Death attitudes and volunteering motives of youth during the flood in Kerala, India.

Kerala had witnessed a massive disaster in the form of a flood in 2018. The collective efforts and contribution of the youth in rescuing and rehabilitation were notable. OBJECTIVES: The current investigation aims to gauge the connection between death attitudes, volunteering motives, and sociodemographic variables among youth in Kerala. METHOD: The 150 participants who had volunteered to offer help in flood relief camps and rehabilitation programs from 3 districts in Kerala were given Voluntary Function Inventory (Clary et al., 1998) and Death Attitude Profile-Revised (Wong et al., 1994). RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Results of the study suggest that neutral acceptance of death attitude is positively related to volunteering motives. Likewise, volunteering motives vary significantly according to gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, and health perception, while death attitude differs significantly based on religion. This study directly implies terror management theory, which states that when reminded of their mortality, people intensify the desire to express culturally prescribed prosocial attitudes and engage in more volunteering behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Crustal structure in the Campanian region (Southern Apennines, Italy) from potential field modelling.

We present a 3D model of the main crustal boundaries beneath the Campanian region and the onshore and offshore surrounding areas, based on high-resolution potential field data. Our main objective is the definition of the main structural interfaces in the whole Campanian region from gravity and magnetic data, thanks to their ability to define them on a regional and continuous way. The complex morphology of the Mesozoic carbonate platform, which is fundamental to constrain the top of geothermal reservoir, was reconstructed by inverting the vertical gradient of gravity. We assumed local information from seismic models and boreholes to improve the model. We modeled the deep crustal structures by spectral analysis of Bouguer gravity and magnetic data. The inferred depth estimates indicate a shallow crystalline basement below the Tyrrhenian crust and the Apulian foreland and a significant depression beneath the Bradanic foredeep. The map of the Moho boundary shows a NE-SE verging trough below the Southern Apennine chain and two pronounced uplifts beneath the foreland and the Tyrrhenian crust. We also estimated the depth to the magnetic bottom, showing a thick magnetic crust below the mountain chain and shallow depths where the crustal heat flow is high. The models were compared with seismic sections along selected profiles; a good agreement was observed, despite of some inherent lower resolution for the gravity modelling from spectral methods. The regional covering and the continuity of our estimated crustal interfaces make it a new and valid reference for further geological, geophysical and geothermal studies, especially in areas such as northern and eastern Campania, where there is an incomplete geophysical and geological information.

Crustal structure of Sicily from modelling of gravity and magnetic anomalies.

We aim at modeling the main crustal and thermal interfaces of Sicily (Italy), a key area for understanding the geological complexity at the collisional boundary between the African and European plates. To this end, we analyze the gravity and magnetic fields, integrated with information from well logs, geology, heat flow, and seismic data. In order to make the most accurate description of the crustal structure of the area, we modeled with different methodologies the carbonate and crystalline top surfaces, as well as the Moho and the Curie isotherm surface. The reconstruction of the carbonate platform is achieved using a nonlinear 3D method constrained by the available seismic and borehole data. The crystalline top, the Curie, and the Moho are instead estimated by spectral analysis of both gravity and magnetic data. The results show a complex carbonate basement and a deep crystalline crust in central Sicily, with a prominent uplift beneath the Hyblean Plateau. Maps of the Moho and the Curie isotherm surface define a variable thermal and structural setting of Sicily, with very thin crust in the southern and eastern sectors, where high heat flow is found, and deep and cold crust below the Caltanissetta Basin.

Restructuring the Cellular Responses: Connecting Microbial Intervention With Ecological Fitness and Adaptiveness to the Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown in Saline-Sodic Soil.

Salt stress hampers plant growth and development. It is now becoming one of the most important threats to agricultural productivity. Rhizosphere microorganisms play key roles in modulating cellular responses and enable plant tolerant to salt stress, but the detailed mechanisms of how this occurs need in-depth investigation. The present study elucidated that the microbe-mediated restructuring of the cellular responses leads to ecological fitness and adaptiveness to the maize (Zea mays L.) grown in saline-sodic soil. In the present study, effects of seed biopriming with B. safensis MF-01, B. altitudinis MF-15, and B. velezensis MF-08 singly and in consortium on different growth parameters were recorded. Soil biochemical and enzymatic analyses were performed. The activity and gene expression of High-Affinity K+ Transporter (ZmHKT-1), Sodium/Hydrogen exchanger 1 (zmNHX1), and antioxidant enzymes (ZmAPX1.2, ZmBADH-1, ZmCAT, ZmMPK5, ZmMPK7, and ZmCPK11) were studied. The expression of genes related to lateral root development (ZmHO-1, ZmGSL-1, and ZmGSL-3) and root architecture were also carried out. Seeds bioprimed with consortium of all three strains have been shown to confer increased seed germination (23.34-26.31%) and vigor indices (vigor index I: 38.71-53.68% and vigor index II: 74.11-82.43%) as compared to untreated control plant grown in saline-sodic soil at 30 days of sowing. Results indicated that plants treated with consortium of three strains induced early production of adventitious roots (tips: 4889.29, forks: 7951.57, and crossings: 2296.45) in maize compared to plants primed with single strains and untreated control (tips: 2019.25, forks: 3021.45, and crossings: 388.36), which was further confirmed by assessing the transcript level of ZmHO-1 (7.20 folds), ZmGSL-1 (4.50 folds), and ZmGSL-3 (12.00 folds) genes using the qPCR approach. The uptake and translocation of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ significantly varied in the plants treated with bioagents alone or in consortium. qRT-PCR analysis also revealed that the ZmHKT-1 and zmNHX1 expression levels varied significantly in the maize root upon inoculation and showed a 6- to 11-fold increase in the plants bioprimed with all the three strains in combination. Further, the activity and gene expression levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly higher in the leaves of maize subjected seed biopriming with bioagents individually or in combination (3.50- to 12.00-fold). Our research indicated that ZmHKT-1 and zmNHX1 expression could effectively enhance salt tolerance by maintaining an optimal Na+/K+ balance and increasing the antioxidant activity that keeps reactive oxygen species at a low accumulation level. Interestingly, up-regulation of ZmHKT-1, NHX1, ZmHO-1, ZmGSL-1, and ZmGSL-3 and genes encoding antioxidants regulates the cellular responses that could effectively enhance the adaptiveness and ultimately leads to better plant growth and grain production in the maize crop grown in saline-sodic soil.

Long-term in situ moisture conservation in horti-pasture system improves biological health of degraded land.

In situ moisture conservation practices can conserve fertile topsoil and enhance available water in soil profile. We hypothesised that reclaiming degraded land ecologically through tree + pasture + in situ moisture conservation practices would significantly improve soil organic carbon (SOC) and health. Hence, the objectives were a) to identify changes in nutrient cycling enzymes and SOC status due to different in situ soil moisture conservation options in surface and subsurface soil layers, and b) to test the potentiality of soil enzymes to determine long-term nutrient availability. We conducted a long-term experiment involving aonla (Emblica officinalis) trees + pasture (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes seabrana) + in situ soil moisture conservation measures viz. staggered contour trenches (T1), continuous contour trenches (T2), stone mulch (T3), vegetative barriers (T4), control (T5) and fallow land (T6) since 2007. Recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were added to all treatments, except T6. SOC concentration increased by ~51 and 31% in T1 and T2, respectively, over T5 in surface (0-15 cm) soil. Culturable bacterial and fungal populations increased by ~20 and 95% in T1 over T5 in surface soil. Activities of all soil enzymes increased in T1 and T2 (ranging from 42 to 289%) over T5 and T6 in both surface and sub-surface (15-30 cm) layers. However, specific activity of phenol oxidase was ~25% lower for T1 than T6, suggesting more efficient SOC sequestration in T1. Moreover, geometric mean enzyme activity of T1 was ~65 and 33% higher than T5 and T3, respectively, in surface soil. Treated soil quality index (T-SQI) of T1 was ~184% higher than T5. Soil functional diversity was also ~1.24 and 1.22 times higher in T1 and T2 than T5, respectively. Peroxidase was the major C degrading enzyme in this ecosystem. Protease, urease and phosphatase significantly influenced N and P availability along with fruit and pasture yields. Importantly, ~96, 62 and 82% variability of SOC, N and P concentrations, respectively, could be attributed to their corresponding enzyme activities. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed one-way operational role of soil enzymes. Thus, enzymes are potentially important for recycling nutrients from litters, root biomass of fruit trees and grasses to boost their availability in the long run. Adoption of horti-pasture system combined with moisture conservation practices and staggered contour trenches or continuous contour trenches ensured higher above ground biomass yield, SOC, nutrient availability and soil quality. Thus, long-term use of these practices could be recommended for reclamation and improving soil health and crop productivity of degraded lands of central India.

Thermophilic ligno-cellulolytic fungi: The future of efficient and rapid bio-waste management.

To accelerate the process of decomposition using consortia of thermophilic ligno-cellulolytic fungi, different crop residues viz. sorghum (SG), soybean (SS), maize (MS), sugarcane (SC), cotton (CS) and pigeon pea (PS) with a varied C:N ratio and sawdust (SD) having high lignin content were collected and used for decomposition process. Compost quality assessed by evaluating different maturity and stability indices at five succeeding stages [first mesophilic (M1), thermophilic (T), second mesophilic (M2), cooling (C) and humification (H)]. A significant reduction was observed in the C:N ratio, biodegradability index, nitrification index, ratio of water-soluble carbon to organic nitrogen (WSC/Org.N) with an increase in concomitant over time while Ash (%), organic matter loss (%), CEC/TOC ratio, cellulose biodegradation ratio (BR) and lignin/cellulose ratio were significantly increased with time. By correlation study, biodegradability index (BI) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis emerged as the most suitable compost maturity and stability parameters, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) results confirmed that BI, BR, WSC/Org. N and FDA can be regarded as key indicators for assessing compost quality. Our findings conclude that fungal consortia of Tricoderma viride, Rhizomucor pusillus, Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus flavus can accelerate decomposition time from 8 to 12 months (which is normal farming practice) to 120 days.

Earthworm Grazed-Trichoderma harzianum Biofortified Spent Mushroom Substrates Modulate Accumulation of Natural Antioxidants and Bio-Fortification of Mineral Nutrients in Tomato.

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of earthworm grazed and Trichoderma harzianum biofortified spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on natural antioxidant and nutritional properties of tomato. Results of the investigation reveal that earthworm grazing and T. harzianum bio-fortification led to significant improvement in the physico-chemical properties of fresh SMS and its application increased the accumulation of natural antioxidants and mineral content in tomato as compared to either T. harzianum biofortified SMS or fresh SMS. In particular, the earthworm grazed, T. harzianum biofortified SMS (EGTHB-SMS) was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation with significant increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid content in tomato. Further, it increased Fe2+/Fe3+ chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity compared to other treatments. The results thus suggest an augmented elicitation of natural antioxidant properties in tomato treated with EGTHB-SMS, resulting in a higher radical scavenging activity, that is highly desirable for human health. In addition, the use of SMS to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits becomes an environment friendly approach in sustainable crop production.

Bio-protective microbial agents from rhizosphere eco-systems trigger plant defense responses provide protection against sheath blight disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Sheath blight of rice (Oryza sativa L.) caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a major disease and attempts are being made to develop microbe based technologies for biocontrol of this pathogen. However, the mechanisms of biocontrol are not fully understood and still require indepth study in the backdrop of emerging concepts in biological systems. The present investigation was aimed at deciphering the mechanisms of biocontrol of sheath blight of rice employing Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum as model agents for biocontrol. Initially 25, 5 and 5 strains of P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. harzianum, respectively, were screened for their biocontrol potential. Out of which, six strains with higher value of percent inhibition of fungal mycelium in dual plate assay were selected. The role of P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. harzianum were investigated in induction and bioaccumulation of natural antioxidants, defence-related biomolecules and other changes in plant which lead not only to growth promotion but also protection from pathogenic stress conditions in rice. The two most promising strains, P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501 selected on the basis of in planta evaluation, when applied individually or in combination, significantly enhanced the accumulation of defence-related biomolecules, enzymes and exhibited biocontrol potential against R. solani. A modified/newly developed delivery system was applied for the first time in the experiments involving inoculation of plants with both bioagents, viz. P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501. Results suggested that application of P. fluorescens PF-08 and T. harzianum UBSTH-501 alone or in combination, not only helps in control of the disease but also increases plant growth along with reduction in application of toxic chemical pesticides.

Finite time blow-up and breaking of solitary wind waves.

The evolution of surface water waves in finite depth under wind forcing is reduced to an antidissipative Korteweg-de Vries-Burgers equation. We exhibit its solitary wave solution. Antidissipation accelerates and increases the amplitude of the solitary wave and leads to blow-up and breaking. Blow-up occurs in finite time for infinitely large asymptotic space so it is a nonlinear, dispersive, and antidissipative equivalent of the linear instability which occurs for infinite time. Due to antidissipation two given arbitrary and adjacent planes of constant phases of the solitary wave acquire different velocities and accelerations inducing breaking. Soliton breaking occurs in finite space in a time prior to the blow-up. We show that the theoretical growth in amplitude and the time of breaking are both testable in an existing experimental facility.

Soil respiration, labile carbon pools, and enzyme activities as affected by tillage practices in a tropical rice-maize-cowpea cropping system.

In order to identify the viable option of tillage practices in rice-maize-cowpea cropping system that could cut down soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, sustain grain yield, and maintain better soil quality in tropical low land rice ecology soil respiration in terms of CO2 emission, labile carbon (C) pools, water-stable aggregate C fractions, and enzymatic activities were investigated in a sandy clay loam soil. Soil respiration is the major pathway of gaseous C efflux from terrestrial systems and acts as an important index of ecosystem functioning. The CO2-C emissions were quantified in between plants and rows throughout the year in rice-maize-cowpea cropping sequence both under conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT) practices along with soil moisture and temperature. The CO2-C emissions, as a whole, were 24 % higher in between plants than in rows, and were in the range of 23.4-78.1, 37.1-128.1, and 28.6-101.2 mg m(-2) h(-1) under CT and 10.7-60.3, 17.3-99.1, and 17.2-79.1 mg m(-2) h(-1) under MT in rice, maize, and cowpea, respectively. The CO2-C emission was found highest under maize (44 %) followed by rice (33 %) and cowpea (23 %) irrespective of CT and MT practices. In CT system, the CO2-C emission increased significantly by 37.1 % with respect to MT on cumulative annual basis including fallow. The CO2-C emission per unit yield was at par in rice and cowpea signifying the beneficial effect of MT in maintaining soil quality and reduction of CO2 emission. The microbial biomass C (MBC), readily mineralizable C (RMC), water-soluble C (WSC), and permanganate-oxidizable C (PMOC) were 19.4, 20.4, 39.5, and 15.1 % higher under MT than CT. The C contents in soil aggregate fraction were significantly higher in MT than CT. Soil enzymatic activities like, dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and ß-glucosidase were significantly higher by 13.8, 15.4, and 27.4 % under MT compared to CT. The soil labile C pools, enzymatic activities, and heterotrophic microbial populations were in the order of maize > cowpea > rice, irrespective of the tillage treatments. Environmental sustainability point of view, minimum tillage practices in rice-maize-cowpea cropping system in tropical low land soil could be adopted to minimize CO2-C emission, sustain yield, and maintain soil health.

Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis type II), severe phenotype: long term follow-up on patients undergone to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

AIM: Our study aim is the evaluation of long-term effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on Italian patients with severe Hunter syndrome. METHODS: Four boys, suffering from Hunter syndrome, severe phenotype, received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 2 years 6 months and 2 years 11 months of age, from 1992 to 2001. A complete multidisciplinary evaluation of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation long-term effects was performed periodically. RESULTS: All patients achieved successful engraftment. Urine glycosaminoglycans excretion was reduced or normalized, and the activity of leukocyte iduronate-2-sulphatase enzyme, absent before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, remained constant, in all patients. Dysostosis multiplex progressed over time, according to the natural evolution of the disease. Joint stiffness improved in all affected districts. Hepatosplenomegaly decreased until it disappeared. The cardiovascular involvement stayed unchanged, as well as hearing loss. Skin became hyperelastical; face features seemed less coarse if compared to the natural evolution of the disease. Cerebral white matter alterations were constant in time. On the contrary, the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation did not prove to have long-term effectiveness on neurological symptoms of Hunter syndrome. CONCLUSION: The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was successful in slowing the progression of Hunter syndrome, and even the evolution of neurological feature of the disease was slower in the first years after this treatment.

Influence of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature on belowground carbon allocation and enzyme activities in tropical flooded soil planted with rice.

Changes in the soil labile carbon fractions and soil biochemical properties to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and temperature reflect the changes in the functional capacity of soil ecosystems. The belowground root system and root-derived carbon products are the key factors for the rhizospheric carbon dynamics under elevated CO2 condition. However, the relationship between interactive effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on belowground soil carbon accrual is not very clear. To address this issue, a field experiment was laid out to study the changes of carbon allocation in tropical rice soil (Aeric Endoaquept) under elevated CO2 and elevated CO2 + elevated temperature conditions in open top chambers (OTCs). There were significant increase of root biomass by 39 and 44 % under elevated CO2 and elevated CO2 + temperature compared to ambient condition, respectively. A significant increase (55 %) of total organic carbon in the root exudates under elevated CO2 + temperature was noticed. Carbon dioxide enrichment associated with elevated temperature significantly increased soil labile carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and activities of carbon-transforming enzyme like ß-glucosidase. Highly significant correlations were noticed among the different soil enzymes and soil labile carbon fractions.

Arthrobotrys oligospora-mediated biological control of diseases of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani.

AIMS: To study the biocontrol potential of nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora in protecting tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) against Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani under greenhouse and field conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five isolates of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora isolated from different parts of India were tested against Meloidogyne incognita and Rhizoctonia solani in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants grown under greenhouse and field conditions. Arthrobotrys oligospora-treated plants showed enhanced growth in terms of shoot and root length and biomass, chlorophyll and total phenolic content and high phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in comparison with M. incognita- and R. solani-inoculated plants. Biochemical profiling when correlated with disease severity and intensity in A. oligospora-treated and untreated plants indicate that A. oligospora VNS-1 offered significant disease reduction in terms of number of root galls, seedling mortality, lesion length, disease index, better plant growth and fruit yield as compared to M. incognita- and R. solani-challenged plants. CONCLUSION: The result established that A. oligospora VNS-1 has the potential to provide bioprotection agents against M. incognita and R. solani. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Arthrobotrys oligospora can be a better environment friendly option and can be incorporated in the integrated disease management module of crop protection. Application of A. oligospora not only helps in the control of nematodes but also increases plant growth and enhances nutritional value of tomato fruits. Thus, it proves to be an excellent biocontrol as well as plant growth promoting agent.

Detection of natural killer T cells in mice infected with Rickettsia conorii.

Little information is available regarding the role of natural killer T (NKT) cells during the early stage of Rickettsia conorii infection. Herein, C3H/HeN mice were infected with the Malish 7 strain of R. conorii. Splenocytes from these mice were analysed in the early stage of the infection by flow cytometry and compared with uninfected controls. Our results showed an increase in NKT cells in infected mice. Additionally, NKT interleukin (IL)-17(+) cells increased three days after infection, together with a concurrent decrease in the relative amount of NKT interferon (IFN)-γ(+) cells. We also confirmed a higher amount of NK IFN-γ(+) cells in infected mice. Taken together, our data showed that NKT cells producing Il-17 increased during the early stage of rickettsial infection. These results suggest a connection between IL-17(+) NKT cells and vasculitis, which is the main clinical symptom of rickettsiosis.

Expansion of intracellular IFN-γ positive lymphocytes during Mycoplasma agalactiae infection in sheep.

A method to assess the expansion of antigen-specific intracellular IFN-γ positive T cell subsets during the infection will be helpful for a better understanding of mycoplasmal infections physiopathology in the sheep. We analysed the percentage of antigen-specific lymphocytes positive for intracellular IFN-γ during the infection of sheep with Mycoplasma agalactiae by culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infected or uninfected animals with irradiated M. agalactiae. The expansion of antigen-specific IFN-γ positive lymphocytes in infected sheep was initially sustained by CD4(+) T cells at day 15 after infection, when antigen specific IgG start to be detectable, followed by CD8/IFN-γ double positive cells. γδ T-cells were not expanded at any time point analysed. IFNγ(+) T cells disappear 60 days after infection, suggesting that antigen specific IFNγ(+) T cells, mainly detected in the early phase of the disease, could be useful to understand the role of cell-mediated immunity during M. agalactiae infection.

Sedative and anxiolytic effects of the methanolic extract of Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. leaf.

The sedative and anxiolytic potential of Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr., a Bangladeshi tribal medicinal plant was studied for the first time. The crude methanol extract of L. indica leaves was evaluated for its central nervous system (CNS) depressant effect using rodent behavioral models, such as hole cross, open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests for its sedative properties and an elevated plus-maze (EPM) test for its anxiolytic potential, respectively. The methanol extract of L. indica at doses of 200 mg/kg, p.o. and 400 mg/kg, p.o., displayed a dose dependent suppression of motor activity, exploratory behavior (in hole cross and open field tests) and prolongation of thiopental induced sleeping time in mice; the highest CNS depressant effect was shown at a dose of 400 mg/kg, p.o. In the EPM test, both dose of methanol extract significantly (p < 0.01) increased exploration to and time spent by the treated mice in EPM open arms in a dose dependent manner. These results provide in vivo evidence that leaves of L. indica in general have significant sedative and anxiolytic effects. However, these results may rationalize the scientific basis for use of this plant in traditional medicine for treatment of anxiety and related disorders.

Radiation induced effects on viability and antioxidant enzymes of crustaceans from different habitats.

The paper describes differential tolerance of two fresh water crustaceans Mesocyclops hyalinus and Allodiaptomus satanus to 60Co gamma radiation. Mesocyclops hyalinus is dominant species at site 1, near a Thermal Power Plant at Kolaghat East Midnapore where fly ash deposition is a regular phenomenon. Allodiaptomus satanus is dominant species at site 2 at Kolkata, Ballygung where anthroponotic activities are more pronounced. M. hyalinus is naturally exposed to more stressful situation than A. satanus as revealed by comparing the hydrological parameters of the two habitats. Experimental exposure to ionizing radiation resulted in differential changes in viability morphology and antioxidant enzyme activities in the two selected species. Survival experiments showed greater tolerance of M. hyalinus compared to A. satanus up to 8Gy (absorbed dose) after which if showed drastic fail in survival. More pronounced morphological changes were observed in A. satanus as compared to that in M. hyalinus. The pattern of changes in antioxidant enzyme activity is distinctly opposite in the two radiation exposed species. While in M. hyalinus stimulation in activity of both CAT (excepting at 10Gy absorbed dose) and SOD was observed A. satanus showed decrease in activity of both the enzymes when compared to their unirradiated counterparts.

Effectiveness of formal observation in inpatient psychiatry in preventing adverse outcomes: the state of the science.

Formal observation in psychiatric settings is a widely accepted intervention employed by psychiatric nurses to reduce the incidence of adverse patient outcomes such as suicides, self-harm, violence and elopements in the psychiatric population. Formal observation includes general or routine observation, observation every 15 or 30 min, continuous or constant observation, and one-to-one observation. While formal observation consumes nursing resources, the efficacy of formal observation in reducing patient risk and providing therapeutic benefit remains unclear. To date, no randomized controlled studies exist. The existing qualitative research fails to demonstrate a direct correlation between the act of formal observation and the prevention of adverse patient outcomes. Common in the literature is a debate as to whether formal observation or therapeutic engagement is more beneficial. This paper, therefore, identifies gaps in the research and synthesizes relevant research regarding the effectiveness of formal observation in preventing adverse outcomes like suicides, self-harm, violence and elopements.

Saffman-Taylor instability of viscoelastic fluids: from viscous fingering to elastic fractures.

We study the linear stability of an air front pushing on a viscoelastic upper convected Mawxell fluid inside a Hele-Shaw cell. Both theory and experiments involving several viscoelastic fluids prove that a unique dimensionless time parameter lambda[over] controls all elastic effects. For small values of lambda[over], Newtonian behavior dominates, while for higher values of lambda[over] viscoelastic effects appear. We show that the linear growth rate of a small initial perturbation diverges for a critical value lambda[over]=lambda(c)[over] approximately 10. Experiments prove that this divergence is associated to a fracturelike pattern instability of the interface. We conclude that the observed fractures come from the Saffman-Taylor instability and that they directly emerge from the linear regime of it.