Hydroponic culture of Gladiolus tristis: Application of paclobutrazol for flowering and height control

Gladiolus tristis (ever-flowering gladiolus) was tested for its potential as a flowering potted plant, using the growth retardant paclobutrazol. The treatments included a control, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg activeingredient (a.i.) per pot and were applied when the longest leaves reached 15 cm. All treatments reduced perpendicular leaf height. Inflorescence heights were significantly affected by paclobutrazol.The flower spikes of plants treated with 2, 4 and 8 mg a.i. per pot were only marginally shorter than the control, while the height of plants treated with 16 mg was significantly reduced. All plants reached firstflower anthesis within a month from 22 weeks after planting. Flowering was staggered throughout the month, from the control through to plants treated with 16 mg a.i., with the control flowering from 166days after planting, gradually increasing to 178 for 2 mg, 181 for 4 mg, 183 for 8 mg, and 186 for 16 mg a.i./pot. The average number of flowers produced per pot significantly dropped with increasing strengthof a.i. applied. The control produced an average of three flowers while plants treated with 16 mg a.i produced less than one

Discalculia: includere attraverso la didattica in classe

Perché uno studente, con quoziente intellettivo nella media, che ha buoni voti in tutte le materie, colleziona insuccessi in matematica? Si può trattare di difficoltà di apprendimento passeggere su un dato argomento, può essere un atteggiamento negativo nei confronti della materia o può trattarsi di discalculia. L'insegnante di matematica deve essere preparato ad individuare le possibili cause dell'insuccesso scolastico degli studenti e ad attuare le strategie didattiche che migliorino il più possibile il suo percorso scolastico. Nel mio elaborato ho riportato una sintesi delle leggi che hanno condotto la scuola italiana ad orientarsi in una prospettiva sempre più inclusiva. In particolare ho riportato la legge 170 del 2010, la prima che definisce i disturbi dell'apprendimento, e la direttiva Bes del 2012, che amplia ancora di più l'area delle problematiche scolastiche. Partendo da una distinzione tra disturbo e difficoltà nell'apprendimento, ho trattato poi in particolare la discalculia, dal punto di vista didattico e riportando le sue definizioni nel corso del tempo. Tra le difficoltà ho citato invece la Matofobia o Math Anxiety. Una paura della matematica ereditata, un'eredità trasmessa però attraverso l'ambiente in cui si cresce e non dai geni. Infine ipotizzando delle lezioni in una classe di seconda superiore in cui sono presenti studenti con discalculia, ho realizzato un'unità didattica dal titolo "Le rette nel piano cartesiano". Per la sua realizzazione ho pensato all'utilizzo del software geogebra e del lavoro in gruppi, per promuovere l'apprendimento attraverso la scoperta e il ragionamento logico, piuttosto che la memorizzazione di formule e la loro mera applicazione. Ho concluso il mio elaborato riportando delle riflessioni su come i docenti si attivano in presenza di uno studente con certificazione di dsa e sul rapporto tra scuola e famiglie, riflessioni tratte da alcune interviste fatte ai referenti per i dsa in diverse scuole della Romagna

Eccentric cycling rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomised controlled trial of strength and biomechanical outcomes

After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R), persistent strength and biomechanical deviations remain. Reducing these by training may reduce risk of re-injury or osteoarthritis for these patients. A cross-sectional study investigated biomechanics of ACL-R male patients long-term (~5 years) post surgery. Fifteen ACL-R and fifteen healthy controls were tested in walking and running using motion capture. Devi- ations were found, primarily between-limbs, and also between groups. Largest deviations were lower knee angles and moments in the affected limb during running. However, these were not found during walking; thus, differences were highlighted by the higher-intensity task. During running, knee abduction moment was lower (more valgus) for the affected compared to unaffected and control limbs. The larger effects in moment show greater clinical potential than knee valgus angle. The ACL-R patients had lower impact foot strike during running than controls. The above results indicate chronic, clinical changes in joint loading. A randomised controlled intervention trial evaluated progressive eccentric cycling for ACL-R males, compared to concentric controls. This is one of the first trials of eccentric vs. concentric training for ACL-R, matched by rating of perceived exertion. Twenty-six adult males, 12 weeks post hamstring-graft ACL-R trained three times/week for 8 weeks under supervision. During training the eccentric group limb powers absorbed were higher than those produced by the concentric group, with a lower heart rate. For both groups, pain scores were low, and one of the patient-reported outcomes (IKDC) improved. Hamstring strength increased in the eccentric group by 15%, but this was not seen in the concentric group. For both groups, 60°/s quadriceps strength increased by a similar amount, approximately 28%. Biomechanically, eccentric training was more effective than matched concen- tric training at resolving knee (P=0.022, walk) and hip (P =0.010, run) flexion angle deviations in the affected limb. In both groups, knee extension moments increased, reducing asymmetries. Large knee abduction moment deviations at baseline were not reduced by either programme (P >0.05). At follow-up (~6 months), both groups showed similar return-to-sports progress; several patients passed using one criterion (IKDC), and none passed using a stricter four-criteria method (Univ. Delaware). Thus it can be concluded that for adult ACL-R males, eccentric cycle training is clinically acceptable, with similar or in some cases better outcomes than concentric cycle training. It improves patient-reported outcomes, strength recovery, biomechanical deviations, and return-to-sports measures

Alternative route for the synthesis of Lanthanum Strontium Titanate as SOFC Ni-free anode material

Among the perovskite structures, lanthanum-doped strontium titanates have attracted a lot of attention as possible candidates for SOFC Ni-free anodes. In particular the composition LaxSr1-(3x/2)TiO3 with x = 0.4 (LST) was recently considered for its tolerance to redox cycles and sufficiently high conductivities values. In this work an extensive study on the synthesis of LST powders with low-cost and easy-scalable methods is reported. The solid state and chemical synthesis as well as a combination of solution-solid state synthesis were considered. The influence of either the nature of the precursors (oxides, carbonates or nitrates) and the calcination temperature (from 500 to 1350?C) onto the perovskite formation was evaluated. The as-synthesized powders were morphologically, structurally and chemically characterized. The Pechini method leads to pure perovskite phase at 700?C for 1h, but it allows the production of only few grams of powder for each batch. On the other hand the solid state synthesis is a more up-scalable method but the phase can be obtained only at 1100?C for 1h. In addition the high reactivity of the lanthanum towards the humidity leads to a difficult control of the system stoichiometry and therefore of the final phase composition. An alternative solution-solid state synthesis was considered to produce batch of 100g of LST powders with good phase purity and in relatively mild conditions. The pure perovskite phase with the correct stoichiometry was obtained starting from the La and Sr nitrate aqueous solutions, highly reactive TiO2 followed by freeze-drying and calcination at 900?C for 1

Low-cost locally manufacturable unilateral imperial external fixator for low- and middle-income countries

Treating open fractures in long bones can be challenging and if not performed properly can lead to poor outcomes such as mal/non-union, deformity, and amputation. One of the most common methods of treating these fracture types is temporary external fixation followed by definitive fixation. The shortage of high-quality affordable external fixators is a long-recognised need, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This research aimed to develop a low-cost device that can be manufactured locally to international standards. This can provide surge capacity for conflict zones or in response to unpredictable incidents and situations. The fixator presented here and developed by us, the Imperial external fixator, was tested on femur and tibia specimens under 100 cycles of 100 N compression-tension and the results were compared with those of the Stryker Hoffmann 3 frame. The Imperial device was stiffer than the Stryker Hoffmann 3 with a lower median interfragmentary motion (of 0.94 vs. 1.48 mm). The low-cost, easy to use, relatively lightweight, and easy to manufacture (since minimum skillset and basic workshop equipment and materials are needed) device can address a critical shortage and need in LMICs particularly in conflict-affected regions with unpredictable demand and supply. The device is currently being piloted in three countries for road traffic accidents, gunshot wounds and other conflict trauma—including blast cohorts

Second-look turbt: Evaluation of anatomopatological and oncologic results in a single center

Introduction: T1 bladder cancer is associated with a high risk of recurrence and progression; concomitant carcinoma in situ and/or multifocality are negative prognostic factors. Persistent disease after resection of T1 tumours has been observed in 33-55% of patients, and after resection of High-grade (HG) Ta tumour in 41,4%. It has been demonstrated that a second TURB can increase recurrence-free survival and it can make a restaging of the cancer. Patients and methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, 87 patients with superficial bladder tumor (Ta-T1), undergoing TURB and routine repeat TURB (Re-TURB) 4-6 weeks after the initial resection, were included in the study. Re-TURB was applied to the scar of the first resection and other suspicious lesions in the bladder. After the second-look, we studied the follow-up of each patient. Results: Specimens obtained during the second TURBT showed no tumor in 47 (54,02%) patients; 40 (45,98%) patients had residual cancer: 34 of them had cancer of the same stage, 6 patients of pT1 had a lower stage, and 3 had a higher stage. 5 patient underwent radical cistectomy immediatly after re-TURBT. During the first year of follow up, 15 patients had a recurrent bladder cancer; 2 of them underwent radical cistectomy. Conclusions: T1 bladder cancer is an high risk tumor, so that second-look TURBT is a valuable procedure for accurate staging of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer and it can guarantee a better eradicationof the neoplasm