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Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Carya illinoinensis leaf extract on growth and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea)
No full textBackground: The sustainability of crop production is impacted by climate change and land degradation, and the advanced application of nanotechnology is of paramount importance to overcome this challenge. The development of nanomaterials based on essential nutrients like zinc could serve as a basis for nanofertilizers and nanocomposite synthesis for broader agricultural applications and quality human nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using pecan (Carya illinoinensis) leaf extract and investigate their effect on the growth, physiology, nutrient content, and antioxidant properties of mustard (Brassica juncea). Methods: The ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mustard plants were subjected to different concentrations of ZnONPs (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 200 mg L-1) during the vegetative growth stage. Results: The UV-Vis spectra of ZnO NPs revealed the absorption maxima at 362 nm and FTIR identified numerous functional groups that are responsible for capping and stabilizing ZnO NPs. DLS analysis presented monodispersed ZnO NPs of 84.5 nm size and highly negative zeta potential (-22.4 mV). Overall, the application of ZnO NPs enhanced the growth, chlorophyll content (by 53 %), relative water content (by 46 %), shoot biomass, membrane stability (by 54 %) and net photosynthesis significantly in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the supplement of the ZnO NPs augmented K, Fe, Zn and flavonoid contents as well as overcome the effect of reactive oxygen species by increasing antioxidant capacity in mustard leaves up to 97 %. Conclusions: In conclusion, ZnO NPs can be potentially used as a plant growth stimulant and as a novel soil amendment for enhancing crop yields. Besides, the biofortification of B. juncea plants with ZnO NPs helps to improve the nutritional quality of the crop and perhaps potentiates its pharmaceutical effects
(R1966) Semi Analytical Approach to Study Mathematical Model of Atmospheric Internal Waves Phenomenon
Get PDFThis research aims to study atmospheric internal waves which occur within the fluid rather than on the surface. The mathematical model of the shallow fluid hypothesis leads to a coupled nonlinear system of partial differential equations. In the shallow flow model, the primary assumption is that vertical size is smaller than horizontal size. This model can precisely replicate atmospheric internal waves because waves are dispersed over a vast horizontal area. A semi-analytical approach, namely modified differential transform, is applied successfully in this research. The proposed method obtains an approximate analytical solution in the form of convergent series without any linearization, perturbation, or calculation of unneeded terms, which is a significant advantage over other existing methods. To test the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method, obtained results are compared with Elzaki Adomain Decomposition Method, Modified Differential Transform Method, and Homotopy Analysis Method
Ensemble Unsupervised Semantic Segmentation For Foreground-Background Separation On Satellite Image
Get PDFRecently, computer vision has been promoted by deep learning techniques significantly, where supervised deep learning outperformed other methods such as in image segmentation. However, a large amount of annotated/labeled data is needed for training supervised deep learning models, while such big annotated data is typically unavailable in practice such as in satellite imagery analytics. In order to address this challenge, a novel ensemble unsupervised semantic segmentation method was proposed for image segmentation on satellite images. Specifically, an unsupervised semantic segmentation model was employed to implement foreground- background separation and then be placed within an ensemble model to increase the prediction accuracy further. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method outperformed baseline models such as k-means on a satellite image benchmark, the XView2 dataset. The proposed approach provides a promising solution to semantic segmentation in images that will benefit many mission-critical applications such as disaster relief using satellite imagery analytics.
Index Terms - Convolution neural network (CNNs); deep learning; ensemble model; image segmentation; overhead imagery; unsupervised learnin
Fiscal Years Legislative Appropriations- August 1986- 1987
No full texthttps://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/fiscal-and-data-processing-report/1019/thumbnail.jp
How Provider Education On Identification And Referral Of Eligible Patients To A Care Management Program Affects Readmission Rates: An Evidence-Based Project
Get PDFHospital readmissions cost the U.S. healthcare system approximately $17.4 billion each year. Minimizing hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries is therefore a high priority. This study aimed to evaluate how identifying patients at high risk of hospital readmission—i.e., patients with complex health needs, such as those with chronic conditions—and referring them to a transitional care program impacts readmission rates in a primary care clinic. The PI hypothesized that identifying high-risk individuals and enrolling them in a care management program to improve their health would lessen their need for inpatient and other high-cost healthcare services.
The PICOT question for this project is as follows: In a primary care clinic, does provider (P) education on the identification and referral of eligible patients to a care management program (I) increase referrals to the program and decrease the rate of hospital readmissions (O) compared with the pre-intervention rates (C) within a 3-month period (T)? The intervention involved educating full-time primary care providers at a Southeast Texas clinic on using the Community Assessment Risk Screen to identify patients at high risk of being readmitted to the hospital. The project observed the clinic’s
readmission rate and number of referrals before and after the implementation of the educational presentation. The data were audited over 3 months to determine if the intervention led to an improvement (i.e., a 5% increase in the number of referrals and a 5% decrease in readmission rates). The findings showed a 43.48% decrease in the readmission rates after the intervention and a 200% increase in the number of patients referred to the CM program after the intervention. Reduced readmissions, improved patient outcomes, and cost savings are just a few benefits of using screening techniques to identify patients at risk for readmission. Healthcare professionals can take early action by referring patients at greater risk of hospital readmission to the care management department, where they can receive early interventions to help them avoid more serious health problems. Changes to the current methods of healthcare delivery, such as a team-based strategy and a focus on high-risk patients, may be necessary to implement care management programs. Care management programs typically require a team-based strategy that involves several healthcare experts, such as nurses, pharmacists, and social workers. To achieve coordinated care, these experts may need to collaborate and communicate clearly. The primary care clinic needs to be ready to commit more funds to sustaining and implementing care management initiatives that lower readmission rates.
Keywords: readmission rates, medicare, care management, primary car
Medication Compliance And Decreases In Viral Load Status In Patients With HIV
Get PDFBackground: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic has been a worldwide challenge for several decades. Proper medication adherence, following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, has proven effective in decreasing patients’ viral load, thus improving their quality of life, and reducing the spread of the disease. The current literature identifies a lack of knowledge, support, and resources as barriers to medication compliance.
Purpose: To increase medication compliance among persons with HIV.
Methods: This evidence-based practice project utilized the Modified Morisky Scale to help minority HIV patients adhere to strict medication regimens. Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to analyze participants on the same measure across multiple time points. Forty patients were selected to participate in the project. The providers sent the patients reminders to take all medications as prescribed through the patient portal. A pre-post design was used for evaluation, and viral loads were analyzed.
Results: Implementation of the Modified Morisky Scale, in combination with scheduled medication reminders, yielded significant improvements in patient knowledge and motivation to adhere to medication regimens. The results showed significant reductions in viral load (p
Conclusion: Ongoing patient education is necessary to improve medication compliance and reduce HIV viral loads.
Keywords: HIV, Validated Assessment Tool (MMS), Viral Loads, Medication Compliance, Education, Chronic Disease, Medication Regim
Prioritizing Pedagogy in Victorian Studies
No full textThis essay argues that practical discussions about pedagogy in the field of Victorian studies warrant a regular place in major field-based conferences and journals as well as greater attention in graduate programs at large to maintain our discipline\u27s viability. While conversations about and tools to help with teaching have become more prominent in digital projects like Undisciplining the Victorian Classroom and COVE, these topics continue to be minimized at conferences like NAVSA and are often relegated to special issues of Victorian studies journals. By defamiliarizing pedagogy, we ask the field of Victorian studies to reckon with the ways its systems of prestige and recognition sideline teacher-scholars working at teaching-intensive institutions, community colleges, high schools, and minority-serving institutions. We assert that, given the current state of the job market, more space must be dedicated to pedagogical research, and requirements for tenure/promotion need to recognize pedagogy as a viable field of research. Such attention to pedagogy will contribute to efforts to decolonize Victorian studies, attend more deeply to gendered and racialized labor politics, and mobilize for collective action
Examining Effective Charter School Methods And Practices Of Selected Houston-Area Charter Schools That Support Academic Achievement To Reestablish Traditional Public Schools As The School Of Choice: A Constructivist Grounded Theory
Get PDFThe public education sector is currently in turmoil (Calimeris, 2016; Meckler, 2022). In the early 90s, Fortune Magazine (1990) labeled the United States’ school system as “our most endangered institution, one in need of progressive work to support reform” (p 114).
Thus, this study examined, addressed, and identified effective systemic and organizational practices among public charters that would yield high academic performance annually for TPS. This research approach explored the collection and analysis of qualitative data using a constructivist grounded theory design supported by a case study for data collection. This research aimed to address the organization of charter schools and the systemic impact on academic success in the educational sector compared to traditional public schools to identify and evaluate the differences in an instructional and organizational approach to outcomes. Collected data helped the researcher identify iv which systems and practices TPSs should emulate to achieve consistent academic progress. This study focused on parents’, teachers\u27, and campus administration’s lived experiences, serving in Texas charter school settings. For this study, charter schools examined were located in Houston, Texas, namely the KIPP Public Schools, YES Prep Public Schools and Harmony Public Schools and were not inclusive of all charter schools represented in Houston or the state of Texas, for that matter.
This study determined the organizational structures of successful charter schools and their corresponding systems through a semi-structured interview process. Data from nine participants was explored to identify supportive strategies from their lived experiences as leaders, teachers, and parents serving or supporting selected Houston-area charter schools.
The results of the study affirmed the anticipated outcome that academic successes of selected-Houston area charter schools hinge upon the organizational intent and systemic development of its campuses and delineates while many charter schools are successful academically, there are contributing factors to their success that have yet to be explored. The results of this study are likely to provide valuable information and outline considerable next steps for the successes of TPS leaders, campuses, and districts, respectively, to support individual success and streamline district processes that yield a common goal.
Keywords: TPS charter schools, organizational structure, systemic structure, charter schools, achievemen