bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Checklist of the dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Authors: KALKMAN V.J. , BABU R. , BEDJANIČ M. , CONNIFF K. , GYELTSHEN T. , KHAN M.K. , SUBRAMANIAN K.A. , ZIA A. , ORR A.G.
Published: September 2020

A checklist of the dragonflies and damselflies occurring in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is presented. In total 588 (including 559 full species) taxa are known to occur in the region of which 251 taxa (species & subspecies) are single country endemics. Recent taxonomic changes relevant to the area are summarized. Sixteen taxa are synonymized and a checklist of all synonyms established since 1950 is provided. Information is given on available larval descriptions including a list of genera present in the region for which no larvae have yet been described. Numerous species occurring in the area are still poorly known and a list of genera for which a revision is urgently needed is provided.                The following new synonyms are established: Calicnemia sudhaae Mitra, 1994 = Calicnemia imitans Lieftinck, 1948 syn. nov.; Ceriagrion fallax cerinomelas Lieftinck, 1927 = Ceriagrion fallax Ris, 1914 syn. nov.; Ceriagrion fallax pendleburyi Laidlaw, 1931 = Ceriagrion fallax Ris, 1914 syn. nov.; Coenagrion kashmirus Chowdhary & Das, 1975 = Ischnura forcipata Morton, 1907 syn. nov.; Enallagma insula Fraser, 1920 = Aciagrion occidentale Laidlaw, 1919 syn. nov.; Himalagrion pithoragarhicum Sahni, 1964 = Ceriagrion fallax Ris, 1914 syn. nov.; Ischnura bhimtalensis Sahni, 1965 = Ischnura rubilio Selys, 1876 syn. nov.; Onychargia indica Sahni, 1964 = Paracercion calamorum (Ris, 1916) syn. nov.; Anaciaeschna kashmirense Singh & Baijal, 1954 = Anaciaeschna martini (Selys, 1897) syn. nov.; Cyclogomphus vesiculosus Selys, 1854 = Cyclogomphus ypsilon Selys, 1954 syn. nov.; Chlorogomphus brittoi Navás, 1934 = Chlorogomphus xanthoptera (Fraser, 1919) syn. nov.; Hylaeothemis indica Fraser, 1946 = Hylaeothemis apicalis Fraser, 1924 syn. nov.; Sympetrum durum Bartenef, 1916 = Sympetrum striolatum commixtum Selys, 1884 syn. nov.; Sympetrum himalayanum Navás, 1934 = Sympetrum hypomelas (Selys, 1884) syn. nov.; Sympetrum haematoneura Fraser, 1924 = Sympetrum speciosum Oguma, 1915 syn. nov.; Sympetrum speciosum taiwanum Asahina, 1951 = Sympetrum speciosum Oguma, 1915 syn. nov.                In addition, Periaeschna lebasi Navás, 1930 is regarded a nomen nudum. The following new combinations are proposed: Onychogomphus acinaces Laidlaw, 1922 is transferred to the genus Melligomphus Chao, 1990 resulting in Melligomphus acinaces (Laidlaw, 1922) comb. nov. Onychogomphus saundersii Selys, 1854 is transferred to the genus Nychogomphus Carle, 1986 resulting in Nychogomphus saundersii (Selys, 1854) comb. nov..
The politics of creating new states: A conceptual introduction
Authors: Lachapelle Guy , Qvortrup Matt
Published: September 2020

Drawing on the theoretical distinction between, respectively, ‘civic’ and ‘ethnic’ nationalism and the conceptual distinction between polyarchies and various degrees of competitive autocracies, this introductory article make a distinction between four pure types of independence movements. Based on this typology, the article sets the scene and presents the context for the articles in the Special Issue.
Use Caution When Assessing Preoperative Leg-Length Discrepancy in Pediatric Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Authors: Heath Madison R. , Aitchison Alexandra H. , Schlichte Lindsay M. , Goodbody Christine , Cordasco Frank A. , Fabricant Peter D. , Green Daniel W.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Pre- and postoperative standing hip-to-ankle radiographs are critical for monitoring potential postoperative growth arrest and resultant deformities after pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Purpose:

To determine the prevalence of apparent preoperative leg-length discrepancies (LLDs) that resolve at the first postoperative radiographic examination in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction in order to understand what proportion of the noted preoperative deformities may have been inaccurate.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective review of prospectively collected preoperative and first postoperative full-length hip-to-ankle radiographs was performed in a cohort of skeletally immature patients who had an acute ACL injury and underwent subsequent surgical reconstruction. Leg length measurements for both the injured and the uninjured legs were obtained for comparison.

Results:

A total of 112 patients (mean age, 12.7 ± 1.7 years) were included (79 boys and 33 girls). Leg-length measurement interrater reliability among 3 raters for 25 randomly chosen images was nearly perfect (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.994-0.998). At baseline, there was no apparent preoperative LLD (<5 mm) in 48% (n = 54) of participants, while 37% (n = 41) displayed a small apparent LLD (5 to <10 mm), 12% (n = 13) displayed a moderate apparent LLD (10 to <15 mm), and 4% (n = 4) displayed a large apparent LLD (≥15 mm). Of the patients with an apparent preoperative LLD, 66% (n = 38) of them tore their ACL on the leg measuring shorter. At first postoperative radiographs, 48% (n = 28) of patients with an apparent preoperative LLD showed resolution to no LLD: 46% (n = 19) of patients with a small apparent preoperative LLD, 54% (n = 7) of patients with a moderate apparent LLD, and 50% (n = 2) of patients with a large apparent LLD.

Conclusion:

A high percentage of patients (48%) with apparent preoperative LLDs showed resolution to no LLDs by their first postoperative imaging, indicating that preoperative hip-to-ankle radiographs display some false LLDs in patients with recent ACL tears who are unable to fully extend their injured leg and bear weight.
Positive Encounters as a Buffer: Pain and Sleep Disturbances in Older Adults’ Everyday Lives
Authors: Huo Meng , Ng Yee To , Fuentecilla Jamie L. , Leger Kate , Charles Susan T.
Published: September 2020

Objectives: To test whether older adults’ pain was bidirectionally associated with nighttime sleep disturbances and whether daily positive encounters attenuated these associations. Methods: Participants ( N = 292, mean = 73.71 years old) from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study indicated pain and positive encounters with close partners (e.g., family and friends) and nonclose partners (e.g., acquaintances and service providers) every 3 hours throughout each day across 4–6 days. They also reported nighttime sleep disturbances the following morning. Results: Multilevel models revealed that participants with more prior nighttime sleep disturbances reported more severe pain the next day. This link was attenuated on days when participants had a greater proportion of positive encounters or viewed encounters as more pleasant, especially when these encounters occurred with close partners. Discussion: This study identifies benefits of positive encounters to older adults and sheds light on ways that may alleviate their pain from a social perspective.
The impact of perioperative music on abdominal surgery patients’ experience of postoperative pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dale Virginia H.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Music interventions have been analysed for their use in many surgical specialties, but they have not yet been reviewed in relation to abdominal surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effect that listening to music perioperatively has on the postoperative pain of abdominal surgery patients.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus was undertaken to identify randomised controlled trials comparing a music intervention with standard care, where self-reported postoperative pain was included as an outcome. Study quality was then assessed by the author in conjunction with Robot Reviewer software based on the Cochrane bias methodology, and a meta-analysis was performed using standard mean difference and a random-effects model.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria for review, and eight studies (2217 subjects) had appropriate data reporting to be included in the meta-analysis. Half of the reviewed studies concluded a significant positive impact on postoperative pain and the meta-analysis reinforced this hypothesis (p < 0.001). There was minimal difference in impact between intra and postoperative interventions, or between patient or researcher selected music.

Conclusions

This review supports the use of music in the perioperative period for abdominal surgery patients as a low cost adjunct to pharmaceutical pain relief.
PI3Kδ inhibition reshapes follicular lymphoma–immune microenvironment cross talk and unleashes the activity of venetoclax
Authors: Serrat Neus , Guerrero-Hernández Martina , Matas-Céspedes Alba , Yahiaoui Anella , Valero Juan G. , Nadeu Ferran , Clot Guillem , Di Re Miriam , Corbera-Bellalta Marc , Magnano Laura , Rivas-Delgado Alfredo , Enjuanes Anna , Beà Silvia , Cid Maria C. , Campo Elías , Montero Joan , Hodson Daniel J. , López-Guillermo Armando , Colomer Dolors , Tannheimer Stacey , Pérez-Galán Patricia
Published: September 2020

Despite idelalisib approval in relapsed follicular lymphoma (FL), a complete characterization of the immunomodulatory consequences of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) inhibition, biomarkers of response, and potential combinatorial therapies in FL remain to be established. Using ex vivo cocultures of FL patient biopsies and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) to mimic the germinal center (n = 42), we uncovered that PI3Kδ inhibition interferes with FDC-induced genes related to angiogenesis, extracellular matrix formation, and transendothelial migration in a subset of FL samples, defining an 18-gene signature fingerprint of idelalisib sensitivity. A common hallmark of idelalisib found in all FL cases was its interference with the CD40/CD40L pathway and induced proliferation, together with the downregulation of proteins crucial for B–T-cell synapses, leading to an inefficient cross talk between FL cells and the supportive T-follicular helper cells (TFH). Moreover, idelalisib downmodulates the chemokine CCL22, hampering the recruitment of TFH and immunosupressive T-regulatory cells to the FL niche, leading to a less supportive and tolerogenic immune microenvironment. Finally, using BH3 profiling, we uncovered that FL–FDC and FL–macrophage cocultures augment tumor addiction to BCL-XL and MCL-1 or BFL-1, respectively, limiting the cytotoxic activity of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Idelalisib restored FL dependence on BCL-2 and venetoclax activity. In summary, idelalisib exhibits a patient-dependent activity toward angiogenesis and lymphoma dissemination. In all FL cases, idelalisib exerts a general reshaping of the FL immune microenvironment and restores dependence on BCL-2, predisposing FL to cell death, providing a mechanistic rationale for investigating the combination of PI3Kδ inhibitors and venetoclax in clinical trials.
Enhancing antitumor immunity through checkpoint blockade as a therapeutic strategy in T-cell lymphomas
Authors: Neuwelt Alexander , Al-Juhaishi Taha , Davila Eduardo , Haverkos Bradley
Published: September 2020

The majority of historical therapies for managing T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) have consisted of T-cell–depleting strategies. Unfortunately, these forms of therapies can hamper the ability to mount effective antitumor immune responses. Recently, the use of checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the therapy of solid and hematologic malignancies. The development of immunotherapies for the management of TCL has lagged behind other malignancies given 2 central reasons: (1) the competing balance of depleting malignant T cells while simultaneously enhancing an antitumor T-cell response and (2) concern for tumor hyperprogression by blocking inhibitory signals on the surface of the malignant T cell, thereby leading to further proliferation of the malignant cells. These challenges were highlighted with the discovery that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) functions paradoxically as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in preclinical TCL models. In contrast, some preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that PD-1/programmed death ligand 1 may become an important therapeutic tool in the management of patients with TCL. Improved understanding of the immune landscape of TCL is necessary in order to identify subsets of patients most likely to benefit from checkpoint-inhibitor therapy. With increased preclinical research focus on the tumor microenvironment, substantial strides are being made in understanding how to harness the power of the immune system to treat TCLs. In this review, designed to be a “call to action,” we discuss the challenges and opportunities of using immune-modulating therapies, with a focus on checkpoint inhibitors, for the treatment of patients with TCL.
Measuring the availability and geographical accessibility of maternal health services across sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Wigley A. S. , Tejedor-Garavito N. , Alegana V. , Carioli A. , Ruktanonchai C. W. , Pezzulo C. , Matthews Z. , Tatem A. J. , Nilsen K.
Published: September 2020

Background

With universal health coverage a key component of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, targeted monitoring is crucial for reducing inequalities in the provision of services. However, monitoring largely occurs at the national level, masking sub-national variation. Here, we estimate indicators for measuring the availability and geographical accessibility of services, at national and sub-national levels across sub-Saharan Africa, to show how data at varying spatial scales and input data can considerably impact monitoring outcomes.

Methods

Availability was estimated using the World Health Organization guidelines for monitoring emergency obstetric care, defined as the number of hospitals per 500,000 population. Geographical accessibility was estimated using the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, defined as the proportion of pregnancies within 2 h of the nearest hospital. These were calculated using geo-located hospital data for sub-Saharan Africa, with their associated travel times, along with small area estimates of population and pregnancies. The results of the availability analysis were then compared to the results of the accessibility analysis, to highlight differences between the availability and geographical accessibility of services.

Results

Despite most countries meeting the targets at the national level, we identified substantial sub-national variation, with 58% of the countries having at least one administrative unit not meeting the availability target at province level and 95% at district level. Similarly, 56% of the countries were found to have at least one province not meeting the accessibility target, increasing to 74% at the district level. When comparing both availability and accessibility within countries, most countries were found to meet both targets; however sub-nationally, many countries fail to meet one or the other.

Conclusion

While many of the countries met the targets at the national level, we found large within-country variation. Monitoring under the current guidelines, using national averages, can mask these areas of need, with potential consequences for vulnerable women and children. It is imperative therefore that indicators for monitoring the availability and geographical accessibility of health care reflect this need, if targets for universal health coverage are to be met by 2030.
Evaluation of the changes of orbital cavity volume and shape after tooth-borne and bone-borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME)
Authors: Lo Giudice Antonino , Rustico Lorenzo , Ronsivalle Vincenzo , Nicotra Carmelo , Lagravère Manuel , Grippaudo Cristina
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess and compare volumetric and shape changes of the orbital cavity in patients treated with tooth-borne (TB) and bone-borne (BB) rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

Study design

Forty adolescents with bilateral maxillary cross-bite received tooth-borne (TB group = 20; mean age 14.27 ± 1.36 years) or bone-borne (BB group = 20; mean age of 14.62 ± 1.45 years) maxillary expander. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were taken before treatment (T1) and 6-month after the expander activation (T2). Volumetric and shape changes of orbital cavities were detected by referring to a specific 3D digital technology involving deviation analysis of T1/T2 CBCT-derived models of pulp chamber. Student’s t tests were used to 1) compare T1 and T2 volumes of orbital cavities in TB and BB groups, 2) compare volumetric changes and the percentage of matching of 3D orbital models (T1-T2) between the two groups.

Results

Both TB and BB groups showed a slight increase of the orbital volume (0.64 cm3 and 0.77 cm3) (p < 0.0001). This increment were significant between the two groups (p < 0.05) while no differences were found in the percentage of matching of T1/T2 orbital 3D models (p > 0.05). The areas of greater changes were detected in the proximity of the frontozygomatic and frontomaxillary sutures.

Conclusion

TB-RME and BB-RME would not seem to considerably affect the anatomy or the volume of the orbital cavity in adolescents.
Water–rock interactions in the Bruchsal geothermal system by U–Th series radionuclides
Authors: Kölbel Lena , Kölbel Thomas , Maier Ulrich , Sauter Martin , Schäfer Thorsten , Wiegand Bettina
Published: September 2020

Uranium and thorium decay series disequilibria in deep geothermal brines are a result of water–rock interaction processes. The migratory behavior of radionuclides provides valuable site-specific information and can therefore be an important tool for reservoir characterization and sustainable management of geothermal sites. In this study, we present data from long-term monitoring of naturally occurring 238U, 232Th and 235U series radionuclides analyzed in brine samples collected from the Permo-Triassic sedimentary reservoir rock at the Bruchsal geothermal site (SW Germany). The results show that radionuclides of the elements radium (226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, 223Ra), radon (222Rn), and lead (210Pb, 212Pb) are rather soluble in brine, while isotopes of uranium (238U, 234U, 235U), thorium (232Th, 228Th, 230Th), polonium (210Po), and actinium (227Ac, 228Ac) have low solubilities and are mostly immobile. Activities of radium isotopes in the geothermal brine exceed those of their thorium progenitors (average 226Ra = 29.9 Bq kg−1, about 103 times that of its 230Th parent). Modelling the observed disequilibria allows the following conclusion on water–rock interaction processes: (1) supply from alpha-recoil depends on isotope half-life because it is limited by the rate of diffusion through microfractures causing isotopic fractionation. (2) Radium retardation due to adsorption is low (226Ra/222Rn = 1.3) resulting in adsorption–desorption rate constants in the order of 10−10 s−1 for k1 and 10−9 for k2. (3) Scavenging of 226Ra from brine can best be explained by co-precipitation with barite resulting in an observed 226Ra anomaly in the solids of the reservoir section. The precipitation rate constant amounts to ca. 3.4 × 10−8 s−1 corresponding to a mean removal time of radium from brine by mineral precipitation to approximately 1 year.
Correction to: Recent eruption history inferred from eruption ages of the two latest lava fows using multi-dating at Yokodake Volcano, Japan
Authors: Nitta Hiroya , Saito Takeshi , Shitaoka Yorinao
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
High vaccination coverage and inadequate knowledge: Findings from a community-based cross-sectional study on Japanese Encephalitis in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Kyaw Pyae Phyo , Shewade Hemant Deepak , Kyaw Nang Thu Thu , Hnin Phyo Khaing , Lin Htar Htar , Kyaw Aye Mon Mon , Mya Mg Mg , Thaung Sein , Maung Maung Yan Naung
Published: September 2020

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne disease with high case fatality and no specific treatment. Little is known about the community’s (especially parents/guardians of children) awareness regarding JE and its vaccine in Yangon region, which bears the highest JE burden in Myanmar.

Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in Yangon region (2019) to explore the knowledge and perception of parents/guardians of 1-15 year-old children about JE disease, its vaccination and to describe JE vaccine coverage among 1-15 year-old children. We followed multi-stage random sampling (three stages) to select the 600 households with 1-15 year-old children from 30 clusters in nine townships. Analyses were weighted (inverse probability sampling) for the multi-stage sampling design.

Results: Of 600 parents/guardians, 38% exhibited good knowledge of JE, 55% perceived JE as serious in  children younger than 15 years and 59% perceived the vaccine to be effective. Among all the children in the 600 households, the vaccination coverage was 97% (831/855).

Conclusion: In order to reduce JE incidence in the community, focus on an intensified education program is necessary to sustain the high vaccine coverage in the community.
Taxono-genomics description of Olsenella lakotia SW165T sp. nov., a new anaerobic bacterium isolated from cecum of feral chicken
Authors: Wongkuna Supapit , Ghimire Sudeep , Janvilisri Tavan , Doerner Kinchel , Chankhamhaengdecha Surang , Scaria Joy
Published: September 2020

Background: The microbial community residing in the animal gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in host health. Because of the high complexity of gut microbes, many microbes remain unclassified. Deciphering the role of each bacteria in health and diseases is only possible after its culture, identification, and characterization. During the culturomics study of feral chicken cecal sample, we cultured a possible novel strain SW165T.

Methods: For the possible novel strain SW165T, phenotypic characterization was performed using colony morphology, Gram staining, growth in different temperature and pH and motility. Biochemical assays included carbon source utilization, enzymatic activity, cellular fatty acids and short chain fatty acid production. 16S rRNA sequencing and whole genome sequencing and comparison was performed for genetic analysis.

Results: This strain was isolated from cecal content of feral chickens in Brookings, South Dakota, USA. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the closest valid neighbor was Olsenella profusa DSM 13989T (96.33% similarity) within the family Atopobiaceae. Cells were Gram-strain-positive and obligately anaerobic bacilli in chains. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of the microorganism were 37-45oC and pH 6.0-7.5 respectively.  This strain produced acetic acid as the primary fermentation product. Major fatty acids were C12:0, C14:0, C14:0 DMA and summed feature 1 (C13:1 at 12-13 and C14:0 aldehyde). Strain SW165T exhibited a genome size of 2.43 Mbp with a G+C content of 67.59 mol%, which is the second highest G+C content among members of the genus Olsenella. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and OrthoANI values between SW165T and DSM 13989T were only 17.6 ± 5.3 and 74.35%, respectively.

Conclusion: Based on the phenotypic, biochemical, and genomic analyses, we propose the new species of the genus Olsenella, and name it Olsenella lakotia SW165T sp. nov., (=DSM 107283 =CCOS 1887) as the type strain.
Fitness cost of insecticide resistance on the life-traits of a Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors: Nkahe Diane Leslie , Kopya Edmond , Djiappi-Tchamen Borel , Toussile Wilson , Sonhafouo-Chiana Nadege , Kekeunou Sevilor , Mimpfoundi Remy , Awono-Ambene Parfait , Wondji Charles Sinclair , Antonio-Nkondjio Christophe
Published: September 2020

Background: Pyrethroid resistance is rapidly expanding in An. gambiae s.l. populations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet there is still not enough information on the fitness cost of insecticide resistance . In the present study, the fitness cost of insecticide resistance on Anopheles coluzzii population from the city of Yaoundé was investigated.

 Methods: A resistant An. coluzzii colony was established from field collected mosquitoes resistant to both DDT and pyrethroid and selected for 12 generations with deltamethrin 0.05%. The Ngousso laboratory susceptible strain was used as control. A total of 100 females of each strain were blood fed and allowed for individual eggs laying, and then different life traits parameters such as fecundity, fertility, larval development time, emergence rate and longevity were measured. The TaqMan assay was used to screen for the presence of the L1014F and L1014S kdr mutations.

Results:  Field collected mosquitoes from the F0 generation had a mortality rate of 2.05% for DDT, 34.16% for permethrin and 50.23% for deltamethrin. The mortality rate of the F12 generation was 30.48% for deltamethrin, 1.25% for permethrin  and 0% for DDT. The number of eggs laid per female was lower in the resistant colony compared to the susceptible (p <0.0001). Insecticide resistant larvae were found with a significantly long larval development time (10.61±0.33 days) compare to susceptible (7.57±0.35 days). The number of emerging females was significantly high in the susceptible group compared to the resistant . The adults lifespan was also significantly high for susceptible (21.73±1.19 days) compared to resistant (14.63±0.68 days). Only the L1014F-kdr allele was detected in resistant population..

Conclusion: The study suggests that pyrethroid resistance is likely associated with a high fitness cost on An.coluzzii populations. The addition of new tools targeting specifically larval stages could improve malaria vectors control and insecticide resistance management.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Market Price of Jute in India
Authors: M Logesh , J Paul Mansingh , A Nisha
Published: September 2020

Jute is an important natural fiber crop cultivated in about 4 million hectares in India. Jute has the major export potential contributing to Rs.1, 000 to 1,200 crores annually. During the on-going pandemic COVID-19, the procurement is still lesser than the usual amount. As a result of the increase in demand for jute bags, there was an increase in the price of jute bags. But, the effect of COVID-19 on the prices of raw jute in the markets was not explored as most of the concerns are directed towards the jute industry and workers. Therefore, the study was carried out to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the market price of jute. The secondary data of market price and market arrival of jute before COVID-19 pandemic and during COVID-19 pandemic were collected from the official website of the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India for Champadanga (Hooghly), Jiaganj (Murshidabad), Katwa (Burdwan) markets in West Bengal and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Despite the price decrease during the pandemic, there was no significant difference in the price of jute before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were many variations in the market price of jute during the COVID-19 pandemic since the lockdown was enforced in five stages with strict restrictions in transport and other activities in the initial stages followed by relaxation in transport and other activities subsequently. There was a significant difference in the market arrivals of jute before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrival of jute in the market increased during COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19 because of the demand created for jute bags during lockdown due to closure of jute mills. There was a significant relationship between market price and market arrival during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the quantity of jute arrival increases the price of jute decreases in the market. Farmers did not bear the brunt of COVID-19 as much as the workers in the jute mills, it is, perhaps, because of the schedule of sowing and harvesting. As of now, the MSP for jute is less than the market price. Therefore, it is recommended that the MSP for jute should be increased to safeguard the interests of the jute farmers.
Evaluation of Eucalyptus Clones Under Seasonal Waterlogging Conditions in South-Western Punjab
Authors: Singh Avtar , Dhillon GPS
Published: September 2020

Eucalyptus is widely planted genus in many continents due to its rapid growth, several uses and good adaptability to climates and soil types. This study was based on nine Eucalyptus clones/progenies (C-413, C-3020, C-2135, C-7, C-2045, C-411, C-526, C-316 and seedlings) planted at farmers field experiencing seasonal waterlogging. The experiment was planted following randomized block design with plot size of 12 trees replicated four times. The survival of Seedlings, C-7, C-413, C-526 and C-316 was better and varied from 78.3 to 88.3 percent. Significant differences were found for tree height and diameter at age of 2 and 4 year, and volume index at age of 4 year. The tree height and diameter at breast height at 4 year age varied from 5.93 to 6.76 m and 56.4 to 87.6 mm, respectively. The relative ranking on basis of volume index was C-413>C-316>C-411>C-7>C-526. Clones C-413, C-316, C-7 and C-526 were promising based on adaptability and growth traits.
Seed Germination in Blood Fruit (Haematocarpus validus (Miers.) Bakh. f. ex Forman) as Influenced by Substrate
Authors: Bohra Pooja , Waman Arun , Devi R. Karthika
Published: September 2020

Blood fruit is a tropical underutilized species, fruits of which have been identified as source of natural colourant. However, forests are the major source of fruits to native people. In order to conserve the natural population of this species and promote cultivation, nursery techniques need to be standardized. In the present investigation, effect of three substrates viz. vermicompost, sand and soil + vermicompost was studied on seed germination characteristics. Results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Use of vermicompost improved seed germination (69%) significantly over the other substrates used. Though most of the studied seedling growth parameters did not differ among the treatments, significantly highest seedling vigour index (5466.9) was recorded when vermicompost was used as substrate. Considering these findings, use of vermicompost is advisable for germination of blood fruit in nursery.
Use of Amino Oligosaccharins and Alternaria Fine Protein in the Management of Crown Gall Disease in Roses
Authors: Atsango Emmanuel Wesonga , Muiru William Maina , Mwang’ombe Agnes Wakesho , Gaoqiong Liu
Published: September 2020

Rose (Rosa hybrida Vill.) production is limited by a variety of factors such as poor mineral nutrition, high salinity, pests and diseases. Crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes a significant damage to roses in Kenya. The study was carried out in Winchester farm (Nairobi) and Bahati farm (Nakuru) to determine the effects of a mixture of amino oligosaccharins and Alternaria fine proteins on crown gall disease in roses. The experiment was conducted on Rosa hybrida var. Mariyo in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The treatments comprised of different rates 0.5, 1, 1.5g/L of water of the product at 3% concentration applied as foliar spray and a commonly used product copper sulphate pentahydrate (Mastercop) produced by ADAMA applied at 2ml/ L as the standard and water as a negative control. Crown gall tissues were collected from four different roses per treatment from the two sites, counted and used for biochemical tests in Kabete laboratory. Bacteria were isolated by culturing and the representative colony types growing on nutrient agar media selected and sub-cultured by successive streaking on nutrient agar media. The biochemical test for the different isolates was done to identify the bacterial isolates. Application of the mixture of amino oligosaccharins and Alternaria activated protein at the rate of 1.5g/L had significant effects on galls formation and reduced the numbers significantly at both farms. The gram reaction indicated that the selected isolates were gram negative and were positive for motility, catalase, oxidase, lactose, mannitol, and salt tolerance tests. There was a significant reduction in the number of galls and size following the application of amino oligosaccharins and Alternaria fine proteins as well as improvement in plant growth. The ability to manage the disease can be attributed to enhanced defense enzyme activity enhanced by amino oligosaccharins and Alternaria fine proteins.
Nutrient Composition, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Components of Processed Wild Cocoyam (Caladium Bicolor, (Ait) Vent)
Authors: Udo M. D. , Eyoh G. D. , Jimmy C. P. , Ekpo U. E.
Published: September 2020

In the subtropic and perhaps worldwide a novel plant Caladium bicolor (wild cocoyam, Ikpong Ekpo) has not actually been utilized as food for man, livestock or poultry, though in abundance. Also, the effective utilization of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor) tubers in livestock and poultry feed is limited by the presence of anti-nutrient components which requires some form of processing. The effect of boiling and soaking on gross energy, mineral composition, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and proximate composition of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait), Vent) were determined with the aim of investigating its suitability as a feed ingredient. The soaked, raw and boiled tubers were dried, milled and analyzed for chemical compositions. Crude protein contents of raw and processed Caladium bicolor tubers range were 7.58% - 8.28% and the crude fibre values ranged between1.92 - 2.12%. The gross energy value of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was higher (2.85kcal/g) and also statistically similar (p>0.05) to both raw and soaked Caladium bicolor tubers. The micro and macro mineral composition of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to soaking method. Values obtained for boiled Caladium bicolor tubers were significantly (p<0.05) lower in all the toxic substances determined, except for the HCN content being above the tolerable limit for ruminant animals. The results indicate that processing techniques adopted enhanced the proximate composition, caloric components, mineral contents and significantly (p>0.05) lowered in the level of anti-nutrients present in wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait). Vent) tubers with boiling being the best and hence the recommended processing method for use in detoxifying C. bicolor.
Effect of Intercropping on Productivity and Profitability of Sesame under Dryland Arid Conditions
Authors: Ram Moola
Published: September 2020

An experiment on sesame intercropping system was conducted during kharif (rainy) season of 2017 on sandy loam soil (8.72 pH, 0.88 EC dS m-1), with low nitrogen (137 kg N ha-1), medium phosphorus (14.4 kg ha-1) and high potassium content (357 kg ha-1) at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur in randomized block design with 3 replications. Among 7 treatments (T1 – Sole sesame, T2 – Sesame + Urdbean in 3:1, T3 – Sesame + Urdbean in 4:2, T4 – Sesame + Mungbean in 3:1, T5 – Sesame + Mungbean in 4:2, T6 – Sesame + Mothbean in 3:1, T7 – Sesame + Mothbean in 4:2 row ratio), it was found that intercropping of sesame with mungbean in ratio 3:1 resulted significantly higher total productivity and net returns (541 kg ha-1 & Rs. 18270 ha-1) over sole sesame crop (344 kg ha-1 & Rs. 6156 ha-1) followed by mungbean in 4:2 (490 kg ha-1 with net return of Rs. 15164 ha-1) being at par with urdbean in 3:1 (473 kg ha-1 with net return of Rs. 14078 ha-1). It was concluded that mungbean can be grown as a beneficial intercrop in sesame under dryland conditions of Rajasthan.
Quantitative third-harmonic generation imaging of mouse visual cortex areas reveals correlations between functional maps and structural substrates
Authors: Yildirim Murat , Hu Ming , Le Nhat M. , Sugihara Hiroki , So Peter T. C. , Sur Mriganka
Published: September 2020

The structure of brain regions is assumed to correlate with their function, but there are very few instances in which the relationship has been demonstrated in the live brain. This is due to the difficulty of simultaneously measuring functional and structural properties of brain areas, particularly at cellular resolution. Here, we performed label-free, third-harmonic generation (THG) microscopy to obtain a key structural signature of cortical areas, their effective attenuation lengths (EAL), in the vertical columns of functionally defined primary visual cortex and five adjacent visual areas in awake mice. EALs measured by THG microscopy in the cortex and white matter showed remarkable correspondence with the functional retinotopic sign map of each area. Structural features such as cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture and blood vessel architecture were correlated with areal EAL values, suggesting that EAL is a function of these structural features as an optical property of these areas. These results demonstrate for the first time a strong relationship between structural substrates of visual cortical areas and their functional representation maps in vivo. This study may also help in understanding the coupling between structure and function in other animal models as well as in humans.
High-resolution polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography for zebrafish muscle imaging
Authors: Yang Di , Hu Muyun , Zhang Muyang , Liang Yanmei
Published: September 2020

Zebrafish are an important animal model, whose structure and function information can be used to study development, pathologic changes and genetic mutations. However, limited by the penetration depth, the available optical methods are difficult to image the whole-body zebrafish in juvenile and adult stages. Based on a home-made high-resolution polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) system, we finished in vivo volumetric imaging for zebrafish, and various muscles can be clearly discerned by scanning from dorsal, ventral, and lateral directions. Besides structure information, polarization properties extracted from PS-OCT images provide abundant function information to distinguish different muscles. Furthermore, we found local retardation and local optic axis of zebrafish muscle are related to their composition and fiber orientation. We think high-resolution PS-OCT will be a promising tool in studying myopathy models of zebrafish.
Numerical modeling of the intracavity coherent anti-Stokes Raman laser
Authors: Wang Cong , Lv Dongxiang
Published: September 2020

The space-dependent rate equations of intracavity coherent anti-Stokes Raman lasers are deduced by adding the term describing the coherent anti-Stokes scattering effect to the rate equations of the intracavity Raman laser. The intracavity photon densities of the fundamental and first Stokes lights and the initial population-inversion density are assumed to be Gaussian spatial distributions. The rate equations are normalized and solved numerically, and a group of general curves is generated. The influence of normalized parameters on the pulse parameters of the output anti-Stokes laser is investigated. The normalized rate-equation theory and numerical results will be of help in the design of high-performance intracavity coherent anti-Stokes Raman lasers.
Theory of double-resonance alignment magnetometers based on atomic high-order multipole moments using effective master equations
Authors: Qi Pan-Li , Geng Xu-Xing , Yang Guo-Qing , Huang Guang-Ming , Li Gao-Xiang
Published: September 2020

We present a theoretical study of double-resonance alignment magnetometers using linearly polarized light, in which the effect of atomic high-order multipole moments is considered. Starting from the effective master equation of our system obtained by eliminating the excited state adiabatically, we derive the full evolution equations of the atomic multipole moments. The analytic solutions of resonance signals involving the four-order multipole moments effect are obtained by using the perturbation approach. We present that the four-order multipole moments effect is negligible in the weak laser field, and the results reduce to that obtained by a three-step approach. However, the role of four-order multipole moments coupled by two-order tensor moments is more significant with the increasing Rabi frequency of light, which cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, the analytic expressions of relaxation processes are also studied, which are a linear combination of the laser-induced equivalent relaxation rate

Γ
L

and the spin-exchange collision rate

Γ
g

. The expected domain of validity of the three-step approach on light power is roughly given by

Γ
L

<

1
2

Γ
g

. In addition, the steady-state results of resonance signals are presented in a strong radio-frequency magnetic field; in that case, the physical mechanism of the splitting of resonance signals is discussed. These results are valid for arbitrary light power and for an arbitrarily oriented static magnetic field.
Measuring the quantum state of a photon pair entangled in frequency and time
Authors: Davis Alex O. C. , Thiel Valérian , Smith Brian J.
Published: September 2020

Quantum entanglement plays a prominent role in both foundational
physics and emerging quantum technologies. Light is especially
promising as a platform for experimental realizations of
high-dimensional entanglement, for which the time-frequency degree of
freedom provides a natural encoding. Here, we propose and demonstrate
a technique to determine the full quantum state of a pair of photons
entangled in the time-frequency domain. Our approach, based on
spectral shearing interferometry, is entirely self-referenced. To test
our system, we measure a photon-pair source with nonlocal spectral
phase that results in entanglement between the photons, in which the
time when either photon is detected is correlated with the frequency
of the other photon. The results demonstrate an effective new tool for
exploring the temporal and spectral characteristics of multipartite
quantum systems exhibiting high-dimensional entanglement.
A tanulói lemorzsolódás empirikus vizsgálata
Authors: Fehérvári Anikó , Magyar Éva , Széll Krisztián
Published: September 2020

E tematikus szám bevezető írása bemutatja annak a komplex kutatásnak a hátterét, amely az iskolai lemorzsolódás hazai elemzését célozza meg. Kutatásunk nemzetközi empirikus kutatási eredményekre alapozva tesztel egy olyan komplex modellt, amelyet a téma nemzetközi szisztematikus irodalomelemzései alapján építettünk fel és amelyre egy ehhez illeszkedő, alapvetően kvantitatív vizsgálati keretet építettünk. Az iskolai lemorzsolódás vizsgálatában az elmúlt évtizedben előtérbe kerültek a szisztematikus elemzések, melyek egyéni, családi és iskolai tényezőkre bontják az iskolaelhagyás hátterében álló okokat. Kutatásunkban ezt a felosztást alkalmaztuk és mindezt több nézőpontból is vizsgáltuk. Tanulmányunkban a kutatás elméleti keretének felvázolása mellett az erre a keretre épített 2018/2019-es tanévben készült kutatás – hozzáférés alapú tanulói (n=1 953) és pedagógus (n=1 136) mintán, online lekérdezési technikával – módszertani hátterét mutatjuk be.
Osztálytermi tanulási környezet vizsgálata
Authors: Tókos Katalin , Rapos Nóra , Szivák Judit , Lénárd Sándor , T. Kárász Judit
Published: September 2020

Tanulmányunk a kutatás egészének komplex tanulási környezet elemzéséből a pedagógusok tanulástámogató tevékenységére, az általuk létrehozott osztálytermi tanulási környezetre fókuszál. A kutatások ugyanis megerősítik, hogy a lemorzsolódásban veszélyeztetett tanulók egy jelentős része a pedagógusokkal kapcsolatos tényezők – úgy mint a tanulókkal való viszonyuk, a közvetített elvárásrendszer, a tanulás segítése, ezzel kapcsolatos attitűdjük – miatt is a lemorzsolódás közelébe kerülhet. Elemzésünkben arra térünk ki, hogy 1) a pedagógusok és diákok hogyan észlelik a tanulási környezetük sajátosságait, 2) a tényezők milyen kombinációjával vélik leírhatónak a támogató osztálytermi tanulási környezetet, 3) s ebben milyen különbségek érhetők tetten pedagógusok és diákok megítélése mentén. A vizsgálati eredményeink azt igazolják, hogy a pedagógusok és diákok eltérően látják a tanulási környezet sajátosságait. A pedagógusok saját tevékenységük megítélésében optimista képet adnak a tanulási környezetről, hangsúlyozva saját irányító szerepük átgondoltságát. A diákok megítélésének fókuszába viszont épp a tanulás személyes aspektusai kerülnek, s a pedagógusok irányító, szervező tevékenységeit is e személyes fókuszon keresztül értékelik. A tanulási környezet jellemzésén túl célunk volt a tanulást segítő optimális tanulási környezet megismerésére, értelmezésére lehetőséget adó elméleti keret és eszköz bemutatása is, s mindezek alapján fejlesztési javaslatok megfogalmazása.
Kutatási készségek fejlesztése digitálisjáték-alapú tanulással tantárgyi tartalmon
Authors: Bónus Lilla , Nagy Lászlóné
Published: September 2020

Az oktatás egyik leginkább kutatott területe jelenleg a 21. századi készségek fejlesztése technológia-gazdag, kutatás-központú tanulási környezetben. Ennek oka az, hogy napjainkban olyan átfogó készségek fejlesztése vált hangsúlyossá a közoktatásban, mint például a problémamegoldás és a kritikai gondolkodás. Ezek olyan 21. századi készségek, amelyek fejlesztését célzó standardok leginkább a kutatás-központú megközelítéseket támogatják. A kutatás-központú tanulási környezetben a tanulók kutatási készégeiket alkalmazzák, amelyek szorosan kapcsolódnak a problémamegoldáshoz és a kritikai gondolkodáshoz egyaránt. A tudományos vizsgálódás és a problémamegoldás készségei közé tartoznak: a jelenségek, problémák elemzése, kérdések, hipotézisek megfogalmazása, megfigyelés, vizsgálat, kísérlet megtervezése és kivitelezése, változók azonosítása és kontrollja, módszerek kiválasztása, adatgyűjtés, adatok megjelenítése és elemzése, eredmények értékelése, értelmezése, kommunikálása és prezentálása, valamint következtetések megfogalmazása. Mindebből következik, hogy a kutatási készégek olyan 21. századi készségeknek tekinthetők, amelyek fejlesztése fontos feladata a közoktatásnak. Mindemellett új irányzat a játékelemek beemelése a kutatás-központú tanulási környezetbe a tanulási eredmények javítása céljából. Az oktatásban alkalmazott játékok iránti megnövekedett érdeklődés nyomán számos kutató bizonyította, hogy egy helyesen megválasztott és kivitelezett játék képes a tanulók tartalmi tudásának növelésére, kedvezően hat az attitűdre és motivációra, valamint képességfejlesztésre is alkalmazható. Az áttekintés első részében ismertetjük a kutatási készségeket, a kutatási készségek mérésének hazai igényét, valamint a kutatási készségek fejlesztésének néhány lehetőségét. A második részben kitérünk a digitális játék-alapú tanulás értelmezésére, a digitális játékok tervezésének elméletére. A harmadik részben a digitális játék-alapú tanulás és a kutatási készségek kapcsolatát mutatjuk be.