bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removal of methylene blue dye from simulated wastewater by cement kiln dust
Authors:   Department of Chemical Engineering , College of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiyah , Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq., Mashjel Malak , Al.Tameemi Husham ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Enginering, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Published: March 2023

The purpose from testing studies to discovery out the efficiency of CKD from Al-Muthana city Iraq government to removal Methylene Blue Dye (MB) in simulated textile wastewater generated from Al-Diwaniyah textile factory in Al-Diwaniyah city Iraq government. The wastewater discharge from textile industries that contain methylene blue dye is removed by adsorption through cement kiln dust, therefore, was studied this case. The best electrostatic action is the basic action between methylene blue and cement kiln dust. As cement kiln dust has especially nanostructure properties and the negative charge for his plane, the positive charge for methylene blue compound ability for simply adsorb above it. The optimum condition for gain the best removal of dyes and reach to 99.57% it is initial concentration 10 ppm, pH 9.0, temperature 30 C, dosage 1 gm and rotary speed 150 rpm.The reason for this may be due to synergy effect of both pH value of the media and the basic effect from the melting of the added adsorbent material in the media in addition to the presence of additional exchange sites when increase the dose of adsorbent.
The assessment of using fiber produced from plastic broom bristles on impact property of Normal-weight concrete slabs
Authors:   Department of General Sciences, College of Basic Education, Haditha, University of Anbar, Iraq, Al-obaidi Zayd
Published: March 2023

One of the worst epidemics that endangers our life and has an impact on the future is the epidemic of road accidents. The goal of this study is to define traffic accidents, comprehend their causes, pinpoint the key elements that affect the seriousness of driver injuries, and ultimately identify the factors that contribute to accidents, such as excessive speed, alcohol, and drug use, the driver, the road, the vehicle, and environmental factors. Understanding prior research and studies is crucial. In earlier experiments, data visualization is accomplished using the VOS viewer. The Dimension Web of Science and Scopus websites were used to download the information for the keywords in Excel format. By country, it lists these terms by authors and researchers. The researcher was able to conduct a study that was identical to his or her study with the aid of the keywords "driver injury severity", "driver crash", and "crash analysis".
Investigation of the Relationship Between Cognitive Functions and Retinal Findings From Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Schizophrenia and Their Healthy Siblings
Authors: Taşdelen Rümeysa , Ayık Batuhan , Kaya Hatice , Sevimli Neslihan
Published: March 2023

Objective Retinal structural changes which were investigated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been reported in schizophrenia. Since cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia, the correlations between retinal findings and cognitive functions of patients and their healthy siblings may provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of the disorder. We aimed to investigate the relationship between neuropsychiatric tests and retinal changes in schizophrenia patients and their healthy siblings.Methods We measured OCT parameters and cognitive performance (via Trail Making Tests, verbal fluency tests, and The Digit Span Tests) of 72 participants (36 patients with schizophrenia and 36 healthy siblings) and disease severity (with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Clinical Global Impression scales) in patients with schizophrenia and evaluated the relationship between retinal findings and clinical parameters, especially neurocognitive tests.Results We found decreased ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular volume in the patient group. There were strong correlations between neurocognitive tests and OCT findings in both groups. On the other hand, there was not any correlation between retinal findings and disease parameters.Conclusion The cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may be more closely related to structural changes in the retina.
Pilot Study About the Effects of the Soma Experiencing Motion (Soma e-Motion) Program on Interoceptive Awareness and Self-Compassion
Authors: Lee Mi-Sun , Kim Sun Je , Chae Jeong-Ho , Bhang Soo-Young , Lee Mimi , Kim Hyeong Beom , Huh Hyu Jung
Published: March 2023

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Soma experiencing motion (Soma e-motion) program on interoceptive awareness and self-compassion among novices.Methods A total of 19 adults (clinical group=9, non-clinical group=10) participated in the intervention. Psychological and physical changes after program were qualitatively analyzed using in-depth interviews. The Korean Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (K-MAIA) and the Korean version of the Self-Compassion Scale (K-SCS) were used as quantitative measures.Results The non-clinical group showed statistically significant differences in the K-MAIA scores (z=-2.805, p<0.01) and K-SCS scores (z=-2.191, p<0.05); however, the clinical group showed no significant differences (K-MAIA: z=-0.652, p>0.05; K-SCS: z=-0.178, p>0.05). According to the in-depth interviews, the results of the qualitative analysis were categorized into five dimensions (psychological and emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, and aspects participants found challenging and needs improvement).Conclusion The Soma e-motion program was feasible for improving interoceptive awareness and self-compassion in the non-clinical group. However, further research is needed to investigate the clinical efficacy of the Soma e-motion program for clinical group.
Некоторые аспекты получения асептической культуры in vitro Hydrangea arborescens ‘Pink Annabelle’
Authors: Зарипова Альфия Ануровна , Шигапова Альфира Инсафовна
Published: March 2023

Представлены результаты введения в культуру in vitro декоративного кустарника Hydrangea arborescens ‘Pink Annabelle’. Разработаны условия получения асептической культуры фрагментов стебля с апикальными и пазушными почками побегов текущего года вегетации, позволяющие получить 88 % жизнеспособных эксплантов. Активное образование пазушных побегов гортензии достигнуто сочетанием гормонов БАП, ИУК, кинетина в среде Murashige & Skoog (MS). По морфометрическим показателям развития побегов оптимальной для их культивирования является среда MS с pH 5,1 – 5,5.
Влияние предшественников на продуктивность томатов и картофеля в овощных севооборотах при орошении
Authors: Зимина Жанна Анатольевна , Андросов Павел Анатольевич , Анишко Михаил Юрьевич , Плескачев Юрий Николаевич
Published: March 2023

Высокая продуктивность картофеля раннего и томатов, а также возможность получения до 2 урожаев в год ставят более остро вопросы повышения уровня агротехники выращивания в условиях орошения, сохранения и повышения плодородия почвы и уровня рентабельности производства. Изучено влияние предшественников в зернопропашных и пропашных севооборотах под ведущие овощные культуры в Астраханской области — картофеля сорта Ред Скарлетт и скороспелого гибрида томата Катенька. Предшественниками картофеля в опыте являлись лук и озимая рожь на сидерат; томата — лук, огурцы, картофель, томаты. Выбор предшественников является одним из решающих элементов севооборота, однако даже самые лучшие предшественники не обеспечат получение высокого урожая, если не будут соблюдаться меры по уходу за выращиваемыми культурами.
Diagramming Urban Fragments: Collage City and the ‘Vest-pocket’ in the Case Study of Canberra
Authors: Holmik Viktoria , Muminovic Milica
Published: March 2023

Written as part of the reaction to Modernist planning in the late 1970s, Collage City by Colin Rowe and Fred Koetter proposes an urban design theory which applies collage as a method from art, shifting the focus from the scale of the totality down to the ‘fragments’ of the city. As design theory, Collage City focuses on the relationships between different elements in space through space and time, and it is through this multi-dimensional approach to the understanding of the city and its fragments that Collage City theory has the potential to generate a different approach. This paper starts by outlining the aspects of Collage City theory to generate the framework for the analysis of the ‘vest-pocket’ fragments and proposes the use of diagram as the main tool to examine the relationships between various scales, alongside a diachronic study of change and persistence of the urban fragment. Canberra’s early civic precinct will be utilised as a case study, mapping its context over time and the relationships of urban fragments to the city. The paper concludes that the diagram complements the reading of the city through its multidimensional relationships and the level of abstraction which contributes to the spatio-temporal collage.
Child Health and School Sanitation across School Systems
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

The impact of sanitation facilities on academic environment and childhealth in Pakistan is a field of study that is often ignored. This researchprimarily attempts to provide an overview on the current sanitationscenario in different socioeconomically divided schools across threeurban cities of Punjab, Pakistan. The study used a triangulation of urbanethnography with phenomenological approach to gather informationthrough observations, interviews, student narratives and documentanalysis. The study, on one hand, highlighted the need of healthy safeschool environment initiatives run and monitored by the state across theglobe. The study also a hempted to explore the relation of this challengingissue to educational success and child health
Sustainable and Holistic ECD Model for Rural Areas of Pakistan: A Case Study of AW-IP Model in Hasis Village
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

Grappling with the challenges in prenatal and post-natal health, antenatalcare, nutrition of mothers and children are equally important inupbringing of a strong mind and body besides child care between 3-8years age. Community based Agah-Walidain (Informed Parents) modeltakes into account cognitive abilities, social skills, emotionalintelligence, ethics, parental engagement, health, nutrition and hygieneby engaging communities in discourse of ECD. The model is specificallydesigned and developed in Pakistan to address wide array of challengesfaced by children, families and communities. The model has potential tobe scaled up in rural settings with scarce resources, poor infrastructureand limited access. The family support motivators help the communitiesto establish conducive environments within homes and villages forholistic development of children. The participation of community basedorganizations ensures financial sustainability and continuation of AgahWalidain Programme. This paper assesses the effectiveness and potentialof Agah-Walidain model in remote, isolated and marginalized setting ofHasis Village in Gilgit-Baltistan. It also attempts to explore the potentialof cost effective community based ECD model for extension to otherparts of Pakistan. The integration between different stakeholders andagencies including parents, community members, teachers and other civilsociety agencies like VO's, WO's, makes the community based programslike AW-IP more sustainable by generating the social capital in terms ofcooperation for mutual action to bring in long-term sustainable change.
An Analysis of Attitude of Parents towards Children with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

The objective of study was to analyze attitude of parents towards theirintellectually disable children and parents of normal children towards theirnormal children. The study was descriptive in nature and survey methodwas used to collect the data from sample of N=200 (n=100 parents ofintellectually disable children and n=100 parents of normal children) fromFaisalabad division of Punjab Province. For the selection of sample theconvenient sampling technique was used. Parental age group was 26-55years, either mother or fathers were included in the sample based on theavailability and children age group was among 6-15 years. Parentsbelonged to different residential areas and have different level ofeducation. Index of parental attitude (IPA) was used to collect the data.Statistical analysis of the collected data showed that there is significantdifference in the parental attitude among parents of intellectually disabledchildren and parents of normal children. There is no significant differencein the parental attitude of fathers and mothers towards their intellectuallydisabled children. There is no significant difference in the parental attitudetowards intellectually disabled children on the basis of age of parents.There is significant difference in the parental attitude towardsintellectually disabled children on the basis of their education.
Effects of Kinesthetic Training on the Perception Abilities of Cerebral Palsy Children
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

Cerebral palsy children are presented with the complaint of atypicalactivity in the muscle that leads to their poor perception abilities. The saidcondition may lead to poor perception abilities in these children. Thepresent research was conducted to measure the influence of kinestheticexercises on the perception abilities of cerebral palsy children. The studywas conducted in a physiotherapy center named DisAbilites in Faisalabad.The sample was composed of nine cerebral palsy children. The pretestposttest design was employed. The kinesthetic skills of the students wereassessed by using the perceptible abilities of the students suffering fromcerebral palsy. An intelligence test was used to measure the perceptionability of the cerebral palsy children before and after the intervention. Theintervention consisted of exercises performed by an experiencedphysiotherapist to enhance the kinesthetic skills of the children. Prior tothe intervention, the pretest was administered. After six weeks of theintervention, the posttest measured kinesthetic skills and perception abilityagain. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in thekinesthetic skills of cerebral palsy children. The increase in the score ofthe kinesthetic skills influences the perception abilities of the cerebralchildren positively.
Effects of Early Childhood Education on Students' Academic Achievement in Science at Elementary School Level
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to find the effects of Early Childhood Education (ECE)on students’ academic achievement in science at elementary school levelin district Haripur. The study's objectives were: 1) to investigate theimpacts of ECE on students’ academic achievements, 2) to compare theacademic achievement of students who have attended ECE with those whohave not attended ECE over the categories of male and female schools. Allstudents at the elementary school level were considered as the populationof the study. The study was delimited to grade 7th of the elementary schoollevel. Ten (10) schools (five male and female schools each) were randomlyselected as sample of the study. Four hundred (400) students (200 for ECEand Non ECE each) were randomly selected. Data were collected throughacademic achievement test having reliability coefficient 0.87. Data wereanalyzed by using SPSS software. ECE (Male) group was found superiorto Non ECE (male and female groups); ECE (Female) group was foundbetter than Non ECE (male and female groups). However, both the maleand female of Non ECE groups were equal; and both the male and femaleof ECE groups were equal in their science academic achievement.Government may encourage ECE by providing pre-primary educationalfacilities (classrooms, instructional materials, and equipment) and byorganizing in-service teachers’ trainings to enhance teaching skills and tomake it more successful
The Influence of Language Games on Students’ Learning Outcomes in English Vocabularies in Early Grades
Authors: Editor JECCE
Published: March 2023

Vocabularies are considered as the most commanding component for anyforeign language learning such as English. Despite the importance ofvocabularies, they are being taught in a customary, conventional anduninterested manner in government schools of Pakistan. On the otherhand, in teaching English vocabularies specially to younglearners/students, Language games are being used globally. The purposeof this study was based on influence of language games with observedvariable of students’ learning outcomes with English vocabularies.Quasi-Experimental of pure quantitative type was adopted as beingsuitable with the nature of the study. Nonrandomized control group pretest post-test design was selected for this study. Through convenientsampling, the population of the study was delimited to one governmentschool of Quetta city. The data collecting tool was a teacher made test.Class three stuednts were divided into two groups comrasing thirtystudents in each. Customary and game pedagogy were used to teachEnglish vocabularies for six weeks. Using SPSS 23 version, the data wasanalysedby simple descriptive and inferential statistics. It was concludedthrough the findings that in teaching English vocabularies, languagegames have a substantial influence on students’ learning outcomes.
Call of the void: the attraction of ultimate absurdity
Authors: Le Tam-Tri
Published: March 2023

I present some thoughts (including the information processing approach) about the "call of the void" phenomenon.
The Story of the Bow and Arrow: Through the Eyes of Children
Authors: Pekel Aylin Özge , Soy Esra , Kırıkoğlu Nagihan , Pekel Hacı Ahmet
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study is to determine children's metaphorical perceptions and drawings of the traditional concept of Turkish archery. In this study, which aims to uncover and examine metaphorical meanings, the phenomenology pattern was used. The research group was determined through easy-to-access sampling. A total of 60 athletes between the ages of 7 and 12 (40 males and 20 females) who studied in sports schools in the traditional turkish archery discipline participated in the study in Ankara during the 2020-2021 season. In order to determine the perceptions of the children participating in the research on the concept of traditional Turkish archery through metaphors; “Traditional Turkish archery ………………. like/similar; because ………” and drawing a figure reflecting their thoughts on the concept of traditional Turkish archery. Children who were asked to explain the metaphor they used with the phrase "because" were given sufficient time to complete their figures. Content analysis technique was used in the evaluation of the data. In conclusion; While drawings containing materials specific to the disciplines were encountered in the drawings of the participants, happy human figures who had fun while doing sports were also frequently encountered. The sizes of the materials of the traditional Turkish archery of the children and the drawings were supported by figures containing positive energy such as the sun.
Pembuatan Alat-Alat Peraga Sains Dengan Bahan Sederhana Bagi Guru-Guru Amarasi
Authors: SIANTURI HERY LEO
Published: March 2023

Kemampuan guru-guru SD dan SMP dalam bidang sains masih relatif sangat terbatas, terutama di kabupaten Kupang, khususnya di kecamatan Amarasi dan Amarasi Timur. Hal ini akan sangat berpengaruh terhadap kemampuan guru dalam proses belajar mengajar dan juga pemahaman siswa terhadap sains itu sendiri, karena salah satu sumber belajar adalah guru. Salah satu carameningkatkan kemampuan guru di bidang sains perlu dilakukan Pelatihan tentang Pembuatan Alat-Alat Peraga Sains dengan Bahan sederhana bagi Guru-Guru Sains dan Fisika Tingkat SD dan SMP. Dengan adanya pelatihan ini diharapkan terjadi peningkatan kemampuan guru tentang pembuatan alat peraga sains, peningkatan kemampuan guru tentang pemahaman konsep sains dan adanya modul serta alat peraga sains sederhana. Peningktaan kemampuan guru tersebut, akan memberikan kontribusi terhadap peningkatan pemahaman siswa-siswa tentang konsep fisika sederhana.
Workshop Ilmu Fisika dan Aplikasinya untuk Guru Sekolah Dasar dan Menegah di Desa Oelnasi Kupang Tengah
Authors: SIANTURI HERY LEO
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we demonstrate physical science training and its application for primary and secondary school teachers in Oelnasi Village, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. Oelnasi Village is a new potential area in the development of science and technology (IPTEK) due to the availability of a national astronomical observation center in this area. The development of science and technology requires the development and improvement of knowledge related to natural phenomena. To realize this, we, Physics Lecturers at the Physics Study Program of the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nusa Cendana, carry out an activity to increase knowledge for elementary and junior high school teachers in Oelnasi village and around through physics training and its application. in community service activities. This activity is carried out in the form of a workshop session where the speaker provides the latest physics and development materials followed by a question and answer session. This activity can open insights and increase knowledge in the field of physics and its application for teachers.
Perseveration on Cognitive Strategies
Authors: Weis Patrick P. , Kunde Wilfried
Published: March 2023

To acquire and process information, performers can frequently rely on both internal and extended cognitive strategies. However, after becoming acquainted with two strategies, performers in previous studies exhibited a pronounced behavioral preference for just one strategy, which we refer to as perseveration. What is the origin of such perseveration? Previous research suggests that a prime reason for cognitive strategy choice is performance: Perseveration could reflect the preference for a superior strategy as determined by accurately monitoring each strategy’s performance. However, following our preregistered hypotheses, we conjectured that perseveration persisted even if the available strategies featured similar performances. Such persisting perseveration could be reasonable if costs related to decision making, performance monitoring, and strategy switching would be additionally taken into account on top of isolated strategy performances. Here, we used a calibration procedure to equalize performances of strategies as far as possible and tested whether perseveration persisted. In Experiment 1, performance adjustment of strategies succeeded in equating accuracy but not speed. Many participants perseverated on the faster strategy. In Experiment 2, calibration succeeded regarding both accuracy and speed. No substantial perseveration was detected, and residual perseveration was conceivably related to metacognitive performance evaluations. We conclude that perseveration on cognitive strategies is frequently rooted in performance: performers willingly use multiple strategies for the same task if performance differences appear sufficiently small. Surprisingly, other possible reasons for perseveration like effort or switch cost avoidance, mental challenge seeking, satisficing, or episodic retrieval of previous stimulus-strategy-bindings were less relevant in the present study.
Pelatihan Penulisan Karya Ilmiah Bagi Kelompok Kerja Kepala Sekolah SD/MI Kota Kupang
Authors: SIANTURI HERY LEO
Published: March 2023

Kemampuan Kepala sekolah dan guru-guru SD/MI dalam memahami metodologi penelitian, menyusun proposal dan hasil penelitian, melakukan penelitian tindakan kelas dan menulis karya ilmiah dengan baik masih sangat terbatas, tidak terkecuali di kota Kupang, Hal ini akan sangat berpengaruh terhadap kemampuan guru dalam proses belajar mengajar dan kenaikan pangkat/golongannya, karena salah satu syarat untuk bisa naik pangkat/golongan setidaknya seorang guru harus mampu menulis karya ilmiah dengan baik dan benar. Telak dilakukan pelatihan dalam rangka meningkatkan kemampuan guru dalam menulis karya ilmiah. Materi pelatihan yang diberikan kepada kepala sekolah dan guru-guru yaitu metodologi penelitian, menyusun proposal dan hasil penelitian, melakukan penelitian tindakan kelas dan menulis karya ilmiah. Wawasan dan pemahaman kepala sekolah dan guru-guru tentang perlunya penelitian dan menulis karya ilmiah setidaknya meningkat, hal ini dibuktikan oleh antusiasme dan diskusi yang hangat antara penyaji dan peserta pelatihan.
Solving the problem of data in psychometrics: An introduction to the Item Response Warehouse (IRW)
Authors: Domingue Benjamin , Kanopka Klint , Braginsky Mika , Zhang Lijin , Caffrey-Maffei Lucy Antonia , Kapoor Radhika , Liu Yiqing , Zhang Susu , Frank Michael C. , Gilbert Joshua , Nadela Savira , Pan Guanzhong
Published: March 2023

In contrast to other quantitative disciplines, psychometric research tends to use a relatively small amount of empirical data. This limits the development of new methods and recommendations for best practices in applied settings. The Item Response Warehouse (IRW) is designed to address these challenges through the collection and standardization of a large volume of item response datasets in a free and open-source platform for researchers. We describe key elements of the data standardization process and provide a brief description of the 598 datasets in the current iteration of the IRW (version 12.0). We describe how to access the data through both the website and an API, and offer a brief tutorial with example R code illustrating how to download data from the IRW and use it in standard psychometric analyses. We conclude with a discussion of the IRW as a resource for ongoing research in psychometrics and related fields.
The Language of Thought as a working hypothesis for developmental cognitive science
Authors: Kibbe Melissa M.
Published: March 2023

A science of prelinguistic infant cognition must take seriously the Language of Thought (LoT) Hypothesis. I show how the LoT framework enables us to identify the representational and computational capacities of infant minds and the developmental factors that act on these capacities, and explain how Quilty-Dunn, Porot, & Mandelbaum’s take on LoT has important upshots for developmental theory-building.
How to promote cooperation for the well-being of individuals and societies
Authors: Capraro Valerio
Published: March 2023

The most successful human societies are those that have found better ways to promote cooperative behaviour. Yet, cooperation is individually costly and, therefore, it often breaks down, leading to enormous social costs. In this article, I review the literature on the mechanisms and interventions that are known to promote cooperative behaviour in social dilemmas. In iterated or non-anonymous interactions, I focus on the five rules of cooperation, as well as on structural changes, involving the cost or the benefit of cooperation, or the size of the interacting group. In one-shot and anonymous interactions, I focus on the role of internalised social heuristics as well as moral preferences for doing the right thing. For each account, I summarize the available experimental evidence. I hope that this review can be helpful for social scientists working on cooperation and for leaders and policy makers who aim at promoting social cooperation or teamwork.
What is "where": Physical reasoning informs object location
Authors: Boger Tal , Ullman Tomer David
Published: March 2023

A central puzzle the visual system tries to solve is: “what is where?” While a great deal of research attempts to model object recognition (“what”), a comparatively smaller body of work seeks to model object location (“where”), especially in perceiving everyday objects. How do people locate an object, right now, in front of them? In three experiments collecting over 35,000 judgements on stimuli spanning different levels of realism (line drawings, real images, and crude forms), participants clicked “where” an object is, as if pointing to it. We modeled their responses with eight different methods, including both human response-based models (judgements of physical reasoning, spatial memory, free-response “click anywhere” judgements, and judgements of where people would grab the object), and image-based models (uniform distributions over the image, convex hull, saliency map, and medial axis). Physical reasoning was the best predictor of “where,” performing significantly better than even spatial memory and free-response judgements. Our results offer insight into the perception of object locations while also raising interesting questions about the relationship between physical reasoning and visual perception.
In vitro Propagation and Assessment of Genetic Homogeneity using RAPD and ISSR Markers in Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Hook. F. & Thoms, An Important Medicinal Plant of Nepal
Authors: Pandey Sushma , Maharjan Lasta , Pant Bijaya
Published: March 2023

The Menispermaceae family includes the widely glabrous, succulent, climbing shrub Tinospora cordifolia (Gurjo), which has been found to have a variety of pharmacological and ethnomedicinal characteristics. T. cordifolia is also one of the most commercially exploited plants in pharmaceuticals. The nodal segment explants were initially cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), and/or Kinetin (KIN) among which MS +BAP (2.0 mg/l) induced shoot initiation after 7 days of post-inoculation. The nodal segments were then excised and treated with various concentrations of BAP, BAP with KIN, and coconut water for the proliferation among which 5 mg/l induced significant nodal segment proliferation (9.0 nodal segments/per explant) and shoot length (8.0 cm). The efficacy of coconut water in increasing the nodal segment proliferation of T. cordifolia was tested and the shoot proliferation increased significantly at 5% and 10% of coconut water, however, the maximum response of shoot number (23.0), shoot length (12 cm) was in the MS medium supplementation with BAP (5mg/l) and 10% coconut water. The genetic fidelity of these plants was also confirmed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers in wild and in vitro cultures. This protocol is an efficient way for the in vitro mass propagation of true-to-type plantlets of T. cordifolia which provides a basis for germplasm conservation and sustainable utilization.
Facile Synthesis of Zinc Carbonate and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Karki Guna B. , Parajuli Kshama , Adhikari Subhav , Khatiwada Shankar P. , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: March 2023

ZnCO3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by the direct precipitation method using zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2.6H2O) and ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2CO3) as precursor materials and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as capping agent (R1) whereas ZnO NPs were prepared by thermal decarbonation of the prepared ZnCO3 NPs in the absence (R2) and the presence (R3) of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as capping agent. Thus, prepared NPs were subjected to characterization by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and phase identification by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. The effects of the prepared NPs towards different microbial species were also considered. The FTIR spectra of the synthesized ZnCO3 nanoparticles showed characteristic peaks at about 480 cm-1 and 1403 cm-1 correlated to the zinc oxide bond (Zn-O) and carbonate group respectively. Similarly, the FTIR spectra showing a peak at 400 cm-1 suggested the formation of ZnO NPs. Likewise, the XRD pattern of the synthesized NPs confirmed the formation of single-phase crystalline ZnO NPs with FCC lattice structure. Using Scherrer’s equation, the crystallite diameter of the prepared nanoparticles was found to be 9, 21 and 17 nm for R1, R2 and R3 samples respectively. The antimicrobial actions against the different species of bacteria and fungi were also observed and it was found that ZnO NPs prepared by using a capping agent showed a higher zone of inhibition, than that without using the capping agent. Thus, in the present study, ZnCO3 and ZnO NPs were prepared by simple, cost-effective precipitation followed by a decarbonation method and these NPs could be a potential antimicrobial agent.
Wild and Cultivated Mushrooms of Nepal as a Source of Nutrients and Nutraceuticals
Authors: Pandey Roman , Kunwar Alisha , Ranjit Rosa , Koirala Niranjan
Published: March 2023

This study was carried out on nutrient and nutraceutical analysis of wild and cultivated edible mushrooms collected from different parts of Nepal. A total number of five species of mushroom were collected including two wild (Morchella sp. and Ganoderma sp.) and three cultivated species (Pleurotus sp., Agaricus sp. and Lentinula sp). The moisture, protein, crude fat, total ash, dietary fibre and carbohydrates were determined as nutrients whereas phenolic content, flavonoid content, antioxidant and mineral matter were determined as nutraceuticals. In this study, the highest amount of nutrients contained was protein (34%), fat (7%), fibres (42%), ash (11%), and carbohydrate (60%). The nutraceutical in these mushrooms is phenolic (0.79 μg of GAE/gm), flavonoid (0.585 μg of QE/gm) and antioxidant (0.261±0.036 mg/ml). The concentration of iron (26.19 mg/l) was found highest in all mushrooms, whereas lead and chromium were found in negligible amounts i.e., >1. The comparative study revealed that the nutrients in cultivated mushrooms have highest than in wild mushrooms. Moreover, the nutraceutical is maximum in wild mushrooms (phenolic content of 0.79 μg of GAE/gm, flavonoid content of 0.58 μg of GAE/gm) than in cultivated mushrooms. Furthermore, wild edible mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants than cultivated ones. In conclusion, this study suggested that mushrooms are a good source of nutrients and nutraceuticals which are considered valuable good nutritional dietary supplements.
Production of Cellulase from the Municipal Waste Residue by a Novel Cellulolytic Fungi
Authors: Bhatt Puja , Bista Garima , Yadav Mukesh , Maharjan Sujeeta , Paudel Pravesh , Lamsal Usha , Katharia Sanoj , Joshi Jarina
Published: March 2023

Cellulases catalyze the hydrolysis of 1,4-β-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose and play a significant role in nature by recycling polysaccharide debris. This enzyme has enormous potential in industries such as textile wet processing, bio-stoning of denim fabric, biopolishing of textile fibres, softening of garments and removal of excess dye from the fabrics. Therefore, the research focused on obtaining new cellulose-producing microorganisms with higher specific activities and greater efficiency. By identifying a good strain, improving the production medium and using an alternative carbon source such as waste residue, this study aimed to lower the manufacturing cost of cellulase. This study was designed to assess the cellulase production by fungi isolated from water, soil, straw, dung, leaf and goat manure. In the present research, cellulase-producing fungal isolates obtained from waste samples were identified by morphological and microscopic features. On Congo red test, the largest zone of hydrolysis was found as 1.2 cm. From the morphological and microscopic test, the fungal strain was expected as Aspergillus sp. The assay of the enzyme cellulase was performed by measuring the release amount of reducing sugar. Optimization of process parameters was carried out for the isolate to maximize enzyme yield. On optimization, isolated fungal species showed maximum enzyme activity at a temperature of 30 °C and pH 6. Under optimized conditions of temperature and pH, agitation at 200 rpm with a 1 L/m air flow rate showed better cellulase activity. Cellulase production from Aspergillus sp. can be an advantage as the enzyme production rate is normally higher as compared to other fungi.
Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Suspected Asthmatic Children by Conventional RT-PCR Assays in Kathmandu
Authors: Khadka Stuti , Sah Anil Kumar , Amatya Jeena
Published: March 2023

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common causative agent for lower respiratory tract infections in children particularly in infants. At least 50% of children are infected with RSV by the age of 2 to 3 years of age. However, the diagnosis of the RSV infection and its association with risk factors for asthma in asthmatic children is not studied in Nepal. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of RSV in asthmatic children. This work was a hospital based cross-sectional prospective study and conducted from September 2017 to February 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj. Suspected asthmatic children visiting the Special Asthma OPD of Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj were selected with the help of asthma specialist using a set of inclusion criteria for asthma. A total of 32 nasal swab samples were obtained from suspected asthmatic children. Initially, samples were processed for RNA extraction. The extracted RNA was then used for cDNA synthesis followed by PCR using primers for the Nucleocapsid (N) gene of RSV. Out of total 32 samples, 9 (28%) samples were positive for the N gene of RSV. There was no significant association of different variables including age (P=0.187), sex (P=0.264), family history of asthma (P=0.115), passive smoking (P=0.88), birth weight (P=0.954), seasonality (P=0.298) and history of pneumonia (P=0.457) with the RSV infection in this study.
Causality and Complexity in Evaluating Equity Interventions: Conceptual Issues That Need to Be Addressed in Theory-Driven Evaluation Approaches
Authors: Sridharan Sanjeev , Nakaima April , Pereira Amanda
Published: March 2023

We discuss how explicit thinking about a variety of causal pathways, informed by a dynamic systems lens that is responsible for exacerbating and diminishing inequities as well as different types of complexities (related to program pathways), will further help develop theory-driven evaluation approaches such as Contribution Analysis. We argue that contribution claims associated with interventions focused on addressing inequities need to consider the multiple types of causal pathways by which a program can help reduce inequities.
John Mayne and Rules of Thumb for Contribution Analysis: A Comparison With Two Related Approaches
Authors: Leeuw Frans L.
Published: March 2023

This article discusses differences and similarities between (methodological) rules of thumb of contribution analysis, realist evaluation, and the policy-scientific approach to (program) evaluations. John Mayne’s work and his operating procedures are presented and structured. One of the conclusions is that the three approaches form a ‘family.’ This ‘family’ can substantially contribute to at least six of the 10 “declarations of the Program Theory Manifesto” presented in 2019.
John Mayne and the Origins of Evaluation in the Public Sector in Canada: A Shaping of Both Evaluation and the Evaluator
Authors: Lahey Robert
Published: March 2023

John Mayne was one of the early pioneers of evaluation capacity building in Canada. Based in the newly formed Office of the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) in the late 70s, John had an opportunity to help shape the practice of evaluation in Canada, instituting many ideas that have withstood the test of time. Equally though, the nature and expectations of the practice of evaluation with the introduction of the new government policy on the evaluation of Programs would resonate in John’s writings throughout his life—a practical bent striving to improve the practice and use of evaluation in organizations.
Taxing Labor Income in an Economy with High Employment Informality
Authors: Antón Arturo , Rasteletti Alejandro
Published: March 2023

This paper develops a static general equilibrium model of occupational choice with
heterogeneity in both labor and entrepreneurial skills that generates high levels of
employment informality. The model uses a detailed structure of personal income taxes
(PITs) and subsidies to formal workers to capture the labor wedges present in many
countries. These features enable the model to assess how changes in PITs and subsidies
affect labor market outcomes and the government’s fiscal accounts. The model is
calibrated for Mexico, which, like many developing countries, has high levels of labor
informality. The model’s simulations shed light on the impact of a series of reforms to
PITs and subsidy schemes aimed at increasing labor formality among low-income workers.
The results suggest that adjusting the current structure of the formal employment
subsidy combined with PIT exemptions for low-income workers could reduce informality
while marginally improving the government’s fiscal balance.
The Socioeconomics of COVID and Lockdowns Outside
Advanced Economies: The Case of Bogota

Authors: Eslava Marcela , Becerra Oscar , Cárdenas Juan-Camilo , Isaacs Margarita , Mejia Daniel
Published: March 2023

Bogota is unique in recording and reporting the socioeconomic status of COVID-19
patients. As others in Latin America and Asia, the city imposed a blanket lockdown
before contagion picked up in early 2020 and kept it in place for six months. We
document that, during that period, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 was over
eight times more likely for an individual in the lowest group of the socioeconomic
classification, compared to one in the highest. We relate this to higher exposure to
contagion, by presenting evidence that people at the bottom of this classification are:
1) Less likely to be in occupations fit for telework; 2) Disproportionately hit by the
economic crisis; 3) Subject to more crowded environments; 4) Less likely to recognize a
high risk of contagion. The pandemic has widened socioeconomic gaps, in one of the
world’s most unequal societies.
Reciprocity and Willingness to Pay Taxes: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in
Latin America
Authors: Ortega Daniel , Ronconi Lucas , Sanguinetti Pablo
Published: March 2023

Are citizens more willing to pay taxes when the government’s performance improves?
We review the tax morale literature, disentangling its different components, and provide
empirical evidence exploiting a novel survey conducted in seventeen Latin American
cities and an experimental attempt at measuring reciprocity in tax collection in
developing countries. The evidence suggests that governments interested in increasing
tax revenues should not focus solely on escalating the coercive power of the state (that
is, more audits and fines). Rather, providing better public services to society can be
an effective (albeit limited) tool to raise revenues.
JEL Classification: H26, H3,
O54
Afrontamiento del fracaso escolar: un estudio desde la perspectiva del profesorado
Authors: Zamudio Elizalde Pedro Damián , Malaga Villegas Sergio Gerardo
Published: March 2023

Las investigaciones que abordan perspectivas y significados del profesorado sobre el afrontamiento al fracaso del estudiantado son limitadas. El propósito de este trabajo es analizar las representaciones sociales que construye el profesorado del Colegio de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos, en Baja California, acerca de este tema y comparar las estrategias de afrontamiento al fracaso que promueve este sector con base en inserciones sociales como edad, género, antecedentes y ruta de actualización profesional. De acuerdo con un enfoque cualitativo, se aplicó un cuestionario de asociación libre de palabras. Los resultados muestran que el afrontamiento a eventos académicos estresantes es dinámico y permite que las estrategias cambien a partir de una reevaluación continua. El profesorado destacó dos estrategias principales: en el ámbito institucional, búsqueda de apoyo social caracterizada por la canalización de estudiantes a los servicios de apoyo escolar, y en el individual, afrontamiento directivo-revalorativo, al emprender procesos de formación continua.
Microscopic and histochemical changes in the liver of adult rats with hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Maievskyi O. Ye. , Halahan Yu. V.
Published: March 2023

Violation of amino acids metabolism in the human body is the cause of changes in the structure and functions of almost all vital organs and systems. During the last tens of years, significant efforts of scientists have been directed to the in-depth study of such compound as homocysteine (Hcys), which is a thiol-containing amino acid and is produced endogenously during the exchange of methionine and cysteine. Under the conditions of its normal concentration (5-15 μmol/l), it does not pose a threat to the life and health of living organisms. However, in a number of pathological conditions, a pronounced increase of Hcys in blood plasma and inside cells is registered, which leads to the appearance or progression of diseases, including damage of liver tissue. The aim of the research is to study the microscopic and histochemical changes in the liver of adult rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcys). The experiment was conducted on 22 white non-linear adult male rats aged 6-8 months. During the study, the animals were divided into two groups – control and experimental. Chronic resistance to HHcys was modeled by administering thiolactone Hcys in a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight intragastrically for 60 days to the rats of the experimental group. Histological preparations were studied using a SEO SСAN light microscope and photo-documented using a Vision CCD Camera with a system of image output from histological preparations. Succinate dehydrogenase was detected histochemically according to the Nakhlas method. These studies were carried out on sections made in a cryostat microtome from unfixed tissue using nitro blue tetrazole. To study the specifics of glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes, sections were stained using Schiff’s reagent, after preliminary treatment with iodic acid (PAS reaction) in the Shabadash modification. It was established that the administration of thiolactone Hcys to young rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg led to an increase in the volume of connective tissue elements around the lobules and in the portal tracts of the liver. Thus, it was established that in the liver of adult rats with HHcys, there is a noticeable thickening of the fibrous connective tissue around the lobules and in the portal tracts, trabeculae dissociation, and the appearance of foci of necrosis of the parenchyma of the organ. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth myocytes in the middle layer and fibrosis of the outer layer of the wall of interlobular arteries, leukocyte infiltration in the portal tracts are observed. A significant decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity was established histochemically.