House Cleaning Research Articles

Youth in Action: Local Teens Help Assess Chemical Exposures from Household Cleaning Products.

Youth in Action: Local Teens Help Assess Chemical Exposures from Household Cleaning Products.

Seroprevalence of infectious bursal disease and its potential risk factors in backyard chicken production of Waliso district, South Western Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study on infectious bursal disease was conducted in apparently healthy backyard chicken at Waliso district of Southwestern Shoa, central oromia, Ethiopia from from November, 2018 to October, 2019. A total of 282 chickens were randomly selected to estimate seroprevalence of IBD infection and to identify the likely potential risk factors for the disease. Serum samples collected and serological test conducted in laboratory at National Animal Health Diagnosis and Investigation Center Sebeta, Ethopia. Out of 282 serum samples tested 224 were positive for indirect ELISA technique and the overall seroprevalence of IBDV in the study area was found to be 79.43% at individual level. Educational level of owners, kebeles and flock size significantly affect seroprevalence of IBD in the study area. The effect of difference in managements like source of replacement, frequency of house cleaning, use of disinfectant and isolation practice has a significant effect on IBDV sero-prevalence. A lower seroprevalence of IBDV was reported in good hygienic level of house (26.7%) than poor level of chicken house hygiene (96.4%) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence of IBDV in the present study associated with chicken management, flock size, owner education level and other animal related risk factors for occurrence of the disease. Therefore, awareness on chicken health management, and importance of immunization would help to minimize the prevalence of the disease and play crucial role in the control of the disease. Furthermore, characterizing virus strains circulating in the area in future study is recommended.

Effects of a brief web-based interpersonal conflict cognitive reappraisal expressive-writing intervention on changes in romantic conflict during COVID-19 quarantine.

Romantic conflict is known to have escalated during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigates whether a single-session online writing intervention results in changes in romantic conflict among American adults cohabitating during COVID-19 quarantine (May 2020). Participants (N = 716, 50% female;mean age = 51.8 years) completed a baseline assessment which was followed by a brief (5–8 min) writing task in Qualtrics. Participants were randomized to one of five conditions, where they were asked to write about (a) a conflict with their romantic partner using cognitive reappraisal;(b) a conflict with their romantic partner expressing their deepest thoughts and feelings;(c) a conflict with someone other than their partner using cognitive reappraisal;(d) a conflict with someone other than their partner and a conflict with their partner expressing their deepest thoughts and feelings;or (e) mundane tasks like laundry, house cleaning, or lawn care. In the reappraisal conditions, participants were asked to use this perspective with the target person in the upcoming weeks. Two weeks later, participants were invited to complete a follow-up survey identical to baseline, where they were asked about conflict with their partner during the follow-up period. Results indicated that participants in the romantic partner cognitive reappraisal condition reported fewer disagreements, fewer relationship aggression events, and lower levels of conflict relentlessness with their partner relative to at least one of the control conditions. Results demonstrate preliminary support for a brief, cost-effective, and accessible tool that can help couples mitigate downstream effects of negative interactions during this stressful time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) © 2021 American Psychological Association

Fighting for human rights to water in times of sanitary crisis: social pricing for affordable water in Brazil

BACKGROUND AND AIM: ONDAS (Observatório Nacional dos Direitos à Água e ao Saneamento – National Observatory of Water and Sanitation Rights – homepage: https://ondasbrasil.org/) which acronym means WAVES in English, is an entity congregating professionals, academics, students and activist from urban, rural, water and forest grassroots movements. Emerged from 2018 Alternative World Water Forum, the observatory is dedicated to production and dissemination of critical knowledge and presents itself as a platform of technical and political action fighting for human rights to water and sanitation. METHODS: Amidst the ongoing encroachment of ultraliberal efforts to privatise sanitation services in Brazil, ONDAS has been campaigning resistance strategies in favour of public systems of sanitation, accessible to all and held accountable through wide social participation. The observatory also joined solidarity efforts to provide aid for low-income urban population, who have been suffering the most from the many disruptions brought by COVID-19, worsened by Bolsonaro’s genocidal politics. RESULTS:One of ONDAS’ output from its strategy of producing critical knowledge is the newly published e-book “Water as a Right: Social Pricing as Strategy for Affordability”. Discussing the human right to water and sanitation service, this publication focuses on the analysis of social pricing as instrument to make such services affordable based on a research conducted in seven Brazilian capitals and the Federal District. The benefits of social pricing are examined in cities with different arrangements for sanitation provision, and the analysis highlights possibilities of promoting the instrument to assure better supply of services to people in most need. CONCLUSIONS:Social pricing is understood as one of the strategies towards affordability, since even low cost solutions may still be unaffordable for people living in poverty. It is understood that the minimum amount of potable water to allow drinking, cooking, house cleaning, and personal hygiene must be provided for everyone, in every condition. KEYWORDS: Water quality, Socio-economic factors, Policy and practice, COVID-19

Association between Low House Cleaning Frequency, Cough and Risk of Miscarriage: A Case Control Study in China.

This study investigated the association between house cleaning frequency and the risk of miscarriage in a case control sample of Chinese population. We recruited 59 pregnant women with clinical pregnancy loss as cases and 122 women who chose to conduct induced abortion as controls. All participants were aged 20~40 years and completed a questionnaire of lifestyle exposure with a trained nurse. The effect of frequency of cleaning up on risk of miscarriage was estimated using multivariable logistic regressions, adjusting for potential confounders. In the present study, it was shown that house cleaning of less than twice per week was significantly associated with cough during day or night with odds ratio (OR) of 2.97 (95% CI: 1.36~6.75, p = 0.007), and cough during day or night was significantly associated with risk of miscarriage with OR of 2.69 (95% CI: 1.22~6.02, p = 0.014). Thus, house cleaning of less than twice per week was statistically significantly associated with miscarriage with OR of 3.05 (95% CI: 1.51~6.31, p = 0.002). We found that females who have their house cleaned less than twice per week are at elevated risk for miscarriage. Therefore, the home of pregnant woman should be cleaned at least twice per week in order to avoid miscarriage.

Efficacy of Heavy Use Area Protection (HUAP) Pads in Poultry Farm

This research focuses on the efficiency of recommended heavy use area protection (HUAP) pads installed in poultry houses utilizing the Choptank River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is severely affected by crop agriculture and poultry feeding operations. Water quality degradation along with scarcity of water is a significant concern in this area, suggesting a need for changes in both environmental and groundwater management practices. Our objective in this study was to compare the efficiency of HUAP in reducing litter spillage and nutrient runoff between two poultry houses, one of which was constructed in 2005 and the other in 2009. The poultry house constructed in 2005 did not have HUAP pads initially; they were built in 2006. The poultry house built in 2009 had the pads from the starting point. We collected soil and water samples each month and analyzed them for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate, nitrite, total nitrogen, phosphate, and other soil properties throughout the year. The pH of soil and water samples was in the range of 6.8–8.0 and 6.5–7.2, respectively. We collected six water samples in total in the ditch, from points at retention ponds near the farm ditch to sites in wooded areas on the farm. Water sample B (where ditch water meets retention pond water from the poultry farm) had the highest EC value and nitrate, nitrite, and total nitrogen concentrations compared with other water samples. The subsequent water samples downstream had reduced loads of nutrients. The study results suggest that there was a minimum carryover of nutrients from soil into the runoff water, storm ditches, and adjacent stream. There was also a minimal effect of house cleaning and storm events in raising the concentration of nutrients in soil and water samples at our study sites. The older poultry site had higher total nitrogen and phosphorous surrounding the pads, whereas no elevated levels of nutrients were identified at the newer site. The ability of HUAP pads to hold onto contaminates decreases with age and use. This study also shows that the impacts from poultry activities on surface and groundwater can be minimized by using management practices such as HUAP pads. These practices can reduce pollution in the farm, increase productivity, and save farmers and ranchers time and money in the long run.

Resuspension and deposition of PM2.5 and PM10 containing radiocesium during and after indoor cleaning of uninhabited houses in Fukushima, Japan

Radiocesium contamination in homes could be a serious concern following Japan’s 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, including exposure to radiocesium during cleaning when residents return home after the lifting of evacuation orders. This study measured PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations containing radiocesium during cleaning (dusting, vacuuming with a cordless cyclone unit, and vacuuming with a corded paper-pack unit), as well as air exchange rates, in 12 residential houses in Fukushima. Surface dusting of walls, shelves, and furniture significantly increased concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 by up to 6.3 and 16 times the background (outdoor) level, respectively. Vacuuming with a paper-pack unit increased levels by 2.2 and 3.3 times, while vacuuming with a cordless cyclone unit increased these by 1.3 and 1.5 times, respectively. Measurements in 11 houses revealed an average air exchange rate of 0.22/h and dry deposition rates for PM2.5 and PM10 of 0.13/h and 0.32/h, respectively. Dry deposition rates were not correlated with building age, although the air exchange rates showed statistically significant increases with increasing building age. Dry deposition rates of PM2.5 significantly decreased with increasing air exchange rates.

Inappropriate medications and physical function: a systematic review.

Background and aims:Inappropriate medication prescription is highly prevalent in older adults and is associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS) and potential prescribing omissions with physical function in older adults situated in diverse environments.Methods:A systematic search was completed using the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE and COCHRANE. Results were extracted from the included studies.Results:In total, 55 studies reported on 2,767,594 participants with a mean age of 77.1 years (63.5% women). Study designs comprised 26 retrospective cohort studies, 21 prospective cohort studies and 8 cross-sectional studies. Inappropriate medications in community and hospital settings were significantly associated with higher risk of falls (21 out of 30 studies), higher risk of fractures (7 out of 9 studies), impaired activities of daily living (ADL; 8 out of 10 studies) and impaired instrumental ADL (IADL) score (4 out of 6 studies). Five out of seven studies also showed that PIMs were associated with poorer physical performance comprising the Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, grip strength, time to functional recovery, functional independence and scale of functioning. Many medication classes were implicated as PIMs in falls, fractures and impairment in physical performance including antipsychotic, sedative, anti-anxiety, anticholinergic, antidiabetic, opioid and antihypertensive medications. For patients not receiving musculoskeletal medications, such as calcium, vitamin D and bisphosphonates, older adults were found to be at risk of a hospital admission for a fall or fracture.Conclusion:Inappropriate medication prescriptions are associated with impaired physical function across longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in older adults situated in diverse settings. It is important to support older people to reduce their use of inappropriate medications and prevent prescribing omissions.Plain language summary Inappropriate medications and physical function Background and aims: The use of inappropriate medications is very common in older adults and is associated with harmful health problems. The aim was to examine associations between potentially inappropriate medications and potential prescribing omissions with physical function in older adults situated in diverse environments. Methods: Library databases were examined for possible studies to include and a systematic search was completed. Relevant information was obtained from the included studies. Results: In total, 55 studies reported on 2,767,594 participants who were an average age of 77.1 years and about 6 out of 10 were women. A variety of different study designs were used. Inappropriate medication prescriptions in community and hospital settings were significantly associated with higher risk of falls (21 out of 30 studies), higher risk of fractures (7 out of 9 studies), problems with activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, walking and toileting (8 out of 10 studies) and problems with instrumental ADL such as managing medications, house cleaning and shopping (4 out of 6 studies). Five out of seven studies also showed that inappropriate medications were associated with poorer physical performance involving the Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, grip strength, time to functional recovery, functional independence and scale of functioning. Many types of medication classes were shown to be associated with a risk of falls, fractures and problems with physical performance. Omitted medications were also associated with falls and fractures. Conclusion: Inappropriate medication prescriptions are associated with problems relating to physical function. It is important to support older people to reduce their use of inappropriate medications and prevent prescribing omissions.

A geochemical investigation of an Early Inuit semi-subterranean winter dwelling in a periglacial context

Geochemical investigations using FTIR, ICP-AES and C-N analyses were carried out on a single-family semi-subterranean Inuit house in order to assess the contribution of Inuit domestic activities in the formation of cryosolic soils in a periglacial archaeological context (Kuuvik Bay, Nunavik, Canada). The geochemical elements data were analyzed using box plots and enrichment factors. The information was also summarized and visualized through principal component analysis (PCA). These complementary statistical approaches provided evidence of a moderate but identifiable and significant imprint of Inuit domestic activities on soil geochemistry. The box plots indicate moderate Ca, Mn, Cu and P enrichments and more noticeable Mg, Fe and S enrichments. These enrichment factors and the ICP-AES data show that samples from the peripheral wall and the tunnel entrance of the house and its vicinity are significantly enriched. While FTIR analysis highlighted the main soil element contents (e.g., organic and mineral components), ICP-AES analysis was used to further document variations in the background elements throughout the site. However, the obtained results do not allow us to undertake a spatial analysis of Inuit activities or to describe them in detail. In addition, the data highlight the difficulty of documenting the natural variability of element contents in cryosolic soils, especially in archaeological contexts. Cryo-pedological processes in the active layer as well as house cleaning and nutrient inputs resulting from Inuit occupations may have attenuated chemical signatures of previous Inuit domestic activities.

Geospatial correlation between COVID-19 health misinformation and poisoning with household cleaners in the Greater Boston Area

Introduction Calls to poison control about exposure to household cleaners have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This dynamic may reflect increased exposure from public health efforts as well as health misinformation shared on social media. Methods We analyzed the dynamics of calls to the Regional Center for Poison Control and Prevention serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MARI PCC) and tweets discussing treating COVID-19 with house cleaners from January 20, 2020 to May 5, 2020. We obtained publicly available tweets discussing the use of household cleaners to “cure COVID” from the same time period with geographic co-ordinates indicating that they were emitted from the Greater Boston Area. Results Our main finding is that public health efforts were followed by a sustained increase in calls after March 15, 2020 (10 ± 2 calls per day before to 15 ± 2.5 after) while misinformation on social media was associated with intermittent spikes in calls. Overall, calls significantly increased during the study period by 34% as compared to the previous 8 years, mostly reporting unintentional ingestions with no serious effects. The daily volume of tweets and retweets was significantly correlated with daily call rates to MARI PCC for the surrounding 7–10 days. Conclusions Health misinformation on social media about using household cleaning agents to treat COVID-19 and public health efforts lead to different dynamics in PCC calls. Public health efforts were followed by a sustained increase in calls after March 15, 2020 while misinformation on social media was followed by intermittent spikes in calls. This analysis is the first to link the geospatial dynamics of social media and public health interventions to poison center calls about exposure to household cleaners.

Metabolic rate estimation method using image deep learning

Thermal comfort is an important factor in evaluating indoor environmental quality. However, accurately evaluating thermal comfort conditions is challenging owing to the lack of suitable methods for measuring individual factors such as the metabolic rate (M value). In this study, a M value evaluation method was developed using deep learning. The metabolic equivalent of task was measured for eight typical indoor tasks based on the ASHRAE Standard 55 (lying down, sitting, cooking, walking, eating, house cleaning, folding clothes, and handling 50 kg books) in 31 subjects (males: 16; and females: 15); the measurements were analyzed in terms of gender and body mass index (BMI). The experimental results were assessed using the reliability of the measured data, the M value difference in terms of gender and BMI, and the measurement accuracy. We developed a M value self-evaluation model using artificial intelligence, which achieved an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 12%. A third-party evaluation model was used to evaluate the M value of one subject based on the learning data acquired from the other 30 subjects; this model yielded a low CV of 54%. For high-activity tasks, males generally had higher M values than females, and the higher the BMI was, the higher was the M value. Contrarily, for low-activity tasks, the lower the BMI was, the higher was the M value. The breakthrough M value evaluation method presented herein is expected to improve thermal comfort control.

Gender‐dependent association between exhaled nitric oxide and the CC16 38AA genotype in young school children

BackgroundStudies that investigated the association between the CC16 A38G polymorphism and the risk of asthma yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study among schoolchildren was to assess the relationships of CC16 A38G polymorphism with aeroallergen sensitization and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), two outcomes predicting asthma later in life.MethodsThe study included 139 children (72 boys), median age of 7.7. Information on each child's health, lifestyle, and environment was collected through a questionnaire completed by their parents. CC16 genotypes were determined using urinary DNA. We measured FeNO, the CC16 protein in urine and nasal lavage fluid and aeroallergen‐specific immunoglobulin E in nasal mucosa fluid.ResultsChildren with the homozygous mutant CC16 38AA genotype had higher odds of increased FeNO (>30 ppb) compared with their peers with the wild‐type genotype 38GG (OR, 9.85; 95% CI, 2.09‐46.4; P = .004). This association was female gender specific (P = .002) not being observed in boys (P = .40). It was also independent of allergic sensitization, which yet emerged as the strongest predictor of FeNO along with the use of bleach for house cleaning. Children with the CC16 38AA genotype had lower covariates‐adjusted urinary CC16 levels than those with 38GG (median, μg/L, 1.17 vs 2.08, P = .02).ConclusionOur study suggests that the CC16 38AA allele promotes airway inflammation as measured by FeNO through a gender‐dependent association. Deficient levels of CC16 in the deep lung, measured noninvasively in urine, as a possible proxy for serum CC16, might underlie this promoting effect.

Epidemiologic and Clinical Aspects of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in the Samara Region

Introduction: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is the most common zoonosis in the Samara Region accounting for 90% of all zoonotic disease cases annually. Our objective was to analyze current clinical and epidemiologic data on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Samara Region. Materials and methods: We conducted an epidemiologic analysis of 1,031 HFRS cases in the Samara Region in 2016–2018. The most epidemically active natural foci of HFRS were the town of Zhigulyovsk with nearby villages, the forest surrounding Samara, and the forest-steppe zone in northeastern areas. The disease was mainly transmitted in the household while cleaning of country houses (34.3%), in the forest (21.0%), suburbs (17.9%), on agricultural grounds (17.3%), in industrial settings (3.4%), and in private fruit and vegetable gardens (1.2%). The majority of HFRS cases (97.7%) were working-age adults. Results: We analyzed the results of clinical examinations of 235 patients treated in the Infectious Disease Clinic of the Samara State Medical University for HFRS of varying severity by disease phases (initial, oliguric, and polyuric). Most patients (68.5%) were admitted to the hospital on the 5th-7th day of the disease (in the beginning of the oliguric phase). The disease was characterized by an acute onset. Hyperthermia with the maximum body temperature of 40.0°C was observed in the initial and oliguric phases (100%), remaining in the phase of polyuria in 58% of severe and 33% of moderate HFRS cases. Upon admission, permanent signs of the disease, especially in severe cases, included intense general weakness, headache, and dry mouth. The headache persisted during polyuria in 68% of the patients. Half of the patients reported lower back pain already at the end of the initial phase (48%) while 93% of cases complained of lumbago during the entire phase of oliguria and the majority – in the polyuric phase (72%). Visual impairment was reported by 52% and 89% of cases with a moderate and severe disease, respectively. The severe clinical course of HFRS was noted for nose and gum bleeding in patients in the initial (about 10%) and oliguric (about 20%) phases.

Physical Activity and Factors Affecting Its Maintenance Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Not Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation in China.

BackgroundThe level of physical activity (PA) among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) living in Chinese communities who do not participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs and the factors contributing to patient maintenance of PA are unclear.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study, guided by the Transtheoretical Model, evaluated (1) the maintenance of PA in Chinese patients with CHD 12 months after hospital discharge and (2) the demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics associated with maintenance of PA.MethodsA total of 1162 patients completed 6 questionnaires at 12 months posthospitalization to assess their maintenance of PA, stage of change, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and health-related quality of life and sleep.ResultsOnly 40% of patients with CHD maintained regular PA 12 months after hospital discharge. Walking was their primary PA. Thirty-seven percent of patients reported no intention of having regular PA. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.69), awareness of PA's cardiac benefit (OR, 4.12), a history of regular PA before the cardiac event (OR, 6.08), history of chronic disease (OR, 1.43), mild depressive symptoms (OR, 1.40), moderate and severe depressive symptoms (OR, 0.41), smoking (OR, 0.54), and years of CHD (OR, 0.96) were related to maintenance of regular PA. Patients with CHD who maintained regular PA had better quality of life and sleep (P < .001) and fewer unplanned clinic visits (P = .001) and cardiac cause readmissions (P = .012) and reported fewer declines in PA capacity (P < .001).ConclusionsWalking is the most common form of PA 12 months posthospitalization among patients with CHD in China. Patient education and counseling about the cardiac benefits of PA, taking into account stage of change, are important considerations to improve maintenance of PA.

Urinary levels of organophosphate pesticides and predictors of exposure in pre-school and school children living in agricultural and urban communities from south Spain

Background. Despite the widespread use of organophosphate (OP) pesticides, information on predictors of children's exposure to such pesticides is scarce.Objective. To assess exposure to OP pesticides in children 3-11 year-old living in agricultural communities and urban areas from Andalusia (Southern Spain), and to identify the main determinants of exposure.Methods. A longitudinal study was conducted in children 3-11-year-old children living in agricultural communities and urban areas from the provinces of Almeria, Granada and Huelva (Andalusia, Spain) between 2010 and 2011. Urinary levels of six dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS at the periods of low and high pesticide use in the agriculture (LPU and HPU, respectively). Information on sociodemographic characteristics, parental occupation, residential history, lifestyle and diet, among other relevant factors, was obtained from questionnaires administered to the mothers.Results. A total of 559 and 597 children participated in LPU and HPU periods, respectively. The proportion of urine samples below LOD was 67.4% for ΣDMs (sum of dimethyl metabolites), 77% for ΣDEs (sum of diethyl metabolites) and 58.5% for ΣDAPs (sum of total dialkylphosphate metabolites) in LPU period, and 50.4% for ΣDMs, 65.3% for ΣDEs and 43.9% for ΣDAPs in HPU period. Significantly greater urinary ΣDAP, ΣDM and ΣDE levels were observed in HPU relative to LPU period. Maternal schooling years, proximity of the house to crops or greenhouses, use of insecticides at home, spraying the garden with pesticides, storage of pesticides at home, house cleaning frequency, as well as child's frequency of bath/shower, were found to be the major predictors of urinary levels of ΣDAP. Likewise, not washing fruit and vegetables before consumption and banana consumption were also identified as determinants of the exposure levels.Conclusions. Urinary levels of metabolites of OP pesticides found in this study were relatively lower compared to similar studies. DAP levels were significantly increased in HPU period. Maternal schooling years and variables related to residential environment and home exposures were identified as the most relevant determinants of DAP metabolites. Regarding diet, banana consumption and not washing fruit before consumption were also identified as determinants of the exposure levels. This study contributes to improve our knowledge on the main sources and determinants of children exposure to OPS, and given that children are more vulnerable than adults this information is essential to reduce children exposure and protect their health.

Role of Women Entrepreneurship In Agriculture - A Case of Agropreneur

Agropreneur is defined as an entrepreneur who uses agriculture to build a business. The term agropreneurship reminds us that even the smallest-scale farmers are business-people.Dollinger (2003) defines entrepreneurship in agriculture as the creation of innovative economic organization for the purpose of growth or gain under conditions of risk and uncertainty in agriculture. Women have very hectic life. Her work starts from dawn and ends at dusk. The daily routine work begins from house cleaning, fetching drinking water, dish washing, laundry, preparing food for family, care of children, tailoring and sewing clothes. She manages these activities very smartly and actively. This paper attempts to find the mettle power of women as a agropreneur Ms. Sivaranjani the promoter of, Amoto – A handmade organic skincare products followed with direct interview method, to identify the interest of women in carrying out a own enterprise with the factor inducing her to start a business in agricultural components, and to recapitulate her socio-economic status. The sampling design used for the study is, Expert sampling is a type of purposive sampling technique that is used when your research needs to glean knowledge from individuals that have particular expertise. At the end of the report the researcher concluded the study as agropreneurs who can work on preeminence can be encouraged more to show the taste of agropreneurship.

The First Structure of an Active Mammalian dCTPase and its Complexes With Substrate Analogs and Products

Precise regulation of dNTPs within the cellular nucleotide pool is essential for high accuracy of DNA replication and is critical for retaining the genomic integrity. Recently, human dCTPase (deoxycytidine triphosphatase), also known as DCTPP1 (human all-alpha dCTP pyrophosphatase 1), has been revealed to be a key player in the balance of pyrimidine nucleotide concentrations within cells, with DCTPP1 deficiency causing DNA damage and genetic instability in both chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA. DCTPP1 also exhibits an additional “house cleaning” function as it has been shown to be highly active against modified cytidine triphosphates, such as 5-methyl-dCTP, which, if incorrectly incorporated into DNA can introduce undesirable epigenetic marking. To date, structural studies of mammalian dCTPase have been limited to inactive constructs, which do not provide information regarding the catalytic mechanism of this important enzyme. We present here the first structures of an active mammalian dCTPase from M. musculus in complex with the nonhydrolyzable substrate analog dCMPNPP and the products 5-Me-dCMP and dCMP. These structures provide clear insights into substrate binding and catalysis and clearly elucidate why previous structures of mammalian dCTPase were catalytically inactive. The overall structure of M. musculus dCTPase is highly similar to enzymes from the all-alpha NTP phosphohydrolase superfamily. Comparison of M. musculus dCTPase with homologs from a diverse range of mammals, including humans, shows that the residues, which contribute to substrate recognition, are entirely conserved, further supporting the importance of this enzyme in the protection of genomic integrity in mammalian cells.

Советские политические ритуалы и практики повседневности

The purpose of this article is the analysis of the Soviet political rituals and daily practices that developed under their influence. The methodology of the research is based on the general and special historical methods of cognition of the past involving the methods of socio-cultural and political anthropology. The scientific novelty of the paper consists in the fact that the role of various Soviet political rituals in establishing of the norms and practices of the Soviet daily life has been analyzed for the first time and the influence of the Soviet ritual culture in the Soviet regime strengthening has been found. Mass calendar holidays-rituals (October Revolution Day, Workers’ Solidarity Day) not only marked a new era in the history, but also leveled the sacredness of the Christian cycle (Christmas – Easter). Evolution of the formal organization of the Soviet ritual (from staging-imitation through carnivalization to monumental narrativization) and improvement of its semantic content (nomination – sacralization – monumentalization – memorialization) have been traced. From the beginning, festive commemoration was meant to form the Soviet identity, design the collective past and set the framework of collective memory. Official rituals gradually penetrated into the daily life (family and friendly holiday feasts, house cleaning, novelties purchase and greeting cards). Conclusions. From the beginning, the Soviet rituals were a reliable ideological weapon, an instrument of the communist indoctrination of the country’s population. Political rituals played a major role in legitimization of the Bolsheviks power, became an effective means of communication with society, enabled its consolidation within the framework of the Soviet political canon, minimized the social conflicts, leveled open dissatisfaction with the governmental authorities and assisted in the formation of ideological unanimity. Along with repressive methods, the Soviet political rituals served to create new political reality, enabled its acceptance by the masses of people, formed consciousness, encouraged relevant political actions and practices of the daily life.

New Discoveries: The Marriage Certificate of Eugene O'Neill and Carlotta Monterey (July 22, 1929) / Sean O'Casey, Letter to Eugene O'Neill (November 25, 1936)

New Discoveries: The Marriage Certificate of Eugene O'Neill and Carlotta Monterey (July 22, 1929) / Sean O'Casey, Letter to Eugene O'Neill (November 25, 1936)

Gastrointestinal Parasites of Free-Range Chickens – A Worldwide Issue

Gastrointestinal parasites with direct and/or indirect life cycles, namely Eimeria spp., Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Capillaria spp., are responsible for the most frequent and heavy economic losses in aviculture. The current review aimed to collect information about gastrointestinal parasites affecting poultry, as well as, research studies regarding parasitic diseases in free-range chicken production. From the references used in this review, 20% highlight research studies correlating prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free-range chickens and factors such as the production system, age and animal density, hygienic conditions and weather.Coccidiosis is responsible for the major economic losses in poultry farms. Diseases have different clinical signs and result in variable impacts on animals. Control programs include mainly vaccination, anti-coccidia and anthelminthic drugs, as well as, house cleaning and disinfection. This review concluded that coccidia and helminths are a global threat to free-range poultry production. More research in this area is necessary in order to understand the major factors influencing the prevalence of parasitic diseases in this type of poultry production. Also the search for new control strategies must be a priority, mainly using natural antiparasitic compounds and biological control approaches.