Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Nexus of Drought Tolerant Crops and Food and Nutrition Security Among Smallholder Farmers In Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

With the global population expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, there will be a continuous need to increase food production and buffer stocks to meet the growing demand and efficiently cope with volatilities in food production and prices (UNDP, 2015). In Kenya, around 3.4 million people in Arid and Semi-Arid areas are severely food insecure and droughts have historically been a serious constraint to agricultural production in rain fed agricultural systems resulting in significant reductions in both yields and area cultivated thus impacting negatively on rural livelihoods and food security (FAO, 2016). This study was undertaken in Elgeyo Marakwet County of Kenya to establish whether the drought tolerant crops which have been promoted aggressively for the last three years have had an impact on production, food and nutrition security of smallholder farm households. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Keiyo North and Keiyo South Sub counties. The study sampled 500 smallholder farmers among them being 99 mother/child pairs of 24-59-month-old children. Anthropometric data was collected on the children and analysed using ENA for SMART, 2011whereas food security status was elicited among the households and analysed using SPSS 25. Sixty three percent (63%) of the households were moderately food insecure whereas malnutrition rates were at 27% for underweight children, 67% were stunted and 9% were found to be wasted. Food insecurity had no statistical significance with child growth indicators as well as maternal demographics and socio-economic characteristics. Child malnutrition rate and food insecurity were found to be high and thus further interventions need to be done to promote the DTC for household production and utilization for enhanced all round household food and nutrition security.
Variations in the Winter Troughs' Position With Local Time, Longitude, and Solar Activity in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Comprehensive pattern of ionospheric troughs' location in winter for all local times, longitudes, high (HSA), and low (LSA) solar activity, in both hemispheres, is at first investigated. Statistical analysis based on a large dataset of Interkosmos‐19, CHAMP, and Kosmos‐900 satellites was performed for quiet geomagnetic conditions Kp = 1–3. Three troughs were considered: high‐latitude trough (HLT) located inside the auroral oval, main ionospheric trough (MIT) located equatorward from the auroral oval, that is, at subauroral latitudes, and mid‐latitude ring ionospheric trough (RIT). The main purpose was to study the formation of the troughs' diurnal pattern in different conditions. The main problem was to distinguish MIT from RIT and MIT from HLT. For this purpose, early morning hours (04–06 LT), late morning hours (07–10 LT), day, evening, and night conditions were examined. In the early morning sector, RIT was separated from MIT and eliminated from the dataset. In the late morning sector, MIT and HLT were first clearly divided, although only for HSA. During the day, in the Northern Hemisphere under all conditions, HLT is mainly observed, in the Southern Hemisphere at poorly lit longitudes only the daytime MIT, and at well‐lit longitudes only the HLT is observed. The division of MIT and HLT was carried out according to the (statistical) position of the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval precipitation. At night, longitudinal variations in the MIT position determine the asymmetry of the hemispheres. Thus, the occurrence and position of MIT and HLT depend on the hemisphere, longitude, and solar activity.
Hydrogeologic Controls of Surface Water‐Groundwater Nitrogen Dynamics Within a Tidal Freshwater Zone

Microbial processing of reactive nitrogen in stream sediments and connected aquifers can remove and transform nitrogen prior to its discharge into coastal waters, decreasing the likelihood of harmful algal blooms and low oxygen levels in estuaries. Canonical wisdom points to the decreased capacity of rivers to retain nitrogen as they flow toward the coast. However, how tidal freshwater zones, which often extend hundreds of kilometers inland, process and remove nitrogen remains unknown. Using geochemical measurements and numerical models, we show that tidal pumping results in the rapid cycling of nitrogen within distinct zones throughout the riparian aquifer. Near the fluctuating water table nitrification dominates, with high nitrate concentrations (>10 mg N/L) and consistent isotopic composition. Beneath this zone, isotopes reveal that nitrate is both denitrified and added over the tidal cycle, maintaining nitrate concentrations >3–4 mg N/L. In most of the riparian aquifer and streambed, nitrate concentrations are <0.5 mg N/L, suggesting denitrification dominates. Model results reveal that oxygen delivery to groundwater from the overlying unsaturated soil fuels mineralization and nitrification, with subsequent denitrification in low‐oxygen, high organic matter regions. Depending on flow paths, tidal freshwater zones could be sources of nitrate in regions with permeable sediment and low organic matter content.
Examining the Effectiveness of College- or University Sexual Assault Prevention Programs: A Literature Review

The purpose of the current review was to examine the effectiveness of college- or university sexual assault prevention programs. Further, the current paper reviews prevalence rates, factors that may contribute to the high rates of sexual assault on college-or university campuses. The paper also explores colleges- and universities’ efforts to increase men’s participation in sexual assault prevention programs as well as recommendations for further improvement. Sexual assault continues to be a problem on college campuses. Although colleges- and universities have recently implemented new prevention programs and strategies, there continues to be a need for change on college-and universities campuses to reduce sexual assaults, victimizations, and perpetration. There also needs to be more evaluation of the current programs in order to determine their effectiveness.
Simulation of post-hurricane impact on invasive species with biological control management

Understanding the effects of hurricanes and other large storms on ecological communities and the post-event recovery in these communities can guide management and ecosystem restoration. This is particularly important for communities impacted by invasive species, as the hurricane may affect control efforts. Here we consider the effect of a hurricane on tree communities in southern Florida that has been invaded by Melaleuca quinquevervia (melaleuca), an invasive Australian tree. Biological control agents were introduced starting in the 1990s and are reducing melaleuca in habitats where they are established. We used size-structured matrix modeling as a tool to project the continued possible additional effects of a hurricane on a pure stand of melaleuca that already had some level of biological control. The model results indicate that biological control could suppress or eliminate melaleuca within decades. A hurricane that does severe damage to the stand may accelerate the trend toward elimination of melaleuca with both strong and moderate biological control. However, if the biological control is weak, the stand is resilient to all but extremely severe hurricane damage. Although only a pure melaleuca stand was simulated in this study, other plants, such as natives, are likely to accelerate the decline of melaleuca due to competition. Our model provides a new tool to simulate post-hurricanes effect on invasive species and highlights the essential role that biological control has played on invasive species management.
Magnetic Field Observations on Cassini's Proximal Periapsis Passes: Planetary Period Oscillations and Mean Residual Fields

We analyze periapsis pass magnetic field data from the final 23 orbits of the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn, uniquely encompassing auroral, subauroral, ring region, and intra‐ring field lines, to determine the planetary period oscillations (PPOs) and mean residual fields in these regions. Dual modulation by northern and southern PPO systems is found almost continuously, demonstrating for the first time the presence of PPOs on and inside ring region field lines. The azimuthal component displays the largest ~10–15nT PPO amplitudes on auroral field lines, falling across the subauroral region to ~3–5 nT on main ring field lines in the northern hemisphere, less in the southern hemisphere, while increasing to ~5–8 nT on D ring and intra‐D ring field lines. Auroral and subauroral amplitudes mapped along field lines are in good agreement with previous analyses in regions of overlap. Colatitudinal and radial field oscillations generally have a half and a quarter the amplitude of the azimuthal component, respectively. Inner region oscillation phases are typically several tens of degrees “earlier” than those of outer subauroral and auroral regions. Mean residual poloidal fields (internal and ring current fields subtracted) show quasi‐sinusoidal latitude variations of ~2.5nT amplitude, with radial and colatitudinal fields approximately in quadrature. Mean azimuthal fields peaking at ~15 nT are approximately symmetrical about the equator on and inside D ring field lines as previously reported, but are unexpectedly superposed on ~3–5nT “lagging” fields which extend continuously through the ring region onto subauroral field lines north and south.
Isolated Auroral Spots Observed by DMSP/SSUSI

This work reports auroral spots event observed by the SSUSI instruments on board the DMSP spacecraft between 22 and 23 July 2009 during the recovery phase of a moderate magnetic storm. The spots were observed between 18:00 and 02:00 magnetic local time and stayed at ~60° magnetic latitude. They lasted for ~10 hr and corotated with ~64% of the Earth's rotational speed. In situ observations indicate that the isolated auroral spots were produced by energetic ions at energies between 10 and 240 keV, with significantly anisotropic electron (30–300 keV) precipitations. It is expected that the energetic ions originate from the ring current and can be scattered by the EMIC waves through cyclotron resonance. The energetic electrons can be precipitated by the nonresonant interaction between the electrons and EMIC waves, which is suggested by previous works.
Out-of-home care in Australia: A State by State comparison

All Australian statutory child welfare agencies collect and report data on children under their supervision, but it is not always clear from this data how many children are actually placed in out-of-home care. This paper reports on a survey of the eight state and territory statutory agencies which focused on comparative placement rates, the usage of the two major types of out-of-home care, and placement patterns for Aboriginal/TSI children. Comparisons are drawn with the USA and a number of European countries.
Substitution of municipal solid waste compost for peat in cucumber transplant production

Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) is used in agriculture as a fertilizer, organic soil additive and crop substrate. MSWC was examined as an alternative for peat in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Radian) transplant production. An experiment was conducted in 2008 at the University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran with the treatments 100% peat+0% MSWC (control); 95% peat+5% MSWC, 90% peat+10% MSWC, 85% peat+15% MSWC and 80% peat+20% MSWC. Seedlings grown in the only peat and peat+MSWC (5%) mixture had better quality and suitability for transplanting. There were differences due to substrate with a general reduction in values as MSWC rate increased. Use of MSWC is not recommended at levels above 5% in cucumber transplant production.
Hydrological impacts of climate change on rice cultivated riparian wetlands in the Upper Meghna River Basin (Bangladesh and India)

ABSTRACT Riparian depressional wetlands (haors) in the Upper Meghna River Basin of Bangladesh are invaluable agricultural resources. They are completely flooded between June and November and planted with Boro rice when floodwater recedes in December. However, early harvest period (April/May) floods frequently damage ripening rice. A calibrated/validated Soil and Water Assessment Tool for riparian wetland (SWATrw) model is perturbed with bias free (using an improved quantile mapping approach) climate projections from 17 general circulation models (GCMs) for the period 2031–2050. Projected mean annual rainfall increases (200–500 mm or 7–10%). However, during the harvest period lower rainfall (21–75%) and higher evapotranspiration (1–8%) reduces river discharge (5–18%) and wetland inundation (inundation fraction declines of 0.005–0.14). Flooding risk for Boro rice consequently declines (rationalized flood risk reductions of 0.02–0.12). However, the loss of cultivable land (15.3%) to increases in permanent haor inundation represents a major threat to regional food security.
Diffraction separation and imaging using multichannel singular-spectrum analysis

Seismic diffractions are the responses of small-scale discontinuous structures. They contain subwavelength geologic information. Thus, diffractions can be used for high-resolution imaging. The energy of diffractions is generally much weaker than that of reflections. Therefore, diffracted energy is typically masked by specular reflected energy. Diffraction/reflection separation is a crucial preprocessing step for diffraction imaging. To resolve the diffraction-separation problem, we have developed a method based on the multichannel singular-spectrum analysis (MSSA) algorithm for diffraction separation by reflection suppression. The MSSA algorithm uses the differences in the kinematic and dynamic properties between reflections and diffractions to suppress time-linear signals (reflections) and separate weaker time-nonlinear signals (diffractions) in the common-offset or poststack domain. For the time-linear signals, the magnitudes of the singular values are proportional to the energy strength of the signals. The stronger the energy of a component of the linear signals is, the larger the corresponding singular values will be. The singular values of reflections and diffractions have dissimilar spatial distributions in the singular-value spectrum because of the differences in their linear properties and energy. Only the singular values representing diffractions are selected to reconstruct seismic signals. Synthetic data and field data are used to test our method. The results reveal the good performance of the MSSA algorithm in enhancing diffractions and suppressing reflections.
Use of eltrombopag in thrombocytopenia of liver disease

Second generation thrombopoietin agonists including eltrombopag and romiplostim act on the thrombopoietin receptor to increase the megakaryocyte production. These agents were needed as use of first generation recombinant products was associated with formation of autoantibodies. Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin agonist found effective in raising platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia. The drug has now been found to be useful in raising platelet counts in thrombocytopenia related to liver disease including cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis. Although the drug may help enable adequate interferon therapy in patients with HCV infection and help carry out invasive procedures in patients with cirrhosis, concerns have been raised of possible thrombotic complications including portal vein thrombosis. Randomized trials have shown that use of eltrombopag concomitant with pegylated interferon and ribavirin increased the chances of sustained virologic response while decreasing the dose reductions of interferon. The data on use of romiplostim in these clinical indications is also emerging. However, in the future, availability of interferon free regimens is likely to decrease the use of eltrombopag for enabling antiviral therapy. The review discusses the role of eltrombopag in management of liver disease related thrombocytopenia in wake of recent data as also the dosage, precautions and adverse effects associated with its use.
Greenhouse Gases from Irrigated Rice Systems under Varying Severity of Alternate-Wetting and Drying Irrigation

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is normally grown under flooded conditions and is a significant source of methane (CH₄). Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is one practice which has shown promise to reduce CH₄ emissions and global warming potential (GWP). Under AWD, the soil is allowed to dry periodically during the growing season. In this 2-yr field study, three different severities of drying were compared to a continuously flooded condition to quantify effects on rice yields, greenhouse gas emissions, GWP and yield-scaled GWP (GWPY). The AWD treatments in order of increasing drying severity were: Safe-AWD (AWDS) where plots were reflooded when the perched water table fell 15 cm below the soil surface (volumetric water content of 41 to 44%); and AWD₃₅ and AWD₂₅ where plots were reflooded when the soil volumetric water content reached approximately 35 and 25%, respectively. Each of these treatments received two drying cycles (all occurring between 45 d after planting and heading). Grain yields and cumulative N₂O emissions (close to zero) did not vary significantly among treatments. The AWDS reduced CH₄ emissions by 41% and the AWD₃₅ and AWD₂₅ by 56 to 73% and 60 to 67%, respectively. Since only CH₄ differed between treatments, AWD reduced GWP and GWPY by the same relative amount as CH₄. Increasing drying severity reduced CH₄, GWP and GWPY emissions up to a point (AWD₃₅) but continued drying (AWD₂₅) did not further reduce CH₄ emissions. Given the high early season CH₄ fluxes, drying earlier may result in greater reductions of CH₄ in wet seeded rice systems but this requires further study as there may be negative effects such as increased N₂O emissions.
TRACHEOBRONCHIAL FOREIGN BODIES: A CHALLENGE IN THE RURAL SETUP

Accidental foreign body aspiration represents a common problem in India, especially in the pediatric population. The main challenges facing an otolaryngologist in rural tertiary care Centre's of developing countries include the significant delays in referral, the relative lack of sophisticated equipment at the surgeons' disposal and the mortality associated with loss of airway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent bronchoscopy for suspected aspiration of foreign bodies in North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, between June, 2012 and May, 2014 were included in the study. All patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Foreign bodies, when found, were removed using conventional grasping forceps. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were admitted for suspected tracheobronchial foreign body (TFB) during the study period. The presentation pattern was highly variable between the patients although the predominant presenting complaint was that of respiratory distress (63.9%). The interval between suspected accidental inhalation and presentation ranged from 1 to 31 days. The foreign bodies retrieved were classified into four broad groups. Seeds and nuts were the most common foreign body. The site of lodgment of the foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree was also variable. CONCLUSION: Our experience in a rural tertiary care centre in West Bengal has shown that a high index of suspicion must be present to diagnose such cases as early as possible. Digital radiographs might be normal in a considerable number of cases and any suspicion of a TFB should warrant a bronchoscopic examination. Symptoms like choking and cough may not be always present and even a definite history of accidental foreign body aspiration may be absent.
Determining the physicochemical properties of soil in the selected erosion sites in the rainforest ecosystem in Abia State, Nigeria

This study determined the physico-chemical properties of soil in selected erosion sites in rainforest ecosystem in Abia State Nigeria. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these physicochemical parameters. Sand content was highest at Ikwuano LGA (82.2%), Ossah-Ibeku (77.2%). 0 Ahiaeke (75.20%) and Amigbo (70.20%) were statistically similar. Results of clay contents (%) were significantly different in the following order; Amigbo Ubakala (16.40%) > Ossah Ibeku (13.40%), =Ahiaeke Ntugbu (11.40%) = Oloko (10.40%). For Nitrogen content, the two depths 0-15cm and 15-30cm were statistically similar, while the location (L) x Soil depth (D)treatment interactions were significantly different. For phosphorus content, Ossah Ibeku (20.60%) > Amigbo (14.25%) > Oloko (13.60%) > Ahiaeke (11.74). The difference in the mean potassium (%) content in the locations sampled was significant at P≥ 0.05 except Amigbo-Ubakala in Umuahia south LG.A. and Oloko in Ikwuano LG.A. which had statistically similar values. Potassium (k) content at (15-30cm) soil depth (0.136%) was significantly different from the (0-15cm) soil depth (0.0950%). Sodium (%) contents in Ossah Ibeku and Oloko were statistically similar. Sodium (%) contents decreased with increasing soil depth; the 0-15cm soil depth had higher sodium content (0.13%) than the 15-30cm soil depth (0.12%). Calcium content also decreased with increasing soil depth from 0-15cm depth (5.20%) to 15 - 30cm (4.30%). No significant difference existed between the mean magnesium (%) content of the soil depths (0.15cm and 15.30cm). The EA (%) capacity increased with soil depth. Location x Soil Depth (LxD) treatment interactions, the 0-15cm soil depth generally gave lower EA capacity than the 15-30cm soil depth at P≤ 0.05. Keywords: Soil erosion, Rainforest ecosystem, Erodibility
Vehicle-Directed Smart Charging Strategies to Mitigate the Effect of Long-Range EV Charging on Distribution Transformer Aging

The recent introduction of affordable long-range electric vehicles (EVs) has the potential to trigger more widespread adoption of EVs with higher charging needs. Increased EV charging can have a detrimental effect on the distribution grid, especially by causing accelerated aging of transformers. Although many EV smart-charging strategies have been proposed to mitigate this problem, centralized and distributed smart-charging strategies require numerous new infrastructure components and, thus, take time and money to implement. This article proposes the term vehicle-directed smart charging to describe strategies that individual EVs can use to charge in a more intelligent way and, thus, lessen grid impact. This article proposes a new vehicle-directed smart charging concept, random-in-window (RIW), which has fixed-rate and variable-rate variants. The RIW strategy allows for random charging start times within a specific time window after the residential peak load has reduced. The RIW strategies are compared to other strategies using the real-world logged driving data from 150 drivers for one week using long- and short-range EV models. A transformer aging model indicates that the RIW strategies are approximately as good as a fully controlled centralized smart-charging algorithm at EV penetration rates up to 60% for long-range EVs and 70% for short-range EVs.