Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Profitability of Sweet Potato Production in Camarines Sur, Philippines

Sweet potato has found its niche in the global market and is now outpacing other primary staple foods not only because of its desirability for human consumption but as an immediate source of income as well. A study was conducted to examine the factors affecting the profitability of sweet potato production in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 108 farmer-respondents. A structured questionnaire and focused group discussion were used as main tools for gathering data. Frequency counts, weighted means and percentages were used to describing and analyzing the socio-demographic data. Cost and return analysis and return on investment were used to determine the profitability of sweet potato production. The factors affecting the profitability of sweet potato production were also evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that sweet potato production is generally profitable with the high financial return of 144% to farmers, or a net income of Php 48,400.00 pesos per hectare. There exist a positive relationship between income and farm size, labor input cost, cost of other inputs and access to buyers but inverse relationship exist between income and years of experience and tenurial status. Furthermore, farm size and cost of other inputs are significant variables that contribute to the increase in income. Recommendations include stabilizing the pricing system for sweet potato through the formation of production clusters to improve their market opportunities; provision of seminars and workshops on product development; provision of subsidies on agricultural inputs to reduce the cost of production; provision of basic and high-technology infrastructure; and establishment of an information network on the agricultural market.
Robustness of Optimal Basis Transformations to Secure Entanglement Swapping Based QKD Protocols

—In this article, we discuss the optimality of basis transformations as a security measure for quantum key distribution protocols based on entanglement swapping as well as the robustness of these basis transformations considering an imperfect physical apparatus. To estimate the security, we focus on the information an adversary obtains on the raw key bits from a generic version of a collective attack strategy. In the scenario described in this article, the application of general basis transformations serving as a counter measure by one or both legitimate parties is analyzed. In this context, we show that the angles, which describe these basis transformations, can be optimized compared to the application of a Hadamard operation, which is the standard basis transformation recurrently found in literature. Nevertheless, these optimal angles for the basis transformations have to be precisely conﬁgured in the laboratory to achieve the minimum amount for the adversary’s information. Since we can not be sure that the physical apparatus is perfect, we will look at the robustness of the optimal choice for the angles. As a main result, we show that the adversary’s information can be reduced to an amount of I AE (cid:39) 0 . 20752 when using a single basis transformation and to an amount of I AE (cid:39) 0 . 0548 when combining two different basis transformations. This is less than half the information compared to other protocols using a Hadamard operation and thus represents an advantage regarding the security of entanglement swapping based protocols. Further, we will show that the optimal angles to achieve these results are very robust such that an imperfect conﬁguration does only have an insigniﬁcant effect on the security of the protocol.
AccessibilityDifferentiation Controls CIITA Promoter Epigenetic Regulation during B Cell

B cell to plasma cell maturation is marked by the loss of MHC class II expression. This loss is due to the silencing of the MHC class II transcriptional coactivator CIITA. In this study, experiments to identify the molecular mechanism responsible for CIITA silencing were conducted. CIITA is expressed from four promoters in humans, of which promoter III (pIII) controls the majority of B cell-mediated expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to establish the histone code for pIII and determine the differences between B cells and plasma cells. Speciﬁc histone modiﬁcations associated with accessible promoters and transcriptionally active genes were observed at pIII in B cells but not in plasma cells. A reciprocal exchange of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation to methylation was also observed between B cells and plasma cells. The lack of histone acetylation correlated with an absence of transcription factor binding to pIII, particularly that of Sp1, PU.1, CREB, and E47. Intriguingly, changes in chromatin architecture of the 13-kb region encompassing all CIITA promoters showed a remarkable deﬁcit in histone H3 and H4 acetylation in plasma cells, suggesting that the mechanism of silencing is global. When primary B cells were differentiated ex vivo, most of the histone marks associated with pIII activation and expression were lost within 24 h. The results demonstrate that CIITA silencing occurs by controlling chromatin accessibility through a multistep mechanism that includes the loss of histone acetylation and transcription factor binding, and the acquisition of repressive histone methylation marks. The Journal of Immunology, 2006, 177: 3865–3873.
Design and Use of Dynamic Modeiing in ASCEND IV

We present an alternative design for communicating information between an interactive, equation-based modeling environment user and an initial value problem (IVP) solver. The design is practically demonstrated by connecting the widely available integrator LSODE and the freely available plotting program Xgraph to the ASCEND IV modeling environment. In contrast to the ASCEND in integrator interface, this new design allows an order of magnitude improvement in the ease of developing an understanding of a dynamic model's behavior. The improvement is in part achieved by allowing the user to interactively define what time varying quantities should be recorded for postprocessing by graphics packages or other tools without requiring that a new ASCEND model be compiled, thus making visualization easy. The more significant improvement, however, is the new ability to select any part of the complete dynamic model and solve it, thus making exploration of component dynamic behaviors easy. Finally, the user may interactively change a variable between algebraic and dynamic (state or derivative) roles. This makes it possible to negotiate a solution to the index problems which frequently arise in chemical engineering. 1. This work has been supported by the Engineering Design Research Center, a NSF Engineering Research Center. 2. Comments or questions on this report should be addressed to ascend+bb@ cs.cmu.edu and ballan@cs.cmu.edu. 3. The ASCEND IV software is available free (on the publication date) via http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/ project/ascend/home/Home.html for any UNIX platform with XI1 and ANSI C.
Impact Of The Covıd-19 Pandemic On Academic Achievement And Self-Regulated Learning Behavior For Students Of The Faculty Of Pharmacy, Middle East University

This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-regulation learning behavior and academic achievement among students attending the Faculty of Pharmacy during distance education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that there is a strong correlation between the variables of self-efficacy and self-regulation, cognitive strategies, and academic performance of students in the exam, while there is a negative correlation between the variable of anxiety in the test and academic performance in the exam. Among the five variables, self-efficacy and self-regulation have the strongest impact on the academic performance of students who have been taught by a distance learning method due to the COVID-19 pandemic. first question of the study to the correlation between components, learning, and academic performance in distance education through correlated analysis. We show that all five components of motivation and self-regulation are linked or related to the in the under education, and test anxiety is negatively related to of the final exam.
Mechanisms Mediating Social Enhancement of Alcohol Intake in the Rat

2 INTRODUCTION 3 EXPERIMENT 1 7 METHOD-EXPERIMENT 1 9 RESULTS-EXPERIMENT 1 12 DISCUSSION-EXPERIMENT 1 13 EXPERIMENT 2 21 METHOD-EXPERIMENT 2 23 RESULTS-EXPERIMENT 2 25 DISCUSSION-EXPERIMENT 2 26
A CIRCULAR LEAN CANVAS MODEL FOR COUTURELOGY VENTURES

The aim of this conceptual research is to develop a circular lean canvas model (CLCM) for the Couturelogy ventures to meet the holistic design need of circularity, conscience, and compassion. The research methodology utilizes an exhaustive literature review and the relevant database analytics on linear economy, circular economy, lean canvas model, circular couture, conscience couture, compassion couture, consumption, digital technology, bio-technology, physical technology and sustainability. In addition, a case study on Stella McCartney brand is presented to obtain the perspective on Couturelogy. The contribution of this research provides the essential principles of circularity, compassion and conscience for the Couturelogy ventures to attain socio-economic and ecological benefits simultaneously. Finding reveals: (i) Couturelogy designers ought to use the lean canvas model based on the access principle of the circular economy, and (ii ) the transition to a circular economy approach is enabled by the smart technologies and the transformation of entire value chain to be based on circularity principles . It is recommended to the Couturelogy ventures to utilize the proposed CLCM model to attain sustainability which provides precept to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), academia, entrepreneurs, industry practitioners, policymakers to meet economic benefit and ecological development of the contemporary society. Future researchers can build on this CLCM model to examine the limitations of this model by using empirical researches. The contribution of this study provides valuable insights, for the first-time, bestowing new knowledge to the literature on the CLCM framework and practices adopted by the stakeholders for the Couturelogy market. The proposed comprehensive CLCM model provides 8 building blocks mentioned above as a guideline for the entrepreneurs to attain economic benefits and the circularity needs of the society. Also, it can serve as an education model and practice guide for academia, industry practitioners, policymakers, and non-profit organizations. It is recommended to the startup founder (s) and the existing businesses to utilize the proposed model to attain sustainable development and its linkages with community building.
Improved demodulation algorithm for spatial-frequency multiplexed fibre-optic Fizeau strain sensor system

An improved algorithm is proposed to demodulate signals acquired from a spatial-frequency multiplexed fibre-optic Fizeau strain sensor system. W e have demonstrated that this algorithm, which includes wavelet signal-processing techniques, reduces noise and increases strain resolution. Introduction: The spatial frequency multiplexed fibre-optic Fizeau strain sensor system is a novel design proposed by Rao et al [1]. In principle, the sensor is demodulated using a Fourier transform (FT) method to find the cavity length, and hence the strain values. However, in their system, instead of using the direct FT method, a method called the discrete gap transform was used to avoid poor strain resolution and transforming from spatial frequency to cavity length. The direct FT method has been used by others to find the strain values [2 (cid:150) 5], but in most cases either only the phase information or a technique called FT spectroscopy was used. Here, we present an improved demodulation algorithm utilising wavelet denoising together with a simple FT peak detection method to calculate the strain values, as well as to increase the strain resolution and reduce the noise associated with the sensor signals.
Association of Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphism with Ischemic Stroke in Coronary Heart Disease Patients Treated with Medium-intensity Statins

Objective: To study the association of apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) gene polymorphism with ischemic stroke (IS) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients treated with medium-intensity statins. Methods: The retrospective study was performed on 662 samples including 169 CHD subjects complicated with IS, 296 subjects with CHD, and 197 control subjects. The APOE gene was obtained from case files. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to recognize the possible risks of CHD and IS. Results: The frequency of ε3-ε4 genotype was increased in the CHD group ( p =0.013) and CHD-IS group ( p =0.001), the frequency of ε4 allele was also increased in the CHD group ( p =0.047) and the CHD-IS group ( p =0.009) compared with control group. ε3-ε4 genotype was the independent risk for CHD and CHD-IS after adjusting for traditional risk factors with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.210, 95%CI: 1.263–3.867, p =0.005) and (AOR 2.794, 95% CI: 1.539–5.072, p =0.002). The ε4 allele was also significantly associated with CHD (AOR 2.126, 95%CI: 1.265–3.575,=0.004) and CHD-IS (AOR 2.740, 95%CI: 1.569–4.784, p =0.001). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that ε4 allele influenced the development of CHD with or without IS, especially for the genotype of ε3-ε4. CHD patients carrying the ε3-ε4 genotype and the ε4 allele were significantly associated with the incidence of IS, even if medium-intensity statins had been used.
Ecological Assessment of Selected Floodplain Wetlands in the Upper Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

Article History Floodplain wetlands are very important for ecological and socio-economic services and, in Assam large number of people living in-and-around wetlands, often depends on the wetland ecosystem services for their livelihoods. To understand the ecological condition of floodplain wetlands, in the Upper Brahmaputra valley, Assam, assessment were carried out during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon from October 2016 to May 2017 in six important wetlands. The paper highlights integrated approach to study the landscape status of the catchment area; physico-chemical characteristics of the water and soil. Over the time period of 2016-17, water and soil samples were collected and analysed from six-selected wetlands; and for the image based analysis of these wetlands have been carried out using Landsat-8 image 2016. The study revealed that, in spite of decreasing size, the Fuklai beel is in better condition among all of the wetlands based on the landscape assessment and the Water Quality Index (WQI) value with 66.6% vegetative cover and 57.3 respectively.
Changes in Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Shoots during Phosphate Starvation and the Potential for Developing Smart Plants 1

Our aim was to generate and prove the concept of “smart” plants to monitor plant phosphorus (P) status in Arabidopsis. Smart plants can be genetically engineered by transformation with a construct containing the promoter of a gene up-regulated specifically by P starvation in an accessible tissue upstream of a marker gene such as (cid:1) -glucuronidase ( GUS ). First, using microarrays, we identified genes whose expression changed more than 2.5-fold in shoots of plants growing hydro- ponically when P, but not N or K, was withheld from the nutrient solution. The transient changes in gene expression occurring immediately (4 h) after P withdrawal were highly variable, and many nonspecific, shock-induced genes were up-regulated during this period. However, two common putative cis-regulatory elements (a PHO-like element and a TATA box-like element) were present significantly more often in the promoters of genes whose expression increased 4 h after the withdrawal of P compared with their general occurrence in the promoters of all genes represented on the microarray. Surprisingly, the expression of only four genes differed between shoots of P-starved and -replete plants 28 h after P was withdrawn. This lull in differential gene expression preceded the differential expression of a new group of 61 genes 100 h after withdrawing P. A literature survey indicated that the expression of many of these “late” genes responded specifically to P starvation. Shoots had reduced P after 100 h, but growth was unaffected. The expression of SQD1 , a gene involved in the synthesis of sulfolipids, responded specifically to P starvation and was increased 100 h after withdrawing P. Leaves of Arabidopsis bearing a SQD1 :: GUS construct showed increased GUS activity after P withdrawal, which was detectable before P starvation limited growth. Hence, smart plants can monitor plant P status. Transferring this technology to crops would allow precision management of P fertilization, thereby maintaining yields while reducing costs, conserving natural resources, and preventing pollution.
An Optimized Method for Automated Stadium Attendance Management System

In recent times, football and football players’ popularity is increasingly rising which make the football stadium increasingly full of sup-porters from both the home and opposition teams. However, the management of the stadium attendance still applies conventional meth-ods, which results that the audiences might be dissatisfied with the attendance method. This paper proposes an optimized method for the management of the stadium attendance. The implementation of the method applies a prototype methodology to develop a systematic and efficient Automated Stadium Attendance Management (ASAM) system. In addition, communications technology of smartphones is used to scan barcodes on tickets and dismantle the data to the system. This work is meant to help stadium workers to efficiently manage the attendance of audiences. The test results show that the system successfully retrieves, and processes optimized data and information of the spectators and efficiently manages the stadium attendance.
Determination of Heavy Metal levels in Soil and Vegetable Samples around Automobile Workshops in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria

- This study identified and determined levels of eighteen heavy metals in six soil and twelve vegetable samples ( Talinum triangulare and Amaranthus hybridus ) from selected automobile workshops at Iworoko Ekiti using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF). Identical samples were also collected outside this neighborhood as control and analyzed using the same analytical technique. The results indicated that the observed heavy metals in the samples from the sites and control were within the range (1.044-3180.224) mg/kg and (1.002-1845.744) mg/kg. The soil samples were slightly enriched in vanadium, manganese, nickel, copper ,zinc, arsenic, selenium and rubidium (Enrichment Factor (EF) = 1.033 – 2.179). Significant differences also exist between the levels of calcium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, arsenic, and yttrium (at p < 0.05, t = 0.00002 – 0.03950). The accumulation factors of the vegetable samples in Amaranthus hybridus were in the range 0.0006 – 824.1057 and those of T a linum triangulare were in the range 0.00019 – 338.76885. The relatively higher levels of chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper, zinc and arsenic in the vegetable samples from the sites compared with WHO/FEPA permissible limits was an indication of contamination: The consumption of vegetables in such an environment could be detrimental to health.
Long-term changes in childhood malnutrition are associated with long-term changes in maternal BMI: evidence from Bangladesh, 1996–2011 1,2

Background: Nutritional transition (from under- to overnutrition) among women of reproductive age (15–49 y) is becoming increas-ingly common in many developing countries, including Bangladesh. However, the inﬂuence of this transition on the nutritional status of children , 5 y of age (U5s) is unknown. Objectives: The aim was to determine whether a nutritional transition has taken place in the past 15 y (1996–2011) among U5s and their mothers in Bangladesh and to examine how the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and malnutrition in U5s has changed over time. Design: We analyzed data assembled from 5 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1996 and 2011 in Bangladesh to describe the nutritional status of 28,941 U5s and their mothers. A Poisson regression model was used to examine the associations between maternal BMI and stunting, underweight, and wasting in U5s over time. Results: A nutritional transition among mothers of U5s was observed between 1996 and 2011. The height- or length-for-age and weight-for-age z score distributions of U5s showed consistent improvement; however, there was no indication of a nutritional transition. An interaction was found between maternal BMI categorized as underweight [BMI (kg/m 2 ) , 18.5], healthy BMI (BMI: 18.5–24.9), and overweight or obese (BMI $ 25) and year of survey on the risks of stunting and underweight in children. In 1996, children of underweight mothers had a 5% higher risk of being stunted than those born to healthy-BMI mothers (RR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.10); in 2011, children of underweight mothers had a 21% higher risk of being stunted (RR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.30). Maternal overweight or obesity was associated with a reduced risk of malnutrition in children. Conclusions: A nutritional transition among U5s has yet to occur in Bangladesh. However, our results indicate that improvement in maternal BMI in the past 15 y was accompanied by a reduction in malnutrition in U5s. Am J Clin Nutr 2016;104:1121–7.