Conservation Education Impacts of Animal Ambassadors in Zoos

To mitigate the effects of anthropogenic environmental impacts, conservation education (CE) aims to increase public awareness of biodiversity and encourage the uptake of pro-environmental behaviours (PEB). One way of achieving this goal is the use of controlled animal interactions with animal ambassadors to promote CE goals. This study aimed to determine how differing experiences with ambassador Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) affected visitors’ knowledge of conservation actions (CA) and their likelihood to perform PEBs in a UK zoo. A quasi-experimental repeated measures questionnaire was used to investigate this aim. Visit types were categorised as (a) ‘penguin parade’, (b) ‘animal encounter’, (c) ‘exhibit viewing’ and (d) a ‘control’ groups. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine if responses to rating scale items related to PEBs differed according to experience. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were detectable between groups. Qualitative data provided in open ended questions relating to CAs were coded into themes and the percentage of responses were calculated for each theme. Whilst the ‘exhibit viewing’ group mentioned sustainable fish significantly more (p = 0.017) than the ‘control’ group, no significant difference was found for any other pair-wise comparison (p > 0.05 in all cases). Overall, this study highlights that zoo visitors gained specific conservation-based knowledge and had higher behavioural intentions towards PEBs than they previously had. However, no evidence was found to suggest that animal encounters improved CE outcomes. To ensure best practice is followed and CE outcomes are considered equally alongside ambassador animal welfare concerns, further research is recommended.

Comparative evaluation of radiographic density of different endodontic material

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the densities of four different brands of root canal sealers using three different intraoral imaging receptors. Four different root canal sealers used were – AH Plus (Dentsply Germany, Resin based), Epiphany (Pentron USA, Resin based), U/P (Sultan Healthcare, Zinc oxide eugenol based) and Apexit (Ivoclar / Vivadent, Calcium hydroxide based). The sealers were mixed according to manufacturer instructions and six specimens of each material were fabricated. All the specimens were imaged using three different intraoral #2 sized imaging receptors-D and E speed film and storage phosphor plates. D and E speed films were digitized and stored in JPEG format. All the images were exported into the Image J software (rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/) and the mean grey values and integrated density of each material was calculated from four random areas of each image and averaged. Mixed model ANOVA was performed. Pair wise comparison of mean grey values between the three imaging receptors and integral densities recorded by the receptors showed high statistical significance for all the four different root canal sealers. Results showed that the four different types of root canal sealers showed different optical densities on all the three receptors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the optical densities of four different brands of root canal sealers using three different intraoral imaging receptors.

FAHP FOR SELECTING TRANSPORT MODES OF TAIWAN OFF-SHORE ISLANDS’ MILITARY LOGISTICS

Three off-shore islands of Taiwan: Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu are critical in tactical position for Taiwan military, but lack of scarcity resource. Therefore, logistics is very important especially for the off-shore islands. Practically, most of the goods and materials are transported to the islands in the way of shipping and air transportation by Taiwan. However, the severe weather of the islands makes the transportation difficult or even to delay, which is a serious problem for the military logistics of the islands. To raise transportation performance, a proper evaluation method is necessary for military logistics to select the best transport mode based on reducing cost and emphasizing efficiency. Generally, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) may be a method in the selection of transport modes for Taiwan off-shore islands’ military logistics. However, some computation procedures in AHP are hard or complicated especially for processing numerous interviewees’ messages. To resolve the above tie, we utilize fuzzy analytic hierarchy process(FAHP) in selecting transport modes for Taiwan off-shore islands’ military logistics in this paper. After integrating interviewees’(i.e., querying soldiers’) opinions into fuzzy pair-wise comparison matrices, FAHP, being different from AHP, simply and efficiently yields priorities of the fuzzy pair-wise comparison matrices to find the best transport mode of Taiwan off-shore islands’ military logistics.

Application of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Process to Select Waste-to-Energy Technology in Developing Countries: The Case of Ghana

Municipal solid waste (MSW) in the Accra region of Ghana has created the need for innovative ways to deal with waste management crises facing the city. The goal of this study is to use the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to select an appropriate waste-to-energy (WtE) technology for Accra. The AHP methodology is used to assess four WtE technologies, namely landfill biogas, incineration, anaerobic digestion, and aerobic composting. Three main criteria and nine sub-criteria are identified for pair-wise comparison and assessed by 10 experts. The results show that incineration is the most preferred technology, followed by anaerobic digestion and aerobic digestion, with landfilled gas being the least preferred technology. Stakeholders in waste management development in Ghana can utilize the findings of the study to develop implementation strategies for capacity and institutional capabilities for both thermochemical and biochemical processes in the country.

Effect of Ti: Sapphire and Nd: YAG Lasers on Shear Bond Strength at the Zirconia - Veneering Ceramic Juncture

Introduction: This study was conducted to assess the impact of nanosecond and femtosecond lasers on shear bond strength at the zirconia - veneering ceramic juncture. Materials and Methods: The first 60 samples of partially sintered zirconia cylindrical discs measuring 7 mm diameter and 4 mm height were milled and sintered. Then they were randomly divided into three groups namely group C (control, n=10), group N (Nd: YAG laser, n=10), and group T (Ti: sapphire laser n=40) which was further divided based on the duration of laser irradiation, into 4 subgroups (n=10 each) which were 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes. Surface treatment was done on sintered zirconia discs based on the group. Following the treatment, the discs were ultrasonically cleaned followed by liner application (IPS Emax Zirliner, Ivoclar-Vivadent) and veneer ceramic layering (IPS e.max Ceram, Ivoclar-Vivadent) of 1.5 mm height. Each sample underwent shear stress in the universal test machine on the mounting jig, and bond strength was evaluated. Data were assessed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison analyses. Results: According to one-way ANOVA, there was a significant difference in shear bond strength between the groups. Tukey’s post hoc pair wise comparison test showed a significant difference (P value=0.001) in shear bond strength of all pairs except group C and group N. The results of repeated measures, ANOVA (related and dependent groups) and Tukey’s multiple pair wise comparison test showed that there was a significant difference (P value=0.001) in shear bond strength at 30 seconds and all other groups. Conclusion: Ti: sapphire laser irradiation for 30 seconds can be used as potential surface treatment to increase shear bond strength at the zirconia-veneering ceramic juncture.

Profiles of Compounds in Stover of Rice, Cymbopogon, Desmodium, Mucuna and Maize

Crop residues and mulches release phytotoxic substances into the soil that affect plant growth. An experiment was conducted at the Uganda National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge during 2016, to identify compounds in the stover of potted Cymbopogon nardus, Desmodium uncinatum, Oryza sativa, (NERICA 1), Mucuna pruriens and Zea mays (LONGE 6H) at fourty five days after germination. This marked near the average stationary phase for test crops’ growth when secondary metabolites are maximum. Organic compounds in the stover were extracted using solid phase micro-extraction. Samples were subjected to analysis using a 7890A Gas Chromatography system. Data files were transferred into a distinct folder and data was uploaded onto XCMS online platform for pair wise comparison and other related statistical analysis in the National institute of Science and Technology library. Ten terpenoids and one ester were identified in cymbopogon stover. Desmodium stover released six terpenoids and three phenols. Rice stover produced six terpenoids, three phenolic compounds and one ester. Mucuna stover released two terpenoids and four phenols. The maize stover produced five terpenoids and four phenolic compounds. Profiled compounds from cymbopogon, desmodium, rice, mucuna and maize could be responsible for the reported negative allelopathic effects such as auto-toxicity and suppression of companion crops expressed in agricultural ecosystems. Allelopathic activity of the profiled compounds should be confirmed through bioassays extracts and residues studies. The development and incorporation of the profiled metabolites into agricultural management system may lead to the production of bio-herbicides that reduce environmental degradation and increase crop productivity.

Ecotourism Potential Zone Mapping by Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Weighted Linear Algorithm: A Study on West Bengal, India

This study was designed to demarcate the Ecotourism Potential Zones (ETPZs) of West Bengal using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighted linear algorithm by considering three sustainable tourism parameters and sixteen indicators. Those three parameters are 1) physical (P), 2) social (S), and 3) availability of scenic beauty and infrastructures (ASI). Overall, 5 parameters are merged under physical (P), 2 parameters are integrated under social (S), and 9 parameters are incorporated under availability of scenic beauty and infrastructures (ASI). A 4-step procedure has been adopted for this study: 1) a simple hierarchical structure has been outlined, 2) pair-wise comparison matrices are formed, 3) weighted linear algorithm technique is utilized to get the ecotourism potentiality zone, and 4) ecotourism potentiality map is classified into high, moderate and low categories based on the principle of Dominant and Distinctive Function (DDF). As a result, about 61.65% area is identified with high ecotourism potential zone, 17.86% area is observed under the moderate ecotourism potential zone, and 20.48% area is recognized as the low ecotourism potential zone. Thus, the study considers an exceptional methodological framework that is applicable in any region of the world.

Analysis of Critical Barriers in Bridge Construction using Fuzzy AHP methodology

A Bridge is a structure that spans horizontally the road, body of water or a valley. Bridge Construction may vary depending on the intended functioning of the bridge and nature of the that geographical region. Keeping in view the bridge site and various constraints, type of bridge and method of construction are to be selected carefully for successful completion of bridge construction. However, It has been realized that critical barriers in bridge construction need to be identified and evaluated. The intended purpose of the presented research work is to check the critical barriers in bridge construction. Six critical barriers in bridge construction have been shortlisted by carrying out extensive review of literature and categorized in to three categories: 'Climate factors', 'Engineering factors', 'Public problem factors' using experts’ inputs. Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) method is chosen to rank of critical barriers in bridge construction. All pair wise comparison matrices are fabricated on the basis of a survey with inputs from thirty civil engineers. The outcomes may be instrumental for the planning creators for designing influential strategies to deal with critical barriers in bridge construction.

Theory and methodology of teaching and upbringing by fields and levels of education (pedagogical sciences)

The object of research is the process of choosing elements in the organization of distance learning. On the basis of the method, a tree of the hierarchy of the choice of distance learning elements was built; matrices of pairwise comparisons of distance learning elements for each of the criteria and a matrix of pair-wise comparison of criteria from the point of view of the importance of the goal are built; calculated the values of the utility functions for each element of distance learning; the interpretation of the results obtained was carried out. The proposed approach to substantiating the composition of distance learning elements is advisable to use in the development of work programs for disciplines, in the organization of the educational process both with partial use of distance learning elements, and in the development of distance learning courses in general.

Occult adenocarcinoma in adenomas. Possibilities of diagnostic methods

Aim: to analyze the diagnostic value of the digital rectal examination, colonoscopy, MRI and ERUS for detecting occult adenocarcinoma in rectal adenomas.Patients and methods: the study included 100 patients with newly identified epithelial rectal neoplasms, which undergone transanal endoscopic microsurgery from December 2019 to December 2020. All the patients underwent digital rectal examination, colonoscopy, ERUS with sonoelastography, and pelvic MRI. The diagnostics value of this methods was estimated with determination of sensitivity and specificity.Results: the study included 67 (67%) females and 33 (33%) males. The mean age of the patients was 64.4 ± 10.7 years. The median distance from the tumor to the anal verge was 6.0 ± 2.9 cm. The sensitivity of the digital rectal examination in the occult malignancy verification was 0.44 (95% CI 0.24–0.65), specificity — 0.93 (95% CI 0.85–0.97). The sensitivity of the colonoscopy — 0.56 (95% CI 0.34–0.75), the specificity — 0.84 (95% CI 0.73–0.91). The sensitivity of MRI — 0.40 (95% CI 0.21–0.61), specificity — 0.89 (95% CI 0.80–0.95). The sensitivity of ERUS was 0.48 (95% CI 0.27–0.68), the specificity — 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.82). Pair wise comparison of diagnostic methods revealed the absence of significant differences in their diagnostic value (p > 0.05).Conclusion: at least one of diagnostic methods allows to verify the presence of malignant transformation in 100% of cases. So, only combination of diagnostic methods can help to choose the optimal treatment option.