2,182 research outputs found
Study of the relative effectiveness of extension methods in educating fisherwomen
Three experimental groups from three different fishing villages were selected and administered with three extension treatments on two messages, namely, production of fish wafers and fish pickles. There was a significant knowledge gain in the subjects taught through different extension methods. It was observed that lecture aided with slides induced maximum knowledge followed by lecture aided with charts and lecture alone. Among all, the young and highly educated women gained maximum knowledge
Target-flow Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Running Performance in Recreational Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AbstractInspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been shown to possibly improve exercise performance, but reports on IMT and running performance are rare. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of target-flow IMT on running performance in recreational runners. Sixteen healthy recreational runners (five females) were recruited for the present study. They were randomly allocated into either an experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group underwent a 6-week target-flow IMT programme, while those in the control group underwent a 6-week shoulder circumduction exercise programme. Running performance during a 1,500-m time trial run was assessed before and after the intervention period. After the intervention period, only the experimental group demonstrated an increase in inspiratory muscle strength (by 16.15 ± 7.44 cmH2O; p < 0.05) and reduced completion time in the 1,500-m time trial (by 9.63 ± 5.42 seconds; p < 0.05). Exertion sensation was reduced by 1.63 ± 0.74 points (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in maximal aerobic capacity and pulmonary function in either group after the intervention period. A 6-week target-flow IMT programme enhanced running performance in recreational runners
Studies on genetic uniformity of Chowghat Green Dwarf and Malayan Green Dwarf varieties of coconut using molecular and morphometric methods
Two coconut varieties viz., Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) and Malayan Green Dwarf (MGD) were subjected to morphometric and molecular studies to assess their genetic uniformity. Since both these varieties possess traits for high yield and resistance to root (wilt) disease, they have already been released for cultivation in the root (wilt) disease prevalent tracts. Forty two CGD palms from âdisease hotspotsâ were analyzed using 43 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Monomorphic bands were detected in all the CGD samples with 41 primers, which is an indication of its genetic uniformity. A single CGD palm showed polymorphism with two SSR primers. Forty eight MGD palms were analyzed using 24 SSR primers. The MGD palms clustered at 62 per cent similarity. Analysis of morphological and fruit component characters of CGD and MGD population revealed that both the populations were phenotypically uniform. Breeding behaviour studies revealed that both CGD and MGD were predominantly self pollinated, like other dwarf varieties of coconut. There was complete overlapping of male and female phases in almost 96 per cent of CGD palms. Almost 100 per cent self-pollination was ensured in these palms as male phase prolonged even after completion of female phase. However, only 60 per cent of the MGD palms showed complete overlapping and in the remaining 40 per cent palms, there was only partial overlapping of male and female phases. From the present study, it is inferred that breeding behavior and genetic uniformity could be highly correlated in coconut. Collection of seed nuts preferably from mother palms with overlapping of male and female phases could possibly ensure production of true to type progenies in dwarf varieties of coconut. Present study also indicated that molecular markers like SSRs may be used to identify genetically pure mother palms for varietal improvement programmes in coconut
Superconducting properties of RuSr2GdCu2O8 studied by SQUID magnetometry
For polycrystalline RuSr2GdCu2O8 (Ru-1212), distinct peaks have been reported
in d.c. magnetization in the superconducting state of the sample. Sr2GdRuO6
(Sr-2116), the precursor for the preparation of Ru-1212, shows similar peaks in
the same temperature regime. Based on measurements performed on both bulk and
powdered samples of Ru-1212 and Sr-2116, we exclude the possibility, that the
observed behavior of the magnetization of Ru-1212 is due to Sr-2116 impurities.
The effect is related to the superconductivity of Ru-1212, but it is not an
intrinsic property of this compound. We provide evidence that the observation
of magnetization peaks in the superconducting state of Ru-1212 is due to flux
motion generated by the movement of the sample in an inhomogeneous field,
during the measurement in the SQUID magnetometer. We propose several tests,
that help to decide, whether the features observed in a SQUID magnetization
measurement of Ru-1212 represent a property of the compound or not.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure
Digital Imaging and Analysis of Dusty Plasmas
Dust particles immersed within a plasma environment, such as those found in
planetary rings or cometary environments, will acquire an electric charge. If
the ratio of interparticle potential energy to average kinetic energy is high
enough the particles will form either a 'liquid' structure with short-range
ordering or a crystalline structure with long-range ordering. Since their
discovery in laboratory environments in 1994, such crystals have been the
subject of a variety of experimental, theoretical, and numerical
investigations. Laboratory experiments analyzing the behavior of dust grains in
a plasma rely on optical diagnostics to provide data about the system in a
non-perturbative manner. In the past, capturing, imaging, and analyzing
crystalline structure in dusty plasmas has been a non-trivial problem.
Utilizing digital imaging and analysis systems, data capture, image formatting,
and analysis can be done quickly. Following data capture, image analysis is
conducted using modified Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Particle Tracking
Velocimetry (PTV) algorithms. The data extracted is then used to construct
Voronoi diagrams, calculate particle density, inter-particle spacing, pair
correlation functions, and thermal energy. From this data other dust plasma
parameters can be inferred such as inter-particle forces and grain charges.Comment: 6 pages, Presented at COSPAR '0
Shapes of the Proton
A model proton wave function, constructed using Poincare invariance, and
constrained by recent electromagnetic form factor data, is used to study the
shape of the proton. Spin-dependent quark densities are defined as matrix
elements of density operators in proton states of definite spin-polarization,
and shown to have an infinite variety of non-spherical shapes. For high
momentum quarks with spin parallel to that of the proton, the shape resembles
that of a peanut, but for quarks with anti-parallel spin the shape is that of a
bagel.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev. C This corrects a
few typos and explains some further connections with experiment
Patientsâ perceived quality of care and their satisfaction with care given for MDR-TB at referral hospitals in Ethiopia.
Background
There is presently dearth of evidence in Ethiopia on patientsâ perception on quality of care given for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and their satisfaction with the care and services they receive for the disease. Moreover, there is no evidence on the experiences and practices of caregivers for MDR-TB regarding the functionality of the programmatic management of MDR-TB at referral hospitals in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was conducted to address these gaps. Evidence in these areas would help to institute interventions that could enhance patient satisfaction and their adherence to the treatment given for MDR-TB.
Design and methods
This study employed an inductive phenomenological approach to investigate patientsâ perception of the quality of care given for MDR-TB, level of their satisfaction with the care they received for MDR-TB and the experiences and practices of caregivers for MDR-TB on the functionality of the programmatic management of MDR-TB at referral hospitals in Ethiopia. The data were analysed manually, and that helped to get more control over the data.
Results
The majority of the patients were satisfied with the compassionate communication and clinical care they received at hospitals. However, as no doctor was dedicated exclusively for the MDR-TB centre of the hospitals, patients could not get timely medical attention during emergent medical conditions. Patients were dissatisfied with the poor communication and uncaring practice of caregivers found at treatment follow-up centres (TFCs). Patients perceived that socio-economic difficulties are both the cause of MDR-TB and it has also challenged their ability to cope-up with the disease and its treatment. Patients were dissatisfied with the poor quality and inadequate quantity of the socio-economic support they got from the programme. Despite the high MDR-TB and HIV/AIDS co-infection, services for both diseases were not available under one roof.
Conclusions
Socio-economic challenges, inadequate socio-economic support, absence of integrated care for MDR-TB and HIV/AIDS, and the uncaring practice of caregivers at treatment follow-up centres are found to negatively affect patientsâ perceived quality of care and their satisfaction with the care given for MDR-TB. Addressing these challenges is recommended to assist patientsâ coping ability with MDR-TB and its treatment
Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering under Spin-Isospin Reversal in Large-N_c QCD
The spin-flavor structure of certain nucleon-nucleon scattering observables
derived from the large N_c limit of QCD in the kinematical regime where
time-dependent mean-field theory is valid is discussed. In previous work, this
regime was taken to be where the external momentum was of order N_c which
precluded the study of differential cross sections in elastic scattering. Here
it is shown that the regime extends down to order N_c^{1/2} which includes the
higher end of the elastic regime. The prediction is that in the large N_c
limit, observables describable via mean-field theory are unchanged when the
spin and isospin of either nucleon are both flipped. This prediction is tested
for proton-proton and neutron-proton elastic scattering data and found to fail
badly. We argue that this failure can be traced to a lack of a clear separation
of scales between momentum of order N_c^{1/2} and N_c^1 when N_c is as small as
three. The situation is compounded by an anomalously low particle production
threshold due to approximate chiral symmetry.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur
In silico analysis of whole genome of Solanum lycopersicum for alpha-crystallin domains associated with heat stress tolerance.
Not AvailableLiving organisms alter their gene-expression patterns to withstand stressful conditions. Drought, salinity, heat and chilling are potent abiotic stresses causing an alteration in gene expression. Among these, high temperature stress stimulates Heat Shock Transcription Factors (HSF) which activate heat shock promoters, thus turning on the heat shock genes. Heat shock proteins are, therefore, products of heat shock genes and are classified as per their molecular weight, including small heat shock proteins (sHsps). Hsps are chaperones playing an important role in stress tolerance. These consist of a conserved domain, flanked by N- and C-terminal regions termed the alphacrystallin domain (ACD), and are widely distributed in living beings. Their role as chaperones is to help the other proteins in protein-folding and prevent irreversible protein aggregation. The conserved domains in sHsps are essential for heat-stress tolerance and for their molecular chaperone activity, enabling plant survival under increasing temperatures, leading to adaptations needed for coping with extremes climatic conditions. The present study focusses on identification of ACDs in the whole-genome of Solanum lycopersicum. A multinational consortium, International Tomato Annotation Group (ITAG), funded in part by the EU-SOL Project, provides annotation of the whole genome of S. lycopersicum available in the public domain. We used several in silico methods for exploring alpha-crystallin domains in all the chromosomes of S. lycopersicum. Surprisingly, these ACDs were found to be present in all the chromosomes excepting Chromosome 4; these are highly conserved in sHsps and are related to heat tolerance.Not Availabl
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