Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of planting geometry and phosphate management on growth and growth attributes of semi-rabi pigeonpea

An experiment was conducted during the semi-rabi season of 2010 to study the effect of planting geometry and phosphate management on growth and growth attributes of semi-rabi pigeonpea with split plot design. The treatments consisted of four planting geometry levels viz., S1 (45 × 15 cm), S2 (45 × 30 cm), S3 (60 × 15 cm), S4 (60 × 30 cm) and four levels of phosphate management viz., P1 (100% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer), P2 (100% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB), P3 (75% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB) and P4 (50% recommended dose of phosphate through fertilizer+PSB). Results showed that all growth parameters viz., height of plant, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, leaf area/ plant, leaf area index and dry matter/plant (g) were significantly influenced due to spacing. The highest values of all growth characters were observed with the spacing of S4 (60 × 30 cm), except plant height and leaf area index which were significantly influenced by the spacing of 45 × 15 cm and had the highest value. Days to 50% flowering was not influenced by the spacing. In case of phosphate management, all the growth characters viz., height of plant, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, leaf area/plant, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation were significantly influenced due to application of phosphate levels and recorded highest with 100% RDP through fertilizer+PSB over any other. Days to 50% flowering was not influenced by phosphate management.
Natural Resources in a Planetary Perspective

One of humankind’s biggest challenges over the next century is to provide adequate resources for civilisation. Geochemistry plays a central role, from the processes that accumulate elements into ore bodies, to developing exploration techniques that are used to find them. Geochemistry is also important for the processes that win the resources and redistribute them with the accompanying risks of environmental contamination and threats for human health. As geochemists, it is useful to take a step back and look at the big picture of resources from a global perspective, to consider their place in history and to contemplate their importance. The future of our civilisation depends on their wise use and geochemistry lies at the centre – for ensuring adequate supplies and for minimising the risk of poisoning ourselves. This Perspective summarises the current and future availability of many natural resources. But the main focus is on the most important metals and on phosphorus. The metals are grouped into the big six (iron, chromium, manganese, aluminium, copper and zinc), with some shorter discussion of precious (gold, silver and platinum group metals) and other metals. These other metals are those needed for steel (niobium, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum), for technology (tantalum, zircon, indium, gallium, germanium), for new technological developments in the renewable energy industry (europium, terbium, neodynium, lithium), and the chemical industry (platinum group metals, cobalt and rare earth elements). The sobering common aspect for all of these resources is, that available data suggests that their production has either peaked already or will peak within the next 50 years. Throughout history, the major part of the economy of the world’s nations has been driven directly or indirectly by access to and use of natural resources, and this still remains so. Our main findings are that the world is heading towards a restricted access to the key resources that are used by humanity today and these restrictions will have a profound impact on the world economies and life styles of future generations. The challenge is to accept this knowledge, and to find the necessary solutions and adaptions for the future while we still have time and possibility to so. History will judge how well we responded to current resource challenges.
The Effect of TGF-β1 Reduced Functionality on the Expression of Selected Synaptic Proteins and Electrophysiological Parameters: Implications of Changes Observed in Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy

Decreased platelet count represents a feature of acute liver failure (ALF) pathogenesis. Platelets are the reservoir of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-β1), a multipotent cytokine involved in the maintenance of, i.a. , central nervous system homeostasis. Here, we analyzed the effect of a decrease in TGF-β1 active form on synaptic proteins levels, and brain electrophysiology, in mice after intraperitoneal (ip) administration of TGF-β1 antibody (anti-TGF-β1; 1 mg/mL). Next, we correlated it with a thrombocytopenia-induced TGF-β1 decrease, documented in an azoxymethane-induced (AOM; 100 mM ip) model of ALF, and clarified the impact of TGF-β1 decrease on blood–brain barrier functionality. The increase of both synaptophysin and synaptotagmin in the cytosolic fraction, and its reduction in a membrane fraction, were confirmed in the AOM mice brains. Both proteins’ decrease in analyzed fractions occurred in anti-TGF-β1 mice. In turn, an increase in postsynaptic (NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, postsynaptic density protein 95, gephyrin) proteins in the AOM brain cortex, but a selective compensatory increase of NR1 subunit in anti-TGF-β mice, was observed. The alterations of synaptic proteins levels were not translated on electrophysiological parameters in the anti-TGF-β1 model. The results suggest the impairment of synaptic vesicles docking to the postsynaptic membrane in the AOM model. Nevertheless, changes in synaptic protein level in the anti-TGF-β1 mice do not affect neurotransmission and may not contribute to neurologic deficits in AOM mice.
The design and implementation of an acoustic phased array transmitter for the demonstration of MIMO techniques

MIMO radar algorithms are the latest generation of techniques that can be applied to array radars. They offer the potential to improve the radar resolution, increase the number of targets that can be identified and give added flexibility in beampattern design. However, little experimental data demonstrating MIMO radar is available because radar arrays are already expensive systems and MIMO extends the complexity and cost further. An acoustic array, which works on the same principles as a radio frequency radar array, can be built at a fraction of the cost of a real radar system. The novel contribution of this project was the demonstration of MIMO radar techniques on an acoustic array, which was designed and built for this purpose. To achieve the project objectives, the theory of traditional phased array radar techniques and MIMO techniques was researched. The phased array and MIMO techniques were also simulated under narrowband and wideband conditions, and the strengths and weaknesses of each were highlighted. This was followed by the design and implementation of a low cost audible acoustic transmitter array to be used with an existing receiver array to demonstrate the investigated array radar techniques. Finally, the techniques were tested on the hardware platform. The simulation and hardware test results were used to evaluate and compare the performance of phased array and MIMO radar techniques. The beampattern design flexibility that is offered by MIMO radar was demonstrated with the transmission and measurement of omnidirectional, single-lobed and multi-lobed MIMO beampatterns. Also, parameter estimation experiments were performed where phased array and MIMO radar signals were transmitted. Phased array techniques were shown to be simple, effective and robust. The MIMO Capon, APES and GLRT parameter estimation techniques were shown to be sensitive to the type of signals transmitted, and in most cases, the added complexity of these techniques did not lead to improved target parameter estimation results. However, the MIMO technique of transmitter beamforming on reception gave high resolution target range and angle estimates, living up to the expectations placed on MIMO radar.
Physiology-based affect recognition and adaptation in human-machine interaction

Given the importance of implicit communication in human interactions, it would be valuable to have this capability in robotic systems wherein a robot can detect the motivations and emotions of the person it is working with. Recognizing affective states from physiological cues is an effective way of implementing implicit human-robot interaction. Several machine learning techniques have been successfully employed in affect-recognition to predict the affective state of an individual given a set of physiological features. However, a systematic comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of these methods has not yet been done. In this paper we present a comparative study of four machine learning methodsK-Nearest Neighbor, Regression Tree, Bayesian Network and Support Vector Machine as applied to the domain of affect recognition using physiological signals. The results showed that Support Vector Machine gave the best classification accuracy even though all the methods performed competitively. Regression Tree gave the next best classification accuracy and was the most space and time efficient.
A Detailed Analysis of the Effect of Different Environmental Factors on Fish Phototactic Behavior: Directional Fish Guiding and Expelling Technique

Simple Summary Environmental pollution and hydropower development have affected fish survival and caused the extinction of some fish populations and species. To understand the effects of various environmental factors on the behavioral profiles of fish, we established a novel experimental method to measure the sensitivity and phototactic behavior of Schizothorax waltoni to four light colors and two flow velocities at two temperatures under low light intensity. The results showed that S. waltoni preferred the four light colors in the order green, blue, red, and yellow. Schizothorax waltoni showed positive phototaxis in green and blue light but negative phototaxis in red and yellow light. The increased flow velocity intensified the positive and negative phototaxis of fish under different light environments, while an increase in the water temperature aroused the escape behavior. Thus, red or yellow light greater than the phototaxis threshold can be used to move fish away from dangerous areas such as high-turbulent flows or polluted waters, while green or blue light can guide them to safe environments such as fish passage entrance or ideal habitats. Finally, this study provides scientific evidence and application value for restoring fish habitats, fish passages, and fisheries. Abstract Optimization of light-based fish passage facilities has attracted extensive attention, but studies under the influence of various environmental factors are scarce. We established a novel experimental method to measure the phototactic behavior of Schizothorax waltoni. The results showed that S. waltoni preferred the four light colors in the order green, blue, red, and yellow. The increased flow velocity intensified the positive and negative phototaxis of fish under different light environments, while an increase in the water temperature aroused the escape behavior. The escape behavior of fish in red and yellow light and the phototaxis behavior in green and blue light intensified as the light intensity exceeded the phototaxis threshold and continued to increase. Thus, red or yellow light greater than the phototaxis threshold can be used to move fish away from high-turbulent flows or polluted waters, while green or blue light can be used to guide them to fish passage entrance or ideal habitats. This study provides scientific evidence and application value for restoring fish habitats, fish passages, and fisheries.
Characteristics of tuberculosis-related deaths and risk factors: a retrospective cohort study in Samsun province of Turkey

ABSTRACT Objectives Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top ten leading causes of death worldwide despite effective therapy. The present study aims to examine the characteristics of TB-related deaths in Samsun Province and to determine the risk factors. Methods In this retrospective registry-based cohort study, the medical records of patients registered with Samsun Tuberculosis Control Dispensary between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine the factors associated with the risk of death in patients with TB. Results The treatment outcomes of a total of 382 patients were reviewed. It was found that the treatment was successful in 346 patients (90.6%), and 31 patients (8.1%) died before or during TB therapy. The median survival time of patients who died during the therapy was 1.86 months (95% CI = 0.07–5.17 months), and more than 50% (13/25) of the deaths occurred in the first two months of the treatment. Age above 70 years (HR 15.06 (3.33–67.95)), male gender (HR 2.74 (1.02–7.33)), pulmonary TB (HR 2.92 (1.002–8.52)), multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (HR 1.69 (1.22–12.75)), and a delay in the treatment of more than ten days (HR 2.71 (1.22–6.04)) were identified as risk factors associated with mortality in TB patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion The majority of deaths in our cohort occurred within the first two months after starting the treatment. Advanced age, male sex, a new diagnosis of TB, pulmonary TB, MDR-TB, and a treatment delay of more than ten days after diagnosis increased the risk for mortality during antituberculosis treatment.
Seeing sounds: Neural mechanisms underlying auditory contributions to visual detection

Sounds enhance the detection of visual stimuli while concurrently biasing an observer’s decisions. To investigate the neural mechanisms that underlie such multisensory interactions, we decoded time-resolved signal detection theory (SDT) sensitivity and criterion parameters from neural activity using magnetoencalography, while participants performed a visual detection task. Using temporal generalization analysis, we found that sounds improve visual detection by enhancing the maintenance of the most informative perceptual samples over time. In parallel, criterion decoding analyses revealed that sounds evoke patterns of activity that resembled the patterns evoked by an actual visual stimulus. These two complementary mechanisms of audiovisual interaction differed in terms of their automaticity: Whereas the sound-induced enhancement in visual information maintenance depended on participants being actively engaged in a detection task, sounds evoked visual activity patterns in the visual cortex in a bottom-up fashion, challenging the classical assumption that sound- induced reductions in criterion correspond to decision-level biases.
Relationships between global functioning and neuropsychological predictors in subjects at high risk of psychosis or with a recent onset of depression

Abstract Objective Psychotic disorders are frequently associated with decline in functioning and cognitive difficulties are observed in subjects at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. In this work, we applied automatic approaches to neurocognitive and functioning measures, with the aim of investigating the link between global, social and occupational functioning, and cognition. Methods 102 CHR subjects and 110 patients with recent onset depression (ROD) were recruited. Global assessment of functioning (GAF) related to symptoms (GAF-S) and disability (GAF-D). and global functioning social (GF-S) and role (GF-R), at baseline and of the previous month and year, and a set of neurocognitive measures, were used for classification and regression. Results Neurocognitive measures related to GF-R at baseline (r = 0.20, p = 0.004), GF-S at present (r = 0.14, p = 0.042) and of the past year (r = 0.19, p = 0.005), for GAF-F of the past month (r = 0.24, p < 0.001) and GAF-D of the past year (r = 0.28, p = 0.002). Classification reached values of balanced accuracy of 61% for GF-R and GAF–D. Conclusion We found that neurocognition was related to psychosocial functioning. More specifically, a deficit in executive functions was associated to poor social and occupational functioning.
EVALUATION OF MARKETABLE LEAF YIELD OF FLUTED PUMPKIN IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS USING ADDITIVE MAIN EFFECTS AND MULTIPLICATIVE INTERACTION (AMMI) MODEL

This study was conducted to determine the yield stability and to analyse the Genotype by Environment Interaction (GEI) of twenty five genotypes of fluted pumpkin genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications under four environments using Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis. The mean squares of the analysis of variance revealed significant genotype, environment and GEI on marketable leaf yield per plant. AMMI analysis revealed that the major contributions to treatment sum of squares were environments (3.24%), GEI (46.90%) and genotypes (49.70%), respectively, suggesting that the marketable leaf yield of the genotypes were under the major genotypic effects of GEI. The first two principal component axes (PCA 1 and 2) cumulatively contributed 93.50% of the total GEI and were significant (p ≤ 0.01). The biplot accounted for 85.82% of the total variation. The AMMI model identified genotypes Ftn44, Ftk20, and Fts34 as most stable, while Fta39 with highest yield (398.80g/plant) had the largest negative interaction. The best genotype with respect to Abeokuta location was Ftw21 while Fta39 was the best for Akure area. Therefore, these genotypes can be recommended according to their specific adaptation areas. Abeokuta in the 2012 and 2013 had positive interaction values of 14.38 and 9.46 respectively whereas Akure in 2012 and 2013 recorded negative interaction values of -5.03 and -18.81 respectively. Akure 2013 was the most discriminating environment and had the highest mean yield thus it is considered as a very good environment for cultivation of fluted pumpkin for marketable leaf yield.
Double Face Mask Use for COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Among Medical Students at Makerere University: A Cross-Section Survey

Introduction The second wave of COVID-19 greatly affected the health care and education systems in Uganda, due to the infection itself and the lockdowns instituted. Double masking has been suggested as a safe alternative to double-layered masks, where the quality of the latter may not be guaranteed. This study aimed to determine patterns of double mask use among undergraduate medical students at Makerere University, Uganda. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire. All students enrolled at the College of Health Sciences; Makerere University received the link to this questionnaire to participate. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with double mask use. Results A total of 348 participants were enrolled. The majority (61.8%) were male; the median age was 23 (range: 32) years. Up to 10.3%, 42%, and 4.3% reported past COVID-19 positive test, history of COVID-19 symptoms, and having comorbidities, respectively. Up to 40.8% had been vaccinated against COVID-19. More than half (68.7%) believed double masking was superior to single masking for COVID-19 IPC, but only 20.5% reported double masking. Participants with a past COVID-19 positive test [aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1–5.8, p = 0.026] and participants who believed double masks had a superior protective advantage [aOR: 20; 95% CI: 4.9–86.2, p < 0.001] were more likely to double mask. Lack of trust in the quality of masks (46.5%) was the most frequent motivation for double masking, while excessive sweating (68.4%), high cost of masks (66.4%), and difficulty in breathing (66.1%) were the major barriers. Conclusion Very few medical students practice double masking to prevent COVID-19. Coupled with inconsistencies in the availability of the recommended four-layered masks in Uganda and increased exposure in lecture rooms and clinical rotations, medical students may be at risk of contracting COVID-19.
Self-Organizing Maps to Evaluate Multidimensional Trajectories of Shrinkage in Spain

The analysis of factors influencing urban shrinkage is of great interest to spatial planners and policy makers. Population loss is usually the most relevant indicator of this shrinkage, but many other factors interact in complex ways over time. This paper proposes a multidimensional and spatio-temporal analysis of the shrinkage process in Spanish municipalities between 1991 and 2020. The method is based on the potentiality provided by self-organizing maps. The generated maps group municipalities according to hidden partial correlations among the data behind the variables characterizing the municipalities at different dates. In addition, as the number of map nodes is too big to allow for the detection of distinct types of municipalities, a Ward clustering algorithm is applied to identify homogeneous areas with a higher probability of shrinkage occurring over time. The results indicate that the municipalities with the lowest shrinkage are more stable and have a geographical concentration: they correspond to areas where peripheralization may occur (creation of surrounding districts close to main urban centers) and constitute the hinterland of large functional areas. The results also report a path of decline, with an important increase in the number of municipalities with higher shrinkage values. This approach has important implications for policy making since local governments may profit from shrinkage predictions.
Seismic Response and Performance of a Steel MRF Building with Nonlinear Viscous Dampers under DBE and MCE

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental study of the seismic response of a 0.6-scale three-story building with nonlinear viscous dampers under the design basis earthquake (DBE) and the maximum considered earthquake (MCE). The test structure consists of a moment-resisting frame (MRF) with reduced beam sections (RBS), a frame with nonlinear viscous dampers and associated bracing (called the DBF), and a gravity load system. The paper focuses on quantifying and assessing the seismic response of the test structure under the DBE and MCE. Three MRF designs were studied for 100, 75, and 60%, respectively, of the required base shear design strength according to ASCE 7-10. The DBF with nonlinear viscous dampers was designed to control the lateral drift demands. Earthquake simulations using ensembles of ground motions were conducted using the real-time hybrid simulation method. Experimental results show that a high level of seismic performance can be achieved under DBE and MCE ground motions, even for a building.