Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Planting density and nitrogen management effects on productivity, quality and water-use-efficiency of Indian mustard under conservation agriculture based pearl millet – mustard system

A field experiment was carried out during 2016 at the research farm of IARI, New Delhi to study the effect of planting density and nitrogen management protocols on productivity, quality and ware-use-efficiency of Indian mustard under conservation agriculture based pearlmillet – mustard system. The experiment comprised of 3 planting density; normal distance sowing (P1), high density sowing fb alternate row harvesting for fodder at 35 DAS (P2) and high density sowing fb alternate row harvesting for mulch at 35 DAS (P3) in main plots and five treatments of nitrogen management [control (N0), 60 kg N ha-1 as basal (N1), 30 kg N ha-1 as basal + 30 kg N ha-1 as side dressing (N2), 75 kg N ha-1 as basal (N3) and 37.5 kg N ha-1 as basal + 37.5 kg N ha-1 as side dressing (N4)]. Maximum production efficiency (13.54 kg ha-1day-1), net returns (42213 ha-1) and monetary efficiency (338 ha-1day-1) were recorded under P2. Whereas, seed yield (1681 kg ha-1) was founded maximum in P3 treatment. The highest protein yield (326 kg ha-1) and water-use-efficiency (8.26 kg ha-1mm-1) were recorded from treatment P3 and consumptive water use (210.8 mm) and rate of moisture use (1.69 mm day-1) were realized from treatment P2. Among N-management treatments, N4 resulted in the highest seed yield (1893 kg ha-1), production efficiency (15.51kg ha-1day-1), net returns (52371 ha-1) and monetary efficiency (419 ha-1day-1). The same treatment also recorded highest grain protein content (19.70%), protein yield (373 kg ha-1), oil content (38.0%) oil yield (720 kg ha-1), consumptive use of water (211.7 mm) and water-use-efficiency (8.95 kg ha-1mm-1)

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Not AvailableIntensive cultivation and introduction of input‐responsive high‐yielding varieties with application of major nutrients in rice–wheat rotation of Indo‐Gangetic plains (IGPs) lead to multiple nutrient deficiencies. A survey of Indian soils has shown that 40% are deficient in available zinc (Zn), 33% in sulfur (S), and 33% in boron (B). Studies have indicated that application of these nutrients with major nutrients can improve the crop productivity. Keeping the importance of aromatic rice in view, coated‐urea materials and their effects on rice yields, nitrogen (N), and Zn content in different parts and input economics are evaluated. Three field trials are conducted on aromatic rice to test boron‐coated urea (BCU), sulfur‐coated urea (SCU), and zinc‐coated urea (ZnCU) in 2013 and 2014. Results indicate that the highest yields are obtained with 0.5% BCU, 5.0% SCU, and 2.5% ZnCU as zinc sulfate heptahydrate. These treatments increase grain yield by 13%, 25%, and 17.9% over prilled urea (PU). Moreover, 0.5% BCU, 5% SCU, and 2.5% ZnCU register the highest N, S, and Zn contents in bran, husk, grain, and straw. Coated‐urea materials also improve use efficiencies and harvest index of N and Zn over PU. The findings of this study suggest that 0.5% boron, 5.0% sulfur, or 2.5% zinc‐coated urea show improvement in returns and benefit–cost ratio in aromatic rice of western IGPs.Not Availabl

Adding value to bank branch performance evaluation using cognitive maps and MCDA: a case study

Bank branch performance evaluation is a difficult endeavour. Some of the main reasons for this difficulty are the complexity inherent in the variety of aspects considered in the evaluation, and the multiple and conflicting interests of the different stakeholders involved. In this paper, we show how cognitive mapping and measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique can be used to support the evaluation of bank branches through the development of multidimensional performance evaluation systems, and to deal explicitly with the trade-offs between the different dimensions of performance and interests of different stakeholders. A case study is discussed where these techniques are used in a constructive way, making the learning activity easier and introducing transparency in the decision-making process. The strengths and weaknesses of the integrated use of these two operational research techniques in this context are also discussed

Natural farming: Is it safe to march ahead?

Due to the increasing global population, advancement in farming techniques to meet the global food demand is the need of the hour. Conventional farming techniques have increased the yield over the past few decades, but those techniques also have adverse effects on natural resources. In this scenario, many other alternatives have emerged as a solution, natural farming being one among them. The presented article delivers crucial information regarding the targeted farming technique i.e., natural farming. Multiple scientifically-proven natural techniques and ecological approaches are discussed for different aspects of farming. In addition, criticisms related to Natural Farming are illustrated along with a basic introduction to zero budget natural farming (ZBNF). Furthermore, the article describes multiple proven technologies for weed, pest and disease management approaches through natural practices. Lastly, the article gives recommendations on implementing and introducing natural farming to the farming community

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Not AvailablePlant beneficial rhizobacteria (PBR) is a group of naturally occurring rhizospheric microbes that enhance nutrient availability and induce biotic and abiotic stress tolerance through a wide array of mechanisms to enhance agricultural sustainability. Application of PBR has the potential to reduce worldwide requirement of agricultural chemicals and improve agro-ecological sustainability. The PBR exert their beneficial effects in three major ways; (1) fix atmospheric nitrogen and synthesize specific compounds to promote plant growth, (2) solubilize essential mineral nutrients in soils for plant uptake, and (3) produce antimicrobial substances and induce systemic resistance in host plants to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Application of PBR as suitable inoculants appears to be a viable alternative technology to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, PBR enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, influence dynamics of mineral recycling, and tolerance of plants to other environmental stresses by improving health of soils. This report provides comprehensive reviews and discusses beneficial effects of PBR on plant and soil health. Considering their multitude of functions to improve plant and soil health, we propose to call the plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) as PBR.Not Availabl