Soil properties and biological activity as influenced by nutrient management in rice- fallow sorghum

A field experiment was conducted to observe the effect of inorganics, bio-fertilizers and FYM applied to rice-fallow sorghum on soil properties and biological activity at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla during 2012. Soil samples were collected at flowering and harvest of the crop and were analysed for bulk density (BD), porosity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, N, P, K and micronutrients by standard methods. Results indicated that the soil properties viz., bulk density, porosity, pH and EC were not markedly influenced by the imposed treatments, while significantly high organic carbon was recorded in FYM treated plots. There was a significant influence of the treatments on available nitrogen and phosphorus, but not on potassium. Among micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe), the treatmental influence was significantly related to Fe only. Addition of inorganics in combination with organics and bio-fertilizers proved to be more efficient in improving the microbial population and enzyme activities (urease and dehydrogenase) significantly.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 5 (1): 10-14, June, 201

Evaluation of risks impeding sustainable mining using Fermatean fuzzy score function based SWARA method

Sustainability in the mining and raw materials sector is a key target in the EU Green deal agenda. The aim of this work is to determine the degree of importance of risks that may impede sustainable mining, considering UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators and EU initiatives, taking as a case study the mining sector in Greece. A total of 49 risks for sustainable mining, under six categories, were identified by means of expert consultation and review of the literature. The identification and prioritization of potential risks can provide a pathway towards sustainable mining operations. The risks factors weighting is enhanced using a new Fermatean fuzzy score function with Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA). The proposed model is a powerful tool to handle the uncertainties and inaccuracies in the information regarding the weights of the risks. The main research findings indicate that the most important risks for sustainable mining in Greece are irresponsible mining, the lack of license to operate, and poor environmental monitoring, which are directly connected to the aim and scope of SDG12: responsible consumption and production. In addition, according to the results the category with the highest risk for sustainable mining is the one of “Risk to Environment”. A complete list of risks and risk categories, and their ranking is presented and discussed creating a priority of actions in the framework of European and international initiatives to set a road map to sustainable mining. This work provides a benchmark for future studies, with the aim of providing a tool for evaluating and ranking global risk factors that may affect sustainable mining development

Willingness to work in rural areas and the role of intrinsic versus extrinsic professional motivations - a survey of medical students in Ghana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Retaining health workers in rural areas is challenging for a number of reasons, ranging from personal preferences to difficult work conditions and low remuneration. This paper assesses the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on willingness to accept postings to deprived areas among medical students in Ghana.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A computer-based survey involving 302 fourth year medical students was conducted from May-August 2009. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between students' willingness to accept rural postings and their professional motivations, rural exposure and family parental professional and educational status (PPES).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over 85% of students were born in urban areas and 57% came from affluent backgrounds. Nearly two-thirds of students reported strong intrinsic motivation to study medicine. After controlling for demographic characteristics and rural exposure, motivational factors did not influence willingness to practice in rural areas. High family PPES was consistently associated with lower willingness to work in rural areas.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although most Ghanaian medical students are motivated to study medicine by the desire to help others, this does not translate into willingness to work in rural areas. Efforts should be made to build on intrinsic motivation during medical training and in designing rural postings, as well as favour lower PPES students for admission.</p

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030