bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Women's agricultural practices and their effects on soil nutrient content in the Nyalenda urban gardens of Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Jonkman Nicolette Tamara Regina Johanna Maria , Kooijman Esmee Daniëlle , Kalbitz Karsten , Pouw Nicky Rosa Maria , Jansen Boris 
Published: October 2019

Abstract. In Kisumu up to 60 % of the inhabitants practice some
form of urban agriculture, with just under 50 % of the workers being
female. On average, women spend more hours a day in the gardens than men.
Therefore women's knowledge is pivotal for effective agricultural
management. To enhance and better use women's knowledge, gender-related
sociocultural obstacles linked to land ownership, investment, and farm
inputs have to be taken into account. We aimed to determine how the
agricultural knowledge and motivations of female farmers working in the
Nyalenda urban gardens in Kisumu (Kenya) influence the soil nutrient status
as reflected by the total soil C and N; available soil N and P; and
exchangeable soil Na, K, Mg, and Ca. Two prevailing practices were compared
to determine how the agricultural management practice influences soil
nutrient content: (1) applying manure only and (2) applying manure while
intercropping with cowpeas. Interviews and focus group discussions were held
to explore the agricultural knowledge and motivations of the women working
in Nyalenda. Soil analysis showed that the soil in Nyalenda was rich in
nutrients overall but that the intercropped fields contained significantly
lower total soil nutrients than fields where only manure was applied. While
theoretically intercropping with a legume such as cowpeas should increase
soil N content, due to socioeconomic factors, such as poverty,
intercropping was applied in a way that did not increase soil nutrient
contents; rather it diversified revenue. The knowledge of the female farmers
was found to be limited to practical and sensory knowledge. This shows that
when aiming to improve soil nutrient status and agricultural yields through
agricultural training, socioeconomic conditions, cultural context, and gendered knowledge differentiation have to be acknowledged.
Boundary behaviour of holomorphic functions on the cardioid domain with some applications
Authors: Alhily Shatha Sami , Deepmala _ 
Published: October 2019

The objective of this research paper is to show how the Bennan'sconjecture become a useful tool to construct a holomorphic function on the cardioid domain, and on the boundary of unit disk. Moreover , we have addressed some applications on the existence of cusp on the boundary of arising from integrability of conformalmaps through one of the polar function in the general solution of Laplace equation.
Putting Boethius into Chaucer's Boece: The Ethics of Authorship in the Boke of Coumfort
Authors: Nielsen Melinda 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Despite the importance of Boethius's biography to centuries of readers, Chaucer's Boece is silent about the author's life and lacks the prefatory material that frequently circulated with the Latin Consolatio. This article shows how an anonymous fifteenth-century translation, the Boke of Coumfort in Bodleian Library, Oxford MS Auct. F.3.5, reinserts Boethius as auctor and teacher of ethics back into the Boece. In so doing, the anonymous reader-translator mingles the Latin and vernacular traditions to cast Boethius's historical and textual lives as an integrated ethical model for readers to emulate. By identifying the translator's sources and showing how he deploys them to emend and “improve” Chaucer's translation, we may see more clearly the assumptions and reading strategies that a late medieval translator or reader might expect to be specified in the Boece.
Is France Becoming More Scandinavian? The Utopia of Scandinavian Virtue in France from Chirac to Macron
Authors: Aukrust Kjerstin , Weiss-Andersen Cecilie 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
This article examines the genealogy of Scandinavian influence in France since the early 2000s and the shift in mentalities that has taken place over the last fifteen years or so regarding transparency. The analysis focuses on the notion of virtue and argues that the French representation of a virtuous Scandinavia can be interpreted as a Utopia, a counterpart that French society may use to bring about change. Whereas political leadership in France has traditionally been protected by a certain opacity and the lack of clear legislation, nepotism and corruption are no longer accepted by the French people. The main case study is the French press coverage of the Fillon scandal in the 2017 presidential campaign. The article also looks at the legislation on transparency passed under Hollande and Macron and finally asks the question: Is France in fact in the process of becoming more Scandinavian?
Confronting the Apocalyptic Utopia: Comic Survivalism in Laura Gustafsson's Wilderness Warrior
Authors: Raipola Juha 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Visions of postapocalyptic survival abound in contemporary culture. In the Finnish cultural and literary landscape, where such ideas have historically been extremely marginal, narratives of societal collapse have started appearing during the last ten years. This article examines Laura Gustafsson's novel Korpisoturi (Wilderness Warrior, 2016) as a critical assessment of survivalist ideology in contemporary popular culture. By focusing on questions of gender portrayal and environmental ideology, the article suggests that the novel can be approached as a comical deconstruction of a survivalist mind-set and its representation in postapocalyptic fiction. Through its humorous portrayal of a “prepper” protagonist, Wilderness Warrior renegotiates some of the inherent ideological characteristics of apocalyptic utopianism. With its critique of the paradigmatic cultural notions of global ecological catastrophes, the novel also offers a humorous account of the ultimate unnarratability of disaster in the age of the Anthropocene.
Utopian Nature and Dystopian Culture: Ecocritical Readings of Julie Bertagna's Exodus and Zenith
Authors: Lyngstad Marit Elise 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
This article discusses ecocritical aspects of two contemporary young adult dystopian novels: Julie Bertagna's Exodus and Zenith. It explores how these novels link utopia to nature, especially the rural pastoral, and dystopia to culture, especially urbanism and technology. The novels are set in the near future and address the protagonist's search for a new home after the old has been destroyed. Greenland represents an ecological, utopian hope: a place where humans can coexist with nature and rebuild society. Contrasting with the utopian Greenland is the technological city New Mungo, which is elitist, totalitarian, and brutally dystopian—but also sustainable despite its syntheticity and ecological in its own sense. Greenland and New Mungo are connected to the ecocritical dualism of nature versus culture, and the societies' closeness to nature determines whether they are seen as utopian or dystopian.
Natural zeolite formation in Mongolia
Authors: Tumenbayar Baatar , Grayson Robin , Petrova Vera , Enkhsaikhan Rentsendorj 
Published: October 2019

The genesis of natural zeolite in Mongolia is attributable to the late Mesozoic tectonic-magmatism activity in East Mongolia - Dornod. The numerous volcanoes formed during this activation process were surrounded by Cretaceous depressions with mineralized waters (Na+, K+, Ca+, Мg+, Al+, H+, SO42-, CO32- ,Cl-, O2- etc.). The huge amount of ash (glass) emanating from volcanic eruptions fell into the mineralized waters; the hydrolysis of amorphous (silicon-oxygen) structure of the glassy ash was dispersed by the effects of acid and alkaline in the water and became colloids. With the water composition transformation, the silicon and oxygen ions bonded together to form tetrahedral radicals, so forming a structure built up through low-pressure silicon-oxygen chains to become the spongy, web-like structural “skeletons” of zeolite minerals. This silicon-oxygen net structure has hollow spaces of varying sizes, which generates strong charges inside, capable of pulling in and out ions and molecules of various dimensions. These naturally occurred rocks (zeolite) are referred to as “molecular sieves” functioning as a sort of colander for radicals. In other words, it breathes. By this means, a vast region developed rich in natural zeolites of many different types under the influence of the geological, paleogeographic and crystallographic factors noted above and have the volcanic sediments’ origin. Among these, clinoptilolite, chabazite and mordenite deposits have, according to our research, a strategic significance for our country’s possible chemical pollution and nuclear poisoning (reflected in the next article). Also, it is now very obvious that Mongolia's natural zeolites can be used in many branches like heavy industries, construction, agriculture, livestock and household needs.
Tangos escritos por mujeres: análisis de seis casos.
Authors: Gómez y Patiño María , Climent López Eugenio 
Published: October 2019

Este trabajo aborda el estudio de una selección de tangos escritos por mujeres. A pesar del desconocimiento generalizado, la historia del tango ofrece destacables excepciones de textos escritos por mujeres, aunque bajo seudónimos en ocasiones, que permiten estudiar sus temas de preocupación e interés. Tras la presentación de algunas claves contextuales de tipo historiográfico y de geografía humana, en la primera mitad del siglo XX, se analizan seis tangos escritos por tres mujeres mediante análisis del discurso, cuyas claves discursivas permiten ver los contenidos emocionales, íntimos y profundos. Se analizan y comparan tanto el contenido como el continente de sus textos, cuyas conclusiones son reveladoras, pues la mayor parte de ellos pueden ser cantados tanto por hombres como por mujeres, dado que tocan temas universales.
This work deals with the study of a selection of tango texts written by women. Despite widespread ignorance, tango history offers remarkable exceptions of texts written by women, under pennames occasionally, which allow to know their worries and feelings, whose results are proved here. Some contextual clues of historiographic and human geography types are presented for the first half of 20th century. Six tangos are analyzed through discourse analysis whose discursive keys allow to see their emotional contents, intimacy and depth. Conclusions are revealing, as in most cases texts can be sung either by men or women, since they deal with universal themes.
Differences in tail feather growth rate in storm-petrels breeding in the Northern and Southern hemisphere: a ptilochronological approach
Authors: Ausems Anne N.M.A. , Wojczulanis-Jakubas Katarzyna , Jakubas Dariusz 
Published: October 2019

Moulting and breeding are costly stages in the avian annual cycle and may impose trade-offs in energy allocation between both stages or in their timing. Here, we compared feather growth rates (FGR) of rectrices in adults between two pairs of small pelagic Procellariiformes species differing in moult-breeding strategies: the European storm-petrelHydrobates pelagicusand Leach’s storm-petrelOceanodroma leucorhoabreeding in the Northern Hemisphere (Faroe Islands), showing moult-breeding overlap in tail feathers; and the Wilson’s storm-petrelOceanites oceanicusand black-bellied storm-petrelFregetta tropica, breeding in the Southern Hemisphere (South Shetlands), temporally separating moult and breeding. We used ptilochronology (i.e., feather growth bar width) to reconstruct FGR reflecting relative energy availability during moult. Based on previous research, we expected positive correlations between feather length (FL) and FGR. Additionally, we expected to find differences in FGR relative to FL between the moult-breeding strategies, where a relatively higher FGR to FL indicates a higher energy availability for moult. To investigate if energy availability during moult in the studied species is similar to species from other avian orders, we used FGR and FL found in literature (n = 164) and this study. We fitted a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) model to FGR with FL, group (i.e., Procellariiformes vs. non-Procellariiformes) and the interaction FL * group as predictors. As it has been suggested that Procellariiformes may form two growth bars per 24 h, we fitted the same model but with doubled FGR for Procellariiformes (PGLSadj). The group term was significant in the PGLS model, but was not in the PGLSadj model, confirming this suggestion. Individually predicted FGR by the PGLSadj model based on FL, showed that the Southern species have a significantly higher FGR relative to FL compared to the Northern species. Additionally, we found no correlation between FL and FGR in the Northern species, and a positive correlation between FL and FGR in the Southern species, suggesting differences in the trade-off between feather growth and size between species from both hemispheres. The observed differences between the Northern and Southern species may be caused by different moult-breeding strategies. The Southern species may have had more energy available for moult as they are free from breeding duties during moult, while the Northern species may have had less free energy due to a trade-off in energy allocation between breeding and moulting. Our study shows how different moult-breeding strategies may affect relative nutritional condition or energy allocation during moult of migratory pelagic seabirds.
Effect of Aqueous Extract of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on Some Biochemical Parameters in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Rats
Authors: Jiyil M. K. , Luka C. D. , Mafuyai C. E. , Pamela N. 
Published: October 2019

Background: Appreciable number of medicinal plants are used for the treatment of diabetes in Nigeria.
Aim of the Study: The present study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic activity of Zingiber officinale extracts and its potential mechanisms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Study Duration: The period of the study was done on 30th September, 2018 at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, university of Jos, Nigeria.
Methodology: Albino rats of Wistar strain weighing between 130 g to 160 g were induced with single freshly prepared streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes was confirmed after forty eight hours in streptozotocin -induced rats showing fasting blood glucose levels > 10 mmol/l. The rats were randomly divided into four (4) experimental groups (n = 4). A (Control diabetic group fed with normal feed), Group B (Normal control fed with normal feed), Group Group C (Diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/Kg body weight extract of ginger and Group D, (Diabetic rats are treated with 400 mg/Kg body weight of metformin). After 8 days the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical and hematological analysis. Changes in the animal body weights were also measured within the period.
Results: From the results, it was observed that treatment of rats with extract of ginger compensates for the reduction of body weight, and caused an increase in the body weight of the treated rats (+11.5%) in contrast to 24.8% reduction observed in diabetic control. In the same order, serum glucose significantly decreased (p<0.05) after the 8-day treatment compared to diabetic control. The extent of reversal of hyperglycemia in the ginger extract treated animals compared well with the metformin treated group. The results, therefore, showed that ginger extract has a significant (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats and moreover, elevations in the measured biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated in rats treated with ginger extract.
Conclusion: Zingiber officinale extracts has a significant effect on some biochemical parameters and hematological assays. These provide scientific evidence to confirm the traditional use of Z. officinale in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Preliminary Investigations on the Health Benefits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad Seeds
Authors: Olushola-Siedoks A. A. , Igbo U. E. , Asieba G. O. , Ojo B. I. , Akinola T. O. , Igwe C. C. 
Published: October 2019

Aims: To evaluate the composition of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seed as a means of assessing its health and possible therapeutic benefits.
Study Design: Test-tube Lab Research.
Place and Duration of Study: Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Nigeria, between June 2018 and March 2019.
Methodology: Intact dehulled Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad seeds were analyzed for their proximate and elemental content using standard methods and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The seed oil was extracted with n-hexane via cold maceration and the extracted oil was analyzed for its physiochemical properties. The fatty acid profile was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results: The proximate analysis values were determined to be 6.51%, 51.46%, 21.62%, 13.26%, 3.76% and 3.39% for the moisture, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, ash and total carbohydrate content respectively. Results of the elemental analysis show the seed contains; 3653.0322 mg/kg Na, 6639.7818 mg/kg K, 2329.0612 mg/kg Ca, 235.6057 mg/kg Fe, 5252.5884 mg/kg Mg, 27.9056 mg/kg Zn and 7.0068 mg/kg Pb. The predominant fatty acid detected with an area percentage of 20.31 was cis-11-octadecenoic acid. Other fatty acids detected include cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic acid, cis-9-octadecenoic, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and icosanoic acid. Squalene, a biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol, was detected with an area percentage of 8.54.
Conclusion: The evaluation of the compositional data provided evidential support for its beneficial health impact particularly in regards to nutritional and cardio-vascular health.
Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis and Antifungal Susceptibility of Azardirachta indica against Some Strains of Candida albicans
Authors: Owoyale A. D. M. , Galadimma M. , Daniyan S. Y. , Adabara N. 
Published: October 2019

This research work was focus on determining the quantitative phytochemical analysis and antifungal susceptibility of Azardirachta indica against some strains of Candida albicans. The leaves of Azardirachta indica was susccessively extracted using reflux method of extraction. Quantitative phytochemical screenings were done to determine the amounts of phytochemical that are present in the crude extracts. The result showed that the extract of Azardirachta indica (neem) possessed active principles which include: Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols and tannin which were present in the crude extracts. The antifungal activity of the extracts was assayed against three different strains (P37005, RM1000 & SC5314) The antifungal susceptibility test of the crude extracts against the strains were determined at different concentrations of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml using the agar well diffusion method. The n- hexane and methanol crude extract showed inhibitory activity compared to that of ethyl acetate that had no inhibitory activity. The highest mean zone of inhibition (MZI) was 15.00±1.00 mm which was recorded for n-hexane leaf extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml against strain RM1000 (isolate: S2). Although the standard antibiotics (Fluconazole) used in this study showed a much higher zone of inhibition than that of the n-hexane and methanol crude extract. The MIC and MFC value for n-hexane crude extracts were 12.5 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml respectively against strain P37005 (Isolate:S1)likewise, the n-hexane crude extract had a value of 6.25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml. However, the methanol crude extract showed a value of 6.25 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively against SC5314 (isolate:S3).
The iron–sulfur‐containing HypC‐HypD scaffold complex of the [NiFe]‐hydrogenase maturation machinery is an ATPase
Authors: Nutschan Kerstin , Golbik Ralph P. , Sawers R. Gary 
Published: October 2019

HypD and HypC, or its paralogue HybG in Escherichia coli, form the core of the scaffold complex that synthesizes the Fe(CN)2CO component of the bimetallic NiFe‐cofactor of [NiFe]‐hydrogenase. We show here that purified HypC‐HypD and HybG‐HypD complexes catalyse hydrolysis of ATP to ADP (kcat ≅ 0.85·s−1); the ATPase activity of the individual proteins was between 5‐ and 10‐fold lower than that of the complex. Pre‐incubation of HypD with ATP was necessary to restore full activity upon addition of HybG. The conserved Cys41 residue on HypD was essential for full ATPase activity of the complex. Together, our data suggest that HypD undergoes ATP‐dependent conformational activation to facilitate complex assembly in preparation for substrate reduction.
Ageing and the Brain
Authors: Raz Naftali 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Anatomical, neurochemical and functional properties of the mammalian brain change with age, and the trajectories of ageing are modified by many genetic and environmental risk factors, including lifestyle variables. Age‐related changes do not reflect a specific cellular program, but fundamental changes precipitating intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species and diminishing energy production may underlie age‐related deterioration of the brain structure and information processing properties. The latter has been hypothesised to bring about differential declines in cognitive functions that rely on processing of information of high novelty and low redundancy. These hypotheses are summarised in a Free‐Radical‐Induced Energetic and Neural Declines in Senescence (FRIENDS) model, some components of which have been demonstrated in longitudinal studies, while others can be inferred from cross‐sectional and postmortem investigations. The major obstacle to understanding brain ageing and its role in cognitive change remains the dearth of multi‐occasion longitudinal studies of the relevant constructs.

Key Concepts

Brain is a disproportional consumer of energy, which is necessary for maintaining its information processing machinery.

Energy crisis originating in mitochondrial dysfunction and causing further deterioration of the cellular machinery unfolds in time and thus promotes brain ageing.

Decline in metabolic, and vascular properties of the brain is precipitated by energy deficit and drives declines in multiple brain properties.

Brain shrinks with age, with key regions implicated in cognitive processing evidencing faster declines in comparison to sensory cortices.

Energy intensive functions, such as myelin maintenance and synaptogenesis, may be particularly vulnerable to ageing.

Age‐related declines are accelerated by genetic variants linked to vascular disease and inflammation as well as environmental pollution, stress and sedentary lifestyle.

Changes in iron homeostasis may precipitate structural brain changes.

When individual differences in age‐related cognitive changes are observed, they are coupled with alterations in brain structure and function.

Age‐related brain deterioration appears less pronounced in persons with high baseline cognitive performance.

Boosting cognitive performance and promoting active lifestyle as well as combatting pro‐inflammatory and metabolic risk factors may help to improve brain maintenance and mitigate age‐related declines.