Evaluating Beautyberry and Fig Species as Potential Hosts of Invasive Crapemyrtle Bark Scale in the United States

Crapemyrtle bark scale [CMBS (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae)], a newly emerged pest in the United States, has spread to 16 U.S. states and unexpectedly spread on a native species american beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in Texas and Louisiana in 2016 since it was initially reported on crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia sp.) in Texas in 2004. The infestation of CMBS negatively impacted the flowering of crapemyrtles. We observed the infestation on the two most commercially available edible fig (Ficus carica) cultivars Beer’s Black and Chicago Hardy in a preliminary trial in 2018. To help estimate CMBS potential in aggravating risks to the ecosystem stability and the green industry, we conducted a host range and suitability test using ‘Bok Tower’ american beautyberry as a positive control with other eight beautyberry (Callicarpa) species [mexican beautyberry (C. acuminata), ‘Profusion’ bodinieri beautyberry (C. bodinieri), ‘Issai’ purple beautyberry (C. dichotoma), japanese beautyberry (C. japonica var. luxurians), ‘Alba’ white-fruited asian beautyberry (C. longissima), taiwan beautyberry (C. pilosissima), luanta beautyberry (C. randaiensis), and willow-leaf beautyberry (C. salicifolia)] and three fig (Ficus) species [creeping fig (F. pumila), roxburgh fig (F. auriculata), and waipahu fig (F. tikoua)] over 25 weeks. All the tested beautyberry species and waipahu fig sustainably supported the development and reproduction of nymphal CMBS and were confirmed as CMBS hosts. Furthermore, comparing with the control, mexican beautyberry, ‘Profusion’ bodinieri beautyberry, taiwan beautyberry, and willow-leaf beautyberry were significantly less suitable, while ‘Issai’ purple beautyberry, japanese beautyberry, ‘Alba’ white-fruited asian beautyberry, and luanta beautyberry were as suitable as ‘Bok Tower’ american beautyberry. Thus, when using beautyberries in landscapes, their different potential to host CMBS should be considered to minimize spreading CMBS through the native ecosystems.

Views of Prospective Chemistry Teachers on the Use of Graphic Organizers Supported with Interactive PowerPoint Presentation Technology in Teaching Electrochemistry Concepts

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the views and experiences of the prospective chemistry teachers (PCTs) about the use of graphic organizers (GOs) supported with interactive PowerPoint presentation technology in teaching electrochemistry concepts. Ten GOs were developed and a pair of slides for all of them which contains partial and complete versions of the GOs was constructed. Participants of this study consisted of two different study groups. The preliminary trial of the study was carried out with four senior PCTs who have previously taken both an Electrochemistry course and an elective course concerning graphic organizers. Data from the first group of the study were collected by semi-structured interview and the experiences of the first group regarding the difficulties experienced during traditional electrochemistry teaching (didactic lecture) were examined. The second study group was eight PCTs who were in the fifth semester and were taking the Electrochemistry course while the study was being undertaken. In the last three weeks of the Electrochemistry course in the second study group, the course was taught with GOs supported with interactive PowerPoint presentation technology, and then the views of them were taken by a written opinion form. At the end of the study, three themes emerged regarding the experiences of the PCTs for the traditionally taught electrochemistry course. These are "difficulties", "inadequacy", and "not being beneficial". It was also concluded that the PCTs thought that the use of GOs supported with interactive PowerPoint presentation technology in teaching electrochemistry could enhance the comprehension and motivation of students.

Assessment of Inter-varietal Cross Lines of Gladiolus on Vegetative and Floral Traits for Selection and Promotion in Nepal

Artificial crossing between species and varieties has been effective in producing new gladiolus cultivar with desirable traits. The seeds obtained from the total of twelve inter-varietal cross lines were raised in nurseries in 2013. The corms and cormels were selected yearly from the first phase to the fourth phase of selection. Forty seven inter-varietal cross lines and one check genotype were assessed in preliminary non-replicated trial in 2017 in the field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lumle, Nepal. A total of twenty five inter-varietal cross lines of gladiolus was selected, and assessed to develop new productive and attractive varieties of gladiolus on the basis of sixteen traits: the first spike emergence, complete spike emergence, the first floret loosening, maximum number of floret opening at a time, floret diameter, number of florets /spike, days to the seventh floret wilting, flower life, plant height, spike length, rachis length, number of spikes/ mother corm, number of marketable spikes /mother corm, number of filled capsules/spike, number of unfilled capsules/spike and total number of capsules/spike. Forty six inter-varietal cross lines were selectively reduced to twenty five inter-varietal cross lines after they had been assessed in the preliminary trial. Eventually ten cross lines: HRSDG-013-2.17(A), HRSDG-013-7.4(B), HRSDG-013-7.8(A), HRSDG-013-7.8(B), HRSDG-013-8.5(A), HRSDG-013-8.16(A), HRSDG-013-9.12(A-2), HRSDG-013-10.24, HRSDG-013-11.7(B) and HRSDG-013-11.17(B-2) are likely to be promoted for replicated trial so as to develop new desirable varieties in future.

Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Preliminary Trial

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Individualized homeopathy (IH) in atopic dermatitis (AD) remained under-researched. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed at evaluating efficacy of IH in AD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, short-term, preliminary trial was conducted in an Indian homeopathy hospital. Patients were randomized to either IH (<i>n</i> = 30) or identical-looking placebo (<i>n</i> = 30) using computerized randomization and allocation. Outcomes were patient-oriented scoring of AD (PO-SCORAD; primary end point), Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, and AD burden score for adults (ADBSA; secondary end points), measured monthly for 3 months. An intention-to-treat sample was analyzed after adjusting baseline differences. <b><i>Results:</i></b> On PO-SCORAD, improvement was higher in IH against placebo, but nonsignificant statistically (<i>p</i>_{month 1} = 0.433, <i>p</i>_{month 2} = 0.442, <i>p</i>_{month 3} = 0.229). Secondary outcomes were also nonsignificant – both DLQI and ADBSA (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Four adverse events (diarrhea, injury, common cold) were recorded. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> There was a small, but nonsignificant direction of effect towards homeopathy, which renders the trial inconclusive. A properly powered robust trial is indicated.

Preliminary observations on culture potentials of Indian white prawn (Penaeus indicus) in low saline earthen ponds

To assess the growth and culture potentials of Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus, locally knownas Chaka Chingri, a preliminary trial was conducted for a period of 145 days in earthen ponds. The postlarvae were collected from Sundarbans coast and stocked in 3 ponds of 0.056 ha each with the stockingdensity at 30, 40 and 54 m-2in T1,T2 and T3 treatments respectively. Commercial pelleted feed with 36%protein was fed. Production and physico-chemical parameters were recorded and analyzed according tostandard methods. After 145 days of rearing, obtained average final weight was 22.18±6.71g, 25.25±3.11gand 29.25±2.88g; with the estimated yield of 1197 kg/ha, 3030 kg/ha, and 3632 kg/ha, survival was 18%,30% and 23% in T1, T2 and T3 treatments respectively. Results and findings of the present study suggestedthat P. indicus might be potential mariculture candidate in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

A PRELIMINARY TRIAL ON THE USE OF BARIUM CHLORIDE FOR DIAGNOSIS IN PIGS

The reaction of urine collected from 40 non-pregnant and 40 pregnant Yorkshire X Landrace crossed bred gilt/sows to 1% barium chloride sulotion was highly (P<0.01) depent on pregnant status of the pigs, the test being 100% and 81% effective in identifying non-pregnant and pregnant pigs respectively.The sensitivity of the test in the gravid ppigs was significantlt (P<0.05) influenced by, and tended to increase with, the stage of gestation with 59% of pigs in thier first trimester of gestation being correctly diagnosed as pregnant, and 95% - 100% of pigs in thier later stages of gestation being so correctly diagnosed. Parity and time of day of performance of the test had no effect on the urine reaction. It was concluded that the rest was least 95% accurate when used as from about 39 days after breeding for pregnancy diagnosis in pigs.