Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yield, nutritional composition, and consumer acceptability of sweetpotato cultivars cultivated with soil amendments in the Middleveld of Eswatini

Uncertainties about the effects of nutrient amendment on the culinary attributes of sweetpotato have limited fertiliser use in Eswatini. The study was carried out at a moist and dry location of Eswatini to investigate the culinary and nutritional attributes of sweetpotato cultivated with no amendments, cattle manure and/or inorganic fertiliser. Treatments were replicated three times in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement using a randomised complete block design. Three sweetpotato varieties used: Ligwalagwala, Kenya White, and Lamngititi, with five nutrient amendments: no fertiliser/manure, 450 kg ha−1 NPK, 6 t ha−1 manure, 3 t ha−1 manure + 225 kg ha−1 NPK, and 4.5 t ha−1 manure + 112.5 kg ha−1 NPK. Yield differences of 59.8% and 47.3% over the control were recorded with Kenya White and 3 t ha−1 manure + 225 kg ha−1 NPK, and 4.5 t ha−1 manure + 112.5 kg ha−1 NPK at Malkerns and Luve, respectively. Protein, calcium, and magnesium content of the varieties improved under 4.5 t ha−1 manure + 112.5 kg ha−1 NPK amendments. Taste, flavour, palatability, and acceptability accounted for the greatest amount of culinary variability while soil amendments contributed the least. The present study suggests that nutrient amendments contribute to the agronomic performance and nutritional quality of sweetpotato.
Fractional extracts of Azadirachta indica leaf affect spermiogram, testosterone profile, and testis histology of rabbit bucks

The effect of fractions from a crude extract of Azadirachta indica leaves on spermatogenesis, testicular histology and testosterone concentration of New Zealand White rabbits were evaluated in this study. Twenty-five matured male New Zealand White rabbits were used for this study and were randomly assigned to five groups (A, B, C, D, and E). Group A served as the control and was administered distilled water (0.5ml); while groups B, C, D and E served as the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol treated groups, respectively at the same dosage of 300 mg/kg. Semen samples were collected using an artificial vagina weekly for twelve weeks and were evaluated for volume, colour, motility, concentration, percentage live-dead ratio and morphological abnormalities. A blood sample (2ml) was also collected from each buck through venipuncture of the ear vein three times at regular intervals for the determination of testosterone concentration. Two bucks from each group were humanely sacrificed at the end of the experiment for testicular histology. Significantly lower (p<0.05) sperm motility, higher dead sperm cells, sperm abnormalities, degenerative changes, depletion and vacuolation of spermatogenic cell layers were observed in treatment group C at the end of the experiment. The present study has shown that the chloroform fraction of methanolic crude Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves extract is detrimental to sperm cells and testicular histology.
Video-Based Automated Assessment of Movement Parameters Consistent with MDS-UPDRS III in Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Among motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), including rigidity and resting tremor, bradykinesia is a mandatory feature to define the parkinsonian syndrome. MDS-UPDRS III is the worldwide reference scale to evaluate the parkinsonian motor impairment, especially bradykinesia. However, MDS-UPDRS III is an agent-based score making reproducible measurements and follow-up challenging. Objective: Using a deep learning approach, we developed a tool to compute an objective score of bradykinesia based on the guidelines of the gold-standard MDS-UPDRS III. Methods: We adapted and applied two deep learning algorithms to detect a two-dimensional (2D) skeleton of the hand composed of 21 predefined points, and transposed it into a three-dimensional (3D) skeleton for a large database of videos of parkinsonian patients performing MDS-UPDRS III protocols acquired in the Movement Disorder unit of Avicenne University Hospital. Results: We developed a 2D and 3D automated analysis tool to study the evolution of several key parameters during the protocol repetitions of the MDS-UPDRS III. Scores from 2D automated analysis showed a significant correlation with gold-standard ratings of MDS-UPDRS III, measured with coefficients of determination for the tapping (0.609) and hand movements (0.701) protocols using decision tree algorithms. The individual correlations of the different parameters measured with MDS-UPDRS III scores carry meaningful information and are consistent with MDS-UPDRS III guidelines. Conclusion: We developed a deep learning-based tool to precisely analyze movement parameters allowing to reliably score bradykinesia for parkinsonian patients in a MDS-UPDRS manner.
First Measurement of the Cross Section for the Production of Hadrons with High Transverse Momenta at COMPASS, and Developments for Particle Tracking in High-Rate Experiments

The first measurement of the luminosity for data from the muon-scattering program of the COMPASS experiment is presented. Based on this result, the cross section for the quasi-real photoproduction of charged hadrons with high transverse momenta in muon-deuteron scattering at a center-of-mass energy of 17.4 GeV is determined. Furthermore, the development of a new type of Time Projection Chamber (TPC), which employs GEM foils instead of proportional wires for gas amplification, and a novel, generic framework for track fitting in high-energy physics, called GENFIT, are presented.
Parental Expectations and Home Literacy Environment: A Questionnaire Study of Chinese-Norwegian Dual Language Learners

ABSTRACT This study examined how parental expectations were associated with Chinese-Norwegian dual language learners’ Chinese language skills. A total of 118 Chinese parents in Norway completed a questionnaire in which they reported their expectations for their children’s Chinese language development, characteristics of the home literacy environment (resources and practices), and children’s Chinese language skills. The children were ages 1;6–14;0 (M = 6;2, SD = 2;6) and spoke Chinese at home while learning Norwegian in preschool and school. We found that parental expectations positively linked to parent-reported Chinese language skills. Moreover, this link was partially a factor of children’s Chinese home literacy environment. The results suggest that parents who manifested their expectations by facilitating a rich home literacy environment (i.e., children’s books and activities like shared reading, storytelling, listening to songs, online chatting with Chinese relatives, and playing with Chinese friends) supported their children’s Chinese language skills. By documenting parents’ efforts and their association with improved language outcomes, this study adds nuance to our understanding of the high expectations set by Chinese immigrant parents, and provides implications for parents, teachers, and researchers.
The Peptide Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase (MsrAB) of Haemophilus influenzae Repairs Oxidatively Damaged Outer Membrane and Periplasmic Proteins Involved in Nutrient Acquisition and Virulence

Sulfoxide-damage repair mechanisms are emerging as essential for the virulence of bacterial pathogens, and in the human respiratory pathogen Haemophilus influenzae the periplasmic MsrAB peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase is necessary for resistance to reactive chlorine species such as hypochlorite. Additionally, this enzyme has a role in modulating the host immune response to infection. Here, we have analysed the enzymatic properties of MsrAB, which revealed that both domains of the protein are catalytically active, with the turnover number of the MsrA domain being 50% greater than that for the MsrB domain. MsrAB was active with small molecular sulfoxides as well as oxidised calmodulin, and maximal activity was observed at 30°C, a temperature close to that found in the natural niche of H. influenzae, the nasopharynx. Analyses of differential methionine oxidation identified 29 outer membrane and periplasmic proteins that are likely substrates for MsrAB. These included the LldD lactate dehydrogenase and the lipoprotein eP4 that is involved in NAD and hemin metabolism in H. influenzae. Subsequent experiments showed that H. influenzae MsrAB can repair oxidative damage to methionines in purified eP4 with up to 100% efficiency. Our work links MsrAB to the maintenance of different adhesins and essential metabolic processes in the H. influenzae, such as NAD metabolism and access to L-lactate, which is a key growth substrate for H. influenzae during infection.
Anti-diarrhoeal effects of Garcinia kola (Heckel-Holl) seed methanolic extract and its fractions in animal models

This study investigated the In vitro spasmolytic and In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effects of Garcinia kola seed extract/fractions. Extraction was done by maceration in 70% methanol, serially partitioned in ethyl acetate and n-hexane. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out on the crude extract/fractions. The In vitro spasmolytic effect of the extract and fractions at different concentrations (0.5×103, 0.2×103,0.1×103, 0.6×102 mg/ml) were investigated against spontaneous and acetylcholine-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum as well as histamine-induced contractions using isolated guinea pig ileum. The In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect of the extract was evaluated using three diarrhoeal models: castor oil-induced diarrhoea, charcoal meal gastrointestinal transit time and castor oil-induced enteropooling. In each model, 25 mice were randomly divided into five groups of 5 mice each. Group I served as the untreated control, while group II was a positive control. Groups III-V were administered 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the crude methanol extract, respectively. The crude extract, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions at 0.5×103 mg/ml respectively exhibited 14.4%, 12.9% and 12.2% spasmolytic activities against acetylcholine-induced rabbit jejunum contractions. Histamine-induced guinea pig ileum contractions were inhibited by crude extract (6.2%), ethyl acetate (6.2%), aqueous fraction (7.2%) at 0.6×102 mg/ml. For castor oil-induced diarrhoea, the crude extract at 500 mg/kg produced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the diarrhoeal index and faecal weight with a percentage inhibition of 70.4% compared with controls. Similarly, the crude extract (500 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the charcoal meal gastrointestinal transit time with a percentage inhibition of 33.9% and elicited significant (p < 0.05) intraluminal fluid reduction (9.1%) in castor oil-induced enter pooling test when compared with the untreated group. In conclusion, the anti-motility and anti-secretory activities of the crude extract were attributed to the phytochemical constituents present.
A General View of the Structure of Typhoon 8514 Observed by Dual-Doppler Radar From Outer Rainbands

The structure of the rainbands and eyewall of Typhoon 8514, which landed at the central region of Japan on 30 August 1985 was observed by two ground-based Doppler radars. The main purpose of the present study is to describe a general view of the structure of the typhoon using data of the dual-Doppler radar. Although the typhoon was a small and weak typhoon, it retained the characteristics of tropical cyclones: it was accompanied by spiral rainbands (an outer rainband and an inner rainband) and had a warm core in its upper part. The outer rainband was a spiral band located about 150 km from the center of the typhoon. This rainband consisted of continuous stratiform clouds and scattered convective clouds. A radar "bright band" was observed in this rainband. Wind perturbation induced by cooling-by-melting was observed just below the bright band. An updraft of 1.5 ms-1 was produced, mainly owing to the convergence of a southeasterly flow on the inner edge of the outer rainband. This updraft maintained the outer rainband. The inner rainband was a convective spiral band located *60 km from the typhoon center. The distribution of reflectivity and vertical velocity of this rainband indicated that an old echo cell existed in the inner part, while young echo cells existed in the outer part of this rainband. An inflow (the airflow toward the typhoon center) was observed in the lower layers of the inner rainband. This inflow reached the inner edge of the young cells, and produced an updraft there. When the depth of this inflow layer became thinner, the inner rainband decayed. This indicates that the inflow had an important role to play in maintaining the inner rainband. Because the flow into the eyewall of the typhoon in the lower layers was weak, the radius of maximum wind (RMW) was located at the outer side of the axis of reflectivity maxima. The eyewall decayed when it moved to the inner area (nearer the typhoon center) of the RMW, where downdraft was predominant.
Effects of Allium sativum and Allium cepa on semen characteristics, sperm reserves and haematology of rabbit bucks

The effect of dietary inclusion of garlic and onion on semen characteristics, gonadal, extragonadal sperm reserves and haematology of rabbit bucks were evaluated. Twenty-four rabbit bucks of average age and weight 10 ± 2.0 months and 1.47 ± 0.01 kg respectively, were used for the study. They were randomly assigned into four groups of six bucks each. Group A served as control, while Groups B, C and D received dietary inclusion of 5% garlic, 5% onion, 2.5% garlic + 2.5% onion, respectively. The fresh bulbs of garlic and onions were peeled, air-dried, and the dried bulbs were weighed, added to the feed and grounded together to form experimental diets. Before dietary supplementation, semen samples were collected to serve as baseline values, followed by weekly collections for another 9 weeks using an artificial vagina. Haematological parameters were examined according to the standard procedure, while testosterone profile was conducted using the ELISA method. At the termination of the experiment, two bucks from each group were euthanised, and the testes were harvested to evaluate gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was recorded in the live weight, sperm concentration, and sperm abnormality of the rabbit bucks. A significant (p < 0.05) difference was observed in the ejaculate volume, gross motility, pH, reaction time, and percentage of live spermatozoa. The epididymal sperm reserves in group B, was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the right than left. Testosterone profile showed significant (p < 0.05) difference at 9 and 10 a.m. On haematology, there was a significant increase in PCV, RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and WBC count in groups B, C and D by week 9 compared to the control. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of garlic and onion effectively improved the spermiogram of rabbit bucks.
The international trade of U.S. organic agri-food products: export opportunities, import competition and policy impacts

Abstract International markets are an important destination and source of U.S. organic agri-food products. This paper offers new insights concerning the current status and trends of U.S. organic imports and exports U.S. policies relevant to the international trade of U.S. organic agri-food products are described, characterizing specific products and partners. In addition, the impact of organic equivalency agreements (OEAs), which the U.S. has signed with Canada, the EU, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, are examined to determine the extent to which they facilitate trade. Using highly disaggregated international trade data (HS-10) from the U.S. International Trade Commission and Statistics Canada, this analysis finds that fresh agricultural products dominate both U.S. exports and imports. Between 2017 and 2019, apples grapes, strawberries and spinach were the predominant fresh exports, while tomato sauces, vinegar and roasted coffee are the most exported processed food products. A significant majority of these exports are destined for Canada and Mexico. The most imported organic agri-food products include unroasted coffee, bananas, olive oil and soybeans. There is much more diversity in the country of origin of these imports with Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Spain and Argentina among the major organic food suppliers to the U.S. OEAs allow for mutual recognition of national organic standards between countries. This analysis finds that, while, in aggregate, OEAs were not found to impact U.S. organic imports or exports, results evaluating individual agreements do suggest that they can be effective trade policy instruments. In particular, the U.S.–Canada and the U.S.–Switzerland OEAs were found to be effective in facilitating U.S. exports. Taken together these findings offer important insights into current trade patterns, and U.S. international market and organic policy opportunities.
Hepatitis E Virus Detection in Hunted Wild Boar Liver and Muscle Tissues in Central Italy

In different European countries, including Italy, hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized as an emerging public health concern. Humans are infected through the orofecal route by the ingestion of contaminated uncooked or undercooked animal-origin foodstuffs. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) have gained a crucial role as viral reservoirs. HEV-3 is the most frequently identified genotype from hunted wild boar liver and muscle tissues. The Marche region, more specifically Ascoli Piceno province, is characterized by a rooted hunting tradition and related product consumption. In this research study, 312 liver and 296 muscle specimens were screened using biomolecular assays, and HEV RNA was detected from 5.45% and 1.35% of liver and muscle samples, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that positive animals were infected by genotype 3 subtype c. Based on the environmental pathogen characteristics, HEV has also evolved to guarantee its survival in a wild environment. Therefore, wild boars and ruminants have a key role in its persistence. Epidemiological data regarding HEV circulation have resulted as necessary, and biomolecular analysis represents an important means of monitoring and establishing preventive measures. A multidisciplinary approach could provide a wide perspective regarding HEV and infectious implications on human, animal, and environmental health.
Crystallization in block copolymer melts with a dominant phase

In this paper we derive a new model for diblock copolymer melts with a dominant phase that is simple enough to be amenable not only to numerics but also to analysis, yet sophisticated enough to reproduce the hexagonally packed cylinder patterns observed in experiments. Starting from a sharp-interface continuum model, a nonlocal energy functional involving a Wasserstein cost, we derive the new model using Gamma-convergence in a limit where the volume fraction of one phase tends to zero. The limit energy is defined on atomic measures; in three dimensions the atoms represent small spherical blobs of the minority phase, in two dimensions they represent thin cylinders of the minority phase. We then study minimisers of the limit energy. Numerical minimisation is performed in two dimensions by recasting the problem as a computational geometry problem involving power diagrams. The numerical results suggest that the small particles of the minority phase tend to arrange themselves on a triangular lattice as the number of particles goes to infinity. This is proved in the companion paper [BPT] and agrees with patterns observed in experiments. This is a rare example of a nonlocal energy-driven pattern formation problem in two dimensions where it can be proved that the optimal pattern is periodic, and the first time it has been proved that minimisers of a diblock copolymer energy are periodic.
Which one? A comparative study of traditional and sports uniforms on academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents: The Cogni-Action Project

Objective The aim of this study was to compare academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents according to traditional uniforms (TUs) and sports uniforms (SUs) worn at school, while simultaneously exploring the influence of the school vulnerability index. Methods A total of 988 Chilean adolescents (52.6% boys) aged 10–14 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Academic achievement was evaluated by the average grade in maths, language, and science grades, while cognitive performance was assessed through eight cognitive tasks. TUs affecting physical activity, playtime, bullying, and discrimination were queried. Mixed model analyses were performed. Results No differences were observed in academic achievement (TU: 5.4 ± 0.1 vs. SU: 5.5 ± 0.2, p = 0.785) or in cognitive performance (TU: 99.6 ± 0.8 vs. SU: 98.9 ± 1.8, p= 0.754) according to the school uniformtype. Moreover, 64.1 % of participants declared that wearing TU affects their physical activity (traditional uniforms: + 8 min and sports uniforms: + 20 min), and those who believed so spent more time playing than those who answered negatively (14.5 min, p = 0.012). Finally, adolescents wearing SU displayed a lower feeling of bullying and discrimination; this finding depended mainly on the school's vulnerability. Conclusion It is concluded that wearing TU does not show an educational advantage at an academic and cognitive level that justifies its obligation. In addition, it could be suggested that schools consider adolescents' opinions in adopting a more comfortable uniform, such as the SU. This feasible and low-cost measure would help to increase adolescents' physical activity during the school day, and, contrary to belief, it would not be related to increased feelings of bullying and discrimination.
Assessment, Prevention And Remediation Of Corrosion In Weathering Steel Transmission Line Poles

v LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xii CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION. 1 CHAPTER 2.0 WEATHERING STEEL TRANSMISSION LINE POLES . 4 2.1 Historical Development . 4 2.2 Alloy Composition . 8 2.3 Corrosion Resistance . 13 2.4 Representative Corrosion Forms . 17 CHAPTER 3.0 TEST SITES AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF POLE STRUCTURES . 23 3.1 Site 1 – Directly Embedded Pole in Rural/Urban Environment . 24 3.2 Site 2 – Directly Embedded Poles in Industrial Environment . 29 3.3 Site 3 – Directly Embedded Poles in Rural/Industrial Environment . 34 3.4 Site 4 – Directly Embedded Pole in Marine Environment . 40 3.5 Site 5 – WS Poles on Caisson Foundations in Rural Environment . 49 3.6 Damage Assessment based on Visual Inspection . 60 3.7 Concluding Remarks . 63