Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Plant Density and Planting Pattern on Growth and Seed Yield of Groundnuts [Arachis hypogaea (l.)] in the Wet Middleveld of Eswatini

The most appropriate plant density and planting pattern to use for optimum growth and yield of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Eswatini among those currently used is not known, as the patterns are highly influenced by environmental conditions in specific regions. A field trial was conducted with the objective of determining the optimum plant density and planting pattern for groundnut in the Wet Middleveld of Eswatini. The experiment was conducted at the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus during the 2018/2019 cropping. The treatments consisted of three planting densities (i.e. 88,889 plants/ha, 44,444 plants/ha, and 29,630 plants/ha) and two planting patterns (i.e. Ridges and Raisedbeds) in a split plot arrangement. Results showed that all the measured parameters including seed yield were not significantly different in all treatments. However, the highest seed yield was obtained at low plant density which was 71.4 kg/ha followed by 568 kg/ha at medium and the least was 434 kg/ha at high plant density. The high plant density (88889 Original Research Article Magagula et al.; APRJ, 3(2): 1-12, 2019; Article no.APRJ. 53684 2 plants/ha) obtained the highest value of dry biomass (13018 kg/ha) at ridges which was higher than 3859 kg/ha obtained at the low plant density (29630 plants/ha) at raised beds at R6 growth stage. The ridges at the intermediate plant density (44444 plants per hectare) obtained the highest shelling percentage of 59.67% while the lowest (56%) shelling percentage was obtained at raised beds at 88889 plants per hectare. It is concluded that groundnuts at raised beds with low plant density yielded higher than those at ridges with high plant density. It is therefore, recommended that groundnuts be planted at raised beds with low plant density to increase groundnut production and for ease of harvesting.
The impact of the Voting Rights Act on city elections and finances

The Voting Rights Act had two distinct effects on city elections: it removed barriers to voting faced by minorities and increased the election of council members by district. We examine the impact of these changes on municipal expenditures using a panel of 2,727 cities over the years 1957 through 2012. We find that the expanded use of district elections increased non-infrastructure spending and pension benefits per city worker. Further, the expansion of voting rights was followed by reduced infrastructure spending and higher pension benefits per city worker. These results support the theoretical arguments behind one of the major election law controversies: whether city council members should be elected by district. Our results are consistent with ‘reformers’ claims that district elections hinder the long term viability of cities, and with ‘new reformers’ assertions that district elections give greater influence to minorities. JEL: D72, H75
Fatty acid transport across cell membranes Slc43a3 is a regulator of free fatty acid uptake and efflux

Adipocytes take up long chain fatty acids through diffusion and through a low capacity protein mediated transport system on the plasma membrane, whereas fatty acid efflux is considered to occur by diffusion. Although studies have revealed the importance of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs), long chain acyl coenzyme A synthetases (ACSLs) and fatty acid translocase (FAT, also known as CD36) in fatty acid uptake, other membrane proteins could be involved, and no membrane proteins have been associated with fatty acid efflux. To identify potential membrane proteins that are involved in regulating fatty acid flux in adipocytes, the expression levels of 55 membrane transporters without known function were screened in subcutaneous adipose samples from obese patients before and after bariatric surgery using branched DNA methodology. Among the 33 solute carrier (SLC) transporter family members screened, the expression of 14 members showed significant changes before and after bariatric surgery. One of them, Slc43a3, increased about 2.5-fold after bariatric surgery. The expression levels of Slc43a3 in various mouse adipose depots and during adipocyte differentiation were explored in C57Bl6J mice and OP9 murine adipocyte cells. The functional significance of Slc43a3 in regulating fatty acid transport was studied using overexpression or silencing of Slc43a3 in differentiated OP9 cells. Slc43a3 is highly expressed in adipose tissue and induced during adipocyte differentiation in OP9 cells. Knockdown of Slc43a3 with siRNA in differentiated OP9 adipocytes reduced both basal and forskolin-stimulated fatty acid efflux. Interestingly, knockdown of Slc43a3 with siRNA in differentiated OP9 adipocytes also increased fatty acid uptake and lipid droplet accumulation. In contrast, overexpression of Slc43a3 decreased fatty acid uptake in differentiated OP9 cells and resulted in decreased lipid droplet accumulation. Therefore, Slc43a3 seems to regulate fatty acid flux in adipocytes, functioning as a positive regulator of fatty acid efflux and as a negative regulator of fatty acid uptake.
Activation of the protein kinase Akt in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Association with insulin and insulin-like growth factor levels in the blood of patients with cancer and diabetes

Signal cascade PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer and diabetes. Macrophages and lymphocytes are involved in the development of diabetes, diabetic atherosclerosis, the formation of tissue resistance to insulin, as well as in the immune response to cancer and tumor support. The aim of the study was to determine the activation of Akt by mTORC2 kinase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with type 2 diabetes and cancer. Material and methods. The following groups were studied: 1 — the control group, 2 — patients with breast cancer, 3 — patients with endometrial cancer, 4 — patients with bowel cancer, 5 — patients with pancreatic cancer. The amount of phospho-Akt (p-S473), insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was determined using enzyme immunoassay. Results. Insulin and IGF-1 levels are higher in the blood of patients with breast and endometrial cancer compared with control, as well as bowel and pancreatic cancer. The change in the content of activated Akt in PMBC generally corresponds to the concentration of insulin and IGF-1 in the blood. The differences between breast/endometrial cancers and pancreatic/bowel cancers with IGF-1/insulin content in the blood and Akt activation in PMBC can be explained by the presence of hormonal background (estrogens) specific for the first two types of cancer. Conclusion. Chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer can affect the signaling mechanisms in blood cells. The state of Akt phosphorylation in PMBC may indicate the activity of mTORC1 and its substrates, which may be important for the assessment of the pathological process and the effectiveness of treatment.
The Variation induction of Glycine max through low dose gamma irradiation produces genetic and physiological alteration as source of tolerant variants in waterlogging conditions

Abstract. Saputro TB, Muslihatin W, Wahyuni DK, Nurhidayati T, Wardhani FO, Rosalia E. 2019. Variation induction of Glycine max through low dose gamma irradiation produces genetic and physiological alteration as source of tolerant variants in waterlogging conditions. Biodiversitas 20: 3299-3308. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the main food commodity that contains high proteins, oils, and carbohydrates. Waterlogging is considered as the dominant factor and major constraint responsible for the decrements of soybean production in Indonesia. The development of promising G.max that tolerates waterlogging is essentially needed. In this study, induction of variation was conducted by gamma rays irradiation with doses of 25Gy, 50Gy, 75Gy, and 100Gy. The mutant or variants lines were then selected under waterlogging conditions with 100%, 150%, 200%, and 250% of field capacity. The results showed that, in 250% waterlogging condition, plants irradiated with 25Gy shows the best performance in amount of roots, adventitious roots and number of pods parameters, while plants irradiated with 50Gy have the highest growth indicated by amount of root nodules, plant heights, dry weights, leaf area, and chlorophyll contents. The genotypes then were assayed by the Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) to confirm that the mutants differ compared to its wild type. Out of 10 ISSR primers, seven primers showed polymorphic patterns. The best primer to differentiate the mutant lines and its wild type is primer ISSR1 [ (AC)8G] that able to generate the highest level of polymorphism with 44.0%. The comparison of protein profiles among the mutant lines showed that proteins with molecular weight 53,78 KDa; 43,12 KDa; and 20,62 Kda are all overexpressed for plants irradiated at 25Gy and treated with 250% waterlogging stress. All those three proteins are predicted as 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS), Alcohol-dehydrogenase (ADH), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) respectively.
β-FAMILY CONGRUENCES AND THE f-INVARIANT

In previous work, the authors have each introduced methods for studying the 2-line of the p-local Adams-Novikov spectral sequence in terms of the arithmetic of modular forms. We give the precise relationship between the congruences of modular forms introduced by the first author with the Qspectrum and the f -invariant of the second author. This relationship enables us to refine the target group of the f -invariant in a way which makes it more manageable for computations.
Navigators’ Behavior Analysis Using Data Mining

One of the ways to prevent accidents at sea is to detect risks caused by humans and to counteract them. These tasks can be executed through an analysis of ship maneuvers and the identification of behavior considered to be potentially dangerous, e.g., based on data obtained online from the automatic identification system (AIS). As a result, additional measures or actions can be taken, e.g., passing at a distance greater than previously planned. The detection of risks at sea requires a prior definition of behavior patterns and the criteria assigned to them. Each pattern represents a specific navigator’s safety profile. The criteria assigned to each pattern for the identification of the navigator’s safety profile were determined from previously recorded AIS data. Due to a large amount of data and their complex relationships, these authors have proposed to use data mining tools. This work continues previous research on this subject. The conducted analysis covered data recorded in simulation tests done by navigators. Typical ship encounter situations were included. Based on additional simulation data, the patterns of behavior were verified for the determination of a navigator’s safety profile. An example of using the presented method is given.
In-vitro Propagation of Elephantopus scaber Using Seeds as Explants in Various Culture Growth

Elephantopus scaber plant contains various secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, terpenes, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes lactones, elephantopyns, and deoxyelephantopin, which can act as antimicrobial, antifungal, and bioinsecticides. Elephantopus scaber can be potentially grown by tissue culture method and isolated its secondary compounds. But, the presence of tricomes at stem, leaf midrib, or leaves of E. scaber hinder its in-vitro propagation, because of it can facilitate contamination agents, such as fungi and bacteria. To avoid contamination, seeds were used as source of explants. The aim of this study was to describe the use of seeds as an alternative explant source of E. scaber in various culture growth medium and to determine the right medium for E. scaber callus induction. This research used four growth mediums: 1) MSO medium (with no additional Plant Growth Factor), 2) MSC medium (MS medium with additional charcoal), 3) MS + 0.5 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L 2.4 D, and 4) MS + 1.5 mg/L Kinetin and 1.5 mg/L 2.4 D. There were 20 bottles media for experiment with five seed explants put into each bottle of medium, thus total of 100 seeds were planted. The propagation steps were sterilization of mature seeds, preparation and sterilization of growth medium, and inoculation of seeds. The observation of callus induction was performed for four weeks. The parameters observed in the research was the formation of the callus induced from seeds of E. scaber. The results showed that explants in 5 bottles had grown, 7 seeds were planted as seedlings, while seeds in 15 bottles showed no signs of growth. All seeds planted in MSC medium (20 bottles) produced seedlings and explants. About 82 calli from 20 bottles were induced on MS + 0.5 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L 2.4 D, while 17 bottles of MS + 1.5 mg/L Kinetin and 1.5 mg/L 2.4 D produced 48 calli and 3 bottles produced seedlings. The results showed that seed explants of E. scaber could reduce microbe contamination because there was no tricomes in seeds, as opposite on the leaves during callus induction. Seeds of E. scaber could be effectively used as an explant for callus induction through in-vitro propagation. The most optimal medium for callus induction of E. scaber seed was MS + 0.5 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L 2.4 D. These findings support recommendation for callus induction using the seeds for plants with numerous tricomes on their leaves, such as Elephantopus scaber. Keywords—seeds, source of explant, E. scaber, growth medium, in-vitro
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extract can improve the levels of some trace elements and total homocysteine and prevent oxidative damage induced by ethanol in rat eye

Objective: Acute and chronic ethanol consumption cause oxidative stress and ginger improves suchconditions. In this study, the protective effects of ginger were studied on indices of oxidative stress, total homocysteinelevel and the level of the some of the oxidative stress-associated trace elements against toxicity induced by ethanol in rat eye. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups and treated daily for 28 days as follows: group I: control;group II: ginger (1g/kg/day ginger extract by oral gavage); group III: ethanol (4g/kg/day ethanol by oral gavage) and group IV: ginger+ethanol. At the end of the experimental period, eye tissue sera were used for determination of different parameters. Furthermore, in vitro antioxidant potential and total phenol content of ginger extract were determined. Results: In ethanol group, significant changes in oxidative stress markers and levels of homocysteine and some trace elements, compared to other groups, were observed (p<0.05 for all cases). However,these parameters significantly ameliorated with pretreatment with ginger in ginger+ethanol group (p<0.05 for all cases), and had no significant differencesinthese parameters betweenginger and control group were found. Conclusion: It can be concluded that ginger extract has protective effects against toxicity induced by ethanol in the eye of male rat.
ASSESSING PROCUREMENT IRREGULARITIES IN THE SUPPLY-CHAIN OF GHANAIAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A SOFT-COMPUTING APPROACH

This study examines procurement irregularities, as one of the most unexplored threats in the procurement process of construction projects. It also tests the suppositions associated with the contributions of irregularities to corruption in construction procurement. An expert survey is conducted with 62 construction-related practitioners selected via nonprobabilistic sampling in the context of a Ghana, to assess the criticalities of the irregularities. Eighteen irregularities were identified within the context selected for this study. A soft computing technique known as the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) method is employed to examine the identified irregularities. Other relevant techniques including factor analyses, normalization, and descriptive tools are employed to factorize the identified irregularities and test the hypotheses. Out of the 18 irregularities, 11 were revealed to be critical. The findings reveal that the top three irregularities were: payments for uncompleted works, sourcing of proforma invoices from the same supplier and the lack of proper coordination among key departments. Moreover, four constructs were developed using the identified measurement items. They are administrativespecific, procedural, compliance and contract monitoring irregularities. Out of the four, the topmost critical construct turns out to be compliance irregularities. Theoretically, this study advances the scholarship of construction by shedding lights on the irregularities associated with the procurement processes of construction projects. It also contributes to an indepth understanding of the noted irregularities. In practical terms, this study contributes to the procurement planning and policy-making process, it assists decision makers in putting in place measures to prevent or extirpate the likelihood of any of the irregularities’ occurrences.
Schooling levels and wage gains in Mexico

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2019/12-4/4 ABSTRACT. This paper assesses the impact of the returns to education on income of the heads of family in Mexico in 2016. The analysis is based on Mincer’s (1974) earnings function by using microdata from the National Household Income Survey (ENIGH acronym in Spanish) 2016. Estimations following Mincer equation are carried out by levels of schooling. The main conclusion is that as the level of education among Mexican heads of family increases, it magnifies the increase in income levels, which, in turn, enlarges human capital and learning capacity needed for sustained growth and welfare.
Internet-Based Electric Meter with Theft Detection, Theft Notification and Consumption Monitoring for Residential Power Lines Using Wireless Network Technology

In support of a proposed bill in the Philippines, the Recoverable System Loss Act, which aims to reduce the system losses cap thus making electricity cheaper, the objective of this project is to help the distribution utility and the consumer in decreasing the incidences of power theft. An electric meter which features theft detection and notification, and an internet-based energy consumption monitoring system were designed to alleviate the problem. Theft detection is achieved through the utilization of microcontrollers and current sensors, while theft notification is achieved through the utilization of LoRaWAN technology. The theft detection module can identify illegal tapping and meter bypassing. A star network of electric meters was implemented to test the LoRaWAN in an energy metering application. The theft detection and notification modules were 100% successful in identifying and transmitting the correct type of theft. The watt-hour measurement of the electric meter exhibited 99.9% accuracy in reference to a commissioned digital electric meter. In coordination with the electric meter, theft notifications and meter data were accessible to both the consumer and distribution utility through an online energy monitoring system: enermon.tech. The LoRaWAN gateway was able to receive theft notifications from an electric meter node as far as 601 m line of sight with an average round trip time of 33.09 milliseconds in the implemented area. This system provides immediate notification of the presence of pilferage for the distribution utility and consumer to address. 
Bush Mango (Irvingia spp.) As an Important Alternative Livelihood Source for the Indigenes of the Korup National Park Communities, South West Cameroon

Received: 8 October 2019 Accepted: 3 December 2019 Protected resources continue to suffer illegal exploitation due to inadequate alternative livelihood options to the local populations. This study evaluated bush mango current situation in Korup National Park Communities (KNPCs). Five villages were selected based on high productivity. Focused group discussion was done in each village to identify stakeholders in the bush mango sector. Ninety-four household questionnaires administered to collectors. All collectors exploited rainy season bush mango; 36 (38%) collectors collected dry season bush mango in farms, 86% had cultivated dry season bush mango and 54% rainy season bush mango. Collectors, village traditional councils (VTCs), Cooperative and ordinary buyers constituted primary stakeholder. Households kernel’s quantities produced varied (3442 contents) and sold at US $ 42.4/content. KNPCs produced 1,658,880 kg kernels and sold for $ 3,907,584 / harvest season. Salient constraints were: long distances trekked to sites, ant bites, processing accidents, inadequate drying/storage facilities, poor roads and inadequate market information. Improved seedlings with good characteristics (rapid growth rate, large kernels sizes; self-cracking seed shells); fruit/ seed cracking machine; drying ovens; improved roads; and telecommunication networks for market intelligent communication were solicited. Both bush mangoes enhanced livelihoods in KNP and its cultivation will increase sustainable livelihoods source and reduce pressures on protected resources.
Strategic Decision Making Processes: External Factors Influencing Foreign Market Entry

The purpose of this research was to explore the influence of external factors on strategic decisions for foreign market entry. To achieve this aim, a conceptual model of a theorized set of factors was used to explore the main factors influencing foreign market entry. Data was gained throughout semi-structured interviews with 46 decision-makers from different organisations in Kuwait who were interviewed to collect required data. The findings exposed external factors including Market attractiveness, Market size and growth, Market competitiveness, as well as laws and regulations that significantly affect decisions needed to global market entry.
Preferential use of one paw during feeding in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum

Initially believed to be a uniquely human characteristic, the preference to use one extremity for carrying out diverse activities, such as feeding or self-grooming, has been observed in several groups of vertebrates and even in some invertebrates (1,2,3). These behavioral asymmetries, which may reflect differences in the roles of the two brain hemispheres, are classified according to their occurrence in the individuals at the population level: no asymmetry, when all individuals prefer to use both the left and the right limb with equal probability; individuallevel asymmetry, when some individuals of the population prefer to use one extremity while others prefer to use the other limb (no asymmetry at the population level); and population asymmetry, when most of the individuals prefer to use either the left or the right limb (3).
The gendered widowhood effect and social mortality gap

With few exceptions, greater disparities in mortality risk by socio-economic status (SES) have been found among men than among women. Most research has also shown that the higher mortality risk after widowhood (the widowhood effect) is greater for men. However, a different picture appears when examining these associations jointly. Based on Swedish register data, this study shows that widowhood weakens, or even reverses, the sex differences in socio-economic disparities in mortality. The overall findings also indicate that higher SES elevates the widowhood effect for men but diminishes it for women, and that the widowhood effect is greater for women than men in the lowest SES categories. These results imply that men with higher SES are more vulnerable after widowhood, perhaps because of their previous relatively privileged situation. The disadvantage of widows in lower SES categories may reflect exposure to financial strains after spousal loss and inequalities in the healthcare system.