Capital Structure Management of Rice Farmers

Capital structure management is a set of decisions related to the financing sources utilized in the entity\u27s operation and development. Financing is a significant obstacle for smallholder farmers in accessing additional inputs required to boost agricultural yields and income. This study identified and measured the capital structure management of rice farmers, focusing on internal and external funding. This study is anchored to SDG 1, 2, 8, 12, 15 and 17. The quantitative-descriptive research design was used in this study and employed the convenience sampling method, wherein questionnaires were used to investigate the capital structure management of rice farmers in selected Barangays in Asingan, Pangasinan, Philippines specifically Barangay Bantog, Cabalitian, and Domanpot. The results indicated that most rice farmers are late middle-aged, married males who are classified as smallholder farmers, and have an average number of dependent family members. They sometimes practice capital structure management, which shows inconsistency in its implementation. The findings further revealed that rice farmers are risk-averse yet have stable financial conditions. Based on the data, this study recommended conducting a seminar about enhancing the capital structure management of rice farmers that highlights the significance of optimizing the rice farmers’ financial resources

The Tyrosine Kinase Csk Dimerizes through Its SH3 Domain

The Src family kinases possess two sites of tyrosine phosphorylation that are critical to the regulation of kinase activity. Autophosphorylation on an activation loop tyrosine residue (Tyr 416 in commonly used chicken c-Src numbering) increases catalytic activity, while phosphorylation of a C-terminal tyrosine (Tyr 527 in c-Src) inhibits activity. The latter modification is achieved by the tyrosine kinase Csk (C-terminal Src Kinase), but the complete inactivation of the Src family kinases also requires the dephosphorylation of the activation loop tyrosine. The SH3 domain of Csk recruits the tyrosine phosphatase PEP, allowing for the coordinated inhibition of Src family kinase activity. We have discovered that Csk forms homodimers through interactions mediated by the SH3 domain in a manner that buries the recognition surface for SH3 ligands. The formation of this dimer would therefore block the recruitment of tyrosine phosphatases and may have important implications for the regulation of Src kinase activity

Asian venous thromboembolism guidelines: updated recommendations for the prevention of venous thromboembolism

The Asian venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines were first published in 2012. Since its first edition, the Asian Venous Thrombosis Forum (AVTF) working group have updated the Asian VTE epidemiology and reviewed issues that were not addressed in the previous guidelines. The authors noted that the rising incidence of VTE across Asia may be attributable to aging population, dietary changes, and increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes. The new additions in the guideline include role of thrombophilia in VTE, bleeding risk in Asians, individual risk assessment, updates in the prevention of VTE in medically ill, bariatric surgery, cancer, orthopedic and trauma patients. The influence of primary thrombophilia in perioperative VTE is still unclear. The secondary risk factors, however, are similar between Asians and Caucasians. The group found no evidence of increased risk of bleeding while using pharmacological agents, including the use of novel anti-coagulants. At present, Caprini risk assessment model is widely used for individual risk assessment. Further validation of this model is needed in Asia. In medically ill patients, pharmacological agents are preferred if there is no bleeding risk. Intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPC) is recommended in patients with bleeding risk but we do not recommend using graduated compressive stockings. In bariatric patients, data on VTE is lacking in Asia. We recommend following current international guidelines. A high index of suspicion should be maintained during postbariatric surgery to detect and promptly treat portomesenteric venous thrombosis. Different cancer types have different thrombotic risks and the types of surgery influence to a large extent the overall VTE risk. Cancer patients should receive further risk assessment. In patients with higher thrombotic risk, either due to predisposing risk or concomitant surgery, low molecular weight heparin is indicated. Different countries appear to have different incidence of VTE following trauma and major orthopedic surgery. We recommend mechanical prophylaxis using IPC as the main method and additional pharmacological prophylaxis if the thrombotic risk is high. As for obstetric practice, we propose adherence to the UK Greentop guideline that is widely accepted and utilized across Asia. To improve VTE thromboprophylaxis implementation in the region, we propose that there should be better health education, establishment of hospital-based guidelines and multidisciplinary collaboration

The interactive effect of silicon and nitrogen on growth and spikelet filling in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Silicon as a beneficial element for rice improves leaf erectness leading to better light interception. Greenhouse hydroponic experiments were conducted using 0, 50 and 100 ppm silicon and two 40 and 80 ppm nitrogen to study silicon and nitrogen interaction on the growth and spikelet filling of rice. Data showed that addition of silicon in culture solution (pH 5) increased dry matter production and SiO2 accumulation in tissues regardless of N supply. Similar significant increases in harvest index and % spikelet filling were observed, resulting in improved grain yield. On the other hand, increased N supply significantly increased total dry weight in the absence or presence of SiO2. It was found that 100 ppm SiO2 increased dry matter accumulation at low N but both concentrations of SiO2 increased total dry weight at high N. The same trend of SiO2 effect was also true for grain yield. On the other hand, high level of SiO2 increased spikelet filling percentage only at high N supply. The above results indicate an interaction between SiO2 and N on growth and spikelet filling and a threshold concentration of SiO2 with N supply is likely to improve grain yield in rice

Residual effects of nitrogen fertilization on foliar chlorophyll and yield of the succeeding rice crop

The residual effects of nitrogen fertilization during the dry season on four rice cultivars were investigated on the succeeding wet season N-unfertilized \u27IR72\u27 crop. Significant differences in the chlorophyll content (SPAD values) of the leaves were found among the different growth stages and between plots in previously N-fertilized plots but only at 42 and 56 DAT. Grain yield of \u27IR72\u27 during the dry season was the lowest among the cultivars. However, during the wet season when \u27IR72\u27 was planted in all plots previously planted to other cultivars, the grain yield from plots where \u27IR72\u27 was planted was the highest. Grain yield increased with an increase in nitrogen fertilization in both dry season (4 cultivars) and wet season (IR72) crops. These results were obtained in spite of the non-significant differences in the amount of total N and organic carbon of the soil before transplanting and after harvest of the wet season crop. There was no interactive effect between N and cultivar on the grain yield of the succeeding crop of \u27IR72\u27. The results indicated, however, that N and cultivar had a significant separate effect on the succeeding crop. It also showed that maximum mineralization of N in the paddy fields occurs about 42 to 56 DAT and suggests that the non-symbiotic N-fixing bacteria in rice field may have different effects on residues of various cultivars