Response of lettuce to Cd-enriched water and irrigation frequencies

This pot experiment was an attempt to investigate a broad response of lettuce to different cadmium (Cd) levels of irrigation water (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg l-1) under different irrigation intervals (1, 2 and 4 days). The results showed that increased level of soil Cd through irrigation eventually decreased the yield of lettuce in all cases; however, in some cases yield was increased with lower doses of Cd application. No injury symptoms were observed other than plant height and yield reduction. Shoot dry weight proved to be the most sensitive parameters to the cadmium, especially under water stress conditions. The results also showed that the concentrations of nutrient elements in lettuce shoot were suppressed by water stress. The presence of cadmium in irrigation water did not significantly affect the absorption of nutrient elements by plants except for Fe. Shoot Cd concentration and its uptake decreased with increasing irrigation frequencies and the reverse trend occurred with increasing Cd levels of irrigation water. However, the values were higher than recommended guideline in all conditions. Also, shoot Cd content showed a significant positive correlation with the final accumulated Cd concentration of soil and was expressed by a plateau model under the dry irrigation regime and linear models at other irrigation intervals. Overall, shoot Cd concentration was predicted by using a simple linear regression model regardless of evapotranspiration and transpiration rate of plant.Key words: Cadmium toxicity; chemical composition; irrigation frequency; lettuce

The Development of Investigative Learning Materials Using Computer Assisted Instruction in the Topic of Reflection for Grade VII

Despite its importance, there are still many problems encountered in the learning of the topic of reflection in school. One of the solutions for these problems is the implementation of learning approaches that fit the modern curricula and the development of good quality instructional materials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the quality of investigative instructional material with computer assisted instruction for the topic of reflection in Grade VII. The result of the analysis suggested that the investigative instructional material for the topic of reflection in Grade 7 is of good quality because it fulfills the following criteria: (1) the teacher was capable to manage the lesson well, (2) the students were actively involved during the lesson, (3) the students gave positive response to the instructional material, (4) the achievement test is valid, reliable, and sensitive; and (5) the validator claimed that the developed instructional material is valid

Evaluation of two mobile health apps in the context of smoking cessation: qualitative study of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus non-CBT-based digital solutions.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) apps can offer users numerous benefits, representing a feasible and acceptable means of administering health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is commonly used in the treatment of mental health conditions, where it has a strong evidence base, suggesting that it represents an effective method to elicit health behavior change. More importantly, CBT has proved to be effective in smoking cessation, in the context of smoking-related costs to the National Health Service (NHS) having been estimated to be as high as £2.6bn in 2015. Although the evidence base for computerized CBT in mental health is strong, there is limited literature on its use in smoking cessation. This, combined with the cost-effectiveness of mHealth interventions, advocates a need for research into the effectiveness of CBT-based smoking cessation apps. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was, first, to explore participants' perceptions of 2 mHealth apps, a CBT-based app, Quit Genius, and a non-CBT-based app, NHS Smokefree, over a variety of themes. Second, the study aimed to investigate the perceptions and health behavior of users of each app with respect to smoking cessation. METHODS: A qualitative short-term longitudinal study was conducted, using a sample of 29 smokers allocated to one of the 2 apps, Quit Genius or Smokefree. Each user underwent 2 one-to-one semistructured interviews, 1 week apart. Thematic analysis was carried out, and important themes were identified. Descriptive statistics regarding participants' perceptions and health behavior in relation to smoking cessation are also provided. RESULTS: The thematic analysis resulted in five higher themes and several subthemes. Participants were generally more positive about Quit Genius's features, as well as about its design and information engagement and quality. Quit Genius users reported increased motivation to quit smoking, as well as greater willingness to continue using their allocated app after 1 week. Moreover, these participants demonstrated preliminary changes in their smoking behavior, although this was in the context of our limited sample, not yet allowing for the finding to be generalizable. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the use of CBT in the context of mHealth apps as a feasible and potentially effective smoking cessation tool. mHealth apps must be well developed, preferably with an underlying behavioral change mechanism, to promote positive health behavior change. Digital CBT has the potential to become a powerful tool in overcoming current health care challenges. The present results should be replicated in a wider sample using the apps for a longer period so as to allow for generalizability. Further research is also needed to focus on the effect of greater personalization on behavioral change and on understanding the psychological barriers to the adoption of new mHealth solutions

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) from Fish Oil and Margarine as Bioactive Compound for Anti-inflammation in Occupational Dermatitis

Occupational dermatitis (OCD) is a skin inflammatory disease caused by allergens and irritant agents in the workplace. The disease is related to hypersensitivity reaction, which is correlated with an immunological mechanism (allergic contact dermatitis) and a nonimmunological mechanism (irritant contact dermatitis). Patients with atopic history (rhinitis allergy, asthma, and atopic dermatitis) have a higher risk of contracting OCD. Atopic individuals suffer from barrier skin damage that increases the risk of allergen and irritant penetration. Inflammatory reaction involves T-helper 1 (Th1), which produces cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (INF-γ), while T-helper 2 (Th2) produces interleukin (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 substance from polyunsaturated free fatty acids (PUFAs)that has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and the ability to decrease macrophage accumulation. In the inflammatory process, EPA inhibits IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, which are mediated by the free fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs). The aim of this study was to determine the bioactivity compound of EPA for anti-inflammatory agents and its target, based on in silico screening. The bioinformatic tools based on reverse docking used in this study were the PubChem compound database, the protein target prediction database, PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, molecular docking software PyRx 0.8, ligand docking, and binding site analysis using PyMOL software. Docking and binding site analysis showed that EPA was able to interact withFABPs, with the binding affinity of EPA with FABP 4 higher (–4.2 kcal/mol) than that of hydrocortisone with FABP 4 (–7.4 kcal/mol). EPA has the same binding site and relative bonding power as the FABPs; thus, it has potential as an alternative anti-inflammatory medicine in OCD. Keywords: occupational dermatitis, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), free fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), reverse dockin

Non-Equilibrium Quasiclassical Theory for Josephson Structures

We present a non-equilibrium quasiclassical formalism suitable for studying linear response ac properties of Josephson junctions. The non-equilibrium self-consistency equations are satisfied, to very good accuracy, already in zeroth iteration. We use the formalism to study ac Josephson effect in a ballistic superconducting point contact. The real and imaginary parts of the ac linear conductance are calculated both analytically (at low frequencies) and numerically (at arbitrary frequency). They show strong temperature, frequency, and phase dependence. Many anomalous properties appear near phi = pi. We ascribe them to the presence of zero energy bound states.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, Final version to appear in PR

Josephson effect in point contacts between ''f-wave'' superconductors

A stationary Josephson effect in point contacts between triplet superconductors is analyzed theoretically for most probable models of the order parameter in UPt_{3} and Sr_{2}RuO_{4}. The consequence of misorientation of crystals in superconducting banks on this effect is considered. We show that different models for the order parameter lead to quite different current-phase dependences. For certain angles of misorientation a boundary between superconductors can generate the parallel to surface spontaneous current. In a number of cases the state with a zero Josephson current and minimum of the free energy corresponds to a spontaneous phase difference. This phase difference depends on the misorientation angle and may possess any value. We conclude that experimental investigations of the current-phase dependences of small junctions can be used for determination of the order parameter symmetry in the mentioned above superconductors.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Strategy to Increase Quality of Health Education in Boarding School Malang as Solution to Prevent Scabies

Scabies is itch human skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. Hominis. The prevalence ofscabies in boarding school was relative high. That condition must be solves, because is frequentlyassociated with considerable morbidity, difficulties in concentration can lead to poor performance inschool. Therefore, health education is necessary to increase knowledge student, introduce scabies, andmotivated student behavior healthy that prevent spread and control of scabies in boarding school. The aimof this research: 1) describe prevalence scabies in boarding school Malang Raya,2) describe the student knowledge about scabies, 3) describe health education was done in boardingschool. The type of study is survey epidemiologic scabies. Total population is 4233 students with asample of the study were 410 students. The sampling technique on this research was random samplingmethod. The data were collected using interviews, observation and instrument test. The result of thisresearch: 1) the prevalence scabies in boarding school Malang Raya was 37.32%,2) the student knowledge were low, with average 57.73±16.84. The score minimal is 0, and the scoremaximal is 100. 3) Health education in boarding school not variation, and monotone. There was rulesrelated personal hygiene in boarding school. Counseling to promote knowledge students was done bylecture method, answer and question method. Quality of health education must be increased by somestrategy. There was variation method, using media which interest attention student

Pengaruh Penambahan Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa Bilimbi L.) dan Perebusan terhadap Kadar Residu Formalin dan Profil Protein Udang Putih (Letapenaeus Vannamei) Berformalin Serta Pemanfaatannya sebagai Sumber Pendidikan Gizi dan Keamanan Pangan pada Masy

This research was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of the addition of cucumber tree (Averrhoa bilimbi L) and boiling on levels of residual formaldehyde and protein profiles of formalin-contaminated pacific white shrimp (Letapenaeus vannamei) and its utilization as a source of nutrition and food safety education in society. Research using experimental methods with a factorial randomized block design. The independent variable in this study is the long boiling with three levels of variation (0 minutes, R0; 30 minutes, R1; and 45 minutes, R2) and the concentration of cucumber tree fruit juice with five levels of variation (0%, BW0; 20%, BW1; 40%, BW2, 60%, BW3, and 80%, BW4). The results of this research has shown that (1) addition of cucumber tree concentration of 80% and boiling time 45 minutes (R2BW4) can reduce levels of residual formaldehyde pacific white shrimp highest, amounting to 99.20% of the formaldehyde levels from 1.127 g% to 0.009 g% (2) the addition of cucumber tree concentration of 80% and without boiling (R0BW4) can increase the protein levels of total retturn of pacific white shrimp with the smallest loss rate, amounting to 0.76% of protein levels from 23.205 g% to 23.028 g%; (3 ) addition of cucumber tree and boiling water can alter the existence of molecular weight protein bands of pacific white shrimp, (6) the addition of cucumber tree and boiling can eliminate immunogenicity properties of the BM 37.38 kDa protein of fresh pacific white shrimp (US) and formalin-contaminated pacific white shrimp (UF) in male mice (Mus musculus) strain BALB/C. From the results of this study can be concluded that the addition of cucumber tree and boiling significantly affect the residue levels of formaldehyde and protein profiles of formalin-contaminated pacific white hrimp. Further results of this study have been compiled in the form of popular science books as a nutrition and food safety education in society

Josephson-phase qubit without tunneling

We show that a complete set of one-bit gates can be realized by coupling the two logical states of a phase qubit to a third level (at higher energy) using microwave pulses. Thus, one can achieve coherent control without invoking any tunneling between the qubit levels. We propose two implementations, using rf-SQUIDs and d-wave Josephson junctions.Comment: REVTeX4, 4pp., 6 EPS figure files; N.B.: "Alec" is my first, and "Maassen van den Brink" my family name. v2: gate universality fleshed out, small fix in d-wave decoherence para, discussion expanded, two Refs. added. v3: some more Refs., a molecular example, and a few minor fixes; final, to appear in PRB Rapid