Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kasule, F Farmer Preference of Cassava Cultivars in Eastern Uganda: A Choice Beyond Disease Resistance

The cassava breeding program in Uganda has released many improved cultivars resistant/tolerant to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD). However, many farmers have continued to use cultivars that are susceptible to these major viral diseases but with diverse attributes. There is a need to understand farmers’ cassava cultivar attribute preferences and CBSD, CMD prevalence on the preferred cultivars. A total of 150 cassava farmer fields (74 in Bukedea district and 76 in Kumi district) located in eastern Uganda were evaluated for farmers’ cultivars and attribute preferences, as well as prevalence of CBSD and CMD on the farmer selected cultivars. The eastern region was of interest in the study, due to it-being the major cassava producing area in the country. In addition, 30 cassava plants of different genotypes were chosen randomly along transects of each field and assessed for CBSD/CMD incidence and severity on preferred cultivars. Results showed that more than 64% of the farmers in eastern Uganda preferred NASE 03 due to its sweet taste and high yields, followed by NASE 14 (21%) because of its high yields. There was a significant (P≤0.001) correlation between cassava cultivars preferred and CBSD severity (r = -0.56), CBSD incidence (r = -0.53), CMD severity (r = -0.51) and CMD incidence (r = -0.39). In corroboration, the most preferred cultivar, NASE 03 was found most susceptible to CBSD and CMD in both Bukedea and Kumi districts with CBSD incidence of 62.2% and 52.7% and CMD incidence of 56.9% and 34.3% respectively. The results showed that CBSD and CMD are prevalent on farmer preferred cassava cultivars, and that farmer cultivar preference depends not only on disease resistance but also other attributes.
Design and Blade Number Ratio Analysis of Organic Rankine Cycle Radial-Inflow Turbine on Vehicle

The organic Rankine cycle is widely used in industrial waste heat, engine waste heat and other waste heat recovery applications, and as a key component of the system, it affects the efficiency and output power of the system. In this paper, a centripetal turbine is designed for the organic Rankine cycle, using vehicle exhaust gas as the heat source. Numerical simulations are performed to analyze the effect of the ratio of the number of guide vane blades to the number of impeller blades (vane number ratio) on the turbine performance and flow field. The results show that the effect of the number of impeller blades on the turbine entropy efficiency, the average exit velocity and the temperature of the guiding grate becomes less and less as the ratio of the number of blades increases. The optimum turbine performance is obtained when the number of impeller blades and the ratio of the number of blades are 17 and 1.5882, respectively, and the expansion performance of the guide impeller is improved and the isentropic efficiency of the turbine is improved by 3.84% compared with the preliminary number of blades.
Spatially and temporally resolved H and OH densities in a nanosecond pulsed plasma jet: an analysis of the radical generation, transport, recombination and memory effects

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) enable the generation of a large flux of highly reactive species to heat sensitive substrates at near ambient temperatures. Nonetheless, the experimental determination of reactive species inside APPJs, while exceedingly important, has not been reported in significant detail. In this work, we report the time-resolved axial density of hydroxyl (OH) and hydrogen radicals (H) in an APPJ device and its effluent operating in a He–H2O mixture using 1D laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and two-photon absorption LIF (TALIF). The results show that H and OH are mainly generated between the electrodes in the APPJ rather than by the guided streamer. The produced H and OH inside the jet are convectively transported to the jet effluent and determine the H and OH densities in jet effluent. The dominant production and destruction mechanisms of H and OH were obtained from a 0D model. The different production mechanisms of H and OH can explain the change in memory effect observed for OH (and not for H) for varying pulse repetition rates of the plasma generation.
Long-Term Cultivation of Fruit Plantations Decreases Mineralization and Nitrification Rates in Calcareous Soil in the Karst Region in Southwestern China

Determination of rates of mineralization of organic nitrogen (N) into ammonium-N (NH4+-N) and nitrification of NH4+-N into nitrate-N (NO3−-N) could be used to evaluate inorganic N supply capacity, which, in turn, could guide N fertilizer application practices in crop cultivation systems. However, little information is available on the change of mineralization and nitrification in soils under fruit cultivation systems converted from forestlands in karst regions. In a 15N-tracing study, inorganic N supply capacity in forest soils and three typical fruit crop soils under long-term cultivation was investigated, in addition to factors influencing the supply, in calcareous soils in the karst regions in southwestern China. Long-term fruit crop cultivation decreased soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, and calcium concentrations, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water holding capacity (WHC), pH, and sand content, significantly, but increased clay content. Compared to that of forests, long-term fruit crop cultivation significantly decreased mineralization and nitrification rates to 0.61–1.34 mg N kg−1 d−1 and 1.95–5.07 mg N kg−1 d−1, respectively, from 2.85–6.49 mg N kg−1 d−1 and 8.17–15.5 mg N kg−1 d−1, respectively, but greatly increased the mean residence times of NH4+-N and NO3−-N. The results indicate that long-term fruit crop cultivation could decrease soil inorganic N supply capacity and turnover in karst regions. Both mineralization and nitrification rates were significantly and positively correlated with SOC and total N concentrations, CEC, and WHC, but negatively correlated with clay content, suggesting that decreased soil organic matter and increased clay content were responsible for the decline in mineralization and nitrification rates in soils under long-term cultivation of fruit crops. The results of the present study highlight the importance of rational organic fertilizer application in accelerating soil inorganic N supply and turnover under long-term cultivation of fruit crops in karst regions.
Extended Kalman filter based estimations for improving speed‐sensored control performance of induction motors

In this study, an extended Kalman filter (EKF)-based estimation algorithm is presented to improve the speed-sensored control performance of induction motors (IMs). The proposed EKF-based estimation algorithm is to simultaneously estimate the stator stationary axis components of stator currents and rotor fluxes, rotor angular speed, load torque including viscous friction term, rotor resistance and magnetising inductance in a single EKF algorithm without requiring any switching operation or a hybrid structure. In order to improve the speed-sensored control performance, the measurement/output matrix of IM model is extended by the measured rotor speed in addition to stationary axis components of the measured stator currents. Therefore, the proposed EKF algorithm uses the speed and stator current errors between the measured and priori estimation values in order to calculate the posterior estimation ones. For performance evaluation, the eighth order (proposed) EKF algorithm is tested by simulations and real-time experiments under challenging scenarios and compared with the developed sixth order EKF in real time. The obtained real-time results also show that the eighth order (proposed) EKF algorithm provides additional and improved estimations with the increased but feasible execution time in terms of the sixth order EKF designed in this paper.
MEASUREMENT OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A CASE STUDY OF DAILOAN-MANGO IN VIETNAM

The findings of this study present the results of three producing seasons of DaiLoan-mango growers per year. The results showed that season 3 was the highest technical efficiency (73.10%), the second place was season 1 (62.65%), and then season 2 (58.41%). Moreover, the independent variables that explained the technical efficiency of season 1 were the pesticide, root fertiliser, leaf fertiliser and labour; season 2 were the root fertiliser, leaf fertiliser and labour; and in season 3 were the pesticide, root fertiliser, leaf fertiliser, and labour. Besides this, the important determinants of socio-economic variables that impacted positively on technical efficiency were the land area in all three seasons, market access in season 2, and credit access in season 3. However, the constraints to DaiLoan-mango production were the farming experience in season 1, and the age in season 2. Based on these findings, policy makers should focus on effective input models that would boost technical efficiency through conducting regular workshops and orchard demonstrations on using input materials effectively for mango farmers. Moreover, farmers should be empowered in land area acquisition to apply advanced technology in large-scale production more effectively.
Quality of Life in Food Allergic Children: Results From 174 Quality-Of-Life Patient Questionnaires

JM Miller, AC Blackman, HT Wang. Ann Allerg Asthma Immunol . 2020:124(4):379–384 The authors investigated the effect of food allergy on quality of life (FAQoL), factors associated with worse FAQoL, and the differences in FAQoL between adolescents versus younger children with food allergy. Children aged 0 to 17 years with a food allergy were recruited from the Allergy Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital from June 2017–June 2019. 150 children (aged 0–12) and 24 adolescents (13–17) participated. Patients who had outgrown their food allergy were excluded. Eighty-eight percent of children and 95.8% of adolescents were peanut allergic. Forty-seven percent of children and 79.2% of adolescents had experienced anaphylaxis. Parents completed the food allergy quality of life questionnaire (FAQLQ)-Parent form as a proxy for children 0–12 years. Adolescents, age 13 to 17 years, completed the FAQLQ-teenager form. The FAQLQs use a 7-point Likert scale and higher scores reflect worse QoL. The FAQLQs measure …
Complexation and the laser luminescence studies of Eu(III), Am(III), and Cm(III) with EDTA, CDTA, and PDTA and their ternary complexation with dicarboxylates

Spectroscopy has been used to determine the number of coordinated water molecules bound to Eu(III) and Cm(III) in a series of binary complexes of polyaminocarboxylate and their ternary complexes with dicarboxylates as well as with similar ligands with additional O-, N-, and S-donors. Complexes of Eu(III) and Cm(III) with polyaminocarboxylate alone contain ca. 2.5–3.0 waters of hydration. Increasing the steric requirement of a polyaminocarboxylate by increasing the number of groups in the ligand backbone does not appreciably change the hydration of these cations. The stability constants of the binary and ternary complexes of Cm(III), Am(III), and Eu(III) with these ligands were measured by solvent extraction in a solution of 0.1 M (NaClO4). The size, basicity, specific M3+-second ligand interactions, and steric requirement of the ligands are the factors which affect the ternary complexation. Knowledge of the chemical species formed by actinide cations with organic ligands (carboxylates and aminocarboxylates), which are present in all nuclear waste, is important to understand the behavior of waste forms and the migration behavior of actinides in the environment.
Psychological Effects on Health Science Students After Implementation of COVID-19 Quarantine and Distance Learning in Saudi Arabia

Background The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the globe dramatically. It has affected daily life noticeably and the teaching process is one of the significantly affected aspects as the learning approach has been shifted to distance learning (DL). These new changes may affect student performance and emotional well-being. This study aimed to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning on healthcare students. Method An online self-administered cross-sectional survey was distributed to healthcare students for the period between April 2020 to June 2020. The study included students from different universities in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge and perception of COVID-19 and the experience of distance learning during the pandemic period were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Psychological effect was evaluated using Four-Item Patient Health Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression (PHQ-4). Results A total of 721 students completed the survey with the majority being females. Around 25% of students had experienced anxiety, while 35% had depression. Severe anxiety and depression were noted in over 6% of the participants. Younger age and female gender were more affected psychologically. Students with higher scores in PHQ-4 were strongly disagreeing that hand gloves and surgical masks may help in preventing COVID-19 transmission. Students with normal psychological assessment were more likely to favor DL, while students with moderate to severe anxiety and depression disagreed. Conclusion Healthcare students have alarmingly high levels of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. General knowledge of the pandemic is not associated with the psychological impact. DL is a convenient approach for students with normal PHQ-4 scores. Programs to help students overcome the psychological impact of COVID-19 are highly recommended.
Physical and Chemical Characteristics and Volatility of PM in the Proximity of a Light-Duty Vehicle Freeway

Abstract Volatility properties of ultrafine particles were analyzed next to State Route 110 (Pasadena freeway CA), a light-duty vehicle freeway where heavy-duty traffic is prohibited. In addition, mass concentration and chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) were measured in coarse, accumulation, and ultrafine modes. On weekdays from 17 May to 4 June 2004, measurements were performed in two locations, one very close to the freeway (within 2.5 m from the curb) and one at a distance of about 50 m from the freeway. For measurement of mass and chemical composition, the study employed in each location a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) and a modified high-volume sampler. Both instruments sampled with the same size cutpoints: a coarse mode from 2.5 to 10 μm, an accumulation mode from 0.18 to 2.5 μm, and an ultrafine mode of particles less than 0.18 μm in aerodynamic diameter. Alternately, a tandem differential mobility analyzer (TDMA) was used at the two sites. A heater between the two DMAs evaporated volatile material from the monodisperse aerosol, size selected by the first DMA. The second DMA analyzed the losses of volatile components. The ultrafine number concentrations next to the freeway were 46,000 cm−3 on average during the sampling period. The MOUDI ultrafine mass concentration, nitrate, and EC were higher next to the freeway than at the background site farther from the freeway. The other components analyzed in the ultrafine mode had similar concentrations next to the freeway and at the background site. Volatility ranged from about 65% volume losses of 120 nm particles heated to 110°C to 95% of 20 nm particles. The 20 nm aerosol was only internally mixed, whereas increasing nonvolatile fractions were found for 40 nm (6% next to the freeway), 80 nm (20%), and 120 nm (28%) aerosols.
Do Creativity and Intellectual Capital Matter for SMEs Sustainability? The Role of Competitive Advantage

SMEs as an organization to succeed and to be sustainable must have the most essential and strategic capital, namely creativity, competitive advantage, and intellectual capital. This study aims to explore how creativity and intellectual capital determines SMEs’ sustainability as well as examine the emerging role of competitive advantage in supporting this relationship. A quantitative method was applied to gain a better understanding of the relationship between variables undergoing Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). This study collected data from 123 SMEs in East Java of Indonesia using an online survey. The approach adopted in this study is a convenience random sampling method, which is widely used in entrepreneurship and SMEs’ sustainability research. The findings showed that intellectual capital positively affects both competitive advantage and SMEs’ sustainability. Additionally, the result of this study confirms a robust relationship between intellectual capital and SMEs’ sustainability. However, partially, creativity failed in explaining SMEs’ sustainability. Furthermore, this study confirmed that competitive advantage has successfully mediated both the influence of creativity and intellectual capital to SMEs’ sustainability. Although this research only involved participants in East Java, this study can be the first step for relevant research of SMEs’ sustainability, in particular, in Indonesia.
Spatial Structure and Genetic Variation of a Mangrove Species (Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh) in the Farasan Archipelago

Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh is distributed in patches along the Farasan archipelago coast and is the most common mangrove species in the Red Sea. However, to date, no studies have been directed towards understanding its genetic variation in the Farasan archipelago. In this investigation, genetic variations within and among natural populations of Avicennia marina in the Farasan archipelago were studied using 15 microsatellite markers. The study found 142 alleles on 15 loci in nine populations. The observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity values were 0.351 and 0.391, respectively, which are much lower than those of earlier studies on A. marina in the Arabian Gulf. An inbreeding effect from self-pollination might explain its heterozygote deficiency. Population genetic differentiation (FST = 0.301) was similar to other mangrove species. Our findings suggest that the sea current direction and coastal geomorphology might affect genetic dispersal of A. marina. The more isolated populations with fewer connections by sea currents exhibited lower genetic variation and differentiation between populations. The genetic clustering of populations fell into three main groups—Group 1 (populations of Farasan Alkabir Island), Group 2 (populations of Sajid Island), and Group 3 (mix of one population of Farasan Alkabir Island and a population of Zifaf Island). More genetic variation and less genetic differentiation occurred when the population was not isolated and had a direct connection with sea currents. Both of these factors contributed to limited propagule dispersal and produced significant structures among the population. It is expected that the results of this research will be useful in determining policy and species-conservation strategies and in the rehabilitation of A. marina mangrove stands on the Farasan islands in an effort to save this significant natural resource.
Conformations and hydration structure of hydrophobic polyelectrolyte atactic poly(ethacrylic acid) in dilute aqueous solution as a function of neutralisation

Chain conformations, counter-ion structure, intermolecular hydrogen bonding structure and dynamics of atactic polyethacrylic acid (PEA) in salt-free aqueous dilute solution at 25°C are studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with explicit-solvent and explicit-ion description for the first time. The intermolecular structure was analysed by the radial distribution functions (RDF) for specific atom types between PEA chain, water molecules and Na+ counter-ions, as well as by the hydration near the PEA chain in the solvated system. An increase in f provides an increase in 〈Rg〉 of the chain, consistent with the existence of the compact form of PEA. The simulations show expansion for radius-of-gyration with increase in f, as expected for flexible polyelectrolytes under salt-free condition. The extent of intermolecular hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) between PEA and water is enhanced by increase in f. Chains having a higher counter-ion density show higher values of 〈Rg〉, influenced by intermolecular interactions between PEA and water. The coordination of Na+ counter ions and water molecules to carboxyl oxygens of polyacrylic acid (PAA) increases with charge density of the chain. A comparison of the structure aspects is made with PAA and PMA polyelectrolytes in dilute solution, which brings out the hydrophobic effect of the ethyl side-groups in PEA on conformational properties and counter-ion condensation structure.
The Positive Career Goal Discrepancy Scale: Development and Initial Validation

The 15-item Positive Career Goal Discrepancy Scale was developed to assess emerging adults’ appraisals of the extent to which their current career progress exceeds their set career goals. We generated 32 items based on a literature review, focus groups, and expert reviews, used EFA (N = 244, M age 18.7 years; 65% women) to reduce the number of items, and CFA (N = 254, M age 18.7 years; 68% women) to confirm the factor structure and demonstrate superior reliability at the total score level (ω reliability = .91). Validity testing demonstrated that the scale was distinct from a measure of negative career goal discrepancy and related, as expected, to constructs in the nomological net: correlated positively with career satisfaction and optimism, and negatively with negative career goal discrepancy. The scale is a useful addition to the career literature and is likely to stimulate research into positive career goal progress in young people.
A plant-soil-atmosphere microcosm for tracing radiocarbon from photosynthesis through methanogenesis

We designed a CO 2 -controlled cuvette and stripping system to trace a 14 CO 2 pulse-label from photosynthetic assimilation by wetland plants (in this study Orontium aquaticum L.) to its release as 14 CH 4 by microbial respiration. The system maintained cuvette CO 2 concentrations to within ±5 Pa of the set-point, and it allowed continuous recovery of 14 CO 2 and 14 CH 4 for 17 d without damage to the enclosed plant. The first emissions of 14 CH 4 were detected <12 h after photosynthetic assimilation of the label. The 14 CH 4 flux increased linearly from 0.12 Bq min 1 at 12 h to 3.0 Bq min 1 at 5 d, then plateaued at 2 Bq min -1 . We could not distinquish between 14 CH 4 produced by aceticlastic methanogenesis vs. that produced by CO 2 reduction. Radiocarbon activity in the soil dissolved inorganic C pool peaked on the first day then declined slowly. We did not detect radiocarbon activity in soil solution pools of several low molecular weight organic acids (acetate, formate, lactate, and propionate), but the label was detected in the hulk dissolved organic C pool. We argue that radiocarbon will be useful for investigating the contribution of root exudates to methanogenic metabolism, but data interpretation will require separation of the relative contributions of CO 2 reduction and aceticlastic methanogenesis to overall 14 CH 4 emissions. Processes such as CH 4 oxidation and acetogenesis must also be considered in quantitative estimates of photosynthetic support of methanogenesis.