bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La represión franquista y el exilio leonés
Authors: Rodríguez González José Javier
Published: June 2024

La dictadura franquista se impuso en la sociedad mediante la represión tras el golpe de Estado de julio de 1936. La violencia, elemento indispensable del régimen, produjo persecuciones, desapariciones, fusilamientos, personas internadas en cárceles y campos de concentración, represión económica, represión de género y centenares de miles de personas empujadas al exilio. La diáspora leonesa configuró un mapa del exilio desde Europa a Latinoamérica formando parte de la vanguardia científica y cultural. En Europa, no pocos leoneses lucharon contra el nazismo y el fascismo durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, destacando con su presencia en la Resistencia francesa contra los alemanes, y padecieron primero en campos de internamiento franceses y luego en campos de concentración nazis, como Mauthausen. En este artículo se analiza cómo la aplicación de los mecanismos de la represión franquista en la provincia de León obligó al exilio a numerosas personas. Son historias de vida tanto de gente anónima como de personas que han sido protagonistas en el ámbito social, político y cultural.
En torno al orden internacional del siglo XXI
Authors: Martínez Lillo Pedro A. , Castro Arcos Javier
Published: June 2024

Este trabajo aborda los principales factores que enmarcan la crisis del sistema multilateral en las relaciones internacionales a lo largo de la década 2010- 2020. Las temáticas inciden en una pluralidad de cuestionamientos que incluyen desde la incertidumbre económica, y la guerra comercial entre EE. UU. y China; el comportamiento de los países BRICS o el excepcionalismo norteamericano; sin olvidar, el surgimiento de los nacionalismos y la emergencia de modelos democráticos iliberales, junto a los nuevos conflictos del siglo XXI, dentro de un mundo convulsionado por la pandemia de la COVID-19. Aspectos considerados imprescindibles a la hora de analizar el estado del multilateralismo contemporáneo y sus repercusiones en la gobernanza global.
Èthnos y Plèthos vs. Dèmos: lo que el populismo conservador de derechas hace a la democracia
Authors: Boisard Stéphane
Published: June 2024

En un mundo gobernado hoy día mayoritariamente por partidos conservadores y/o de derechas, se impuso como una categoría esencial de la ciencia política el término "populista" para calificar a ciertos de estos líderes y regímenes. Este artículo analizará la definición que dan del pueblo y la democracia los gobiernos y dirigentes llamados populistas. Se planteará que frente al pueblo-dèmos inclusivo de la democracia liberal, los nacional-populismos conservadores contemporáneos se fundan en la idea excluyente de un pueblo-èthnos que trataría de protegerse de agresiones exteriores (emigrantes, comunistas, “desviados sexuales”, feministas, ecologistas…). El nacional-populismo conservador no solo pone en peligro la democracia, porque no se limita a cuestionar las reglas formales de una democracia pluralista, sino que contribuye también a una "brutalización" del debate político.
Ideologías y crisis económicas. La experiencia del siglo XXI
Authors: Fernández Navarrete Donato
Published: June 2024

Las crisis económicas obedecen, por lo general, a tres factores: a causas naturales, a conflictos bélicos o a factores económicos; aunque lo habitual en su desencadenamiento es que intervengan más de uno. En lo que sigue nos proponemos centrar la atención en dos aspectos: en primer lugar, en las ideologías que fundamentan los modelos teóricos explicativos de las crisis; y, en segundo lugar y de manera más específica, en las dos crisis del siglo XXI.
El retorno de la pasión democrática. Desigualdad y repliegue nacional en Europa, 2007-2020
Authors: Romero Ramos Héctor
Published: June 2024

En la literatura última sobre la crisis de la democracia predominan, de un lado, las perspectivas políticas e institucionales frente a las sociales y culturales y, de otro lado, el análisis de las acciones frente al de las estructuras. En este trabajo reflexionamos sobre la situación actual atendiendo a la relación entre la cultura de la democracia y las bases sociales que la hacen posible, valiéndonos de las ideas de Tocqueville sobre la igualdad de condición y el papel de las emociones en la vida política, explorando sus manifestaciones ambivalentes y poniendo el foco en los efectos que sobre las sociedades democráticas han tenido la Gran Recesión y la llamada crisis de los refugiados. Se cierra con un apunte sobre la tercera crisis sucesiva y aún en curso: la crisis sanitaria provocada por la pandemia de covid-19.
La democracia menguante
Authors: Soto Carmona Álvaro
Published: June 2024

El triunfo de la Revolución de los Claveles en Portugal en 1974 abrió un nuevo ciclo político, en el que las democracias representativas se fueron extendiendo por todo el mundo. Esa tendencia se ha visto quebrada en los últimos años por el cuestionamiento del actual modelo de democracia, el desorden del sistema internacional, las crisis económicas, el protagonismo de nuevos actores sociales y nuevas formas de protesta, acompañado todo ello por una profunda crisis cultural. En el último año una circunstancia inesperada agrava la situación: la aparición y extensión de la pandemia de COVID-19. Todo lo cual nos conduce a concluir que estamos a las puertas de un nuevo mundo, que hace tambalear las formas de gobernanza habidas en los últimos cincuenta años.
Patriotismo y religión: las religiosas "en la urgencia del momento en España". Comunidades religiosas femeninas en cárceles y reformatorios durante la Guerra Civil y la posguerra (1936-1945)
Authors: Fullana Puigserver Pere
Published: June 2024

Dieciséis congregaciones femeninas firmaron contratos con el Gobierno para ejercer servicios en las cárceles entre 1938 y 1945. Solo algunas tenían experiencia en el ámbito penitenciario y de la reforma, pero el clima patriótico y de recristianización, y una cierta sumisión de las congregaciones religiosas a la jerarquía, las derivó a los centros de reclusión y de reforma. En este artículo expresamos la necesidad de normalizar el estudio de las congregaciones religiosas femeninas y su acción en el programa de redención. Para ello se requiere la apertura de los archivos congregacionales y trabajos históricos contrastados desde la perspectiva de género y desde las dinámicas internas de la Iglesia católica durante la primera mitad del siglo XX.
La sacralidad y sus enemigos: mujeres santas y secularizadas en El Evangelio según San Mateo de Pier Paolo Pasolini y en la España del desarrollo (1965)
Authors: Raimondo Paolo
Published: June 2024

La profundidad artística del film de Pier Paolo Pasolini El Evangelio según San Mateo (1964) llega, además de ofrecer motivos de reflexión sobre su contenido y acogida por parte de la censura, de la crítica, del público y, en una visión más general, de la sociedad española, a constituir un elemento sociocultural útil para evaluar, según la perspectiva filosófica marxista heterodoxa de su director cinematográfico, el cambio del rol de la mujer durante el desarrollo económico de España y el paralelo proceso de desacralización y secularización.
Desafiando el orden de género de la Iglesia desde la base. La Asamblea Diocesana de Bilbao (1984-1987)
Authors: Mínguez Blasco Raúl , Dios Fernández Eider de
Published: June 2024

La recepción del Concilio Vaticano II en la diócesis de Bilbao fue complicada debido a la tensión social y política provocada por la dictadura franquista. No fue hasta principios de los ochenta, en un ambiente más propicio, cuando fue posible plantear la convocatoria de una Asamblea Diocesana. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar los orígenes, el desarrollo y las repercusiones de la Asamblea Diocesana de Bilbao (1984- 1987) desde una perspectiva de género. Ello no solo nos permitirá visibilizar la presencia mayoritaria de mujeres en esta y otras asambleas o sínodos celebrados en varias diócesis españolas en aquel momento, sino también analizar las demandas que, especialmente en el terreno de la sexualidad y del acceso igualitario al sacerdocio, cuestionaron el orden de género de la Iglesia.
El hambre: una reflexión historiográfica para su inclusión en el estudio del franquismo
Authors: Arco Blanco Miguel Ángel del
Published: June 2024

Este artículo pretende ser una revisión historiográfica sobre las aportaciones que se han realizado sobre los años de la posguerra española. No obstante, lo hace bajo la perspectiva de una preocupación de una cierta laguna historiográfica: el estudio de lo que venimos a denominar la “hambruna española” y las condiciones de vida durante los años cuarenta. Además, miramos también a los años cincuenta, al considerar que el análisis de ese periodo (en gran parte desatendido en muchos aspectos por la historiografía) no puede ser entendido ni explicado sin lo sucedido en la década precedente. En suma, pretendemos señalar la necesidad de dar un papel principal al hambre y a las condiciones de vida en los análisis de los primeros años del franquismo.
La Asociación General de Ganaderos de España en la provincia de Burgos (1897-1915)
Authors: Cuesta Nieto José Antonio
Published: June 2024

La Asociación General de Ganaderos de España, heredera de la Mesta, tenía por finalidad la defensa de los intereses de la ganadería y la conservación de las cañadas por las que se efectuaba la trashumancia. Para esta segunda función se creó una red de visitadores de ganadería y cañadas de provincia, de partido y municipales. Entre 1897 y 1915 el nombramiento de visitador provincial y de los visitadores de algunos partidos de Burgos estuvo marcado por el recurso a la intermediación de diputados, senadores y otros notables que presionaron para que recayera en sus patrocinados dentro del esquema caciquil, evidenciando el juego de relaciones clientelares y las prácticas anejas.
Nexus Among Public Health Expenditure, Environmental Pollution, Governance and Health Status: Empirical Perspective from Nigeria
Authors: NGOZI CHIOMA Dr. EWURUM,
Published: June 2024

The study, empirically examines the nexus among public health expenditure (PHE), environmental pollution, governance (QoG) and health status in Nigeria using annual time series data spanning from 1981-2020. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and two stage least square (2SLS) techniques were utilized. Data on PHE, environmental pollution captured by CO2 emission and governance (QoG) measured by corruption perception index (CPI) were regressed on infant mortality rate (IMR) and under five mortality rates (U5MR) as measures for health status. Generally, there is evidence of long-run association between the various variables in the respective model specification. The results reveal (i) a negative and significant effect of PHE on both health status, implying that a 1% increase in PHE reduces IMR and U5MR by 0.03%; (ii) a significant and negative effect of CO2 emissions on health status, which imply that a 1% increase in CO2 emissions will reduce U5MR and IMR respectively by approximately 0.05%. (iii) QoG measured by CPI has a negative though statistically insignificant effect on health status, showing that a percent increase in CPI approximately decreases IMR and U5MR by 0.03%, (iv) a negative and significant effect of GDP per capita on health status which imply that economic growth is associated with an improvement in the health status of the population. Here a percent increase in per capita income reduces IMR and U5MR by 0.43 and 0.49 percentage point respectively. The study recommends that there is need for policymakers in developing countries like Nigeria to aggressively deploy fiscal policy to boost allocations on public health expenditure and ensure progress across all four pillars of sustainable development through good governance devoid of corruption in term of misallocation of public resources, poor management and better institutions as these are essential for both individual and societal well-being..
The Impact of Formal Military Militias on the Democratic Transition Process (Iraq in Post-2014)
Authors: Ahmad Ibrahim Assi. Lect.Shamall
Published: June 2024

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.7419350
In this research, we identify and deepen the impact and influence of the non-state armed groups on the democratization process in deep-divided societies such as the Iraqi society. At the beginning of the paper, we look at the Kurdish force (Peshmerga) and Shia armed groups (Popular Mobilization Forces – PMF) and assess their legal basis from the Iraqi Post-2003 constitution. Then the role these groups will play in strengthening and supporting a democratic transition also will be discussed in detail. The main question in our paper is to determine the role these mentioned armed groups will play in Post-2014 Iraq, how they will contribute to preserving political stability, and also which position they will take in the democratic transition process. Shia armed groups limited to different levels of roles have been considered, and their influences on human rights, national goals, and corruption in Iraq have also been discussed.
The Reality of Administrative Creativity as an Approach to Achieving Competitive Advantage in the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Al-Habsi (Ph. D) Radhiya Sulaiman , Al-Harasi (Ph. D) Muslim Salem
Published: June 2024

The aim of the current study was to determine the status of administrative creativity as a means to achieve competitive advantage in the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman. To achieve the study objectives, a descriptive-analytical approach was used, and a questionnaire was employed as a tool for data collection. The study yielded the following results:The level of administrative creativity in the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman was found to be "moderate." The study results also revealed statistically significant differences at a significance level of (α ≤ 0.05) in the responses of the study sample participants attributed to gender and years of experience. However, no statistically significant differences were found in relation to variables such as educational qualification and nature of job. Furthermore, administrative creativity was found to have an impact on predicting the achievement of competitive advantage in the Ministry of Education.Based on the study findings, the following recommendations were made: The ministry should adopt a strategy for better utilization of its current resources to achieve competitive advantage and the ministry should implement programs and tests to discover the administrative talents and innovations among its employees, either by developing local scales or adapting international tests.
Kongedatteren og hendes ghost writer
Authors: Olden-Jørgensen Sebastian
Published: June 2024

On the first of May 1673 Leonora Christina (1621-98), daughter of King Christian IV and his morganatic second wife Kirsten Munk, finished her so called French autobiography (preserved in her own hand in The Royal Library in Copenhagen and issued in a new critical edition in 2021). The text is addressed to some »Monsieur« and gives a charming and rather smug account of her turbulent life as viewed from the prison cell in Copenhagen where she had been locked up since 1663. Traditionally the anonymous addressee has been identified as the scholar Otto Sperling the younger (1634-1715) who is supposed to have used the autobiography as the main source for a short Latin biography of her in his De foeminis eruditis, an unfinished collection of 1.399 learned women of all nations and ages preserved in the manuscript collection of The Royal Library in Copenhagen. A systematic comparison between Sperling's Latin biography of Leonora Christina (soon to be published in Fund og Forskning i Det Kongelige Biblioteks Samlinger) and the French autobiography demonstrates conclusively that Sperling's text is not based on hers, and it is therefore highly improbable that he is the »Monsieur« for whom she wrote her life's story. The real addressee possibly is Admiral Henrik Bjelke (1615-83) who fits the bits of information on »Monsieur« that can be gathered from the French autobiography and other sources. This new understanding of the text's genesis not only changes the identity of the original addressee and offers a better explanation of several details such as the autobiography's unmitigated aristocratic bias. It also means that Sperling's Latin biography is not merely an adaption of another known text but an original source based on a series of interviews with Leonora Christina around 1690. This brings his text in much greater proximity to the old lady herself.
Borttagelse og semantik
Authors: Vognsen Frederik Lynge
Published: June 2024

In this article, I examine the way acts of things being seized are presented in three fifteenth century Danish chronicles. I hypothesize that seizures are deployed in a linguistic capacity to quickly convey information of narrative importance. This strategy aims at situating the involved actors in the narrative world and thus presents certain understandings of how we are to assess the morality of the acts and persons in question. The chronicles utilize different words for seizures (though some overlaps occur) which shows how the different words for seizures are deeply rooted in specific cultural understandings and archetypes.
Hence, the article seeks to demonstrate that in late medieval chronicles, acts of seizures are fully integrated into the larger narratives told. The consequences are significant as a thief, then, rarely is just a thief, and even the most innocently described episode can cover for morally questionable acts. Both reservations are important for the people portrayed in the sources and our continued investigation of past society, literary and historical.
El principio de no lucro y la circulación de ovocitos de procedencia española en la UE
Authors: Puig Hernández Marc Abraham
Published: June 2024

De acuerdo con los estudios antropológicos y sociológicos la mitad de los ovocitos que circulan por Europa proceden de España. De ahí que nos preguntemos por las exigencias de su regulación, en particular por el principio de no lucro. Este principio se concreta normativamente en un solo momento, a saber, en la donación de ovocitos. Las normas comunitarias y nacionales no extienden este principio a la exportación y la distribución de los ovocitos, abriendo la puerta a su mercantilización y conculcando así el principio. Por ello proponemos una legislación acorde a las exigencias del principio de no lucro.
Expression of modified FcγRI enables myeloid cells to elicit robust tumor-specific cytotoxicity
Authors: Farhat-Younis Leen , Na Manho , Zarfin Amichai , Khateeb Aseel , Santana-Magal Nadine , Richter Alon , Gutwillig Amit , Rasoulouniriana Diana , Gleiberman Annette , Beck Lir , Giger Tamar , Ashkenazi Avraham , Barzel Adi , Rider Peleg , Carmi Yaron
Published: June 2024

Despite the central role of T cells in tumor immunity, attempts to harness their cytotoxic capacity as a therapy have met limited efficacy, partially as a result of the suppressive microenvironment which limits their migration and activation. In contrast, myeloid cells massively infiltrate tumors and are well adapted to survive these harsh conditions. While they are equipped with cell-killing abilities, they often adopt an immunosuppressive phenotype upon migration to tumors. Therefore, the questions of how to modify their activation programming against cancer, and what signaling cascades should be activated in myeloid cells to elicit their cytotoxicity have remained unclear. Here, we found that activation of IgM-induced signaling in murine myeloid cells results in secretion of lytic granules and massive tumor cell death. These findings open venues for designing novel immunotherapy by equipping monocytes with chimeric receptors that target tumor antigens and consequently, signal through IgM receptor. Nonetheless, we found that myeloid cells do not express the antibody-derived portion used to recognize the tumor antigen due to the induction of an ER stress response. To overcome this limitation, we designed chimeric receptors that are based on the high-affinity FcγRI for IgG. Incubation of macrophages expressing these receptors along with tumor-binding IgG induced massive tumor cell killing and secretion of reactive oxygen species and Granzyme B. Overall, this work highlights the challenges involved in genetically reprogramming the signaling in myeloid cells and provides a framework for endowing myeloid cells with antigen-specific cytotoxicity.
Perceptual error based on Bayesian cue combination drives implicit motor adaptation
Authors: Zhang Zhaoran , Wang Huijun , Zhang Tianyang , Nie Zixuan , Wei Kunlin
Published: June 2024

The sensorimotor system can recalibrate itself without our conscious awareness, a type of procedural learning whose computational mechanism remains undefined. Recent findings on implicit motor adaptation, such as over-learning from small perturbations and fast saturation for increasing perturbation size, challenge existing theories based on sensory errors. We argue that perceptual error, arising from the optimal combination of movement-related cues, is the primary driver of implicit adaptation. Central to our theory is the increasing sensory uncertainty of visual cues with increasing perturbations, which was validated through perceptual psychophysics (Experiment 1). Our theory predicts the learning dynamics of implicit adaptation across a spectrum of perturbation sizes on a trial-by-trial basis (Experiment 2). It explains proprioception changes and their relation to visual perturbation (Experiment 3). By modulating visual uncertainty in perturbation, we induced unique adaptation responses in line with our model predictions (Experiment 4). Overall, our perceptual error framework outperforms existing models based on sensory errors, suggesting that perceptual error in locating one’s effector, supported by Bayesian cue integration, underpins the sensorimotor system’s implicit adaptation.
Choice-based severity scale (CSS): assessing the relative severity of procedures from a laboratory animal’s perspective
Authors: Cassidy Lauren , Treue Stefan , Gail Alexander , Pfefferle Dana
Published: June 2024

One primary goal of laboratory animal welfare science is to provide a comprehensive severity assessment of the experimental and husbandry procedures or conditions these animals experience. The severity, or degree of suffering, of these conditions experienced by animals are typically scored based on anthropocentric assumptions. We propose to (a) assess an animal’s subjective experience of condition severity, and (b) not only rank but scale different conditions in relation to one another using choice-based preference testing. The Choice-based Severity Scale (CSS) utilizes animals’ relative preferences for different conditions, which are compared by how much reward is needed to outweigh the perceived severity of a given condition. Thus, this animal-centric approach provides a common scale for condition severity based on the animal’s perspective. To assess and test the CSS concept, we offered three opportunistically selected male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) choices between two conditions: performing a cognitive task in a typical neuroscience laboratory setup (laboratory condition) versus the monkey’s home environment (cage condition). Our data show a shift in one individual’s preference for the cage condition to the laboratory condition when we changed the type of reward provided in the task. Two additional monkeys strongly preferred the cage condition over the laboratory condition, irrespective of reward amount and type. We tested the CSS concept further by showing that monkeys’ choices between tasks varying in trial duration can be influenced by the amount of reward provided. Altogether, the CSS concept is built upon laboratory animals’ subjective experiences and has the potential to de-anthropomorphize severity assessments, refine experimental protocols, and provide a common framework to assess animal welfare across different domains.
Industry 4.0 and Fayol’s 14 Principles of Functional Management: Relevances, Emerging Practices and Consequences
Authors: Rana Md. Masud
Published: June 2024

Aim: This study aims to examine and evaluate the relevance and importance of Henri Fayol's principles of management and its emerging practices in the context of Industry 4.0.
Approach: The study employs a literature review approach to analyze and synthesize existing research and literature related to Fayol's principles of management and their applicability in the age of Industry 4.0.
Findings: The analysis shows that several of Fayol's principles, including division of labor, authority and responsibility, discipline, order, equity, and stability of tenure of personnel, remain remarkably relevant in the digital age. But, some principles, such as unity of command and unity of direction, may need to be adapted in decentralized decision-making and cross-functional collaboration. The study also identifies new management practices and methodologies, such as agile methodologies, design thinking, and data-driven decision-making, that are emerging to meet the demands of Industry 4.0. By adapting and applying Fayol's principles in new and innovative ways, businesses can leverage the opportunities of Industry 4.0 while ensuring a positive work environment and employee satisfaction.
Originality/Value: This study provides valuable insights for businesses and management practitioners on the continued relevance and applicability of Fayol's principles of management in the age of Industry 4.0. The study also highlights the need for businesses to invest in employee learning and development, utilize data and analytics, and explore new tactics and practices better suited to the digital age.
The Effect of Selected Macroeconomic Variables on Sharia Mutual Funds in Indonesia: A Multidimensional Analysis with VECM Approach
Authors: Sepita Hilta , Kartika Metasari , Putra Windhu
Published: June 2024

This study determined the short-term and long-term effects of Inflation, Indonesia crude price, and Indonesia sharia stock index on sharia mutual funds in Indonesia. This research utilized secondary data from January 2014 - December 2023 sourced from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Central Agency on Statistics (BPS), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Sources of the Republic of Indonesia (KESDM). This study uses long run and short run VECM tests. The results show that the long-run VECM estimates indicate that the Inflation variable and the Indonesian sharia stock index have a long-term significant positive effect on Islamic mutual funds in Indonesia. While the Indonesian crude price has a long-term significant negative effect on Islamic mutual funds in Indonesia. The short run VECM estimation results show that there are no variables that affect Islamic mutual funds in Indonesia. Granger causality test reveals the causal relationship between various variables on Islamic mutual funds. The conclusions obtained can be used as a reference for potential investors in making investment decisions for the short and long term.
Carbon Stock Potential of Coconut Plantations in University Campus: A Case Study from Coimbatore, India
Authors: Pragasan L. Arul , Kalaiselvi M.
Published: June 2024

The urgent need to mitigate climate change has prompted researchers to explore various avenues for carbon sequestration. One such avenue is the utilization of natural ecosystems like forests and plantations. Coconut plantations in university campuses play a vital role in carbon sequestration in mitigation of climate change. In this case study, we report the potential of coconut plantation from Bharathiar University campus, India. Four plots of 50 m × 50 m were randomly sampled from the coconut plantation in Bharathiar University campus. Carbon stock of the coconut plantation was calculated based on field survey and allometric equations. A total of 171 trees were recorded from the four plots totalling one hectare (ha) area.  The total carbon stock determined for the one ha of coconut plantation sampled from Bharathiar University campus was 31.69 tonne/ha and the mean carbon stock per tree was 0.19 ± 0.06 tonne/tree. We have discussed the carbon stock of coconut tree allocation by above-ground and below-ground parts. This case study highlights the importance of coconut plantations in university campuses in support of curbing the atmospheric carbon concentration. We suggest for plantation of coconut trees in university campuses, that can serve not only as carbon sinks but also contribute to fulfilling the sustainable development goals of the nation.
Changes in Soil Physical Properties and Soybean Productivity under Preparatory Tillage Systems in Virgin Vertisols of Central India
Authors: Kumar Sheilendra , Deshmukh Manish R. , Kumar Pramod
Published: June 2024

Preparatory tillage, undoubtedly, is one of the most crucial practices that alter soil physical attributes and also affect crop growth and yield. In this sense, this experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of various preparatory tillage systems on soil physical properties and soybean productivity thereby find out a suitable tillage combination for vertisol of Vidarbha region of central India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight tillage treatments and three replicates. Experimental results revealed that soil physical properties and productivity of soybean differed significantly under different preparatory tillage system and zero tillage. Further data revealed that conventional tillage treatment T8 (1ploughing + 2 tyne harrow + blade harrow) and T7 (1 Ploughing + 1 Tyne Harrow + 1 Rotavator) significantly improved the soil physical properties (infiltration rate, bulk density, porosity, soil moisture content) and grain yield (2378 and 2268 kg ha-1, respectively). Moreover zero tillage treatment T1 and shallow tillage treatments (1Blade Harrow + 1Rotavator and 1Tyne Harrow + 1 Rotavator) did not show any significant improvement in soil physical properties and grain yield of soybean.
Evaluation of Crop Establishment Methods and Nano Urea Versus Conventional Urea on Growth Indices in Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Azam Kamaran , Singh A.K. , Singh Vikash , Singh Manju , Kumar Rajesh , Nand Vishuddha
Published: June 2024

The present study aimed to evaluate Crop Establishment Methods and Nano Urea Versus Conventional Urea on Growth Indices in Rice Crop (Oryza sativa L.). Method of crop establishment influences the performance of rice through its effect on growth and development. Although, system of rice intensification has been reported to be the best establishment method. In traditional fertilizers, there is a huge loss of fertilizers by various manners like drift, leaching, runoff, microbial degradation, hydrolysis and photolysis. Bio accessibility of nutrients to plant is much lower relative to the rate of conventional fertilizers applied. The experiment was conducted during two consecutive seasons of Kharif 2022 and 2023 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P.), India. The nitrogen level had significantly affected on crop growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate at all the stages of crop growth during both the years of investigations. The maximum Net assimilation rate at 30-60 and 60-90 DAS/DAT and crop growth rate, relative growth rate at 30-60, 60-90 and 90 to harvest DAS/DAT was recorded under 60% RDN through conventional Urea + 40% RDN through Nano Urea which was at par with 40% RDN through conventional Urea + 60% RDN through Nano Urea treatment, while significant over rest of the treatment during both the years of investigations.
Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: A Comparative Study of Vegetable Cultivation under Polyhouse and Open Field Conditions in Punjab, India
Authors: Rani Nisha , Tiwari Devinder , Kaur Gaganpreet , Sharma Divyanshu
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the comparative agricultural performance of cucumber, capsicum and tomato cultivation in polyhouse structures versus open field conditions in Punjab, focusing on yield, market prices, cost of production and overall profitability. The study included 42 polyhouse technology adopters and 60 non-adopters randomly selected from six districts with high polyhouse concentration. Results revealed that cucumber, the most suitable crop under polyhouse conditions, exhibited significantly higher yields (347 q/acre) compared to open field cultivation (166 q/acre). Polyhouse-grown cucumbers also fetched better market prices (Rs. 22-23/Kg) than those cultivated in open fields (Rs. 13/Kg) due to off-season production. Despite higher production costs in polyhouse conditions, the gross and net returns as well as the benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio of 2.84) was considerably better in polyhouse cultivation compared to open field cultivation. Similarly, capsicum and tomato crops demonstrated over 1.5 times higher yields in polyhouse conditions compared to open fields. The market prices for polyhouse grown capsicum and tomato were significantly better, compensating for the higher production costs. The benefit-cost ratios for capsicum and tomato in polyhouse conditions were 2.37 and 2.42 respectively, outperforming open field cultivation. The study ranked cucumber as the most profitable crop under polyhouse structures followed by tomato and capsicum. Extension and technology gaps were identified highlighting the need for capacity building through extension programs to bridge existing gaps. Extension yield gaps ranged from 21.7-32.5 q/acre while technology gaps attributed to cultivation practices, crop varieties and technical knowledge ranged between 38-55 q/acre. In conclusion, polyhouse technology presents a viable strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity particularly for cucumber, capsicum and tomato crops in Punjab. The findings underscored the need for targeted extension programs and improved practices to bridge existing gaps promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Punjab.
An Overview of Seed Production Methodologies in Selected Flowering Annuals
Authors: Thakur Kritika , Beese Shreedhar , Guleria Aman , Kisku Neha Grace Angel , Thakur Divesh , Pangtu Shabnam , Rani Neha , Chahar Sangeeta
Published: June 2024

This review provides a comprehensive overview of flower seed production, emphasizing the significance of the floriculture industry. Flower crops, especially annuals, contribute significantly to the beautification of surroundings and have become a lucrative agricultural business globally. The demand for quality flower seeds has led to the establishment of production facilities, particularly in India, catering to both domestic and international markets. The climatic requirements for seed production vary across different flower crops, with considerations for mild, sub-tropical, and tropical climates. The review delves into the nature of pollination for various flower crops, emphasizing the need for isolation to prevent contamination. F1 hybrid seed production is discussed, highlighting its merits and demerits, along with techniques for creating cross-hybrid seeds. The agronomic principles involved in hybrid seed production, including variety selection, seed pre-conditioning, planting time, sowing methods, and density, are detailed. The role of plant growth regulators, irrigation, and nutrition in optimizing seed yields is explored. Harvesting methods and the critical importance of proper timing are addressed, along with insights into seed storage conditions. The review concludes by emphasizing the multifaceted aspects of flower seed production, from climatic considerations to agronomic practices, pollination, and post-harvest processes. The knowledge presented serves as a valuable resource for practitioners and researchers in the floriculture and seed production sectors.
Re-examining the reused Roman masonry at Rubers Law hillfort
Authors: Murphy Kathryn , Crow Jim , Gittings Bruce
Published: June 2024

Antiquarian exploration of the archaeological features on Rubers Law (NGR: NT 58030 15567), a large hill in the Scottish Borders, found approximately 30 worked Roman stones on the summit of the hill. Based on the prominent location and visibility from the site, these stones led to the conclusion that there had been a Roman tower on the hill, despite a lack of further supporting evidence. In order to investigate the possibility of a Roman structure on the hill, two surface surveys of the stone tumble were conducted in 2016 and 2017, locating almost 300 sandstone blocks around the summit of Rubers Law. The distribution of the stones was analysed using point density analysis in GIS and was examined in relation to the remaining archaeological features on the summit. Based on the hotspots in the distribution of the stones, the majority were in a tertiary context after being reused in the construction of a post-Roman nucleated hillfort. In light of recording a much larger number of Roman stones on Rubers Law, this paper also reinterprets the evidence for a Roman tower and explores other possible structures that could have been built on the summit.
An Alternative Approach to Direct Aldol Reaction Based on Gold‐Catalyzed Methoxyl Transfer
Authors: Zhang Moran , Wang Yunxia , Yang Yang , Hu Xiangdong
Published: March 2012

A mild and catalyzed alternative to the direct aldol reaction has been developed based on the gold‐catalyzed methoxy group transfer from dimethyl acetals to terminal alkynes. Due to the simultaneous activation of the acetals, this aldol approach is only functional for acetals but not aldehydes. A ligand effect from the gold complex has also been observed.
Procurement Price Relationships for Fed Cattle and Hogs: Importance of the Cash Market in Price Discovery
Authors: Lee Yoonsuk , Ward Clement E. , Brorsen B. Wade
Published: March 2012

Reduced reliance on cash markets for fed cattle and hogs raises questions about the role of cash prices in price discovery. Weekly data from mandatory price reports were used to determine whether cash market prices were cointegrated with and exhibited Granger causality with other procurement prices. Cash prices were cointegrated with all but one cattle and one hog procurement price series over the 2001–2010 period. Cash market prices Granger cause all other procurement prices and bidirectional causality was found in some but not all cases. Results for three 3‐year subperiods showed some decline in cointegration and causality for hogs. The cash market remains important for price discovery but continuing market thinness, especially in hogs, raises questions regarding viability of the cash market in the future.
Functional genetic variation at the NRGN gene and schizophrenia: Evidence from a gene‐based case–control study and gene expression analysis
Authors: Ohi Kazutaka , Hashimoto Ryota , Yasuda Yuka , Fukumoto Motoyuki , Yamamori Hidenaga , Umeda‐Yano Satomi , Okada Takeya , Kamino Kouzin , Morihara Takashi , Iwase Masao , Kazui Hiroaki , Numata Shusuke , Ikeda Masashi , Ohnuma Tohru , Iwata Nakao , Ueno Shu‐ichi , Ozaki Norio , Ohmori Tetsuro , Arai Heii , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: March 2012

Genome‐wide association and follow‐up studies have reported an association between schizophrenia and rs12807809 of the NRGN gene on chromosome 11q24.2. We investigated the association of five linkage disequilibrium‐tagging SNPs and haplotypes that cover the NRGN gene with schizophrenia in a Japanese sample of 2,019 schizophrenia patients and 2,574 controls to determine whether rs12807809 is the most strongly associated variant for schizophrenia in the vicinity of the NRGN gene. We found that the rs12807809–rs12278912 haplotype of the NRGN gene was associated with schizophrenia (global P = 0.0042). The frequencies of the TG and TA haplotypes of rs12807809–rs12278912 in patients were higher (OR = 1.14, P = 0.0019) and lower (OR = 0.85, P = 0.0053), respectively, than in the controls. We did not detect any evidence of association of schizophrenia with any SNPs; however, two nominal associations of rs12278912 (OR = 1.10, P = 0.057) and rs2075713 (OR = 1.10, P = 0.057) were observed. Furthermore, we detected an association between the rs12807809–rs12278912 haplotype and NRGN expression in immortalized lymphoblasts derived from 45 HapMap JPT subjects (z = 2.69, P = 0.007) and confirmed the association in immortalized lymphoblasts derived from 42 patients with schizophrenia and 44 healthy controls (z = 3.09, P = 0.002). The expression of the high‐risk TG haplotype was significantly lower than the protective TA haplotype. The expression was lower in patients with schizophrenia than in controls; however, this difference was not statistically significant. This study provides further evidence of the association of the NRGN gene with schizophrenia, and our results suggest that there is a link between the TG haplotype of rs12807809–rs12278912, decreased expression of NRGN and risk of developing schizophrenia. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing combinatorial strategies to multimerize libraries of single‐domain antibodies
Authors: Oliveira Soraia S. , Aires da Silva Frederico , Lourenco Sara , Freitas‐Vieira Acilino , Cunha Santos Ana Catarina , Goncalves Joao
Published: March 2012

Single‐domain antibodies (SDAs) are among the most studied and interesting antibody fragments. These molecules combine advantages of antibodies and small molecules. However, SDAs present a low efficiency of in vivo targeting because of their low binding avidity and fast clearance from blood circulation. Multimerization of SDA can overcome these drawbacks and increase their therapeutic potency. In this work, we developed and compared three strategies that allow construction of SDA dimers derived from rabbit light chains—PCR overlap, sticky PCR, and restriction/ligation. The restriction/ligation strategy proved to be the most efficient and feasible method to construct a successful library of SDA dimers. To further explore this technique, we constructed different libraries that differed in linker length between the two SDAs, and assessed its efficiency to deliver antigen‐specific SDA dimers. We efficiently increased both the molecular size and avidity of antibody fragments, increasing the possibility of these molecules to bind to their antigen. Therefore, this work describes efficient tools for therapeutic development of SDA dimers.
Immunological evaluation of predicted linear B‐cell epitopes of human CD20 antigen
Authors: Anbouhi Mahdi Habibi , Abolhassani Mohsen , Bouzari Saeid , Khanahmad Hossein , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza , Madadkar‐Sobhani Armin , Amanzadeh Amir , Behdani Mahdi , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2012

The importance of B‐lymphocyte‐restricted differentiation antigen Bp35 (CD20) as a target for immunotherapeutic depletion of B cells is irrefutable. Several anti‐human CD20 (anti‐hCD20) monoclonal antibodies are expressed at different stages of development. However, resistance to anti‐CD20 therapy has made the search for new alternatives imperative. Identification of B‐cell epitopes within hCD20 using in silico tools can provide new opportunities to develop monoclonal antibodies with different binding sites. Furthermore, identification of the relationship between amino acid sequences of predicted B‐cell epitopes and immune responses facilitates the determination of immunogenic regions of proteins by using their primary structure. Experimental evaluation of predicted linear B‐cell epitopes as candidate peptides and bioinformatics allows us to explore this relationship. In this study, we selected three candidate epitopes within the extra membrane loop of hCD20 with the aid of five immunoinformatics predictor web servers and evaluated mouse humoral response to keyhole‐limpet‐hemocyanin‐conjugated peptides, and P4 and P5 peptides (the extracellular loop of hCD20 without and with a disulfide bond, respectively). Injection of the peptides yielded results that confirmed the prediction and selection of candidates. ELISA and flow cytometry corroborated the in silico selections. The B‐cell epitopes P1, P2, and P3 were effective for immunization of mice.
Disruption of oligodendrocyte gap junctions in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Markoullis Kyriaki , Sargiannidou Irene , Gardner Christopher , Hadjisavvas Andreas , Reynolds Richard , Kleopa Kleopas A.
Published: March 2012

Gap junctions (GJs) are vital for oligodendrocyte survival and myelination. In order to examine how different stages of inflammatory demyelination affect oligodendrocyte GJs, we studied the expression of oligodendrocytic connexin32 (Cx32) and Cx47 and astrocytic Cx43 in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) induced by recombinant myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. EAE was characterized by remissions and relapses with demyelination and axonal loss. Formation of GJ plaques was quantified in relation to the lesions and in normal appearing white matter (NAWM). During acute EAE at 14 days postimmunization (dpi) both Cx47 and Cx32 GJs were severely reduced within and around lesions but also in the NAWM. Cx47 was localized intracellularly in oligodendrocytes while protein levels remained unchanged, and this redistribution coincided with the loss of Cx43 GJs in astrocytes. Cx47 and Cx32 expression increased during remyelination at 28 dpi but decreased again at 50 dpi in the relapsing phase. Oligodendrocyte GJs remained reduced even in NAWM, despite increased formation of Cx43 GJs toward lesions indicating astrogliosis. EAE induced in Cx32 knockout mice resulted in an exacerbated clinical course with more demyelination and axonal loss compared with wild‐type EAE mice of the same backcross, despite similar degree of inflammation, and an overall milder loss of Cx47 and Cx43 GJs. Thus, EAE causes persistent impairment of both intra‐ and intercellular oligodendrocyte GJs even in the NAWM, which may be an important mechanism of MS progression. Furthermore, GJ deficient myelinated fibers appear more vulnerable to CNS inflammatory demyelination. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A convenient method for electron tomography sample preparation using a focused ion beam
Authors: Wang Xiongyao , Lockwood Ross , Vick Doug , Li Peng , Meldrum Al , Malac Marek
Published: March 2012

Here we report a new sample preparation method for three‐dimensional electron tomography. The method uses the standard film deposition and focused ion beam (FIB) methods to significantly reduce the problems arising from the projected sample thickness at high tilt angles. The method can be used to prepare tomography samples that can be imaged up to a ±75° tilt range which is sufficient for many practical applications. The method can minimize the problem of Ga+ contamination, as compared to the case of FIB preparation of rod‐shaped samples, and provides extended thin regions for standard 2D projection analyses. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1165–1169, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.