Neuro-cognitive virtual environment for children with autism (VECA).

Autism a neurological disorder which is often diagnosed during early childhood and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges over a lifetime. It is increasing day by day and people are inclining from clinical and psychological therapies to assistive technologies. We have developed an interactive virtual environment VECA that aims to enhance the cognitive skills and creativity in children with autism by playing games and interacting with the environment. The setup also incorporates the feedback of the child that whether he/she is comfortable with the environment or not. This solution is cost effective, with no side effects unlike traditional therapies, and can provide valuable insight to the behavior analysis of the autism patients

Effect of foliar application of nano-nutrients solution on growth and biochemical attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under drought stress

IntroductionDrought stress has drastically hampered the growth and yield of many crops. Therefore, environmentally safe agricultural techniques are needed to mitigate drought stress impact. To this end, foliar spray of nano-nutrients solution to (NNS) alleviate harmful aspects of drought stress.MethodsIn a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment, seedlings were transplanted into pots at 2-3 leaf stage, each filled with loam-compost- organic manure soil (3:1:1). Plants were divided into two groups. (a) control group (b) applied stress group. Plants at vegetative stage were treated with 100% FC for control group and 60% FC for drought group, and these levels were maintained until harvesting. Three treatments of NNS with four levels i.e., 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% were given to all the pots after two weeks of drought stress treatment with a gap of 5 days at vegetative stage.Results and discussionApplication of 1% of nano-nutrient solution displayed an improvement in shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight, number of leaves and flowers. Leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids and total phenolics contents were found maximum while minimum electrolyte leakage was observed at 3% application compared to control. Further, 1% application of NNS increased the Leaf RWC%, total soluble sugars, flavonoids contents. 5% NNS application exhibited higher total free amino acids with minimum lipid peroxidation rate in leaves of tomato under drought. Antioxidant enzyme activities increased in a concentration dependent manner as gradual increase was observed at 1%, 3% and 5%, respectively. Overall, this study introduced a new insights on using nano-nutrient solutions to maintain natural resources and ensure agricultural sustainabilit

Scope of the Heck reaction in the synthesis of of a new family of anthracene diacrylamide G-quadruplex ligands

The use of the Heck reaction in the synthesis of anthracene-9-monoacrylamide and anthracen-9,10-bisacrylamides as potential G-quadruplex ligands and preliminary biological testing is reported

Hematological Scoring System for Early Diagnosis of Neonatal Sepsis

Background: To determine the accuracy of a simple and cost effective haematological scoring system (HSS) in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis using blood culture as a gold standard.Methods: In this prospective cross sectional study newborns (n=170) with history of prolonged rupture of membranes, maternal intrapartum fever > 1010 F or clinical signs of sepsis namely; neonatal fever ≥ 1010 F, poor feeding and lethargy or depressed neonatal reflexes were included in the study. All the newborn babies with history of delayed cry, meconium aspiration, congenital anomaly, history of antibiotics administration prior to admission to the baby or mother, intrapartum and neonatal death in sibling with similar presentation (rule out inborn error of metabolism) were excluded. Patient was scored according to haematological scoring system (HSS), incorporating increase or decrease in leucocytes count, absolute neutrophil count and platelet count. CRP estimation and blood culture were also performed. Score of more than 3 was considered as positive .Results: The mean age of participants was 12.4 ± 7.3 days, of which 54.1% were male. Most neonates(52.4%) were in the age group up to 10 days and 61% were preterm. The HSS was found to have a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 74.5%, Positive Predictive Value was 65.9% and Negative Predictive Value was 93.2%Conclusion: HSS is a simple cost effective tool to detect neonatal sepsis with high sensitivity and an acceptable specificity

Additions to the genus Chroogomphus (Boletales, Gomphidiaceae) from Pakistan

Volume: 66Start Page: 23-3

Amanita ahmadii, a new species of Amanita subgenus Amanitina section Validae from Pakistan

A new species from coniferous forests in Pakistan, Amanita ahmadii, is described on the basis of morpho-anatomy and molecular data set analyses. This species is characterized by its medium-sized to large basidiomata, grayish brown to brown pileal surface and rimose pileus margin with gray to dark brown verrucose veil remnants, a cream stipe with bulbous base having grayish brown or brown longitudinal striations above the annulus, a scaly surface towards the base, globose to broadly ellipsoid and amyloid basidiospores, and the absence of clamped septa in all tissues. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS and LSU sequences confirmed its identity as a new taxon nested within subgen. Amanitina sect. Validae

Neuro-Cognitive Virtual Environment for Children with Autism (VECA)

Autism a neurological disorder which is often diagnosed during early childhood and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges over a lifetime. It is increasing day by day and people are inclining from clinical and psychological therapies to assistive technologies. We have developed an interactive virtual environment VECA that aims to enhance the cognitive skills and creativity in children with autism by playing games and interacting with the environment. The setup also incorporates the feedback of the child that whether he/she is comfortable with the environment or not. This solution is cost effective, with no side effects unlike traditional therapies, and can provide valuable insight to the behavior analysis of the autism patients

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population