461 research outputs found
Effect of storage relative humidity on germination and vigour of soybean seed
An experiment was conducted during the period from June to November, 2004 with a view to study the
effect of storage relative humidity (RH) on germination and vigour of soybean seed. Four different storage
relative humidities (viz. 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%) and two soybean varieties (namely, soybean cv. G-2
and soybean cv. PB-1) were included as experimental treatment. Seed moisture content (SMC),
germination and vigour tests of seed were done one month interval starting from 10 July up to 10
November while the initial test for SMC and germination was done on 10 June, 2004. The result showed
that storage relative humidity, variety and their interaction significantly influenced the seed moisture
content, germination percentage and vigour index. The moisture content of soybean seed during storage
were found between 7.9-8.5, 9.6-9.8, 12.0-12.3 and 15.3-16.1% for 50, 60, 70 and 80% storage RH,
respectively against their initial moisture content of 8.4-9.5% just before storage. The germination and
vigour of all the varieties decreased with increasing storage RH. For each of the soybean variety, the
highest germination percentage was obtained from 50% storage RH and no seed germination was occurred
in any of the variety stored under 80% storage RH after two months of storage. More than 92% seed
germination was maintained for all the varieties after 6 months of storage. The seed stored under 70% RH
showed 83% germination in July that reduced to 74% in November, 2004
Maize Production in Bangladesh: Way towards Self-sufficiency
Since the establishment of the Bangladesh
Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) in 1976, maize
research developed eight composites and 11 hybrids
of maize. Maize was introduced as a relatively new
crop in the rice-based agriculture of Bangladesh,
especially in the northern region. Currently, maize is
considered an important cash crop to its growers. In
terms of area and production, it ranks third after rice
and wheat (BBS, 2011). The area under maize
cultivation is increasing steadily due to its ready
market, remunerative price, lower-cost of production,
and overall higher-profitability compared to that of
rice and wheat..
From Utopia to Science: Challenges of Personalised Genomics Information for Health Management and Health Enhancement
From 1900 onwards, scientists and novelists have explored the contours of a future society based on the use of “anthropotechnologies” (techniques applicable to human beings for the purpose of performance enhancement ranging from training and education to genome-based biotechnologies). Gradually but steadily, the technologies involved migrated from (science) fiction into scholarly publications, and from “utopia” (or “dystopia”) into science. Building on seminal ideas borrowed from Nietzsche, Peter Sloterdijk has outlined the challenges inherent in this development. Since time immemorial, and at least since the days of Plato’s Academy, human beings have been interested in possibilities for (physical or mental) performance enhancement. We are constantly trying to improve ourselves, both collectively and individually, for better or for worse. At present, however, new genomics-based technologies are opening up new avenues for self-amelioration. Developments in research facilities using animal models may to a certain extent be seen as expeditions into our own future. Are we able to address the bioethical and biopolitical issues awaiting us? After analyzing and assessing Sloterdijk’s views, attention will shift to a concrete domain of application, namely sport genomics. For various reasons, top athletes are likely to play the role of genomics pioneers by using personalized genomics information to adjust diet, life-style, training schedules and doping intake to the strengths and weaknesses of their personalized genome information. Thus, sport genomics may be regarded as a test bed where the contours of genomics-based self-management are tried out
The Role of Local Therapy in Multi-focal Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma
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208930.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND/AIM: Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare tumor with a wide spectrum of clinical behavior. There is no consensus on the role of local therapy in symptomatic, multi-focal disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients presenting to the Royal Marsden Hospital between January 2000 and December 2017 was conducted. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with EHE were identified, of which 18 patients (34.0%) received local therapy, and 11 patients (20.8%) underwent active surveillance. A variety of local treatment modalities were used with few toxicities, and local recurrence was managed with other local treatments or systemic therapy. Distal disease progression was infrequent (n=4, 7.5%). Patients who developed pleural effusion (n=5, 9.4%) had poor outcome irrespective of treatment. CONCLUSION: Local therapy has a role in a selected patient group managed in a multidisciplinary setting, including patients with indolent disease, and patients with a solitary area of progression/symptomatic disease
Mobile, wearable and ingestible health technologies : towards a critical research agenda
In this article, we review critical research on mobile and wearable health technologies focused on the promotion of ‘healthy lifestyles’. We begin by discussing key governmental and policy interests which indicate a shift towards greater digital integration in health care. Subsequently, we review relevant research literature, which highlights concerns about inclusion, social justice, and ownership of mobile health data, which we argue, provoke a series of key sociological questions that are in need of additional investigation. We examine the expansion of what counts as health data, as a basis for advocating the need for greater research into this area. Finally, we consider how digital devices raise questions about the reconfiguration of relationships, behaviours, and concepts of individuality
Breast Cancer Detection Based on Simplified Deep Learning Technique With Histopathological Image Using BreaKHis Database
Presented here are the results of an investigation conducted to determine the effectiveness of deep learning (DL)-based systems utilizing the power of transfer learning for detecting breast cancer in histopathological images. It is shown that DL models that are not specifically developed for breast cancer detection can be trained using transfer learning to effectively detect breast cancer in histopathological images. The outcome of the analysis enables the selection of the best DL architecture for detecting cancer with high accuracy. This should facilitate pathologists to achieve early diagnoses of breast cancer and administer appropriate treatment to the patient. The experimental work here used the BreaKHis database consisting of 7909 histopathological pictures from 82 clinical breast cancer patients. The strategy presented for DL training uses various image processing techniques for extracting various feature patterns. This is followed by applying transfer learning techniques in the deep convolutional networks like ResNet, ResNeXt, SENet, Dual Path Net, DenseNet, NASNet, and Wide ResNet. Comparison with recent literature shows that ResNext-50, ResNext-101, DPN131, DenseNet-169 and NASNet-A provide an accuracy of 99.8%, 99.5%, 99.675%, 99.725%, and 99.4%, respectively, and outperform previous studies
Spin-injection Hall effect in a planar photovoltaic cell
Successful incorporation of the spin degree of freedom in semiconductor
technology requires the development of a new paradigm allowing for a scalable,
non-destructive electrical detection of the spin-polarization of injected
charge carriers as they propagate along the semiconducting channel. In this
paper we report the observation of a spin-injection Hall effect (SIHE) which
exploits the quantum-relativistic nature of spin-charge transport and which
meets all these key requirements on the spin detection. The two-dimensional
electron-hole gas photo-voltaic cell we designed to observe the SIHE allows us
to develop a quantitative microscopic theory of the phenomenon and to
demonstrate its direct application in optoelectronics. We report an
experimental realization of a non-magnetic spin-photovoltaic effect via the
SIHE, rendering our device an electrical polarimeter which directly converts
the degree of circular polarization of light to a voltage signal.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
The Moral of the Tale: Stories, Trust, and Public Engagement with Clinical Ethics via Radio and Theatre.
Trust is frequently discussed with reference to the professional-patient relationship. However, trust is less explored in relation to the ways in which understanding of, and responses to, questions of ethics are discussed by both the "public" and "experts." Public engagement activity in healthcare ethics may invoke "trust" in analysing a moral question or problem but less frequently conceives of trust as integral to "public engagement" itself. This paper explores the relationship between trust and the ways in which questions of healthcare ethics are identified and negotiated by both "experts" and the public. Drawing on two examples from the author's "public engagement" work-a radio programme for the British Broadcasting Corporation and work with a playwright and theatre-the paper interrogates the ways in which "public engagement" is often characterized. The author argues that the common approach to public engagement in questions of ethics is unhelpfully constrained by a systemic disposition which continues to privilege the professional or expert voice at the expense of meaningful exchange and dialogue. By creating space for novel interactions between the "expert" and the "public," authentic engagement is achieved that enables not only the participants to flourish but also contributes to trust itself
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Development and Validation of a Short Version of the Metric for the Observation of Decision-Making in Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards: MODe-Lite
Funder: Maudsley Charity; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012176Funder: Mark Foundation For Cancer Research; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100014599Funder: Guy's and St Thomas' Charity; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000380Funder: NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South London; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100015091Abstract: Background: Evidence-based tools are necessary for scientifically improving the way MTBs work. Such tools are available but can be difficult to use. This study aimed to develop a robust observational assessment tool for use on cancer multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) by health care professionals in everyday practice. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the United Kingdom from September 2015 to July 2016. Three tumor boards from three teaching hospitals were recruited, with 44 members overall. Six weekly meetings involving 146 consecutive cases were video-recorded and scored using the validated MODe tool. Data were subjected to reliability and validity analysis in the current study to develop a shorter version of the MODe. Results: Phase 1, a reduction of the original items in the MODe, was achieved through two focus group meetings with expert assessors based on previous research. The 12 original items were reduced to 6 domains, receiving full agreement by the assessors. In phase 2, the six domains were subjected to item reliability, convergent validation, and internal consistency testing against the MODe-Lite global score, the MODe global score, and the items of the MODe. Significant positive correlations were evident across all domains (p < 0.01), indicating good reliability and validity. In phase 3, feasibility and high inter-assessor reliability were achieved by two clinical assessors. Six domains measuring clinical input, holistic input, clinical collaboration, pathology, radiology, and management plan were integrated into MODe-Lite. Conclusions: As an evidence-based tool for health care professionals in everyday practice, MODe-Lite gives cancer MTBs insight into the way they work and facilitates improvements in practice
Current anti-doping policy: a critical appraisal
BACKGROUND: Current anti-doping in competitive sports is advocated for reasons of fair-play and concern for the athlete's health. With the inception of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), anti-doping effort has been considerably intensified. Resources invested in anti-doping are rising steeply and increasingly involve public funding. Most of the effort concerns elite athletes with much less impact on amateur sports and the general public. DISCUSSION: We review this recent development of increasingly severe anti-doping control measures and find them based on questionable ethical grounds. The ethical foundation of the war on doping consists of largely unsubstantiated assumptions about fairness in sports and the concept of a "level playing field". Moreover, it relies on dubious claims about the protection of an athlete's health and the value of the essentialist view that sports achievements reflect natural capacities. In addition, costly antidoping efforts in elite competitive sports concern only a small fraction of the population. From a public health perspective this is problematic since the high prevalence of uncontrolled, medically unsupervised doping practiced in amateur sports and doping-like behaviour in the general population (substance use for performance enhancement outside sport) exposes greater numbers of people to potential harm. In addition, anti-doping has pushed doping and doping-like behaviour underground, thus fostering dangerous practices such as sharing needles for injection. Finally, we argue that the involvement of the medical profession in doping and anti-doping challenges the principles of non-maleficience and of privacy protection. As such, current anti-doping measures potentially introduce problems of greater impact than are solved, and place physicians working with athletes or in anti-doping settings in an ethically difficult position. In response, we argue on behalf of enhancement practices in sports within a framework of medical supervision. SUMMARY: Current anti-doping strategy is aimed at eradication of doping in elite sports by means of all-out repression, buttressed by a war-like ideology similar to the public discourse sustaining international efforts against illicit drugs. Rather than striving for eradication of doping in sports, which appears to be an unattainable goal, a more pragmatic approach aimed at controlled use and harm reduction may be a viable alternative to cope with doping and doping-like behaviour
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