Determination of Acidity of Alumina: Effect of Added Lithium & Fluoride Ions

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Impact of organic techniques of seed crop management on seed yield and quality in rice

A study was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in June - July season of two different years to find out suitable organics for enhanced productivity of rice cv ADT 43 for organic seed production. The results revealed among the organic soil application of neem cake (1786 kg ha-1) along with 3 per cent panchakavya foliar spray maximized the yield along with yield attributing characters (plant height, total number of tillers hill-1, productive tillers hill-1, chlorophyll content, panicle length) and resultant organic seed quality characters. However, the yield was higher with basal nutrients applied as inorganic (3537 kg ha-1 in initial and 4352 kg ha-1 in confirmation), which was on par with neem cake + panchakavya (3500 kg ha-1 in initial and 4315 kg ha-1 in confirmation), GLM + azolla (3380 kg ha-1 in initial) and GLM + azolla + panchakavya (4213 kg ha-1 in confirmation) treatments and sprayed with panchakavya at vegetative, flowering and maturity. These findings are highly useful for paddy organic seed production programme

CYTOTOXIC, APOPTOTIC EFFICACY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED FROM INDIGOFERA ASPALATHOIDS

Objective: To study the cytotoxic & apoptotic efficacy of synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids against Hep3B cell line. Methods: Hep3B cell line was purchased from American type culture collection (NCCS, Pune). The cells were treated with synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids for 24 & 48 hrs. Cell Viability was evaluated by MTT assay and DNA fragmentation assay. Results: The IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value of the AgNPs on Hep3B cells was calculated to be194.65ng/ml. The treated cells were compared to the control group with respect to morphology. The mechanism of cell death was studied through ethidium bromide/acridine orange. The live untreated cells had well organized chromatin structures, whereas the treated cells had fragmented or condensed chromatin consisting of apoptotic nuclei. Therefore, the nuclear staining experiment shows that apoptosis started in 48h after addition of AgNPs to the culture medium. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the possible of the use of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles from I. aspalathoids as an effective drug against cancer

Living with multiple myeloma: A focus group study of unmet needs and preferences for survivorship care

Purpose: To describe the unmet informational, psychological, emotional, social, practical, and physical needs and preferences for posttreatment survivorship care of individuals living with multiple myeloma to inform the development of relevant, personcentered, survivorship services. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive study using 2 focus groups with 14 participants, 6 to 49 months postdiagnosis. Results: Thematic analysis revealed 7 key themes: information needs, experience with health-care professionals, coping with side effects, communicating with family and friends, dealing with emotions, support needs, and living with the chronicity of myeloma. Participants described key characteristics of survivorship care relevant to their needs and indicated they would like a more whole of person approach to follow-up when the main treatment phases had completed. Conclusion: Participants in this study described unmet needs across a breadth of domains that varied over time. The development of flexible, person-centered approaches to comprehensive survivorship care is needed to address the considerable quality-of-life issues experienced by people living with multiple myeloma. Nurse-led care may offer 1 viable model to deliver enhanced patient experience—providing the vital “link” that people described as missing from their survivorship care

The cancer nurse coordinator service in Western Australia: Perspectives of specialist cancer nurse coordinators

Objective: In Western Australia the cancer nurse coordinator (CNC) role is unique, state wide and situated in nursing. It requires the domains of clinical expert, resource consultant, educator, change agent, researcher and advocate to facilitate seamless coordination of care for patients across metropolitan, rural and remote geographical areas of Western Australia. This study examined the role, function and impact of CNCs from the perspective of coordinators themselves. Design: Prospective two-phase mixed method study. This paper reports data from the Self Report Activity Questionnaire in Phase one. Setting: The state-wide Western Australian Cancer Nurse Coordinator Service. Subjects: Metropolitan and rural CNCs (n=18) who had worked in the role for at least six months. Results: Overall, CNCs spent 70% of time in clinical consultation and 41% of CNCs reported having an educational role. Most CNCs (71%) noted that at least half of their patients had complex psychosocial needs at referral. Key role-related activities related to direct nursing care and patient education were performed most frequently on a daily basis. Tasks related to care management planning, patient advocacy and multidisciplinary clinical care were performed weekly. Strategic, team communication and professional development activities were performed less frequently. Conclusion: Diversity of the CNC role was demonstrated with findings showing that CNCs fulfilled the core components of the specialist cancer nurse. Given the clear need to provide consistent support to cancer patients in an increasingly individualised and integrated manner, we consider the CNC role a fundamental element of quality cancer care

Effect of chemical treatment on germination of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Routt.) seeds

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the influence of pre-sowing treatment of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seeds with various chemicals on the viability of seeds and seedling vigour. Among the various chemicals evaluated, gibberellic acid (100 ppm) was most effective and resulted in significantly higher germination (85%) and vigour index value (3945). &nbsp

Effect of chemical treatment on germination of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Routt.) seeds

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the influence of pre-sowing treatment of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) seeds with various chemicals on the viability of seeds and seedling vigour. Among the various chemicals evaluated, gibberellic acid (100 ppm) was most effective and resulted in significantly higher germination (85%) and vigour index value (3945). &nbsp

Finite Element Simulations of Two-phase Flow and Floating Bodies Using FEniCS-HPC

We present a variational multiscale stabilized finite element method to solve the variable density incompressible Navier-Stokes equations for the simulation of two-phase flow. We introduce a level-set method based on the compression technique similar to [1]. For the simulation of floating devices we make use of a simplified rigid body motion scheme and a deforming mesh approach [2]. The mesh deforms elastically following the movement of the body. An implicit turbulence model is used where turbulence is modelled by the numerical stabilization. The described methods are implemented in the open source software framework FEniCS-HPC [3] provided with an automated methodology for discretization and error control. We are working in a project for marine energy generation together with Tecnalia R&I. In this context we simulate floating platforms that will be used for marine energy generation or device experimentation in the ocean. The aim is to study the dynamics of this kind of off-shore devices. Our simulation results are compared against the experimental data obtained by Tecnalia R&I company in the experimental tank of CEHIPAR in Spain. We also participate in the IEA-OES Task 10 project where different simulations of floating bodies are carried out. The results are compared against other groups simulations that use different methodologies

Outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing a smartphone Application to reduce unmet needs among people diagnosed with CancEr (ACE)

© 2019 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Background: Smartphone technology represents an opportunity to deliver practical solutions for people affected by cancer at a scale that was previously unimaginable, such as information, appointment monitoring, and improved access to cancer support services. This study aimed to determine whether a smartphone application (app) reduced the unmet needs among people newly diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A single blind, multisite randomized controlled trial to determine the impact of an app-based, 4-month intervention. Newly diagnosed cancer patients were approached at three health service treatment clinics. Results: Eighty-two people were randomized (intervention; n = 43 and control; n = 39), average age was 59.5 years (SD: 12.9); 71% female; 67% married or in a de facto relationship. At baseline, there were no differences in participants’ characteristics between the groups. No significant effects, in reducing unmet needs, were demonstrated at the end of intervention (4-month) or 12-month follow-up. Overall, 94% used the app in weeks 1-4, which decreased to 41% in weeks 13-16. Mean app use time per participant: Cancer Information, 6.9 (SD: 18.9) minutes; Appointment Schedule, 5.1 (SD: 9.6) minutes; Cancer Services 1.5 minutes (SD: 6.8); Hospital Navigation, 1.4 (SD: 2.8) minutes. Conclusions: Despite consumer involvement in the design of this smartphone technology, the app did not reduce unmet needs. This may have been due to the study being underpowered. To contribute to a meaningful understanding and improved implementation of smartphone technology to support people affected by cancer, practical considerations, such as recruitment issues and access to, and confidence with, apps, need to be considered. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registration (ACTRN) Trial Registration: 12616001251415; WEF 7/9/2016