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Leafy vegetables are very healthy for human beings having high contents of phyto- and physico-chemicals and are low in fat and calories. Mountainous regions worldwide have diverse agroclimatic conditions conducive for the cultivation of different leafy vegetables. Present research study assessed six leafy vegetables for their composition at fifteen different agroecological sites. Fresh leaves of six leafy vegetables, i.e. alfalfa, water clover, spinach, leaf mustard, pennywort, and fenugreek, were collected from the mountainous region. Procured leaf samples were brought to analytical laboratory and were subjected to physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, i.e. moisture content, pH, TSS, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. Among all the sampling sites and vegetables, a significant variation was observed for the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. In samples procured from different agroecological sites, the better retention of quality parameters was observed among the leaf sample collected from fifteen different agroecological sites. The highest values were recorded for moisture content in spinach at site 1, for pH in leaf mustard at sites 4, 5 and 6, for TSS in spinach at sites 6 and 9, for ascorbic acid in alfalfa at site 6, for total phenolics in spinach at site 5, for carotenoid in leaf mustard at site 5, for flavonoids in fenugreek at site 5, and for antioxidant in spinach at site 6. It can be concluded that mountainous regions are rich in agroecological conditions suitable for producing leafy vegetables carrying healthful constituents for the consumption by human beings.

Inappropriate tillage practices and nitrogen (N) management have become seriously limitations for maize (Zea mays L.) yield and N use efficiency (NUE) in the North China Plain (NCP). In the current study, we examined the effects of strip deep rotary tillage (ST) combined with controlled-release (CR) urea on maize yield and NUE, and determined the physiological factors involved in yield formation and N accumulation during a 2-year field experiment. Compared with conventional rotary tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT), ST increased the soil water content and soil mineral N content (Nmin) in the 20–40 cm soil layer due to reduction by 10.5 and 13.7% in the soil bulk density in the 0–40 cm soil layer, respectively. Compared with the values obtained by common urea (CU) fertilization, CR increased the Nmin in the 0–40 cm soil layers by 12.4 and 10.3% at the silking and maturity stages, respectively. As a result, root length and total N accumulation were enhanced under ST and CR urea, which promoted greater leaf area and dry matter (particularly at post-silking), eventually increasing the 1 000-kernel weight of maize. Thus, ST increased the maize yield by 8.3 and 11.0% compared with RT and NT, respectively, whereas CR urea increased maize yield by 8.9% above the values obtained under CU. Because of greater grain yield and N accumulation, ST combined with CR urea improved the NUE substantially. These results show that ST coupled with CR urea is an effective practice to further increase maize yield and NUE by improving soil properties and N supply, so it should be considered for sustainable maize production in the NCP (and other similar areas worldwide).

Critical Race Theory (CRT) has provided academia a theoretical framework to engage in a conversation and explore the lived experiences of people as they are impacted by the endemic nature of racism. The creation of subsets within CRT have made space for minoritized populations in ways that are specific to them. The author proposes the creation of MusCrit as a means to explore the experiences of Muslim Americans with a CRT lens by sharing six tenets that are unique to the lived reality of this demographic.

While fertility is a widely studied public health issue, infertility among college students is rarely examined. Research on fertility among college students focuses primarily on pregnancy prevention. Often constructed as hyper-fertile, cohorts of women in graduate studies are struggling with fertility issues and left to suffer in silence. Objective: This study aimed to identify barriers to access and gaps in available reproductive services to college attending women. Methods: This multi-method, exploratory study employed online surveys (n = 37), semi-structured interviews (n = 5), and an assessment of fertility-related school health services available at universities nationally to understand issues related to infertility, including experience with and access to services. Results: A near absence of fertility-related care on college campuses emerged nationally, while a clear need among female graduate students emerged locally. Perceptions of poor treatment and dismissal of concerns were prominent issues. Conclusions: Findings suggest the need for self-advocacy, while highlighting the potential role of university and community supports for women suffering from the dual burden of being a student while struggling with fertility related issues.

The reflections of female Muslim American youth provides a glimpse into their lived reality as they navigate their hyphenated identities in spaces that systemically other (Sirin & Fine, 2008). The creative piece shared here is a silhouette of a woman featuring statements signifying that very experience. Noor Ali conducted a narrative inquiry into the lives of Muslim American women. The conversations accumulated hours' worth of data and anecdotal evidence with 15 participants ranging between the ages of 18 and 22 sharing deeply resonating stories of being. This paper seeks to highlight the phrases and statements made by female Muslim American youth as they speak of their lives. The paper situates that conversation in the theory and practice of Critical Race Theory, using it as a framework but also as a methodology. Furthermore, the paper invites readers to explore the author's work on the creation of a micro-theoretical framework that is particular to this demographic and honors them as a distinct reality.

The compounds of LiCoO2 (LCO) and LiCo1-xNixO2 (LCNO), with (x=0,0.25,0.5,0.75,1) were synthesized as cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries using hydrothermal technique in this study. Structure and morphology characterization were conducted for all prepared samples. The crystalline results indicate that both LCO and LCNO possess a rhombohedral structure, while the morphology results show irregular shapes. Electrochemical tests were carried out for LiCoO2 and LiCo0.25Ni0.75O2 samples only. From the electrochemical measurements, the LiCo0.25Ni0.75O2 demonstrate higher charge and discharge capacities compared to the LiCoO2 electrode, findings which are consistent with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of both the prepared Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO) and Lithium Cobalt Nickel Oxide (LCNO) samples reveal characteristic peaks at specific angles (2θ) indicating crystallographic planes. For LCO, peaks were observed at 18.96°, 37.40°, 38.35°, 39.07°, 45.29°, 49.45°, and 59.62° corresponding to crystallographic planes (003), (101), (006), (012), (104), (015), and (107) respectively. These peaks confirm the formation of a rhombohedral LiCoO2 nanostructure with space group (R-3m no. 166), consistent with standard data (JCPDS 00-016-0427). The EDX spectra of the synthesized Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO) and Lithium Cobalt Nickel Oxide (LCNO) were analyzed. The results showed the presence of oxygen (O), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) elements. However, the peak corresponding to lithium (Li) was not visible due to its low activation energy. Finally, the synthesis and characterization of LiCoO2 (LCO) and LiCo1-xNixO2 (LCNO) compounds were conducted, with electrochemical tests indicating superior performance of LiCo0.25 Ni0.75O2 over LiCoO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]