bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of number of annual rings and tree ages on genomic predictive ability for solid wood properties of Norway spruce
Authors: Author) Linghua Zhou(Former Corresponding , Chen Zhiqiang , Olsson Lars , Grahn Thomas , Karlsson Bo , Wu Harry , Lundqvist Sven-Olof , Author) María Rosario García-Gil(New Corresponding
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND: Genomic selection (GS) or genomic prediction is considered as a promising approach to accelerate tree breeding and increase genetic gain by shortening breeding cycle, but the efforts to develop routines for operational breeding are so far limited. We investigated the predictive ability (PA) of GS based on 484 progeny trees from 62 half-sib families in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) for wood density, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and microfibril angle (MFA) measured with SilviScan, as well as for measurements on standing trees by Pilodyn and Hitman instruments. RESULTS: GS predictive abilities were comparable with those based on pedigree-based prediction. Marker-based PAs were generally 25-30% higher for traits density, MFA and MOE measured with SilviScan than for their respective standing tree-based method which measured with Pilodyn and Hitman. Prediction accuracy (PC) of the standing tree-based methods were similar or even higher than increment core-based method. 78-95% of the maximal PAs of density, MFA and MOE obtained from coring to the pith at high age were reached by using data possible to obtain by drilling 3-5 rings towards the pith at tree age 10-12. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates standing tree-based measurements is a cost-effective alternative method for GS. PA of GS methods were comparable with those pedigree-based prediction. The highest PAs were reached with at least 80-90% of the dataset used as training set. Density could be conducted at an earlier age than for MFA and MOE. Operational breeding can also be optimized by training the model at an earlier age or using 3 to 5 outermost rings at tree age 10 to 12 years, thereby shortening the cycle and reducing the impact on the tree.
Impact of guided self-study on learning success in undergraduate physiotherapy students in Switzerland – a feasibility study of a higher education intervention
Authors: Rogan Slavko , Taeymans Jan , Zuber Stefan , Zinzen Evert
Published: April 2020

BackgroundGuided self-study (G-SS) can be used as a self-directed learning method (andragogy) or self-determined learning (heutagogy) that fosters changes in knowledge and skills in a higher physiotherapy education setting. Until now, there has been no empirical evidence for the use of G-SS in higher physiotherapy education. This higher education feasibility study aimed to investigate the feasibility to establish a G-SS program in a fulltime undergraduate physiotherapy degree course. In addition, the effectiveness of the G-SS was assessed on changes in knowledge and skills.Method51 first-semester physiotherapy students were randomly divided into a G-SS group or control group (CG). The G-SS group received six cases. Each case was processed in an eight-day cycle. One week in advance, the clinical case and learning goals were provided to the students electronically (day 1). The students prepared the cases in groups and were guided by the tutor during this preparation time (day 2 to 7). The results of the group work were presented and reflected on during a moderated plenum session at day 8. The primary outcome parameters were i) exposure, ii) the responsiveness of students iii) program differentiation, and the total score in the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and written exams. Statistical analyses were conducted using an Intention-To-Treat (ITT) approach.ResultsThe responsiveness of students as willing to participate in the G-SS program was 23%, clearly below the set 83%, and in terms of program differentiation.No differences were found between G-SS program and normal curriculum content. G-SS as compared to the CG scored significantly better on OSCE (p < 0.01) and on the written exam (p < 0.04).ConclusionThe results showed that this higher education G-SS program in its current form was not feasible. Slight modification of the study protocol (e.g. better time planning in the academic calendar) is needed to improve the student’s responsiveness. The adjustments to the timetable must allow the physiotherapy students to prepare the clinical cases. G-SS have the potential to promote change in knowledge and skills in undergraduate physiotherapy students when students prepare the case, present the case solutions and reflect upon their actions.Trial registrationRegistry of Efficacy and Effectiveness Studies, Registry ID: #1762.1 Registered on February 26th, 2019
Monocyte-derived chicken macrophages exposed to Eimeria tenella sporozoites display reduced susceptibility to invasion by Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites
Authors: Zhang Runhui , Zheng Wanpeng , Daugschies Arwid , Bangoura Berit
Published: April 2020

Background: Both Eimeria (E.) tenella and Toxoplasma (T.) gondii are common apicomplexan parasites in chickens. Host cell invasion by both protozoans includes gliding motility, host cell attachment and active penetration. Chicken macrophages as phagocytic cells participate in the innate host immune response against these two parasites. Methods: In this study, primary chicken monocyte-derived macrophages (MMs) were infected with both pathogens to investigate mutual and host-parasite interactions. MMs cultures were assigned to groups that were infected with E. tenella, T. gondii, or both. In co-infected cultures, MMs were first exposed to E. tenella sporozoites for 2 hours. Afterwards, T. gondii tachyzoite infection was performed. Live-cell imaging was carried out to observe cell invasion and survival of T. gondii by single parasite tracking over a period of 20 hours post infection (hpi). Quantitative analysis for parasite replication was performed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hpi by real-time PCR (qPCR).Results: We found that during early co-infection T. gondii tachyzoites adhered for more than 4 hours to macrophages. Although they displayed high motility, ability to penetrate the cell membrane of the potential host cell was reduced. qPCR results confirmed that significantly less T. gondii entered E. tenella-activated MMs at 2 hpi, and a reduced proportion of intracellular T. gondii survived and replicated in these cells at 24 hpi. Conclusions: We conclude that E. tenella modulates host cell responses to another apicomplexan agent, T. gondii, reducing active invasion and multiplication in chicken primary macrophages.
Prostaglandin E1 Attenuates Post-Cardiac Arrest Myocardial Dysfunction via Inhibiting Mitochondria-Mediated Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Su Chenglei , Fan Xinhui , Xu Feng , Wang Jiali , Chen Yuguo
Published: April 2020

Background: Post-cardiac arrest myocardial dysfunction (PAMD) is a leading cause of death in resuscitated patients after cardiac arrest (CA). Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a clinical drug used to mitigate ischemia injury. However, its effect on PAMD remains unknown. Methods: We investigated the protective effects of PGE1 on PAMD in a rat model of cardiac arrest and a hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) H9c2 cell model. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to CA, CA+PGE1, and sham groups. Asphyxia for 8 min followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed in the CA and CA+PGE1 groups. PGE1 (1 μg/kg) was intravenously administered at the onset of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO) were measured at baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after ROSC; survival was monitored for 72 h. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and protein levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3 were measured 4 h after ROSC. H9c2 cells were treated with PGE1(0.5 μM) at the start of reoxygenation. Apoptosis, mPTP opening, and protein levels of GSK3β, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3 of H9c2 cells were detected. Results: Compared to the CA group, PGE1 treatment significantly increased the EF and CO within 4 h after ROSC and improved the survival rate. It activated GSK3β, prevented mPTP opening, suppressed cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the rat model. In vitro, Changes in GSK3β, mPTP opening, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and apoptosis in H9c2 cells were consistent with those in the rat model. Conclusions: Our results indicate that PGE1 attenuates PAMD via inhibiting mitochondria-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Influence of self-management on patient-reported outcomes for individuals with chronic heart failure: a multilevel model approach from a longitudinal study
Authors: Tian Jing , Zhao Jinghua , Zhang Qing , Ren Jia , Han Linai , Li Jing , Zhang Yanbo , Han Qinghua
Published: April 2020

Purpose: Self-management is highly heterogenous in patient-reported outcomes in individuals with chronic heart failure and lacks a clinical definition. The aim of this study was to identify clinically meaningful strategies that improve patient-reported outcomes in those with chronic heart failure.Methods: A multicenter, prospective cohort study of 555 patients with heart failure were enrolled from May 2017 to May 2019. Self-management advice was provided in written form at discharge. Information regarding chronic heart failure in patient-reported outcomes and self-management was collected during follow-up. Multilevel models were applied to dynamically evaluate the effects of self-management strategies for patient-reported outcome of chronic heart failure (CHF-PRO) scores, as well as its physical and psychological domains. Minimal clinically important difference was introduced to further evaluate clinical significance.Results: Scores for CHF-PRO improved significantly after discharge. A regular schedule, avoidance of over-eating, and a low-sodium diet increased scores on patient-reported outcomes, including overall scores and physical and psychological scores. In addition, exercise improved patient-reported outcomes and its physical domain. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors also increased physical scores. Among these variables, a regular daily schedule and avoidance of over-eating almost every day reached clinical significance for CHF-PRO scores, as well as its physical and psychological domains.Conclusions: Self-management, especially the avoidance of over-eating and maintenance of a regular schedule, should be implemented to improve patient-reported outcomes in those with chronic heart failure.Trial registration: 2018LL128, January 2, 2018.
Effects of foliar application of chemical agents and shading levels on growth and physiological aspects of "malagueta" pepper plants
Authors: Ascoli Alexandre de Araújo , Binotti Flávio Ferreira da Silva , Mendonça Gabriel Wanderley de , Gouveia Geraldo Candido Cabral , Costa Edilson , Cardoso Eliana Duarte
Published: April 2020

Foliar application of chemical agents and cultivation in different levels of shading can modify pepper plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of chemical agents in the growth, partition of photoassimilates and photosynthetic pigments of malagueta pepper in different growing environments. The treatments were arranged in a randomized design with a 2x5 factorial scheme under two cultivation environments [eucalyptus structures measuring 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.5 m (length x width x height), coated with type coverage screens (Sombrite®) with 18% and 35% shading], and five treatments with chemical agents [1 - C - without application; 2 - PBZ (50 mg L-1) + Nut. (1%); 3 - Gib. (50 mg L-1) + Nut. (1%); 4 - Amin. (50 mg L-1) + Ant. (50 mg L-1) and 5 - Gib. (50 mg L-1) + A (50 mg L-1) + Amin. (50 mg L-1) + Ant. (50 mg L-1)] in four replications. We evaluated the stem diameter, the plant height, number of leaves, leaf dimensions, leaf area, accumulation and dry matter partition and chlorophyll contents. The cultivation of pepper plants in environment with 18% of shading provides plants with a higher number of leaves and dry matter, as environment protects plants against climatic agents by controlling temperature, humidity and solar radiation. The application of the Paclobutrazol + Nitrogen promotes shoot growth and increases the green pigmentation in pepper plants.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of Spiranthera odoratissima A. St. Hil. essential oils against foodborne pathogens and food spoilage bacteria
Authors: Cabral Fernando Duarte , Fernandes Cassia Cristina , Willrich Guilherme Brinker , Crotti Antônio Eduardo Miller , Souza João Matias de , Martins Carlos Henrique Gomes , Miranda Mayker Lazaro Dantas
Published: April 2020

In Brazilian folk medicine, Spiranthera odoratissima has been used to treat rheumatism, infection and abdominal pain. Essential oils (EOs) are technological options that may be employed in natural foods due to their antimicrobial activities. This paper aimed to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial effects of EOs from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers against foodborne and spoilage bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of EOs were calculated by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the major components determined in EOs from S. odoratissima leaves were β-caryophyllene (23.8%), bicyclogermacrene (10.8%) and δ-cadinene (7.1%). Major constituents found in EOs from its flowers were β-caryophyllene (14.1%), spathulenol (8.1%) and γ-cadinene (7.2%). EOs from S. odoratissima leaves and flowers showed strong antibacterial activity against Yersinia enterocolitica (MIC = 0.30 mg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.12 mg/mL), Clostridium botulinum (MIC = 0.30 mg/mL), Bacillus cereus (MIC = 0.20 mg/mL) and Listeria monocytogenes (MIC = 0.25 mg/mL). These EOs could be important natural alternatives to prevent bacterial growth in food products.
Accelerated ageing as a vigour test on chickpea seeds
Authors: Dias Letícia Betânia Xavier , Queiroz Pedro Afonso de Melo , Ferreira Lara Bernardes da Silva , Freitas Marco Antônio Moreira de , Araújo Érica Fernandes Leão , Silva Patrícia Pereira da , Nascimento Warley Marcos
Published: April 2020

The objective of this work was to establish the temperature and the period of exposure needed to perform the traditional accelerated ageing test with saturated NaCl salt solution on chickpea seeds. Eight seed lots from two cultivars, including four seeds each, were subjected to germination and vigour tests for initial characterization. Following the methodology of the traditional accelerated ageing test. The seeds were placed on stainless steel screens in boxes with 40 mL deionized water. They were kept at 41 and 45º Celsius for 24 and 48 hours. Furthermore, the accelerated ageing test using [40 g of NaCl in 100 mL of water, thus providing 76% of relative humidity in air] NaCl (salt) solution in place of the deionized water was performed. Aged seeds were sowed in germination paper and kept in a germination chamber at 41º and 45º Celsius. The evaluations were performed five and eight days after sowing. The statistical analysis was performed with a completely randomized design and four replications. The traditional ageing of both cultivars showed a water content higher than the tolerated limits at 48 hour period and 41 and 45 °C. In the saturated saline test, the cultivar BRS Aleppo produced consistent results at temperatures 45 °C for 24 h. The cultivar Cícero showed a low correlation with the initial characterization as the results of accelerated ageing. Thus, for ‘BRS Aleppo’, the recommended accelerated ageing methodology was application of saturated saline solution, when seed exposed to 41 °C for 24 hours with germination evaluation at the first count date. For 'Cicero', satisfactory results were not obtained, and new studies are required to establish a methodology.
Genotype by environment analysis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) populations under drought stressed and well-watered environments
Authors: Bii Lourine Chebet , Ngugi Kahiu , Kimani John M. , wa George N. Chemining’
Published: April 2020

In Kenya, the key abiotic stress affecting rice production is drought stress which is experienced mainly during reproductive phase of the crop. This study evaluated the performance of Kenyan rice populations including 19 generation of crosses, 6 parental and 5 checks under well-watered and drought stressed environment with the aim of identifying the phenotypic traits that confer drought tolerance in rice. The 19 generation of crosses were in F3 when they were evaluated in the short rains season and later advanced to F4 in the long rains season. Nineteen generation of crosses rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines, six parental and five check lines were evaluated for response to drought under drought stressed and well-watered environment. The study was conducted over two seasons in the year 2016/2017 at Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) -Mwea Centre. The experiment was set up in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Drought stress was imposed at panicle initiation by withholding irrigation till physiological maturity meanwhile the well-watered environment continued to enjoy the recommended irrigation regime from planting to physiological maturity. Yield data were scored for drought tolerance. AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield showed that genotypes from crosses of crosses of SARO5XNERICA11, NERICA2XSARO5 and NERICA15XSARO5 expressed high grain yield. AMMI stability Variance (ASV) showed genotypes NERICA15, Duorado Precoce and progenies from crosses of NERICA11XNERICA2, SARO5XKomboka and NERICA2XNERICA11 expressed high stability in both well-watered and drought-stressed environment.
GGE analysis showed that Principal Components (PC1) and PC2 accounted for 96.46% and 3.54%, respectively. GGE biplots showed that genotypes from crosses SARO5XNERICA11 and NERICA15XSARO5 were the most stable and high yielding. GGE biplots ranked the rice lines as follows: those above average in performance, the stable ones, unstable and those below average in performance. SARO5XNERICA11 is worth of selection due to its high mean yield value and is stable across the mega-environments.
Use of aerial image in the estimation of volume and biomass of Eucalyptus sp. forest stand
Authors: Mendes Thallita R. S. , Miguel Eder P. , Vasconcelos Pedro G. A. , Valadão Marco B. X. , Rezende Alba V. , Matricardi Eraldo A. T. , Angelo Humberto , Gatto Alcides , Nappo Mauro E.
Published: April 2020

Assessing forest stands is crucial for managing and planning the use of these resources. Forest inventory is the instrument that provides information about the stand situation, which can be costly and time consuming. In order to facilitate and reduce the time spent obtaining these data, the main objective of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of volume and biomass estimates per unit area with data from remote sensing. Forty sample units were allocated and georeferenced, in which all trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were inventoried. Sequentially, the cubage was performed in order to obtain individual biomass, volume, and adjustment of the individual models. With data from georeferenced images of the study area, the vegetation indices MSAVI (Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index) and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) were obtained. The volume and biomass estimation using remote sensing variables were carried out through the adjustment of sigmoidal models by regression analysis, which used a combination of the average values of the vegetation indices and the basal area of the plot/hectares as an independent variable. The fit statistics and the accuracy of the tested models presented consistent results to estimate forest production. The results showwd that indices derived from remote sensing techniques associated with forest variables information could accurately estimate the volume and biomass of Eucalyptus spp. plantations.
Effect of population and organomineral fertilization on physico-chemical quality of fruits of Passiflora edulis cv. Guinezinho
Authors: Sousa Bruno Alexandre Araújo de , Bezerra Francisco Thiago Coelho , Cavalcante Lourival Ferreira , Bezerra Marlene Alexandrina Ferreira , Pereira Walter Esfrain , Oliveira Isabel Cristina dos Santos
Published: April 2020

The phyto-technical management of crops, such as the conduction system, spatial arrangement of plants and mineral and organic fertilization are pre-harvest agronomic factors that can alter fruit quality. Therefore, this research was developed to evaluate physico-chemical attributes of yellow passion fruit as a function of population arrangement and organomineral fertilization. The experiment was carried in Entisol with free-sand texture under tropical climate with dry summer. The treatments were obtained from the combination of doses of nitrogen (92, 119, 183, 248 and 275 kg ha-1) and soil organic matter (1.3, 1.8, 2.9, 4.0 and 4.5%), through Central Box Compound, plus four additional treatments to study the effect of the number of plants per pit. The evaluations were carried on seven and ten months after the transplanting of the seedlings. A randomized block design with three replications was used. The fruits were harvested at the beginning of the yellowing of the bark and evaluated in the pulp: pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars, ascorbic acid, TSS/TTA ratio, electrical conductivity and humidity. The harvesting season changed the physico-chemical properties of the passion fruit pulp and interfered with the effects of plant management and fertilization on the quality of passion fruit. For the production of the best quality passion fruit we may cultivate one, two or three plants per pit. With three plants per pit it is recommended to apply 180 kg ha-1 of nitrogen annually and raise the soil organic matter to 4%.
The effect of silicon (Si) on the growth and nutritional status of Schizolobium amazonicum seedlings subjected to zinc toxicity
Authors: Albuquerque Gerson Diego Pamplona , Batista Bruno Lemos , Souza André Leandro Maia de , Brito Ana Ecidia de Araújo , Nascimento Vitor Resende , Neto Cândido Ferreira de Oliveira , Paiva Andressa Pinheiro de , Teixeira Jessica Suellen Silva , Júnior Mário Lopes da Silva
Published: April 2020

Zinc is an essential element to plants. However, excessive zinc levels can severely damage them. Schizolobium amazonicum is an Amazon native species that presents desirable features to remediate environments contaminated with heavy metals. Silicon has the beneficial effect of reducing the toxicity of different contaminants. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of Si on the growth and nutritional status of S. amazonicum seedlings subjected to zinc toxicity. The study followed a completely randomized design at 4 x 2 factorial arrangement based on four zinc (1, 150, 300 and 600 μM) and two silicon (0 and 1.5 mM) concentrations with five repetitions for 30 days. Increasing Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution reduced the growth of the plant and Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu contents in plant tissues, increased S concentrations and led to higher toxicity in the roots than shoot of S. amazonicum plants. Si addition to the nutrient solution increased plant growth and the absorption of the evaluated macro and micronutrients. Si increased plant tolerance level from 42.8 to 41.3% at 600 µM Zn, which suggested that this element mitigated the phytotoxic effects of the excess of zinc. Based on the tolerance index, the species presented medium and high tolerance to the evaluated zinc doses. Bioconcentration and translocation factors have indicated the low Zn-phytoextraction capacity of S. amazonicum and suggested that the species may be promising for Zn phytostabilization purposes.
Impact of residues of veterinary medicinal products in food of animal origin on public health safety in Poland in the years 2003-2017
Authors: MAJEWSKI MICHAŁ , ANUSZ KRZYSZTOF , BEŁKOT ZBIGNIEW , RACEWICZ PRZEMYSŁAW , ŁUKOMSKA ANNA
Published: April 2020

Monitoring the presence of residues of unauthorized substances, chemical and biological residues, medicinal products and radioactive contamination in food is an important element of the system for protection of consumers against hazardous foods. The aim of the study was to analyze the results of monitoring tests for the presence of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics affecting consumer safety in products of animal origin that were carried out in Poland in the years 2003-2017. The material for analysis were annual reports on the results of tests for the presence of prohibited substances, chemical and biological residues, medicinal products and radioactive contamination in food produced in Poland. Samples for testing were taken at random from food of animal origin produced on farms under the supervision of the Veterinary Inspectorate. The reports present data on monitoring tests carried out in the years 2003-2017. The analysis was based on the results for B1 substances, which include antibacterial substances, antibiotics and chemotherapeutics approved for use in food-producing animals. The results from the last two years of research were analyzed in detail, including the results for prohibited substances with antibacterial action from group A6 (prohibited substances) and, in the case of poultry, for coccidiostats (group B2b).The results of the monitoring studies in Poland indicate that both veterinarians and animal breeders were aware that the proper use of chemotherapeutics and compliance with waiting periods are necessary to ensure food safety. Samples that exceeded the standards represented less than 0.3% of all samples tested in all types of food. According to the results of these studies, antibiotic residues were most frequently found in honey.
Can Street be Justice to Women Pedestrian?
Authors: Khalid Nurul Shakila , Abdullah Yusfida Ayu , Nasrudin Na'asah
Published: April 2020

The research aims to examine the spatial dominance by evaluating the relationship between the spatial configuration of streets network and the proportion of pedestrians. In analyzing the street networks in Space Syntax, the question arises; to what extent the movement and activity may explain street integration among gender-based pedestrians. The result found that there is a correlation between spatial configurative analyses and women present in the streets -the more integrated and localized streets attract more women pedestrians compared to the men. The research is relevant to spatial design interventions and policymaking to improve the gender-equal access to public space.
The Non-formal Education Initiative of Living Heritage Conservation for the Community towards Sustainable Development
Authors: Abdul Aziz Noor Azramalina , Mohd Ariffin Noor Fazamimah , Ismail Nor Atiah , Alias Anuar
Published: April 2020

Threatened by cultural modernization, many emotions and manifestations of living heritage or intangible cultural heritage (ICH) are under crisis. The non-formal education initiative of living heritage conservation focused on preserving and passing the skills and knowledge, practices, expression, and instruments of local people on to future generations effectively. By using the literature review as an analysis method, this paper identified the best non-formal education initiative and the significance of living heritage conservation education for the community. In conclusion, quality education of living heritage conservation, not only fulfils people's needs but also helps unite and empower both local people and the community to sustain the living heritage efficiently.
Estimation of Morphological and Molecular Variability in induced Mutant Fennel Lines
Authors: SHARMA MEENAKSHEE , CHOUDHARY S P , GUPTA S K , MEENA R S , MEENA R D , LAL2 GOPAL , JATWA R , VBS CHAUHAN , VERMA A K
Published: April 2020

In the present study, M3 mutant lines generated from gamma radiation of widely adopted fennel cultivar Rajasthan Fennel-125 (RF- 125) was used. High variability was recorded for time of flowering, number of primary and secondary branches, number of umbels and umbellate/plant, number of seeds/umbel, plant height, days to maturity and seed yield/plant. Total of 24 diverse mutants were further selected for molecular characterization based on morphological diversity. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed broad genetic diversity among the mutant lines. Total 73 loci were amplified in all 24 mutants and 23 loci were found polymorphic. Dendrogram showed similarity coefficient value in range of 0.00 to 0.88. The dendrogram divided the 24 mutants into four main clusters. The morphological and molecular study revealed that the mutants selected in the M2 generation showed variability at the genetic level for different essential traits of fennel.
Phenotypic characterization in natural population of Spot Blotch (Bipolaris sorokiniana) of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Mazhar Zeeshan , Sharma Shyam Saran , Akhtar Nishar
Published: April 2020

A study was undertaken on phenotypic characterization of different isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana isolated from the different varietal trials and nurseries of barley at the agricultural research farm, Institute of Agricultural sciences, Banaras Hindu University. The isolation was performed by transfer of single spore of the pathogen from diseased leaf in Potato Dextrose Agar media (PDA) under aseptic condition. The experiment revealed five groups of isolates on the basis of colony colour, morphology and number of spores. It was found that (42.2%) of the isolates were black in colour with profuse sporulation and suppressed type growth, (35.71%) of the isolates were greyish in colour and (21.42%) of the isolates possessed whitish colony with full plate growth and lower sporulation. The size of conidia ranged from 24 × 13µm to 36 × 14µm in size, while the number of spores per mm2 of colony varied from 20.36 to 162.77.
PERFORMANCE OF SMALL CAPACITY SOLAR PUMP IN EASTERN REGION OF INDIA
Authors: RAHMAN ATIQUR
Published: April 2020

Solar energy use for groundwater abstraction is one of the most viable options for smallholders’ irrigation in current scenario of increasing fuel prices. Therefore, the dissemination and adoption of solar pumps of low capacities among these farmers is in demand. In this paper a case study was in eastern region to assess the performance of 3horsepower solar pump, as this capacity pump is currently being promoted by the governments to small farmers at subsidised rates. In eastern region where groundwater regime in most of the area is ranging5-10 m bgl with annual fluctuation of ±2 to ±4 m, and abstracted groundwater by a 3 horsepower solar pumpis rangedfrom 100-173 m3/day, depending upon the months on a bright day. Thispump also offers a delivery pressure head 1.0- 1.5 kg/cm2, and therefore facilitates pressured irrigation for improved water use efficiency.
Roleof Groundnut Decorticator in the Upliftment of Social and Economic Status of Rural Women in Nalanda district of Bihar
Authors: SINHA JYOTI , KUMAR2 SANJEEV , PALLAVI PUNAM KUMARI
Published: April 2020

Four groups of forty women between the age of 30to 50yrs participated in Frontline Demonstration on manually operated groundnut decorticator (CIAE,Bhopal model) conducted by KrishiVigyan Kendra,Nalanda. Groundnut being the vitalkharif crop in the selected village Sarilchak of Nalanda district where the postharvestdeshelling is done exclusively bywomen with hand.It is a tedious and timetaking job with shelling capacity of 1.2-1.4 kg/h which is considered as low performance.Whereas, hand-operated groundnut decorticator shelled an average of 32.4kg in one hour with 66.4% efficiency. Adoption of this technology showed an increase in productivity in terms of money by also selling deshelled kernels which helped in improving benefit-cost ratio. Other benefits were drudgery reduction and time-saving, which may be better utilized in performing other household or farm activities.
Pemberian minuman secang (Caesalpinia sappan l.) terhadap kadar malondialdehid plasma dan kebugaran jasmani pada pegawai penderita prehipertensi
Authors: Fitriyanti Farida , Susetyowati Susetyowati , Hartati Wahyuningsih Mae Sri
Published: April 2020

Effect of Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) drink toward plasma-malondialdehyde level and physical fitness in prehypertensive government office workerBackground: Prehypertension is associated with a higher risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A government office worker has lower physical activity, thus increasing the risk of hypertension, low physical fitness, and a higher level of oxidative stress. Free radical which is the product of oxidative stress can be reduced by antioxidants. Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) is one of the ingredients in a traditional herbal drink (jamu) and a natural source of antioxidants in the form of polyphenol.Objective: The purpose of this study is to discover the effect of secang drink supplementation, and efficacy towards plasma MDA level and physical fitness on a government office worker.Methods: This study conducted with true experimental by pre and post-test control group design. The subject is 35 prehypertensive government office workers aged between 25-45 years old in Yogyakarta, divided into treatment and control groups. Secang is given in 3.8g teabag which brewed in 200cc hot water, consumed for 4 weeks. Plasma MDA level is measured using TBARS, and physical fitness is measured using the Harvard step test. Results are analyzed using student paired t-test, Pearson and Spearman correlation test, regression test, and ANOVA.Results: There’s insignificant decrease of plasma MDA level between intervention group (from 4,28±3,16 to 3,66±1,21) and control group (4,85±2,35 to 3,65±1,33). There’s difference on Harvard step test results, intervention group increase from 35,54±20,18 to 48,09±21,86 in male, while 11,56±4,94 to 13,87±6,25 in female. In control group, male subject increase 29,20±10,06 to 38,18±23,62, but decrease 13,30±7,12 to 13,26±2,92 in female.Conclusions: 4 weeks drinks of 3.8 g Secang drink brewed in 200ml hot water, shows no evidence of lowering oxidative stress (MDA) in plasma, but it may increase physical fitness.
SEXUAL GRATIFICATION IN INDONESIA'S CRIMINAL LAW
Authors: AZAHRAH WAHIDA
Published: April 2020

The Corruption Crime Act has the term “gratification” as part of a criminal act of corruption. Gratuities are regulated in Article 12B (1) of Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Law Number 20 of 2001. But now a new type of gratification is emerging, sexual gratification. The research method used in this paper is normative research, which is the statutory approach, historical approach and the conceptual approach. Overall regarding sex gratification, there is still a lack of norms, which can be classified into acts of sexual gratification.
PRODUCT STANDARDIZATION THROUGH “SNI” AS A FORM OF CONSUMER PROTECTION IN INDONESIA
Authors: Valensia Valensia , Sartono Tulus
Published: April 2020

Business relationships formed between consumers and business actors allow disputes to arise as a result of damage or defects and losses. This research will examine issues regarding the regulation of consumer legal protection of SNI compulsory products in Indonesia. The research method used is a normative legal research method. This research shows that legal protection for consumers can be created by the existence of regulations related to SNI obligations. Some arrangements that provide preventive protection to the interests of consumers, include Law No. 20 of 2014 concerning Standardization and Conformity Assessment and Law No. 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection as an effort to protect the law for consumers. The law also protects consumers after an event has occurred against violations committed by business actors with acts of civil lawsuits, criminal suits, lawsuits using the Consumer Protection Act, as well as the imposition of sanctions on business actors.
Engaging with Dolls and with Play in Rural Southwest Angola
Authors: Ponte Ines
Published: April 2020

An intricate relationship between ritual and play has dominated the topic of African dolls in museums on account of historical field ethnographies based on a ritual-focused agenda. My doll-focused research agenda, grounded on eight months of fieldwork in an agro-pastoralist highland village in Namibe, proposes an alternative engagement to that of earlier scholars working in Southwest Angola. Engaging with dolls handmade by children in the said fieldwork setting, I combine information about dolls housed in museum collections with the social and material life of these artefacts in the region of their making. Privileging play, I discuss children’s engagements with dolls made from corncobs, thus offering a critical review of ethnographic approaches that constrain these dolls under differing concerns with ritual. Attending to young children’s participation in the dynamics of a subsistence domestic economy, I reconnect the material and social dimensions of doll use through children’s voices and practices, and argue that we may link children’s engagements with available materials and devices to the imaginative worlds they develop while growing up in a context organised around subsistence livelihood concerns.
Engagement and Alienation among Manchester’s Unemployed
Authors: Foster John
Published: April 2020

In this paper, I explore some potential ramifications of what I see as an emergent notion of engagement, which is being utilised across spheres of work and non-work in the UK today. I do this through an analysis of the experiences of the contemporary unemployed in Manchester. I shall argue that, though new discourses champion engaged attitudes towards work and life as preferable to a cynicism and disinterestedness fostered during foregoing modes of work, urges to prompt such an outlook have unexpected consequences. For Manchester’s unemployed population, institutions that aim at promoting their fuller engagement in work and its acquisition have led to unforeseen difficulties and now inform an intrusive disciplinary regime of jobseeking. As these state exhortations to seek work meet the current job market however, the will to engage in work is stunted. Ironically, then, where employability discourse aims to create engaged new working subjects, it contributes to an antithetical condition: that of a new yet familiar mode of alienation.
‘Pleasure Is Not in the Science Programme!’: When Anthropology Engages with Sex Education for Teenagers
Authors: Landi Nicoletta
Published: April 2020

In this article, I analyse how public policies concerning teenage sexual health become educative practices in the Italian public healthcare system. In particular, I investigate sex education addressed to (pre)adolescents starting from an action-research I have been carrying out within a free-access counselling centre for teenagers named Spazio Giovani in Bologna. I focus on how international and national dictates, together with local implementations, define and manage teenagers’ sexual health. Sex education involves various stakeholders such as policy makers, health professionals, teachers, families, and teenagers. They each perform different socio-political visions concerning sex, sexuality, health, and adolescence. Sex education can be either normative or used to empower teenagers’ access to information about sexual and relational wellbeing. Anthropology can highlight the complexity and critical aspects of teenage sexual promotion and, at the same time, suggest inclusive and plural ways to implement comprehensive sexuality education. In this frame, engagement – both as a theoretical approach and an operative vocation – can constitute a tool to put into practice anthropology as public and applied knowledge.
Volunteering Mothers: Engaging the Crisis in a Soup Kitchen of Northern Greece
Authors: Douzina-Bakalaki Phaedra
Published: April 2020

The ‘Bank of Love’ is a soup kitchen administered by the Orthodox Church in the town of Xanthi, Northern Greece. Currently operating amidst economic crisis, the Bank of Love occupies approximately fifty volunteering women who cook and distribute 150 meals to the poor daily. Despite the widespread proliferation of the egalitarian and counter-hegemonic notion of ‘solidarity’, these female cooks do not subscribe to its values. Crucially, however, neither do they embrace the hierarchical idioms of ‘philanthropy’, often understood to occupy the other side of the spectrum. In an effort to depart from analytical dichotomies and designatory taxonomies, which might label the cook’s work as acts of either solidarity or philanthropy, this article uses the multivalent and open-ended concept of ‘engagement’. I pay particular attention to two radically different ‘modalities of engagement’. The first modality is contingent on notions of domesticity and occupies these cooks through their identities as women, housemistresses, and mothers. The second modality appropriates the discourses of volunteerism to transform these women into autonomous agents who enter the public sphere in the name of a good cause. I argue that engaging with ‘engagement’ may not only facilitate an understanding of processes of social transformation vis-à-vis articulations of gender, space, and affect, but also offer insights into the construction of the very object(s) of engagement. The Bank of Love bespeaks of a crisis symbolically constructed through the nexus and obligations of kinship, and of a crisis that provides space for the performance of autonomy and empowerment.
Queering Knowledge: Academia in the Hands of the Activists
Authors: Datta Anita
Published: April 2020

This paper explores the tensions and resonances between academic and non-academic approaches to scholarly knowledge through fieldwork conducted at an NGO that promotes the rights of lesbian, bisexual, and female-to-male transgender people in Eastern India. I analyse both productive and frustrated exchanges between activists and academics from the activists’ point of view and make the following two arguments: Firstly, I argue that interpretations, developments, and uses of knowledge instigated by non-academics must be taken seriously by academics even when they are in tension with the dominant academic understanding of that knowledge. Secondly, and expanding upon this argument, I go on to suggest that academics should consciously seek to write in a style and tone that does not assume extensive shared specialist knowledge, in order to open up fertile scholarly ideas more fully for engagement with those outside academia or within different disciplines and sub-specialisms of scholarship.
How to dance to Beethoven in Freetown: the social, sonic and sensory organisation of sounds into music and noise
Authors: Stasik Michael
Published: April 2020

Different people perceive sounds differently. Though a seemingly obvious insight at first, these differences lead to questions about how sounds are organised into patterns perceived to be music or noise. Drawing on fieldwork in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, this paper tackles this conundrum. I start with some acoustemological vignettes about Freetown’s sonic environments, juxtaposing these explorations of ‘sonic sensibilities’ with reflections on how sounds become perceived as noise. Building upon works from anthropology, musicology, and cognitive science, I then turn to a closely related question, asking what makes sounds become music. In the last part, I show that, within Freetown’s social and sonic relationships, a main defining feature determining whether or not sounds are labelled music is the ability to dance to them. Ultimately, the danceability of Freetown’s music takes me to matters of loudness because, more often than not, dance music audiences favour extensive uses of volume.
Study of Valmiermuiža: History and Owners, Manor house and Closed Garden
Authors: Zilgalvis Janis
Published: April 2020

Valmiermuiža is situated in the north of Vidzeme and borders with the town of Valmiera. The manor is less known than its other outstanding “sisters”, for example, manors of Mazsalaca (Valtenberģi), Cesvaine, Dikļi and others. The most famous person among the owners of Valmiermuiža is Elisabeth von Hallart, who was an initiator of the movement of Brothers’ congregations in Vidzeme, which turned into the wakening movement of common people. There were other owners but they were less known than the von Loewensterns who left valuables items. There is little information available on the manor’s park, and no research has been conducted regarding the closed garden. There is an urgent need to include the manor buildings in the list of the state protected cultural monuments in order to protect them from wrong building activities and other modifications that are not in accordance with the historical cultural environment and spatial structure of the plan.
The Future of Home Entertainment
Authors: Roberts James
Published: April 2020

The aim of this chapter is to explore the current scope and character of home entertainment in its many electronic forms (including television, video games and music) focusing particularly on the changing nature of consumer interaction with it. Through an examination of the various forces that have driven its development, the chapter will look at the more significant aspects of its evolution in the decade since 2000 and make some informed judgements about how it might develop in the next. The term ‘home entertainment’ has covered a vast range of activities during its long history. The first well-documented evidence of people spending significant time and resources on entertaining themselves at home emerge from Sumerian, Roman and Greek texts. As Juvenal notes, it seemed that all Romans were interested in was ‘bread and circuses’, and from relatively early time, wealthier ones saw the opportunity to have both at home,hosting their own dinner parties and banquets. Along with dinner could be music, singing, and dancing by professionals. Such group activities might also be accompanied by more solitary pursuits such as reading, and individuals making their own entertainment through playing musical instruments or reciting poetry.
Current Issues in Cultural and Strategic Leadership
Authors: Holden John
Published: April 2020

Leadership in the cultural sector involves negotiating changes that are taking place continually at three levels: 1. At the macro-level of society, where social attitudes constantly evolve, technology opens up new possibilities, and fluctuations in the economy present opportunities and constraints; 2. At the median level — that is to say the specific operating context — where the leader must take into account art form developments, shifts in arts practice, changes in law,policy, and funding; 3. At the micro-level of the organisation, where relationships, resources, energy, intelligence and emotions combine to produce organisational effectiveness. These are, of course,all interrelated. For example, when new technology enables arts and entertainment organisations to enter into a two-way relationship with audiences, the role of marketing changes. Instead of simply being about selling a predetermined product, marketing becomes a dialogue, with the audience helping to shape the direction, and sometimes the programming, of the organisation. In turn, the organisation will respond by changing its structure — in this case possibly by combining marketing and programming and appointing a webmaster — and that will inevitably affect the behaviour of people working there and bring into being a new set of relationships between them.