INFLUENCE OF GROWING MEDIA AND VARIETIES ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MOKARA IN TAM KY, QUANG NAM PROVINCE

Abstract: Mokara Orchid is a trigeneric hybrid between the Ascocentrum, Vanda and Arachnis Orchids and was created in Singapore in 1969. Mokara is now popularly grown in Vietnam; however, research on variety or growing medium for Mokara orchid in Quang Nam has not been reported yet. The objective of this study is to identify adapted Moraka varieties and suitable growing media for the cultivation of Mokara orchids under the local conditions. The experiment was conducted from June 2016 to December 2017 at Truong Xuan Ward, Tam Ky City, Quang Nam province using a subplot design, where the growing medium is the main plot and Mokara orchid varietyis the split-plot. The experiment includes three Mokara varieties belonging to genus Mokara with 3 colors: yellow, lime, and pink spotand four growing media with different ratios of peanut shell, charcoal, and coir. The results show that the growing media significantly affect the plant height and flower yield, but they do not affect the leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, root number, and flower quality of the Mokara varieties. The varieties affect the growth and development, flower quality, and yield of Mokara. Using the same media, the pink spot Mokara variety gains the best growth and development, and the yellow Mokara variety provides the highest yield. These Mokara varieties gain the best flower quality. The growing medium with 50% coir and 50% peanut shell can be used to plant yellow Mokara (or pink spot Mokara) under the local conditions.Keywords: Mokara orchid varieties, growing medium, coir, peanut shell, yellow Mokara, pink spot Mokar

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

Synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition from FeMo catalyst

International audienceMaterials science of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) lies at the intersection of various paradigms from fundamental to applied physics and chemistry. However, understanding the mechanism of CNTs formation through different concepts remains a considerable challenge. Currently, to be able to use CNTs for specific applications

Synthesis and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition from FeMo catalyst

International audienceMaterials science of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) lies at the intersection of various paradigms from fundamental to applied physics and chemistry. However, understanding the mechanism of CNTs formation through different concepts remains a considerable challenge. Currently, to be able to use CNTs for specific applications

Dosimetric and Monte Carlo verification of jaws-only IMRT plans calculated by the Collapsed Cone Convolution algorithm for head and neck cancers

AimThe aim of this study is to verify the Prowess Panther jaws-only intensity modulated radiation therapy (JO-IMRT) treatment planning (TP) by comparing the TP dose distributions for head-and-neck (H&N) cancer with the ones simulated by Monte Carlo (MC).BackgroundTo date, dose distributions planned using JO-IMRT for H&N patients were found superior to the corresponding three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans. Dosimetry of the JO-IMRT plans were also experimentally verified using an ionization chamber, MapCHECK 2, and Octavius 4D and good agreements were shown.Materials and methodsDose distributions of 15 JO-IMRT plans of nasopharyngeal patients were recalculated using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code. The clinical photon beams were simulated using the BEAMnrc. The absorbed dose to patients treated by fixed-field IMRT was computed using the DOSXYZnrc. The simulated dose distributions were then compared with the ones calculated by the Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) algorithm on the TPS, using the relative dose error comparison and the gamma index using global methods implemented in PTW-VeriSoft with 3%/3mm, 2%/2mm, 1%/1mm criteria.ResultsThere is a good agreement between the MC and TPS dose. The average gamma passing rates were 93.3±3.1%, 92.8±3.2%, 92.4±3.4% based on the 3%/3mm, 2%/2mm, 1%/1mm criteria, respectively.ConclusionsAccording to the results, it is concluded that the CCC algorithm was adequate for most of the IMRT H&N cases where the target was not immediately adjacent to the critical structures

Measurement of Neutron Dose Equivalent within and Outside of a LINAC Treatment Vault Using a Neutron Survey Meter

This work concerns neutron doses associated with the use of a Siemens Primus M5497 electron accelerator, which is operated in the photon mode at 15 MV. The conditions offer a situation within which a fraction of the bremsstrahlung emission energies exceed the photoneutron threshold. For different field sizes, an investigation has been made of neutron dose equivalent values at various measurement locations, including: (i) At the treatment table, at a source-surface distance of 100 cm; (ii) at the level of the floor directly adjacent to the treatment table; and (iii) in the control room and patient waiting area. The evaluated neutron dose equivalent was found to range from 0.0001 to 8.6 mSv/h, notably with the greatest value at the level of the floor directly adjacent to the treatment couch (8.6 mSv/h) exceeding the greatest value on the treatment table (5.5 mSv/h). Low values ranging from unobservable to between 0.0001 to 0.0002 mSv/h neutron dose were recorded around the control room and patient waiting area. For measurements on the floor, the study showed the dose equivalent to be greatest with the jaws closed. These data, most particularly concerning neutron distribution within the treatment room, are of great importance in making steps towards improving patient safety via the provision of protective measures

Measurement of Neutron Dose Equivalent within and Outside of a LINAC Treatment Vault Using a Neutron Survey Meter

This work concerns neutron doses associated with the use of a Siemens Primus M5497 electron accelerator, which is operated in the photon mode at 15 MV. The conditions offer a situation within which a fraction of the bremsstrahlung emission energies exceed the photoneutron threshold. For different field sizes, an investigation has been made of neutron dose equivalent values at various measurement locations, including: (i) At the treatment table, at a source-surface distance of 100 cm; (ii) at the level of the floor directly adjacent to the treatment table; and (iii) in the control room and patient waiting area. The evaluated neutron dose equivalent was found to range from 0.0001 to 8.6 mSv/h, notably with the greatest value at the level of the floor directly adjacent to the treatment couch (8.6 mSv/h) exceeding the greatest value on the treatment table (5.5 mSv/h). Low values ranging from unobservable to between 0.0001 to 0.0002 mSv/h neutron dose were recorded around the control room and patient waiting area. For measurements on the floor, the study showed the dose equivalent to be greatest with the jaws closed. These data, most particularly concerning neutron distribution within the treatment room, are of great importance in making steps towards improving patient safety via the provision of protective measures

Supply chain quality management 4.0: conceptual and maturity frameworks

Purpose The research objective is rooted in the principle of providing new insights and a collective perspective regarded as Supply Chain Quality Management 4.0 (SCQM4.0), an integration of all three concepts - Industrie 4.0, quality management and supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach A thorough review of historical developments and existing integration trends among Industrie 4.0, quality and supply chain approaches along with future research directions outlined in the main literature, was conducted. This work establishes a knowledge base on research topics, issues of integration and synergies with a concentration on the potential for deeper integration with supply chain operations. Findings This article not only introduced the term SCQM4.0 and proposed a definition for it, but also contributed a novel conceptual SCQM4.0 framework and evolutionary perspective through the SCQM4.0 maturation model. Stemming from the gaps, opportunities and benefits identified in the literature, the conceptual SCQM4.0 framework builds on the high potential of the SCQM4.0 constructs to achieve successful governance and implementation. Under the SCQM4.0 maturity framework, it provides a clear evolutionary path underpinned by the SCQM4.0 constructs. Research limitations/implications In the effort toward a successful SCQM4.0 implementation, the proposed SCQM4.0 maturity frameworks will be a "road map" for businesses to develop fully and actively in supply chain operations, bringing quality products and services for the company. Industry practitioners are encouraged to perform gap analysis and direct the implementation of the strategy to establish an excellent SCQM4.0. Originality/value This is one of the pioneering studies integrating all three concepts (Industrie 4.0, quality management and supply chain management), connecting the link and discovering more synergies to support the future development of more holistic management models. SCQM4.0 is expected to expand on the strengths, synergies and established relationship- This work was supported (1) by Japanese Government through the project of "An Empirical Study on Services Value Chain based on the Experiential and Credibility Values" (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) No.25240050), (2) by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through AUN/SEEDNet Project, No. 022674.242.2015/JICA-AC and (3) by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI, No. JP18J11566

Effect of CuO Loading on the Photocatalytic Activity of SrTiO₃/MWCNTs Nanocomposites for Dye Degradation under Visible Light

In this study, we report on the preparation of copper oxide/strontium titanate/multi-walled carbon nanotube (CuO/STO/MWCNTs) nanocomposites and their photocatalytic activity for degradation of dye under visible light. The crystalline structures of the nanocomposites were investigated by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, which explored the successful fabrication of CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites, and the cubic STO phase was formed in all samples. For the morphological study, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) technique was used, which had proved the successful preparation of CuO and STO nanoparticles. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dark field scanning transmission electron microscope (DF-STEM-EDX mapping), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis were performed to evidence the elemental composition of CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites. The optical characteristics were explored via UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. These studies clearly indicate the effect of the presence of CuO and MWCNTs on the visible absorption of the CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation, following first-order kinetics. Among the different x% CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites, the 5 wt.% CuO/STO/MWCNTs nanocomposites showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of MB dye. Moreover, the 5% CuO/STO/MWCNTs showed good stability and recyclability after three consecutive photocatalytic cycles. These results verified that the optimized nanocomposites can be used for photocatalytic applications, especially for dye degradation under visible light