bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching Approaches and Motivational Strategies on Malaysian Tertiary Learners’ Speaking Engagement
Authors: Izaddin Radin Mardhiana binti , Ismail Hanita Hanim
Published: January 2025

Today, it still seems quite difficult for Malaysian tertiary learners to speak in English fluently. It has to do with language anxiety, limited exposure, and the fear of being judged. This study looks at teaching approaches and motivational strategies for effectively engaging learners in speaking. It seeks to adopt qualitative research with Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), and blended learning to see how pedagogically targeted approaches and culturally sensitive practices could apply to problems related to attrition from participation. Semi-structured interviews, one with an experienced ESL teacher and the other with a learner in higher education, provide information on how integration of collaborative activities, gamified learning tools, and positive reinforcement can translate into fluency and lessen anxiety. Practical recommendations are made with respect to developing inclusive yet vibrant classrooms emphasizing cultural sensitivity and adaptation strategies in overcoming barricades to English speaking participation.
Unveiling Cultural Threads: An Exploration of Maguindanaon Marriage Practices in the Face of Contemporary Adaptations
Authors: Kirab Fahmiya D. , Cantero Kathleen Kate D. , Kali Sittie-Sarah T. , Macabinta Jeddah G. , Pangansayan Zoraida B.
Published: January 2025

Marriage is a cornerstone institution for the Maguindanaon people, deeply embedded in their historical and cultural fabric. This indigenous Muslim group primarily resides in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and SOCCSKSARGEN Province in the Philippines. The study examines the historical and cultural roots of traditional Maguindanaon marriage practices and explores the factors driving their adaptations amidst contemporary societal changes. Utilizing a Transcendental Phenomenological Design, the research involved ten Maguindanaon professionals, aged 25 to 40, to capture their lived experiences with these practices. Findings emphasize the syncretism of indigenous and Islamic traditions, where practices like pangëngërung and salangguni blend with Islamic marriage contracts. These ceremonies reinforce community bonds and cultural identity. However, tensions arise in reconciling traditional customs with Islamic teachings, especially regarding dowry expectations and ceremonial simplicity. Despite Islamic influences, pre-Islamic customs persist, showcasing the community’s resilience in preserving their heritage. The study also features the socio-economic dimensions of Maguindanaon marriages, where negotiations and the involvement of community leaders play significant roles in maintaining social and economic stability. Contemporary adaptations, influenced by globalization, urbanization, and technological advancements, reflect the dynamic interaction between tradition and modernity. These include incorporating Qur’an recitations and modest bridal attire into ceremonies. This research enriches our understanding of how the Maguindanaon community handles cultural continuity and change, balancing traditional values with evolving societal norms.
Prevailing Knowledge on Aquaculture of Abalone in Southeast Asia: A Review
Authors: Mamat Nur-Syahirah , Esa Yuzine , Manan Hidayah , W. S. Wong Nur Leena , D. Sigwart Julia , Siti-Azizah Mohd Nor  , Khor Waiho , Arshad Aziz
Published: January 2025

Abalone is a marine gastropod mollusc with significant economic importance in global fisheries and aquaculture. Currently, the abalone culture is actively engaged in Southeast Asia and has gained significant popularity among aquaculturists and aquafarmers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Abalone also has emerged as a highly profitable source of income for fish farmers in Asian countries. The exquisite taste of abalone has made it a sought-after delicacy, particularly in Chinese cuisine. However, scanty documentation of this marine gastropod has been reported on the development of aquaculture production in Southeast Asia. Therefore, to help bridge the gap, this review emphasised the information and collated ideas on the industrial culture of abalone in Southeast Asia. In this review paper, all issues on abalone culture will be summarised and highlighted, especially on the aquaculture industries of abalone, challenges and constraints in developing the aquaculture of Haliotis spp., and biological features of the abalone. This review paper could be a valuable reference for abalone aquaculture practices in Southeast Asia, with the aim of boosting production and conservation efforts of these marine gastropod molluscs, thereby benefiting abalone aqua farmers in Southeast Asian countries.
Floristic Composition and Diversity of Plants Across Three Vegetation Zones of Gashaka Gumti National Park, Northeastern Nigeria
Authors: Hammanjoda Salihu Abba , Nulit Rosimah , Chee Kong Yap , Nformi Umaru Buba , Nodza George , Saba Abdulwakil Olawale , Besi Edward Entalai , Rusea Go
Published: January 2025

Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) is Nigeria’s biggest national park, with an elevation range of 300 m to its highest peak at 2400 m. Although GGNP has a wide range of plant species, particularly woody ones, there is limited information regarding its floristic composition along the vegetation zones. This study examined the floristic composition and species diversity of GGNP by systematically sampling plant species using quadrats of 25 m × 25 m and a point-centered quadrat (PCQ). A total of 228 plant species belonging to 114 genera and 49 families were recorded across the three major vegetation zones. Fabaceae was the most species-rich family (34 species), representing 14.9% of the species, followed by Malvaceae (18 species), representing 7.9%. Other important species include Moraceae and Rubiaceae, 15 species each, representing 6.6% of the species, respectively, while Combretaceae (10 species) represents 4.4% of the species recorded. The Lowland Tropical Rain Forest (LTRF) recorded 137 species in 42 families, and Montane Highland (MH) recorded 146 species in 43 families. In comparison, the Savannah Woodland (SW) recorded 68 species in 28 families. Twenty-five species, which account for 11% of the total, are threatened. Among them, 10 species are Vulnerable, six are Endangered, five are Critically Endangered, and four are Near Threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status. Across all plots, average Shannon-Weiner’s species diversity indices of 2.40, 2.40, and 2.25 were recorded for MH, LTRF, and SW, respectively. According to Sorensen’s similarity coefficient, LTRF and SW (33.42%) habitats recorded the highest species similarity, while MH, as against SW habitats, recorded the lowest (18.92%). The importance value indicated that the SW had the most important species based on the importance value (0.581) compared to other vegetation zones. The overall evenness values for LTRF, SW, and MH are 0.77, 0.78, and 0.77, respectively. This study offers significant insights into the flora variety and conservation situation of Gashaka Gumti National Park. It emphasizes the need for more research and conservation initiatives to save its distinct habitats and endangered species.
In silico Study of Neoagaro-Oligosaccharides (NAOS) Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Molecular Docking with iNOS and COX-2 Proteins
Authors: Puspitasari Pinki Anggrahini , Pratitis Visi Endah , Wibowo Syahputra , Wijayanti Nastiti , Sofyantoro Fajar
Published: January 2025

Neoagaro-Oligosaccharides (NAOS) arise from the enzymatic hydrolysis of agarose employing β-agarases enzymes. Comprising diverse monomers such as neoagarobiose (NA2), neoagarotetraose (NA4), neoagarohexaose (NA6), and neoagarooctaose (NA8), NAOS are characterised by their Degree of Polymerization (DP). Extensive investigations have delineated the potential of various NAOS monomers, particularly anti-inflammatory agents, owing to their capability to impede iNOS and COX-2, pivotal mediators of inflammation. Nevertheless, the molecular interplay between NAOS and inflammatory mediators remains unexplored. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the interaction dynamics between NAOS with iNOS and COX-2. Employing ligands neoagarobiose (ID: 275080182), neoagarotetraose (ID: 130476782), neoagarohexaose (ID: 131485243), and neoagarooctaose (ID: 54758640) in conjunction with target proteins iNOS (3E7G) and COX-2 (5F19), analyses were conducted utilising ProTox-II and SwissADME. Protein preparation was carried out using Discovery Studio, while ligand preparation entailed PyRx, with docking facilitated by CBDock2.0. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) evaluations revealed that neoagarobiose, neoagarotetraose, neoagarohexaose, and neoagarooctaose did not adhere to Lipinski’s Rule of Five. Docking simulations exhibited the capacity of all ligands to engage with the binding site of iNOS, forming diverse bond types. Notably, neoagarobiose, neoagarotetraose, and neoagarohexaose demonstrated enhanced affinity towards COX-2, whereas neoagarooctaose exhibited heightened binding affinity towards iNOS.
An Overview of Pluralism in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services
Authors: Saha Parnika , Prusty Ajay Kumar , Nanda Chinmaya
Published: January 2025

The agricultural sector in India has experienced significant changes over the years, creating new challenges amidst rapid population growth. To meet the increasing demand for food, enhancing agricultural production through diverse strategies is essential, with pluralistic approaches to Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) playing a critical role. EAS provides technical, organizational, business, and management support to farmers and vulnerable communities, helping to improve their socio-economic status. Pluralism within extension services involves multiple service providers from government, private, and civil society sectors working together to offer a variety of services by pooling resources, technology, and expertise. Public sector extension providers alone cannot meet the diverse needs of rural populations due to financial and operational limitations. The rise of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and private service providers has positively influenced the advisory sector by expanding the reach and quality of services. This study aims to explore the impact of pluralism on agricultural extension outcomes and provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the role of various stakeholders in delivering critical advisory services for sustainable agricultural development.
Technological Innovations in Healthcare to Address the Challenges Posed by Lifestyle Diseases - in the Context of Nutritive Habits
Authors: Ray Soumi , Bhattacharyya Sukanti , Sahoo Pabitra
Published: January 2025

The study endeavored to examine the dietary habits of urban Indians and their impact on lifestyle diseases, recommending digital interventions to mitigate these issues. The research conducted in Kolkata involved 129 participants aged 30-69 using a 72-hour dietary recall survey from May to June 2022. The research findings revealed that most participants (65%) belonged to the 30 to 40 age group. Among the studied cohort, it was projected that 36% of individuals had non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The clinical manifestation of NCDs showed that 13% had elevated blood pressure, 14% had hypertension stage I, and 2% had hypertension stage II. Regarding body mass index, 52% were categorized as normal, 35% were overweight, and 11% were obese. The Global Status Report on NCDs and the United Nations Report emphasized the need for NCD surveillance, healthcare intensification, population-based prevention, and enhanced response capacities. Among the individuals with NCDs, approximately one-third were obese, and close to one-third were overweight. Among individuals interested in mobile health (mhealth) technology, 37.2% existed or desired to adopt the technology. Another 3.8% had vague awareness but were enthusiastic, and 27.9% had no intention. The non-parametric statistical test was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The results suggested a statistically significant association between an individual's physical activity level, calorie consumption, average hours spent on social communications and NCDs. However, no significant link was found between sleeping patterns and NCDs. Technology offers the potential for better healthcare through competence, proficiency, accessibility, and personalization, reducing mortality and morbidity.
Purchase intentions of consumers on the meat market
Authors: Predanócyová Kristína , Pindešová Diana , Kubicová Ľubica
Published: January 2025

Meat is a traditional and important part of the consumer's diet and its adequate consumption primarily brings nutritional and health benefits. The aim of the paper is to explore consumer behaviour in making meat purchasing decisions with an emphasis on poultry, pork, beef and fish, as well as to examine the differences in purchase intentions between these types of meat. For achievement the aim of the paper a questionnaire survey was conducted in the Slovak Republic on a sample of 730 respondents buying all four types of meat. Using various statistical methods, differences in purchasing behaviour between individual types of meat were examined. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the most frequently purchased type of meat is poultry, followed by pork, fish and beef. Furthermore, we identified that purchase of individual types of meat is influenced by demographic characteristics (gender, residence, education, number of members in the household). The results further indicated that the highest monthly expenses are spent on the purchase of poultry and pork, because the prices are perceived as acceptable. Approximately 50 % consumers spend up to 10 euros per month on the purchase of beef and fish due to higher prices. The results also showed that more than 50% consumers do not react to price changes in the case of pork and poultry meat. In general, it can be stated that meat and meat products of all types are mostly purchased in supermarkets and hypermarkets and in local groceries, while the place of purchase is chosen based on the product quality, the assortment and the distance from the place of residence. Slovak consumers are relatively satisfied with the range of meat products, but differences have been identified and consumers would welcome a wider range of fish and beef. Results showed that the purchase of all types of meat and meat products is primarily determined by the quality, freshness and percentage of meat. The consumer study brings a new perspective on consumer behaviour in making purchasing decisions for meat with an emphasis on the differences in purchasing intentions between individual types of meat. Study dealing with this issue is currently absent in Slovakia and thus can fill a scientific research gap. In addition, the results of the study provide valuable information not only for scientific purposes, but also for food companies in the creation of marketing strategies and policy makers.
Public-private Partnerships in Croatia
Authors: Mašović Jasmina , Draganić Luka , Bubaš Zoran
Published: January 2025

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are versatile business models aimed at creating and offering public goods and services by combining the advantages of public and private sectors. Altough they are widely accepted and used globally, public-private partnerships vary greatly in their structures, mutual risk distribution and sector applications. In Croatia, the PPPs have been insufficiently investigated and implemented, even though there have been significant project investments in the education, sports and transport sectors. This article presents a systematic literature review with the aim of filling the knowledge gap by analyzing all of the literature published so far on PPP projects in Croatia. By using the PRISMA methodology, it analyzes and identifies the dominant topics, sectors and methodological approaches in this literature, while at the same time giving indicating gaps and opportunities for the advancement of research and practice of PPPs in Croatia.
Gender and Age as factors of Croatian Online Consumers
Authors: Petrovska Ilijana , Boshkovska Nadica Jovanovska , Mileva Ivona , Matijević Mislav
Published: January 2025

The aim of this paper is to investigate the purchasing behavior of Croatian consumers via the Internet. Digital commerce influences consumer behavior and greatly changes its decision-making process, and the last pandemic of Covid-19 additionally accelerated the acceptance of the digital online consumers’ intentions and habits. Companies that have online stores can build relationships with online customers and can treat their customers in the way they want and nurture the seller-buyer relationship as in the case of physical stores. E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing branches of the economy in Croatia, and all indicators suggest that this trend will continue. Therefore, it is of great importance to examine certain aspects of consumer behavior and habits during online shopping in the Republic of Croatia, which will be discussed in more detail in this paper.The paper seeks to investigate the online shopping habits among people with different age. The tasks aim to determine whether women use online shopping more than men and whether people over the age of 35 use online shopping less often compared to the younger population. The tasks are intended to prove whether Croatian customers show greater insecurity towards online shopping with increasing chronological age, for women and men.According to the obtained results, there is a difference in habits of online shopping based on the age of the respondents, and the chronological age is related to education, but also doubts about the safety of online shopping. The results obtained contrast with the results of previous research which found that more literate and technologically aware older people are more motivated to use online stores. Also, in previous research, it was found that women buy more online, which is not confirmed by this research. However, the results suggest that respondents show an equal preference for online shopping concerning gender
Analyzing the Impact of the Electoral Reform of 2008 on the Outcome of the General Election of 2011
Authors: Sulaiman Shuaibu , Musa Abuhuraira
Published: January 2025

The study examined the impact of the electoral reform
of 2008 on the general election of 2011, with the main
objective to access the effect of the reform on the 2011
general election. The study is anchored on structural
functionalism or the structural functionalist theory
propounded by Varma (1975). The study adopted
documentary design as a methodology for the study, is
concerned with the analysis of documents that contain
i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t a g i v e n p h e n o m e n o n u n d e r
investigation. The data used in this study is the number of
election petition filled at the tribunals for 2007 and 2011, to
analyze the data percentages and bar chart was used. The
study found that, the 2008 electoral reform didn't decrease
the irregularities in the electoral system as shown in the
increased in the number of litigations before the tribunal.
The study concluded that, the implementation of the 2008
electoral reform has no positive effect on the outcome of the
2011 general election. The study recommended amongst
others that, electoral reforms that are electorates incline
should be thoughtful, such reform that can educate the
electorate and rehabilitates our political ideology from the
old ways of manipulations and illegalities through political
sanitization and acceptable awareness.
Driving Business Growth: Exploring the Impact of Entrepreneurial Research and Development of SMEs in Selected States in Nigeria
Authors: Odebode Oluwatoyin , Oladayo-Ibrahim Ifeoluwa , W. Bikomo
Published: January 2025

Entrepreneurial research and development (R & D)
occur when an enterprise develops and improves
products, services, and processes in business. It is an
important tool that entrepreneurs can use to grow and
improve their businesses, making them continue to be
economic development engines and catalysts. However,
R&D will be more impactful and profitable, if considerable
market research is conducted to identify the needs and
desires of customers. Research efforts would therefore be
channeled into improving existing products/the
development of new ones and services to meet such
identified needs. This study is conducted to determine the
extent of SMEs' awareness of R & D, the frequency of conduct,
and its influence on business growth. Survey is the research
design for the study. Two research questions and three
hypotheses were generated to guide the study. The sample
for the study is 103 entrepreneurs located in Lagos and Ogun
State. The questionnaire titled “Exploring the Impact of
Entrepreneurial Research and Development on the Growth
of SMEs” is the instrument used for data collection, which
had a Cronbach Alpha coefficient value of 0.87. Data collected
from the study is analysed using a regression statistical tool
on the SPSS version 20. The result from the survey revealed
that a significant percentage of the respondents are aware of
the concept of research/development and do conduct for
growth and improvement in their businesses. Furthermore,
the hypotheses tested revealed significant values, which
indicates that research and development impact
product/service development, patronage/sales, and
profitability of SMEs. The study concluded that regular
research/development and prompt implementation of
outcomes would go a long way to improve, expand and
sustain the business. It is recommended that entrepreneurs
incorporate regular conduct of research and development of
new products, services, and processes into their activities to
continue to remain one of the channels through which
economic growth and development would be achieved in the
nation.
Measuring the Effects of Pressure on Consumer Impulse Buying Intention in Online Group Buying
Authors: Xu Yin , Dzever Sam , Zhao Guoqin
Published: January 2025

Group buying organizations (GBO) have recently
stepped up their well-established practice of
employing super-low prices combined with
limited product and service supply in a short transaction
time span as a means of exerting pressure on consumers.
The purpose of this research is to 1) identify and define
three types of pressure that are triggered by online group-
buying (OGB) promotions, 2) examine the effects of these
three types of pressure on consumers' impulse buying
behavior, and 3) investigate and produce knowledge about
the mediating role of emotion in the relationship between
pressure and impulse buying intention (IBI) of consumers.
By integrating stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model
and consumer impulse buying literature seen from the
perspectives of marketing and enterprise information
systems respectively, this research has identified three
types of pressure (i.e., time pressure, quantity pressure, and
price pressure) that influence the impulse buying behavior
(IBB) of consumers regarding OGB. The research then
examines the mediating role of emotion with reference to
pleasure and arousal level. The results of a large-scale
online survey combined with an analysis of a structural
equation model demonstrate that the above-mentioned
three types of pressure have different effects on IBI of
consumers. Moreover, the research finds that this is
achieved through different mediating mechanisms. Based
on the results of the analysis, the authors have made some
suggestions that marketers can utilize in developing
effective OGB strategies. This research also provides the
basis for enterprise information systems (EIS) to develop
technologies that will allow organizations to better serve
the needs of their OGB customers.
Poverty Alleviation Programmes and Economic Development in Bayelsa State
Authors: Krokeyi Wisdom , Anam Bassey
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the relationship between poverty alleviation
programs and economic development in Bayelsa State, focusing on their
impact on household living standards and human capital development.
Data were collected from 299 respondents and analyzed using the Ordinary
Least Squares (OLS) technique. The results indicate that poverty alleviation
programs, education, and occupation positively and significantly influence
household living standards. Conversely, age and household size negatively and
significantly impact living standards. Additionally, the gender of the household
head has a positive but insignificant effect on living standards. The study also
reveals that while poverty alleviation programs have a positive but insignificant
effect on human capital development, age and occupation positively and
significantly impact human capital development. However, household size
negatively and significantly affects human capital development at the household
level. Based on these findings, it is recommended that policymakers adopt a
comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation. This should integrate strategies
aimed at promoting human capital development alongside income support
measures. Such strategies could include investments in education and skills
training programs, improved access to healthcare, and addressing social
determinants that influence household living standards.
Neoliberalism and the Shrinking Middle-Class in Nigeria's Fourth Republic
Authors: Agwadu Lhebade , Namo Innocent , Amakoromo Woyimo
Published: January 2025

Since the rise of the modern industrial economy, the middle-class has been
an essential driver of economic activities. It supports consumption,
revenue generation, and innovations that expand the economy or start
new industries. In Nigeria, the middle-class has been shrinking over time. The
shrink worsened since the beginning of the fourth republic when the national
political philosophy drifted towards neoliberalism. The research was driven by
the quest to show how neoliberalism shrinks the middle-class. The time series
research design was adopted to achieve the objective of the research. The theory
of accumulation by dispossession was relied upon to explain the research. The
study found that neoliberal policies enable a few individuals to acquire power
and wealth while not only making upward class mobility difficult for middle-
class Nigerians, it pushes them into poverty. The study recommends a complete
reversal of neoliberal policies for even wealth distribution in Nigeria.
Registro latinoamericano de pacientes con enfermedad de von Willebrand (RL-VWD) congénito y adquirido: resultados preliminares
Authors: Woods AI , Goncalvez N , Castera S , Villagra M , Guerrero O , Casinelli MM , Blanco AN , Alberto MF , Sánchez-Luceros A
Published: January 2025

Si bien la prevalencia de la enfermedad de von Willebrand (VWD) se calcula en el 1% de la población general, no se conoce su prevalencia en América Latina, la subregión más poblada de América del Sur, con aproximadamente 425 millones de habitantes. Dado que actualmente no existe un registro de pacientes con VWD que integre la región y detalle cuáles son los subtipos más frecuentes y cuáles los tratamientos utilizados, nuestro grupo de trabajo dio inicio a la propuesta del Registro Latinoamericano de Pacientes con VWD (RL-VWD). Este es un proyecto observacional, multicéntrico, prospectivo y retrospectivo, de no intervención. Su objetivo es describir la prevalencia y características de la enfermedad en la región, y lograr que cada paciente afectado en América Latina reciba el mejor tratamiento estándar, basado en las recomendaciones internacionales existentes. Métodos. La población de estudio son individuos de ambos sexos, sin límite de edad, con VWD congénita o adquirida (AVWS). Este proyecto se llevará a cabo mediante la recopilación de datos epidemiológicos, clínicos y de laboratorio de cada paciente. Resultados. Hasta julio de 2024 se reclutaron 704 pacientes, de los cuales 66,6% son pacientes VWD1; 28,6%, pacientes VWD2, siendo VWD2M el subtipo más frecuente (37,1%). Los países que hasta ahora nos acompañan son: Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, México, Nicaragua, y Uruguay. Conclusión. Este registro nos permitirá obtener información sustancial sobre esta enfermedad en nuestra región y puede servir para promover proyectos de investigación colaborativos y decidir políticas sanitarias adecuadas. Esperamos incrementar el número de centros participantes de otros países de la región y la incorporación de mayor número de profesionales interesados en formar parte de este proyecto.
Hematological values of mice and rat strains : Perspectives from ACTREC Laboratory Animal Facility
Authors: Ingle A D , Shinde A D , Ahire S D
Published: January 2025

Experimental results of the hematological or biochemical data are best interpreted and compared based on  previously reported baseline data for the strains in question. Maintenance and managemental conditions  of the animals varies from organization to organization. Naturally, the baseline data for hematology and  biochemistry may vary amongst the same species or strains of animals. This study was undertaken to establish  hematological reference values in mice and rat strains maintained at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research  and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai and to compare with that of the values reported by other  workers as in the literature. Hematological values were found to be within the normal range when compared  to the values reported in the literature. Slight deviations in these values have been noticed within the strain.  However, they remain within the reported normal range. Most of the time, the normal range values were  so wide that it necessitates the need for the laboratory-specific baseline data. The wide range may be the  result of genetic changes, change in feed, housing conditions, technique and equipments used or management  conditions. The hematological values of these strains may provide valuable baseline data to the researchers  for future experiments using these inbred strains.
Effect of graded levels of Jojoba meal in the complete feed of rabbits on voluntary intake and nutrient utilization
Authors: L Kiran , V Nagabhushana , N V Jadhav , C B Madhavaprasad , Pawar Ashok , V B Shettar
Published: January 2025

The study was conducted to evaluate the supplementation of Jojoba meal (Simmondisa Chinensis) on feed  consumption, body weight changes, feed efficiency, and digestibility of nutrients in rabbits. A total of forty  New Zealand white rabbits (4 week old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatment groups of ten rabbits  in each group. The control group (T0) was fed with complete feed with no Jojoba oil meal and test groups  were fed complete feed with 5, 15 and 25% Jojoba oil meal in T1, T2 and T3 groups respectively. The daily dry  matter intake in test groups were significantly (P≤ 0.05) reduced as compared to the control group. The average  weekly body weight in test diet groups found significantly (P≤ 0.05) reduced consistently leading to reduction  of body weight. Digestibility of either proximate principles (Dry matter, Organic matter, Crude fibre, Nitrogen  free extractives) or fibre fractions (Neutral detergent fibre and Acid detergent fibre) was unaffected by jojoba  supplementation whereas crude protein and ether extract digestibility and intake of total digestible nutrients  and digestible crude protein were significantly lower in treated groups as compared to control group of rabbits.
The use of PCR and environmental swabs to identify mouse parvovirus post decontamination
Authors: Swanson J L , Marks G
Published: January 2025

Due to a history of recurrences of Mouse Parvovirus (MPV) outbreaks, a novel procedural solution to environmentally  screen previously contaminated rooms was explored. The authors wanted to evaluate a rapid, reliable means to test  the environment without using animals by investigating the use of environmental swabs to detect residual MPV after  rooms were depopulated and decontaminated. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed on environmental  swabs to determine the presence of DNA that could be indicative of residual MPV in the affected rooms. The absence  of MPV DNA demonstrated that the rooms were adequately decontaminated, and the likelihood of a re-infection  was minimal after repopulation. The use of PCR to confirm the absence of environmental MPV has been an excellent  method to determine the effectiveness of post outbreak decontamination.
Establishment of Diagnostic Laboratory and Screening Strategy for Rodent Pathogens
Authors: Devan R K  Shakthi , Kishore Krishna , Kumar Nethaji , Kamath Gireesh , Poosala Suresh
Published: January 2025

Health monitoring surveillance is an essential requirement of barrier facility as animal research is largely depends on health  status of laboratory animals being used. Early identification of pathogens by using ideal methods can prevent infections;  otherwise confounding variables can occur in the experimental results of biomedical research. Syngene has been importing  animals from at least 12 different barriers facilities from USA/Europe/India to conduct planned experiments at appropriate  ages. However, the limiting factor was stringent quarantine period (upto 21 days), which further increases age of the animals.  In order to maintain the healthy animals, comprehensive testing strategies have been implemented in a programmed manner  to identify infectious agents during early stages, thereby preventing the spread of contamination to other areas within the  vivarium. The primary aim was to screen representative samples of each batch as per the schedule apart from established  sentinel program which were further analyzed at 6, 12 and 18 weeks interval including comprehensive annual testing.  Based on the inherent challenges, a diagnostic laboratory was established at site to screen pathogens using validated  methods primarily by ELISA, IFA to detect antibodies and PCR for nucleic acid detection as well as rapid screening which  has been a prerequisite for early quarantine release of animals for experiments. Alternatively, MFIA has been used as high  throughput assay for rodent pathogens at periodical intervals along with other methods. In addition, bacterial pathogens  if any can be identified by using VITEK apart from the routine contact plating of swab samples taken from animals. The  in-house diagnostic laboratory including at least 4 outside laboratories have been employed for weekly and/or sentinel  samples screening by serological assays such as ELISA, MFIA, IFA and molecular technique of PCR for rodent pathogens.  Collectively, the robust screening systems at multi-site laboratories which eventually reduced turnaround time by adopting  high throughput assay including confirmatory methods to obtain consistent and reliable results of rodent pathogens.
Breeding performance with special reference to pre-weaning mortality of C57BL/6 and B6D2F1 hybrid strain of mice maintained at ACTREC Animal Facility
Authors: Thorat Rahul , Ingle Arvind
Published: January 2025

Successful breeding programme of laboratory animals is one of a key factor in any facility operations. In-house breeding  of laboratory animal species depends on using correct breeding method, number of animals requested by the researchers,  litter size, birth weight, perinatal mortality, weaning percentage, female:male ratio, parity interval, fostering, postpartum  heat, non-productive breeders, enrichment programme etc. To fulfil the animal demands for in vivo research, these points  play significant role, especially perinatal mortality. Perinatal mortality is strain dependent and therefore facility must be  aware about the percentage of pups mortality to avoid further miscalculation while setting up the breeding program. In  order to get the first hand information about strain wise perinatal mortality, historical control data or baseline data should  be generated which play an important role in successful breeding programme and timely meeting the target of providing  experimental animals. Aim of the present study was to generate baseline control values of reproductive efficiency parameters  of commonly used mice strains at ACTREC Animal Facility. The existing in-house data was compiled for the period of  July to December 2019. Perinatal mortality varied between the primiparous and multiparous females. In total, data of 4247  pups obtained from 39 inbred primiparous, 93 outbred primiparous, 159 inbred multiparous and 466 outbred multiparous  females. The average number of pups delivered by inbred primiparous and multiparous females was recorded as 5.13 and  5.85, respectively. There was no significant difference between the female:male ratio between primiparous and multiparous  females of C57BL/6 inbred strain. Weaning of pups was done on day 21. Percentages of weaning of pups from primiparous  and multiparous inbred strain were recorded as 87 and 92.37%, respectively. Perinatal mortality in inbred primiparous  female was 13% while in inbred multiparous was 7.63%. It is observed that perinatal mortality in inbred primiparous pups  is higher than inbred multiparous females. In case of outbred stock of C57BL/6 mice, we observed average litter born of  4.96 and 5.70 for primiparous and multiparous mothers, respectively. Weaning percentage of 83.73% and 93.56% was  recorded in outbred primiparous and multiparous mothers, respectively. Perinatal mortality in pups obtained from outbred  primiparous and multiparous mothers was 15.84% and 6.44% respectively. The data indicated that perinatal mortality is  significantly high in the pups obtained from primiparous females than multiparous females of both the breeding methods.  We compared the data of C57BL/6 mice with robust strain, B6D2F1. The overall results can be used as baseline data for our  C57BL/6 and B6D2F1 strains by the ACTREC scientists as well as colony managers from other facilities.
Rectal stricture in a bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) : A case report
Authors: S G Ramachandra , M Thirumala , V Ramesh
Published: January 2025

A six-year-old female bonnet monkey was noticed with a bloated abdomen seven days after experimentation. A plain  radiograph was taken to determine the cause of bloating. However, the plain radiograph did not reveal any significant  changes except patches of gas in the abdomen. Hence, a contrast radiograph was done with a barium meal. A constriction  was observed in the rectal region in contrast radiograph. An emergency laparotomy was done and stricture was surgically  corrected by an end-to-end anastomosis.
Microbiological monitoring of Rodent pathogens using Multiplex method of PCR
Authors: Raj Mathan , Shinde Aarti , Ingle Arvind
Published: January 2025

Microbiological quality control is undertaken to check the health status of laboratory animals. Pathogens infect the  laboratory animals in various respiratory, digestive, central nervous systems, haematopoietic systems, dermal systems, etc.  PCR detects pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity when compared to ELISA. Multiplex PCR can detect two or  more pathogens at the same time. Multiplex PCR gives result based on the enzyme activity, bonding between the primer  and DNA. In the present study, animal samples were analysed for the pathogen DNA at the molecular level to know  the health status of laboratory animals. The respiratory pathogens Mycoplasma pulmonis and Sendai virus were detected  simultaneously at 245, 340 bp, respectively. The digestive pathogens Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium piliforme were detected simultaneously at 246, 196 bp, respectively. The animals were free from the specific respiratory and digestive  pathogens. The multiplex PCR method is beneficial to detect the various pathogens in the laboratory rodents using the high  throughput method.
Surveillance, integrity and metadata in the information age
Authors: Bennesved Peter
Published: January 2025

In August 1994, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Carl Bildt, publicly announced the formation of The Information and Communication Technology Commission. This was an advisory commission, comprised of ministers in Bildt’s government cabinet as well as invited experts and entrepreneurs.  The formation of the ICT Commission has been understood as a pivotal moment in Swedish policymaking within the ICT area. However, an underappreciated part of the ICT Commission’s history is that while it is generally acknowledged that the introduction of ICT in the 1990s was positively received by political elites and intellectuals, public scepticism toward ICT was a known problem and something the commission needed to address. Inspired by the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries (STIM), developed by STS scholars Jasanoff and Kim, the ICT Commission can be interpreted as a sort of state-financed “embedding activity” meant to overcome public scepticism of perceived risks, and to gather around a common vision of the future. Starting from a STIM perspective, the aim of this article is to deepen our understanding of this period in Swedish ICT policymaking, and its consequences. Studying the way the ICT Commission addressed topics of surveillance, personal integrity and metadata is important in that it provides a new and more complex perspective on the commission’s work and its public role. The article also connects the commission’s history to contemporary discussions about surveillance cultures and asks if the Commission – in a longer perspective – can be said to have fostered a positive attitude toward data sharing.
Cassiodorus: Explanation of the Psalms, Volume III
Authors: Walsh P. G.
Published: January 2025

The composition of this work can be allotted to the period of the 540s and 550s. Cassiodorus deploys the psalms not only for the purposes of instruction in theology and hermeneutics, but also to inculcate a general education in eloquence.
Firmicus Maternus
Authors: Forbes Clarence A.
Published: January 2025

A distinguished and literate convert, as well as a former astrologer, Firmicus Maternus called for the ferocious and brutal destruction of paganism by the state. Addressing the brothers, emperors Constantius and Constans, this work was written no later than 350.
St. Augustine: The Problem of Free Choice
Authors: Pontifex Dom Mark
Published: January 2025

One of Augustine's most important works, written between 388 and 395, this dialogue has as its objective not so much to discuss free will for its own sake as to discuss the problem of evil in reference to the existence of God, who is almighty and all-good.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons
Authors: Unger Dominic J.
Published: January 2025

In this book, St. Irenaeus of Lyons refutes the gnosis of the Valentinians and the Marcionites from reason.
The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage
Authors: Clarke G.W.
Published: January 2025

The letters in this volume were composed over the years 254-258, when Cyprian was martyred.
The Octavius of Marcus Minucius Felix
Authors: Clarke G.W.
Published: January 2025

This work is a defense of Christianity composed in clear and direct imitation of Cicero, by a practicing advocate at Rome of African background, writing within the first third of the third century.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies
Authors: Unger Dominic J. , Steenberg Irenaeus M. C.
Published: January 2025

Book 3 of St. Irenaeus's best-known work, Adversus Haereses (Against the Heresies), presented in a new translation with an introduction and notes.
St. Jerome: Commentary on Ezekiel
Authors: Scheck Thomas P.
Published: January 2025

A complete translation, with introduction and notes, of the second of St. Jerome's major Old Testament commentaries: the Prophet Ezekiel.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons: Against the Heresies
Authors: Unger Dominic , Moringiello Scott D.
Published: January 2025

These books focus on the sayings of Jesus.
Lived Space of Displaced People: A Comparative Approach to Contested Spaces in Iron Age Northern Mesopotamia and Modern Berlin
Authors: Egbers Vera
Published: January 2025

This chapter presents a discussion on the lived space of displaced people. The author presents a comparative approach to contested spaces in the Iron Age in northern Mesopotamia and in modern Europe. Egbers argues that archaeology grapples with the materiality of past subjects’ perception and organisation of space as drawn from objects, landscapes, architecture, and pictorial or textual representations. Generally, what emerges from these data is a dominant or normative conceptualisation of space. She uses Marxist philosopher Henri Lefebvre to assert that “space” is not a given but a product, arguing that every society produces its own (social) space that subjectivises its members. In this chapter, Egbers uses a comparative approach to address the question of hidden forms of lived space. She compares the materiality and possible perception of deportees in Urartu and Neo-Assyria in Iron Age Northern Mesopotamia with the narratives and experiences of present-day refugees in Europe.
Landscapes of Power and Resilience: Aristocratic-Driven Landscapes in the Duero Basin
Authors: Sánchez Jesús García
Published: January 2025

This chapter develops a case study on the landscapes of power and resilience in the aristocratic-driven landscapes in the Duero Basin. He aims to explore how landscapes and territories are a proxy to study social organisation and inequality in the Late Iron Age of the Iberian Peninsula. He argues that the organisation of graves and burial contexts shows a social pyramid dominated by the aristocracies of the eastern Iberian world. The settlement pattern based on fortified and isolated hillforts reflects a world controlled by warrior elites, whose main political and economic strategy was to maintain a warfare state. Thus, rural populations were forced to shelter in these largely fortified hillforts, while warriors used warfare to increase wealth, prestige, and social control. His chapter aims to explore how landscapes are social proxies and how the dynamics of power and inequality can be traced by studying these socialised built environments.
Handbook of Japan’s Environmental Law, Policy, and Politics
Authors: Hiroshi Ohta
Published: January 2025

This handbook offers an exposition of the contemporary status of Japan’s environmental law, policy, and politics. The compass of ecological quandaries explored within this tome is expansive, encompassing issues pertinent to both natural and synthetic ecosystems, natural resources, and inorganic materials. Each chapter’s temporal framework corresponds to the postwar period, following the enactment of environmental statutes and the initiation of administrative institutionalization, situated approximately in the early 1970s. The central inquiry addressed in this compendium pertains to the extent to which prevailing environmental statutes and policies have contributed to the enhancement or conservation of Japan’s natural and synthetic ecosystems, as well as the resilience of its natural resources. The authors within this volume undertake an analysis to discern the causal factors behind the quandaries by ascribing them to the existence or absence of enforceable regulations, public involvement in policy formulation processes, bureaucratic fragmentation, pioneering regulatory measures, institutional obstacles, regulatory co-optation, rational cost-effective methodologies, scientific understanding, scientific communities, ecological commerce, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and holistic ecological plans and programs. Moreover, pertinent sections raise an inquiry concerning Japan’s ecological diplomacy, inquiring whether Japan serves as a leader, bystander, or obstructionist.