Search results for “Experimental Design

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7 articles
Farming Open Access

Modulation of Summer Squash Growth and Productivity Via Spiritual Blessings (Biofield) Energy Treatment (SBET)

May 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-2232.jf-26-6197
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author

Background The increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices has led to the exploration of non-traditional methods to enhance crop yield and resilience. Spiritual Blessings (Biofield) Energy Treatment (SBET), a form of consciousness-driven energy healing, is increasingly being investigated for its potential to modulate biological systems at the cellular and molecular levels without use of chemical additives Objective This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SBET on the growth characteristics and overall productivity of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Methods The study was conducted using a controlled experimental design, where seeds and plots were divided into two groups: control and treated. The treated group received a remote SBET by a recognized practitioner, while the control group remained untreated. Both groups were maintained under identical environmental conditions (soil, water). Parameters such as germination rate, plant height, leaf area index, and total fruit yield were monitored over a full growth cycle. Results Results showed that plant height, number of branches, and total number of leaves per plant were significantly improved by 35.14% (p ≤ 0.001), 41.64% (p = 0.011), and 49.01% (p = 0.029), respectively, in the treatment group compared to the control group. Additionally, fruit length and total fruit yield (tons per hectare) were significantly increased by 39.68% (p = 0.002) and 15.92%, respectively, in the treatment group compared to the control group. Conclusion Exposure of SBET significantly improved both vegetative and reproductive development, yielding substantial increases in plant height, branching, and leaf production.

Evolutionary Science Open Access

Interactions Between Natural Nuclear Reactors and Microbial Evolutionary Processes

Feb 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2689-4602.jes-25-5926
Easttom ChuckCorresponding author

The impact of ionizing radiation on genetic change is well established, yet the extent to which naturally occurring radiation fields have influenced evolutionary trajectories remains incompletely understood. This study examined correlations between microbial evolution and the radiation and geochemical environments associated with natural fission reactors, with emphasis on the Oklo–Bangombé system in present-day Gabon, Africa. The current paper compares plausible doserate regimes adjacent to reactor zones with published observations of radiationinduced phenotypes, geneexpression changes, and repair strategies in model organisms and complex biotas. This study further considers indirect mechanisms (e.g., water radiolysis, redox restructuring, tracemetal mobilization) by which natural reactors could have modulated ecological selection pressures over long timescales. The synthesis supports the plausibility of three interacting pathways: (i) increased mutation supply under low, chronic dose rates; (ii) selection in oxidantrich, redoxstratified niches; and (iii) metabolic subsidies (e.g., H₂) from radiolysis that support chemotrophic guilds. Although temporal–spatial associations exist between reactor activity and biological innovations preserved in Paleoproterozoic strata of Gabon, current evidence remains correlational rather than demonstrably causal. The study further outlines testable predictions and experimental designs capable of discriminating among these mechanisms.

Agronomy Research Open Access

Effects of Seed bed, Cultivars and Seed rates on Yield and Quality of Onion Sets (Allium cepa L.)

Dec 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-22-4301
E. E. Elshukry Elsadig.Corresponding author Agriculture Research Corporation, Horticultural Crops Research Center-Shambat.

Field experiments were conducted during three successive winter seasons 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012 /13, at Shambat Research Station Farm on clay loam soil pH 7.8, to study the effects of seed bed, cultivars and seed rates and their interactions on onion set yield and quality. Two seed bed (flat and ridge), two cultivars Kamleen and Baftaim (S) and three seed rates 4, 8, 12 g / m² (40, 80, 120 kg / ha) were tested. The experimental design used was 2*2*3 Factorial in spilt-split plot design with four replications. Yield was evaluated as set yield t / ha, whereas, quality was evaluated as percentage of large (2.9-2.0 cm) and medium (1.9-1.0 cm) set size according to diameter and average of single set weight (g). Cultivar Baftaim (S) gave the highest set yield t/ha and average of single set weight in the three seasons. The seed rate of 4 g/m² (40 kg / ha) resulted in highest average of single set weight and the highest number percentage of large set size. Increasing the seed rate increased set number and quality; the seed rate 12 g/m² (120 kg/ha) gave the highest percentage of medium set size.

Beneficial Impacts of Solanum aethiopicum L. in Diabetes Control

May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-22-4170
Michael Chukwudike Anyakudo MagnusCorresponding author Endometabolic and Nutrition Research Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, P.M.B 536, Laje Road, Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Garden egg nutritional values are numerous. However, few nutritional and epidemiological data exist on the impacts of garden egg consumption on diabetes control. In this experimentally-control designed nutritional study, the effects of scarlet garden egg species (Solanum aethiopicum L.) on lipoglycemic profile, weight control and, pancreas histoarchitecture in diabetic male Wistar rats were examined. Twenty-One adult male Wistar rats inducted with diabetes were randomly categorized into three groups (n = 7, each): Diabetic control (DC); Diabetic treated with aqueous extract of garden egg (DEE) and Diabetic fed with garden egg-supplemented diet (DSE). Animals were fed for six weeks according to the experimental design. Glycemic status and body weights were assessed twice weekly while lipid analysis was conducted at the entry and 6th week of the study. Oral glucose tolerance (OGT) test was conducted. Gross analysis and tissue histology of the pancreas were assessed by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining technique. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance, and the results were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. at P < 0.05. Garden egg reduced mean body weight gain (DSE: 14.53%; DEE: 10.58%; P value = 0.04) and decreased blood glucose concentrations (DEE: 37.33%; DSE: 18.68%; P = 0.03) with corresponding improved lipid profile, glycemic tolerance and control (DEE > DSE) and, preserved pancreas histoarchitecture in diabetic Wistar rats. Solanum aethiopicum (garden egg) consumption (as fresh fruit or supplemented diet) preserves pancreatic tissue histoarchitecture and improves lipoglycemic profile and weight control in diabetic Wistar rats.

The Impact of Combining Nutrition Education with Active Choice on the Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Second Grade Students

Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-20-3458
Bai YeonCorresponding author Professor, Dept of Nutrition and Food Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, 07043,

Daily intake of fruits and vegetables provides the basis for healthy nutrition. Yet low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) persists among school-aged children. Framed by the Social Cognitive Theory, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nutrition lessons combined with an active choice intervention on children’s FV consumption. Using a quasi-experimental design, 89 second graders were assigned to groups. Students in the experimental group (n=46) received four nutrition lessons combined with nine active choice sessions, while those in the control group (n=43) received active choice sessions only. Responses to pre- and post-intervention surveys that inquired FV knowledge and consumption were compared within and between groups using independent and paired t-tests. Empowered by improved knowledge, self-efficacy and the positive environment created through nutrition lessons and active choice, the experimental group showed improvement in consumption behavior compared to the control group at post-intervention: bringing FV to school and finish eating (69.7 vs. 51.2, p=.05 for fruits; 43.5 vs. 39.5, p=.41 for vegetables); like choosing FV (84.8 vs. 65.1, p=.01); like to eat more FV (80.4 vs. 62.8, p=.16); FV are healthy (100 vs. 95.3, p=.14). The magnitude of improvement is small yet consistent in every aspect of outcome measures. Combining nutrition education with the active choice component showed potential for a larger impact on behavior change among study participants. Parental support and community involvement could enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education in schools.

HIV and AIDS Risk Reduction Intervention Programmes among in-school Adolescents in Imo State, Nigeria

Sep 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-16-1227
Martina .C EzeamaCorresponding author Department of Nursing science, Imo state university, P.M.B 2000 Imo State , Nigeria.

Introduction: Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) constitute public health challenge in Nigeria and adolescents are increasingly becoming vulnerable. It is necessary to provide adolescents in schools with risk-reduction educational interventions so as to expose them on the need to protect themselves from getting infected. This study used risk-reduction interventions (Class-room Instruction and Drama) to encourage risk-reduction practices among in-school adolescents. Materials and Method: Quasi-experimental design using 165 students randomly selected from three convenient co-educational secondary schools in the rural areas was adopted. Two experimental groups, class room instruction (CI) and drama (DR) were used. Baseline data using semi-structured questionnaire with 27- point risk reduction practices were collected. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA at p =0.05. Result: Scores for HIV risk reduction practices among the adolescents at baseline, classroom instruction (CI), drama (DR) and control respectively were 18.5±4.6, 19.8 ± 5.8 and 17.0 ± 4.8 . The mid-term scores obtained were 23.8 ± 3.4, 23.6 ± 3.4 and 17.7 ± 5.1. The scores obtained for CI, DR and control groups at follow-up were 24.9 ± 2.6, 26.7 ± 1.1 and 17.0 ± 5.3 respectively. The results showed more effective risk reduction practices among the intervention groups than control group. Conclusion Drama intervention yielded more positive outcomes in risk-reduction practices than others. Drama is therefore recommended as the best HIV and AIDS intervention programme for in- school adolescents.

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