Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimizing sulfur fertilizer application rate for profitable maize production in the savanna agroecological zones of Northern Ghana

Abstract Although several studies have established the importance of sulfur (S) in increasing maize productivity in the savanna agroecological zones (AEZs) of northern Ghana, the economically optimum S application rate is still unknown. In a two-year study at eight locations across the AEZs, we determined the economically optimum S application rate for S-deficient soils. We compared eight S application rates, ranging from 0 to 70 kg ha−1 at 10 kg intervals, for optimal maize productivity and profitability. The study identified 30 kg S ha−1 as the minimum rate that resulted in a plant tissue S concentration above the critical level of 0.15%. Although increasing the S application rate resulted in increases in maize grain yield, application of S beyond a rate of 30 kg ha−1 resulted in increases in maize grain yield that were not statistically significant and leveled off at 50 kg S ha−1. Application rates ≥50 kg ha−1 resulted in a high proportion of the applied S not taken up by the plant and, thus, subject to losses from the soil. Based on agro-input prices at the local level and the farm-gate prices of maize, the greatest potential profit resulting from S application was observed at 30 kg S ha−1, with a projected average maize yield of between ∼4.2 and 5.3 Mg ha−1, representing >90% of the observed yield with the highest S application rate of 70 kg ha−1. Thus, we conclude that, for sustainable and profitable maize production in S-deficient soils of the savanna AEZs of northern Ghana, an S applications rate of 30 kg ha−1 is economically justified.
Ethiopian Native Highlander's Adaptation to Chronic High-Altitude Hypoxia

People living in a high-altitude environment have distinct lifelong challenges. Adaptive mechanisms have allowed high-altitude residents to survive in a low-oxygen environment for thousands of years. The purpose of this review was to provide a brief review of the Ethiopian native highlanders' adaptive mechanisms to chronic hypoxia problems at high altitude. Traditionally, an elevated hemoglobin concentration has been considered as a hallmark of lifelong adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia, though this notion has been refuted recently as a result of the establishment of the alternative adaptive responses found in Amhara highlanders living in the Simien Mountains of northern Ethiopia. These populations did not have elevated hemoglobin (no erythrocytosis) but had normal hemoglobin saturation and arterial oxygen level, which alerts researchers to explore the possibility of the presence of an alternative adaptive mechanism. Contrary to this, Oromos living in the Bale Mountains of southern Ethiopia have elevated hemoglobin. The presence of increased nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in native Amhara highlanders suggests the possibility of adaptation via vasodilation, which would improve oxygen supply to metabolic tissues. Native Amhara highlanders showed no indications of chronic mountain sickness and had a higher pulmonary blood pressure without having a higher pulmonary vascular resistance. In addition, the cerebral circulation is sensitive to NO and carbon dioxide (CO2) but not to hypoxia, which would likely promote increased cerebral blood flow and increase oxygen delivery to the brain, making Ethiopian high-altitude natives better suited for survival at high altitudes. Further research is warranted to translate these background natural features of Ethiopian native highlanders to clinical applications.
Introduction

Abstract This chapter briefly describes the goal and general argument of the book, along with its theoretical framework and data collection, and introduces the Swedish case. First, we set the discussion of labour movements’ trade union revitalization and usage of social media—and particularly of YouTube—into the broader context of scholarly literature. Second, we introduce the Swedish case and compare the videos uploaded by Swedish trade unions with those uploaded by trade union confederations in other European countries. We also explain why we are investigating trade unions representing different social classes—namely, the working class, middle class and upper middle class. Third, we briefly describe the data collection and coding process and explain the methods of analysis used in this book: the rough metadata-based analysis of all videos uploaded by Swedish trade unions to YouTube during the period 2007–2017 (a total of 4535 videos), the detailed qualitative content analysis of 624 randomly selected videos and a qualitative analysis of 60 videos.
On integral resonant vibration control and the negative direct feedthrough term of a piezoelectric bimorph beam

Integral resonant control (IRC) is a vibration control method that measures the displacement of a flexible structure and positively feeds back the force generated by integrating the displacement. In the case of vibration control with IRC, the DC gain and the direct feedthrough term of the transfer function of a flexible structure have important roles for modeling and analysis. In the case of a piezoelectric bimorph beam, we experimentally found that the direct feedthrough term, which should have a positive value in the conventional model, has a negative value. This paper proposes a model in which the direct term is negative, considering the electrical coupling caused by the structure of a piezoelectric bimorph beam. In addition, the stability of the control system is shown based on the negative imaginariness, and the IRC is shown to be applicable to a control object with a negative direct feedthrough term.
Determining the compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) norms and main nutrient interactions in “Valencia” orange orchards on calcareous soils

Abstract To establish compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) standards, in “Valencia” orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), the leaf nutrient concentrations and yields of 234 commercial orchards were determined. The orchards nutritional status was evaluated through the compatible principal component analysis (PCA). The CND reference norms were calculated as V*N = 2.766 ± 0.167, V*P = 0.093 ± 0.199, V*K = 2.574 ± 0.097, V*Ca = 2.970 ± 0.217, V*Mg = 1.415 ± 0.116, V*S = 1.250 ± 0.200, V*Fe = −1.503 ± 0.212, V*Mn = −3.626 ± 0.327, V*Zn = −4.096 ± 0.431, V*Cu = −5.231 ± 0.166, V*B = −2.979 ± 0.187, V*Rd = 6.368 ± 0.074. The corresponding optimum concentration values of nutrients were N = 2.504 ± 0.348, P = 0.175 ± 0.040, K = 2.059 ± 0.227, Ca = 3.101 ± 0.664, Mg = 0.646 ± 0.071, S = 0.554 ± 0.108 in percent and Fe = 355.929 ± 80.601, Mn = 44.071 ± 14.409, Zn = 28.500 ± 12.126, Cu = 8.500 ± 1.698, B = 80.429 ± 14.516 in mg kg−1. According to PCA analysis the lower production in the “Valencia” orange orchards was mainly due to lower leaf concentration of S, Ca, B and Mg and a higher leaf concentration of K, Zn, Cu and Mn, respectively. Also, increment of leaf N and P in the high yielding subpopulation and leaf Fe in the low yielding subpopulation had significant effects on the increasing of fruit yield, especially under saline and calcareous soil conditions.
Assessing Pre-service Teachers' Attitudes towards Research Courses in Colleges of Education

Research plays a critical role in the building of knowledge and solving of societal problems. This study seeks to assess pre-service teachers for research courses in the Colleges of Education in the Oti region of Ghana. The study aims to assess pre-service teachers' attitudes towards research courses in the Colleges of Education in the Oti Region of Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative design. The survey research method was, however, used because it helps to collect data on attitudes. Simple random sampling was used to select 200 respondents. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistical analysis. It was found that pre-service teachers have negative attitudes toward studying research methods and writing research project work. They see both research method and writing of research project work as complex and difficult, hence, they have high anxiety about research and dislike the research courses. It was concluded that the general attitudes toward studying research methods are directly linked to the perceived challenges of research. It is recommended that the challenges pre-service teachers face in learning research courses should be addressed to improve their attitudes towards research.
A 67-mW D-Band FMCW I/Q Radar Receiver With an N-Path Spillover Notch Filter in 28-nm CMOS

A 139.5–157.7-GHz <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$D$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band I/Q radar receiver with an on-chip antenna and a spillover resilient <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-path baseband filter is presented. Spillover and its manifestation based on the chirp duration are discussed, and a filter for spillover mitigation is implemented. The radar is characterized by 18-GHz radio frequency (RF) bandwidth, 13-mm range resolution, 55-dB conversion gain, 8-dB NF, and 26-dB narrowband spillover attenuation. The receiver is also capable of selectively mitigating close-by large reflectors, and the system power consumption is 67 mW.
BASE: Pragmatic Injury Prevention for Practitioners

Unintentional injury remains a leading health problem in developed nations, making injury prevention imperative. Practitioners are primary stakeholders in the injury prevention process but rarely can devote significant time to complicated prevention efforts. Furthermore, theory-based approaches to support injury prevention are less common than atheoretical approaches. We propose a simple method for injury prevention grounded in concepts found in antecedent models. Barriers, attitudes, social context, and environmental factors (or BASE) are suggested as a simple injury prevention model practitioners can follow when working with patients. We present each component of BASE and offer examples of how the approach can be applied to risk factors associated with several types of injury risk behavior.
Beef cows housed in mud during late gestation have greater net energy requirements compared with cows housed on wood chip bedding

Abstract Mud increases net energy requirements for cattle because mud and precipitation compromise the ability of the hair coat to insulate and maintain core body temperature of the cow. The increase in energy required for a gestating cow to compensate for a muddy environment is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of muddy conditions on cow body weight (BW) and fetal growth during late gestation. Sixteen multiparous Angus cows (n = 8/treatment) were paired based on initial BW and one cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment on day 213 of gestation. Pens in the CON group were bedded with wood chips, while pens in the MUD group were designed to create a muddy lot (average depth of 23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were housed outdoors individually and fed the same diet that consisted of a limit-fed total mixed ration. Each pair was fed to meet energy and protein requirements for maintenance and gestation. From day 213 to 269 of gestation, cows were weighed and sampled for blood metabolites weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). Though cows consumed the same amount of dry matter, cows in the MUD treatment weighed 37.4 kg less than cows in the CON treatment (P < 0.01) by day 269 of gestation. Cows in the MUD treatment decreased approximately half a body condition score (BCS), while cows in the CON treatment gained approximately 1 BCS during the treatment period (P < 0.01). There was no evidence of a treatment × day of gestation effect for 12th rib back fat (P = 0.85), rump fat (P = 0.48), total plasma protein concentrations (P = 0.85), or plasma 3-methylhistidine (P = 0.84); however, there was a marginally significant treatment × day of gestation effect for plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P = 0.09). Despite differences in cow BW at the end of the treatment period, calf birth weight (P = 0.66) and calf total plasma protein (P = 0.27) were not different; however, the divergence in cow BW remained marginally significant at parturition (P = 0.06). These results indicate that mud increased net energy requirements for cows in the MUD treatment, as calf birth weight was not different but maternal BW was decreased compared with cows in the CON treatment.
VibroAware: vibroacoustic sensing for interaction with paper on a surface

Vibroacoustic sensing is a method to investigate and enable tangible interaction on surfaces. One of the main challenges in this field is to make a sheet of paper on a surface interactive without either prefabrication or permanent instrumentation. This research presents VibroAware, a novel system that makes paper on a surface interactive as is by leveraging vibrations. The sheet of paper becomes interactive when users attach it to four thin piezoelectric transducers. Users interact with the sheet of paper on the surface by touching or blowing, which produces vibrations captured by our system. In this research, an algorithm is developed to enable localization and adapt to environmental noise without requiring analyzing material properties. VibroAware offers users the ability to test and prototype faster, and create interfaces using vibroacoustic sensing on a sheet of paper more intuitively. This research presents a future vision for using vibroacoustic sensing to enable interaction on a sheet of paper that opens opportunities to utilize inherent material properties, such as vibration.
Prevalence of peripheral blood natural killer cells ≥12% in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: study carried out in a private clinic of Mexico City

Objective: To report the prevalence of pNK≥12% and its relationship with RPL in a population of Mexican women. Methods: Retrospective, cross sectional and observational study which included 98 women with history of RPL, who were subjected to a blood test sample to measure pNK cell and prevent complications in further pregnancies. Two groups were formed: 1) CONTROL and 2) RPL: Women with history of 2 or more miscarriages. Results: Women in the RPL group were older and had higher BMI compared to the Control group. Prevalence of patient whit pNK≥12% increase in the RPL vs Control. RPL group showed a significant increase of pNK≥1% compared to the Control (11.3±0.5 vs 9.5±0.6%, p=0.002). Finally, the median level of pNK≥12% in the PRL group was higher than Control (15.1±0.5 vs 13.5±0.8%). Conclusion: RPL may be the result of increased pNK concentrations and as observed in this study, slightly more than 50% of the Mexican population could be susceptible to abortions.
Efficacy of a Third-Generation High-Vision Ultrathin Endoscope for Evaluating Gastric Atrophy and Intestinal Metaplasia in Helicobacter pylori-Eradicated Patients

Background: Image-enhanced endoscopy methods such as narrow-band imaging (NBI) are advantageous over white-light imaging (WLI) for detecting gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and cancer. Although new third-generation high-vision ultrathin endoscopes improve image quality and resolution over second-generation endoscopes, it is unclear whether the former also enhances color differences surrounding atrophy and intestinal metaplasia for endoscopic detection. We compared the efficacy of a new third-generation ultrathin endoscope and an older second-generation endoscope. Methods: We enrolled 50 Helicobacter pylori-eradicated patients who underwent transnasal endoscopy with a second-generation and third-generation endoscope (GIF-290N and GIF-1200N, respectively) in our retrospective study. Color differences based on the International Commission on Illumination 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space were compared between second-generation and third-generation high-vision endoscopes. Results: Color differences surrounding atrophy produced by NBI on the GIF-1200N endoscope were significantly greater than those on GIF-290N (19.2 ± 8.5 vs. 14.4 ± 6.2, p = 0.001). In contrast, color differences surrounding intestinal metaplasia using both WLI and NBI were similar on GIF-1200N and GIF-290N endoscopes. NBI was advantageous over WLI for detecting intestinal metaplasia on both endoscopes. Conclusions: NBI using a third-generation ultrathin endoscope produced significantly greater color differences surrounding atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in H. pylori-eradicated patients compared with WLI.
Unique Presentation of Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in the Setting of Reusable Face Covering

Identified in December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread worldwide with a resultant increase in global morbidity, mortality, and economic disruption on a scale not seen since the 1918 Spanish flu. Health officials recommended universal masking to further reduce human-to-human spread of SARS-CoV-2. The state of Hawaii and the Department of Defense (DOD) adopted strict mask policies early in the pandemic and is shown to be effective at reducing transmission. We report a case of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in an immunocompetent 21-year-old man attributed to local skin irritation with resultant infection in the setting of continuous reuse of a mask that resulted in bilateral cavernous venous thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism.
Application of machine learning for defect detection in FRP-bonded systems with different defect sizes

Acoustic-laser technique has been developed as a promising method to detect defects in structures by vibrating the target object with an acoustic excitation, especially to identify near-surface defects in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-bonded systems. The vibration characteristics are measured by laser beam to determine the integrity of interfacial bonding in structural systems. The sensitivity of acoustic-laser technique can be affected by several operational parameters. The limitation of data acquisition system and the missing data during measurement can influence the accuracy of defect detection. The defect size can also affect the effectiveness of acoustic-laser technique as the acoustic wave is unable to excite the defect region if the defect size is too small. To efficiently reconstruct acoustic-laser measurement for continuous or random missing data situations, a machine learning approach is proposed considering the effect of defect size. This method is based on K-singular value decomposition (K-SVD) with the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm. In this study, FRPbonded systems with two different sizes of interfacial defect are adopted in the experimental measurement using acoustic laser technique for defect detection. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of machine learning method in the reconstruction of the missing information for electrical signals. The reconstructed data is more reliable for the cases with smaller defect sizes and random missing data. For further application in a broader range, more measured results of defect size should be considered in the dataset of the proposed method.
Proportional–integral–derivative-based intra rate controller for low-delay applications of high efficiency video coding screen content coding

Abstract. Most screen content (SC) video applications are real time, and a low-delay transmission is needed. An effective low-delay transmission requires a precise video rate controller to fit the video bit rate to the capacity of the transmission channel. The rate controller has to support the unique standard coding tools of SC video. We propose a unique intra rate controller based on a unique content-based rate-distortion model for low delay applications of high efficiency video coding SC coding. The proposed model supports the unique SC coding tools and different modes and sizes of coding tree units. The proportional–integral–derivative control concept is used for frame-level bit allocation and rate control. The rate controller utilizes a small size virtual buffer to provide low-delay buffering constraints for the bit stream. Experimental results show that the proposed rate controller can control the bit rate of test sequences with a low buffering delay (about 20 ms) while the rate-distortion performance is maintained.
Effects of the In Ovo Injection of L-Ascorbic Acid on Broiler Hatching Performance

Simple Summary Previous studies have shown positive effects of the use of supplementary L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) to mitigate various stressors such as heat and ammonia exposure in the broiler industry. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of L-AA administrated by in ovo injection on various hatch variables and the embryonic serum L-AA concentrations of Ross 708 broilers. At 18 days of incubation (doi), the following four treatment groups: non-injected control, saline-injected control, and saline containing either 12 or 25 mg of L-AA were administrated. An automated multi-egg injector accurately delivered 100 μL solution volumes into the amnion. The in ovo injection of high levels of L-AA (12 and 25 mg) did not affect hatchability, but 12 mg of L-AA in saline and saline alone resulted in a reduction in embryonic mortality. Additionally, serum L-AA did not differ between the in ovo injected treatments at any time period; however, the serum L-AA concentration was numerically higher in males as compared to female hatchlings. In conclusion, the automated in ovo injection of high levels of L-AA may not be detrimental to hatchling quality but may promote embryonic livability. Abstract Effects of the in ovo injection of various concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) on the hatchability and retention levels of L-AA in the serum of broiler embryos were investigated. A total of 960 Ross 708 broilers hatching eggs were randomly divided into four treatment groups: non-injected control, saline-injected control, and saline containing either 12 or 25 mg of L-AA. At 18 days of incubation (doi), injected eggs received a 100 μL volume of sterile saline (0.85%) alone or containing one of the two L-AA levels. Percentage egg weight loss was also determined from 0 to 12 and 12 to 18 doi. Hatch residue analysis was conducted after candling to determine the staging of embryo mortality. At approximately 21 doi, hatchability of live embryonated eggs (HI) and hatchling body weight (BW) were determined. Blood samples were taken at 6 and 24 h after L-AA in ovo injection to determine serum L-AA concentrations. Serum L-AA concentrations, HI, and hatchling BW did not differ among all treatment groups. However, chicks in the non-injected group had a higher (p = 0.05) embryonic mortality at hatch in comparison to those in the 12 mg of L-AA in saline and saline alone treatment groups. These results suggest that the in ovo injection of high levels of L-AA (12 and 25 mg) does not negatively affect HI or serum concentrations of L-AA but has the potential to promote embryonic livability. Further research is needed to determine the retention time of L-AA in the other tissues of broilers, including the cornea of the eye, in response to different levels of supplemental L-AA.