Week Of February Research Articles

The Potency of Ludwigia adscendens and L. octovalvis as Phytoremediator Macrophytes in Indonesia

The potency of Ludwigia adscendens and L. octovalvis as phytoremediator macrophytes in Indonesia was reviewed. The characteristics of these species might be essential information for operators who wanted to implement phytoremediation in their sites. Information and articles about these species in Indonesia was collected through Google-Scholar during the first week of February 2021 and reviewed. Many studies about phytoremediation focused only on the capabilities of macrophytes to remove contaminants from water and paid only little attention to their compatibility with the ecosystem leading to upset the ecosystem. To Indonesia, these two species were introduced and became weeds, with different ecological characteristics. In Indonesia, scarce phytoremediation studies using these species were detected. Therefore, although these species were classified as weeds it was, remained, worthwhile to investigate further these species to be used in the phytoremediation of water.

Influence of Abiotic Factors on Population of Aphid Complex and Its Coexisting Natural Enemies in Mustard Agroecosystem

A field experiment was conducted to determine the population build-up of mustard aphid and their natural enemies in relation to abiotic factors at TCA, Dholi during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. The incidence of mustard aphid started in the 2nd and 3rd SMW of 2019 and 2020 respectively and reached maximum in 8th SMW in both the years. However, the predatory activity of coccinellids, syrphid larvae and spiders were started from 3rd SW with their peak activity at 3rd and 4th week of February in both the years. Mustard aphid population exhibited positive correlation with maximum temperature (0.347 & 0.543), minimum temperature (0.317 & 0.152) and negative correlation with relative humidity (-0.083 & -0.479) during 2019 & 2020 respectively and rainfall (-0.35) during 2020. However, natural enemies viz., coccinellids, syrphid larvae and spiders exhibited positive correlation with Tmax, Tmin, rainfall and negative correlation with RH in both the years.

Gambaran Epidemiologi Peningkatan Kasus Chikungunya di Desa Kajongan Kecamatan Bojongsari Kabupaten Purbalingga

Purbalingga is one of the chikungunya endemic districts which have cases increased until April in 2021 as many as 512 cases from the previous 116 cases in 2020. One of the areas of the increasing case occurred in Kajongan Village, Bojongsari Subdistrict. This study aims were to describe chikungunya cases, identify sources of transmission, and risk factors for increased chikungunya cases. A case-control design was performed in Kajongan Village in March 2021. The sample consisted of 36 cases and 36 controls. Cases are patients with suspected chikungunya, controls are people who are not chikungunya suspects who live close to the suspected case. Data was collected by blood specimen collection, larvae survey, interviews and examination using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction. The results showed that the peak of case transmission occurred in the fourth week of February 2021. The main symptoms are fever and joint pain. Of the 21 blood samples examined, 19 (90.5%) tested positive for Chikungunya virus. Of the 9 pools Aedes sp. analyzed, 1 pool tested also positive Chikungunya virus. Chi-square analysis showed that the presence of larvae in container (p-value=0.03; OR=3.5; 95% CI=0.953-24.746) and mosquito nest eradication has not carried out routinely (p-value=0.04; OR=4.8; 95% CI=0.953-24.746) have been identified as a potential risk factor. The increasing of chikungunya cases in Kajongan Village was a local transmission supported by Chikungunya virus was detected in mosquitoes.

Roundtable: The COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel

As in other countries, COVID-19 hit Israel like a bolt of lightning—unexpected, sudden, and powerful. And, like others, Israel was woefully unprepared for what would follow. The first cases came to light in the last week of February 2020, and by March and April the country was in full-scale crisis mode. In the end, almost one in ten people came down with the virus and more than 8,000 died, more than in any war that Israel has fought.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Response by Department of Community Medicine in a Medical College of Mumbai, India

The role of community medicine in epidemiology and disease outbreaks is significant. Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity to realize this potential.Here we present the role of Community Medicine department of a Medical College in Mumbai, which was a global hotspot for Covid -19. The responses were initiated in the first week of February, prior to the detection of the first case in the city. With the progression of the pandemic, the roles have changed and adapted accordingly. The activity of Community Medicine department is unique to this specialty and has provided a lifetime experience for its residents andfaculty.Our purpose here is to project the roles depicted in this model so that some of them can be followed by community medicine departments of other colleges and continued post-pandemic too.

Rainy season characteristics for the Luvuvhu River catchment, South Africa

Maize is a staple crop in South Africa and is mainly grown under rain-fed conditions. Rain-fed agricultural production is heavily reliant on rainfall during the planting season. Information on rainy season characteristics is of utmost importance as it guides farmers in preparing for the upcoming season. The study investigated rainy season characteristics for the Luvuvhu River Catchment with reference to rain-fed maize production. Historical daily rainfall data were obtained from 12 weather stations for the period 1923–2015. Instant+ statistical software was used to compute onset, false onset, cessation and length of the rainy season. The trends in rainy season characteristics were analysed using the Spearman rank correlation test. Onset of the rainy season can be expected from the first week of October to the third week of January, while cessation can be expected from the first week of February to the first week of May. The length of the rainy season ranged from 67 to 203 days. Seasonal rainfall ranged from 182 to 1 535 mm. Phafuri, Sigonde, Phunda Maria and Folovhodwe had a higher probability of false onset. No significant changes in rainy season characteristics at a 5% level of significance were observed. There was a strong correlation between onset and length of the rainy season. Based on rainfall patterns only, Phafuri, Sigonde and Folovhodwe might not be suitable for maize production under the current climate. The most favourable sites for maize production within the catchment are Entabeni, Levubu, Lwamondo, Thathe, Tshiombo and Vreemedeling. The findings of this study have implications on agricultural activities and food security as maize is a staple crop in the Luvuvhu River catchment area. Information on rainy season characteristics may therefore help in strengthening food security.

Evaluation of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Varieties under Shade-net Condition for Yield and Quality

This experiment was carried out in a shade net house at the horticultural research farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal during spring 2018 to identify the suitable radish (Raphanus sativus L.) variety having high yield potential with better quality roots for off season. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments, i.e. five improved (Vedetar Local, Miyasinge, Tokinasi, Pusa Chetki and All Season) and three hybrid varieties (Mino Early Long White F1, Ivory White F1 and MAHY 22 F1) of radish with four replications. Radish seeds were seeded in the third week of February. Miyasinge variety showed the highest plant height (43.91 cm), biomass yield (73.22 t ha-1) and fresh shoot weight per plant (127.15 g) whereas the highest number of leaves per plant (20.54) was recorded in MAHY 22 F1. Ivory White F1 variety showed the highest root length (19.51 cm), root circumference (9.31 cm), root to shoot ratio per plant (1.29) and fresh root yield (30.87 t ha-1). The highest root skin thickness (0.27 cm) was found in Miyasinge, the highest TSS (6.20 ºBrix) was observed in Mino Early Long White F1. Ivory White F1 showed the highest ascorbic acid content (19.51 mg 100 g-1), dry matter of root (7.62 %) and score (8.36) from the consumers’ acceptability test for pungency. Ivory White F1 showed superior growth, yield and quality attributes under shed net conditions.

Epidemiological investigation of a food poisoning outbreak: a study among hostel dwelling students and resident doctors of a tertiary healthcare facility of India

Background: During second week of February, 2021 several cases of food poisoning were reported from hostels of a tertiary healthcare facility, thus this epidemiological investigation was undertaken, to confirm existence of a food poisoning outbreak, describe cases as per person, place, time and predominant food source, identify the attributes associated with the outbreak. Methods: To investigate the suspected food poisoning outbreak, an online unmatched case control study was conducted among 440 hostel dwelling students and resident doctors of a tertiary healthcare facility of eastern India during February, 2021. Results: The proportion of the study subjects who reported to have experienced food poisoning symptoms was 23.9%. Most of the food poisoning event reported to have occurred during 10th February, 2021 (26.6%). In the multivariable logistic regression model, predominant consumption of food from girls’ hostel mess [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 7.83 (1.58-38.79)] and canteen 1 [AOR: 4.83 (1.13-20.69)] were found to be multivariable predictors of food poisoning events adjusted with age, gender, designation and residing hostel. Conclusion: One in every four study participants opined to have experienced food poisoning symptoms during the study period. This confirmed the existence of a multi-source food poisoning outbreak in the study population.

Future changes in sub‐seasonal variability of Indian winter precipitation

AbstractThe winter precipitation over north India is due to the passage of synoptic systems known as Western Disturbances (WDs), which are embedded in large‐scale subtropical westerly jet (SWJ). The winter (December, January, February [DJF]) precipitation is vital to maintaining glaciers, sustenance of rivers, replenishing downstream springs, and agriculture. Any change in winter precipitation has a profound impact on agriculture, socio‐economic status, and water security of the nation. Thus, a close understanding of future changes in winter precipitation is critical to the country. The present study evaluates the future changes in sub‐seasonal variability of winter precipitation over north India using ICHEC‐EC‐EARTH‐SMHI‐RCA4 CORDEX‐SA experiment. Wet bias in precipitation and cold bias in temperature are observed in model. Almost all days in the winter season witnessed a shift towards a warm‐wet climate in a future warming scenario. A large amount of precipitation is observed in February in model as well as observation. A 10‐day interval scale spanning during DJF is considered to evaluate these changes. Future changes in winter precipitation are analysed under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The percentage change in winter precipitation shows a maximum increase during the first fortnight of December and the first week of February. Precipitation intensity weakens during January. Two hundred hectopascal wind, 850 hPa wind, and moisture flux influence the increase in precipitation over the region.

Weed-competition effects on proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.): implications for the farmers

Climate resilient proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is viable option to mitigate increasing abiotic stresses due to climate change and food security in the long run. An experiment was conducted at research area of MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan in 2019 to evaluate the impact of weed competition on growth and yield of proso millet. Proso millet variety Upea was sown in the last week of February 2019 with 20 cm row to row spacing using 5 kg seed per acre. Experiment was comprised of treatments of weeds competition period for viz; zero competition, competition for 2 weeks after emergence (WAE), competition for 3 WAE, competition for 4 WAE, competition for 5 WAE and competition for full season. Result indicated that maximum number of weeds (plants m-2) were noted when weeds competed with proso millet for full period. Increase in total weed-dry weight was recorded when allowed the weeds to compete with crop for whole season. Highest plant height (16.18), 100-grain weight (74.72 t ha-1), crop dry matter and chlorophyll contents (16.62 t ha-1) were noted where, weeds were kept weed free throughout whole season. Highest economic yield of crop was observed where weeds were competed with crop for five weeks after emergence, and it was statistically similar with control. Maximum yield and yield components were recorded from C2 (competition for 2 weeks after emergence) was provided significant results. Likewise, highest grain yield (1890 kg/ha) were recorded under C2. Farmers should remove weeds from proso millet in two to three weeks after emergence. Extension agents should persuade farmers for the post emergence control in first 2-3 weeks of the crop.

Influence of Profile Characteristics of Village Agricultural Workers on Role Performance in Odisha

Aim: To study the personal, psychological, communication and professional characteristics of Village Agricultural workers (VAWs).
 Study Design: Analytical research design was adopted to use facts or information already available to make a critical evaluation
 Place and Duration of Study: Nine districts of Odisha were randomly selected from major three revenue administrative divisions Cuttack, Berhampur and Sambalpur between first week of December 2019 to first week of February 2020.
 Methodology: Village Agricultural Workers (VAWs) of Odisha state served as the population for the study. As many as 728 VAWs in the selected nine districts constituted the sampling frame. After the discussion with the experts and various limitations of the researcher, 40 per cent of the VAWs from the sampling frame were chosen for the study. Thus, the final sample size comprised of 292 (40% of 728) VAW respondents. The method of proportional allocation in stratified sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of respondents. VAWs from each selected district were selected randomly following proportional allocation. Based on the literature, a total of 14 characteristics were taken to document the profile of the Village Agricultural Workers (VAW) who were working in state agricultural department.
 Results: The results indicated that most of the Village Agricultural workers (VAWs) were middle aged (73.63%), male (66.44%) had formal education up to intermediate level (72.94%). Professional characteristics revealed that almost four-fifths (79.80%) have service experience of 6-14 years and had medium level (74.32%) of training exposure. Most (57.19%) of the VAWs had area of jurisdiction under 9 to 36 villages and majority (87.67%) visiting 3 to 4 times a week. Study found that 78.08 percent of VAWs had high orientation towards extension profession with majority (74.32%) of VAWs perceiving neutral organizational climate in agricultural offices and 64.38 percent are having medium level of organizational commitment. Psychological characteristics revealed that 66.78 percent of VAWs have medium level of self-confidence with moderate job satisfaction (64.38%) and moderate leadership ability (79.11%). Communication characteristics of VAWs shows moderate level of Communication competence of VAWs (64.38%). Role performance analysis shows that majority of VAWs has medium (70.55%) level of role performance.
 Conclusion: The analysis of these profile characteristics could be crucial in understanding efficiency of state department, agricultural offices and VAWs’ own individual career development. It could be crucial for policymakers in preparing appropriate interventions to enhance role performance of VAWS through training programs.

The Dual/Global Value of SARS-CoV-2 Genome Surveillance on Migrants Arriving to Europe via the Mediterranean Routes.

Despite the pandemic, 34,154 migrants, refugees or asylum-seekers landed in Sicily (Italy) in 2020, representing the main point of entry by sea into Europe. The SARS-CoV-2 surveillance program among migrants arriving to Sicily via the Mediterranean Sea, made by the combination of clinical examination and molecular testing, has been integrated by full-genome sequencing strains using the NGS technology from the last week of February. To date, more than one hundred full-genome strains have been sequenced and 8 different lineages have been identified mostly belonging to the lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.525. As global access to COVID-19 vaccines should be ensured, the need to provide more detailed information to inform policies and to drive the possible re-engineering of vaccines needed to deal with the challenge of new and future variants should be highlighted.

Soil moisture estimation using triangular method at higher resolution from MODIS products

Soil moisture plays a vital role in high agriculture yield and many satellite products are available to study their potentiality in soil moisture estimation. Hence, we considered a triangular network method based on MODIS products for soil moisture estimation. The reflectance data of MODIS was used to derive NDVI at 250 m and surface temperature was downscaled from 1 km to 250 m using TsHARP and TPS models. Furthermore, we have explored the applicability of the TVDI at 250 m spatial resolution to capture daily soil moisture. TVDI and in-situ soil moisture has high negative correlation (R2 = −0.80). The results show that the TVDI value on 19 January 2013 was highly co-related with in-situ soil moisture on 19 January 2013. The TVDI value after irrigation of second week of February 2013 was lower than for periods of no irrigation month (January). Therefore, mapping of soil moisture under crop condition can be possible with TVDI and satellite data input.

Impact of Covid-19 on Indian Stock Market

The corona virus outbreak, which originated in China, has infected nearly 8, 75,000 people. Its spread has left businesses around the world counting costs. The corona virus is going global, and it could bring the world economy to a standstill. COVID-19 that began in the depths of China’s Hubei province is spreading rapidly, persuading the World Health Organisation to declare it as a pandemic. There are now significant outbreaks from South Korea to Italy and Iran, from America to Britain. The ongoing spread of the new corona virus has become one of the biggest threats to the global economy and financial markets. Even though, time and again our Indian economists have assured the country that Indian economy stands relatively insulated from the global value chain, but being integrated into world economy, there has to be some impact. This was reflected in the Nifty when the stock market took a great plunge down in last week of February, 2020. The present study is an attempt to examine the impact of COVID-19 on Indian Stock market. The study takes into consideration a time period of four months, from December 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2020. The study focuses on the Nifty and sectoral indices of Nifty along with India Volatility Index. Tools used for the study involves correlation, regression, ANOVA, variance analysis and moving averages. The study concludes with the statement that volatility is higher in medium run than in short run and also there is significant impact of COVID-19 on Indian stock market.

Effect of weather parameters on the incidence of thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman and its predator, Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. on garlic crop

The incidence of thrips was studied at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan) on garlic crop during Rabi season. The incidence of thrips on garlic crops was commenced in the first week of February and reached its peak in the second week of March. The predator, Coccinella septumpunctata Linn. was commenced in the second week of February and reached the maximum in the second week of March. The weather parameters viz., temperature, relative humidity, and sunshine (hrs) had a non-significant correlation with thrips incidence on garlic crop, whereas, predator, C. septumpunctata possess significant positive correlation.

SOCIAL WELFARE DURING THE CORONA ERA: A RESEACH STUDY IN THE LIGHT OF QURAN & SUNNAH

Coronavirus pandemic started in the last week of February 2020 in Pakistan. In order to save the people from the Corona epidemic, a complete lockdown has been implemented across the country. All offices, educational institutions, transport and other sectors were closed. Only grocery and medical stores were allowed to operate. The government of Pakistan, the provincial governments and the country's elites, welfare organizations and religious and political parties have generously helped poor families without distinction of religion, color, race or language. People were provided with necessities, clothes, medicines and other necessities. Seeing the open expression of social welfare in Pakistan during the epidemic sent a good message to the world that the Muslims of Pakistan have an ideal role to play in serving humanity in accordance with the teachings of their religion. In this article, a research study has been done on the trend and effects of social welfare during the Corona era in the context of Islamic law

COVID-19 Pandemic: Influence of Schools, Age Groups, and Virus Variants in Italy

The estimated smooth curve of the percentage of subjects positive to SARS-CoV-2 started decreasing in Italy at the beginning of January 2021, due to the government containment measures undertaken from Christmas until 7 January. Approximately two weeks after releasing the measures, the curve stopped to decrease and remained approximately constant for four weeks to increase again in the middle of February. This epidemic phase had a public health care impact since, from the beginning of the fourth week of February, the curve of the intensive care unit’s occupancy started to grow. This wave of infection was characterized by the presence of new virus variants, with a higher than 80% dominance of the so-called “English” variant, since 15 April. School activities in Italy started at different times from 7 January until 8 February, depending on every region’s decision. Our present data on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in different age groups in Italy are in agreement with literature reports showing that subjects older than 10 years are involved in virus transmission. More importantly, we provide evidence to support the hypothesis that also individuals of age 0–9 years can significantly contribute to the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Improving Administrative Outcomes in Physiotherapy by Adopting Open-Access Booking.

Purpose: Long wait times for physiotherapy are associated with poorer health trajectories for clients. Clients' experiences with physiotherapy services in Saint John were suboptimal; thus, this study explored making administrative changes to improve those experiences. All physiotherapy services adopted an administrative model called open-access booking (OAB), which blended elements of advanced access, triage, and centralized wait lists. Method: OAB was instituted in the first week of February 2017 and has been active since. The researcher accessed more than 20,000 anonymized case records spanning 5 years (February 2014-January 2019) and compared the 3-year pre-OAB phase with the 2-year OAB phase using interrupted time series analysis models. Results: OAB appeared to not be associated with changes in client volume, but it was associated with fewer "on-paper" clients, shorter wait times to first appointment, more consistent record keeping, a greater likelihood of being discharged after one appointment, and fewer appointments before discharge. There was less variability in these outcomes after the adoption of OAB, suggesting a more stable client experience with the physiotherapy system. Conclusions: OAB appears to be associated with improved administrative outcomes, but strict causality cannot be assessed. The results are promising but not conclusive.

Standardization of time of budding and sweet orange cultivars on Carrizo rootstock

In sexual propagation of citrus long juvenility, genetic impurity and self incompatibility are the major problems. Hence the use of suitable rootstock is a pre-requisite in citrus propagation. Now a days, the cultivation of sweet orange is boosting up among citrus cultivation. Due to this, there is a great need for the evaluation of sweet orange cultivars onto an appropriate rootstock. A research trial was carried out in consideration with ‘Blood Red’, ‘Jaffa’ and ‘Valencia Late’ sweet orange cultivars T-budded on Carrizo rootstock at five different intervals of first week of July, August, September, October and February. The treatments were replicated thrice and statistically arranged in factorial randomized complete block design. As a result of the study significant variations were noticed in the performance of cultivars under study at various budding intervals. Out of the sweet orange cultivars ‘Blood Red’ was the first to initiate sprouting in 28.30 days with healing of bud union in 31.39 days, maximum survival (89.40%), plant height (22.93 cm), number of branches buddling-1 (1.14), leaf total nitrogen (1.89%), phosphorus (0.07%) and potassium (1.26%). Among budding intervals, the plants budded on the first week of September were the first to sprout in 26.46 days achieving maximum (23.04 cm) plant height, branches buddling-1 (1.15) root formation of (5.98 cm3) volume and survival percentage (91.99). Commercially, ‘Blood Red’ sweet orange cultivar budded in the first week of September can be cultivated for superior progeny.

INVESTIGATION OF PLANTAR PRESSURE AND PLANTAR IMBALANCES IN THE STATIC PHASE OF KARATE DO ATHLETES

The study aims to investigate the parameters offered by the baropodometric examination on a group of athletes practicing the martial art Karate Do (20 subjects, 16 girls and 4 boys, average age 13.55 ± 2.74, height 163 cm ± 8.47 , weight 54.50 kg ± 8.84, BMI (body index mass) of 20.46 ± 2.90 and seniority in sports activity of 5.27 years ± 2.74). The purpose of the research is to determine the changes related to the value of the plantar surfaces, the pressures for the dominant and non-dominant lower segments, the positioning of the pressure center in relation to the support polygon and the imbalances in the sole of the foot. The testing was performed using the FreeMed baropodometric platform and the FreeStep by Sensor Medica software, in the last week of February 2021, at the Research Center for Human Performance within the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, “Dunărea de Jos” University from Galați. Results: Placing the maximum pressure point / P.max in the forefoot area is an exception, only one case being reported with this distribution, the rest having P.max located at the rearfoot level. Comparison of the averages between the variables recorded for the left foot vs. the right foot highlights higher values of the dominant / right foot, but these differences are significant only for the values of the plantar pressure in the forefoot area and for the total load on the entire plantar surface / total load (p <.05). The comparison between the averages of the surfaces and the loads of each separate foot (for the forefoot and rearfoot areas) highlights major differences only for the values of the contact surfaces, the forefoot area being significantly larger than the rearfoot area (p <.05). Close average values with small and insignificant differences are reported for each foot between the forefoot and rearfoot areas when comparing the body pressure / load percent and weight ratio percent, indicating a balanced pressure distribution between the front and back area for each leg. The investigation was also useful by detecting the existing imbalances at the plantar level, for one or both legs, being also reported cases of hollow, flat and mixed foot. These plantar disturbances can negatively affect all the overlying / upper joints, but especially the body posture, thus being able to cause pain in the lumbar region, limiting the performance activity and causing even the withdrawal of the athletes. We recommend that after identifying the syndromes at the ankle joint, to implement personalized plantar supports, which should be introduced in sports shoes in order to balance the architecture of the foot sole. Keywords: karate do, plantar pressures, baropodometric analysis, load, rearfoot, forefoot, maximum pressure,