Virtual Home Visits During COVID-19 Pandemic: Mothers\u27 and Home Visitors\u27 Perspectives

Background The experiences of mothers enrolled in Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program with virtual home visiting (VHV) during the pandemic remain mostly unknown. This study aimed to describe in detail the experience of home visitors and mothers with VHV during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a prerequisite for guiding future efforts to optimize MIECHV services that are provided through virtual operation. Methods Focus groups discussion were conducted with home visitors (n = 13) and mothers (n = 30) who were enrolled in BabyCare program in Virginia from January 2019 to June 2022. This included mothers who received in-person home visiting (IPHV), VHV, or both (hybrid IPHV and VHV). Inductive analysis was used to identify emergent themes from the transcripts, then coding was conducted following a codebook that was developed by the research team. Results Both mothers and home visitors considered IPHV necessary for a proper assessment of developmental milestones of children, for the assessment of the growth of the child through measuring the weight and height/length of the child, for the mothers to open up and discuss sensitive issues like domestic violence, for building a relationship between home-visitor and the parents, and for other potential benefits (comprehensive assessment of the environment around the child inside and outside the house from home visitors\u27 perspective and detecting abnormal health conditions in children from mothers\u27 perspective). Both mothers and home visitors see that VHV has some role to play but not to be a replacement for IPHV. If VHV is to be used, video conference is preferred by both mothers and home visitors, as it allows for some assessment. Conclusion Mothers and nurses considered IPHV critical for proper and comprehensive assessment of the child and the family and also essential to build the nurse-client relationship. Both mothers and home visitors considered VHV supplementary to IPHV that can be used from time to time particularly with busy mothers. VHV may have little room with parents with intellectual disabilities and the difficulty in dealing with technology seems to be no longer a major issue

Babesia microti, Upstate New York

Five cases of human babesiosis were reported in the Lower Hudson Valley Region of New York State in 2001. An investigation to determine if Babesia microti was present in local Ixodes scapularis ticks yielded 5 positive pools in 123 pools tested, the first detection of B. microti from field-collected I. scapularis in upstate New York

A gene encoding an abscisic acid biosynthetic enzyme (LsNCED4) collocates with the high temperature germination locus Htg6.1 in lettuce (Lactuca sp.)

Thermoinhibition, or failure of seeds to germinate when imbibed at warm temperatures, can be a significant problem in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production. The reliability of stand establishment would be improved by increasing the ability of lettuce seeds to germinate at high temperatures. Genes encoding germination- or dormancy-related proteins were mapped in a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between L. sativa cv. Salinas and L. serriola accession UC96US23. This revealed several candidate genes that are located in the genomic regions containing quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with temperature and light requirements for germination. In particular, LsNCED4, a temperature-regulated gene in the biosynthetic pathway for abscisic acid (ABA), a germination inhibitor, mapped to the center of a previously detected QTL for high temperature germination (Htg6.1) from UC96US23. Three sets of sister BC3S2 near-isogenic lines (NILs) that were homozygous for the UC96US23 allele of LsNCED4 at Htg6.1 were developed by backcrossing to cv. Salinas and marker-assisted selection followed by selfing. The maximum temperature for germination of NIL seed lots with the UC96US23 allele at LsNCED4 was increased by 2–3°C when compared with sister NIL seed lots lacking the introgression. In addition, the expression of LsNCED4 was two- to threefold lower in the former NIL lines as compared to expression in the latter. Together, these data strongly implicate LsNCED4 as the candidate gene responsible for the Htg6.1 phenotype and indicate that decreased ABA biosynthesis at high imbibition temperatures is a major factor responsible for the increased germination thermotolerance of UC96US23 seeds

Towards a positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to well-being

Although much attention has been paid to culture-specific psychopathologies, there have been no comparable attempts to chart positive mental states that may be particular to certain cultures. This paper outlines the beginnings of a positive cross-cultural lexicography of ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to wellbeing, culled from across the world’s languages. A quasi-systematic search uncovered 216 such terms. Using grounded theory, these words were organised into three categories: feelings (comprising positive and complex feelings); relationships (comprising intimacy and pro-sociality); and character (comprising personal resources and spirituality). The paper has two main aims. First, it aims to provide a window onto cultural differences in constructions of wellbeing, thereby enriching our understanding of wellbeing. Second, a more ambitious aim is that this lexicon may help expand the emotional vocabulary of English speakers (and indeed speakers of all languages), and consequently enrich their experiences of wellbeing. The paper concludes by setting out a research agenda to pursue these aims further

Zen and the Art of Living Mindfully: The Health-Enhancing Potential of Zen Aesthetics

Amidst the burgeoning enthusiasm for mindfulness in the West, there is a concern that the largely secular ‘de-contextualized’ way in which it is being harnessed is denuding it of its potential to improve health and well-being. As such, efforts are underway to ‘re-contextualize’ mindfulness, explicitly drawing on the wider framework of Buddhist ideas and practices in which it was initially developed. This paper aims to contribute to this, doing so by focusing on Zen Buddhism, and in particular on Zen aesthetic principles. The article concentrates on the seven principles identified by Hisamatsu (1971) in his classic text Zen and the Fine Arts: kanso (simplicity); fukinsei (asymmetry); koko (austere sublimity); shizen (naturalness); daisuzoku (freedom from routine); sei-jaku (tranquillity); and yūgen (profound grace). The presence of these principles in works of art is seen as reflecting and communicating insights that are central to Buddhism, such as non-attachment. Moreover, these principles do not only apply to the creation and appreciation of art, but have clear applications for treating health-related issues, and improving quality of life more generally. This paper makes the case that embodying these principles in their lives can help people enhance their psychosomatic well-being, and come to a truer understanding of the essence of mindful living

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.) - history of domestication and biological progress

Łubin biały jest najdłużej znanym gatunkiem uprawnym spośród rodzaju Lupinus. Bardzo duża zawartość białka, a zwłaszcza tłuszczu w nasionach sprzyjała jego wykorzystaniu w żywieniu ludzi przez tysiące lat, pomimo dużej zawartości gorzkich alkaloidów. Dopiero w 1930 roku uzyskano formy niskoalkaloidowe. Pierwsze próby hodowli łubinu białego w Polsce miały miejsce w latach 50. ubiegłego wieku w Zakładzie Doświadczalnym IHAR w Przebędowie, a następnie w SHR w Wiatrowie. Uzyskano odmiany słodkie, odporne na Fusarium, o skróconym okresie wegetacji, termoneutralne, samokończące, a w Europie także ozime i karłowate. Obecnie na świecie prowadzi się na niewielką skalę badania nad wytworzeniem form GMO i pojedyncze próby wykorzystania heterozji w łubinie. Do stale ważnych kierunków w hodowli łubinu białego należą też odporność na suszę i antraknozę, jakość nasion, ograniczenia opadania kwiatów i zawiązków strąków oraz wczesność, a także poszukiwanie cienkich ścian strąków i okrywy nasiennej oraz źródeł genetycznej odporności na Phomopsis sp.The primary centre of origin of white lupin is situated in south-eastern Europe and western Asia, and the secondary once in Ethiopia and Kenya as well as and in the Atlantic islands (the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands). The high content of protein and fat in the seeds especially encouraged its use for human consumption for thousands of years, despite the high content of bitter alkaloids. White lupin is completely domesticated species of the Lupinus genus and was cultivated for thousands of years for human consumption. In 1930 the first forms of low-alkaloid content in seeds of white lupin were achieved in Germany. Significant research on lupins took place after World War I and resulted in breeding of sweet cultivars with high protein and fat content in seeds in temperate climate of Europe. Breeding of white lupin for seeds in Poland started in 60-70 years ago in the Plant Breeding Stations Przebędowo and Wiatrowo. Sweet cultivars resistant to Fusarium, with shorter vegetation period, thermoneutral, self-completing, and in western and southern Europe - also winter-sown and dwarf were obtained. There are only two cultivars of white lupin Butan - traditional and thermoneutral and Boros - self-completing one, which yields up to 20% lower. The EU Catalogue includes 22 varieties from 9 European countries. Currently, white lupin has the highest seed yield potential among lupin species. However, its disadvantage is the significant susceptibility to anthracnose. Modern breeding of lupin uses the genetic material of already existed cultivars and wild forms as well as natural and induced mutation in order to expand genetic variation. The world is carried out on a small scale study on developing forms of GMOs and the use of heterosis in lupin. So far no positive results had also obtained using interspecies hybrids. A small natural intraspe-cific variability and implemented to a limited extent modern methods of biotechnology and molecular cytogenetics (micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture, transformation, androgenic etc.), in vitro cultures etc. create a significant barrier in the biological progress in lupin. To permanently important goals in white lupin breeding are also resistant to drought and anthracnose, seed quality, abortion of flowers, buds and pods, as well as seeking the thin walls of the pod and seed coat and of sources of genetic resistance to Phomopsis sp. In spite of significant achievements in lupin genetics, the breeding methods are mainly based on the use of genetic resources of cultivars already registered. Meanwhile, Europe and the world use more advanced breeding techniques. However, the future intensification of breeding and cultivation of white lupin are not optimistic both in Poland and in Europe because of significant restrictions on breeding programs as well as and feeble demand for seeds

Zywotnosc i wigor mechanicznie uszkodzonych nasion grochu siewnego [Pisum sativum L.] w warunkach imbibicyjnego stresu wodnego i chlodnowodnego

Nasiona grochu siewnego odmiany Kwestor zawierające 7, 14 i 19 % wody, uszkodzone i nieuszkodzone, poddano krótkiemu stresowi imbibicyjnemu (w 20°C) i chłodno-wodnemu (w 5°C). Po 24 godzinach określono elektroprzewodnictwo wód nastoinowych, zawartość w nich węglowodanów i substancji i białkowych, a po 10 dniach żywotność nasion metodą zwiniętego ręcznika. Wyższej zawartości wody w nasionach towarzyszył większy wigor i żywotność oraz mniejsza ilość substancji azotowych w wodach nastoinowych. Zawartość węglowodanów w wodach nastoinowych nie zależała od stopnia uwilgotnienia nasion. Uszkodzone mechaniczne nasiona charakteryzowały się mniejszą żywotnością i wigorem niż nieuszkodzone po obu stresach. W wodach nastoinowych tych nasion stwierdzono więcej substancji nieorganicznych i organicznych.Field pea seeds of Kwestor cultivar of 7, 14 and 19 % of moisture content, mechanically damaged or non-damaged were subjected to imbibition (at 20°C) and chilling (at 5°C) stress. Electroconductivity of seed exudates, content of carbohydrates and N substances in seed leachate were evaluated after 24 hours of stress, and after 10 days seed viability in a rolled towel. Higher moisture content of seeds was accompanied by higher seed viability and vigour, and lower level of N substances in seed leachate. The content of carbohydrates in seed leachate was not affected by initial moisture content in seeds. Mechanically damaged seeds showed lower viability and vigour than non-damaged ones after both stresses. Their leachates contained also higher amount of inorganic and organic substances

Common bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L.] yielding affected by the intensity of cultivation technology. Part I. Seed yielding and quality and their agronomic conditions

Ścisłe doświadczenie polowe w układzie split – plot wykonano w gospodarstwie rolnym w miejscowości Bodzanówek (gmina Choceń, województwo kujawsko- pomorskie) w latach 2001-2003. Czynnik I stanowiły cztery technologie uprawy: I – ekstensywna, II – integrowana, III – umiarkowanie intensywna i IV – intensywna, w których badano plonowanie trzech odmian fasoli zwykłej – Igołomska, Narew i Avanti. Plon nasion fasoli wzrastał istotnie do poziomu technologii umiarkowanie intensywnej; w technologii integrowanej fasola plonowała na poziomie 83% plonów z technologii umiarkowanie intensywnej i 76% z technologii intensywnej. Wraz ze wzrostem nawożenia i dokarmiania dolistnego N obserwowano zwiększanie plonowania fasoli, zwłaszcza w umiarkowanych warunkach wilgotnościowych w okresie rozwoju generatywnego roślin. Odmiany Igołomska i Avanti plonowały istotnie wyżej niż Narew. Zawartość azotanów w nasionach ulegała zmniejszaniu wraz ze wzrostem opadów w okresie rozwoju generatywnego i przekraczała nieznacznie dopuszczalną normę w technologiach intensywnych. Występowanie antraknozy i bakteriozy najskuteczniej ograniczyły zabiegi wykonane w technologii intensywnej, przy czym najmniej grzybów na nasionach stwierdzono w technologii integrowanej i umiarkowanie intensywnej.The exact field experiment in split-plot design was carried out over 2001-2003 on the farm at Bodzanówek. The first factor included four technologies of bean cultivation (extensive, integrated, semi-intensive and intensive) and the second one – three bean cultivars: Igołomska, Narew and Avanti. The average yield of bean seeds increased significantly up to semi-intensive technology. The seed yields of bean cultivated in the integrated technology accounted for as much as 83% of the yields obtained in the semiintensive and 76% of the yields in the intensive technology. The increase in bean seed yield was observed following increasing total doses of N and under moderate rainfall over the generative plant development. Igołomska and Avanti cultivars yielded significantly higher than Narew. Anthracnose and bacteriosis occurrence was limited most by intensive technology, while the lowest number of fungi colonies on bean seeds was found following integrated and semi-intensive technologies