Effect of mycorrhizal provision and watering frequency on productivity and fresh material of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Sorghum is a cereal crop that has the potential to be developed as animal feed. Sorghum plant experiencing drought stress will decrease their productivity. Efforts to overcome this problem are by adding mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae increase the ability of plants to adapt to the environment in the form of absorption of water and nutrients. This study aimed to determine the productivity of sorghum (plant height increase, plant length increase, number of leaves and stem diameter) and fresh weight of sorghum plant. The research treatments were mycorrhizal levels and watering frequency using a completely randomized design with a 3x3 factorial pattern. The mycorrhizal fungi provision consisted of three levels, namely without mycorrhizal (M0), mycorrhizal 10 g/polybag (M10), and mycorrhizal 20 g/polybag (M20). The frequency of watering consisted of watering everyday (A1), watering every four days (A4), and watering every eight days (A8). The provision of mycorrhizae significantly affected the productivity of sorghum and fresh weight of sorghum (p<0.05). The difference in watering frequency affected the increase in sorghum plant height (p<0.05). However, it did not significantly affect the increase in length, stem diameter, number of leaves, and fresh weight of sorghum. In conclusion, mycorrhizae can significantly improved the productivity of sorghum plants developed in areas with high drought levels.

Rational Habit Formation: Experimental Evidence from Handwashing in India

We test the predictions of the rational addiction model, reconceptualized as rational habit formation, in the context of handwashing in rural India. To track handwashing, we design soap dispensers with timed sensors. We test for rational habit formation by informing some households about a future change in the returns to daily handwashing. Monitoring and incentives raise handwashing contemporaneously, and effects persist well after they end. In addition, people are rational about this habit formation: when they anticipate future monitoring, they increase their current handwashing. Average child weight and height increase for all study arms given soap dispensers. (JEL D12, D83, D91, I12, I18, J13, O12)

A Comparative Study of Piers with DSCT and Steel Piles

Because of climate changes, the demand for securing marine space is increasing owing to problems such as sea level rise, design wave height increase, and lack of land and space, and research on the development of a new high-performance pier has been conducted. In the existing pier supported by steel piles, buckling failure and corrosion problems may lead to a risk of structural safety, and maintenance is difficult owing to a narrow span. The new type of double-skinned composite tubular (DSCT) structure, which has been extensively studied recently, is filled with concrete between the inner and outer tubes, increasing the strength of concrete because of the three-axis confined effect. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of ductility. Furthermore, owing to the hollow cross-section, it is economical because it weighs less than the concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) structure, effectively saving materials. In this study, the performance of a pier with 30 steel piles and that of a pier supported with 20 DSCT piles was compared under the same external force through finite element analysis. Consequently, it was confirmed that the pier with DSCT piles showed higher performance in displacement and stress than the existing pier with steel piles.

PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN SELADA (Lactuca sativa L.) PADA SISTEM HIDROPONIK NFT DENGAN BERBAGAI KONSENTRASI PUPUK AB MIX DAN GROWMORE

One of the efforts to continuously increase lettuce production is by using hydroponic technology. Hydroponics is a way of farming without using soil media but using water or porous materials. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) including hydroponic farming methods. In this system, some of the roots of the plants are submerged in water that contains fertilizer and some are above the surface of the water with a continuous 24 hours of circulation. The research was conducted from June to November 2020. The research was carried out on the Hydroponic Roof Top of the Red Building. Plantation Cultivation. This research method used a non-factorial randomized block design (RBD), the treatment of 1100 ppm AB Mix nutrition at the age of 1-14 days, 1300 ppm from the age of 21-28 days, 1500 ppm at the age of 29 - 35 days and B2 = Fertilizer Growmore 1100 ppm at the age of 1 - 14 and 1300 ppm from the age of 21 - 28 days, 1500 ppm at the age of 29 - 35 days Each treatment consists of 20 sample plants.The results showed a significant difference in the application of AB Mix fertilizer to Growmore fertilizer from week 1 to week IV on plant height increase, number of leaves and wet weight or yield on lettuce plants.

Suplementasi Zinc Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Pertumbuhan Berdasarkan Indeks Z-Score Pada Anak Stunting Usia 2 – 5 Tahun

In stunted children, there was a deficiency of macro and micro nutrients. One of the micronutrients, namely zinc, can help protein synthesis, cell growth and differentiation so that food intake that enters the body can be easily absorbed and function optimally in helping the growth process. The purpose of this community service activity was to provide zinc supplementation as an effort to increase growth based on Z-score index in stunted children aged 2-5 years. The methods used include: 1) Conducting surveys and data collection on the number of stunting children, 2) Conducting cross-program and cross-sector collaboration, 3) Providing counseling to the targets regarding zinc supplementation, 4) Conducting zinc supplementation activities (February – May 2021), 5) Evaluating the growth of stunting children through Z-score index. The instrument used questionnaire, weight scale, stature meter, maternal and child health book, and zinc syrup. Zinc syrup was given to 16 stunting children at a dose of 1 tablespoon (10 mg) per day. After 16 weeks of zinc supplementation in stunted children 2-5 years, the results showed that 16 children (100%) experienced an increase in weight/age, height/age and weight/height. The average weight gain was 2.7 kg and the average height increase was 2.9 cm. Zinc supplementation is effective given to stunting children, especially during the golden age because the growth and development process can be optimized rapidly.Keywords: Zinc Supplementation; Growth; Stunting; Z-Score Index. AbstrakPada anak yang mengalami stunting terjadi defisiensi zat gizi makro maupun mikro. Salah satu zat gizi mikro yaitu zinc dapat membantu sintesis protein, pertumbuhan dan diferensiasi sel sehingga asupan makanan yang masuk ke dalam tubuh dapat mudah diserap dan berfungsi optimal dalam membantu proses pertumbuhan. Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah untuk memberikan suplementasi zinc sebagai upaya peningkatan pertumbuhan berdasarkan indeks Z-score pada anak stunting usia 2-5 tahun. Metode yang dilakukan meliputi : 1) Melakukan survei dan pendataan jumlah balita stunting, 2) Mengadakan kerjasama lintas program dan lintas sektor, 3) Memberikan penyuluhan kepada sasaran mengenai suplementasi zinc, 4) Melakukan kegiatan suplementasi zinc (Februari – Mei 2021), 5) Mengevaluasi pertumbuhan anak stunting melalui indeks Z-score. Instrumen kegiatan menggunakan kuesioner, timbangan berat badan, staturemeter, buku KIA, dan sirup zinc. Sirup zinc diberikan kepada 16 anak stunting dengan dosis 1 sendok takar (10 mg) per hari. Setelah 16 minggu dilakukan suplementasi zinc pada anak stunting 2-5 tahun didapatkan hasil bahwa 16 anak (100%) mengalami peningkatan BB/U, TB/U dan BB/TB. Rata-rata peningkatan berat badan adalah 2,7 kg dan rata-rata peningkatan tinggi badan adalah 2,9 cm. Suplementasi zinc efektif diberikan kepada anak stunting terutama pada masa golden age karena proses pertumbuhan dan perkembangan dapat dioptimalkan secara pesat.Kata kunci: Suplementasi Zinc; Pertumbuhan; Stunting; Indeks Z-Score.

Effects of Bypassing Hemostatic Agents in the Co-Presence of NXT007, Emicizumab-Based Engineered Bispecific Antibody to Fixa/Fx, Using in Vitro Global Assays: Rough Indicators for Their Concomitant Use

Background: NXT007, emicizumab (Emi)-based engineered therapeutic bispecific antibody which increases tissue factor (TF)-triggered thrombin generation (TG) potential of factor(F) VIII-deficient plasma to non-hemophiliac ranges at around 5-30 μg/mL (Yamaguchi, ASH 2020), is currently in a phase 1/2 clinical study. In the clinical settings under NXT007-prophylaxis, bypassing hemostatic agents (BPAs), such as activated prothrombin complex concentrates (aPCC) and recombinant(r) FVIIa, may be concomitantly administered. Under Emi-prophylaxis, repeated doses of aPCC impose a thrombotic risk. Against the risk, NHF's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) recommends ≤50 U/kg and ≤100 U/kg of aPCC as initial dose and one day dosage, respectively. In case of NXT007-prophylaxis, concomitant-use with BPAs should be also carefully managed and thus basic non-clinical combination data are needed. Objectives: To examine in vitro effects of BPAs in the co-presence of NXT007 for providing rough indicators for determining their safe doses. Methods: First, TF-triggered TG assay was performed using commercial FVIII-deficient plasma. rFVIII, rFVIIa or aPCC was spiked in the co-presence of NXT007 or Emi (0.1-50 μg/mL). Second, the TG assay and whole blood clot viscosity test (ROTEM) using Ca 2+-trigger was performed using healthy volunteer's blood incubated with anti-FVIII antibodies (HA model), where aPCC or rFVIIa was spiked in the co-presence of NXT007. Third, ROTEM was performed as above using whole blood from persons with hemophilia A (PwHA) under Emi- or FVIII-prophylaxis. Results: Peak height of TF-triggered TG assay using FVIII-deficient plasma was increased by spiking each of the agents (rFVIII, rFVIIa or aPCC) in the co-presence of NXT007 (0.1-50 μg/mL). Peak height increase by rFVIII under NXT007 was roughly additive. Peak height increase by each BPA under NXT007 was synergistic. Synergistic effect by aPCC was more intensive than that by rFVIIa. The combination effect of 0.1 U/mL aPCC and 0.1-50 μg/mL NXT007 on peak height did not exceed that of 0.5 U/mL aPCC and 50 μg/mL Emi. Peak height at 2 μg/mL NXT007 alone was comparable to that at 50 μg/mL Emi alone. When adding BPAs to these two settings, similar synergistic effects were observed. It suggested that NXT007's combination actions with BPAs were qualitatively similar to Emi's. In the TG assay using the HA model plasma (n=2), the combined effect of aPCC and NXT007 was similarly confirmed. In ROTEM using the same HA model whole blood (n=2), clotting time (ROTEM-CT, 7380±605 sec) was shortened by spiking 5 μg/mL NXT007 (791±148 sec) to yield normal levels (1521±110 sec). Spiked aPCC (0.13, 0.65 U/mL in whole blood, equivalent to ~10, ~50 U/kg infusion) shortened ROTEM-CT (1228±549, 435±54 sec) and further shortened it in the co-presence of 5 or 15 μg/mL NXT007 (171±11, 113±1* or 143±4, 90±5* sec [* significantly ( p&lt;0.05) shorter than that of the Emi-treated PwHA blood spiking 0.65 U/mL aPCC, 162±21 sec)]. In PwHA without Emi-prophylaxis (n=2), ROTEM-CT (5148±1290 sec) was shortened by spiking 5 or 15 μg/mL NXT007 (1598±482 or 1116±14 sec) to non-hemophiliac levels (20 IU/dL rFVIII, 1569±222 sec). Spiked aPCC (0.13, 0.65 U/mL) shortened ROTEM-CT (1383±322, 680±84 sec) and further shortened it in the co-presence of 5 or 15 μg/mL NXT007 (230±35, 144±4 or 193±11, 121±0* sec). Spiked rFVIIa also shortened ROTEM-CT in the co-presence of NXT007, but the intensity was less than spiked aPCC. ROTEM using blood from PwHA under Emi-prophylaxis (n=3) were also performed and demonstrated that the effects by co-spiking BPAs and NXT007 were roughly consistent with those using PwHA blood without Emi-prophylaxis. These ROTEM data indicated that the combined effect of 0.13 U/mL aPCC and 5-15 μg/mL NXT007 was less intensive than that of 0.65 U/mL aPCC spiked to the Emi-treated PwHA blood, while that of 0.65 U/mL aPCC and 5-15 μg/mL NXT007 had more intensive effect (Table). Conclusion: In considering concomitant use of BPA under NXT007-prophylaxis, dose of aPCC should be more carefully determined than that of rFVIIa. In this non-clinical study, the combined effect of ~0.13 U/mL aPCC (equivalent to ~10 U/kg infusion) and ~15 μg/mL NXT007 did not exceed that of 0.65 U/mL aPCC (50 U/kg infusion) under Emi-prophylaxis situation corresponding to the upper limit of initial concomitant dose recommended by MASAC, which might be rough indicators in future clinical settings. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Ogiwara: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Consultancy, Research Funding. Furukawa: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding. Sasai: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding. Inaba: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Current Employment. Kitazawa: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Nogami: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Consultancy, Research Funding.

STAGE-STORAGE AND FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENTS OF UPGRADED BATU KITANG SUBMERSIBLE WEIR

Batu Kitang Submersible Weir (BKSW) was constructed to secure reliable water yield from the Sarawak Kiri River until 2010. However, ever-increasing water demand had outstretched the weir capacity. Upgrading work has been done to extend the weir height from 1.5 m to 2.5 m using interlocking concrete blocks to increase water storage capacity. However, the storage capacity and flood extend are unknown after the upgrading work. This study aimed to determine the effect of upgrading works on water storage capacity and floodplain coverage in the upper catchment using InfoWorks River Simulation (RS). Results revealed that weir height extension from 1.5 m to 2.5 m at BKSW had increased the water storage capacity from 1012 ML to 1499.62 ML, securing approximately 48% more water. Besides, maximum storage depth was also increased from 6.53 m to 7.53 m, and the distance of storage reservoir coverage from BKSW also increased from 8 Km to 16 Km. However, these increments would not lead to any significant impact on floodplain coverage upstream. It is novel to discover that a 1m weir height increase has extended BKSW service from 2010 to 2030 under a 1:50-year drought scenario. After 2030, various measures such as inter-basin raw water transfer should be implemented to increase the raw water supply and reduce water usage to ensure a sustainable water supply for Kuching City and its surrounding areas.

The Oxford Domed Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Replacement implant: Increasing wall height reduces the risk of bearing dislocation

Due to lateral ligament laxity, bearing dislocation occurs in 1%–6% of Oxford Domed Lateral replacements. Most dislocations are medial but they do rarely occur anteriorly or posteriorly. The aim was to decrease the risk of dislocation. For a bearing to dislocate the femoral component has to be distracted from the tibial component. A robotic-path-planning-algorithm was used with a computer model of the implant in different configurations to determine the Vertical Distraction needed for Dislocation (VDD). With current components, VDD anteriorly/posteriorly was 5.5 to 6.5 mm and medially was 3.5 to 5.75 mm. A thicker bearing increased VDD medially and decreased VDD anteriorly/posteriorly (0.1 mm/1 mm thickness increase). VDD medially increased with the bearing closer to the tibial wall (0.5 mm/1 mm closer), or by increasing the tibial wall height (1 mm/1 mm height increase). VDD anteriorly/posteriorly was not influenced by bearing position or wall height. To prevent collision between the femoral and tibial components an increase in wall height must be accompanied by a similar increase in minimum bearing thickness. Increasing the wall height and minimum bearing thickness by 2 mm and ensuring the bearing is 4 mm or less from the wall increased the minimum VDD medially to 5.5 mm. The lower VDD medially than anteriorly/posteriorly explains why medial dislocation is more common. If the wall height is increased by 2 mm, the minimum bearing thickness is 5 mm and the surgeon ensured the bearing is 4 mm or less from the wall, the medial dislocation rate should be similar to the anterior/posterior dislocation rate, which should be acceptable.

Mathematical Modeling of Unsteady Solute Dispersion in Bingham Fluid Model of Blood Flow Through an Overlapping Stenosed Artery

An artery narrowing referred to as atherosclerosis or stenosis causes a reduction in the diameter of the artery. When blood flow through an artery consists of stenosis, the issue of solute dispersion is more challenging to solve. A mathematical model is developed to examine the unsteady solute dispersion in an overlapping stenosed artery portraying blood as Bingham fluid model. The governing of the momentum equation and the constitutive equation is solved analytically. The generalized dispersion model is imposed to solve the convective-diffusion equation and to describe the entire dispersion process. The dispersion function at steady-state decreases at the center of an artery as the stenosis height increase. A reverse behavior is shown at an unsteady-state. As the plug core radius, time and stenosis height increase, the dispersion function decreases at the center of an artery. There is a high amount of red blood cells at the center of the artery but no influences near the wall. Hence, this model is useful in transporting the drug or nutrients to the targeted stenosed region in the treatment of diseases and in understanding many physiological processes.

Staged Sinus Floor Elevation Using Novel Low-Crystalline Carbonate Apatite Granules: Prospective Results after 3-Year Functional Loading

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of staged sinus floor elevation (SFE) using novel low-crystalline carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) granules. Patients who needed SFE for implant placement were recruited into this clinical trial. A staged procedure (lateral window technique using CO3Ap granules, followed by implant placement after 7 ± 2 months) was employed in 13 patients. Bone-height increase and insertion torque values (ITVs) were assessed along with histological evaluation. The survival and success rates of 3-year functioning implants were also evaluated. Mean of bone-height increase after SFE using CO3Ap granules was 7.2 ± 2.5 mm and this increase allowed implant placement in all cases (17 implants). Mean of ITV was 25.1 ± 13.2 Ncm and primary stability was achieved successfully in all cases. Histological analyses revealed mature new bone formation (36.8 ± 17.3%) and residual CO3Ap granules (16.2 ± 10.1%) in the compartment after SFE. The survival and success rates after 3-year functional loading were 100% and no complications were found. These results clearly indicate the clinical usefulness of CO3Ap granules for SFE.