Conjoint Use Research Articles

Vertical electrical sounding for characterizing subsurface tectonic features and their impacts on groundwater occurrences: a case study of basaltic Jbab uplifting in southern Syria

ABSTRACT Eighteen vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried out by applying the Schlumberger configuration to characterize the main subsurface tectonic features and determine their impacts on groundwater occurrences of the uplifted Jbab area in Southern Syria. Different interpretative approaches were used to interpret these VES distributed on one longitudinal profile (LP) and four transverse profiles TP1, TP2, TP3, and TP4. The originality of this work is the conjoint use of Pichgin and Habibullaev technique, the fractal concentration-number (C–N) modeling technique, and the 1D inversion technique as an integrated interpretative approach (IIA) in subsurface basalt characterization. This IIA proves its efficacy while interpreting the VES data, in delineating the main subsurface geology and the tectonic conditions and their influences on the groundwater distributions in a basaltic Jbab environment. Several optimum VES points are accordingly proposed and arranged according to their importance for drilling wells for groundwater extraction. The integrated developed geoelectrical technology described in this paper is recommended to be applied for characterizing similar basaltic areas worldwide.

Effect of conjoint use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Effect of conjoint use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Effect of Longterm Fertilization and Manuring on Nutritional Quality of Maize Grain

A study on Effect of long term fertilization and manuring on soil quality and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) under finger millet-maize cropping system was carried out in LTFE plots which has been in progress since 1986 at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Eleven treatments were laid in randomized block design with three replications. The hybrid maize was grown in LTFE plots during Rabi 2021-2022 (35th crop cycle) and qualities of grain were assessed. Application of 100 per cent NPK+ FYM+ lime recorded significantly higher grain quality viz., geometric mean diameter (7.63 mm), bulk density (791 kg m-3), 1000 grain mass (444.10 g), colour (L*72.91, a*4.68, b*27.48), crude protein (10.35%), ash (1.73%), moisture (8.19%) and crude fibre (1.85%). Inorganic fertilization alone, 100% N, 100% NP and control treatments recorded poor quality grain of maize. The conjoint use of organic manures along with chemical fertilizers in balanced form is essential to maintain good soil quality and for quality maize production.

Enhancing hospital benchmarking: A multidimensional approach to quality assessment in Portugal

The healthcare policy reforms implemented in Portugal in recent years significantly impacted the quality of health care provided to Portuguese citizens. Since public hospitals play a pivotal role as secondary care providers within the National Health Service (NHS), it is essential to assess their quality. However, a generalized assessment of this multidimensional concept is insufficient to differentiate hospitals across different quality dimensions, limiting the efficiency of benchmarking processes. The conjoint use of the Electre Tri-nC method with the Multiple Criteria Hierarchy Process (MCHP) allowed us to assess quality in Portuguese public hospitals by encompassing dimension-based analysis and a holistic perspective. Electre Tri-nC is a multiple criteria sorting method that categorizes each alternative (in this case, a public hospital in Portugal) into pre-defined and ordered categories representing quality levels. The hospitals are assessed based on four non-elementary criteria (Timeliness, Effectiveness, Safety and Efficiency) structured hierarchically in logical subsets of elementary criteria, allowing MCHP to evaluate each hospital based on specific criteria subsets or the comprehensive level. The sample size is 25 hospitals, and the analysis period includes the years from 2019 to 2022. The results evidence a general downward trend in quality, culminating in poor quality levels in most public hospitals in 2022, particularly in the Effectiveness dimension. A robustness analysis was conducted to examine the resilience and reliability of the model. By establishing a framework for assessing quality assessment across different critical dimensions, this work provides an enhanced hospital benchmarking process for healthcare policymakers. This process can serve as a reference for implementing new hospital reforms based on replicating the successful practices adopted by the healthcare facilities that demonstrate superior quality results in specific dimensions or even allocating resources more efficiently across the entire network by identifying dimensions in which hospitals are performing poorly.

The Platyrrhine Primate Cebus imitator Uses Gaze to Manipulate and Withdraw Food to the Mouth

Orienting a food item held in the hand to withdraw and optimally place it in the mouth for eating (withdraw-to-eat) is mediated by vision in catarrhine anthropoids and by nonvisual strategies in strepsirrhine primates. The present study asks whether vision contributes to the withdraw-to-eat movements in a platyrrhine anthropoid Cebus imitator, a member of a monophyletic primate suborder whose stem group diverged from catarrhines about 40 million years ago. Cebus imitator’s gaze and hand use for foraging for fruit is examined in its fine branch niche, the terminal branches of trees. Video of reach, grasp and withdraw-to-eat movements with associated gaze were examined frame-by-frame to assess food manipulation and its sensory control. Cebus imitator uses vision and touch to reach for and grasp food items with precision and whole hand grasps. They use vision to orient food items held in-hand into a precision grip and their withdraw-to-eat is assisted with a vertically oriented hand. The conjoint use of vision, a precision grasp, and hand posture and a central representation of object control likely originated in stem anthropoids and was derived from the staged evolution of the visual manipulation of food and other objects.

Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers and Biogas Slurry on Content and Uptake of NPK in Wheat Grown under Sodic Vertisols

Conjoint use of inorganic and organic amendments can be a pragmatic solution for improving soil physico-chemical and biological properties and sustaining crop productivity. Keeping in this view a pot experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2015-16 in net house of AICRP on Management of Salt Affected soils and use of Saline Water in Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Indore to study the effect of recommended doses of fertilizer and biogas slurry on uptake and content of NPK in wheat grown under sodic Vertisols. The treatment comprised of T0-Control, T1-100% RDF, T2- 100% RDF + 750 kg BGS ha-1, T3-75% RDF + 750 kg BGS ha-1, T4- 50% RDF + 750 kg BGS ha-1, T5- 100% RDF + 1000 kg BGS ha-1, T6-75% RDF + 1000 kg BGS ha-1, T7-50% RDF + 1000 kg BGS ha-1, T8-100% RDF + 1250 kg BGS ha-1, T9-75% RDF+ 1250 kg BGS ha-1, T10-50% RDF+ 1250 kg BGS ha-1 were laid in completely randomized design with 3 replications. Results showed that the treatment T9 (75% RDF+1250 kg BGS ha-1) gave maximum dry matter production (0.205, 0.434 and 0.821 g plant-1, respectively), N content (2.39, 1.58 and 1.36% respectively), P content (0.41, 0.30 and 0.24%, respectively) and K content (1.24, 0.68 and 1.68%, respectively) in wheat leaf at 30, 60 and 90 DAS. Maximum uptake of N (1.20 and 0.72 g pot-1, respectively), P (0.132 and 0.119 g pot-1, respectively) and K (0.237 and 1.08 g pot-1, respectively) by grain and straw of wheat respectively, were found with the application of T9 (75% RDF+1250 kg BGS ha-1). Thus, it may be concluded that integrated application of T9 (75% RDF+1250 kg BGS ha-1) not only increases dry matter production but also content and uptake by wheat.

Deciphering the role of phosphorus management under conservation agriculture based wheat production system

Phosphorus (P) is a vital element required by all living organism (plants, animals and microbes etc.). Its application in agriculture, whether in conventional or conservation agriculture, requires careful attention due to its low use efficiency, which typically does not exceed 20%. With the increasing acceptance of conservation agriculture (CA), it is crucial to develop protocols for P management to ensure sustainable wheat production. Therefore, a field trial was conducted from 2016–2017 to 2017–2018 in the India's semiarid eco-region to study the role of P on wheat productivity, quality, and resource use efficiency under CA-based production system. We assessed the impact of tillage operations and P management practices on wheat productivity, quality, and resource use efficiency. Three tillage and residue management options such as CT-R (conventional tillage without residue); NT-R (no tillage without maize residue) and NT + R (no tillage with maize residue @ 2.5 Mg ha−1) were laid-out in main plot and five P management options subplots viz. P1 (nitrogen and potash according to recommended but not P); P2 (17.2 kg P ha−1); P3 (17.2 kg of P ha−1 + microbial fertilizer); P4 (17.2 kg P ha−1 + compost inoculant culture) and P5 (34.4 kg P ha−1) in split plot design with three replicates. The results indicates that the combination of no-tillage with residue retention (maize residue @ 2.5 Mg ha−1) (NT + R) and the application of 34.4 kg P ha−1 (P5) significantly improved grain yield by ~43.2% compared to the control treatment (conventional tillage with no residue, CT – R, and no phosphorus application). NT + R also resulted in significantly better amino acid (~22.7%) and net protein yield (~21.2%) compared to CT – R. Regarding the P management strategy, the highest amino acid (49.1%) and protein yield (12.5%) were observed under the P5 treatment compared to the no-phosphorus treatment. Conjoint use of NT – R, along with the application of 17.2 kg P ha−1 and PSB (Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria), resulted in a significant increase in energy use efficiency of ~58% over other treatments combination. Furthermore, the NT + R plot that received 17.2 kg P ha−1 + PSB demonstrated higher P agronomic efficiency (~43%) and recovery efficiency (~53%) over control. The study's findings underscore the significance of adopting efficient P management strategies in CA to ensure the sustainable production of wheat.

Interactive effects of locus coeruleus structure and catecholamine synthesis capacity on cognitive function.

The locus coeruleus (LC) produces catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) and is implicated in a broad range of cognitive functions including attention and executive function. Recent advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches allow for the visualization and quantification of LC structure. Human research focused on the LC has since exploded given the LC's role in cognition and relevance to current models of psychopathology and neurodegenerative disease. However, it is unclear to what extent LC structure reflects underlying catecholamine function, and how LC structure and neurochemical function are collectively associated with cognitive performance. A partial least squares correlation (PLSC) analysis was applied to 19 participants' LC structural MRI measures and catecholamine synthesis capacity measures assessed using [18F]Fluoro-m-tyrosine ([18F]FMT) positron emission tomography (PET). We found no direct association between LC-MRI and LC-[18F]FMT measures for rostral, middle, or caudal portions of the LC. We found significant associations between LC neuroimaging measures and neuropsychological performance that were driven by rostral and middle portions of the LC, which is in line with LC cortical projection patterns. Specifically, associations with executive function and processing speed arose from contributions of both LC structure and interactions between LC structure and catecholamine synthesis capacity. These findings leave open the possibility that LC MRI and PET measures contribute unique information and suggest that their conjoint use may increase sensitivity to brain-behavior associations in small samples.

Soil Properties and Soybean Yield as Influenced by Long Term Fertilizer and Organic Manure Application in a Vertisol under Soybean-Wheat Cropping Sequence

Background: Long term fertilizer experiment was initiated during 1972 under All India Coordinated Research project with soybean –wheat cropping system at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, JNKVV, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The present study was taken during 2017 and 2018 in soybean crop. Methods: The present investigation was conducted with eight treatments i.e. 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% N alone, 100% NP, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha-1 yr-1, 100% NPK (-S) and unfertilized plot (control), replicated four times in a randomized block design Result: A significant increase in soil organic carbon was recorded with 100% NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 over control plot. The availability of N, P, K, S, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and soil (SMBN) increased significantly with the integrated application of fertilizers and FYM over imbalance application fertilizer or control. Further, the conjoint use of fertilizers and FYM was also significantly superior to other treatments in terms of activities of soil enzymes like dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase.

Rationalizing mineral gypsum use through microbially enriched municipal solid waste compost for amelioration and regaining productivity potential of degraded alkali soils

Reclamation of alkali soils to harness their productivity potential is more complex due to the presence of excess sodium ions, poor hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rate, resulting in poor plant growth and crop productivity. Sodic soil reclamation using inorganic ameliorants like mineral gypsum or phosphogypsum is beyond the reach of small and marginal farmers having alkali soils because of their higher market prices and shortage of availability. Conjoint use of inorganic and organic amendments can be a pragmatic solution for improving soil physico-chemical and biological properties and sustaining crop productivity. Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) available in abundant quantity if enriched with the efficient halophilic microbial consortium and used in conjunction with a reduced dose of gypsum can be a cost-effective approach for sustainable reclamation of alkali soils and harnessing their productivity potential. Hence, a field experiment was conducted on a high alkali soil (pH2 9.2 ± 0.10), electrical conductivity (EC) 1.14 ± 0.12 dS m−1, exchangeable sodium percentage 48 ± 2.50 and organic carbon (0.30%) was conducted during 2018–19 to 2020–21 to study the combined effect inorganic and organic (enriched municipal solid waste compost (EMSWC)) amendments on amelioration of alkali soils and sustaining productivity of rice–wheat cropping system. Application of gypsum @ 25% GR + enriched MSW compost @ 10 t ha−1 (T6) showed significant improvement in soil physico-chemical and biological properties over the sole application of organic (T3 and T4), inorganic (T2) and control (T1). A significant improvement in soil fertility status in terms of available nitrogen and micronutrients as well as CO3, HCO3, Cl, Ca and Mg content were recorded with the combined application of organic and inorganic soil amendments (T5 and T6) over the sole application of mineral gypsum. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN) and phosphorus (MBP) improved significantly due to the application of EMSWC with gypsum over the application of gypsum only. Grain yield of rice and wheat increased significantly (P < 0.05) owing to the application of a reduced dose of gypsum (25% GR) and EMSWC @ 10 t ha−1 (T6) with values of 5.55 and 3.83 t ha−1, respectively over rest of the treatments. Three years economic analysis of the study revealed that treatments T6 and T5 gave the highest positive net return whereas it was lowest in treatment T1 and negative in treatment T2. The highest benefit-to-cost ratio (B:C) was obtained in treatments T6 and T5 which were significantly higher compared to the rest of the treatments.

Using machine learning and Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats to assess biogeochemical models and optimize observing system design

Abstract. Numerical models of ocean biogeochemistry are becoming the major tools used to detect and predict the impact of climate change on marine resources and to monitor ocean health. However, with the continuous improvement of model structure and spatial resolution, incorporation of these additional degrees of freedom into fidelity assessment has become increasingly challenging. Here, we propose a new method to provide information on the model predictive skill in a concise way. The method is based on the conjoint use of a k-means clustering technique, assessment metrics, and Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) observations. The k-means algorithm and the assessment metrics reduce the number of model data points to be evaluated. The metrics evaluate either the model state accuracy or the skill of the model with respect to capturing emergent properties, such as the deep chlorophyll maximums and oxygen minimum zones. The use of BGC-Argo observations as the sole evaluation data set ensures the accuracy of the data, as it is a homogenous data set with strict sampling methodologies and data quality control procedures. The method is applied to the Global Ocean Biogeochemistry Analysis and Forecast system of the Copernicus Marine Service. The model performance is evaluated using the model efficiency statistical score, which compares the model–observation misfit with the variability in the observations and, thus, objectively quantifies whether the model outperforms the BGC-Argo climatology. We show that, overall, the model surpasses the BGC-Argo climatology in predicting pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, alkalinity, oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate in the mesopelagic and the mixed layers as well as silicate in the mesopelagic layer. However, there are still areas for improvement with respect to reducing the model–data misfit for certain variables such as silicate, pH, and the partial pressure of CO2 in the mixed layer as well as chlorophyll-a-related, oxygen-minimum-zone-related, and particulate-organic-carbon-related metrics. The method proposed here can also aid in refining the design of the BGC-Argo network, in particular regarding the regions in which BGC-Argo observations should be enhanced to improve the model accuracy via the assimilation of BGC-Argo data or process-oriented assessment studies. We strongly recommend increasing the number of observations in the Arctic region while maintaining the existing high-density of observations in the Southern Oceans. The model error in these regions is only slightly less than the variability observed in BGC-Argo measurements. Our study illustrates how the synergic use of modeling and BGC-Argo data can both provide information about the performance of models and improve the design of observing systems.

Nutrient use efficiency indices as influenced by nutrient management practices under cotton-green gram intercropping system in vertisols

A field study was conducted during 2021-22 at the Research field of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA), Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, (Dr. PDKV) Akola, Maharashtra (India), on an ongoing long-term experiment initiated in 1987-88 under cotton + green gram (1:1) intercropping system in Vertisols. The eight treatments comprised of a control, sole use of organics and chemical fertilizers, and integration of organics with chemical fertilizers to partially substitute Nitrogen (N). The results after 35th cycle revealed that the uptake of N, Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) was significantly higher in Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) treatments, particularly the treatments T6 and T7 where 50 percent N was substituted by either gliricidia or Farm Yard Manure (FYM). Further, the various parameters of nutrient use efficiency of N, P, and K were also found to be significantly higher in INM treatments followed by T2 (100% RDF). Therefore, the present investigation concludes that under the cotton + green gram intercropping system in Vertisols, INM that involves conjoint use of different nutrient sources appears to be a promising strategy for improvement in fertilizer use efficiency as a whole including Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE).

Municipal sewage sludge, aquatic weed compost on soil enzymatic activity and heavy metal accumulation in Kale (Brassica oleracea L.)

Enormous quantities of organic wastes such as sewage sludge (SS) and aquatic weed compost (AWC) are produced in large quantities on the banks of Dal Lake Kashmir. It is a challenging task for authorities to manage them properly. Therefore, the study’s purpose was to evaluate these organic wastes agricultural use potential. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications comprised of nine treatment combinations of SS, AWC and inorganic fertilizers. In the present study, the conjoint use of SS with chemical fertilizer recorded maximum build-up of soil microbial biomass carbon (MCB), urease and dehydrogenase activity with treatment T1. There were significant correlations between soil MCB and from urease and dehydrogenase activity (r2 = 0.95 and 0.97; P < 0.05), respectively. The micronutrient and heavy metal concentrations in kale exposed to SS and AWC were significantly higher than those in the untreated plants, with the highest concentration found in sole application of SS (T7). However, heavy metal concentrations were within the acceptable limits and did not overcome the maximum phytotoxic levels. The study’s finding leads to conclusion that SS along with chemical fertilizers (T1) can improve the enzymatic activity in soil, quality parameters and nutrient content in plants thereby enhancing the yield.

Artificial intelligence-augmented electrocardiography for left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients undergoing high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T.

Our goal was to evaluate a previously validated artificial intelligence-augmented electrocardiography (AI-ECG) screening tool for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients undergoing high-sensitivity-cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT). Retrospective application of AI-ECG for LVSD in emergency department (ED) patients undergoing hs-cTnT. AI-ECG scores (0-1) for probability of LVSD (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%) were obtained. An AI-ECG score ≥0.256 indicates a positive screen. The primary endpoint was a composite of post-discharge major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at two years follow-up. Among 1977 patients, 248 (13%) had a positive AI-ECG. When compared with patients with a negative AI-ECG, those with a positive AI-ECG had a higher risk for MACE [48 vs. 21%, P < 0.0001, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.75]. This was largely because of a higher rate of deaths (32 vs. 14%, P < 0.0001; adjusted HR 1.26, 95% 0.95-1.66) and heart failure hospitalizations (26 vs. 6.1%, P < 0.001; adjusted HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.25-2.45). Together, hs-cTnT and AI-ECG resulted in the following MACE rates and adjusted HRs: hs-cTnT < 99th percentile and negative AI-ECG: 116/1176 (11%; reference), hs-cTnT < 99th percentile and positive AI-ECG: 28/107 (26%; adjusted HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01-2.36), hs-cTnT > 99th percentile and negative AI-ECG: 233/553 (42%; adjusted HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.66, 2.70), and hs-cTnT > 99th percentile and positive AI-ECG: 91/141 (65%; adjusted HR 2.83, 95% CI 2.06, 3.87). Among ED patients evaluated with hs-cTnT, a positive AI-ECG for LVSD identifies patients at high risk for MACE. The conjoint use of hs-cTnT and AI-ECG facilitates risk stratification.

Individualized Antigen Expression in Precursor T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

BACKGROUND: In T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), multi-parametric flow cytometry can serve to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) by using immature or aberrant antigens expression as well as the altered expression of T-cell antigens. The latter approach has been specifically introduced to overcome the absence of leukemia-associated antigens. However, there is no agreed-upon method for the use of T-cell antigens in T-ALL MRD testing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the expression of classic T-cell antigens on T-lymphoblasts and T-lymphocytes to establish a protocol for their use in MRD analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow cytometric data of PB or BM samples from 63 adults with T-ALL were collected. We assessed the frequency and degree of brightness or dimness of each T-cell marker, in addition to studying the uniformity of the events scatter of a total of 287 follow-up BM samples from 50 patients. RESULTS: Significant differences in expression intensity of T-cell markers were found between T-lymphoblasts and T-lymphocytes; they were reasonably stable on blasts in follow up samples. This detailed study has nominated the conjoint use sCD3neg/dim and CD5dim/neg in the identification of residual cells, to be supported by other T-cell markers. CONCLUSION: The suggested gating sequence showed an acceptable level of accuracy in detecting residual leukemia, supporting their use in T-ALL MRD especially when other distinguishing markers might be absent in the diagnosis sample, or susceptible to be lost with induction therapy.

An empirical investigation of the Pathways Model of problem gambling through the conjoint use of self-reports and behavioural tasks.

Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) conceptualized their Pathways Model by postulating the existence of three subtypes of problem gamblers who share common characteristics, but also present specific ones. This study investigated how the psychological mechanisms postulated in the Pathways Model predict clinical status in a sample that combined treatment-seeking gamblers (n = 59) and non-problematic community gamblers (n = 107). To test the Pathways Model, we computed a hierarchic logistic regression in which variables associated with each postulated pathway were entered sequentially to predict the status of the treatment-seeking gambler. Self-report questionnaires measured gambling-related cognitions, alexithymia, emotional reactivity, emotion regulation strategies and impulsivity. Behavioural tasks measured gambling persistence (slot machine task), decision-making under uncertainty (Iowa Gambling Task) and decision-making under risk (Game of Dice Task). We showed that specific factors theorized as underlying mechanisms for each pathway predicted the status of clinical gambler. For each pathway, significant predictors included gambling-related cognitive distortions and behaviourally measured gambling persistence (behaviourally conditioned pathway), emotional reactivity and emotion regulation strategies (emotionally vulnerable pathway), and lack of premeditation impulsivity facet (impulsivist-antisocial pathway). Our study adds to the body of literature confirming the validity of the Pathways Model and hold important implications in terms of assessment and treatment of problem gambling. In particular, a standardized assessment based on the Pathways Model should promote individualized treatment strategies to allow clinicians to take into account the high heterogeneity that characterizes gambling disorder.

P01.03.B A quantitative comparison of cognitive performance and patient-reported symptoms in preoperative lower-grade glioma patients from two Dutch Hospitals

Abstract Background Protocols for assessment of (neuro)psychological outcomes in lower-grade glioma patients vary between hospitals. This potentially complicates generalization of these outcomes. We compared standardized scores on tests of two frequently impaired cognitive domains (attention and executive functioning (EF)), and two relevant patient-reported outcomes (PROs; depression and fatigue) of two neuro-oncological hospitals that use different measurement instruments. Material and Methods Data were used from preoperative assessments of patients with (IDH-mut) WHO grade II/III glioma tested between 2007 and 2021 at Amsterdam UMC (AMS) or at Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital Tilburg (ETZ). AMS patients were referred for (neuro)psychological assessment based on physician and patient preference (paper and pencil tests), whereas all ETZ patients routinely undergo screening (computerized tests). To compare scores of the different attention and EF tests we converted patients’ performances to z-scores based on normative data. For cognitive performance, we compared scores of different cognitive flexibility tests (CST vs SAT), processing speed tests (SDC vs LDMT), and Stroop tests (Stroop I and Stroop III). PROs included the CES-D vs HADS-D and the CIS-fatigue vs MVI-general fatigue (AMS vs ETZ, resp.). Differences were tested using Fisher's, χ 2, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results Assessments were done median 4 weeks (AMS, n=97, range 19-0 weeks) and 1 day (ETZ, n=106; range 14-0 days) preoperatively. Age, sex, tumor location and histology were comparable between cohorts (p&amp;gt;0.05), but the AMS cohort showed significantly more grade III tumors (36% vs 16%) and more awake surgeries (84% vs 46%). Z-scores measuring attention and EF (n=94 and n=95, AMS vs ETZ) were not significantly different (CST vs SAT, percentage with a disorder (z &amp;lt;-1.5SD) 15% vs 13%; SDC vs LDMT 13% vs 14%; Stroop I 11% vs 18%; Stroop III 13% vs 16% at AMS and ETZ, resp.). Percentages of patients with possible depression (CES-D≥16, n=88 and HADS-D≥8, n=106) did not differ significantly between hospitals (28% vs 26%), nor did percentages of patients with severe fatigue (CIS-fatigue≥35, n=88 and MVI-general fatigue (z &amp;lt;-1.5SD), n=38, 42% vs 24% at AMS and ETZ, resp.). Conclusion Standardized scores of glioma patients on cognitive domains (attention and EF) and PROs (depression and fatigue) did not differ between two centers with slightly different samples using different testing protocols. This cautiously suggests that study findings on cognitive functioning and symptoms could be generalized. For research purposes, conjoint use of pooled populations for outcome evaluation could be explored with different samples from other centers using different instruments.

Effect of Long Term Fertilizer and FYM Application on Soil Fertility of a Vertisol under Soybean-wheat Cropping System

The present studies were conducted under All India Coordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertilizer Experiment, which was commenced since, 1972. To assess the effect of 48 years (1972-73 to 2019-20) continuous application of inorganic fertilizers with or without organic manure i.e. FYM on soil fertility status of Vertisols under soybean-wheat cropping system. The results of the present study showed that the application of recommended dose of N, P and K (20:80:20 kg ha-1 to soybean and 120:80:40 kg ha-1 to wheat) with organic manure @ 5 t FYM ha-1 improved the status of available N, P and S but decline in available K. Further, the integrated use of fertilizers with organic manure enhanced the soil organic carbon contents (9.5 g kg-1) from its initial value (5.7 g ka-1). Conjoint use of FYM with 100% NPK substantially improved contribution towards sustaining the soil fertility. A declining trend (228 to 335 kg ha-1) from its initial value (370.0 kg ha-1) of available K status was also observed as a result of continuous application of fertilizer and manure; this indicates considerable mining of available K from the soil. However, the decline of K was of lower magnitude with 100% NPK + FYM and 150% NPK treatments indicating the need to raise the dose of K fertilizer application to meet the demand of crops. Further, soil available nutrients to be adversely affected due to the imbalanced use of nutrients viz., 100% NP or 100% N alone treatments. Thus, the balance use of fertilizers continuously either alone or in combination with organic manure is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity.

Residual Soil Fertility, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield of Okra as Affected by Bioorganic Nutrient Sources

ABSTRACT A two-year experiment was undertaken during kharif seasons of the year 2019 and 2020 to investigate the effect of bioorganic nutrient sources (farmyard manure, vermicompost, jeevamrit, and ghanjeevamrit) and inorganic fertilizers on residual soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and fruit yield of okra in Entisols of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment consisted of nine treatments with varying combinations of nutrient sources. Treatment T3 [jeevamrit application (100% N equivalence) + farmyard manure @ 10 t ha−1] resulted in highest residual soil organic carbon (12.00 g kg−1), culturable microbial count (69.67 cfu g−1 soil × 105), microbial biomass carbon (67.43 mg kg−1) and nitrogen (37.40 mg kg−1) as well as maximum plant-available N (309.3 kg ha−1), P (23.2 kg ha−1), K (187.9 kg ha−1), S (60.3 kg ha−1), Fe (15.55 mg kg−1), Cu (1.92 mg kg−1), Mn (11.73 mg kg−1) and Zn (1.62 mg kg−1) contents. Further, the treatment T6 [jeevamrit application (100% N equivalence) + vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1] obtained the greatest value for okra yield (11.95 t ha-1) along with more uptake of macro and micro nutrients by the plants. This superior combination (T6) recorded an increase of 21.3% in yield over T2 (RPMF) as well as the highest net returns (₹ 1,50,258/ha) and B:C ratio (2.69). Thus, it can be inferred that the conjoint use of jeevamrit (100% N equivalence) with farmyard manure or vermicompost is beneficial for improving residual soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and sustainable okra production with 100% net saving of fertilizers.

“I Gave up Wearing Rings:” Insights on the Perceptions and Preferences of Wheelchair Users for Interactions With Wearables

We report insights from structured interviews conducted with 21 adults with motor impairments to understand their perceptions about smart wearables, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, smartglasses, smart earbuds, and smart rings. We document their preferences for accessible interactions with wearables and report high predilection for touch input. Our results also show a high willingness to use wearables, including in public places, opportunities for cross-device input, and for wheelchair users, opportunities for conjoint use with chairable technology represented by devices designed for the workspace of the wheelchair. We highlight two key factors, ease of wearing and ease of donning/doffing devices, that affect the adoption of wearables, and we draw recommendations for future work on accessible wearables.