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Biodiversity and Conservation of Fruit Crops with their Wild Relatives: A Review
Full text link�The conservation of biodiversity within fruit crops is essential for sustaining both ecological and agricultural systems. Fruit crops, as integral components of nature\u27s orchard, play a pivotal role in global food security and ecosystem health. India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity centres with 2 biodiversity hotspots which are the reservoirs of plant genetic resources. India stands at 7thplace in the global agricultural biodiversity status. Among fruit and nut crops, there are about 117 cultivated species with 175 wild relatives of which only 25 species have been domesticated. Genetic resources conservation of fruit trees is intricate and complex as they are belonging to various genera and species which require specific climate. Hence, in situ and ex situ conservation can go simultaneously. The western ghat and North eastern India are centres of diversity for several important native fruits including Mango, Jackfruit and Citrus. Apart from the major fruit crops, India is home to several underutilized fruit crops. However, due to increased pressure on land use several of the wild types, which are a great source of genes governing useful traits, are disappearing. Thus, there is an urgent need to conserve them in both in situ and ex situ conditions. The genetic diversity and modes of conservation of tropical fruits are discussed in this paper
Physico-Chemical, Rheological, Structural, Thermal, Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Hybrid Powder and Films from Cassava Starch Crosslinked with Xanthan Gum
Full text linkStarch and xanthan are viscosifying, film-forming polysaccharides obtained from renewable sources.� The main objective of this work was to assess the effects of the cassava starch/deacetylated xanthan� proportion and reaction time in the crosslinking performed with sodium trimetaphosphate on the Physico-chemical, rheological, structural, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of resulting� hybrid polymeric powder and films. Xanthan deacetylation, performed to improve crosslinking,� increased xanthan viscosity and pseudoplasticity. For further crosslinking, the crosslinking agent� (SMTP) and the alkalizing agent sodium sulfate (SS) concentration was set at 5% and 3% respectively� relative to the total polymeric mass (5%m/v); and according to the Central Composite Rotatable Design� (DCCR 22) the starch/deacetylated xanthan proportion and reaction time was varied, totalizing 11� treatments with 3 repetitions at the central point. Physical and chemical features of the crosslinked� polymers were checked, as well as films based on the crosslinked hybrid polymers were prepared and� tested. Treatments that showed best results were T1 (s/x: 4.5/0.5; 52 min.) and T4 (s/x: 3.5/1.5; 127� min). These resulted in low solubility, thickness and permeability to water vapor, with high tensile� strength
Spiritual Resistance and Cultural Exchange: The Fulni-ô of Aguas Bellas in an Intercultural Context
Full text linkThe article intertwines different themes: indigenous cultural resistance, indigenous spirituality, and urban neo-shamanism. Its central nucleus is a reflection on a relational experience - over ten years old - between representatives of an Indigenous people from the Northeast of Brazil, the� Fulni-�, whose territory is located in the municipality of �guas Belas, inland part of the State of Pernambuco, and non-indigenous members of three Rio de Janeiro associations, Casa de la Coruja Branca (House of the Owl) , Parati ONG (Para ti, For You), Casa da Aguia (House of the Eagle), whose aim is to defend indigenous cultures and, at the same time, maintain shamanic traditions. This 10-year-old experience is significant as it provides a long-term perspective on the dynamics of the relationship between these groups. One of the two authors is, at the same time, active in the ParatiGuest House
Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics: Key Concepts and Terminology
Full text linkThis study is devoted to the problem of organizing the main terms in the restoration of archaeological ceramics and bringing them to an unambiguous interpretation. The importance of semantic filling of the basic concepts in archaeology, museology and restoration, such as trait, type, kind, property, quality, function is analyzed. This allowed to identify their differences and similarities. The difference in understanding is due to the objectives of each of the related disciplines. The significance of the raised topic lies in the fact that in the preservation of archaeological cultural heritage it is extremely important to finally resolve the issues related to the translation of theoretical provisions into criteria and guidelines for concrete restoration work. This is connected with the necessity to 1. define the ultimate goal of restoration - what should be restored in the end - the appearance, properties, quality, functions of the monument or to eliminate signs of its destruction, as well as 2. to evaluate the quality of the work performed. Today, in the absence of a clearly formulated conceptual apparatus, unsuccessful restoration often leads to irreversible consequences and sometimes to the death of monuments.� Based on many years of work with museum collections, in archaeological expeditions and pedagogical experience, the author has made an attempt to bring the existing terminology to an unambiguous understanding. He does not claim to solve all the above problems, as they need discourse, but considers it necessary to bring them up for discussion
Diversity and Identity in Southwestern Poland. Narratives of Silesian Women
Full text linkThis article should be understood as some sort of prelude to an empirical study that has only just begun. It seeks to explore the perceptions of ethnic-nationally orientated identity constructions of Silesian women living in Southwestern Poland. When it comes to academic disciplines, this essay will touch upon both cultural sociology and regional ethnology.
The guiding principle formulated in this essay will initially pursue the current conceptual state within the framework of empirical research, which includes hypothetical assumptions about the aforementioned Silesian women and their identity constructions, while also attempting to gain new insights or refute some of these assumptions. As to systematic research, it becomes clear the topic has been underresearched and the specialised literature is very limited. The situation is similar with the conclusion of this essay, thus only allowing low-threshold conclusions
Assessing Faculty Investments in Emerging Education Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Selected African Universities
Full text linkEducational technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have revolutionised various industries including education. New education technologies,sometimes, find the education sector ill-prepared, not only in their applications but also in the technical know-how of faculty. This is especially so for higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing countries. The socio-economic and digital divide between developed and low-income countries continues to factor in education disparities between the two worlds. Anchored on the technology acceptance model (TAM), the aim of this study was to assess faculty awareness, personal investments, and perspectives on the potential of AIs as an emerging educational technology in higher education. A descriptive survey was conducted on faculty (n=65) drawn from selected universities in Africa using purposive snowball sampling. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were integrated into a structured online questionnaire and administered through emails and social media. Participants represented thirty-four (34) universities in eight (8) African countries. Four (4) themes emerged from the findings; i) A remarkable level of awareness, use, and investment of educational technology mainly from self-learning with a score of 74% (n=65) on a three-point Likert scale, ii) Perceived benefits of ed-tech included AI as useful study, writing and research companion for both faculty and students iii) Faculty�s belief on institutional support and investments indicated only 43% (n=65) affirmation and iv) Cost, speed and policies were the main challenges in adopting new ed-tech. These results should inform decision-making, policy formulation, administrative and budgetary priorities, faculty capacity needs, and adoption of ed-tech including generative AIs
Experiences of Out-of-Field Teachers During the National Learning Camp: A Phenomenological Study
Full text linkThe Philippines has been grappling with a learning crisis even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis worsened due to the educational disruptions brought about by the pandemic, as reflected in the 2022 PISA results. In response to these challenges and to addressing learning deficiencies while supporting recovery efforts, the Department of Education launched the National Learning Camp (NLC). Since its implementation in 2023, research on the NLC has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving student performance and engagement. However, its implementation has faced significant challenges, particularly a limited pool of teacher-volunteers due to its reliance on voluntary recruitment. This shortage has led to the deployment of out-of-field teachers, highlighting an underexplored aspect of the program.This study examines the lived experiences of out-of-field public secondary education teachers participating in the NLC within the Philippine context. Utilizing a phenomenological design, the research was conducted in a mega school in the Lapu-Lapu City Division, Cebu Region VII, Philippines. Eight out-of-field teachers were purposively selected based on the following criteria: (1) they were regular, permanent employees of the Department of Education; (2) they taught subjects in the NLC outside their areas of specialization; and (3) they had participated in the NLC at least once, ensuring familiarity with the program. Thematic analysis of their interview responses revealed four major themes: their motivations for participating in the NLC, the frustrations and challenges they encountered, their coping strategies, and their best practices in navigating the program. This study provides valuable insights into the contextual experiences of out-of-field teachers and their role in the success and sustainability of educational interventions like the NLC
Electrode Process with DC High Voltage and Electrochemical Plasma for Synthesis of Nanoparticle Solution and Wastewater Treatment
Full text linkConventional electrochemical processes with voltages of a few Volts only occur in an electrolyte solution, but with high DC voltage� electrode reactions can still occur in non-aqueous electrolyte, even distilled water. Electricity not only converts to heat, which increases the temperature of the water environment, but also performs anodic electrochemical reactions such as dissolving metals or generating oxygen (Me�Men++ne; 2H2O�O2+4H+) and generating hydrogen gas on the cathode (2H2O�H2+2OH). The gaseous environment formed from the electrochemical reactions on the electrodes with high electric, magnetic and suitable temperature conditions will appear plasma on the electrodes � the ionized state of materials. The reactions in the plasma state will generate many strong reactive agents such as electrons, atoms of H, O, O3 as well as free radicals H�, O�, OH�...Simultaneous dispersion into solution of agents formed by eletrochemical processes with DC high-voltage� and plasma reactions creates a variety of application possibilities
CNT’s based Nanomaterials: An Interesting Cluster of Biosensors
Full text linkThis article outlines the function of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the fabrication of biosensors for various applications. We explain why CNTs are employed more frequently in biosensor fabrications for different applications and why CNTs have significant potential in these areas of application by examining the differences between other members of the nano-carbon family. Furthermore, we investigated the role of these nano-carbons in the detection of different analytes in bio-sensing. This chapter focuses on recent breakthroughs in the construction of sensors and biosensors using carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Biosensors are employed in a wide range of applications, from prosthetic devices to checking food quality. Because of the unique physical features of CNTs nanomaterials for biosensing applications, including optical, structural, mechanical, and thermal capabilities, the scientific community has put in a lot of effort
Sentiment Analysis of Computer Mediated Communication in Social using Natural Language Processing
No full textThe massive interactions on social mediaplat forms had created a luxury of computer-mediated communication (CMC) languages in recent times, especially on the X (formerly Twitter) Platform. Resources required in extracting and analyzing these enormous expressions whether for public perception, market trends, or social dynamics are incredibly huge and can also be complex to handle. The comparative investigation of the CMC based on the accuracy of the interpreted sentiments is expressed within the Google Natural Language Processing(NLP) API model. The results of experts� analysis with that of the Google NLP model using sizable data of CMC from X were compared. The X comments on the declaration of the state of emergency by the Nigeria President-Bola Ahmed Tinubu- in Rivers State on the 18th of March 2025 as posted by its handlers were the subjects of analysis. Identification and categorization of sentiment polarity whether positive, negative, or neutral were carried out by the model. Indices such as linguistic variations, context-dependent sentiment, sarcasm, and irony were used in order to understand the influence on the accuracy and reliability of sentiment analysis results of the tool. The outcome of this paper reveals the remarkable strengths and weaknesses of an Google NLP model in analyzing sentiment present in the CMC in social media platforms