30 research outputs found
Enhancing Soil Health and Tea Plant Quality Through Integrated Organic and Chemical Fertilization Strategies
No full textAs the global demand for high-quality tea increases, adopting sustainable agricultural practices is crucial to maintaining environmental health and improving crop productivity. Employing organic fertilizers has the potential to boost agricultural output and improve soil health, as well as curb the spread of pests and diseases. The purpose of this survey was to determine the impact of a range of organic fertilizer mixtures on both tea plants and rhizosphere soil characteristics in tea plantations. This study investigated the response of Jin Guanyin tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plants to various organic fertilizer ratios: 2/3 chemical fertilizer + 1/3 organic fertilizer (JTC), 1/2 chemical fertilizer + 1/2 organic fertilizer (JHOC), 1/3 chemical fertilizer + 2/3 organic fertilizer (JTO), and organic fertilizer only (JOF), with chemical fertilizer alone (JCF) as the control. The experiment was conducted in Xingcun Town, Wuyishan, Fujian Province, China, on 13 October 2021. Key metrics measured included tea plant growth indicators, soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial functional diversity. Results show that JTC and JTO produce the largest leaf area and bud weight, significantly surpassing those in JCF. JCF demonstrated the longest new tip length and highest bud density, while JHOC achieved the highest chlorophyll content, significantly exceeding JCF. Soil analysis revealed that total nitrogen, available nitrogen, organic matter, and pH were highest in JOF, significantly overtaking JCF. Conversely, total phosphorus, available potassium, and available phosphorus levels were highest in JCF. JHOC also had the highest total potassium content compared to JCF. Soil enzyme activity assessments showed that polyphenol oxidase and urease activities peaked in JTC, significantly exceeding those in JCF. JHOC exhibited the highest acid phosphatase activity, while JTO exhibited the highest protease activity. Catalase activity was highest in JOF, both significantly surpassing JCF. Microbial functional diversity analysis indicated that combined organic fertilization improved soil microorganisms’ utilization of carbon sources, significantly enhancing the Shannon diversity index and evenness. Key carbon sources identified included α-cyclodextrin, D-galacturonic acid, and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid. Overall, JHOC emerged as the optimal fertilization strategy, yielding superior growth indicators, enhanced soil physicochemical properties, increased enzyme activity, and improved microbial functional diversity compared to JCF. This study has important value for guiding the rational application of fertilizers in tea gardens, improving the soil environment of tea gardens, enhancing the quality of tea leaves, and achieving sustainable tea production
Irrational beliefs, dietary habits and 10-year incidence of type 2 diabetes; the ATTICA epidemiological study (2002-2012) Corresponding author
No full textObjectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary habits of apparently healthy individuals in relation to their irrational beliefs’ status, as well as 10-year diabetes incidence.Methods: The ATTICA study (2002–2012) is a prospective population-based cohort study, in which 853 participants without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [453 men (aged 45±13 years) and 400 women (aged 44±18 years)] underwent psychological evaluations. Among other tools, participants completed the irrational beliefs inventory (IBI, range 0-88), a brief, self-reported measure consistent with the Ellis model of psychological disturbance. Demographic characteristics, detailed medical history, dietary and other lifestyle habits were also evaluated. Diagnosis of diabetes at follow-up examination was based on the criteria of the American Diabetes Association.Results: Mean IBI score was 5310 in men and 5111 in women (p=0.68). IBI was positively associated with 10-year type 2 diabetes incidence (Hazard Ratio 1.14; 95%CI 1.04, 1.25) in both men and women, and more prominently among those with lower education status, married, overweight, smokers, with anxiety and depressive symptomatology and unhealthy dietary habits. Especially, participants with increased irrational beliefs and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 37% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those with a reverse status (HR 3.70; 95%CI 2.32, 5.88).Conclusions: These data support the need to promote a shift towards healthier eating by educating people to recognize false and unhelpful thoughts in order to prevent negative psychological and clinical outcomes, such as mental health disorders and type 2 diabetes
Postoperative bleeding with factor VII deficiency: Case report
No full textFactor VII deficiency was diagnosed during haematological investigation of a patient with multiple occurrences of postoperative bleeding after surgical extraction of an impacted upper left canine. The bleeding was eventutally stopped with local measures without resorting to blood product transfusion which may have been necessary if local measures had failed to control bleeding. Abnormalities were also found in subsequent blood profiles and coagulation tests in other members of the patient's family.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
Structural Dynamics of Amyloid-β Aggregation in Alzheimer’s Disease: Computational and Experimental Approaches
No full textImplant treatment of macroglossia and edentulous mandible following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer: A case report
No full textRadiotherapy for the nasopharyngeal cancer patient with poor oral care may lead to severe deterioration of the dentition and may require multiple extractions. Although the use of an implant-retained overdenture can successfully restore the function and esthetics of edentulous patients, its use can be complicated by the tissue changes subsequent to head and neck irradiation. The difficulties in implant treatment planning for an edentulous patient with macroglossia and soft tissue changes following radiotherapy are discussed.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
The artist as political hero: reflections on modern architectural theory
No full textPT: J; CR: ABRAMS MH, 1971, NATURAL SUPERNATURAL ABRAMS MH, 1971, NATURAL SUPERNATURAL, P414 ABRAMS, 1971, NATURAL SUPERNATURAL, P6 ARENDT H, 1978, LIFE MIND THINKING, V1 ARNOLD M, 1855, STANZAS GRANDE CHART BURTT EA, 1932, METAPHYSICAL F MODER CARLYLE T, 1910, CARLYLES LECTURES HE, P19 COLLINGWOOD RG, 1945, IDEA NATURE GROPIUS W, 1939, BAUHAUS 1919 1928 GROPIUS W, 1956, SCOPE TOTAL ARCHITEC, P51 GROPIUS W, 1968, APOLLO DEMOCRACY CUL, P32 HAUSER A, 1962, SOCIAL HISTORY ART, V1, P106 HEGEL GWF, 1857, LECTURES PHILOSOPHY, P15 HOLDERLIN, CITED INDIRECTLY HOUGHTON W, 1957, VICTORIAN, P1 JOHNSON PC, 1947, M VANDERROHE, P191 JOHNSON PC, 1977, M VANDERROHE, P191 LECORBUSIER, CITY TOMORROW, P8 LECORBUSIER, 1935, AIRCRAFT LECORBUSIER, 1938, CANON MUNITIONS MERC, P66 LECORBUSIER, 1948, NEW WORLD SPACE LECORBUSIER, 1960, CREATION PATIENT SEA, P14 LECORBUSIER, 1961, LECORBUSIER TALKS ST, P34 LECORBUSIER, 1964, RADIANT CITY, P67 M VANDERROHE, CITED INDIRECTLY MENDELSOHN E, 1944, 3 LECTURES ARCHITECT, P24 MILNE D, 1975, THESIS U TORONTO REED WL, 1974, MEDITATIONS HERO STU, P10 RUSKIN, CITED INDIRECTLY SCHILLER JCF, 1793, AESTHETIC ED MAN SMITH NK, 1966, FL WRIGHT STUDY ARCH SMITH NK, 1971, ART ARCHITECTURE MOD SOLERI P, 1973, BRIDGE MATTER SPIRIT SPEYER AJ, 1968, M VANDERROHE, P9 STTOULMIN, 1972, HUMAN UNDERSTANDING, V1 TAYLOR C, 1975, HEGEL THOREAU, CITED INDIRECTLY TURNER P, 1971, ART B, V53 TWOMBLY RC, 1973, FL WRIGHT INTERPRETI VANDERROHE M, CITED INDIRECTLY WATKIN D, 1977, MORALITY ARCHITECTUR WORDSWORTH W, CITED INDIRECTLY WRIGHT FL, 1945, DEMOCRACY BUILDS WRIGHT FL, 1957, TESTAMENT, P24 WRIGHT FL, 1967, JAPANESE PRINT INTER, P66; NR: 45; TC: 0; J9: POLIT THEORY; PG: 21; GA: KT292Source type: Electronic(1
Usos e efeitos dos benzodiazepínicos na visão de usuários
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Florianópolis, 2012Benzodiazepínicos podem gerar dependência. São recomendados para tratamentos curtos, porém muitos usuários fazem uso contínuo. Este trabalho buscou compreender os motivos pelos quais os sujeitos iniciam o tratamento, porque mantém o uso contínuo, os efeitos experimentados, investigar tentativas de suspensão e como se dá esse processo. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa com base em entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Foram entrevistados cinco indivíduos participantes de um grupo de acompanhamento de medicamentos psicotrópicos de um Centro de Saúde. As motivações que levaram os indivíduos a procurarem ajuda médica surgiram na forma de diagnósticos como ansiedade, depressão, problemas psiquiátricos. Após indagações mais profundas, os problemas da vida foram observados como motivos. Chegar à abstinência é difícil e gera sintomas desagradáveis que podem fazer com que os indivíduos se tornem resistentes a novas tentativas, apesar de terem consciência de sua importância. Os problemas decorrentes das adversidades da vida, assim como a forma de lidar com estas situações, desempenharam papel importante para o estabelecimento da situação emocional dos sujeitos de pesquisa, levando-os a iniciar e manter tratamento farmacológico com benzodiazepínicos, sendo possível desvendar processos de medicalização da vida.Abstract : Benzodiazepines were first marketed in the 1960s. Because they have greater security than barbiturates, quickly became the most prescribed medications for anxiety and sleep problemns. They are used as hypnotics, anxiolytics, muscle relaxants, or anticonvulsants, and enter the classification os psychotropic drugs, because they can generate physical and/or psychological dependence. They have a number of adverse effects, and the most common are somnolence, sedation, muscle weakness, ataxia. The most severe can cause amnesia, cognitive impairment, psychomotor problems and dependece. They are recommended for short-term treatments, up to four weeks. But appears that many users do continuous use, for more than six months. This study sought to understand the reasons for which individuals start treatment with this type of medication and why they maintain regular use, the effects experienced during use and investigate attempts to suspend these medicines and how this process takes place. This is a qualitative research based on in-depth semi-structured interviews. Five users participating in a group of accompaniment of psychotropic medications in a Health Centre in Florianópolis # SC, were interviewed. Despite recommendations for, and respondents make continuous use of the drug. The motivations that led individuals to seek medical help first appeared as diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, psychiatric problems. But after deep questions about feelings, unanimity with respect to the problems of life was seen among participants. In general, everyday problems have great importance and significance. It is possible to perceive a process of medicalization of life of these people, who can no longer cope with adverse or even normal situations of life. Although adverse effects were observed during the interviews, such as drowsiness, dizziness, fall, dry mouth, memory problems, individuals tended to deny, ignore or underestimate the effects of therapy, perhaps because they do not understand that these symptoms are adverse effects to the drug. The effects experienced during withdrawal of benzodiazepines showed signs of abstinence syndrome, such as rebound aniety, palpitations, psychomotor problems, vertigo, tremor. The process of lowering the dose with the goal of total abstinence is difficult, generates unpleasant symptoms that may cause the individual to become resistant to new attempts, although the subjetcs were aware of its importance. To create strategies for intervention and prevention regarding continuous use of benzodiazepines is necessary to understand what users of these drugs feel and think about their treatment, about dealing with life´s problems. The continuous use of benzodiazepines causes damage often irreversible and must be used consciously, evaluating the benefits and risks of this particular type of treatment
Predation regulation of sedimentary faunal structure: potential effects of a fishery-induced switch in predators in a Newfoundland sub-Arctic fjord
No full textThe collapse of the cod fishery in Newfoundland has coincided with marked increases in abundances of snow crab, pandalid shrimp, and other crustaceans that prey on sedimentary infauna. A 3-year sampling program in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland indicates differences in composition and number of these predators in the two main arms of the fjord that coincide with strong differences in benthic community structure. To test whether predation pressure contributes to the observed patterns in sedimentary fauna, exclusion field experiments with full and partial cages were deployed in both arms at 30-m depth and sampled along with ambient sediments at 0-, 4-, and 8-week periods. Predation significantly influenced species composition, abundance and, in some cases, diversity. The most striking changes included increases in the polychaetes Pholoe tecta and Ophelina cylindricaudata in exclusions relative to controls, and concurrent declines in the polychaete Paradoneis lyra and the cumacean Lamphros fuscata. In laboratory experiments, fresh non-disturbed sediment cores from each experimental area were either protected or exposed to snow crab, the most abundant predator in the bay. A snow crab inclusion experiment was also carried out in the field, using cages similar to those used for exclusions. Despite differences in sedimentary faunas in the two arms, both types of experiments detected a predator effect that was very similar to that documented in exclusion experiments. Thus, despite differences in the scales associated with each type of manipulation, our results suggest that crab predation is a significant structuring force in Newfoundland sedimentary communities. Given the historical changes that have occurred in predator composition as a result of cod over-fishing, we hypothesize that broad-scale community changes may be taking place in North Atlantic benthic ecosystems.PT: J; CR: AGARDY T, 2000, ICES J MAR SCI, V57, P761 AMBROSE WG, 1984, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V17, P109 BARKAI A, 1988, S AFR J MARINE SCI, V7, P117 BERGSTROM BI, 2000, ADV MAR BIOL, V38, P57 BLACKBURN TH, 1996, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V141, P283 BOTSFORD LW, 1997, SCIENCE, V277, P509 BRETHES JCF, 1984, CRUSTACEANA, V47, P235 BRETHES JCF, 1987, J CRUSTACEAN BIOL, V7, P667 BUNDY A, 2001, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V58, P1153 CLARK ME, 1999, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V178, P69 COMEAU M, 1998, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V55, P262 COMEAU M, 1999, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V56, P1088 COMMITO JA, 1985, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V26, P289 CONAN GY, 1996, HIGH LATITUDE CRABS, P59 CONNELL JH, 1983, AM NAT, V121, P789 COOPER SD, 1990, ECOLOGY, V71, P1503 DRUMMONDDAVIS NC, 1982, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V39, P636 ENGLUND G, 1997, ECOLOGY, V78, P2316 ENNIS PG, 1990, CAN ATL FISH ADV COM, V90, P1 FERNANDES TF, 1999, J EXP MAR BIOL ECOL, V241, P137 FOLK RL, 1980, PETROLOGY SEDIMENTAR FRID CLJ, 1989, J EXP MAR BIOL ECOL, V126, P163 GABRIEL KR, 1971, BIOMETRIKA, V58, P453 GILBERT D, 1993, CANADIAN DATA REPORT, V122, P63 GONI R, 1998, OCEAN COAST MANAGE, V40, P37 GRASSLE JF, 1976, OECOLOGIA, V25, P13 GREEN RH, 1979, SAMPLING DESIGN STAT HALL SJ, 1990, AM NAT, V136, P657 HIMMELMAN JH, 1971, MAR BIOL, V9, P315 HINDELL JS, 2001, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V224, P231 HOOPER RG, 1975, BONNE BAY MARINE RES, P295 HOOPER RG, 1986, CRUSTACEANA, V50, P257 HUDON C, 1989, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V52, P155 HULBERG LW, 1980, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V37, P1130 HUTCHINGS JA, 1996, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V53, P943 JACKSON JBC, 2001, SCIENCE, V293, P629 JAMIESON GS, 2002, ALIEN INVADERS CANAD, P179 JENNINGS S, 1998, ADV MAR BIOL, V34, P201 KEMP WM, 2001, SCALING RELATIONS EX, P3 KNEIB RT, 1988, ECOLOGY, V69, P1795 KNEIB RT, 1991, AM ZOOL, V31, P874 KOELLER P, 2000, J NW ATLANTIC FISHER, V27, P37 LEFEBVRE L, 1991, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V48, P1167 LENIHAN HS, 2001, MARINE COMMUNITY ECO, P253 LILLY GR, 2000, J NW ATL FISH SCI, V27, P45 MAGURRAN AE, 1988, ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY MALLET P, 1996, 9698E DFO, P4 MCGUINNESS KA, 1997, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V153, P37 MICHELI F, 1997, ECOL MONOGR, V67, P203 MICHELI F, 1999, SCIENCE, V285, P1396 MYERS RA, 1996, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V138, P293 OLAFSSON EB, 1994, OCEANOGR MAR BIOL, V32, P65 OUELLET P, 1994, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V51, P123 OUELLET P, 1995, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V126, P163 PAUL AJ, 2002, ALASKA SEA GRANT, P876 PAULY D, 1998, SCIENCE, V279, P860 PETERSON CH, 1979, ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES, P233 PETERSON CH, 1984, AM NAT, V124, P127 PETERSON CH, 1994, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V111, P289 PETRAITIS PS, 1999, ECOLOGY, V80, P429 POSEY MH, 1991, ECOLOGY, V72, P2155 POWLES H, 1968, FISH RES BRD CANADA, V997, P1 QUIJON PA, 2005, MAR ECOL-PROG SER, V285, P137 RIVARD DH, 1971, UNPUB SURVEY MARINE, P18 ROBERTS D, 1989, J EXP MAR BIOL ECOL, V126, P271 SAINTEMARIE B, 1995, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V52, P903 SAINTEMARIE B, 1998, 9838 CAN ATL FISH SC, P19 SCARRATT DJ, 1972, J FISH RES BOARD CAN, V29, P161 SCHIERMEIER Q, 2002, NATURE, V419, P662 SCHNEIDER D, 1978, NATURE, V271, P353 SCHNEIDER DC, 2001, BIOSCIENCE, V51, P545 SEITZ RD, 2001, ECOLOGY, V82, P2435 SIMARD Y, 1990, CAN J FISH AQUAT SCI, V47, P1526 SMITH B, 1996, OIKOS, V76, P70 SOKAL RR, 1994, BIOMETRY PRINCIPLES SQUIRES HJ, 1996, CAN MAN REP FISH AQU, V2359, P235 SQUIRES HJ, 2003, J NW ATLANTIC FISHER, V32, P27 THOMPSON RJ, 1989, P INT S KING TANN CR, P283 THRUSH SE, 1999, AUST J ECOL, V24, P344 THRUSH SF, 1997, J EXP MAR BIOL ECOL, V216, P1 TRUEBLOOD DD, 1994, LIMNOL OCEANOGR, V39, P1440 VANDEKOPPEL J, 2001, ECOLOGY, V82, P3449 VIRNSTEIN RW, 1977, ECOLOGY, V58, P1199 WIECZOREK SK, 1995, J CRUSTACEAN BIOL, V15, P236 WIENS JA, 2001, SCALING RELATIONS EX, P61 WILLIAMS AB, 1984, SHRIMPS LOBSTERS CRA WILSON WH, 1991, ANNU REV ECOL SYST, V21, P221 WITMAN JD, 1992, OECOLOGIA, V90, P305 WOODIN SA, 1976, J MARKETING RES, V34, P25 WOODIN SA, 1999, AUST J ECOL, V24, P291 WORM B, 2003, ECOLOGY, V84, P162; NR: 91; TC: 1; J9: OECOLOGIA; PG: 12; GA: 944LMSource type: Electronic(1
Teacher Instructional Approaches and Student Engagement and Behavioral Responses During Literacy Instruction in a Juvenile Correctional Facility
No full textTo address instructional challenges and poor academic outcomes of youth in juvenile correctional facilities (JCFs), we must understand how and why some teachers are effective and why students are responsive to instruction in these settings. We observed and coded teacher-student instructional interactions from 733 fifteen-minute classroom reading sessions for seven teachers and 40 students in a secure JCF school. We then applied a series of time-window sequential analytic procedures to assess connections between instructional approaches and teacher behaviors, and contingent student engagement and response behaviors. We also compared contingent probabilities for students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Across all students, our observations were characterized by larger proportions of passive student engagement. We also found a relatively low use of teacher praise. When teachers provided either directives or opportunities to respond, conditional probabilities for appropriate student responses were higher across students, particularly when directives were provided to students with disabilities. We discuss additional results and implications for research and practice.Peer reviewe
Energy management in the Jordanian cement industry
No full textEnergy is essential to economic prosperity and quality of life. However it can have detrimental effects on the environment if not used properly. Moreover, if energy resources are scarce in a given country, then its use will impose economic and financial burdens on the national economy. The cement industry is energy-intensive, which adds a micro dimension to the macro issues mentioned above. Reducing energy consumption without due consideration to production requirements is not an optimal situation. What is needed is to arrive at a situation whereby energy is used rationally. The concept of rational use of energy has two embedded principles. The first is increased energy-use efficiency and the second is environmental protection. Jordan Cement Factories (JCF), located in a developing country where energy resources are not indigenously available and, therefore, costly energy requirements are imported, have realised the importance of addressing the energy management and conservation issues. This thesis describes the efforts initiated and conducted by the author, to address the research problem of improving energy usage through the application of effective management techniques aimed at reducing energy consumption per unit of cement produced. This present research has been concerned with energy management and efficient use of energy. The Jordan Cement Factories were used as a vehicle to demonstrate the proposed research methodology that aimed at improving energy consumption and thus operational efficiency. The methodology is based on establishing statistically significant relationships between interacting problem factors, and assessing the economic impact of improving these factors. Economic evaluation entailed the development of economic models and an application methodology combined with illustrative case studies. Consequently, the problem of energy management has been presented in a wider perspective that addressed the whole management system at the organisation. Towards that end, it was first necessary to show the significance of energy cost with respect to the overall manufacturing costs. The analysis of production costs, which demonstrated the significance of energy costs, was followed by the investigation and examination of the basic management factors that have direct impact on energy consumption at the JCF. Among these factors are, for instance, production line availability, production rate, average number of stoppages, and average duration of stoppages. These factors were determined using preliminary data analysis and the experience and technical knowledge of the researcher. The statistical analysis proved the existence of strong relationships between energy consumption and management factors. Several models were developed for a set of selected production lines, in the JFC at Fuhais and Rashadiya plants. These statistical models were generated using actual data for electrical energy and fuel consumption. The derived models have demonstrated the existence of strong relationships between energy consumption and management control factors; for instance, the values of R2 range from 60% to 90%. This implies that an equivalent percentage of the variations in energy consumption can be attributed to the selected management factors. The economic model developed in this research is concerned with demonstrating that effective management practices associated with proper maintenance and housekeeping can result in highly significant savings in energy usage. Although a simplistic methodology was used to evaluate the economic impact of any improvement programme, the economic treatment showed that the cost of improvement is actually negligible compared to the realisable savings in energy usage. The research has dealt with the details of developing a coherent energy management model whose objective is to establish transformational management processes of certain high-level management factors into daily operations and controls. The high-level management .factors are the same factors used as independent variables in the statistical and economic models, which statistically proved to be the major factors affecting the energy consumption at JCF. The research has also presented a detailed analysis of the organisational and procedural aspects of energy management with concentration on management functions, especially planning, controlling, executing, organising, and auditing. A detailed mapping and analysis of these functions as the main components of an Energy Management System (EMS) resulted in establishing job descriptions, organisational charts, work instructions and procedures for all-important functions of the EMS. The type of work described in this thesis could be extrapolated for application in other industries, particularly energy-intensive ones, to arrive at the objective of rational use of energy at the national and international levels. Comprehensive studies would need to be carried out for each type of industry prior to implementation. The cost benefit analysis presented in this research proved, beyond any doubt, the importance of implementing the EMS in JCF. As a result of this implementation it is demonstrated that huge annual savings were realised. Finally, as a result of improving energy control factors, introducing energy conservation measures and employing management techniques at JCF to guarantee the effectiveness of all such activities, resulted in an annual savings amount to about USS 3.5 million. Therefore, if the same or similar actions are undertaken by all cement, or other highly energy intensive industries then the savings could reach billions of dollars
