bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Maize Varieties for Resistance to Field Pests: Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) and Stem Borer in a Tropical Rainforest Agro-Ecology
Authors: Oluwaranti A. , Olaifa G. , Bakare A. M. , Akanmu B. B. 
Published: September 2022

Aims: To evaluate newly improved maize varieties for fall armyworm and stem borer resistance and determine the relationship among traits for increased productivity in a rainforest location in Nigeria.
Study Design: The experiments were laid out in a 10 x 10 triple lattice design with three replications and Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in four replicates.
Place and Duration of Study: Field experiments were conducted during the late seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Methodology: Hundred newly improved maize varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2018 for fall armyworm resistance, while ten stem borers resistant varieties were evaluated during the late season of 2019. Data were collected on emergence, flowering, vegetative, armyworm, and grain yield traits. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics, correlation and cluster Analysis.
Results: Differential responses for resistance to fall armyworm traits were observed for all the varieties evaluated. Fall armyworm trait was observed to be negatively correlated with emergence percentage and ear number and positively correlated with flowering traits and moisture content. Furthermore, the results from the stem borer varieties evaluation indicated varietal differences for emergence percentage, plant height, ear height and kernel number. Stand count, ear number and weight per plot, moisture content had a significant positive correlation with yield while days to tasseling and silking and kernel row number had a significant negative correlation with yield.
Conclusion: The best resistant varieties to fall armyworm were F2SCA 1413-36, ACR. 06 TZL COMP. 3C4 and 2013 TZEE-W POP STR with 6.01 tons/ha, 5.11 tons/ha, and 4.87 tons/ha of yield respectively while that of stem borer were TZBR Comp 1 –W C2 and Ama TZBR-W C4 with grain yield of 3.7 tons/hectare and 3.5 tons/hectare respectively.
Complementary Feeding Practices of Mothers Resident in South-East Nigeria and Effect on Weight of Children Aged 6-23 Months
Authors: Onubogu Chinyere Ukamaka , Ugochukwu Ebelechuku Francesca , Okeke Kenneth Nchekwube , Manyike Chuka Pius , Ekwochi Uchenna , Ukpabi Ihuoma Kathleen 
Published: September 2022

Background: Complementary feeds have serious impact on the growth, development, well-being and long term health of individuals.
Objective: We examined the complementary feeding practices of mothers resident in southeast Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1610 mother-child pairs seen at immunization clinics in southeast Nigeria.
Results: A substantial proportion of the mothers were income earners (88.0%), and completed secondary or tertiary education (95.2%). The prevalence of underweight, severe underweight and overweight were 11.2%, 3.7% and 4.5%, respectively, among the children. More than one-third (38.9%) of the mothers initiated cereal in an untimely manner. Mothers’ educational status (p=0.044), profession (p=0.020), social class (p=0.001) and exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.001) were significantly associated with timing of cereal initiation. The most commonly used cereal was locally prepared pap (97.6%) which was predominantly fortified with commercial formula (79.7%). One 400g tin of formula lasted beyond 7 days for 40.5% of children. More than half (58.2%) of the mothers were bottle-feeding, 27% did not regularly wash their hands before preparing feeds, and 32.6% were not giving the recommended daily complementary feed frequency. Bottle-feeding was mainly due to need to return to work (37.9%), convenience (36.5%) and perception that suckling mother’s nipple was inadequate (12.4%). Cereal and family foods were not given fresh by 35.5% and 50.1% of mothers, respectively. Age at complementary feed (p=0.008) or family feed (p=0.002) initiation, feeding frequency (p<0.001), type of cereal (p<0.001) or pap fortifier (<0.001), timespan one tin of formula (p<0.001) and breastfeeding status (p<0.001) were significantly associated with child’s weight-for-age. Apart from timespan of one tin of formula, these factors remained significant after binary logistic regression.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The rate of untimely complementary feed initiation, unsafe/unhygienic practices, and fortification with expensive imported formula is high in southeast Nigeria. Urgent innovative interventions are needed to address these potential barriers to optimal complementary feeding.
Action Research on Use of Bilingualism (English & Dzongkha) as Medium of Educational Instruction for Teaching Social Studies in Grade Six Students
Authors: Phuentsho . 
Published: September 2022

The Education System of our country, Bhutan has initiated for intersection of Geography and History curricula as Social Studies in lower classes for providing opportunities to explore students’ prior learning with historical and geographical content designed to support in acquisition goals of learning History and Geography as segregated subjects in higher classes. Such integration of subject is deemed as socio-cultural, geographical and historical knowledge are gathered and accumulated from home and community settings.
Therefore, to instill concepts and facts in the children at early stage, bilingual educational instruction has felt very necessary for primary students so that they can grasp the essential and core concept of subjects to determine for enhancing their cultural and historical facts. This miniature action research will evaluate the outcome of using bilingualism as an educational instruction for imparting concept of social studies contents. The targeted population for this action research was grade VI children studying in Dangchu Primary School under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag.
This study will also explore the benefits of using bilingualism as an educational instruction for teaching social studies by adopting National Language (Dzongkha) as an alternative medium of instruction for explaining and discussing for clarifying contents in subject. The Scaffolding and Trans-language strategies were applied during the social studies teaching periods and positive results were recorded after the intervention strategies were used and the academic performance was drastically improved with intervention strategies and also encouraged students for more classroom participation and concepts were clarified. Bilingualism as medium of educational instructions proved to be the best teaching strategies to improve herself/herself in teaching in turn it enhances learning outcome of the students.
Hedonic modeling to facilitate price reporting and fed cattle market transparency
Authors: Schroeder Ted C. , Coffey Brian K. , Tonsor Glynn T. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractLivestock Mandatory Price reporting, enacted to increase market transparency, has been in place for more than 20 years. However, immense structural change in cattle and beef markets has challenged market information over that time. Large variation present in cattle transaction prices, especially those in the Formula purchases category, on any given day has made traditionally United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)‐reported weighted‐average prices less meaningful. Using nearly 6 years of The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 transactions data from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS), we demonstrate use of hedonic modeling to facilitate price reporting. While the models show promise to provide useful information, they reveal substantial weaknesses associated with current transaction information collected by USDA from packers. We offer suggestions for improved data collection which would make hedonic modeling of transactions prices a more valuable tool to increase usefulness of reported market prices.
Forest age‐associated change in Zanthoxylum planispinum ‘dintanensis’ pericarp quality
Authors: Yu Yanghua , Song Yanping , Li Yitong 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe present study clarified the forest‐age associated change in the pericarp quality of Zanthoxylum planispinum ‘dintanensis’ (ZPD) and aimed to provide a theoretical foundation for formulating management strategies. The studied forest age groups consisted of 5‐to‐7‐, 10‐to‐12‐, 20‐to‐22‐, and 28‐to‐32‐yr‐old ZPD plants growing in rocky desertified areas of karst dry‐hot valleys in Guizhou, China. By measuring the pericarp quality indices of the plants present in the stands, the changes in pericarp quality were determined. The quality traits were optimal when the forest age was 28–32 yr, and the quality did not degrade with increased forest age. The sensitivity levels of ash contents and vitamins to the forest age were weak, whereas the levels of amino acids and trace elements were more affected by forest age. The latter two compounds were, therefore, more suitable for quality grading. The comprehensive quality index of the 28‐to‐32‐yr‐old plant group was the highest, followed by the 10‐to‐12‐yr‐old, 5‐to‐7‐, and 20‐to‐22‐yr‐old plants.
Exploring market choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry
Authors: Wei Xuan , Khachatryan Hayk , Hodges Alan , Hall Charlie , Palma Marco , Torres Ariana , Brumfield Robin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn 2019, the US ornamental horticulture industry had a farm gate crop value of roughly $17 billion, contributed $348 billion in total output to the nation's economy, and created 2.32 million employment opportunities. However, as the industry matures and reaches a slow‐growing stage, interfirm rivalry may appear among grower firms for marketing channels and sales opportunities. Independent garden centers and retailers report facing increased competition from mass merchandisers. Market channel choices, as part of the competitive strategy, are alternative ways for ornamental production to reach consumers. However, marketing practices of this industry have not received adequate attention from researchers despite the economic significance of the industry. Combining four waves of the National Green Industry Survey from 2004 to 2019, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing firms' market participation and market channel choices. Over the survey period, traditional wholesale market channels such as landscape services companies, rewholesalers, and single‐location garden centers have remained mainstream channels. The direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) channel showed the potential to gain significant market share. Thirty percent of the firms participated in DTC channel in 2018, and their sales represent about 22% of total sales by all survey firms. Our empirical results show firms' wholesale market participation and choices of market channels are largely influenced by plant types and firm perceptions (variables potentially affecting firms' assessment of the “size” of their market) and variables approximating the market size such as regional dummies and housing price index, confirming the impact of market size on entry decision. [EconLit Citations: C50, M31, L14].
Extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from fluid catalytic cracking diesel with ionic liquids
Authors: Li Guoxuan , Gao Qinghe , Liu Qinghua , Gui Chengmin , Lei Zhigang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIonic liquids (ILs) as promising green solvents were first proposed to extract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) diesel. The COSMO‐RS model was used for preliminary screening of IL extractants. The liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) experiments were performed to show that the IL [BMIM][BF4] has a high selectivity for the model oil system. Further, the LLE experimental results show that the solubility of 1‐methylnaphthalene in [BMIM][BF4] is relatively low, while the IL exhibits a high selectivity of n‐hexadecane to 1‐methylnaphthalene. This means that the use of [BMIM][BF4] can obtain the high‐purity products when considering the almost nonvolatility of IL. Compared to the benchmark process, the multistage countercurrent–reflux extraction process can improve the PAHs purity by about 2% at the expense of 5.06% total annual cost and 6.42% energy consumption, rendering the use of IL to extract PAHs from FCC diesel more feasible in industry.
Management of relapsed/refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Woyach Jennifer A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe therapeutic landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has changed dramatically over the past decade as our understanding of the biology of CLL has advanced, allowing the development of oral therapies targeting key drivers of CLL. Currently, inhibitors of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and the BH3 mimetic venetoclax are standards of care for both frontline and relapsed/refractory CLL. Sequencing of available therapies, therefore, has become a major challenge of therapy. In this review, we will focus on the current landscape for the treatment of relapsed/refractory CLL. We will also discuss important considerations when sequencing these available treatments. The recent advances in this disease are significant steps forward, and raise new questions of how these available drugs should be given as well as how we can continue to improve the treatment of CLL.
The dietary impacts of drought in a traditional pastoralist economy
Authors: Prall Sean , Scelza Brooke 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjectivesArid pastoralism is often understood as an adaptive strategy to marginal environments. As pastoralists become increasingly market integrated, novel dietary preferences and access to low quality market foods can erode traditional diets. These market‐based dietary shifts are particularly problematic during sustained drought, where reductions in traditional foods make pastoralists increasingly reliant on a cash economy. Among the Himba of the Kunene region in Namibia, colonial policies prohibiting access to livestock markets inhibit access to a cash‐based economy, leaving them vulnerable to food insecurity when nontraditional foods are needed to supplement traditional lifeways during drought. To understand the impacts of long‐term drought on diet and food insecurity, we collected longitudinal survey data on diet breadth and food insecurity across 4 years during a multi‐year drought.MethodsParticipants completed a five‐item food insecurity survey and recalled diet breadth survey over the course of 4 years (N = 191–234). Additionally, women completed a short survey of recent stressors, including health and resource stressors (N = 127). We used a set of multilevel models to estimate changes in food insecurity items and diet breadth changes over the course of the study period.ResultsMultilevel models predicted score outcomes, as well as individual item responses, by year of data collection. Results indicate a 43% increase in average food insecurity and a 15% decline in average diet breadth over the study period. Dietary recall indicates that drought caused a reduction in sour milk intake, and an increase in nontraditional foods, but no change in meat or maize consumption.ConclusionsSustained drought in the Kunene region is having long‐term impacts on food insecurity, which could result in dietary shifts that outlast the current period of drought. We consider the implications of this change, especially as it relates to increasing market integration and reliance on a cash‐based over a subsistence‐based economy.
Physics‐based deep neural network model to guide electrospinning polyurethane fibers
Authors: Rahman S. Mashfiqur , Tafreshi Hooman Vahedi , Pourdeyhimi Behnam 
Published: September 2022

AbstractElectrospinning is an inexpensive room‐temperature method of producing nanofibers from polymer granules. While it is quite easy to produce electrospun nanofibers, it is very difficult to control properties of the resulting fibers without conducting laborious trial‐and‐error experiments. In this work, a mass‐spring‐damper (MSD) model was used to simulate formation of electrospun fibers for different combinations of electrospinning conditions such as voltage, needle‐to‐collector distance, and polymer concentration. The sparse data from the CPU‐intensive MSD model were then used in developing a deep neural network (DNN) model that could guide the electrospinning experiment toward producing fibers with a desired diameter. The accuracy of the MSD‐DNN hybrid model was examined via comparison with experimental data obtained by electrospinning polyurethane fibers.
Towards sustainable development: Coupling green marketing strategies and consumer perceptions in addressing greenwashing
Authors: Rahman Saleem ur , Nguyen‐Viet Bang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTo understand how consumers perceive greenwashing, this study examines the impact of green advertising receptivity (GAR), non‐deception (ND), green brand image (GBI) and transparency (TR) on green brand trust (GBT) and subsequently the impact of GBT on consumers' purchasing intentions (PI). We also consider the mediation role of GBT between the relationship of the independent variables (GAR, ND, GBI and TR) and the dependent variable (PI). At the same time, we examine the moderating impact of ND on the GAR and GBT and of TR on the GBI and GBT relationship. Using the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework, we test a number of hypotheses. A survey‐based questionnaire was utilized to gather the data from Vietnamese respondents (n = 262). We analysed the data using the partial least squares (PLS) method, which is a structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, with the assistance of the SmartPLS computer program 3.0. The data results show that GAR and GBI positively influence GBT, but the influence of ND and TR on GBT is insignificant. Again, the data show that GBT has a positive influence on PI, and as a mediator variable, it facilitates GAR, GBI and PI, but not the link between ND, TR and PI. A significant interaction effect of ND demonstrates that it strengthens the GAR‐GBT relationship. However, the TR has no impact on the GBI–GBT relationship. The findings of this study provide insights into the theory and the essential managerial implications for successfully managing the implementation of green marketing strategies.
Green core competence and firm performance in a post‐conflict country, Iraq
Authors: Al Halbusi Hussam , Klobas Jane E. , Ramayah T. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractGreen core competence theory proposes that green core competence is needed for green innovation performance and, in turn, firm performance. We demonstrate that this theory applies in post‐conflict Iraq where green innovation performance was conditional on commitment to sustainable management and development of green technology and skills. Data from 238 Iraqi executives showed that green product and process innovation performance increased with green core competence, but only when the firm invested in people and R&D or, in the case of green process innovation, top management demonstrated authentic commitment to sustainable practices. The moderation effects of R&D investment and top management commitment reflect the national context in Iraq, where R&D investment is low and management is often constrained by inflexible bureaucracy. As countries emerge from conflict, investment in modernization of companies' internal structure, management, and capacity for continuous improvement is required if core competence is to be translated into innovation performance.
Virtual‐laboratory based learning to improve students’ basic engineering competencies based on their spatial abilities
Authors: Sriadhi S. , Sitompul Harun , Restu R. , Khaerudin S. , Wan Yahaya Wan A. J. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study aims to determine the effect of learning in Classic Tutorial Virtual Laboratory (CT‐VLab) and Exploratory Tutorial Virtual Laboratory (ET‐VLab) on student learning outcomes, that is, Immediate Memories Learning Outcomes (IM‐LO) and Delayed Memories learning Outcomes (DM‐LO) in essential engineering competencies. Moreover, the moderating role of spatial ability in the form of High Spatial Ability (H‐SA) and Low Spatial Ability (L‐SA) has been examined to assess the change in students learning outcomes. The study used a quasi‐experimental approach with a 4 × 2 factorial design. Purdue Spatial Visualization Test to measure spatial abilities and learning outcomes has been applied using standard test instruments. Moreover, a two‐way Manova analysis was performed. The results showed that CT‐VLab was as good as ET‐VLab in improving IM‐LO learning outcomes, but for DM‐LO, CT‐VLab media was superior in maintaining learning outcomes. In addition, spatial ability showed a linear effect on learning outcomes for IM‐LO and DM‐LO, both in CT‐VLab and ET‐VLab learning. Furthermore, results revealed that for the H‐SA student group, CT‐VLab and ET‐VLab are effective for improving IM‐LO and DM‐LO learning outcomes, but for the l‐SA group, it is recommended to use CT‐VLab.
The Efficacy of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Modulating the Main Protease of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Cytokine Storm
Authors: Choe Jomin , Har Yong Phaik , Xiang Ng Zhi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSelected traditional medicinal plants exhibit therapeutic effects in coronavirus disease (Covid‐19) patients. This review aims to identify the phytochemicals from five traditional medicinal plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra,Nigella sativa,Curcuma longa,Tinospora cordifoliaandWithania somnifera) with high potential in modulating the main protease (Mpro) activity and cytokine storm in Covid‐19 infection. The Mpro binding affinity of 13 plant phytochemicals were in the following order: Withanoside II>withanoside IV>withaferin A>α‐hederin>withanoside V>sitoindoside IX>glabridin>liquiritigenin, nigellidine>curcumin>glycyrrhizin>tinocordiside>berberine. Among these phytochemicals, glycyrrhizin, withaferin A, curcumin, nigellidine and cordifolioside A suppressed SARS‐CoV‐2 replication and showed stronger anti‐inflammatory activities than standard Covid‐19 drugs. Both preclinical and clinical evidences supported the development of plant bioactive compounds as Mpro inhibitors.
Tunable Toxicity of Bufadienolides is Regulated through a Configuration Inversion Catalyzed by a Short‐Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase
Authors: Ye Ge , Huang Weihuan , Chen Zeping , Zhong Hao , Zhong Junhao , Guo Xiaoxin , Huang Yuheng , Kandalai Shruthi , Zhou Xiaozhuang , Zhang Nan , Zhou Yang , Zheng Qingfei , Tian Haiyan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBufadienolides are toxic components widely found in amphibious toads that exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Guided by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS analysis, several 3‐epi‐bufadienolides with unique structures were isolated from the bile of the Asiatic toad, Bufo gargarizans. However, the enzymatic machinery of this epimerization in toads and its significance in chemical ecology remains poorly understood. Herein, we firstly compared the toxicities of two typical bufadienolides, bufalin (featuring a 14β‐hydroxyl) and resibufogenin (containing a 14, 15‐epoxy group), with their corresponding 3‐epi isomers in a zebrafish model. The results of the toxicology assays showed that the ratio of maximum non‐toxic concentrations of these two pairs of compounds are 256 and 96 times, respectively, thereby indicating that 3‐hydroxyl epimerization leads to a significant decrease in toxicity. Aiming to investigate the biotransformation of 3‐epi bufadienolides in toads, we applied liver lysate to transform bufalin and found that it could stereoselectively catalyze the conversion of bufalin into its 3α‐hydroxyl epimer. Following this, we cloned and characterized a short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase, HSE‐1, from the toad liver cDNA library and verified its 3(β→α)‐hydroxysteroid epimerization activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first hydroxyl epimerase identified from amphibians that regulates the toxicity of animal‐derived natural products.