Effectiveness of the EIT-4-BPSD Intervention on Resident and Setting Outcomes

The effectiveness of EIT-4-BPSD was based on testing the following hypotheses: (1) Settings exposed to EIT-4-BPSD will demonstrate improvements in Environment and Policy assessments, better quality of care interactions, and more person-centered care approaches for management of behavioral symptoms in care plans compared to Education Only settings; and (2) Residents in EIT-4-BPSD settings will have fewer behavioral symptoms and less pain, maintain or improve function, use fewer psychotropic medications, and have improved quality of life compared to residents in Education Only settings. There was not a significant treatment effect at the setting or resident level. Reasons for lack of effectiveness include limited evidence of behavioral symptoms at baseline, nationally based environment and policy requirements related to behavioral management, and measurement challenges in identifying behaviors and other outcomes. Future work should focus more on process and changing how staff approach care which was demonstrated in this trial.

Karakteristik Briket Biomassa dengan Variasi Geometri dan Jenis Bahan Baku yang Berbeda

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa karakteristik briket biomassa dengan variasi geometri dan jenis bahan baku briket biomassa yang berbeda dan menentukan perlakuan manakah yang menghasilkan briket dengan kualitas yang paling baik. Penelitian ini menggunakan RAK (Rancangan Acak Kelompok) Faktorial menggunakan 2 faktorial dan 3 kali ulangan. Faktor pertama adalah jenis bahan baku (A) yang terdiri dari tiga taraf yaitu bambu tabah (A1), sekam padi (A2) dan campuran bambu tabah sekam padi (A3). Faktor kedua yaitu bentuk geometri briket (B) yang terdiri dari dua taraf yaitu balok (B1) dan silinder (B2). Seluruh perlakuan diulang sebanyak 3 kali ulangan sehingga didapatkan 18 data pengamatan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan sidik ragam dan apabila terdapat pengaruh perlakuan yang signifikan, maka dilanjutkan dengan uji BNT terhadap rata-rata perlakuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Interaksi antar perlakuan jenis bahan baku dan bentuk geometri memberikan pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap parameter mutu briket yang dihasilkan, Perlakuan briket yang dibuat dari sekam padi dengan bentuk silinder (A2B2) merupakan perlakuan yang menghasilkan briket dengan kualitas paling baik dengan nilai kadar air sebesar 2,64% bb, kadar abu sebesar 6,60%, laju pembakaran sebesar 73,16 (gr/menit) dan volatille matter sebesar 13,86 %. ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze the characteristics of biomass briquettes with different geometry variations and types of biomass briquette raw materials and determine which treatment produces the best quality briquettes.This research uses block design (RAK) using 2 factorials and 3 replications.The first factor is the type of raw material (A) which consists of three levels, namely tabah bamboo (A1), rice husk (A2) and a mixture of tabah bamboo rice husk (A3). The second factor is the geometric shape of the briquette (B) which consists of two levels, namely beams (B1) and cylinders (B2). All treatments were repeated 3 times in order to obtain 18 observational data. The data obtained were analyzed by means of variance and if there was a significant treatment effect, then it was followed by the BNT test on the average treatment.The results showed that the interaction between treatments. Types of raw materials and geometric shapes had a significant effect on the quality parameters of the resulting briquettes.The treatment of briquettes made from rice husks in a cylindrical shape (A2B2) is a treatment that produces the best quality briquettes with a moisture content value of 2.64% bb.ash content was 6.60%, combustion rate was 73.16 (gr / minute) and volatile matter was 13.86%.

The Student Teaching Equity Project: Exploring Teacher Candidates’ Knowledge, Skills, and Beliefs

A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an equity intervention on teacher candidates’ abilities to articulate equity-based beliefs, and demonstrate and apply equity-based skills and knowledge. Three pre/post instruments were utilized. Treatment participants ( N = 35) were exposed to curricular modifications made to the traditional curriculum, including a workshop, panel event, online learning modules, and reflective postconferences. Quantitative findings showed a statistically significant treatment effect for treatment participants compared with candidates in the control group ( N = 83). Qualitative analyses showed that treatment participants articulated more equity-based language when describing their beliefs and intentions for their future classroom communities. Implications for practice and research are provided.

EFFECT OF DIETARY LEVELS OF UNPROCESSED AND UNDEHULLED SUNFLOWER SEEDMEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of unprocessed and undehulled sunflower seed meal, on the performance of laying hens. One hundred and fifty Black Harco layers in their second month of egg production were randomly alloted to five diets in which sunflower seed meal (SSM) was tested at levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% of the diets for a ten week period. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg weights, egg shell thickness, yolk index and Haugh units did not show any significant (P>0.05) treatment effects. SSM significantly (P<0.05) increased per cent egg production at 7.5 and 10.0% levels over control. Body weight was significantly (P<0.05) depressed by 5.0 and 10.0% SSM, Dressed carcass weight (% liveweight) of birds on 7.5% SSM was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of birds on the rest of the diets. Hens on 7.5 and 10% SSM had intestines which were significantly (P<0.05) longer than the intestines of hens on the other diets, Caecum length of birds on 10% SSM was significantly laying hens. (P<0.05) higher than those of birds on diets 1 to 4; these beans however showed no significant treatment effect on their caeca length. Liver, gizzard and net carcass weights were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by SSM. The effect of SSM on egg production would seem to recommend 7.5% as the optimum level inclusion.

Pengaruh Delignifikasi Termal Terhadap Substansi Dinding Sel Pada Limbah Bunga Jantan Kelapa Sawit Pasca Anthesis (The Influence of Thermal Delignification of Cell Substantials for The Waste of Oil Palm Mail Flowers Post Anthesis)

ABSTRACT The oil palm male flowers post anthesis is one of the solid wasted of oil palm which has not been much utilized. It can be used by processing into biofuel or bioethanol and to be alternative for fossil fuels whose availability is increasingly scarce. The purpose of this study were to determine the effect of several cycles of thermal delignification on the levels of lignin, holocellulose, and cellulose and to determine the best levels of lignin, holocellulose, and cellulose from the treatment of several thermal delignification cycles. This study used a one factor completely randomized design method with 3 treatments; one, two, and three cycle thermal delignification. Each treatments were three replications. Data were analized with analysis of variance with α 5 %, if there was a significant treatment effect, the further analysis using Tukey test. The results showed that the treatment of thermal delignification with several cycles had a significant effect on the levels of lignin, holocellulose, and cellulose. The best levels of lignin, holocellulose and cellulose were shown in the treatment of three cycles of thermal delignification.Keywords: bioethanol, cellulose, hemicellulose, holocellulose, lignin

First report of emerging snake fungal disease caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola from Asia in imported captive snakes in Japan

Snake fungal disease (SFD) (Ophidiomycosis) is an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola which has been affecting wild and captive snakes in North America, Europe, and Australia. We report the cases of 12 imported captive colubrid snakes in Japan suspected of having SFD. Pathological and microbiological examinations were performed, and the results confirmed the diagnosis of SFD in two snakes, which indicated that the remaining sympatrically raised snakes also had SFD since they exhibited similar lesions. The oral administration of ciprofloxacin in addition to itraconazole had a significant treatment effect. This is the first report of SFD in Asia caused by O. ophiodiicola. To prevent the expansion of SFD in the natural environment in Japan, there is a need to evaluate the SFD carrier status of imported snakes, the pathogenicity of the infection in native snakes, and the prevalence and distribution of SFD in wild and captive snakes. Measures also must be taken to prevent endemicity globally.

The Effect of Wearing a Customized Mouthguard on Body Alignment and Balance Performance in Professional Basketball Players

The present study examined the influence of a customized mouthguard on body alignment and balance performance in professional basketball players. Twenty-three professional male basketball players, aged 25.8 ± 8.6 years old, were voluntarily assigned to participate in three treatments, including no treatment (no mouthguard), acute treatment (wearing a mouthguard), and repeated treatments (8 weeks follow-up). Body alignment status, such as spinal and pelvic posture and balance performance, were measured at each time point using a 3D Formetric III (Germany) and a postural control device (Posturomed 202, Germany), respectively. A repeated MANOVA analysis with a Bonferroni post hoc test was applied, and the adjusted p-value was set at 0.02. No significant treatment effect was observed in body alignment (p = 0.302). However, univariate analysis showed a significant difference in pelvic torsion, where it was decreased after acute and repeated mouthguard treatments compared to no treatment (p < 0.001). Kyphotic angle also increased significantly following 8 weeks of treatment compared to no treatment (p < 0.001) and acute treatment (p < 0.002). There was a significant treatment effect on balance performance (p < 0.001). Both static and dynamic balance performance improved following 8 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001). Our study revealed that a customized mouthguard provides a benefit to balance performance. Notably, repeated treatment impacts on balance performance more than acute treatment. Although our findings did not show a significant effect on body alignment, some positive results, such as pelvic torsion and kyphotic angle, may provide substantial information for developing future longitudinal studies with large sample sizes.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of laquinimod in primary progressive multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveTo evaluate efficacy, safety, and tolerability of laquinimod in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).MethodsIn the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study, ARPEGGIO (A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial Evaluating Laquinimod in PPMS, Gauging Gradations in MRI and Clinical Outcomes), eligible patients with PPMS were randomized 1:1:1 to receive once-daily oral laquinimod 0.6 mg or 1.5 mg or matching placebo. Percentage brain volume change (PBVC; primary endpoint) from baseline to week 48 was assessed by MRI. Secondary and exploratory endpoints included clinical and MRI measures. Efficacy endpoints were evaluated using a predefined, hierarchical statistical testing procedure. Safety was monitored throughout the study. The laquinimod 1.5 mg dose arm was discontinued on January 1, 2016, due to findings of cardiovascular events.ResultsA total of 374 patients were randomized to laquinimod 0.6 mg (n = 139) or 1.5 mg (n = 95) or placebo (n = 140). ARPEGGIO did not meet the primary endpoint of significant treatment effect with laquinimod 0.6 mg vs placebo on PBVC from baseline to week 48 (adjusted mean difference = 0.016%, p = 0.903). Laquinimod 0.6 mg reduced the number of new T2 brain lesions at week 48 (risk ratio 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–0.69; p = 0.001). Incidence of adverse events was higher among patients treated with laquinimod 0.6 mg (83%) vs laquinimod 1.5 mg (66%) and placebo (78%).ConclusionsLaquinimod 0.6 mg did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect on brain volume loss in PPMS at week 48.Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT02284568.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class I evidence that, although well tolerated, laquinimod 0.6 mg did not demonstrate a significant treatment effect on PBVC in patients with PPMS.