bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leucoagaricus gongylophorus provides protection for Atta sexdens against plant extracts
Authors: Motta Amanda Cristiane Queiroz , Avelino Deise Santos , Marinho Cidália Gabriela Santos , Fadini Marcos Antônio Matiello , Melo Júlio Onésio Ferreira
Published: March 2022

Plant extracts have been considered for the control the leaf-cutting ants. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival leaf-cutting worker ants after topical application of Ageratum conyzoides (mentrasto) and Manihot esculenta (cassava) extracts; and to evaluate the effect of Manihot esculenta hexane extract via ingestion on the survival of the workers of Atta sexdens Forel 1908 isolated or not from their colonies, in order to verify whether the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus confers protection to the workers against the extract. First, ten medium workers were removed from their colonies and received the application of 1 μL of extract on the pronotum. The cassava extract (125 µg.mL-1) was diluted in a solution of honey with water for the ingestion bioassay. Five repetitions (ten ants inside a transparent plastic container) were performed in each of the four colonies used in the experiment. The numbers of dead ants were recorded daily until the control also died. The solution of the hexane Manihot esculenta extract gave a significant result at the concentration of 100 µg.mL-1, with 100% of mortatily after 4 days. The ants maintained with the symbiont fungus that ingested the cassava hexanic extract showed a lower mortality rate (40% at the end of 25 days) than the workers who were kept isolated (90%). The symbiosis between the ants and the fungus means more than a food source for leaf-cutting ants because it reduces the toxic effect on the ants when the ants remain in contact with the fungus and is offered an unsafe vegetable.
Effect of stem height in variation of bark, heartwood, sapwood and physical properties of wood in Dipteryx panamensis Pittier in a provenance/progeny test
Authors: Rodriguez-Perez Dalina , Moya Roger , Murillo Olman
Published: March 2022

Dipteryx panamensis is used in reforestation in Costa Rica and a genetic improvement program has been recently started in the country. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of tree trunk height on the variation of bark, sapwood, heartwood, green density (GD), specific gravity (SG) and green moisture content in green condition (MC-G), in a collection of 8-year-old provenances/progenies planted in the town of Florencia in San Carlos in the northern region of Costa Rica The wood of each of 17 families were studied based on 3 of their progenies, evaluating the properties relative to 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the commercial height. According to the results, tree diameter and bark thickness showed no statistical differences in their values across trunk. Significant differences were found in diameter and percentage of heartwood and sapwood between provenances and families. The thickness and percentage of sapwood, thickness and percentage of bark, diameter, pith percentage and percentage of pith eccentricity, showed no significant differences between families. SG and the MC-G presented significant variation between provenances, while GD registered differences at above 25 % commercial height. The variation of physical properties, especially SG, between families within each provenance, shows selection potential for genetic improvement, focusing particularly on the bottom section of the tree.
Quintais agroflorestais urbanos no sul da Amazônia: os guardiões da agrobiodiversidade?
Authors: Gervazio Wagner , Yamashita Oscar Mitsuo , Roboredo Delmonte , Bergamasco Sonia Maria Pessoa Pereira , Felito Ricardo Adriano
Published: March 2022

Os quintais agroflorestais são uma prática milenar em várias partes do mundo e desempenham importantes papéis econômicos, culturais e de conservação da agrobiodiversidade. Sendo assim, o principal objetivo deste estudo foi realizar o levantamento das espécies vegetais em quintais agroflorestais urbanos em Alta Floresta – MT, sul da Amazônia; bem como analisar se contribuem para a conservação da agrobiodiversidade. Para tanto, realizou-se levantamento florístico em 30 quintais agroflorestais urbanos em 17 bairros, usando a técnica de visita guiada. Essa visita consistiu em uma caminhada pelo quintal na companhia da mantenedora, reunindo informações sobre as espécies. Também foi realizada entrevista semiestruturada. Para identificação in situ das espécies vegetais, os indivíduos foram registrados pelo nome popular e feito registro fotográfico. Os dados foram analisados ​​por meio do índice de Shannon-Wiener, equabilidade, frequência, densidades absoluta e relativa, índice de valor de importância e similaridade florística realizada através da análise de agrupamentos. Para isso, foi utilizado o coeficiente de similaridade de Bray-Curtis e o método UPGMA. Os cálculos das variáveis e dos índices foram realizados pelo programa FITOPAC 2.1. A análise estatística utilizada foi a descritiva. Foram encontradas 72 famílias botânicas, 7.106 indivíduos e 243 espécies. Os quintais têm uma densidade de 947,47 e um índice de Shannon-Wiener de 4,06. Os quintais apresentaram baixa similaridade. A área média dos quintais é de 0,25 ha. Encontrou-se alta diversidade de famílias botânicas, indivíduos e espécies por quintal agrupadas em oito categorias de uso: frutíferas, olerícolas, condimentares, grãos, madeireira, medicinal, ornamental e sombreamento. A categoria de uso de maior importância é a medicinal. A composição florística dos 30 quintais é heterogênea. Em Alta Floresta, onde a monocultura de pastagem e da soja é predominante, os quintais agroflorestais urbanos são uma maneira de conservação da agrobiodiversidade e contribuição também para a fauna local.
Optimization of castor oil polyurethane resin content of OSB panel made of Dendrocalamus asper bamboo
Authors: Barbirato Guilherme Henrique Ament , Gauss Christian , Lopes Junior Wanley Eduardo , Martins Rômulo , Fiorelli Juliano
Published: March 2022

This work presents a study of the optimization of castor oil polyurethane (PU) resin content for the production of Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) using bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). For this study, medium-density (650 kg/m3) OSB panels were produced with different resin contents (8%, 10%, 12%, and 15%). The bamboo particles were characterized through physical, chemical and anatomical analyses, identifying the potential of this product as a raw material for OSB panels. Subsequently, the physical and mechanical properties of OSB panels were evaluated. The results indicated that bamboo and castor oil PU are suitable for the production of OSB panels, and all the conditions met the minimum requirements of the European standard EN 300 (2002), for OSB type 1. In particular, the best overall properties were obtained by the panels with a resin content of 12%, achieving the minimum requirements for applications as a structural panel (type 4), opening new opportunities for formaldehyde-free engineered bamboo materials for the built environment.
Recarga de aquífero em Floresta Estacional Decidual nativa, Parque Estadual do Turvo (RS)
Authors: Pasini Fernando , Mancuso Malva Andrea , Fortes Patricia Rodrigues , Breunig Fábio Marcelo , Fritzen Rafael Renato
Published: March 2022

Considerando a importância das florestas na retenção das águas oriundas da precipitação pluviométrica e a sua função estratégica na recarga de aquíferos, este estudo teve por objetivo estimar a recarga direta e natural do aquífero raso da zona de alteração dos basaltos da Formação Serra Geral, subjacente à Floresta Estacional Decidual nativa, bioma de Mata Atlântica. Para estimar a recarga do aquífero, foi aplicado o método Water Table Fluctuation (WTF), com base na análise de séries temporais do nível freático e da precipitação, coletadas durante o período de 50 dias (de janeiro a março) no Parque Estadual do Turvo - PET (RS). Para a análise sistemática da variação do nível de água subterrânea (N.A.), foram coletados dados sub-horários com medidores de pressão automáticos (CTD), em três piezômetros localizados no PET. Em simultâneo (com igual periodicidade), foram coletados dados de precipitação pluviométrica no interior do PET, com uma estação experimental. A recarga média, direta e natural, estimada a partir de dados coletados durante o período de verão, foi de 23% da precipitação pluviométrica. O tempo médio de resposta do nível de água do aquífero livre foi de 8 a 10 horas.
Crescimento e forma do eucalipto em função da densidade de plantio
Authors: Vera Damaris Elias , Laura Valdemir Antônio , Ferreira André Dominghetti , Couto Allan Motta
Published: March 2022

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência das densidades de plantio sobre o crescimento e forma das árvores de Eucalyptus urophylla, implantadas em distintas densidades de plantio na região central de Mato Grosso do Sul. Para tal, foi disposto, em área experimental da Embrapa Gado de Corte, um talhão segundo um plano experimental em roda de competição proposto por Nelder (1962), apresentando 16 densidades de plantio correspondentes a: 1313, 1167, 1037, 922, 819, 728, 647, 576, 512, 455, 404, 359, 319, 284, 252 e 224 árvores ha-1. As variáveis mensuradas aos 68 meses foram: DAP, altura total, altura de inserção e comprimento de copa, volume individual e por área, conicidade e fator de forma. Os dados foram processados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado sendo considerados como tratamentos as densidades de plantio. Por meio dos resultados, foi possível observar que quanto menor a densidade de plantio maior os valores encontrados para DAP, comprimento de copa, volume individual e conicidade. Verificou-se uma relação inversa entre a densidade de plantio e altura, inserção de copa e volume por área. Para altura, as densidades de plantio médias apresentaram resultados maiores, que das densidades das extremidades, sendo esse parâmetro mais influenciado pela bordadura do plantio. O fator de forma não foi afetado pela densidade de plantio. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que diferentes densidades de plantio afetam diretamente o crescimento e variáveis dendrométricas.
Propagação in vitro de Colubrina glandulosa Perkins: espécie nativa com potencial para programas de reflorestamento
Authors: Hass Odirlei Orlindo , Ornellas Thiago Sanches , Bittencourt Ricardo
Published: March 2022

Colubrina glandulosa (sobraji) é uma espécie madeireira de rápido crescimento e tronco retilíneo, com potencial de formar reflorestamento homogêneo ou associado com outras espécies. Em vista disso, buscou-se estabelecer um protocolo de micropropagação, por meio de sementes e segmentos nodais, visando à produção de mudas em escala comercial. As sementes foram desinfestadas em NaClO 6% por 10, 20 ou 30 minutos e semeadas em meio de cultura MS suplementado, ou não, com 0,5 mL L-1 de Comet®. Os segmentos nodais foram desinfestados em solução de NaClO 2% e de PPM™ 5%, introduzidos em meio de cultura WPM, suplementado com PPM™ (0; 0,2 ou 0,4%) e 0,5 mL L-1 de Comet® associado com 0,75 g L-1 de ampicilina sódica ou 2 mL L-1 Kasumin®. Na multiplicação, segmentos nodais foram cultivados em meio de cultura WPM suplementado com BAP (6-benzilaminopurina) ou mT (meta-topolina) (2; 4; 8 ou 12 µM), combinados com a presença ou ausência de ANA (ácido naftalenoacético) (2 µM) em três subcultivos. No enraizamento, utilizou-se o meio de cultura WPM/2 suplementado com AIB (ácido indolbutírico) (0; 2 ou 4 µM) associado, ou não, com 0,15% de carvão ativado. As mudas enraizadas foram aclimatizadas ex vitro. O maior percentual de germinação (78,57%) foi observado nas sementes tratadas com NaClO 6% por 10 minutos, sem fungicida no meio de cultura. A concentração de 0,2% de PPM™ proporcionou a maior porcentagem de sobrevivência de segmentos nodais (70%). A sucessão dos subcultivos incrementa significativamente a porcentagem de indução de brotos e o maior número de brotos por explante (3,28±1,8) ocorreu na concentração de 2 µM mT. A formação do maior número de raízes observou-se na ausência do carvão ativado sem a necessidade de auxina exógena e na aclimatização, verificou-se alta porcentagem de sobrevivência das mudas. Dessa forma, foi possível obter um protocolo viável de micropropagação, constituindo-se de uma metodologia promissora na produção de mudas.
Adubação fosfatada no crescimento inicial de sete espécies florestais nativas destinadas à recuperação de uma área degradada
Authors: Silva Oclizio Medeiros das Chagas , Nieri Erick Martins , Santana Lucas Santos , Almeida Rodolfo Soares de , Araújo Geisislaine do Carmo Reis , Botelho Soraya Alvarenga , Melo Lucas Amaral de
Published: March 2022

Para que haja uma restauração florestal eficaz é de fundamental importância o conhecimento sobre o crescimento inicial das plantas. Dentre os aspectos a serem considerados destacam-se as exigências nutricionais das espécies utilizadas para tal finalidade, tendo em vista que essas áreas, geralmente, apresentam solos de baixa fertilidade, o que pode dificultar o estabelecimento e crescimento das espécies plantadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da adubação fosfatada em espécies florestais nativas, destinadas à recuperação de uma área degradada. O experimento foi conduzido no Centro de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico da UFLA - Fazenda Muquém, situada no município de Lavras, Minas Gerais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos, com 12 repetições e uma planta por parcela, em esquema fatorial 7 x 4, sendo sete espécies e quatro doses de superfosfato simples (0, 150, 300 e 450 gramas/cova). Aos 60 dias após o plantio, foram coletados dados sobre porcentagem de sobrevivência, diâmetro ao nível do solo e altura das plantas. Aos 300 dias, além do diâmetro e altura, foi avaliada a área de projeção de copa das plantas. As espécies apresentaram altos percentuais de sobrevivência, com exceção do Inga edulis, com sobrevivência de 58%. Dentre as sete espécies estudadas, Schinus terebinthifolius e Guazuma ulmifolia foram as que apresentaram maior crescimento dos parâmetros analisados, sendo, portanto, as espécies de maior potencial para um recobrimento mais rápido dessa área. A adubação fosfatada influenciou, de forma distinta, o crescimento inicial das sete espécies, em relação às doses de superfosfato simples aplicadas. Recomenda-se a dose de 250 gramas de superfosfato simples por cova, como adubação de base para todas as espécies.
Why Do We Enjoy Scary Movies?
Authors: Vittrup Sofie
Published: March 2022

Why do people enjoy scary media? The horror genre is designed to elicit negative emotions such as fear and anxiety in its audience and yet the horror entertainment industry is thriving. This question, referred to as the paradox of horror, is the focal point of this article. Through an evolutionary framework, I provide support for the view of horror movies as being biologically adaptive. Human beings are biologically wired with survival strategies to predict and respond to danger, and horror entertainment allows for effective and safe vicarious learning that in turn helps us prepare for dangerous situations in real life. Through an analysis of the movie The Conjuring (2013), this article explores how exactly horror movies target and engage evolved fear mechanisms in order to captivate and engage the audience.
Recentering the Rabbits
Authors: Marstal Therese
Published: March 2022

This paper responds to scholarly disagreement within literary animal studies as to whether anthropomorphism aids or hinders human-animal relations and cross-species understanding. Taking Richard Adams’ Watership Down as its case study, the paper argues that the novel retains an interest in portraying its animals as animals despite the heavy anthropomorphization of its animal characters. The analysis highlights four strategies that the novel employs for communicating an animal experience to a human reader: 1) A careful attention to the physicality of its rabbit characters, 2) the use of rabbit mythology to aid the reader in imagining a rabbit-centric worldview, 3) the framing of the entire text as a work of translation, which provides an in-fiction explanation for the occasional untranslatability between human and animal experiences, and 4) thematic exploration of animal vulnerability. The analysis leads to the conclusion that Watership Down successfully fosters a sense of human-animal empathy that calls attention to both commonalities and power imbalances between humans and animals.
Polipropilen/Üzüm Sapı/Çeltik Polimer Kompozitinin Mekanik Özelliklerinin Atık Cam Elyaf ile Geliştirilmesi
Authors: TAŞDEMİR Münir , ŞEN Elif Gülcan
Published: March 2022

Bu deneysel araştırmada; polipropilen (PP) üzüm sapı ve çeltik karışımlarının özelliklerinin atık cam elyaf ilavesi ile geliştirilmesi üzerine çalışılmıştır. Atık olan üzüm sapı ve çeltiğin yeniden kullanılabilir bir malzeme olma potansiyeli diğer merak edilen bir konuyu oluşturmuştur. Polipropilen üzüm sapı ve çeltik çift vidalı ekstrüderde homojen bir karışım sağlamak için karıştırılmıştır. Çeltik; pirinç kabuğu olarak bilinmektedir. PP içerisine %20 oranında üzüm sapı-çeltik katılmıştır. Cam elyaf ise %10-15 ve 20 oranlarında katılmıştır. Daha sonra enjeksiyon makinesinde test numuneleri basılmıştır. Kalıplanan numunelere; çekme, sertlik, darbe, yoğunluk ve taramalı elektron mikroskobisi (SEM) testleri yapılmıştır. Testlerin sonuçları incelenerek üzüm sapı-çeltik ve cam elyaf miktarının PP üzerindeki etkileri belirlenmiştir.
Some Morphometric Measurements of the Critically Endangered Angular Rough Shark (Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758) Caught by Trammel Nets in the Sea of Marmara
Authors: ŞEN Yusuf , ÖZEKİNCİ Uğur
Published: March 2022

Angular rough shark is a rare occurrence and one of the critically endangered species. In this study, angular rough shark caught as bycatch with trammel nets was investigated in the Southern coasts of the Marmara Sea, Turkey. The weight of this species, which was caught in these nets, was measured as 212 gr due to the degradation by parasites. The actual weight before degradation was determined as 2623 gr from the length-weight relationship formulation. Morphometric measurements of the species were performed and compared with previous studies. As a result, the population structure and biology of critically endangered species, such as limited information about angular rough shark as bycatch in fisheries should be investigated. Fishing methods will prevent catching angular rough sharks are improved and their survival should be ensured through appropriate protective measures.
IMPACT ANALYSIS of CYLINDRICAL STEEL WATER STORAGE TANKS UNDER the SEISMIC ACTION
Authors: ÇELİK Ali İhsan
Published: March 2022

Cylindrical steel liquid tanks are widely used to store various liquids such as water, oil and industrial chemicals. In recent years, they are used in nuclear power plants for cooling purposes. Petroleum or other hazardous chemicals in steel liquid tanks can cause large financial and environmental damage due to damages in tanks during the earthquake. The main goal of this paper is to reveal buckling shape of cylindrical steel tanks with nonlinear seismic analysis according to roof shapes. Roof shapes were determined as open-top, flat-closed, conical-closed and torispherical-closed tanks. For this aim, El-Centro earthquake recording of 0.22 seconds was used for determine the significant shell buckling events. In addition, this earthquake values are ideal for impact analysis because ANSYS Workbench “Explicit Dynamics” tool provides very good results in the dynamic analysis of structures under destructive and short-term forces. In order to provide the interaction between the water and the tank wall, the "Eulerian Body" mesh technique is preferred in “Explicit Dynamics” model. As a result of this study, many collapse events were determined due to seismic ground motion in cylindrical steel liquid storage tanks. If the tank was closed in the shape of a torispherical, less buckling could occur in the tank.
Endüstriyel Atık Çamurlardan Elde Edilen Vitrifiye Ürünlerle İlgili Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: BOZKURT Bengisu , GÜNKAYA Zerrin , ÖZKAN Aysun , GÜNKAYA Göktuğ , BANAR Mufide
Published: March 2022

Endüstriyel faaliyetler sonucu oluşan arıtma çamurlarının geri kazanımı, arıtımı veya bertarafı tüm dünyada en önemli çevresel sorunlar arasındadır. Atık çamurların yönetiminde yaygın olarak kullanılan yakma, depolama, susuzlaştırma veya tarım alanlarında kullanma gibi yöntemler bu atıkların içerisindeki ağır metallerin uzaklaştırılmasında yetersiz kalmaktadır. Bu atıkların çevre için risk oluşturması ve arıtma maliyetleri gibi sorunların yanı sıra doğal kaynakların da her geçen yıl azaldığı düşünüldüğünde, oluşan atık çamurların değerlendirilerek ikincil malzemelere dönüştürülmesinin önemi artmaktadır. Bu bağlamda vitirifikasyon yöntemi, atıklardan yapı malzemeleri (cam-seramik, tuğla, pigment vb.) üretmenin yanı sıra atıkların içerisindeki ağır metallerin stabilizasyonunu da sağlayan, döngüsel ekonomi yaklaşımıyla örtüşen bir yöntem olarak dikkati çekmektedir. Bu makalede, endüstriyel artıma çamurlarının katma değeri olan ürünlere dönüştürülmesi noktasında, arıtma çamurlarının vitrifikasyonu ve vitrifiye ürünlerin kullanım alanları ile ilgili çalışmalar incelenmiştir.
GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF PM10 AND SO2 IN AĞRI
Authors: KARA Yiğitalp , ÇİVİCİ Mehmet , KARTUM Uygar , FLORES RANGEL Rosa Maria
Published: March 2022

The quantity of air pollutants has been increasing dramatically because of the high-energy consumption and usage of transportation systems triggered by the industrial revolution. In addition, the development of technology, high demand for conventional sources, unplanned urbanization, and rapid growth of population are some of the most important factors for the increase of particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the last 20 years in Turkey. Ağrı, which is a rural province having more high plateau areas and agricultural lands than residential areas, is less affected by these factors compared to developed cities. In this work, variations of PM10 and SO2 concentrations were evaluated from January to December of 2018. Overall, it was found that SO2 concentrations were well below the regulations, and the majority of the air pollution in Ağrı was due to PM10. Also, Concentrations of PM10 were higher than expected due to the location of the station. Hourly PM10 and SO2 concentrations ranged as 9.4-179.7 and 1.4-39.4 µg/m³, with average values of 52.1 and 8.3 µg/m³, respectively. According to the Turkish Aerosol Quality Index (AQI) daily PM10 concentrations were 51% in the “good” class, 44% in the “moderate” class, and 5% in the “sensitive” class. While SO2 measurement values were 100% in the “good” class in 2018. According to the results obtained in this work, it is recommended that more efforts are done to decrease emissions of PM10 throughout the year, and particularly during the heating season.
Derin Öğrenme ile Görüntülerde Gürültü Azaltma Üzerine Kapsamlı Bir İnceleme
Authors: YAPICI Ahmet , AKCAYOL M. Ali
Published: March 2022

Günlük hayatımızda ve bilimsel araştırmalarda gerçeğe yakın ve gürültüsüz görüntülere olan ihtiyaç artmaktadır. Ancak görüntüler, gürültü ile bozulmakta ve bu da görsel görüntü kalitesinin düşmesine neden olmaktadır. Bu nedenle, görüntü özelliklerini kaybetmeden gürültüyü azaltmak için çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Şimdiye kadar, gürültüyü azaltmak için çeşitli yöntemler önerilmiş olup, her yöntemin farklı avantajları bulunmaktadır. Bu makalede, alanında en iyi sonucu elde eden yöntemler hakkında bilgi verilerek, video ve sabit görüntülerinde gürültü azaltma alanında yapılan geleneksel gürültü giderme yöntemleri ve derin öğrenme yöntemlerine ait çalışmalar özetlenip, elde edilen sonuçlar birbirleriyle karşılaştırılmaktadır. Yapılan araştırmalar deneylerin toplamsal beyaz Gauss gürültüsü durumuna odaklandığını göstermektedir. Görüntülerde gürültü giderme aşamasında zaman içerisinde geleneksel gürültü giderme yöntemleri, makine öğrenmesi yöntemleri, derin öğrenme yöntemleri ve diğer matematiksel yöntemler kullanılmış olup, derin öğrenme yöntemleri daha başarılı sonuçlar elde etmektedir. Ancak elde edilen verilere göre orijinal görüntü çiftlerine sahip olmadan modelin eğitilmesi konusunda çalışmaların yetersiz olduğu ve değişik gürültü seviyelerinde tek bir yöntemin başarılı olamadığı görülmüştür. İleride yapılacak çalışmalarda gerçek hayattaki görüntülerde var olan gürültülerin nasıl giderileceği konusuna daha detaylı odaklanılması gerektiği görülmektedir.
Using Chaos Theory to Determine Average Prediction Times of Different Meteorological Variables: A Case Study in Sivas
Authors: ÖZGÜR Evren , YILMAZ Mustafa Utku
Published: March 2022

Processes in the atmosphere can be described by nonlinear approaches since they depend on a large number of independent variables. Even a slight change in initial conditions can cause unpredictable results. Therefore, long-term prediction is not possible to obtain. This is usually called “sensitive dependence on initial conditions”. In this study, average prediction times were determined for different meteorological variables by using a nonlinear approach. Daily values of relative humidity, air temperature, and wind speed in Sivas for the period 2006-2010 were used. To implement the method, the first step is to reconstruct the phase space. Phase space has two embedding parameters, namely time delay and embedding dimension. Mutual Information Function (MIF) can be used to determine the optimal value of the time delay. It considers both linear and nonlinear dependencies in a time series. To define phase space, embedding dimension, which is the number of state variables that define the dynamics of a system, must be identified correctly. The algorithm to describe the dimension is called False Nearest Neighbors (FNN). In the study, average prediction times of variables were calculated by using maximum Lyapunov exponents. Average prediction times for relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed were determined as 6.2, 5.8, and 2.5 days, respectively. In addition, it is found that the sensitivity of measurements increases the prediction time. For relative humidity, the average prediction time can have a 50% increase with 10 times increase of sensitivity.
Antibody Response Profile in COVID-19 Infection in Healthcare Workers: Insights from a Study at a Reference Laboratory
Authors: Shetty Trupti , Dixit Anupapa , Dasguptapta Amar , Nair Vineeth , Satam Heena , Arora Aditi , Arora Sanjay
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed an unprecedented burden on our healthcare system. Serological testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies serves as an useful marker for determining an infection by the virus in the recent past and the immune response. The immune response, including the humoral response to the infection is one of them and the knowledge in this area is still evolving. Virus specific antibodies are expected to help in eliminating the virus and to provide protective immunity against reinfection. Aim: To serially monitor the total antibody response to SARSCoV-2 in order to gain better insight into the duration of antibody persistence. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in 66 Healthcare Workers (HCW) with a history of Reverse Transcription- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) proven COVID-19 infection. The study was conducted between May 2020 to April 2021 at the Suburban diagnostics Central Processing Laboratory, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Serum samples were serially examined for the presence of total antibodies against the Nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 upto 180 days postinfection. A further follow-up examination was done at 360 days. A qualitative Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) assay was used for assessment of the antibody response. The chi-square or Fisher-exact test was used to compare categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test and student t-test were used to compare continuous variables across groups. For assessing relationship between variables, the Pearson test or linear regression were used as appropriate. Results: Out of 66 healthcare workers, 32 were male (48.5%) and 34 were females (51.5%) with the median age of 29.5 years. Out of 66 cases, 62 (94%) cases developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 at different time intervals, 48 cases during the 14- 30 day interval, 10 cases during the 31-60 day interval, three cases during the 61-90 day interval and one case during the 90-120 days interval. Thirty one out of 35 (88%) cases that could be followed-up at 360 days showed persistence of antibodies. No patient reported symptoms which would warrant a repeat RT-PCR test. Conclusion: This study showed that the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 virus was sustained for 12 months postinfection in most cases. The absence of fresh infection in these cases during the study period suggests that the antibodies might protect against reinfection with the virus. So, it may be safe to defer vaccination in postinfection cases by 6-9 months thereby saving precious resources.
Disorders of Sexual DevelopmentPathological Profile of 45 Cases at a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Fernandes Gwendolyn , Mhashete Pooja , Desale Minal
Published: March 2022

Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) are rare syndromes, which show congenital discordance between chromosomal, gonadal and phenotypic sex. A retrospective analysis was performed to analyse the histopathological profile and spectrum of a large number of cases of DSD received at a tertiary care center. There were 45 cases of DSD encountered over a period of eight years, from January 2012 to December 2020. Detailed evaluation of each case with respect to demographic details, clinical features, imaging and pathology was done. All cases were classified as per Chicago Consensus Classification (2006) modified in 2010. The 46, XY DSD were the most common 26 (57.78%) cases, followed by sex chromosomal DSD 14 (31.1%) and 46,XX, DSD 5 (11.1%). Among 46, XY DSD, Complete Gonadal Dysgenesis (CGD) (Swyer syndrome) and Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) had the highest number of cases, with 30.77% cases of each. Among 46XX, DSD, cases of ovotesticular DSD amounted to 80%. In sex chromosomal DSD, cases of Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis (MGD) amounted to 78.57%. Out of 45 cases studied in this series, 20% cases showed neoplasms, of which 8.89% were malignancies. Nine out of 45 (20%) patients had neoplasms, out of which 5 (55.6%) had benign tumours while 4 (44.4%) had malignant tumours. Five patients had gonadoblastoma and three of these had coexistent dysgerminoma. Two patients had sertoli cell adenomas, one seminoma and one serous cystadenoma. Frequent clinical features noted were primary amenorrhea seen in 25 (55.5%) cases and ambiguous genitalia seen in 18 (40%) cases, while the most common location of gonad was intra-abdominal in 30 (66.6%) cases. Streak gonads were seen in CGD, MGD and Turner’s syndrome. Malignant germ cell tumours were seen in CGD and CAIS. Early diagnosis, good histopathology and follow-up are essential in the management of DSDs
Response of Different Fertilizer Levels on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties at Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Shimelis Fasil , Admasu Almaz , Mulatu Zenebe , Worku Wogayehu , Bekele Debela , Dobocha Dereje
Published: March 2022

A field experiment was conducted at Arsi Zone, Oromia regional stat during the main cropping season (June- December) 2017/18, with the objective of evaluating the response of different fertilizer level on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) varieties by identifying the most cost effective variety and fertilizer level. Three fertilizer levels (RNP, 150% RNP and RNPS) and three faba bean varieties (Degaga, Gora and Moti) were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replicated. The mean value of fertilizer levels showed that significant difference (P<0.05) was observed on plant height, number pods per plant and biomass yield, while number of seeds per pod, biomass yield and harvest index was not significantly affected (p>0.05) by fertilizer level. The use of 150% RNP fertilizer level resulted relatively higher plant height (154.1 cm), number of pods per plant (23.2) and biomass yield (14718 kg ha-1). Higher number of seeds per plant (3.07), harvest index (52.55) and plant height (151.7cm) was recorded for Degaga variety. There was interaction (p<0.01) between fertilizer level and faba bean varieties on grain yield with a production of 4230 kg ha-1 under 150% RNP fertilizer levels and Degaga variety. The most benefits and cost effective outcome for farmers also obtained from this combination. There for a combination of 150% RNP fertilizer level with Degaga variety can be recommended at first option, while RNP and RNPS fertilizer level at a second and third option respectively for the production of faba bean in the study area and similar agro ecologies.
Students’ Approaches to Learning in Agricultural Higher Education
Authors: Thammi Raju Dhumantarao , Ramesh Pedaprolu , Raghuvanshi Rupan , Yashavanth Basavapatna Subbanna , Sontakki Bharat S , Krishnan Pandian , Raghupathi Balasani , Soam Sudhir Kumar , Srinivasarao Cherukumalli
Published: March 2022

An Expost facto research design was adopted to understand the learning approaches of agricultural students (deep, strategic, and surface) and the data were collected randomly from 1514 students of Indian agricultural higher education institutions using the ‘Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST)’ instrument. The predominant learning approach adopted by the agricultural students was found to be ‘strategic’ (41.1%), followed by ‘deep’ (40.3 %) and ‘surface’ (15.5 %) approaches. No significant association (Chi-square statistic = 24.106, p=0.156) was found in the student learning approaches across the disciplines, while significant difference (t-statistic=2.248, p=0.028) was found between graduate and undergraduate students in case of ‘deep approach’. Gender had a significant association (Chi-square statistic =14.817, p<0.001) with the students’ learning approaches, especially in ‘strategic’ and ‘surface’ approaches. The paper calls for more systematic and effective teaching-learning and assessment strategies to enhance agricultural higher education quality.
Perceived Influence of Locus of Control on Secondary School Students’academic Achievement in Owerri Education Zone I of Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Iheka J. E. , Anokam E. O. , Onyekwere N. A. , Obinna-Akakuru A. U.
Published: March 2022

The study investigated perceived influence of Locus of control on Secondary school students’ academic achievement in Imo State. It adopted correlation research design. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study. The population is made up of 5,396 students from the 71 public secondary schools in Owerri Education Zone I of Imo state. The sample size is 360 students from the twelve chosen secondary schools. The sampling was done through simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection for this study was Researchers-made questionnaire titled “Locus of Control Questionnaire” (LOCQ) with 14 items having 4 point rating scale. Students’ school Performances were used to determine their Academic Achievement. Pearson r Correlation Coefficient method was used to determine the correlation of the result from the administration. A reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained. The data obtained were analyzed using chi-square test. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Contingency Coefficient C was used to interpret correlation coefficient between the variables. Result revealed that there is a positive moderate relationship between Students’ Locus of control and their Academic Achievement. From the finding, it was recommended among others that School counselors should educate students on the importance of having internal locus of control so as to be achievement oriented.
Formulation Design and Ex Vivo Evaluation of Carbopol -Incorporated Mucoadhesive Thermoreversible gels of Sucralfate for Rectal Drug Delivery
Authors: Firoz Shaik , Rajasekaran S.
Published: March 2022

Aim: The present research is focused on preparation of Thermoreversible gels and screening ex vivo anti-inflammatory activity using croton oil induced hemorrhoid model.

Study Design: The animals were divided into four groups, n=8. After overnight fasting, hemorrhoids were induced by inserting sterile cotton swabs soaked in croton oil preparation into the anus of all group animals except normal control group.

Place and Duration of Study: Depart of Pharmacology, Sree Vidyanikethan College of Pharmacy, Tirupati. between October 2021 to December 2021

Methodology: Experimental runs for optimization of formulation with the help of 23 factorial designs were designed [1]. Design of Expert program 6.0.6 (Stat-Ease Inc. Minneapolis, MN) was used to create formulations. Formulations were optimized using full factorial de­sign. In situ rectal gel was prepared by the cold meth­od [2]. As shown in Table 1, P188 was dissolved in DDW (de-ionized distilled water) including drug (1% w/v) at room temperature, and it was stored at 4°C for complete solubilization of P188. Carbopol solubilized in DDW, HPMC K4M and other mu­coadhesive polymers were then slowly added to the prepared solution with continuous agitation at 4°C, and were kept for 24 h before their use. The composi­tion of developed gel formulations is summarized in Table 1.

Results: Results In the first set of experiment, the application of croton oil to recto anal portion of rats induced significant increase in the Recto anal coefficient and serum level of pro inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, and TNF \(-a\) it also showed a significant increase in recto anal portion compared to normal control animals. However, the treatment with Sucralfate containing Thermoreversible gels has maintained the RAC and Interleukin -6 levels near to normal control group. These findings were further supported by histopathological examination wherein the animals treated with optimized formulation showed significant reversal in the severity of inflammation, vasodilatation in the recto anal portion, and presence of inflammatory cells.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that the improved experimental model described in the present work has advantages and the model has a provision for quantifying the inflammatory exudates in the induced experimental hemorrhoids. Also, it was found that, the optimized formulation ameliorated the croton oil-induced hemorrhoids in rats.
Anthelmintic Resistance of Gastrointestinal Strongyles Infecting Sheep in Nziih, West Cameroon
Authors: Stephanie MakamteTchinde , Jeannette Yondo , Gertrude MbogningTayo , Mbida Mpoame
Published: March 2022

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the levels of efficacy of anthelmintics that were most commonly used in sheep farms in Nziih locality.

Study Design: Longitudinal prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Nziih locality in August 2019 and September 2020.

Methodology: Resistance against Albendazole (12.5 mg/kg) and Ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg) was evaluated using faecal egg count reduction test in naturally occurring gastrointestinal strongyles of sheep in Nziih. A total of 300 young animals were randomly selected from 5 farms in 2019 and in 2020. Faecal samples were collected from each animal on the first day of treatment (D0) and collected again 14 days later (D14). Faecal Egg Counts were performed using the Willis and Mac Master techniques and resistance was declared when faecal egg count reduction (FECR) was less than 95 % and the lower limit of confidence interval (LCI) less than 90%. Pooled faecal samples for each treatment group were set for D0 and D14 to identify resistant strongyles genera by calculating persistent larval rate (PLR).

Results: Resistance against Ivermectin was detected while there was none against Albendazole. Moreover, it was declared only in 2 farms out of the 5 selected. From 2019 to 2020, the status of resistance has shifted from suspicion to resistance for ivermectin and from absence of resistance to suspicion to Albendazole. Resistance was recorded in 2 sites: Pastorale1 (FECR= 85 %, LCI= 42.61 %) and Pastorale 3 (FECR=90.5 %, LCI= 72.26 %) in large flock herds and in farms where sheep were dewormed at least 4 times per year. Trichostrongylus were more persistent than Haemonchus and Oesophagostomum/Chabertia with PLR of 21.22 %, 13.71 %, and 7.40 % respectively.

Conclusion: Anthelmintics must be used correctly in conjunction with farmer education in Nziih.
Study on Malaria and Haemoglobin Interaction in Pregnant Women
Authors: Oroma Ethel Konne , Beatrice Wobiarueri Moore-Igwe , Priya Homa Chukwu , Orokwu Eziaku Chukuigwe-Igbere , Joel Burabari Konne , Felix Eedee Konne
Published: March 2022

Comparative observational study was carried out on the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in General Hospital, Bori (GHB) and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt (BMSH).  Four hundred women were involved in this study of which two hundred per study location. Pregnant women with pyrexia of unknown origin, HIV and those on anti malarial drugs were excluded. Consents were obtained from participants and confidentiality upheld.  Ethical approval was obtained from the ministry of health and from the selected health facilities. Sample collection was performed according to the recommended reference guideline for phlebotomy. Collected samples were used to assay for Haemoglobin using cyanomethamoglobin method, and malaria parasite using the Giemsa staining technique.  Statistical analysis was performed for percentage, frequency, for descriptive statistics and inferences deduced at p-value=0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Questionnaires were issued to obtain their demographic data.  The prevalence of malaria was high among pregnant women with haemoglobin level 8.0–10.9g/dl from BMSH (17.9%) and GHB (35.9%).  Infection was not dependent on locality at P-value < 0.05. Awareness of  malaria in pregnancy should be supported. Anaemia in pregnancy should be treated and comorbidity of malaria and anaemia in pregnancy should be handled with urgency.
Hematological Profiles of Eligible Blood Donors at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
Authors: K. Njenga John , C. Menza Nelson , G. Mathenge Scholastica , N. Githanga Jesse
Published: March 2022

Aim: To determine hematological profile of eligible blood donors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya.

Study Design: Adopted a cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Kenyatta National Hospital, between March 2021 and August 2021.

Methodology: This study recruited 202 eligible blood donors comprising of 173 males and 29 females aged 18-57 years. Blood samples (4ml) were drawn from donated units into ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube. Hematological parameters were estimated using a complete blood count (CBC) analyzer (Humacount 5D®). A total of eighteen hematological parameters were analyzed. These parameters included; red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, RBC indices, white blood cell (WBC) count, absolute and differential WBC and platelet (PLT) count. Results were presented in medians and 95% interquartile ranges and compared using Mann–Whitney U test.

Results: The median counts for all hematological parameters were within the accepted reference ranges for the adult urban population in Kenya. The median and interquartile range for total red cell count was 4.9×106/µL [0.74], hemoglobin level was 14.3g/dL[1.8], hematocrit was 44.9% [5.1], white blood count was 4.9×103/µL [1.4] and platelet was 234×103/L [64]. Among the red cell parameters analyzed, male donors had a significantly higher RBC count (P<0.001), hematocrit (P=0.001) and hemoglobin (P<0.001) than female donors. Among white blood cell parameters analyzed, only lymphocytes (P=0.011) were significantly higher in female donors than male donors. Platelet count (P<0.001) was also significantly higher in females than male donors. 

Conclusion: This study showed eligible donors at KNH had significant differences in red cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, lymphocytes and platelets between male and female donors. Additionally, it highlighted that some blood donors had hematological parameters below and above the recommended reference ranges. These findings support the need to review the current donor recruitment criteria recommending the inclusion of complete blood count in screening.
Evaluation of Potentiality of Different Mango Genotypes for Flowering, Fruiting and Yield of fruits under the Red and Lateritic Zone of West Bengal
Authors: Rasaily Anita , Baraily Prerna , Mandal Goutam
Published: March 2022

The present investigation was carried out at mango orchard of Rathindra Krishi Vigyan Kendra, near Palli-Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Sriniketan, Visva- Bharati, West Bengal, during the period of 2014- 2015 to study the potentiality of different cultivars of mango with regards to flowering, fruiting and yield of fruits. Total nine mango cultivars namely, Amrapali, Mallika, Kohitur, Ranipasand, Golabkhas, Bombai, Kohinoor, Enayat pasand and Safdar pasand were selected. One mango tree represents a single replication and each treatment or a cultivar was replicated three times. The observations were recorded as tree height(cm), tree spread(cm), trunk girth shoot length(cm), shoot girth (cm), primary shoot girth (cm), number of panicles per branch, length of panicle at anthesis, full bloom period (days), number of fruits per panicle at maturity, number of fruits per tree and fruit yield (kg/tree). Amongst all the evaluated Cv. Mallika, Golabkhas and Kohinor was found to be superior under the red and lateritic zone of West Bengal. As per the result found these identified cultivar may be considered as a good donor for hybridization programme to evolve the superior varieties and can be recommend for commercial multiplication and production specially under the red and lateritic zone of West Bengal.
Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Study of Different Solvent Extracts of Fruits of Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb., from Dibrugarh, Assam
Authors: Upadhyaya Sristisri , Kumar Bora Diganta , Chetia Junali
Published: March 2022

Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. is widely cultivated plant due to its significance use as traditional medicine. The fruits of the plant were collected from Dibrugarh district of Assam, India. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of the fruits of Terminalia bellerica. Antioxidant and phytochemical analysis were carried out using standard methods and the results revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols and glycosides in the fruit sample. Among the solvent used for the extraction process, Ethyl acetate extract recorded the highest phenol content (6.56±0.004mgCE/gm dried body weight) and antioxidant activity (67.00± 0.12%) against DPPH. Similarly, ethyl acetate extract recorded the highest (22±1mm) inhibition against B. subtilis compared to Chloramphenicol (30mcg) and Clotrimazole (10mcg). It is concluded that the ethyl acetate extract of the fruits Terminelia bellerica yielded the best results and more efficacious in terms of antimicrobial activity which makes it more useful in new drug development.