Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATE OF GENETIC COMPONENTS OF BIRTH WEIGHT USING MULTI- BREED MODELS WITH PEDIGREE STRUCTURES IN MESTIZO SHEEP

The objectives of this paper were to verify the influence of the multi-breed model and pedigree structure in the estimates of the genetic components to birth weight in a mestizo herd. Using 1234 birth weight records in two ways, one dataset with complete pedigree information (n = 1028) and another with incomplete pedigree information (n = 1234). The pedigree was composed for 10 sires, 366 and 448 dams for complete and incomplete pedigree, respectively. Used for analysis the maximum restricted likelihood method about the animal model, considering the birth weight trait, for a dataset with or not complete pedigree. The direct heritability coefficients in both datasets did not present large difference, 0.06 and 0.09 to best models in the complete and incomplete pedigree, respectively. However, in the incomplete pedigree, the maternal heritability was 0.29. The residual variance, which on the best model of the dataset with complete pedigree presented 0.51 and 0.35 for the best model of the dataset with incomplete pedigree. In conclusion, there was an influence of de multi-breed model only in the dataset with complete pedigree, being the best model that considered the direct and breed effects. In the dataset with incomplete pedigree, the better model was that considered the direct and maternal additive effects. In both datasets, the modeling of contemporary groups as fixed effect presented the best estimates of genetics components to birth weight in this mestizo flock.
RAAE 2/2021, Regular Article, Gulak & Obi-Egbedi

Research background: Irish-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the main root crops in Nigeria with the potential to improve food security, income and human nutrition. However, farmers are losing outputs due to inefficiency in resource use, whereas, past studies on Irish potato in Nigeria have not focussed on efficiency of the enterprise. Purpose of the article: This study is aimed at measuring technical efficiency to provide a way of quantifying and comparing the performance of each farmer, and identification of factors responsible for variation in technical efficiency. Hence, technical efficiency, and its determinants and returns to scale of Irish-potato farmers were analysed Methods: Primary data was collected from 260 Irish potato farmers using a structured questionnaire through a multistage sampling method. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, standard deviation and percentages) and a two-stage estimation procedure to fit the stochastic frontier production function for Irish potato farmers were used. Findings & value added: Results indicated that the farmers have a mean age of 48 years which indicates an agile workforce. Over 80% of the farmers possessed some form of formal education, predominantly at the secondary level. The efficiency estimates indicated a disparity in technical efficiency among farmers with a mean technical efficiency of 89±4%. The farmers were producing at decreasing returns to scale. At the same time, socio-economic factors of gender, extension contact, membership in cooperative society and farming experience were positive determinants of farmers’ technical efficiency, while household size was negative. Thus, being a male farmer, farming experience, encouraging contact between farmers and extension workers as well as membership in cooperative societies, while reducing household size can improve technical efficiency in Irish potato production.
Characterization of triggered vacuum switches for high current operation

Triggered vacuum switches show promise for use in high-power, high-current and high-frequency conversion and switching circuits. Their specific power and power density ratings are well above silicon devices. TVS are robust devices that can survive faults that would destroy other types of switching devices. In addition, TVS are capable of fast recovery. However, there is not much performance data at high current and frequency and TVS are unable to recover reliably under reversing current and voltage conditions after passing a peak current greater than 20 kA. This paper describes the results of tests performed to obtain a wide variety of characteristics, including V/I characteristic, ability to share current, and ability to recover when a reverse voltage is applied.
Perceived Barriers towards Physical Activity among Female University Students

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Lack of regular physical activity at young age able to increase the risk to get cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis later in life. The physical activity index among Malaysian teens revealed that they were more active than the rest of the ages at the age of 21. However, at 22 years of age and above, these young people attempt to decrease their PA, and at this age, most of them are university students. Therefore, the objective of this study is mainly to examine differences in internal and external attributes between active and inactive participation in physical activity among female students. A crosssectional study was conducted using convenience sampling technique. Students completed a questionnaire focusing on the barriers in physical activity. Comparison analysis was then used to examine the differences in mean scores between active and less active respondents. Both external and internal barriers in physical activity were found statistically significant difference in mean scores. External barriers in physical activity were higher values of mean score compared to internal barriers. Lack of time due to social and family responsibilities was considered as most important barriers in physical activity. Future research at large scale and targeting other population are needed in order to help nation achieved SDGs 2030 goal 3 by improving healthy lifestyle and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Effectiveness of artificial intelligent cardiac remote monitoring system for evaluating asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effectiveness of cardiac remote monitoring system (CRMS) based on artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm mode for evaluating asymptomatic myocardial ischemia (AMI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS Two hundred CAD patients confirmed by coronary angiography (CA) in our hospital were included as the study subjects, 120 of whom developed myocardial ischemia (MI). All patients received 12-lead telephone remote ECG monitoring and evaluation. After monitoring, artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm was performed to observe the detection rate of MI. RESULTS Compared with artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm combined with remote ECG monitoring system, the detection rate of remote ECG monitoring system in 120 MI patients was lower (96.67% vs. 86.67%, P<0.01). Among the 120 MI patients, there were 26 patients (21.67%) with symptomatic myocardial ischemia (SMI) and 94 patients (78.33%) with AMI. There was no difference between the two detection methods in the diagnosis of SMI (P>0.05), while there was a difference in the diagnosis of AMI (P<0.01). The degree and duration of ST segment decline and the threshold variability of MI were higher in SMI patients than those in AMI patients (P<0.001). It showed that the lowest frequency of MI was from 0:00 to 06:00, and the highest from 06:01 to 12:00, with significant difference compared with other time periods (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The CRMS based on artificial intelligence-enabled ECG algorithm mode can significantly improve the detection rate of AMI. Moreover, small changes of ST segment in AMI patients and circadian rhythm of disease onset were presented.
Entrepreneurial (Attitude, Orientation and Intention) Among Various Categories of Students

Over the years it has been debated that are Entrepreneurs are BORN or MADE so it is important to identify and study the various factors that encourage students, especially management students to start their own business. It is essentially a journey which creates a character of an individual, as someone supporting self and society at large. Hence, it is worth understanding those reasons/factors that make someone different from others and have such intention to get into entrepreneurship while others are not motivated to plunge into it. This literature review would be to understand the researches done in understanding the motivating factors to become an entrepreneur, especially among management students, as they are the best fit to become start a business or take their existing family business ahead.
Morphometric Study of Craters on Saturn’s Moon Rhea

Morphometric studies of impact craters on icy moons can be used to understand modification of crater topography. Several processes (e.g., viscous relaxation, ejecta deposition, repeated and overlapping impacts) act to shallow crater depth and relax the crater wall slope to similar or varying extents. Resolving these processes can help constrain the interior structure and surface properties of icy moons. Here, using morphometric measurements of craters on Rhea, we aim to constrain the processes that led to the observed crater population. We measured crater diameter, depth, and wall slope, as well as overall crater morphology (e.g., simple versus complex craters). Our results indicate that there exists a linear correlation between impact crater depth-to-diameter ratio and crater wall slope. This may suggest that the dominant modification process on Rhea is one that affects both properties simultaneously, which supports past heating events as the primary post-impact modification process. Additionally, the simple-to-complex crater transition for Rhea was found to be 12 ± 2 km, which is consistent with reported transition diameters for comparably sized icy bodies, indicating similar surface properties. A transition to shallower crater depths for large complex craters was not documented, indicating the absence of a rheological transition at depth in Rhea’s icy lithosphere, which may support the interpretation that Rhea is not fully differentiated.
Disentanglement of myogenic related structures in the bladder wall of humans with and without overactive bladder syndrome.

Objectives: It has recently been found that detrusor smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts are coupled via gap junctions. However, gap junctions cannot account for strong physical interaction between cells, which has prompted the search for intercellular adhesion molecules. Cadherin-11 is a candidate for such a molecule, since it mediates the interaction of dermal myofibroblasts in contractile wound granulation tissue. We therefore hypothesised that the physical adhesion between detrusor smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts is mediated by cadherin-11. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis. Methods: Bladder biopsies from eight radical cystectomy specimens were snap-frozen, sectioned, and stained for E-cadherin; cadherin-11; a-catenin; b-catenin; g-catenin and smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast markers connexin-43, vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin, and smoothelin. Specimens were analysed by using binocular epifluorescent and confocal laser–scanning microscopy. Results: Specific positive membranous expression of all adhesion complex molecules except E-cadherin was detected in detrusor suburothelial tissue. All biopsies showed a similar punctate pattern of expression for cadherin-11 within bundles of smooth muscle cells and a suburothelial layer of cells. Cadherin-11 was specifically located at the cell membrane, in distinct linear domains. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first time evidence has been provided for cadherin-mediated smooth muscle and suburothelial myofibroblast cell-cell interaction in the human bladder. Cadherin-11 most probably plays an important role in the intercellular physical coupling of detrusor smooth muscle cells and also of myofibroblasts. Boek 17.indb 52 12-5-2014 21:37:27 53 Cadherin-11 in smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts of normal human bladder
RAAE 2/2021, Regular Article, Ositade et al

Research background: With market liberalization and the introduction of the new Global GAP measures, several vertical coordination options have emerged, presenting smallholder farmers with multiple market outlets. The choice of any vertical coordination option (VCO) is likely to be entwined by farm, farmer and vertical coordination attributes, yet the selection of an appropriate market outlet for delivering farm produce is not clear-cut. Purpose of the article: This study determines factors influencing the choice of vertical coordination options among smallholder French beans producers in Murang’a South Sub-County Methods: Using data from a sample of 215 smallholder producers, the study employed a multivariate probit model (MVP) to explain the determinants of vertical coordination option choices among French beans farmers in four wards located in Murang’a South Sub-County. Findings & Value added: The results indicate that the choice of vertical coordination option was significantly influenced by gender, household size, education stock, group membership, extension service, training access, farming experience, off-farm income, credit access, distance and market reliability. This implies that the promotion of collective action as an institutional tool for linking farmers to high-value markets, matters. These networks will aid in sharing knowledge, increasing borrowing power and thus, producers can improve French bean quality as required by the market. Additionally, financial institutions stakeholders should develop policies that favour the acquisition of credit at affordable rates. Further, the government with other relevant stakeholders should conduct more training on global gap standards.
Yield character variability in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) has considerable economic importance in the western Sahel because of its nutritional and medical properties. In order to obtain information on variability, a study of yield and some related characters (number of branches/plant, number of capsules/plant, number of seeds/fruit, hundred seed weight) using nine ecotypes of Roselle was undertaken during the rainy season (from July to September) in 2004 at the experimental station of the Agrhymet Regional Centre in Niamey (Niger). Results indicated considerable variability among ecotypes for most of the measured parameters. Seed yield ranged from 292±8.80 kg/ha (ecotypes E8) to 497±8.91 kg/ha (E4). Calyx yield varied significantly (P < 0.01), from 123±8.26 kg/ha (E1) to 766±36.81 kg/ha (E9). The ecotypes which produced the highest seed yield also had high leaf yield but low calyx yield. There was also a significant (P < 0.05) difference among ecotypes in yield components such as hundred seed weight, number of branches/plant, number of capsules/plant and number of seeds/fruit. Ecotypes with higher calyx yield had lower hundred seed weight and shorter plants. Results indicated the possibility to increase calyx yield and consequently farmer’s income through selection programs. Key words: Hibiscus sabdariffa, variability, leaf, seed, calyx yield, components, Niger.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Analysis of Tandem Flat Plates in Ground Effect

Unsteady aerodynamic analysis of flat plates in tandem configuration flying near the ground is done using a discrete vortex method. The vortex core modeling and the core addition scheme are needed for the better prediction of the unsteady downwash on the flat plates and coupled aerodynamic interference between the plates. For the validation of the present method, the computed wake shapes of both single flat plate and flat plates in tandem configuration are compared with flow visualization and other numerical result. The predicted wake shapes and the aerodynamic characteristics of the flat plates in tandem configuration show that the unsteady ground effect can be of considerable importance in the performance of wings in tandem configuration.
Can visibility difference between driver and pedestrian lead to crash?

Abstract Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users. Some studies have verified that the visibility difference between pedestrians and drivers can lead to pedestrian–vehicle crashes at night when pedestrians cross the road. This paper considered the influences of the ratio of driver and pedestrian visibility, the vehicle original speed, the pavement friction coefficient and the vehicle mass on crashes when the pedestrians go through the road during night, and analysed the vehicle movement process and the collision speed and crash severity under different conditions. Besides, the special conditions considering driver characteristics, roadway features and vehicle features were analysed, respectively. From the results, it is observed that the collision speed and crash severity is higher when the ratio of driver and pedestrian visibility is smaller, the original speed is higher and pavement friction coefficient is higher. Moreover, from the results, the least distance between vehicles is also obtained. This study will make some contribution to the traffic safety improvement.
Aujeszky’s Disease in South-Italian Wild Boars (Sus scrofa): A Serological Survey

Simple Summary Aujeszky’s disease (AD, pseudorabies) is a viral disease of suids caused by Suid Herpesvirus 1 (SHV-1) also referred as Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV) or Pseudorabies virus (PRV). The aim of our study was to evaluate seroprevalence of AD in wild boar hunted in the Campania Region, during the 2016–2017 hunting season. A total of 503 serum samples from wild boars hunted in the provinces of Campania Region were tested for antibody against ADV using an ELISA assay. A Seroprevalence of 23.85% (120/503, 95% Confidence Interval (CI 95%: 20.15–27.55) was found. Gender was not significantly associated with of ADV seropositivity (p > 0.05), while the presence of ADV antibodies was statistically associated with age (>36-month, p < 0.0001) and location (Avellino, p = 0.0161). Abstract Aujeszky’s disease (AD, pseudorabies) is a viral disease of suids caused by Suid Herpesvirus 1 (SHV-1) also referred as Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV) or Pseudorabies virus (ADV). Domestic pig and Wild boar (Sus scrofa) are the natural host, but many species can be infected with ADV. The aim of our study was to evaluate seroprevalence of AD in wild boar hunted in the Campania Region, during the 2016–2017 hunting season. A total of 503 serum samples from wild boars hunted in the provinces of Campania Region (Southern Italy) were collected and were tested for antibody against ADV using an AD, blocking ELISA assay. A Seroprevalence of 23.85% (120/503, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 20.15–27.55) was found. Gender was not significantly associated with of ADV seropositivity (p > 0.05), while the presence of ADV antibodies was statistically associated with age (>36-month, p < 0.0001) and location (Avellino, p = 0.0161). Our prevalence values are like those obtained in 2010 in our laboratory (30.7%), demonstrating a constant circulation of ADV in the area.
Targeting Hypoxia: Revival of Old Remedies

Tumour hypoxia is significantly correlated with patient survival and treatment outcomes. At the molecular level, hypoxia is a major driving factor for tumour progression and aggressiveness. Despite the accumulative scientific and clinical efforts to target hypoxia, there is still a need to find specific treatments for tumour hypoxia. In this review, we discuss a variety of approaches to alter the low oxygen tumour microenvironment or hypoxia pathways including carbogen breathing, hyperthermia, hypoxia-activated prodrugs, tumour metabolism and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) inhibitors. The recent advances in technology and biological understanding reveal the importance of revisiting old therapeutic regimens and repurposing their uses clinically.
Exploring Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Signals in Endometriosis Diagnosis and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

Endometriosis (EMS) pathogenesis has been related to the release of inflammatory mediators in peritoneal fluid, creating an altered microenvironment that leads to low-grade oocyte/embryos and to the reduction of implantation rates. The Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), an inflammation-related process, can be a further contributing factor to EMS. This study aimed to investigate, among various cytokines and EMT markers (Cadherins, TGF-β, HIF-1α), diagnostic markers of EMS and prognostic factors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Herein, EMS patients manifested higher serum levels of the inflammatory molecules IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 and a decrease in the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. Moreover, biochemical markers associated with the EMT process were more elevated in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of EMS patients than in controls. At the end, the number of good-quality embryos was inversely related to serum IL-6 and EMT markers. Interestingly, serum IL-6 and FF IL-10 concentrations differentiated EMS patients from controls. Finally, serum IL-8 and E-Cadherin levels, as well as FF IL-10, predicted positive IVF outcome with great accuracy. Our data confirm the pivotal role of inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-6 and IL-10) in EMS pathogenesis and suggest that EMT-related markers are elevated in EMS patients and can be predictive of IVF outcome.
Prognostic Significance of CSF-1R Expression in Early Invasive Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Experimental evidence suggests that CSF-1/CSF-1R signaling attracts immune cells called macrophages into the tumor microenvironment which promote the capacity of cancer cells to spread. In this study, we investigated CSF-1R protein expression on breast cancer cells and macrophages and their relationship with other immune cells and breast cancer survival. Our results show that cases with high CSF-1R expression on cancer cells, but not macrophages, are associated with inferior survival, particularly in the common hormone receptor-positive breast cancer group, which persists even in the presence of an active anti-tumor host immune response. Abstract Colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) signaling promotes an immune suppressive microenvironment enriched in M2 macrophages. Given that CSF-1R inhibitors are under investigation in clinical trials, including in breast cancer, CSF-1R expression and association with immune biomarkers could identify patients who derive greater benefit from combination with immunotherapies. TIMER2.0 and bc-GenExMiner v4.7 were used to assess the correlation of CSF1R mRNA with immune infiltrates and prognosis. Following a prespecified training–validation approach, an optimized immunohistochemistry assay was applied to assess CSF-1R on carcinoma cells and macrophages on breast cancer tissue microarray series representing 2384 patients, coupled to comprehensive clinicopathological, biomarker, and outcome data. Significant positive correlations were observed between CSF1R mRNA and immune infiltrates. High carcinoma CSF-1R correlated with grade 3 tumors >2 cm, hormone receptor negativity, high Ki67, immune checkpoint biomarkers, and macrophages expressing CSF-1R and CD163. High carcinoma CSF-1R was significantly associated with poor survival in univariate and multivariate analyses. Adverse prognostic associations were retained in ER+ cases regardless of the presence of CD8+ T cells. CSF-1R+ macrophages were not prognostic. High carcinoma CSF-1R is associated with aggressive breast cancer biology and poor prognosis, particularly in ER+ cases, and identifies patients in whom biomarker-directed CSF-1R therapies may yield superior therapeutic responses.