Evaluating the effect of splitting cylindrical power on improving patient tolerance to toric lens misalignment

Purpose: Evaluating the impact of splitting toric power on patient tolerance to misorientation such as with intraocular lens rotation. Setting: University vision clinic. Methods: Healthy, non astigmats had +1.50D astigmatism induced with spectacle lenses at 90°, 135°, 180° and +3.00D at 90°. Two correcting cylindrical lenses of the opposite sign and half the power each were subsequently added to the trial frame misaligned by 0°, 5° or 10° in a random order and misorientated from the initial axis in a clockwise direction by up to 15° in 5° steps. A second group of adapted astigmats with between 1.00 and 3.00DC had their astigmatism corrected with two toric spectacle lenses of half the power separated by 0°, 5° or 10° and misorientated from the initial axis in both directions by up to 15° in 5° steps. Distance, high contrast visual acuity was measured using a computerised test chart at each lens misalignment and misorientation. Results: Misorientation of the split toric lenses caused a statistically significant drop in visual acuity (F= 70.341; p< 0.001). Comparatively better acuities were observed around 180°, as anticipated (F= 3.775; p= 0.035). Misaligning the split toric power produced no benefit in visual acuity retention with axis misorientation when subjects had astigmatism induced with a low (F= 2.190, p= 0.129) or high cylinder (F= 0.491, p= 0.617) or in the adapted astigmats (F= 0.120, p= 0.887). Conclusion: Misalignment of toric lens power split across the front and back lens surfaces had no beneficial effect on distance visual acuity, but also no negative effect. © 2013 British Contact Lens Association.

Caracteres morfo-agronômicos e bioquímicos de clones elite de mandioca de mesa com raízes de polpas amarelada e rosada.

A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) é considerada uma espécie relevante como fonte alimentícia para a população mundial, principalmente para os países subdesenvolvidos e emergentes. A mandioca é fornecedora de energia a partir do amido acumulado em suas raízes de reserva, mas é também importante destacar a presença dos carotenóides com atividade antioxidante. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar, por meio de descritores morfológicos, agronômicos e bioquímicos, clones elite de mandioca de mesa de polpa aparelhada e rosada do programa de melhoramento genético de mandioca da Embrapa Cerrados. Foram caracterizados durante duas safras, 13 clones de mandioca de mesa com polpa amarelada e 8 clones com polpa rosada, em comparação com a variedade testemunha IAC 576-70 (BGMC 753). Para avaliar as características morfológicas foram obtidos 40 descritores qualitativos para cada clone. Tanto nos clones de polpas amarelada quanto naqueles de raízes de polpas rosada, houve diferenças morfológicas, demostrando que nenhum clone apresentou 100% de similaridade. O fator ano/safra não influenciou a expressão fenotípica dos caracteres aferidos. Com base no coeficiente cofenético, verificou-se elevado ajuste entre a representação gráfica via dendrograma de r = 0,80 nas raízes de polpa amarelada e r = 0,92 na rosada e a matriz de dissimilaridade genética. Entre os caracteres aferidos, os que apresentaram maior entropia nas raízes amarelada foram, a coloração da epiderme externa, forma do lóbulo central da folha e cor do córtex da raiz, ao passo que na rosada foi à cor do disco, forma do lóbulo central e cor do pecíolo. Foi realizada também a caracterização com base na altura da planta, altura da primeira ramificação, peso da parte aérea sem a cepa, produtividade em raízes, índices de amido nas raízes determinados por meio do método da balança hidrostática, tempo para a cocção e teor de ácido cianídrico nas raízes. Com base nos caracteres avaliados, os clones que se destacaram com polpa amarelada e rosada respectivamente, no caractere altura da primeira ramificação (273/08 e 259/08) e (390/08, 345/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70), altura da planta (90/08, 272/08, 273/08, 497/08, 259/08 e 450/08) e (390/08, 345/08 e 378/08), peso da parte aérea sem a cepa (94/08 e 272/08) e (390/08, 406/08, 390/08, 378/08 e 341/08), porcentagem de amido nas raízes (26/08, 272/08, 259/08 e 450/08) e (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70), produtividade de raízes (215/08) e (testemunha IAC 576-70, 341/08, 406/08, 390/08 e 387/08). Com relação ao tempo de cocção na safra 2011/2012, todos os clones necessitaram de tempo inferior a 30 minutos. Em relação ao teor de carotenóides totais nas raízes os clones de amarelada que se destacaram foram 91/08, 94/08, 215/08, 246/08, 272/08 e 497/08, e, naqueles de raízes rosada, os clones 406/08 e 341/08. Em relação ao teor de proteínas nas raízes amarelada, os clones 26/08, 90/08 e 91/08, foram os melhores enquanto nas raízes rosada se destacaram os clones 406/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70. Os teores de HCN nas raízes de reserva de mandioca foram inferiores a 100 mg kg-1 em todos os clones avaliados. Diferenças significativas entre clones de mandioca de polpas amarelada e rosada foram verificadas para todas as características agronômicas, morfológicas e bioquímicas avaliadas. Os clones tiveram bom desempenho nas avaliações para o cultivo comercial na região do Cerrado e, alguns destes, têm potencial para utilização no melhoramento visando o incremento de carotenóides. ABSTRACT: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is considered a relevant species as a food source for the world's population, particularly for developing and emerging countries. The cassava is a provider of energy from starch accumulated in their reserve roots, but it is also important to highlight the presence of carotenoids with antioxidant activity. In this context, this study aimed to characterize, using morphological, agronomic and biochemical, descriptors elite clones from sweet cassava of yellowish and pinkish pulps from the cassava breeding program at Embrapa Cerrados. They were characterized for two crops, 13 edible cassava clones with yellowish pulp and 8 clones with pinkish pulp, compared with the control variety IAC 576-70 (BGMC 753). To evaluate the morphological characteristics were obtained 40 qualitative descriptors for each clone. Both clones the yellowish pulp as those the roots the pinkish pulp, there was morphological differences among clones, showing that no clone showed 100% similarity. The year / crop factor did not influence the phenotypic expression of measured characters. Based on cofenetic coefficient, was found high fit between the graphical representation via dendrogram of r = 0.80 in the roots of yellowish pulp and r = 0.92 in the pinkish of genetic dissimilarity matrix. Among the measured characters, those with the highest entropy in the yellowish roots were, the color of the outer epidermis, the central lobe shape of the leaf and root cortex color, whereas the pinkish was the color to disc, central lobe shape and petiole color. We also performed the characterization based on plant height, the first branch point, and shoot weight without strain, productivity in roots, and index of starch in the roots determines by the method of hydrostatic balance, time for cooking and acid cyanide content in the roots. Based on the evaluated characters, clones stood out with pulps yellowish and pinkish respectively, characters height of the first branch (273/08 and 259/08) and (390/08, 345/08 and the witness IAC 576-70), plant height (90 / 08, 272/08, 273/08, 497/08, 259/08 and 450/08) and (390/08, 345/08 and 378/08), shoot weight without strain (94/08 and 272/08) and (390/08, 406/08, 390/08, 378/08 and 341/08), percentage of starch in the roots (26/08, 272/08, 259/08 and 450/08) and (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 and the witness IAC 576-70), roots of productivity (215/08) and (witnesses IAC 576-70, 341/08, 406/08, 390/08 and 387/08). Regarding the cooking time in the 2011/2012 harvest, all clones showed time less than 30 minutes. Regarding the total carotenoid content in the pulps clones of yellowish roots that stood out were 91/08, 94/08, 215/08, 246/08, 272/08 and 497/08, and, those the clones with pulp pinkish 406/08 and 341/08. Regarding the protein content in yellowish roots the clones 26/08, 90/08 and 91/08, was the best while the pinkish roots highlight clones 406/08 and witness IAC 576-70. The levels of HCN in reserve roots of cassava were less than 100 mg kg-1em all evaluated clones. Significant differences between yellowish and pinkish of pulps cassava clones were checked for all agronomic, morphological and biochemical characteristics evaluated. The clones had well in the ratings for commercial cultivation in the Cerrado region and some of these, clones has potential for use in breeding aimed at increase of carotenoids.

Control de malezas en el cultivo de la soya (Glycine max L. Merril) variedad (Biloxi y hardee) 69-341

En el Centro Experimental Agropecuario La Calera, Managua, Nicaragua, se estableció en siembra de agosto a noviembre de 1976, un ensayo para determinar el tratamiento mas efectivo y rentable en el control de las malezas del cultivo de la soya (Glycine max L. Merril). Se escogió la variedad (Biloxi x Hardee) 69-341 de crecimiento determinado y ciclo vegetativo intermedio de 90-100 días. Los tratamientos que se evaluaron fueron los siguientes: Alachlor, Metribuzin, Linuron, Trifluralina, Alachlor + Metribuzin, Alachlor + Linuron, Alachlor + Trifluralina, Metribuzin + Lanuron, Metribuzin + Trifluralina, Linuron + Trifluralina en dosis de 2049,5 ml, 497,70 g, 966,00 g, 533,75 ml, 1024,75 ml + 248,85 g, 1024,75 ml + 483,00 g, 1024,75 ml + 266,87 ml, 248,85 g + 483,00 g, 248,85 g + 266,87 ml y 483,00 g, + 266,87 ml, por hectárea respectivamente, usando como comparadores un tratamiento mecánico y un testigo absoluto. Los tratamientos fueron distribuidos en un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con cuatro repeticiones. La parcela experimental consto de ocho surcos de cinco metros de largo, espaciados a cincuenta centímetros entre si y a 2,50 centímetros entre planta, correspondiendo a la parcela útil los cuatro surcos centrales a los cuales se les elimino 50,0 centímetros en cada extremo. El análisis de varianza practicado en los rendimientos de granos y en los porcentajes de control de malezas determino diferencia altamente significativa entre tratamientos al nivel de 0,01 de probabilidad de error. La mezcla de Alachlor + Metribuzin fue el tratamiento herbicida que ejerció el mayor control sobre gramíneas y hojas ancha, con 97,00 por ciento de control hasta los 60 días de emergida la soya. Los tratamientos Metribuzin, Metribuzin + Trifluralina y Alachlor fueron estadisticamente igual al nivel del 0,05 de probabilidad de error con: 74,00; 72,00 y 71;00 por ciento. Los tratamientos que menor porcentaje de control de malezas ejercieron hasta los 60 dias fueron Linuron y Linuron + Trifluralina con 34.00 por ciento. Los mayores rendimientos significativos de grano de soya, se lograron con: testigo mecanico, Alachlor + Metribuzin, Alachlor, y Alachlor + Linuron obteniendo 2,539.00, 2.294.00, 2.279.00 y 2.194.00 kilogramos por hectárea respectivamente. Los menores rendimientos correspondieron a: Trifluralina con 1,103.00 hectarea y testigo absoluto con 844.00 por hectarea. El analisis economico de los rendimientos por tratamiento, revelo que los mayores ingresos netos se obtuvieron con: testigo mecánico, Alachlor + Metribuzin, y Alachlor y Alachlor + Linuron de: 1,945.22, 1,800.12, 1,771.87 y 1,668.31 córdobas por hectárea respectivamente, pero la mayor relación beneficio-costo se logro con los tratamientos Alachlor, Alachlor + Metribuzin, testigo mecánico y Alachlor + Linuron, con 2.31, 2.30, 2.23 y 2.21 respectivamente.

Concentration and isotope composition of sulphur in sediments and pore water at DSDP Leg 70 Holes

Data obtained while investigating the mounds area near the Galapagos Spreading Center demonstrate the direct influence of solutions derived from the interaction of seawater and young oceanic crust on the sedimentary cover. Investigation of metalliferous sediments from the mid-oceanic ridges, the Galapagos mounds, and the FAMOUS-area zone formations have shown that this influence and the resulting products are dependent on composition, temperature, and conditions of solution input. The study of sulfur in upwardly migrating solutions and the interaction of these solutions with sediments is of great interest. Investigations of different types of hydrothermally derived formations (Edmond, et al., 1979; Spiess et al., 1980; Styrt et al., 1981; Rosanova 1976; Grinenko et al., 1978) have shown the significant role of sulfur-bearing minerals in deposits formed from hightemperature solutions. In contrast, the addition of hydrothermal sulfur is negligible in those metalliferous sediments that precipitated as a result of the interaction between the solutions and open seawater (Bonatti et al., 1972, 1976; Gordeev et al., 1979; Migdisov, Bogdanov, et al., 1979). For example, sulfides are absent in clearly oxidized metalliferous sediments from the East Pacific Rise (EPR). Barite sulfur from these sediments is identical with seawater sulfate sulfur in isotope composition (Grinenko et al., 1978). Gurvich and Bogdanov (1977) have suggested that barium from EPR metalliferous sediments results completely from biological activity and from the components of ocean waters. Edmond et al. (1979) report that low-temperature springs from the Galapagos Rift axis contain two types of solutions: those with and those without H2S.

Feasibility of brief psychological distress screening by a community-based telephone helpline for cancer patients and carers

Background Up to one-third of people affected by cancer experience ongoing psychological distress and would benefit from screening followed by an appropriate level of psychological intervention. This rarely occurs in routine clinical practice due to barriers such as lack of time and experience. This study investigated the feasibility of community-based telephone helpline operators screening callers affected by cancer for their level of distress using a brief screening tool (Distress Thermometer), and triaging to the appropriate level of care using a tiered model. Methods Consecutive cancer patients and carers who contacted the helpline from September-December 2006 (n = 341) were invited to participate. Routine screening and triage was conducted by helpline operators at this time. Additional socio-demographic and psychosocial adjustment data were collected by telephone interview by research staff following the initial call. Results The Distress Thermometer had good overall accuracy in detecting general psychosocial morbidity (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale cut-off score ≥ 15) for cancer patients (AUC = 0.73) and carers (AUC = 0.70). We found 73% of participants met the Distress Thermometer cut-off for distress caseness according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (a score ≥ 4), and optimal sensitivity (83%, 77%) and specificity (51%, 48%) were obtained with cut-offs of ≥ 4 and ≥ 6 in the patient and carer groups respectively. Distress was significantly associated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores (total, as well as anxiety and depression subscales) and level of care in cancer patients, as well as with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety subscale for carers. There was a trend for more highly distressed callers to be triaged to more intensive care, with patients with distress scores ≥ 4 more likely to receive extended or specialist care. Conclusions Our data suggest that it was feasible for community-based cancer helpline operators to screen callers for distress using a brief screening tool, the Distress Thermometer, and to triage callers to an appropriate level of care using a tiered model. The Distress Thermometer is a rapid and non-invasive alternative to longer psychometric instruments, and may provide part of the solution in ensuring distressed patients and carers affected by cancer are identified and supported appropriately.