Effects of Row Spacings and Varieties on Grain Yield and Economics of Maize

Maize is the second most important crop of Nepal. The yield of the crop is low due to lack of appropriate plant density for the varieties. The field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different row spacings on different maize varieties at Deupur, Lamahi municipality of the dang district in province No. 5, Nepal during the rainy season from June to September, 2018. Four levels of spacings (boardcasting and three row spacings of 45, 60 and 75 cm) and two maize varieties (Rampur Composite and Arun-2) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest grain yield was found in Rampur Composite and Arun-2 while they were planted with row spacing of 60 cm with plant to plant spacing of 25 cm. The highest grain yield, cob length, cob circumference, number of rows per cob, thousand grain weight  were reported when maize was planted in the  row spacing 60×25cm. Among the maize varieties, Rampur Composite produced the highest grain yield, cob length, cob circumference, number of rows per cob as compared to Arun-2. This study suggested that maize production can be maximized by cultivating maize varieties with row spacing of 60 cm with plant to plant spacing of 25 cm

Epidemiological Approach: Relationship Between Exclusive Breastfeeding with Undernutrition Among Children

Nutritional status is a health problem in the under-five age group in Indonesia.  An epidemiological approach was carried out to analyze the observations of children under five with poor nutritional status in the working area of ​​Puskesmas Kayon, Palangka Raya.  This research is a quantitative study using an analytical observational research design with the cross-sectional approach.  Data analysis in this study used the chi-square statistical test, to analyze the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the incidence of malnutrition.  Respondents in this study were mothers who had toddlers and lived in the working area of ​​the Puskesmas Kayon, Palangka Raya, with 80 people.  The results showed that there were 47 (58.8%) people who gave exclusive breastfeeding and 33 (41.2%) people did not give exclusive breastfeeding.  The chi-square test shows a p-value = 0.024, which means that there is a significant correlation between exclusive breastfeeding and the nutritional status of children under five.Status gizi merupakan masalah kesehatan pada kelompok usia balita di IndonesiaPendekatan secara epidemiologi dilakukan untuk menganalisis hasil observasi dari balita dengan status gizi kurang di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Kayon, Palangka Raya. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif menggunakan desain penelitian observasional analitik dengan rancangan cross sectional. Analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan uji statistik chi-square, untuk menganalisis hubungan antara pemberian asi eksklusif dengan kejadian gizi kurang. Responden pada penelitian ini adalah ibu yang memiliki balita dan bertempat tinggal di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Kayon, Palangka Raya sebesar 80 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa terdapat 47 (58,8%) orang yang memberikan ASI eksklusif dan 33 (41,2%) orang tidak memberikan ASI eksklusif. Uji chi-square menunjukan nilai p-value 0,024, dengan makna terdapat korelasi signifikan antara pemberian ASI ekslusif dengan status gizi balita

Probing the unfolded protein response in long-lived naked mole-rats.

The long-living naked mole-rat (NMR) shows negligible senescence and resistance to age-associated diseases. Recent evidence, based on protein-level assays, suggests that enhanced protein homeostasis machinery contributes to NMR stress-resistance and longevity. Here, we develop NMR-specific, transcriptional assays for measuring the unfolded protein response (UPR), a component of ER proteostasis. By varying doses and response times of pharmacological ER stressors applied to NMR kidney fibroblasts, we probe the NMR UPR in detail, demonstrating that NMR fibroblasts have a higher UPR activation threshold compared to mouse fibroblasts under mild ER-stress induction; whereas temporal analysis reveals that severe ER-stress induction results in no comparative differences. Probing NMR UPR activation with our robust assays may lead to insights into the proteostasis and ageing relationship.Herchel Smith PhD Research Scholarship Rosetrees Trust Gates Cambridge Trust scholarshi

An evaluation of phototherapy device performance in a tertiary health facility

Introduction: A range of phototherapy devices are commercially available. The American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) recommends routine intensity measurement of phototherapy devices to ensure that babies affected by hyperbilirubinemia receive effective phototherapy. Objective: The aims of this study were to calculate the irradiance decay velocity of phototherapy devices used in a tertiary care hospital to evaluate whether current maintenance procedures for phototherapy devices are effective, and to contribute to the improvement of a standardized maintenance procedure in daily practice, thus helping to ensure that all babies affected by hyperbilirubinemia receive prompt treatment. Methods: This research represents a prospective observational study conducted at Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia from February 2019–July 2019. The intensities of 11 phototherapy devices were measured at specific times using a Bili Blanket Meter II. We calculated the Δ irradiance differences in μW/cm2/nm and calculated them as velocity μW/cm2/nm/hour of use. Results: Among the 11 phototherapy devices included in this study, nine were fluorescent and two were light-emitting diode (LED) machines. The mean (standard deviation) irradiance decay velocity of the fluorescent lamps was 0.02 (±0.03) μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, while that of the LED lamps was 0.015 (±0.007) μW/cm2/nm/hour of use. The fastest irradiance decay velocity was 0.08 μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, while the slowest irradiance decay velocity was <0.01 μW/cm2/nm/hour of use, both of which were from fluorescent-based devices. There was one fluorescent-based device that provided an intensity lower than the therapeutic level. Conclusion: Irradiance decay occurred in all phototherapy device lamps. It is important to perform routinely intensity measurements, regardless of manufacturer recommendations, to avoid ineffective phototherapy resulting from intensities lower than the required therapeutic levels

Evaluation of a mobile application tool (BiliNorm) to improve care for newborns with hyperbilirubinemia in Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Severe hyperbilirubinemia is more frequent in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia than in high-income countries. One of the contributing factors might be the lack of adherence to existing guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. We developed a new national guideline for hyperbilirubinemia management in Indonesia. To help healthcare workers use this guideline, a web-based decision support tool application may improve both the adherence to the guideline and the care for infants with hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: We developed a web-based application (BiliNorm) to be used on a smartphone that displays the bilirubin level of the patient on the nomogram and advises about the treatment that should be started. Healthcare workers of two teaching hospitals in East Java, Indonesia, were trained on the use of BiliNorm. At 6 months after the introduction, a questionnaire was sent to those who worked with the application enquiring about their experiences. An observational study was conducted in two time epochs. A chart review of infants with hyperbilirubinemia in the two hospitals was sent. The appropriateness of hyperbilirubinemia management during a 6-month period before BiliNorm introduction was compared to that during a 7-month period after its introduction. RESULTS: A total of 43 participants filled in the questionnaire, the majority (72%) of them indicated that BiliNorm was well received and easy to use. Moreover, 84% indicated that BiliNorm was helpful for the decision to start phototherapy. Chart review of 255 infants before BiliNorm introduction and that of 181 infants after its introduction indicated that significantly more infants had received treatment according to the guideline (38% vs 51%, p = 0.006). Few infants received phototherapy, but bilirubin level was not measured (14% vs 7%, p = 0.024). There was no difference in the proportion of infants who were over- and under-treated (34% vs 32% and 14% vs 10%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The web-based decision tool BiliNorm appears to be a valuable application. It is easy to use for healthcare workers and helps them adhere to the guideline. It improves the care for infants with hyperbilirubinemia and may help reduce the incidence of severe hyperbilirubinemia in Indonesia

The material properties of naked mole-rat hyaluronan.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a key component of the extracellular matrix. Given the fundamental role of HA in the cancer resistance of the naked mole-rat (NMR), we undertook to explore the structural and soft matter properties of this species-specific variant, a necessary step for its development as a biomaterial. We examined HA extracted from NMR brain, lung, and skin, as well as that isolated from the medium of immortalised cells. In common with mouse HA, NMR HA forms a range of assemblies corresponding to a wide distribution of molecular weights. However, unique to the NMR, are highly folded structures, whose characteristic morphology is dependent on the tissue type. Skin HA forms tightly packed assemblies that have spring-like mechanical properties in addition to a strong affinity for water. Brain HA forms three dimensional folded structures similar to the macroscopic appearance of the gyri and sulci of the human brain. Lung HA forms an impenetrable mesh of interwoven folds in a morphology that can only be described as resembling a snowman. Unlike HA that is commercially available, NMR HA readily forms robust gels without the need for chemical cross-linking. NMR HA gels sharply transition from viscoelastic to elastic like properties upon dehydration or repeated loading. In addition, NMR HA can form ordered thin films with an underlying semi-crystalline structure. Given the role of HA in maintaining hydration in the skin it is plausible that the folded structures contribute to both the elasticity and youthfulness of NMR skin. It is also possible that such densely folded materials could present a considerable barrier to cell invasion throughout the tissues, a useful characteristic for a biomaterial.This work was supported by a Cancer Research UK/RCUK Multidisciplinary Project Award (C56829/A22053) to K.R., E.S. and D.F. and a Cancer Research UK Career Establishment Award (C47525/A17348) to W.T.K. F.H. and S.C. were supported by Gates Cambridge Trust scholarships

Morphometry and meristic counts of Bombay duck, Harpodon nehereus (Hamilton, 1822) along Sunderban region of West Bengal, India

Fisheries sector have been gaining importance globally due to their role in national economy, foreign exchange earnings and employment generation besides providing nutritious food and cheap protein not only to the fisher folk but also to the rapidly growing population. Bombay duck fishery supported by single species, Harpodon nehereus, contributes about 4-5 % of the estimated average annual marine landings of India. With a peculiar discontinuous distribution fishery is utmost importance in two maritime states of India i.e. Gujarat and Maharashtra contributing 92% of the total landings and the remaining 8% landings were from West Bengal and Orissa coasts. H. nehereus forms a commercial fishery along Hooghly estuarine systems. The present study aims on the morphometric and meristic counts of H. nehereus. During the period of investigation, 373 fish samples with length range (145 to 302 mm) and weight range (28 to 212 gm) were examined. Highest significant correlation (P<0.01) was observed between reference length and other morphometric parameters of both sexes. Percentage range difference in male's morphometric characters like post orbital length (15.24) and snout length (15.04) are environmentally controlled and others like standard length (11.09), pre-dorsal length (12.18), height of pelvic fin (13.39) and height of pectoral fin (12.10) are intermediate controlled (genetic and environmental factors). But in case of females, none of the characters are controlled by environmental factors and parameters like pre-dorsal length (10.37) and post orbital length (12.37) are intermediate controlled, remaining parameters in both sexes are genetically controlled (hereditary). Meristic counts includes dorsal fin with 10-13 soft rays, pelvic fin with 9 soft rays, pectoral fin with 10-12 soft rays and anal fin with 13-15 soft rays

Federated learning enables big data for rare cancer boundary detection.

Although machine learning (ML) has shown promise across disciplines, out-of-sample generalizability is concerning. This is currently addressed by sharing multi-site data, but such centralization is challenging/infeasible to scale due to various limitations. Federated ML (FL) provides an alternative paradigm for accurate and generalizable ML, by only sharing numerical model updates. Here we present the largest FL study to-date, involving data from 71 sites across 6 continents, to generate an automatic tumor boundary detector for the rare disease of glioblastoma, reporting the largest such dataset in the literature (n = 6, 314). We demonstrate a 33% delineation improvement for the surgically targetable tumor, and 23% for the complete tumor extent, over a publicly trained model. We anticipate our study to: 1) enable more healthcare studies informed by large diverse data, ensuring meaningful results for rare diseases and underrepresented populations, 2) facilitate further analyses for glioblastoma by releasing our consensus model, and 3) demonstrate the FL effectiveness at such scale and task-complexity as a paradigm shift for multi-site collaborations, alleviating the need for data-sharing