The Influence of Gamma-rays on the Injury and Chromosomal Aberrations of Long Bean (Vigna sesquipedalis, Fruw.)

The effects of gamma-rays on three varieties of long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis, Fruw), namely Melaka, Local Black and Local Long were studied using Jive doses ranging from 10 to 50 kR. Both Chromosomal aberrations and characteristics related to physiological damage were used to study radiation sensitivity of the varieties. In general, gamma radiation did not affect % seed germination but caused a significant reduction in characteristics related to survival, growth and fertility. Percentage chromosomal aberrations also increased with increasing dose. As the measurement of seedling height is simple, quick and highly correlated with most characteristics studied, it could be a useful parameter in the study of radiation effects on long bean. Using a critenrion of approximately 30% reduction in seedling height or 50% lethality, it is suggested that doses ranging from 30 to 50 kR would be suitable for mutation induction in long bean

E-readiness to G-readiness: developing a green information technology readiness framework

Businesses are under increasing pressure from competitors, regulators and community groups to implement sustainable business practices. Balancing economic and environmental performance to be green and competitive is therefore a key strategic issue. The increased discussion on green information technology (IT) has sparked the interest of this research. Green IT is poised to influence not only technology but also competitive strategy and even the legality of some business strategic options. Understanding and leveraging Green IT is therefore critical for businesses¿ continued progress. Nevertheless, the principles, practices and value of Green IT is yet to be researched. This paper introduces the concept of Green IT and describes the main pillars of a g-readiness framework to help organisations evaluate their readiness for adopting Green IT. It argues that just as e-readiness has been, and continues to be, a critical quality in the digital economy, g-readiness is an equally critical quality in the low carbon digital economy. Without a clear understanding of g-readiness, organisations would approach Green IT initiatives on an ad hoc and somewhat reactive basis which is undesirable

Recent Advances in 3D printing for in vitro cancer models

This paper is part of the special topic, Physics of 3D Printing.3D printing techniques allow for the precise placement of living cells, biological substances, and biochemical components, establishing themselves as a promising approach in bioengineering. Recently, 3D printing has been applied to develop human-relevant in vitro cancer models with highly controlled complexity and as a potential method for drug screening and disease modeling. Compared to 2D culture, 3D-printed in vitro cancer models more closely replicate the in vivo microenvironment. Additionally, they offer a reduction in the complexity and ethical issues associated with using in vivo animal models. This focused review discusses the relevance of 3D printing technologies and the applied cells and materials used in cutting-edge in vitro cancer models and microfluidic device systems. Future prospective solutions were discussed to establish 3D-printed in vitro models as reliable tools for drug screening and understanding cancer disease mechanisms.Brunel Research Interdisciplinary Labs (BRIL) and Brief Award (BRIEF

Prevalence and awareness of lower urinary tract symptoms among males in the Outpatient Clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and level of awareness among male outpatients in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). A questionnaire consisting of demographic data, questions related to knowledge, attitude and practice on BPH and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was used for this study. Uroflowmetry and bladder scan were used to evaluate the function of the urinary tract and severity of BPH. Urine dipstick was done for glycosuria, proteinuria and haematuria. A total of 220 respondents were surveyed. The prevalence of moderately and severely symptomatic LUTS was 42.7%. The most commonly reported LUTS were nocturia (78.2%), frequency (58.2%) and incomplete emptying (44.6%). The prevalence of glycosuria, proteinuria and haematuria were 23.6%, 11.4% and 1.8% respectively. There was a significant association between increasing age with the severity of LUTS (p=0.005). Out of 102 respondents with voided urine volume greater than 150 mL, there was a significant decrease in maximum (Qmax) (p=0.039) and average (Qave) urine flow rates with every 10 years increase of age (p=0.001). The majority of respondents (59.5%) have heard of BPH before. Over 78.2% of the respondents would seek medical attention if they have LUTS with 15.9% saying they would seek traditional treatment. In conclusion, the prevalence of LUTS was high and the level of awareness was satisfactory

Social and gender analysis report: Barotse Floodplain, Western Province,Zambia

There is increasing awareness that integrating gender into development frameworks is critical for effective implementation of development strategies. In working to alleviate rural poverty, the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) recognizes that “business as usual” gender integration approaches will not deliver lasting and widespread improvements in agricultural productivity, poverty reduction and food security. In response, AAS operationalized a gender transformative approach. The approach is informed by conceptual frameworks that explicitly recognize the potent influence of social relations on creating and perpetuating gender inequalities. In this way, AAS aims to address the underlying causes of rural poverty and gender inequality in Zambia’s Barotse Floodplain, where people rely extensively on riverine and wetland ecosystems for food and livelihood security. A central question guiding the research program is “How do social norms and gendered power relations influence agricultural development outcomes?” The findings presented in this report provide insights that help answer this question. The report presents a review of literature relevant to livelihoods, ecosystem services, and gender and social relations in Zambia, with a specific focus on Western Province, where AAS is currently implemented. It also presents a synthesis of findings of a social and gender analysis conducted in 2013 in 10 focal communities situated in and around the Barotse Floodplain

Greenlight laser™ photovaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

none9GreenLight laser™ photovaporization of the prostate (GLL-PVP) has become a valid alternative to traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in men requiring surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. We aimed to review systematically the safety and efficacy of studies comparing GLL PVP and TURP in the medium-term. A comprehensive literature search was performed. Twelve studies were identified for meta-analysis. Meta-analyses showed a longer postoperative catheterization time (risk ratio (RR): 1.12, 95% CI:1.09–1.14, p<0.00001) and length of stay (RR: 1.16, 95% CI:1.12–1.19, p<0.00001) in the TURP group; higher risk of transfusion in the TURP group (RR: 6.51, 95% CI: 2,90–14,64 p<0.00001); no difference in the risk of urinary tract infections (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.18, p=0.30) and transient re-catheterization (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.76–1.60, p=0.60). Regarding reoperation rate, no difference was found in term of postoperative urethral stricture (RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.73–1.75, p=0.59) and bladder neck contracture (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.31–1.40, p=0.28). A significantly higher incidence in reoperation for persistent/regrowth adenoma was present in the GLLL-PVP (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41–0.99, p=0.05). Data at 2-year follow-up showed significant better post-voiding residual (PVR) (MD:-1.42, 95% CI:-2.01,-0.82, p<0.00001) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.50,-0.20, p<0.00001) after TURP. No difference was found in the mean PVR at 2 years after TURP, in the mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) (MD: 0.30, 95% CI:-0.02–0.61, p=0.06) and quality of life QoL score (MD: 0.05, 95% CI:-0.02–0.42, p=0.13). At 5-year follow-up, data showed better IPSS (MD:-1.70, 95% CI:-2.45,-0.95, p<0.00001), QoL scores (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.69,-0.02, p=0.04) and Qmax (MD: 3.29, 95% CI: 0.19–6.38, p=0.04) after TURP. Data of PVR showed no significant difference (MD:-11.54, 95% CI:-29.55–6.46, p=0.21). In conclusion, our analysis shows that GLL-PVP is a safer and more efficacious procedure than standard TURP in the early and medium-term. However, in the long term period GLL-PVP showed a higher incidence of reoperation rate due to incomplete vaporization/regrowth of prostatic adenoma.openCastellani D.; Pirola G.M.; Rubilotta E.; Gubbiotti M.; Scarcella S.; Maggi M.; Gauhar V.; Teoh J.Y.-C.; Galosi A.B.Castellani, D.; Pirola, G. M.; Rubilotta, E.; Gubbiotti, M.; Scarcella, S.; Maggi, M.; Gauhar, V.; Teoh, J. Y. -C.; Galosi, A. B

Estrategias organizativas y didácticas para atender a la diversidad: una mirada desde el dirección escolar

Desde o início dos anos 90, as escolas têm registrado um crescimento significativo de estudantes imigrantes (até 9,53%), alunos com necessidades educativas especiais, alunos com diferenças de gênero, habilidade e cultura, chegando a ser uma característica da maioria das escolas o seu carácter diversificado. O presente artigo descreve uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada em uma educação infantil e primária considerada como promotor das boas práticas para o desenvolvimento de estratégias e didáticas para atender à diversidade. Para este fim, foi realizado um estudo de caso no referido centro, utilizando como instrumentos entrevistas, observações e análise de documentos com foco neste artigo, com o objetivo de analisar e apresentar boas práticas de gestão da diversidade pela direção escolar, particularmente aquelas que são referência em estratégias educacionais e organizacionais para lidar com a diversidade dos alunos. Os resultados mostram diferentes estratégias organizacionais e didátias ao nível da escola e da sala de aula, atendendo à diversidade dos alunos, tais como a organização de apoio, envolvimento da família na sala de aula ou o desenvolvimento de grupos interativos. As conclusões giram em torno da importância de a equipe diretora promover uma cultura organizacional que considere estratégias didáticas e organizacionais que respondam às necessidades de todos os alunos

An investigation into the effects of ink formulations of semi-solid syringe extrusion 3D printing on the performance of the printed solid dosage forms

Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing has recently attracted increased attention for its pharmaceutical application as a potential method for small-batch manufacturing of personalised solid dosage forms. It has the advantage of allowing ambient temperature printing, which is especially beneficial for the 3D printing of thermosensitive drugs. In this study, the effects of polymeric compositions (single hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) system and binary HPMC+ Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) system), disintegrant (silicon oxide (SiO2)), and active pharmaceutical ingredients (tranexamic acid (TXA) and paracetamol (PAC)) on the printability of semisolid inks and the qualities of SSE printed drug-loaded tablets were investigated. Printability is defined by the suitability of the material for the process in terms of its physical properties during extrusions and post-extrusion, including rheology, solidification time, avoiding slumping, etc. The rheological properties of the inks were investigated as a function of polymeric compositions and drug concentrations and further correlated with the printability of the inks. The SSE 3D printed tablets were subjected to a series of physicochemical properties characterisations and in vitro drug release performance evaluations. The results indicated that an addition of SiO2 would improve 3D printing shape fidelity (e.g., pore area and porosity) by altering the ink rheology. The pores of HPMC+PVP+5PAC prints completely disappeared after 12 hours of drying (pore area = 0 mm2). An addition of SiO2 significantly improved the pore area of the prints which are 3.5±0.1 mm2. It was noted that the drug release profile of PAC significantly increased (p<0.05) when additive SiO2 was incorporated in the formulation. This could be due to a significantly higher porosity of HPMC+PVP+SiO2+PAC (70.3±0.2%) compared to HPMC+PVP+PAC (47.6±2.1%). It was also likely that SiO2 acted as a disintegrant and speeding up the drug release process. Besides, the incorporation of APIs with different aqueous solubilities, as well as levels of interaction with the polymeric system showed significant impacts on the structural fidelity and subsequently the drug release performance of 3D printed tablets