cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Quantiles as Robust Probes of Non-Gaussianity in 21-cm Images
Creators: name: Banet, Alon
name: Barkana, Rennan
name: Fialkov, Anastasia
name: Guttman, Or
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The early epoch in which the first stars and galaxies formed is among the most exciting unexplored eras of the Universe. A major research effort focuses on probing this era with the 21-cm spectral line of hydrogen. While most research focused on statistics like the 21-cm power spectrum or the sky-averaged global signal, there are other ways to analyze tomographic 21-cm maps, which may lead to novel insights. We suggest statistics based on quantiles as a method to probe non-Gaussianities of the 21-cm signal. We show that they can be used in particular to probe the variance, skewness, and kurtosis of the temperature distribution, but are more flexible and robust than these standard statistics. We test these statistics on a range of possible astrophysical models, including different galactic halo masses, star-formation efficiencies, and spectra of the X-ray heating sources, plus an exotic model with an excess early radio background. Simulating data with angular resolution and thermal noise as expected for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), we conclude that these statistics can be measured out to redshifts above 20 and offer a promising statistical method for probing early cosmic history.
description: 12 pages, 9 figures, submitted to MNRAS
Packing geometry and statistics of force networks in granular media
Creators: name: Snoeijer, Jacco H.
name: van Hecke, Martin
name: Somfai, Ellak
name: van Saarloos, Wim
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2003
Subjects: subject: Disordered Systems and Neural Networks (cond-mat.dis-nn)
subject: Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
subject: Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The relation between packing geometry and force network statistics is studied for granular media. Based on simulations of two-dimensional packings of Hertzian spheres, we develop a geometrical framework relating the distribution of interparticle forces P(f) to the weight distribution P}(w), which is measured in experiments. We apply this framework to reinterpret recent experimental data on strongly deformed packings, and suggest that the observed changes of P(w) are dominated by changes in contact network while P(f) remains relatively unaltered. We furthermore investigate the role of packing disorder in the context of the q-model, and address the question of how force fluctuations build up as a function of the distance beneath the top surface.
description: 15 pages, 12 figures
External borders and internal freedoms: how the refugee crisis shaped the bordering preferences of European citizens
Creators: name: Lutz, Philipp
name: Karstens, Felix
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Biophysics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Physiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Ecology
subject: Science Policy

description: The idea that internal inclusion requires external exclusion features prominently in many theoretical accounts of modern statehood and citizenship. In a similar vein, it has been argued that internal freedom of movement in the European Union requires strict immigration control at its external borders. This article sheds light on the relationship between internal de-bordering and external re-bordering, making two main contributions. First, we theorise the idea of an integration-demarcation conditionality based on the European Union's symbolic legitimacy and functional needs. Second, we test the common belief that public support for free movement within Europe depends on a restrictive border regime for non-European immigration. For this purpose, we assess how the external shock of the 2015 refugee crisis shaped the bordering preferences of European citizens. We find that the crisis primarily increased citizens’ support for external re-bordering, and did not substantially undermine their support for internal free movement. Thus, the large-scale arrival of refugees has not led to a general backlash against open borders and immigration but has, rather, increased public support for the European model of combining internal freedoms with external controls.
Performance Analysis of Reversible Binding Receptor Based Decode-and-Forward Relay in Molecular Communication Systems
Creators: name: Yuan, Shuo
name: Wang, Jiaxing
name: Peng, Mugen
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Information Theory (cs.IT)
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences

description: Molecular communication (MC) allows nanomachines to communicate and cooperate with each other in a fluid environment. The diffusion-based MC is popular but is easily constrained by the transmit distance due to the severe attenuation of molecule concentrations. In this letter, we present a decode-and-forward (DF) relay strategy for the reversible binding receptor in the diffusion-based MC system. The time-varying spatial distribution of the information molecules based on the reversible association and dissociation between ligand and receptor at the surface of receiver is characterized. An analytical expression for the evaluation of expected error probability is derived, and the key factors impacting on the performance are exploited. Results show that with a constant molecular budget, the proposal can improve the performance significantly, and the performance gain can be enhanced by optimizing the position of the relay node and the number of molecules assigned to the source node.
description: 4 pages, 3 figures
Institutional determinants of credit utilization in the savings and credit cooperatives in Soroti district, Uganda
Creators: name: Deborah, Alio
name: John, James Okiror
name: Jacob, Godfrey Agea
name: Frank, Biryabaho Matsiko
name: William, Ekere
name: Deborah, Alio
name: John, James Okiror
name: Jacob, Godfrey Agea
name: Frank, Biryabaho Matsiko
name: William, Ekere
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Financial Economics
subject: Credit management
subject: credit terms
subject: credit utilization
subject: incentives
subject: saving and credit cooperatives
subject: Soroti, Uganda

description: Rural credit schemes have been espoused as key avenues for reducing rural poverty. Their success, however, continues to be hampered by institutional inefficiencies and poor allocation of loans. This study examined the institutional factors influencing credit utilization in Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in Soroti district of Uganda. Two hundred fifty seven (257) respondents were randomly selected for study from 13 SACCOs that were purposively selected from the five sub counties which constituted the district. Data were collected in a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Logit regression was used to determine the institutional factors influencing credit use decisions. Results of descriptive analysis showed that major credit terms used by SACCOs included, collateral (74.5%), quarantorship (70%) and savings (51%). Major incentive offered by the SACCO included gifts (67.4%). However, there was inefficient credit management within the SACCOs with only 25.2% of the respondents receiving training on an annually basis and 29.6% of the respondents being monitored on a quarterly basis. SACCO recovered loans from the members through the sale of collateral (63.2%). Results of the regression analysis showed that access to extension services, collateral requirement, monitoring of loan utilization, saving habits, loan contract characteristics and duration of membership in the SACCO influenced credit utilization. Thus, SACCOs can improve access and utilization of rural credit by organizing rural households into groups and providing extension services. The findings further suggest that mandatory monitoring and training of borrowers on loan utilization would enhance SACCO performance.
Additional file 1 of Treatment of pre- and confirmed cervical cancer in HIV-seropositive women from developing countries: a systematic review
Creators: name: Witness Mapanga
name: Singh, Elvira
name: Shingairai A. Feresu
name: Girdler-Brown, Brendan
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: 60506 Virology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Computational Biology

description: Additional file 1. PubMed and OvidSP (MEDLINE and Embase) Search Strategies. This file contains two examples of the search strategies used to search for studies that were included in this literature review. The search strategies are for PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases.
Composting at UBC : an agriculture practice that benefits the whole community
Creators: name: Barclay, Mairin
name: Cockburn, Shannon
name: Hsu, Amy
name: Lee, Chi Wai
name: Reichmuth, Kyla
name: Tam, Gary
name: Young, Mandy
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2014

description: The major problem identified by our group was that even though UBC had an existing composting system, 70% of its waste stream is still made up of compostable materials. The goal of our group was to elaborate on the current composting schemes to improve the sustainability of the UBC food system. The opinion of the group is composting at UBC should be communitybased to be successful. The development of an improved composting scheme on campus takes two sources of organic waste into consideration: waste materials from cooking scraps produced in residences, and the organic waste collected at cafeterias, restaurants, and other food outlets. In order for composting to encourage people to act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner to increase the sustainability of UBC’s food system, it must be convenient. Recommendations are provided to ensure it is practical. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”
Politicization and rebordering in EU enlargement: membership discourses in European parliaments
Creators: name: Marie-Eve Bélanger
name: Schimmelfennig, Frank
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Space Science
subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy
subject: Hematology

description: Enlargement is the most significant debordering policy of the European Union. In an analysis of debates in the European Parliament and a sample of member state national parliaments, this article examines whether EU enlargement discourse has been characterized by a politicized rebordering process since the mid-2000s. We find that enlargement discourse has become more ‘rebordered’ in the course of the 2010s. Moreover, enlargement has lost salience and become more contested. In a regression analysis of enlargement positions and frames, we further show that the enlargement discourse is systematically politicized along cultural partisan lines. Members of culturally conservative and nationalist parties are more opposed to enlargement and use more restrictive frames. Finally, we observe that cultural boundary gaps based on the dominant religion of potential member states reinforce the cultural divide in the discourse.
An Improved Virial Estimate of Solar Active Region Energy
Creators: name: Wheatland, M. S.
name: Metcalf, T. R.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2005
Subjects: subject: Astrophysics (astro-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The MHD virial theorem may be used to estimate the magnetic energy of active regions based on vector magnetic fields measured at the photosphere or chromosphere. However, the virial estimate depends on the measured vector magnetic field being force-free. Departure from force-freeness leads to an unknown systematic error in the virial energy estimate, and an origin dependence of the result. We present a method for estimating the systematic error by assuming that magnetic forces are confined to a thin layer near the photosphere. If vector magnetic field measurements are available at two levels in the low atmosphere (e.g. the photosphere and the chromosphere), the systematic error may be directly calculated using the observed horizontal and vertical field gradients, resulting in an energy estimate which is independent of the choice of origin. If (as is generally the case) measurements are available at only one level, the systematic error may be approximated using the observed horizontal field gradients together with a simple linear force-free model for the vertical field gradients. The resulting `improved' virial energy estimate is independent of the choice of origin, but depends on the choice of the model for the vertical field gradients, i.e. the value of the linear force-free parameter $α$. This procedure is demonstrated for five vector magnetograms, including a chromospheric magnetogram.
description: 17 pages, 1 figure
EU Boundaries in the making: functionalist versus federalist
Creators: name: Lavenex, Sandra
name: Križić, Ivo
name: Veuthey, Alexandre
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 80699 Information Systems not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy

description: Current debates on the future of the European Union tend to privilege statist perspectives according to which geopolitical challenges and internal politicization either spur disintegration, or drive the EU towards more federalist, centralized and externally bounded features. Starting from the EU’s multilevel and polycentric architecture, this article investigates how far such federalist dynamics reach out to task-specific, functionalist EU institutions, such as regulatory agencies. Enjoying a certain degree of autonomy from the EU’s central, politically encompassing institutions, regulatory agencies have established close ties with third country regulators to tackle interdependence. Based on the comparative analysis of six regulatory agencies representing varying patterns of international interdependence, sectoral politicization and regulatory authority, we show that functionalist pressure for international cooperation indeed sustains fluid boundaries. However, EU central institutions such as the Commission and the Parliament have increasingly claimed control over agencies’ external ramifications. The result is enduring functionalist de-bordering, but federally controlled.
Algebraic multigrid block preconditioning for multi-group radiation diffusion equations
Creators: name: Yue, Xiaoqiang
name: Zhang, Shulei
name: Xu, Xiaowen
name: Shu, Shi
name: Shi, Weidong
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Numerical Analysis (math.NA)
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: The paper focuses on developing and studying efficient block preconditioners based on classical algebraic multigrid for the large-scale sparse linear systems arising from the fully coupled and implicitly cell-centered finite volume discretization of multi-group radiation diffusion equations, whose coefficient matrices can be rearranged into the $(G+2)\times(G+2)$ block form, where $G$ is the number of energy groups. The preconditioning techniques are based on the monolithic classical algebraic multigrid method, physical-variable based coarsening two-level algorithm and two types of block Schur complement preconditioners. The classical algebraic multigrid is applied to solve the subsystems that arise in the last three block preconditioners. The coupling strength and diagonal dominance are further explored to improve performance. We use representative one-group and twenty-group linear systems from capsule implosion simulations to test the robustness, efficiency, strong and weak parallel scaling properties of the proposed methods. Numerical results demonstrate that block preconditioners lead to mesh- and problem-independent convergence, and scale well both algorithmically and in parallel.
Access to and use of video-mediated agricultural information: lessons from the case of Sasakawa global 2000 rice videos in Uganda
Creators: name: Karubanga, Gabriel
name: Kibwika, Paul
name: Sseguya, Haroon
name: Okry, Florent
name: Karubanga, Gabriel
name: Kibwika, Paul
name: Sseguya, Haroon
name: Okry, Florent
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies
subject: Access
subject: Africa
subject: participation
subject: smallholder farmer
subject: Uganda
subject: video-mediated extension

description: Video can be effectively used to provide information to small scale farmers. However, its effectiveness to enhance access to and use of information depends on certain organizational, social, economic and technical factors. This cross-sectional study assessed these organizational, social, economic and technical factors that affect access to and use of agricultural information from the perspective of video participants, using Sasakawa Global 2000 as a case. The study involved conducting six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 purposively selected video participants while 100 video participants were selected by census from the registers of the association for individual interviews. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) mapping was used to establish the video catchment areas. While content analysis was applied for qualitative data, quantitative data were analysed using SPSS 18.0 version. ArcGIS version 10.1 software was used to generate the maps. Findings indicate that majority (98%) of the farmers interviewed regarded farming as their major economic activity. Majority of the video participants (94%) approved the use of video for enhancing access by farmers to useful agricultural information. However, our findings revealed that more men (71%) attended the video shows than their female counterparts (29%), because they were favoured by the timing of the video shows which are often screened late at night. About 53% of the video participants travelled 1.5km to attend the video shows with distant video participants (3%) traveling about 7km. The video participants initially got to know about the video shows through their group leaders while others got to know about them by surprise. Use of more technical language in the video and the costs involved in implementing the acquired information respectively limited comprehension of the messages and utilization of the learnt knowledge. Overall, if the timing, location and awareness creation about video events are not addressed, it means that largely men and nearby farmers will continue to attend and benefit from the video shows. Also, if the issue of technical language is not addressed, use of the learnt knowledge is likely to continue being problematic. Thus, the modalities suggested by the farmers with particular efforts on documenting local farmers in their local languages, intensifying awareness creation through local channels, adjusting the timing of video shows and operating them on a rotational basis are vital if video is to enhance access and use of information by farmers.
A dynamic model of the opioid drug epidemic with implications for policy
Creators: name: Homer, Jack
name: Wakeland, Wayne
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Neuroscience
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Cancer
subject: 111714 Mental Health
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: Background: The U.S. opioid epidemic has caused substantial harm for over 20 years. Policy interventions have had limited impact and sometimes backfired. Experts recommend a systems modeling approach to address the complexities of opioid policymaking. Objectives: Develop a system dynamics simulation model that reflects the complexities and can anticipate intended and unintended intervention effects. Methods: The model was developed from literature review and data gathering. Its outputs, starting in 1990, were compared against 12 historical time series. Four illustrative interventions were simulated for 2020–2030: reducing prescription dosage by 20%, cutting diversion by 30%, increasing addiction treatment from 45% to 65%, and increasing lay naloxone use from 4% to 20%. Sensitivity testing was performed to determine effects of uncertainties. No human subjects were studied. Results: The model fits historical data well with error percentage averaging 9% across 201 data points. Interventions to reduce dosage and diversion reduce the number of persons with opioid use disorder (PWOUD) by 11% and 16%, respectively, but each of these interventions reduces overdoses by only 1%. Boosting treatment reduces overdoses by 3% but increases PWOUD by 1%. Expanding naloxone reduces overdose deaths by 12% but increases PWOUD by 2% and overdoses by 3%. Combining all four interventions reduces PWOUD by 24%, overdoses by 4%, and deaths by 18%. Uncertainties may affect these numerical results, but policy findings are unchanged. Conclusion: No single intervention significantly reduces both PWOUD and overdose deaths, but a combination strategy can do so. Entering the 2020s, only protective measures like naloxone expansion could significantly reduce overdose deaths.
The cosmic abundance of cold gas in the local Universe
Creators: name: Fletcher, Thomas J.
name: Saintonge, Amelie
name: Soares, Paula S.
name: Pontzen, Andrew
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We determine the cosmic abundance of molecular hydrogen (H2) in the local universe from the xCOLD GASS survey. To constrain the H2 mass function at low masses and correct for the effect of the lower stellar mass limit of 10^9 Msun in the xCOLD GASS survey, we use an empirical approach based on an observed scaling relation between star formation rate and gas mass. We also constrain the HI and HI+H2 mass functions using the xGASS survey, and compare it to the HI mass function from the ALFALFA survey. We find the cosmic abundance of molecular gas in the local Universe to be Omega_H2=(5.34+/-0.47)x10^-5 h^-1. Molecular gas accounts for 19.6 +/- 3.9% of the total abundance of cold gas, Omega_HI+H2=(4.66+/-0.70)x10^-4 h^-1. Galaxies with stellar masses in excess of 10^9 Msun account for 89% of the molecular gas in the local Universe, while in comparison such galaxies only contain 73% of the cold atomic gas as traced by the HI 21cm line. The xCOLD GASS CO, molecular gas and cold gas mass functions and Omega_H2 measurements provide constraints for models of galaxy evolution and help to anchor blind ALMA and NOEMA surveys attempting to determine the abundance of molecular gas at high redshifts.
description: 8 pages, 6 figures, submitted to MNRAS
Competing Orders and Disorder-induced Insulator to Metal Transition in Manganites
Creators: name: Motome, Yukitoshi
name: Furukawa, Nobuo
name: Nagaosa, Naoto
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2003
Subjects: subject: Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Effects of disorder on the two competing phases, i.e., the ferromagnetic metal and the commensurate charge/lattice ordered insulator, are studied by Monte Carlo simulation. The disorder suppresses the charge/lattice ordering more strongly than the ferromagnetic order, driving the commensurate insulator to the ferromagnetic metal near the phase boundary in the pure case. Above the ferromagnetic transition temperature, on the contrary, the disorder makes the system more insulating, which might cause an enhanced colossal magnetoresistance as observed in the half-doped or Cr-substituted manganites. No indication of the percolation or the cluster formation is found, and there remain the charge/lattice fluctuations instead which are enhanced toward the transition temperature.
description: 5 pages including 4 figures
The rare decay KL -> pi0 mu+ mu- within the SM
Creators: name: Isidori, Gino
name: Smith, Christopher
name: Unterdorfer, Rene
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present an updated analysis of the rare decay $K_{L}\toπ^{0}μ^{+}μ^{-}$ within the Standard Model. In particular, we present the first complete calculation of the two-photon CP-conserving amplitude within Chiral Perturbation Theory, at the lowest non-trivial order. Our results confirm previous findings that the CP-conserving contribution to the decay rate cannot be neglected. By means of an explicit two-loop calculation, we show that this contribution can be estimated with sufficient accuracy compared to the CP-violating terms. We predict $\cB(K_L\toπ^0μ^+μ^-)_{\rm SM}=(1.5\pm0.3)\times10^{-11}$, with approximately equal contributions from the CP-conserving component, the indirect-CP-violating term, and the interesting direct-CP-violating amplitude. The error of this prediction is mainly of parametric nature and could be substantially reduced with better data on the $K_{S}\toπ^{0}\ell^{+}\ell^{-}$ modes. The Standard Model predictions for various differential distributions and the sensitivity to possible new-physics effects are also briefly discussed.
description: 20 pages, 8 figures
A compelling case for seed enterprises as a tool for rural development in the smallholder farming sector
Creators: name: Nelson, Munyaka
name: Upenyu, Mazarura
name: Brighton, Mvumi
name: Nelson, Munyaka
name: Upenyu, Mazarura
name: Brighton, Mvumi
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Community/Rural/Urban Development
subject: community seed enterprise
subject: certified seed
subject: cowpeas
subject: smallholder seed production
subject: sugar
subject: beans
subject: Zimbabwe

description: This study analysed the community seed business developed by the Seeds and Markets Project (SAMP) managed by GRM International. The community seed business developed was named Zaka Super Seeds and was later named Zimbabwe Super Seeds as it grew to serve areas beyond a single district. Our analysis showed the immense potential for a profitable community seed enterprise managed commercially. The amount of seed produced and processed by the enterprise rose from 26Mt to 151Mt in three cropping seasons. The enterprise supplied seed that commercial companies shunned, like cowpeas, sugar beans, and small grains. Local seed production offered farmers more income compared to growing commodity crops, for example maize seed sold for US$305 more per tonne than grain. Local seed supply was improved by the development of the community seed business. The multi-stakeholder approach used by SAMP made the business more sustainable. The community seed business, which now has agro dealers across the whole country, provides insight for future development programmes related to the seed industry.
Additional file 1 of A new set of cluster driven composite development indicators
Creators: name: Anshul Verma
name: Angelini, Orazio
name: Matteo, Tiziana Di
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Cell Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Physiology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: 80699 Information Systems not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Science Policy

description: This file contains all details of calculations which have been referenced in the text as Supplementary Information (PDF 611 kB)
Determinants of household food security in a rangeland area of Uganda
Creators: name: Betty, Mbolanyi
name: Anthony, Egeru
name: David, Mfitumukiza
name: Betty, Mbolanyi
name: Anthony, Egeru
name: David, Mfitumukiza
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Food Security and Poverty
subject: Cattle corridor
subject: food stocks
subject: livestock ownership
subject: pastoralism
subject: Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
subject: Uganda

description: Pastoralists and agro-pastoralists operating in the rangelands of Uganda remain food insecure. This study determined the status of household food security in Nakaseke district, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in February 2016 among 180 randomly selected households. Two measures of food security; a Self-Reported Food Security Status Index (RFSI) and a multi-dimensional index generated through the Principal Component Analysis (PCAI) were used. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions were performed to identify important determinants. Results showed that 46.8% of the households were food insecure. The perceived peak period for food shortage was between July and August. Most households (95.1%) met their food needs through off-farm sources. Age of household head, educational level of household head, off-farm/ non-farm income, cross-breeding and livestock ownership positively influenced household food security (p≤0.05). The sex of household head, household size (AE) and absence of credit negatively influenced household food security (p≤0.05). It is proposed that a suit of actions including income diversification through participation in offfarm activities, increasing access to education, encouraging crop-livestock integration and improving livestock productivity be used to improve household food security in this rangeland area of Uganda.
Additional file 1 of Qualitative study of socio-cultural challenges in the nursing profession in Pakistan
Creators: name: Sidra Abbas
name: Rubeena Zakar
name: Fischer, Florian
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Science Policy

description: Additional file 1. Interview guide.
Assessment of profitability and efficiency of cassava production among government and non-government assisted farmers association in Osun State, Nigeria
Creators: name: Ayodeji, Ogunleye
name: Remi, Adeyemo
name: Adebayo, Simeon Bamire
name: Ayodeji, Damilola Kehinde
name: Ayodeji, Ogunleye
name: Remi, Adeyemo
name: Adebayo, Simeon Bamire
name: Ayodeji, Damilola Kehinde
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Production Economics
subject: Cassava production
subject: Government-Assisted Farmers’ Associations
subject: smallholder farmers
subject: Osun State

description: This study compared profitability and efficiency of cassava production among government and nongovernment assisted farmers association in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a multistage sampling procedure and analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier and budgetary analyses. The results showed that members of government-assisted farmers’ associations had better access (100%) to credit (e.g. production credit) compared to their counterparts (35.8%) who were not members of government-assisted farmers’ associations. Average yield (2,370.15 kg/ha) and farm revenue (₦514, 600.00) were higher among cassava farmers that were members of government-assisted farmers’ associations and significantly different from those that were non-members. Results further revealed that members of government-assisted farmers’ association were more efficient (72.4%) than farmers that were non-members in the associations in the study area. Socioeconomic factors such as age of the farmers, access to extension service and membership in government-assisted farmers’ associations were the major factors determining farm level efficiency among the cassava farmers. On average, the profitability ratio (Return on Investment-ROI) for members of government-assisted farmers’ association was ₦2.32 per naira invested and ₦1.16 per naira invested for farmers who were not members. The study concluded that cassava farmers that belonged to government-assisted association were more efficient and were making more profit than their counterparts who did not belong to government-assisted associations. Therefore, it is recommended that government should take steps to ensure that these advantages are extended to all farmers in order to significantly increase cassava production, agricultural GDP, food security and equity.
Analysis of risk attitudes and social capital in pineapple marketing: The case of small-scale farmers in Luwero district, Uganda
Creators: name: Arinaitwe, Shammah
name: Patience, Mshenga
name: Oscar, Ingasia Ayuya
name: Arinaitwe, Shammah
name: Patience, Mshenga
name: Oscar, Ingasia Ayuya
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Productivity Analysis
subject: Market outlets
subject: multinomial Logit
subject: pineapples
subject: risk attitude
subject: social capital
subject: Uganda

description: Development partners are promoting and encouraging small-scale farmers to venture into horticultural farming as a development tool to enhance their livelihoods. While previous empirical studies provide an indication of how small-scale farmers’ choose to participate in markets, the role of farmer risk attitudes and social capital in the choice of low or high value market outlets has hardly been analyzed. This study therefore examined the producers’ risk attitudes and social capital dimensions that may explain the differences in the choice of market outlets. Data were collected from 272 households in four sub-counties in Luwero district in central Ugnada using multi-stage sampling during the period of March through May 2016. The empirical analysis in this study was based on primary data collected in face to face interviews using semi structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logit regression model. Results indicate that gender, marketing under contract, risk attitudes and trust significantly influenced choice of export market at the one per cent level while education level, farm size, market distance and density of membership influenced it at the five per cent level. Trust, frequency of attending group meetings and density of membership influenced market decision outlet choices and production information flow in market transaction associations which ensure that benefits of social capital are reaped by farmers. Findings showed that choosing high value markets was associated with farmers being risk seekers and having higher trust level for transaction partners. The implication of these findings is that development strategies that target commercialization of small-scale agriculture through high value market access should pay attention to farmers’ risk perceptions and trust. The study therefore recommends that to support farmers become more risk takers and increase trust for transaction partners, there is need to create awareness among farmers about how to guard against market risks and benefits of high value market access. This can be achieved by encouraging farmers reduce agricultural risks by building up self-insurance strategies through participation in off-farm activities. Furthermore, social capital stakeholders should encourage development of trust between farmers and transaction partners. This can be through establishing product price floor and ceiling which would reduce price information asymmetry between farmers and traders.
The populist challenge to European defense
Creators: name: Henke, Marina
name: Maher, Richard
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology

description: This article assesses the consequences and implications of the rise of European populist parties for European defense cooperation. Focusing on six of the most prominent populist parties in Europe today, we examine their positions along three important defense-related issues: recommended national force posture; integrated military forces; and main national security threats. To determine their position on these three issues, we examine every party manifesto and, if available, official party document on security and defense policy since 2010. We argue that the rise of populism in Europe does not represent an inflection point for the future of European defense cooperation. Instead, our analysis reveals the following three findings: European defense cooperation will continue to be essentially ad hoc, functionally driven, and issue specific; populist parties’ attitudes and preferences regarding European defense cooperation both overlap with and diverge from those of other populists and non-populists in the EU; and populism over time may contribute to a shift in domestic preferences toward a Europe that more readily embraces military power.
Farmer knowledge, perceptions and management of maize lethal necrosis disease in selected agro-ecological zones of Uganda
Creators: name: Mudde, Barnabus
name: M'mogi, Florence Olubayo
name: Miano, Douglas Watuku
name: Asea, Godfrey
name: Kilalo, Dora C.
name: Adriko, John
name: Kiggundu, Andrew
name: Mudde, Barnabus
name: M'mogi, Florence Olubayo
name: Miano, Douglas Watuku
name: Asea, Godfrey
name: Kilalo, Dora C.
name: Adriko, John
name: Kiggundu, Andrew
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Crop Production/Industries
subject: Farmers’ knowledge
subject: maize lethal necrosis
subject: Uganda

description: A new disease on the African continent called maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) that has been reported to cause up to 100% losses in neighbouring Kenya, has since spread to Uganda. Production of maize in Uganda is now under threat from this devastating virus disease. Understanding farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management practices is a prerequisite to establishing an effective disease nmanagement approach to halt its spread in Uganda. A survey of 396 farmers from 14 major maize growing districts in five agro-ecological zones of Uganda was conducted in 2015 aimed at assessing farmers’ current knowledge of maize lethal necrosis disease and practices for its management. Most farmers (58.1%) had not heard or observed MLN in their fields. The study reveals that 56.6% of the farmers interviewed first experienced MLN in the year 2014. There was uncertainty of the cause of MLN symptoms among 56.6% of the farmers. Most farmers observed MLN symptoms at one month after planting. Only 21.7% correctly identified MLN symptoms observed. The main MLN symptom observed by most farmers (60.6%) was chlorotic mottle on leaves. Up to 55.3% of farmers attempted to control MLN with the majority (77.4%) managing it through uprooting and burning the diseased plants, which they indicated was effective in managing MLN. These results suggest that MLN control could be achieved by enhancing farmers’ knowledge and considering successful farmer MLN management practices when developing and promoting management practices for this disease.
Structural interventions in public health
Creators: name: Blankenship, Kim
name: Bray, Sarah J.
name: Merson, Michael H.
Publisher: name: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 42
subject: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
classificationCode: 44
subject: Human society

description: Description to be added
Efficiency for Shoot Multiplication of Srivijaya New Hybrid Pineapple Variety Using Three Tissue Culture Systems
Creators: name: Suneerat Sripaoraya
Publisher: name: Thammasat University
Year: 2023
Subjects: Srivijaya
pineapple
Ananas comosus
bioreactor
BA
liquid shake culture
solid culture

description: Thai Journal of Science and Technology, 11, 4, 63-76
Spin transport and dynamic properties of two-dimensional spin-momentum locked states
Creators: name: Tang, Ping
name: Han, Xiufeng
name: Zhang, Shufeng
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Materials with spin-momentum locked surface or interface states provide an interesting playground for studying physics and application of charge-spin current conversion. To characterize their non-equilibrium magnetic and transport properties in the presence of a time-dependent external magnetic field and a spin injection from a contact, we introduce three macroscopic variables: a vectorial helical magnetization, a scaler helical magnetization, and the conventional magnetization. We derive a set of closed dynamic equations for these variables by using the spinor Boltzmann approach with the collision terms consistent with the symmetry of spin-momentum locked states. By solving the dynamic equations, we predict several intriguing magnetic and transport phenomena which are experimentally accessible, including magnetic resonant response to an AC applied magnetic field, charge-spin conversion, and spin current induced by the dynamics of helical magnetization.
Effect of toasting on phytic acid, protein and pH in a plant-based diet and its ingesta in fed catfish
Creators: name: Chloe, Kemigabo
name: Jeremiah, Kang’ombe
name: Wilson, Wesley Lazaro
name: Daniel, Sikawa
name: Tefula-Moses, Dhikusooka
name: Charles, Masembe
name: Chloe, Kemigabo
name: Jeremiah, Kang’ombe
name: Wilson, Wesley Lazaro
name: Daniel, Sikawa
name: Tefula-Moses, Dhikusooka
name: Charles, Masembe
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Livestock Production/Industries
subject: catfish
subject: pH
subject: Phytic acid
subject: plant diets
subject: protein
subject: toasting

description: Feed accounts for up to 70% of production costs in aquaculture, hence reducing this cost is needed for rural development. Plant ingredients commonly used in feed contain phytic acid that forms indigestible complexes with nutrients thus reducing their use for fish growth. Toasting feed material is widely practiced to reduce antinutrients but its effect on phytic acid remains unclear. In the study, phytic acid, crude protein (CP) and pH in plant-based diets from untoasted and toasted ingredients and their ingesta along the gut were analysed using complex-metric titration, Kjeldahl method and micro pH meter, respectively. Phytic acid in the diet from untoasted and toasted ingredients differed (p ≤ 0.002) while CP and pH did not (p ≥0.06 and p ≤ 0.40, respectively). The content of phytic acid in the diet doubled along the gut, CP halved and pH was 5.30 - 7.78. Diet from untoasted ingredients was not eaten thus no ingesta was analysed. Results showed that toasting plant ingredients had no effect on phytic, CP and pH implying that replacing animal protein with plant protein depends on proper pre-treatment of phytic acid.
UBC Food System Project : AMS Food and Beverage Service
Creators: name: Chan, Vivian
name: Gomez, Francis
name: Lam, Julie
name: Racic, Helen
name: Sy, Hong
name: Treloar, Jonathan
name: Woolley, Suzanne
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2014

description: Our analysis of the AMS Food Services is based on a systems approach using a community-based, weak anthropocentric ethical perspective. From personal interviews and research articles, our group concluded that the AMS Food Services has done a fair job in meeting certain criteria of sustainability. AMS has shown increased profits over the past four years and has made efforts to support the local economy. For social sustainability, we focused on food security and profit distribution issues. Composing, waste management and purchasing practices contribute to ecological sustainability. Overall, our group recommends that the AMS Food Services has to increase support and awareness from the university community to help create a sustainable UBC food system. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”
The Risk Behavior of a Pre-Test Estimator in a Linear Regression Model with Possible Heteroscedasticity Under the Linex Loss Function
Creators: name: Ohtani, Kazuhiro
name: Giles, David E. A.
name: Giles, Judith A.
name: Ohtani, Kazuhiro
name: Giles, David E. A.
name: Giles, Judith A.
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 1993
Subjects: Research Methods/ Statistical Methods
Risk and Uncertainty

description: In this paper, using the asymmetric LINEX loss function, we examine the risk performance of the ordinary least squares estimator (OLSE), two-stage Aitken estimator (2SAE) and pre-test estimator (PTE) after a pre-test for homoscedasticity in a linear regression model with possible heteroscedasticity. It is shown that the 2SAE is dominated by the PTE with the critical value of unity not only under the quadratic loss function but also under the asymmetric LINEX loss function.
Structural stigma, sex work and HIV : contradictions and lessons learnt from a community-led structural intervention in southern India
Creators: name: Biradavolu, Monica Rao
name: Blankenship, Kim
name: Jena, Asima
name: Dhungana, Nimesh
Publisher: name: American University
Year: 2023

description: Background Recent theorisation has pushed stigma research in new directions, arguing for a need to challenge the unequal power relations that impact groups most at risk for HIV-related stigma rather than locate stigma in the individual. Such a conceptualisation resonates with the growing emphasis on structural interventions for HIV prevention that attempt to alter the social context of risk. Methods The paper predominantly relies on longitudinal interviews conducted three times over a 2-year period with sex workers with varying degrees of involvement with the non-governmental organisation (NGO) and community-based organisation. Results Recognising that stigma is socially constructed and structurally reproduced, the NGO helped mobilise marginalised and hitherto scattered female sex workers to form community-based organisations to challenge their disadvantaged status in society. The authors show how stigma alleviation strategies presented a contradiction: emboldening one group of female sex workers to self-identify as sex workers while making others reluctant to access the intervention-run clinic. Conclusion The paper builds on a growing body of research that acknowledges the struggles in implementing structural interventions, particularly for NGOs working in regions with a diverse population of sex workers with varying needs. The authors argue that intervention goals of reducing stigma and increasing the use of sexually transmitted infection services do not have to conflict and, in fact, must go hand-in-hand for an implementation to be considered a structural intervention.