Efficacy of anti-transpiration on yield and quality of sugar beet subjected to water stress

The current study took place at Shandaweel, Sohag governorate, Egypt, (latitude of 24.54° N and longitude of 32.94° E) and included two seasons, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, to study the efficacy of anti-transpiration on yield and quality of sugar beet subjected to water stress. Three replications in a split-plot randomized complete block design were used in the experiment. The treatments included three irrigation levels (100, 80, and 60% of the recommended irrigation) in cases 12, 10, and 7 irrigations were applied and given at an average interval of 15, 18, and 26 days, which were randomly in the main plots, while, three anti-transpirant substances (Chitosan, Glycerol, and Magnesium carbonate), as well as water-sprayed plants (control) were placed in subplots randomly. Plant growth, chlorophyll, relative water content, cell membrane stability index, sugar production, and quality index were all lowered by drought stress in both seasons. Furthermore, under drought conditions, proline, free radical scavenging activity, and sucrose levels all increased significantly. In both seasons, the application of anti-transpiration substances had a substantial effect on improving the examined features when compared to the control. Foliar spray of chitosan or glycerol had a beneficial effect on physiological, morphological, and quality characteristics of the examined plants, compared to the control treatment. Generally, anti-transpirants reduced water use and increased water production in general when irrigation water was scarce. Furthermore, spraying anti-transpirants, which were responsible for lowering water use, considerably enhanced most of the growth and yield measures as well as quality

Frequency of bipolar spectrum disorders in those who are managing as a case of anxiety disorder in outpatient clinics of Isfahan (Iran)

Background and aims: Recent evidence showed significant rate of anxiety co-morbidity in patients with a diagnosed bipolar disorder. In this research we tried to study the rate of bipolar spectrum disorder (soft bipolarity) in those who are treating with anxiety disorder diagnosis. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 210 patients with a diagnosed anxiety disorder were selected from out patient's clinics and clinic of Noor general hospital in Isfahan (Iran). 210 persons from general population were selected as control. Bipolar spectrum diagnostic scale (BSDS) was used as screening tool of bipolar disorder. Data were analyzed using X square and logistic regression. Results: Considering the homologizing between 2 groups, there was no significant difference regarding age, genders and educational level between 2 groups. Bipolar spectrum disorder was 15.8% in patients with anxiety disorders (case group) and 5.4% in the control group (P<0.001, OR=3.38, CI95%=1.65-6.94). This finding means that the probability of bipolar spectrum disorder in patients with anxiety disorders was about 3 times the control group. Conclusion: Co-morbidity of bipolar spectrum disorder (soft bipolarity) is significantly more prevalent in those with a diagnosed anxiety disorders than control group and needs to be considered in prognostication and treatment of the patients with anxiety disorder

Dimensões da sexualidade humana : uma análise de livros didáticos de ciências

Human sexuality is influenced by biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical and religious factors. The theme is historically marked by taboos and prejudices, and has often been the subject of controversial discussions. Among these is their insertion and approach in school. In this space, there is a tendency to approach the subject biologically, be it by teachers or didactic materials. The textbook as one of the most used resources in Brazilian schools and that often serves as a curriculum guide for teachers, is an important means for introducing and discussing the theme in school. The Natural Sciences course, due to the focus on reproduction, is the one that most discusses about sexuality. Thus, it is fundamental that the science textbooks value the multiple dimensions of human sexuality whether they are affective, biological or sociocultural considering the perspectives of rights and equality. Considering these factors, the present study had the objective of analyzing the articulation between affective, sociocultural and biological knowledge aspects in the approach to the topic of sexuality present in the textbook collections of Science of the Final Years of Elementary Education, approved by the National Textbook Plan / 2017. The research consisted of a documentary analysis with qualitative approach having as instrument of data collection an analysis form, elaborated based on the National Curricular Parameters, in which the biological, sociocultural and psychic aspects of human sexuality are questioned. The analysis method was content analysis. Although some of the books analyzed presented in their discourses proposals of sociocultural and psychic approach, for example, discussions about the roles of women in society, the results pointed out that most of the analyzed books of Sciences are extremely conservative, with a predominance of biological bias in the approach to the topic sexuality, neglecting sociocultural and affective aspects currently discussed by society, such as gender identity and sexual orientation. Therefore, it is evident that the idea of taboos and prejudices associated to the theme sexuality still persist in their discussions and that the attempt of the textbooks to approach the subject not only biologically runs into factors such as the editorial market and beliefs of teachers, students, parents of students.A sexualidade humana é influenciada por fatores biológicos, psicológicos, sociais, econômicos, políticos, culturais, éticos, legais, históricos e religiosos. A temática é marcada historicamente por tabus e preconceitos, e frequentemente tem sido alvo de discussões polêmicas. Entre essas, está a sua inserção e abordagem na escola. Nesse espaço, observa-se uma tendência a abordagem biológica do tema, seja por professores ou materiais didáticos. O livro didático como um dos recursos mais utilizados nas escolas brasileiras e que muitas vezes servem como guia curricular para professores, é um importante meio para introdução e discussão do tema na escola. A disciplina Ciências Naturais, devido ao enfoque na reprodução, é a que mais discute sobre a sexualidade. Assim, é fundamental que os livros didáticos de Ciências valorizem as múltiplas dimensões da sexualidade humana sejam elas afetivas, biológicas ou socioculturais considerando-se as perspectivas de direitos e igualdade. Considerando-se esses fatores, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a articulação entre aspectos afetivos, socioculturais e conhecimento biológico na abordagem da temática sexualidade presente nas coleções de livros didáticos de Ciências dos Anos Finais do Ensino Fundamental, aprovadas pelo Plano Nacional do Livro Didático /2017. A pesquisa consistiu em uma análise documental com abordagem qualitativa tendo como instrumento de coleta de dados uma ficha de análise, elaborada com base nos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais, na qual são questionados aspectos biológicos, socioculturais e psíquicos da sexualidade humana. O método de análise foi a análise de conteúdo. Apesar de alguns dos livros analisados apresentarem em seus discursos propostas de abordagem sociocultural e psíquicas como, por exemplo, discussões sobre os papéis da mulher na sociedade, os resultados apontaram que a maioria dos livros de Ciências analisados são extremamente conservadores, com predomínio do viés biológico na abordagem do tema sexualidade, negligenciando-se aspectos socioculturais e afetivos discutidos atualmente pela sociedade, como por exemplo, identidade de gênero e orientação sexual. Portanto, evidencia-se que a ideia de tabus e preconceitos associados ao tema sexualidade ainda persistem em suas discussões e que a tentativa dos livros didáticos em abordar o tema não só biologicamente esbarra em fatores como o mercado editorial e crenças de professores, alunos, pais de alunos.São Cristóvão, S

Designing and validation a visual fatigue questionnaire for video display terminals operators

Background: Along with the rapid growth of technology its related tools such as computer, monitors and video display terminals (VDTs) grow as well. Based on the studies, the most common complaint reported is of the VDT users. Methods: This study attempts to design a proper tool to assess the visual fatigue of the VDT users. First draft of the questionnaire was prepared after a thorough study on the books, papers and similar questionnaires. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using the content validity index (CVI) beside that of the Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha. Then, a cross-sectional study was carried out on 248 of the VDT users in different professions. A theoretical model with four categories of symptoms of visual fatigue was derived from the previous studies and questionnaires. Having used the AMOS16 software, the construct validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using the confirmatory factor analysis. The correlation co-efficiency of the internal domains was calculated using the SPSS 11.5 software. To assess the quality check index and determining the visual fatigue levels, visual fatigue of the VDT users was measured by the questionnaire and visual fatigue meter (VFM) device. Cut-off points were identified by receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: CVI and reliability co-efficiency were both equal to 0.75. Model fit indices including root mean of squared error approximation, goodness of fit index and adjusted goodness of fit index were obtained 0.026, 0.96 and 0.92 respectfully. The correlation between the results measured with the questionnaire and VFM-90.1 device was-0.87. Cut-off points of the questionnaire were 0.65, 2.36 and 3.88. The confirmed questionnaire consists of four main areas: Eye strain (4 questions), visual impairment (5 questions) and the surface impairment of the eye (3 questions) and the out of eye problems (3 questions). Conclusions: The visual fatigue questionnaire contains 15 questions and has a very remarkable validity and reliability. Usingthis questionnaire and its findings, one will be able to identify, assess and finally prevent the effective factors of VDT users' visual fatigue

Antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide combined with chlorhexidine on Enterococcus faecalis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is the most frequently isolated strain in failed endodontic therapy cases since it is resistant to calcium hydroxide (CH). Whether a combination of CH and chlorhexidine (CHX) is more effective than CH alone against E. faecalis is a matter of controversy. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Material and Methods: A comprehensive search in PubMed, EMbase, EBSCOhost, The Cochrane Library, SciELO, and BBO databases, Clinical trials registers, Open Grey, and conference proceedings from the earliest available date to February 1, 2013 was carried out and the relevant articles were identified by two independent reviewers. Backward and forward search was performed and then inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The included studies were divided into "comparisons" according to the depth of sampling and dressing period of each medicament. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata software 10.0. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: Eighty-five studies were retrieved from databases and backward/forward searches. Fortyfive studies were considered as relevant (5 in vivo, 18 in vitro, 18 ex vivo, and 4 review articles). Nine studies were included for meta-analysis. Inter-observer agreement (Cohen kappa) was 0.93. The included studies were divided into 21 comparisons for meta-analysis. Chi-square test showed the comparisons were heterogeneous (

The Effect of Add-on Memantine in New Onset Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Core Symptoms: A Pilot Study

Objective: Studies using standard neuropsychological instrumentation have shown memory deficits in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. We examined the efficacy and safety of memantine in new cases of combat-related PTSD in the military by conducting a 16-week prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. Method: Twenty-six new combat-related PTSD cases were recruited from among the military personnel based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Patients were assigned to memantine and Placebo groups. They were monitored at baseline, week eight, and week 16. Memantine was added to each patient's current medication with an initial dosage of 5 mg/day, raised by 5 mg/day every week until it reached the maintenance level of 20 mg/day. The concurrent drugs were essentially kept unchanged during the trial. The primary outcome was PTSD severity as assessed by the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The CAPS is a valid and reliable tool for the diagnosis of PTSD and measurement of its severity according to the DSM–4. Results: CAPS mean score in baseline (P = 0.811) and weeks eight (P = 0.389) and 16 (P = 0.066) did not show any significant differences between the two groups. The mean CAPS score in the memantine group significantly (P = 0.006) decreased (Mean differences = -8.79) compared to the placebo group, showing that intervention with memantine was effective. The mean total CAPS in weeks eight (Mean differences = -14.21) and 16 (Mean differences = -27) were less than the baseline, which was significantly meaningful (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that add-on memantine can be effective in veteran patients with PTSD. So our data provide useful insight into the management of new cases of combat-related PTSD

The effect of noise on error rate and performance rate by using the experiment of two-hand coordination

Background and aims: The most important factors that influence human performance are; accuracy, speed and ability to perform the skills by individuals. Given the importance of human productivity in improving the production and quality, this study examines the impact of noise on error rate, speed and ability to perform the manual skills. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 96 students. Sampling was conducted with a Randomized block design. Controlling exposure factors of sound intensity and duration of exposure, the accuracy and speed of performance of the test subjects was evaluated using Two-hand coordination test. Data was analyzed by SPSS18 software using descriptive and analytical statistical methods by ANCOVA repeated measure. Results: The results showed that the increasing of sound level pressure from 65 dBA to 95 dBA increased the work speed significantly (p<0.05). Increasing the exposure time (zero to 40 minutes) and gender (men and woman), did not show a statistically significant difference in the performance rate (p<0.05). The error rate was statistically significant with increasing the sound intensity (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results indicate that with increasing the sound level pressure, performance rateand human error were increased and following exposure to sound levels less than 85db performance was initially decreased then with low incline was increased