Field-based Study Research Articles

Female Farm Workers in Morocco: Between Laborious Working Conditions and Environmental Challenges

The present paper posits that female labor force in the Moroccan agricultural sector plays a crucial role in production and provides specific expertise, leading to an increasingly visible feminization of the sector. Taken into consideration their invaluable contributions, the primary objective of this field-based study is to unveil the working conditions that female farm workers endure, including extended working hours, high physical demands, and health risks caused by either climate change or industrial fertilizers. It also seeks to comprehend gender stereotypes that perpetuate these inequalities. Consequently, this study avoids treating this group of women as a homogeneous ensemble. Instead, the purpose is to closely observe female workers and listen to their speeches to gain an insight into their daily experiences. This is achieved through a micro-sociological framework that involves direct observation of female workers on the farms, as well as semistructured interviews. The research findings confirm that female workers encounter gender-based differentiations in the workplace, stigmatizing representations from their surroundings, and restrictions on access to the workplace. Additionally, they are subject to the negative impact of the working environment on their health and well-being.

A comparative quantitative structural assessment of benzothiazine-derived HDAC8 inhibitors by predictive ligand-based drug designing approaches

ABSTRACT Histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is a verified biomolecular target associated with diverse diseases including cancer. Though several HDAC inhibitors emerged effective against such diseases, no selective HDAC8 inhibitor is approved to date. Therefore, the development of potent HDAC8-selective inhibitors is inevitable to combat such diseases. Here, some benzothiazine-derived HDAC8 inhibitors were considered for a comparative QSAR analysis which may elucidate the prime structural components responsible for modulating their efficacy. Several outcomes from these diverse modelling techniques justified one another and thus validated each other. The ligand-based pharmacophore modelling study identified ring aromatic, positive ionizable, and hydrophobic features as essential structural attributes for HDAC8 inhibition. Besides, MLR, HQSAR and field-based 3D-QSAR studies signified the utility of the positive ionizable and hydrophobic features for potent HDAC8 inhibition. Again, the field-based 3D-QSAR study provided useful insight regarding the substitution in the fused phenyl ring. Moreover, the current observations also validated the previously reported molecular docking observations. Based on the outcomes, some new molecules were designed and predicted. Therefore, this comparative structural analysis of these HDAC8 inhibitors will surely assist in the development of potent HDAC8 inhibitors as promising anticancer therapeutics in the future.

Performance Evaluation of the Schistoscope 5.0 for (Semi-)automated Digital Detection and Quantification of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs in Urine: A Field-based Study in Nigeria.

Conventional microscopy is the standard procedure for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, despite its limited sensitivity, reliance on skilled personnel, and the fact that it is error prone. Here, we report the performance of the innovative (semi-)automated Schistoscope 5.0 for optical digital detection and quantification of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine, using conventional microscopy as the reference standard. At baseline, 487 participants in a rural setting in Nigeria were assessed, of which 166 (34.1%) tested S. haematobium positive by conventional microscopy. Captured images from the Schistoscope 5.0 were analyzed manually (semiautomation) and by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm (full automation). Semi- and fully automated digital microscopy showed comparable sensitivities of 80.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.2-86.0) and 87.3% (95% CI: 81.3-92.0), but a significant difference in specificity of 95.3% (95% CI: 92.4-97.4) and 48.9% (95% CI: 43.3-55.0), respectively. Overall, estimated egg counts of semi- and fully automated digital microscopy correlated significantly with the egg counts of conventional microscopy (r = 0.90 and r = 0.80, respectively, P < 0.001), although the fully automated procedure generally underestimated the higher egg counts. In 38 egg positive cases, an additional urine sample was examined 10 days after praziquantel treatment, showing a similar cure rate and egg reduction rate when comparing conventional microscopy with semiautomated digital microscopy. In this first extensive field evaluation, we found the semiautomated Schistoscope 5.0 to be a promising tool for the detection and monitoring of S. haematobium infection, although further improvement of the AI algorithm for full automation is required.

Impacts of MgO- and sepiolite-biochar composites on N-partitioning and dynamics of N-cycling bacteria in a soil-maize system: A field-based 15N-urea tracer study

Improving fertilizer-N retention and use efficiency (NUE) is imperative to mitigate the loss of reactive N into the environment. To reach additional improvements in N retention and NUE, we formulated MgO- and sepiolite-biochar nanocomposites with optimized N-retention capacity. The field-scale application of the modified biochars along with 15N-labeled urea (applied at 150 kg ha−1) was used to evaluate growth-stage-related N-partitioning, NUE, and N-recovery in a soil-maize (Zea mays L.) system. The effect of these biochars on growth-stage shifts in soil N-cycling enzymes, bacteria, and gene copies was reported for the first time. Results showed that during the 12-leaf stage, the MgO-biochar (MgOBF), sepiolite-biochar (SBF), and raw biochar (BF) amendments increased 15N-urea retention by 83.7 %, 26.7 %, and 33.0 %, respectively, than the sole fertilizer treatment (F). The improved 15N retention was attributed to the potential formation of an Mg-N complex, increased surface area, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the modified biochars particularly, in MgOBF, across maize growth stages compared to the raw biochar and SBF. Moreover, there was a simultaneous increase in the uptake of soil N across the plant growth stages in MgOBF and SBF compared to F and BF. At the physiological maturity (PM) stage, the total 15N uptake by maize was 17.1 % and 10.5 % higher in MgOBF and BF, respectively, compared to F. Moreover, the slow-release of the retained 15N and its increased uptake across maize growth stages increased NUE, biomass, and grain yield in MgOBF compared to other treatments. Hence, a total N recovery (soil + plant) of 90.8 % was recorded in MgOBF compared to 81.7 %, 67.9 %, and 67.8 % in the BF, SBF, and F treatments, respectively. A higher relative abundance of key N-cycling bacteria and their gene copies was associated with an increase in N-cycling enzymes in MgOBF and SBF at the PM stage, hence, promoting the slow-release of the retained N for plants' use. Our findings provide new insights into the applicability of modified biochars, especially, the MgO-modified biochar for improving fertilizer-N retention, NUE, and its recovery in the soil-plant system, while improving soil chemical properties.

Multi-site field trials demonstrate the effectiveness of silicon fertilizer on suppressing dimethylarsenate accumulation and mitigating straighthead disease in rice

Rice accumulates both inorganic arsenic (iAs) and organic As species such as dimethylarsenate (DMA). Although DMA is less toxic to humans, it has been shown in hydroponic studies to induce rice straighthead disease, a physiological disorder prevalent in some rice growing regions causing large yield losses. We investigated the effects of different amendments on As species dynamics in soil porewater, accumulation of As species in rice husks and grains, and the incidence of straighthead disease in five field experiments conducted over 2 years at three sites where straighthead disease was observed in previous seasons. The amendments included silicon (Si) fertilizer, micronized zero valent iron (μZVI), sulfate, nitrate, Si-rich biochar, and a mixture of trace and major elements. Straighthead disease was observed in all five experiments. Rice panicles showing the straighthead disease symptoms contained much higher DMA concentrations in husks and grains than normal panicles. Silicon fertilizer was highly effective at decreasing the disease incidence rate and increasing seed setting rate, resulting in 14.9–58.1% increase in grain yield. Silicon fertilizer increased soil porewater iAs and DMA concentrations, but decreased iAs and DMA accumulation in husks and grains, suggesting that Si suppressed the uptake of iAs and DMA by rice plants. Other amendments alleviated straighthead disease to smaller extents than Si fertilizer, with the effect of biochar and the mixture of trace and major elements likely also being attributed to the addition of Si. Results from this field-based study demonstrate that excessive accumulation of DMA is the main cause of rice straighthead disease and Si fertilizer is highly effective at mitigating this disease by suppressing DMA accumulation.

The Role of the Family in the Formation of Leftist Identity in Turkey in the Context of Political Socialization

Siyasal kimlik kültürel kimliğin politikleşmesi veya bireyin içinde bulunduğu koşulları politikleştirerek edindiği bir kimliktir. Diğer kimlikler gibi siyasal kimlik de bir süreç içinde oluşmaktadır. Bu süreç siyasal toplumsallaşma olarak kavramsallaştırılmaktadır. Dolayısıyla bireyler siyasal toplumsallaşma sürecinde bu kimlikleri benimsemektedirler. Siyasal toplumsallaşma sürecinde aile, çevre, okul ve kitle iletişim araçları gibi etkenler bireyin siyasal bir kimlik edinmesinde önemli yer tutmaktadır. Siyasal kimliğin ediniminde aile çoğu zaman belirleyici bir rol oynamaktadır. Özellikle ailenin hala önemli bir kurum olduğu Türk toplumunda bu rol daha baskın çıkabilmektedir. Aile kurumu bireylerin ilk sosyalleştiği kurum olması dolayısıyla kalıcı bir etki oluşturmaktadır. Dolayısıyla siyasal etkileşimin gerçekleştiği, siyasal davranışın şekillendiği ve siyasal tutumların edinildiği bir kurum olarak aile siyasal kimlikle yakın bir ilişki içerisindedir. Bu çalışma Türkiye’deki siyasal kimliklerden biri olan solcu kimliğinin benimsenmesinde ailenin nasıl bir rol oynadığını alandan elde edilen verilerle tespit etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Alan araştırmasına dayalı olarak yürütülen bu çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi esas alınacaktır. Verilerin toplanması için de derinlemesine görüşme tekniği kullanılacaktır. Toplanan veriler betimsel analiz tekniğiyle analiz edilecek ve yorumlanacaktır. Çalışmada elde edilen sonuçlardan biri de Türk toplumunda ailenin siyasal kimliğin şekillenmesinde hala belirleyici önemini koruduğu görülmektedir. Fakat ailenin dışında eğitim ve sosyal çevrenin de bireylerin siyasal kimliğinin oluşması üzerinde önemli bir etkisi vardır.

A Mendelian perspective on strategic management: path-dependence and artificial selection in a search for sustainable energy

We present a field-based case study that examines resource allocation as a mechanism with which the Mendelian executive facilitates a robust and ongoing process of search and discovery in extraordinary, complex and changing environments. The field research is conducted in collaboration with a global manufacturer that produces electricity-generating equipment in a search for sustainable energy. The case study illuminates a robust and ongoing process that re-aligns resource allocation iteratively between product development (technology and innovation management) and component procurement (supply chain management) for retaining a firm’s stability and functioning. By matching the theory-based predictions with the patterns derived from field-based observations, the case study finds consistency between theory and data. The case study also suggests boundary conditions in space and time, respectively, for extending the two fundamental constructs in the Mendelian Perspective—path-dependence and artificial selection.

The Effect of Internet-Based Intervention on Lifestyle and Healthy Nutrition Habits of Women in North of Iran: A Field-Based Trial Study

Background: A healthy lifestyle based on healthy eating habits and appropriate physical activity during different periods of life, bring healthy old age to women through preventing overweight or maintaining a healthy weight Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the effect of Internet-based intervention on the lifestyle and healthy eating habits of women in northern Iran. Materials &amp; Methods: The present field-trial study was conducted on 268 women who were members of Population of Mental Health Assistants from November 2014 to May 2015. The educational intervention was carried out through a website containing information on healthy lifestyle, nutrition, and cooking methods of various healthy foods. The participants of the intervention group were also received their special diet. All participants were evaluated after 3 and 6 months in terms of changes in weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and nutritional habits. Their lifestyle were measured using the standard questionnaire of Health- Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). Data was analyzed using repeated measure analysis of variance. Results: The average age (Standard Deviation (SD)) of the intervention and comparison group was 38.7 (10.8) and 36.9 (10.8) years, respectively. After six months, the average BMI of the intervention group decreased from 27.4 (SD=5.3) to 26.3 (SD=5.7) kg/m2 (P&lt;0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of both groups showed a significant decrease (P&lt;0.001). Nutrition (F1,266=62.09, P=0.001, η2=0.19) followed by health responsibility (F1,255=30.4, P= 0.001, η2= 0.11) were the most important dimensions of HPLP-II affected by intervention. Conclusion: The Internet-based educational intervention program, using a bottom-up approach, has a favorable effect on the improvement of the lifestyle and weight loss of the participants. The findings of the present study showed the possibility of using the new e-health technology in order to promote healthy lifestyle and eating habits in women.

Intercropping-driven nitrogen trade-off enhances maize productivity in a long-term experiment

Intercropping improves land productivity by exploiting species complementarities to achieve sustainable agriculture. Intercropping systems, therefore, require a nitrogen (N) management approach that matches temporal and spatial N supply with crop requirements. Present field-based study (started in 2013) explored the effects of intercropping of maize ( Zea mays L. ) with legumes [peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ) and soybean ( Glycine max )] and non-legumes [gingelly ( Sesamum indicum L. ) and sweet potato ( Dioscorea esculenta )] on maize productivity and N trade-off. Compared with maize monoculture, intercropping with gingelly, peanut, soybean, and sweet potato all significantly improved maize average yield (2013 and 2021), average N use efficiency (NUE), average N partial factor productivity (PFPN), and plant N uptake by 8–29%, 28–49%, 20–80%, and 16–35%, respectively. The N losses via ammonia volatilization and runoff in intercropping systems decreased by 12–19% and 11–43% respectively, compared with monoculture. Soil total N, inorganic N (NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N), and microbial biomass N (MBN) contents as well as the urease, β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities varied among different intercropping systems and maize growth periods. Maize productivity (yield, PFPN, and NUE) was positively correlated with plant N uptake (R 2 = 0.66–0.92, P < 0.001) and soil MBN content (R 2 = 0.41–0.47, P < 0.01), while it was found negatively associated with N losses (R 2 = 0.35–0.56, P < 0.05), soil N availability (R 2 = 0.27–0.67, P < 0.05), and NAG activity (R 2 = 0.36–0.55, P < 0.05). These findings collectively indicated that regulating the balance between soil N supply and plant N uptake in an intercropping system with low N fertilization could achieve high productivity. This study highlighted the importance of understanding the complex interaction between crop development and intercropping practices in improving maize productivity and N trade-off. • Intercropping increased average (2013 and 2021) maize yield by 8–29%. • Intercropping improved average NUE by 28–49% and maize N uptake by 16–35%. • N loss via ammonia volatilization and runoff decreased by 11–43% duo to intercropping. • Maize productivity was primarily related to plant N uptake, soil N dynamics and N loss. • Intercropping-driven plant-soil N trade-offs contributed to increased maize productivity.

Factors predicting proper handwashing practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India: a field-based cross-sectional study.

Proper handwashing is one of the effective ways to prevent many communicable diseases, including COVID-19. We explored the handwashing practices in a rural Indian population before the probable third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A data collection schedule was administered to eligible adult members of a rural community, selected by multi-stage sampling, to assess their pattern and practice of handwashing. All 176 respondents washed their hands after defecation, 82.4 and 80.7% washed hands after urination and before taking food, respectively, while 68.2% of respondents washed hands after coming back from outdoors. Among those who handwashed, 82.9% used soap water after defecation; 46.2, 45.8 and 50.8% washed hands with soap water after urination, before taking food and after visiting outdoors, respectively. Only a quarter (24.4%) of all the participants used soap water for handwashing consistently after defecation, after urination, before taking food and after coming home. The more educated, those coming from higher socioeconomic stratum and working from home, were more likely to report proper handwashing practice. Handwashing, as recommended by health agencies, for restraining COVID-19 infection, was not noticed in the majority of the participants. Better awareness of handwashing is recommended to help restrain COVID-19 in the Indian population.

Comparative analysis of the larvicidal activity of temephos (EC50) and novaluaron (EC10) to control Anopheles stephensi in Sri Lanka

BackgroundAnopheles stephensi was first recorded in the coastal area of Mannar District, Sri Lanka, in December 2016. Since then, this vector has been isolated from other districts in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Chemical control is the main arm of vector control that can be used to reduce the vector densities within a short period. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of using selected insecticides for the control of An. stephensi larvae. MethodThe third and fourth instar larval stages of An. stephensi (F2 generation) of field mosquitoes that were caught using cattle baited net trap collections from Columbuthurai, Kurunagar, and Navanthurai areas in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka, were obtained from the laboratory colony established at Jaffna. Batches of 100 larvae were taken for experiments and introduced separately to a concentration series of temephos and novaluron (0.04–400 ppm). A control test was also performed at each setup without introducing insecticides. The mortality rates of An. stephensi larvae exposed to different concentrations of larvicides were recorded at 1, 24 and 48-h intervals. The experiment was replicated five times at individual concentrations for each selected chemical. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) and Probit analysis. ResultsThe highest mortality rate (100%) at a 1-h exposure period was observed from temephos at >100 ppm. The mortality rates varied significantly for different concentrations and larvicides (p < 0.05). At 24-h of the exposure period, the 100% mortality of An. stephensi larvae were observed from both temephos and novaluron even at 0.04 ppm. ConclusionBoth temephos and novaluron reported 100% mortality rates in An. stephensi larvae at 1-h and 24-h exposure periods. Based on the findings, temephos and novaluron can be recommended as effective larvicides for chemical-based control of An. stephensi in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Further, it is recommended to conduct a field-based study, where habitat types and water quality are highly heterogeneous and may affect the residual activity.

Development of an observational exposure human biomonitoring study to assess Canadian children's DEET exposure during protective use.

Biomonitoring data of N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) in children is scarce and limited to controlled exposure and surveillance studies. We conducted a 24-hour observational exposure and human biomonitoring study designed to estimate use of and exposure to DEET-based insect repellents by Canadian children in an overnight summer camp setting. Here, we present our study design and methodology. In 2019, children between the ages of 7 and 13 took part in the study (n = 126). Children controlled their use of DEET-based insect repellents, and provided an account of their activities at camp that could impact insect repellent absorption. Children provided a total of 389 urine samples throughout the study day, and reported the time that they applied insect repellent, which allowed us to contextualize urinary DEET and metabolite concentrations with respect to the timing of insect repellent application. DEET (2.3% <Limits of detection (LOD)) and two metabolites, N,N-diethyl-m-(hydroxymethyl)benzamide (DHMB) (0% <LOD) and 3-diethylcarbamoyl benzoic acid (DCBA) (0% <LOD), were measured in urine samples. Three time difference scenarios were established for the data and analysed to account for these complex time-dependent data, which demonstrated the need for DEET biomonitoring to be done in context with the timing of a known DEET exposure or over the course of at least 14 to 24 hours to better capture the excretion curve. To our knowledge, this is the first field-based study of real-world exposure to DEET in children. Our experience and results suggest that this type of real-world observational exposure study with a human biomonitoring component can generate data reflective of actual exposure, but is not without significant logistic, practical, and analytical challenges.

We Are Not Tourists! The Identity Work of Self-Initiated Expatriates

This paper aims to further academic understanding of the ongoing identity work through which self-initiated expatriate (SIE) identifications and meaningful mobility motives are socially (re)constructed during global career moves. A pertinent question of SIE research concerns how motives and distinctive characteristics influence SIEs’ mobility decisions, adjustment and even performance. This study turns the question around by examining SIEs’ identity work in (re)constructing and actively maintaining their categories of identification and motive configurations during global mobility. The paper is based on a field-based interview study of SIEs’ identity work. This study shows how, as a consequence of engaging in many practices and experiences that resemble those of tourists, some SIEs devote considerable efforts to actively constructing, maintaining and communicating their identifications, motives and practices in direct opposition to that of tourists. SIEs may thus invoke stereotypes of tourists within their identity work of redefining their selves and resulting motivations abroad. SIEs’ identifications and motives are constructed through ongoing identity work, during expatriation, where they often feel compelled to construct social categories that differ as much as possible from those of tourists. Such identity work is accomplished at multiple, potentially mutually reinforcing levels, from institutions of expatriate communities to SIEs’ everyday identity work.

Rates and processes controlling periglacial alluvial fan formation: Implications for martian fans

Abstract Alluvial fans are found across a range of climates and are built from a combination of fluvial and debris flow processes. Correct identification of process is critical to reconstructing the climate and water histories of alluvial fans on Earth and Mars. Theory and data from subaerial Earth fans are often used to estimate paleoflow discharges and sediment fluxes for martian fans; however, most terrestrial work has been conducted on fans that are in hot, dry climates with runoff sourced from rainfall. This differs from the prevailing interpretation that martian fans were sourced from snowmelt under warming periglacial conditions. To characterize processes and rates of periglacial fan formation, we conducted a field-based study of the Black Mountain alluvial fan in the Aklavik Range, Canada. We observed active fluvial bedload transport as well as several small debris flows that had initiated from ice-filled gullies. Following a runoff event of ~0.005 mm/hr to ~0.2 mm/hr across the fan, we estimated sediment fluxes of ~0.04 m3/hr. Under bankfull conditions, we estimated runoff rates between ~0.01 mm/hr to ~14 mm/hr and corresponding sediment fluxes of ~0.3 m3/hr to ~550 m3/hr. This suggests that moderate flow events, well below the maximum runoff production rates suggested for Mars, are capable of entraining and transporting appreciable amounts of sediment by fluvial processes. However, sedimentological and geomorphological observations suggest that ~67% of the fan was deposited fluvially; the remainder was deposited by mass flows. Our results emphasize the need to take care in interpreting martian sedimentary processes and climate from fan surface morphology alone.

When singing strengthens the capacity to aspire: girls’ reflexivity in rural Bangladesh

ABSTRACT In the present paper, we explore the impact of singing for girls in rural Bangladesh. Previous findings in this field-based interview study (with 18 girls) have demonstrated that singing can act as a driving force in young girls’ psychological individuation processes, implying increased agency and autonomy. A critical question, however, is to what extent the village girls will manage to maintain a feeling of agency as they pass through puberty. How do they navigate between their own wish to continue singing and pressure from cultural norms (such as getting married)? Using Margareth Archer’s morphogenetic approach and Arjun Appadurai’s approach to culture as a capacity as analytical tools, we connect different modes of reflexivity to the girls’ capacity to aspire. We discuss specific mechanisms that emerge as relevant for the girls/young women as they navigate their way through the Bengali rural society.

'Only One Earth' – Celebrating soil science on World Environment Day 2022

'Only One Earth' – Celebrating soil science on World Environment Day 2022

A risk measurement tool for targeted HIV prevention measures amongst young pregnant and lactating women in South Africa

BackgroundWe aimed to develop and validate a tool to identify which pregnant/lactating young South African women (≤ 24 years) are at risk of HIV infection.MethodsData from three national South African Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) evaluations were used to internally validate three HIV acquisition risk models for young postpartum women. We used univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine which risk factors were significant. Model coefficients were rounded and stratified into risk groups and the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was computed. Models were developed to determine which risk factors provided the most predictive accuracy whilst remining clinically meaningful.ResultsData from 9 456 adult and 4 658 young pregnant and lactating women were included in the development and validation data sets, respectively. The optimal model included the following risk factors: age (20–24 years old), informal house structure, two or more pregnancies, mothers who had knowledge of when they received their last HIV test result, no knowledge of the infant’s father’s HIV status, no knowledge of breastfeeding as a mode of MTCT and knowledge of PMTCT programme. The mean AUROC was 0.71 and 0.72 in the development and validation datasets respectively. The optimum cut off score was ≥ 27, having 84% sensitivity, 44% specificity, and identifying 44% of high-risk women eligible for PrEP.ConclusionThe optimal model to be used as a possible risk scoring tool to allow for early identification of those pregnant/lactating women most at-risk of HIV acquisition included both statistically as well as clinically meaningful risk factors. A field-based study is needed to test and validate the effectiveness of this targeted approach.

INTO CLASSROOM: TEACHERS AS REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONERS

This is an interactive paper which deliberates the changes brought about in a community-based children's programme through the teachers. The teachers adopted action-based research to identify and solve their pedagogic concerns. It was through reflective teaching and learning praxis that oriented the (para)teachers to classify, identify and strategize their major classroom problems and solve them. The paper attempts to describe these strategies and processes of teaching-learning that are reviewed and modified by the teachers. These enabled teachers to become empowered ‘practitioners’ within their social context. The paper examines “sustainability” in terms of the transformation in the status of the teachers within their own classrooms. It also examines how empowering teacher; who has a grassroots position in the community programme could bring up and promote sustainable development for the entire educational programme. The paper presented is a culmination of field-based research study tittled Elementary Education Teachers Research Network (EETRN) undertaken at a nodal agency by the authors. The study presented the ethnographic accounts of classroom interactions. This paper intends to unfold and navigate through the intricacies of how the teachers engaged in the process of reflective teaching and research

Historical Review and Field-based Study of Ticks on Domestic Goats in Oklahoma

Historical records of five genera and 11 species of ticks were reported on domestic goats in the United States in literature published before 1951. In a field-based collection from random goats and pastures in eastern Oklahoma, we collected three species and three life stages of ticks. Ticks were collected throughout the year from domestic goats even when they were not collected in pastures.

Assessment of safety culture in the fireworks industry

ABSTRACT Workers in the fireworks industry are affected mentally because of hazards that occurred in and around the working environment which caused injuries/fire accidents due to carelessness of workers and poor maintenance of rules and regulations by management. Primary data were collected from 451 workers in 25 fireworks industries randomly. A structured questionnaire is developed to measure safety culture in the fireworks industry in terms of dimensions like work environment, worker awareness, process, governance and safety satisfaction. This instrument is tested for purification of items in terms of stability by various statistical tests like reliability and validity in statistical software like SPSS and AMOS. This field-based study examines safety culture among workers in the fireworks industry to find the real scenario in the workplace and give recommendations for management to control accidents and fire or explosions to save the lives of workers.