A suicide research agenda for people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds

The aim of this study was to establish mental health and suicide research priorities for people from immigrant and refugee background in Australia. This article focuses on the data relevant to the development of the suicide research agenda. This study was conducted using Delphi consensus method with two rounds of online questionnaires. A total of 138 and 86 participants, respectively, completed the first and second rounds of survey. Participants were policy makers, service providers, academics, service users, and carer advocates in Australia with expertise in mental health and/or suicide among people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Of the total 268 research questions included in the questionnaires, 70 questions about suicide were ranked as essential by over 50% respondents (i.e., the set level of consensus). In particular, research questions regarded as the greatest priority related to access and engagement with suicide prevention services, suicide protective and risk factors compared to populations not from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, and culturally appropriate assessment of suicide risk

C-Jun N-terminal kinase in synergistic neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells mediated through P90RSK

10.1186/1471-2202-14-153BMC Neuroscience14-BNME

Typologies and Multidimensional Nature of Computer Use for Classroom Instruction in Secondary Education

Computer technology has proved essential in all sectors of human endeavours such as in industry and business. As a consequence, education has been the main beneficiary of the emergence of the microcomputer being used in financial management, administration and progressively in the classroom for instruction. The experimental phase on the benefits of computer technology for instruction is maturing. This paper explores through reviewing literature the various ways computers have been used in the classroom for instruction and through a pilot study, determine the dimensions of computer use with the help of factor analysis. In the pilot study, a sample of 71 respondents provided usable data. This paper helps us to understand: (a) what is meant by “technology/computer use” in the context of classroom instruction, the view that underpins a user’s actual use of technology; (b) the “evident” or “actual usage” of technology in the classroom for instruction; and (c) the possible dimensions of this use. It is deemed important to bring a common understanding of computer use with respect to information and communication technology integration in pedagogy

An Inventory of Medicinal Plants used to Treat Gynaecological-Obstetric-Urino-Genital Disorders in South Nandi Sub County in Kenya

This survey aims at identifying plants that may contribute to the identification and development of new drugs.An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted among the communities in Aldai Division, South Nandi Sub County, Kenya. A total of 56 plants were documented with 30 families are included. The majority of species belong to the families namely Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Apocynaceae and Fabaceae. Over half of all plants recorded are used treat infections, while ¼ for used labour-child birth and copulation disorders. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, gynaecological-obstetric-urinary, medicinal plants, Nandi

Isolation of Corynebacterium Suis from Boars in Selangor, Malaysia

A preliminary survey for prevalence of Corynebacterium suis infection in boars was conducted on two pig farms in Selangor. Preputial swabs were streaked onto Neomycin blood agar plates and from the characteristic morphology of the colonies and inactive reactions on most of the diagnostic media, Corynebacterium suis was identified. Four of the 24 preputial swabs from the two farms were positive for Corynebacterium suis

Photoelectrochemical cells based on inherently conducting polymers

This review of photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) based on inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) deals with the mechanisms of operation and the various factors that influence the overall efficiency of PECs. The factors addressed include ICP composition and oxidation state, the use of nanostructured surfaces and interfaces, and the PEC electrolyte and redox mediator

Size reduction of selected spices using knife mill: Experimental investigation and model fitting.

The process of size reduction is significant in numerous industries to improve performance and meet specification. This research is undertaken to study the size reduction of three spices, namely cinnamon, coriander and star anise as influenced by loading weight and grinding time. Grinding was conducted in a knife mill. The dependent variables used for assessing performance were grinding efficiency, size reduction ratio and grinding rate. Simple experimental model was built using Microsoft Excel for showing the relationship between cumulative size reduction function (Bij) and selectivity function (Si) with the physical properties like density, moisture content and hardness of spices used. It was observed that there was a gradual decrease in size of spices up to grinding of 1 min and then became constant. Among the three spices, cinnamon achieved the highest size reduction as evaluated by efficiency, size reduction rate and size reduction ratio. The optimum loading weight for grinding was found 30 g irrespective of the type of spices. The data of cumulative size reduction function, selectivity and particle size fitted to second-order polynomial equation with the highest goodness of fit. This study indicated that the size reduction/grinding using knife mill was greatly influenced by physical properties of spices among the factors studied

Complaints about dental practitioners: an analysis of 6 years of complaints about dentists, dental prosthetists, oral health therapists, dental therapists and dental hygienists in Australia

BACKGROUND: Previous research has found dental practitioners at elevated risk of complaint compared with other health professions. This study aimed to describe the frequency, nature and risk factors for complaints involving dental practitioners. METHODS: We assembled a national dataset of complaints about registered health practitioners in Australia between January 2011 and December 2016. We classified complaints into 23 issues across three domains: health, performance and conduct. We compared rates of complaints about dental practitioners and other health practitioners. We used negative binomial regression analysis to identify factors associated with complaints. RESULTS: Dental practitioners made up 3.5% of health practitioners, yet accounted for approximately 10% of complaints. Dental practitioners had the highest rate of complaints among fourteen health professions (42.7 per 1000 practitioners per year) with higher rates among dentists and dental prosthetists than allied dental practitioners. Male practitioners were at a higher risk of complaints. Most complaints about dentists related to treatments and procedures (59%). Around 4% of dentists received more than one complaint, accounting for 49% of complaints about dentists. In 60% of closed cases no regulatory action was required. Around 13% of complaints resulted in restrictive actions, such as conditions on practice. CONCLUSION: Improved understanding of patterns may assist regulatory boards and professional associations to ensure competent practice and protect patient safety

EFFECT OF RIDGING AND INTERCROPPING ON SORGHUM PRODUCTIVITY IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID LANDS OF EASTERN KENYA

Soil moisture deficit is a key constraint to sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) productivity in arid and semi-arid lands globally. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ridging and sorghum-bean intercropping (additive system) on soil moisture conservation and sorghum productivity. Sorghum (gadam) was grown either as a sole crop or intercropped with two bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties (KATx56 and KAT B1), under two types of ridging (open ridges and tied ridges), and a control without ridges for two years. The study was set up in split plot arrangement, in a randomised complete block design, at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko, in 2019 and 2020. There was no significant interaction between ridging and intercropping. Soil moisture content increased by 11-26% due to ridging; and decreased by -11 and -7% due to sorghum-KAT B1 and Sorghum-KAT X56 intercropping, respectively. Higher moisture content due to ridging was attributed to formation of basin-like structures, which increased water harvesting and infiltration compared to the no ridges where surface run-off was predominant. The highest moisture content was attained on sole bean, followed by sole sorghum and then sorghum/bean intercropping. The decrease in moisture content in intercrops of sorghum/bean relative to their specific sole crops was attributed to higher crop density, which reduced crop spacing, thus triggering competition for available soil moisture. The highest sorghum grain and equivalent yields were obtained in the ridged plots. Intercropping resulted into decrease in sorghum grain yield, but led to increase in sorghum equivalent yield (SEY) and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). The results show that both ridging and intercropping are suitable for higher water use efficiency and land productivity in ASALs of Kenya.Le d\ue9ficit d\u2019humidit\ue9 du sol est une contrainte majeure \ue0 la productivit\ue9 du sorgho (Sorghum bicolor) dans les terres arides et semi-arides \ue0 l\u2019\ue9chelle mondiale. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer l\u2019effet du billonnage et de la culture intercalaire sorgho-haricot (syst\ue8me additif) sur la conservation de l\u2019humidit\ue9 du sol et la productivit\ue9 du sorgho. Le sorgho (gadam) \ue9tait cultiv\ue9 soit en monoculture, soit en association avec deux vari\ue9t\ue9s de haricot (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (KATx56 et KAT B1), sous deux types de billons (billons ouverts et billons li\ue9s), et un t\ue9moin sans billons pendant deux ann\ue9es. L\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 mise en place en parcelles divis\ue9es, dans une conception en blocs complets randomis\ue9s, \ue0 l\u2019Organisation de recherche sur l\u2019agriculture et l\u2019\ue9levage du Kenya, Kiboko, en 2019 et 2020. L\u2019\ue9tude n\u2019a montr\ue9 aucune interaction significative entre le billonnage et la culture intercalaire. La teneur en humidit\ue9 du sol a augment\ue9 de 11 \ue0 26 % en raison du billonnage ; et diminu\ue9 de -11 et -7% en raison des cultures intercalaires sorgho-KAT B1 et Sorgho-KAT X56, respectivement. La teneur en humidit\ue9 plus \ue9lev\ue9e due aux cr\ueates a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9e \ue0 la formation de structures de type bassin, ce qui a augment\ue9 la collecte et l\u2019infiltration de l\u2019eau par rapport \ue0 l\u2019absence de cr\ueates o\uf9 le ruissellement de surface \ue9tait pr\ue9dominant. La teneur en humidit\ue9 la plus \ue9lev\ue9e \ue9tait sur le haricot unique, suivi du sorgho unique, puis de la culture intercalaire sorgho/haricot. La diminution de la teneur en humidit\ue9 dans les cultures intercalaires de sorgho/haricot par rapport \ue0 leurs cultures uniques sp\ue9cifiques a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9e \ue0 une densit\ue9 de culture plus \ue9lev\ue9e, qui a r\ue9duit l\u2019espacement des cultures, d\ue9clenchant une comp\ue9tition pour l\u2019humidit\ue9 disponible du sol. Les rendements les plus \ue9lev\ue9s en grain de sorgho et en \ue9quivalent ont \ue9t\ue9 obtenus dans les parcelles butt\ue9es. La culture intercalaire a entra\ueen\ue9 une diminution du rendement en grains de sorgho, mais a entra\ueen\ue9 une augmentation du rendement \ue9quivalent en sorgho (SEY) et du rapport d\u2019\ue9quivalent en terres (LER). Les r\ue9sultats montrent que le billonnage et la culture intercalaire conviennent \ue0 une plus grande efficacit\ue9 de l\u2019utilisation de l\u2019eau et \ue0 la productivit\ue9 des terres dans les TASA du Kenya