Favorable Environmental Factors Research Articles

Prevalence of <i>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</i>, <i>Vibrio cholerae</i>, and <i>Vibrio alginolyticus</i> in a White-leg Shrimp (<i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>) Farm in Sarawak

Vibriosis in shrimp farms poses potential risks to the industry’s sustainability and the consumers’ health. Little is known about the dynamics and variation of <i>Vibrio</i> spp—population in shrimp production in Sarawak, Malaysia. The apparent prevalence of three <i>Vibrio</i> species, <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>, <i>V. cholerae</i>, and <i>V. alginolyticus</i>, were investigated in water (n=12), sediment (n=12), shrimp (n=12), and effluent (n=12) samples collected from two ponds in a coastal shrimp farm during one production cycle. Multiplex-PCR using specific primer sets showed the presence of the three Vibrio species. Based on the results, <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i> was the most prevalent in all four samples, with a contamination rate of 97.92% (95% CI: 89. 10 to 99.89%), while <i>V. cholerae</i> and <i>V. alginolyticus</i> had a contamination rate of 47.92% (95% CI: 34.37 to 61.67%) and 25.0% (95% CI: 14.92 to 38.78%), respectively. High <i>Vibrio</i> load in the shrimp farm is due to favourable environmental factors, such as optimal temperatures, salinity, and pH ranges for the growth of these species. The study’s findings offer important preliminary insights into the prevalence and distribution of these pathogenic <i>Vibrio</i> spp., within a shrimp farm in Kuching, Sarawak. This study serves as a potential model for monitoring <i>Vibrio</i> spp. prevalence in other shrimp farms across Sarawak, thereby addressing the scarcity of data on prevalence in the region.

Seasonal variations in chlorophyll–a and sea surface temperature in the exclusive economic zone of Sri Lanka

Oceanic phytoplankton plays a crucial role in regulating the biogeochemical cycle in marine ecosystems. Light harvesting pigments such as chlorophyll–a (chl–a) can be used to understand marine primary productivity, especially phytoplankton abundance. Sea surface temperature is closely linked with phytoplankton abundance and climatic changes. The objective of the current study is to determine spatial and temporal variations of chl–a and sea surface temperature and their co-variation, over 12 years using statistical methodologies and Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Cloud Computing Approach. In this study, the available sea surface temperature and chl–a data acquired from a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor were proceeded through Google Earth Engine and Earth Science Data System. Data visualization was carried out using ArcMap™ software. Results show a weak negative linear relationship (−0.40, P < 0.05) between sea surface temperature and chl–a. Therefore, additional favorable environmental factors such as coastal upwelling, and nutrient discharge through river run-off can control the primary productivity of phytoplankton. We also illustrated spatial and temporal maps for chl–a and sea surface temperature distribution in the exclusive economic zone of Sri Lanka. Chlorophyll–a concentration is enhanced during the southwest monsoon, and the lowest concentration is observed during the first inter-monsoon period. Next, the highest sea surface temperature is recorded during the first inter-monsoon period, and the lowest sea surface temperature is observed during the northeast monsoon. Seasonal behavior of chl–a concentration and sea surface temperature are changed as chl–a (SWM) > chl–a (NEM) > chl–a (SIM) > chl–a (FIM) and SST (FIM) > SST (SIM) > SST (SWM) > SST (NEM), respectively. In addition, both trend lines for each variable show a positive gradient, which may be attributed to global warming. Finally, we observed the alteration of chl–a and sea surface temperature that linked to changes in ocean chemistry during the global COVID–19 pandemic.

Record of the Largest Symphodus tinca (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Black Sea Coasts

This study records a remarkable finding in the Black Sea, where Symphodus tinca, a rare wrasse species. On June 9, 2023, during a biodiversity survey near Fener Island (Fatsa, Ordu, Türkiye), a male S. tinca was captured at a depth of 12 meters, measuring 316.0 mm in length and weighing 430.43 g. This specimen represents the largest ever recorded in the Black Sea. The factors behind this extraordinary finding, likely a result of species-specific and site-specific conditions such as low competition, favorable environmental factors, suitable habitats, and low fishing pressure, are complex and multifaceted. This finding not only contributes crucial data to the understanding of S. tinca growth patterns but also holds significance for its conservation, ecosystem management, and scientific research.

Environmental and physiological conditions that led to the rise of calcifying nannoplankton in the Late Triassic

The rise of calcifying nannoplankton in the Late Triassic (237–201 Ma) had profound consequences for the carbonate buffering capacity of the ocean. Research on the appearance of calcification typically focuses on the reasons that made this process successful on a global scale. The underlying environmental and physiological conditions that led to its appearance, therefore, are still obscure. Here we show that the rise of intracellular calcification is intrinsically linked to cellular calcium metabolism and to the prevention of calcium accumulation in the cytoplasm. Using gene tree analysis, we present evidence that the physiological machinery for calcification was already present in non-calcifying ancestor cells. Additionally, by modelling the energy demands for calcium transport in calcifying and non-calcifying cells, we demonstrate that intracellular calcification does not require additional energy investments. Since all eukaryotic cells export calcium across the plasma membrane, our findings indicate that the onset of intracellular calcification in Earth’s history required only the activation of calcium transport proteins during their passage to the plasma membrane. Hence, intracellular calcification could have occurred at any time in the geological past because physiological preconditions were already present, but a combination of favourable environmental factors may have helped calcifying nannoplankton to spread at the beginning of the Mesozoic, a time of catastrophic climate changes and mass extinctions that reshuffled life on Earth.

Determination of Bacterial Quality of Indoor Air of Health Centers around Georgetown

Health centers around Georgetown, Guyana, are bisected with myriads of problems such as inadequate sanitation protocols and physical and environmental factors that contribute to the rise of nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to conduct a bacteriological assessment of indoor air in three health centers around Georgetown, Guyana. This research was conducted under a cross-sectional study design for a period of one month. Nutrient agar plates were exposed for 30 minutes twice a day over three days. Subsequently, plates were incubated at 37℃ for 24-48 hours, and the number and types of bacteria were determined. The average bacterial load during the morning was 2226.33 cfu/ m3 and 2032.33 cfu/m3 in the afternoon at health center 1. At health center 2, the average bacterial load was 859 cfu/ m3 in the morning and 755.75 cfu/ m3 in the afternoon. At Health Center 3, the bacterial averages were 807.67 cfu/ m3 and 1317.59 cfu/ m3 for morning and afternoon sampling times, respectively. Isolated bacteria were identified by morphological characteristics, gram staining and biochemical tests were also carried out. The bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Favorable conditions and environmental factors for the growth and multiplication of bacterial microbes in the air, like ventilation, lower temperature, poor sanitation, sanitation, attached toilets, and frequency of persons present, were observed during the survey. The findings contribute to an array of nosocomial infections that can be detrimental in severe cases.

Spatio-temporal dengue risk modelling in the south of Thailand: a Bayesian approach to dengue vulnerability.

More than half of the global population is predicted to be living in areas susceptible to dengue transmission with the vast majority in Asia. Dengue fever is of public health concern, particularly in the southern region of Thailand due to favourable environmental factors for its spread. The risk of dengue infection at the population level varies in time and space among sub-populations thus, it is important to study the risk of infection considering spatio-temporal variation. This study presents a joint spatio-temporal epidemiological model in a Bayesian setting using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation with the CARBayesST package of R software. For this purpose, monthly dengue records by district from 2002 to 2018 from the southern region of Thailand provided by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand and eight environmental variables were used. Results show that an increasing level of temperature, number of rainy days and sea level pressure are associated with a higher occurrence of dengue fever and consequently higher incidence risk, while an increasing level of wind speed seems to suggest a protective factor. Likewise, we found that the elevated risks of dengue in the immediate future are in the districts of Phipun, Phrom Kili, Lan Saka, Phra Phrom and Chaloem Phakiat. The resulting estimates provide insights into the effects of covariate risk factors, spatio-temporal trends and dengue-related health inequalities at the district level in southern Thailand. Possible implications are discussed considering some anthropogenic factors that could inhibit or enhance dengue occurrence. Risk maps indicated which districts are above and below baseline risk, allowing for the identification of local anomalies and high-risk boundaries. In the event of near future, the threat of elevated disease risk needs to be prevented and controlled considering the factors underlying the spread of mosquitoes in the Southeast Asian region.

Economic and social prerequisites for the development of the system of health care institutions of the Ternopil region

The article states that, in accordance with the basic law of Ukraine, the issue of health care is defined as the priority direction of the state, which is entrusted with the functions of shaping policy in the field of health care and monitoring its implementation. It is legislated that everyone has an inviolable right to health protection, society and the state as a whole are responsible to the modern and future generation for the level of health, the preservation of safe conditions for health and the preservation of the gene pool of Ukrainians. Ukraine introduces the principles of the English model, which manifests itself in the forms of private and family medicine, multi-source financing, insurance and high social standards. At the present stage of development, the process of adapting the national health care system to certain standards is taking place. This process is complicated by a number of political, economic, social and demographic factors. The most negative factors that significantly complicate the development of the health care system are the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and full-scale war. According to the results of the study, it was determined that the Ternopil region has a favorable transport and geographical location, the territory of the region is located in the inner part of Europe, with a mild continental climate and sufficient moisture, close to the borders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. International transport routes pass through the region: road and rail links Berlin-Odessa and the Baltic-Black Sea. This geographical location creates opportunities for profitable placement of logistics centers, transport companies and wholesale markets. The development of the health care system is ensured not only by the availability of health care institutions, but also by favorable environmental factors, which include: economic, political, social and environmental indicators of the region's development. The analysis of the demographic situation in the region indicates unfavorable trends that are inherent in the entire territory of Ukraine, namely a decrease in the population, a decrease in the birth rate, high mortality rates, gender disparities, a significant aging of the population, which has an adverse effect on the development of the health care system. A significant impact on the health of the population has an environmental situation, which in recent years has tended to improve. In the Ternopil region there is a network of educational institutions that train medical specialists and thereby provide local resources to health care institutions in the region. The article analyzes entrepreneurial activity in the healthcare sector, which is quite high, increases the activity of small businesses, which intensifies competition and acts as one of the macroeconomic prerequisites for promoting the systemic development of the medical sphere. Negative factors influencing the development of the health care system have been identified, which include limited investment and financial resources and insufficient efficiency of management decisions. According to the results of the analysis, it is determined that the vast majority of indicators of infrastructure development are higher than the average in Ukraine.

АНАЛИЗ ФИЗИЧЕСКОЙ РАБОТОСПОСОБНОСТИ ФУТБОЛИСТОВ С УЧЕТОМ ПОЛИМОРФИЗМА ГЕНОВ ВЫНОСЛИВОСТИ

Abstract. Introduction. There are about 40 genes with polymorphisms associated with the development and manifestation of such human physical qualities as endurance, as well as functional characteristics and biochemical parameters that changing under the influence of physical activities of different kinds. In addition to the «sports» genetic markers of endurance, there are also genetic markers of «trainable endurance» identified as a result of dynamic (longitudinal) studies, when the effect of training and its relationship with genotypes is analyzed. Aim. The current study aimed to identify and analyze the polymorphism of three genes: angiotensin-converting enzyme, 1-alpha coactivator of the gamma receptor activated by peroxisome proliferators and angiotensin II type 1 receptor in young athletes involved in football. Material and methods. Samples of the buccal epithelium of 91 youth football teams of Tashkent were used as the material for the study. The analysis of gene polymorphism was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results and discussion. Our data suggest that the analysis of polygenic profiles of the examined young football players allowed us to identify genetically predisposed individuals to display the quality of «endurance» in them. Information about the genotype can be used by coaches to select promising athletes, choose an individual approach to training, correctly build the process of wellness classes and prevent the negative effect of excessive training effects that can lead to hypertrophy of the heart muscle. Conclusion. It should be noted that all the students we examined are genetically predisposed to playing football. A smaller number of individuals are likely to achieve a certain success and sportsmanship, since, in addition to genetic predisposition, favorable environmental factors are still necessary for this.

Genetic Variability and Character Association Studies in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) for Grain Yield Characters

In this experiment, 20 different genotypes of foxtail millet were examined using correlation and path analysis in the rainy season of 2021, at the crop research farm (CRF, SHUATS) in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh and the entire experiment was set up using a completely randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. All the genotypes have shown considerable variation in their mean performance with respect to all the studied traits. The ANOVA table has demonstrated significant differences for all 12 examined variables. The observed variation is probably due to both favourable environmental factors and genotypes because PCV is just a little greater than GCV. A significant positive correlation between the examined attributes (days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, flag leaf area, peduncle length, panicle length, number of tillers, number of productive tillers) and the grain yield was found. A positive direct effect at the phenotypic level, research using path analysis demonstrated that the traits of panicle length, number of tillers per plant, test weight, and flag leaf length had a real relationship with grain yield per plant. It can be concluded that panicle length, number of tillers per plant, test weight, and flag leaf length serve as important traits for further breeding programs in developing high-yielding foxtail millet genotypes based on the nature and magnitude of character associations and their direct and indirect effects.

Facebook Feeds and Child Feeding: A Qualitative Study of Thai Mothers in Online Child Feeding Support Groups.

Mothers have traditionally sought child feeding information from social connections. While mothers are heavily engaged on social media and value peer support in online communities, very little is known about how they use online communities for information about child feeding practices after exclusive breastfeeding cessation. This study explores mothers’ perceptions of joining Facebook child feeding support groups. Individual semi-structured interviews with ten Thai mothers were conducted. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical approach. Our findings highlighted that Thai mothers participated in Facebook child feeding support groups in a deliberate effort to reduce their uncertainty by normalizing the process through accessing the shared experiences of others. One of their intentions was to seek menu recipes based on favorable psychosocial and environmental factors. Implications for using social media in health promotion and communication include the importance of building appropriate common practices through social collaboration and interactivity to supplement traditional knowledge and attitudes.

An attempt to quantify favorable environmental factors of epiphytic substrate for Pacific oyster &lt;i&gt;Crassostrea gigas&lt;/i&gt;

付着生物にとっての着定基質構造の評価を行う一環として，産業重要種であるマガキ Crassostrea gigas 幼生採苗器（カキ幼生コレクター）の表面粗さの定量化を，光沢度を用いて試みた。その結果，カキ幼生コレクターの表面では光沢度が3.6 以下で幼生は24 個体/cm2 以上，裏面中心部では光沢度が8.6 以上で幼生は10 個体/cm2 以下となり，カキ幼生コレクターの部位毎の光沢度及びマガキ幼生の付着数には有意な相関が認められた。次に，紙やすりを用いて光沢度の値を凹凸の粗さに対応させることを試みた。その結果，紙やすりの粒径と光沢度は，決定係数が低いものの有意な相関が認められた。また，0.25 mm以上の凹凸では光沢度が測定出来ないことも明らかとなった。表面粗さの定量化については今後もさらなる詳細且つ多様な解析が必要であるが，本研究結果からは，カキ稚貝の密度が最も高くなる基質表面の粗さとそれを示す光沢度を解明できる可能性が示された。これらの成果を応用することで，将来的にカキ幼生の採苗密度の向上が期待できる

Modeling the ecological niche and features of coprobiontic fungi distribution in Asia by the example of &lt;i&gt;Cyathus stercoreus&lt;/i&gt;

Species distribution is undergoing rapid changes in the face of habitat modification and climate change. This leads to concerns about the conservation of declining species and raises ecological questions about the processes that govern species ranges and niches. As a consequence, the predictive distribution models which match species records to patterns in abiotic environmental variables have become an established tool in ecology and conservation. Maximum entropy spatial distribution modelling (MaxEnt) solves this problem by inferring species distributions and environmental tolerance based on the occurrence data. The objectives of this research were the ecological niche and running the habitat suitability modelling on dung fungal species Cyathus stercoreus based on its bioclimatic and substrate features within Asia. We constructed a map of the current geographical distribution of the dung fungus Cyathus stercoreus using MaxEnt method. We included in the model 19 WorldClim bioclimatic variables with the corresponding altitude data, and seven spatially well-dispersed species occurrence records. Despite its narrow substrate specialization, Cyathus stercoreus is climatically quite plastic and is able to develop in a wide range of variations in mean annual temperatures and mean annual precipitation, which follows from the analysis of a two-dimensional niche based on two climatic variables using the Envelope method. Modeling the distribution of basidiomycete dung fungi using the Cyathus stercoreus as an example showed that the area of their potential distribution with a zone of favorable climate is very large. Most of the zone with a favorable climate is located in the area with the probability of the presence of species up to 70%. Cyathus stercoreus is not associated with any particular habitat type. On the territory of Russia, in the south of Siberia, the species is located on the northern border of its range in the area with the least favorable bioclimatic environmental factors.

Effects of Environmental Factors on Diversity of Orthopteran Population in District Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

Environment is the predominant factor for deciding the appropriation and abundanceof Orthoptera species globally. During present study, the impact of major environmental factors on abrupt occurrence of Orthoptera species was examined. Orthopterans landed on vast agricultural fields of cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane and other standing crops in fertile parts and sandy regions of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The survey on different localities of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab was conducted from January to December 2019, special attention was paid during rainy season. The total 4908 specimens of order Orthoptera, suborder Caelifera belonged to 8 species were collected from different localities of tehsils Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur and Liaqatpur of district Rahim Yar Khan. The highest number of population, 2080 belonged to Schistocerca gregaria and lowest number of individuals belonged to Acrida exaltata were 135. However, other six species i.e., Peokilocerus pictus, Oxya hyla hyla, Sphingonotus savignyi, Heteracris littoralis, Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus, Diabolocatantops innotabilis were 1090, 480, 386, 355, 195, 187 respectively. Among them 3472 were males and 1436 were females. The % relative abundance of Orthoptera species recoded from agricultural areas was 61.63 and 38.36 from desert areas. The species diversity indices, richness and equity of agricultural areas were 0.7766, 5.0377, 2.0110 and 0.8600 and sandy areas were 0.5132, 2.3663, 1.5268 and 0.6595 respectively. The highest numbers of specimens collected in the month of October were 1084 due to favourable environmental factors while lowest 112 specimens in the month of January due to unfavourable conditions. The abundance of Orthoptera populations were coincidence with different environmental factors i.e., temperature, humidity and rainfall in different months of year.

Chitosan as capping agent in a robust one-pot procedure for a magnetic catalyst synthesis

Here, we report a one-pot solvothermal method for the development of magnetically recoverable catalysts with Ru or Ag nanoparticles (NPs) capped by chitosan (CS), a derivative of natural chitin. The formation of iron oxide NPs was carried out in situ in the presence of CS and iron acetylacetonate in boiling triethyleneglycol (TEG) due to CS solubilization in warm TEG. Coordination with Ru or Ag species and the NP formation take place in the same reaction solution, eliminating intermediate steps. In optimal conditions the method developed allows stabilization of 2.2 nm monodisperse Ru NPs (containing both Ru0 and Ru4+ species) that are evenly distributed through the catalyst, while for Ag NPs, this stabilizing medium is inferior, leading to exceptionally large Ag nanocrystals. Catalytic testing of CS-Ru magnetically recoverable catalysts in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with excess NaBH4 revealed that the catalyst with 2.2 nm Ru NPs exhibits the highest catalytic activity compared to samples with larger Ru NPs (2.9–3.2 nm). Moreover, this catalyst displayed extraordinary shelf-life in the aqueous solution (up to ten months) and excellent reusability in ten consecutive reactions with easy magnetic separation at each step which were assigned to its conformational rigidity at a constant pH. These characteristics as well as favorable environmental factors of the catalyst fabrication, make it promising for nitroarene reduction.

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ВАЛЕНТНОСТЬ МОЛЛЮСКА РОДА RADIX В СРЕДНЕЙ РЕКЕ НИЖНЕЙ ВОЛГИ

Background. The Lower Volga basin has undergone significant changes caused by the development of human economic activity. However, its high significance in terms of assessing and preserving the biodiversity of natural complexes on the territory is very relevant. Small and medium-sized tributaries support the vast biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the Lower Volga and their transformations in the landscape of catchment areas and the hydrological regime create prerequisites for changing the entire natural complex of the region. The assessment of the state of rivers based on macrozoobenthos indicators has various advantages over other approaches, primarily in the species diversity and structure of bottom communities that reflect the state of the ecosystem over a long period. One of the important components of the benthic groups are mollusks as representatives of one of the most numerous animal species. Representatives of malacofauna form part of the food chain in the transmission of energy, are part of the diet of various species of fish and waterfowl. Therefore, the aim of the work is to study the distribution and features of quantitative indicators of Radix (Radix) auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758) under the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors in the Samara River. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in the summer of 2017 in the Samara River from the source to the mouth. Cameral processing was carried out, where their species identity was established, quantitative indicators were calculated, including morphometric measurements of shells. The environmental assessment was carried out using modern statistical methods. Results. Mollusk individuals were found in various biotopes of the river, characterized by a variety of abiotic and biotic conditions. The occurrence of the species in the river was 65%, with the highest registration at the stations of the lower course. The quantitative indicators varied significantly at different stations. The highest values of abundance and biomass were recorded in the small reservoir of the upper current. Analysis of changes in the morphometric characteristics of the shells of the species in different parts of the river allowed us to identify the largest individuals in the lower reaches, where the greatest anthropogenic impact on the water quality in the river. Thus, the changes caused by humans had less impact on the mollusk than the absence of natural favorable environmental factors. The assessment of the influence of various environmental factors on the mollusk R. (R.) auricularia allowed us to establish significant environmental variables of the environment. Conclusions. The presented results significantly supplement the available data on the biology and ecology of the mollusk R. (R.) auricularia in the region. All the extensive material made it possible to better understand the biotic preferences of the species in rivers under various environmental conditions. The results will make it possible to more effectively assess the state of inland water bodies with similar abiotic and biotic conditions.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Malaria in Selected Urban and Rural Areas in Anambra State, Nigeria

Malaria, a disease of poverty, is of significant public health concern. It is endemic in Nigeria with the risk of transmission appearing to be high because of favorable climatic and environmental factors. Increased susceptibility to malaria has also been linked to dirty surroundings that favor the breeding and propagation of the vector, poor access to quality health care and ignorance especially of malaria prevention strategies. However, this study investigated the role of socioeconomic factors responsible for the observed difference in malaria prevalence between selected rural and urban areas of Anambra, Nigeria. A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study, data on demographic and socioeconomic variables were collected from 202 urban and rural respondents, then analyzed using SPSS platform to generate chi-square test of significance. The results were presented in figures, table and charts for clarity. All the subjects were aware of the term malaria but only 63.4% had adequate specific knowledge of malaria. Generally, 25.7% of rural participants had no formal education while the urban group had only 4% of that particular category. About 52.5% of rural participants earned below 50,000 naira monthly, with 14.9% earning above 100,000 naira while the reverse was the case in the urban area. Also, the number of malaria episodes was inversely proportional to the household monthly income (X2=24.30, p&lt;0.001). More episodes of malaria were also reported among the unskilled workers and skilled workers (71.3%) compared to Professionals (28.7%), yet all the participants reported the presence of a healthcare facility &lt;3km from their houses with 95% and 80.2% of them in the rural and urban areas respectively having to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare services. It is clear that socioeconomic factors play a role in the persistence of malaria as an endemic disease in Nigeria. Therefore, existing control measures should incorporate strategies to end poverty and ignorance especially among the rural populace.

ARCHITECTONICS OF THE ACTIVATION MECHANISM OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Introduction. Innovative development is a complex, multifaceted and dynamic category of economics, which is the main prerequisite for ensuring the proper level of products and enterprises competitiveness, integration of the domestic economy into the world, sustainable development of the national economy, and in general in the global scale. In this regard, the development of management mechanisms for the effective implementation of projects for innovative development of the agricultural sector is becoming increasingly important. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the composition of the mechanism elements of innovative development intensification of the agricultural sector and explain their relationship through the presentation of this mechanism architecture. Results. It is outlined that for the effective use of favorable environmental factors to intensify the processes of innovation development in the agricultural sector of Ukraine using a reasonable set of macro-level control levers it is necessary to develop mechanisms that effectively influence the stages of innovation development. It is determined that the main components of the mechanism of intensification of innovative development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine’s economy on the basis of its strategic potential use are: process, which unites the stages of innovation; subjective, which reflects the interest and influence of individual participants; object, which combines ideas, technologies, projects, networks, organizations (startups), property rights, intellectual property, knowledge and competencies. It is substantiated that the activation mechanism provides coordination of interaction of subjects during their participation in innovation process, using levers and methods of methodological basis, based on principles and laws within realization of functions, using components of strategic potential of innovative development. Key words: mechanism, innovative development, agrarian sector of economy, principles, architectonics.

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica amongst infants with diarrhoea visiting the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital

Amoebiasis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries because of lack of safe portable water and low level of hygiene. In Nigeria, amoebiasis is prevalent and widespread. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence ratio of E. histolytica among infants aged 1 to 59 months admitted at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja. The distribution of the infection was reported to relate more with inadequate environmental sanitation, poor personal hygiene and climate. The epidemiology, clinical features and causative agents of diarrhoea were investigated in 100 children aged 1-59 months visiting the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. One hundred stool samples were collected and examined. The use of direct smear and floatation methods were employed to analyze the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in diarrhoeal illness across gender, age, weight and stool appearance of the patients. Out of the one hundred stool samples screened 12% were positive for the parasite. Females were more infected (12.5%) than the males (11.4%), but there was no significant association between prevalence and gender (P&gt;0.05). Children within the age group of 1 to 12 months old had the highest prevalence rate (20.0%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among the age groups (p&lt; 0.05). Children that weighed less than 15kg had the highest prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica (25.0%). There was a positive correlation between the prevalence and weight (p&lt;0.05). Prevalence rate of 16.0% was recorded for watery and bloody stool. There was a positive correlation between the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and stool characteristics (p &lt; 0.05). Hence this study analyzes the pattern, morbidty, occurrence and the preventibve measures to enact in tackling diarrhoeal illnesses. This study also aims to enlighten the public especially nursing mothers on the need to maintain proper hygiene in other to prevent contamination of diarrhoeal illness. Entamoeba histolytica can be a re-emerging serious infection when it finds favorable environmental conditions and host factors which are mainly attributed to poor hygiene in this study. This may occur in any area of the world with the same risk factors. Owing to the findings of this research, public health interventions such as the provision of clean water, community health education, observation of food hygiene, and maintenance of functioning sanitation systems are recommended towards controlling the infection.

Rare hydrated magnesium carbonate minerals of the kimberlite pipe Obnazhennaya, The Yakutian Kimberlite Province

The first discovery of hydrated magnesium carbonates, dypingite and nesquehonite, in the kimberlite pipe Obnazhennaya of the Kuoyka field, the Yakutian kimberlite province is described. The pipe is composed of kimberlite breccia with abundant diverse xenoliths of practically intact mantle rocks. Olivine in phenocrysts and mantle rock is generally intact. The main body of the rock is carbonate-serpentine. Nesquehonite and dypingite are rare minerals and have first been observed in relation to kimberlites. The minerals were found in the bedrock outcrop of the Obnazhennaya pipe as white crusts up to 5 mm thick scattered over an area of a few tens of square meters. To identify and study the crusts we used the following methods: powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. A comprehensive study suggests that the main minerals of these epigenetic formations are hydrated carbonates: nesquehonite MgCO3□3H2O and dypingite Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2□5H2O. Also, Raman scattering spectroscopy revealed a small proportion of hydromagnesite Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2□4H2O. Hydrated magnesium carbonate minerals we found make a significant contribution to the collection of kimberlites. They are epigenetic in nature, with their origin being related to weathering of silicates, in particular serpentine. Mechanisms of carbonate formation appear to be close to that suggested by Wilson et. al., 2009, with CO2 being trapped from the atmosphere to form nesquehonite. In the case of the Obnazhennaya pipe, mineral solutions form when rainwater filters through the talus at the top of the outcrop. They are enriched in Mg from minerals and trap CO2 from the atmosphere. After filtering, solutions reach the vertical wall of kimberlite breccia where modern precipitation of nesquehonite upon evaporation occurs. Further, dypingite and hydromagnesite form via decomposition of nesquehonite. A lip extending over the rock wall significantly contributes to the development and stability of nesquehonite and dypingite aggregates. Crusts of nesquehonite and dypingite are not found on rock outcrops without lips at the top. Thus, despite the fact that intrusion of the kimberlite pipe occurred during the Jurassic (Zaitsev, Smelov, 2010), formation of nesquehonite and dypingite in association with kimberlite rocks continues in the modern time due to favorable environmental factors, first of all, a unique natural outcrop of kimberlite.

Lessons from culturing lichen soredia

Vegetative propagules play various important roles in lichen biology. We cultured soredia of Cladonia lichens in vitro and obtained three noteworthy results. Firstly, soredia are a beneficial source for the isolation of lichen symbionts. The mycobiont was obtained from 66% and the photobiont from 67% of the cultured soredia that were not contaminated. Secondly, the development of soredia followed a previously recognized pattern, arachnoid stage – soredium field – primordium, but a thalline structure was not achieved. We suggest that thallus formation in vitro is a question of favourable environmental factors, not partners compatibility. Finally, we discovered that fungi, other than the mycobiont, as well as airborne contaminants are dispersed together with lichen soredia. This is the first-ever report of such a phenomenon. The possible ecological consequences are discussed. Cystobasidiomycete yeasts were found among these fungi. We isolated representatives of three different lineages from a single thallus suggesting a low specificity for this association.