bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waking Up Communities and Seeking Out the Sick in Town and Countryside, 1914 to 1917
Authors: Ardalan Christine
Published: May 2020

Chapter 1 plants the roots of public health nursing in Jacksonville, home of the State Board of Health and the focal point for health reforms in the state. The chapter then defines the work of the new state nurses as they began to wake up Florida’s small towns and the neglected rural districts. When professionalization offered the nurses a means to make connections in communities, the Board’s choice of nurses became a lens to explore the problems of nursing outreach for both black and white women. The public health nurses’ connections with clubwomen and the black and white national nursing organizations offer contrasting stories of professionalization as the nurses illuminate their work to improve rural and black health. The state’s short-lived fledgling program lasted only through the fiscal years of 1914 to 1916, but public health nursing grew locally, sustained in part by the long reach of white and black national philanthropic organizations.
Reaching Out to Midwives and Country People, 1930 to 1947
Authors: Ardalan Christine
Published: May 2020

Chapter 4 examines in greater depth the public health nurses’ interplay and interconnections with midwives and country people. Jule O. Graves was a significant presence during the Sheppard-Towner work. She took on leadership of the midwifery program in 1936 and continued working until she retired in 1947. By knowing and understanding the culture of Florida’s rural people, Graves imparted innovative ways to negotiate social barriers and environmental obstacles. Her first-person accounts are critical to understanding both the maternity issues facing Florida’s rural women before nurses could intervene and the methods the nurses employed to save mothers’ and infants’ lives. She imparted her skills to a new generation of public health nurses, including colleagues Ethel J. Kirkland and Lalla Mary Goggins. In black and white, Kirkland, Goggins and Graves offer perspectives that deepen insights into the midwife institutes and their professional relationships. Together, the nurses present a more complicated view than previously recorded.
Conclusion
Authors: Ardalan Christine
Published: May 2020

This study investigates the public health nurses who worked during Jim Crow seeking to alleviate many layers of disconnection and bring the promise of contemporary medicine to those who were left out. Race, custom, and innuendo complicated their reach, but they were the bridges that connected people physically, and just as importantly, mentally, by correcting misunderstandings, allaying fears, conducting community meetings, teaching home hygiene and care of the sick classes, educating midwives, holding clinics, and more. The nurses’ interplay and interconnections with the midwives, country people, and others illustrated their commitment to meet the cultural challenges of Florida. Their work is significant in contemporary America, where maintaining healthy lives for all Americans is a matter of meeting the nation’s deep-rooted cultural challenges. Some leaders in public health assert that today more than ever the sense of community and the goals of social justice will fall upon public health nurses—the community health nurses. This investigation can inform today’s community health nurses and add to their conversation as they work towards connecting their social action with health policy, a necessity in caring for Florida’s diverse and vulnerable population groups.
The Newest South
Authors: Plummer Brenda
Published: May 2020

Brenda Plummer examines the effect of the U.S. space program on race relations in key areas of the South, and the impact of that connection on popular culture. She also explores the intersection of the struggle for racial equality and aerospace exploration, as both constituted potent narratives of freedom in the American imaginary. Plummer disputes the assumption that NASA as an instrument of modernization and partner in the creation of the New South was implicitly allied with the civil rights movement. While the transformation of parts of the Deep South undeniably broke up earlier political, economic, and cultural patterns, aerospace research and development helped inaugurate a successor regime that neither challenged the structural foundations of racial inequality nor guarded against the production of new disparities.
Accommodating the Forces of Change
Authors: Downs Matthew L.
Published: May 2020

Matthew Downs explores the impact of Sunbelt-era federal development and the response of civic and commercial leaders to the civil rights movement, demonstrating how local leaders worked closely with government officials to attract and maintain such installations and the accompanying public and private investment. When federal officials and their representatives in the city made clear that southern intransigence on civil rights would adversely affect the local, space-based economy, Huntsville’s civic leaders modulated their approach to civil rights in the hopes of ensuring continued support. Such action was particularly surprising, given the overtly hostile response to the movement by Alabama’s other local leaders and the state government. While Huntsville was not without conflict, the presence of the federal government, combined with the threat that southern resistance might lead to a withdrawal of federal support, led the city to a more moderate reaction when the city’s local movement pressured for equality.
Introduction
Authors: Tica Cristina I. , Martin Debra L.
Published: May 2020

Bioarchaeology is a powerful tool that brings invaluable empirical data on health and trauma, as well as interpretation to frontier and border studies. The studies included in the volume offer a view of border and frontier existence from the ground up—how ordinary people ascribe, deny, or assume cultural differences, and how they actively enact and modify their notions of belonging and identity within specific temporal-spatial contexts. The frontier type varies based on what each author is exploring and on the specific aspect the researchers chose to investigate in each chapter. Therefore, the aim of this volume is to examine the multitude of meanings and definitions borders and frontiers can have, while the theme of complexity, in one form or another, permeates throughout all the essays in this volume.
Temporal and Spatial Biological Kinship Variation at Campovalano and Alfedena in Iron Age Central Italy
Authors: Muzzall Evan , Coppa Alfredo
Published: May 2020

This chapter utilizes craniometric, dental metric, and Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS) data to investigate temporospatial differences in biological distance patterns at the monumental necropoles of Campovalano and Alfedena, Iron Age Central Italy. Results of craniometric one-way analyses of variance suggest that Campovalano crania exhibit great biological continuity through time, while geometric mean scaled dental metric multidimensional scaling and ASUDAS neighbor-joining clustering indicate Campovalano samples are more similar to each other than compared to Alfedena Campo Consolino, the ritual core of the broader Alfedena necropolis. Also, Mantel tests reveal that male faces and cranial bases faintly correlate with burial distances at Alfedena Campo Consolino, which is consistent with previous research. However, female tooth row metrics slightly correlate with burial distances at Campovalano, which was unexpected. Finally, logistic regression and analyses of covariance models of a small dental metric subset could suggest that Alfedena Campo Consolino is the most different of the metric samples and that more comprehensive modelling of sex-specific dental morphogenetic field variation should be considered in bioarchaeology. Results are discussed in terms of biological and physical distances, endogamy and marriage rules, heritability, and small and imbalanced samples for investigating the frontiers and borderlands of the past.
Life on the Northern Frontier
Authors: Zoëga Guðný , Murphy Kimmarie
Published: May 2020

This chapter discusses the bioarchaeological evidence for biological stress in two eleventh-century cemetery populations from Northern Iceland. Iceland was initially settled in ninth century CE, and its marginal location and challenging sub-arctic climatic conditions provided the first generations of settlers with a host of environmental and social challenges. The results of our analysis point to a population that endured periodic hardships as evidenced by high rate of infant death and the presence of various stress markers in the skeletal material. Conversely, the evidence also points to a people successfully counteracting the negative aspects of their physical environment by introducing various social and cultural buffering mechanisms to ensure their survival.
Introduction
Authors: Duany Jorge
Published: May 2020

Volume editor Jorge Duany briefly reviews the intellectual history of Cuban thought on national identity since the late eighteenth century. Several generations of Cuban writers and artists on the island and abroad have drawn the contours of their “moveable nation,” according to different historical junctures, geographic locations, and ideological perspectives. Duany notes that the search for and affirmation of Cuba’s national identity strongly shaped the history of the visual arts, as well as literature, music, and other cultural expressions. The author then explains the origins of the current volume in an interdisciplinary 2017 conference on Cuban and Cuban-American art held at the Frost Art Museum of Florida International University in Miami. The second part of the introduction summarizes the contents of the volume, highlighting the significance of Cuban and Cuban-American art for the construction of national and diasporic identities.
Colonial Art and Its Afterlife
Authors: Fraunhar Alison
Published: May 2020

Art historian Alison Fraunhar examines how graphic and fine arts helped trace the contours of national identity in colonial Cuba well before the island’s independence. Fraunhar dwells on maps and other visual representations of rural and urban landscapes, people, and historical events that were critical to imagine Cuba as a separate nation with its own culture. The author argues persuasively that late nineteenth-century images of the island’s geography, history, and culture continue to be significant visual markers for contemporary Cuban artists.
Fashioning and Contesting the Olive-Green Imaginary in Cuban Visual Arts
Authors: Arús María A. Cabrera
Published: May 2020

Sociologist María A. Cabrera Arús dissects the militaristic iconography of the Cuban Revolution and its ironic appropriation by contemporary Cuban artists. Cabrera Arús demonstrates that the celebration of the sartorial guerrilla identity of the 1960s has largely given way to a critical perspective on the epic narrative in the post-Soviet era, which is exemplified by painters like Carlos Rodríguez Cárdenas and photographers like José Ángel Toirac. In recent artworks produced in Cuba, the olive-green uniform of the revolutionary army appears more often as a symbol of oppression than as a metaphor for a utopian vision.
Creating Wild Capital from the Ecosystem Services Model
Authors: Jones Barbara K.
Published: May 2020

By failing to assign nature value in our current Anthropocene, the opportunity costs of diminishing biodiversity are not recognized in the marketplace, leading to significant negative consequences for both nature and humanity. Polluting water, destroying habitats, or exterminating species should each lessen nature’s value, but if nature has never been assigned a value, that loss is not recognized and development becomes the default. The words “wild capital” remind us that nature should be viewed as an asset like any other, and that in doing so we are better equipped to appreciate its long-term worth. Since the ecosystem services model (ES) ties together the ecological, social, and economic needs of human well-being, it is well situated to assign nature value and from that make a case for nature as natural capital. To assist in policy decisions, ES has offered a path based on the language of economics, making it appealing to economists, while to conservationists, it has turned an argument about the negative effects of development on wildlife into a more fruitful dialogue about how beneficial conservation is for human well-being. ES is also compatible with efforts at sustainability and the goals of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
Florida’s Endearing Manatees
Authors: Jones Barbara K.
Published: May 2020

By assigning economic value to the manatee, the costs and benefits associated with conserving and protecting them and their habitat can more effectively compete in the marketplace. Just as the Endangered Species Act assigned value to social benefits or Eleanor Ostrom demonstrated how governing the commons could turn public goods into private ones, assessing the measurable benefits of a resource makes both environmental and economic sense. The manatee’s charisma, combined with a recognized economic value, has helped us maintain a better relationship with the species and moved the manatee and its habitat to the frontlines of Florida’s conservation agenda. Their increased numbers and expanding human fan base have made them the face for improving ecosystem biodiversity and water quality, as well as encouraging better land use decisions along Florida’s rapidly developing coastline. Effective branding by well-respected institutions like Save the Manatee Club and The Ocean Conservancy has made saving the manatee a cause that transcends the local and hopefully has made co-existing with the gentle giants in their habitat something each one of us will readily choose to do.
Gender agreement hierarchy in common gender and epicene nouns in Spanish
Authors: Ogneva Anastasiia
Published: May 2020

Gender is a grammatical category defined as an abstract morphosyntactic feature of nouns reflected in characteristics of associated words (i.e. agreement) (Hockett, 1958; Corbett, 1991). Agreement is, in fact, easily established in “transparent” nouns which follow either semantic or formal rule of gender agreement. However, when we deal with ambiguous nouns regarding their gender, agreement is not straightforward. In this article we aim to pursue two main goals. Firstly, to review and briefly describe grammatical gender system in Spanish (§1) with a special focus on so called “ambiguous” or “problematic” nouns (§2). Secondly, to review agreement hierarchy theories and explore if they are applicable for Spanish epicenes and common gender nouns (§3). Discussion and conclusion remarks are presented in (§4).
On finite subject-to-object raising in Spanish
Authors: Herbeck Peter
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we analyze inflected complements of perceptive, causative and permissive verbs in which the null subject is obligatorily co-referent with the matrix object antecedent. Even though these configurations have mostly received a control or a ‘pseudo-relative’ analysis in Spanish, we argue that the structure is best explained by means of finite ‘subject-to-object’ raising, which has been proposed for languages like Greek, Romanian, Japanese or Korean. The analysis will be argued to capture several intriguing properties of this configuration which have been noted in the literature, such as temporal anaphoricity, direct perception readings, obligatory co-reference, floating quantifiers, emphatic pronouns, and resumptive pronoun strategies. We argue that left-peripheral as well as temporal deficiency of the embedded clause has the consequence that the CP is not a strong phase and cannot legitimate structural nominative case, making A-movement out of the inflected complement possible. Finally, we discuss some related structures that point to the conclusion that ‘finite raising’ exists in the full-fledged pro-drop language Spanish.
Scalar properties of negative polarity superlatives
Authors: Delgado Ulises
Published: May 2020

Most theories agree that polarity sensitivity must be related to scalarity one way or another. Superlatives are a good example of this, since their “endpoint nature” allows for them to be in negative contexts with a quantitative interpretation. In this paper, I follow Fauconnier’s (1975a) work in distinguishing two different types of polarity-sensitive superlatives and I show how they manifest in Spanish. I argue that in this language the distinction is formally marked, what allows us to reach different conclusions from those of Fauconnier. On this line, I will defend that both types of polarity-sensitive superlatives have scalar properties of a very different nature. Thus, while for one the quantitative reading is pragmatically-driven, for the other it is semantically-driven.
Superlative QP “Hyper-Raising” in dialectal Spanish: the role of dormant Edge Features
Authors: Sáez del Álamo Luis Ángel
Published: May 2020

In this paper I deal with a particular relative-clause superlative construction attested in Spanish dialects like Canariense (Bosque & Brucart 1991) and Puerto Rican (Rohena-Madrazo 2007), among others. In this construction the superlative quantifier raises to the left of the complementizer of the relative clause. However, as observed by Bosque & Brucart (1991), only object quantifiers can move in this way; subject quantifiers cannot. I account for this assymmetry by assuming Bianchi’s (2000) raising analysis for relative clauses, Kandybowicz’s (2009) theory on edge features and Pesetsky & Torrego’s (2001) proposal on Tense-to-Comp movement (among other assumptions). Object-quantifier movement correlates with Tense-to- Comp movement, which activates an edge feature for objects and allows them to escape the phasal minimal domain undergoing Transfer. This is not possible for subject-quantifier movement. I also propose that the determiner introducing a relative clause bears an uninterpretable [Superlative] feature with clitic-like properties. This feature forces the determiner to post-syntactically cliticize to the superlative quantifier degree word, a process which requires linear adjacency. This accounts for certain restrictions on this sort of superlative quantifier raising already pointed out by Bosque & Brucart (1991) The proposal (similar to the one in Rohena-Madrazo 2007) that [Superlative] may also be in Force in these dialects (if selected for Force by the determiner) explains a more restrictive (and widespread) variant of this construction.
Measuring War Planning and Negotiation Outcomes
Authors: Poast Paul
Published: May 2020

This chapter describes the data collection and data manipulation required to measure alliance treaty negotiation outcomes (agreement or nonagreement) and ideal war plan compatibility. To code agreement, the author uses two sources of data to identify negotiations that ended in agreement and to identify negotiations that ended in nonagreement. To code ideal war plan compatibility, the author uses data on both strategic compatibility and operational compatibility. Drawing from well-established data identifying the threats states face, the author identifies the threats facing each negotiation participant and then codes strategic compatibility as the ratio of the participants' shared threats to the total number of threats faced by the participants. The higher this ratio, the more likely the participants are to have compatible views regarding which state(s) should be the target of the alliance treaty. Drawing on the idea that the operational component of a state's ideal war plan emanates from its military doctrine, the author uses battle-level data from previous wars fought by negotiation participants to code whether the participants shared offensive or defensive military doctrines. These measures of strategic compatibility and operational compatibility are used to code when the negotiation participants have only strategic compatibility, only operational compatibility, or both strategic and operational compatibility.
Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Assay of Some Schiff Base Metal (II) Complexes
Authors: Uba Auwalu , Ladan Misbahu Muhammad , Adamu Usman Abubakar , Magaji Buhari , Ibrahim Muhammad Nazifi , Sani Mukhtar Muhammad
Published: May 2020

The complexes of Co (II), Mn (II) and Ni (II) with Schiff base derived from pentane-2, 4-dione and 2-aminobenzoic acid were synthesized and characterized by molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, Infrared and elemental analyses. The solubility test on the Schiff base and its metal (II) complexes revealed their solubility in most organic solvents except chloroform and diethyl ether. The molar conductivity of the complexes was small indicating that they are non-electrolytes. The antibacterial susceptibility test conducted on the Schiff base and the metal (II) complexes showed a good activity except Ni (II) complex.
Contamination Level of Heavy Metals in Vegetables and Soils of Lalmonirhat in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Matiar , Rahman Salina
Published: May 2020

Vegetables are an important source of nutrients and play a vital role in maintaining good health. Nowadays, vegetables are destroyed by a variety of unwanted contaminants which have become a serious problem. Eating contaminated vegetables can lead to many ailments and disrupt normal body functions. Therefore, the key objective of this study is to determine the contamination level of heavy metals in known vegetables and their growing soils in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh; Consumers' health risks are assessed by targeted health factor (THQ) and target cancer risk (TCR) analysis. Average concentrations of Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in vegetables were 30.83, 429.27, 9.91, 32.19, 0.58, 8.88 mg/kg, as well as 240.83, 3690.45, 22.88, 65.87, 0.69 and 11.58 mg/kg in growing soils. Concentrations of heavy metals were compared with the recommended value of the World Health Organization and the average Fe, Pb, and Cd concentrations in leaf, fruit and root vegetables exceeded the allowable limit. In addition, the value of TSQ and carcinogenic parameters in leaf, fruit, and root vegetables was higher than 1.0 for Fe and Pb. Therefore, the THQ of Fe and Pb is harmful to humans. Also, the risk of cancer exceeds the USEPA risk threshold (>10–6) and the TCR of Pb shows a higher cancer risk, whereas Cd risk is higher. Therefore, the use of this vegetable is of concern and it is strongly recommended to monitor it regularly.
Analytical Method Development and Validation for Estimation of Silymarin in Tablet Dosage form by HPLC
Authors: Singh Sneha , Saini Mohit , Malik Jitender K. , Kumar Amit
Published: May 2020

Silymarin is extracted from the Silybum marianum (milk thistle) plant C25 containing flavonoid mixture. It is mainly used for its effect in liver disease. The HPLC of silymarin tablet had been validated for precision, accuracy (recovery), selectivity & Linearity. In the present study, an attempt was made to provide a newer, simple, sensitive, precise and low cost HPLC method for the effective quantitative determination of silymarin as an active pharmaceutical ingredient as well as in pharmaceutical preparations without the interferences of other constituent in the formulations. HPLC method is developed and validated for various parameters as per ICH guidelines. The validated method was effectively useful to the commercially accessible pharmaceutical dosage form, yielding extremely good and reproducible result.
Valuation of Option Pricing with Meshless Radial Basis Functions Approximation
Authors: Durojaye M. O. , Odeyemi J. K.
Published: May 2020

This work focuses on valuation scheme of European and American options of single asset with meshless radial basis approximations. The prices are governed by Black – Scholes equations. The option price is approximated with three infinitely smooth positive definite radial basis functions (RBFs), namely, Gaussian (GA), Multiquadrics (MQ), Inverse Multiquadrics (IMQ). The RBFs were used for discretizing the space variables while Runge-Kutta method was used as a time-stepping marching method to integrate the resulting systems of differential equations. Numerical examples are shown to illustrate the strength of the method developed. The findings show that the RBFs has proven to be adaptable interpolation method because it does not depend on the locations of the approximation nodes which have overcome frequently evolving problems in computational finance such as slow convergent numerical solutions. Thus, the results allow concluding that the RBF-FD-GA and RBF-FD-MQ methods are well suited for modeling and analyzing Black and Scholes equation.
Biochemical and Histopathological Studies on the Efficacy of Camel Milk and Urine against Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Labbo Abdullahi Muhammad , Sheshe Sadeeq Muhammad , Bello Haris Ja’afar , Shehu Zulkallaini , Bello Zainab Hassan
Published: May 2020

Background: Camel urine has been extensively used for the treatment of diseases including cancer. However, it uses in the management of diabetes complication has not been explored.

Aim: Present study aimed to access the effect of camel milk and urine on biochemical parameters and histopathological alterations of the liver in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: Twenty-five male albino rats were divided into five groups; group 1 served as the Nondiabetic (NDC), group 2 as Diabetic control (DC), group 3, 4 and 5 are animals treated with camel milk (DCM), camel urine (DCU) and metformin (DM) respectively. The treatment was for twenty-one days. The protective role of camel milk and urine was evaluated by determining biochemical parameters and also by studying the histopathological alterations of the liver.

Results: The results indicate a significant increase (P<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total protein (TP) in DC rats compared to NDC. However, nosignificant difference was observed in the serum level of alkaline phosphate (ALP) between NDC and DC groups (P <0.05). Treatments of diabetic rats with either camel milk, camel urine or metformin significantly (P <0.05) serum activities of AST, ALT and TP. The results of lipid profile show that pretreatment of diabetic rats with camel milk or urine significantly (P<0.05) decreases serum levels of triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to diabetic control group compared to DC group. Moreover, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased remarkably in the groups treated with CM, CU and metformin respectively. Histopathological studies of the liver revealed that all the severe endocrine changes in the endocrine part and localized necrosis present in DC are absent in the Diabetic treated with camel milk (DCM), Diabetic treated with camel urine (DCU) and Diabetic treated with metforming (DM) groups.

Conclusion: Treatment with camel milk or urine has the potential to delay the onset of diabetic complications.
Diversity and Volume Assessment of Tree Species in the Tropical Forest at Obanla, Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Olawoyin O. T. , Akinbowale A. S. , Olugbadieye O. G. , Adesuyi F. E.
Published: May 2020

This study focused on the assessment of tree species diversity and abundance at The Federal University of Technology, Akure Tropical Forest Obanla. The research was carried out from May, 2019 to September, 2019. Complete enumeration sampling was adopted for the data collection and all trees with diameter at breast height (Dbh) above 0.1 m were identified and measured. Other tree growth variables, such as diameter at the base (db), diameter at the middle (dm), diameter at the top (dt) and the total height were all measured for volume estimation. Ricinodendron heudelotii Hd the highest number of stems (13), so it was the dominant tree species.The result shows that mean tree volume ranges from a minimum of 0.26 m3 for Olalaceae family, to a maximum of 77.70 m3 for Euphorbiaceae family. Ceiba pentandra of Malvaceae family had the highest mean volume (14.62 m2) while the lowest was recorded for both Khaya senegalensis and Newbouldia laevis with a volume of 0.13 m2. The family of Euphorbiaceae was regarded as the dominant family in the natural forest with 26 tree species which is the highest in this study and with the highest volume (77.70 m2). Shannon Wiener diversity index and species equitability index according to Pielou’s of 3.24 and 0.92 were respectively obtained for the study area. This study revealed the efficacy of an undisturbed natural forest in in situ conservation. Active regeneration can be carried out for proper stocking of the forest so has to make it a potential biodiversity hotspot.
Evaluation of Stress Enzymes Activities and Lipid Peroxidation in Heart Homogenates of Male Albino Rats Following the Administration of Diclofenac
Authors: Okwakpam Felicia Nmeazi , Abarikwu S. , Monanu M. O.
Published: May 2020

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with an increase in cardiovascular events despite its uses in the therapeutic agent for the management of long- and short-term pain. Over the last years, evidence has accumulated showing that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress is no longer considered as a simple imbalance between the production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), but as a dysfunction of enzymes involved in ROS production. This study investigated the effect of diclofenac on the activity of oxidative stress enzymes as well as formation of lipid peroxidation. Male rats weighing about 100-120 g were divided into four groups: group one (control, feed+water) group two, group three and group four treated with different mg/kg/day of drugs (50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day and 150 mg/kg/day) feed and water respectively for 7 days. Analysis on the effect of diclofenac on the activities of stress enzymes such as nicotine adenosine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogenase oxidase (NADPHoxidase), xanthine oxidase(XOD), catalase(CAT), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase as well as evaluation of lipid peroxidation by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in the heart homogenate were carried out and the result showed a significant increase in each parameter given rise to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) if not moderated by the antioxidant defense can lead to cardiac impairment as a result of oxidative stress damage or injury. The result obtained implies that diclofenac (NSAIDs) affects the redox status of vascular tissues (heart tissues).
Effects of Nitrogen on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under NPSB Blended Fertilizer in Tsegedie and Welkait Districts Westren Zone Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebreslasie Negasi , Shimgabr Teame , Alene Haile , Tsegay Nebyu , Haftu Welesenbet
Published: May 2020

Decisions concerning optimum rates of fertilization directly involve fitting some type of rates to yield when several rates of fertilizer are tested. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates yields and yield components of bread wheat and determine optimum rate of N. The field experiment was carried out in 2016 and 2017 main cropping season at Tsegedie and Welkait districts in Western Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. The experiment consists of seven levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69, 99, 115 and 138 kg ha-1) arranged in randomized completed block design with three replications. Nitrogen was applied splits, half at planting and remaining at tiller stage. NPSB was applied as basal application for all experimental plots except the negative control. Soil samples were collected before planting for analysis of some selected physicochemical properties. The soil properties of the experimental sites of the two districts varied in most of the soil properties. Application of nitrogen significantly influenced grain yield and yield components of wheat in both study sites. The highest grain yield 3926 kg ha-1 and 2131 kg ha-1 were obtained from 138 kg N ha-1 and 115 kg N ha-1 at the study sites of Tsegedie and Welkait districts, respectively. Highest marginal rate of returns were however obtained at nitrogen rates of 46 kg ha-1 and 23 kg ha-1 at Tsegedie and Welkait districts, respectively. Hence, it could be concluded that the use of N at 46 kg ha-1and 23 kg ha-1 with 100 kg NPSB fertilizer could give optimum bread wheat yield at Tsegedie and Welkait districts, respectively.
Cardiac and Hepatic miRNAs Altered Expression in Rat Embryo after Bisphenol-A (BPA) Exposure and Their Histopathological Impact (In vivo Study)
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed S.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Plastic compound are widely used in modern life. Bisphenol-A is an essential component in high quality plastic containers such as bottles and food boxes. Beside its hormonal agonist and antagonist effects, Food and drug administration (FDA) had reported it is transmitted from mother to fetus through placental circulation causing mi-RNAs mutation. mi-RNAs regulate cellular morphology and functions through its essential role in genetic expression. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of exposure of BPA on maternal [placenta, body weight & blood pressure] and fetal [liver, heart & miRNAs expression] and the impact of miRNAs expression disorders on multiorgan development, namely cardiac and hepatic development.

Materials and Methods: 60 healthy pregnant females’ rats were picked up since day one of gestation and divided into three groups (n=20). (c) control group gained access to drinking water containing only the vehicle (tween-80) 0.1/ml for three weeks.(10-BPA) group, gained access to drinking water containing 10 mg/L of BPA for three weeks.(20-BPA) group, gained access to drinking water containing 20 mg/L of BPA for three weeks. Placenta, liver and heart samples were collected and histopathological changes were recorded and mi-RNAs expression was investigated.

Results: Histopathological changes were noticed in BPA related groups if compared to control group. mi-RNAs expression was found in same groups with variable extent. A significant increase was noticed in body weight and blood pressure of pregnant rats.

Conclusion: Our data examined the impact of BPA exposure on different organs and their related miRNAs expression which showed a non-neglectable effect especially on the placenta of the mother and fetal heart and liver.
Response of Aqueous Extract of Botanical Herbicides on the Performance of Transplanted Rice during Boro Season
Authors: Karmakar Chandan , Nandy Poulomi , Mondal Dibyendu , Ghosh Anannya , Ghosh Ratikanta
Published: May 2020

A field experiment was conducted in humid sub-tropics of West Bengal at the Instructional Farm, Jaguli of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Nadia, India during 2016-17 to study some growth and yield parameters, also the economic advantages of various weed management treatments of summer transplanted paddy. The experiment was conducted with 8 treatments [T1- & T2 - Pre–emergence (PE) sole aqueous organic botanical extracts (AOBE) of Tectona grandis & Bambusa vulgaris respectively @ 100 mL/L water; T3 - PE sole synthetic organic chemical herbicides (SOCH) Pretilachlor 30.7 EC @ 500 g/ha;T4 – PE mixture of AOBE of Bambusa vulgaris & Tectona grandis @ 100 mL/L water; T5 – PE mixture of AOBE of Tectona grandis @ 100 mL/L water & SOCH Pretilachlor 30.7 EC @ 500 g/ha; T6 -PE mixture of AOBE Bambusa vulgaris of @ 100 mL/L water & SOCH Pretilachlor 30.7 EC @ 500 g/ha; T7 – Hand weeding (HW) at 25 & 45 days after transplanting (DAT) and T8 – Weedy check with three replications following randomised block design (RBD). The results revealed that the treatments T7 recorded the maximum biological yield (grain – 4.76 & straw 5.95 t/ha) and was statistically at par with the mixture of botanical and chemical treatments (T5 - 4.35 and 5.52 t/ha respectively) and T6 - 4.42 and 5.54 t/ha, respectively). The T6 recorded the highest benefit – cost ratio (BCR) value of 2.41 followed by T5 with 2.38. But in case of treatment T7, maximum cost of cultivation was incurred over all treatments due to higher expenditure on labour wages for that reason BCR was comparatively lower (2.02) and the lowest BCR was obtained against weedy check (T8) 1.85. Therefore, considering the crop growth, rice productivity, economics and farmers‟ easy availability the mixture treatments of AOBE Bamboosa vulgaris or Tectona grandis with SOCH Pretilachlor may be the best option and is an alternative to traditional HW treatment for increasing rice productivity through ecosafe weed management in transplanted paddy.
Physiological and Biochemical Assesement of Chickpea and Lentil Grown in Different Agroclimatic Zones of Bihar
Authors: Rajani Kumari , Kumar Vikash , Kumar Shashi Bhusan , Kumar Anand , Kumar Ravi Ranjan , Kumar Anil
Published: May 2020

The present study was conducted to evaluate the seed quality of chickpea (cv. PG-186) and lentil (cv. HUL-57) seed samples collected from randomly selected districts of different agroclimatic zones of Bihar. The seed quality was assessed based on their physiological (seed moisture, seed germination, seedling length, vigour index, etc.) and biochemical enzymes (SOD, POX and CAT) parameters. Based on the physiological and biochemical evaluation, the chickpea seed sample collected from the Sheikhpura district was found significantly high quality (96.3% germination percentage) among all, while seeds collected from Begusarai (76.7%) and Darbhanga (77.7%) districts exhibited lowest germination percentage. The germination and vigour of lentil seed revealed that the sample of Patna district was having the highest germination percentage (98.7%) while seeds collected from Katihar and Rohtas district exhibited lowest germination percentage (66% and 74.3% respectively). In the case of biochemical analysis of both chickpea and lentil seed samples, higher SOD, POX and CAT activities were observed in seeds in which the highest germination percentage was recorded. On the basis of the results of chickpea and lentil seed samples, the seed lots were categorized into high, mid and low vigour. Among chickpea, the seed samples of Sheikhpura, Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur, Lakhisarai, and Jehanabad were categorized as high vigour; while seeds of Darbhanga and Begusarai district were categorized as low vigor. Similarly, in case of lentil the seed samples of Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Khagaria were categorized as high vigour; while seeds of Rohtas and Kathiahr district were categorized into low vigor. This study will be helpful to the farmers and pulses growers in order to enhance the seed quality for getting higher production in respective districts.
Farmers Extent of Adoption of Climate Resilient Agro-technologies
Authors: Sultana Sobnam , Das Pabitra K. , Saikia Dipankar , Barman Indrajit
Published: May 2020

Climate change is possibly the most significant environmental challenge and possess serious threats to sustainable development in the world and more so in developing countries. Impact of climate change affects ecosystems, water resources, food and health. To adapt to the change and overcome the threats of climate change several climate-resilient agro-technologies have been introduced under the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project. The present study was conducted in Lakhimpur District of Assam to measure the extent of adoption of the climate-resilient agro-technologies introduced under the NICRA Project by the participant and non-participant farmers. A total of 160 farmers, 80 NICRA participant farmers and 80 non-participant farmers were interviewed. Findings revealed that the majority of the participant farmers (68.75 per cent) had a medium extent of adoption followed by 17.50 per cent with a low extent of adoption of climate-resilient agro-technologies. Only 13.75 per cent of the participant farmers were found to have a high level of adoption of climate-resilient agro-technologies. Among the non-participant farmers, majority of them (75.00 per cent) had a low extent of adoption followed by 17.50 per cent with a medium extent of adoption of climate-resilient agro-technologies. Only a very small proportion of them (7.50 per cent) had a high extent of adoption of climate-resilient agro-technologies.
Optimization of Soil DNA Extraction Protocol Using Na2EDTA, SDS, Heating, Vortexing and CaCl2 and Its Validation for Metagenomic Studies
Authors: Pasha Malik Ahmed , More Sachin A. , Krishnaraj P. U.
Published: May 2020

Aim: Several methods described previously for isolation and purification of soil DNA. Most of these protocols use combination of techniques or methods but the role and contribution of each individual method or component used is not clearly discussed. This study aims at analysing the effect of individual components used in extraction of DNA from soil and finally to optimize soil DNA isolation protocol and its validation by using 16SrDNA sequence analysis.

Methods and Results: The soil was washed with anionic buffers before lysis step to reduce humic substances and release microbial cells from soil matrix, then the cells were lysed using combination of SDS, heating and vortexing and finally humic substances were removed using chemical flocculation. Pre-lysis washing of soil with 100 mmol l-1 Na2EDTA proved good for releasing microbial cells from soil matrix. Heating the soil sample at 75°C yielded good quantity (15.73 µg g-1 soil) DNA followed by 2% SDS (10.28 µg g-1 soil) and vortexing at 1400 rpm (8.94 µg g-1 soil). Combination of heating, SDS and vortexing yielded 25 µg DNA per gram of soil. Different concentrations of chemical flocculants like AlNH4(SO4)2, FeCl3, CaCl2 and MgCl2 were used to reduce humic substances. Flocculation with 100 mmol l-1 CaCl2 removed 5.2 mg humic substances without significant loss of DNA. 16S rDNA sequence analysis of DNA extracted from soil reveals presence of all the common soil bacterial species indicating the protocol is unbiased.

Conclusion: Combination of chemical (SDS) and physical (heating and vortexing) methods yield good DNA whereas addition of enzyme (lysozyme) did not show significant effect on cell lysis. The digestion of isolated DNA with restriction enzyme and amplification of 16S rDNA using Taq DNA polymerase indicates the isolated DNA is pure enough for metagnomic analysis. 16Sr DNA sequencing of soil DNA indicates that this protocol can extract good quality and quantity DNA from range of bacteria present in soil varying in their cell wall composition. The optimised protocol is unbiased, very simple, does not need special equipments and many samples can be processed simultaneously.
Malaria Prevalence Investigation among Pregnant Women in Relation to Their Social Well Being: A Case Study of Lugbe and Gosa, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Edith Onyemaechi Ngozi , David Malann Yoila
Published: May 2020

Aim: This research aim was to investigate the impact of living conditions (Socio demographic characteristics) of pregnant women on their malarial status.

Study Design: In order to achieve the objectives of the study, Cross sectional survey was used. This is because only a subsect of the population was used. Descriptive designs was utilised in the Questionnaire aspect of the study.

Place and Duration of Study: The Presidential Malarial initiative PMI/USAID - funded Insectary Laboratory at Nasarawa State University, Keffi/six (6) Months.

Methodology: Blood samples were collected from the participating pregnant women by pricking their thumb and the blood droplet was examined using a direct thin and thick blood smear preparation stained with giemsa for the presence of the ring form stages of the parasites in the blood of the individuals in the laboratory. Qualitative data were sourced through Questionnaire administration to 589 pregnant women in Antenatal care clinics (ANC) in the area and their malaria status was also determined.

Results: Study results showed a high prevalence rate of malaria in pregnancy (70.5%), the greater number of occurrences being in Lugbe (42.3%) than in Gosa (28.2%). Those living in houses built with wood recorded more positive cases of malaria and are at greater risk of infection (odds = 1.866%).

Conclusion: This study has shown an increased rate of malaria infection amongst pregnant women living in wood and mud houses. The result also shows high rate of malaria occurrences due to low living conditions amongst pregnant women domiciled in this area of study. Hence, pregnant women should as a routine be placed on malaria prophylaxis and periodically checked as they can be asymptomatic, only exhibiting symptoms when its already late.
NPK Briquette has Positive Effect on Jhum Rice Cultivation
Authors: Zonayet Md. , Paul Alok Kumar
Published: May 2020

The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of NPK briquette for increasing the yield of jhum rice. Two experiments were conducted at Ramery para, Bandarban sadar, Bandarban hill district in Chittagong under the AEZ 29 (Northern and Eastern Hills Tract) during March 2017 to November 2017 to study the effect of NPK briquette on growth and development of Jhum rice. In this experiment, Jhum rice was used as the test crop. The experiment was conducted in two field and designed on Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD). The treatments consisted of 7(seven) levels of NPK briquette i.e. T1: Control, T2: 100% RFD (267.5 kg ha-1), T3: 120% RFD (320.8 kg ha-1), T4: 80% RFD (214.1 kg ha-1), T5: 100% NPK briquette (267.5 kg ha-1), T6: 120% NPK briquette (320.8 kg ha-1), T7: 80% NPK briquette (214.1 kg ha-1). Ratio in 100 kg NPK briquette contain 50 kg urea: 30 kg TSP: 20 kg MoP and RFD value was N 60 kgha-1, P 20 kg ha-1 and K 30 kg ha-1. The growth and yield of Jhum rice were significantly influenced by different levels of NPK briquette. The highest plant height of jhum rice (138.3 cm), effective tillers hill-1 (16.03), panicle length (30.10 cm), highest number of filled grain panicle-1 (202.8), 1000 grain weight (27.67 gm), straw yield (4.13 t/ha) and grain yield (3.54 t/ha) were found from T5 treatment receiving 100% NPK briquette (267.5 kg ha-1) and for all cases lowest results were found in T1 treatment receiving no fertilizer (control). Yield of Jhum rice mainly vary with RFD and NPK briquette but highest yield obtained from NPK briquette treatment compared with control.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators (BA, KIN and NAA) on In vitro Propagation of Papaya (Carica papaya)
Authors: Hasan Nahida , Huq Humayra , Khatun Fahima , Sumi Shamim Ara
Published: May 2020

The present research was carried out in Biotechnology Laboratory of the Department of Biotechnology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207 from the period of September 2017 to June 2018. This research aims to study the effect of Benzyladenine (BA), Kinetin (KIN) and Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) either in combination or alone on In vitro propagation of papaya (Carica papaya). The shoot tips of young shoots were used as explant, which was sterilized using freshly prepared 0.1% HgCl2 mixing with few drops of Tween-20, were inoculated in MS media supplemented with 0.1% activated charcoal. The minimum days to shoot induction (10.25) were recorded on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L BA. The highest shoots (4.5) and length of shoot (5.75 cm) observed in 1.0 mg/L BA. The combined treatment 1.0 mg/L BA+0.75 mg/LKIN gave the highest number of shoots (5.25) and length of shoot (5.78 cm).The minimum days (8.5) to root induction was reported in 2.0 mg/L NAA along with maximum 8.25 roots per plantlet. The highest length of root (6.92 cm) was observed in 2.0 mg/L NAA. In regenerated plantlets, 80% survival rates were observed in growth chamber conditions and 75% in the open atmosphere were achieved. Finally, the in vitro regeneration protocol described herein can potentially be used as a tool in molecular breeding programs for the improvement of different cultivars and genotypes of papaya.