bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of an Instructional Module in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) in the Tertiary Education Curriculum
Authors: Homillano Ludivico B. 
Published: July 2023

Aims: As an institution of higher learning, the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) shifted its instructional modality during the COVID-19 pandemic through Virtual Learning Portal. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a developed instructional module in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) based on the competencies of revised tertiary education curricula implemented in 2018 and how valid it is when utilized online.
Study Design: Descriptive-correlation design was used in the study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at CBSUA, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur, in the second semester of 2020-2021.
Methodology: The developed instructional module for STS was uploaded to the University's Virtual Learning Portal (VLP) and utilized by 35 Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) students comprised of 13 males and 22 females. The competencies of the IMs were based on the latest CHED Memorandum Orders (CMOs) of the teacher education curriculum. There were 15 modules and three assessments facilitated with pre-tests and post-tests for each module. The data were tabulated through means and t-tests.
Results: Results showed that the evaluator's overall rating on the developed instructional module, with a mean of 4.42, signified a good evaluation of its validity. Further, there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test means, with the absolute value of the computed t-stat (-5.515) being greater than the t-stat tabular/critical for a one-tail distribution (1.771) and two-tail distribution (2.160). Further, the mean of the post-test (6.538) is significantly higher than that of the pre-test (5.987), reflecting the improvement of the cognitive aspect of students.
Conclusion: The instructional module developed in STS with competencies aligned with the revised tertiary education curricula was valid despite the utilization of it through online modality due to the pandemic.
Community Based Sustainable Tourism and Its Impact on Socio-Economic Development of Phobjikha Valley
Authors: Dema  , Tashi  , Gyeltshen Kuenzang 
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to assess the Impact of Community Based Sustainable Tourism development in Phobjikha Valley in Wangduephodrang district, Bhutan. This paper considers the impact of CBST from the perspective of local people in two development aspects: economic, and sociocultural. In addition, this paper explores the perspective of the local people to support the initiation of Community-Based Sustainable Tourism in the valley of Phobjikha, through their views on the Challenges that are brought by it and the effort they put in to overcome those challenges through different means of Interventions. This paper employed mixed methods, and the data were collected through Field survey questionnaires, survey interviews, and two FGDs. This paper found that CBST has brought positive economic and socio-cultural impact, while in other aspects, it produces negative impacts such as environmental damage due to inadequate management of waste. Therefore, this paper proposes the application of collaborative strategy between community, local government, and tourism business actors in order to develop community-based sustainable tourism in Phobjikha valley.
Socio-demographic Profile of Female Engaging in Self-poisoning at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Yousuf Faisal Bin , Sarker Shyamal , Ferdous Tanzila , Chowdhury Sayeda Moni , Quayum Sayat 
Published: July 2023

Background: Suicide is a prevalent form of unnatural death and a persistent social problem in Bangladesh. The act of self-poisoning is prevalent in our country, posing a significant medico-social challenge with approximately 300,000 cases and around 2,000 fatalities annually. The occurrence, causes, characteristics, affected age groups, and outcomes of self-poisoning in Bangladesh differ from those observed in Western countries. Notably, there is a concerning upward trend in the number of self-poisoning incidents among females in our nation.
Aim of the Study: This research aimed to assess the socio-demographic traits of adult females who engaged in self-poisoning.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study occurred at the Department of Medicine in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2016 to June 2016. The study aimed to investigate self-poisoning among adult female patients, and 100 participants were included as subjects. Prior to data collection, informed consent was obtained from all the participants in accordance with ethical guidelines. The collected data were subsequently processed, analyzed, and managed using MS Excel and SPSS version 23.0 software, as required for the study.
Results: The average age of the participants in the study was 28.19±9.84 years. Most participants resided in rural areas (62%), followed by 75% who identified as Muslim. About 55% of the participants came from joint families, and the occupation most frequently reported was "housewife" (30%). Around 51% of the cases belonged to the lower economic class, while 48% of the patients had completed primary-level education. Among the participants, 51% were married. Regarding the timing of self-poisoning incidents, the majority occurred between 6 am and 12 pm (42%). Insecticide was the most commonly used poison material, accounting for 43% of the cases. Notably, a significant majority (81%) of the self-poisoning patients did not have any previous illnesses.
Conclusion: Intentional self-poisoning is higher among females in younger age groups, particularly among homemakers and students. The majority of individuals affected by this issue come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Self-poisoning incidents are more likely to occur during the daytime, and insecticide is most commonly used for this purpose among females. The leading causes of deliberate self-poisoning in this demographic are familial conflicts and experiencing disappointment in romantic relationships.
Compatibility of Bio and Natural Compounds with Trichogramma evanescens (Westwood) for Pieris rapae Management in Cauliflower
Authors: Siam Amany Nady , El-Kholy M. Y. 
Published: July 2023

The efficacy of a bio compound, Protecto (Bacillus thuringiensis) and botanicals extract (mixture of ginger, garlic, hot red pepper extracts and aloe vera) either in combination with Trichogramma evanescens releases or alone was evaluated in comparison to an insecticide, Uphold 36% SC (Methoxyfenozide/ Spinetoram) on Pieris rapae on cauliflower Brassica oleracea. Field experiments were conducted at Atfih District, Giza Governorate, Egypt in September 2020 and October 2021. Results revealed that, all the tested compounds combined with Trichogramma releases were more effective in reducing P. rapae population than when used alone. B. thuringiensis with Trichogramma releases caused 96.91% and 95.32% reduction in larval population in 2020 and 2021 respectively while the reduction in Pieris pupal pupation was 70.87% and 71.59% respectively during these two trials. Similar results were observed with botanical extracts. Parasitization by T. evanescens ranged between 91.95-92.77% in the plots sprayed with bio- and natural compounds during the trials in two years. Meanwhile, the insecticide treatment was the least effective in reducing P. rapae population (37.85% and 47.85% respectively). It could be concluded that either B. thuringiensis or the botanicals extract could be integrated with T. evanescens releases for the sustainable production of Cauliflower.
Examining School Quality Assurance Criteria for Enhancing Learning Achievements in Public Primary Schools in Arusha Region, Tanzania
Authors: Makiya Rosemary , Mnyanyi Cosmas , Ngirwa Coletha 
Published: July 2023

This study examined School Quality Assurance (SQA) criteria for enhancing learning achievements in Public Primary Schools (PPSs) in the Arusha region, Tanzania, adopting a concurrent research design under a mixed methodology approach. Researchers used semi-structured interviews and closed and open-ended questionnaires for data collection from 226 respondents. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach, and quantitative data via descriptive and ordinal regression statistics. The study revealed that unawareness, poor understanding, inadequate utilization, infeasibility, and inflexibility of the SQA criteria harmed learning achievements. The lack of familiarity stemmed from insufficient training and limited accessibility of SQA handbooks among School Quality Assurance Officers (SQAOs) and teachers, resulting in the ineffective implementation of SQA criteria during school assessments. The infeasible and inflexible nature of the criteria failed to address the unique challenges faced by each school. The study found a significant positive relationship between awareness, effective utilization, feasibility, flexibility and sharing of SQA criteria, alongside fair judgments by SQAOs and learning achievements, as their probability values were less than .05. The study recommended in-service training programs on SQA criteria to equip SQAOs, headteachers, and teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge for effectively implementing SQA criteria in the school assessments to enhance learning achievements.
Varietial Performance of Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae) at Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition
Authors: Ao Sentinaro , Kerketta Anita , Prasad V. M. , Bahadur Vijay 
Published: July 2023

The research experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture’s, SHUATS, Prayagraj during the year 2022.The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising of 9 varieties viz., V1: All Green, V2: Space Spinach, V3: Red kitten Spinach, V4: Catalina Spinach, V5: Bloomdale, V6: Perpetual Spinach, V7: Indian summer Spinach, V8: Punjab Green, V9: Corvair spinach with three replications. The Observations were recorded as per the growth and yield parameters. The findings reveal that the treatment T6 (Perpetual Spinach) was found to be the most suitable over all the other varietiesin relation to the growth and yield of Spinach.
Effects of Varying Doses and Timing of Humic Acid Application on Growth and Flowering of Zinnia elegans
Authors: Karmakar Shreya , Sahu Jitendra Kumar , Sharma Vinayak , Das Diptajit , Tirki Kamlesh 
Published: July 2023

Aims: The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of humic acid, applied at different concentrations and time intervals, on the vegetative and flowering characters of Zinnia elegans.
Study Design: The experiment was designed as a complete randomized design with three replications and a total of nine treatments.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The study was carried out over a specific duration in 2022.
Methodology: The study was conducted in a shaded area, where Zinnia elegans plants were subjected to foliar spraying of humic acid at three different concentrations (2.5, 3.5, and 5.0 mL/L) and at different intervals (10, 30 and 10 and 30 days both after transplanting) after transplanting. Various aspects of plant growth, including plant height, leaf area, root length, branching, and flowering parameters such as days to flower, blooming period, flower size, and number of flowers per plant were observed.
Results: The results showed that foliar application of humic acid at a concentration of 3.5 mL/L in 10 and 30 days after planting significantly increased plant height, leaf area, root length, branching, flower size, and number of flowers per plant. Plants treated with 3.5 mL/L of humic acid exhibited the highest values for these parameters compared to other treatments and the control (water spary). The days taken to flower were also reduced in plants treated with higher concentrations of humic acid.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that foliar application of humic acid, particularly at a concentration of 3.5 mL/L in 10 and 30 days after planting, positively influenced the vegetative and flowering dimensions of Zinnia elegans.
Design and Development of a Solar PV Based Evaporative Cooled Transit Storage Unit for Horticultural Products
Authors: Mahangade Priyanka Sharad , Mani Indra , Jagadale Manisha , Jadhav Mahesh 
Published: July 2023

Adequate cold storage facility for Horticultural products is critical due to their perishable nature. Green energy based evaporative cooling storage unit is a sustainable and efficient solution for small scale farmers and vegetable vendors in hot and dry climates who need to store their produce. Solar power operated evaporative cooling structures are low cost and efficient in reducing ambient temperature and increasing relative humidity, which increases the shelf-life of vegetables. A green energy-based evaporative cooling transit storage unit of 0.63m3 capacity was designed and fabricated. The transit unit was designed and operated as a a tricycle. Two suction fans (15.6W), submersible water pump (12W) and LED light (2.88Wp) were powered through two 100-Wp solar panels. Two batteries, 7Ah each were also used to store energy. The storage unit was made up of MS sheets of 1.2mm thick while a side of the system was made up of GI wire mesh with honeycomb pad. To test the performance of the developed unit tomato, spinach and radish were used. Results revealed that there was a significant difference (P=0.05) in PLW, firmness, TSS, and colour values of the vegetables when stored inside the unit compared to vegetables stored in ambient condition. The ambient temperature during the study was 32.2-43.4°C and RH was 21.1- 46%. The drop-in temperature was 7.8 to 14.8°C as compared to ambient conditions, while RH in the cooling chamber increased considerably to 84%. The average cooling efficiency obtained was 84.12%. The shelf life of stored vegetables inside the unit was 2-5 days higher than those kept under ambient conditions.
An Economic Analysis of Marketing of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in Jaipur District, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Choudhary Rajesh Kumar , Kumar Sanjay 
Published: July 2023

The present study aims to conduct an economic analysis of production and marketing of pearl millet in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. Price spreads in channels I and II were 525 and 660 rupees per quintal, respectively. For channel I, the producer's share of the consumer's rupee was 73.94, and for channel II, it was 70.11%. The marketing effectiveness of channel I was 4.35 percent, and channel II was 3.50 percent. High labour costs, high PFC chemical costs, etc., as well as frequent price changes, a lack of storage space, high transportation costs, a lack of knowledge about government programmes and subsidies, high commission fees, etc., were barriers to the marketing of pea millet.
Seasonal Incidence and Eco Friendly Management of White Grub in Sugarcane Using Entomopathogenic Nematode and Entomopathogenic Fungus in Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Visalakshi M. , Patil Jagadeesh , Suresh M. , Manisha B. L. 
Published: July 2023

High rainfall with increase in humidity (68% to 75%) along with a decrease in temperature ( 3 to 5°C less than usual ) during June, July, and August months favor the emergence of white grub beetles, its egg laying which in turn resulted in severe sugarcane clump damage by white grubs in July, August and September months. Seasonal incidence of white grub in sugarcane growing areas in Andhra Pradesh state showed that damage of sugarcane clumps caused by white grubs infestation was significantly high in march ratoon compared to February ratoon crop; January plant crop and low in January seedling plant crop. Grub damage recorded high in 4 months age sugarcane ratoon crop and low in 6 months and 7 months age sugarcane plant crop. Field efficacy of entomopathogenic nematode and entomopathogenic fungus in the management of white grub, Holotrichia consanguinea in sugarcane was investigated and promoted biocontrol in white grub endemic areas during 2017-18 to 2019-20. Entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis indica NBAII-H38), entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae (NBAIR Ma4 )along with a chemical Chlorantraniliprole were evaluated through soil application. The results indicated that Heterorhabditis indica NBAII-H38 (12 kg a.i./ha) soil application two times at monthly interval resulted in higher reduction of white grub damage. Metarhizium anisopliae NBAIR Ma4 (2.5 kg a.i./ha) treated plots caused higher percentage reduction of white grub than chlorantraniliprole treatment. Entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis indica and entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae were found effective than the insecticidal application in the management of sugarcane white grub. Cost benefit of biocontrol agents, Metarhizium anisopliae and H. indica was proved superior to insecticidal application.
Graphical Abstract
Influence of Flower Inducer on Flowering, Yield and Fruit Quality of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Amrapali Planted under Different Spacing
Authors: Swain Laxmipriya , Swain Subash Ch. , Dash Satyanarayan , Mishra Antaryami , Kishore Kundan , Panda Rajendra Ku. , Padhi Soubindra Ku. 
Published: July 2023

Flowering is the first of several events that lay the foundation for mango production every year. The temperatures below 15°C readily promote floral induction. Decrease in temperature below 20 0C is common in sub-tropical regions but seldom occurs in many tropical ones. So, an alternative strategy for optimum flower initiation under tropical condition is essentially required for increasing the productivity of plant. Among different strategies evolved, paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate application is effective not only in flower induction but also in early and offseason flower production in mango. Hence, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate on the flowering, fruit yield and quality of Amrapali mango (Mangifera indica L.) plants grown under different plant spacings at Horticultural Research Station, OUAT, Bhubaneswar during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with 24 treatment combinations and 2 replications. The treatment combinations consist of four levels of spacings (2.0 x 2.0 m, 4.0 x 2.0 m, 4.0 x 4.0 m, 8.0 x 2.0 m) and 6 levels of chemical treatments (Paclobutrazol@0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g a.i. per meter of canopy spread and KNO3@ 2% and 4%) and a control with water application. The results revealed that plants spaced at 4.0 x 4.0 m with application of paclobutrazol 0.50 g a.i. recorded maximum flowering intensity (82.48%), fruit set percentage (6.47%) and yield (11.12 kg/tree). Whereas the fruit quality parameters like TSS, acidity, reducing sugar, total sugar, ß carotene content are not significantly influenced by either due to plant spacing or flower inducer such as paclobutrazol and potassium nitrate.
Performance and Genetic Evaluation of Some Cauliflower Genotypes in Dry Temperate Ladakh Region of India
Authors: Kanwar M. S. 
Published: July 2023

Nature has endowed India with many precious gifts, wherein lies its immense potential for the vegetable sector. In dry temperate region of India like Ladakh, cauliflower is grown during summer months. Extreme environmental fluctutaions make the cauliflower cultivation not an easy venture. Cauliflower is thermo-sensitive crop and identification of proper group as well genotype for cultivation in a particular climate and region is of utmost importance. Six genotypes were tried in Randomized Block Design with 4 replications with crop geometry of 45 x 45 cm with the objective to select the proper maturity group and genotype for cultivation in dry temperate Ladakh condition and to study the genetic parameters for further breeding procedures. Results indicated that there are significant differences among all the cultivars for all the characters except stalk length, number of leaves for plant and leaf length. Sweta recorded highest gross plant weight, net curd weight and yield per ha which is superior to all the others cultivars. GCV and PCV as well heritability with genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean were higher in gross plant weight, net curd weight and yield per hectare. Selection on phenotypic performance could be effective for improvement of these traits.
Effects of Levels of N: P: K on Yield and Quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) under Meadow Orchard System
Authors: Guleria Keshav , Singh Devi 
Published: July 2023

A field experiment was carried out at central research field, Department of horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute (NAI) SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. India during 2022 session. The experiment was conducted to study the different levels of N: P: K on yield and fruit quality of guava to find out the optimum dose of N: P: K for guava trees under meadow orchard system. The experiment was conducted on eight years old Allahabad safeda guava trees planted at 2x1 m spacing. There were eight treatments of different levels of NPK viz. (T0) control, (T1,) 100:50:50 g NPK/tree, (T2) 150:75:75 g NPK/tree, (T3) 200:100:100 g NPK/tree, (T4) 250:125:125 g NPK/tree, (T5) 300:150:150 g NPK/tree (T6 )350:175:175 g NPK/tree, (T7) 400:200:200 g NPK/tree. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and each replicate was represented by one tree. All the cultural operation were carried out as per recommendations. The observation on yield and fruit quality aspects of guava cultivation under different treatments were recorded, analyzed and presented.
The results of this experiment indicated that, different levels of N: P: K has shown different response to yield and fruit quality. The application of N: P: K @400:200:200 g NPK/tree (T7) produced superior yield of guava in terms of fruit volume (165.56cm3), fruit weight (61.53g), fruit diameter (6.72cm), number of fruits per branch (21.26), number of fruits per plants (322.15) and fruit yield per plant (55.30kg). The fruit quality with application of N: P: K @400:200:200 g NPK/tree (T7) was also superior in terms of TSS (12.17obrix), Total sugar (8.84%), ascorbic acid (167.86 mg) and minimum acidity (0.205%). Hence it can be concluded that, for guava trees grown under meadow orchard system at 2x1 m spacing the dose of application of N: P: K @ 400:200:200 g/tree was found optimum for getting higher yield and superior fruit quality of guava. Further the treatment of application of N: P: K @ (T6) 300:175:175 g/tree produced at par result for most of the parameters under the study of this experiment indicate the scope of increasing the fertilizer dose as per the age of the trees.