443 research outputs found
Diversity of Heart and Root Rot Fungi on Park and Roadside Trees in Maharashtra, India
In this present study 8 sites including Baneshwar, Dongarvadi,
Dapoli-Dabhol road, Film institute-Pune, Karad, Mulshi, Pirangut and
Poultry training center-Pune in Maharashtra state of India were
selected by random to investigate the diversity of the heart and root
rot fungi with special reference to Ganoderma and Phellinus
species. On park and roadside trees. The healthy and infected trees
(Trees associated with Conk/basidiocarp of Ganoderma and Phellinus)
were counted by means of transect/quadrat. The tree communities was
recorded as: Acacia nilotica , Albizzia lebbek Benth., Artocarpus
integrifolia , Azadirachta indica ., Buhinia purpurea , Caesalpinia
coriuria , Casuarina equisetifolia , Dalbergia melanoxylon , Delonix
regia , Ficus bengalensis , Gliricidia sepium , Mangifera indica ,
Peltophorum ferrugineum , Swietenia mahogany , and Tamaridus indica
(more popular trees in the park and roadside). The diversity of the
studied locations was found to be maximum in Dapoli-Dabhol road. The
highest number tree species was found at Poultry training center-Pune.
Mangifera indica was dominating amongst the studied tree species. Film
Institute-Pune, showed to have the highest number of conk on the
infected tree. Phellinus fastuosus was the most dominant fungi
Candida interface keratitis after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: Clinical, microbiologic, histopathologic, and confocal microscopic reports
PURPOSE: To report the clinical, histopathologic, microbiologic, and confocal microscopic features of Candida keratitis after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). METHODS: We performed clinical, confocal scan, microbiologic and histopathologic examinations on two corneas from 2 young patients who underwent DALK for keratoconus. RESULTS: The first patient presented with asymptomatic white to cream-colored interface deposits 2 months after DALK. The confocal scan disclosed clusters of hyperreflective, fine granular deposits at the region of interface, with no evidence of inflammation or hyphaelike structures. The clinical presumption of possible "epithelial downgrowth" was suggested, and because of the progression of these lesions, irrigation of the interface was considered. Finally, penetrating keratoplasty was performed because of a rupture in the Descemet membrane. Histopathologic examination of the cornea disclosed yeastlike structures within the interface area. The microbiologic results of the irrigation fluid showed Candida glabrata. The second patient presented with a symptomatic infiltration of the inferior interface close to the suture site 2.5 months after DALK. The confocal scan showed foci of inflammation with clusters of hyperreflective round-shaped structures that resembled epithelial cells. Clinically, there was a suggestion of epithelial downgrowth, and subsequently, penetrating keratoplasty was performed because of the progression of the lesion. Histopathologic examination of the cornea disclosed an acute and chronic granulomatous keratitis caused by yeastlike structures. The microbiologic results revealed infection with Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first reported occurrences of interface Candida keratitis after DALK and with different confocal features. The clinical and the confocal features of interface Candida keratitis may be similar to those seen in epithelial downgrowth, which may postpone correct diagnosis and treatment. Candida keratitis should be considered in cases of interface deposits after any form of lamellar keratoplasty. Ă© 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc
Coordinated Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and Ground-Based Weather Measurements to Predict Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs)
Concentrations of airborne chemical and biological agents from a hazardous release are not spread uniformly. Instead, there are regions of higher concentration, in part due to local atmospheric flow conditions which can attract agents. We equipped a ground station and two rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) with ultrasonic anemometers. Flights reported here were conducted 10 to 15 m above ground level (AGL) at the Leach Airfield in the San Luis Valley, Colorado as part of the Lower Atmospheric Process Studies at Elevationâa Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Team Experiment (LAPSE-RATE) campaign in 2018. The ultrasonic anemometers were used to collect simultaneous measurements of wind speed, wind direction, and temperature in a fixed triangle pattern; each sensor was located at one apex of a triangle with âŒ100 to 200 m on each side, depending on the experiment. A WRF-LES model was used to determine the wind field across the sampling domain. Data from the ground-based sensors and the two UASs were used to detect attracting regions (also known as Lagrangian Coherent Structures, or LCSs), which have the potential to transport high concentrations of agents. This unique framework for detection of high concentration regions is based on estimates of the horizontal wind gradient tensor. To our knowledge, our work represents the first direct measurement of an LCS indicator in the atmosphere using a team of sensors. Our ultimate goal is to use environmental data from swarms of sensors to drive transport models of hazardous agents that can lead to real-time proper decisions regarding rapid emergency responses. The integration of real-time data from unmanned assets, advanced mathematical techniques for transport analysis, and predictive models can help assist in emergency response decisions in the future
Customized clinical practice guidelines for management of adult cataract in Iran
Purpose: To customize clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cataract management in the Iranian population. Methods: First, four CPGs (American Academy of Ophthalmology 2006 and 2011, Royal College of Ophthalmologists 2010, and Canadian Ophthalmological Society 2008) were selected from a number of available CPGs in the literature for cataract management. All recommendations of these guidelines, together with their references, were studied. Each recommendation was summarized in 4 tables. The first table showed the recommendation itself in clinical question components format along with its level of evidence. The second table contained structured abstracts of supporting articles related to the clinical question with their levels of evidence. The third table included the customized recommendation of the internal group respecting its clinical advantage, cost, and complications. In the fourth table, the internal group their recommendations from 1 to 9 based on the customizing capability of the recommendation (applicability, acceptability, external validity). Finally, customized recommendations were sent one month prior to a consensus session to faculty members of all universities across the country asking for their comments on recommendations. Results: The agreed recommendations were accepted as conclusive while those with no agreement were discussed at the consensus session. Finally, all customized recommendations were codified as 80 recommendations along with their sources and levels of evidence for the Iranian population. Conclusion: Customization of CPGs for management of adult cataract for the Iranian population seems to be useful for standardization of referral, diagnosis and treatment of patients. Ă© 2015 Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
Air pollution perception in ten countries during the COVID-19 pandemic
As largely documented in the literature, the stark restrictions enforced worldwide in 2020 to curb the COVID-19 pandemic also curtailed the production of air pollutants to some extent. This study investigates the perception of the air pollution as assessed by individuals located in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Norway, South Africa and the USA. The perceptions towards air quality were evaluated by employing an online survey administered in May 2020. Participants (Nâ=â9394) in the ten countries expressed their opinions according to a Likert-scale response. A reduction in pollutant concentration was clearly perceived, albeit to a different extent, by all populations. The survey participants located in India and Italy perceived the largest drop in the air pollution concentration; conversely, the smallest variation was perceived among Chinese and Norwegian respondents. Among all the demographic indicators considered, only gender proved to be statistically significant
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Graft Dysfunction Early After Heart Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Introduction: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a prevailing option for the management of severe early graft dysfunction. This systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis aims to evaluate (1) mortality, (2) rates of major complications, (3) prognostic factors, and (4) the effect of different VA-ECMO strategies on outcomes in adult heart transplant (HT) recipients supported with VA-ECMO. Methods and Results: We conducted a systematic search and included studies of adults (â„18 years) who received VA-ECMO during their index hospitalization after HT and reported on mortality at any timepoint. We pooled data using random effects models. To identify prognostic factors, we analysed IPD using mixed effects logistic regression. We assessed the certainty in the evidence using the GRADE framework. We included 49 observational studies of 1477 patients who received VA-ECMO after HT, of which 15 studies provided IPD for 448 patients. There were no differences in mortality estimates between IPD and non-IPD studies. The short-term (30-day/in-hospital) mortality estimate was 33% (moderate certainty, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28%â39%) and 1-year mortality estimate 50% (moderate certainty, 95% CI 43%â57%). Recipient age (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01â1.04) and prior sternotomy (OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.99â2.49) are associated with increased short-term mortality. There is low certainty evidence that early intraoperative cannulation and peripheral cannulation reduce the risk of short-term death. Conclusions: One-third of patients who receive VA-ECMO for early graft dysfunction do not survive 30 days or to hospital discharge, and one-half do not survive to 1 year after HT. Improving outcomes will require ongoing research focused on optimizing VA-ECMO strategies and care in the first year after HT
Constant slipârate on the Doruneh strikeâslip fault, Iran, averaged over Late Pleistocene, Holocene, and decadal timescales
Varying estimates of both presentâday strain accumulation and longâterm slipârate on the Doruneh leftâlateral strikeâslip fault, NE Iran, have led to suggestions that it exhibits large alongâstrike and/or temporal changes in activity. In this paper, we make and compare estimates of slipârate measured using both geodesy and geomorphology, and spanning time periods ranging from decadal to 100 ka. To image the presentâday accumulation of strain we process seven years (2003â2010) of data from six ENVISAT tracks covering the fault, with interferograms produced for 400 kmâlong strips of data in order to image the longâwavelength signals associated with interseismic strain accumulation across the locked fault. Our analysis shows that less than 4 mm/yr â and likely only 1â3 mm/yr â of slip accumulates across the fault. Using highâresolution optical satellite imagery we make reconstructions of displacement across six alluvial fans whose surfaces cross the fault, in four separate river catchments. We determine the ages of these fans using infraâredâstimulated luminescence dating combined with Uâseries dating of pedogenic carbonates. The six fans vary in age from âŒ10â100 kyr, and a regression line fitted to four of these yields a slip rate of 2.5 ± 0.3 mm/yr. We conclude that within the uncertainty of our measurements the slipârate has remained constant over the last âŒ100 ka and is representative of the strain accumulation at the presentâday. The slipârate that we measure is consistent with the EâW leftâlateral Doruneh fault accommodating NâS rightâlateral faulting by 'bookshelf' faulting, with clockwise rotation about a vertical axis
Recognising Victimhood: Lessons from the International Criminal Court and Mass Claim Programmes for the Compensation Procedure Parallel to the Trial of International Crimes in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the Dutch criminal court in The Hague (hereinafter: âNetherlands International Crimes Courtâ or âNIC courtâ) is assigned to try international crimes, and to provide compensation to victims of such crimes. Whereas it has specific criminal laws at its disposal to try international crimes, it applies âregularâ Dutch civil law to assess claims for compensation. Yet compensation for international crimes entails challenges that are quite different from domestic crimes: international crimes are normally committed against a large number of victims, and frequently result in bodily harm. This article argues that the NIC court will most likely rule a large number of claims for compensation inadmissible, as a consequence of which victims cannot benefit from the advantages inherent in the award of compensation within the criminal process. It then explores the adjudicative and reparatory standards that the International Criminal Court and mass claim programmes have applied to simplify both the adjudication of a large number of claims, and the calculation of a large number of instances of bodily damage. It is submitted that adoption by the NIC court of international reparatory standards could facilitate the assessment of a large number of civil claims within the criminal process, without prejudice to the legitimate interests of the defendant for an adequate procedure. However, these standards require the NIC court to strike a new balance between tailor-made compensation and symbolic compensation, and thereby between corrective justice and restorative justice
Novel solâgel preparation of (P2O5)0.4â(CaO)0.25â(Na2O)Xâ(TiO2)(0.35âX) bioresorbable glasses (X = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15)
Quaternary phosphate-based glasses in the P2O5âCaOâNa2OâTiO2 system with a fixed P2O5 and CaO content of 40 and 25Â mol% respectively have been successfully synthesised via solâgel method and bulk, transparent samples were obtained. The structure, elemental proportion, and thermal properties of stabilised solâgel glasses have been characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR), titanium K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The XRD results confirmed the amorphous nature for all stabilized solâgel derived glasses. The EDX result shows the relatively low loss of phosphorus during the solâgel process and Ti K-edge XANES confirmed titanium in the glass structure is in mainly six-fold coordination environment. The 31P NMR and FTIR results revealed that the glass structure consist of mainly Q1 and Q2 phosphate units and the Ti4+ cation was acting as a cross-linking between phosphate units. In addition DTA results confirmed a decrease in the glass transition and crystallisation temperature with increasing Na2O content. Ion release studies also demonstrated a decrease in degradation rates with increasing TiO2 content therefore supporting the use of these glasses for biomedical applications that require a degree of control over glass degradation. These solâgel glasses also offer the potential to incorporate proactive molecules for drug delivery application due to the low synthesis temperature employed
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