bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainfall around monsoon depressions over India
Authors: PISHAROTY P.R. , ASNANI G.A.
Published: May 2022

Rainfall that occurrs for 2 to 3 days within a radius of 350 miles from the centre of a depression along its track has been combined using the data of all raingauge stations within that area. Such 'composite' charts of rainfall were prepared for a sample of three mid-monsoon depressions in the year 1944. Falls of heavy rain of 3 and above in 24 hours are confined to an area lying to the left hand side of the track. On any particular morning, the heavy rainfall area extends to about 300 miles ahead and to about 300 miles behind the centre of the depression on that morning, measured respectively along the expected and past track of the depression. The  width of the area is about 250 miles and extends to the left of the track. It is further noticed that out of this  belt, about 30 per cent of the area is almost the maximum over which there may be rainfall of 3" or more in 24 hour's. The results are discussed from a forecaster's point of view.
Arid zone of India and Pakistan: A study in its water balance and delimitation
Authors: BHATIA SHYAM SUNDER
Published: May 2022

In this paper, a study of the water balance of the arid zone of India and Pakistan has been made that basis the arid zone itself has been delimited. The limits obtained have been compared with the limits suggested by different authors.
Intensity Variation of the Night Airglow in the Tropics
Authors: CHIPLONKAR M.W. , KULKARNI P. V.
Published: May 2022

In this paper the nocturnal variations in intensity of the airglow at the zenith sky at Poona obtained with a photoelectric method during the period 1954-56 have been reported, The measurements include those obtained without an optical filter and also those obtained with the monochromatic interference filters transmitting the oxygen emission line at, 5577 and the nitrogen band at), 4278 A. The measurements without the filter and with the), 5577  filter show a maximum of intensity before midnight while the blue emission does not show such a maximum but only shows a steady fall in intensity from the beginning to the end of the night. These results are wholly contradictory to those obtained by Karandikar in 1933 using photographic method. The results for, 5577 A emission are given in absolute units and are discussed in relation to those obtained by workers at other places in higher latitudes.
Some statistical relationships in upper air temperatures and pressures over Agra
Authors: KRISHNAN A.
Published: May 2022

Some statistical relationships in upper air temperatures and pressures over Agra
A statistical study of frequency of depressions cyclones in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: RAO K.N. , JAYARAMAN S.
Published: May 2022

A statistical study of frequency of depressions cyclones in the Bay of Bengal
Keith Donnellan's reference and definite description revisited
Authors: Quiambao Jan Enviro A
Published: May 2022

The author of this study revisits and re-examines Keith Donnellan's 1966 reference and definite description. According to Donnellan, the definite description can be used in two ways: attributively and referentially. The former asserts the subject being discussed, whereas the latter refers to the issue a speaker intends to discuss. When a definite description is employed in a referential manner, the speaker implies the existence of a specific someone or thing that fits the description. In the attributive usage of definite descriptions, no such presupposition exists. Russell and Strawson both failed to recognize the dual nature of the roles of definite descriptions, and this study re-examines their errors.
CUMHURİYET DÖNEMİ MÜZİK POLİTİKALARI ÜZERİNE BİR İNCELEME
Authors: YÜCEL Haluk
Published: May 2022

Cumhuriyet Dönemi kültür planlaması sürecinde gerçekleştirilen müzik politikaları Osmanlı Devleti’nin Batılılaşma hareketleri doğrultusundaki gelişmelere dayanmaktadır. 19. yüzyılda Batı’da yaşanan ekonomik, askeri ve siyasi gelişmeler sonucunda kaydedilen başarı, Osmanlı Devleti’ni de büyük ölçüde etkilemiş ve Batı modelli gelişmelerin devleti refaha çıkaracağı gibi düşünceler devlet yönetim mekanizmasını harekete geçirmiştir. Zaman içerisinde Batı modelli gelişimle hazırlanan bir dizi siyasi ve ekonomik reformlar toplumun pek çok alanında bir nevi Batılılaşma tarzı ideolojiye dönüşmüş ve Tanzimat’tan bu yana süregelmiştir. Cumhuriyet Dönemi’nde müzik alanında yapılan çalışmaların tahlilini iyi kavrayabilmek için, Osmanlı Devleti’nde müzik eğitimi veren kurumların işlevlerine değinmek sonraki süreçte yapılan çalışmaların amaç ve izahları açısından önemlidir. Bu yüzden sosyal yaşamın her alanında olduğu gibi müzik alanında da büyük bir kültür bakiyesini devralan Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devleti’nin, kuruluşunun ilk yıllarından itibaren hayata geçirdiği müzik politikalarıyla genç cumhuriyetin müzikal temellerini oluşturmaya yönelik hangi kararları aldığı ve hangi adımları attığı bu araştırmada incelenmiştir.
Orta Toroslar’da Alanköy-Belkuyu (Akören) ile Tahtalı (Çumra) Bölgeleri Arasındaki İstiflerin Tektono-Stratigrafisi
Authors: TURAN Ahmet
Published: May 2022

İnceleme alanında, Orta Toros silsilesinin göreceli otoktonu Geyikdağı Birliği ve alt alloktonu Bozkır Birliğine ait Geç Paleozoyik-Mesozoyik kayaç grupları ile bu yaşlı birimleri açılı uyumsuzlukla örten Pre-Miyosen-Kuvaterner çökelleri yüzeylemektedir. Geyikdağı Birliğinin bölgedeki stratigrafik istiflenmesi, çok bol rudistli ve foraminiferli resif karbonatları şeklindeki, Geç Kretase yaşlı, Saytepe formasyonu ile başlamaktadır. Üzerinde uyumlulukla çört yumrulu, killi kireçtaşı- marn içerikli pelajiklerden oluşan, Geç Kretase-Paleosen yaşlı Alan formasyonu izlenir. Otokton birliğin en üst lito-stratigrafi birimini ise, Alan formasyonu uyumlulukla örten ve pelajik kırıntılılardan yapılı fliş istiflerini kapsayan, Eosen yaşlı Beden formasyonu oluşturur. Bölgedeki Geyikdağı Birliği kayaları, Bozkır Birliğine ait üç ayrı tektonik dilim tarafından üzerlenmektedir. Bozkır Birliğinin en alt tektono-stratigrafik dilimini, Maestrihtiyen yaşlı Hatip ofiyolitli karışığı oluşturur. Bu ofiyolitli melanj dilimini, yörenin ikinci alloktonu konumundaki çörtlü kireçtaşı-killi kireçtaşı-radyolarit yapılışlı ve Geç Kretase yaşlı pelajik Boyalıtepe formasyonu üzerler. Bozkır birliği kapsamındaki üst allokton tektonik dilim ise, inceleme alanında iki ayrı formasyon şeklindedir. Altta, kuvarsit-şeyl ara katkılı, koyu gri-siyah renkli, algli ve fuzulinli kireçtaşından yapılı Orta-Üst Permiyen istiflerini kapsayan, Eldeş formasyonu yer alır. Onun üzerinde de açılı uyumsuzlukla, bol eklemli ve masif yapıdaki Orta Triyas-Jura yaşlı neritik kireçtaşlarının oluşturduğu Gencek formasyonu, bulunmaktadır. Çalışma alanındaki otokton ve allokton konumlu bu tektonik dilimler, post-paroksizm sonrası olasılıkla Miyosen öncesinde çökelmiş olan çakıltaşı egemen kaba kırıntılıların oluşturduğu Kozludere formasyonu ve Geç Pliyosen-Pleyistosen yaşlı dağ eteği-alüvyal yelpaze çökellerinden müteşekkil Topraklı formasyonu veya Holosen yaşlı alüvyonlar ile örtülmüşlerdir.
Assessing the Consequences of Dividend Policy on Financial Performance of Domestic Systemically Important Banks in Nigeria
Authors: Rimintsiwa Ibrahim S , Ibrahim Umar A , Maitala Faiza
Published: May 2022

In Nigeria, five banks have been designated as ‘too-big-to-fail’ given their critical importance to the wellbeing of the Nigerian economy. It is thus of critical importance to understand the factors that are important in ensuring that these Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) continue to perform well financially for the foreseeable future. This importance is further heightened by the fact that at the end of 2020, the Central Bank of Nigeria voiced its concern regarding the decline in the capital adequacy ratio and the increase in the ratio of non-performing loans of Nigerian banks. It is against this backdrop that this study investigates the effect of dividend policy on all of Nigeria’s D-SIBs. It determined whether the influence was homogenous among the selected banks. It found that in the short run, the effect of dividend policy on profitability is heterogenous among banks. This study adopted an ex post facto research design, with dividend policy and bank performance data obtained from the audited financial statements and official annual reports of five D-SIBs (First Bank, GTB, Zenith Bank, UBA, and Access Bank) over a 10-year period (2011–2020). The data were analyzed using panel regression and pooled mean group (PMG) estimators. The study observed that dividend policy had significant impact on the profitability and efficiency of these five D-SIBs, a partial impact on their valuation, and no impact on their liquidity and solvency. Managers of D-SIBs in Nigeria must find a balance between how much dividends they pay to their shareholders and how much they retain to ensure continued profitability.
A Review on Microorganisms Important to Bioremediation
Authors: Raj Krishna , Kaur Amrinder
Published: May 2022

Industrialization, population explosion, or changing lifestyles have led in the creation of nondegradable contaminants harming the environment and human health. Biological methods employing microorganisms are gaining significance as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to reduce the pollution burden. Microorganisms can live in a diverse environment and generate metabolites that may breakdown and convert toxins making it possible to resuscitate polluted areas naturally. Natural microbiomes have also been exploited in a variety of bioremediation approaches. New tools for studying bacterial activity in polluted or bioremediated sites have been developed as a result of recent breakthroughs in molecular bacterial communities. Such investigations provide information that aids in the evaluation of bioremediation effectiveness or the creation of techniques to speed up bioremediation.
Review on Medical Waste Management
Authors: Sharma Dr. Anupama , Juneja Rinka
Published: May 2022

Medical wastewater is analysed in this chapter, along with prevalent causes, governing legislation, and recycling and storage methods. Medical waste legislation exists in many developed countries, yet, there is no guideline on something that may and could be categorised as infectious. Selecting medical waste has grown inefficient leading to a shortage of clarity, culminating in a growth in the amount of garbage that may be cleansed for infections, which itself is usually done by incineration. According to this study it identifying garbage as hazardous leads to greater production of the waste. More investigation is necessary, given the tendency of increasing medical waste output with growing world GDP, and greater medical professional education and accessible medical generated waste sorting are significant possibilities for reduction and composting in healthcare institutions, according the paper.
India's Public Education Subsidies
Authors: Sharma Dr. Meenakshi
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this paper is to examine how higher education in India is currently supported, as well as the viability as well as feasibility of alternative financing plans. In India, the government pays for the majority of higher education. Furthermore, since higher education helps both individuals and communities, and since it draws society's wealthier members, a case might be made for moving the economic strain from the social to the private realm. Given financial constraints and concerns about justice, it is suggested that paying higher education largely via general tax revenue may not be the best long-term plan. As a consequence, many policy solutions are considered, including public support of higher education, student loans, graduate tax, student fees, and private sector engagement. A discriminating pricing system, it is said, would be the most efficient and equitable of the possibilities. While the government will continue to fund a large portion of higher education costs owing to socioeconomic and political realities, efforts should be made to build a funding model that integrates a range of techniques rather than relying on a single one. Fee and subsidy policies should also be differentiated across several levels as well as varieties of higher education, according to the authors.
An Overview of the Prospects of Bio-fertilizers in Indian Farming
Authors: Nandan Durgesh , Saxena N.N.
Published: May 2022

Only importation and subsidies has ensured that fossil fuel-based chemical fertilisers are available and affordable at the agricultural level in India. Biofertilizers have developed as a highly potent alternate to chemical fertilisers because to their enviromentally, easy-to-apply, pro, and expense properties. They also act as a supplement to agrochemicals by allowing plants to access micronutrients that are naturally abundant in soil or the ecosystem. Furthermore, if adequate information is made available to farmers and producers via experiences and communication, they have the possibility to be commercially sustainable in the long term. The government of India is aiming to increase the usage of bio fertilisers in combination with modern agrochemical. This paper emphasises the importance of high productivity and increased and active engagement in science and technology, public awareness programmed to increase the extra possibilities of sustainable agricultural extension, and encouraging private organisations and decision makers to consider taking a passion for science in the Indian context and for its coming years in India, as well as trying to encourage private organisations and decision makers to take an interest in this topic in the Indian context including its future in India.
In India, the Privatization of Medical Education Has Created a Health-Care Conundrum
Authors: Singh Dr. Guroo Narayan , Singh Dr. Prabhu Nath
Published: May 2022

Medical education privatization can increase its breadth and usability by producing a set of osteopathic medical professionals for Indians, so how can it be a replacement to building capacity with the expertise and skill mix, particularly when services are needed? Involving human lives require urgent rethinking? The goal of this study is to look at the problems surrounding the privatization of India's medical education system. Materials and Procedures: Since the past 20 years, a systematic evaluation of major indexed journals of key medical search engines, such as Pub med, Here on primary search words "Corporatization of Health Schooling," we searched Lancet, Microbe Online, and Google Scholar in all forms, including u t. India ranks 67th out from 133 underdeveloped countries in a WHO survey, with just a pediatrician proportion of 1:1700, contrasted to a nationwide average of 1.5:1000. That is to say, despite over than fifty years of freedom, not a single doctor is available for every 1000 people; a goal that is still a long way off, according to the Bhore committee's recommendation in 1946, which was later modified by the Mudaliar committee in 1961 and the Bajaj committee in 1987.
Genç Kadınların Astronomi ve Uzay Teknolojilerindeki Farkındalığını Arttırmak
Authors: ÖZEL Nesibe
Published: May 2022

Astronomi ve uzay teknolojileri alanındaki çalışmaların önemi birçok alanda (örn., tıp, biyoloji, kimya, fizik, vd.) sayısızdır. Uzay endüstrisindeki tüm gelişmeler yaşam tarzı, ekoloji, sağlık vb. gibi diğer bir çok sektörün gelişiminin anahtarıdır. Uzay teknolojisinde önceliğe sahip olan ülkeler, yaşamda ve eğitimde refahtır, hayallerine ve hedeflerine ulaşma fırsatında önceliğe sahiptirler. Dördüncü Sanayi Devrimi (4IR) ile birlikte, Astronomi ve Uzay Teknolojileri ve STEM alanlarındaki işlerin sayısı giderek artmakta ve bu işlerde (örn., uzay teknolojileri, yapay zeka (AI), machine learning, block chain, biyoteknolji, nanoteknoloji, malzeme bilimi) belirtildiği üzere ülkelerin ekonomisini etkilemede önem kazanmaktadır.
Çoğu ülkede kadınlar, yükseköğretimden mezun olanların çoğunluğunu temsil ederken, STEM (Bilim, Teknoloji, Mühendislik ve Matematik) alanlarından mezun olan Üniversiteli genç kadınların sayısı erkeklerden daha azdır. Yapılan ulusal ve uluslararası araştırmalarda, kızların ve erkeklerin genel performanslarının benzer olmasına rağmen, genç kadınların kariyerlerini Beşeri Bilimlerden (örn., Edebiyet, Tarih, Felsefe, vd.) yana tercih ettiklerini, erkeklerin ise STEM alanlarındaki kariyerleri seçtiklerini göstermiştir. Toplumsal beklentilere uygunluk, toplumsal cinsiyet kalıp yargıları, toplumsal cinsiyet rolleri ve rol model eksikliği gibi faktörler, genç kadınların kariyer seçimlerini STEM alanlarından uzaklaştırmaya devam etmektedir. Dolayısıyla, genç kadınların Bilim ve Teknolojiden uzaklaşmalarındaki temel sorunun yetenek eksikliğinden değil, doğru kariyer seçme yolundaki yetenekte olduğu sonucunu çıkarmaktayız.
Bu çerçevede, kadınların sosyal ve ekonomik konumlarını iyileştirmek için sorumluluğu bulunan tüm taraflarca çalışmalar yapılması ve olumsuz göstergelerin işaret ettiği alanlarda iyileştirilmelerin yapılması gerekliliği bir gerçektir. OECD Uluslararası Öğrenci Değerlendirme Programı'ndan (PISA) elde edilen verilere dayanan sonuçlar, bu boşluğun kapsamının belirlenmesinde akademik gücün rolüne ışık tutmuştur. Üniversitelerin rolü, gelişmeleri (problem çözme yöntemleri geliştirmek, merak, araştırma ve yaratıcılık özelliklerini yükseltmek) topluma uygulama açısından önemlidir. Bu alanda gerekli politikaların oluşturulması ve oluşturulan politikaların sağlıklı bir şekilde izlenebilmesi amacıyla, Astronomi ve STEM alanlarındaki cinsiyet farkını kapatmaya yardımcı olmak için hepimiz harekete geçmeli ve genç kızlara ilham vermeliyiz.
Трансформация традиции народов Северного Кавказа в советской государственном пространстве
Authors: ХАРСИЕВ борис
Published: May 2022

Dünyanın dört bir yanındaki medya ve televizyon ekranlarında yayınlanan Batı Avrupa değerlerinin örneklerinden etkilenen modern kültürün gelişimine dikte eden ve oldukça algılanabilir dönüşüm ve çelişki süreçleri eşlik etmektedir: “modern kültürün hem evrensel hem de yereli birleştirmek için nasıl gelişmesi gerektiği; kültürler arası diyalojik bağıntı ilkesinin pratikte nasıl uygulanması gerektiği ve etkileşimin sınırlarının nereye kadar olması gerektiği, onu aştığında kültür kendi kimliğini kaybetmeye başlar; kültürel etki ve kültürel genişleme arasındaki ayrım çizgisi nerede; kültürel özgünlüğün nasıl korunacağı ve modern olunacağı, bilgi toplumuna nasıl girileceği vb.” Bu sorulara kesin cevaplar bulmak çok zor. Böyle bir durumda kültür, bilimsel olarak karmaşık sistemlerin yönetimi için metodolojik bir strateji niteliği kazanır ve medeniyetin gelişiminde sürdürülebilir bir dengeyi korumaya her zamankinden daha fazla ihtiyaç duyar.
Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin as Buzzwords in Fintech: An In-Depth Review
Authors: Sejal Anil Battuwar  , Nagalakshmi S.
Published: May 2022

Unlike many other nascent technologies, Bitcoin seems to have progressed past the first phases of acceptability. This issue even impacted autos. It is probable that one of the key causes leading to the fall of cryptocurrencies is the fact that Bitcoin has begun to carve out a niche for itself. At this point, we cannot say if Bitcoin will ever attain broad adoption in global markets, although it is possible. (www.ijbmcnet.com) 8 The Bitcoin community has given itself the goal of infiltrating the mainstream via the development of new features and the resolution of long-standing difficulties, according to the Center for Contemporary Research. Not alone does Bitcoin have a committed following; other cryptocurrencies do as well. You may learn more about bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies by researching them. It would be advantageous to do study on the long-term influence of Bitcoin on the performance of fiat currencies, and then compare the results to those acquired in countries that are beginning to embrace government-issued cryptocurrencies. Microtransaction capabilities may enable bitcoin to satisfy a need in the economy that traditional state-sponsored currencies are unable to meet; nevertheless, this will require a thorough examination of the markets and the economy. Block chain technology, which underpins Bitcoin, may also be used to create smart contracts (Hileman, 2016). When a certain incident occurs, a pre-programmed payment is made. Given that this is often handled by the whole accounting department of the organisation, there is a lot of space for future progress in this area. Finally, a cryptocurrency is a kind of digital asset created when data is encrypted. Through the deployment of a cloud-based infrastructure, the music business has raised public awareness of digital property.
PWVAS
Authors: Volume 5 PWVAS
Published: May 2022

Volume 5
Cucullae melania, sp. novum. A new Clam fossil from Carboniferous Strata.
Authors: Amjad Hassan , Amjad Anye , Garton E. Ray
Published: May 2022

Clams are a diverse class of bivalves (Pelecypoda). They are filter-feeding animals with two identical shell halves. Known since Ordovician through recent rocks. They are commonly well preserved in species that lived in brackish or fresh waters.   Diagnosis: First description from West Virginia, it differs in configuration from other known typed species.   Etymology: Melania (G.) dark, black, Naiad or Nymph of springs. Material ,Holotype JRF 14-16    Location: Pennsylvanian Coal beds, Logan County, West Virginia.   Description: Specimen consists of inner cast mold (called Steinkern)  the outer mold of Calcium carbonate leached out completely. It is  Cordate (heart shaped ) in outline . Anterior and posterior margins, gently curved. Steep incline on the  ventral aspect , color slate gray  to  dark green with heavy deposits of  small carbon granules, strong radial striations, length of specimen 65mm, width 52mm.  Deep cleft, median raphe prominent, beak distinct and  inward curved at the  tips. These  casts are also  known as turtleheads or deer heart.     Conclusions: Findings of a new clam fossil species in Pennsylvanian rocks, its primary importance is for stratigraphy, paleoecology, phylogeny and systemic classification, this contributes to further the knowledge of such marine fauna.
Wyominge gracilis ayne: G.novum, Sp.novum. A new trilobite from Carboniferous of Appalachia
Authors: Amjad Hassan , Amjad Anye , Garton E. Ray
Published: May 2022

Trilobites are a highly diverse group of extinct arthropods persisting for 300 MYA in the marine ecosystem of the Earth. Though uncommon elements of Pennsylvanian rocks.  A new species and genus rank is proposed. The specimen consists of a well-preserved cast mold of exoskeleton.  Horizon Late Carboniferous.   Etymology, of name, type locality and named after prominent naturalist, gracilis L. for graceful. Holotype JRF, 13-16.   Description Exoskeleton specimen is roughly oval to semi-elliptical in outline.  A well preserved pygidium and near complete thorax, cranidium is missing.  Thorax 9-10 segments, axial furrow deep and curved.  X-ray study helped to appreciate sutures, furrows and angulation. Pleural furrows are distinct and convex anteriorly. Thorax axis with gentle slope to pygidium.  Length of thorax  (sag) exoskeleton is 65mm,width 32mm. Width of pygidium across the anterior margin 15 mm, length 29 mm.  Pygidium, semi-elliptical 9-10 axial rings of terminal pad like structure and the lateral area.  Furrows well marked and deep.  Small posterior axial ridge.   Conclusion: The characteristic of the specimen size and configuration of pygidium differed from typed species and needs to be placed in a separate and specific genus.  X-ray study helped in delineating fine structures. It can be a useful research tool for study of unusual specimens. These findings add to Paleoecology and stratigraphic knowledge of marine fauna.
Diquat dibromide-induced developmental abnormalities in the pond snail Lymnaea palustris: investigations into cellular targets and the role of calcium regulation
Authors: Jalil Amaris , Plautz Carol Zygar
Published: May 2022

We have established that the herbicide Roundup and its constituents are capable of causing developmental abnormalities and death in the pond snail Lymnaea palustris. Diquat dibromide (DD) has been identified as the Roundup constituent most consistently associated with developmental delays, embryonic abnormalities and lethality. However, the mechanism of DD action on live embryos remains to be discovered.   DD-treated embryos experience delayed development, loss of cell-cell adhesion, and irregular spinning patterns, possibly resulting from calcium dysregulation in ciliary motility. Notably, adult snails treated with DD exhibit weakening of their shell, also a calcium-dependent structure. Concurrent treatments of varying concentrations of calcium together with DD were conducted in order to determine how altered levels of calcium availability in the medium influence embryonic progression.  It was found that DD-treated embryos in low-calcium media experienced less phenotypic abnormalities compared to high-calcium and calcium ionophore treated embryos. Additionally, embryos in calcium-free medium containing DD exhibited more normal development overall compared to embryos in calcium-free medium without DD.   These results strongly suggest that calcium dysregulation plays a role in the developmental abnormalities and death observed in embryos treated with DD.  Experiments are being conducted to determine if DD exerts an increase in intracellular calcium through influx, inhibition of calcium release, or upregulation of calcium release from intracellular stores. Alternatively, there may be a different role of DD in modulating calcium regulation.   This work was funded in part by the Research Challenge Fund through a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Grant from the West Virginia HEPC Division of Science and Research
Factors Influencing Salamander Hormones in Created Wetlands
Authors: Millikin Alice R , Woodley Sarah K , Davis Drew R , Anderson Jim T
Published: May 2022

Small isolated wetlands are critical breeding habitat for many amphibians. Many of these wetlands are susceptible to destruction due to lack of regulation. Therefore, it is important to create new suitable habitat that can sustain healthy wildlife populations to mitigate loss. Concentrations of corticosterone, a hormone related to stress, development, and growth, can indicate a populations’ health and habitat quality. The objective of our research was to determine if certain habitat characteristics in created wetlands influence corticosterone levels of Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae. From May-June in 2015 and 2016, we sampled Spotted Salamander larvae (n=10/wetland) in 26 wetlands created between 2011 and 2014 in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. We collected environmental data including vegetation cover and water quality at each wetland. Analysis indicates that larval total length and wetland water temperature are positively correlated with corticosterone and the best predictors for corticosterone levels. Vegetation cover also showed a positive correlation with corticosterone levels. Our results can improve understanding of the relationship between physiological conditions and habitat quality and how it can be used to interpret wildlife population health and habitat degradation.
Psychological Pain in the Praying Mantis
Authors: Caison Brianna , Daniel Alan M
Published: May 2022

Psychological pain is an emotional response that results from the loss of an expected reward. Previous work studying reward downshifts with rats and other mammals has shown that there are many parallels between psychological pain and physical pain, including shared brain areas and common neurotransmitter systems. Demonstrations of psychological pain in non-mammals are rare, with honey bees as the only invertebrate which are documented to show this emotion.The present experiment provides the first investigation into psychological pain in the praying mantis, Tenodera sinensis. Mantids were raised from oothecae collected from the wild and tested at the L4-L5 stage. In 9 sessions, each mantis was exposed to three visual conditioned stimuli. One stimulus was always reinforced with a small fly, one stimulus was never reinforced, and the third stimulus was reinforced on sessions 1-6 but shifted to extinction for sessions 7-9.The results show that mantids learn to discriminate between the reinforced and nonreinforced stimuli. On the critical session 8 that immediately followed the downshift experience, mantids exhibited significantly lower goal-tracking behavior to the downshifted stimulus compared to the other stimuli. An additional group was given the opioid antagonist Naloxone to determine whether the opioid system is involved in mantis psychological pain, but the results were inconclusive due to the drug’s effect on locomotor behavior. Though the effect is transient, this is the first evidence of psychological pain in the praying mantis, and may provide insights into the evolution of the pain system in invertebrates.
Using Environmental DNA to Assess Hellbender Populations in the West Fork Greenbrier River, West Virginia
Authors: Halley Yvette , Merriam Eric , Welsh Amy , Petty J. Todd , Anderson James
Published: May 2022

The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a fully aquatic giant salamander whose habitats are commonly defined as swift running, fairly shallow, highly oxygenated waters. Hellbenders have been previously established as a sentinel species for water quality and aquatic ecosystem health.  Unfortunately, populations have undergone a century long decline due to various anthropogenic influences.  Measuring hellbender populations can be challenging and extremely invasive, which can be injurious for the individuals being sampled.  Recent advances in non-invasive genetic sampling allows for the processing and analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples; which has proven effective for detecting low population density aquatic macroorganisms.  In this study, we sought to identify hellbender populations along the West Fork Greenbrier River in West Virginia.  We utilized an aqueous filtering approach in conjunction with chloroform-isoamyl extractions to isolate eDNA.  To positively identify sites with hellbender presence we utilized PCR to test for two hellbender specific regions of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome-b; final results were compared to a traditional hellbender survey which had been conducted simultaneously with the eDNA sample collection.
Identification of Mosquitos Potentially Carrying Zika Virus in Marion County West Virginia
Authors: Bolinger Emily Rachelle , Moore Jamie , Yeager Phillip , Flood Mark
Published: May 2022

EMILY BOLINGER, Department of Biology, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554, JAMIE MOORE, Marion County Health Department, Fairmont, WV 26554, PHILLIP YEAGER, Department of Biology, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554, and MARK FLOOD, Department of Biology, Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 26554. Identification of Mosquitos Potentially Carrying Zika Virus in Marion County West Virginia. This study was targeted at identifying different types of mosquitos found in Marion County, West Virginia and testing Ae. albopictus for Zika virus. This study used a wide variety of sampling locations within Marion County, using traps such as: larvae catch, gravid traps, and CDC traps. There were several different types of mosquitos found in Marion County, however Zika virus testing on Ae. albopictus came up negative on every group tested. Groups that were gathered by a trap, at a given sampling location, that had less than ten Ae. Albopictus were not tested for Zika virus; these groups were thrown out of testing. Zika virus was not found in Marion County, West Virginia. Funding for this study was provided by the Marion County Health Department.
Determining resistance of Francisella- tularensis to resazomycins, a novel family of antibiotics
Authors: Hickman Jennifer Beth , Schmitt Deanna
Published: May 2022

Because a significant number of bacteria are becoming increasingly more resistant to antibiotic treatments, the development of new antibacterial drugs is imperative. Recently, a new family of resazurin-based compounds, resazomycins, have exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against Francisella- tularensis and Neisseria- gonorrheae in vitro and in vivo. While the mechanism of action of resazomycins has yet to be determined, preliminary data suggests that the lipoprotein sorting machinery (LolDF) of these bacteria may be the target. Since the Lol complex is essential in all Gram-negative bacteria, we hypothesize that both F. tularensis and N. gonorrhoeae will develop little resistance to resazomycins. To address this, we first sought to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of resazurin against F. tularensis cultured on chocolate agar. Bacterial growth was observed up to 7.7 µg/ml resazurin, then completely abolished at 11 µg/ml, indicating this is the MIC. We then wanted to determine if resistant colonies of F. tularensis would emerge following continuous cultivation on chocolate agar containing 1 x MIC of resazurin. Over time, hundreds of F. tularensis colonies were observed on the chocolate plates containing resazurin, suggesting this bacterium can develop resistance to resazomycins. We are currently working to isolate the genomic DNA from resistant isolates to send to Marshall University’s Genomics Core for whole genome sequencing to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with resazomycin resistance. Future investigations will focus on generating mutants of genes identified as possible resazurin resistance targets in F. tularensis and determining the sensitivity of the resulting strains. (Supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence)
Synthesis of chiral and achiral cobalt complexes for hydrogenation studies.
Authors: Queen Darren , Webb Joanna
Published: May 2022

Catalytic hydrogenation reactions have diverse applications in the petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries for the efficient synthesis of useful molecules.  Specifically, asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins is a key method in the synthesis of single-enantiomer products necessary for the pharmaceutical industry, in particular. However, precious metals such as ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium are the basis for many of the current catalysts. It would be advantageous to replace these more expensive and toxic metals with first-row transition metals that are abundant and environmentally compatible. In addition, most catalytic systems for asymmetric hydrogenation are supported by phosphine ligands. Thus, chiral nitrogen-based ligands provide an opportunity to investigate a relatively underexplored area of hydrogenation chemistry. To this end, we are pursuing cobalt complexes supported by chiral nitrogen-based ligands. The synthesis of a previously reported chiral nitrogen ligand, (R,R)-2,6-bis[1-(N-piperidinyl)ethyl]pyridine, is underway with characterization by NMR spectroscopy. Upon successful synthesis of the ligand, cobalt complexes will be targeted in order to investigate asymmetric hydrogenation reactivity. In addition, synthesis of cobalt complexes bearing the achiral congener ligand, pip2NNN [pip2NNN = 2,6-bis(piperidylmethyl)pyridine], is underway in order to compare reactivity of chiral versus achiral complexes.
Computational generation of assemblages of the incomplete graph of K and maximizing the assemblage pairing rounds.
Authors: Nelson Brandon Scott
Published: May 2022

The objective of this research is to investigate both complete and incomplete graphs of K and work towards deriving an algorithm to generate A(G) where A is an assemblage of non-repeated rounds of the handshaking algorithm such that the assemblage has the greatest possible number of rounds. We hope to achieve this algorithm by both deriving it mathematically and computationally through an exhaustive search.   So far we have achieved the formulas for the theoretical maximum, or A(G), where G is a complete graph with K vertices. We have also achieve an algorithm that generates A(G) for a graph with K vertices such that K is less than 14.   Further testing must be conducted for graphs with K vertices such that K is greater than 14.   It can be proven there exists some algorithm that generates A(G) for an incomplete graph of K vertices, and we are continuing to work toward deriving said algorithm. This research has been supported by Professor Paul Peck, and the Glenville State College research meetings.
Differential Gene Expression of Prdm14 That Could Contribute to Sexual Dimorphisms
Authors: Shajimon Shelby , Huhn Jackie , Werner Rachel , Warburton Robert , Engel Nora
Published: May 2022

Sexual dimorphisms are apparent in differences in disease susceptibilities, types, onset and response to therapy. Previous studies in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells as models of early embryogenesis showed that there were many genes that were differentially expressed in male and female cells. One of these genes codes for Prdm14, a gene involved in the pluripotency state of embryonic stem cells. This study explores the regulatory differences that lead to higher expression of Prdm14 in female ES cells with a dual luciferase reporter assay. The enhancer of Prdm14 harbors motifs responsive to Prdm14 itself, thus establishing an auto-regulatory loop. These motifs were studied, either by deletion or scrambling of the sequence using site-directed mutagenesis. Our data shows that there are significant differences in expression of Prdm14 in XX ESC when compared to XY and XO lines. Thus, it can be concluded that the activity of the Prdm14 enhancer is dosage-sensitive. We also report on experiments designed to detect methylation differences in  XX, XY, and XO ES cell lines.
Effects of Alcohol on CHK-1 and Phospho-CHK-1 in Neuronal Stem Cell losses in FASD.
Authors: Gum Christopher , Anthony Bruce
Published: May 2022

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are associated with changes in proliferation and induced cell losses of neuronal stem cells during development.  Alcohol induced oxidative stress has been noted in previous studies to cause chronic genomic instability and DNA damage. This damage results in the halting of S-Phase cell cycle progress and, in many cases, either induces DNA repair or apoptosis of the cell. However, alcohol-induced apoptosis has been show to work in a p53 independent fashion. Typically, proteins CDC25a and c as well as CHK-1 and 2 monitors DNA damage and help to determine cellular fate in p53 independent apoptosis.  A study utilizing alcohol treated neuronal stem cells resulted in approximately 40% of the population maintaining DNA damage without inducing p53 dependent apoptotic mechanisms. The goal of this study was to elucidate the role, expression and localization of checkpoint kinase-1 (CHK-1) during the G1-S phase transition and to determine any major difference in phosphorylated, CHK-1 between control and alcohol treated neuronal stem cells. A Western Blot was run to determine quantitative presence of Phosphorylated CHK-1 and Immuno-fluorescent staining was used to quantitatively measure the abundance of Phosphorylated CHK-1 in groups. Image analysis determined that there was a significant difference in Phosphorylated Chk-1 in alcohol-treated cells. The increased level of Phospho-CHK-1 indicates recognition of DNA damage, initiation of signaling G1/S phase transition and possible induction of apoptosis. Understanding the mechanistic changes in alcohol induced proliferation and cell losses may help in defining treatment paradigms effective in treating FASD.
Alterations in cell cycle progression associated with transcription factor E2F1 in FASD.
Authors: Teets Peyton , Kessler Aaron , Anthony Bruce
Published: May 2022

Phenotypes from alcohol exposure during fetal development, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), include facial dysmorphology, neurological underdevelopment and cognitive loss.  Most of the abnormal development is associated with changes in proliferation and cell losses of neural crest stem cells during development.  Alterations in proliferation, in FASD, have been associated with loss of checkpoint control primarily at the G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle.  Previous studies demonstrated an increase in E2F1 transcription factor expression and expression changes of the E2F regulatory protein Retinoblastoma (RB).  However, there is no evidence that alterations in expression effect overall proliferation.  We suggest that his mis-regulation may affect not only proliferative differences, but loss of cell numbers and developmental alterations in FASD.  To examine the functional significant effect of E2F1/RB expression changes we performed Electro-Mobility Shift Assays and Super-Shift Assays to determine the DNA consensus binding of E2F1 and the changes in repression of transcription associated with RB interactions.  We show that alcohol exposure of embryonic neuronal stem cells alters E2F1/DNA binding as well as repression from RB.  Understanding these changes may well help define treatment options for fetuses affected by alcohol and drug exposure.
Implementation of Integrated Electro-mechanical Energy Conversion System at WVU Tech
Authors: Hatipoglu Kenan , Lu Mingyu , Panta Yogendra M , Naz Afrin , Blevins Steven
Published: May 2022

An integrated electro-mechanical energy conversion system (IEECS) was developed at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) for supporting the undergraduate education. As its name indicates, the electro-mechanical energy conversion system can be configured in motor and generator modes.  In each mode, the system can be further reconfigured to various motor/generator architectures, such as series, shunt, compound DC motors, AC motors, single-phase and three-phase generators. The system is capable of demonstrating more than 50 realistic motor/generator configurations. The IEECS is comprised a reconfigurable machine, an actuator with built-in sensors, a programmable controller, and a data collector. These four components are coordinated by a personal computer, such that the system performance can be controlled and visualized in real time.As the underlying technology of many vital industries, electro-mechanical energy conversion is an important topic of the undergraduate engineering programs. The system is expected to significantly enrich the curricula of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science Departments at WVU Tech. This project establishes an excellent platform for collaborative efforts among faculties and students from these three departments.Versatility and flexibility of the IEECS enables students to have hands-on experience with various types of electro-mechanical system and control/measure their performance.  Thus, access to the system is anticipated to enhance the students’ learning effectiveness enormously. The IEECS was constructed in September 2016 and it is under various tests to ensure proper course implementation.
Bellamya chinensis and Lymnaea stagnalis mortality in the presence of Macrobdella decora
Authors: Canfield Samuel , Crowl Todd , Bahleda Kristin
Published: May 2022

Food webs are complex and each trophic level guides the dynamic stability of the whole food web. As humans cause the loss of piscivores and zooplanktivores from lake food webs, parasitic leeches, such as Macrobdella decora, lose potential host organisms. In the absence of a host, it has been suggested M. decora will parasitize freshwater snails, but there is a lack of research supporting this. At the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center – East, the snail species Bellamya chinensis and Lymnaea stagnalis have similar niches and are prevalent in the lakes, so they were used as research species. Trials were run to observe the mortality of the two snail species in the presence of leeches. The snail species were tested while in the same tank and different tanks. Leeches did parasitize B. chinensis. However, L. stagnalis did have a significantly higher average mortality than B. chinensis in the same tank (treatment: p-value: 0.022; control: p-value: 0.044) and in different tanks (p-value: 0.001), but leech presence did not significantly (p-value: 0.25) change snail mortality. An exact reason for snail species being the factor that controlled snail mortality could not be determined. However, a possible explanation was due to unfiltered fecal material and copper contamination in the trial tanks. Copper is a lethal metal to most gastropods.
Synthesis of Rh(III) complexes for the study of C–O bond forming reactions: a key step for the conversion of hydrocarbons to alcohols.
Authors: Messinger Madison , Webb Joanna
Published: May 2022

The partial oxidation of hydrocarbons into alcohols is an economically attractive reaction for the production of commercial chemicals and fuels, particularly intriguing in an area like West Virginia where more efficient use of natural gas would be desirable. For a catalytic system to facilitate this reaction, a transition metal must be able to break a C–H bond of an alkane and form a new C–O bond to yield the alcohol product. Most catalytic systems that have been reported to mediate the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons are based on platinum. One possible approach to improve catalytic reactivity is to investigate transition metals that are less electrophilic than platinum, such as rhodium. While many rhodium systems have been reported to facilitate C–H bond-breaking, there is a relative dearth of complexes capable of C–O bond formation.  The current work is an ongoing project that focuses on the synthesis of novel rhodium complexes. The complex (pip2NNN)RhCl [pip2NNN = 2,6-bis(piperidylmethyl)pyridine] has been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy.  Oxidation from this Rh(I) complex to Rh(III) using CH3X [X = halide] is currently underway in order to study C–O bond formation reactivity.
Bumble Bee Diversity of West Virginia: A changing community of species.
Authors: Aliff Hunter Lee , Collins Sean Anthony
Published: May 2022

The goal of our research is to assess the overall diversity of and to evaluate the presence and relative abundance of bumble bee species (Bombus), in West Virginia both spatially and temporally. Over the last 3 field seasons, we have collected bumble bees from a variety of field sites throughout Kanawha County to determine local population numbers and community structure and to compare these data to similar trends across the state. Additionally, to determine whether community structure of Bombus has changed over time, we incorporated data from statewide collections and museum collections dating back to 1915. Our data indicated that the bumble bee community of Kanawha County currently is dominated (~95% of total specimens collected) by three species (Bombus impatiens, B. bimaculatus and B. griseocollis). Our statewide data showed the same trend with regards to those species being dominant and that the bumble bee fauna of WV significantly skewed. As one would expect, the community structure of Bombus from 1915 to present indicated a loss of species from certain areas and that overall the diversity of bumble bees in the Mountain State has suffered significantly.