Proper Time Research Articles

All things in their proper time and place: A causal analysis of A Confederacy of Dunces

This article analyzes Toole’s novel from a causal perspective, focusing on the cause-effect dynamics that make the plot advance, from the initial event at D.H. Holmes until the outcome in the Night of Joy. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies has been applied to identify a series of 47 causal events that summarize all actions with an impact on plot development. Our research shows that the causal study of the novel is a useful approach that can reinforce or modify qualitative assessments of previous studies. The relevance of “Night of Joy” plot within the whole narrative and its key role in the rest of the subplots are verified in numerical terms. Besides, we have expanded and quantified the causal chains operating in the novel; and we have made sure, as well, that every subplot is essential in order to reach the final outcome (with the only exception of Dr. Talc’s story). Finally, we have formulated an alternative outline of secondary plots than the ones supported by preceding research by using numeric metrics, demonstrating that “Paradise Vendors” and “Dorian Greene”, previously considered secondary storylines, exert a high impact on Confederacy’s finale, and are, perhaps, not so secondary plots after all.

Calculation of Proper Time of Concentration for Drainage Design in Construction Projects for Urban Development

The design and construction of a proper drainage system are important for any urban development project, small or big. Hydrological and hydraulic calculations are used to design the drainage systems. The calculation of peak flow is one of the common hydrological methods applied to determine the drain sizes for all construction projects. Peak flows and hydrographs can be calculated using several techniques. In order to calculate the peak flow, the design rainfall duration has to be appropriate, which will reflect the critical storm duration. The critical storm duration, on the other hand, depends on the time of concentration (tc) of the catchment. However, most of the equations for tc available in the literature are empirical. At least 23 equations could be traced in various references, which consist of different geophysical and other hydrological parameters. This paper is intended to explain the importance of the proper use of tc to calculate peak runoff flow for construction projects, as accurately as possible. A review of the existing methods used to calculate the time of concentration revealed inconsistencies among a few methods found in the literature. The correct value of the time of concentration (tc) is important for the application of the Rational Method, as the value of tc helps the designer assume the storm duration critical to get the maximum peak flow value. If the critical storm duration is not used in the Rational Method, the drain will be undersized, and the overflow of the storm runoff may happen. Therefore, ample attention should be given to the calculation of the time of concentration to ensure the safety, economy, and sustainability of the drainage system in any development project.

A Scalogram-Based CNN Approach for Audio Classification in Construction Sites

The automatic monitoring of activities in construction sites through the proper use of acoustic signals is a recent field of research that is currently in continuous evolution. In particular, the use of techniques based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) working on the spectrogram of the signal or its mel-scale variants was demonstrated to be quite successful. Nevertheless, the spectrogram has some limitations, which are due to the intrinsic trade-off between temporal and spectral resolutions. In order to overcome these limitations, in this paper, we propose employing the scalogramas a proper time–frequency representation of the audio signal. The scalogram is defined as the square modulus of the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) and is known as a powerful tool for analyzing real-world signals. Experimental results, obtained on real-world sounds recorded in construction sites, have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach, which is able to clearly outperform most state-of-the-art solutions.

The fourth dimension of space and the entanglement principle

This paper focuses on the reason behind the entanglement phenomena, which is still an unknown fundamental question. It argues that while two entangled particles are separated in the 3D space the flow of information between them is instantaneous through the 4D space. The fourth dimension of space has the unit of measurement of length like the other three space dimensions. We shall call it Q, from the word quatre (four) in French. Its magnitude is equal to the invariant proper time τ times the speed of light c. Q = cτ. Each point in the 4D space corresponds to an event. Distances between events in the four-dimensional space can be computed using the Pythagoras theorem. It is argued that time t as measured by clock in our 3D space times the speed of light gives the length of the position vector of an event in the 4D space. At time t, when an observation is made at one of the entangled particles, the length of the position vectors of both entangled particles, sharing the same wave function, in 4D space are equal to t times the speed of light, i.e., ct. The time t is also the same for all the points on the line connecting the two events in the 3D space. Consequently, the length of the position vectors of all the points on the line connecting the two events in the 3D space is equal to ct in the 4D space. The corresponding points in the 4D space make an arc of equidistance to the origin. It is conjectured that the flow of information between the two entangled particles through this arc in the 4D space is not carried by energy or mass particles. It is, therefore, not bound by the time nor the speed of light constraint in 4D space and is instantaneous.

Unfolded dynamics approach and quantum field theory

We study quantization of a self-interacting scalar field within the unfolded dynamics approach. To this end we find and analyze a classical unfolded system describing 4d off-shell scalar field with a general self-interaction potential. Then we systematically construct three different but related unfolded formulations of the corresponding quantum field theory, supporting them with illustrative calculations: an unfolded functional Schwinger-Dyson system, an unfolded system for correlation functions and an unfolded effective system for vertex functions. The most curious feature we reveal is that an unfolded quantum commutator gets naturally regularized: a standard delta-function is replaced with a heat kernel, parameterized by the unfolded proper time. We also identify an auxiliary 5d system, having this proper time as a physical time, which generates 4d scalar action as its on-shell action.

Reducing cadmium accumulation and increasing grain yield with proper timing of flood irrigation in the second season of ratoon rice

Context or problemThe second season of ratoon rice (ratoon crop, RC) exhibits a high risk of cadmium (Cd) contamination in grains, requiring effective irrigation management strategies to reduce its grain Cd concentration. Objective or research questionThis study aimed to determine the crucial growing period for Cd accumulation and provide irrigation recommendations for reducing grain Cd concentrations with limited water input in the ratoon season. MethodsA two-year field experiment was conducted in Hubei province, central China. The entire growth duration of RC was divided into three short periods: from harvest of the main crop (HM) to initial heading of RC (IH), from IH to full heading of RC (FH), and from FH to maturity of RC (MR). During each growth period of RC, two water regimes (flooded and rainfed) were established. Therefore, there were a total of eight water treatment combinations in this experiment, using a randomized complete block design. Two hybrid varieties were planted in this study. ResultsAcross years, varieties and treatments, the grain Cd concentration of RC ranged from 27.8 to 314.1 µg kg−1, with 37.5% of rice samples exceeding the national food safety standard for Cd (200 µg kg−1). RC grown under continuous flooding conditions produced the lowest grain Cd concentration and highest grain yield. Compared with rainfed conditions, maintaining flooded conditions from HM to IH, from IH to FH, and from FH to MR resulted in decreases of 28.4%, 62.7%, and 12.0% in grain Cd concentration and decreases of 25.5%, 49.9%, and 16.3% in total Cd accumulation at maturity, respectively. RC took up the most Cd during the period from IH to FH under rainfed conditions; however, maintaining flooded conditions reduced Cd uptake by 95.4% during this period. Moreover, flooding from IH to FH had the most positive impact on the grain yield of RC, with an increase of 8.1% compared with rainfed conditions. ConclusionsMaintaining flooded conditions from initial to full heading for 15–18 days was not only effective in reducing grain Cd concentration but also beneficial for improving grain yield in the ratoon season. Implications and significanceThis study clarified the effects of water management during different growing periods on Cd accumulation and grain yield in the ratoon season. We emphasized the necessity of flooding during heading period to control Cd accumulation in RC grains, especially in areas with limited water resources and high soil Cd concentration.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Stock Return Rate

The people who are investors in the Chinese stock market always seek sequences or patterns, like the periodicity of the stock market, to help them for making a better return. Now some of the patterns have been proven. The periodicity of stocks and investor sentiment will affect investors' decisions and have a huge impact on China's stock market. This article aims to find out the influencing factors on different aspects of the stock market’s periocity. The article shows the impacts on China’s stock market caused by the periodicity of factors like the rate of return, investor sentiment, macroeconomic indicators, and economic cycles. From the method of calculating the past five years’ stock index data and comparing the fluctuation every single month can find out the proper time for investment. From other aspects, the firm report has been an example of an impact on investor sentiment. And all in all, these aspects correlate with the return to the stock market. Every factor has been unconsciously altering the stock market to a certain extent.

Nutritional Needs in Court Tennis Athletes

This study explores the specific nutritional needs of field tennis athletes, a sport discipline that demands strength, endurance, agility, and high concentration. The purpose of this study was to understand how proper dietary intake can support physical fitness, maximum performance, efficient recovery, and general health of athletes. The research methodology involved a detailed survey of a number of field tennis athletes, as well as an analysis of related scientific literature and several journals. The parameters considered include the necessary nutritional composition, caloric intake, proper meal timing, and other special aspects relating to the nutritional needs of court tennis athletes. The results showed that appropriate nutrient intake is a key element in maintaining and improving the performance of court tennis athletes. An understanding of the need for carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals is important in maintaining energy, speeding recovery, and optimizing strength and endurance. In conclusion, field tennis athletes need a carefully planned diet to reach their full potential. This research provides useful guidance for athletes, coaches, and health professionals in designing nutrition strategies that fit the individual needs of athletes.

Delay in Care Seeking for Menstrual Regulation

In Bangladesh menstrual regulation (MR) services are available at all major government and private hospitals, and even at government primary health care facilities. In spite of wide availability, women who do not use menstrual regulation services from proper facilities may resort to induce unsafe abortion by non-medical or untrained health workers in unhygienic condition. Worldwide, nearly 1 in 10 pregnancies end in unsafe abortion and World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 18 out of 20 unsafe abortions takes place in developing countries. Induced abortion leading to complication such as bleeding, infection injuries and even death, these deaths could be prevented if women had an access to safe abortion facilities. This cross sectional study was carried out among fifty two women from family planning unit of Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH), Dhaka from December 2009 to May 2010. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors for delay in care seeking of menstrual regulation (MR). The data were collected by using the pretested questionnaires and cases were selected from the women who came for seeking care of MR after 10 weeks of amenorrhoea. Duration of amenorrhoea was confirmed by taking history and in some cases by ultrasonography. After incorporation of the socio-demographic data; factors or reasons of delay in MR were found due to personal, social, service and family related events. The mean age of respondents was 22.14 years. About 75% of the respondents were housewives and 79% were illiterate. The mean age of marriage 19.5 years. Regarding husband’s educational level of the respondent, more than one-third (37%) was class I – V, others one-third (33%) was above the primary level rest of the husbands were higher secondary and above. More than two-third (70%) of the respondents delivered 1 to 3 live children and used oral contraceptive pills. Most of the (87%) of women gave right answer about MR and most of them (85%) had knowledge about adverse effect of MR. Nearly two-third (65%) came to know about MR form relatives/neighbors, where one-fourth (25%) from health workers and rest them from mass media/ others. Most of the (87%) respondents answered correctly about advantages of MR, however, 60% did not know about the proper time of performing MR after cessation of menstruation. Most of the respondents (85%) knew about the side effects of MR; among them more than one-third (37%) told excessive bleeding was adverse effects of MR, however 33%, 8%, 6% and rest 4% told pain, sterility, perforation and infection respectively were the adverse effects of MR. Three-fifth (60%) of the patients didn't know about the right time of pursue care for MR and 63% of them were unaware about legal aspects of MR that they have right to seek MR. More than half of the respondents (56%) stated the reasons for the delay due to their personal problem where, 19%, 15% and 10% of them were specified the reasons as social factor, service related reason and family conflict respectively. Among the respondents of personal reason for delaying MR, more than half of them (52%) took oral tablets for abortion at home, 41% failed to understand their amenorrhoea and only 7% were unaware about service facility for MR. Regarding familial reasons for delay of MR, 60% pointed out the security problem and remaining 40% told about resistance by husband/others or absence of husband in the houses. The main (70%) social reasons of delaying MR was due to spiritual bindings and 30% was due to public disgrace. Service facility related reasons for delaying MR were treatment cost (62%), distance of facility (25%) and substandard services (13%). The study findings suggested that women had good knowledge about MR even they made delay due to unawareness of their legal rights, personal issues, social and service related causes. Strengthening of reproductive health services through community clinic at community level with available awareness building program on MR may minimize the delay for care seeking of MR among women. Bangladesh Med J. 2022 May; 51(2): 37-44

Temperature and volume dependence of pion-pion scattering lengths* *Supported by the Fostering Program in Disciplines Possessing Novel Features for Natural Science of Sichuan University (2020SCUNL209)

The s-wave pion-pion scattering lengths and are studied at finite temperature and in finite spatial volume under the framework of the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model. The behavior beyond the pseudo transition temperature is investigated using proper time regularization. The scattering length exhibits singularity near the Mott temperature, and is a continuous but non-monotonic function of temperature. We present the effect of finite volume on the scattering length and find that can be negative and its singularity disappears at small volumes, which may hint at the existence of a chiral phase transition with decreasing volume.

HER2-Targeted Therapy-From Pathophysiology to Clinical Manifestation: A Narrative Review.

Trastuzumab is the primary treatment for all stages of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in patients. Though discovered over 20 years ago, trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) remains a research topic in cardio-oncology. This review explores the pathophysiological basis of TIC and its clinical manifestations. Their understanding is paramount for early detection and cardioprotective treatment. Trastuzumab renders cardiomyocytes susceptible by inhibiting the cardioprotective NRG-1/HER2/HER4 signaling pathway. The drug acts on HER2-receptor-expressing cardiomyocytes, endothelium, and cardiac progenitor cells (see the Graphical Abstract). The activation of immune cells, fibroblasts, inflammation, and neurohormonal systems all contribute to the evolution of TIC. A substantial amount of research demonstrates that trastuzumab induces overt and subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic failure. Data suggest the development of right ventricular damage, LV diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Further research is needed to define a chronological sequence of cardiac impairments to guide the proper timing of cardioprotection implementation.

Lower nitrate leaching from dairy cattle slurry compared to synthetic fertilizer calcium ammonium nitrate applied to grassland

Nitrate leaching from agriculture can be reduced by the choice of fertilizer and a proper timing of its application. For permanent grassland grown under temperate conditions, nitrate leaching was hypothesized to be lower from dairy cattle slurry (CS) compared to synthetic fertilizer calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), based on differences in chemical composition, consequential effects on nitrogen (N) conversion processes in soil, and resulting differences in synchronization of (nitrate) N availability and plant N uptake. We tested the hypothesis in a two-year field experiment on cut grassland on a leaching-sensitive sandy soil, fertilized each year with 320 kg ha−1 of plant-available N from either 100% top-dressed CAN or a combination of 40% from CAN and 60% from sod-injected CS, and measured effects on grass herbage yield, herbage N uptake, and nitrate concentration in pore water at 1.0 m depth. Our results show a comparable level of herbage N uptake for both treatments, allowing for a proper comparison of nitrate leaching at a similar level of plant-available N. Average nitrate concentration in pore water in the main leaching period (over winter) was after the first (dry) growing season 44% lower for CS + CAN (41 mg l−1) compared to CAN only (73 mg l−1), and after the second (wet) growing season 35% lower for CS + CAN (32 mg l−1) compared to CAN only (49 mg l−1). Nitrogen application increased nitrate concentration at 1.0 m depth not only in winter but also in the growing season. We conclude that for permanent grasslands in temperate regions, nitrate leaching from timely applied CS may be considerably lower than from CAN, which is different from previous assumptions.

Flexible operation and maintenance optimization of aging cyber-physical energy systems by deep reinforcement learning

Cyber-Physical Energy Systems (CPESs) integrate cyber and hardware components to ensure a reliable and safe physical power production and supply. Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) add uncertainty to energy demand that can be dealt with flexible operation (e.g., load-following) of CPES; at the same time, scenarios that could result in severe consequences due to both component stochastic failures and aging of the cyber system of CPES (commonly overlooked) must be accounted for Operation & Maintenance (O&M) planning. In this paper, we make use of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) to search for the optimal O&M strategy that, not only considers the actual system hardware components health conditions and their Remaining Useful Life (RUL), but also the possible accident scenarios caused by the failures and the aging of the hardware and the cyber components, respectively. The novelty of the work lies in embedding the cyber aging model into the CPES model of production planning and failure process; this model is used to help the RL agent, trained with Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and Imitation Learning (IL), finding the proper rejuvenation timing for the cyber system accounting for the uncertainty of the cyber system aging process. An application is provided, with regards to the Advanced Lead-cooled Fast Reactor European Demonstrator (ALFRED).

Clinical characteristics and progression of pre-/minimally invasive lung adenocarcinoma harboring ALK or RET rearrangements: a retrospective cohort study.

Patients harboring anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or rearranged during transfection (RET) rearrangements are usually diagnosed at a relatively late stage with nodal and distant metastasis, and rapid progression course of ALK/RET fusion-positive lung cancer were well-known. However, clinical characteristics and course of pre-/minimally invasive lung adenocarcinoma harboring ALK or RET fusions are poorly described. Identifying patients with gene fusions at early stage may offer surgical options that could cure those patients. We retrospectively included patients with surgically resected pre-/minimally invasive lung adenocarcinomas harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or ALK/RET rearrangements, and further compared the patient clinical characteristics, nodule natural course, and survival outcomes. Radiological characteristics including ground-glass component, cystic airspace, pleural attachment, etc. were specially assessed for this study. EGFR (exons 18-22) was detected by Sanger sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the ALK/RET rearrangements. Lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were all evaluated. Of 238 patients with pre-/minimally invasive lung adenocarcinomas, 226 patients had EGFR mutations, 7 patients had ALK fusions, and 5 patients had RET fusions. Average age at surgery was 45.3 years for ALK/RET-positive group and 52.6 years for EGFR-positive group (P=0.049). Radiologically, among the 12 patients with ALK/RET fusions, the majority of lesions (10/12) manifested as mixed ground-glass opacities (mGGOs), which was significantly more prevalent when compared with patients with EGFR mutations (83.4% vs. 24.3%, P<0.001). Moreover, a substantial proportion of cystic airspace was found in ALK/RET-positive group but not in EGFR-positive group (66.7% vs. 14.2%, P<0.001). Among four patients with ALK/RET fusions undergoing surveillance over 1 year before surgery, two of them developed rapid radiologic progression. The 5-year LCSS and RFS were 100%, 100% for ALK/RET-positive group, and 100%, 100% for EGFR-positive group, respectively. ALK/RET-positive pre-/minimally invasive lung adenocarcinomas were mostly characterized as mGGOs with cystic airspace developing rapid nodule progression, and no recurrence occurred during long-term follow-up after resection. This provides insights into proper curative surgery timing in the management of patients with gene fusions. However, these findings must be treated with caution and validated in future multi-center studies with larger sample size.

Mclena‐1: A Phase II Clinical Trial for the Assessment of Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Lenalidomide in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer’s Disease; Interim progress

AbstractBackgroundAccumulating evidence indicates that inflammation mediated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukins (e.g. IL‐1 beta, IL‐2, and IL‐6), and chemokines (e.g. IL‐8), is prominent in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. These data suggest that systemic inflammation plays a crucial role in the cause and effects of AD neuropathology. Thus, we propose that modulating systemic inflammation via a pleiotropic immunomodulator is a putative therapeutic intervention if administered at a proper time window during the course of the disease.MethodThis is a Phase II, proof‐of mechanism, placebo‐controlled clinical study on amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) male and female subjects administered 10 mg/day the immunomodulator, anti‐cancer agent lenalidomide for 12 months on a 1:1 ratio (15 placebo + 15 drug‐treated subjects total) followed by a 6 months washout period. Amyloid loads is measured by FBP PET. The primary endpoints are cognition measured via a large battery cognitive tests every 3 months, and comparison of brain amyloid loads (Florbetapir PET imaging) and neurodegeneration (volumetric MRI) pre‐ and post‐drug treatment. The secondary endpoints are safety, which is evaluated through reported adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory tests (hematology, serum chemistry, and urinalysis), vital signs, physical and neurological examinations, and electrocardiograms. The tertiary and exploratory objectives will assess blood inflammatory markers after lenalidomide vs. placebo administration.ResultsTo date, 15 participants have signed consent, 7 screen failed, 2 withdrew consent and 6 have completed treatment after 12 months. Adverse events occurred as expected in cancer cohorts. No severe AEs have occurred so far. Importantly, assuming a 1:1 randomization in the blinded phase, several participants have received lenalidomide continuously for 12 months without interruption. Though blinded, the completers appeared to be stable.ConclusionIn the current project we aim to investigate lenalidomide as a possible AD therapy. Our study should allow determining whether or not lenalidomide is safe in subjects suffering neurological disorders, and whether it can alter the clinical course of AD. To date, AEs are as expected and the safety and tolerability are manageable. A second trial coined MCLENA 2 will start soon. It will focus on biomarker endpoints (rather than cognition) following treatment for 6 months

Investigating the Attitude of School Teachers Towards Teaching of Nazra-E-Quran in Primary Schools of Punjab

The primary focus of the study was to find out "The Attitude of Primary School Teachers towards the Teaching of the Nazra Quran in District Pakpattan. In order to derive the objectives of the descriptive study method of research was used. The relevant data for this research was collected by using a quantitative method. The researcher used a self-developed questionnaire. Research experts checked the tool's validity at the university, and it was also checked through a pilot study. The reliability of the tool was checked by cronbach alpha. The population of the study was the primary school teachers of District Pakpattan. This study used a multi-phase sampling technique. In first phase school were selected randomly, and then a convenient sampling technique was used to select the teachers. The researcher got the data personally by visiting different schools. The data was gathered for this study from 300 primary school teachers. The collected data were analyzed on SPSS 22 using frequencies, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and cross-tabulation. The results of this study revealed that most teachers have a positive attitude towards Nazra Quran because most teachers have taken the training in Nazra Quran. They have already experienced the Nazra Quran's teachings. The majority of the teachers have the opinion that training in the Nazra Quran is necessary for all primary school teachers. There is less time to manage the teaching of the Nazra Quran in one period. It was recommended that training in Nazra Quran is compulsory for all the teachers, and the proper time is given to the Nazra Quran in classes, there must be an appointed religious teacher.

Biochemical markers assessing rate of reparative processes in patients with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis

Theeffectiveness of chemotherapy for infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (ITL) is determined by proper timing and adequacy of treatment. The speed of reparative changes in the pulmonary parenchyma is associated with the effectiveness of therapy. Different classes of proteinases are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling. The aim of the study was to evaluate a potential of using the markers of proteinase/inhibitors axis for predicting effectiveness of therapy in patients with ITL due to varying resistance ofMycobacterium tuberculosisto anti-tuberculosis drugs (PTP).Materials and methods.A retrospective study included 60 and 55 ITL patients with the drug sensitive (DS) and drug resistance (DR) Mtb strains, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups according to therapy effectiveness. The levels of blood serum matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9 and their TIMP-1 inhibitor, neutrophil elastase (NE), alpha-2 macroplobulin (MG) and proteinase inhibitor (PI) were determined. Statistica 10.0 and R software packages were used.Results. According to the model of discriminant analysis, the pattern of host inflammatory response in ITL was accounted for not only by varying pathogen resistance, but also by the different size of lung damage. Patients with a limited and widespread process with the DS of the pathogen strains were assigned to group I and II, and DR — to group III and IV group, respectively. The decisive in the speed of tissue repair was the number of neutrophils bearing various levels of proteinase MMP-8, MMP-9 (I group) or TIMP-1 and PI inhibitors (II group). Only combining biochemical data with the those on radiation methods are possible for prognosis in a group of patients with DR (III and IV).Conclusions.Combinations of the markers of the proteinase/inhibitors axis are informative in assessing a rate of reparative changes in ITL and differ not only depending on the pathogen DS strains, but also from the size of destructed pulmonary parenchyma. Differences in parameter combinations are accounted for by history of a specific disease.

Factors influencing effective teaching and learning of mathematics: A case of selected secondary schools in Lusaka District, Zambia

Effective teaching in mathematics is crucial for students to develop a deep understanding of the subject, foster problem-solving skills, and cultivate a positive attitude toward math. While mathematics can be challenging for many students, a well-crafted teaching approach can make a significant difference in their learning experience. Hence, this study was carried out in Lusaka district and it aimed at investigating factors influencing effective teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools of Lusaka district in Zambia. The study was based on three major objectives: (i) to identify factors leading to poor learner academic performance in mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district, (ii) to establish challenges associated with the teaching and learning of mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district, and (iii) to suggest measures to promote effective teaching and learning of mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and a descriptive survey design that sampled head teachers, teachers, and pupils. Data was obtained from the respondents by means of interviews and questionnaires. Data were analyzed by the use of software; Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 26) and Microsoft Excel (version 16). Frequency tables, graphs, figures, and pie charts were also used to analyze the data. The study established that improving teacher deployment, procurement of textbooks and acquiring of personal study materials by pupils, proper time management among pupils on studies, consistency in class attendance, constructing math labs well equipped with textbooks and relevant instruments, and improving on monitoring and inspection to ensure consistency among teachers were among key factors that would influence/ promote effective teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools. The study therefore called for greater attention from school administrators, parents, the government, and other relevant stakeholders to cooperate and find ways of addressing challenges that are associated with the teaching and learning of mathematics in a bid to improve learner academic performance in secondary schools.

Development of Pollen Parent Cultivar-Specific SCAR Markers and a Multiplex SCAR-PCR System for Discrimination between Pollen Parent and Seed Parent in Citrus

This study discusses the challenge of distinguishing between two high-quality mandarin cultivars, ‘Asumi’ and ‘Asuki’, which have been introduced and cultivated in Korea after being developed through crossbreeding in Japan. Owing to genetic similarities resulting from crossbreeding between the same parent cultivars, it is challenging to differentiate them morphologically at the seedling stage. This difficulty poses challenges for cultivation and harvesting on farms. To address this issue, we developed a method using sequence characteristic amplification region (SCAR) markers for rapid and accurate differentiation between the two cultivars. We selected specific primer sets from random amplified polymorphic DNA–SCAR combinations and sequence-related amplified polymorphism contrast markers. The multiplex PCR system using these molecular markers was able to identify 16 mandarin cultivars, including ‘Asumi’ and ‘Asuki’, among 30 cultivars. The use of these SCAR markers is expected to enhance citrus cultivation by accurately identifying mixed cultivars and facilitating proper harvest timing for citrus distribution. Additionally, the markers can help identify the genetic traits of hybrid varieties at the seedling stage.

The Cadaveric Study of ‘Guda’ to Certitude Sushrutokta “Gudavalitraye”

The lowest part of the gastrointestinal tract is formed by the rectum and anal canal. Useful components of the food are absorbed and waste material is expelled from the anus; which is the external opening of the anal canal seen in the perineum. Anal canal is heavily guarded by the sphincters and is subjected to many maladies. Balanced food at proper timing decreases these maladies. The knowledge of anatomy and physiology is essential for the benefit of the body as this knowledge gives insight for the maintenance of healthy body and its treatment and hence expert highly recommends the anatomical and physiological understanding of the body. In the literary review, it is found that though anatomically the length of rectum and anal canal is 16cms according to modern view but according to Ayurvedic view the length of Guda is 4 ½ Angula which is roughly 9 cm so only lower 6 cm of rectum and 3 cm of anal canal is considered as Guda.