bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urgensi Transformasi Kurikulum Bahasa Arab Madrasah Aliyah di Indonesia: Menelisik Historisitas dan Perkembangannya dari Masa ke Masa
Authors: Ni'am Ahmad Miftahun
Published: April 2024

Pembelajaran bahasa selalu mengalami perkembangan dari masa ke masa termasuk bahasa Arab. Pembelajaran bahasa Arab di Indonesia di berbagai tingkatan madrasah khususnya di Madrasah Aliyah selalu berubah dari waktu ke waktu dikarenakan mengikuti perkembangan zaman serta situasi dan juga kondisi. Dalam konteks inilah studi tulisan artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan mengidentifikasi urgensi perkembangan kurikulum bahasa arab pada jenjang madrasah aliyah di Indonesia secara transformatif. Selain itu, tulisan artikel ini juga bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi dan menganalisis faktor-faktor apa saja yang mengharuskan adanya perubahan kurikulum pembelajaran bahasa arab serta desain pembelajarannya yang inovatif pada jenjang Madrasah Aliyah di Indonesia. Dari tujuan studi di atas, dapat ditarik beberapa simpulan hasil studi diantaranya adalah; pertama, bahwa setiap kurikulum pastinya mempunyai kelebihan dan kekurangan, maka dari itu terjadilah perubahan kurikulum dari masa ke masa agar terwujud sebuah kurikulum yang baik. Perubahan kurikulum akan terus terjadi dari masa ke masa karena setiap masa memiliki budaya yang berbeda. Jikalau suatu instansi hanya berpacu pada satu kurikulum maka nantinya ia akan tergilas oleh roda perubahan sejarah, maka dari itu demi mengikuti perkembangan zaman semua elemen dalam pendidikan harus bahu membahu agar bisa mewujudkan kurikulum yang baik dan sesuai dengan zamannya. Kedua, beberapa faktor penyebab terjadinya perubahan kurikulum bahasa Arab di Indonesia yaitu adanya perubahan kurikulum nasional, perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi, untuk meningkatkan mutu pendidikan, dan adanya beberapa kelemahan yang ada pada kurikulum sebelumnya.
Sustained Pointing Gestures in Instructions and Questions
Authors: Schubert Mojenn
Published: April 2024

Gestures can be brief and compact in their execution, but also elaborate and extended. One way to utilise this kinetic flexibility is to extend one’s gesture in time by holding it in its stroke position. This study explores the interactional function of gestural holds by investigating pointing gestures that are sustained beyond a sequence-initiating turn and into the responsive space following it. The study draws on video data from naturally occurring conversations in German and focuses on held pointing gestures after instructions and questions. It is shown that in both action environments, participants delay gestural closure to indicate that they still consider the addressee’s response to be insufficient.
Défier et rénover les codes du portrait historique : le pari de Kehinde Wiley
Authors: Bannon Lynn
Published: April 2024

Connu pour converser durablement avec les canons artistiques traditionnels européens, l’artiste Kehinde Wiley s’approprie des oeuvres du passé qu’il réintroduit dans son univers créatif contemporain majoritairement dominé par la portraiture de jeunes Afro-Américains issus de la culture hip-hop. Examiné sous l’éclairage de l’histoire de l’art, le portrait conventionnel représente des individus antérieurement célébrés pour leur statut social et leur parcours biographique édifiants. Il sous-tend du reste des schèmes relatifs au pouvoir et au privilège, dignité dont sont dépourvues les personnes de couleur largement absentes des murs des musées. Cette invisibilité est d’ailleurs l’épicentre de la production de Wiley, qui s’évertue depuis deux décennies à réhabiliter les hommes et les femmes noirs dans le récit artistique. Cemodus operandisingularise sa pratique, qui consiste à figurer élégamment les visages des Afro-Américains, à honorer ces personnes méconnues, à les débarrasser des préjugés prohibitifs dont elles sont chargées, pour ainsi les transformer en êtres extraordinaires. Et c’est là toute la ruse de cet artiste qui, grâce à son travail artistique, pose un regard neuf sur l’art précédent, non pas pour le corriger, mais pour le revisiter de manière critique.
Promoting Cultural Connectedness Through Indigenous-led Child and Family Services: A Critical Review with a Focus on Canada
Authors: Ball Jessica , Benoit-Jansson Annika
Published: April 2024

There is consensus that quality services to Indigenous children and families involve the transmission, preservation, and promotion of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural connections and must be delivered within specific First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultural frameworks led by Indigenous people. This view is expressed across research and service reports, in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 2015 Report and Calls to Action, and in the Government of Canada’s newly enacted An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (2019). This article reviews support for this viewpoint, drawing from primarily Indigenous scholarship and illustrated with reference to Indigenous-led services across Canada.
A Longitudinal Study to Better Understand Child Protection Intervention for First Nations Children
Authors: De La Sablonnière-Griffin Mireille , Collin-Vézina Delphine , Esposito Tonino , Dion Jacinthe
Published: April 2024

This study brings forward new evidence regarding child protection (CP) intervention for First Nations children and contributes to a longitudinal understanding of their trajectories within CP services. It raises questions regarding the persisting, unmet needs of First Nations children, families, and communities by identifying the CP factors associated with a first decision to provide post-investigation intervention and a first decision to close a case following post-investigation intervention among First Nations children. Anonymized administrative data (2002–2014; n = 1340) were used to conduct multivariate analyses, including longitudinal analyses using Cox proportional hazards modeling. Among First Nations children, those who were very young, who were reported for serious risk of neglect, and whose situation included indicators of repeated individual or family contact with CP services were more likely to receive post-investigation intervention. Similarly, those who were very young, provided services for neglect or serious risk of neglect, and whose situation was investigated at least twice before intervention was provided were more likely to have a longer first episode of intervention. The longitudinal analyses also revealed that more than one in two First Nations children (51.7%) receiving post-investigation intervention experienced a placement in out-of-home care during their interaction with CP services. This study contributes to a better understanding of intervention for First Nations children in Canada. It highlights how First Nations children receiving CP intervention live in situations in which their needs persist over time and how current services do not appear able to respond to these situations adequately, supporting the move towards autonomous, Indigenous–led CP services.
Economic assessment of hemodialysis patients in tertiary and charitable hospitals: A prospective multicenter study in India
Authors: Jarupala Gangadhar Naik , Dharmagadda Sreedhar , Ligade Siddharam Virendra , Nagaraju Shankar Prasad , Guddattu Vasudeva , Kulkarni Manunath
Published: April 2024

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is becoming more common in India, and the treatment options for ESRD are, e.g., hemodialysis (HD) or kidney transplantation. In the current situation, many individuals can only afford HD. More research is needed to estimate the exact cost of HD because it varies across the country. The study aims to investigate the cost of HD in a tertiary and charitable hospital in South India. A multicentric prospective observational study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals. The study included patients who are on HD regularly at these hospitals. Patients’ data and cost information were collected for 1 year. Overall cost evaluation of HD patients was done. Cost categories were calculated based on their cost of HD per session, monthly expense, and cost per annum. This includes HD cost per session, ward cost, consultation physician cost, overall medication cost, laboratory cost, the cost for blood transfusion, transportation cost, accompanying person’s cost, and food costs. More studies on costs and outcomes are required to examine the benefits and drawbacks of renal replacement treatment and improve the quality of life of ESRD patients. As the treatment costs are higher, the government can develop schemes that provide insurance or compensation to needy people.
Antipsychotic drugs selectively decorrelate long-range interactions in deep cortical layers
Authors: Heindorf Matthias , Keller Georg B
Published: April 2024

Psychosis is characterized by a diminished ability of the brain to distinguish externally driven activity patterns from self-generated activity patterns. Antipsychotic drugs are a class of small molecules with relatively broad binding affinity for a variety of neuromodulator receptors that, in humans, can prevent or ameliorate psychosis. How these drugs influence the function of cortical circuits, and in particular their ability to distinguish between externally and self-generated activity patterns, is still largely unclear. To have experimental control over self-generated sensory feedback, we used a virtual reality environment in which the coupling between movement and visual feedback can be altered. We then used widefield calcium imaging to determine the cell type-specific functional effects of antipsychotic drugs in mouse dorsal cortex under different conditions of visuomotor coupling. By comparing cell type-specific activation patterns between locomotion onsets that were experimentally coupled to self-generated visual feedback and locomotion onsets that were not coupled, we show that deep cortical layers were differentially activated in these two conditions. We then show that the antipsychotic drug clozapine disrupted visuomotor integration at locomotion onsets also primarily in deep cortical layers. Given that one of the key components of visuomotor integration in cortex is long-range cortico-cortical connections, we tested whether the effect of clozapine was detectable in the correlation structure of activity patterns across dorsal cortex. We found that clozapine as well as two other antipsychotic drugs, aripiprazole and haloperidol, resulted in a strong reduction in correlations of layer 5 activity between cortical areas and impaired the spread of visuomotor prediction errors generated in visual cortex. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that a major functional effect of antipsychotic drugs is a selective alteration of long-range layer 5-mediated communication.
Higher ratio of plasma omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is associated with greater risk of all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality: A population-based cohort study in UK Biobank
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Sun Yitang , Yu Qi , Song Suhang , Brenna J Thomas , Shen Ye , Ye Kaixiong
Published: April 2024

Background:

Circulating omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with various chronic diseases and mortality, but results are conflicting. Few studies examined the role of omega-6/omega-3 ratio in mortality.

Methods:

We investigated plasma omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs and their ratio in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large prospective cohort, the UK Biobank. Of 85,425 participants who had complete information on circulating PUFAs, 6461 died during follow-up, including 2794 from cancer and 1668 from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Associations were estimated by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for relevant risk factors.

Results:

Risk for all three mortality outcomes increased as the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs increased (all Ptrend <0.05). Comparing the highest to the lowest quintiles, individuals had 26% (95% CI, 15–38%) higher total mortality, 14% (95% CI, 0–31%) higher cancer mortality, and 31% (95% CI, 10–55%) higher CVD mortality. Moreover, omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs in plasma were all inversely associated with all-cause, cancer, and CVD mortality, with omega-3 showing stronger effects.

Conclusions:

Using a population-based cohort in UK Biobank, our study revealed a strong association between the ratio of circulating omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs and the risk of all-cause, cancer, and CVD mortality.

Funding:

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institute of Health under the award number R35GM143060 (KY). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Circadian regulation of endoplasmic reticulum calcium response in cultured mouse astrocytes
Authors: Ryu Ji Eun , Shim Kyu-Won , Roh Hyun Woong , Park Minsung , Lee Jae-Hyung , Kim Eun Young
Published: April 2024

The circadian clock, an internal time-keeping system orchestrates 24 hr rhythms in physiology and behavior by regulating rhythmic transcription in cells. Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells, play crucial roles in CNS functions, but the impact of the circadian clock on astrocyte functions remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified 412 circadian rhythmic transcripts in cultured mouse cortical astrocytes through RNA sequencing. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that genes involved in Ca2+ homeostasis are under circadian control. Notably, Herpud1 (Herp) exhibited robust circadian rhythmicity at both mRNA and protein levels, a rhythm disrupted in astrocytes lacking the circadian transcription factor, BMAL1. HERP regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release by modulating the degradation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs). ATP-stimulated ER Ca2+ release varied with the circadian phase, being more pronounced at subjective night phase, likely due to the rhythmic expression of ITPR2. Correspondingly, ATP-stimulated cytosolic Ca2+ increases were heightened at the subjective night phase. This rhythmic ER Ca2+ response led to circadian phase-dependent variations in the phosphorylation of Connexin 43 (Ser368) and gap junctional communication. Given the role of gap junction channel (GJC) in propagating Ca2+ signals, we suggest that this circadian regulation of ER Ca2+ responses could affect astrocytic modulation of synaptic activity according to the time of day. Overall, our study enhances the understanding of how the circadian clock influences astrocyte function in the CNS, shedding light on their potential role in daily variations of brain activity and health.
Selective recruitment of the cerebellum evidenced by task-dependent gating of inputs
Authors: Shahshahani Ladan , King Maedbh , Nettekoven Caroline , Ivry Richard B , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: April 2024

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have documented cerebellar activity across a wide array of tasks. However, the functional contribution of the cerebellum within these task domains remains unclear because cerebellar activity is often studied in isolation. This is problematic, as cerebellar fMRI activity may simply reflect the transmission of neocortical activity through fixed connections. Here, we present a new approach that addresses this problem. Rather than focus on task-dependent activity changes in the cerebellum alone, we ask if neocortical inputs to the cerebellum are gated in a task-dependent manner. We hypothesize that input is upregulated when the cerebellum functionally contributes to a task. We first validated this approach using a finger movement task, where the integrity of the cerebellum has been shown to be essential for the coordination of rapid alternating movements but not for force generation. While both neocortical and cerebellar activity increased with increasing speed and force, the speed-related changes in the cerebellum were larger than predicted by an optimized cortico-cerebellar connectivity model. We then applied the same approach in a cognitive domain, assessing how the cerebellum supports working memory. Enhanced gating was associated with the encoding of items in working memory, but not with the manipulation or retrieval of the items. Focusing on task-dependent gating of neocortical inputs to the cerebellum offers a promising approach for using fMRI to understand the specific contributions of the cerebellum to cognitive function.
Demand prediction for urban air mobility using deep learning
Authors: Ahmed Faheem , Memon Muhammad Ali , Rajab Khairan , Alshahrani Hani , Abdalla Mohamed Elmagzoub , Rajab Adel , Houe Raymond , Shaikh Asadullah
Published: April 2024

Urban air mobility, also known as UAM, is currently being researched in a variety of metropolitan regions throughout the world as a potential new mode of transport for travelling shorter distances inside a territory. In this article, we investigate whether or not the market can back the necessary financial commitments to deploy UAM. A challenge in defining and addressing a critical phase of such guidance is called a demand forecast problem. To achieve this goal, a deep learning model for forecasting temporal data is proposed. This model is used to find and study the scientific issues involved. A benchmark dataset of 150,000 records was used for this purpose. Our experiments used different state-of-the-art DL models: LSTM, GRU, and Transformer for UAM demand prediction. The transformer showed a high performance with an RMSE of 0.64, allowing decision-makers to analyze the feasibility and viability of their investments.
Carnivore coexistence without competition: giant otters are more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters
Authors: Norris Darren , Michalski Fernanda
Published: April 2024

Nocturnal activity of tropical otters is rarely reported. To date no studies have documented den use by sympatric giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis). We used camera-traps to monitor den use by sympatric otters along an equatorial Amazonian river. Camera-traps provided evidence that giant otters were more nocturnal around dens than sympatric neotropical otters. Nocturnal activity was recorded in 11% of giant otter photos (n = 14 of 125 photos), but was recorded only once for neotropical otters. Den use by giant and neotropical otters overlapped spatially and temporally but not concurrently. We hypothesize that previously reported nocturnal activity in neotropical otters is facilitated by the absence or low density of giant otters. Our results also underscore the need to use complementary techniques together with den counts for monitoring otters as sympatric species can use the same dens.
Seguridad urbana: diseño urbano como herramienta para mejorar la percepción de seguridad en la periferia de Santiago
Authors:   , Courbis Valdés Nicole
Published: April 2024

La presente investigación destaca cómo el diseño urbano influye en la percepción de seguridad en la periferia de Santiago, abordando problemáticas de vivienda, movilidad y cohesión social en la búsqueda de vecindarios más seguros e integrados. Este estudio se centra en la relación entre el diseño urbano y la percepción de seguridad en la periferia de Santiago. A medida que las soluciones punitivas han demostrado ser ineficaces para abordar la inseguridad urbana, esta investigación se propone explorar cómo el diseño urbano puede influir en la percepción de seguridad de los habitantes. El caso de estudio se concentra en la Población Arquitecto O'herens en Recoleta, donde se han realizado recorridos y análisis fotográficos para identificar elementos espaciales que contribuyen a la sensación de inseguridad. Comparaciones con zonas similares en la periferia sur de Santiago ofrecen perspectivas adicionales. Los resultados revelan que la falta de coherencia en el diseño de calles, la desconexión entre viviendas y espacios públicos debido a muros ciegos y la falta de mantenimiento en áreas públicas son factores que contribuyen a la percepción de inseguridad. A través de este análisis, se destaca que la planificación urbana insuficiente ha llevado a una sensación de inseguridad entre los residentes, cuyo bienestar se ha visto afectado por la falta de integración de viviendas en el tejido urbano. Este estudio resalta la necesidad de considerar el diseño urbano adecuado como una herramienta esencial para mejorar la percepción de seguridad en la periferia urbana. Los hallazgos sugieren que un enfoque más integrado y centrado en el ciudadano podría tener un impacto significativo en la reducción de la sensación de inseguridad en estas áreas.
Orçamento público: um mapeamento da produção científica internacional
Authors: Batista Paula Preston Queiroz Leite , Costa Wênyka Preston Leite Batista da , Silva Jandeson Dantas da , Silva Sérgio Luiz Pedrosa da , Paiva Antonio Claúdio Noberto , Ramalho Keliane de Melo , Nascimento Ítalo Carlos Soares do , Melo Géison Calyo Varela de
Published: April 2024

Este trabalho tem como objetivo mapear em periódicos internacionais publicados na base da Scopus, a produção científica sobre Orçamento Público, na área de Ciências Contábeis, gestão e negócios. No que se refere aos procedimentos metodológicos adotados, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliométrica utilizando a base internacional Scopus com o termo “public budgeting” limitando o período de 2011 a 2021, tendo como amostra final da pesquisa 94 publicações a serem a analisadas. Os achados da pesquisa demonstram que os artigos analisados abordam diversas temáticas, entre elas, as considerações sobre as medidas de emergência orçamentárias, as principais lições e desafios futuros, bem como as respostas orçamentárias à pandemia da COVID-19, as pesquisas também abordaram a temática de orçamento participativo. As agendas de pesquisa sugeridas pelos pesquisadores recomendam temas atuais e significativos como as percepções e interesses que influenciam o controle orçamentário, bem como, a forma que os debates dramatizam os orçamentos públicos, no enfoque acadêmico, o estudo surge como guia para novas pesquisas. No impacto social essa pesquisa ressalta a atenção para as necessidades dos cidadãos, para facilitar as fases de planejamento orçamentário e melhorar a prestação de serviços públicos.
Перспективы развития солнечной энергетики
Authors: Аболмасов С. Н. , Теруков Евгений Иванович , Шахрай Игорь Степанович
Published: April 2024

Солнечная энергетика – одно из наиболее перспективных направлений развития возобновляемых источников энергии. Полная установленная мощность солнечных батарей в мире превысила к началу 2023 г. 1 175 ГВт с годовым приростом в 2022 г. 239 ГВт, на 45 % превышающим годовой прирост установленной мощности в 2021 г. Такой быстрый рост солнечной фотоэнергетики определяется в основном удешевлением себестоимости производства фотоэлектрических модулей. Благодаря этому солнечная энергетика достигла в ряде “солнечных” регионов мира конкурентоспособности (паритета) с сетевой электроэнергией без дополнительных мер государственной поддержки. Кристаллический кремний остаётся в мире основным материалом фотоэлектрических преобразователей для наземных солнечных модулей: на основе кристаллического кремния изготавливается более 95% всех модулей. Настоящий обзор посвящён перспективам развития этого направления.
Academic Inspirations and Prolific School Values among Public Elementary School Teachers
Authors: Polonio Emmalyn B. , Baguio Josephine B.
Published: April 2024

Public elementary school teachers face a demanding profession requiring academic knowledge and strong relationships with students. While many teachers likely possess these qualities, limited research explores the potential connection between a teacher's academic inspiration and their ability to cultivate positive school values. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between these two constructs among public elementary school teachers. Employing a non-experimental quantitative research design, specifically a correlational method, data were collected from 133 teachers selected through universal sampling. Analyses included mean calculation, Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. The findings indicated that public elementary school teachers often exhibit high levels of academic inspiration, particularly in innovation, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Similarly, teachers frequently demonstrate prolific school values such as fostering strong relationships, teaching essential social skills, serving as role models, establishing clear classroom and school rules, and acknowledging students for positive behavior choices. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant relationship between academic inspiration and prolific school values among public elementary school teachers. However, the domains of academic stimulation did not significantly influence school values within this context. These results suggest that efforts to enhance academic inspiration and prolific school values could be targeted to cultivate a predictable and supportive environment conducive to healthy teacher interactions, particularly in areas where assistance is needed. School administrators, therefore, may play a crucial role in facilitating such improvements.
Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-barr Virus and Herpes Simplex Viruses in Children Born HIV Positive at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: C.A. Mbongue-Mikangue , C.S. Sake , J. Njiki-Bikoi , M Mekounthe-Motso , W.F. Amagaga Abialina , L.B. Soh , A. Mahoumo Fodop , D.S. Mbaga , C.S. Kwedjeu , S.A. Touangnou-Chamba , A.U. Njiki Bikoi , S.H. Riwom Essama
Published: April 2024

Background: Cameroon is a country located in sub-Saharan Africa, which is an area endemic to herpesviridae family, there is very little data on the herpes virus infections epidemiology, especially associated with HIV infection.
Aims: The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of four herpes viruses that are cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) in HIV-positive patients in Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital.
Methodology: the study was prospective cross-sectional and took place at Yaounde University Teaching Hospital and Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, between November 2020 and April 2021. We included consecutively 74 on children living with HIV born HIV positive, on antiretroviral treatment (23 men, 51 women; age range 3-19 years), and whose medical file was complete and available within the ATC. IgG/IgM antibodies against HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, and IgM against EBV were qualitatively determined by Rapid Diagnostic Tests, for the detection of these pathogens. The statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22.0, the Fisher exact and the Khi-sqaure tests to compare qualitative variables between groups, while on the other hand, we used the Mann-Whitney test to compare quantitative variables. All P values below 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: A total of 74 participants were enrolled in the study with a female predominance of 68.92% (n=51/74). The average age of our serie was 9.05±5.09 years, and a majority of participants was under 10 years old (56.76%, n=42/74). HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV and CMV Seroprevalences were 93.24%, 93.24%, 22.97% and 12.2% respectively. Other parameters such as sex, age, stage of disease, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with the seropositivity of these herpesviridae.
Conclusion: Despite the absence for most of the clinical manifestations related to HSV-1 and HSV-2, it was strong to note a high circulation of those virus in HIV infected patients, mainly in bi and tri co-infections.
Comparison of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity under the Reclaimed Conditions of Salt Affected Soil
Authors: Lwin Khin Mar , Soe Yinn Mar , Ngwe Kyaw , Moe Kyi
Published: April 2024

Solving the soil problems that affect negatively on growth of plants and reduce the soil permeability is necessary for the study site, Thein Gone Village in Yamethin Township, Myanmar. The objectives of this study were; to identify the soil whether it is salt-affected or not and to investigate the proper reclamation method with different rates of amendments by comparing the saturated conductivity (Ks). Both composite (disturbed) and core (undisturbed) soil samplings were collected at three profiles (0 - 60 cm soil depth) during March, 2023. Some soil properties such as texture, bulk density (g cm-3), moisture content (%), ECe (electrical conductivity, saturated extract; mS cm-1), pH (1:5 water), SAR (sodium absorption ratio) and pH and EC of leaching water were also measured. Firstly, the study site was problematic with high pH due to Na+ distribution of underground water although there was some application of gypsum for a decade. Also, low permeability (Ks < 1x10-8 cm s-1) was another problem there. To leach the salt (EC < 1 mS cm-1 in leachate), 1500 cm3 of water was necessary for one core (98.21 cm3 soil volume). It was relatively high amount for using the quality-water. For reclamation methods, gypsum 5 t ha-1, sulphur 1 t ha-1, and cow-dung manure 20 t ha-1 gave the minimum (- log Ks) value among different rates of each amendment. The less the - log Ks, the more permeable the soil becomes. Among different amendments, gypsum 5 t ha-1 showed the fastest saturated hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, it is necessary to drain out the leachate to prevent the formation of saline -sodic soil.
Increasing Farmers Income through Demonstration of Climate Resilient Technology
Authors: Gogoi Rekhamoni , Bhuyan N. , Gogoi G. , Saud R.K. , Borthakur A. K. , Gogoi S. , Neog M.
Published: April 2024

The project TDC-NICRA (National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture) was initiated in KVK, Dhemaji from 2021-22 in Magurmari village of Simen-Chapori Block under the District Dhemaji. The village was affected by flood every year leaving the villagers in a state of destitute. Majority of the farmers of Magurmari village were marginal farmer. Flood, irrigation, water conservation, diseases infestation on plant and occupational migration were the major problem of the village due to which crop failure occurs which leads low income of the farmers. To establish climate resilient agriculture in Magurmari village Demonstration on submergence tolerant rice variety ‘Ranjit sub-1’, medium duration rice variety Numoli, Cultivation of megha turmeric through organic mulching, cultivation of rabi vegetables using paddy straw as organic mulch and Low cost raised bed vermicompost production interventions were taken up in magurmari village. The study revealed that these climate resililient technology weer provd to be boom in magurmari village which help the farmers to increase the farm production and their income to a great extent.
Biochemical and Haematological Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Sida cordifolia in Plasmodium beighei Infected Wistar Rats
Authors: Uko Ogwo Elisha , Nweke Obioma Elizabeth , Fidelis Okoye Ogochukwu , Dimgba Ubani Clement , Sani Suleiman Ali
Published: April 2024

Assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters can be predictive of the adverse effects resulting from ingesting foreign substances. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and haematological indices in Plasmodium beighei infected wistar rats.  Freshly harvested leaves of Sida cordifolia were washed and dried at room temperature, after which they were ground to fine powder and subsequently extracted. Twenty-five adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I was the normal control and was administered 2 ml of distilled of water. Group II was infected without treatment, while Group III and IV were infected and afterwards administered 200 and 400 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia respectively. Group V was administered the standard drug. Biochemical and haematological indices were determined using standard procedures. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) reported for group II (negative) control was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that reported for the normal control. However, oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of Sida cordifolia leaf extract significantly (P<0.05) increased it, though to a level which was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that reported for the normal control. Similar observation was made on Haemoglobin Concentration (Hb) and Red Blood Cell (RBC). However, a contrary observation was made on the white blood cell. Urea and creatinine reported for the negative control were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those reported for the normal control. However, the aforementioned parameters were significantly (P<0.05) reduced following oral administration of Sida cordifolia. In conclusion, it can be deduced from this study that Sida cordifolia leaf extract has the ability to restore distorted haematological and biochemical status resulting from P. berghei infection.
Effect of Organic Manures and Foliar Application on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata Nees.)
Authors: K Nadhiya Devi , Sivasankar S. , Kumaresan M. , Abhirami VA. , Khanchana K.
Published: April 2024

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of organic manures and foliar application of organics on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Kalmegh at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University to find out the suitable organic inputs and foliar organics for better growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Kalmegh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with twelve treatments and three replications comprising of a different combination (i) basal organics viz., Farm Yard Manure, Vermicompost and Pressmud (ii) foliar spray of organics viz., Panchagavya and Fish Amino Acid and untreated control. Among the twelve treatments, the plants which received Vermicompost at 5 t ha-1 + fish amino acid at 3% expressed higher values for the growth parameters viz., plant height (69.80 cm), number of branches plant-1 (25.13), number of leaves plant-1 (140.87). Physiological parameters viz., leaf area plant-1 (6.78), total dry matter production plant-1 (15.86 g plant-1). Yield parameters viz., fresh herbage yield plant-1 (42.74 g plant-1) and dry herbage yield plant-1 (14.24 g plant-1). Nutrient uptake viz., Nitrogen (38.97 Kg ha-1), Phosphorous (6.87 Kg ha-1) and Potassium (84.23 kg ha-1).
Effectiveness of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria on Enhancing Phosphorus Availability from Minjingu Phosphate Rock to Maize in Slightly Acid to Neutral Soils
Authors: Nhunda Daniel M. , Mwesige Finias Fidelis , Nsongoma Juma Lihwa , Nungula Emmanuel Z. , Mollel Seuri L.
Published: April 2024

The aim of this one-year field study was to evaluate the impact of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on increasing the availability of phosphorus locked up in insoluble Minjingu phosphate rock for the maize crop (Zea mays L.) in high soil pH. The study was carried out during one wet season in Nghumbi and Mlali villages in Kongwa District in the Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Based on the pH of their soil and the limiting nutrients, two farms from Mlali village and five from Nghumbi village were chosen at random for field trials. To determine the fertility status, composite soil samples were collected from the chosen farms and examined in a lab. Target treatments included the application of PSB inoculum in combination with various rates of Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 KgP ha-1) as a basal fertilizer, placed beneath maize seed and covered with a thin layer of soil. Using a fully randomised block design, the treatments were set up three times. Inadequate levels of N, P, K, and Zn were found in the research area's soil samples. Results indicated the main effect of fields’ characteristics from field No.2 had the highest yield to other fields with significantly (P< 0.001) highest grain yield being 4.4 t ha-1, biological yield of 5.6 t ha-1, and Straw P uptake of 19.63 kg ha-1. Using P or an inoculant (Mx) produced a negligible yield of grain and straw, according to the major effect of treatments. For the studied variables, none of the treatments showed any significant (P =0.427) interaction effects. An intriguing revelation that the study's maize response to native P is provided by interaction effects area is a factor of soil and amount of P released to the soil. We recommend more research on PSB for more than one season in high soil pH before ascertaining the technology to farmers.
Targeting Unique Features of Quiescent Cancer Stem Cells to Overcome Resistance and Recurrence in Cancer Therapy: A Review
Authors: Sentoso Joko Wibowo , Putra Agung , Alif Iffan
Published: April 2024

Quiescent cancer stem cells (QCSC) are non-proliferating cells that survive in the G0 phase and have low ki-67 expression and high p27 expression. QCSCs have the ability to evade most chemotherapy, and some subsequent treatments may result in a higher proportion of quiescent cancer stem cells in the tumor. QCSCs are also associated with cancer recurrence rates because they can re-enter the cell cycle to proliferate when tumor environmental conditions are favorable. QCSCs cause high rates of drug resistance and tumor recurrence, therefore it is necessary to understand the properties of QCSCs. QCSCs have a mechanism that regulates the transition between the proliferative phase and the stationary phase in cancer cells, therefore it is necessary to find new treatments to eliminate QCSCs in tumors. In this review, the authors discuss the mechanisms of QCSCs in inducing drug resistance and tumor recurrence as well as therapies to target QCSCs so that the rate of drug resistance and tumor recurrence can be reduced, including in this review: (i) identifying reactive quiescent cancer cells and eliminating them through anticancer reagents. cell cycle dependent; (ii) modulating the transition from the quiescent to the proliferative phase; and (iii) eliminate QCSC by targeting its unique features. Targeting cancer cells that are in proliferating and stationary phase may ultimately be used as a more effective therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Sosyal Bilgilerde Web 2.0 Temelli Dijital Afişlerle Vatandaşlık Eğitimi Çalışmaları
Authors: Aydın Mithat , Çelik Türkan
Published: April 2024

Bu araştırmanın amacı Web 2.0 temelli dijital afişlerle vatandaşlık konularının öğretimine yönelik sosyal bilgiler öğretmen adaylarının çalışmalarının incelenmesidir. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması kullanılmıştır. Araştırma 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılı bahar döneminde vatandaşlık bilgisi dersini alan 10 sosyal bilgiler öğretmen adayı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılar amaçlı örnekleme yöntemlerinden ölçüt örneklem tekniği ile seçilmiştir. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak gözlem ve görüşme notları ile öğrencilerin dijital afiş dokümanları kullanılmıştır. Veriler içerik analizi, betimsel analiz ve doküman analizleri bağlamında incelenmiştir. Çalışma bulgularında öğretmen adaylarının Web 2.0 temelli dijital afişlerle vatandaşlık bilgileri bağlamında sosyal bilgilerde etkinlik planları hazırlayabildikleri tespit edilmiştir. Katılımcıların en fazla dijital afişi 5. sınıf seviyesinde, en az dijital afişi ise 7. sınıf seviyesinde hazırladığı bulgulanmıştır. En fazla kullanılan dijital afiş uygulamasının Web 2.0 temelli “Piktochart” uygulaması en az kullandıkları uygulamaların ise “Visme”, “Canva” ve “Venngage” gibi uygulamalar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca katılımcıların sürece ilişkin görüşlerinden öğretmen olarak katkıları, sosyal bilgiler öğretim programı ile bütünleştirme, dijital afiş çalışmasının katkıları, dijital afişlerle farkındalık oluşturma şeklinde dört temaya ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonuçları bağlamında öneriler sunulmuştur.
Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis: Implications for severity with special reference to Mongolian spots associated with Sturge–Weber and Klippel–Trenaunay syndromes
Authors: Hall Bryan D. , Cadle Ronald G. , Morrill‐Cornelius Shannon M. , Bay Carolyn A.
Published: March 2008

In 1947 the term phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) was coined to represent the association of widespread, aberrant, and persistent nevus flammeus and pigmentary abnormalities. Four types of PPV have been recognized with type II (nevus flammeus and Mongolian spots) being the most common. Most early cases were of Asian or African descent. Many cases were subsequently associated with Sturge–Weber (S‐W) and Klippel–Trenaunay (K‐T) syndromes. Almost no literature reports have appeared in the genetic or dysmorphology literature! We present six cases of PPV in which five were either African, Asian or Hispanic, and five of six had an admixture of K‐T and S‐W. Four had macrocephaly, and one had microcephaly. Four had CNS abnormalities (three with hydrocephalus, one with Arnold–Chiari and one with polymicrogyria), three had mental retardation, and one had seizures. One each had thumb hypoplasia, hydronephrosis, glaucoma, coronal synostosis, and 3–4 finger syndactyly. It is our suspicion and hypothesis that in the presence of persistent, extensive and aberrant Mongolian spots, vascular abnormalities as are seen in K‐T and S‐W carry a worse prognosis. This may be particularly true either of children of Asian, Hispanic or African heritage or any individuals from darker pigmented skin groups. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Absence of the 7‐repeat variant of the DRD4 VNTR is associated with drifting sustained attention in children with ADHD but not in controls
Authors: Johnson Katherine A. , Kelly Simon P. , Robertson Ian H. , Barry Edwina , Mulligan Aisling , Daly Michael , Lambert David , McDonnell Caroline , Connor Thomas J. , Hawi Ziarih , Gill Michael , Bellgrove Mark A.
Published: March 2008

Many genetic studies have demonstrated an association between the 7‐repeat (7r) allele of a 48‐base pair variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in exon 3 of the DRD4 gene and the phenotype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have shown inconsistent associations between the 7r allele and neurocognitive performance in children with ADHD. We investigated the performance of 128 children with and without ADHD on the Fixed and Random versions of the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). We employed time‐series analyses of reaction‐time data to allow a fine‐grained analysis of reaction time variability, a candidate endophenotype for ADHD. Children were grouped into either the 7r‐present group (possessing at least one copy of the 7r allele) or the 7r‐absent group. The ADHD group made significantly more commission errors and was significantly more variable in RT in terms of fast moment‐to‐moment variability than the control group, but no effect of genotype was found on these measures. Children with ADHD without the 7r allele made significantly more omission errors, were significantly more variable in the slow frequency domain and showed less sensitivity to the signal (d') than those children with ADHD the 7r and control children with or without the 7r. These results highlight the utility of time‐series analyses of reaction time data for delineating the neuropsychological deficits associated with ADHD and the DRD4 VNTR. Absence of the 7‐repeat allele in children with ADHD is associated with a neurocognitive profile of drifting sustained attention that gives rise to variable and inconsistent performance. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transmission disequilibrium testing of the chromosome 15q11‐q13 region in autism
Authors: Kim Soo‐Jeong , Brune Camille W. , Kistner Emily O. , Christian Susan L. , Courchesne Eric H. , Cox Nancy J. , Cook Edwin H.
Published: March 2008

Evidence implicates the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and the 15q11‐q13 genes as candidates for autism as well as restricted repetitive behavior (RRB). We conducted dense transmission disequilibrium mapping of the 15q11‐q13 region with 93 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 86 strictly defined autism trios and tested association between SNPs and autism using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT). As exploratory analyses, parent‐of‐origin effects were examined using likelihood‐ratio tests (LRTs) and genotype–phenotype associations for specific RRB using the Family‐Based Association Test (FBAT). Additionally, gene–gene interactions between nominally associated 15q11‐q13 variants and 5‐HTTLPR, the common length polymorphism of SLC6A4, were examined using conditional logistic regression (CLR). TDT revealed nominally significant transmission disequilibrium between autism and five SNPs, three of which are located within close proximity of the GABAA receptor subunit gene clusters. Three SNPs in the SNRPN/UBE3A region had marginal imprinting effects. FBAT for genotype–phenotype relations revealed nominally significant association between two SNPs and one ADI‐R subdomain item. However, both TDT and FBAT were not statistically significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. Gene–gene interaction analyses by CLR revealed additive genetic effect models, without interaction terms, fit the data best. Lack of robust association between the 15q11‐q13 SNPs and RRB phenotypes may be due to a small sample size and absence of more specific RRB measurement. Further investigation of the 15q11‐q13 region with denser genotyping in a larger sample set may be necessary to determine whether this region confers risk to autism, indicated by association, or to specific autism phenotypes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortical enlargement in autism is associated with a functional VNTR in the monoamine oxidase A gene
Authors: Davis Lea K. , Hazlett Heather C. , Librant Amy L. , Nopoulos Peggy , Sheffield Val C. , Piven Joesph , Wassink Thomas H.
Published: March 2008

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is an enzyme expressed in the brain that metabolizes dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin. Abnormalities of serotonin neurotransmission have long been implicated in the psychopathology of autism. A polymorphism exists within the promoter region of the MAOA gene that influences MAOA expression levels so that “low activity” alleles are associated with increased neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Individuals with autism often exhibit elevated serotonin levels. Additional studies indicate that the “low activity” allele may be associated with lower IQ and more severe autistic symptoms. In this study we genotyped the MAOA promoter polymorphism in a group of 29 males (age 2–3 years) with autism and a group of 39 healthy pediatric controls for whom brain MRI data was available. We found a consistent association between the “low activity” allele and larger brain volumes for regions of the cortex in children with autism but not in controls. We did not find evidence for over‐transmission of the “low activity” allele in a separate sample of 114 affected sib pair families. Nor did we find any unknown SNPs in yet another sample of 96 probands. Future studies will determine if there is a more severe clinical phenotype associated with both the “low activity” genotype and the larger brain volumes in our sample. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.