Virtual Reality Biofeedback in Health: A Scoping Review

Over the past decades, virtual reality (VR) has found its way into biofeedback (BF) therapy programs. Using VR promises to overcome challenges encountered in traditional BF such as low treatment motivation, low attentional focus and the difficulty of transferring learnt abilities to everyday life. Yet, a comprehensive research synthesis is still missing. Hence, this scoping review aims to provide an overview over empirical studies on VR based BF regarding key outcomes, included samples, used soft- and hardware, BF parameters, mode of application and potential limitations. We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Open Grey for empirical research. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Samples mostly consisted of healthy (44.4%) and/or adult (77.7%) participants. Outcomes were mainly anxiety (44.4%), stress (44.4%) or pain reduction (11.1%), which were reduced by the VR-BF interventions at least as much as by classical BF. Participants in VR-BF interventions showed higher motivation and involvement as well as a better user experience. Heart rate or heart rate variability were the most frequently used BF parameters (50.0%), and most VR-BF interventions (72.2%) employed a natural environment (e.g., island). Currently, there is no clear evidence that VR-BF is more effective than traditional BF. Yet, results indicate that VR-BF may have advantages regarding motivation, user experience, involvement and attentional focus. Further research is needed to assess the specific impact of VR and gamification. Also, testing a broader range of clinical and younger samples would allow more far-reaching conclusions.

Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) against Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under controlled and open-field conditions on bitter gourd

Background Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most destructive pest of bitter gourd. Conventionally, it is controlled by chemical insecticides despite their hazardous impacts. Entomopathogenic fungi are considered as eco-friendly and safer alternative of chemical. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against B. cucurbitae on bitter gourd. Results The study revealed that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae were efficient against B. cucurbitae in controlled as well as field conditions. Both mode of application (i.e., contact and oral) were found to be effective; however, high efficacies of them were observed through contact application (73.43 and 59.72%), respectively. Pathogenicity of both fungi increased with increase in concentration and time intervals. Under field conditions, significantly low fruit infestations and significantly a high population reduction of B. cucurbitae were observed at 30 DAT when both fungi were applied with 108 CFU/ml concentrations. Conclusions Beauveria bassiana and M. anisopliae had the potential to be used against B. cucurbitae; however, the former showed high efficiency comparatively.

Jiwamrita: A Low Cost Organic Nutrient Source for Growth, Yield and Economics of Organic Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Changing Agricultural Environment

Aims: To find a suitable alternate option of nutrient management in organic mungbean with standardization of dose and its mode of application. Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur between July 2020 and October, 2020. Methodology: Treatment comprised of main plots as mode of application: M1: Soil application, M2: Foliar application and M3: Soil and foliar application and sub plots as dose of Jiwamrita: S1: Control, S2: 50 ml/l, S3: 100 ml/l and S4: 150 ml/l were replicated thrice in split plot design. FYM @ 5.0 t/ha was applied on the soil and the field of the experimental site was prepared by disking following harrowing and planking. The crop variety GM 6 was sown on 10th July, 2020 at row spacing of 30 cm with seed rate of 15 kg/ha. The plants were kept at 10 cm distance after thinning at 15 days after sowing. Jiwamrita was prepared using Palekar [1] method (Photo 1) and was kept in shade for 7 days. It was filtered before using for spray as per treatments. It was applied as soil spray at the time of sowing and 15 days after sowing as per treatments of different doses. Foliar application of Jiwamrita was done at 15 and 30 days after sowing as per treatments. Total quantity of solution containing Jiwamrita was 500 liter/ha in all the treated plots. In control plots, a quantity of 500 liter/ha was used as spray. Weeding was done manually at 15 and 30 days after sowing. Data on growth attributes, yield attributes and grain yield was recorded from net plot size of 4 m x 1.8 m and converted into hectare basis. The gross return was computed by multiplying current price of mungbean with yield. The net return was estimated by deducting cost of cultivation from gross return. The benefit-cost ratio was worked out by dividing gross return by cost of cultivation. Results: Maximum plant height of 71.5 cm was recorded with a dose of Jiwamrita @ 150 ml/liter which was at par with Jiwamrita @ 100 ml/liter. The SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) of leaves increased at 50 DAS (53.5) being maximum with Jiwamrita @ 150 ml/liter which was significantly higher over SCMR recorded with Jiwamrita @ 50 ml/liter (34.7). The significantly maximum number of pods/plant (28.7) and maximum grain yield (1314 kg/ha) was recorded due to combined application of soil and foliar application of Jiwamrita. Among doses, maximum number of pods (30.9) was recorded under Jiwamrita @ 150 ml/liter which was 30, 24 and 16 percent higher over control and Jiwamrita @ 50, 100 ml/liter. The application of Jiwamrita @ 150 ml/liter resulted in significantly higher grain yield (1221 kg/ha) which was found at par with Jiwamrita @ 100 ml/liter (1179 kg/ha) which were 17 and 13 percent higher, respectively, over control and 9 and 5.6 percent higher, respectively, over Jiwamrita @ 50 ml/liter. The maximum net return ( 65672 ha-1) was recorded with 150 ml/liter followed by 100 ml/liter ( 62686 ha-1). Conclusion: Jiwamrita is a fermented microbial culture which provides essential nutrients to plants. Its application in both soil and plant canopy were found beneficial. The study revealed that twice application of Jiwamrita in soil at the time of sowing and 15 days after sowing and twice application of Jiwamrita as foliar spray at 15 and 30 days after sowing significantly increased the growth attributes, yield attributes and yield of organic mungbean.

Traditional Practices, Formulations and Dosages of Medicinal Plants: A Survey in Faridpur District of Bangladesh

Nature is a storehouse of enormous remedies and plants, as a part of nature, have a long history of cured different ailments of human beings. The present ethnobotanical survey found that the people of Faridpur district preferred a total of 26 plant species for their traditional healthcare systems. The recorded plant species were belongs to 22 families, and only Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Piperaceae families possess more than one species to use. As for plant habits, 62% of species on the list were herbaceous and tree. Leaves and fruits were mostly useable parts as traditional medicines. The highest number of ailments for traditional practice was found related to skin problems (19%) following external injury (15%) and stomach related problems (13%). The amount of dosages and the mode of application also were included in this report. In total 52 traditional practices with 7 new records from Bangladesh were listed. Moreover, the new generations were found to be comparatively less interested in traditional health care systems than the older people. It was the first attempt to explore the traditional values of some medicinal plants with their mode of applications from this region.

UV-B light and its application potential to reduce disease and pest incidence in crops

Ultraviolet-B radiation (280–315 nm), perceived by the plant photoreceptor UVR8, is a key environmental signal that influences plant growth and development and can reduce disease and pest incidence. The positive effect of UV-B on disease resistance and incidence in various plant species supports the implementation of supplemental UV-B radiation in sustainable crop production. However, despite many studies focusing on UV-B light, there is no consensus on the best mode of application. This review aims to analyze, evaluate, and organize the different application strategies of UV-B radiation in crop production with a focus on disease resistance. We summarize the physiological effects of UV-B light on plants and discuss how plants perceive and transduce UV-B light by the UVR8 photoreceptor as well as how this perception alters plant specialized metabolite production. Next, we bring together conclusions of various studies with respect to different UV-B application methods to improve plant resistance. In general, supplemental UV-B light has a positive effect on disease resistance in many plant–pathogen combinations, mainly through the induction of the production of specialized metabolites. However, many variables (UV-B light source, plant species, dose and intensity, timing during the day, duration, background light, etc.) make it difficult to compare and draw general conclusions. We compiled the information of recent studies on UV-B light applications, including e.g., details on the UV-B light source, experimental set-up, calculated UV-B light dose, intensity, and duration. This review provides practical insights and facilitates future research on UV-B radiation as a promising tool to reduce disease and pest incidence.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE TENSILE BOND STRENGTH OF RENDERING MORTARS IN CERAMIC AND CONCRETE STRUCTURAL BLOCKS

The tensile bond strength is one of the main properties of rendering mortars. It represents the adhesiveness ability between the mortar itself and the substrate. This property depends on several factors, such as the proportion and characteristics of the mortar materials and the substrate, along with the mode of application and climate conditions. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the tensile bond strength between three rendering mortar proportions in volume – 1: 1: 6, 1: 2: 9, and 1: 6 (with plasticizer additive) – each one applied on two substrates, ceramic structural blocks with roughcast and concrete structural blocks. The rendering mortars had their physical properties evaluated in fresh and hardened stages, as well as their compressive and tensile strengths in flexure. The tensile bond strength was determined by a pullout test on ceramic and concrete masonry walls exposed to external weather. The results showed that the 1: 1: 6 mixed mortar exhibited higher tensile bond strength in both substrates of ceramic blocks with roughcast and concrete blocks without preparation. Besides, among 1: 2: 9 and 1: 6 mortars there is no significant difference in tensile bond strength considering both substrates. Another conclusion was that the substrate type did not affect the final bond strength between the mortars.

Optimizing Risk Management Strategies for the Control of Philornis downsi—A Threat to Birds in the Galápagos Islands

One of the most concerning threats to Galápagos bird populations, including some critically endangered species, is the invasive parasitic fly Philornis downsi. While long-term sustained solutions are under study, immediate actions are needed to reduce the impacts of this fly. Application of permethrin to birds's nests has been successfully done, but there might be potential long-term reproductive effects to birds. Cyromazine, an insect growth regulator, has been proposed as an alternative, but its risks and effectiveness are unknown. The goal of this study was to assist managers to determine which combination of chemical (permethrin or cyromazine) and mode of application (injection, spray, and self-fumigation) was likely to be most effective to control P. downsi while minimizing toxicity to small land birds in Galápagos, given data available and high levels of uncertainty in some cases. This study is presented as a semi-quantitative risk assessment employing the use of a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model. For the six potential alternatives resulting from the combination of chemical and mode of application, the criteria were given a score from 1 to 6 supported by available evidence from the literature and from expert opinion. In addition, three different scenarios with different sets of weights for each criterion were assessed with stakeholder's input. Considering the scenario with higher weight to effectiveness of the method against P. downsi while also weighing heavily to minimize the toxicity to birds, cyromazine spray followed by permethrin injection were the preferred strategies. Self-fumigation was the mode of application with highest uncertainty but with much potential to be further explored for its feasibility. The approach taken here to evaluate mitigation strategies against an important threat for avian species in Galápagos can also be used in other conservation programs when making real time decisions under uncertainty.

Dentin Permeability and Nanoleakage of Universal Adhesives in Etch-and-rinse vs Self-etch Modes

Clinical Relevance Universal adhesives do not seem to have the ability to effectively seal dentin, regardless of the mode of application. SUMMARY Purpose: This study evaluates the reduction in dentin permeability (P) and the expression of nanoleakage in resin-dentin interfaces made with universal adhesives, comparing the self-etch mode of application with the etch-and-rinse mode of application. Methods and Materials: To measure dentin P at the baseline and after adhesive polymerization, 80 extracted noncarious human third molars (N=80) were sectioned to obtain 0.7-mm-thick midcoronal dentin disks. The specimens were randomly assigned to 8 groups according to the different adhesive systems and application modes used: Scotchbond Universal (SBU; etch-and-rinse [ER] mode vs self-etch [SE] mode), OptiBond XTR (OPT; etch-and-rinse mode vs self-etch mode), Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (CL; etch-and-rinse mode vs self-etch mode), and Adhese Universal (ADH; etch-and-rinse mode vs self-etch mode). A two-way analysis of variance with interaction was used to evaluate the P reduction differences among the groups (α=0.05). Sixteen additional 0.7-mm-thick dentin disks were similarly prepared and treated, immersed in 50 wt% ammoniacal silver nitrate, and then processed according to conventional methods for analysis under transmission electron microscopy. Results: The differences in P reduction among the adhesives were significant (p=0.029). For OPT and ADH (p=0.0304 and p=0.0120, respectively), the P reduction was higher in the ER mode than in the SE mode. For CL and SBU, no differences in P reduction was observed between the two application modes (p>0.05). All the groups showed some pattern of nanoleakage. Conclusions: No adhesive system completely reduced dentin P. Dentin sealing was higher for OPT and ADH in the ER mode, while for SBU and CL, there was no difference between the two modes. All the adhesive systems showed nanoleakage.