High Significant Positive Correlation Research Articles

Biogenic and risk elements in wild boar testes and relation to spermatozoa motility

Environmental pollution results in serious health hazards to animals, reflected in biogenic and risk element concentrations in animal tissues. The objective of this study was to examinate concentration of selected elements in testes, and epididymal spermatozoa motility of wild boars. Wild boars were hunted in region Žuhračka - Levice, Slovak Republic. Testes were removed postmortem, spermatozoa were collected from cauda epididymis and assessed by CASA system. Elements concentrations were measured by ICP and by CV-AAS. Spermatozoa motility was 44.29% and progressive motility 18.47%. Concentration of elements in testes was in following order: K > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Se > Mn > As > Cr > Pb > Mo > Sr > Ni > Ba > Cd > Li > Hg. The most notable correlations indicate association between Se and total spermatozoa motility, as well as with progressive motility, furthermore between As and velocity curved line and beat cross frequency. A high positive significant correlation was found between mercury and beat cross frequency. The data may serve as a fine control indicator to detect potentially toxic elements accumulated from polluted environment that can affect reproduction of wild animals.

Unraveling Promising Genetic Variability Associated with Strong Culm and Yield Parameters in Inter Sub-Specific Cross Derived Recombinant Inbred Lines in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Strengthening the rice culm through genetic improvement has been an important target in breeding to abate the lodging problem in rice. The present investigation was attempted to study the variability, genetic parameters and trait association in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from inter sub-specific cross of elite indica mega variety ‘Swarna’ and Tropical japonica strong culm accession ‘IRGC 39111’. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) displayed significant variation in RILs for all the traits studied. The investigation revealed high estimates of GCV and PCV along with high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) for all culm strength (CS) traits revealing the role of additive gene effect and selection of these traits shall be effective in rice improvement. Correlation studies revealed that the internode breaking weight (IBW) and bending moment at breaking(M) had a high significant positive correlation with all the CS traits, panicle weight and grain yield. Thus, the direct selection of positively associated traits can improve the lodging resistance in rice. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that, seven principal components (PCs) out of 23 traits attributed approximately 92.9% of the total cumulative variability. The traits culm thickness (CT), Internode breaking weight (IBW), section modulus (SM), bending stress (BS), Bending moment at breaking (M) contributed maximum to the total diversity and the lines with higher trait values for the aforementioned traits could be utilized as donors to improve the culm strength and its attributing traits in future breeding programs. From this study, it is evident that tropical japonica lines can be a great source of genetic diversification for rice improvement.

Evaluation Tolerant of Four Melon Genotypes in Early Growth Stage under Normal and Drought Stress Conditions

Plant breeding initiative in semi-arid and arid area are primarily focused on developing genotypes at early growth stage under normal conditions and keeping them steady during drought stress conditions. Therefore, four melon genotypes responses to drought stress were evaluated in this study during early growth stage. Two treatments for irrigation rates (Full Irrigation= 100%) and (Deficit Irrigation= 50%) were carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three biological replications in vermiculite culture in greenhouse in the research farm of faculty of agriculture at Sohag university in Egypt during season 2023. Young plants (45 days old plants) were utilized, and phenotypic traits 1º Leaf Score Tolerance, 2º Leaf Score Tolerance, Flowers Numbers, Vine Length, Green Leaves and Brown Leaves Numbers per vine were calculated by comparing differences in drought stress compared to control to identify tolerant and susceptible genotypes. The findings demonstrated that, in all estimated traits under drought stress conditions, there was significant variation between the studied four melon genotypes. whereas, the best results for all the studied traits were produced under normal conditions. Additionally, the highest significant positive correlation was found between 1º Leaf Score Tolerance and 2º Leaf Score Tolerance (0.966*) under normal conditions, and between Vine Length and Green Leaves Numbers per vine (0.999**) under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, the highest significant negative correlation was observed between 2º Leaf Score Tolerance and Flowers Numbers (-0.974*) and Flowers Numbers and Green Leaves Numbers per vine (-0.960*) under normal conditions, and between Vine Length and Brown Leaves Numbers per vine (-0.974*) and Green Leaves Numbers per vine and Brown Leaves Numbers per vine (-0.981*) under drought stress conditions. Besides, Euclidean heatmap clustering analysis grouped studied genotypes according to their response to normal and drought stress conditions, indicating that, the studied melon genotypes offer high potential for particular breeding purposes. These results have produced helpful framework for breeding strategies in the future under drought stress conditions. Conversely, detailed studies are crucial to predict drought stress tolerance performance in novel breeding strategies.

Doppler ultrasound compared to shear wave elastography for assessment of liver cirrhosis

BackgroundThe progression of liver fibrosis to cirrhosis is a dynamic process necessitating non-invasive evaluation modalities. This study aims to evaluate the ability of Doppler ultrasound studies (DUS) in defining morphological and hemodynamic blood flow changes in the hepatic vasculature coinciding with advanced liver fibrosis.MethodsA prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with liver cirrhosis (F4). All cases underwent liver stiffness (LS) measurement by shear wave elastography (SWE), along with DUS to evaluate the liver texture, splenic size, hepatic artery resistive index (HARI), portal and splenic vein diameters, portal vein velocity (PVV), and hepatic vein waveform (HVV). All measures were assessed concurrently with a highly qualified single operator.ResultsPatients aged 55.5 ± 10.2 years with male predominance (72%). A highly significant correlation was found between LS by SWE and hepatic parenchymal texture, splenic size, portal vein width, and HVV (monophasic and biphasic) (p < 0.001). There were also high significant positive correlations (p < 0.001) between LS and PVV. However, there was no definitive correlation between LS and HARI, as well as splenic vein diameter.ConclusionThe widely available economic Doppler studies including portal vein velocity and hepatic vein waveform changes could be of substantial diagnostic value to liver cirrhosis.Study designProspective cohort study, employing descriptive and analytical statistics.

Evaluation Of Some Biochemical Parameters In Patients With Breast Cancer In Basrah Governorate

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death among women. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women . In Iraq, breast cancer is the commonest type of female malignancy, ac-counting for approximately one-third of the registered female cancers according to the latest Iraqi Cancer Registry. In this study, patients and volunteers from Basrah Governorate (southern Iraq) participated. A total of fifty five participants were subdivided into two groups, breast cancer patients 35 aged (20-60) years, and 20 healthy individuals (control group) aged (20-60) years. Serum levels of Estrogen , Progesterone , glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase , immunoglobulinG , immunoglobulinM and cancer antigen 15-3 were measured by standard methods. The study reported that Progesterone and IgG were statistically significant (p˂0.05) in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy control . Estrogen, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were statistically very high significant (p ≤0.0001) in patients with breast cancer compared to healthy control .There was very high significant positive correlation between estrogen and IgM (p ≤0.0001) .

The Use of Generative AI in Learning and Its Influence on Students’ Academic Engagement in Noveleta Senior High School

The conducted study entitled The Use of Generative AI in Learning and Its Influence on Students’ Academic Engagement in Noveleta Senior High School seeks to provide insights on the relationship between the use of generative AI in learning and students’ academic engagement. A sequential-explanatory mixed-method research design is applied in the study to supply in-depth enlightenment, discussion, and investigation of the evaluated and correlated variables. Eighty-seven (87) respondents served as participants for the quantitative phase of the study, and ten (10) interviewees for the qualitative phase. The respondents were selected using Convenience Sampling, a non-probability sampling technique. Findings showed that use of generative AI has positively affected students' academic engagement and it improved their learning environment. On the other hand, generative AI has been a great aid in enhancing students' learning and engagement. Using Pearson R- Correlation, the researcher found that there is a significant high positive correlation between use of generative AI and students' academic engagement (r (87) = .765, p &lt; 0.00001), while it has a good effect on their academic engagement. Generative AI has also made students lazier and more reliant on it which bears a lot of risk especially in academics. The duality of generative AI has been evident to the respondents of the study.

The effect of music played to new birth mothers on postpartum blues: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPostpartum blues/postpartum maternal blues is a psychological disorder experienced by mothers with symptoms of postpartum sadness, easy crying, easy anxiety, sensitivity, indecisiveness. The study aimed to examine the effect of music played on newly delivered mothers on postpartum blues. MethodsA prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled study was conducted on n = 82 (41 = control, 41 = music group) mothers who gave birth at term in Trakya University Health Research and Application Center Maternity Service between May and December 2023. The research data were collected through the Personal Information Form, Stein Blues Scale (SBS), and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). The scales used in the study were evaluated four times: postoperative 0–3 h, 12th, 24th, and 36th hours. ResultsThe postoperative 0–3 h SBS test median of the new mothers in the music group was 19.00, and the 36th hours test median was 2.00, while the postoperative 0–3 h SBS test median of the control group was 21.00, and the 36th hour test median was 13.00. The postoperative 0–3 h EPDS test median of the new mothers in the music group was 22.00, and the 36th hours test median was 0.00, while the postoperative 0–3 h EPDS test median of the control group was 26.00, and the 36th hours test median was 10.00. A significant difference was found in the 12th, 24th, and 36th hours (p < .001). A statistically significant high positive correlation was found between EPDS and SBS in the 12th, 24th, and 36th hours (p < .001). ConclusionsIn the study, it was found that music played to newly delivered mothers reduced postpartum blues and depression levels. RegistrationThe submission date for a clinical trial protocol is prior to completing participant recruitment and for a systematic review, prior to completing full paper screening. NCT06252155

Serum Lipoprotein(a) and Angiographic Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Asian Indians

Abstract Background: With the renewed interest in lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) shown by the European Atherosclerosis Society in relation to cardiovascular disease occurrence worldwide and especially in the South Asian population, its estimation once in a lifetime has been recommended (1–3). However, the role of this proatherogenic Lp(a) in regulating the severity of angiographic lesions in coronary artery disease (CAD) is poorly understood. This study aimed to correlate the serum Lp(a) level with angiographic lesion severity in subjects with CAD. Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 100 adult patients (mean age: 52.56 [±12.84] years, 84 [84%] males) with angiographically confirmed CAD were enrolled in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India and their serum Lp(a) levels were estimated (by immunoassay method) and correlated with the SYNTAX score groups (&lt;22, 22–33, and &gt;33) and extent of disease – single-vessel disease (SVD), double-vessel disease (DVD), or triple-vessel disease (TVD). Results: Mean serum Lp(a) was elevated in the more severe disease group with SYNTAX &gt;33 (88.79 mg/dl) than in lesser severity disease groups of SYNTAX 22-33 (57.07 mg/dl) and SYNTAX &lt;22 (35.13 mg/dl), and this trend was found to be significant by analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P &lt; 0.001). Mean levels of Lp(a) were lower in patients with SVD (33.15 mg/dl) and DVD (33.93 mg/dl) than in those with the TVD group (77.71 mg/dl), and this trend was found to be significant by ANOVA (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Serum Lp(a) values had a high significant positive correlation with the angiographic severity (higher SYNTAX score and Multivessel CAD) in patients of CAD in this study. Lp(a) is a known risk factor for CAD in South Asians and statins do not appear to decrease their levels; further, our study compounds the problem by correlating its level with increasing severity of CAD. This study therefore asserts the importance of the estimation of Lp(a) in South Asian individuals and proposes larger studies to confirm its correlation with the severity of CAD.

Correlation of Gestational Age Sonographically Using Western Nomogram with That from Last Menstrual Period among North Bengal Population: An Overestimate or Underestimate

Context: Pregnant women in India are often unable to recall the last menstruation period (LMP) and also present in the late trimester. In India, to determine the fetal age by ultrasonography (USG), Western nomogram is being used, but the racial and ethnic variation might lead to variation in estimation of fetal parameter. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the value of different fetal biometric parameters by USG and to compare it with Western nomogram like Hadlock’s. Settings and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The study was performed among 150 pregnant women in their second or third trimester following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 22.0. Results: 51.33% of participants were in 29–37 weeks of pregnancy. A statistically significant high positive linear correlation within the estimates of different sonological parameters was found. The observed coefficient of correlation for different parameters was as follows: biparietal diameter (r = 0.968), head circumference (r = 0.963), abdominal circumference (r = 0.964), and femur length (r = 0.963). In the same gestational age (GA), Hadlock’s chart reported higher diameter(s)/length, and differences were noted to be statistically significant. GA estimated by Hadlock’s chart was found to be significantly lower than that of the GA determined from LMP. Conclusion: The biometric sonological fetal parameters in the present study were significantly different from the Hadlock’s chart which notes a considerably higher reading for the same GA, indicating that the probability of race, ethnicity, and sample size played a role.

Genetic variability and association study of SSR markers for yield and powdery mildew disease in pea (Pisum sativum)

Makhyatmubi, one of the most popular local varieties of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Manipur has morpho- physiological bottlenecks such as tall nature and high susceptibility to fungus Erysiphe pisi causing powdery mildew disease. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2018–19 and 2020–21 at College of Post-Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur), Umiam, Meghalaya to generate genetic variability by hybridization of Makhyatmubi with Prakash variety which is a well-known powdery mildew resistant variety in India and possesses several contrasting characters. Fruitful heterosis was estimated with highest record in number of pods per plant (114.75%) and seed yield per plant (108.04%). These two characters also showed high PCV, GCV, heritability and GAM. Number of pods per plant (0.95) was found to have highest positive significant correlation with seed yield per plant. MP-5 and MP-119 recorded superior performance in several characters under study. For the association study of simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers, easily scorable polymorphic markers were selected for surveying association with the traits. Results revealed that SSR marker AA122 may be associated with seed yield and number of pods per plant while marker AA136 with number of seeds per pod. A5 marker was found to be associated with the powdery mildew disease. Hence, it can be employed for marker assisted selection (MAS) to identify and select pea genotypes exhibit resistance to powdery mildew disease.

Estimation of soil health in the semi‑arid regions of northwestern Iran using digital elevation model and remote sensing data.

Nowadays, neglecting soil conservation issues is one of the most critical factors in reducing soil health (SH). In this regard, to facilitate the estimation of the SH in northwestern Iran, 292 soil samples were taken from a depth of 0-30cm of this area, and a wide range of soil properties were determined. Then, soil health indices (SHIs) were calculated. Simultaneously, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), surface water capacity index (SWCI), and a digital elevation model (DEM) were obtained from satellite data. Finally, multiple linear regression (MLR) relationships between these parameters and SHIs were calculated. In this study, there was a highest significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between IHI-LTDS and SWCI (0.71**), DEM (0.76**), and NDVI (0.73**). The MLR, with both the whole total (TDS) and minimal (MDS) dataset methods, which includes the aforementioned indices, strongly described the spatial variability of the Integrated Soil Health Index (IHI) (R2 = 0.78, AIC = - 416, RMSE = 0.05, and ρc = 0.76). According to the results of this study, it can be said that the development of SH estimation models using remote sensing extracted parameters can be one of the effective ways to reduce the cost and time of soil sampling in extensive areas.

Correlation study in growth parameters of Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata) and physiological parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) in agroforestry system

The present investigation was conducted to study the tree crop interaction considering the Pongamia (Pongamiapinnata) tree morphological characteristics and physiological parameters of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) inagroforestry system. The experiment was conducted during kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 in "T" block, Agroforestryexperimental fields of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad campus which is located at 15° 26' North latitude and75° 0' East longitude, with an elevation (altitude) of 678 m above mean sea level. Pongamia pinnata provenance's growthand volume observations were recorded. They included tree height, tree girth, canopy cover and number of branches etc.Two years pooled data recorded maximum values in treatment (T1) RAK-1 (Rahuri Karanja-1) + black gram followed by(T9) RAK-9 + black gram which is on par with (T6) RAK-7 + black gram. Lowest values recorded in (T8) RAK-9 + blackgram which is on par with (T4) RAK-4 + black gram. Whereas the growth parameters of black gram like leaf area duration(LAD), absolute growth rate (AGR), crop growth rate (CGR) and dry matter accumulation recorded under Pongamiaprovenances which showed opposite trend because of the fluctuations of light and mutual shading of the crops within or inbetween rows, frequent overcast due to clouds as a common phenomenon during tropical and sub-tropical monsoonscausing regular fluctuation of sunlight. The treatment (T11) sole crop showed the maximum value, followed by (T8) RAK-9 + black gram and (T4) RAK4 + black gram and lowest value was recorded at (T1) RAK-1 + black gram treatment. Solelegumes recorded maximum AGR. CGR, LAD and dry matter accumulation were also found to have highest significantpositive correlation with seed yield.

Skin Hydration Measurement: Comparison Between Devices and Clinical Evaluations.

The need for an objective method for measuring skin hydration levels is becoming increasingly important. Various devices with different measuring principles for assessing skin hydration have been developed and are widely used. This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility and correlation between clinical evaluation and skin hydration measurement devices that are the most widely used in the field. A prospective comparative clinical trial was conducted on 184 healthy volunteers. Skin hydration levels were measured using the Corneometer (CM820) and hydration probe (HP: DermaLab Combo) at 3 points: the ventral forearm, the dorsal forearm, and the shin. We used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to evaluate the reproducibility and Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) to evaluate the correlation of each measurement. Simple linear regression was used to analyze the Corneometer and HP skin hydration value changes according to changes in xerosis severity scale (XSS) values, which were evaluated by clinicians. Both the Corneometer and HP showed significant, excellent reproducibility (ICC for Corneometer: 0.954-0.971, ICC for HP: 0.980-0.986) and significant high positive correlations (PCC: 0.708-0.737) regardless of the measurement site. Both devices showed negative regression coefficients in all measurement sites in XSS analysis, but this was not statistically significant. The Corneometer and HP were both accurate and objective skin hydration measuring devices, regardless of the measurement site. Using reliable and objective devices such as the Corneometer or HP can aid in understanding an individual's skin condition and making more informed decisions for skin care. Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005146.

Deciphering Chickpea Breeding Lines through Genetic Potential and Trait Association Analysis

Exploring the genetic potential of chickpeas is imperative for strategic parent selection, targeted hybridization, and effective trait integration, resulting in development of resilient and high-yielding varieties. Hence, the current study aims to uncover the genetic potential and character associations of advanced breeding lines in chickpea, conducted at the Seed Breeding Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, JNKVV, Jabalpur during the rabi season of 2021-22. The assessment of forty advanced chickpea breeding lines encompassed an analysis of genetic parameters, correlation, and path coefficients. The findings unveiled that, across all observed traits, the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) exceeded the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %). The examination of genetic potential, utilizing phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability, heritability, genetic advance, and genetic gain, demonstrates a significant degree of variability within the genotypes for traits including total number of pods per plant, number of effective pods per plant, biological yield per plant, and seed yield per plant. The seed yield per plant exhibited high positive and direct effect and significant positive correlation with biological yield per plant and total number of pods per plant. Consequently, prioritizing these traits in future breeding programs could lead to the development of chickpea varieties with enhanced yield potential.

Severity of muscle impairment and its progression assessed using musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tension imaging in 78 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a retrospective study

PurposeDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. Current diagnostic tests like genetic testing, needle electromyography, and muscle biopsy are either not easily available or invasive, and they are impractical for assessing disease progression and treatment outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive and accurate investigative modality for DMD. In recent years, musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-MSK) along with fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have become major non-invasive tools.Material and methodsT1-weighted MRI-MSK and FA measures of DTI of 78 DMD patients were retrospectively studied to identify the distinct pattern of muscle involvement and fatty infiltration as age and/or disease progresses. Correlation analysis was performed between MRI-MSK grade score vs. age, muscle strength, and Vignos scale. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used.ResultsAs age increased, the MRI grade score and Vignos score increased. There was a statistically significant high positive correlation between MRI-MSK grade score and age, and low positive correlation with Vignos scores. With increasing age, the muscle strength on manual muscle testing (MMT) and FA value decreased. There was high negative correlation with muscle strength on MMT and low positive correlation between FA values and MMT score.ConclusionsOn T1-weighted MRI, a distinct pattern, extent, and distribution of lower limb muscle involvement can be seen. MRI-MSK grade score worsens with progressing age, reducing strength, and increasing functional impairment. FA alone may not be an accurate marker in assessing progression of DMD. MRI-MSK and other DTI measures should be further explored as diagnostic and prognostic tools for DMD.

Association studies on Yield and Yield Components in Snap Melon (Cucumis Melo. Var. Momordica)

An experiment was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the correlation analysis in snap melon. The study revealed that the traits fruit girth, fruit weight, number of primary branches, flesh thickness, number of female flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, days to first harvest, number of fruits per plant, vine length, TSS, protein, carbohydrate, calcium, iron showed high positive significant correlation with fruit yield per plant. The traits such as days to first male flower appearance, node at which first female flower appearance and days to first harvest registered negative significant association with yield

Response of nine triticale genotypes to different salt concentrations at the germination and early seedling stages.

Salinity stress poses a major challenge to agricultural productivity worldwide, and understanding their responses at the early growth stage is vital for devising strategies to cope with this stress. Therefore, to improve triticale productivity, this study investigated the salinity stress tolerance of different salt-tolerant triticale genotypes aiming to cultivate them on saline soils. To this end, salinity stress impacts on nine triticale genotypes, i.e., Zhongsi 1084, Gannong No. 2, Gannong No. 4, Shida No. 1, C6, C16, C23, C25 and C36 at germination and early seedling stages was evaluated. Each genotype was subjected to six treatments inducing control, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 mM NaCl treatments to study their effect on seedling and termination traits of the nine genotypes. Compared to the overall mean seedling vigor index, the seedling vigor index was higher in the genotypes Zhongsi 1084 and C6 (39% and 18.1%, respectively) and lower in Gannong No.2 (41%). Increasing NaCl concentrations negatively affected germination and seedling traits. Compared to other genotypes, Zhongsi 1084 had the highest mean germination rate, germination vigor index, germination percentage, mean daily germination and germination energy. It also showed the lowest relative salt injury. The relative salt injury was higher in the genotype Shida No. 1 than those in Gannong No. 2, Gannong No. 4, Shida No. 1, C16, and C36 genotypes. All genotypes exhibited desirable mean germination time except for line C6. High significant positive correlations were observed among germination rate, germination vigor index, germination percentage, mean daily germination, seedling vigor index, and root length. Principal component analysis (PCA) grouped the most desirable genotypes into two clusters. Our study determined salt stress tolerance of nine triticale genotypes at germination and early seedling stages. to select salt-tolerant genotypes that can be cultivated on saline soil or after salt irrigation.

Chemical composition of rainwater at three sites in Kandy/Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and its effect on air pollution

The composition of atmospheric precipitation, an important criterion considered to account for air pollution, is usually determined with respect to wet precipitation and dry precipitation, or as bulk deposition in combined form. Although rainwater quality should be continuously monitored in order to understand the extent of air pollution, such investigation lacks attention in Sri Lanka. This study was thus aimed to determine the composition of bulk deposition collected weekly for a period of eleven months from February to December 2019, in three sampling locations; namely the University of Peradeniya (UOP), Kandy City Central (KCC) and Polgolla. Parameters quantitatively determined, rainfall, pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, anions: Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, F−, PO43− and trace metals: Zn, Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr, using standard analytical methods indicated that the KCC site showed the overall highest degree of air pollution followed by UOP and Polgolla sites. Nevertheless, no acid rain occurrences were observed during the sampling period in any of the three sites according to pH measurements. Anions of bulk deposition showed the sequence Cl−> SO42− > NO3−in all three sites with Cl−and SO42- being dominant anions. Furthermore, trace metals of bulk deposition showed the sequence, Zn > Fe > Al > Mn > Cu > Pb, in all three sites. Bulk precipitation data analyzed using Pearson correlation showed high positive significant correlations between conductivity and salinity, conductivity and TDS, and salinity and TDS, among all water quality parameters. Among trace metals, the highest positive significant correlation was found to be between Fe and Mn at the UOP Site. The highest positive significant correlation was between Al and Zn at the KCC site. No correlation between trace metals was found at the Polgolla Site.

Studies on Genetic Variability, Correlation Analysis in Mithipagal (Momordica charantia var. muricata) Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the “Genetic variability and correlation analysis in Mithipagal (Momordica charantia var. muricata) genotypes”. Observations on vine length, days to male flower inflorescence, days to female flower inflorescence, node of first male flower appearance, node of first female flower appearance, sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, number of seeds per fruit, yield per vine, ascorbic acid, protein content, iron content and total soluble solids were recorded. Variability and correlation analysis among genotypes were examined. The results, showed that yield per plant had high positive and high significant correlation with fruit weight, fruit girth, number of seeds per fruit, vine length and fruit length. High genotypic co-efficients of variation (GCV) were found for fruit yield per vine, fruit weight, TSS, fruit length, vine length, fruit girth, node of first female flower, number of fruits per vine, number of seeds per fruit, iron, protein content when genetic characteristics were taken into account, However low GCV was found for days to the first male and female flowering. Phenotypic variants were always greater than genotypic variances. For traits such asyield per vine, fruit weight, TSS, fruit length, vine length, fruit girth, number of fruits per vine, number of. seeds per fruit, node of first male flower appearance, node of first female flower appearance, sex ratio, vitamin C, protein, iron content high heritability was found together with high genetic advance in percent of mean, indicating that these features are under additive gene control and hence selection for genetic improvement would be successful. Node of first male flower appearance showed low heritability combined with low genetic advance as a percentage of the mean indicating that non-additive gene effects were involved in the expression of this trait and hence selection for such a trait could not be beneficial. The knowledge of these statistical factors would be useful in identifying genotypes with greater yield potential that might be used in the improvement of mithipagal.

TEACHER`S SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE IN SLOVAKIA AND LATVIA DURING DISTANCE LEARNING SITUATION

The article brings the research results of the teachers´ social-emotional health and resilience in Slovak Republic and in Latvia during distance learning situation. The sample consisted of 800 teachers, 400 teachers from each country, who completed Social-Emotional Health Survey-Teachers (SEHS-T) and Resilience Scale (RS) during months of May through July 2021. The research results showed the highest covitality level of Slovak teachers in comparison with Latvian teachers (p ˂.001, r = .36). There was found a big difference in covitality in the clue domain Belief in Self in favour of Slovak teachers (p ˂.001; r = .44), there were only average differences in other domains - Belief in Others, Emotional Competence, Engaged Living. Latvian teachers reached high scores in cognitive reappraisal and optimism (p ˂.001). There was statistical difference in the level of resilience between Slovak and Latvian samples (p ˂.001; r = .35). Slovak teachers scored higher. But the teacher’s resilience in both countries had moderate level. Significant positive strong correlation was found between resilience and covitality in Slovak teachers rs = .76** and in Latvian teachers rs = .66**. Significant high and moderate positive correlations were found also between resilience and covitality domains.