Science City Research Articles

EVALUATION OF BE RICEPONSIBLE POSTERS AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS TO FARMERS

The study entitled, “Evaluation of Be Riceponsible posters and its Effectiveness to Farmers in Two Selected Barangays of the Science City of Munoz, Philippines” involves the communication process between the Be Riceponsible campaign and its target audience. It examines the effectiveness of poster material on Be Responsible. Also, the criteria of effectiveness used in this study were based on the attraction, comprehension, acceptability, and self-involvement of the material. IEC materials are one of the effective communication strategies used to transfer the knowledge to the target audience to assist in promoting behavior. In the case of Be RICEponsible, their audience adapts the benefits of rice. The posters were analyzed based on the components of effectiveness. From this perspective, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the material towards the audience of Be responsible. This study matters, as it can provide and raise the level of awareness and understanding of the audience about rice responsibility. This study is customized researched because it is conducted for a specific client and that is farmers. Farmers are in need of information on what best in their crops and what are varieties to be produced that the people can benefit from. In producing a poster, it needs to have acceptability and self-involvement to the audience so that they can adopt the information that it gives. Based on the result of this study, the poster can persuade the farmers and have a full impact on the way of living of farmers. The poster is very effective communication material in disseminating messages in agricultural campaigns. It is good to share the information because it can strengthen the bond or relationship with others. Like farmers, they share information with others to have a good relationship with farmers and can develop good ties that they need to help each other in farming strategies and others.

Methodological Approaches to Data Pre-Processing Formalization for Statistical Analysis

The topic of data processing is not accidental for us. Initially, we were engaged in the development of mathematical tools for assessing the impact of the University of Science city on the effectiveness of Regional development (USR). The theme turned out to be similar to the Triple Helix (TH) model of H. Etzkowitz. The main difference of the TH from the USR: the TH gives deep processes interpretations, the USR – the economic-mathematical modeling tools. In our opinion both models supplement each other: the USR interpretation results become brighter by means of the TH formulations. Then we began to develop a toolkit for the TH model with its adaptation to the conditions of Russia. Our articles are available on the Official Website of the Triple Helix Association Russian Chapter. It was important to adapt the apparatus of continuous functions to discrete functions, since official statistics are discrete in nature. Working with statistics revealed methodological problems. The paper offers methodological approaches to formalizing data pre-processing (the method of time series linking) in order to unify them and to further process them by modeling and forecasting. It seems that this formalization eliminates the appropriate methodological flaw in the literature.

EFFECTIVENESS OF TEXT MESSAGES TO TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS

This study was conducted at Philippine Rice Research Institute located at Barangay Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, and sought to determine the total number of text messages received by the PhilRice Text Center during the month of April in 2016. It also aimed to sort the text messages received according to categories/theme, the number of text messages per category/theme the frequency of the text messages from the regular texters, and the effectiveness of information on harvest and post-harvest based on the feedback obtained from the text messages. Results of the study show that the 4th week of April received the highest total number of text messages. On the most active regions in texting the Text Center, Region III, and Region XIII determined as the most active. On categories and themes, most of the text messages were on pest management, replies from senders, problems encountered, and plenty of seed availability and other seed-related concerns. . On the number of text per category/theme, the majority of the senders asked about seeds during the month of April. Senders asked if what seed varieties could be planted in the rainy season On the frequency of the texts of a regular texter, the data show that out of 2,691 texters all over the country, only 12 texters were determined as regular texters.

FARMERS’ EXTENT OF AWARENESS IN RICE STRAW PROPER DISPOSAL AND UTIIZATION IN FARMING PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES

This study was entitled Farmers’ Extent of Awareness in Rice Straw Proper Disposal and Utilization in Farming Production Activities. This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of the farmers in rice straw proper disposal and utilization of rice straw in farming production activities. The study used descriptive research to describe the profile of the respondents, the process of rice straw disposal, awareness of the respondents on proper disposal of rice straw, and the problems encountered by the farmers in disposing and utilizing rice straw, including their recommended solutions. The respondents were chosen through random sampling. The number of respondents was determined using Slovin’s formula, a total of 255 respondents. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize, discuss, and interpret the data. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data. The researcher chose the top 3 barangays that had produced the largest amount of rice in April 2016. The barangays are within Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija Province, Philippines namely: Barangay Catalanacan, Barangay Maligaya, and Barangay Villa Nati. The farmers of the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija are highly aware of the proper disposal of rice straw. However, despite their awareness, they only moderately utilize the rice straw in farming production activities. Incorporating rice straw into the soil to use it as fertilizer for the next planting of rice is the most used strategy by the farmers to utilize the rice straw. There is a negative significant relationship between the respondents’ socio-economic profile and their awareness of proper disposal and utilization in farming production activities. Since the utilization of rice straw is laborious and requires machinery, rice straw is not fully utilized such as its use as a biofuel. The farmers need monitoring from the Department of Agriculture regarding their activities in disposing and utilizing rice straw.

Surgical Margins Status Assessment After Breast Conserving Surgery: Is There a Difference Between Surgeon and Radiologist Evaluation?

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of intra-operative specimen mammography (ISM) in surgical margins status assessment and highlight the concordance between the interpretations of the surgeon and the radiologist. Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 130 patients with early breast cancer, surgically treated between October 2013 and September 2017 in the multidisciplinary breast center of the A.O.U. City of Health and Science (which is a complex of several hospitals) in Turin, Italy. All recruited patients underwent breast conservative surgery. Surgical margins were evaluated intraoperatively, using intra-operative specimen mammography. A standard compression intra-operative specimen mammography was obtained by the surgeon using the dedicated radiological equipment (Faxitron®, BioVision). After the surgeon’s evaluation of the margins, Faxitron images were sent to PACS. All ISMs images were analyzed by the same specialized radiologist in remote access to confirm the surgeon evaluation. We used kappa formula to report concordance. Results: The discordance rate of positive readings between the surgeon and the radiologist was 5.3% while that of negative readings was 6.9%. The concordance rate between radiologist and pathologist assessments was 100%. Intra-operative specimen mammography specificity was 94% (95% CI: 88–97), and sensitivity was 47% (95% CI: 38–56), with PPV found to be 53% (95% CI: 95% 44-62) and NPV determined to be 92% (95% CI: 86–96), when the assessment was made by the surgeon. Conclusion: Intra-operative specimen mammography is a helpful tool to identify infiltrated margins and to reduce the rate of secondary surgeries by recommending targeted re-excisions of corresponding orientations in order to obtain a final negative margin status. In our experience, not only radiologists but also surgeons could correctly read Faxitron® intra-operative specimen mammography.

Association between forest and greenspace walking and stress-coping skills among workers of Tsukuba Science City, Japan: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesRecently, “sense of coherence” (SOC) as a concept of stress-coping, has been gaining considerable attention. Although many studies have investigated the factors related to strong SOC, we found little evidence about the associations between SOC and habits that are easy to perform in everyday life. The aim our study was to examine the prevalence of workers who engage in forest walking and greenspace walking and examine their association with SOC score. Study designA cross-sectional study. MethodsAn anonymous, self-report web questionnaire was conducted in November 2017. The study population included 19481 workers belonging to the Tsukuba Science City Network and data of 6466 participants (3965 men and 2501 women) were analyzed. ResultsThe percentage of participants who engage in forest and greenspace walking at least once a year were 55.9% and 75.9%, respectively. Associations between forest/greenspace walking and SOC score were calculated using Chi-squared tests. Multinomial logistic regression analyses with SOC score group (strong/middle/weak) as a dependent variable and forest/greenspace walking as explanatory variables were performed. Statistically significant positive associations were observed between strong SOC and those who engaged in forest/greenspace walking after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The odds ratios for strong SOC were 3.65 (95% CI ​= ​1.70–7.85) for forest walking at least once a week and 2.12 for greenspace walking (95% CI ​= ​1.54–2.92) at least once a week. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that forest/greenspace walking may enhance workers’ stress-coping skills.

Моделирование профессионального самоопределения будущих молодых ученых в процессе профессиональной подготовки в вузах наукограда

The work deals with the problem of professional self-determination of students in the process of professional training in the universities of the science city. We consider the types of self-realization, present a model of professional self-determination of future young scholars, as well as methodological approaches to building a model and its components. The organizational and pedagogical conditions for the professional self-determination of students on the basis of the cluster approach are presented: the orientation of the educational process of universities in science cities to interact with enterprises, research institutes of the science city, the business community; active organizational and educational position of universities in science cities to promote employment and job placement of students at enterprises in science cities; a combination of various forms, methods of supporting the professional self-determination of students; accompaniment of the educational process with a digital ecosystem for practice-oriented interaction of students with employers and other interested social partners. The implementation of the model in practice will allow students to engage in professionally oriented interaction, including through project activities and interaction through Internet technologies with the world professionally oriented scientific community.

The modern outline of the “triple helix” system: generating ideas in the fight against the pandemic

The article examines the directions of improving the triple helix system in the current conditions of a pandemic. The basis of the process is the generation of knowledge by national research centers, universities, with direct support from the authorities and constructive interaction with business. The modern contour of this spiral ensures the development and implementation of innovative domestic developments, methods and technologies, expands the possibilities for the treatment of various diseases by introducing new equipment and pharmaceuticals. The key element of the system is the introduction to the market of the results of intellectual activity, carried out through the prompt implementation of science-intensive technologies and industries in all spheres, complexes and sectors of the country's economy. The results of effective realization of the potential of the triple helix model in the first city of science - Obninsk and Kaluga region are demonstrated. Examples of developments of scientific organizations that are part of innovative clusters are given, which made it possible to formulate a treatment regimen for diseases in the shortest possible time, create the necessary drugs, and apply them in the realities of the spread of coronavirus infection. The authors substantiate the opinion that an adequate response to emerging dangerous challenges is prepared in advance, thanks to the conduct of active research activities, and an effectively formed triple helix system acts as a guarantor of the successful implementation of intellectual activities that can save the lives of millions of people.

Multi-hazard risk mapping for coupling of natural and technological hazards

Technological hazards induced by natural hazards have a significant impact on human life and economy. Their power exceeds the impact of the natural hazards that caused them. However, most of the multi-hazard risk maps failed to incorporate technological hazards when mapping multi hazard risk. To address this problem, we established a hybrid multi-hazard risk assessment methodology that calculates the risk caused by natural and technological hazards in a three-step process. First, the possible natural and technological hazards in a given region are identified by hazard-forming environment analysis and hazard source investigation respectively. A scenario simulation is adopted to analyze the intensity and impact scope of these hazards. Second, the triggered relationships among natural and technological hazards are analyzed by a hazard matrix. Then, the radar graph is adopted to calculate the multi-hazard intensity under the coupling effect of all possible hazards in this region. Third, the multi-hazard risk is calculated by aggregating land use data and multi-hazard intensity together. This methodology was applied in Huairou Science City (HSC), Beijing. The result shows that the joint action of earthquake and liquid ammonia leakage is the main reason for the high risk in the central area of HSC. The methodology developed in this study can clearly show the different impacts of each hazard on a given region under the action of hazard coupling, and the calculated results can better reflect the actual disaster situation.

Journal of Scientific Temper

The Mobile Science Exhibition launched by the Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC), Kapurthala takes science to the doorsteps of the rural population and impresses upon them the significance of Science and Technology for betterment of the quality of their lives and exposes them to some of the issues and challenges related to sustainable development. The broad components of the exhibition are health education, genetic determination of sex of the offspring, energy education and awareness, waste management, water management and environment education. A study was conducted to assess the impact of the Mobile Science Exhibition on the scientific awareness related to key issues like health, sanitation, environment and society among the rural children. The overall impact of MSE was also assessed and analysed before and after their visit. An important mechanism to reach out to the unreached and develop a knowledge-driven society, the exhibition enriched the knowledge and skills of the students in various areas of science and technology which is likely to have societal impact and is essential for ensuring sustainable development. Mobile Science Exhibition proved to be a vital and powerful media for popularisation of science creating a scientific temper across the state.

Journal of Scientific Temper

The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted all facets of our daily lives. It has impacted the educational system as well, forcing the inclusion of technology tools to extend the outreach to the masses and to build scientific temper in the society. The present study is aimed to investigate the viewpoints of students, teachers, and the general public engaged in webinars, online workshops/camps conducted by Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala during COVID-19 pandemic in India. A nominal registration fee was charged for online workshops/camps, however, participation in webinars was free of cost. An online Feedback form with a questionnaire on participants’ perspectives was developed and shared with participants after every event. Feedback data comprising 634 webinar participants and 398 Online workshops/camps participants was analysed. Results indicated that E-learning has become quite popular among the students during restrictions imposed due to COVID 19 pandemic. Webinars and online workshops/camps helped to continue and extend the outreach of the Science Popularisation activities during lockdown. This paper presents the geographical, demographic, mobilization, usefulness and category wise analysis of the findings conducted during the study.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICAL DECISION MAKING

This study was designed and conducted to determine the influence of social media on students’ political decision-making. This study was conducted at Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The samples were chosen at random. The average age of the respondents is 20 years old and 67% were male. It was also revealed that the majority of the respondents are Roman Catholic. Respondents from each college are composed of 12% to 13% of the total population and more than half of the respondents do not have an affiliation with a student organization. The study revealed that all of the respondents use Facebook, hence, it is the most frequently used social media platform, as well as the frequently used social media to look up political issues for both Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates. Mobile phone or iPhone is the most frequently accessed to use social media. In this study, the hypothesis is rejected that there is no association between social media exposure and political decision making of Central Luzon State University students as the study showed that there is an association between Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram and the suggested political decision making. Also, the hypothesis is rejected that social media does not have an influence on respondents’ political decision-making. The study revealed that social media influences the respondents’ political decision making as most of the respondents are neutral about the political decision.

GENDER COMMUNICATION INTERPLAY APPROACH IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GENDER FRIENDLY FARM MACHINERY IN SELECTED AGRICULTURAL AGENCIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

This study describes the gender sensitivity principles in a form of communication be applied in the development of gender-friendly farm machinery. The study includes an assessment of the engineer respondents towards their exposure to gender related topics. The study was conducted in selected agricultural agencies such as Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine Sino-Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) at Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) at Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Furthermore, to assess the opinion of the end-users to the agricultural machinery, the study was conducted to endorsed areas that adopted these technologies. The analysis of gathered data took place at Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. The researcher conducted this research from June to December 2018. To strengthen the claims of the study, interviews were conducted to achieve its objectives. The result shows that the engineers of PhilMech, PhilSCAT, and PhilRice have seldom exposure to gender-related topics, and some exhibits unfamiliarity with other terminologies used. The engineers’ sex, age, and civil status revealed to be significant in their exposure to gender-related topics. Generally, men farmers are more exposed to the identified agricultural machinery than women farmers who remain uninformed about controlling agricultural machinery. Today, women farmers are hindered towards information and equipment accessibility. Gender disparity in the agricultural sector remains a problem but farmers agreed that there must be machinery that can be easily manipulated by women which is push-button, lightweight, height considerate, easy to fix, riding type, and economically affordable.

ПРИНЦИП НЕОПРЕДЕЛЕННОСТИ. СТРАТЕГИИ ИНТЕГРАЦИИ МОЛОДЫХ УЧЕНЫХ ИЗ РЕГИОНОВ В НАУЧНУЮКАРЬЕРУ И НАУЧНЫЕ СООБЩЕСТВА В КОНТЕКСТЕ VUCA-МИРА

The article examines the key characteristics of young scientists’ integration into scientific communities in the context of the new prospects offered by the VUCA world. We see the VUCA world as a time of opportunities and a favorable period for young scientists to take initiatives, and also a world of total uncertainty, where impetuosity and uncertainty, as well as the constant search for and change of various strategies, become a key to successful career building and advancement. The empirical base of the analysis consists of 30 biographical interviews with young scientists from a city of regional significance, a young science city, a large city and a city of federal significance. The article puts forward a hypothesis about the importance of horizontal integration of young scientists into scientific communities in young cities and innovative cities, as well as in a large city and in a city of federal significance. The paper also discusses the role of the city as an actor that forms scientific communities and strategies for interaction and integration of young scientists with scientific communities. Special attention is paid to the meanings of scientific careers and the individual role of scientific communities in the careers of young scientists and also to the strategies for integrating young scientists into scientific careers. The authors consider changes in the configurations of strategies for both building a scientific career and integration into scientific communities at the local, national and global levels as new opportunities that arise for scientists in the VUCA world. The main conclusion of the article is that the integration and career building strategies in science are influenced by both the city and the orientation of the city, the local scientific community, which may differ depending on particular scientific disciplines. A successful strategy that allows one to use the potential and resources of the VUCA world to the maximum extent possible is the horizontal integration of young scientists.

Зарубежный опыт подготовки специалистов для наукоемких технологий

We analyze the foreign experience of training specialists for science and high technologies on the example of leading universities in China: Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (China). We study educational programs, features of their development management in the context of innovation and promotion of advanced technologies. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that as a result of generalization of scientific and pedagogical experience, for the first time, conceptual approaches to the development of the science city university as an innovative scientific and educational platform – professional self-determination of future scholars will be identified and substantiated. As a result, conceptual ap-proaches to the successful development of science cities are identified: the university should have its own base for research, a high level of technical development; training is focused on internation-al programs, norms, requirements; student research is supervised by academic and industry ex-perts; internship and approbation in industries, the possibility of training in foreign educational in-stitutions; participation in exchange programs, mentoring, student competitions; support from federal, regional and local authorities, grant support; consolidation of large and small technology companies into clusters. The practical significance lies in the fact that technologies and methods of training young researchers for breakthrough technologies will be built on the basis of the identified conceptual approaches.

Economic and Political Diversity of Regional Development as the Basis of Modern Imaging (on the Example of the Republic of Mordovia)

Introduction. Creating and broadcasting a positive regional image in modern conditions is an important factor in regional competitiveness. Demonstration of territorial advantages to target audiences of image-making (federal government, business community, investors, the public) makes it possible to stand out from other entities and receive certain preferences. Often declaring in state programs and promoting individual image-forming areas (investment attractiveness, innovation cluster, science city, tourist destination, a territory of safety and comfort, etc.), regional authorities forget about the complex nature of the image, which is a combination of various elements and determinants: economic, political, natural-geographical, historical, ethno-national, sociocultural, etc. Materials and Methods. The theoretical and methodological foundations of the study were: a structurally functional approach that considers the image as a specific image with a universal set of interconnected elements; axiological approach based on evaluative perception of the main image characteristics; case study method used to study the image of the Republic of Mordovia based on an analysis of documents, official statistical information, etc. Results. The description of economic and political factors that determine the image attractiveness of the Republic of Mordovia is presented. Among the image characteristics, due to the features of the modern economic development of the republic, are noted: a developed innovative infrastructure, an increase in production and export of products, expansion of trade and economic ties, active participation in the implementation of state programs, and inclusion in many federal projects. The support from the center in matters that are problematic for the republic is largely due to political factors: the active support of federal initiatives from the republican leadership, as well as the high level of political stability, manageability of the territory, and the absence of ethnic conflicts and contradictions. Discussion and Conclusion. An analysis of the economic development of the republic allows us to talk about imbalance in image characteristics: well-developed innovative infrastructure, effective practice in developing clusters and technology parks are leveled out by low positions in the overall ranking of co-competitiveness and innovative potential. The most negative topic is the problem of budget debt and the introduction of external regulation in connection with the volume of debts. At the same time, the image of Mordovia is positively affected by attempts to attract notable external events. On the whole, positive dynamics are demonstrated in terms of financial and economic indicators, including an improvement in the investment climate and the effectiveness of fiscal policy. In terms of political indicators, the republic occupies a leading position in terms of political stability and stability, moving between groups with maximum and high stability, but there is a “over-regulation” of the political system, a virtual absence of opposition and independent media.

Temporal Continuities of Grasslands and Forests as Patches of Natural Land in Urban Landscapes: A Case Study of the Tsukuba Science City

Development has fragmented urban nature, and target sites for conservation strategies need to be those that have long maintained their original land cover in a clustered area. Additionally, continuously grasping changes from rural to urban as well as changes over decades after urbanization is essential. Therefore, this study identified and investigated natural patches in urban landscapes, clarified actual management practices in the identified patches, and traced changes in land ownership and land cover during the past 130 years in the Tsukuba Science City, Japan. We first identified areas containing clusters of urban grasslands and forest patches that have existed since the 2010s. We then identified urban green space patches that since the 1880s have remained undeveloped after being agricultural landscapes, despite the rapid urbanization of the Tsukuba Science City since the 1970s. These patches of urban green space were mainly identified near rural communities, research institutions, planned development sites, and golf courses. The findings of this study highlighted the need for new policy implications through systematic arrangement of diverse conservation strategies to maintain urban green space patches. Further investigation is required to elucidate the ecosystem services provided by these remnant green patches.

Oxidative potential of atmospheric PM10 at five different sites of Ahmedabad, a big city in Western India.

The current study presents the oxidative potential (OP) along with a wide range of chemical speciation of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) at five sites representing different environments in Ahmedabad, a big city in western India. On an average, PM10 concentrations were 116±36, 228±43, 133±29, 101±21, and 70±20μgm-3; volume-normalized OP (OPV) were 2.51±0.71, 5.62±0.68, 2.69±0.76, 2.14±0.41, and 1.55±0.51nmol DTT min-1 m-3; and mass-normalized OP (OPM) were 22±3, 25±5, 21±6, 21±2, and 22±3pmol DTT min-1 μg-1 over Bapunagar (backward residential area), Narol (industrial), Paldi (bus transport hub), Income Tax (huge running traffic) and Science City (posh residential area), respectively. Overall, OPV showed a significant linear correlation with PM10, whereas OPM showed near uniformity with increasing PM10. Although the OPM values were similar, the site-to-site variability in PM10 concentration reflects the corresponding health risks associated with PM10 exposure for the people living in these areas. Further, a noticeable temporal variation in OPM at Narol and Paldi suggests that species with diverse OPM contributed to PM10 on different days. A strong linear relationship between the ratio of OPV to the mass concentration of organic carbon (OPOC) and the ratio of m/z 43 signal to total water-soluble organic aerosols (WSOA) signals (f43) suggests that the fossil-fuel combustion derived WSOA have higher OP. Furthermore, the relationships of OP with water-soluble trace metals and brown carbon are also investigated and discussed in this paper. Nitrogenous organic compounds particularly emitted from the traffic-related sources in Paldi and Income Tax have higher OPOC than those emitted from other sources over Bapunagar, Narol, and Science City.

Phenotypic Characteristics of Weedy Rice Variants of Central Mindanao

The presence of different weedy rice (WR) have already been reported in other areas of the Philippines. However, reports documenting its presence and phenotypic characteristics in Central Mindanao are not yet available. This study investigated the incidence, biology, and phenotypic characteristics of WR in Central Mindanao. Survey and collection were conducted in rice field areas of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao from 2016–2017. Eight WR variants with distinct grain characteristics were identified and designated in 2016 DS (dry season); 24 variants in 2016 WS (wet season); 31 variants in 2017 DS; and 24 WR variants in 2017 WS. The most prevalent variants were WR-SuK3 (2016 WS), WR-SuK2 (2016 DS), WR-Min15 (2017DS), and WR-SuK3 (2017 WS). Germination test and characterization were conducted at the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The collected WR variants had variable grain characteristics that affect grain quality and germinated earlier than cultivated rice, which makes WR more competitive. Under screenhouse conditions, all variants matured earlier and had better agronomic characteristics than cultivated rice (NSIC Rc 222). Identified agronomic characters of WR collected from Central Mindanao will be useful for advising control strategies to farmers.

44th IAPSM National Conference Science City, Kolkata :10-12 February, 2017

Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, West Bengal Chapter will organise 44th Annual National Conference at Science City, Kolkata on 10-12 February, 2017.Theme of the conference is : “Building Partnership towards Sustainable Development”. It emphasizes revitalized Partnership in a spirit of solidarity to ensure Sustainable Development . Kolkata, with its rich Bengali cultural tradition, welcomes you to “IAPSMCON 2017” in the pleasant climes of February, 2017