Individual Applications Research Articles

Trianglimine-Mediated Selective Sieving of Cis Isomer from the Mixture of Dihaloethenes: A Combined Molecular Dynamics and DFT Investigation.

The manufacture of alkenyl halides on a larger scale often results in the formation of a mixture of isomers, each having individual significant applications while their separation from each other is a strenuous task. Since most of the conventional distillation techniques are known to be intricate, energy consuming and expensive, the quest for an alternative separation strategies is still continuing. In this context, the recently reported trianglimine macrocycle - a new class of intrinsically porous material, is promising in discerning cis isomer from a mixture of cis and trans dichloroethene. Herein, an attempt has been made to apprehend the host-guest inclusion phenomenon accountable for the selectivity of cis over the trans isomers of 1,2-dihaloethene (F, Cl and Br) using molecular dynamics simulation and density functional calculations at ω-B97xd/6-311G+(d,p) level of theory. The average binding energy of selected snapshots has been calculated at different loadings, temperatures and pressures from molecular dynamics simulation. Our results show that trianglimine can stabilise the cis isomers of the dihaloethenes inside its cavity forming complexes with high interaction energies and the rationale behind the recyclability of the host molecule has been clarified. The outcomes of the calculations bring out the potential utility of this new host architecture to produce highly pure value added chemicals in industries.

Inhibiting Biofilm Formation via Simultaneous Application of Nitric Oxide and Quorum Quenching Bacteria.

Membrane biofouling is an inevitable challenge in membrane-based water treatment systems such as membrane bioreactors. Recent studies have shown that biological approaches based on bacterial signaling can effectively control biofilm formation. Quorum quenching (QQ) is known to inhibit biofilm growth by disrupting quorum sensing (QS) signaling, while nitric oxide (NO) signaling helps to disperse biofilms. In this study, batch biofilm experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of simultaneously applying NO signaling and QQ for biofilm control using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as a model microorganism. The NO treatment involved the injection of NONOates (NO donor compounds) into mature biofilms, while QQ was implemented by immobilizing QQ bacteria (Escherichia coli TOP10-AiiO or Rhodococcus sp. BH4) in alginate or polyvinyl alcohol/alginate beads to preserve the QQ activity. When QQ beads were applied together with (Z)-1-[N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(n-propyl) amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PAPA NONOate), they achieved a 39.0% to 71.3% reduction in biofilm formation, which was substantially higher compared to their individual applications (16.0% to 54.4%). These findings highlight the significant potential of combining QQ and NO technologies for effective biofilm control across a variety of processes that require enhanced biofilm inhibition.

The effects of different taping methods on patellofemoral alignment, pain and function in individuals with patellofemoral pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Athletic taping has long been a physiotherapeutic application in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, the therapeutic effects of local and proximal taping have not been fully determined. To evaluate the effects of two different taping techniques applied in addition to exercise on patellofemoral alignment, pain, and function in individuals with PFP. Randomized controlled trial. An outpatient hospital clinic. Individuals with PFP aged 18-50 years (n = 36). Group 1 underwent only the exercise program. Group 2 underwent the exercise plus McConnell patellar taping (MPT), and Group 3 underwent the exercise plus femoral rotational taping (FRT) (6 weeks). Bisect offset index (BOI) and patellar tilt angle (PTA) were measured in relaxed and maximum voluntary contractions of the quadriceps muscle (MVCq) using magnetic resonance imaging. Pain intensity was assessed by the Visual Analog Scale for three conditions: at daytime rest, during activity, and at nighttime. Functional level was assessed by the Kujala Patellofemoral Scoring System. Significant improvements in the BOI of Group 2 at rest (p = .015; r = 0.593) and in PTA of Group 3 at MVCq (p = .010; r = 0.613) were found. Improvements in pain under all three conditions were significant within groups (all, p values < .050 and r > 0.5). The change in pain was similar between groups (all, p values > .05). All groups showed significant improvement in functional level (all, p values < .010 and r > 0.5). However, the increase in Group 3 was higher than that in Group 1 (p = .019). This study shows that MPT and FRT applications increase functionality and can affect patellofemoral alignment in different ways. In the treatment of PFP, more successful results can be obtained with appropriate taping techniques for the local and proximal region.

Alliance between titans: combination strategies of CAR-T cell therapy and oncolytic virus for the treatment of hematological malignancies.

There have been several clinical studies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy for different hematological malignancies. It has transformed the therapy landscape for hematologic malignancies dramatically. Nonetheless, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T cell malignancies, it still has a dismal prognosis. Even in the most promising locations, recurrence with CAR-T treatment remains a big concern. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can directly lyse tumor cells or cause immune responses, and they can be manipulated to create therapeutic proteins, increasing anticancer efficacy. Oncolytic viruses have been proven in a rising number of studies to be beneficial in hematological malignancies. There are limitations that cannot be avoided by using either treatment alone, and the combination of CAR-T cell therapy and oncolytic virus therapy may complement the disadvantages of individual application, enhance the advantages of their respective treatment methods and improve the treatment effect. The alternatives for combining two therapies in hematological malignancies are discussed in this article.

Assessment of Classical and Non-Classical Quantitative Electroencephalographic Measures in Patients with Substance Use Disorders.

Background: People diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at risk for impairment of brain function and structure. However, physicians still do not have any clinical biomarker of brain impairment that helps diagnose or treat these patients when needed. The most common method to study these patients is the classical electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses of absolute and relative powers, but this has limited individual clinical applicability. Other non-classical measures such as frequency band ratios and entropy show promise in these patients. Therefore, there is a need to expand the use of quantitative (q)EEG beyond classical measures in clinical populations. Our aim is to assess a group of classical and non-classical qEEG measures in a population with SUDs. Methods: We selected 56 non-medicated and drug-free adult patients (30 males) diagnosed with SUDs and admitted to Rehabilitation Clinics. According to qualitative EEG findings, patients were divided into four groups. We estimated the absolute and relative powers and calculated the entropy, and the alpha/(delta + theta) ratio. Results: Our findings showed a significant variability of absolute and relative powers among patients with SUDs. We also observed a decrease in the EEG-based entropy index and alpha/(theta + delta) ratio, mainly in posterior regions, in the patients with abnormal qualitative EEG. Conclusions: Our findings support the view that the power spectrum is not a reliable biomarker on an individual level. Thus, we suggest shifting the approach from the power spectrum toward other potential methods and designs that may offer greater clinical possibilities.

Silver nanoparticles as a new sintering additive for the fabrication of YAG:Ce optical luminescent ceramics

AbstractIn this study, silver nanoparticles (NPs) were considered for the first time as a sintering additive in the manufacture of YAG:Ce luminescent ceramics. The influence of the addition of silver NPs on the sintering kinetics of ceramics was investigated. It was found that the addition of Ag NPs in the concentration range of 0.027–0.44 wt% does not result in the formation of secondary phases in YAG:Ce ceramics. It was demonstrated that the light transmission of ceramics is dependent on the concentration of Ag NPs. The use of NPs additive has made it possible to increase the light transmission of ceramics compared with the reference sample without sintering additives. The combination of two sintering additives, TEOS and silver NPs, enables the achievement of enhanced optical transparency in ceramics compared to the individual application of sintering additives. At an optimal silver concentration of 0.11 wt%, in combination with 0.5 wt% TEOS, a ceramic light transmission value of 77% was attained. The study has identified a correlation between the luminescence intensity of YAG:Ce ceramics and the concentration of silver NPs. It was observed that the utilization of low concentrations of the Ag additive had negligible impact on the luminescence properties, whereas the introduction of high concentrations of Ag NPs led to a deterioration in the luminescence and optical transparency of the ceramic.

Selective Laser Melting and Spark Plasma Sintering: A Perspective on Functional Biomaterials.

Achieving lightweight, high-strength, and biocompatible composites is a crucial objective in the field of tissue engineering. Intricate porous metallic structures, such as lattices, scaffolds, or triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs), created via the selective laser melting (SLM) technique, are utilized as load-bearing matrices for filled ceramics. The primary metal alloys in this category are titanium-based Ti6Al4V and iron-based 316L, which can have either a uniform cell or a gradient structure. Well-known ceramics used in biomaterial applications include titanium dioxide (TiO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), hydroxyapatite (HA), wollastonite (W), and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). To fill the structures fabricated by SLM, an appropriate ceramic is employed through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method, making them suitable for in vitro or in vivo applications following minor post-processing. The combined SLM-SPS approach offers advantages, such as rapid design and prototyping, as well as assured densification and consolidation, although challenges persist in terms of large-scale structure and molding design. The individual or combined application of SLM and SPS processes can be implemented based on the specific requirements for fabricated sample size, shape complexity, densification, and mass productivity. This flexibility is a notable advantage offered by the combined processes of SLM and SPS. The present article provides an overview of metal-ceramic composites produced through SLM-SPS techniques. Mg-W-HA demonstrates promise for load-bearing biomedical applications, while Cu-TiO2-Ag exhibits potential for virucidal activities. Moreover, a functionally graded lattice (FGL) structure, either in radial or longitudinal directions, offers enhanced advantages by allowing adjustability and control over porosity, roughness, strength, and material proportions within the composite.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities of Four Essential Oils and Their Major Compounds against Post-Harvest Fungi Associated with Chickpea in Storage.

The antifungal and antioxidant properties of essential oils (EOs) derived from four plants were assessed in vitro: Rosmarinus officinalis, Myrtus communis, Origanum compactum, and Eugenia aromatica. These plants are renowned for their diverse biological activities. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and TAC tests. Antifungal activity was tested against four postharvest pathogens associated with chickpea in storage: Fusarium culmorum, Rhizopus oryzae, Penicillium italicum, and Aspergillus niger, using the broth microdilution technique. Additionally, the efficacy of several major compounds against fungi found in the EOs 1,8-cineole, carvacrol, and eugenol was evaluated. Furthermore, this study explored the potential synergy of combining eugenol and carvacrol in various ratios. Based on the results, E. aromatica EO exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, as evidenced by its lowest IC50 values for a DPPH of 0.006 mg/mL. This EO also demonstrated the best antifungal activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.098 to 0.13 μL/mL. The high concentration of eugenol in this oil was identified as a contributing factor to its potent antifungal effects. The individual application of eugenol displayed significant antifungal efficacy, which was further enhanced by incorporating carvacrol at a 1:3 ratio. This synergistic combination presents promising potential for the development of specific formulations aimed at optimizing grain protection during storage.

The Impact of the Individual and Combined Application of Phosphorus and Sulfur Fertilizers on Potato Tuber Flavor.

Sulfur and phosphorus are important plant nutrients required for potato growth, influencing the synthesis of primary metabolites that serve as the material foundation of potato flavor quality. However, little is known about the effects of sulfur and phosphorus application on potato tuber flavor. This study experimentally compared the effects of the individual and combined application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers on the flavor of potato tubers. The research examined the sensory characteristics of flavor under various fertilization methods, investigated changes in the types and contents of volatile flavor compounds, and conducted analyses on flavor precursor compounds. The experimental results showed that the application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers, either individually or in combination significantly increased the content of linoleic acid and linolenic acid. After the combined application of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers, the starch and the reducing sugar content also significantly increased. (E,E)-2,4-Nonadienal and Decanal are closely correlated with fatty acid content. Dimethyl sulfide and Trimethyl sulfide contents are significantly related to methionine content. This also significantly enhances the fatty taste characteristics of the tubers but weakens the potato flavor characteristics. Hence, the application of phosphorus and sulfur can affect the accumulation of primary metabolic products in tubers, thereby affecting flavor quality. Compared with the individual application of phosphorus or sulfur fertilizers, when phosphorus fertilizer is applied at 180 kg·ha-1 and sulfur fertilizer at 90 kg·ha-1 in combination, it can further enrich the roasted flavor characteristics of potatoes and maximize the enhancement of potato flavor quality. This provides valuable theoretical support for achieving high-quality agricultural development.

Ballistic Energy Absorption of Thermally Aged DGEBA/TETA System and Fique-Fabric Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Abstract: For many applications, such as vests or parts of vests, the fibers are used in fabric, mat, or mesh. Ballistic resistance properties are also improved by the development of special fabrics architectures. It is known that heat and oxygen are the main factors in the aging process of polymers. The mechanisms of aging by oxidation can be investigated by monitoring the mechanical properties of a material exposed to prolonged aging in an oven, which is called the accelerated aging process by thermal oxidation. In previous studies, the epoxy matrix composite reinforced with 40% by volume of fique fabric, already tested and with good ballistic performance, was developed and proposed for individual ballistic protection applications. However, the impact of different environmental conditions on the dynamic properties of the composite has not been studied. Therefore, the present study, for the first time, aimed to apply accelerated weathering through high temperature to the composite, as well as to the epoxy matrix, aiming to evaluate the influence of aging.

Effect of Foliar Application of Silicon and Selenium on the Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Tomato in the Field

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) is a widely produced and consumed fruit vegetable worldwide. Silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) can promote crop growth and development. However, the effects of these elements on tomato fruit quality have not been investigated comprehensively, nor are their combined effects on yield and quality clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar application of Si and Se on tomato growth, yield and fruit quality. The tomato plants were foliarly applied with 1 mM Si and 25 μM Se individually or in combination, and the experiment was carried out in a plastic arch shed at Yangling in spring. Our results demonstrated improved plant growth by application of Si and Se, with the effect of combined treatment being more obvious. Application of Si individually or in combination with Se increased the yield. Se addition increased the concentrations of soluble sugars, vitamin C, phenols, anthocyanin, lycopene, carotenoids, Se and protein, and decreased the nitrate level, but did not affect the concentration of total organic acids in the fruit. Si application induced similar changes to Se addition in the levels of sucrose and protein in the fruit, but had no effect on other quality traits. The combined Si and Se treatment did not show significant superior effects on the fruit quality over their individual applications. Our results suggest that Si and Se application improved the tomato plant growth. Si and Se application, respectively, had obvious effects in the yield increase and quality improvement, and the combined treatment had positive effects on both aspects. The study may provide a theoretical base for the application of Se and Si fertilizers in tomato production.

Bond-based nonlocal models by nonlocal operator method in symmetric support domain

The present study focuses on the applications of energy decomposition in diverse nonlocal models, such as elasticity, thin plates, and gradient elasticity, with the aim of establishing bond-based nonlocal models in which the bond force is solely dependent on the deformation of a single bond. Through the adoption of an appropriate bond force form and the application of energy equivalence between local and nonlocal models, several kinds of highly succinct bond-based models are obtained. The present study involves a reexamination of nonlocal operator methods, with a particular focus on the simplified version within a symmetric support domain. A three-point bent-bond model has been proposed to characterize the curvature and bending moment. A crack criterion for normal strain of the bond based on Griffith theories is proposed. This approach is analogous to the phase field model and allows for individual application to each bond, resulting in strain localization. By implementing this rule, the path of the crack can be predicted in an automated manner through the act of cutting the bond, yielding outcomes that are akin to those obtained via the phase field method. Simultaneously, a crack rule for critical shear strains in shear fractures is presented. Moreover, an incremental version of the plasticity model associated with bond force has been formulated. The nonlocal bond-based models are further validated through several numerical examples.

Concept for the automated adaption of abstract planning domains for specific application cases in skills-based industrial robotics

AbstractHigh product diversity, dynamic market conditions, and a lack of skilled workers are current challenges in manufacturing. Industrial robots autonomously planning and completing upcoming production tasks can help companies address these challenges. In this publication, we focus on autonomous task planning within industrial robotics and investigate how to facilitate the use of automated planning techniques from the field of artificial intelligence for this purpose. First, we present a novel methodology to automatically adapt abstractly modeled planning domains to the characteristics of individual application cases a user intends to implement. A planning domain is a formalized representation of the robot’s working environment that builds the basis for automated planning. Second, we integrate this approach into the procedure for developing skills-based industrial robotic applications to enable them to perform autonomous task planning. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the methodology within the application field kitting in two reference scenarios with a mobile robot and a stationary robot cell. Using our methodology, persons without expertise in automated planning can enable a robot for autonomous task planning without much extra effort.

Foliar co-application of zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles promotes phytochemicals and essential oil production in dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica)

Individual nanoparticle application has been documented to promote plant production; however, whether co-application of two nanoparticles (NPs) is more sustainable and significantly promotes plant production is unclear. Herein, foliar co-applications of two NPs or their conventional fertilizer forms on the growth, micronutrient (copper and zinc) enrichment, primary productivity, and essential oil (EO) production in a medicinal annual, dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), were investigated. Treatments included 1:1 ratio of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs):copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) (40–400 mg/L), and compared with individual NPs, individual zinc suspension (ZnS) and chelated copper (chelated-Cu), and their combination, at equivalent concentrations. Results showed that the highest bioenrichment of Zn and Cu was observed with 80–160 mg/L ZnS+chelated-Cu, 400 mg/L ZnONPs+CuONPs, or ionic combination treatments. A dose-dependent increase in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde was observed with co-treatment of NPs or ions, and oxidative stress responses were higher with NPs or ions co-treatment than individual treatment. With 160 mg/L ZnONPs+CuONPs treatment, total chlorophyll, aboveground biomass, and essential oil production increased significantly compared to control, 160 mg/L CuONPs, and 160 mg/L ZnONPs (227, 157 and 823 %; 58, 79, and 51 %; and 46, 80, and 3 %, respectively). Flavonoid and anthocyanin content also increased significantly (58 and 50 %, respectively) with ZnONPs+CuONPs compared to ZnS+chelated-Cu and were higher than ZnONPs or CuONPs alone by 10 and 25 %, and 37 and 36 %, respectively. More importantly, EO production and quality improved with 160 mg/L ZnONPs+CuONPs treatment compared to control. Taken together, our findings showed that foliar co-treatment of 160 mg/L ZnONPs+CuONPs could significantly improve primary productivity, aboveground biomass, and EO quality and yield in dragonhead grown in semi-arid field conditions; and thus, 160 mg/L ZnONPs+CuONPs is recommended as an optimal foliar co-treatment strategy for promoting sustainable plant production in semi-arid regions where soil nutrients and water are limiting factors inhibiting crop yield.

Effective movie recommendation based on improved densenet model

In recent times, recommendation systems provide suggestions for users by means of songs, products, movies, books, etc. based on a database. Usually, the movie recommendation system predicts the movies liked by the user based on attributes present in the database. The movie recommendation system is one of the widespread, useful and efficient applications for individuals in watching movies with minimal decision time. Several attempts are made by the researchers in resolving these problems like purchasing books, watching movies, etc. through developing a recommendation system. The majority of recommendation systems fail in addressing data sparsity, cold start issues, and malicious attacks. To overcome the above-stated problems, a new movie recommendation system is developed in this manuscript. Initially, the input data is acquired from Movielens 1M, Movielens 100K, Yahoo Y-10-10, and Yahoo Y-20-20 databases. Next, the data are rescaled using a min-max normalization technique that helps in handling the outlier efficiently. At last, the denoised data are fed to the improved DenseNet model for a relevant movie recommendation, where the developed model includes a weighting factor and class-balanced loss function for better handling of overfitting risk. Then, the experimental result indicates that the improved DenseNet model almost reduced by 5 to 10% of error values, and improved by around 2% of f-measure, precision, and recall values related to the conventional models on the Movielens 1M, Movielens 100K, Yahoo Y-10-10, and Yahoo Y-20-20 databases.

The Co-Application of PGPR and Biochar Enhances the Production Capacity of Continuous Cropping Peppers in the Karst Yellow Soil Region of Southwest China

In recent years, a significant impediment to the advancement of China’s agricultural sector is the noteworthy challenge posed by diminished crop yields and quality due to ongoing continuous cropping obstacles. Numerous studies have consistently showcased the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biochar in augmenting the alleviation of continuous cropping barriers. Nevertheless, the potential of PGPR and biochar to remediate and improve continuous cropping peppers in the karst yellow soil area remains unclear. A 2-year field experiment was implemented to examine the impact of PGPR and biochar, when applied alone or in combination, on the production potential of continuous cropping peppers. The results revealed that PGPR and biochar significantly elevated the yield of fresh and dry pepper compared with TF treatment. The utilization of PGPR and biochar resulted in an augmentation of free amino acids, soluble sugar, and vitamin C content in pepper fruits, but a reduction in the nitrate content, which proved advantageous in enhancing the overall quality of peppers. Furthermore, the use of PGPR and biochar demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing NPK accumulation, fertilizer utilization, and economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the co-application of PGPR and biochar yielded significantly better results compared to their individual application. In conclusion, the utilization of PGPR and biochar demonstrated a favorable impact on the productivity and economic benefits of continuous cropping peppers. The simultaneous application of PGPR and biochar represents a promising approach to enhancing yield and improving the quality of peppers in the karst yellow soil region of Southwest China.

WattScope: Non-intrusive application-level power disaggregation in datacenters

Datacenter capacity is growing exponentially to satisfy the increasing demand for many emerging computationally-intensive applications, such as deep learning. This trend has led to concerns over datacenters’ increasing energy consumption and carbon footprint. The most basic prerequisite for optimizing a datacenter’s energy- and carbon-efficiency is accurately monitoring and attributing energy consumption to specific users and applications. Since datacenter servers tend to be multi-tenant, i.e., they host many applications, server- and rack-level power monitoring alone does not provide insight into the energy usage and carbon emissions of their resident applications. At the same time, current application-level energy monitoring and attribution techniques are intrusive: they require privileged access to servers and necessitate coordinated support in hardware and software, neither of which is always possible in cloud environments. To address the problem, we design WattScope, a system for non-intrusively estimating the power consumption of individual applications using external measurements of a server’s aggregate power usage and without requiring direct access to the server’s operating system or applications. Our key insight is that, based on an analysis of production traces, the power characteristics of datacenter workloads, e.g., low variability, low magnitude, and high periodicity, are highly amenable to disaggregation of a server’s total power consumption into application-specific values. WattScope adapts and extends a machine learning-based technique for disaggregating building power and applies it to server- and rack-level power meter measurements that are already available in data centers. We evaluate WattScope’s accuracy on a production workload and show that it yields high accuracy, e.g., often <∼10% normalized mean absolute error, and is thus a potentially useful tool for datacenters in externally monitoring application-level power usage.

Functional FDG-PET: Measurement of Task Related Neural Activity in Humans-A Compartment Model Approach and Comparison to fMRI.

Neuroimaging holds an essential position in global healthcare, as brain-related disorders are a substantial and growing burden. Non-degenerative disorders such as stress, depression and anxiety share common function related traits of diffuse and fluctuating changes, such as change in brain-based functions of mood, behavior and cognitive abilities, where underlying physiological mechanism remain unresolved. In this study we developed a novel application for studying intra-subject task-activated brain function by the quantitative physiological measurement of the change in glucose metabolism in a single scan setup. Data were acquired on a PET/MR-scanner. We implemented a functional [18F]-FDG PET-scan with double boli-tracer administration and finger-tapping activation, as proof-of-concept, in five healthy participants. The [18F]-FDG data were analyzed using a two-tissue compartment double boli kinetic model with an image-derived input function. For stand-alone visual reference, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) was acquired in the same session and analyzed separately. We were able to measure the cerebral glucose metabolic rate during baseline as well as activation. Results showed increased glucose metabolic rate during activation by 36.3-87.9% mean 62.0%, locally in the peak seed region of M1 in the brain, on an intra-subject level, as well as very good spatial accuracy on group level, and localization compared to the BOLD fMRI result at subject and group level. Our novel method successfully determined the relative increase in the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose on a voxel level with good visual association to fMRI at the subject-level, holding promise for future individual clinical application. This approach will be easily adapted in future clinical perspectives and pharmacological interventions studies.

Effect of Vermicompost, Biofertilizers and in Organic Fertilizers on Nutrient Uptake and Physico-chemical Properties of Soil: A Case Study of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field trial was conducted during Rabi 2020-21 in randomized block design with three replications and seven treatments comprising individual and combined application of various organic and inorganic nutrient sources at Research Farm, MMU Sadopur (Ambala), Haryana. The experiment was intended to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers applied in chickpea on nutrient uptake and physico-chemical properties of soil pH (8.24). The highest organic carbon (0.58%), electrical conductivity (0.51 dS m-1), particle density (2.50 g/cm3) and porosity (48.47%) along with maximum available N (126.5 kg ha-1), P (23.2 kg/ha) and K (98.33 kg/ha) were observed in the treatment of T6 i.e., 3 t/ha Vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB. Similarly, the nutrient content (N, P and K) was maximum in seed and stover of chickpea harvested from the plots receiving 3 t/ha Vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB, which was statistically at par with T7 i.e., 2.5 t/ha Vermicompost + Rhizobium + PSB. The highest net return was recorded in plots treated with 50% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizer) + Rhizobium + PSB and 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB with a benefit cost ratio (B: C) of 3.2 and 3.1, respectively. However, the seed yield in integrated nutrient management was comparable to recommended dose of chemical fertilizers

Taking the lead: the leadership pillar in action

While leadership is a core pillar of advanced practice, it can be difficult for clinicians to identify in their own practice. In health and social care, the challenge is for practitioners to translate this pillar into practice and unlock their full potential as leaders. For leadership to flourish in advanced practice, it is essential to increase its recognition from the perspective of the individual and throughout an organisation. This article aims to challenge conventional notions of leadership by exploring the who, what and why in ‘taking the lead’, and offering a practical perspective for individual application. It recognises the unique challenges faced in health and social care settings, and emphasises the importance of candour and open dialogue as a means to embody leadership. Clinicians are encouraged to identify and cultivate their leadership skills through introspection and practical implementation. Advanced practice, synonymous with change, provides a network of emerging leaders capable of driving change through diverse and innovative approaches. Embracing the opportunities of advanced practice requires a movement to challenge traditional leadership paradigms, necessitating vision and compassion.