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OBJECTIVE To describe three different standardized approaches to improving neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) identification and the impact on AKI identification, incidence, and nephrology consultation and referral. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study in three academic NICUs. We compared AKI identification, AKI incidence, nephrology consultation, and nephrology follow-up before and after implantation of local protocols to standardize neonatal AKI identification. RESULT Neonatal AKI identification improved in all three NICUs following protocol implementation (26-85%, P

CuS nanoparticles synthesized by solid-state reaction were used to remove Mordant Orange (MO), Acridine Orange (AO), and Safranin-O (SO) from water. Average diameter, band gap and surface area of CuS nanoparticles were 50 nm, 3.2 eV and 1.52 m2/g respectively. CuS nanoparticles removed 22%, 45%, 51% SO, AO, and MO in 180 min respectively. Addition of H2O2 resulted in 100% removal of dyes in 180 min in ambient light and 75% dye removal in dark. H2O2 also increased apparent reaction rate constant (Kapp). Details of dye removal mechanism by CuS nanoparticles and enhanced dye removal due to H2O2 is provided.

Rainwater harvesting is increasingly viewed as a practical means of reducing stormwater runoff and supplementing water supply in water-scarce regions, although its widespread adoption has been limited in urban areas. While a number of studies have examined the potential of rainwater harvesting to reduce potable water use, stormwater runoff, energy associated with delivering potable water supplies, or the associated costs, none have assessed these costs and benefits collectively. Using a densely urbanized watershed in southern California as a test case, this study quantifies the economic benefits and costs of rainwater harvesting to investigate whether capturing and using rainwater can be an efficient regional policy. Given the watershed’s land use, topography, and rainfall variability, a range of cistern sizes is evaluated to estimate the magnitude of water, energy and carbon savings for two rainwater use scenarios: outdoor use only and outdoor plus non-potable indoor use. With water prices held constant, only the smallest cistern (208 l) used for outdoor irrigation is efficient from an economic standpoint. In contrast, with a modest annual increase in water rates over the life of the project, the study shows that rainwater capture for outdoor use is an efficient policy for any cistern size. Finally, due to the higher installation and maintenance costs required to pipe the water indoors, outdoor/indoor uses show only modest economic benefits. The potential volume of water captured annually is significant, depending on the cistern size, equivalent to the total water needs of 13,345 to 31,138 single-family residences.

The elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in dust samples collected from air con- ditioner (AC) filters from 15 commercial sites of Lahore using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The elements Cr, Mn and Zn were also determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results obtained showed that higher amounts of these metals were measured in these dust samples than normally found in soil. This was especially true for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Generally the amounts of Cd, Cr and Mn did not vary throughout the city of Lahore but the amounts of the traffic related Cu, Pb and Zn elements had the more variable ranges of 30-140, 30-230 and 74-2810 mg/kg respec- tively. The concentrations obtained for Cr, Mn and Zn by INAA were found to be higher than those obtained using FAAS. Analysis of the data obtained showed the digestion procedure employed to be the possible cause for this occurrence. It was also found that Mn was being over- estimated by INAA due to the interference from the Mg peak.

Proteins are absorbed primarily as short peptides via peptide transporter 1 (PepT1).Intestinal adaptation for peptide absorption after massive mid-small intestinal resection occurs by increased expression of PepT1 in the remnant small intestine and colon.Peptide uptake was measured in duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon using glycyl-sarcosine 1 week (n = 9) and 4 weeks (n = 11) after 70% mid-small bowel resection and in corresponding segments from unoperated rats (n = 12) and after transection and reanastomosis of jejunum and ileum (n = 8). Expression of PepT1 (mRNA, protein) and villus height were measured.Intestinal transection/reanastomosis did not alter gene expression. Compared to non-operated controls, 70% mid-small bowel resection increased jejunal peptide uptake (p 0.05) associated with increased villus height (1.13 vs 1.77 and 1.50 mm, respectively, p 0.01). In ileum although villus height increased at 1 and 4 weeks (1.03 vs 1.21 and 1.35 mm, respectively; p 0.01), peptide uptake was not altered. PepT1 mRNA and protein were decreased at 1 week, and PepT1 protein continued low at 4 weeks. Gene expression, peptide uptake, and histomorphology were unchanged in the colon.Jejunal adaptation for peptide absorption occurs by hyperplasia. Distal ileum and colon do not have a substantive role in adaptation for peptide absorption.

INAA and AAS techniques have been employed to determine 40 elements in soil of a municipal waste dump in sector H-11, Islamabad. Background soil was also analyzed to study the extent of contamination of the dump site soil. Most of the major elements in these soils represented the geochemical composition of the soil in this area. The enrichment factors for quantified elements identified high Sb and Mg contents that could be attributed to the presence of PET and food materials in the waste. Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Index (PI) and the Integrated Pollution Index (IPI) have also been calculated for all elements. The values for these indices show that municipal waste has distorted the soil ambiance and the soil of waste dump site is slightly to moderately polluted as compared to the background soil. The dump soil was found to be moderately polluted by the elements Ba, Br, Ga, Rb, Zn, Ni and Pb. Significantly high Cu, Mg and Sb contamination was observed for the waste soil that is likely to pose an environmental issue if current waste disposal procedures are continuously employed.

The concentration of 32 elements was determined in phosphate rock samples from the Hazara phosphate deposits of Pakistan using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique employing different irradiation protocols. These included 23 major, minor and trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Ta, Th, U, V, Zn and Zr) and 9 rare earth elements (REEs) namely Ce, Eu, Ho, La, Lu, Nd, Sm, Tb and Yb. The results have been compared with the global values of these elements. The concentrations for most of the elements studied are lower than the concentrations reported in the literature whereas the concentrations of As, Co, Fe, K, Mn, Na and Sb are comparable. Two samples namely HR-4 and HR-5 have the highest concentrations for majority of the REFs with high enrichment factors. The quality assurance of data was performed through the concurrent use of Lake Sediment (SL-1) and GSJ-JR-1 (Rhyolite) reference materials. The acquired data will serve as a reference for the follow-up studies to assess the agronomic effectiveness of the Hazara phosphate rocks.

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.

A clear relationship between vitamin D status and the clinical indices of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) severity has not been convincingly established. We proposed that such a relationship might exist, in so far as vitamin D deficiency could contribute to the severity of metabolic bone disease and promote the growth of the parathyroid tumor. Accordingly, we undertook a retrospective study and analyzed the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological findings in a group of 49 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy at our center. Patients who had skeletal X-rays were grouped, according to their X-ray findings, in group A (19 patients; 45%) if they had severe bone changes, or group B (23 patients; 55%) if they had mild or no bone changes. Patients were also stratified according to their 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels in tertiles. The 2 groups were compared using Fisher's exact test or analysis of variance as appropriate. Group A patients were younger (p=0.001), had more musculoskeletal symptoms (p=0.0003), and complained more frequently of fatigue (p=0.02). They had higher alkaline phosphatase (AP; p=0.0002), PTH index (p=0.0007), and serum Ca level (p=0.006). There were more patients from the lower and middle vitamin D tertiles and fewer patients from the upper vitamin D tertile in group A (p=0.02). Post-operative severe hypo-calcemia was more prevalent in group A patients (p

Currently, the growth in capacity demand is still increasing by the emergence of a large number of applications that dramatically increase bandwidth demand and generate a large number of resource requirements in the network. Since the emerging applications require increased bandwidth capacity, the vision of using optical technology in the communication channel, signal processing, and switching fabric is very promising. This article presents an overview of optical switching techniques currently under research investigations. It introduces enabling technologies that have been recently researched and then presents some newly proposed architectures. It describes the SKYLIGHT switch that has been recently developed by the author. The architecture design of the switch is based on a optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) technique. Performance evaluation of the switch fabric based on the analytical evaluation of the code and numerical simulations of the optical components used to implement the system is presented.

Superficial fungal infections are chronic and recurring conditions. Tinea capitis is a scalp infection, primarily affecting prepubescent children. Ringworm infections, such as tinea corporis and tinea cruris, involve the glabrous skin. Tinea nigra is a rare mycotic infection that may be related to travel abroad. Piedra, black or white, is limited to the hair shaft without involvement of the adjacent skin. Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis are dermatoses associated with yeasts of the genus Malassezia that affect the lipid-rich areas of the body. The taxonomy of the Malassezia yeasts has been revised to include nine species, eight of which have been recovered from humans. Tinea pedis, an infection of the feet and toes, is one of the most common forms of dermatophytosis. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection affecting the nail bed and nail plate; it may be chronic and can be difficult to treat. In instances where the superficial fungal infection is severe or chronic, an oral antifungal agent should be considered. Terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole are oral antifungals that are effective in the treatment of superficial mycoses.

This paper introduces the concept of a bottleneck in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) in South Asia and then reviews its rupture. South Asia is the largest lentil growing region in the world and where indigenous lentils show a marked lack of variability. This results from its introduction from Afghanistan around 2000 B.C. and it limits breeding progress. Three approaches to widening the genetic base in the region have been tried, namely plant introduction, hybridization and mutation breeding. Introductions from West Asia flower as indigenous material matures. The asynchrony in flowering has isolated the local pilosae ecotype reproductively. However, the introduction of ILL 4605, an early, large-seeded line, has resulted in its release as ‘Manserha 89’ for wetter areas of Pakistan and its widespread use as a parent in breeding programs in the region. Hybridization between pilosae and exotic germplasm, primarily at International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) followed by selection in the sub-continent has resulted in cultivars with improved disease resistance and yield in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Mutation breeding has given new morphological markers and several promising lines. These examples illustrate not only the widening of the genetic base of the lentil in South Asia, but also the evolution of a breeding program of an international center and national programs targeted toward specific adaptation.

Large spoils of metal-rich filtercake from the Port Kembla BHP steelworks were characterised by certain physical, chemical and biological parameters. The vegetation was assessed for potential metal hyperaccumulators and the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizae in the rhizospheres. Fresh filtercake ( 4 yr). Among the naturally colonising plants, Ricinus communis and Sonchus oleraceus are regarded the most suitable options for zinc and cadmium removal, respectively. Arbuscular mycorrhizal infection (particularly with Glomus and Gigaspora strains) should be promoted for optimum soil reclamation.

The mechanism of higher grain production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by four tillage methods was explored on a sandy calcareous soil of Sahl-Al Jafara, Libya, during the year 1976–77. Tillage methods increased grain yield and dry matter weight at the boot stage in the order of no-tillage

The mechanism of differential susceptibility of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to Zn deficiency was explored in 20 field trials. IR-6 rice suffered with Zn deficiency much more severely than Basmati-370. Higher Fe absorption seems to be mainly responsible. It achieved this effect by strongly inhibiting Zn absorption and by markedly increasing internal Zn requirement as IR-6 plants.

SUMMARY On several alkaline calcareous soils, Zn and Cu deficiency occurred mainly ill lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and was rarely found in wheat (Trilicum aestivum L.). Zinc and Cu requirement of plants was not responsible as the critical Zn and Cu contents ill tops of the two plant species were almost similar i.e. 17.4, 6.5 and 14.5, 5.6 ppm respectively. Neither did rice absorb Zn and Cu less efficiently. On the contrary, their rates of absorption in rice were double than in wheat. They were 22.2, 6.3 and 10.2, 3.3 ng atoms/g fresh root/h respectively in the two plant species. Flooded soil conditions appeared to be responsible for Zn and Cu deficiency in rice as their deficiency was found maillIy in plant samples collected from continuously flooded fields. The mechanism is not known. Both Zn and Cu inhibited uptake of each other in wheat on most of the soils. In rice, only applied Zn depressed Cu uptake but Cu had generally little effect on Zn uptake. Little Cu inhibition of Zn uptake in lowland rice seems to be related to flooded soil conditions. The mechanism is yet to be known. The antagonising element accentuated the deficiency of the other element both in wheat and rice and severely reduced their yields on soils marginal to deficient in Zn or Cu supplies. It is recommended that their soil availability status should be thoroughly considered before their fertilizers are applied.

Iron competitively inhibited Zn absorption by rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Earlirose) grown in solution culture. The effect was more marked for shoots since Fe had also a competitive effect on Zn translocation from roots to shoots. The chelating agent baptholphenanthrolinesulfonate (BPDS), which has great ability to chelate Fe++, alleviated the inhibitory effect of Fe to a large extent. re]19750516

Nitrogen application increased Zn contents of flooded rice on two calcareous soils. Urea and (NH4)2SO4 being better N carriers than NH4NO3 resulted in higher increase. Nitrogen enhanced Zn contents partly through growth promotion but mainly by increasing soil Zn solubility and root efficiency for Zn absorption. Zinc solubility rose by an enigmatic mechanism and not from pH reduction or soluble Zn-HN3 complex formation as occurs for upland plants. Nitrogen aggravated Zn retention in upland plant roots as immobile Zn-protein complex was not important for rice. Bicarbonate inhibition of Zn uptake by rice from CO(NH2)2 application or its stimulation by lower redox potential from NH4NO3 addition were not involved.

The effect of various doses of copper and zinc on their uptake and on the yield of rice were studied. Copper applications increased copper contents in the plants without effecting the zinc contents. However, zinc applications though increased zinc contents but markedly decreased the copper contents in the plants. This antagonistic effect of zinc on copper suggests that zinc applications can reduce rice yield if available copper is marginal in the soils. re]19720628