Effect of sowing date on growth, yield and its components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (Burm) Walp) grown under coconut

An experiment was conducted with four sowing dates commencing from the onset of rains during the 1976/77 Maha season, to determine the optimum time of sowing the local cowpea variety, MI-35, under coconut at Kirimetiyana Estate, Kirimetiyana. The study indicated that plants attained the maximum vagetative and reproductive growth when seeds were sown with the onset of rains, as indicated by a reduction in plant height, weight of shoots, number of pods and number of seeds per pod with delayed sowing. Plants established with the onset of rains also gave the highest yield of seed and the low seed yield due to later sowing resulted mainly from a reduction in the number of pods per plant rather that a substantial seed yield could be obtained when seeds are sown within a period of three weeks from the onset of rains

Blockchain application in supply chain chemical substance reporting

Cryptocurrencies have gained prominence in recent years due to: (1) potential large increase in values; (2) transferability between different users, and (3) security and; (4) traceability of data enabled by blockchain methods. Blockchains utilize an underlying digital ledger system which enables data to be encrypted, recorded and traced in a more efficient manner than traditional paper and electronic based systems. Chemical regulations impose the need on industry to record the use of hazardous chemicals, which can vary from: (1) simple reporting, through to; (2) permits to continue the use substances, until alternative substances are identified; or even (3) substances become restricted for use, within specific use cases, or restricted from use outright. The importance of obtaining supply chain chemical substance reporting cannot be understated, without accurate supply chain data, and concise internal product definitions, the process of identifying chemical substances: (1) where used; (2) if they appear on the finished part, or; (3) only used in the process of manufacture, or (4) used in maintenance and repair of parts. The process of collating supply chain chemical substance reporting is lengthy process as data needs to be requested, collated, checked, verified and rolled up to assess potential business continuity risks, as well as varying levels of reporting activity back to employees, consumers and chemical regulators.N/

Key performance measures to control maintenance-associated HAIs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to improve overall healthcare maintenance (HM) service performance in NHS infection control (IC). Hence, the authors identify critical success factors (CSFs) and key performance measures in maintenance-associated infections. These infections occur because of the poor performance of HM service in IC. Design/methodology/approach – In the first Delphi exercise, complete CSFs and performance measures were presented to the Delphi participants for refinement and modification. Delphi round 1 data were analysed manually and used to refine the rounds 2 and 3 Delphi instruments. In subsequent Delphi rounds, the results were analysed through descriptive statistics. Findings – In total, eight CSFs and 53 key performance measures were identified for reducing maintenance-associated infections in hospitals. For example, establishing clear communication between the infection control team (ICT) and HM unit is important for preventing maintenance-associated HAIs. Dust prevention is also identified by the healthcare experts as an important measure to prevent maintenance-associated HAIs in high-risk patient areas. Originality/value – The findings provide CSFs and key performance measures for measuring performance in HM in IC. Reducing the rate of maintenance-associated infections will have important socio-economic and health ramifications for hospitals. It will reduce cost and free up additional resources for alternative projects. It will also raise confidence among healthcare users about the quality of services provided by hospitals

The incidence of Ganoderma root and bole rot of coconut in Sri Lanka

A tapering disease of coconut in Sri Lanka caused by Ganoderma boninense Pat. is described. Affected plams show necrosis of pinnae, dropping of dead leaves, necrosis of male flowers and a reduction in nut setting. Extensive root decay is also noticed. During the final stages of the disease, a soft rot is observed at the bud. Further, stem,-bleeding and rotting of the bole are observed. Fruit-bodies ususally occur at the base of the bole

The history of healthcare facilities management services: a UK perspective on infection control

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The history of the development of non-clinical services in infection control (IC) dates back to the pre-modern era. There is evidence of health-care facility management (HFM) services in Roman military hospitals. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Christian beliefs and teaching shaped the development of HFM in monastic hospitals. It was not until the late Victorian era that the link between HFM services and diseases caused by “miasma”, or bad air, became established. The discovery of bacteria in the modern scientific era reduced the level of importance previously attached to non-clinical causes of infections. Today, in the NHS, HFM services continue to be treated as though they had no real role to play in IC. This paper aims to collate historical and epidemiological evidence to show the link between HFM and IC. Design/methodology/approach: The evidence gathered in this research paper is primarily based on an in-depth review of research from a wide range of sources. A “within-study literature analysis” was conducted to synthesise the research materials. This involved the application of “between-source triangulation” to verify the quality of the information contained in the studies, and “between-source complementarity” to provide an in-depth elaboration of the historical facts. Findings: Historical and epidemiological evidence shows that HFM services such as cleaning, waste management, catering, laundry and maintenance continue to play a crucial role in IC. This is corroborated by evidence gathered from the work of renowned pioneers in the field of IC. However, reforms in the NHS have failed to consider this, as HFM services have been largely fragmented through different partnership arrangements. Practical implications: Among many other things, this research raises the profile of HFM staff in relation to the issue of IC in hospitals. It presents convincing evidence to show that the relationship between the clinical and non-clinical domains in controlling infections in hospitals has a long history. The findings of this research give HFM staff invaluable information about the significant role of their profession in the control of infections in hospitals. Originality/value: This is one of the few studies examining the historical development of HFM services, as well as their contribution to IC. Other work in this area has mainly been framed from a clinical health-care perspective

Low-cost tanks and filters in Sri Lanka

Due to the tremendous growth in population and financial constraints, providing a safe and adequate drinking water supply to all inhabitants is the major challenge for a country like Sri Lanka. Bearing this in mind an Asian Development Bank assisted water supply and sanitation sector project is being implemented in Sri Lanka with the adoption of appropriate low cost techniques to minimize the capital cost in rural water supply schemes. The idea of this is to use the available funds to continually increase the served population. There are number of low cost components used in water supply schemes under this project such as ground tanks, elevated tanks, up flow roughing filters, slow sand filters using Ferrocement techniques and submerged, floating filters using prefabricated plastic containers. These techniques are not only suitable for rural water supply schemes, but also in town water supply schemes too. This paper describes the low cost techniques used in number of pipe-borne water supply schemes under this project and it compares the cost with conventional methods