bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feline obesity: risk factors and clinical and metabolic findings
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Lima Camila Moura de , Boff Gustavo Antônio ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pereira Sergiane Baes ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Ferraz Alexsander ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Bruhn Fábio Raphael Pascoti ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Rondelli Mariana Cristina Hoeppner ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Nobre Márcia de Oliveira ,   Universidade Federal de Pelotas
Published: August 2021

Excess body fat can cause a series of metabolic and mechanical effects on the body. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the clinical, metabolic, and risk factors of overweight (OW) cats. For the acceptance of participation in the research, the tutors were asked to answer a questionnaire containing 34 questions and to point out the body condition score (BCS) on a sheet containing nine images of different scores (1 to 9 on a 9-point scale). Thereafter, the body evaluations were performed as a classification of the BCS on a scale from 1 to 9, with an ideal score (IS) of BCS 5 and OW for BCS > 5. Further, the lean mass index and morphometric measurements (thoracic and abdominal circumferences and height and length of the patella to calcaneal tuberosity) were performed to estimate the percentage of body fat. Systolic blood pressure was measured using the non-invasive Doppler method and blood was collected for hemogram and serum biochemistry (creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol). After these analyses, we sought to guide and raise the awareness of the tutors to promote the correct nutritional and environmental management of the animals. Thirty adult cats were divided into two groups, based on the classification of the BCS, with eight having an IS and 22 being OW. The OW group was found to have a low level of physical activity, hypercholesterolemia, and higher values of body characteristics. Additionally, there was a median agreement between the perceptions of the clinician and the tutors. Therefore, it was concluded that the main laboratory alteration found in the obese cats was hypercholesterolemia, which was a critical parameter. It was observed that a low degree of physical activity could cause excess weight gain. It was found that the guardians of the cats with ideal weight underestimated the BCS, which could contribute to the supply of excess food and consequently, obesity. Thus, this study was sought to guide and raise the awareness of tutors, to promote the correct nutritional and environmental management thereby providing welfare and quality of life to the animals.
Comparative analysis of the hormone production and gene expression profiles in ovine uterus tissue during oestrus cycle synchronized using medroxyprogesterone acetate plus eCG and prostaglandin analogue
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Piauí, Lima Joaquim de Sousa , Costa Márcio da Silva ,   Universidade Federal do Piauí, Pereira Júnior Júlio Rodrigues ,   Universidade Federal do Piauí, Ferreira Guilherme José Bolzani de Campos ,   Universidade Federal do Piauí, Faustino Luciana Rocha ,   Universidade Federal Delta do Parnaíba, Alves Carlos Eduardo Fonseca ,   Universidade Estadual Paulista, Oba Eunice ,   Universidade Estadual Paulista, Ferreira Anna Clara Accioly ,   Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Figueiredo José Ricardo de ,   Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Silva Cleidson Manoel Gomes da ,   Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará
Published: August 2021

The combination of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and gonadotropin chorionic (eCG) has been widely used to synchronize oestrus cycle in sheep, but their effects on the gene expression in uterine tissue are yet to be elucidated. To evaluate the effect of MPA + eCG or prostaglandin analogue (PA) treatments on the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization, as well as further hormone production and gene expression profiles in uterine tissue, 14 Santa Inês ewes were randomly selected. The MPA + eCG group (n=7) received intravaginal insertion of MPA-impregnated sponges for 14 days and was administered 350 IU eCG on the day of sponge withdrawal. The PA group (n=7) was administered two doses of 100 μg of PA separated by 12 days. The ewes were assessed for the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization and the serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2). Additionally, the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (P4R), and immunolocalization of interferon receptor (IFNAR1) in the uterine tissue samples collected 15th day post-mating were examined. The rate of oestrus cycle synchronization was 100% (n=7/7) and 57.14% (n=4/7) in the MPA + eCG and PA groups, respectively. Moreover, the MPA + eCG group exhibited higher serum concentration of P4 than the PA group (p < 0.05). However, the E2 serum concentration did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). The relative expression of P4R and ERα mRNA analyzed using real-time PCR and immunodetection of IFNAR1 were similar between the two groups tested (p > 0.05). Conclusively, MPA + eCG treatment improved the rate of oestrus cycle synchronization and endogenous P4 production; however, it did not affect the expression of sex steroid receptors and IFNAR1 in uterine ovine tissue.
Economic impacts of Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 infection in Brazil: Meta-analysis based on epidemiological indicators
Authors:   Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Silva Bruno Pajeú e , Aragão Breno Bezerra ,   Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pinheiro Junior José Wilton ,   Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to estimate the economic impact of Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1) infection in Brazil using epidemiological indicators through a meta-analysis. Specific descriptors were used to retrieve studies from the Scopus, PubMed, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, and Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da Capes databases, selecting those that met the inclusion criteria established between the years 2000 and 2020. The selected studies were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using prevalence data as the primary outcome with a 95% confidence interval (CI) with a meta-analysis of random effects and measures of heterogeneity, significance, magnitude of the effect, and measurement of publication bias. Abortion costs and estimates were calculated based on the prevalence of BoAHV1 infection in Brazil and the characteristics of the agent as viral subtypes that cause abortion, period of occurrence, average pregnancy rate, and morbidity applied to susceptible animals and animal replacement values. The results were obtained from 49 studies included for meta-analysis where a prevalence of BoAHV1 infection of 54.12% (95% CI: 49.07% - 59.26%) in the bovine population and 88.53% (95% CI: 82.97%–92.43%) was present. From the structured formula, it is estimated that 258,779 bovine abortions occur, which causes a total loss, based only on the occurrence of abortion, of US $ 48,402,244.00 to the country. It is noteworthy that because of the losses caused, strict control and eradication measures need to be implemented based on the elaboration of normative instruction that includes health education measures, vaccination, tests for traffic, and animal trade so that BoAHV1 infections do not continue to negatively impact national producers economically, productively, and socially.
Effect of sowing dates on the populations of three major insect pests and associated natural enemies throughout the growth stages of maize plants
Authors: Mahmoud Hamdy H. , El-Rahman Soheir F. Abd , Naroz Magda H. , Ahmed Sayeda S.
Published: August 2021

In Egypt, maize is an important crop that is attacked by various pests. In the present study, the effect of maize planting dates on the populations of insect pests and their natural enemies were investigated throughout the growth stages of maize plants. The maize planting dates were at the beginning of May, Jun, and July in the 2019 season and were repeated in the 2020 season. Samples were collected weekly to determine the populations of the insect pests, Limothrips cerealium (Haliday, 1836), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856), and Sesamia cretica Lederer, 1857 and their natural predators. For the first sowing date, the infestation percentage of L. cerealium and S. cretica were most substantial, especially in the seedling and precorn formation stages. For the third sowing date, the number of R. maidis was most substantial, especially in the corn formation stage. Three predators were associated with these insect species; of these predators, Coccinella undecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Scymnus interruptus (Goeze, 1777), and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens, 1836) were observed at the highest numbers during all sowing dates. A highly significant correlation existed between populations of S. interruptus and the three insects across the two seasons. Data suggest that the percentage of thrips, aphids, and stem borers infestations can be minimized by planting maize varieties in June.
Thermal Conductivity Measurement Method for the Thin Epoxy Adhesive Joint Layer
Authors: Lim Da-In , Lee So-Jeong , Jung Seung-Boo , Kim Jun-Ki
Published: August 2021

Epoxy adhesives, particularly for non-conductive pastes, are used in 3D chip-stack flip-chip packages to reinforce the mechanical strength of joints. Although the thickness of the adhesive layer is relatively small, its thermal conductivity is known to have a major effect on the heat dissipation behavior of chipstack packages. Because conventional thermal conductivity measurement methods such as the laser flash method are based on the bulk specimens having thicknesses greater than several mm, they are limited in their ability to measure the thermal conductivity of thin adhesive layers between silicon dies. In this study, a modified guarded hot-plate method is proposed using standard joint layer samples of known thermal conductivity, and the measurement results are compared with those of the laser flash method. Results showed that, based on a constant heat flux from heat source to heat sink, the temperature difference at both sides of the joint layers was proportional to the thermal resistivity of the joint layer materials. The thermal conductivity of the under-test joint layer could therefore be determined from the thermal conductivity spectrum of the known samples using a graphical method. Although the measured values by the modified guarded hot-plate method were slightly higher than those derived from the laser flash method due to the thickness effect, it was concluded that the modified guarded hot-plate method could be a practical method in measuring the thermal conductivity of thin adhesive joint layers.
COVID-19 Infection in Children with Kidney Transplantation in Iran: A Case Series
Authors: Nakhaei Shahrbanoo , Sharif Amin Alsadat , Hoseini Shamsabadi Rozita , Otukesh Hasan , Ghasemi Saeide
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Since mid-April 2020, infection with coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than 2 million people worldwide. Little is known about the effects of COVID-19 infection on kidney transplant patients treated with immunosuppressive (IS) drugs. Case Presentation: Here, we report three Iranian pediatric kidney transplantation cases who acquired COVID-19 infection and were admitted to Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in March-April 2020 (first wave). They were treated with prednisolone, cyclosporine, and cellcept. All of them had gastrointestinal symptoms, and one patient also had respiratory symptoms. In two patients who had only gastrointestinal symptoms, chest radiographies were considered normal. They did not need the intensive care unit (ICU), ventilator respiratory support, and dialysis due to a temporary increase in serum creatinine and no change in urine volume. Cellcept was stopped and other medications continued. The patient, who had pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms, expressed more severe manifestations that led to ICU admission and dialysis. Prednisolone was increased to a stress dose and the other drugs were discontinued. Conclusions: Pulmonary manifestations significantly worsen the prognosis compared to gastrointestinal manifestations in pediatric kidney transplants with COVID-19.
Macrofloral and microfloral changes in the Middle Jurassic plant assemblages of the Cianowice 2 borehole (southern Poland)
Authors: Maria BARBACKA undefined , Artur GÓRECKI undefined , Jadwiga ZIAJA undefined , Agata JARZYNKA undefined , PACYNA Grzegorz
Published: August 2021

The flora of the Cianowice 2 borehole (c. 20 km NW of Cracow, Poland), dominated by cycadophytes (mainly bennettitaleans) and conifers, shows high taxonomic diversity relative to the low number of specimens. Twenty species were identified in the 96 determinable plant fragments found in 27 core samples: Cladophlebis sp. (ferns), Pachypteris rhomboidalis (Ettingshausen) Nathorst and Ptilozamites cycadea (Berger) Möller (seed ferns), Anomozamites nilssonii (Phillips) Seward, Nilssoniopteris solitaria (Phillips) Cleal & Rees, Otozamites mimetes Harris, Otozamites parallelus Phillips, Pterophyllum thomasii Harris, Pterophyllum cf. aequale (Brongniart) Nathorst, Ptilophyllum cf. okribense forma ratchiana Doludenko & Svanidze, Ptilophyllum pecten Phillips, Ptilophyllum sirkennethii Watson & Sincock, Cycadolepis sp. (bennettitaleans), Pseudotorellia grojecensis Reymanówna, Pseudotorellia samylinae Nosova & Kiritchkova, Pseudotorellia sp. (Gymnospermae incertae sedis), Bilsdalea dura Harris, Mirovia szaferi Reymanówna, and Brachyphyllum stemonium Kendall (conifers). The floristic composition is supplemented by palynological data. The taxa were connected to five depositional successions distinguished along the core: one, alluvial fans; two, four and five, meandering/anastomosing river depositional systems with fluvial plain deposits; and three, lacustrine/backswamp environment developed on fluvial plain. The composition of the fossil plant assemblage changes with the depositional setting within the same range of taxa, seen mainly in changed combinations of taxa, which are most diverse in the fluvial plain deposits. Some taxa occur in a single depositional succession; some are present in two or three. The sporomorph assemblages of particular depositional environments differ significantly from the composition of the co-occurring macroflora: ferns occur sporadically in the macroflora of each depositional environment but they strongly dominate the sporomorph assemblage. Our proposed reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment is a slight rise descending into a valley with a depositionary basin, with gymnosperms on the slope and ferns at the base. Some species are shared between Cianowice and nearby Middle Jurassic localities in Grojec and Zabierzów, and the majority of taxa are known from the Middle Jurassic, suggesting that the Cianowice deposits are of that age.
Impact of Broken Homes on Education of Children: A Sociological Perspective
Authors: Mayowa Ilori Oladapo
Published: August 2021

Broken Homes, until very recently is very alien to the African family structure/setting. But it is discovered that the trend of Broken Homes is growing in the world all over and Africa is not left behind in this trend. One can deduce the growing trend of Broken Homes in Africa to the incursion of modernization and industrialization into the African family setup. The traditional African family is much knitted together with a lot of love bound. But with modernization and civilisation are fast becoming the order of the day in all sectors of daily life, family is not left behinIn Nigeria for instance, the existence of Broken Homes is unknown, and when they existed, they are ignored as exceptional cases. In Africa, no one is happy to be identified as being raised in a Broken Home. In order words, the pride of an average African Child is to be brought up in a family where the man and his dear wife are living together, loving each other and each one of them performing his/her social responsibility and obligation towards the raising of the children and the survival of the family at large. This research looked at how broken home has affected education of children in society today and proffered solutions on how the scourge could be contained in our society. The research is mainly literature and conceptual. Literature in this study was sourced mainly from secondary data like journals, books, and the views of other scholars in this field.
Study of the Social Wellbeing of Working Mothers of Preschool Children
Authors: Choe Myeong Ae , An Jeong Shin
Published: August 2021

This study examined the social wellbeing of working mothers of preschool children with the aim of identifying relationships between social wellbeing and influencing factors, focusing on the individual, relationship, and work environment of the mothers. Data on 390 working mothers were used for this study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 18.0 program and descriptive statistics. Pearson’s correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. The results show that social wellbeing has significantly positive correlations with education, monthly household income, number of children, age of the first child(8 and over), social capital for childcare, division of childcare, maternal role values, spouse’s beliefs about paternal parenting involvement, and family-supportive work environment, as well as significantly negative correlations with weekly working hours, sociological ambivalence, spouse’s beliefs about father’s breadwinner role and gender-role values, job overload, and gender-role attitudes of coworkers. In addition, hierarchical regression revealed that spouse’s beliefs about paternal parenting involvement and a family-supportive work environment were significantly positive predictors of working mothers’social wellbeing, whereas working mothers’sociological ambivalence toward their roles, job overload, and gender-role attitudes of coworkers were significantly negative predictors of working mothers’social wellbeing. These results point to ways of changing education and policy to improve the social wellbeing of working mothers.
A Study of the Effects of the Internal Characteristics of Fashion Brand Salespeople on Core Sales Tasks
Authors: Oh Hyun-Jeong
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to reveal the effects of internal characteristics, such as fashion involvement, personality characteristics, and customer orientation of fashion brand salespeople on the core sales tasks, and how the core sales tasks and internal characteristics differ depending on differences in the way salespeople are remunerated. The data were collected as a questionnaire to fashion brand salespeople in Gwangju from September to October 2020. Using 235 responses, the data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0 for frequency analysis, reliability analysis, t-test, factor analysis, and regression analysis. The research results were as follows. First, fashion involvement comprises factors such as ‘fashion passion and sense’and ‘fashion trend interest’, and the greater the ‘fashion passion and sense’, the better the ‘sales management’and ‘customer relationship management’jobs. Second, 'esthetic openness', 'responsibility' and 'extroversion' of the big five personality characteristics have a positive impact on 'sales management' and 'customer relationship management' tasks. Third, customer orientation comprises factors such as ‘customer-centric understanding’and ‘gain customer trust’, the greater the customer-orientation, the better the ‘sales management’and ‘customer relationship management’tasks. Fourth, according to the position of the salesperson, the group of professional salespeople at manager level had high responses in core sales tasks, fashion involvement, customer orientation, and characteristics such as ‘agreeableness’, 'esthetic openness', and 'responsibility'.
The structural relationships among adolescents’mobile phone dependency, trajectories of depression, and self-regulated learning abilities
Authors: Hong Yea-Ji
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationships between Korean adolescents’mobile phone dependency, trajectories of depression, and self-regulated learning abilities. To achieve these goals, structural equation modeling analysis was conducted, using the 3rd, 5th and 7th wave of the data on 4th graders taken from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey. The results can be summarized as follows. First, growth-curve longitudinal analysis indicates that depression in 6th through 10th grade has increased. Second, mobile phone dependency among adolescents at 6th grade has a significant effect on both the initial value and the rate of change in depression. Also, the initial value and the rate of change in depression have significant relationships with mobile phone dependency at 10th grade. Moreover, both increased levels of mobile phone dependency and the rate of change in depression significantly influence adolescents’self-regulated learning abilities at 10th grade. Based on a longitudinal data set, these findings demonstrate the causal relationships between Korean adolescents’trajectories of depression and their mobile phone dependency. The findings also provide a comprehensive framework with implications for adolescents’development through an understanding of the relationships between adolescents’depression and mobile phone dependency, which impact their self-regulated learning abilities.
Effect of Upward Social Comparison in SNS on Depression among Middle School Students: The Mediating Effect of Self-Deprecation and the Moderated Mediating Effect of Cognitive Flexibility
Authors: Lee Se Young , Park Ju Hee
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of middle school students’self-deprecation in the relationship between upward social comparison in social network service (SNS) and depression and the moderated mediating effect of cognitive flexibility. The participants were 288 middle school students, in the first to third grades from four middle schools located in Seoul, Gyeong-gi, and Jeonnam. The date were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients and the Process Macro Model 4, 1, and 14.The results of this study are as follows. First, an upward comparison in SNS has a significant positive influence on students’depression, and students' self-deprecation of students mediated the relation between two. Second, the level of control, which is a sub-factor of cognitive flexibility, moderated the mediating effect of self-deprecation. That is, if students are more likely to perceive difficult situations as controllable, upward social comparison in SNS mediated by self-deprecation has smaller effect on depression.Based on these results, we suggest practical interventions to reduce depression among middle school students by decreasing upward social comparison in SNS and self-deprecation. In addition, helping students perceive difficult situations as controllable could be another effective way of reducing depression among those students who have a high level of self-deprecation in upward social comparison in SNS.
Coresidence between Unmarried Children in Established Adulthood and Older Parents in Korea: Relationship Characteristics and Associations with Life Satisfaction
Authors: Kim Hyeji , Lee Jaerim
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine which aspects of coresident intergenerational relationships were associated with the life satisfaction of unmarried children in established adulthood and of their parents. In this study, the coresident relationship characteristics included support exchange, emotion, interferenceconflict, and perceptions of coresidence. Data were collected from (a) 250 never-married adults who were 35+ years old and lived in Seoul with at least one parent aged 75 years or younger and (b) 250 older adults who were 75 years old or younger and had at least one unmarried child aged 35+ years living in the same household. Our multiple regression analysis of unmarried children showed that the adult child’s financial support, the adult child’s psychological reliance on parents, the parent’s psychological reliance on the child, and relationship quality were significantly related to higher levels of life satisfaction. In contrast, the parent’s daily interference, daily conflicts, and anticipation of future care of parents were related to lower levels of life satisfaction. Second, the characteristics that were positively associated with the parent’s life satisfaction were the parent’s instrumental support, relationship quality, the coresident child’s daily interference, positive perceptions of intergenerational coresidence, and expectation of future care of parents. In contrast, the parent’s financial support, daily conflicts with the child, and taking intergenerational coresidence for granted were negatively related to the parent’s life satisfaction. This study advances our understanding of coresidence between unmarried children in established adulthood and their older parents by focusing on the multiple aspects of intergenerational coresidence.
Structural Relationship among Children’s Academic Stress, Grit, Executive Function Difficulty, and Media Device Addiction
Authors: Kong Youngsook , Lim Jiyoung
Published: August 2021

This study examined the structural relationship between children’s academic stress, grit, executive function difficulty, and media device addiction. Data on 1,132 children and their mothers from the 11th (2018)Panel Study on Korean Children were used for the study. Data were collected by Academic Stress Scale, Grit Scale-Children, Child-Adolescent Self-reported Executive Function Difficulty Screening Questionnaire, and K-Internet Addiction Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 23.0 program with Pearson correlation, structural equation model and bootstrapping. The main results were as follows. 1) Children’s academic stress had a negative influence on their grit. 2) Children’s grit had a negative influence on their executive function difficulty and media device addiction. 3) Children’s executive function difficulty had a positive influence on their media device addiction. 4) The relationship between children’s academic stress and media device addiction was mediated by their grit and executive function difficulty. This study is significant in the sense that it found protective factors and risk factors for children’s addiction to media devices. We suggest that children’s grit be improved, and their academic stress and executive function difficulty be reduced to prevent and mediate children’s media device addiction.
The Influence of Korean Fashion Brands’ CSR Fit with Chinese Consumers on Consumer Satisfaction and Brand Attitude Moderated by Ethnocentrism
Authors: Zhang Ruiyue , Shin Eun Jung , Koh Ae-Ran
Published: August 2021

To help korean fashion brands establish CSR activities in the chinese market in the future, this study investigated the influence of korean fashion brands’ CSR fit with Chinese Consumers on Consumer Satisfaction and brand attitude, with the moderating effect of ethnocentrism. An online survey was conducted with 20-39 year-old consumers in China from April 18 to April 30, 2021. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0 and Amos 24.0. The results of this paper are as follows. First, environmental CSR fit had the greatest impact on consumer satisfaction, followed by financial CSR fit and social contribution CSR fit. Second, environmental CSR fit and social contribution CSR fit had positive effects on brand attitude, while financial CSR fit did not have a positive effect on brand attitude. Third, as customer satisfaction has a favorable effect on brand attitude, it can be inferred that the greater the satisfaction customers feel for a Korean fashion brand in China, the more positive the attitude they develop toward Korean brands. Fourth, there was no significant difference between groups that had a high and low degree of ethnocentrism, confirming that ethnocentrism does not have a moderating effect on consumer satisfaction. On the other hand, in the relationship between environmental and social contribution CSR fit and brand attitude, there was a greater impact in the low ethnocentrism group compared with the high ethnocentrism group, which verifies the moderating effect of ethnocentrism.
A Study on the L2 Stability and Transparency of Three Channel Control Architectures in Bilateral Teleoperation under Time Delays
Authors: TÜMERDEM Uğur
Published: August 2021

Bilateral/haptic teleoperation is the remote control of a "slave" robotic system through a "master" robot or haptic interface, and involves the feedback of the slave interaction forces to the operator. Thus, the master operator can operate the slave as an extension of his/her body. Time delay among the robots is a long-standing problem in bilateral teleoperation. The existence of force feedback to the operator in haptic/bilateral teleoperation makes the teleoperation system less robust to time delays on the communication channels. Three channel architectures have been proposed in the literature to provide increased robustness against time delays with increased transparency (kinesthetic coupling). In this paper, we propose modifications on three channel architectures to guarantee delay independent L2 stability, while exploiting the increased transparency characteristics of these architectures. The validity of the proposed approach is examined both analytically and experimentally on a bilateral teleopearation system.
THE EFFECTS OF PARAFFIN AND PARAFILM APPLICATIONS AND DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS ON YIELD OF GRAFTED VINE IN ‘BLACK MAGIC’ GRAPE CULTIVAR
Authors: KAMİLOĞLU Önder , DEMİRKESER Özge , SAKAROĞLU Nihat
Published: August 2021

The scions belonging to 'Black Magic' grape cultivar were grafted on ‘41B’, ‘1103 P’, ‘Fercal’ and ‘SO4’ American rootstock cuttings using omega grafting method in the experiment. Paraffin was applied to one half of the grafted cuttings. The other half was wrapped with parafilm and then paraffin was applied. Grafted cuttings were planted in perlite medium at 3.0 x 3.5 cm intervals inside plastic buckets and kept in the stratification room for 4 weeks. Grafted cuttings, which had been maintained under room conditions for one week, were then grown for two months under unheated greenhouse conditions. In order to determine rootstock and application effects, bud burst ratio (%), callus formation rate (%), callus formation degree (0-4), rooting ratio (%), rooting degree (0-4), shoot length (cm), shoot diameter (mm) and grafted vine ratio (%) were examined. According to the results of the study, it was determined that paraffin+parafilm application yielded better results than paraffin application in terms of bud burst ratio (respectively 70.83%, 53.33%), callus formation ratio (respectively 83.75%, 69.58%) and yield of grafted-vines (respectively 68.33%, 51.67%). In terms of the rootstocks, bud burst ratio was determined to be the highest in SO4 rootstock (71.67%) and the lowest in Fercal (54.17%). 1103 P rootstock yielded a highest value than other rootstocks in terms of shoot length (26.17 cm), callus rate at grafting surface (88.33%), and rooting ratio (97.50%). The effect of rootstocks on shoot diameter, rooting degree, and grafted vine ratio was found to be similar.
PRION PROTEIN GENE SEQUENCES ANALYSIS IN TWELVE SHEEP BREEDS OF PAKISTAN
Authors: HASSAN Mohammad Farooque
Published: August 2021

Prions are considered the only agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and are harmful pathogens of mammals. These infectious agents of host are made up through aggregation of conformational isomers (PrPSc) and encode glycoprotein (PrPC) of 33-35 kDa. TSEs are the fatal group of diseases which are neurodegenerative and include chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) in humans and scrapie in goats and sheep. The accumulation of abnormal form of the normal protein (PrP) is common in all diseases related TSE. This abnormal form of PrP called PrPSc is resistant to proteolysis as well as infectious. Present study was conducted in order to do sequence analysis of prion protein gene in twelve breeds of the sheep. We studied this gene to elucidate 12 of Pakistani sheep breeds and to compare gene order with other mammalian species. PCR amplification of 771 bp fragment was done on selected samples from all twelve breeds followed by sequencing. Sequence analysis was done and some sites were found to be heterozygous. These findings on prion protein gene in sheep will provide assistance for further studies on pathogenesis, cross-species transmission, breeding programs, resistance and susceptibility to scrapie.
PLANT HEIGHT CONTROL OF HYACINTHUS ORIENTALIS BY GIBBERELLIN INHIBITORS
Authors: DEMİR Sevim , ÇELİKEL Fisun Gürsel
Published: August 2021

In this study, effect of gibberellin inhibtors as preplant bulb soaks on plant height of Hyacinthus orientalis cv. ‘Jan Bos’ grown in pots were investigated. Bulbs of hyacints were soaked in flurprimidol at 0, 10, 20 ppm and paclobutrazol at 0, 100, 200 ppm before planting. Effect of gibberellin inhibitors on the flowering time, flower diameter and length, leaf length, plant height, flower life, chlorophyll content of leaves were determined. In addition, after hyacints grown in pots in the greenhouse arrived at the sales stage to determine the changes that occur in the plant height, plants were taken to the laboratory where temperature was held constant at 20 °C. The shortest plant height was obtained from the 200 ppm paclobutrazol and 20 ppm flurprimidol treatment as given bulb soaks. In this treatments, plant heihgt was 7.33 and 8.61 cm and were 49% , 41% shorter than untreated control. The lower dose of 10 ppm flurprimidol and 100 ppm paclobutrazol were also effective on height control with 9.11 and 9.71 cm plant height, respectively. Gibberellin inhibitors also shortened leaf lenght. Flurprimidol and paclobutrazol treatments resulted in higher chlorophyll content per unit area in the leaves than untreated controls. The highest chlorophyll contetnt was obtained from the plants treated 200 ppm paclobutrazol with 83.36 CCI (Chlorophyll content index), while the control was 50.56 CCI. The effects of treatments on plant height were maintained in lab conditions (home-office). The shortest plant height was obtained from 200 paclobutrazol treatment with 9.75 cm, while the control was 21.5 cm during post production period.
Single-photon ranging with hundred-micron accuracy
Authors: Wu Chen-Yi , Wang Lin-Li , Shi Hao-Tian , Wang Yu-Rong , Pan Hai-Feng , Li Zhao-Hui , Wu Guang ,   State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Published: August 2021

Single-photon detectors based on avalanche photodiodes and time-correlated single-photon counting technology are widely used in pulsed laser ranging. The ranging accuracy is one of the most important performances of laser ranging. In this work, a laser ranging method based on high-precision single-photon detector is developed to achieve laser ranging for non-cooperative targets with hundred-micron-level ranging accuracy. In the system, a low-time jitter Si APD single photon detector, picosecond pulsed laser and high-precision timing counter are used to reduce the time jitter of the ranging system, and a reference position is added to suppress the influence of delay drift of the system. And a laser interferometer system with a ranging resolution of 1 nm and an accuracy of 0.5 ppm is used to calibrate the distance of each movement of the ranging target. The photon flight time accuracy of 0.5 ps is achieved while the integral time ≥ 3 s. The ranging accuracy of 65 μm@RMS is realized, while the target is 2 m away. This work is one of the highest levels of pulsed time-of-flight ranging, and provides an effective technology for high-precision ranging and imaging of long-range non-cooperative targets.
StrainFLAIR: strain-level profiling of metagenomic samples using variation graphs
Authors: Da Silva Kévin , Pons Nicolas , Berland Magali , Plaza Oñate Florian , Almeida Mathieu , Peterlongo Pierre
Published: August 2021

Current studies are shifting from the use of single linear references to representation of multiple genomes organised in pangenome graphs or variation graphs. Meanwhile, in metagenomic samples, resolving strain-level abundances is a major step in microbiome studies, as associations between strain variants and phenotype are of great interest for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We developed StrainFLAIR with the aim of showing the feasibility of using variation graphs for indexing highly similar genomic sequences up to the strain level, and for characterizing a set of unknown sequenced genomes by querying this graph. On simulated data composed of mixtures of strains from the same bacterial species Escherichia coli, results show that StrainFLAIR was able to distinguish and estimate the abundances of close strains, as well as to highlight the presence of a new strain close to a referenced one and to estimate its abundance. On a real dataset composed of a mix of several bacterial species and several strains for the same species, results show that in a more complex configuration StrainFLAIR correctly estimates the abundance of each strain. Hence, results demonstrated how graph representation of multiple close genomes can be used as a reference to characterize a sample at the strain level.
Properties of concrete having treated recycled coarse aggregate and slag
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, 641008 (India), Saravanakumar P. , Manoj D. ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Kamala Institute of Technology and Science, Telangana, 505468 (India), Jagan S. ,   Faculty of Civil Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Anand Nagar, Krishnankoil, 626126 (India)
Published: August 2021

The possibility of using substitute materials for aggregates and cement in concrete were studied and reported in this paper. Concrete mixtures with untreated recycled coarse aggregates (URCA) and treated recycled coarse aggregates (TRCA) were used to prepare two mix groups of without slag (Mix I) and with slag (Mix II). The recycled aggregates were treated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) having different molarities (0.1M, 0.3M and 0.5M) before used as a substitute material for virgin aggregate in concrete. The concrete mechanical, durability properties and morphology of concrete were examined through standard experiments and analysed. In both mix groups considerable improvement in all characteristics were identified in TRCA mixes than URCA mixes. Among the two mix groups the concrete mix with slag (Mix II) showed better durability characteristics than mix without slag (Mix I). The combination of TRCA and slag in concrete substantially increases the characteristics of concrete in all means.
Mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete containing recycled concrete aggregate
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Eng. Faculty, Ege University, Bornova-İzmir, 35040 (Turkey), Hosseinnezhad Hojjat , Hatungimana Daniel ,   Department of civil engineering, Burundi University, Bujumbura, 1550 (Burundi), Yazıcı Şemsi ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Eng. Faculty, Ege University, Bornova-İzmir, 35040 (Turkey)
Published: August 2021

The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, pulse velocity, and drop weight impact resistance of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) mixtures containing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were investigated. The cement contents of the RCC mixtures were chosen as 150, 200 and 250 kg/m3. In addition to the control mixtures containing no RCA, 25, 50, 75, and 100 wt% of the crushed limestone aggregate was replaced with RCA. In this way, 15 RCC mixtures were prepared. The water content of RCC mixtures was determined by the maximum density method. The results showed that increasing the amount of recycled aggregate decreased the mechanical properties of the concrete. However, up to 25% replacement level, recycled aggregate had not a significant detrimental effect on the properties of RCC. Besides, the detrimental effect of RCA substitution was more pronounced in leaner mixtures and reduced by increasing the cement content of the RCC.
Experimental Investigation of the Functional and Proximate Properties of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Using Fermentation Process
Authors: Olanipekun Bosesde Folake , Ilevbare Joy A. , Oyelade Olusegun James , Adelakun Oluyemisi Elizabeth , Olajire Ajekigbe Sola
Published: August 2021

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a leguminous crop rich in protein and widely cultivated in Nigeria but underutilized due to high anti-nutritional properties. Several processing methods such as fermentation using non-pathogenic micro fungi have been used to address these problems. This study evaluated the effect of fermentation on the functional and proximate properties of pigeon pea using Rhizopus species. The following ranges of values were obtained for bulk density, water absorption, oil absorption and swelling capacities (0.74-0.98g/ml; 71.67-189.00%; 120.00-205.00%; 6.81-10.93g/ml), respectively. Values of proximate composition were in ranges of 6.67-7.87, 16.09-22.09, 2.83-4.00, 0.84-1.23,1.33- 2.00 and 65.47- 71.35% for moisture, protein, ash, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Improvement in functional and proximate properties of fermented pigeon pea flour were observed. Hence, it can also serve as functional and supplement ingredients in different food formulations.
The Perceptions about Their Profession of Kosovo`s Nursing Students
Authors: Haxhija Edona , Shabani Zamira , Osmanaga Fatbardha
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim: Nurses are key to the health of the nation. Nursing can be described as both an art and a science; a heart and a mind. The aim of this study is to evidence the students' perceptions about the profession of nursing. This is a cross-sectional study.

Study Design: The research question is: "What are the nursing students’ perceptions about the profession of nursing?" 

Methodology: The study was realized during the period of January- February 2021. The study was conducted with nursing students in first, second and third year of study, in bachelor degree of University of Pristina "AAB College" Kosovo, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Kosovo. In this study were included n=130 students, respectively (n= 29, 22.3% in first year, n=57, 43.8% second year and n= 44, 33.8% in third year of study). The questionnaire “Cockrell-Punter Nursing Perceptions Scale” used consisted of 25 perception statements related to nursing. These scores no longer reflected simply agreement/disagreement, but as positive or negative perceptions of nursing with a scale values ranged from 1=negative perception to 5=positive perception. The survey performed in classroom was anonymous. All data collected were elaborated with SPSS version 19.

Results: In this study, 22.3% (n=29) of students were male and 77.7% (n=101) were female. Age ranged from 18 to 47 years old. The average age is 21.9 years old. The distribution of student’s age was: (8.5% were 18 years old, 18.5%, 19 years old, 27.7% 20 years old, 19.2% were 21 years old and 26.1% were over 21 years old) mean 19.8 years old, min 18 years old, maximum 47 year old, Std. Dev ± 4.19. According to the residence, 88 (67.7%) of students were from urban area and 42 (32.3%) from rural area.

Conclusion: Nursing students have good perception about the nursing profession. With age the level of perception increases, so the oldest have more positive perception.
Screening and Risk Factor Associated with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis among Pregnant Women
Authors: Hingankar Yugandhara , Taksande Vaishali
Published: August 2021

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is also known as vaginal yeast infection and candida vulvovaginitis there is excessive growth of yeast in vagina which leads to vaginal thrush. The sign and symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis includes severe vaginal discharge and itching. The symptoms get more before menstruation. The other symptoms show pain during sex, burning urination and redness over vagina. This infection mostly occurs due to excessive amount of growth of candida. According to research in all around 75% of total women suffer from vaginal candidiasis once in their lifetime and around 5% of the women suffer from twice or thrice. The preventive measures include wearing cotton undergarment rather than wearing synthetic and wearing loose cotton cloths.

Objective: This study is planned to assess screening and risk factors associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women.

Methodology: The Descriptive Evaluatory Research Design used for data collection procedure will be required 1 week per plan. 7-8 High vaginal swab are taken from gynae Opd in a day accordingly data will be collected. The number of pregnant women will be taken from Gynae Opd who come for check-up on the regular basis. Soon after their check-up written consent form will be given and sample will be collected. Then interview will be taken with the following questionnaires prepared according to the risk factors assessment scale. The pregnant women will be selected non-Probability convenient sampling technique.

Conclusion: Reproductive age group women have more risk of developing vulvovaginal candidiasis, because of High oestrogen levels cause an increased glycogen load in epithelium, which is a nutritional source for growth of candida & germination. Vulvovaginal candidiasis the most common gynaecologic diagnosis in the primary care setting. So, the available statistics say that there is a need for the study regarding the assessment and screening of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women.
Caseating Tuberculous Lymphadenitis- A Case Report
Authors: Wanjari Mayur B. , Mendhe Deeplata , Wankhede Pratibha , Alwadkar Sagar
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Tuberculosis lymphadenitis (or tuberculous adenitis) is the most common type of infection with tuberculosis that occurs outside of the respiratory system. Tuberculosis lymphadenitis is a chronic condition caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the granulomatous inflammation of the lymph node caused by caseated necrosis. The number of people who contact tuberculosis is estimated at 8 million per year, and about 3 million people die from tuberculosis in the world.

Presentation of Case: In this case report we delineate the case of a female patient, 26-year-old, she had some pain and lymph node swelling in her right submandibular region since from 4 months and was diagnosed as right Caseating Tuberculous Lymphadenitis, associated with the cervical (neck) region, who was immunocompetent and HIV test negative, with a history of recurring fever, weight loss, loss of appetite for the last 4 months. On physical examination, she had swelling approximately 3×3 cm in the right submandibular region and a hard mass and painful sensation were noticed in her right submandibular region. On Fine needle aspiration cytology of submandibular lymph node reveals Caseating Tuberculous Lymphadenitis. this is extremely rare in immunocompetent individuals.