Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
African farmer-led irrigation development: re-framing agricultural policy and investment?

The past decade has witnessed an intensifying focus on the development of irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa. It follows a 20-year hiatus in the wake of disappointing irrigation performance during the 1970s and 1980s. Persistent low productivity in African agriculture and vulnerability of African food supplies to increasing instability in international commodity markets are driving pan-African agricultural investment initiatives, such as the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), that identify as a priority the improvement in reliability of water control for agriculture. The paper argues that, for such initiatives to be effective, there needs to be a re-appraisal of current dynamics of irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly with respect to the role of small-scale producers’ initiatives in expanding irrigation. The paper reviews the principal forms such initiatives take and argues that official narratives and statistics on African irrigation often underestimate the extent of such activities. The paper identifies five key characteristics which, it argues, contradict widely held assumptions that inform irrigation policy in Africa. The paper concludes by offering a definition of ‘farmer-led irrigation’ that embraces a range of interaction between producers and commercial, government and non-government agencies, and identifies priority areas for research on the growth potential and impact of such interactions and strategies for their future development.
Land Rights, Farmer Investment Incentives, and Agricultural Production in China

The overall goal of our paper is to estimate the impact of China's land rights on farm investment incentives and agricultural production. To meet the goal, the paper pursues three specific objectives. First, the paper briefly reviews the various linkages between land rights and investment incentives. Next, we demonstrate how land use behavior differs according to the tenure regime and land rights. Third, by using our field survey data, this paper identifies the links between specific land rights, instead of just the land tenure type, and investment incentives. The paper also measures the size of efficiency loss from the current land rights arrangements.
Coagulation efficiency of Moringa oleifera for removal of turbidity and reduction of total coliform as compared to aluminum sulfate.

The use of Moringa oleifera seed extract as a primary coagulant for a local river water source was studied with respect to turbidity removal and total coliform reduction. Aqueous solutions of powdered M. oleifera seeds and conventional aluminium sulfate (alum) were evaluated. The quality of the treated water was analyzed using a standard jar test procedure and compared with that achieved using alum. Based on these exploratory experiments, an equivalency dose (mgMoringa oleifera/mgaluminum sulfate) was established and tested. At the estimated equivalency dose turbidity removal was virtually the same between the two coagulants; however, the M. oleifera extract was not as efficient as alum for Total Coliform reduction. The use of this natural coagulant did not affect the pH and conductivity of the treated water at the dosage used. Aqueous sodium chloride solutions of powdered M. oleifera seeds showed a marked improvement in coagulation efficiency; however, salt extraction at the levels explored would increase the salinity of the source water considerably. Key words: oleifera, coagulation, alum, total coliform, turbidity.
HOW TO PRODUCE OXYGEN AND FUEL TO GET HOME

S pace exploration is on the verge of an exciting new era, with Mars on the agenda. Ambitious programmes on Mars exploration, Mars Sample Return (MSR) missions and the prospect of future manned missions have been recently presented by the main space agencies – ESA (European Space Agency), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), Roscosmos (Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, Russian Federation) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) – often in partnership with private companies. Travelling to Mars is an extraordinary endeavour. The distance between Earth and Mars varies between 55 and 400 millions of kms, depending on the position of the planets on their orbits. The correct conjugation of trajectories implies that there is an optimal window for launching approximately every two years, corresponding to a launch along the Hohmann transfer orbit represented in figure 1, for a trip of around six months, and that in a manned mission astronauts would have to stay on Mars for about one year. Clearly, any local resources that can be used will reduce the logistics and costs of the mission, increase self-sufficiency and reduce risks to the crew. Hence the interest devoted nowadays to in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU), the harnessing of resources in the exploration site that would have to be brought from Earth otherwise. The main component of the Martian atmosphere is CO2, accounting for about 96% (with approximately 2% Ar and 2% N2). This is the resource of interest here. Indeed, carbon dioxide can be used as a raw material to locally produce oxygen, which can be collected and made available for breathing. The process relies on the decomposition of carbon dioxide LIVING ON MARS: HOW TO PRODUCE OXYGEN AND FUEL TO GET HOME
Escaped farmed salmon and trout in Chile: incidence, impacts, and the need for an ecosystem view

The exponential growth of the salmonid farming industry during the last 3 decades has created conditions for massive escapes of these exotic species into natural environments in southern Chile. Here, we review and update information about salmonid escapes from 1993 to 2012 and examine their potential environmental, social, and economic consequences. We estimate that more than 1 million salmonids escape each year from marine farms, mainly due to weather conditions and technical and operational failures of net-pens. While a decrease in the magnitude of escaped Atlantic and coho salmon has occurred during the last several years, escaped rainbow trout have not followed the same pattern. Rainbow trout have become a greater threat to native ecosystems due to their greater potential to establish self-sustaining naturalized populations. The main ecological effects of escapees are related to short-term predatory effects upon native fish, long-term effects linked to the likelihood of farmed salmon establishing self-sustainable popula- tions, and disease and pathogen transfer to native fauna. More research is needed to identify and develop reliable indicators to estimate the impact of escapees at the ecosystem level in both mar- ine and freshwater systems. An understanding of the mechanisms of coexistence between native fishes and introduced non-native salmonids may be useful to design effective management strate- gies aimed at protecting native fish from salmonid introductions. A precautionary approach that encourages local artisanal and recreational fisheries to counteract colonization and naturalization of salmon species in southern Chile may constitute another management option.
Evaluation of Neem Seed Extract for the Control of Major Field Pests of Cowpea ( Vigna Unguiculata ( L . Walp ) under Calendar and Monitored Sprays

Cowpea growers sometimes apply chemicals as many as 8-10 times to control insect pests during the growing season. Calendar sprays at 7 days' intervals (CA.S7) carried out 5 times and 10 days' intervals (CA.S10) carried out 4 times and monitored spray (MOS) carried out only when insect infestation/damage reached or exceeded the action threshold were studied to find out their effect on major insect pests and yield of cowpea whether there were differences in the number of insect pests and grain yield. The insect pests studied were the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, legume bud thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Tryb, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. and pod sucking bugs under the application of 5% aqueous extract of neem seed kernel extract (NSKE). The trials were conducted during the early and late planting seasons in Abraka, on a piece of land half a kilometre to Campus 2, Delta State University, Nigeria. The results indicated that calendar sprays significantly controlled A. craccivora colonies compared to control in the early season. Population of other major insect pests was generally low. During the late season, the various NSKE treatments effectively controlled A. craccivora. No significant difference among the treatments in their effect on the other major insect pests. Grain yields were high in both seasons and a significant difference did not exist among the calendar and monitored spray treatments. Three main things are obvious from this study: (1) neem seed kernel extract is effective in the control of cowpea insect pests, especially A. craccivora, (2) Grain yields were similar in calendar and monitor sprays. (3) spraying every 10 days for 4 times and monitoring insect pest damage/infestation before spraying reduced the number of chemical application.
RUNNING HEAD: EMOTIONAL LABOUR IN JUNIOR DOCTORS

Junior doctors are at risk of work-related burnout and mental health problems due to training workload demands and responsibilities. This study investigated the predictors of work-related burnout and depressive symptoms in junior doctors. Participants were 349 Australian doctors in postgraduate years 1 to 4, who completed a web-based survey assessing emotional labour (surface and deep acting), training stress, work-related burnout, and depressive symptoms. We tested a model in which surface acting and training stress were associated positively with work-related burnout, where deep acting was associated negatively with work-related burnout, where work-related burnout was associated positively with depressive symptoms, and where work-related burnout mediated the relationship between emotional labour, training stress, and depressive symptoms. Surface acting and training stress were associated with work-related burnout and depressive symptoms in the expected directions, deep acting and work-related burnout were associated with depressive symptoms, and work-related burnout fully mediated the relationships between training stress, surface acting and depressive symptoms. The results suggest that assisting junior doctors to manage workload demands and patient contact will have beneficial effects on their work enthusiasm and mental health.
How large are fiscal multipliers? A Panel-Data VAR Approach for the Euro Area", FEP Working Paper nº 500

In the current context where the limited role for monetary policy instruments apparently endows fiscal policy with higher effectiveness, European fiscal policy authorities are rather constrained by the fact of most countries being struggling against recessions together with the need to put public finances in a sustainable path. In this context, we assess how large are fiscal multipliers in Europe, for both aggregated and disaggregated spending and revenue variables. Moreover, we analyze how cycle phases and fiscal consolidation episodes shape the size of fiscal multipliers. We present evidence for the Euro area, relying on a VAR model with pooled annual data from 1998 to 2008. Estimation results show that, on average, transfers are the main driving force for the overall expenditure dynamics; moreover, wages exhibit negative impacts on output while positive effects are strongly driven by shocks in public investment and, to a lesser extent, by intermediate consumption. On the revenue side, all items impinge negatively on output growth. Additionally, our results show that public spending multiplier is positive in recessions while in expansions is smaller, inclusively, negative. Similarly, the effectiveness of the tax multiplier is, also, higher in recessions. Finally, we have found that consolidation phases affect negatively the size of multipliers.
Analysis of Volumetric Tactile Symbols Produced with 3D Printing

The morphological elements of design used for designing tactile maps and symbols for visually impaired users are points, linear, and areal elements. One of the main characteristics of these elements is their two-dimensional and graphic nature. However, since three-dimensional design came to be a fourth group of elements, volumetric elements, has come into use. The key questions of this study are: Is it possible to extend the range of a discriminatable set of symbols by using volumetric elements with height contrast extended in the Z axis? Can some formal variations of these volumetric symbols be distinguished using the sense of touch? The results of this study show that some tactile symbols with simple volumetric forms are easily recognizable using the sense of touch. In the absence of further studies, this could suggest an affirmative answer to the first research question posed.
A New Open Cavity at Millimeter Wave Band for Permittivity Measurement of Dielectrics

In this paper, an open cavity is proposed to measure the permittivity of dielectrics. The cavity consists of an ellipsoidal mirror and two planar mirrors. The relationship between the parameters of the beam in the open cavity and the cavity geometrical parameters is presented. The transcendental equation of dielectric loaded cavity is presented, from which the permittivity of the dielectric can be solved. The resonance frequencies of the vacuum cavity and loaded cavity are computed by the resonance frequency formula and the transcendental equation. They are compared to the results from FDTD simulation. The results from two methods are almost same with each other. The advantage of the proposed open cavity over the conventional open cavity composed of spherical mirror and planar mirror is demonstrated.
Syntactic Errors in Pakistani Undergraduate Students' Written English

This paper investigated the syntactic errors prevalent in Pakistani undergraduate students' written English. It also sought to outline the possible causes of these errors. The study employed content analysis by basing it on Corder's error analysis methodology to accomplish the research objectives. The study was conducted at a renowned private university. Participants for the study were those BS rst year students who had obtained their higher secondary school certicate from Karachi Intermediate Examinations Board. The writing samples of eighty eight o students from this group were obtained. The corpus was then analyzed to discover the syntactic errors, and determine their frequency, types and causes. The major syntactic errors that emerged from the analysis were erroneous verb phrases, run-on sentences, semantically and syntactically ill-formed clauses due to literal translation from mother tongue, and faulty vocabulary respectively. An equal number of interlingual and intralingual errors were found. Students' inadequate competence, insucient training, and limited exposure to the target language are considered to be the major causes behind the thence discovered errors.
Decreasing the carbon footprint of energy efficient buildings, what comes next?

A full LCA was conducted to explore the contribution from each life cycle stage to the carbon footprint of energy efficient buildings, and the role of bio-based materials as future potential alternatives to decrease further carbon emissions in the building sector. Eight different design alternatives with comparable functionality were evaluated for Walluden, a four-storey multi-family building in Vaxjo, Sweden. The designs include three different building systems; volumetric modules, massive timber structural elements and a column-beam structure as well as the original design of the building from 1995 both with wood and concrete frame structures. The three new designs were modelled under conventional and passive house energy efficiency categories. A square meter of living area was used as the functional unit, and a service life of one hundred years was assumed. The analysis includes processes from raw material extraction, manufacturing of building materials, construction, energy generation for the use phase, selected maintenance activities, demolition and disposal of the building waste. Concrete carbonation phenomena, carbon storage and end-use benefits from substituting fossil energy effects with wood material waste were also explored. The results show that the benefits of more use phase energy efficient designs are significant, but as the use-phase impact lowers and there is less improvement potential; both the production and end-use phase become more relevant. Indeed, for the passive house design, the production phase carbon footprint is of the same order as for a one hundred years use phase. For the production phase, increasing the share of bio-based products can decrease significantly the carbon footprint of the production phase of a building, no matter which building system is chosen. Bio-based materials have higher potential environmental benefits for the end-use phase, even as there are uncertainties over the fate of materials in future waste management systems.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using leaf extracts from the endemic Buddleja globosa hope

ABSTRACT Over the last few years, the green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using plant extracts has emerged as a promising methodology for the fabrication of metallic NPs (especially silver, copper, and gold NPs), as it involves an easy, fast, low-cost, and environmentally friendly bioprocess. However, many factors affect the sizes and morphologies of NPs biosynthesized by this method, including the nature of the plant extract, among others. Therefore, the green synthesis of metal NPs with defined stability, size, and morphology distribution remains under evaluation. In the present study, we propose aqueous extracts from the endemic-medicinal plant Budleja globosa (“Matico”) as an efficient bioproduct for the green synthesis of silver NPs (AgNPs). Experimental results indicate that room temperature, low concentrations of leaf extracts of B. globosa, and silver nitrate salt were sufficient to biosynthesize AgNPs with uniform size (16 nm) and shape distribution (spherical). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Changes in the relationship between interest rates and housing prices in South Africa around the 2007 financial crisis

In this study we investigate the cointegration relationship between interest rates and housing prices in South Africa using the autoregressive distributive (ARDL) model applied to quarterly data covering the post inflation targeting period of 2002:Q1 and 2016:Q4. Our empirical consists of splitting the empirical data into two sub-periods, one corresponding to the pre-crisis period (i.e. 2002:Q1 – 2008:Q2) and the other corresponding to the post-crisis periods (i.e. 2008:Q3 – 2016:Q4). Indeed, our empirical results confirm changing dynamics of the interest rate-housing price relationship in light of the financial crisis with the Reserve Bank appearing to respond to changes in the housing price growth in the post-crisis period. This results reflect the strong macropudential stance which the Reserve Bank has recently assumed after the sub-prime crisis and such policy stance critically depends on monitoring asset prices such as housing and property prices as a means of assessing market conditions.
Dynamics of Resistance to Change: A Sequential Analysis of Change Agents in Action

Abstract Despite consensus that successful change management depends on how change is communicated to employees, the dynamic communication process between change agents and recipients remains largely unexplored. We discuss how change language can capture recipients' resistance to and readiness for change, in terms of change versus sustain talk, and adopt a coding instrument from clinical psychology (Motivational Interviewing Skill Code, MISC). We explore whether autonomy-restrictive change agent behaviours may contribute to resistance to change. In a preliminary study, we demonstrate the applicability of the MISC for studying ambivalence in change-related interactions. Next, in a quantitative study of 28 dyadic interactions from a student sample, we examine how change agent behaviours elicit recipients' resistance during the interaction flow, using lag sequential analysis. Our findings show that autonomy-restrictive agent behaviours evoke sustain talk. Recipients' sustain talk in turn evokes autonomy-restrictive agent behaviour. We discuss implications for conceptualizing resistance to change as a dynamically emerging conversational construct and point out practical implications for change agents.
Osmotic potential of Zinnia elegans plant material affects the yield and morphology of tracheary elements produced in vitro

The Zinnia elegans cell suspension culture is excellent for xylogenesis studies at the cellular and molecular level, due to the high and synchronous in vitro differentiation of tracheary elements (TEs). The percentage TE differentiation (%TE) in the culture is, however, influenced by a number of factors before and during cell differentiation. One of the factors that is potentially important but has not gotten much attention is the initial osmolarity of the plant material. To examine whether the growth conditions that determine leaf osmolarity (LO) affect the final %TE, we used three light intensities (50, 70 and 100 μmol.m -2 s -1 ) and three electrical conductivity (EC) levels (EC 2, 4 and 6 dS.m -1 ) in hydroponic systems to induce different osmolarities in leaf materials from two cultivars (cvs) of Z. elegans , Envy and Purple Prince. The isolated leaf mesophyll cells were subsequently cultured in a liquid medium (300 mOsm extracellular osmolarity) containing α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (1 mg.l -1 ) and benzylaminopurine (BA) (1 mg.l -1 ). The LO increased in both Zinnia cvs with increasing light intensity and increasing EC during growth. Mesophyll cell size correlated negatively with EC, but the correlation was positive with light intensity in both Zinnia cvs . There was an overall positive correlation between %TE and LO although the degree of %TE change versus LO differed between light and EC treatments and also between the two Zinnia cvs . Envy cv is the best known Z. elegans cv for establishing xylogenic cultures. However, it turned out that by subjecting the plants to different growth conditions, the Purple Prince cv produces a higher %TE as compared to the Envy cv. At EC4 the TE differentiation for the Purple Prince cv was 75%, a level that is 25 to 60% higher than those earlier reported. We conclude that light intensity and EC of the root environment affect the LO of Z. elegans which in turn influences the development and therefore dimensions of TEs in an in vitro xylogenic culture. Thus, proper optimization of the growth conditions for the Zinnia plants prior to establishment of xylogenic cultures leads to enhancement of in vitro TE formation. Keywords: Electrical conductivity, in vitro culture, leaf osmolarity, light intensity, osmotic potential, tracheary element, xylogenesis, Zinnia elegans .
THE IMPACT OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT ON OUTCOMES IN GOVERNANCE NETWORKS

There is a large amount of literature and research on network management strategies. However, only a limited portion of this literature examines the relationship between network management strategies and outcomes (for an exception, see Meier and O’Toole 2001). Most of the research focuses on managerial activity or networking rather than on the question of which types of strategies matter the most for outcomes of complex processes in networks. This paper attempts to address the question of whether managerial strategies matter for outcomes and also explores which types of strategies have an effect on outcomes. The research is based on a survey sent to respondents involved in environmental projects in The Netherlands. The findings show that the number of employed network management strategies has a strong effect on perceived outcomes. The few variations in the effect of four constructed types of network management strategies found include exploring content, connecting, arranging, and process agreements.