Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of Boer × Central Highland Crossbred Bucks and Farmers’ Perceptions on Crossbred Goats in Northeastern Ethiopia

The study aimed to characterize the production system, to evaluate the genetic merit of Boer × Central Highland crossbred bucks, and to solicit the perception of farmers about crossbred goats and crossbreeding program. Data were collected through a personal interview, focus group discussion, field observation, and measurement of the live animal. Besides, data on growth performance were extracted from available performance records at Sirinka sheep and goats breeding station. Data were analyzed using SAS, and the breeding values for bucks were estimated using WOMBAT software. Goats were the second most important animal species, and income generation, home meat consumption, and saving were found to be the main reasons for keeping goats with index values of 0.484, 0.355, and 0.085, respectively. The production system was characterized as a low-input production system. Feed shortage and disease/poor veterinary service were the most important constraints for the goat crossbreeding program. The overall mean estimated breeding values (EBV) for three- and six-month weight of disseminated crossbred bucks were 0.53 and 0.31 kg, respectively. The three-month weight EBV for crossbred goats disseminated in Amhara Sayint and Habru district was lower than their contemporary group. Likewise, the six-month weight EBV for crossbred goats distributed in Amhara Sayint was lower than the contemporary group mean. These results depict the absence of buck selection based on their genetic merit. As per farmers’ perception, crossbred goats were superior (odds ratio = 3.94 to 20.9, P < 0.001 ) to indigenous goats in terms of production traits. Besides, the price of the crossbred goat was higher (213 to 372 ETB/head) than indigenous goats with similar management and age. However, poor adaptability and fitness were the major demerits of Boer × Central Highland crossbred goats under a smallholder management system. Therefore, while introducing exotic breeds, it is imperative to give due attention to nutrition and veterinary service.
Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology in Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome (Ds) is the most common chromosomal cause of intellectual disability that results from triplication of chromosome 21 genes. Individuals with Ds demonstrate cognitive deficits in addition to comorbidities including cardiac defects, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), low blood pressure (BP), and differences in autonomic regulation. Many individuals with Ds are born with heart malformations and some can be surgically corrected. Lower BP at rest and in response to exercise and other stressors are a prevalent feature in Ds. These reduced cardiovascular responses may be due to underlying autonomic dysfunction and have been implicated in lower exercise/work capacity in Ds, which is an important correlate of morbidity, mortality and quality of life. Exercise therapy can be beneficial to normalize autonomic function and may help prevent the development of co-morbidities in Ds. We will review cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology in individuals.
Stepwise Latent Class Analysis in the Presence of Missing Values on the Class Indicators

Abstract While latent class (LC) modeling using bias-adjusted stepwise approaches has become widely popular, little is known on how these methods are affected by missing values. Using synthetic data sets, we illustrate under which conditions missing values introduce biases in the estimates of the relationship between class membership and auxiliary variables. We apply three-step LC analysis with both modal and proportional class assignments, as well as the recently proposed two-step LC analysis method. Our results show that stepwise LC analysis yields unbiased parameter values as long as the MAR assumption holds in the step-one model. When this assumption does not hold because covariates are omitted from the step-one model, each of the stepwise approaches yields some bias, but bias is much larger with modal class assignments. The amount of bias is affected by the amount of deviation from MAR, the proportion of missing values, and the separation between the classes.
Predictive capacity of anthropometric indicators of body fat in identifying hypertension in adolescents

Background : Hypertension (HTN) is a major health problem affecting different populations including adolescents worldwide, and it is strongly associated with obesity. Objectives : This study examined the predictive capacity of anthropometric proxies of body fat and determined the threshold values that would identify HTN among Nigerian adolescents. Setting and Design : A cross-sectional study with a total of 2228 in-school adolescents aged 12–16 years. Materials and Methods : Participants were evaluated for physical characteristics including five anthropometric indices of body fat and blood pressure. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used for the analysis of sensitivity, specificity, area under curve (AUC) of the fat indices in detecting HTN. Results : All body fat indicators with the exception of waist-to-height ratio in boys, had significant (P < 0.0005) AUC with total fat mass (TFM) in girls and waist circumference (WC) in boys as the best fat indicators for predicting systolic HTN in adolescents. The TFM cut-point for girls was 8.0 kg and the WC cut-point for boys was 66.3 cm. Both TFM and WC demonstrated a stronger association with systolic HTN than other fat indicators in both genders. The likelihood of a girl developing HTN is 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.05–1.20) times with a unit increase in TFM, while boys with unhealthy WC had 3.2 (95% CI = 1.83–5.67) times odd of developing HTN compared to their healthy peers. Conclusions : This study showed that TFM and WC are useful tools for detecting HTN in Nigerian adolescent girls and boys, respectively. The fat indicators used in this study generally showed low predictive capacity.
Determinants of Maize Yields among Small-Scale Farmers in Mbinga District, Tanzania

Maize plays a significant role in food security strategies in the world. It is the world’s most important food crop to majority of communities since it provides cheap source of essential calories as compared to other sources of protein foods. It has the potential of being grown in a variety of agro-ecological zones with varied yields per hectare. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the determinants of maize yields among small-scale farmers in Mbinga district, Ruvuma region, Tanzania. This cross-sectional study employed a multistage sampling method to select 120 farmers in the study area. Semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews were used for data collection. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis (double-log model). The results indicate that farm size, amount of seed, fertilizer and labour were the significant determinants of maize yields among small-scale farmers in the district. The study recommends that; the government should ensure access to quality and affordable inputs to farmers by employing effective price control mechanisms on fertilisers and improved seeds which are imperative in improving the yields. Farmers should be capacitated on accessing affordable loans through financial inclusion programs and expand market access that can be reliable through the formation of farmers’ associations. Farmers should be exposed to better farming techniques such as the rational application of inputs through effective provision extension services.
Promoting Health Behavior Change in the Preconception Period: Combined Approach to Intervention Planning

Background Half of women begin pregnancy above the healthy weight range, increasing the risk of complications and adversely affecting the lifelong health of their babies. Maternal obesity remains the strongest risk factor for offspring obesity across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Previous research suggests that women should be encouraged to be within a healthy weight range before conception to improve health outcomes. Objective We outlined the intervention planning and design process to develop an evidence-informed eHealth intervention to promote weight management. The intervention, based on psychological theories and behavior change techniques, has been developed for women affected by overweight or obesity who intend to become pregnant. The Begin Better web application is part of an integrated program being evaluated in a clinical trial to assess if weight management before pregnancy can influence clinical outcomes for mothers and babies. Methods Our intervention development process was guided by intervention mapping and person-based methods. This study documents steps 2 to 4 of a 6-step iterative intervention mapping approach informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and the findings of a previous interview study. We defined behavior change objectives for each of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills behavioral determinants as well as theory-based behavior change techniques and practical strategies. We also used persuasive system design principles to assist in translating these strategies into a digital environment. Results The resultant intervention comprises nutritional and physical activity content along with psychological strategies, which are notably absent from mainstream weight management programs. Strategies to increase motivation, garner social support, and promote self-care are integral to maintaining engagement with the intervention, which aims to improve lifestyle behaviors and enhance well-being. Important elements include tracking mechanisms for percentage progress toward goals to enable feedback on behaviors and outcomes; in-application messages of praise on entry of goals or habits; and strategies to prompt habit formation and action planning via small, easily achievable steps toward positive change. Conclusions Design decisions and processes for idea generation about intervention content, format, and delivery are often not reported. In this study, we respond to this gap in the literature and outline a process that is potentially transferable to the development of other interventions.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE TRANSPORT FORMULAS FOR ESTIMATION OF TRANSPORT AND DEPOSITION RATES AT BABREKA CANAL

Siltation is a significant factor, affecting the efficient operation and maintenance of the irrigation canals which influence the hydraulic behavior of the canals and economic benefits of irrigation. In last 25 years a tendency of silting up at the irrigation canals in Bulgaria is observed due to the following reasons: decreased area under irrigation, fluctuation in supply, non-regime section, ”berming” of the canal, economic, crime and safety situation. The large number of available bed load and permissible velocity formulas and the significant differences between obtained results enforce selection of appropriate sediment transport formulas in each particular case. In this study discharge and velocity approaches are used for estimation of sediment transport and deposition rates at Babreka Canal, Malka Vitska Irrigation Project in Bulgaria. Seven equations for prediction total bed load transport rates and five equations for minimum permissible velocity are compared. The results show substantial differences in performance. Two formulas for total bed load and two formulas for minimum permissible velocity are selected as appropriate for the studied canal.
Factors Influencing the Continuance Intention to Use Accounting Information System in Jordanian SMEs from the Perspectives of UTAUT: Top Management Support and Self-Efficacy as Predictor Factors

The primary objective of this study is to explain the factors that influence the continuance intention of accountants to use an accounting information system (AIS) in the context of Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Accountants are the main AIS users, and their system acceptance and use are crucial to evaluating the successful implementation of the system. The study conducted a cross-sectional survey on SMEs that have fully implemented an AIS. The proposed framework of the study is based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model and top management support (TMS). The results revealed that the examined variables, namely effort expectancy, performance expectancy and facilitating conditions, have a positive effect on the continuance intention of accountants to use AIS, with TMS having a significant and negative effect on such intention to use. In addition, social influence was found to be significantly related to continuance intention, confirming the need to support technologies such as AIS among SMEs. The study findings contribute to UTAUT theory as they supported the effects of TMS on continuance intention to use and established the study framework measurement accuracy in the context of Jordanian SMEs.
Iron Supplementation Improves Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties in Mice with CKD

Key Points CKD in mice decreased single skeletal muscle fiber force production independent of fiber size. Iron supplementation in CKD mice improved aspects of contractile function, indicating CKD myopathy was partially mediated by iron imbalance. Our findings in mice suggest that timely correction of iron imbalance and anemia may improve muscle fiber function in patients with CKD. Visual Abstract Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently have compromised physical performance, which increases their mortality; however, their skeletal muscle dysfunction has not been characterized at the single-fiber and molecular levels. Notably, interventions to mitigate CKD myopathy are scarce. Methods The effect of CKD in the absence and presence of iron supplementation on the contractile function of individual skeletal muscle fibers from the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles was evaluated in 16-week-old mice. CKD was induced by the adenine diet, and iron supplementation was by weekly iron dextran injections. Results Maximally activated and fatigued fiber force production was decreased 24%–52% in untreated CKD, independent of size, by reducing strongly bound myosin/actin cross-bridges and/or decreasing myofilament stiffness in myosin heavy chain (MHC) I, IIA, and IIB fibers. Additionally, myosin/actin interactions in untreated CKD were slower for MHC I and IIA fibers and unchanged or faster in MHC IIB fibers. Iron supplementation improved anemia and did not change overall muscle mass in CKD mice. Iron supplementation ameliorated CKD-induced myopathy by increasing strongly bound cross-bridges, leading to improved specific tension, and/or returning the rate of myosin/actin interactions toward or equivalent to control values in MHC IIA and IIB fibers. Conclusions Skeletal muscle force production was significantly reduced in untreated CKD, independent of fiber size, indicating that compromised physical function in patients is not solely due to muscle mass loss. Iron supplementation improved multiple aspects of CKD-induced myopathy, suggesting that timely correction of iron imbalance may aid in ameliorating contractile deficits in CKD patients.
Surviving Mars: new insights into the persistence of facultative anaerobic microbes from analogue sites

Mars analogue environments are some of the most extreme locations on Earth. Their unique combination of multiples extremes (e.g. high salinity, anoxia and low nutrient availability) make them valuable sources for finding new polyextremophilic microbes, and for exploring the limits of life. Mars, especially at its surface, is still considered to be very hostile to life but it probably possesses geological subsurface niches where the occurrence of (polyextremophilic) life is conceivable. Despite their well-recognized relevance, current knowledge on the capability of (facultative) anaerobic microbes to withstand extraterrestrial/Martian conditions, either as single strains or in communities, is still very sparse. Therefore, space experiments simulating the Martian environmental conditions by using space as a tool for astrobiological research are needed to substantiate the hypotheses of habitability of Mars. Addressing this knowledge gap is one of the main goals of the project MEXEM (Mars EXposed Extremophiles Mixture), where selected model organisms will be subjected to space for a period of 3 months. These experiments will take place on the Exobiology facility (currently under development and implementation), located outside the International Space Station. Such space experiments require a series of preliminary tests and ground data collection for the selected microbial strains. Here, we report on the survivability of Salinisphaera shabanensis and Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 after exposure to Mars-relevant stress factors (such as desiccation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation under anoxia). Both organisms showed survival after anoxic desiccation for up to 3 months but this could be further extended (nearly doubled) by adding artificial Mars regolith (MGS-1S; 0.5% wt/v) and sucrose (0.1 M). Survival after desiccation was also observed when both organisms were mixed before treatment. Mixing also positively influenced survival after exposure to polychromatic Mars-like UV radiation (200–400 nm) up to 12 kJ m−2, both in suspension and in a desiccated form.
A Qualitative Study Exploring the Lives and Caring Practices of Young Carers of Stroke Survivors

This study investigated the life transformation of children when a parent returned home from hospital after a stroke. The study explored children’s experiences of taking on caring roles in partnership with their well parent and stroke survivors’ perceptions of the young carer roles. The study aimed to identify unmet support needs in order to inform future service provision. Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with stroke survivors (n = 7) (age range 41–60 years, mean 50.6) and their young carers (n = 11) (age range 11–20 years, mean 16). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified: the lives of young carers, impact of stroke, and insulating the family. All the children were providing some level of care. None were in receipt of any formal support. Children moved in and out of the caring role in the absence of an adult, to act as primary carer. Young carers valued the life skills they were gaining but reported gaps in their knowledge and understanding of stroke. The well parent and young carers worked together in a bi-directional partnership to ameliorate the impact of stroke on the family. The study concluded that age appropriate and stroke specific information for children of stroke survivors could enhance agency and optimise positive outcomes of caring.
Monitoring viral infections in pregnancy by birth certificate attendance. The experience of province of Trento – Italy

Pregnant women can be subject to various types of infection that can have an impact on both the pregnancy and foetal health. In order to identify these conditions and institute the necessary treatments in a timely manner, guidelines recommend administering a series of serological screening tests, the timing and procedures of which are widely accepted by the whole scientific community. This paper reports on the coverage of serological screening during pregnancy and the seroprevalence of a series of viral infections amongst pregnant women receiving healthcare in the province of Trento (north-eastern Italy) between 2015 and 2019. The data on serological screening during pregnancy are recorded on the birth attendance certificate (CEDAP) by the midwives present at birth, using an electronic template, at all maternity facilities in the province of Trento. The Authors retrospectively analysed the annual birth attendance certificate databases for all pregnant women who received care in hospital maternity facilities between 01.01. 2015 and 31.12. 2019. For cases in which a positive result, results pending or were recorded, Sistema the of serological and any treatments screening and for Cytomegalovirus B and all the analytical regarding the healthcare services provided to residents and non-residents The coverage of the individual serological retroactively, for each year in the study period the following maternal characteristics: group, for each seroprevalence of the also calculated for each year study following maternal characteristics: age group, of serological positive their clinical classification. significance of time for seroprevalence of the individual analysed the Cochrane-Armitage the significance the differences between the sub-populations compared, both coverage and
Trends and Constraints of Grain Slurry Food Processing in Kaduna State, Nigeria

, 2016Purpose: Grain slurry diet are described as food obtained from ground grain paste. They serve as highly nutritious food for both adults and infants in Nigeria because of their immense nutritive and economical value. However, the production of these grain slurry diets is confronted with challenges that have hampered their commercialization. This study examines the trends and constraints of grain slurry food processing in Kaduna State. Methods: A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to elicit information from 192 selected processors, including both men and women. The survey was structured in line with the study objectives. The information was collated and synopsized into frequency distribution. Results: These findings revealed that 80% of the respondents processed between 1.0 tons and 13.0 tons of grain slurry per month. More than 90% of the processors processed grain slurry into koko, kunu, agidi, and pito. Accordingly, 80% of the interviewed processors indicated that sieving is one of the major constraints. Furthermore, inadequate modern machinery required to perform this operation makes it highly discouraging. One of the major challenges faced by the grain slurry producers in Nigeria is the lack of processing machinery for most operations (39.1%), followed by the tedious processing nature (27.1%), high labor cost (18.1%), and lack of market (9.4%). The traditional method of grain slurry processing was more popular than using modern equipment, except milling (96.5%), which is the only mechanized unit operation in grain slurry processing. Conclusion: Grain slurry processing and marketing were found to be profitable. However, these limitations could extremely reduce the level of grain slurry production, processing, and economic returns, thereby affecting the general wellbeing of the processors. The study also raised concerns about the safety and hygiene associated with traditionally processed grain slurry diets in the investigated areas.Keywords: Constraints, Equipment, Grain slurry, Processing, Sieving