2,484 research outputs found
Resource Use Efficiency of Cassava farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
This study examined the resource use efficiency of cassava farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data collated from 100 farmers selected using a multi stage random sampling technique were subjected to statistical and economic analyses to unveil the pattern of resource use efficiency in cassava enterprise. Result from the ordinary least square multiple regression informed that 92 percent of the variation in cassava output was explained by farm size, fertilizer use, cuttings and labour inputs, with only farm size and cuttings being significant at five percent level. Data on resource use efficiency reveal that the farmers were operating in the second stage of production as regards the use of land (farm size), cuttings and labour, thus, implying decreasing returns to scale, whereas for fertilizer use, they operated within the third stage of the production process as Marginal Physical Product (MPP) was below zero. Based on these findings, the study recommends policies to raise the level of resource use especially through the provision and maintenance of an efficient input delivery system. Keywords: Cassava Farmers, Resource Use Efficiency, Returns to Scale, Marginal Physical Produc
Lessons from the Congested Clique Applied to MapReduce
The main results of this paper are (I) a simulation algorithm which, under
quite general constraints, transforms algorithms running on the Congested
Clique into algorithms running in the MapReduce model, and (II) a distributed
-coloring algorithm running on the Congested Clique which has an
expected running time of (i) rounds, if ;
and (ii) rounds otherwise. Applying the simulation theorem to
the Congested-Clique -coloring algorithm yields an -round
-coloring algorithm in the MapReduce model.
Our simulation algorithm illustrates a natural correspondence between
per-node bandwidth in the Congested Clique model and memory per machine in the
MapReduce model. In the Congested Clique (and more generally, any network in
the model), the major impediment to constructing fast
algorithms is the restriction on message sizes. Similarly, in the
MapReduce model, the combined restrictions on memory per machine and total
system memory have a dominant effect on algorithm design. In showing a fairly
general simulation algorithm, we highlight the similarities and differences
between these models.Comment: 15 page
Constructing Robust Channel Structures by Packing Metallacalixarenes: Reversible Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Dehydration
The self-assembly process involving the dianion of trimesic acid (Htrim2â) and {Cu(tmen)}2+ templating cations (tmen = N,N,NâČ,NâČ-tetramethylethylenediamine) affords a new metallacalixarene, [Cu4(tmen)4(Htrim)4]·nH2O. The packing of the cyclic molecules in the crystal generates channels that are filled by water molecules. The dehydrationârehydration process of the crystals was found to be reversible
Lactate signalling regulates fungal ÎČ-glucan masking and immune evasion
AJPB: This work was supported by the European Research Council (STRIFE, ERC- 2009-AdG-249793), The UK Medical Research Council (MR/M026663/1), the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BB/K017365/1), the Wellcome Trust (080088; 097377). ERB: This work was supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BB/M014525/1). GMA: Supported by the CNPq-Brazil (Science without Borders fellowship 202976/2014-9). GDB: Wellcome Trust (102705). CAM: This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council (G0400284). DMM: This work was supported by UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC/K000306/1). NARG/JW: Wellcome Trust (086827, 075470,101873) and Wellcome Trust Strategic Award in Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology (097377). ALL: This work was supported by the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology and the University of Aberdeen (MR/N006364/1).Peer reviewedPostprin
Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI)in Sustainable Building Lifecycle; ASystematic Literature Review
With buildings accounting for a significant portion of global energy consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for enhancing
sustainability in the building lifecycle. This systematic literature review addresses the current
understanding of AIâs potential to optimize energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact
in building design, construction, and operation. A comprehensive literature review and synthesis
were conducted to identify AI technologies applicable to sustainable building practices, examine
their influence, and analyze the challenges of implementation. The review was guided by a
meticulous search strategy utilizing keywords related to AI application in sustainable building
design, construction, and operation. The findings reveal AIâs capabilities in optimizing energy
efficiency through intelligent control systems, enabling predictive maintenance, and aiding design
simulation. Advanced machine learning algorithms facilitate dataâdriven analysis and prediction,
while digital twins provide realâtime insights for informed decisionâmaking. Furthermore, the
review identifies barriers to AI adoption, including cost concerns, data security risks, and challenges
in implementation. AI presents a transformative opportunity to enhance sustainability in the built
environment, offering innovative solutions for energy optimization and environmentally conscious
practices. However, addressing technical and practical challenges will be crucial for the successful
integration of AI in sustainable building practices
Experimental Assessment of Two Non-Contrast MRI Sequences Used for Computational Fluid Dynamics:Investigation of Consistency Between Techniques
The Rewiring of Ubiquitination Targets in a Pathogenic Yeast Promotes Metabolic Flexibility, Host Colonization and Virulence
Funding: This work was funded by the European Research Council [http://erc.europa.eu/], AJPB (STRIFE Advanced Grant; C-2009-AdG-249793). The work was also supported by: the Wellcome Trust [www.wellcome.ac.uk], AJPB (080088, 097377); the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council [www.bbsrc.ac.uk], AJPB (BB/F00513X/1, BB/K017365/1); the CNPq-Brazil [http://cnpq.br], GMA (Science without Borders fellowship 202976/2014-9); and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research [www.nc3rs.org.uk], DMM (NC/K000306/1). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Acknowledgments We thank Dr. Elizabeth Johnson (Mycology Reference Laboratory, Bristol) for providing strains, and the Aberdeen Proteomics facility for the biotyping of S. cerevisiae clinical isolates, and to Euroscarf for providing S. cerevisiae strains and plasmids. We are grateful to our Microscopy Facility in the Institute of Medical Sciences for their expert help with the electron microscopy, and to our friends in the Aberdeen Fungal Group for insightful discussions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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