bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farm-level Determinants of Farmers’ Adaptation Decisions to Climate Variability and Change in Didessa Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Dechassa Chala , Simane Belay , Alamirew Bamlaku 
Published: June 2020

Ethiopia has been identified as one of the sub-Saharan African countries, expected to suffer the most from negative impacts of climate change and variability due to its high reliance on climate variations. This study examines the determinants of farmers' adaptation decisions and constraints to long-term changes in climate variability and change using data collected through semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions and field observations from a survey on 450 farm-households in three agro-ecological zones located in Didessa sub-basin. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Farmers noticed a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperature over the past 20 years. In response, it was found that the common adaptation options include: planting, Soil and water conservation, improved technology, use of different crop varieties, and a combination of strategies. However, the remedial actions to the changes are less. The main barriers to successful adaptation cited by farmers were Shortage of land (21.78%), lack of credit/ money (19.11%), lack of information (13.56%), and shortage of farm inputs (17.56%) and other institutional and cultural beliefs. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine the factors influencing farmers' decision to adapt to changing climatic conditions including socio-economic, demographic; farm characteristics, institutional and climatic variables. We conclude that concerned bodies need to create empowering environment which can promote adaptation options and support constraints farmers face in taking up adaptation to climate change. Also, the government needs to create access to socio-economic and institutional variables appropriate to reach small scale farmers, with limited resources to confront climate change and enhance the livelihood of the households in the study area.
Analysing the Relationship between Budget Deficit and Current Account Deficit in Namibia
Authors: Shifidi Achiles , Nyambe Jacob M. 
Published: June 2020

Is there a causal relationship between budget deficit and current account deficit? This study attempts to explain the significance of the transmission mechanism, (the exchange rate and interest rate) in explaining the twin deficit hypothesis (i.e. budget deficit and current account deficit) in Namibia. The study employed analytical methods of unit roots, cointegration, Granger-causality, and the impulse response function for estimation. In contributing to this ongoing debate, the study used the case of Namibia over the period spanning from 1990-2014 using time series data. Budget deficit and current account deficit proved to be significant. There is a unidirectional causal relationship between budget deficit and current account deficit in Namibia which runs from current account deficit to budget deficit. However, the transmission mechanism proved to be less significant in explaining the twin deficit hypothesis in Namibia. Having found a positive relationship between current account deficit and budget deficit in Namibia, the government should consider curbing the increasing current account balance as a way of reducing its adverse effect on the budget balance. From this study, it is indicated that stabilising the current account deficit problem could assist in managing the budget deficit problem in Namibia.
Resource Use Efficiency of Groundnut in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Devi I. Shakuntala , Suhasini K. , Sunandini G. P. 
Published: June 2020

Groundnut is an important oilseed and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh occupies a prominent position both in acreage and production. Data was obtained from forty farmers using structured questionnaire and the input-output relation of groundnut production via Cobb-Douglas production function was examined in this study. It was found that the sum of elasticities was 0.73. The result of the t’ test proved that in groundnut farms S bi was less than one, it indicates decreasing returns to scale, which indicates some of the inputs are excessively used. The production elasticities for human labour, bullock labour, machine labour charges, seed cost and pesticides were positive and significant where as farm yard manure and fertilizers cost was negative which showed that increase in these costs result in decrease in output. The MVP of selected input variables were estimated to be 25.08, 4.21, 6.74, 1.87, 17.34, -19.46 and -7.67 showing that FYM and fertilizers are over utilized and the rest of the variables are underutilized. The groundnut production in the study area would be profitable.
Socio-cultural Factors Associated with Complementary Feeding in Two Rural Districts in Ghana: A qualitative study involving Health Workers
Authors: Nsiah-Asamoah Christiana Naa Atsreh 
Published: June 2020

Aim: This study sought to explore the cultural factors that are associated with complementary feeding from the reports of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Volunteers (CHVs) in two rural districts in Ghana.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that assessed cultural beliefs, norms, superstitions and practices that influence complementary feeding practices of young children under two years in two rural farming districts in Ghana
Study Area: The study was conducted at Kwahu Afram Plains North and South Districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Methodology: The study employed qualitative methods which entailed conducting 9 focus group discussions among CHWs and CHVs working at two rural districts in Ghana. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a validated, interview guide, after obtaining informed consent (written) from the health workers. Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of the Dodowa Health Research Centre and the University of Cape Coast. Thematic content analytical procedures were applied to analyze the transcripts, interpret and present findings as a narrative account.
Results: The reports of the health workers indicate a common practice of early introduction of solid foods to infants before they attain six(6) months of age. Cultural beliefs, superstitions, beliefs, food taboos and prohibitions influence mothers’ complementary-feeding practices and result in limiting the food scope and dietary diversity of their young children.
Conclusions: Interventions designed to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices should incorporate an understanding of social context, family, and cultural factors in developing nutrition promotion messages that are tailored to meet the needs of rural populations. More community interventions that draw on the support of key influential persons in the community and fathers are needed to address cultural barriers to appropriate complementary feeding practices.
Response of Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) Grown in an Alfisol and Inceptisol to Different Organic Fertilizers and Mycorrhizal Inoculation in Nigeria
Authors: Musa F. B. , Oyetunji O. F. , Oyewumi R. V. , Adenuga D. A. , Ihediuche C. I. , Adelusi F. T. 
Published: June 2020

Background and Objective: The use of organic fertilizers in soil usually upsurge the infection rate of mycorrhizal in a plant, thereby increases the nutrients content, uptake and promotes the vegetative growth of the host plant. This experiment was conducted to assess the influence of different organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal inoculation on Corchorus olitorius growth and yield in an Alfisol and Inceptisol in Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was set up at the screenhouse of the Department of Agronomy, Ibadan. 2 x 2 x 5 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted with two levels of soil (Alfisol and Inceptisol); two levels of mycorrhizal inoculation (with and without) and five levels of organic fertilizers (organic fertilizers; poultry manure, cattle manure, Moringa, Tithonia and control) in two-kilogram soil under three replications.
Results: Soil supplemented with organic fertilizers significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the growth and yield of Corchorus olitorius. The height, leaf area and number of leaves of Corchorus olitorius in soil supplemented with organic fertilizers were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control. Higher leaf area and number of leaves were obtained in C. olitorius influenced by mycorrhizal (+AM) than without mycorrhizal (-AM) under poultry manure application in Alfisol. Inceptisol without fertilizers and mycorrhizal inoculation was also high in the leaf area of C. olitorius compared to Alfisol corresponding treatment with about 31.1%. Number of leaves of C. olitorius without mycorrhizal (-AM) inoculation and Tithonia can be compared with mycorrhizal (+AM) inoculation and cattle manure at 7 weeks after transplanting in both soils. Plants height obtained was highest in C. olitorius grown in Alfisol without mycorrhizal and cattle manure with about 12.2% higher over Inceptisol. Shoots and roots observed under mycorrhizal inoculation were also significantly different from those observed without mycorrhizal inoculation in both soils under different fertilizers application.
Conclusion: Integration of different fertilizer types (organic fertilizers and mycorrhizal inoculation) can be efficiently used as a suitable nutrient management system due to positive responses observed in this investigation.
Influence of Time of Cowpea Introduction at the Establishment Phase of Pineapple on Performance of Pepper in a Pineapple-Pepper-Cowpea Intercropping System
Authors: Ajayi Ademola Johnson , Agele Samuel Ohikhena , Aiyelari O Peter 
Published: June 2020

Cowpea was sown into pineapple-pepper intercrop at the establishment of pineapple in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the effects of its time of sowing into pineapple-pepper intercrop on growth and yield components of pepper. In 2011, cowpeas were sown into pineapple-pepper intercropped plots at 3 week intervals in addition to the sole crop components of pepper, cowpea and pineapple. In 2012, the experiment was repeated with the inclusion of pineapple-pepper intercrop with no cowpea introduced. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
Early sowing of cowpea at the time of transplanting pepper and at 3 weeks after transplanting (WAP) pepper significantly reduced pepper leaf area by 97.5 and 80.1% respectively. The decline in the number of fruits per plant ranges from 90.4% with sowing of cowpea at transplanting of pepper to 35.6% sowing was delayed by 9 weeks in 2011 while decline in 2012 rages from 89.6 to 1.4%. Lower fruit weight decline was obtained with delayed introduction of cowpea with 29.1 and 14.5% decline when cowpea was sown 6 and 9 WAT respectively. It is recommended that pepper could be introduced into pineapple field at establishment phase. However, sowing of cowpea should be delayed up to six weeks after transplanting pepper in order to reduce competition and to enhance complementary use of resources by the component crops.
Seasonal Variation in an Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription Rates in Alkharj
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. 
Published: June 2020

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the seasonal variations in dispensing antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting of a public hospital in Alkharj.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The outpatient prescriptions in 2017 and 2018 were collected from medical records in a public hospital in Alkharj.
The data include the number of prescribed antibiotics in general, the number of prescribed antibiotics in different months and seasons in the outpatient setting.
Results: In the outpatient setting in 2017 and 2018, antibiotics were prescribed excessively in most of the months. About 27.84 %of the prescriptions in 2017 were in spring season and about 26.64% of the prescriptions in 2018 were in autumn. Total number of antibiotics prescriptions in 2017 and 2018 were 5348 in spring followed by 5097 in autumn.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed the widespread use of antibiotics by practitioners that was associated with season of prescribing. In general, there are excess use of antibiotics in all months. It is important to understand how the prescribing of antibiotic varies throughout the year to design an appropriate intervention to decrease incorrect antibiotic use.
Cerebellar cognitive disorder parallels cerebellar motor symptoms in Friedreich ataxia
Authors: Naeije Gilles , Rai Myriam , Allaerts Nick , Sjogard Martin , De Tiège Xavier , Pandolfo Massimo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDentate nuclei (DN) are involved in cerebellar modulation of motor and cognitive functions, whose impairment causes ataxia and cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS). Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) disease progression relates to degeneration of the dentate nucleus and dentato‐thalamic pathways, causing cerebellar ataxia. Volumetric MRI also shows mild loss in the cerebellar cortex, brainstem, and motor cortex. Cognitive deficits occur in FRDA, but their relationship with ataxia progression is not fully characterized. We found a significant positive correlation between severity of patients’ ataxia and more marked CCAS as assessed with the CCAS‐Scale. This relation could be related to progressive DN impairment.
High angle of attack flight control based on switched prescribed performance
Authors: Wu Dawei , Chen Mou , Ye Hui 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThis article studies the high angle of attack (AOA) maneuver control based on an improved prescribed performance method, that is, switched prescribed performance control (SPP). Different from traditional prescribed performance control, multiple performance functions are considered in the SPP, which can appropriately adjust the output performance constraints. Furthermore, based on the SPP, an adjustable prescribed performance (APP) control method is developed, which requires only a continuous adjustable performance function. Then, based on the proposed APP and adaptive neural network (NN) technology, a robust adaptive NN flight control law is developed. To handle the input saturation, an improved auxiliary system is developed. According to the common Lyapunov function method, it can be concluded that the closed‐loop system is stable and the system output can meet the corresponding prescribed performance. Finally, simulations are given to illustrate the validity of the high AOA flight control law based on the proposed
APP.
Response to “Comment on Rapid Assembly of Small Materials Building Blocks (Voxels) into Large Functional 3D Metamaterials”
Authors: Hahn Vincent , Wegener Martin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn a previous publication, numerous different 3D printing technologies were reviewed, projection‐based temporal‐focusing 3D printing being one of them. There, one condensed paragraph is dedicated to discussing the proximity effect for said 3D printing approach, based on a publication by Saha et al. (2019). In a comment, Saha and Chen (2020) criticized the discussion on projection‐based temporal‐focusing 3D printing. In this response, the discussion on the proximity effect is expanded and aspects addressed in the comment by Saha and Chen (2020) are clarified.
Additive Manufacturing of a Point‐of‐Care “Polypill:” Fabrication of Concept Capsules of Complex Geometry with Bespoke Release against Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Pereira Beatriz C. , Isreb Abdullah , Isreb Mohammad , Forbes Robert T. , Oga Enoche F. , Alhnan Mohamed A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPolypharmacy is often needed for the management of cardiovascular diseases and is associated with poor adherence to treatment. Hence, highly flexible and adaptable systems are in high demand to accommodate complex therapeutic regimens. A novel design approach is employed to fabricate highly modular 3D printed “polypill” capsules with bespoke release patterns for multiple drugs. Complex structures are devised using combined fused deposition modeling 3D printing aligned with hot‐filling syringes. Two unibody highly modular capsule skeletons with four separate compartments are devised: i) concentric format: two external compartments for early release while two inner compartments for delayed release, or ii) parallel format: where nondissolving capsule shells with free‐pass corridors and dissolution rate‐limiting pores are used to achieve immediate and extended drug releases, respectively. Controlling drug release is achieved through digital manipulation of shell thickness in the concentric format or the size of the rate limiting pores in the parallel format. Target drug release profiles are achieved with variable orders and configurations, hence confirming the modular nature with capacity to accommodate therapeutics of different properties. Projection of the pharmacokinetic profile of this digital system capsules reveal how the developed approach can be applied in dose individualization and achieving multiple desired pharmacokinetic profiles.
Liquid‐Metal‐Templated Synthesis of 2D Graphitic Materials at Room Temperature
Authors: Mayyas Mohannad , Li Hongzhe , Kumar Priyank , Ghasemian Mohammad B. , Yang Jiong , Wang Yifang , Lawes Douglas J. , Han Jialuo , Saborio Maricruz G. , Tang Jianbo , Jalili Rouhollah , Lee Sun Hwa , Seong Won Kyung , Russo Salvy P. , Esrafilzadeh Dorna , Daeneke Torben , Kaner Richard B. , Ruoff Rodney S. , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kourosh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRoom‐temperature synthesis of 2D graphitic materials (2D‐GMs) remains an elusive aim, especially with electrochemical means. Here, it is shown that liquid metals render this possible as they offer catalytic activity and an ultrasmooth templating interface that promotes Frank–van der Merwe regime growth, while allowing facile exfoliation due to the absence of interfacial forces as a nonpolar liquid. The 2D‐GMs are formed at low onset potential and can be in situ doped depending on the choice of organic precursors and the electrochemical set‐up. The materials are tuned to exhibit porous or pinhole‐free morphologies and are engineered for their degree of oxidation and number of layers. The proposed liquid‐metal‐based room‐temperature electrochemical route can be expanded to many other 2D materials.
Selective Inhibition of Streptococci Biofilm Growth via a Hydroxylated Azobenzene Coating
Authors: Mori Dylan I. , Schurr Michael J. , Nair Devatha P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStrategies to engineer surfaces that can enable the selective inhibition of bacterial pathogens while preserving beneficial microbes can serve as tools to precisely edit the microbiome. In the oral microbiome, this selectivity is crucial in preventing the proliferation of cariogenic species such as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). In this communication, coatings consisting of a covalently tethered hydroxylated azobenzene (OH‐AAZO) on glassy acrylic resins are studied and characterized for their ability to selectively prevent the attachment and growth of oral Streptococci biofilms. The coating applied on the surface of glassy resins inhibits the growth and proliferation of cariogenic S. mutans and S. oralis biofilms while A. actinomycetemcomitans, S. aureus, and E. coli biofilms are unaffected by the coating . The antibacterial effect is characterized as a function of both the OH‐AAZO concentration in the coatings (≥50 mg mL−1) and the structure of the monomer in the coating. Preliminary mechanistic results suggest that the targeted bactericidal effect against Streptococci species is caused by a disruption of membrane ion potential, inducing cell death.
DNA‐Based pH‐Responsive Core–Shell Drug Nanocarrier for Tumor‐Targeted Chemo‐Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Cui Yun‐Xi , Sun Guo‐Ying , Li Yong‐Hui , Tang An‐Na , Zhu Li‐Na , Kong De‐Ming 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDeveloping highly efficient and nontoxic drug carriers, which can work well for both chemotherapy drugs and photosensitizers, is an urgent demand to improve the efficacy of chemo‐photodynamic therapy and to promote its clinical applications. In this paper, a facile way is proposed to construct a DNA‐based nanocarrier, to achieve the synergetic loading and delivery of doxorubicine (Dox) and porphyrin/G‐quadruplex composited photosensitizer. The nanocarrier contains a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) core and a DNA layer. It is prepared via a nontemplated extension of short DNA primers on AuNP core through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase catalysis and subsequent DNA hybridization. Through the intercalation of Dox in duplex DNA and the forming of porphyrin/G‐quadruplex complex, the drugs responsible for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy are efficiently loaded in the nanocarrier, and then delivered to and accumulated at tumor sites. Inside tumor cells, i‐motif may form under acidic conditions, thus triggering pH‐responsive payload release, and making the drug concentration achieving the therapeutic limitation in a short time. Highly efficient drug delivery and antitumor performance of the nanocarrier system are well demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The proposed nanocarrier may be developed as a promising tool for clinical drug delivery and disease therapy.
Covalently‐Attached, Surface‐Eroding Polymer Coatings on Magnesium Alloys for Corrosion Control and Temporally Varying Support of Cell Adhesion
Authors: Chen Yingqi , Ye Sang‐Ho , Zhu Yang , Gu Xinzhu , Higuchi Shinichi , Wan Guojiang , Wagner William R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFor degradable magnesium (Mg) alloy‐based stents it would be desirable to delay early corrosion to maintain mechanical strength. Similarly, early after stent placement reduced thrombogenicity is an important feature, while chronically, endothelial cell adhesion and vessel integration are desirable. In this study, surface eroding polymers of amino‐grafted poly(1,3‐trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC‐NH2) and PTMC‐NH2 combined with sulfobetaine bearing polymer PSB (PTMC‐NHCO‐PSB) are developed, and these polymers are covalently attached onto 6‐phosphonohexanoic acid (PHA)‐coated AZ31 Mg alloy surfaces in sequence. In vitro degradation testing in ovine plasma shows PTMC, PTMC‐NH2, and PTMC‐NHCO‐PSB cast films experience a gradual thickness and mass loss with maintenance of smooth surfaces, confirming surface erosion behavior. The PTMC‐NH2 polymer is firmly bound to the PHA‐modified AZ31 surface and demonstrates a resistance to peeling. PTMC, PTMC‐NH2, and PTMC‐NHCO‐PSB coated AZ31 have a lower corrosion rate versus polylactide‐co‐glycolide coated and untreated AZ31. PTMC‐NHCO‐PSB coated AZ31 inhibits platelet deposition and smooth muscle cell adhesion and growth, but after 2‐week immersion in plasma, this surface supports endothelial cell adhesion and growth. These results suggest PTMC‐NHCO‐PSB surface eroding coating offers a means of controlling corrosion while providing a temporally varying bio‐functionality for biodegradable vascular stent applications.