Survey of Portulacaceae family flora in Taif, Saudi Arabia

The presence of weeds in areas of agricultural activities is a hinderance to the development of these activities. It is important to take advantage of the vast open spaces suitable for agriculture and provide food security for humans, and also it is an important indicator for determining the feasibility of growing crops, benefiting from yield and determining the percentage of loss, clearing fields through agricultural practices, that protect crops from weed attack and agricultural practice method must be followed that will reduce weed presence. This study was conducted during the years 2018 to 2020 to evaluate Portulacaceae of Flora in the Taif area in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at different altitudes (Area 1 =1700 m, Area 2 =1500 m, Area 3 =1500 m, Area 4 =500 m ِ Area 5 = 2200 m, and Area 6 = 2200 m). The results show that there were 2,816 individuals of Portulaca oleracea weed, with the highest density found in A 1, followed by A 2, while in A 5 and A 6, no weeds were recorded. The highest density of weeds were in the Pomegranate fields, followed by Grape fields. The lowest density was found in A man field. The results of this study will help to take the necessary measures to combat weeds and its management in areas of agricultural activity, while more studies are needed to survey the ecology of weeds of Taif in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SEISMICITY of the CRIMEAN-BLACK SEA REGION in 2015

In 2015, 58 earthquakes were registered in Crimea in the range of energy classes КП=5.2–10.8. The bulk of the epicenters refers to the Black Sea. The maximum density of epicenters can be traced in Alushta (№ 3) area and in the Kerch-Anapa area (№ 5). Spectral and dynamic parameters of their foci were obtained for 16 events in the region; and for 1 of them a focal mechanism solution was obtained. Seismic processes in the Crimean-Black Sea region were monitored by seven stationary digital seismic stations. In February, the «Tarkhankut» observation point was closed. Representative registration of earthquakes with Кп=9.0 is still provided for main part of the Crimean-Black Sea region. A peculiarity of spatial distribution of earthquakes is the occurrence of two strongest earthquakes in the year under consideration with КП=10.8 in the Kerch-Anapa (№ 5) and Azovo-Kuban (№ 7) areas. The maximum (Кп=10.8, MLWSG=3.8, Mw=3.8) earthquake occurred on August 16 at 22h38m in the Kerch-Anapa region at the depth of h=7 km. This shock caused tremors in Anapa with the intensity of I=2 according the MSK-64 scale. 2015 is characterized by weak seismic activity. The total number of registered earthquakes, ΣN=58, decreased against ΣN=119 in 2014 and is below than the average Nav=69 for the ten-year observation period (2004–2013). The annual seismic energy is ΣE=1.491011J, that is 5.6 times less than the average value ΣEav=8.41011J for the ten-year period. This suggests that we can expect increased seismicity in the region in subsequent years.

Ryanodine receptors mediate high intracellular Ca2+ and some myocyte damage following eccentric contractions in rat fast twitch skeletal muscle

Eccentric contractions (ECC) facilitate cytosolic calcium ion (Ca2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Ca2+ influx from extracellular space. Ca2+ is a vital signaling messenger that regulates multiple cellular processes via its spatial and temporal concentration ([Ca2+]i) dynamics. We hypothesized that: 1) a specific pattern of spatial/temporal intramyocyte Ca2+ dynamics portends muscle damage following ECC, and 2) these dynamics would be regulated by the ryanodine receptor (RyR). [Ca2+]i in the tibialis anterior muscles of anesthetized adult Wistar rats was measured by ratiometric (i.e. ratio, R, 340/380 nm excitation) in vivo bioimaging with Fura-2 pre-ECC and at 5 and 24 hours post-ECC (5 x 40 contractions). Rats received RyR inhibitor dantrolene (DAN; 10 mg/kg i.p.) immediately post-ECC (+DAN). Muscle damage was evaluated by histological analysis on hematoxylin-eosin stained muscle sections. Compared to control (CONT, no ECC), [Ca2+]i distribution was heterogeneous with increased % total area of high [Ca2+]i sites (operationally defined as R > 1.39 i.e., > 1 SD of mean control) 5 hours post-ECC (CONT, 14.0 ± 8.0; ECC5h: 52.0 ± 7.4%, p < 0.01). DAN substantially reduced the high [Ca2+]i area 5 hours post-ECC (ECC5h+DAN: 6.4 ± 3.1%, p < 0.01) and myocyte damage (ECC24h, 63.2 ± 1.0%; ECC24h+DAN, 29.1 ± 2.2%, p < 0.01). Temporal and spatially-amplified [Ca2+]i fluctuations occurred regardless of DAN (ECC vs ECC+DAN, p > 0.05). These results suggest that the RyR-mediated local high [Ca2+]i itself is related to the magnitude of muscle damage while the [Ca2+]i fluctuation is an RyR-independent phenomenon.

Correlation of normalized difference water index and baseflow index in small island watershed landscapes

The utilization of remote sensing data in the field of environmental hydrology is experiencing rapid progress. The Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) approach to transforming the water content of various land cover types and its implications for small island watersheds' hydrological characteristics is essential. NDWI is an algorithm used to detect water bodies, with the capacity to absorb visible and infrared wavelengths strongly. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the NDWI water index and the BFI baseflow index in the small island landscape of Ambon City. The Landsat 7 ETM + and Landsat 8 OLI image processing methods use ENVI 5.3 software to transform the NDWI algorithm and the BFI + 3.0 digital recursive filtering (RDF) method for hydrological characterization. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between the NDWI water index and the baseflow index (BFI) for the small island watershed of Ambon city. This result is relevant to the geographic area of Ambon City, which is dominated by the ocean 95% and land area 5%, so the application of the NDWI water index and the hydrological conditions of small island watersheds are significant.

Filipino Sign Language Skills and Deaf Culture Awareness in Hospitality Industry Employability

Many Deaf Filipinos remain unemployed despite the increased attention level from the hospitality industry. The study aimed to examine the levels of awareness on Deaf culture and FSL skills within the hospitality industry of Zamboanga City to foster sustainable employment - including quality service; it used a descriptive research design employing qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sample group was purposively selected from 4 hotels and 8 restaurants - duly accredited by the Department of Tourism Region 9 as of December 31, 2018. The study revealed that Zamboanga City hospitality industry stakeholders were aware 1) of Deaf culture; that 2) Deaf individuals can visually communicate through reading, writing, gestures, or FSL; 3) they can visually communicate with Deaf individuals regardless of their FSL knowledge or skills; also, 4) there was no significant difference in the respondents’ levels of awareness on Deaf culture and FSL skills in the area; 5) an intervention program is needed to increase Deaf Zamboangeños' hospitality employability. The study concluded that Zamboangeño hospitality industry stakeholders 1) were aware of Deaf culture and FSL skills despite linguistic differences; 2) can visually communicate with Deaf individuals despite having little to no FSL skills nor Deaf culture knowledge; also, 3) the communication models affect Deaf individuals' hospitality employability and capability; and, 4) Deaf culture awareness and FSL skills through interactive interaction among Deaf and hearing individuals, within hospitality business operations, are crucial in emerging communication patterns.

Evaluation of sugarcane genotypes with respect to sucrose yield across three crop cycles using GGE biplot analysis

Summary The experiment was carried out in three crop cycles as plant cane, first ratoon, and second ratoon at five locations on Florida muck soils (histosols) to evaluate the genotypes, test locations, and identify the superior and stable sugarcane genotypes. There were 13 sugarcane genotypes along with three commercial cultivars as checks included in this study. Five locations were considered as environments to analyze genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in 13 genotypes in three crop cycles. The sugarcane genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with six replications at each location. Performance was measured by the traits of sucrose yield tons per hectare (SY) and commercial recoverable sugar (CRS) in kilograms of sugar per ton of cane. The data were subjected to genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) analyses. The results showed significant effects for genotype (G), locations (E), and G × E (genotype × environment interaction) with respect to both traits. The GGE biplot analysis showed that the sugarcane genotype CP 12-1417 was high yielding and stable in terms of sucrose yield. The most discriminating and non-representative locations were Knight Farm (KN) for both SY and CRS. For sucrose yield only, the most discriminating and non-representative locations were Knight Farm (KN), Duda and Sons, Inc. USSC, Area 5 (A5), and Okeelanta (OK).

5-HT recruits distinct neurocircuits to inhibit hunger-driven and non-hunger-driven feeding

Obesity is primarily a consequence of consuming calories beyond energetic requirements, but underpinning drivers have not been fully defined. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons in the dorsal Raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) regulate different types of feeding behavior, such as eating to cope with hunger or for pleasure. Here, we observed that activation of 5-HTDRN to hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (5-HTDRN → ARH) projections inhibits food intake driven by hunger via actions at ARH 5-HT2C and 5-HT1B receptors, whereas activation of 5-HTDRN to ventral tegmental area (5-HTDRN → VTA) projections inhibits non-hunger-driven feeding via actions at 5-HT2C receptors. Further, hunger-driven feeding gradually activates ARH-projecting 5-HTDRN neurons via inhibiting their responsiveness to inhibitory GABAergic inputs; non-hunger-driven feeding activates VTA-projecting 5-HTDRN neurons through reducing a potassium outward current. Thus, our results support a model whereby parallel circuits modulate feeding behavior either in response to hunger or to hunger-independent cues.

Model Prediksi Kebutuhan Air Berbasis Sistem Dinamik di Kabupaten Mojokerto

Mojokerto is one of the leading regions in East Java Province This of course has consequences for growth in all fields, especially industry and housing. So that it will have an influence either directly or indirectly on the growth of other supporting facilities growth in various fields leads to increased demand for water due to climate change, several springs in Mojokerto district have decreased by 60% from their original condition. This study aims to predict future water needs with the influence of changes in population, the effect of increasing the number of industries and facilities, both commercial and non-commercial using a dynamic system so that it can be used as a basis for water resource management decisions. In analyzing a complex system that works with real conditions, it is very risky and costly, therefore we need a model that can represent the conditions of the existing system. The stages in the research are as follows: 1. Secondary data collection in the study area which includes: Population data, data on the number of public facilities, data on the number of hotel rooms, data on the number of hospital rooms, data on rice fields, data on the number of livestock, data on the area of tourism and data on the number of markets; (2) Data Analysis; (3) System Dynamic Analysis;(4)Simulation of water demand prediction in the study area;(5) Model validation with the structure validation test and the AVE and AME validation tests. The simulation model for the prediction of water demand in Mojekerto Regency based on a dynamic system is declared valid because it has fulfilled the structure test and validation test both AVE and AME From the results of the scenario simulation applied, it was able to save water by 30% for domestic water needs and 92% for non-domestic water needs. It is necessary to make a model to determine the availability of existing water resources so that a model of water resources balance in Mojokerto Regency is compiled.

Have We Taken Advantage of the Quarantine to Develop Healthy Habits? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Spanish COVID-19 Situation by Gender

The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in people’s lifestyles, which in part provided an opportunity to develop habits at home. The aims were: (1) to verify if the psychological well-being (PWB) of people related to healthy habits, and if physical activity (PA) and diet mediated this relationship; (2) to test if there were differences in this model of relationships between women and men; (3) to analyze if there were differences in healthy habits, PA, diet, and PWB depending on gender; (4) to test if there were differences in healthy habits, PA, diet, and PWB depending on living area; (5) and to assess if there were interaction effects of gender and living area in healthy habits, PA, diet, and PWB. Using a cross-sectional design, we obtained a sample of 1509 participants (18–78 years, 1020 women). Diet and PA fully mediated the relationship between PWB and healthy habits, and women developed more healthy habits than men, whereas men had higher levels of PA and PWB. We also found that people who lived in rural areas during confinement practiced more PA and had lower PWB levels than those who lived in urban areas. These results can help in the planning of strategies to promote healthy habits.

INITIATIVES FOR THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS IN ASIAN COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Walking is a standard communication mode around the world. Despite its' importance, walking facilities are less prioritized, and pedestrians are often prone to many accidents, which denotes the essence of pedestrians' safety. To date, very few studies focus on comparing safety initiatives in different countries. This literature review aims at presenting the initiatives taken for pedestrians' safety, specifically in Asian countries, where the pedestrian death rate is on the rise. With the keywords (initiatives, safety, pedestrians), databases (WoS, Scopus, Science Direct), eligibility and exclusion criteria for the systematic literature review, 20 articles are selected using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. From the extracted data, initiatives taken for the safety of pedestrians are divided into two themes and eight sub-themes: for Specific Area (5 sub-themes) and Parts of Roadways (3 sub-themes). The result shows that most of the safety initiatives focused on different sections of roadways compared to the needs of areas specified for the respective affairs of a group of people. Also, regarding studies on safety initiatives, there is an insufficient exploration of safety measures for pedestrians by researchers. Thus, this study gives an idea of the initiatives prevailing for pedestrians' safety and the aspects that require special attention from the related authorities of different Asian countries. Researchers are recommended to conduct future research on sidewalk safety, adapt qualitative study and PRISMA method for improved systematic review reporting.