The response of wheat genotypes to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense

It is well documented in many studies that plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are capable of increasing plant growth and productivity in a range of agricultural crops, reducing dependence on chemical amendments and maintaining a safe environment. Over the last two decades PGPR inoculants have been increasingly used in agriculture to improve crop productivity and farming system sustainability. Such eco-friendly technologies are needed to address sustainable food security and to avoid global dependence on hazardous agricultural chemicals which ultimately destabilize agro-ecosystems. The nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azospirillum brasilense, has been an important PGPB (plant growth promoting bacteria) used to enhance the growth and yield of many crops globally. This is attributed mainly to its ability to produce phytohormones. While much is known about A. brasilense, the promising effect of PGPBs in general in the field is limited by factors that influence their survival and activity in the rhizosphere. The attachment of bacteria to roots is an essential and necessary condition for the establishment of an effective association. This association is dependent upon the population density of active PGPB cells in the rhizosphere which are able to compete with indigenous bacteria. However, how survival and persistence of inoculant bacteria in the rhizosphere, the effect of inoculum on the rhizosphere community, in particular the nitrogen fixing community, and the effect of plant genotype contributes to plant growth promotion by Azospirillum in the field have not been widely studied. Better understanding of the plant x inoculum interaction requires determining if there is an effect of plant genotype and monitoring and estimation of the persistence of PGPB in the rhizosphere. The overall aim of this project was to examine the effect of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotype x Azospirillum interaction on colonization of roots and plant growth promotion. These effects were studied under both controlled hydroponic conditions in the laboratory and in the field. Plant growth parameters and bacterial colonization of the rhizosphere were determined in both conditions. Differences in root characteristics of twenty three diverse wheat genotypes were observed after growth in the hydroponic system; however responses to inoculation with A. brasilense Sp7 and Sp7-S were variable. In some cases growth parameters were increased and in others they were decreased. There was an apparent increase in responsiveness to inoculation with azospirilla by synthetically derived genotypes observed in root length measurements but otherwise there was no trend according to the genetic source of wheat. Microscopic observations confirmed the different root colonisation patterns by Sp7 and Sp7-S. However, colonisation pattern was not influenced by plant genotype. Relationships between shoot dry weight and root growth parameters were positive as expected but were strengthened with inoculation

The Conservation Costs of Game Ranching

The devolution of user rights of wildlife in southern Africa has led to a widespread land-use shift from livestock farming to game ranching. The economic advantages of game ranching over livestock farming are significant, but so too are the risks associated with breeding financially valuable game where free-ranging wildlife pose a credible threat. Here, we assessed whether the conservation potential of game ranching, and a decentralized approach to conservation more generally, may be undermined by an increase in human-wildlife conflict. We demonstrate that game rancher tolerance towards free-ranging wildlife has significantly decreased as the game ranching industry has evolved. Our findings reveal a conflict of interest between wealth and wildlife conservation resulting from local decision-making in the absence of adequate centralized governance and evidence-based best practice. As a fundamental pillar of devolution-based natural resource management, game ranching proves an important mechanism for economic growth, albeit at a significant cost to conservation

Pain management in patients with dementia

There are an estimated 35 million people with dementia across the world, of whom 50% experience regular pain. Despite this, current assessment and treatment of pain in this patient group are inadequate. In addition to the discomfort and distress caused by pain, it is frequently the underlying cause of behavioral symptoms, which can lead to inappropriate treatment with antipsychotic medications. Pain also contributes to further complications in treatment and care. This review explores four key perspectives of pain management in dementia and makes recommendations for practice and research. The first perspective discussed is the considerable uncertainty within the literature on the impact of dementia neuropathology on pain perception and processing in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, where white matter lesions and brain atrophy appear to influence the neurobiology of pain. The second perspective considers the assessment of pain in dementia. This is challenging, particularly because of the limited capacity of self-report by these individuals, which means that assessment relies in large part on observational methods. A number of tools are available but the psychometric quality and clinical utility of these are uncertain. The evidence for efficient treatment (the third perspective) with analgesics is also limited, with few statistically well-powered trials. The most promising evidence supports the use of stepped treatment approaches, and indicates the benefit of pain and behavioral interventions on both these important symptoms. The fourth perspective debates further difficulties in pain management due to the lack of sufficient training and education for health care professionals at all levels, where evidence-based guidance is urgently needed. To address the current inadequate management of pain in dementia, a comprehensive approach is needed. This would include an accurate, validated assessment tool that is sensitive to different types of pain and therapeutic effects, supported by better training and support for care staff across all settings

Pain management in patients with dementia

There are an estimated 35 million people with dementia across the world, of whom 50% experience regular pain. Despite this, current assessment and treatment of pain in this patient group are inadequate. In addition to the discomfort and distress caused by pain, it is frequently the underlying cause of behavioral symptoms, which can lead to inappropriate treatment with antipsychotic medications. Pain also contributes to further complications in treatment and care. This review explores four key perspectives of pain management in dementia and makes recommendations for practice and research. The first perspective discussed is the considerable uncertainty within the literature on the impact of dementia neuropathology on pain perception and processing in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, where white matter lesions and brain atrophy appear to influence the neurobiology of pain. The second perspective considers the assessment of pain in dementia. This is challenging, particularly because of the limited capacity of self-report by these individuals, which means that assessment relies in large part on observational methods. A number of tools are available but the psychometric quality and clinical utility of these are uncertain. The evidence for efficient treatment (the third perspective) with analgesics is also limited, with few statistically well-powered trials. The most promising evidence supports the use of stepped treatment approaches, and indicates the benefit of pain and behavioral interventions on both these important symptoms. The fourth perspective debates further difficulties in pain management due to the lack of sufficient training and education for health care professionals at all levels, where evidence-based guidance is urgently needed. To address the current inadequate management of pain in dementia, a comprehensive approach is needed. This would include an accurate, validated assessment tool that is sensitive to different types of pain and therapeutic effects, supported by better training and support for care staff across all settings.publishedVersio

Staff attitudes and the associations with treatment organisation, clinical practices and outcomes in opioid maintenance treatment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) there are documented treatment differences both between countries and between OMT programmes. Some of these differences have been associated with staff attitudes. The aim of this study was to 1) assess if there were differences in staff attitudes within a national OMT programme, and 2) investigate the associations of staff attitudes with treatment organisation, clinical practices and outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was a cross-sectional multicentre study. Norwegian OMT staff (<it>n </it>= 140) were invited to participate in this study in 2007 using an instrument measuring attitudes towards OMT. The OMT programme comprised 14 regional centres. Data describing treatment organisation, clinical practices and patient outcomes in these centres were extracted from the annual OMT programme assessment 2007. Centres were divided into three groups based upon mean attitudinal scores and labelled; "rehabilitation-oriented", "harm reduction-oriented" and "intermediate" centres.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All invited staff (<it>n </it>= 140) participated. Staff attitudes differed between the centres. "Rehabilitation-oriented" centres had smaller caseloads, more frequent urine drug screening and increased case management (interdisciplinary meetings). In addition these centres had less drug use and more social rehabilitation among their patients in terms of long-term living arrangements, unemployment, and social security benefits as main income. "Intermediate" centres had the lowest treatment termination rate.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study identified marked variations in staff attitudes between the regional centres within a national OMT programme. These variations were associated with measurable differences in caseload, intensity of case management and patient outcomes.</p

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

De ontwikkeling van een kennissysteem ter ondersteuning van het configureren van digitale telefooncentrales

Het digitale telefoniesysteem 5ESS-PRX kent een zeer modulaire en gedecentraliseerde structuur. Hierdoor zijn met dit systeem telefooncentrales te creëren, die onderling sterk in omvang, functie en hiërarchie kunnen verschillen. De schijnbaar ongelimiteerde mogelijkheden maken echter het configureren van deze telefooncentrales tot een omvangrijk en ingewikkeld proces. Daarom is door APT NEDERLAND BV een informatiesysteem (PRIDE) ontwikkeld, dat configureren van een 5ESS-PRX-centrale verzorgt. Het configuratieproces wordt door PRIDE als een aantal uit te voeren configuratie-stappen gepresenteerd. Desondanks blijft het configureren voor de gebruiker een complexe aangelegenheid die niet eenvoudig in handboeken is op te nemen…Applied SciencesElectrotechnie

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of zeolite titanium beta

Applied Science