bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Have female twisted-wing parasites (Insecta: Strepsiptera) evolved tolerance traits as response to traumatic penetration?
Authors: Jandausch Kenny , Michels Jan , Kovalev Alexander , Gorb Stanislav N. , van de Kamp Thomas , Beutel Rolf Georg , Niehuis Oliver , Pohl Hans
Published: August 2022

Traumatic insemination describes an unusual form of mating during which a male penetrates the body wall of its female partner to inject sperm. Females unable to prevent traumatic insemination have been predicted to develop either traits of tolerance or of resistance, both reducing the fitness costs associated with the male-inflicted injury. The evolution of tolerance traits has previously been suggested for the bed bug. Here we present data suggesting that tolerance traits also evolved in females of the twisted-wing parasite speciesStylops ovinaeandXenos vesparum. Using micro-indentation experiments and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we found that females of both investigated species possess a uniform resilin-rich integument that is notably thicker at penetration sites than at control sites. As the thickened cuticle does not seem to hamper penetration by males, we hypothesise that thickening of the cuticle resulted in reduced penetration damage and loss of haemolymph and in improved wound sealing. To evaluate the evolutionary relevance of theStylops-specific paragenital organ and penis shape variation in the context of inter- and intraspecific competition, we conducted attraction and interspecific mating experiments, as well as a geometric-morphometric analysis ofS. ovinaeandX. vesparumpenises. We found thatS. ovinaefemales indeed attract sympatrically distributed congeneric males. However, only conspecific males were able to mate. In contrast, we did not observe any heterospecific male attraction byXenosfemales. We therefore hypothesise that the paragenital organ in the genusStylopsrepresents a prezygotic mating barrier that prevents heterospecific matings.
Rainforest conversion to rubber and oil palm reduces abundance, biomass and diversity of canopy spiders
Authors: Ramos Daniel , Hartke Tamara R. , Buchori Damayanti , Dupérré Nadine , Hidayat Purnama , Lia Mayanda , Harms Danilo , Scheu Stefan , Drescher Jochen
Published: August 2022

Rainforest canopies, home to one of the most complex and diverse terrestrial arthropod communities, are threatened by conversion of rainforest into agricultural production systems. However, little is known about how predatory arthropod communities respond to such conversion. To address this, we compared canopy spider (Araneae) communities from lowland rainforest with those from three agricultural systems in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, i.e., jungle rubber (rubber agroforest) and monoculture plantations of rubber and oil palm. Using canopy fogging, we collected 10,676 spider specimens belonging to 36 families and 445 morphospecies. The four most abundant families (Salticidae N = 2,043, Oonopidae N = 1,878, Theridiidae N = 1,533 and Clubionidae N = 1,188) together comprised 62.2% of total individuals, while the four most speciose families, Salticidae (S = 87), Theridiidae (S = 83), Araneidae (S = 48) and Thomisidae (S = 39), contained 57.8% of all morphospecies identified. In lowland rainforest, average abundance, biomass and species richness of canopy spiders was at least twice as high as in rubber or oil palm plantations, with jungle rubber showing similar abundances as rainforest, and intermediate biomass and richness. Community composition of spiders was similar in rainforest and jungle rubber, but differed from rubber and oil palm, which also differed from each other. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that canopy openness, aboveground tree biomass and tree density together explained 18.2% of the variation in spider communities at family level. On a morphospecies level, vascular plant species richness and tree density significantly affected the community composition but explained only 6.8% of the variance. While abundance, biomass and diversity of spiders declined strongly with the conversion of rainforest into monoculture plantations of rubber and oil palm, we also found that a large proportion of the rainforest spider community can thrive in extensive agroforestry systems such as jungle rubber. Despite being very different from rainforest, the canopy spider communities in rubber and oil palm plantations may still play a vital role in the biological control of canopy herbivore species, thus contributing important ecosystem services. The components of tree and palm canopy structure identified as major determinants of canopy spider communities may aid in decision-making processes toward establishing cash-crop plantation management systems which foster herbivore control by spiders.
Coping with the Future: Theories and Practices of Divination in East Asia. Edited by Michael Lackner
Authors: Field Stephen L.
Published: August 2022

Coping with the Future: Theories and Practices of Divination in East Asia. Edited by Michael

Lackner. Sinica Leidensia, vol. 138. Leiden: Brill, 2017. Pp. xvi + 586. €149, $172.
Traditional Yemeni Scholarship amidst Political Turmoil and War: Muḥammad b. Muḥammad b. Ismāʿīl b. al-Muṭahhar al-Manṣūr (1915–2016) and His Personal Library. By Sabine Schmidtke
Authors: Varisco Daniel M.
Published: August 2022

Traditional Yemeni Scholarship amidst Political Turmoil and War: Muḥammad b. Muḥammad b. Ismāʿīl b. al-Muṭahhar al-Manṣūr (1915–2016) and His Personal Library. By Sabine Schmidtke. Series Islamo-Arabica, vol. 1. Cordoba: Cordoba University Press, 2018. Pp. 213 + 87 (Ar.), illus. €40.
Controversies in Formative Shi‘i Islam: The Ghulat Muslims and Their Beliefs. By Mushegh Asatryan
Authors: Hayes Edmund
Published: August 2022

Controversies in Formative Shi‘i Islam: The Ghulat Muslims and Their Beliefs. By Mushegh Asatryan. Shi‘i Heritage Series, vol. 4. London: I.B. Tauris, in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, London, 2016. Pp. xviii + 206. $48.50, £29.50.
“Die Geheimnisse der Vorväter”: Edition, Übersetzung und Kommentierung einer esoterischen mandäischen Handschrift aus der Bodleian Library Oxford. By Bogdan Burtea
Authors: Häberl Charles G.
Published: August 2022

“Die Geheimnisse der Vorväter”: Edition, Übersetzung und Kommentierung einer esoterischen mandäischen Handschrift aus der Bodleian Library Oxford. By Bogdan Burtea. Mandäistische Forschungen, vol. 5. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, 2015. Pp. 153, illus. €49.
World in a Book: Al-Nuwayri and the Islamic Encyclopedic Tradition. By Elias Muhanna
Authors: Ghersetti Anotonella
Published: August 2022

The World in a Book: Al-Nuwayri and the Islamic Encyclopedic Tradition. By Elias Muhanna. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2018. Pp. xiii + 214. $39.95.
The Ethical Thesis: Practical Reason in Islamic Legal Hermeneutics. By Abdessamad BelhaJ
Authors: Reinhart A. Kevin
Published: August 2022

The Ethical Thesis: Practical Reason in Islamic Legal Hermeneutics. By Abdessamad BelhaJ. Documenta et Monographiae, vol. 8. Piliscsaba, Hungary: Avicenna institute of Middle Eastern Studies, 2015. Pp. 199. €38.80.
Lives of the Prophets: The Illustrations to Hafiz-i Abru’s ‘Assembly of Chronicles’. By Mohamad Reza Ghiasian
Authors: Milstein Rachel
Published: August 2022

Lives of the Prophets: The Illustrations to Hafiz-i Abru’s ‘Assembly of Chronicles’. By Mohamad Reza Ghiasian. Studies in Persian Cultural History, vol. 16. Leiden: Brill, 2018. Pp. xv + 343. $159, €132.
Lapis and Gold: Exploring Chester Beatty’s Ruzbihan Qurʾan. By Elaine Wright
Authors: Kropf Evyn
Published: August 2022

Lapis and Gold: Exploring Chester Beatty’s Ruzbihan Qurʾan. By Elaine Wright.

London: Ad Ilissum, 2018. Pp. xvi + 320, color illus. $120, £90.00, €100.
Memory in Medieval China: Text, Ritual, and Community. Edited by Wendy Swartz and Robert Ford Campany
Authors: Bizais-Lillig Marie
Published: August 2022

Memory in Medieval China: Text, Ritual, and Community. Edited by Wendy Swartz and Robert Ford Campany. Sinica Leidensia, vol. 140. Leiden: Brill, 2017. Pp. x + 270. €99, $119.
Etrog: How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol and The Etrog Citron (Citrus medica L): Tradition and Research. Essays on the Scientific, Halachic and Historical Significance of the Etrog
Authors: Weingarten Susan
Published: August 2022

Etrog: How a Chinese Fruit Became a Jewish Symbol. By David Z. Moster . New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. Pp. xv + 144, illus. $54.99. The Etrog Citron (Citrus medica L): Tradition and Research. Essays on the Scientific, Halachic and Historical Significance of the Etrog. Edited by eliezer goldSchmidT and moShe bar-JoSeph . Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook, 2018 . Pp. 24 + 14 + 480, illus. IS96. [Hebrew with English abstracts]
Effect of Ionic Calcium and Vitamin D3 in Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density of Paediatric Epileptic Patients on Antiepileptic Drugs
Authors: Ajmal Rahim Sheeja , Sengar Ghanshyam Singh , Keerti Gogra
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic conditions occurring in persons under 21 years of age. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among children with epilepsy. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are associated with decreased Bone Mineral Density (BMD) as AEDs increase catabolism of 25-hydroxy vitamin D by induction of the hepatic P 450 enzyme system, which leads to relative hypocalcaemia, increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and subsequently low BMD. Aim: To evaluate the association of ionic calcium and vitamin D3 in paediatric epileptic patients who were on AEDs with BMD. Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study carried out at Department of Paediatrics, SPMC, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India from December 2020 to November 2021. A total of 150 epileptic patients aged 5 to 15 years who were on AED therapy for more than six months and a comparable group of 130 age and gender matched healthy individuals participated in this study. Serum vitamin D3, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), ionic calcium and phosphorous levels were assessed and compared between both the groups. Using OSTEOPRO DEXA BMD at the lumbar spine was calculated. Mann-Whitney test and t-test were used to compare quantitative data whereas Chi-square test was used to compare qualitative data in two groups. Non parametric tests (Spearman Correlation) were used to explore the correlation between the two variables. The p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of study group and control group were 9.94±2.61 years and 10.09±2.53 years respectively. Mean serum ionic calcium (1.09±0.13 mmol/L) was significantly lower in study group as compared to controls (1.15±0.13 mmol/L) with p-value <0.001. Mean serum phosphorous and serum ALP levels were not significantly different in study and control group. The mean Vitamin D3 level (16.70±5.35 ng/mL) was lower in children receiving AEDs as compared to controls (19.08±5.39 ng/mL) with p-value <0.001. Serum levels of ionic calcium and Vitamin D3 were found to be significantly lower in groups with polytherapy and enzyme inducer group of AEDs (p<0.05) whereas only statistically significant difference in vitamin D3 was found in subjects with more than two years of AED therapy. The mean Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Apparent Density (LSBMAD) of the study and control group were 0.47±0.14 g/cm² and 0.61±0.12 g/cm² respectively. Conclusion: Epileptic children receiving multiple drugs for longer duration showed more decline in calcium and serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D compared to those with single drug for shorter duration.
Assessment of Irrigation Water Loss and Water Balance in the Thenpennaiyaru Basin of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Venkatesh M. , Vidhyavathi A. , Kumar D. Suresh , Raviraj A. , Duraisamy M. R. , Harishankar K.
Published: August 2022

This study employed a comprehensive technique for the systematic estimate of the water balance in Thenpennaiyaru river basin irrigation systems (TRB-IS) in Tamil Nadu, India. KRP reservoir and Sathanur reservoir in TRB are the primary water sources in the study area. We computed the actual water loss in open canals (e.g., leakage and evaporation). A water balance technique provides for the accounting of various system volume inputs (e.g., water abstraction, imported water, water volume owing to precipitation or surface runoff), authorized consumptions, and water losses in canals and intermediate reservoirs. The proposed methodology enables the evaluation of various water loss components (e.g., evaporation losses, unauthorized uses, metering errors, leakage, and discharges) and the calculation of water loss performance indicators that enable the identification of the most significant water loss problems and provide guidance for managing water losses. The approach is evaluated and implemented using a hybrid irrigation system. Results indicate that discharges in canal systems account for over half of the total volume of water loss, followed by leakage in canals and metering problems. These findings emphasize the need to enhance the everyday operation of these systems and restore their infrastructures.
Influence of Chitosan Coating on Shelf-Life, Biochemical Properties and Nutrient Elements of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) during Postharvest Storage
Authors: Zakir H. M. , Saha Sushmi , Rahman Md. Shahinur
Published: August 2022

Post-harvest loss of different vegetables in Bangladesh is widespread due to the lack of suitable technologies. A laboratory trial was conducted to assess the effect of chitosan coating on weight loss, shelf-life, biochemical qualities and mineral elements of carrots at postharvest storage. At room temperature (≈23-25ºC), four treatments were selected with different chitosan solutions (0.00%, 0.10%, 0.20% and 0.30%). Matured carrots were collected at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days after postharvest storage (DAPS) for weight loss, while the shelf-life data were measured at 4 and 8 DAPS. On the other hand, carrots were collected at 0 (fresh) and 8 DAPS to determine total sugar, phenolic and mineral contents (Ca, Mg, P, S, Na, and K). Compared to control, the application of 0.30% chitosan coating preserved weight loss by 1.48% at 8 DAPS. The results also showed that applying 0.30% chitosan coating significantly (P ≤ 0.05) extended the shelf-life of carrots up to 35% at 8 DAPS compared to the control. Chitosan coatings also enhanced the loss of total sugars and contents of Mg in carrots during postharvest storage. However, total phenolic contents in carrots decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) during postharvest storage, and the application of chitosan was unable to protect them. The study concluded that chitosan coating with 0.30% solution might be used to prevent weight loss, extend shelf-life, and improve some nutritional qualities of carrots viz., Ca, Na, K, P and S.
Effect of Organic Nutrients on Growth and Flowering Attributes of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Terai Region of West Bengal
Authors: Buthe Mahadevappa , Sarkar Indrajit , Kishore Bellapakonda Goutham , Maitra Soumen , Khan Arpita Mandal , Chatterjee Ranjit , Roy Ayon
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was conductedat Instructional farm, Department of Floriculture, Medicinal and Aromatic plants, Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya during 2019-2020 to study the “Effect of organic nutrients on growth and flowering attributes of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under Terai region of West Bengal” with the objectives of different organic inputs for production of quantitative and qualitative flowers of African Marigold. Now a day’s organic cultivation practices have immense potentiality due to huge demand as because it resulted low health hazards as well as gave pollution free environment and improved soil fertility. The experiment was laid out by following Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, consists of two factors in which first factor was varieties (Pusa Bahar-V1 and Pusa Narangi Gainda- V2)and second factor was ten treatments combination. Different Organic nutrients like Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost, Poultry Manure, Sea Weed extract, Vermi wash and Mustard oil cake extract used in the experiments as basal application and foliar spray according to the treatments. The vegetative and floral attributes were recorded at peak flowering stage and the data was statisticallyanalysed. The data was significantly differed among the varieties, treatments and different treatment combinations with varieties. Between the two varieties, var.Pusa Narangi Gainda (V2) showed early flowering compared to var. Pusa Bahar (V1) but the longer duration of flowering (49.41 days) was observed with the var. Pusa Bahar (V1). Among the ten treatments,the treatment T10 (Poultry Manure @ 2.5t/ha + Vermiwash @ 3%) resulted the best against the important flowering parameters like total number of flowers per plant (55.73) and weight of ten fresh flowers (103.08 g). The var.Pusa Narangi Gainda when treated with Poultry Manure @ 2.5t/ha + Vermiwash @ 3% (T10)showed better performance in respect of several morphological and quality parameters of African Marigold. It may be recommended that the application of Poultry Manure@ 2.5t/ha as basal with combination of Vermi wash @3% spraying attwice (30 and 45 days after transplanting) during the plant growth for quantitative and qualitative producesof African Marigold in the terai region of West Bengal.
Influence of Varied Plant Densities and Nitrogen Doses on Growth and Yield of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Under High Density Planting System
Authors: Kavya D. , Kumari Ch. Pragathi , Sreenivas G. , Ramprakash T. , Triveni S.
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was conducted at College farm, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Hyderabad during kharif, 2021-22 to study the growth and yield of Bt cotton as influenced by varied plant densities and nitrogen doses under high density planting system. The results revealed that among plant densities, plant height (102.8 cm) and drymatter production (7396 kg ha-1) were higher with spacing of 90 x 15 cm (74,074 plants ha-1) and was on par with spacing of 90 x 20 cm (55,555 plants ha-1). Whereas, sympodial branches plant-1 (21.0) and leaf area (4143 cm2 plant-1) were recorded higher with spacing of 90 x 60 cm (18,518 plants ha-1). Even though at spacing 90 x 60 cm (18,518 plants ha-1) showed more number of picked bolls plant-1 (18.2), boll weight (5.10 g) but 90 x 15 cm spacing (74,074 plants ha-1) showed significantly higher seed cotton yield (2176 kg ha-1) which was at par with 90 x 20 cm (55,555 plants ha-1) (2052 kg ha-1). In case of nitrogen doses, application of 180 kg N ha-1 recorded higher growth parameters like plant height (103.2 cm), sympodial branches plant-1 (20.8), drymatter production (6952 kg ha-1) and leaf area (3826 cm2 plant-1). Whereas, application of 150 kg N ha-1 recorded higher seed cotton yield (2072 kg ha-1) with more number of picked bolls plant-1 (12.9) and higher boll weight (4.87 g) over other nitrogen doses tested.
Effect of Combined Application of Herbicides on Weed Flora, Yield Attributes, Yield and Profitability of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Kumar Rajesh , Singh Vikash , Verma Shikhar , Verma Vivek , Maurya Durgesh Kumar
Published: August 2022

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) commonly known as gram or Bengal gram belongs to the family Leguminaceae (Fabaceae). It's one of the most important rabi season pulse crops grown in India for economic importance and to improve soil fertility. The productivity of chickpea is low despite of having high-yielding varieties and new agronomic practices. One of the causes of poor productivity is the infestation of weeds in the field of chickpea. It is a poor competitor to weeds because of its slow growth rate and limited leaf area development at early stages. To overcome this, a field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2021-22 at the Agronomy Research Farm of the Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (UP). Replicated thrice set of eleven treatments (T1) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE,(T2) Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE,(T3) Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T4) Propaquizafop 10 EC @ 0.075 kg a.i./ha PoE,(T5) Quizalfop ethyl 5 EC @ 40 g a.i./ha PoE, (T6) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE followed by (Fb) Imazethapyr 10% SL @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T7) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb by Propaquizafop 10 EC @ 0.075 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T8) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb by Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha PoE, (T9) Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha pE fb by Quizalfop ethyl 5 EC @ 40 g a.i./ha PoE, (T10) Weed free and (T11) Weedy check, was laid out in randomized block design. Weed management was done as per treatment. Other crop management practices were followed as per the recommendation of the area. Pendimethalin @1.0 kg a.i./ha PE fb Clodinafop propargyl 15 WP @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha as PoE during the experiment recorded significantly less weed density, weed dry matter, and higher weed control efficiency, yield attributes (number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod and test weight), yield (grain yield, stover yield, biological yield, and harvest yield). Economically it recorded higher gross returns, the net return, and B:C ratio was noted and proved to be more remunerative as compared to other herbicide applications used in chickpea crop.
Comparative Physiology and Antioxidant Response of Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Seedlings under the Iso-osmotic Potential of Salinity and Drought Stress
Authors: Chettri P. , Atta K. , Jana K. , K. Pal A.
Published: August 2022

Aims: This study's objective was to determine how early-stage grass pea seedlings will respond to salinity and drought stress with iso-osmotic potential, emphasising ROS-scavenging enzymes.

Study Design: Completely randomized design.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory studies on the grass pea varieties BK-14 and Pratik were carried out in the academic years 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 at the Department of Plant Physiology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India.

Methodology: Sodium chloride and PEG 6000 solutions with iso-osmotic potentials of -0.2, -0.4, and -0.8 MPa were used to study salinity's effects and drought stress. The experiment was conducted in sand culture using modified Hoagland solution under diffused light, at a temperature of 22°C and an approximate relative humidity (R.H.) of 80±1%.

Results: Results indicated that drought stress was found to produce more adverse effects on seedling dry weight and lipid peroxidation in comparison with iso-osmotic potential of salinity stress. Variety BK-14 was found to be more tolerant than Pratik for seedling dry weight at the highest intensity of drought stress. The data further indicated that drought- induced more accumulation of phenol in the leaf as well than iso-osmotic salinity stress. The activities of four ROS scavenging enzymes (viz, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase) in leaves mostly showed a sigmoidal pattern of changes under varying levels of both stresses. Comparative analysis indicated that Pratik registered higher activities of two peroxidases, viz, GPOX and APX, under higher levels of drought stress while BK 14 registered higher activities under salinity stress. However, BK-14 was found to register a higher increase in SOD activity at the most intense level of salinity and drought stress as compared to Pratik.

Conclusion: In the present experiment, it was discovered that BK-14 was generally more tolerant than Pratik for seedling growth under the utmost level of stress. This may be explained by the stronger antioxidative mechanism it exhibited in the present experiment under the conditions of the maximum stress, as generated by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic components.
Effect of COVID-19 on the Need for and Access to Family Planning among Nigerian Women: Secondary Analysis of an International Survey
Authors: Kolawole Olanrewaju , Ibagbe Mufulihat T. , Ugochukwu Promise C. , Olorunfemi Daniel T. , Okoro Chinedu T. , Arinze Paul O. , Odeniyi Philip O. , Omole Adedapo O. , Raheem AbdulRasaq T. , Adebayo Oluwasegun M. , Bazuaye Oghogho M. , Ujiogba Favour T.
Published: August 2022

During the lockdown, there was a disruption in the provision of and access to family planning (FP) services in developing countries due to the covid 19 pandemic mostly because of restrictions on transportation, border closures, and closure of some healthcare institutions.

Aim: This study examined the impact of covid-19 on the need for and access to family planning among Nigerian women and access to family planning among Nigerian women.

Methods: Secondary data was used and the dataset was obtained from the COVID-19 Health Services Disruption Survey 2020 conducted by Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (B, MGF), and Premise Data Corporation. Respondents were women between 15 - 49 years. Data were collected from 12, 354 respondents, and 391 were from Nigeria. Variables were measured immediately before the pandemic and during the pandemic (December 2019 – June 2020). Analysis was done using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. To summarize data, descriptive analyses such as mean, frequency, and percentages were used. Proportions were calculated to measure the association between the outcome and the independent variables with a 95% confidence interval.

Results: 46.5% of the respondents were 25 years old or younger. The proportion of women who reported needing FP services decreased slightly pre and during the pandemic (12.0% to 11.3%) but it was not statistically significant. There was a 4.7% decrease in accessing FP services which was also statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study found a slight decrease in the need for FP. This could be due to movement restrictions or a fear of contracting the virus from clinics, which would discourage people from seeking FP services. Anxiety and psychological stress caused by the pandemic would reduce the desire for sex and influence the perceived need for FP.
Length-Weight Relationship and the Distribution of Intestinal Helminth Parasites in Freshwater Fishes from Amansea and Ebenebe Rivers in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Obiageli A. Okeke , W. Obinna Obinabo , Imakwu C. A. , C. Janefrances Okeke , N. Chinwendu Okafor , Nwadike C. C. , O. Nnatuanya I. , I. Afoemezie P.
Published: August 2022

Aims: The current study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of intestinal helminths in freshwater fishes. 

Study Design:  The study was a survey done to establish the type of intestinal parasite found in freshwater fish in the rivers.

Place and Duration of Study: The fish samples were collected from Amansea and Ebenebe Rivers from November 2021 to January 2022.

Methodology:  Intestinal parasites of three (3) fish species commonly found in these rivers (Parachanna obscura, Clarias gariepinus, and Ctenopoma kingsleyae) were examined. A comparative evaluation of the prevalence and distribution of the parasite was done in relation to their gender, location, weight, and length.

Results: A total of 24 fish samples were collected in the Amansea River and 26 samples were collected in Ebenebe River. Seventeen (17) samples of P. obscura, 21 samples of C. gariepinus and 12 samples of C. kingsleyae caught with the cast nets of various mesh sizes and gill traps by artisanal fishermen in Rivers were bought early in the morning, transported to the Laboratory and identified based on morphological features.  Out of a total of 50 fish sampled, 17 fishes (34% of the total sample) were infected by intestinal helminths.  P. obscura had the highest parasite prevalence (47.06%) followed by C. gariepinus (42.86%). However, no parasite was recorded in C. kingsleyae.  Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Ebenebe (18.00%) was higher than in Amansea (16.00) with a significant difference in prevalence (p<0.05), while parasite abundance was higher in Amansea (50.94%) than in Ebenebe (49.06%) with significant difference (p<0.05). Females had the highest prevalence (35.00%) against male fishes (33.33%) with no significant difference.   A total number of 53 parasites belonging to 7 genera were recovered in this study. Parasites identified were nematodes: Procamallanus sp. (41.5%), Camallanus sp. (9.43%), Rhabdochona sp. (26.42%), Contracaecum sp. (7.55%), and Spinitectus sp. (5.66%); cestodes: Polyonchobothrium sp. (5.66%); and trematodes: Clinostomum sp (3.77%). The highest parasite abundance was recorded in Procamallanus sp. (41.5%), while Clinostomum sp had the least (3.77%).

Conclusion:  This study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites in freshwater fish is relatively high. Therefore, fish consumers should subject the fish to proper processing before consumption as some of these parasites are of zoonotic importance.
Batch Mode Biomethane Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) with Cassava Peels and Cabbage Waste
Authors: Nwaneri C. B. , Akujobi C. O. , Okorondu S. I. , Umeh S. I. , Opurum C. C.
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to investigate anaerobic co-digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) with cassava peels (CP) and cabbage waste (CW) for biomethane production. The anaerobic digestion (AD) in 10L capacity bioreactors loaded separately with three different ratios (3L/ 520g, 3L/ 600g and 3L/ 680g) of POME/CP, POME/CW and POME only (control) was operated under ambient temperature (25 - 36⁰C) and pH range of 6.5 - 8.5 for 45 days. Standard methods were adopted in the characterization of the bioreactor feeds and microbiological study. The biomethane content of the biogas was determined using Gas Chromatography (GC). The results showed the presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp Salmonella sp among others. Fungal isolates identified include Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillum, and Geotrichum species. The mean cumulative biogas yield recorded in bioreactors charged with POME/ CP 520g, POME/ CP 600g, POME/ CP 680g and POME/CW 520g, POME/CW 600g, POME/CW 680g were 7.08, 5.18, 9.06, 9.13, 9.28 and 8.33 dm3, respectively, whereas POME alone (control) was 4.64 dm3. The best performance in biogas yield was exhibited by POME/CW 600g (9.28dm3), and the highest percentage biomethane content (68.80%). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in biogas yield in all the treatments compared to control (POME alone) except in POME/CP 3L: 520g and POME/CP 3L: 600g. The results have shown that biogas production and biomethane content could be efficiently improved via co-digestion process, depending on the substrates used as feedstock.
Effect of Near-Earth Surface Temperature on Soil Temperature at 5 cm Depth
Authors: Adebayo O. C. , Lawal Y. B. , Obasi-Oma O. R. , Ojo J. S.
Published: August 2022

The research investigates the effects of ground surface temperature (air temperature) on soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm. The study covers a period of fourteen (14) months from May 2010 to June 2011 in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria. With the aid of an automatic weather station, temperature readings were taken at a depth of 5 cm below the soil surface at five (5) minute intervals daily. It was also observed that many analyses of soil temperature are based on the theories of heat flow and energy balance. The study reveals that surface temperature has a weak effect on soil temperature. The best correlation coefficient obtained for the study period is about 0.56 with a quadratic equation of order 2 at 5% significance level. This implies that air temperature cannot be solely used to predict soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm. A study of diurnal variation reveals that air temperature is usually higher than soil temperature during the day, and vice versa. The study also revealed that surface and soil temperatures are generally lower during the wet months when compared with the dry months. The wet season average daily temperatures are 23.42oC and 27.69oC for air and soil while the corresponding dry season values are 33.92oC and 30.91oC respectively. The results are recommended for agricultural purposes such as determination of soil and environmental conditions for crop production.
Clear cell papulosis: an immunohistochemical study to determine histogenesis
Authors: Kim You Chan , Mehregan David A. , Bang Dongsik
Published: July 2002

Clear cell papulosis is a rarely described disease characterized by multiple white maculopapules. Histopathologically, diagnostic clear cells are seen mainly among the basal cells of the epidermis. The origin of the clear cells has been thought to be eccrine or apocrine secretory cells in the epidermis because of the positive immunostaining with anticytokeratin antibody AE1, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial membrane antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein‐15. IKH‐4 and CEA have been reported to stain the eccrine secretory cells, but not the apocrine secretory cells. On the contrary, lysozyme has been reported to stain apocrine glands, but not eccrine glands. CAM5.2 has been reported to show a positive reaction to staining in secretory cells of eccrine glands, but only occasional weak staining in the inner surface of eccrine ducts. In our study, the clear cells in the epidermis stained with IKH‐4, CEA and CAM5.2, but not with lysozyme. These results suggest that the clear cells may be eccrine secretory cells.
Nurses’ responses to people with schizophrenia
Authors: Rogers Timothy Stewart , Kashima Yoshihisa
Published: July 2002

General nurses, psychiatric nurses and lay people were investigated to identify differences between their personal standards concerning how they should respond, and beliefs about how they actually would respond, towards the target group, ‘people with schizophrenia’, in each of three response domains (thinking, feeling and behaving). Significant differences were identified between the response types and between the different response domains. Significant interaction effects were also identified based on participants professional status in nursing. It is argued that the results support Devine’s (1989) theory concerning the automatic activation of stereotypes and their controlled inhibition in favour of different personal beliefs. It is also argued that professional specialization in psychiatric nursing facilitates this process in relation to the target group.
Quantum theoretical approach to a near‐field optical system
Authors: Kobayashi K. , Ohtsu M.
Published: July 2002

The paper proposes a quantum theoretical formulation of an optical near‐field system based on the projection‐operator method. Special attention is paid to a nanometric probe tip–quantum mechanical sample system, whose interactions are essential for describing such phenomena as atom guidance and manipulation, or local excitation of a single quantum dot. The relationship to the virtual photon model − an intuitive model − is discussed, and the latter's empirical assumption of the Yukawa‐type interaction between probe and sample is justified theoretically. Several applications of the theory are briefly outlined.
Temporal sensitivity deficits in patients with high‐risk drusen
Authors: Phipps J A , Guymer R H , Vingrys A J
Published: July 2002

Purpose: Data is reported from an ongoing trial considering functional losses in patients with high‐risk drusen. We evaluate the temporal processing in 12 subjects: four patients with high‐risk drusen, four age‐matched controls and four young observers aged 22–30.

Methods: Subjects were tested using frequency‐doubling technology, macula static and flicker fields on a Medmont perimeter and foveal temporal contrast sensitivity at 2, 5, 10 and 24 Hz.

Results: Eyes with high‐risk drusen had good visual acuity (6/9.5–2 or better). All control eyes had normal fields for static, flicker and frequency‐doubling perimetry. All high‐risk drusen eyes had normal static perimetry in the presence of abnormal flicker and frequency‐doubling perimetry. High‐risk drusen eyes showed a generalized loss of temporal sensitivity across all frequencies.

Conclusions: We conclude that eyes with high‐risk drusen show losses to temporal stimuli in the presence of near‐normal acuity and static thresholds. We suggest that flickering stimuli might be useful for detecting and monitoring such patients.
Switching and memory phenomena in Langmuir–Blodgett films
Authors: Sakai K. , Matsuda H. , Kawada H. , Eguchi K. , Nakagiri T.
Published: July 2002

Reproducible memory switching has been observed in metal/ Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film/metal sandwich structures: LB films consist of organic molecules such as dyes having a number of conjugated bonds. The device switches from a nonconducting off state to a conducting on state via an intermediate state, and it switches directly from the on to the off state within less than 10 ns upon the application of a voltage. Both off-state and on-state resistances of the device depend linearly on the number of monolayers, the conduction being predominantly through the LB films.
Electrical characterization of epitaxial silicon films formed by a low kinetic energy particle process
Authors: Ohmi Tadahiro , Iwabuchi Hiroshi , Shibata Tadashi , Ichikawa Takeshi
Published: July 2002

Electrical properties of epitaxial silicon layers formed at very low temperatures of 320–350 °C by a low kinetic energy particle process are presented. Dopant impurities in the target material are substitutionally incorporated into the epitaxially grown layer, thus being electrically activated without any additional heat cycles. An epitaxial silicon layer having a resistivity as low as 0.0018 Ω cm has been obtained using a heavily arsenic-doped silicon target. A p-n junction diode formed by directly depositing an n-type epilayer on a p-type substrate exhibits a reverse current level as low as 1.88×10−9 A/cm2 at a reverse-bias voltage of 5 V. The electrical properties of the grown film have shown a good correlation to the crystallinity of the film, which changes depending upon the ion bombardment energy.
Optical bistability in self-electro-optic effect devices with asymmetric quantum wells
Authors: Miller D. A. B.
Published: July 2002

It is shown theoretically that optical bistability is possible in a self-electro-optic effect device (SEED) with single asymmetric quantum wells because of the blue shift of the optical absorption edge with applied field possible in such structures (in contrast to the normal red shift in symmetric wells). The concept is a simplification of the scheme of J. Khurgin [Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 779 (1988)] (which uses unequal, opposed pairs of asymmetric wells) and shares the potential advantages of lower loss in the transmitting state and less stringent requirements on the exciton absorption peaks.
Split-gate field-effect transistor
Authors: Shur Michael
Published: July 2002

We propose a new field-effect transistor (FET) where the gate voltage swing (i.e., the difference between the gate voltage and the threshold voltage) is varied along the channel in such a way that charge carriers are accelerated more rapidly and the average carrier velocity in the channel is increased. This can be achieved either by making the threshold voltage to be a function of position or by using a new device structure—split-gate FET (SFET). In both cases a smaller gate voltage swing close to the source leads to a higher electric field in this portion of the channel and, hence, to a more rapid increase of the carrier drift velocity with distance. Calculations of the device transconductances for a heterostructure SFET using a charge-control model show that the performance in the split-gate device is considerably improved compared to a conventional device. The improved electric field and potential distributions in a SFET should make it possible to utilize ballistic effects in this lateral device.
Critical currents and thermally activated flux motion in high-temperature superconductors
Authors: Palstra T. T. M. , Batlogg B. , van Dover R. B. , Schneemeyer L. F. , Waszczak J. V.
Published: July 2002

We have measured the resistance below Tc of single crystals of the high-temperature superconductors Ba2YCu3O7 and Bi2.2Sr2Ca0.8Cu2O8+δ in magnetic fields up to 12 T. The resistive transition of both compounds is dominated by intrinsic dissipation which is thermally activated, resulting in an exponential temperature dependence of the resistivity well below Tc. The dissipation is significantly larger and of different character in the Bi-Cu compound than in Ba2YCu3O7. The relation between the activated behavior and the depinning critical current is discussed.
Ga adatom migration over a nonplanar substrate during molecular beam epitaxial growth of GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures
Authors: Nilsson S. , Van Gieson E. , Arent D. J. , Meier H. P. , Walter W. , Forster T.
Published: July 2002

Thickness variations in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells grown on patterned substrates by molecular beam epitaxy have been analyzed by spatially and spectrally resolved low-temperature cathodoluminescence. For the lower and upper (100) facets joined by an angled (311)A facet, relative increases in quantum well thicknesses up to ≂6% and 20% are observed, respectively, in the vicinity of the intersection of the facets. Following an exponential behavior, the Ga adatom migration length is found to be in the range of 1–2 μm on both the lower and upper (100) facets and is independent of quantum well thickness. This migration length is orders of magnitude greater than previously reported for Ga adatoms during molecular beam epitaxy growth.
Magnetic flux commensurability in coupled quantum dots
Authors: Ismail K. , Smith T. P. , Masselink W. T. , Smith Henry I.
Published: July 2002

We have studied the transition from isolated to coupled quantum dots in a lateral surface-superlattice structure in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. The coupling between the dots can be tuned by changing the bias of the grid gate. Our magnetocapacitance measurements reveal three distinct regimes: isolated quantum dots where collective effects are not observed, a tight-binding regime where the measurement results are sensitive to the rationality of flux quanta per unit cell, and a superlattice regime where commensurability effects between the magnetic orbits and the superlattice periodicity are observed.
Resonant excitonic optical Stark effect in GaSe
Authors: Hirlimann C. , Morhange J. F. , Kanehisa M. A. , Chevy A. , Brito Cruz C. H.
Published: July 2002

The time-resolved nonlinear transmission of bulk ε-GaSe has been studied in the femtosecond regime when resonantly exciting the material in the vicinity of the exciton at room temperature. Two regimes are evidenced. At early time delay, a blue shift of the exciton with no linewidth broadening can be related to optical Stark effect, while at longer time delay the usual exciton screening and band-gap renormalization due to real electronic transitions is observed. At resonance, a dependence of the Stark shift with the amplitude of the exciting field is obtained, as predicted by a simple ‘‘dressed-atom’’ model.
Influence of the D
X center on the capacitance-voltage characteristics of δ-doped GaAs
Authors: Zrenner A.
Published: July 2002

Capacitance-voltage (C-V) profiles are calculated self-consistently for δ-doped GaAs(Si) at kT=25 meV. Existing experimental data can only be explained if charge transfer to the DX center, which acts as an electron trap in the conduction band, is included. The depth resolution of C-V measurements is strongly enhanced when the DX center is occupied.
Critical layer thickness in strained Ga1−xInxAs/InP quantum wells
Authors: Temkin H. , Gershoni D. G. , Chu S. N. G. , Vandenberg J. M. , Hamm R. A. , Panish M. B.
Published: July 2002

We use a combination of electrical, optical, and structural characterization techniques to determine the critical layer thickness of strained Ga1−xInxAs/InP quantum wells. Well compositions covering the entire range of strain available, from −3.8% (GaAs) to +3.2% (InAs), were investigated. We find that the critical layer thickness in this material system is unambiguously described by the classical Matthews and Blakeslee force balance model [J. Cryst. Growth 27, 118 (1974)]. Reverse leakage current of strained-well samples grown in a p-i-n configuration is shown to be the most direct and reliable measure of the pseudomorphic limit.
Growth of high quality 6H-SiC epitaxial films on vicinal (0001) 6H-SiC wafers
Authors: Powell J. A. , Larkin D. J. , Matus L. G. , Choyke W. J. , Bradshaw J. L. , Henderson L. , Yoganathan M. , Yang J. , Pirouz P.
Published: July 2002

Previously reported growth of SiC films on SiC by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) used Acheson and Lely α-SiC crystal substrates. We report the CVD growth and evaluation of high quality 6H-SiC films on 6H-SiC wafers cut from large boules grown by the modified-sublimation process. The single-crystal 6H-SiC films were grown on wafers oriented 3° to 4° off the (0001) plane toward the 〈112̄0〉 direction. The films, up to 12 μm thick, had surfaces that were smooth and featureless. The high quality of the films was demonstrated by optical and electron microscopy, and low-temperature photoluminescence.
Growth of InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells on InP patterned substrates by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Turco F. S. , Tamargo M. C. , Hwang D. M. , Nahory R. E. , Werner J. , Kash K. , Kapon E.
Published: July 2002

We have grown InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells and InGaAs, InAlAs single layers over InP nonplanar substrates. Photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis give evidence for large lateral thickness and compositional variations, which lead to in situ modification of the growth profile. These effects, which differ for InGaAs and InAlAs, reveal the importance of surface migration in (Al,Ga)InAs. Our results demonstrate a tool for in situ lateral patterning of this material system.
Regrown ohmic contacts to thin GaAs layers and two-dimensional electron gas
Authors: Palevski A. , Solomon P. , Kuech T. F. , Tischler M. A.
Published: July 2002

We report on the first realization of extremely low resistivity regrown ohmic contacts to a variety of GaAs/AlGaAs structures using selective epitaxy. For planar regrown n+-GaAs contacts to n-GaAs we have obtained contact resistivity values ∼1×10−7 Ω cm2, and ∼1×10−8 Ω cm2 for lateral contacts to a 10-nm-thick buried n+-GaAs layer. The contact resistances were substantially temperature independent from 77 to 300 K. Regrown contacts to a 2DEG structure exhibited a much higher and temperature-dependent contact resisitivity which could be accounted for (according to numerical simulation) by ∼5×1012 cm−2 traps at the AlGaAs/ regrown GaAs interface. Post-growth annealing of the regrown annealing of the regrown interface drastically reduced the value of contact resistivity for 2DEG structures to ∼2×10−8 Ω cm2.
Deep level photodiffractive spectroscopy of semiconductors
Authors: Nolte D. D. , Olson D. H. , Glass A. M.
Published: July 2002

Defect levels in semi-insulating GaAs and InP are investigated by deep level photodiffractive spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent four-wave mixing based both on photochromic and photorefractive effects permits a determination of the energy levels within the semiconductor band gap. This optical technique eliminates difficulties encountered with high-resistivity material using conventional electrical measurements.
Infrared response from metallic particles embedded in a single-crystal Si matrix: The layered internal photoemission sensor
Authors: Fathauer R. W. , Iannelli J. M. , Nieh C. W. , Hashimoto Shin
Published: July 2002

Infrared radiation at wavelengths of 1–2 μm has been detected in a new device labeled the layered internal photoemission sensor. The device structure, which is grown by molecular beam epitaxy, incorporates epitaxial CoSi2 particles with dimensions of 10–50 nm. Radiation absorbed by these particles photoexcites carriers into a surrounding single-crystal silicon matrix. A peak quantum efficiency of 1.3% is measured, which is approximately six times higher than in planar CoSi2 Schottky diodes with 5 nm silicide thickness.