Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participatory versus traditional agricultural advisory models for training farmers in conservation agriculture: a comparative analysis from Kenya

ABSTRACT Purpose We investigated the variation between participatory and traditional agricultural advisory models in training farmers on Conservation Agriculture in Kenya in order to understand how these models influenced farmer uptake of practices, development of social networks and delivery cost of training. Design/methodology/approach A pre–post-test was applied using panel data from before and after participants took part in Conservation Agriculture training. Data on the assessment criteria were collected, and key informant interviews, personal observation and training reports added context to the findings. Data analysis included logistic regression and social network analysis. Findings All advisory models built social networks, enhancing information diffusion, but at different levels. Of the participatory models, Landcare, exhibited greater farmer uptake of Conservation Agriculture and more developed social networks, while the participatory Farmer Field School model performance was similar to the traditional advisory model. Both participatory models were more expensive to deliver than the traditional model. Practical implications Agricultural advisory services should be delivered through a collaborative and pluralistic advisory system and include participatory needs identification and explicit social capital building strategies, with advisory agents’ capacity to deliver these strategies enhanced. Opportunities for strategic cost-saving measures should be sought. Theoretical implications Findings from this study partly agree with the literature that participatory models enhance the adoption of complex agricultural practices compared with traditional models. Originality Benefits of participatory models are outlined extensively in the literature; however, understanding the variable implementation of these models, and how they perform compared to traditional models, has not been sufficiently studied.
Plasmoids and Resulting Blobs due to the Interaction of Magnetoacoustic Waves with a 2.5D Magnetic Null Point

We performed a numerical study for interpreting observations of plasma blobs occurring in the solar corona. Considering all of the previous studies and the presence of magnetic null points together with propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar corona, we guessed that the interaction of fast magnetoacoustic waves with null points could give rise to blobs under coronal conditions. The outcome of these interactions contributes to coronal jets and flares that directly affects us on Earth. The propagation of magnetoacoustic waves in the vicinity of a magnetic null point contributes to the high current density accumulation at the small scale around the magnetic null point, which has significant magnetic gradients. When nonlinearity becomes dominant, the variation of current density could result in instabilities and thus anomalous resistivity. Moreover, it is demonstrated that plasmoids with eruption events take place in the solar corona without considering the transition region. In our numerical simulation results, it is interesting that plasma blobs manifest themselves in many parameters, including current density, temperature, plasma density, flows, and magnetic fields, simultaneously and consistent with the generation of plasmoids. In this work, it is found that plasmoid instability is the reason for the plasma blobs and tiny blobs are produced by the tearing instability occurring in thin current sheets.
Aligning fisheries management with life history in two commercially important groupers in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia

Funding information US Department of Interior Coral Reef Initiative, Grant/Award Number: CRI-PMRI-2 Abstract 1. Camouflage grouper, Epinephelus polyphekadion (Bleeker, 1849), and squaretail coralgrouper, Plectropomus areolatus (Rüppell, 1830), are commercially important medium-bodied groupers that aggregate at specific sites and times to spawn and are highly vulnerable to fishing during these events. Populations of both species are in decline globally, such that management specifically targeting these species is warranted. 2. A 12-month fish market survey in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, provided an opportunity to examine age-based reproductive life history of these two groupers and assess whether current management acts to conserve them. Life history characteristics of both E. polyphekadion and P. areolatus include a functionally gonochoristic sexual pattern and rapid growth particularly during early life history. 3. P. areolatus demonstrated early maturity (2.8 years) and a relatively brief lifespan (10 years), while delayed maturity (4.5 years) and higher longevity (25 years) was shown for E. polyphekadion. The spawning seasons for E. polyphekadion and P. areolatus were 2 and 3 months, respectively, which fall entirely within the January–April grouper sales, catch, and export ban period for Chuuk. Marketed catch included 22% E. polyphekadion and 15% P. areolatus juveniles, suggesting that size limits may aid in the conservation of these species. 4. Findings from this and recent grouper life history studies suggest that the current 4-month ban in Chuuk be applied only to grouper species known to reproduce during these months to minimize economic impacts to fishers and market owners, and prevent shifts in fishing pressure to more vulnerable species, such as those with low population turnover times, slow growth, or late maturity. Size limits for catch, sale and export are also warranted as an additional management option.
Impacts of Green Coffee Powder Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Indices, Meat Quality and Gut Microbial Load in Broilers

This work investigated the effect of dietary green coffee powder (GCP) on the growth, body characteristics, antioxidant status, serum metabolites, and meat quality of 308 Ross broiler chickens. A total of 180 non-sexed seven-day old chicks were randomly distributed into three experimental groups. The untreated group received a basal diet (control), while the second and third groups were fed the original diet fortified with 1.25 and 2.5 g GCP/kg, respectively, for four weeks. Results revealed an improvement (p < 0.05) in live body weight in the group fed 2.5 g/kg GCP at five weeks of age compared to the other groups. Broiler Chicks fed the 1.25 g/kg GCP diet showed a more significant decrease in live body weight than the control group at five weeks of age. The GCP supplementation at level 2.5 g/kg GCP enhanced feed conversion ratio at 3–5 and 1–5 weeks of age. Dietary treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) carcass, dressing, and giblets percentages. Different levels of GCP significantly affected the liver, abdominal fat, intestinal length, and lymphoid organs percentages. The changes in serum blood traits and serum oxidative stress markers were not significant among the control and the treated groups. With the increment levels of GCP, results showed elevated values of meat pH, lightness (L*), and redness (a*), as well as a significant decrease in its yellowness (b*). Broilers fed 2.5 g/kg GCP diet showed a significant reduction in the total bacterial count, total yeasts and molds count, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. , and Salmonella spp. , as well as increasing counts of lactic acid bacteria. The dietary GCP 2.5 g/kg diet supplementation could be used to decrease the pathogenic microorganisms’ populations in the broiler’s gut. The present experiment has shown that in unsexed broiler chickens, green coffee powder at level of 2.5 g/kg improved the live body weight and feed conversion ratio and decreased the pathogenic bacterial count in the gut.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Resistant Modulatory Activity of 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazone Derivatives as Agents against Some ESKAPE Human Pathogens

A library of six novel phenylhydrazones were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and resistance modulating activity against a panel of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal species. The compounds were produced in good yields of 60–92% w/w and characterized using melting point, UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, and DEPT-Q) techniques. Mass spectroscopy was used to confirm the identity of one of the most active compounds, 5 [SA5]. The phenylhydrazones showed activity against all the six selected microorganisms with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the most active compounds, 1 [BP1] and 5 [SA5], at 138 µM (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 165 µM (Streptococcus pneumoniae), respectively. Compound 1 [BP1] further demonstrated a high resistance modulatory activity at 1.078 µM against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Large-Scale Screening of Thiol and Fermentative Aroma Production during Wine Alcoholic Fermentation: Exploring the Effects of Assimilable Nitrogen and Peptides

In alcoholic fermentation, under oenological conditions, the environmental parameters impacting fermentation kinetics and aroma production have been widely studied. The nitrogen content of grape must was found to be one of the most important parameters for both of these aspects of fermentation. Many studies have been performed on the effect of mineral nitrogen addition. However, it has increasingly been observed that the nature of the nitrogen added leads to different results. Our work focused on the effects of peptide addition on both fermentation kinetics and aroma production. Peptides are one of the less well understood sources of assimilable nitrogen, as their incorporation by yeast remains unclear. In this study, we compared the effect of the addition of a “classic” assimilable nitrogen source (ammonium + amino acids) with that of peptide addition in both white and red must fermentation by screening 18 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in total. Our data show that peptide addition enhances fermentation kinetics and leads to specific changes in the production of fermentative aromas. The impact of peptides on thiol synthesis is rather limited.
Validation of new TRUS biopsy techniques for PI-RADS 4 or 5

Purpose: Recently, new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) techniques and imaging features of Prostate Imaging and Report and Data System (PI-RADS) 4 or 5 have been reported. The aim of this study was to validate the outcomes of new TRUS-guided biopsy techniques for cancer detection in patients with PIRADS 4 or 5. Methods: Between June 2018 and November 2018, 94 men underwent TRUS-guided biopsy after PI-RADS 4 (n=59) or 5 (n=35) was categorized as an index lesion on MRI. For PI-RADS 4 group, target biopsy was performed in 5 and combination biopsy (target and systematic biopsies) was in 54. For PI-RADS 5 group, target biopsy was performed in 19 and combination biopsy was in 16. Target to combination biopsy ratios and significant cancer detection rates (CDRs) were compared between the groups. Significant cancer was defined as a Gleason score ≥7 tumor. Standard reference was biopsy examination. Fisher’s exact were used for statistical analysis. Results: Target to combination biopsy ratios was 5:54 in the PI-RADS 4 group and 19:16 in the PI-RADS 5 group (P<0.0001). The significant CDR of the target biopsy were 42.4% (25/59) in the PI-RADS 4 group and 82.6% (29/35) in the PI-RADS 5 group (P=0.0002). The significant CDR of combination biopsy was 44.1% (26/59) in the PI-RADS 4 group and 85.7% (30/35) in the PI-RADS 5 group (P<0.0001). Conclusion: New TRUS biopsy techniques provides high significant CDR patients with PI-RADS 4 or 5. Therefore, TRUS should be performed prior to fusion or in-bore biopsy to determine if these categories are visible.
Phenology and seed germination of the Indian Screw Tree Helicteres isora L. (Malvales: Malvaceae)

Helicteres isora L. (Malvaceae), a medicinally important tree species used in Ayurveda as well as by folklore practitioners, is studied for its phenology, associated problems with the environment and anthropogenic effects. In Helicteres isora , flower buds are initiated by the end of July and flowering occurs during the middle of August to late October. Fruits mature during late January to early April. In between various factors like blister beetles, unidentified worms, deficit rainfall, early summer affect the flowering and seed setting, which cause 35–45 % loss. Seed viability of mature seeds were recorded 88.2% at fresh collection and decreases over period of time. In vitro, among the various treatments, acid treated seeds (H 2 SO 4 , 98.0%; 1 min) resulted in the best germination response of 84.5%. Sterile wet cotton soaked with sterile distilled water was found suitable for germination compared to other substratum, while half-strength MS medium with 2.0% sucrose was suitable for seedling development.
Perineal trauma following vaginal delivery in a low-income area: A criterion-based audit

Trauma to the perineum following vaginal delivery is common and can lead to anal incontinence and pain but can be prevented by perineal support. However, the incidence and how to prevent perineal injury in sub Saharan Africa has not previously been described. The objective of the study was to assess the incidence of perineal trauma at vaginal delivery and to assess a training intervention in perineal support using a criterion-based audit (CBA) design. A CBA was conducted at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania. In total, 552 women who delivered vaginally were included, of whom 80% completed a follow-up interview after three months. Perineal support as trained for this study was not performed before the intervention but was performed in 78.6% of deliveries after the intervention (p<0.000). The number of women with second degree lacerations decreased after the intervention (RR 0.74, CI: 0.61-0.90), and more had an intact perineum (RR 2.85, CI: 1.74-4.69). Anal sphincter lacerations were not significantly changed by the intervention (6.6 to 3.4%, RR 0.52, CI: 0.24-1.14). The frequency of anal incontinence changed insignificantly from 6.1 to 4.9% (RR 0.81, CI: 0.37-1.77) after intervention. Perineal pain three months after delivery was reduced by 72% (RR 0.28, CI: 0.15-0.52). The study demonstrates that CBA may be useful in introducing a simple intervention such as perineal support thereby decreasing the number of women having perineal trauma following vaginal delivery. However, the impact of our intervention on the sustainability of our observations is uncertain and must await long-term studies. Key words: Clinical audit, developing countries, perineum, trauma, obstetric labor, complications.
FTSE WGBI, US Balance Sheet Policy And Foreign Holdings Of Malaysia Government Securities

On 15th April 2019, it was announced that FTSE Russell has placed Malaysia on the watch list in reviewing Malaysia position in the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI). This announcement contributes to the current debates on the potential effects pertaining to Malaysia’s future position in the WGBI especially its effect on foreign holdings of Malaysia Government Securities (MGS) as the recent data have shown Malaysia weight in the WGBI is equivalent to MYR 16.2 billion or 11% of foreign holdings of MGS. Hence, this research primarily aims to address these ongoing debates by investigating the direct effect of WGBI towards the level of foreign holdings of MGS in Malaysia. Further, this research will also investigate the effect of domestic or pull factors and the US balance sheet policy on the level of foreign holdings of MGS. This research employs monthly data from January 2008 until April 2018 and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method. The empirical results reveal that the inclusion of Malaysia in the WGBI has no significant effect towards the level of foreign holdings of MGS. Consistent with the literature, this research finds that US balance sheet policy is more significant in influencing the level of foreign holdings of MGS. Further, the positive and significant association between US balance sheet policy and foreign holdings of MGS indicates the need for the government of Malaysia to craft relevant policies to mitigate against the risks in the event of US balance sheet policy reversal. 2357-1330 © 2020 Published by European Publisher.
Estimating Chronological Age by Dental Measurements on the Periapical Radiographs in Iranian Adults

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of chronological age estimation based on dental measurements made on periapical (PA) radiographs of an Iranian adult population. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 90 parallel PA radiographs of sound maxillary canine teeth of 39 males and 51 females. Tooth length, root length, pulp length, pulp width and root width at points A, B and C according to the Kvaal’s method were measured on PA radiographs using Scanora software. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Maximum Root width at point A had the highest accuracy for sex estimation (77.7%). A significant correlation was noted between maximum pulp width at points B and C with age and a regression formula for age estimation was obtained. Conclusion: Maximum pulp width at points B and C can be used for age estimation in adult population beside other parameters.
Continental Interior and Edge Breakup at Convergent Margins Induced by Subduction Direction Reversal: A Numerical Modeling Study Applied to the South China Sea Margin

The dynamics of continental breakup at convergent margins has been described as the results of backarc opening caused by slab rollback or drag force induced by subduction direction reversal. Although the rollback hypothesis has been intensively studied, our understanding of the consequence of subduction direction reversal remains limited. Using thermo‐mechanical modeling based on constraints from the South China Sea (SCS) region, we investigate how subduction direction reversal controls the breakup of convergent margins. The numerical results show that two distinct breakup modes, namely, continental interior and edge breakup (“edge” refers to continent above the plate boundary interface), may develop depending on the “maturity” of the convergent margin and the age of the oceanic lithosphere. For a slab age of ~15 to ~45 Ma, increasing the duration of subduction promotes the continental interior breakup mode, where a large block of the continental material is separated from the overriding plate. In contrast, the continental edge breakup mode develops when the subduction is a short‐duration event, and in this mode, a wide zone of less continuous continental fragments and tearing of the subducted slab occur. These two modes are consistent with the interior (relic late Mesozoic arc) and edge (relic forearc) rifting characteristics in the western and eastern SCS margin, suggesting that variation in the northwest‐directed subduction duration of the Proto‐SCS might be a reason for the differential breakup locus along the strike of the SCS margin. Besides, a two‐segment trench associated with the northwest‐directed subduction is implied in the present‐day SCS region.
Some algebraic results concerning linear recurrence sequences

We study the set $\mathcal{L}_{F}$ of all $F$-vector spaces $L(P)$, the set of linear recurrence sequences over $F$ with characteristic polynomial $P$ monic and splits over $F$. We show that $\mathcal{L}_{F}$ is a commutative semiring graded by the multiplicative monoid $F$. This study allows us to find explicitly the polynomial $P\in F[X]$ such that $L(P)=\prod_{i=1}^{m}L(P_{i})$, where $P_{1}, \ldots, P_{m}$ are any monic polynomials over $F$.
Comparison of seasonal distribution patterns of Discostella stelligera and Lindavia bodanica in a boreal lake during two years with differing ice-off timing

Widespread changes in the relative abundances of Cyclotella sensu lato taxa have occurred in lakes of the Northern Hemisphere over the last ∼150 years, with these changes often attributed to climate-driven physical changes in lakes. While the links between Cyclotella ecology and lake thermal structure have been investigated extensively now, the role of the timing of ice-off in driving these diatom patterns remains unclear. We compared the seasonal distribution patterns of Cyclotella taxa in a boreal lake with high water transparency during two years with differing timing of ice-off. Vertical distributions of taxa in Jordan Pond (Maine, USA) were assessed every 5–24 days from early May to late October during an early ice-off year (19 March 2012) and a late ice-off year (29 April 2015). Seasonal succession patterns differed over the two years. During the early ice-off year, Lindavia bodanica cell densities were higher and peaked in the hypolimnion from July to October. The abundance of this taxon during the late ice-off year may have been negatively affected by fungal infection, which was visible with microscopic investigation. In contrast, Discostella stelligera cell densities were higher during the late ice-off year and peaked from May to August. This taxon was distributed uniformly in the water column throughout July, during phosphorus-limited conditions, and was then more abundant in the epilimnion during August, during nitrogen-limited conditions. Multiple linear regression models suggested that variation in D. stelligera cell densities was explained by year, number of days since ice-off and mixing depth (R2 = 0.55), while variation in L. bodanica cell densities was explained by year, number of days since ice-off, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and Secchi disk depth (R2 = 0.16). Our results reveal variable seasonal distribution patterns of these two taxa over the two years and suggest that these patterns are the result of many drivers, some of which may be affected by ice-off timing.
Homeowner mitigation decision‐making: Exploring the theory of planned behaviour approach

During hurricanes, flooding and wind cause property damage and loss of life. Increased coastal development and recent economic impacts of hurricanes has increased stakeholders' interest in coastal mitigation. Through the use of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study focuses on factors that impact the intention of homeowners to mitigate. Methodologically, surveys were sent to a random sample of 2,500 coastal North Carolina homeowners who provided insights about their hurricane and mitigation experiences. The sample was purchased from Genesys, which utilises the postal service's database to randomly select addresses. Binary logistic regression was used to compute homeowners' intention to adopt eight separate mitigation actions for their homes. The findings show limited support on the influence of emotion and risk perception on intention to mitigate. However, the findings clearly support the relationships between intention to mitigate and the influence of others and perceptions of the characteristics of the mitigation actions. The significance of the findings indicates the importance of utilising these factors in future studies to better understand mitigation decision‐making and to inform future mitigation policies and programs.