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Phytotoxic induction by imidacloprid and its nano form on the cucumber plant and the adverse impact on the tissue culture of HepG2 cell line were demonstrated. Nano-form of imidacloprid was loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (NPs). Significant increase in the plant morphological parameters was noticed after the last periods. The nano-form exhibited significant increases in the fruits yield greater than the traditional form. Also, the quality recognized the same pattern. All treatments of the nano-form: dose, 1/2 dose and 2-times dose showed an increase in the leave pigments greater than the traditional form. The bio-safety procedure on HepG2 cell lines showed a slight difference between the traditional and nano-form (1.22-folds). However, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level showed significant increases in the treated cells, respect to their controls. Nano-formulation practices have advantages on the vegetable crops to increase their characteristics. Further toxicological studies must be required before field particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the benefits of using extruded feed (EF), against pelleted feed (PF) to guide cage culture investments in Great Lakes. Three out of six cages in the same farm had fish that were fed EF and the other half, belonging to a different farm had fish that were fed PF. The diets were similar in crude protein, lipid and energy content. However, the fiber content in PF was 4 times higher than that of EF. The fish fed on EF grew better (438.0 ± 7.4 g) than the fish fed on PF (220.8 ± 2.9 g). The cost of production for EF was about 26% lower than for PF, primarily because of better feed utilization. The load of P and N for PF diet was 59% and 29% higher, respectively, than when EF was used. Therefore, EF feed delivered better economic gains with lower environmental impact than PF feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chakwal is located in Potohar Plateau of the Punjab Province. Town Bhoun of District Chakwal has historic significance as it is famous for carding archaeological sites and monuments. A rich archaeological mound of Pind Kahoot is located on the periphery of town Bhoun in District Chakwal. The site is occupied for agricultural activities. Whenever the farmers plough their fields and stones stuck the plough, they put them aside. So, the borders of the mound are over laid by stones of various sizes and debris. The mound is spanning over a vast area and its surface is covered with potsherds of different wares, textures, and sizes. The findings from the site include pottery, terracotta figurines and pipes, grinding stones, game discs, metallic jewelry, terracotta, steatite and carnelian beads, and bones. The current paper focuses on an analytical and comparative study of artifacts. It will also trace occupancy of different cultures and their relative chronological sequence. Besides, it will also elaborate the ethnoarchaeological study by establishing a link between the recovered artifacts and contemporary traditional practices in terms of materials and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study of the infrastructure-led developments and urban–rural relations in Liangjiang New Area (Chongqing municipality), Lanzhou New Area (Gansu province) and Zhengbian New District (Henan province) reveals the complex and multifaceted interactions of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with specific contexts and pre-existing trends. Far from depicting a homogenizing dynamic deriving from participation in a project often conceived in monolithic geopolitical and geoeconomic terms, the focus on spatial transformations emphasizes the need of nuanced and textured readings to embrace the diversity of urbanizations emerging along the BRI. Based on these situated and detailed descriptions, it is possible to place BRI developments in a critical comparative register, to develop alternative narratives and eventually to create a new shared language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic viability of tilapia cage culture in Lake Victoria was assessed using a profitability analysis model as the main decision support tool. One and five cages of 8 m3 (A), 62.5 m3 (B), and 471 m3 (C) were assessed. The break-even price (US$4.6 kg−1) for one cage of A appeared higher than the tilapia farm gate price in Kenya (US$3.5 kg−1), suggesting unprofitability of the venture. The decreased break-even price relative to increase in cage numbers showed economies of scale throughout the cage volume ranges. The longest payback period (PBP) for A (8 years) implied a risky venture. This was reaffirmed by an internal rate of return (IRR) of < 50% and negative Net present value (NPV) in the first two years of operations. The study affirmed the economic viability of operating large cage volumes (B or C) for Nile tilapia and for broader applicability to other Great Lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region of the BFO-BTO solid solution is studied by comprehensive macroscopic and local methods, focusing on the synthesis conditions that influence the final phase composition and functional response. The difference between the phase distribution and local switching behavior in two sets of the BFO-BTO solid solutions prepared with different applied pressures is revealed and attributed to the local chemical inhomogeneity forming due to certain differences in the solid-state sintering reactions. More homogeneous mixing of the polar and non-polar phases stimulates the non-polar-to-polar phase transition and widening the MPB region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, conventional skin grafts, such as full-thickness, split-thickness, and pre-sterilized grafts from human or animal sources, have been at the forefront of skin wound care. However, these conventional grafts are associated with major challenges, including supply shortage, rejection by the immune system, and disease transmission following transplantation. Due to recent progress in nanotechnology and material sciences, advanced artificial skin grafts―based on the fundamental concepts of tissue engineering―are quickly evolving for wound healing and regeneration applications, mainly because they can be uniquely tailored to meet the requirements of specific injuries. Despite tremendous progress in tissue engineering, many challenges and uncertainties still face skin grafts in vivo, such as how to effectively coordinate the interaction between engineered biomaterials and the immune system to prevent graft rejection. Furthermore, in-depth studies on skin regeneration at the molecular level are still not fully understood; as a consequence, the development of novel biomaterial-based systems that interact with the skin at the core level has also been slow. This review will discuss (1) the biological aspects of wound healing and skin regeneration, (2) important characteristics and functions of biomaterials for skin regeneration applications, and (3) synthesis and applications of common biomaterials for skin regeneration. Finally, the current challenges and future directions of biomaterial-based skin regeneration will be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low crop yields are observed in the soils of South Kivu and lead to food insecurity and malnutrition. An experiment was conducted on a ferralsol to determine the optimal dose in both local and improved common bean cultivars (M'Sole and HM-21) and subsequently that which will allow store nutrients not only in the leaves but also in the seeds, the two parts of the plant commonly consumed and sold in the region. Experiments were conducted in a split-plot design with three replications in 2017 and 2018. Observations were focused on growth and yield parameters. N, P, and Fe levels were determined in leaves, roots and seeds. Results showed that common bean yield and its related parameters were influenced by the fertilizer doses and varieties. The biofortified variety (HM-21) presented higher yield than the local (M'Sole). The allocation of N, P and Fe varied from one variety to another; the best concentration was obtained with 51 kg ha−1 of N, P and K which corresponded to 300 kg ha−1 of NPK composite fertiliser. High nutrient concentrations were observed in young (0.23 g kg−1 of N and 51 ppm of Fe), actively growing leaves (0.19 g kg−1 of N and 50 ppm of Fe) and at the end of the growth cycle (0.19 g kg−1 of N and 48 ppm Fe). Thus, grains and leaves of biofortified beans can reduce anemia problems in eastern of DR Congo by increasing yield and nutrient concentrations in grains and leaves by using 300 kg ha−1 on degraded ferralsols of South-Kivu, eastern of DR Congo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we consider a promising method for estimating the water saturation of a super-viscous oilfield (hereinafter, SVO field) in the case of Cheremshansky oilfield, Russian Federation. A lithological description of the reservoir was carried out and gas chromatography-massspectrometry analysis of hydrocarbon fractions of core bitumoid was performed. It is shown that the ratios of certain biomarkers (methyldibenzothiophenes, 6H-Farnesol and pristane) SVO have extrema, both at the end of oil reservoir, and in the middle. Based on the fact that such dependencies indirectly indicate the distribution of water in the oil reservoir, the authors formulated the conclusion that there is no pure water reservoir (along the studied wells). Also, the authors have shown that the distribution of the 'oil-water' by measuring the gradients of concentrations of biomarkers SVO bears certain advantages and is a good addition to the classic geophysical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on a collaborative action research project, conducted in a pre-primary school in South Central Uganda, which explores the opportunities for children to draw upon and integrate their home and community-based knowledge and experiences through mother tongue (MT) instruction and resources. We use the funds of knowledge (Moll, Amanti, Neff, & Gonzalez, 1992), language and identity (Norton, 2000, 2013), and social capital (Bourdieu, 1984; Bourdieu & Passeron, 1977) theoretical perspectives to consider how MT pedagogical approaches that acknowledge the value of children's MT and prior life experiences support young children's learning and the development of their identities as learners. Findings indicate MT-based instruction engaged and supported the cultivation of children's funds of knowledge, identity, and social capital related to home and community relationships, resources and practices, classroom learning communities, bilingual development, and agency and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an emerging nanotechnology and a possible alternative solution to the limitation of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. One of the most attractive fields in QCA is the implementation of configurable digital systems. This article presents a novel multifunctional gate called the modified-majority voter (MMV). The proposed gate works on the explicit interaction of the cell characteristic property for the implementation of digital circuits. This prominent feature of the proposed gate reduces the maximum hardware cost and implements highly efficient QCA structures. To verify the functionality of the proposed gate, some physical proofs, truth table and computational simulation results are performed. These results assured the validity of the existence of the proposed gate. It also dissipates less energy which has been calculated under three separate tunnelling energy levels using the QCAPro tool. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed MMV gate, several optimal irreversible arithmetic circuits such as three-input XOR, half-adder and full-adder are proposed. The modular layouts are verified with the freely available QCADesigner tool version 2.0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To some, zoos are prisons exploiting animals. In reality zoos range from bad to better. I make this distinction: A bad zoo makes animals work for it; a good zoo works for animals. Good zoos do effective conservation work and continually strive to improve exhibits, relevance to conservation, and inspiring public engagement for wildlife. Many zoos have improved enormously; the better ones being crucial in saving species that would have otherwise gone extinct. Nonetheless, for some people the mere word “zoo” carries impressions of old zoos, bad zoos, circuses, and theme-park shows that many find distasteful. Good zoos know they must innovate forward. As society grows increasingly estranged from nature and continues driving broad declines of wildlife, wild lands, and natural systems, the goal of zoos and every organization concerned with animal welfare should not be to separate humans from other animals, but to entangle all humans in nonhuman lives. Zoos of the next decades must become the first stage in bringing young people into life-long, engaged caring about animals. They could carry on that mission in their communities, in schools, in wild lands, as well as inside their gates. Without a strong public constituency, wild animals will not withstand continued human proliferation. Zoos and aquariums must innovate toward being a crucial force abetting the continued existence of wildness on Earth. Zoos of the future must become uplifting places of respect, rescue, enhancement, conservation, and public engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on religious experience has employed the Alister Hardy question: “Have you ever been aware of or influenced by a presence or power, whether you call it God or not, which is different from your everyday self?” The present study had two aims. The first aim was to introduce the Bashkirian and Russian translations of the Alister Hardy question to facilitate research with the measures among Bashkirian and Russian speakers. No matters of concern were raised during the translation process. The second aim was to present some initial data using the Russian translation of the Alister Hardy question to examine the matter of validity. Data were presented from 15 Russian-speaking respondents recruited from a Russian social media website. Evidence for face validity of the Russian translation of the Alister Hardy question is presented. The Bashkirian and Russian translations of the Alister Hardy question are provided and recommended for us. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of photoperiod (24L:00D, 12L:12D, and 00L:24D) and temperature (22 ± 1°C and 28 ± 1°C) on performance ofClarias gariepinuslarvae was tested. Larvae weighing 3.2 ± 0.24 mg were cultured in aquaria at a stocking density of 20 fish L−1and fed twice a day on catfish starter diet (40% CP) at 10 % BW day−1. Highest mean weight gain (31.00 mg), SGR (7.56% day−1), and survival (83%) were achieved at photoperiod and temperature combination of 00L:24D and 28 ± 1°C. Percent survival of larvae differed significantly (p < .05) among treatments with optimal survival of (83%) in treatment combination of 28 ± 1°C and 00L:24D, while lowest survival (40%) in treatment combination of 22 ± 1°C and 24L:00D. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Because emotional and neutral stimuli typically differ on non-emotional dimensions, it has been difficult to determine conclusively which factors underlie the ability of emotional stimuli to enhance immediate long-term memory. Here we induced arousal by varying participants' goals, a method that removes many potential confounds between emotional and non-emotional items. Hungry and sated participants encoded food and clothing images under divided attention conditions. Sated participants attended to and recalled food and clothing images equivalently. Hungry participants performed worse on the concurrent tone-discrimination task when they viewed food relative to clothing images, suggesting enhanced attention to food images, and they recalled more food than clothing images. A follow-up regression analysis of the factors predicting memory for individual pictures revealed that food images had parallel effects on attention and memory in hungry participants, so that enhanced attention to food images did not predict their enhanced memory. We suggest that immediate long-term memory for food is enhanced in the hungry state because hunger leads to more distinctive processing of food images rendering them more accessible during retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Batik is a textile fabric produced by resist-dyeing techniques which involve waxing some parts of fabric and repeatedly dyeing the fabric until the desired design is achieved. Batik is reported to have originated in Java, Indonesia, and was transferred to African countries including Tanzania in 1980s. Unfortunately, since its introduction, Tanzania’s batik industry has remained informal, and little information exists about it. This study examined the current status of the batik industry in Tanzania, its challenges and opportunities for prosperity. Data were collected through observations and semi-structured interviews administered to 60 batik producers and sellers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study established that Tanzania’s batik industry is classified as small or medium business, and predominantly owned by women. The challenges established included poor access to funds, scarcity of essential tools and materials, and repetitive motifs and design patterns attributed to lack of creativity among batik producers. However, the study revealed the existence of many opportunities that batik producers can grasp to facilitate the flourishing of the batik industry, thereby creating employment and income for Tanzanians. Nevertheless, proper organization of this industry is essential to ensure it is fully exploited and can contribute significantly to employment, income generation and poverty alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]