Growth, Yield, and Postharvest Characteristics of Grafted Bitter Gourd using Different Sponge Gourd Rootstocks

Grafting is an emerging technology that addresses adverse agricultural problems in both soil and climatic conditions. The study was conducted to evaluate the growth, yield, and fruit quality of bitter gourd or ampalaya (Momordica charantia L.) grafted with different sponge gourd or patola (Luffa cylindrica L.) rootstocks. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were as follows: T0–Control (ungrafted), T1–Hybrid patola (var. Mutya), T2–Open-pollinated variety (var. Esmeralda), and T3-Bureau of Plant Industry bacterial wilt–resistant variety patola rootstock (BPI BW resistant var.). Results revealed that grafted ampalaya plants markedly produced female flowers first rather than male. Generally, nongrafted plants produced more laterals, longer vines on the early weeks from transplanting, more marketable fruits per plant, as well as higher total soluble solids (TSS) and electrical conductivity (EC). Nevertheless, nongrafted plants also exhibited more non-marketable fruits, greatest disease incidence, and lower percent free-radical scavenging activity (%FRSA). On the other hand, grafted ampalaya plants have lesser disease incidence, minimal percent weightloss, delayed color changes, firmness, and initial pH readings after the eighth harvest. Postharvest life or shelf life and visual quality rating of grafted ampalaya were extended but were not statistically different with the nongrafted fruits. However, grafted ampalaya fruits have higher chlorophyll a and b and carotenoid content and significantly had the highest %FRSA. These findings imply that improvement of ampalaya plant through grafting, specifically into different patola rootstocks, were compatible, reduced disease incidence, and have more nutritious fruits compared to nongrafted ampalaya plants

Effect of pulsed methylprednisolone on pain, in patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an immune mediated myelopathy caused by the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The efficacy of treatments used for patients with HAM/TSP is uncertain. The aim of this study is to document the efficacy of pulsed methylprednisolone in patients with HAM/TSP. Data from an open cohort of 26 patients with HAM/TSP was retrospectively analysed. 1g IV methylprednisolone was infused on three consecutive days. The outcomes were pain, gait, urinary frequency and nocturia, a range of inflammatory markers and HTLV-1 proviral load. Treatment was well tolerated in all but one patient. Significant improvements in pain were: observed immediately, unrelated to duration of disease and maintained for three months. Improvement in gait was only seen on Day 3 of treatment. Baseline cytokine concentrations did not correlate to baseline pain or gait impairment but a decrease in tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration after pulsed methylprednisolone was associated with improvements in both. Until compared with placebo, treatment with pulsed methylprednisolone should be offered to patients with HAM/TSP for the treatment of pain present despite regular analgesia

STRATEGIC MODULATION OF THERMAL TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY RATIO PRODUCED FROM PV/T MODULE

Several strategies have been developed to enhance the performance of a solar photovoltaicthermal (PV/T) system in buildings. However, these systems are limited by the cost, complex structure and power consumed by the pump. This paper proposes an optimisation method conversion strategy that modulates the ratio of thermal to electrical energy from the photovoltaic (PV) cell, to increase the PV/T system’s performance. The design and modelling of a PV cell was developed in MATLAB/Simulink to validate the heat transfer occurring in the PV cell model, which converts the radiation (solar) into heat and electricity. A linear regression equation curve was used to define the ratio of thermal to electrical energy technique, and the behavioural patterns of various types of power (thermal and electrical) as a function of extrinsic cell resistance (Rse). The simulation results show an effective balance of the thermal and electrical power when adjusting the Rse. The strategy to modulate the ratio of thermal to electrical energy from the PV cell may optimise the PV/T system’s performance. A change of Rse might be an effective method of controlling the amount of thermal and electrical energy from the PV cell to support the PV/T system temporally, based on the energy need. The optimisation technique of the PV/T system using the PV cell is particularly useful for households since they require electricity, heating, and cooling. Applying this technique demonstrates the ability of the PV/T system to balance the energy ( thermal and electrical) produced based on the weather conditions and the user’s energy demands

FWM-based wavelength conversion of 40 Gbaud PSK signals in a silicon germanium waveguide

We demonstrate four wave mixing (FWM) based wavelength conversion of 40 Gbaud differential phase shift keyed (DPSK) and quadrature phase shift keyed (QPSK) signals in a 2.5 cm long silicon germanium waveguide. For a 290 mW pump power, bit error ratio (BER) measurements show approximately a 2-dB power penalty in both cases of DPSK (measured at a BER of 10-9) and QPSK (at a BER of 10-3) signals that we examined

Rancang Bangun Aplikasi Pemetaan Gedung Universitas Palangka Raya pada Sub. Bag Barang Milik Negara (Bmn) Buk Universitas Palangka Raya

Sub. BagianBarang Milik Negara (BMN) Universitas Palangka Raya masih menggunakan sistemyang di anggap kurang efektif dan efisien. Data gedung, ruangan, barang dan kendaraan miliknegara yang masih disimpan dalam bentuk laporan excel, yang bias saja kemungkinan dapat hilangdan apabila data tersebut telah disimpan dalam computer hal itu tidak menunjang kemudahanpengolahan data untuk dapat digunakan dan dicetak pada sebuah laporan. Rancangan penelitianyang dibuat terdiri atas tiga tahap yaitu: (1) pengumpulan dan analisis data yang dilakukan dengancara studi pustaka dan observasi, (2) menerapkan metode waterfall yang sudah dimodifikasi dengantahap-tahapnya adalah analisis system,(3) pemodelan proses bisnismenggunakan DFD, danantarmuka, (4) implementasi menggunakan PHP dan Mysql sebagai database untuk menyimpandata. Selanjutnya pada tahapan testing Aplikasi ini menggunakan metode Black Box. Hasilpenelitian adalah aplikasi pemetaan gedung Universitas Palangka Raya pada Sub. BMN UniversitasPalangka Ray

Re-engineering imperatives to enhance the effectiveness of municipal public accounts committees in South African municipalities

Background: After 26 years into democracy and 20 years of the new local government operations, the state of the majority of municipalities in South Africa still leaves much to be desired, as they are plagued with maleficence. What is concerning is that these negative tendencies that are troubling local government occur even under the watchful eye of the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition and the role of MPACs, which have experienced a number of challenges since they were introduced in response to the widely held perception of the culture of lack of accountability in South African municipalities. Methods: This article is theoretical in nature, and it draws its arguments from secondary data in order to understand the composition and the role of MPACs, including its challenges. Results: This study regards the composition of the MPAC as lacking the necessary vigour to be efficient and effective in executing its duties, particularly when considering the challenges and political influences that it tends to face in its operations. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a need for re-engineering of the composition and the role of the MPAC in order to ensure that it executes its functions efficiently and effectively. Consequently, the study recommends three cardinal pillars that must be given attention in re-engineering the MPAC: policy, authority and power. Keywords: Internal accountability; maleficence; municipalities; municipal public accounts committees; re-engineerin

Arsenic Biotransformation as a Cancer Promoting Factor by Inducing DNA Damage and Disruption of Repair Mechanisms

Chronic exposure to arsenic in drinking water poses a major global health concern. Populations exposed to high concentrations of arsenic-contaminated drinking water suffer serious health consequences, including alarming cancer incidence and death rates. Arsenic is biotransformed through sequential addition of methyl groups, acquired from s-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Metabolism of arsenic generates a variety of genotoxic and cytotoxic species, damaging DNA directly and indirectly, through the generation of reactive oxidative species and induction of DNA adducts, strand breaks and cross links, and inhibition of the DNA repair process itself. Since SAM is the methyl group donor used by DNA methyltransferases to maintain normal epigenetic patterns in all human cells, arsenic is also postulated to affect maintenance of normal DNA methylation patterns, chromatin structure, and genomic stability. The biological processes underlying the cancer promoting factors of arsenic metabolism, related to DNA damage and repair, will be discussed here

Provincial screening rates for chronic diseases of lifestyle, cancers and HIV in a health-insured population

Background. Screening for asymptomatic diseases can reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in all population groups. There is widespread geographical variation in the quality of care. Few data are available on national screening rates in South Africa and how these vary across the provinces.Objective. To examine screening rates for chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL), HIV and cancer in a privately insured population for a singleinsurer across all nine provinces in South Africa, and to determine whether or not there are any differences between the provinces.Method. Screening rates were calculated as the proportion of eligible members who had received screening tests during 2011 in eachprovince. Mean screening rates were compared between Gauteng and the other eight provinces.Results. Nationwide screening rates were 20.5% for CDL, 8.2% for HIV and 31.9% for cancer. Despite similar insurance coverage, screening ratesranged from 0.3% to 0.95% lower in other provinces compared with Gauteng. Of all the provinces, Gauteng had the highest annual screeningrates for CDL, breast cancer, prostate cancer and HIV (p<0.001), while the Western Cape had the highest rate for cervical cancer (p<0.001).Conclusion. There is much variation in preventive care utilisation across the provinces within this health-insured population. Provinces with more abundant healthcare resources have higher screening rates. Further research is required to understand the reasons for the variation, given equal payment access