Effect of carbofuran on the diversity and mean abundance of ground spiders

The effect of carbofuran on the diversity, richness, evenness and abundance of ground spiders is documented in the present study. Two fields (control and treated) were selected in district Kasur during 2008 and 2009. Pitfall traps were used to collect ground spiders. A total of 1629 specimens of spiders, belonging to 8 families, 16 genera and 24 species were recoded from control field while 1173 specimens belonging to 8 families, 14 genera and 20 species were recorded from the treated field. The most dominant family and species in both the fields were Lycosidae and Lycosa terrestris, respectively. Family Lycosidae accounted more than 90% of the total spider sample. Diversity, richness and evenness of ground spiders in the treated and untreated field did not differ. However, the abundance of dominat spiders declined significantly in the carbofuran treated field. It is concluded that the use of carbofuran is a serious threat to the ground spiders, the important group of biological control agents. So, the use of carbofuran should be minimized in the fields.Key words: Ground spiders, carbofuran, natural predators, pest reduction

An overview of the recent progress in polymeric carbon nitride based photocatalysis

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record Recently, polymeric carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) as a proficient photo-catalyst has been effectively employed in photocatalysis for energy conversion, storage, and pollutants degradation due to its low cost, robustness, and environmentally friendly nature. The critical review summarized the recent development, fundamentals, nanostructures design, advantages, and challenges of g-C3 N4 (CN), as potential future photoactive material. The review also discusses the latest information on the improvement of CN-based heterojunctions including Type-II, Z-scheme, metal/CN Schottky junctions, noble metal@CN, graphene@CN, carbon nanotubes (CNTs)@CN, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)/CN, layered double hydroxides (LDH)/CN heterojunctions and CN-based heterostructures for H2 production from H2 O, CO2 conversion and pollutants degradation in detail. The optical absorption, electronic behavior, charge separation and transfer, and bandgap alignment of CN-based heterojunctions are discussed elaborately. The correlations between CN-based heterostructures and photocatalytic activities are described excessively. Besides, the prospects of CN-based heterostructures for energy production, storage, and pollutants degradation are discussed.National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaMinistry of Science and Technology of Chin

Certified high-efficiency "large-area" perovskite solar cells module for Fresnel lens-based concentrated photovoltaic

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from Cell Press via the DOI in this recordData availability: All data generated or analysed during this study are included in the Supplementary Information article and its data source. Source data are provided in this paper. All data reported in this paper will be shared by the lead contact upon request.The future of energy generation is well in tune with the critical needs of the global economy, leading to more green innovations and emissions-abatement technologies. Introducing concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) is one of the most promising technologies owing to its high photo-conversion efficiency (PCE). While most researchers use silicon and cadmium telluride for CPV, we investigate the potential in nascent technologies, such as perovskite solar cell (PSC). This work constitutes a preliminary investigation into a ‘large-area’ PSC module under a Fresnel lens (FL) with a ‘refractive optical concentrator-silicon-on-glass’ base to minimise the PV performance and scalability trade-off concerning the PSCs. The FL-PSC system measured the solar current-voltage characteristics in variable lens-to-cell distances and illuminations. A systematic study of the PSC module temperature was monitored using the COMSOL transient heat transfer mechanism. The FL-based technique for ‘large-area’ PSC architecture is an unfolded technology that further facilitates the potential for commercialisation.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Valais Energy Demonstrators FundEuropean Union Horizon 2020Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabi

Benefits of knowledge-based interprofessional communication skills training in medical undergraduate education

OBJECTIVES: Good interprofessional communication is fundamental to effective teamworking in medicine. Finalmed is a private course that teaches the principles and methods of clinical presenting as an iterative technique of reasoning though clinical data. We have tested the efficacy of this technique using a questionnaire-based study. DESIGN: An anonymized 10-point Likert scale questionnaire was designed. SETTING: Questionnaires were distributed at five UK courses and two UAE courses. PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaires were given to all students attending these courses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire included pre- and post-course questions addressing self-reported confidence in clinical presenting (CCP) and effectiveness in clinical presenting (ECP). We also asked whether attendees felt that clinical presenting should be integrated formally into medical school curricula. RESULTS: A total of 331/395 questionnaires were returned. Median improvement in CCP was 50% (P < 0.0001) and in ECP was 40% (P < 0.0001), irrespective of country of study, graduate entry status and whether the student felt that they had been exposed to these techniques previously. Students recorded a strong opinion in favour of integrating the content and style of the Finalmed course into their medical school curriculum, with 286 students (86%) recording a score of ≥8. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that after a two- or three-day dedicated course, both self-reported confidence and effectiveness in clinical presenting significantly improve. Furthermore, students in the UK and the UAE returned a desire for integration into medical school curricula of IPC through the teaching of clinical presenting

Hysteresis-free perovskite transistor with exceptional stability through molecular cross-linking and amine-based surface passivation

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the Royal Society of Chemistry via the DOI in this recordOrgano-metal halide perovskite field-effect transistors present serious challenges in terms of device stability and hysteresis in the current-voltage characteristics. Migration of ions located at grain boundaries and surface defects in the perovskite film are the main reasons for instability and hysteresis issues. Here, we introduce a perovskite grains molecular cross-linking approach combined with amine-based surface passivation to face these issues. Molecular cross-linking was achieved through hydrogen bond interactions between perovskite halogens and dangling bonds present at grain boundaries and a hydrophobic cross-linker, namely diethyl-(12-phosphonododecyl)phosphonate, added to the precursor solution. With our approach we obtained smooth and compact perovskite layers composed of few and tightly bound grains hence significantly suppressing the generation and migration of ions. Moreover, we obtained efficient surface passivation of the perovskite films upon surface treatment with an amine-bearing polymer, namely polyethylenimine ethoxylated. With our synergistic grain and surface passivation approach we were able to demonstrate the first perovskite transistor with complete lack of hysteresis and unprecedented stability upon continuous operation under ambient conditions. Added to the merits are its ambipolar transport of opposite carriers with balanced hole and electron mobilities of 4.02 and 3.35 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively, its high Ion/Ioff ratio >104 and the lowest sub-thresshold swing of 267 mV dec-1 reported to date for any perovskite transistor. These remarkable achievements obtained through a cost-effective molecular cross-linking of grains combined with amine-based surface passivation in the perovskite films open new eras and pave the way for the practical application of perovskite transistors on low-cost electronic circuits.European Unio

The effects of a 6-week strength training on critical velocity, anaerobic running distance, 30-m sprint and yo-yo intermittent running test performances in male soccer players

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a moderate intensity strength training on changes in critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (D'), sprint performance and Yo-Yo intermittent running test (Yo-Yo IR1) performances. Methods: two recreational soccer teams were divided in a soccer training only group (SO; n = 13) and a strength and soccer training group (ST; n = 13). Both groups were tested for values of CV, D', Yo-Yo IR1 distance and 30-m sprint time on two separate occasions (pre and post intervention). The ST group performed a concurrent 6-week upper and lower body strength and soccer training, whilst the SO group performed a soccer only training. Results: after the re-test of all variables, the ST demonstrated significant improvements for both, YoYo IR1 distance (p = 0.002) and CV values (p<0.001) with no significant changes in the SO group. 30-m sprint performance were slightly improved in the ST group with significantly decreased performance times identified in the SO group (p<0.001). Values for D' were slightly reduced in both groups (ST -44.5 m, 95% CI = -90.6 to 1.6; SO -42.6 m, 95% CI = -88.7 to 3.5). Conclusions: combining a 6-week moderate strength training with soccer training significantly improves CV, Yo-Yo IR1 whilst moderately improving 30-m sprint performances in non-previously resistance trained male soccer players. Critical Velocity can be recommended to coaches as an additional valid testing tool in soccer

The QICKD study protocol: a cluster randomised trial to compare quality improvement interventions to lower systolic BP in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in primary care

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively newly recognised but common long-term condition affecting 5 to 10% of the population. Effective management of CKD, with emphasis on strict blood pressure (BP) control, reduces cardiovascular risk and slows the progression of CKD. There is currently an unprecedented rise in referral to specialist renal services, which are often located in tertiary centres, inconvenient for patients, and wasteful of resources. National and international CKD guidelines include quality targets for primary care. However, there have been no rigorous evaluations of strategies to implement these guidelines. This study aims to test whether quality improvement interventions improve primary care management of elevated BP in CKD, reduce cardiovascular risk, and slow renal disease progression DESIGN: Cluster randomised controlled trial (CRT) METHODS: This three-armed CRT compares two well-established quality improvement interventions with usual practice. The two interventions comprise: provision of clinical practice guidelines with prompts and audit-based education. The study population will be all individuals with CKD from general practices in eight localities across England. Randomisation will take place at the level of the general practices. The intended sample (three arms of 25 practices) powers the study to detect a 3 mmHg difference in systolic BP between the different quality improvement interventions. An additional 10 practices per arm will receive a questionnaire to measure any change in confidence in managing CKD. Follow up will take place over two years. Outcomes will be measured using anonymised routinely collected data extracted from practice computer systems. Our primary outcome measure will be reduction of systolic BP in people with CKD and hypertension at two years. Secondary outcomes will include biomedical outcomes and markers of quality, including practitioner confidence in managing CKD. A small group of practices (n = 4) will take part in an in-depth process evaluation. We will use time series data to examine the natural history of CKD in the community. Finally, we will conduct an economic evaluation based on a comparison of the cost effectiveness of each intervention. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ISRCTN56023731. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

Effect of Carnitine and herbal mixture extract on obesity induced by high fat diet in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity-associated type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing throughout the world. It is generally recognized that natural products with a long history of safety can modulate obesity.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>To investigate the development of obesity in response to a high fat diet (HFD) and to estimate the effect of L-carnitine and an Egyptian Herbal mixture formulation (HMF) (consisting of T. chebula, Senae, rhubarb, black cumin, aniseed, fennel and licorice) on bodyweight, food intake, lipid profiles, renal, hepatic, cardiac function markers, lipid Peroxidation, and the glucose and insulin levels in blood and liver tissue in rats.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>White male albino rats weighing 80-90 gm, 60 days old. 10 rats were fed a normal basal diet (Cr), 30 rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks during the entire study. Rats of the HFD group were equally divided into 3 subgroups each one include 10 rats. The first group received HFD with no supplement (HFD), the 2^ndgroup HFD+L-carnitine and the third group received HFD+HMF. Carnitine and HMF were administered at 10^thweek (start time for treatments) for 4 weeks.</p> <p>Body weight, lipid profile & renal function (urea, uric acid creatinine) ALT & AST activities, cardiac markers, (LDH, C.K-NAC and MB) the oxidative stress marker reduced glutathione (GSH), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) catalase activity, in addition to glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance in serum & tissues were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data showed that feeding HFD diet significantly increased final body weight, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, & LDL concentration compared with controls, while significantly decreasing HDL; meanwhile treatment with L-carnitine, or HMF significantly normalized the lipid profile.</p> <p>Serum ALT, urea, uric acid, creatinine, LDH, CK-NAC, CK-MB were significantly higher in the high fat group compared with normal controls; and administration of L-carnitine or herbal extract significantly lessened the effect of the HFD. Hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and high insulin resistance (IR) significantly increased in HFD in comparison with the control group. The treatment with L-carnitine or HMF improved the condition. HFD elevated hepatic MDA and lipid peroxidation associated with reduction in hepatic GSH and catalase activity; whereas administration of L-carnitine or herbal extract significantly ameliorated these hepatic alterations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HFD induced obesity associated with a disturbed lipid profile, defective antioxidant stability, and high values of IR parameters; this may have implications for the progress of obesity related problems. Treatment with L-carnitine, or HMF extract improved obesity and its associated metabolic problems in different degrees. Also HMF has antioxidant, hypolipidaemic insulin sensitizing effects. Moreover HMF might be a safe combination on the organs whose functions were examined, as a way to surmount the obesity state; and it has a distinct anti-obesity effect.</p