Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indigenous knowledge and approaches of soil fertility management among small scale farmers in Semi-Arid areas of South Africa

As is the case with many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, crop production among small scale farmers, especially those in semi-arid regions of South Africa, is hampered by predominance of extreme climate (low, irregular & erratic rainfall), low inherent soil fertility and low use of mineral fertilizers. However, the small scale farmers have developed a range of indigenous knowledge and practices which have played a pivotal role in the management of soil fertility for sustaining crop productivity. This study sought to establish and document these strategies in four farming districts located in semi-arid areas of the country. It was found that farmers use locally adaptable and cost effective strategies including animal manure, ash from veld fire, agroforestry, fallow, termitaria , and earthworm castings to manage soil fertility. Some of these strategies were applied in specific niche locations and soils, times and crops. Furthermore, the farmers have developed local knowledge and criteria of classifying manure quality based on characteristics such as colour, wetness, presence of moulds and sand content that are used to make soil fertility management decisions. Analyses of samples of some of the organic resources used for soil fertility management confirmed their superior plant nutrient contents. The study concluded that research endeavors should recognize and build upon this wealth of indigenous knowledge and practices of soil fertility management by small scale farmers in these marginal environments of the country.
A Plattform for Location Based Augmented Reality Applications

Augmented Reality (AR), enhancing a user’s perception of the real world with computer generated entities, and mobile computing, allowing users to access and manipulate information anytime and independent of location, are two emerging user interface tech­ nologies that show great promise. The combination of both into a single system makes the power of computer enhanced interaction and communication in the real world acces­ sible anytime and everywhere. This paper describes our work to build a mobile Aug­ mented Reality system that supports true stereoscopic 3D graphics, a pen and pad interface and direct interaction with virtual objects. The system is assembled from off-theshelf hardware components and serves as a basic test bed for user interface experi­ ments related to computer supported collaborative work in Augmented Reality. It also describes some applications we are developing in the area of location based computing.
A NATURE INSPIRED FIREFLY HEURISTIC APPROACH ON OPTIMIZATION OF MULTI OBJECTIVE JOB SHOP SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

Due to rapid increase in modernization and globalization in today's economy, every manufacturing industry faces great challenges to minimize their manufacturing cost and to sustain in the competitive market. Scheduling is the earmarking of resources over time to effectuate an agglomeration of tasks ordained in any field of engineering and non engineering. Job shop scheduling problem is the most labyrinthine and paradigmatic problem of all kinds of production scheduling problems. Preponderance of JSSP is buttoned down into non deterministic (NP) hard problem because of its complexity and entanglement. Scheduling are generally elucidated by using heuristics to obtain optimal or near optimal solutions because problems found in practical applications cannot be fathomed to optimality using available resources in many cases. Many researchers attempted to iron out the problem by applying various optimization techniques. While using traditional methods they observed huge impasse in deciphering high complex problems and meta-heuristic algorithms were proved most efficacious algorithms to solve various JSSP so far. The objective of this paper i) to bestow a newly developed meta heuristic called Firefly algorithm (FA) because of inspiration on Firefly and its characteristic. ii) To treasure out the combined objective function by determining optimal make span, mean flow time and tardiness of different size problems using two Bagchi Job Shop Scheduling Problems ( JSP-1 and JSP - 2) and iii) to prove that the proposed FFA algorithm is a gratifying problem solving technique for JSSP with multi criteria.
In vivo Anti-Plasmodium Activity and Toxicity of Afzelia bipindensis and Senna Siamea Extracts: A Murine Model

Malaria, a parasitosis affecting man, remains a public health problem in developing countries where morbidity and mortality are very high. Afzelia bipindensis and Senna siamea are two plants used in the treatment of malaria in different African countries including Cameroon. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of hydroethanolic leaves extracts of Afzelia bipindensis and Senna siamea, from Northern Cameron using Plasmodium berghei and to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity of leaves extracts in a rodent model. The four days Peter’s suppressive test was used to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity and the OCDE 423 and 412 guidelines were applied to evaluate acute and sub-acute toxicity. Biochemical tests related to hepatic, cardiac and renal toxicity were also assessed. The leaves’ extracts of Afzelia bipindensis at doses 180, 360, 720 mg/kg and Senna siamea at doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg have shown significant antiplasmodial activity (P) with parasite reduction ≈ 50%. No mortality of rats was observed at the tested doses. The biochemical analysis did not reveal any statistically significant difference when compared with control. However, ALT was statistically increased at a higher dose (720 mg/kg) of Afzelia bipindensis leaves extract. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in triglycerides at 360 mg/kg and 720 mg/kg It is concluded that daily consumption of leaves extract of Afzelia bipindensis and Senna siamea are without significant risks to human health, favoring the use of these products in the treatment of malaria.
Unique Aspects of the Design of Phase I/II Clinical Trials of Stem Cell Therapy

This chapter will review the unique aspects and limitations of the design of phase I/II (safety and efficacy) clinical trials of stem cell therapy. Although the classical pharmacologic principles applicable to drugs are not applicable to biologic (live cell) therapeutic agents, an important stage in the development of any new therapeutic agent is the establishment of an optimal dosage and delivery route. This can be particularly challenging when the treatment is a biologic agent, such as stem cells, that may exert its therapeutic effects via complex or poorly understood mechanisms. To date, clinical studies have shown inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between cell dose and clinical outcomes. This can be at least partially attributed to variations in donor cell type, source, characteristics, dosing/concentration, delivery route, underlying mechanisms of action, and efficacy endpoints tested. The current recommendations will be reviewed herein to give new investigators a general understanding of the unique issues that need to be considered and addressed when designing a stem cell therapy phase I/II clinical trial.
Patenting of Biosimilars

Patenting biosimilars before the expiration of the original patent might raise several questions for the original manufacturer as well as the biosimilar manufacturer. In general, the most eminent questions are the drafting of the original patent in a way to be protected against a wide range of similar products and for the biosimilar manufacturer to ensure that the similar product is new and inventive. Since so far no case law exists in Europe dealing with biosimilars, both manufactures are somewhat in an unclear and ambiguous situation when it comes to estimate the scope of claims of biopharmaceuticals.
Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Drug Delivery of Chitosan-Silica Hybrid Microspheres for Bone Tissue Engineering

Chitosan-silica (CS-SiO2) hybrid microspheres were prepared through the combined process of sol-gel and emulsification-crosslinking. Their composition, morphology, in vitro bioactivity, and drug release behavior were investigated. The results showed that, when 20 wt% SiO2 was incorporated, the as-prepared CS-SiO2 hybrid microspheres exhibited a regular spherical shape, a high dispersity, and a uniform microstructure. Their average particle diameter was determined to be about 24.0 μm. The in situ deposited inorganic phase of the hybrid microspheres was identified as amorphous SiO2, and its actual content was determined by the TG analysis. As compared with the pure chitosan microspheres, the CS-SiO2 hybrid microspheres displayed a greatly improved in vitro bioactivity. Vancomycin hydrochloride (VH) was selected as a model drug. It was demonstrated that the CS-SiO2 hybrid microspheres presented a good capacity for both loading and sustained release of VH. Moreover, the increase of the SiO2 content efficiently slowed down the drug release rate of the CS-SiO2 hybrid microspheres.
Language Minority Students in High School: Replacing Basic Skills Instruction with Explanatory Models.

This paper describes an instructional approach for language minority students in high school science and social studies--using explanatory models or graphical representations of disciplinary concepts to guide students systematically as they construct a concept or conceptual relationship. Data came from a longitudinal study of two successive groups of Mexican American high school students in Chicago who were attending a weekly outreach program to enhance their academic skills for college. As the first group was studied and their learning strategies became more apparent, a method for expanding those strategies and energizing more active use of everyday concepts and language was refined for use with the second group. A preliminary analysis of observations indicated that students were hindered in learning complex concepts because the strategies and skills they possessed were too limited. At the same time, students brought many social skills to classroom interaction, indicating their high motivation. After much reflection and experimentation, teachers realized that literacy experience in one or both languages prepares students to use language for learning. Teachers could then focus on using explanatory models to present content and influence learning without requiring a mediating academic language. This experience led to the conclusion that substituting language arts instruction for appropriate high school content is unacceptable educational policy because it closes the door to higher learning. (Contains 25 references.) (ND) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Language Minorities 1 Language Minority Students in High School: Replacing Basic Skills Instruction with Explanatory Models
PLANT COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION: ELYNETUM MYOSUROIDES RÜBEL 1911 IN THE EASTERN ALPS

Only few details are known about the synchorology of plant communities. The aim of this research project is to investigate the plant community distribution of several alpine meadows in the Eastern Alps. The following method was applied: – scanning of the existing literature to find out which authors have dealt with these plant communities – localisation of the releves (exact or by means of grids) – acquisition of additional parameters such as altitude, geology or aspect (header data). All this information is managed in a database. On the basis of the collected data, distribution maps can be created for each plant community (at present only for associations). Further analysis is planned especially regarding the geological conditions and other abiotic features as well as distributional characteristics. First, results are presented for the Elynetum Rubel 1911, a typical upper alpine to subnival plant community on calcerous-silicate rock. Other plant communities will follow in the near future. This pilot project is carried out with alpine vegetation because of the easier plant community classification and nomenclature in higher altitudes as well as the local boundaries. Izvlecek O sinhorologiji rastlinskih združb je poznanih le nekaj podrobnosti. Namen raziskave je prouciti razsirjenost nekaterih asociacij alpinskih travnikov v Vzhodnih Alpah. Uporabili smo naslednje metode: – pregled obstojecih literaturnih virov, da smo ugotovili, kateri avtorji so proucevali te rastlinske združbe, – dolocitev lokacije popisov (natancno ali kvadranti), – pridobitev dodatnih parametrov, kot so nadmorska visina, geologija, ekspozicija (glave tabel). Vse informacije smo vnesli v bazo podatkov. Na osnovi zbranih podatkov smo naredili karte razsirjenosti za posamezne rastlinske združbe (trenutno le asociacije). Nacrtujemo nadaljnje analize, predvsem v povezavi z geoloskimi razmerami in drugimi abiotskimi parametri. Prvi rezultati so prikazani za asociacijo Elynetum Rubel 1911, tipicno zgornjealpinsko do subnivalno rastlinsko združbo, ki se pojavlja na mesani silikatno-karbonatni podlagi. Sledile bodo karte ostalih rastlinskih združb. Pilotski projekt smo izvedli na alpinski vegetaciji, kjer sta klasifikacija in nomenklatura jasnejsi, prav tako tudi zaradi jasno omejene razsirjenosti.
3 Aerosols in the Atmosphere

This overview introduces atmospheric aerosol, including basic definitions and properties. Types of aerosols, sources, transformation processes and sinks are described. The spatial distribution of atmospheric aerosol is discussed on the basis of field observations conducted at the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics. The chapter concludes with a brief overview of aerosol impacts on the global climate.
Sensorless Speed Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor by Unscented Kalman Filter using Various Scaling Parameters

This paper investigates the application, design and implementation of unscented Kalman filter observer using the various scaling parameters for the sensorless speed control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The principles of unscented transformation and unscented Kalman filter are examined and their applications are explained. Typically the mapping transformation process is divided into two types, namely the basic unscented transformation and the general unscented transformation by virtue of the scaling parameter value. And resultantly, the number of sampling points, weights, code configuration and computation time are different. But there is no little information on the scaling parameter value or how this value influences the system performance. To analyze the unscented transformation with the various scaling parameters in this study, the experimental results under a wide range of operation condition have been demonstrated.
First report of the reproduction in captivity of the Chocoan Bushmaster, Lachesis acrochorda (García, 1896)

The Serpentarium at the Universidad de Antioquia houses four specimens of the Chocoan bushmaster ( Lachesis acrochorda ) in a vivarium simulating natural habitat conditions. After an acclimatization period of nine months the moisture level in the enclosure was increased artificially to induce reproductive behaviour. One male was observed to court a female for 15 days, but copulation was not observed. The female subsequently refused food and 110 days after the last observation of courting 11 eggs (average weight 57.9 g) were discovered. While three eggs were artificially incubated, the rest were left in the vivarium; both sites were monitored continuously. On Day 74 of incubation, the eggs in the vivarium were moved to an incubator due to a drop in temperature. Hatching began on Day 93 and seven eggs hatched during a 3-day period. Average weight (42.0 ± 3.6 g) and length (40.0 ± 1.4 cm) of the neonates was recorded. This is the first report of captive reproduction for L. acrochorda.
Behavioral problems of encopretic children and their familial characteristics

Sum mary Aim: The aim of this study was to assess behavioral problems in children with encopresis as well as anxiety levels of the mothers and marital problems of the parents. Material and Method: The case group included 31 boys with encopresis and their mothers; the control group included 26 boys who did not have chronic disease and their mothers. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-II) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ) were used. The mean scores of the scales of the two groups were compared by Mann-Whitney U test (ethics committe no: 17.12.2007/34516). Results: CBCL total problem scores, externalization, aggressive behavior, delinquent behavior and attention problem scores were significantly higher; CBCL competency total scores and school scores were significantly lower in the case group. In addition, MCQ scores were significantly higher in the encopresis group. Maternal STAI-II scores did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: Attention and behavior problems may be the target of interventions for treatment of encopresis in children. Treatment of these problems may increase treatment compliance and prevent conflicts that may occur within the family in relation to these problems. Addressing severe marital problems which may be a source of distress and which may worsen the course of treatment may contribute to the treatment of these children. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 35-9)
Cancer therapy system based on gold nanoparticle / cold plasma via stimulated singlet oxygen production

Gold nanoparticles have unique physical/chemical properties which let them very useful in several applications. In addition, to their biocompatibility which is very important for biomedical applications. Recently gold nanoparticles and reactive species of cold plasma have been successfully used for tumor cells and cancer treatment. This method depends on the type of reactive ionized species or the size of gold nanoparticles which it produces and its directed effect on the cell cycle. Our proposed novel designed system which combines both gold nanoparticles and reactive species of nitrogen and argon cold plasma is obtained. Therefore, generating singlet oxygen and reactive species with confirming gold nanoparticles stability as well as to its exposure to cold plasma at different conditions and time periods is accomplished. The analysis of this system will be done using Raman spectroscopy technique. This procedure will enhance better, direct, effective and selective targeting for different kinds of bio-threats such as tumor cells, bacteria, fungi, and virus. This innovative system may be used as a new sterilized technique for different fields such as medical and biological sector, and more promise as cancer therapy selective technique.
Predictions of the effect of clumping on the wind properties of O-type stars

Aims. Both empirical evidence and theoretical findings indicate that the stellar winds of massive early-type stars are inhomogeneous, i.e., porous and clumpy. For relatively dense winds, empirically derived mass-loss rates might be reconciled with predictions if these empirical rates are corrected for clumping. The predictions, however, do not account for structure in the wind. To allow for a consistent comparison, we investigate and quantify the effect of clumpiness and porosity of the outflow on the predicted wind energy and the maximal effect on the mass-loss rate of O-type stars. Methods. Combining non-LTE model atmospheres and a Monte Carlo method to compute the transfer of momentum from the photons to the gas, the effect of clumping and porosity on the energy transferred from the radiation field to the wind is computed in outflows in which the clumping and porosity stratification is parameterized by heuristic prescriptions. Results. The impact of structure in the outflow on the wind energy is complex and is a function of stellar temperature, the density of gas in the clumps, and the physical scale of the clumps. If the medium is already clumped in the photosphere, the emergent radiation field will be softer, slightly increasing the wind energy of relatively cool O stars (30 000 K) but slightly decreasing it for relatively hot O stars (40 000 K). More important is that as a result of recombination of the gas in a clumped wind the line force increases. However, because of porosity the line force decreases, simply because photons may travel in-between the clumps, avoiding interactions with the gas. If the changes in the wind energy only affect the mass-loss rate and not the terminal velocity of the flow, we find that the combined effect of clumpiness and porosity is a small reduction in the mass-loss rate if the clumps are smaller than 1/100th the local density scale height Hρ. In this case, empirical mass-loss determinations based on Hα fitting and theory match for stars with dense winds ( ˙
Promotion of growth, yield and fiber quality attributes of Egyptian cotton by bacillus strains in combination with mineral fertilizers

Abstract Implementation of proper management practices using biological approaches is important to maintain soil quality and cotton yield in sandy desert soils of Egypt. This experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Experimental farm, Kafer El-Sheikh governorate, Cotton Research Institute of Egypt during 2016–2017 seasons to study the effect of inoculation with bacterial strains of Bacillus circulance (BC) and Bacillus megatherium (BM) and their co-inoculation in combinations with 50% and 100% of recommended dose fertilization (RDF) on growth, yield, and fiber properties of Egyptian cotton Giza-94. Results showed that all important morphological attributes of cotton such as plant growth, number of fruit sympodial branches, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, lint cotton yield and fiber properties significantly increased with the increase rate of RDF, and inoculation of cotton seeds with the bacterial strains exerted additive effects. The highest increase of cotton yield was observed at the combined use of bacterial strains BC + BM with 50% RDF followed by BC + BM with 100% RDF treatment which attributed on the cotton yield increase by 33% and 15% compared to the respective control. The application of Bacillus strains as a biofertilizer could be an alternative option to reduce considerable amounts of chemical fertilizers input by enhancing nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and, thereby, improves cotton productivity.
Infinite Types, Infinite Data, Infinite Interaction

We describe a way to represent computable functions between coinductive types as particular transducers in type theory. This generalizes earlier work on functions between streams by P. Hancock to a much richer class of coinductive types. Those transducers can be defined in dependent type theory without any notion of equality but require inductive-recursive definitions. Most of the properties of these constructions only rely on a mild notion of equality (intensional equality) and can thus be formalized in the dependently typed language Agda.