic comparison of all the techniques and their results is also attempted here to help reveal pros, cons, and the complementarity of the existing methods. This awareness should assist in selecting suitable strategies for stem‐cell related research, and shed light on technical improvements that can be explored in the future.
Market Reaction to Seasoned Offerings in China

This study examines stock market reaction to the announcement of various forms of seasoned issues in China. Our empirical evidence demonstrates that market reactions differ in ways that suggest a difference between management's internal assessment and the market's assessment of the stock price. The market responds unfavourably to the announcement, notably in the case of rights issues and also with regard to open offers. Private placements experience an unfavourable pre-announcement reaction, which contrasts with the favourable reaction after the event. Convertible bond issues generate positive excess returns consistent with the market's confidence that they can help to align management and shareholders’ interests. Further investigation shows that market reaction is related to factors specific to the issuer and issue by reference to the period immediately surrounding the issue. Specifically, ownership concentration, agency matters connected with equity offerings, investor protection connected with fund allocation and security pricing, and the influence of powerful moneyed interests together provide an instructive insight into market reaction. Institutional inefficiency pertaining to underwriting, auditing, analysts’ forecasts and credit ratings are found to have a weak association with market price, consistent with due public scepticism concerning management and their gatekeepers.
Effect of Carbohydrate Intake During Warming-up on the Regulation of Blood Glucose During Exercise*

It has been shown that the intake of carbohydrate (CHO)-containing beverages under resting conditions may lead to a rebound hypoglycemia and decreased performance when exercise is performed thereafter. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of CHO beverage consumption with different CHO sources and different concentrations, during warming-up under practice-like circumstances, on the regulation of blood glucose during exercise. Eighteen highly trained cyclists consumed a standardized breakfast at 8:00 AM and performed a warming-up procedure at 10:00 AM for 20 min. Warming-up was followed by a 7-min break after which the subjects cycled for 45 min at a heart rate of 150. During warming-up a CHO-containing beverage (either sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, or glucose) or a placebo was consumed in random order. The test was performed twice, with 300 ml and 600 ml intake, to study a possible dose-response effect. The results of the study showed that warming-up and final exercise lead to an increase of the catecholamines and a decrease of insulin. During the 7-min break this response was reversed. Glucose and maltodextrin induced the same insulin response. Increasing volume and higher CHO concentrations induced a longer increase in blood glucose level compared with the placebo intake. The results showed that intake of CHO-containing beverages during warming-up followed by a small break does not lead to rebound hypoglycemia, independent of the amount of CHO ingested, but instead increases blood glucose.
Design, Construction and Evaluation of an Electromechanical Stance-Control Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis

A new electromechanical stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis (SCKAFO) was designed to provide improved gait for people with knee-extensor weakness. This SCKAFO inhibits knee flexion at any knee angle while allowing knee extension during weight bearing. During swing or other non-weight bearing activities, the SCKAFO allows free knee motion. A prototype joint was mechanically tested to determine the moment at failure, loading behaviour, and device safety. Quantitative kinematic gait analysis of three able-bodied subjects and three knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (KAFO) users showed that the new SCKAFO had a desired minimal effect on able-bodied walking gait. The SCKAFO permitted a mean increase in sagittal knee motion (488%) during swing for the three KAFO users and a reduction in pelvic obliquity and hip abduction angle abnormalities during terminal stance and swing for two KAFO users
Co-Morbidity Exploration on Wearables Activity Data Using Unsupervised Pre-training and Multi-Task Learning

Physical activity and sleep play a major role in the prevention and management of many chronic conditions. It is not a trivial task to understand their impact on chronic conditions. Currently, data from electronic health records (EHRs), sleep lab studies, and activity/sleep logs are used. The rapid increase in the popularity of wearable health devices provides a significant new data source, making it possible to track the user's lifestyle real-time through web interfaces, both to consumer as well as their healthcare provider, potentially. However, at present there is a gap between lifestyle data (e.g., sleep, physical activity) and clinical outcomes normally captured in EHRs. This is a critical barrier for the use of this new source of signal for healthcare decision making. Applying deep learning to wearables data provides a new opportunity to overcome this barrier. To address the problem of the unavailability of clinical data from a major fraction of subjects and unrepresentative subject populations, we propose a novel unsupervised (task-agnostic) time-series representation learning technique called act2vec. act2vec learns useful features by taking into account the co-occurrence of activity levels along with periodicity of human activity patterns. The learned representations are then exploited to boost the performance of disorder-specific supervised learning models. Furthermore, since many disorders are often related to each other, a phenomenon referred to as co-morbidity, we use a multi-task learning framework for exploiting the shared structure of disorder inducing life-style choices partially captured in the wearables data. Empirical evaluation using actigraphy data from 4,124 subjects shows that our proposed method performs and generalizes substantially better than the conventional time-series symbolic representational methods and task-specific deep learning models.
Composite Focus Measure for High Quality Depth Maps

Depth from focus is a highly accessible method to estimate the 3D structure of everyday scenes. Today’s DSLR and mobile cameras facilitate the easy capture of multiple focused images of a scene. Focus measures (FMs) that estimate the amount of focus at each pixel form the basis of depth-from-focus methods. Several FMs have been proposed in the past and new ones will emerge in the future, each with their own strengths. We estimate a weighted combination of standard FMs that outperforms others on a wide range of scene types. The resulting composite focus measure consists of FMs that are in consensus with one another but not in chorus. Our two-stage pipeline first estimates fine depth at each pixel using the composite focus measure. A cost-volume propagation step then assigns depths from confident pixels to others. We can generate high quality depth maps using just the top five FMs from our composite focus measure. This is a positive step towards depth estimation of everyday scenes with no special equipment.
Children's organized physical activity patterns from childhood into adolescence.

BACKGROUND Few longitudinal studies of physical activity have included young children or used nationally representative datasets. The purpose of the current study was to explore patterns of organized physical activity for Canadian children aged 4 through 17 years. METHODS Data from 5 cycles of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were analyzed separately for boys (n = 4463) and girls (n = 4354) using multiple trajectory modeling. RESULTS Boys' and girls' organized physical activity was best represented by 3 trajectory groups. For boys, these groups were labeled: high stable, high decreasing, and low decreasing participation. For girls, these groups were labeled: high decreasing, moderate stable, and low decreasing participation. Risk factors (parental education, household income, urban/rural dwelling, and single/dual parent) were explored. For boys and girls, having a parent with postsecondary education and living in a higher income household were associated with a greater likelihood of weekly participation in organized physical activity. Living in an urban area was also significantly associated with a greater likelihood of weekly participation for girls. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that Canadian children's organized physical activity is best represented by multiple patterns of participation that tend to peak in middle childhood and decline into adolescence.
An estimation of the requirement for folic acid in gestating sows: the metabolic utilization of folates as a criterion of measurement.

Sows at their second parity were randomly distributed in five groups of seven animals each to determine the dietary concentration of folic acid that optimizes the metabolic utilization of the vitamin during gestation. The groups differed by dietary supplement of folic acid: 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 ppm. Sows were fed 2.5 kg of diet each day. The response of serum folates and folate binding capacity to treatments and the excretion of urinary folates after an i.v. injection of folic acid were measured. The total daily excretion of urinary folates was corrected according to the response to one i.v. injection of saline on the day preceding the i.v. injection of folic acid. The decrease of total serum folates throughout gestation was less pronounced in the groups fed 15 and 20 ppm of dietary folic acid (supplement x period interaction, P<.06) than it was in the other three treatments. The proportion of i.v. folic acid not recovered in sow urine (injected - excreted) decreased as the amount of dietary folic acid increased to reach a minimum, which differed according to the period (supplement x period interaction, P<.02); it was 15 ppm during wk 1 of gestation and 10 ppm for the other periods studied. The unrecovered folates increased over a dietary concentration of 15 ppm. These minimum values correspond to the most appropriate feed concentration that covered the whole body utilization (tissue and cell metabolism, catabolism, and storage) of folates by the sows and could be interpreted as a reliable index of the requirement.
Effect of fresh‐frozen plasma transfusion on prothrombin time and bleeding in patients with mild coagulation abnormalities

BACKGROUND: Fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) is frequently transfused to patients with mild prolongation of coagulation values under the assumption that FFP will correct the coagulopathy. There is little evidence to support this practice, however. To determine the effect of FFP on coagulation variables and correlation with bleeding in patients with mildly prolonged coagulation values, a prospective audit of all FFP transfusions at the Massachusetts General Hospital between September 2, 2004, and September 30, 2005, was performed.
The Association of Skin Test Reactivity, Total Serum IgE Levels, and Peripheral Blood Eosinophilia with Asthma in Kuwait

There is evidence that elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophilia correlate well with allergic skin test reactivity. These parameters have been used as alternative methods to characterize atopic subjects. Skin test reactivity is the only measure used routinely in clinical practice in Kuwait to reflect atopy in asthma patients. This study examines the usefulness of the two other parameters of atopy in patients with asthma, and to determine the most common allergens involved in Kuwait. Between 1998 and 1999, 101 asthma patients and 33 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Skin sensitivity test, serum total and specific IgE, total blood eosinophil count (B-EOS), and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) tests were performed in patients and controls. Nine allergens known to be prevalent in this environment were selected for the skin test and specific IgE test. Spirometry was also measured. These parameters were repeated after 4 weeks of therapy in the patients only. Skin test reaction was positive in 81% of the patients, while total IgE above 200 kU/L was obtained in 63% of cases. B-EOS above 300 ± 103/L was found in 75% of cases. House dust mite reactivity (positivity) was the most frequently encountered skin allergy, occurring in 28% of the patients. IgE correlated positively with B-EOS and ECP. B-EOS similarly correlated positively with ECP. There was a negative correlation between ECP and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (% predicted) as expected. At least one positive parameter of atopy was found in 95% of the patients. In 48% of the patients, all three parameters of atopy were found to be positive. Skin test reactivity and elevated IgE were found together in 62% of the cases. This study reveals a significant degree of allergy among patients with asthma in this environment. Skin testing was found to be the most effective measure of atopy in this environment, and correlates well with the other more sensitive newer tests.