bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and laboratory results of a pregnant woman with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Banašević Marijana
Published: April 2022

Introduction/Aim: The most common symptoms and laboratory signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy are the following: fever, cough, dyspnea, diarrhea, lymphocytopenia, leukocytosis and a high level of CRP. However, pregnant women with comorbidities are at an increased risk of severe forms of COVID-19. Numerous studies point to the fact that pregnant women with the confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection have more than two times higher risk of preterm labor, and that they are at an increased risk of preeclampsia and emergency Cesarean section. The aim of this paper is to analyze the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed in a young woman in the 39th week of pregnancy. Case report: A pregnant woman with the confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 39th week of pregnancy delivered a baby on the sixth day from the appearance of symptoms and signs of disease. At the beginning of infection, the patient reported fever, poor general health status, and then cough and chest pain. The infection was accompanied by increased levels of C reactive protein, D-dimer and lymphocytopenia. The patient is a young woman without comorbidities, but pneumonia with a tendency toward progression was diagnosed six days after symptoms and signs appeared, due to which her hospitalization after delivery was prolonged. The findings of computerized tomography showed bilateral interstitial COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was hemodinamically stable all the time during hospitalization and did not need oxygen support. The baby was delivered vaginally with good general health status (Apgar score 9/10, body weight). SARS-CoV-2 infection was not confirmed with the rapid antigen test in the newborn. Conclusion: Further research is needed in this field, especially research on the course and outcome of infection in pregnant women during the first and second trimester of pregnancy, as well as on the ways how to reduce unwanted neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Globalización y transferencias constitucionales. Consideraciones sobre potenciales implicancias en el proceso constituyente chileno
Authors: Chia Eduardo A.
Published: April 2022

El artículo sugiere un nexo entre la elaboración de constituciones y los procesos de globalización capitalista. Dicho enlace sería proporcionado por la transferencia constitucional como parte de los estudios jurídicos comparados. En efecto, hoy ya no solo se basan en la interacción entre lo nacional y lo inter-nacional, sino que también implican lo dimensión trans-nacional. Se intentará demostrar el vínculo observando algunas facetas empíricas relacionadas con la información sobre constituciones extranjeras que algunas consultorías transnacionales ofrecen al proceso constituyente chileno. Las conclusiones muestran que solo ciertas formas jurídicas predominantes son promovidas y transferidas. Esto sería así pues resultan funcionales al desenvolvimiento del mercado mundial.
Flow Visualization, Hydrodynamics, and Structural Response of a Flexible Wedge in Water Entry Experiments
Authors: Javaherian Mohammad Javad , Ren Zhongshu , Gilbert Christine
Published: April 2022

_

In this article, a free-falling flexible wedge into calm water is experimentally studied to understand the relationship between the spray root, peak pressure, and structural response. High-speed cameras are employed to record the spray root propagation, whereas hydrodynamic loading is measured with an array of pressure transducers. Stereoscopic-Digital Image Correlation (S-DIC) is used to measure deflection on the bottom of the wedge during the impact. Experiments are conducted from different drop heights to study the effect of impact velocity. Results are interpreted in light of an experimental data set of a rigid wedge of comparable dimensions. The comparison between the rigid and flexible wedges shows that due to fluid-structure interaction, the evolution of the spray root on a flexible wedge is slightly delayed compared to the rigid one.

Introduction

Nowadays, high-speed planing craft are widely used in commercial, recreational, and naval applications. As the growth in utilization of these vessels is observed, naval architects strive to improve the overall performance while the safety metrics are adequately maintained. One of the major concerns that challenges both the performance and structural strength of small high-speed craft is hull slamming. Once the vessel is subject to incoming waves, the hull repeatedly becomes airborne and then impacts the water surface. These slams cause operators to reduce the speed, and the maneuverability of the vessel is also influenced. Additionally, slamming can lead to the serious injury of sailors in rough sea conditions. Severe motion of the vessel because of the impact may also adversely affect the operability of equipment on board, meaning that autonomous vessels are still vulnerable to these types of loading events. As a result, it is crucial to study and understand the slamming in high-speed craft in order to mitigate its negative effects.
Computational Phenotypes: Where the Theory of Computation Meets Evo-Devo
Authors: Balari Sergio , Lorenzo Guillermo
Published: April 2022

This article argues that the Chomsky Hierarchy can be reinterpreted as a developmental morphospace constraining the evolution of a discrete and finite series of computational phenotypes. In doing so, the theory of Morphological Evolution as stated by Pere Alberch, a pioneering figure of Evo–Devo thinking, is adhered to.
The Non-Biological Evolution of Grammar: Wh-Question Formation in Germanic
Authors: Van Kampen Jacqueline
Published: April 2022

The wh-marking of questions in child English is as early as the appearance of the wh-questions themselves. The wh-marking of questions in child Dutch (and the other Germanic languages) is delayed until the acquisition of articles and free anaphoric pronouns. An acquisition procedure is proposed that succeeds to set first a typological difference, V2 for Dutch and SVfinO for English. The different setting of the typological parameters determines the wh-development in subsequent acquisition steps. The learnability approach relativizes Chomsky’s poverty of the stimulus, but affirms his position that language is ‘perfect’ in the sense of being learnable as a cultural construct without the assumption of innate grammar-specific a prioris.
A Naturalist Reconstruction of Minimalist and Evolutionary Biolinguistics
Authors: Narita Hiroki , Fujita Koji
Published: April 2022

Kinsella & Marcus (2009; K&M) argue that considerations of biological evolution invalidate the picture of optimal language design put forward under the rubric of the minimalist program (Chomsky 1993 et seq.), but in this article it will be pointed out that K&M’s objection is undermined by (i) their misunderstanding of minimalism as imposing an aprioristic presumption of optimality and (ii) their failure to discuss the third factor of language design. It is proposed that the essence of K&M’s suggestion be reconstructed as the sound warning that one should refrain from any preconceptions about the object of inquiry, to which K&M commit themselves based on their biased view of evolution. A different reflection will be cast on the current minimalist literature, arguably along the lines K&M envisaged but never completed, converging on a recommendation of methodological (and, in a somewhat unconventional sense, metaphysical) naturalism.
The Acquisition of Recursion: How Formalism Articulates the Child’s Path
Authors: Roeper Tom W.
Published: April 2022

We distinguish three kinds of recursion: Direct Recursion (which delivers a ‘conjunction’ reading), Indirect Recursion, and Generalized Transformations. The essential argument is that Direct Recursion captures the first stage of each recursive structure. Acquisition evidence will then be provided from both naturalistic data and experimentation that adjectives, possessives, verbal compounds, and sentence complements all point to con-junction as the first stage. Then it will be argued that Indirect Recursion captures the Strong Minimalist Thesis, which allows periodic Transfer and interpretation. Why is recursion delayed and not immediate? It is argued that an interpretation of Generalized Transformations in the spirit of Tree Adjoining Grammar offers a route to explanation. A labeling algorithm combines with Generalized Transformations to provide different labels for recursive structures projection. Recursion is then achieved by substitution of a recursive node for a simple node. One simple case is to substitute a Maximal Projection for a simple non-branching lexical node. A more complex case — essential to acquisition — is to substitute a category for a lexical string. Consequently, a computational ‘psychological reality’ can be attributed to explain why recursion requires an extra step for the addition of each recursive construction on the acquisition path.
An Uncouth Approach to Language Recursivity
Authors: Russo Eleonora , Treves Alessandro
Published: April 2022

A simple-minded view is presented here on the problem of the origin of language, which dismisses any relation with hitherto unobserved specific language microcircuits in the cortex as well as with gross connectional hierarchies which are seen also in other mammals. In this view, language arises out of a capacity for spontaneous latching dynamics, which emerges when the connectivity of an extensive cortical network, which need not be hierarchical, crosses a critical phase-transition threshold.
Language: From Sensory Mapping to Cognitive Construct
Authors: Bichakjian Bernard H.
Published: April 2022

This paper places embodiment in an evolutionary perspective and endeavors to show that as incipient speakers began forging a linguistic system, they molded their grammatical distinctions and syntactic functions on their perception of the outside world, but that in the course of evolution, these perceptually-tinkered features were gradually replaced with mental constructs, specifically conceived to serve linguistic purposes and serve them with increased potentiality and greater efficiency. The shift from perceptual to conceptual implements is perhaps most conspicuously visible in writing, where open-ended figurative hieroglyphs were replaced with a small set of abstract letters, but the process is pervasive. In syntax, the phenomenal notion of agency, so deeply anchored in our activities, and the entire grammatical system built thereupon were replaced with a model where agency is irrelevant and syntax is structured on the purely mental constructs of subject and object. The paper continues with further cases of disembodiment.
Bidirectional Influences of Emotion and Action in Evaluation of Emotionally-Connoted Words
Authors: Milhau Audrey , Brouillet Thibaut , Heurley Loïc , Brouillet Denis
Published: April 2022

The goal of this review is to present the embodied character of emotionally-connoted language through the study of the mutual influences of affective language and motor action. After a brief definition of the embodied approach of cognition, the activity of language understanding is presented as an off-line embodied process implying sensory-motor resonance. Then the bidirectional character of influences between language and action will be addressed in both behavioral and neuropsychological studies, illustrated by the specific case of emotionally-connoted language. These reciprocal effects are grounded on the motor correspondence between action and the motor dimension of language, emerging from a diversity of source such as adaptive motivation, past experiences, body specificities, or motor fluency.
What Connects Biolinguistics and Biosemiotics?
Authors: Augustyn Prisca
Published: April 2022

This paper reviews the background, fundamental questions, current issues, and goals of the intellectual movements initiated by Noam Chomsky’s biolinguistics and Thomas A. Sebeok’s (1920-2001) biosemiotics. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief history of these movements, to clarify the common objectives and areas of overlap between them, and to address some aspects of focus and terminology that may stand in the way of productive collaboration among the disciplines involved in the biology of language.
A Functional Role for Neural Columns: Resolving F2 Transition Variability in Stop Place Categorization
Authors: Sussman Harvey Martin
Published: April 2022

Documented examples from neuroethology have revealed species-specific neural encoding mechanisms capable of mapping highly variable, but lawful, visual and auditory inputs within neural columns. By virtue of the entire column being the functional unit of both representation and processing, signal variation is collectively ‘absorbed’, and hence normalized, to help form natural categories possessing an underlying physically-based commonality. Stimulus-specific ‘tolerance ranges’ define the limits of signal variation, effectively shaping the functionality of the columnar-based processing. A conceptualization for an analogous human model utilizing this evolutionarily conserved neural encoding strategy for signal variability absorption is described for the non-invariance issue in stop place perception.
Linguistic and Nonverbal Abilities over Time in a Child Case of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Kambanaros Maria , Grohmann Kleanthes K.
Published: April 2022

The aim of this study is to profile the cognitive–linguistic performance of a male child (P.I.) with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Specifically, receptive and expressive language performance and nonverbal IQ (NVIQ) are described at two different time points—when P.I. was 6 and 10 years of age, respectively. Using case-based methodology, P.I.’s NVIQ and performance on global and structured language tasks are compared to typically developing children of the same chronological age and school-aged children with specific language impairment (SLI). The results show no improvement in NVIQ or vocabulary, but his morphosyntactic abilities did improve over time. The findings are discussed in relation to two hypotheses, either that the profile of language impairment in children with 22q11DS is distinctive to the syndrome or that there is co-morbidity with SLI. This is particularly important for speech–language therapists who have a primary role in diagnosing communication deficits and providing treatment.
Calidad de vida en adultos mayores cuidadores de nietos del norte y suroeste de México
Authors: Carrillo Cervantes Ana Laura , Sifuentes Leura Daniel , Yam Sosa Antonio , Cándila Celis Julio , González Tovar José , Esparza González Sandra Cecilia
Published: April 2022

Objective: Determine the relationship of personal characteristics with the quality of life in elderly people who care for their grandchildren from northern and southwestern Mexico.Method: Descriptive-correlational and comparative method, using a sample of 326 older adults who take care of their grandchildren; this sample was collected through convenience sampling and making sure that people met the inclusion criteria. A personal data card and the self-perceived quality of life scale were applied in elderly people in the community (α=0.93). The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as U Mann-Whitney, Chi Square, and Spearman tests. It was approved by the Ethics Committee, in compliance with national and international regulations. Results: The population had an M of 68.56 years, being 54.9% male and 45.1% female, with one M of 9.10 hours of care of the grandchild. The association of quality of life with the geographical area of Mexico was found (Chi=35,695, p<0.05). The relationship between age (r=-0,155) and number of children (r=-0,279) and quality of life was seen.Conclusions: It was seen that the older the age and number of children, the lower the quality of life. Similarly, quality of life is associated with the geographical area. It is recommended that care be given within physical, psychological, and social health of this vulnerable group.

Objetivo: Determinar la relación de las características personales con la calidad de vida en adultos mayores cuidadores de nietos del norte y suroeste de México.Métodos: Descriptivo-correlacional y comparativo, con una muestra de 326 adultos mayores cuidadores de nietos, recolectado mediante muestreo a conveniencia y que cumpla con los criterios de inclusión. Se aplicó una cedula de datos personales y la escala de Calidad de Vida Autopercibida en Adultos Mayores en Comunidad (α=0.93). Los datos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva e inferencial como pruebas de U de Mann-Whitney, Chi cuadrada y Spearman. Contó con la aprobación del Comité de ética, acatándose los reglamentos nacionales e internacionales. Resultados: La población tuvo una de M=68.56 años, siendo el 54.9% hombre y el 45.1% mujer, con una de M=9.10 horas del cuidado del nieto. Se halló asociación de la calidad de vida con la zona geográfica de México (Chi=35.695, p<0.05). Se observó relación de la edad (r=-0.155) y el número de hijos (r=-0.279) con la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Se observó que, a mayor edad y número de hijos, menor calidad de vida. De igual manera, la calidad de vida se asocia con la zona geográfica. Se recomienda prestar atención en la salud física, psicológica y social de este grupo vulnerable.
Life cycle costing manual for the Federal Energy Management Program
Authors: Kneifel Joshua , Webb David
Published: April 2022

Handbook 135 is a guide to understanding the life cycle cost (LCC) methodology and criteria established by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) for the economic evaluation of high-performance facility projects, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects in all federal facilities. It expands on the life cycle cost methods and criteria contained in the FEMP rules published in 10 CFR 436, Subpart A, which applies to all federal agencies. The purpose of this handbook is to facilitate the implementation of the FEMP rules by explaining the LCC method, defining the measures of economic performance used, describing the assumptions and procedures to follow in performing evaluations, giving examples, and noting NIST computer software available for computation and reporting purposes. An annual supplement to Handbook 135, Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for LCC Analysis, NISTIR 85-3273, is also published by NIST to provide the current discount rate, discount factors, and energy escalation factors used for conducting an LCC analysis in accordance with the FEMP rules. This annual supplement is required when using Handbook 135 and is used in updating NIST LCC-related software. The 2020 edition of Handbook 135 superseded the 1995 version and included extensive revisions and reorganization around the key steps in an LCC analysis. Although the underlying LCC methodology has not changed, the content of the handbook has been updated to include the most relevant information. Given the technological developments since its 1995 release, the manual worksheets previously provided for completing LCC analysis have been removed. The examples have been updated and expanded to provide explicit use cases for projects with a broader scope than energy efficiency and water conservation to include all considerations of high-performance facilities, including sustainability and resilience. Additionally, the handbook provides additional information resources (e.g., data sources, requirements, codes and standards, and guidance by project goal). This 2022 edition of Handbook 135 supersedes the 2020 edition and includes minimal changes focused on addressing language in new executive orders and their implications on federal cost-effectiveness analysis. The handbook will be updated on an ad hoc basis dependent on future changes in federal statutes and regulations, agency goals and guidance, LCCA support resource development, and available funding.
Islamic Trend Among the Pioneering Poets in Iraq
Authors: Nafi’ Hammad Muhammad  , Munjid Mustafa Bahjat
Published: April 2022

Free verse poetry has faced fierce criticism by scholars who claim that its use is detrimental to ancient Arabic and Islamic poetic heritage. The evolution of poetic form and content does not mean the destruction of poetic tradition, as both change to become more suited to deal with emerging issues. This research aims to study the Islamic trend among the pioneering poets and its importance in the life of Muslim communities. By following an analytic approach in the analysis of Islamic poetic texts (free verse), the findings show a strong influence of Islamic heritage and values on the poetry produced by the pioneering poets. This also supports the notion that free verse remained consistent with the values of the Islamic civilization, despite the influence of Western poetry.
Fundamentals of Qur'anic Education Concept: A Critical Conceptualization with Special Reference to Al-Kilȃni’s Thought
Authors: Arif Mahmud
Published: April 2022

There is a firm correlation between the decline of Muslims in the stage of history and Islamic education system’s lack of productivity in generating excellent outputs. This fact originates from Islamic education’s weakness in avoiding the paradox of “historical determinism” tendency and “practical realism”. This fact also has its roots in the dearth of critical Islamic education studies due to intellectual elites paying little attention to eminent investigations. Such problems had troubled al-Kîlânî, as a thinker and a practitioner of Islamic education, and prompted him to critically reflect how he could contribute and participate in solving crucial problems of Islamic education based on Quranic exegesis. Unfortunately, his critical reflection is still less ppreciated by readers of Islamic education because his thoughts have yet to be broadly recognized. In his criticism, al-Kîlânî introduced the “triadic concept”. He had painstakingly carried out an endeavor to link up a spiritual-transcendental vision with an anthropo-cosmological consciousness, which has in most part been dismissed from the viewpoint of modern science.
Cell-state transitions and collective cell movement generate an endoderm-like region in gastruloids
Authors: Hashmi Ali , Tlili Sham , Perrin Pierre , Lowndes Molly , Peradziryi Hanna , Brickman Joshua M , Martínez Arias Alfonso , Lenne Pierre-François
Published: April 2022

Shaping the animal body plan is a complex process that involves the spatial organization and patterning of the different germ layers. Recent advances in live imaging have started to unravel the cellular choreography underlying this process in mammals, however, the sequence of events transforming an unpatterned cell ensemble into structured territories is largely unknown. Here, using gastruloids –3D aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells- we study the formation of one of the three germ layers, the endoderm. We show that the endoderm is generated from an epiblast-like homogeneous state by a three-step mechanism: (i) a loss of E-cadherin mediated contacts in parts of the aggregate leading to the appearance of islands of E-cadherin expressing cells surrounded by cells devoid of E-cadherin, (ii) a separation of these two populations with islands of E-cadherin expressing cells flowing toward the aggregate tip, and (iii) their differentiation into an endoderm population. During the flow, the islands of E-cadherin expressing cells are surrounded by cells expressing T-Brachyury, reminiscent of the process occurring at the primitive streak. Consistent with recent in vivo observations, the endoderm formation in the gastruloids does not require an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, but rather a maintenance of an epithelial state for a subset of cells coupled with fragmentation of E-cadherin contacts in the vicinity, and a sorting process. Our data emphasize the role of signaling and tissue flows in the establishment of the body plan.
Humans actively sample evidence to support prior beliefs
Authors: Kaanders Paula , Sepulveda Pradyumna , Folke Tomas , Ortoleva Pietro , De Martino Benedetto
Published: April 2022

No one likes to be wrong. Previous research has shown that participants may underweight information incompatible with previous choices, a phenomenon called confirmation bias. In this paper, we argue that a similar bias exists in the way information is actively sought. We investigate how choice influences information gathering using a perceptual choice task and find that participants sample more information from a previously chosen alternative. Furthermore, the higher the confidence in the initial choice, the more biased information sampling becomes. As a consequence, when faced with the possibility of revising an earlier decision, participants are more likely to stick with their original choice, even when incorrect. Critically, we show that agency controls this phenomenon. The effect disappears in a fixed sampling condition where presentation of evidence is controlled by the experimenter, suggesting that the way in which confirmatory evidence is acquired critically impacts the decision process. These results suggest active information acquisition plays a critical role in the propagation of strongly held beliefs over time.
A B-cell actomyosin arc network couples integrin co-stimulation to mechanical force-dependent immune synapse formation
Authors: Wang Jia C , Yim Yang-In , Wu Xufeng , Jaumouille Valentin , Cameron Andrew , Waterman Clare M , Kehrl John H , Hammer John A
Published: April 2022

B-cell activation and immune synapse (IS) formation with membrane-bound antigens are actin-dependent processes that scale positively with the strength of antigen-induced signals. Importantly, ligating the B-cell integrin, LFA-1, with ICAM-1 promotes IS formation when antigen is limiting. Whether the actin cytoskeleton plays a specific role in integrin-dependent IS formation is unknown. Here, we show using super-resolution imaging of mouse primary B cells that LFA-1:ICAM-1 interactions promote the formation of an actomyosin network that dominates the B-cell IS. This network is created by the formin mDia1, organized into concentric, contractile arcs by myosin 2A, and flows inward at the same rate as B-cell receptor (BCR):antigen clusters. Consistently, individual BCR microclusters are swept inward by individual actomyosin arcs. Under conditions where integrin is required for synapse formation, inhibiting myosin impairs synapse formation, as evidenced by reduced antigen centralization, diminished BCR signaling, and defective signaling protein distribution at the synapse. Together, these results argue that a contractile actomyosin arc network plays a key role in the mechanism by which LFA-1 co-stimulation promotes B-cell activation and IS formation.
Times and partners are a-changin’: relationships between declining food abundance, breeding success, and divorce in a monogamous seabird species
Authors: Pelletier David , Guillemette Magella
Published: April 2022

Seabirds exhibit considerable adjustment capacity to cope with environmental changes during the breeding season and to maximize lifetime reproductive output. For example, divorce has been proposed to be an adaptive behavioral strategy in social monogamous species, as a response to poor conditions and low breeding success. Here, we studied divorce at the population and individual levels in northern gannets (Morus bassanus, hereafter gannets) nesting on Bonaventure island (Quebec, Canada). At the population level, we used Granger’s method for detecting and quantifying temporal causality between time series (from 2009 to 2019) of divorce rate and breeding success of gannets (n= 809) and we evaluated the relationship between breeding success and biomass of their two principal prey (Atlantic mackerel,Scomber scombrus, and Atlantic herring,Clupea harengus). Our results indicated that breeding success is mainly influenced by the spawning-stock biomass of Atlantic mackerel, and a decrease in breeding success is followed by an increase in divorce rate with a 1-year lag. However, the effect of the interaction between breeding success and year on the proportion of individuals that divorced showed significant inter-annual variation. At the individual level, our results support the adaptive strategy hypothesis of divorce. Indeed, gannets that changed partners did so following a reproductive failure, and there was an increase in breeding success 1 year following the divorce. Being central place foragers, opportunities for dispersal and adaptation are often limited for breeding seabirds in a context of low food abundance. We suggest that behavioral flexibility expressed as divorce would be an efficient short-term strategy for maintaining reproductive performance.
СОВРЕМЕННАЯ РОССИЙСКАЯ ВОЗОБНОВЛЯЕМАЯ ЭНЕРГЕТИКА, "Энергия: экономика, техника, экология"
Authors: Бутузов В.А.
Published: April 2022

Представлены данные Международного агентства возобновляемой энергетики REN21 и Института экологических технологий AEE INTEC (Австрия). В 2020 г. отмечено лидерство гидроэнергетики (1170 ГВт; 4370 ТВт · ч/год); на втором месте ветроэнергетика (743 ГВт; 1743 ТВт · ч/год); далее солнечная энергетика (708 ГВт; 901 ТВт · ч/год); биоэнергетика (602 ТВт · ч/год); геотермальная энергетика (14 ГВт; 94.7 ТВт · ч/год). В теплогенерации на первом месте энергия биомассы (4323 ТВт · ч/год); солнечные тепловые станции (501 ГВт; 407 ТВт · ч/год); геотермальные станции теплоснабжения (108 ГВт; 284 ТВт · ч/год).
Organic Amendments Influence the Yield of Vegetables and Soil Properties at Charlands in Bangladesh
Authors: Safiul Islam Afrad Md. , Mustafizur Rahman G. K. M. , Saiful Alam Mohammad , Zulfiker Ali Md. , Akilu Barau Aliyu
Published: April 2022

The field experiment was conducted in the Charlands of Bangladesh during November 2021 to March 2022 to find the crop production and soil properties status. A randomized complete block design was followed with six treatments and three replications. The organic amendments were quick compost, standard organic fertilizers, poultry manure and biochar @ 3t/ha. A positive change was found for the application of manures compared to control plot with the crop production and soil fertility status from our experimental findings. The yield per plant of pumpkin was ranged from 27.24 to 85.61 kg and BCR 1.06 to 3.40. The fresh tuber yield of sweet potato was varied from 39.29 to 94.00 t/ha and BCR 1.20 to 3.54. Soil pH was varying from 6.74 to 7.36, OC from 0.69 to 1.82%, total N from 0.074 to 0.145%, available P from 7.49 to 17.66mg/kg, available S from 9.55 to 17.81mg/kg and Zn from 0.536 to 1.134mg/kg. Biochar treated plot showed the best result compered to others. Organic amendments should be recommended in the farmer’s field for better crop production and soil fertility status.
Assessment of Knowledge Gain of Farmers on Attending Training Programmes on Scientific Dairy Farming
Authors: Chakraborty A. , Pathak P. K. , Nath L. K. , Das J. , Bhuyan S. , Hazarika D. , Dutta J. K.
Published: April 2022

The present study was conducted with an aim to assess the knowledge gained by trainees about various aspects of scientific dairy farming organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lakhimpur. A total of 172 numbers of trainees participated in trainings on scientific dairy farming over a period during 2019 and 2020. The data were collected pre and post completion of the training with the help of questionnaire which were distributed to the trainees before training. The questionnaire consisted of 15 different aspects of breed, management, breeding, feeding, marketing and diseases of cattle. A score of one and zero score was assigned for each correct and incorrect response and percentage calculation was carried out for analysis of knowledge level and knowledge gain. It was found that majority of the trainees were middle aged (47.67%), followed by young (29.65%) and Old age (22.67%).Majority of the trainees were from general category (34.30%) followed by OBC (31.39%), scheduled caste (22.09%) and scheduled tribe (12.20%). Among those who attended training 23.83% had education till middle school level followed by primary 22.67%, 21.51% were found completed secondary education, whereas ,15.69% completed higher secondary. 9.88% were illiterate lastly followed by graduates with 6.39%.The overall knowledge of trainees on pre training evaluation was found to be 25.54% which came up to 91.35% on post training evaluation. Evaluation of knowledge gain on various aspects of scientific dairy  farming showed that maximum knowledge was gained on vaccination in cattle (85.46%, Rank I) and minimum gain was in knowledge on oestrus period of cow (47.67%, Rank XV).
Modeling the Adoption and Intensity of Climate-smart Maize Varieties in Embu County, Kenya: Double Hurdle Approach
Authors: K. Wanjira John , I. Mburu John , M. Nzuve Felister , Makokha Stella , A. Emongor Rosemary , Taracha Catheline
Published: April 2022

This paper examines the determinants of adoption and intensity of climate-smart maize varieties (CSMVs) in Embu county of Kenya using primary data. A total sample of 550 respondents were sampled through a multistage and systematic random sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a double hurdle model. The results indicated that the level of awareness was 86 percent while the adoption rate was 63 percent. The results further indicated that land size, land ownership, size of the family, contact to extension officer, and previous yield had a significant influence on the intensity of adoption. Thus the results justifies the need for promotion of not only awareness but also widespread adoption of climate-smart maize varieties both locally and nationally. It is therefore recommended that, adequate policies and development programs for promoting use of climate-smart maize varieties in Kenya should be directed towards input and output delivery, land under climate-smart maize varieties, extension service provision, affordable credit, education and age mechanism that are more effective and youth oriented initiatives.
Living Arrangements of Rural Elderly Women in Haryana, India
Authors: Preeti . , Yadav Beena
Published: April 2022

In this study we have investigating the living arrangements, decision making pattern, and position of elderly women in Haryana state. In spite of it we are also analyzing the dependence and dependents of elderly women after getting old age pension which is known as Old Age Samman Allowance (OASA) in Haryana and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) at national level. The study was done in Haryana state of India and data was collected from 200 elderly women of age 62 years or above from four different village (50 women from each village) of Haryana. In results majority of elderly women were living with their family members and only 2 percent elderly women were living alone and dominance of male members either the spouse or son as head of the family was observed. Closest family member were their children either son or daughter. Though the elderly women were not head of the family, but majority of them had involvement in decision making related to household matters.  Economic dependency of more than 35. 0 percent of the selected elderly women in spite of getting financial assistance of Rs. 2250 per month as OASA assistance raises the question of utilization of this assistance by the actual beneficiaries. Around half of the financially independent elderly women were supporting at least one person in their family. The elderly women either supported their son or grandson but not the spouse. In total old age samman allowance is very beneficial and much needed to the elderly as they become self-dependent and could live their life with full of dignity and according to their wishes.
Isolation and Optimization of Hydrocarbon – Degrading Bacteria
Authors: O. Jesubunmi Christianah , K. Phil Ezeribe , C. Chigbu Charles
Published: April 2022

Aims: To isolate and characterize hydrocarbon – degraders in a contaminated soil sample

Study Design: This experiment was carried out under aseptic conditions. The result was confirmed by visible spectrophotometer

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Programme, Clifford University, Ihie Campus, Owerrinta, Abia State, Nigeria, between May 2021 to July 2021

Methodology: Soil sample contaminated with hydrocarbon used in this experiment was from an automobile mechanic workshop. A ten-fold serial dilution was made for each soil sample, after which 1 ml of 10-5 dilutions was plated out using pour plate method and incubated at 37 0C for 48 hrs. The isolates were then grown on different hydrocarbons (crude oil, fuel or spent engine oil) and the degradation efficiency was confirmed by visible spectrophotometer.

Result: The isolation of hydrocarbon – degrading bacteria in topsoil and subsoil samples of a mechanic workshop located in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area Junction, Abia State was carried out. Four bacterial species were isolated from the soil sample collected, the isolates were subjected to hydrocarbon degradation/utilization test of different hydrocarbons (crude oil, fuel or spent engine oil) it was observed that two of the isolates identified as Bacillus and Staphylococcus sp were able to utilize hydrocarbons in the medium more efficiently than other isolates.

Conclusion: Hydrocarbon – degrading bacteria were isolated from an auto – mechanic workshop in Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State. Two of the four strains (Bacillus sp and Staphylococcus sp), have the highest potential to use different hydrocarbons (fuel, crude oil and condemn oil) as the sole carbon source. These strains' hydrocarbon – degrading abilities suggest that they could be effective in bioremediation of hydrocarbon – polluted locations. This could be used to combat contamination caused by motor mechanics who carelessly dispose of old motor oil in the environment, as well as general hydrocarbon contamination.
Prevalence of Three Prothrombotic Genes Polymorphisms: Factor II, Factor V and MTHFR in Referred Population of Gujarat
Authors: Patel Manan V. , Daruwala Kainaz D. , Barik Shivshankar , Aggarwal Shakti , Shah Sanjeev , Singh K. M. , Shah Yash
Published: April 2022

Aim: To study the prevalence of major mutations associated with Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in referred individuals at Gujarat.

Place and Duration of Study: PanGenomics International, Sterling Accuris Diagnostics, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India between June 2020 to December 2021.

Methodology: 121 individuals referred for thrombosis genetic test were included in the study. Among 121 subjects, 71 were male and 50 were female. SNP genotyping was performed with melt curve analysis and confirmed with sanger sequencing.

Results: Highest prevalent SNP was of MTHFR A1298C with allelic frequency of 36.78%. Factor V and MTHFR SNP allelic frequency was comparable to previous studies. Absence of Factor II mutant allele in the studied population was inconsistent with the population from other countries but supports previous studies with Indian population. Minor allele frequency for MTHFR A1298C mutation was high as 36.78% and C677T mutation was 13.22%. Factor V Leiden R506Q allele frequency was 2.89% and H1299R allele frequency was 9.50%.

Conclusion: Among various surveys conducted throughout the world, considerable variation in prevalence of Factor II, Factor V and MTHFR gene mutations have been found. The mutations studied here are major risk factors for thrombosis. Population-based prevalence study of these mutations may help in reflecting the burden of disease in studied population.
Assessment of Corona Virus Prevention Strategies Utilized by Rural Dwellers
Authors: Sokiprim Akoko , Ruth Akpeki , Precious Ojo Uahomo
Published: April 2022

This study is aimed at assessing corona virus prevention strategies utilized by rural dwellers. Purposive and convenient sampling technique was used for this study where the researcher relied on his own judgment when choosing members of the population to participate in the study. Thus, a total of 130 adults were interviewed for this study. An individual interview was conducted with the aid of interview guide. The interview was made up of 2 sections. The first section is for demographic characteristics and then questions to guide the interview. Data collection from this study was analyzed using thematic method of analysis. Demographic characteristics of respondents and it indicates that; the age group 30-39, 52(40%) had the highest respondents. For the Gender; 56(43%) of the total respondents were male, while 74(57%) of the total respondents were female. For the marital status; A vast majority of the respondents, 59(45%) were single and the most common religion practiced is the Christian religion, 78(60%). The level of education showed that; 22(17%) of the total respondents were illiterates, 43(33%) of the total respondents stopped at primary level of education, 35(27%) of the total respondents stopped at secondary level of education, while 30(23%) of the total respondents had both secondary degrees. For Occupation; 22(17%) of the total respondents were civil servants, 39(30%) of the total respondents were traders, 39(30%) of the total respondents were farmers, 30(23%) of the total respondents were students. The strategies for the prevention of COVID-19 among the respondents included; social distancing, wearing of face mask when going out, sniffing of tobacco and steaming of self, drinking of hot drink (dry gin) and hot water every morning and the reasons for utilizing these strategies by the respondents where because the Nigerian government made it mandatory, fear of exposure to the virus and cultural reasons/believes. This study identified that some rural dwellers in Amassoma lack adequate knowledge on corona virus prevention. However the preventive strategies include practiced include; social distancing, hand washing, avoid touching of face, restriction of movement and so more; this study has made clear the information needs, preferred prevention strategies, and the challenges that militate against the access and use of COVID information by the rural dwellers in Amassoma. Hence attention should be paid to rural dwellers to ensure strict obedience to COVID-19 prevention protocols.
Factors Associated with Deaths in Hospitalized Cancer Patients and COVID-19 in an Amazon Region: a Cross-sectional Study with Data from Epidemiological Surveillance
Authors: Sardinha Daniele Melo , Marinho Rebecca Lobato , Alencar Juliane Lima , Santos Marina Pereira Queiroz dos , Rodrigues Rosane do Nascimento , Silva Paulo Henrique Viana da , Silva Lucas Vinícius Moraes da , Lobato Diana da Costa , Ferreira Milena Farah Damous Castanho , Andrade Natasha Cristina Oliveira , Soares Tamires de Nazaré , Garcez Juliana Conceição Dias , Ferreira Ana Lúcia da Silva
Published: April 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already affected Brazil dramatically, but the northern region of the country has suffered greater impacts due to regional vulnerability factors.

Objective: To describe the factors associated with deaths in hospitalized cancer patients and COVID-19 in the state of Pará, Brazil.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from epidemiological surveillance of acute and severe respiratory syndromes of hospitalized cases notified from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. Clinical and outcome variables, chi-square test, and Odds ratio were analyzed.

Results: 164 cases, lethality represented 94 (57.32%). The mean overall age was 63 years, of survivors was 60 years and of deaths was 66 years. Advanced age was associated with deaths (p-0.039). Male gender was associated with deaths (65.96% - p- 0.006 - OR 2,438 - CI 1,291-4,604). Similarly, the signs and symptoms associated with death were dyspnea (80.85% - p- 0.028 - OR 2,203 - CI 1,080-4,491), respiratory distress (76.60% - p- 0.003 - OR 2,756 - CI 1,410-5,387), O2 saturation <95% represented almost four times to the chances of death (68.09% - p-<0.001 - OR 3,398 - CI 1,798-6,494). Comorbidities were not associated with deaths, however, Immunodeficiency/Immunodepression represented the most frequent in the cases (22.56%), followed by Chronic Cardiovascular Disease (21.95%) and Diabetes Mellitus (18.90%). ICU admission was associated with deaths with the highest odds ratio of the analysis almost five times (42.55% - p- <0.001 - OR 4,444 - CI 2,028-9,739).

Conclusion: In this study, we showed that the lethality was higher than in other studies of hospitalized cancer patients with COVID-19, as well as higher than the overall lethality of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. The factors associated with deaths are similar to those in the literature, except that immunodeficiency is a specific condition in cancer patients and is associated with an unfavorable outcome.
Exact Analytical Solution of Ivancevic Options Pricing Model (IOPM) or Schrodinger's Equation via ADM and SBA Methods
Authors: Adama Kamate , Daouda Pare , Justin Mouyedo Loufouilou , Pare Youssouf
Published: April 2022

This paper is devoted to the study of the general equation of the Ivancevic option pricing model (IOPM) or Schrodinger’s equation and to determine its analytical solution via the methods of numerical analysis ADM and SBA. The Ivancevic option pricing model is an adaptive wave model that is a nonlinear wave alternative to the standard Black-Scholes option pricing model, it is also a model that links quantum mechanics and financial mathematics.
Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity of a Propolis Extract from Ecuador
Authors: Gorzalczany Susana B. , Hernández Ingrid Márquez , Elizalde Valeria Sánchez , Fernández Mercedes Campo , Cuesta Rubio Osmany , De Oca Porto Rodny Montes
Published: April 2022

Aims: Propolis is a resinous substance accumulated by bees from resinous plants material, produced by different botanical processes. It has been used since ancient times for its therapeutic benefits. The chemical composition of propolis is mostly influenced by the geographic zone and also by botanic sources that the honey bee has used. In this sense, the aim of this study was to analyse the phytochemical profile and pharmacological activity of a sample of propolis from Ecuador.

Methodology: Chemical composition was analyzed by using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate and antinociceptive activity was analyzed by using writhing test induced by acetic acid.

Results: The chemical composition showed the presence of sugars, fatty acids, flavonoids and triterpenes in the sample. The analysis of the relative abundance of the detected signals suggested that triterpenes represent 25.38% of the total components of the mixture and 9,19-cyclo-9-beta-lanostane-24-on-3-beta-iloxyl (cycloartenol), the majority compound. Propolis induced a maximun inhibition (77.2 %) in TPA model at a dose of 3 mg/ear, reducing dermal edema, cellular infiltration and ear thickness induced by TPA.  Also, it produced a dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing response with a maximal antinociceptive effect (49.5%) at dose of 500 mg/kg po. 

Conclusion: The chemical analysis showed a predominant triterpene profile, being cycloartenol the majority compound in the sample and its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities were confirmed by in vivo models.