Johnsongrass control by herbicides applied to regrowth

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1962 G3

The experience of individuals with renal failure participating in home haemodialysis: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study explored the experience of individuals with renal failure undertaking home haemodialysis (HHD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants who were active HHD users in a UK region. Participants’ accounts were transcribed verbatim and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Three main themes were identified: (1) embracing treatment and lifestyle freedom and flexibility; (2) re-establishing a sense of self and preferred self-identity; and (3) integrating aspects of active engagement and aspects of supported, life-sustaining dependence. A ‘good fit’ between the HHD user (an independent, self-determined health participant) and the healthcare provision (personalized, enabling) is proposed. </jats:p

Computer-aided assessment in mathematical sciences

In this paper Computer Aided Assessment (CAA) systems involving the delivery of questions across the web that are underpinned by Computer Algebra (CA) packages are discussed. This underpinning allows students to enter answers, have them parsed by the CA system, have them type-checked by the CA system, which are then passed through a marking procedure which can recognize any correct form of the answer. The underpinning CA also allows model solutions to be generated (immediately for formative assessment but after due-dates for summative ones) and to provide many other useful forms of feedback. With the increasing demand from students for focused feedback on their work in an environment of increasing class sizes and decreasing funding such tested alternative mechanisms to the more traditional labour intensive ones provided by the marking of hand written assessment tasks is becoming essential. In this way, these systems are as much about `Computer Aided Learning’ as they are for `Assessment’. Such CAA systems have been successfully used in a moderate number of Mathematics Departments. This paper publicizes their availability, and how they are being used, to a wider community of disciplines such as physics, engineering and mathematical economics. The authors believe such disciplines would greatly benefit from using such systems to support their teaching and learning strategies. Since the underpinning CA packages are widely used by physicists (and, in some cases, written by physicists) their discipline is especially well placed to exploit such CAA systems

Hyperspectral microscope imaging methods for multiplex detection of Campylobacter

Campylobacter is an emerging zoonotic bacterial threat in the poultry industry. The current methods for the isolation and detection of Campylobacter are culture-based techniques with several selective agars designed to isolate Campylobacter colonies, which is time-consuming, labour intensive and has low sensitivity. Several immunological and molecular techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Latex agglutination are commercially available for the detection and identification of Campylobacter. However, these methods demand more advanced instruments as well as specially trained experts. A hyperspectral microscope imaging (HMI) technique with the fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique has the potential for multiplex foodborne pathogen detection. Using Alexa488 and Cy3 fluorophores, the HMI (450–800 nm) technique was able to identify Campylobacter jejuni stains with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, HMI was able to classify six bacteria using scattering intensity from their spectra without a FISH fluorophore. Overall classification accuracy of quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) method for six bacteria including Bifidobacter longum, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Enterobacter cloacae, Lactobacillus salivarius and Shigella flexneri using the HMI technique without fluorescent markers was approximately 88.6 % with pixel-wise classification

Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourismto minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarcticwildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection inhumans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue.Fil: Barbosa, A.. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Varsani, Arvind. Arizona State University; Estados Unidos. University of Cape Town; SudáfricaFil: Morandini, Virginia. State University of Oregon; Estados UnidosFil: Grimaldi, Wray. No especifíca;Fil: Vanstreels, Ralph E.T.. Institute Research And Rehabilitation Marine Animals; BrasilFil: Diaz, Julia Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Boulinier, Thierry. Université Montpellier II; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Dewar, Meagan. Federation University; AustraliaFil: González Acuña, Daniel. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Gray, Rachael. University Of Western Sydney.; AustraliaFil: McMahon, Clive R.. Sydney Institute Of Marine Science; AustraliaFil: Miller, Gary. University of Western Australia; AustraliaFil: Power, Michelle. Macquarie University; AustraliaFil: Gamble, Amandine. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Wille, Michelle. University Of Western Sydney.; Australi

Evidence for the existence of powder sub-populations in micronized materials : Aerodynamic size-fractions of aerosolized powders possess distinct physicochemical properties

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.Purpose: To investigate the agglomeration behaviour of the fine ( 12.8 µm) particle fractions of salmeterol xinafoate (SX) and fluticasone propionate (FP) by isolating aerodynamic size fractions and characterising their physicochemical and re-dispersal properties. Methods: Aerodynamic fractionation was conducted using the Next Generation Impactor (NGI). Re-crystallized control particles, unfractionated and fractionated materials were characterized for particle size, morphology, crystallinity and surface energy. Re-dispersal of the particles was assessed using dry dispersion laser diffraction and NGI analysis. Results: Aerosolized SX and FP particles deposited in the NGI as agglomerates of consistent particle/agglomerate morphology. SX particles depositing on Stages 3 and 5 had higher total surface energy than unfractionated SX, with Stage 5 particles showing the greatest surface energy heterogeneity. FP fractions had comparable surface energy distributions and bulk crystallinity but differences in surface chemistry. SX fractions demonstrated higher bulk disorder than unfractionated and re-crystallized particles. Upon aerosolization, the fractions differed in their intrinsic emission and dispersion into a fine particle fraction (< 5.0 µm). Conclusions: Micronized powders consisted of sub-populations of particles displaying distinct physicochemical and powder dispersal properties compared to the unfractionated bulk material. This may have implications for the efficiency of inhaled drug deliveryPeer reviewe

Observations of Radiation Belt Losses Due to Cyclotron Wave-Particle Interactions

Electron loss to the atmosphere plays a critical role in driving dynamics of the Earths Van Allen radiation belts and slot region. This is a review of atmospheric loss of radiation belt electrons caused by plasma wave scattering via Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance. In particular, the focus is on observational signatures of electron loss, which include direct measurements of precipitating electrons, measured properties of waves that drive precipitation, and variations in the trapped population resulting from loss. We discuss wave and precipitation measurements from recent missions, including simultaneous multi-payload observations, which have provided new insight into the dynamic nature of the radiation belts

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Identifying challenges and opportunities for improved nutrient management through U.S.D.A's Dairy Agroecosystem Working Group

Nutrient management is a priority of U.S. dairy farms, although specific concerns vary across regions and management systems. To elucidate challenges and opportunities to improving nutrient use efficiencies, the USDA’s Dairy Agroecosystems Working Group investigated 10 case studies of confinement (including open lots and free stall housing) and grazing operations in the seven major U.S. dairy producing states. Simulation modeling was carried out using the Integrated Farm Systems Model over 25 years of historic weather data. Dairies with a preference for importing feed and exporting manure, common for simulated dry lot dairies of the arid west, had lower nutrient use efficiencies at the farm gate than freestall and tie-stall dairies in humid climates. Phosphorus (P) use efficiencies ranged from 33 to 82% of imported P, while N use efficiencies were 25 to 50% of imported N. When viewed from a P budgeting perspective, environmental losses of P were generally negligible, especially from dry lot dairies. Opportunities for greater P use efficiency reside primarily in increasing on-farm feed production and reducing excess P in diets. In contrast with P, environmental losses of nitrogen (N) were 50 to 75% of annual farm N inputs. For dry lot dairies, the greatest potential for N conservation is associated with ammonia (NH3) control from housing, whereas for freestall and tie-stall operations, N conservation opportunities vary with soil and manure management system. Given that fertilizer expenses are equivalent to 2 to 6% of annual farm profits, cost incentives do exist to improve nutrient use efficiencies. However, augmenting on-farm feed production represents an even greater opportunity, especially on large operations with high animal unit densities