bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, depresión y progresión de enfermedad en sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama venezolanas
Authors: Altuve Burgos José Javier , Parra Andrés Antonio
Published: November 2021

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la relación entre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS), la depresión y la progresión de enfermedad en pacientes con Cáncer de mama venezolanas que llevaban corto tiempo de sobrevivencia. Participaron 203 mujeres, de edades entre 24 y 75 años. Se emplearon la subescala de depresión de la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria (HADS), el Cuestionario de Salud General Reducido (GHQ-R), el Cuestionario de Salud Global SF-12 y, a través de la Tomografía Computarizada (TC) de las participantes, se evaluó la presencia o ausencia de progresión de enfermedad. El 7.4% de las pacientes reportaron nivel elevado de depresión, los niveles de CVRS fueron conservados y al 67% de la muestra no se le detectó progresión de enfermedad en sus TC. No se encontró asociación entre la depresión, la CVRS y la progresión de enfermedad. La depresión correlacionó inversa y significativamente con la CVRS y la misma dirección se reportó cuando se examinó esta relación con respecto a la presencia o ausencia de progresión de enfermedad detectada en las pacientes. Se precisó que la fuerza en la relación entre la depresión y la CVRS fue mayor en las pacientes que se les identificó progresión de enfermedad.
¿Influye el estilo parental percibido por el hijo en el sobrepeso u obesidad infantil?
Authors: Mejía Galván Ilse Tatiana , Padrós Blázquez Ferrán
Published: November 2021

Introducción: El aumento del sobrepeso y de la obesidad infantil se ha ido convirtiendo en un problema mundial en el ámbito de la salud física y psicológica. Este inconveniente tiene múltiples causas, entre las que se podría incluir el estilo parental. Objetivo: Conocer las posibles relaciones entre el estilo que los padres adoptan para educar a sus hijos y el sobrepeso y obesidad infantil de estos. Método: Las variables a estudiar fueron medidas a través de la Escala de Afecto (EA) y la Escala de Normas y Exigencias, suministradas a los niños y adolescentes. Dichas pruebas fueron aplicadas a 149 participantes de entre 12 y 16 años de edad, de los cuales 24 tenían sobrepeso u obesidad. Resultados: Se hallaron diferencias significativas en los estilos educativos desde la perspectiva de los niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad o normopeso. Discusión: La percepción de los hijos sobre el estilo educativo parental no se relacionó con el peso corporal de estos.
Armazenamento de sementes de cártamo tratadas por termoterapia
Authors: Menegaes Janine Farias , Nunes Ubirajara Russi , Bellé Rogério Antônio , Roso Rodrigo
Published: November 2021

A cultura do cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius L.) apresenta ampla aptidão de uso, desde planta ornamental a oleaginosa, com boa adaptabilidade de cultivo no país. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes de cártamo tratadas por termoterapia durante o armazenamento em diferentes embalagens. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x4x4 (tratamentos de sementes, tipos de embalagens e períodos de armazenamento), com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos das sementes foram: testemunha (sem tratamento), termoterapia via calor úmido (45º C 15 min-1) e termoterapia via calor seco (45º C 24 h-1), em embalagens foram do tipo: frasco de vidro transparente, sacos de papel Kraft, embalagem plástica de garrafa e saco plástico selado a vácuo. Os períodos de armazenamento foram: 0, 4, 8 e 12 meses, em ambiente com refrigeração em câmara fria (15º C e 40% UR). As qualidades foram avaliadas pelos testes de germinação, condutividade elétrica massal, comprimento e massa de plântulas, emergência no campo e sanidade. Observou-se que a partir de quatro meses de armazenamento houve declínio na qualidade fisiológica e sanitária das sementes de cártamo, observado pela diminuição da germinabilidade e da emergência das plântulas no campo. Portanto, o tratamento de sementes por termoterapia é eficaz quando a semeadura realizada na sequência do tratamento (24 h).
Laymen’s Narratives in Amouddou’s Eco-documentary: An Ecolinguistic Analysis
Authors: Mliless Mohamed , Azzouzi Lamiae , Hdii Saida , Handoko Handoko
Published: November 2021

Documentary films, generally of short or medium-length, have informative and educational purposes. They present authentic reports on areas of life, human activities, and the natural world. Particularly, eco-documentaries aim to raise environmental awareness towards the degradation of natural elements; they present alternatives for environmental issues such as pollution, global warming, and deforestation. To reinforce the argumentative process of environmental documentaries, laymen discourse contributes a lot to the meaning-making of productions. Within the framework of discourse analysis and ecolinguistics, this work examines fear and threat expressions used by ordinary witnesses to reinforce argumentation in Lahoucine Faouzi’s eco-documentary entitled “Whining of the Blue Lagoon. In this vein, the ‘perceived severity and perceived susceptibility’ model was used to investigate the implication of fear and threat appeals in laymen’s testimonies. The results show that these expressions are common among laymen’s narratives. This study has many implications for eco-documentary makers, governmental and non-governmental organs, and future research to explore other linguistic features in eco-documentaries on man’s perpetrated damages to the environmental resources.
A Need Analysis for English Speaking and Listening Assessment Media with Web Responsive in Computer Science Faculty
Authors: Amna Shally , Christina Dian
Published: November 2021

This study aimed at finding and analyzing the information of the ideal speaking and listening online assessment media needed in Computer Science Faculty, University of Putra Indonesia YPTK.  The study used descriptive and qualitative approaches. The data instrument was a questionnaire using Likert-scale and open-questions responded by 431 students and 17 English lecturers. The result of the study showed that the students need interactive and interesting assessment web responsive while the lecturers need web responsive media which enable them to assess speaking and listening online including scoring and sending feedback. The result of the study will also be used as a matrix for developing online assessment media.
Materiais educativos de incentivo a doação de sangue: uma revisão bibliográfica
Authors: Pinheiro Rebeca Fontenele , Caldas Daniel dos Santos , Lima André Miller Cortêz , Jesus Ellen Nayara Silva de , Prazeres Maria Clara Coelho , Graças Pedro Henrique Baia , Tavares Mateus Silva , Oliveira Lucas Samuel dos Santos , Frade Paula Cristina Rodrigues
Published: November 2021

Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão da literatura acerca da produção de materiais educativos para o incentivo à doação de sangue. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão integrativa, incluindo as bases de dados Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS). Utilizou-se os descritores “campanha de doação de sangue”, “doadores de sangue e educação” e “doação de sangue e redes sociais” no período de janeiro de 2016 a julho de 2021. Resultados: O levantamento bibliográfico abrangeu as publicações nacionais e internacionais, sendo 458 trabalhos lidos e 14 artigos selecionados para compor o estudo. Os artigos mostraram que o sucesso das campanhas de doação de sangue está intrinsecamente relacionado a questões de instrução e a um caráter holístico dos conhecimentos repassados ao potencial doador. Sendo os aspectos comportamentais e culturais do candidato à doação, uso de linguagem acessível e diversidade de formatos, os principais pontos destacados na elaboração de materiais educativos relacionados à doação de sangue. Considerações finais: Dada a heterogeneidade dos materiais usados para incentivo às campanhas de doação de sangue, a compilação destas informações pode auxiliar na produção de materiais educativos e no planejamento de campanhas.
Psoriasis Therapy Beyond Biologics
Authors: Buechler Connor R , Veenstra Jesse , Stein Gold Linda
Published: November 2021

Although psoriasis patients have benefited from the advent of biologic treatments over the past two decades, these medications are not appropriate for all patients and can be augmented by additional therapy. Differences among the manifold options can be difficult to parse, though essential for matching treatment with an individual patient. UV-light therapies, including both UV-B and psoralen with UV-A light, continue to play an important role in treatment, as do non-biologic systemic options including methotrexate, cyclosporine, apremilast, and acitretin. Recent years have seen a dramatic expansion in available topical therapies, the most common modality for the treatment of psoriasis, including new foam, spray, lotion, and cream formulations of topical corticosteroids (TCS) and new fixed-dose combination offerings of TCS with tazarotene and calcipotriene. Newer advances, including the oral tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib and non-steroidal topicals such as roflumilast, a PDE-4 inhibitor, and tapinarof, a first-in-class non-steroidal small-molecule, will soon provide even more options for treatment. It is vital for clinicians to remain aware of this ever-expanding armamentarium, allowing for more productive shared decision-making with patients, improved satisfaction, and better disease control.
Pemphigus Foliaceous after COVID-19 Infection and Bamlanivimab Infusion
Authors: Urban Katelyn , Giesey Rachel L. , Delost Gregory R.
Published: November 2021

We report a case of pemphigus foliaceous (PF) in the setting of bamlanivimab, a novel monoclonal antibody for the treatment of COVID-19. PF is a rare autoimmune blistering disease caused by autoantibodies directed against desmoglein-1 (DSG1). Drugs and viruses have been implicated as inciting factors of pemphigus in predisposed patients. Given the current pandemic, the presentation of PF following COVID-19 infection and bamlanivimab infusion is of special interest and further investigation may be warranted.
Deucravacitinib, an Oral, Selective Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK2) Inhibitor, Versus Placebo and Apremilast in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Efficacy Analysis by Baseline Disease Characteristics From the Phase 3 POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2 Trials
Authors: Merola Joe , Sofen Howard , Thaci Diamant , Paul Carle , Imafuku Shinichi , Banerjee Subhashis , Armstrong April
Published: November 2021

N/A
Effects of Ruxolitinib Cream in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis With Head and/or Neck Involvement
Authors: Simpson Eric , Bissonnette Robert , Kuligowski Michael , Venturanza May , Sun Kang , Silverberg Jonathan
Published: November 2021

N/A
Integrating the 31-gene expression profile and clinicopathologic data to determine the risk of sentinel lymph node positivity and recurrence-free survival in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Martin Brian , Taylor Nicholas , Whitman Eric , Quick Ann , Bailey Christine , Covington Kyle , Vetto John
Published: November 2021

N/A
Long-Term Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Perimenopausal, Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women with Self-Perceived Thinning Hair
Authors: Ablon Glynis , Berkowitz Sheryl , Kogan Sophia , Raymond Isabelle
Published: November 2021

N/A
Efficacy of Hydromechanical Therapy in Nonhealing, Chronic Wounds as a Cost- and Clinically Effective Wound Care Modality
Authors: DesJardins Haley , Char Sydney , Marasco Patrick , Hsu Yung-Chang , Guo Lifei
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Chronic wounds pose a widespread challenge to health care, with many new, costly wound care modalities introduced in recent years with varying degrees of success. Bacterial biofilms have been postulated as one of the main culprits of the stagnation of chronic wound healing. For years, surgical fields have used pressurized irrigation for cleansing surgical wounds, but its utility in managing nonhealing chronic wounds has often been overlooked. Objective. In this case series, the authors aimed to demonstrate that hydromechanical therapy with pressurized irrigation can be a cost-effective and clinically effective wound care modality. Materials and Methods. The authors present 6 clinical cases of difficult nonhealing wounds managed with hydromechanical therapy with pressurized irrigation, a follow-up from the initial case report. Other, often more expensive modalities, had previously failed. In all 6 cases, irrigation was performed using tap water or saline either at home or long-term care facilities. Literature that focused on the mechanism of healing from hydromechanical therapy was reviewed. Results. All chronic wounds in the series reached stable healing. The authors speculate that such healing was achieved through biofilm disruption and tissue stimulation with a mechanical impact. Literature supporting this hypothesis is presented. Conclusions. The current clinical results offer a new perspective on the role of a traditional surgical modality of hydromechanical therapy in chronic wound care and on the associated opportunity of potential cost savings.
CLINICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS AND RISK FACTORS OF INFECTION OF ARTIFICIAL VASCULAR PROSTHESES AFTER RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ON THE AORTOILIAC-FEMORAL SEGMENT
Authors:   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Doroshko Ye. Yu. , Lyzikov A. A. ,   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Kaplan M. L. ,   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus, Tikhmanovich V. E. ,   Gomel State Medical University, Gomel, Belarus
Published: November 2021

Objective: to study the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients and risk factors, to analyze their influence on the frequency of infection of artificial vascular prostheses in the aortoiliac-femoral segment. Material and methods. We analyzed 609 medical records of inpatient patients who had undergone vascular reconstructive interventions on the aortoiliac-femoral segment using a synthetic vascular prosthesis. The article presents the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with lesions of the aortoiliac-femoral segment. The frequency of conduit infection in various major diseases, surgical approaches, types of bypass surgery (prosthetics), types of artificial vascular prosthesis was analysed. Results. The patients who developed lesions of the aortoiliac-femoral segment were mostly males (94.6%), urban residents (78%), unemployed (68.6%), those with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities (72.7%) and coronary heart disease (59.4%). The incidence of vascular prostheses in patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities was 5.5%, and in those with an aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta – 1.2%. Conclusion. The pattern of developing artificial vascular prosthesis infection has been established. Infection of conduits occurs statistically significantly more often in patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the arteries of the lower extremities than in those with an aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta.
ASSOCIATION OF POLYMORPHISM OF PLATELET RECEPTOR GENES GPIA (C807T), GPIIIA (T1565C) ON PLATELET ACTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA
Authors:   Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus, Pronko T. P. , Snezhitskiy V. A. ,   Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus, Gorchakova O. V. ,   Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus
Published: November 2021

Background. Recently, much attention has been paid to the genetic aspects of thrombus formation. Understanding the genetic contribution to platelet function may have clinical implications for personalized pharmacotherapy. The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of polymorphic variants C807T of the ITGA2 gene and T1565C of the ITGB3 gene and to study their effect on platelet activity and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) efficiency in patients with stable angina (SA) living in the Grodno region. Material and methods. The study included 92 patients with SA, 89 of them underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 93 were apparently healthy people. The survey data (general clinical, aggregometry, general blood count and platelet indices, polymerase chain reaction genotyping) were analyzed using the STATISTICA 10.0 program. Results. The prevalence of carriage of genotypes associated with possible variability of response to ASA therapy among patients with SA was 69.6% for the C807T polymorphic locus of the ITGA2 gene, 31.5% for the T1565C polymorphic ITGB3 locus, 60.2% and 37.6% among practically healthy individuals respectively. A lower frequency of the CC variant of the C807T polymorphic locus of the ITGA2 gene was noted in the group of men with SA in comparison with the control group of men (p = 0.043) according to Fisher's exact test. The patients were divided into subgroups (SG). Carriers of the CC genotype of the C807T polymorphic locus of the ITGA2 gene and TT genotype of the T1565C polymorphic locus of the ITGB3 gene were in SG1. Carriers of the CT+TT genotypes of the C807T polymorphic locus of the ITGA2 gene and TC+CC of the T1565C polymorphic locus of the ITGB3 gene were in SG2. The ASPI-test values were 23.0 [14.0; 50.5] U in SG1 and 22.5 [14.5; 34.5] U in SG2 of the ITGA2 gene, p>0.05. The ASPI-test values were 23.0 [16.0; 38.0] U in SG1 and 20.0 [14.0; 34.0] U in SG2 of the ITGB3 gene, p>0.05. Conclusions. No relationship was found between the polymorphic variants C807T of the ITGA2 gene and T1565C of the ITGB3 gene and platelet activity and the effectiveness of ASA in patients with SA.
The Mandatory Nature of Online Learning During COVID-19: A Comparative Study of the Experience of Three Universities
Authors: Goncharova Yana , Savchenko Tatyana , Sheveleva Olga , Zubcova Iuliia
Published: November 2021

This paper is devoted to the comparative analysis of three online learning plat forms used by three universities (Dubna State University and Pyatigorsk State University in Russia and University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” in Italy) for the forced adoption of onli ne learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantages, defects and restrictions of each learning platform are analyzed along with the factor of human error and incompetence while using the platforms. It was found that it was difficult to establish the authorship of the tasks performed, to check the real attendance and level of involvement during online lectures, and to ascertain students’ identity without violating laws on personal data and privacy. What is more, the participants of the educational process demonstrated their lack of experience and technical skills to work with the platforms, and their lack of motivation and self-discipline. In accordance with the data received and analyzed in this research, a list of recommendations and technical specifications required is offered. This research is useful for government institutions, universities, academic staff and students working or planning to start working with online learning instruments.
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF RICE PRODUCTION IN RAUTAHAT DISTRICT OF NEPAL
Authors: Sapkota Narayan , Yadav Pankaj Kumar , Sapkota Saroj
Published: November 2021

Study was conducted to analyze the production economics, socioeconomic status, potential and problems of rice in Rautahat district. Total 80 farmers were selected by simple random sampling method. Respondents were categorized into small and large scale based on the average land holding under rice cultivation. Result of socio demographic characters showed that the average household size and area under rice cultivation was 7.3 and 35.44 Katha respectively. Human labor was the major input used along with others viz. seed, tillage, FYM and chemical fertilizer and pesticides, irrigation in both large and small farms. The production per household (kg) and productivity (t/ha) were 4458.965 kg, 3.64t/ha respectively and there was significant difference in production (kg) per household between small scale farms (1811 kg) and large scale farms (7863.4 kg). The total average cost, gross revenue and gross margin per hectare were estimated as NPR.108214.79, NPR.120227.04 and NPR.12012.25 respectively. The average benefit cost ratio was 1.11. Cobb Douglas production function presented the inputs; human labor, tillage, FYM chemical and pesticides and irrigation were found to have positive relationship with income while other cost (mainly transportation cost) was found to have negative relation with the total income. The return to scale value was computed to be 0.96 indicating decreasing return to scale in rice production in Rautahat district. Therefore, the findings suggest that, the production and income can be maximized by efficiently solving problems of quality inputs and others mentioned.
IMPORTANCE AND PRODUCTION OF BULLET CHILLE PEPPER IN NEPAL; EFFICIENT NUTRIENT AND IT’S ESTABLISHMENT & MANAGEMENT
Authors: Nepali Prasant
Published: November 2021

The Bullet Chilli Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is a major vegetable crop grown around the world, owing to its economic and nutritional value. This plant is a member of the broad Solanaceae family. The key challenges for vegetable crop improvement are related to agriculture’s long-term sustainability, food stability, and rising market demand. Chilli peppers grow well in a tropical climate due to their adaptation to warm and humid regions with temperature ranging from 18-30 degree Celsius. Nowadays, chilli peppers are cultivated all around the world under different climatic conditions and their production is gradually expanding. The origins of resistance to a wide range of pathogens in pepper, as well as the mechanisms of resistance to various biotic stresses, are discussed in this review article.
ESTIMATION OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF POTATO IN MARKETS OF SOME SELECTED DISTRICTS IN BANGLADESH
Authors: Monjil Mohammad Shahjahan , Hasan M. Monjurul , Hoque Md. Ashraful
Published: November 2021

A survey was carried out following questionnaire to estimate the status of post-harvest losses of potato from potato retailers in different markets of Comilla, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and Rangpur district. Basic information of potato retailers such as age, gender, educational qualification, marketing experience, ownership and their basic knowledge of stored variety, problems associated in stored potato, storage conditions, causes of losses of stored potato, common storage diseases of potato, possible reasons for rotting of potato in storage, primary source of potato, care of stored potato, most favorable and unfavorable period for potato storage were assessed by direct interview. The average incidence of soft rot, dry rot and scab was found 2.54%, 4.44% and 1.85%, respectively in November, 2019. The total losses due to post-harvest diseases in these markets were found 8.83%. Meanwhile, the total loss of potato due to physical abnormalities was recorded 13.78%. The highest physical abnormalities were observed green potato (6.20%) followed by cut potato (4.27%) and pitted potato (2.10%). This study was a preliminary step for the investigation of the idea of the retailers of the selected districts about the status, problems they faced for potato storage in markets. This was the first time survey from potato retailers of different districts in Bangladesh and estimation of potato loss in the market of Bangladesh.
ROLE OF MICROORGANISMS IN POST-HARVEST LOSS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS: A REVIEW
Authors: Bist Naresh Singh , Bist Pratibha
Published: November 2021

The measurable quantitative (weight or volume) and qualitative (changed physical condition or characteristics) loss of agricultural products after harvest is considered as a post-harvest loss. Microbiological postharvest loss is one of the major types of postharvest loss and it refers to losses caused by microorganisms like moulds, yeasts, and bacteria. Microorganisms have a cosmopolitan distribution in the terrestrial ecosystem and are responsible for the contamination of agricultural products. Poor post-harvest management of agricultural products makes them susceptible to microbial contamination. Different genera of fungi, bacteria, protista even viruses are responsible for spoilage of food agricultural products rendering them unsuitable for consumption. Some microorganisms like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium expel or produce mycotoxins on food material which is detrimental to human health. Thus, appropriate control measures should be applied to minimize microbial post-harvest loss for not only reducing risk to human health but also obtaining sustainable food security.
DEVELOPMENT OF LYCHEE PULPY DRINKS AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT DURING STORAGE
Authors: Sharmin Tajnuba , Reza Shamim , Islam Md. Azadul , Hossain Shamim , Hossain Saddam , Masud Abu Darda , Alam Asraful , A Kabir Fahriha Nur -
Published: November 2021

The experiment was concerned with developing of Lychee pulpy drinks to assess its prospect in respect to its marketability and food value. The fruits were collected and the pulp was extracted. Then the pulp was analyzed for proximate composition. Lychee pulpy drinks were prepared, analyzed the changes of TSS (Total soluble solid), acidity, pH, viscosity and gas volume and compared with carbonated lychee pulpy drinks and carbonated lychee drinks. Products were stored at room temperatures in PET (polyethylene terephthelate) bottles and changes during storage were observed at an interval of 1 month for a period of 7 months. A testing panel consisting 14 panelists studied the acceptability of the samples. The consumer’s preferences were measured by statistical analysis of the scores obtained from the response of the panel. Among the samples the following lychee pulpy drink was awarded the highest scores by the panelists.
POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF POTATO GENOTYPES AT FARMERS’ STORAGE CONDITIONS
Authors: P. Upadhyay Kalika , Paudel Neela , Aryal Sunil , Simkhada Resona , Bhusal Bikash , Thapa Bihani , Subedi Giridhari , P. Gautam Ishwori
Published: November 2021

Potato is one of the major crops of Nepal and postharvest loss is one of the major problems in the potato value chain system. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of assessing post-harvest losses of potato under farmers’ storage conditions. Potato tubers of six potato genotypes (three released varieties viz. ‘Jankdev’, ‘Khumal Upahar’ and ‘Khumal Vikash’ and three pipeline genotypes viz. ‘CIP 393073.179’, ‘CIP 395112.32’ and ‘Techno 304351.109’) were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications under four different farmers’ storage conditions at Panauti-8, Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal from May to August 2019. The tubers were cured after harvesting for two weeks in a shade, thereafter they were stored for 80 days. Data were recorded on 20, 40, 60, and 80 days of storage. The results showed that at 80 days of storage, the lowest weight loss (5.51%) was found in Techno 304151.109 followed by CIP 393073.179 (6.68%). Potato tuber moth infestation was minimum in CIP 393073.179 (1.15) followed by Techno 304151.109 (1.25). The days to sprouting was the highest in CIP 393073.179 (69.25) followed by Techno 304151.109 (68.75). No shrinkage was observed in CIP 393073.179 and Techno 304151.109 till 60 days of storage. Loss due to rotting was not observed in these genotypes. Therefore potato genotypes CIP 393073.179 and Techno 304351.109 were promising for their storability in farm conditions; which can be recommended for commercial production in the mid-hill environment of Nepal.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT OF MUSTARD APHID, LIAPHIS ERYSIMI (KALT.) ON RAPESEED CROPS IN GOKULESHWOR, BAITADI
Authors: Malla Santoshi , Bist Lal , Dhanuk Yogesh Singh , Neupane Aasih
Published: November 2021

An experiment was conducted at Gokuleshwor, Baitadi to evaluate the management practices of Lipaphiserysimi (Kalt.) during Rabi season in 2017/18.Field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were:1) jholmol @250 ml/litre of water2) 2) Altineem @2.5ml/litre of water 3) Cow urine @250 ml/litre of water 4) Mustard cake @25kg/ha and 5) untreated (control). Each plot consists of 2m*2m (4m2). Field experiment showed that the highest reduction of Lipaphiserysimi (Kalt.) was achieved in jholmol followed by altineem but these two treatments were statistically at per during almost all the spray times. Thus, jholmol might be the best option in eco-friendly management of Lipaphiserysimi (Kalt).
FALL ARMYWORM: AN EMERGING THREAT TO AGRICULTURE-A REVIEW
Authors: Bhandari Radhakrishna
Published: November 2021

American Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous agricultural pest that migrates from one to another place quite rapidly & destroys agricultural crops especially maize from eclosion to last instars of its life cycle causing an average of 45% of economic loss by foliar & reproductive part feeding. The pest has become so destructive that the food & nutritional security of small-scale farmer are in great threat. The ability of pest to lay several hundred eggs & rapid migration in a quite short time duration of 30 days makes the pest extremely hard for control. Scouting regularly the field & following Integrated pest management (IPM) technique have been found to be the best against the control FAW but lack of technical knowledge, lack of extension of research output have been a great problem for successful control of Fall armyworm all around the globe.
Tu Kaha: Nga Mana Wahine Exploring the Role of Mana Wahine in the Development of Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women's Refuge
Authors:   , Turner Tairawhiti Veronique
Published: November 2021

Whanau are the building blocks of society and their well-being is critical to strong,vibrant and connected communities. When a women or child is beaten, abused, or worse killed as a result of family violence, individuals are adversely affected, whanau suffer and wider communities in New Zealand are impoverished. From the margins of New Zealand society, Maori women are leading development campaigns that seek to end violence against women and children, uphold their human rights and freedoms and challenge oppressive colonial ideologies which are hegemonic and masculinist. Their work is part of local, national and global agendas to end violence and bring about long-term, positive change. They are a part of the decolonisation agenda within which many Maori actively campaign. This thesis brings together theory and practice to explore such a campaign. The overall goal is to explore the role of Mana Wahine in the development of Te Whare Rokiroki Maori Women's Refuge. Mana Wahine is a theory and ideological framework which is centred on Maori world views and ways of knowing. It is also a tool for analysing situations and events and has been adopted to create space for Maori women to tell their stories and develop ideas. This thesis seeks to achieve the following aims: explore the meaning of Maori development in a Refuge environment; investigate the expression of Mana Wahine by Maori women Refuge advocates; and identify the extent to which Mana Wahine has influenced decolonisation. The research framework which informs the overall approach comprises a: Kaupapa Maori epistemology, Mana Wahine and Qualitative methodologies and interviews. This thesis joins the Refuge in its pursuit for Tino Rangatiratanga (sovereignty) and contributes to the growing body of Mana Wahine knowledge. The conclusions of this thesis assert development within the Refuge means women and children leading lives free from violence and abuse. A Mana Wahine perspective is critical to the development of the Refuge and achieving positive, long-term change. At a fundamental level, the means through which development and change is achieved is Maori culture, Tikanga and Te Reo. The women of Te Whare Rokiroki are unsung heroines whose stories of commitment, sacrifice, learning, determination, anger, resistance and generosity has to be told.
Family Planning Decision-Making at Grass Roots Level: Case Studies in West Java, Indonesia
Authors:   , Herartri Rina
Published: November 2021

This thesis examines the process of family planning decision-making with a view to understanding women's empowerment within the context of the Indonesian population policies and family planning programme. The objective of the family planning programme, established in 1970, is to create 'small, happy and prosperous families' through community participation. This goal has been strengthened by the passage of Law No. 10 of 1992 concerning "Population Development and the Development of Prosperous Families". From 2000, in line with the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, women's empowerment has become one of the major concerns of the family planning programme as stipulated in its new vision and mission statements. Data for this thesis are provided by fieldwork conducted in two villages in West Java province, Indonesia, from December 2002 until May 2003. A qualitative research design, with a phenomenological approach, has shaped the conduct of this study. The case studies in the two villages revealed that the philosophy of 'small and prosperous family' has permeated down to the village. This idea has influenced the village couples' decisions regarding family size. Smaller families with better-educated children are believed to lead to increased family prosperity. Generally, decisions to do with family planning and childbearing are made by women because men regard them as women's business. The contraceptive preferences show that women bear the major responsibility in the use of family planning methods. Thus women in these villages were empowered, but only partially. The women's role in terms of decision-making still exists within the framework of the interests of their husbands. Nevertheless, women's empowerment in family planning, through access to information and contraceptive services, has emerged from the case studies as a key factor that has enabled village women to make informed choices to control their family size. Women's control of fertility has been a major contributor to the success in reducing fertility and increasing family prosperity.
Culturally-Relevant Persuasive Technology
Authors:   , Khaled Rilla
Published: November 2021

Persuasive technology (PT) has been defined by B. J. Fogg as "any interactive computing system designed to change peoples attitudes or behaviors". The kinds of attitudes people hold, and the behaviours they exhibit, are influenced by culture, so cultural beliefs play a large role in persuasion. The cross-cultural psychology literature has demonstrated the power of culture on attitude change. To date, however, there has been limited persuasive technology research outside of countries characterised as having individualist culture, where individualism describes cultures in which society members have a primarily individual identity. Little research has explicitly investigated the relationship between persuasive technology and culture. In this thesis, we investigated the hypothesis that persuasive technology is more effective when it reflects the culture of its intended target audience. Firstly, we established a set of effective, culturally-relevant persuasive technology strategies, almost all of which are targeted at use in tools for collectivist audiences. The strategies are based on a combination of findings from the cross-cultural psychology literature focused on the dimensions of individualism and collectivism, an analysis of existing PT strategies, and qualitative insights. Secondly, we developed a culturally-relevant PT prototype based on several of our strategies, in the form of two versions of a game titled Smoke? about smoking cessation. One version of Smoke? was designed to be more persuasive for a NZ European player audience, while the other was designed to be more persuasive for a Maori player audience. We conducted focus groups with potential players, the insights of which guided how we applied several of our culturally-relevant PT strategies in the design of the two game versions. Finally, we evaluated both game versions on individualist, and collectivist test players, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of our evaluation support our hypothesis. Not only did both sets of players engage with, and use the culturally-relevant interface elements of the game designed for their culture, they also demonstrated that the culturally-relevant game versions had increased their anti-smoking beliefs.
Video Game Values: Play as Human-Computer Interaction
Authors:   , Barr Pippin
Published: November 2021

Video games are a form of software and thus an obvious object of study in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Interaction with video games differs from the usual understanding of HCI, however, because people play video games rather than use them. In this dissertation we ask: " How can we analyse human-computer interaction in video games when the interaction in question is play?" We propose video game values, defined as sustained beliefs about preferable conduct during play, as a basis for video game HCI. In order to describe and analyse play we use activity theory, focusing on how the interface mediates players' beliefs about preferable conduct. Activity theory allows us to address the multiple levels of context and detail in play as well as the role of conflict. We employ a qualitative case study methodology to gather data about five popular video games: Civilization III, Fable, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Half-Life 2, and The Sims 2. Our core data comes from observation and interview sessions with twenty-five experienced players of these games. We collected further data based on the games' interfaces, participant observation, and documentation such as manuals and walkthroughs. We make three key contributions to video game HCI: 1) We introduce video game values as a means to analyse play as a form of human-computer interaction and show how the values of PAIDIA and LUDUS influence all aspects of play; 2) we develop a video game activity framework for describing and analysing video game play at multiple levels of detail and context; and 3) we extend the video game activity framework to include contradictions and breakdowns as a means to describe and analyse the role of conflict and challenge in video game play.
Gaussian Processes for Regression and Optimisation
Authors:   , Boyle Phillip
Published: November 2021

Gaussian processes have proved to be useful and powerful constructs for the purposes of regression. The classical method proceeds by parameterising a covariance function, and then infers the parameters given the training data. In this thesis, the classical approach is augmented by interpreting Gaussian processes as the outputs of linear filters excited by white noise. This enables a straightforward definition of dependent Gaussian processes as the outputs of a multiple output linear filter excited by multiple noise sources. We show how dependent Gaussian processes defined in this way can also be used for the purposes of system identification. Onewell known problem with Gaussian process regression is that the computational complexity scales poorly with the amount of training data. We review one approximate solution that alleviates this problem, namely reduced rank Gaussian processes. We then show how the reduced rank approximation can be applied to allow for the efficient computation of dependent Gaussian processes. We then examine the application of Gaussian processes to the solution of other machine learning problems. To do so, we review methods for the parameterisation of full covariance matrices. Furthermore, we discuss how improvements can be made by marginalising over alternative models, and introduce methods to perform these computations efficiently. In particular, we introduce sequential annealed importance sampling as a method for calculating model evidence in an on-line fashion as new data arrives. Gaussian process regression can also be applied to optimisation. An algorithm is described that uses model comparison between multiple models to find the optimum of a function while taking as few samples as possible. This algorithm shows impressive performance on the standard control problem of double pole balancing. Finally, we describe how Gaussian processes can be used to efficiently estimate gradients of noisy functions, and numerically estimate integrals.
Molecular Markers For Selection of Resistance to Facial Eczema
Authors:   , Kuhait Jabbar
Published: November 2021

The disease facial eczema is caused by the fungal metabolite sporidesmin which produces photosensitisation of animals whose liver and biliary tract have been damaged by the toxin. Sporidesmin is produced by the pasture fungus Pithomyces chartarum and affects ruminant animals that graze on contaminated pasture. Previous studies have shown that sporidesmin is metabolised in the liver and have suggested that the toxin is metabolically inactivated by enzymes in the glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P-450 families. The activities of these enzymes were therefore measured in liver extracts from Romneys that had been selected for resistance or susceptibility to sporidesmin - induced liver damage. Although there were no differences in cytochrome P-450 CO binding spectra or cytochrome c reductase between the selection lines, resistant Romneys had greater nitroanisole O-demethylase activity and this difference was apparently enhanced two days after dosing with sporidesmin. Dose-dependent differences occurred in the absence of major hepatocellular injury suggesting that they reflected changes in enzyme activity rather than changes in tissue mass. Aminopyrine N-demethylase did not vary significantly between the selection lines. Some differences in GSH-dependent metabolism were also observed. Undosed resistant Romneys showed greater GSH-dependent metabolism of sporidesmin in a spectrophotometric assay. It is possible that glutathione S-transferase Mu or Theta isoforms had greater activity in the resistant lines as differences were observed using p-nitrobenzyl chloride and 1,2 epoxy-3-p-nitrophenoxypropanol but not with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene that are good substrates for these isoforms. 2-D PAGE was applied to the separation of whole homogenate and soluble proteins. Variations in expression of some proteins including GST Mu isoforms were found between the selection lines. Roles of cytochrome P-450 and glutathione S-transferase in the hepatic detoxication of sporidesmin have previously been demonstrated. Results obtained in this study suggest that resistant Romneys may have greater cytochrome P-450 O-demethylase and glutathione S-transferase activities that could be responsible for increased metabolic inactivation of sporidesmin. These differences may in the future be of use in design of DNA probes to enhance detection and selection of facial eczema resistant livestock.
Reactions of Co-Ordinated Ligands: Schiff Base Complexes from Polyamine Complexes and Aliphatic Carbonyls
Authors:   , House Donald Alexander
Published: November 2021

In 1954, Curtis(46,47) discovered that tris (ethylenediamine)nickel(II) perchlorate would react with acetone to form three different yellow, diamagnetic perchlorate complexes containing ligands coordinated by amine and azomethine donor groups and Blight(19) extended this reaction to other 1,2-diamine complexes of copper(II) and nickel(II). The object of this work has been:- (i) The synthesis of polyamine complexes of nickel(II) and copper(II)(84). (ii) The investigation of the nature, structure(50) and chemical properties of the products obtained by reaction of some nickel(II) and copper(II) polyamine complexes with acetone(83,85,85). (iii) The extension of the reaction to other aliphatic carbonyl compounds, especially aldehydes.
Trade, Medicines & Human Rights: Protecting Access to Medicines in Fiji & the Pacific
Authors:   , Meads Sarah
Published: November 2021

Restrictive provisions in international trade agreements, particularly trade related intellectual property rights (TRIPS), are impeding access to essential medicines in developing countries, making medicines unaffordable to poor people. The extent to which trade restrictions have adverse effects on health and economic development in Fiji and the Pacific region may depend critically on how Pacific Island Countries cope with the forces of regionalism and the realities of joining the global trading system, where there are pressures to make concessions in TRIPS. Yet awareness is relatively low. A central question to be asked here is what underlying factors shape how Pacific islanders view trade and access to medicines, notably in the area of trade, health, local culture, and human rights and what are the regional and national responses to mitigate potential trade impediments. By combining a public health lens with a multi-sector review of population health trends, intellectual property rights law, trade policymaking, and human rights, this research elaborates multidisciplinary findings that are usually less evident because they are conventionally researched and managed on a sector-by-sector basis. The findings suggest human rights are less significant in this debate, with challenges associated with small island developing states, local cultural preferences and pressures from regionalism, having more of a direct influence. The combined effect of these factors may be creating a unique context that is leading the Pacific region not to deal with these issues as well as some other developing countries might. This paper also discusses the emergence of two new challenges for human rights theory; to promote the collective rights of individual countries in the 'new regionalism', and the relationship with traditional knowledge.