Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Application of Poultry Manure and Wood Ash on Maize (Zea mays L.) Performance

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the application of poultry manure and wood ash on the growth and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.). The poultry manure was applied two weeks prior to planting to allow for proper decomposition. Wood ash was applied a day before planting. There were three treatments in all including the control and the treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Plant height and leaf area were taken at three weeks after planting to nine weeks after planting with an interval of two weeks. The grain yield was taken at eleven weeks after planting and was dried, weighed and recorded. The results showed that poultry manure significantly increased plant height (192.0 cm) and grain yield (4.83 t/ha) but has no significant effect on the number of leaves and leaf area with 12cm and 3403.6cm2 respectively. The values of plant height and leaf area of the control were relatively high compared with other treatments. This can be attributed to the availability of Nitrogen in the soil. The wood ash was found to give the lowest values for nitrogen as well as vegetative growth of maize, this could be attributed to the fact that nitrogen tends to volatilize when in contact with alkaline mediums and consequently affect vegetative growth of maize.
Water dissociation and water-gas shift energetics on MgO, MgO/Ag and Au/MgO/Ag surfaces

Water dissociation and the energetics of the WGS reaction on a bulk MgO, an Ag supported MgO thin film and Au/MgO/Ag surfaces is studied based on the density functional theory. The literature results for water splitting on MgO and MgO/Ag surfaces with a step type defect are repeated and further analysis on the origin of the energetically favored dissociative water adsorption are made. The reactivity towards water dissociation on the stepped MgO and MgO/Ag surfaces is attributed to four contributing factors: 1. The change in the interlayer distance of the surface in dissociative adsorption is diminished on the stepped surfaces compared to the flat surfaces. On the flat surfaces the dissociative adsorption of water leads to an increased interlayer distance between the first and second MgO layer while the molecular adsorption does not change the distance. 2. A surface OH group is formed in the H adsorption. On the stepped surface the adsorbed OH and surface OH form aligned dipoles. On the flat surface the adsorbed OH and the surface OH group do not align. 3. The density difference analysis shows that the charge transfer in the co-adsorption of H and OH on the stepped MgO/Ag surface is mainly between the adsorbed H and OH. This leads to an attractive Coulomb interaction between the adsorbed species. 4. The p-band center of the edge O atoms show a strong shift towards the Fermi energy compared to the average surface O atoms. On the bulk MgO surfaces the p-band center of the O atom at the H adsorption site is shown to correlate with the H adsorption energy. Similar trend is seen in the MgO/Ag surfaces. The energetics of a WGS reaction on a surface with large Au clusters deposited on an Ag supported MgO thin film is studied. The large Au cluster is modeled with an Au stripe set with the periodic boundary conditions to produce similar distances between the Au atoms as for a large Au cluster. The Bader charges of the edge atoms of the Au stripe are similar to the charges for the edge atoms of a large Au cluster. Water dissociation at the edge of the Au stripe is not deemed probable due to the weak binding of OH to the Au/MgO/Ag surface.
UNDERSTANDING CONSUMERS’ BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TO ADOPT MOBILE PAYMENT SERVICES IN RURAL TANZANIA: A CASE OF PWANI REGION

Although mobile payment services are acknowledged as potential means to provide financial services access to remote and unbanked population, majority of rural areas have not adopted the services compared to their counter parts in urban areas. The present study investigated motives, which influence consumers' behavioural intention to adopt mobile payments services in rural areas in order to comprehend the manner that can enhance and sustain utilization of the services in rural areas. The study involved a sample of 99 respondents from three districts of Pwani region and employed Partial Least Square- Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for consumers’ behavioural intention to adopt mobile payment services in rural areas. To do this, the study established research conceptual model against collected data and henceforth, test established hypotheses. Findings from the study suggested that both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation were important factors towards behavioural intention. Hence, called for service providers and regulators to develop and implement services, strategies and value proposition to rural areas that not only address technology requirements but also technical human needs including needs for autonomy and competencies.
Characterization and Error Analysis of Profiles Retrieved From Remote Sounding Measurements

The characterization and error analysis of profiles retrieved from remote measurements present conceptual problems, particularly concerning interlevel correlations between errors, the smoothing effect of remote sounding and the contribution of a priori information to profile. A formal analysis for profile retrieval is developed which is independent of the nature of the retrieval method, provided that the measurement process can be characterized adequately. The relationship between the retrieved and true profiles is expressed in terms of a smoothing function which can be straightforwardly calculated. The retrieval error separates naturally into three components, (1) random error due to measurement noise, (2) systematic error due to uncertain model parameters and inverse model bias, and (3) null-space error due to the inherent finite vertical resolution of the observing system. A recipe is given for evaluating each of the components in any particular case. Most of the error terms appear as covariance matrices, rather than simple error variances. These matrices can be interpreted in terms of “error patterns”, which are statistically independent contributions to the total error. They are the multidimensional equivalent of “error bars”. An approach is described which clarifies the relation of a priori data to the retrieved profile, and identifies a priori in cases where it is not an explicit part of the retrieval.
Periodic orbits of the restricted three-body problem

We prove, using a variational formulation, the existence of an in-(cid:12)nity of periodic solutions of the restricted three-body problem. When the problem has some additional symmetry (in particular, in the autonomous case), we prove the existence of at least two periodic solutions of minimal period T , for every T > 0. We also study the bifurcation problem in a neighborhood of each closed orbit of the autonomous restricted three-body problem.
Two Preregistered Direct Replications of “Objects Don’t Object: Evidence That Self-Objectification Disrupts Women’s Social Activism”

Self-objectification has been claimed to induce numerous detrimental consequences for women at the individual level (e.g., sexual dysfunction, depression, eating disorders). Additionally, at the collective level, it has been proposed that self-objectified women might themselves contribute to the maintenance of the patriarchal status quo, for instance, by participating less in collective action. In 2013, Calogero found a negative link between self-objectification and collective action, which was mediated by the adoption of gender-specific system justification. Here, we report two preregistered direct replications (PDRs) of Calogero’s original study. We conducted these PDRs after three failures to replicate the positive relation between self-objectification and gender-specific system-justification belief in correlational studies. Results of the two PDRs, in which we used a Bayesian approach, supported the null hypothesis. This work has important theoretical implications because it challenges the role attributed to self-objectified women in the maintenance of patriarchy.
Breast cancer screening implications of risk modeling among female relatives of ATM and CHEK2 carriers

With the increasing use of multigene panel tests, pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants are identified more frequently in the moderate‐penetrance breast cancer genes ATM and CHEK2. Lifetime breast cancer risk among women with P/LP variants in these genes generally exceeds 20%, meeting the threshold at which high‐risk breast cancer screening through breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended.
Assessment of Produce Standardization Adopted by the Rice Farmers in the Marketing of their Rice Produce in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study assessed the produce standardization adopted by the rice farmers in the marketing of their rice produce in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage and random sampling techniques were employed in selecting 120 samples. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. The result obtained shows that the farmers sort and grade their produce according to: size (33.33%), anomalies (8.33%), shapes and appearance (25%). The result further showed that the packaging materials used by the farmers were: sack (100%), while the unit of measurement standard used by the farmer comprises of: unmeasured 50kg sack (95%) and unmeasured 100kg sack (88.33%). The result from the analysis of the social and economic effects of standard measures adopted by the farmer marketers include: misrepresentation of the product features and pricing (Xi = 4.52), misrepresentation of the quantity measurement (Xi = 4.05), etc. The ascertained constraints to rice produce standardization in Ebonyi state includes: lack of participation of Ebonyi state rice farmers in standard setting forums both at national and international level (Xi = 2.89). The study strongly recommends that the farmers should use weighing balance during marketing of their sorted and graded rice produce.
The PD-1 / PD-L 1 axis in the pathogenesis of urothelial bladder cancer and evaluating its potential as a therapeutic target

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Cardiac output measured by transthoracic echocardiography and Swan-Ganz catheter. A comparative study in mechanically ventilated patients with high positive end-expiratory pressure

Objective To compare cardiac output measurements by transthoracic echocardiography and a pulmonary artery catheter in mechanically ventilated patients with high positive end-expiratory pressure. To evaluate the effect of tricuspid regurgitation. Methods Sixteen mechanically ventilated patients were studied. Cardiac output was measured by pulmonary artery catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography. Measurements were performed at different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (10cmH2O, 15cmH2O, and 20cmH2O). The effect of tricuspid regurgitation on cardiac output measurement was evaluated. The intraclass correlation coefficient was studied; the mean error and limits of agreement were studied with the Bland-Altman plot. The error rate was calculated. Results Forty-four pairs of cardiac output measurements were obtained. An intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.908 was found (p < 0.001). The mean error was 0.44L/min for cardiac output values between 5 and 13L/min. The limits of agreement were 3.25L/min and -2.37L/min. With tricuspid insufficiency, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.791, and without tricuspid insufficiency, 0.935. Tricuspid insufficiency increased the error rate from 32% to 52%. Conclusions In patients with high positive end-expiratory pressure, cardiac output measurement by transthoracic echocardiography is comparable to that with a pulmonary artery catheter. Tricuspid regurgitation influences the intraclass correlation coefficient. In patients with high positive end-expiratory pressure, the use of transthoracic echocardiography to measure cardiac output is comparable to invasive measures.
New species of Pheretima, Amynthas, Polypheretima, and Pithemera (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mindanao and Associated Islands, Philippines.

Nonillon M. Aspe and Samuel W. James (2016) Studies over the past decade have shown the Philippine native earthworm fauna to be highly diverse, with apparent high endemism among islands and localities. Here we describe 17 new species of pheretimoid earthworms collected from priority conservation sites on Mindanao and associated islands. Nine species of the subgenus Pheretima (Pheretima), distinguished by the absence of secretory diverticula on the coelomic surface of the copulatory bursae, were detected. Pheretima acia n. sp. , P. dinagatensis n. sp. , P. enormis n. sp. , P. hamiguitanensis n. sp. , P. lantapanensis n. sp. belong to the P. urceolata species group, with a pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6; P. timpoongensis n. sp. , P. camiguinensis n. sp. , P. sibucalensis n. sp. , and P. apoensis n. sp. belong to the P. sangirensis group, with a pair of spermathecal pores in 7/8. Pheretima (Parapheretima) pandanensis n. sp. and P. (Parapheretima) boaensis n. sp. , members of the subgenus Pheretima (Parapheretima), with secretory diverticula on the coelomic surface of the copulatory bursae, are the first Philippine records of Parapheretima. In the genus Amynthas, A. dinagatensis n. sp. is athecate; A. cagdianaoensis n. sp. belongs to the belongs to the A. supuensis species group, with a pair of spermathecal pores at 8/9; and A. talaandigensis n. sp. belongs to A. rimosus group, with intrasegmental spermathecae in 6, 7, 8, and 9. In the genus Polypheretima, P. bukidnonensis n. sp. belongs to the Po. elongata species group, with paired genital markings on xix and successive segments, and paired spermathecal batteries in vi and/or vii; Po. zamboangensis n. sp. , either has spermathecal pores in 5/6/7 or lacks them, and has a metandric male sexual system. Pithemera nolani n. sp. is unique among congeners in having only one pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6 and in having copulatory bursae. The geological history of Mindanao, which is a collision complex between three arc systems, may have contributed to the high diversity of the earthworm fauna on Mindanao. Future molecular studies can help elucidate the evolutionary relationships and geographical distribution of species and populations, and shed light on mechanisms of earthworm diversification in the Philippines.
Design Drives Discovery in Causal Learning

We assessed whether an artifact’s design can facilitate recognition of abstract causal rules. In Experiment 1, 152 three-year-olds were presented with evidence consistent with a relational rule (i.e., pairs of same or different blocks activated a machine) using two differently designed machines. In the standard-design condition, blocks were placed on top of the machine; in the relational-design condition, blocks were placed into openings on either side. In Experiment 2, we assessed whether this design cue could facilitate adults’ (N = 102) inference of a distinct conjunctive cause (i.e., that two blocks together activate the machine). Results of both experiments demonstrated that causal inference is sensitive to an artifact’s design: Participants in the relational-design conditions were more likely to infer rules that were a priori unlikely. Our findings suggest that reasoning failures may result from difficulty generating the relevant rules as cognitive hypotheses but that artifact design aids causal inference. These findings have clear implications for creating intuitive learning environments.
Bionanotechnology: Silver Nanoparticles Supported on Bovine Bone Powder Used as Bactericide

Bionanotechnology is a relatively new term that implies the use of some biological material or organisms in order to prepare nanosystems or nanoparticles. This work presents the preparation and bactericide application of a sustainable nanometric system (silver nanoparticles) using a waste biological support (bovine bone powder). This system was prepared by the method of metallic salt reduction, using NaBH4 as reducing agent and AgNO3 as metallic salt. Two silver contents were analyzed, 1% and 5% weight. The latter was found to be more efficient than the former. Transmission electronic microscopy shows an average size of 10.5 ± 3.3 nm and quasi-sphere morphology. The antimicrobial assay shows that a 5% weight content of silver had a bactericide effect for Escherichia coli at 46.8 min of exposure. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of silver nanoparticles supported on bovine bone powder for Escherichia coli was 7.5 µg/mL. The biocomposite exhibits a specific antibacterial kinetics constant (k) of 0.1128 min−1 and decimal reduction time (DRT) of 20.39 min for Escherichia coli. Thus, it was concluded that a biocomposite was prepared with a biodegradable, waste, and low-cost support, under mild conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure) and using water as solvent.
Molecular characteristics of meningiomas

Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor in adults. The grading of meningioma is based on World Health Organization criteria, which rely on histopathological features alone. This grading system is unable to conclusively predict the clinical behavior of these tumors (i.e., recurrence or prognosis in benign or atypical grades). Advances in molecular techniques over the last decade that include genomic and epigenomic data associated with meningiomas have been used to identify genetic biomarkers that can predict tumor behavior. This review summarizes the molecular characteristics of meningioma using genetic and epigenetic biomarkers. Molecular alterations that can predict meningioma behavior may be integrated into the upcoming World Health Organization grading system.
“I’m Still on Track”: A Qualitative Exploration of Participant Experiences of a Weight Loss Maintenance Program

Qualitative evidence of participants’ experiences of real-life weight loss maintenance programs is important for ongoing participant engagement and can inform program improvements. The purpose of this study was to understand how participants account for their engagement with a weight loss maintenance program and the role of the program in their weight management. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 17 participants of a weight loss maintenance program was conducted; common themes were identified using a thematic inductive approach. Many participant narratives incorporated recurrent descriptions of their program experiences as a weight management journey. Our analysis generated four themes: returning to real life as a threat, the personal responsibility imperative, the program supporting agency and the program supporting self-regulation. The program, which provides external support and strategies, overlapped with the context of returning to real life and the personal responsibility imperative. Participant accounts of their journey at this intersection include the program supporting both agency and self-regulation which influences ongoing weight management. The interplay between themes identified and the maintenance program services allows compatibility between participants’ sense of personal responsibility and the program components to help participants to ‘stay on track’ or ‘get back on track’. In providing sufficient structure, opportunities to revisit successful strategies, and accountability, participants are empowered to overcome real-life threats and make positive health choices.
Rapid high resolution melting assay to differentiate Streptococcus suis serotypes 2, 1/2, 1, and 14

This rapid high resolution melting (HRM) assay allows distinguishing between Streptococcus suis serotype pairs 2 and 1/2 as well as 1 and 14, respectively, based on a single‐nucleotide polymorphism within capsular polysaccharide synthesis gene cluster K. This assay is easy to implement and identifies potential zoonotic serotypes.
Hydroxyapatite nanocrystals stimulate osteogenic differentiation in primary human aortic smooth muscle cells by activation of oxidative stress and the ERK pathway.

BACKGROUND Hydroxyapatite nanocrystal (HN) deposition underlies the development of vascular calcification, which is an actively regulated process resembling bone formation. This study investigated the role of HNs in inducing osteogenic differentiation of primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). METHODS Primary HASMCs were incubated with HNs, cell osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by von kossa staining and calcium content. The expressions of SM-α-actin and bone markers, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (OPN), osterix, and collagen 1 (COL1) were also determined. Antioxidants, ERK-specific inhibitor were used to examine whether oxidative stress and the ERK pathway were required for this transition. RESULTS Stimulation of HASMCs with HNs increased calcium deposition, expression of bone markers and decreased SM-α-actin expression. HNs produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HASMCs, as evaluated by fluorescent probe. Antioxidants inhibited HN-induced osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the inhibitor of the ERK pathway, PD98059, suppressed the effect of HNs on bone marker expression. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that HNs stimulated osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells that build biomineralized deposits partly by activating oxidative stress and the ERK pathway.
Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Coastal South India

Correction: On 13th June, Prasanna Mithra was added as an author of this paper.Introduction: Progress in new-born survival has been slow. There is a variation in neonatal death rates across states and geographical region of a country. Understanding the pattern of mortality is essential in improving new-born survival. This study was conducted to study the mortality and morbidity profile in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a university teaching hospital.Material and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study including records of all neonates admitted in NICU from January 2015 to December 2016.Results 3623 neonates were admitted during the study period. Majority were preterm and low birth weight babies. Neonatal jaundice (41.4%) was the leading cause of admission. Major cause of morbidity was sepsis (26.2%). Average duration of stay were higher in out borns (8.4 days) compared to inborn (6.5 days) neonates. Among mortality a higher male predominance was seen. Neonatal sepsis (36.3%) was the single most common cause of mortality followed by respiratory distress syndrome (27.4%) and congenital malformations (18.6%). Out born neonates which were self-transported had higher mortality rate than transported by ambulance.Conclusion This study identifies sepsis, prematurity and low birth weight as the major causes of morbidity. Sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome and congenital malformations were the leading causes of mortality Understanding causes of neonatal mortality may help to implement interventions to promote new-born survival.