Colorization of the Tomato Fruit due to Infestation with Helicoverpa Armigera Larvae

Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) is one of the most serious and highly polyphagous species causing damage in vegetative and reproductive plant stages. The present experiment was performed on a tomato field in Mirtia, Ilia, Greece. The color of the fruits transformed from green to yellow within 7 days post infestation by H. armigera larvae and converted to black within 14 days. This work indicates conversion color linked to infestation from H. armigera larvae and in the degradation rate of tomato fruit Keywords: Helicoverpa armigera, tomato cultivation, coloriztion

Study on the combined action of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Στην παρούσα εργασία μελετήθηκε η συνδυασμένη δράση του εντομοπαθογόνου βακτηρίου Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (B.t.k.) και του εντομοπαθογόνου νηματώδη Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Nematoda: Rhabditida) επί προνυμφών του λεπιδοπτέρου Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) σε σπόρους σίτου. Στις δοκιμές χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ομάδες 10 προνυμφών 4ης προνυμφικής ηλικίας, τοποθετημένες σε τρυβλία Petri που περιείχαν 10g αποστειρωμένων σπόρων σίτου, τα οποία είχαν προηγουμένως ψεκαστεί με υδατικό διάλυμα βακίλου στις συγκεντρώσεις 500ppm, 1000ppm και 3000ppm. Εν συνεχεία, οι προνύμφες λούζονταν με 1ml υδατικού διαλύματος νηματωδών (1000IJs/ml), τα τρυβλία κλείνονταν καλά με υδατοστεγή ταινία και τοποθετούνταν σε θάλαμο ελεγχόμενων συνθηκών (25οC, 80% Σ.Υ.). Η αλληλεπίδραση των εντομοπαθογόνων παραγόντων υπολογίστηκε με την βοήθεια του διωνύμου Robertson και Preisler και η αποτελεσματικότητα κάθε παθογόνου παράγοντα με τον τύπο του Abbott μετά το πέρας του πειράματος. Από τα αποτελέσματα διαπιστώθηκε ότι η χρήση και των δύο παθογόνων παραγόντων προκάλεσε υψηλή θνησιμότητα στις προνύμφες του εντόμου E. kuehniella. Οι θνησιμότητες που προέκυψαν μετά από 28 ημέρες ήταν για τον B.t.k. 500ppm: 20%, για τον B.t.k 1500ppm: 25%, για τον B.t.k 3000ppm: 40%, για τον νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 27% και για τους συνδυαστικούς χειρισμούς B.t.k 500ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 85%, για το B.t.k 1500ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 40%, για το B.t.k 3000ppm + νηματώδη 1000IJs/ml: 50%, ενώ για τους μάρτυρες (χειρισμός με H20): 7%. Αξιοσημείωτη είναι τόσο η υψηλή δραστικότητα του συνδυασμού.The interaction between the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Kurstaki and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Heterorhabditidae) was examined against larvae of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post treatment, in laboratory conditions. Three different combinations of the aforementioned pathogens were tested on 4th instar larvae, namely 500ppm B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (B.t.k.) and H. bacteriophora infective Juveniles (1000IJs/ml), 1500ppm B.t.k. and H. bacteriophora (1000IJs/ml) and 3000ppm B.t.k. and H. bacteriophora (1000IJs/ml). At 7, 14 and 21 days, the interaction between the pathogens was additive in two of the treatments and synergistic in one, whereas at 28 days, it was negative in two of the treatments and synergistic in one. Overall, the application of the lowest dose of B.t.k. (500ppm) in combination with H. bacteriophora (1000IJs/ml), turned out to be highly effective. The interaction between B. thuringiensis and H. bacteriophora is to be further examined

Literary ethnography of evidence-based healthcare : accessing the emotions of rational-technical discourse

In this article I revisit the idea of literary ethnography (proposed by Van de Poel-Knottnerus and Knottnerus, 1994) as a method for investigating social phenomena constituted principally through literature. I report the use of this method to investigate the topic of evidence-based healthcare, EBHC. EBHC is a field of discourse much built upon a dichotomy between rationality and emotionality. In this context literary ethnography, a particular type of discourse analysis, is valuable for allowing researchers to bring the emotional currents of technical-rational discourse into conscious awareness. In such discourses, emotions are not written out by name. The researcher must discern emotional phenomena by experiencing the discourse, and (try to) bring them into intelligible expression. As I clarify this process I develop Van de Poel-Knottnerus and Knottnerus’ method theoretically, look to destabilise the rationalityemotionality dichotomy foundational to discourse around EBHC, and so transgress its conventional lines of thought.PostprintPeer reviewe

A Sense of Control and Wellbeing in Older People Living with Frailty: A Scoping Review

A sense of control is important for supporting older people living with frailty to develop adaptive functioning to optimize wellbeing. This scoping review examined the literature on the sense of control and wellbeing in older people living with frailty within their everyday life and care service use. Nine databases were searched using the timeframe 2000 to 2021 to identify key ideas regarding control and wellbeing in older people with frailty. The review highlighted three major themes: a) Control as conveyed in bodily expressions and daily activities, b) Sense of control and influence of place of residence, and c) Control within health and social care relationships. Maintaining a sense of control is not only an internal feeling but is impacted by physical and social environments. Greater focus is needed on the nature of relationships between older people living with frailty and those who work alongside them, which support control and wellbein

A systematic review of the qualitative literature on older individuals’ experiences of care and well-being during physical rehabilitation for acquired brain injury

Abstract Aims: To acquire an in-depth understanding of how older individuals diagnosed with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience their well-being and care when undergoing physical rehabilitation. Design: Systematic literature review. Data sources: The electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, ASSIA and SCOPUS were searched from 2005 to 2020. Extensive reference checking was also conducted. Review methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including predominantly qualitative studies. Studies’ quality was appraised using the critical apraisal skills programme (CASP) tool. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Following methods of thematic synthesis, four overarching interpretive themes were identified: (a) Rehabilitation processes and their impact on older individuals’ well-being; (b) Identity and embodiment concerns of older individuals during rehabilitation; (c) Institutional factors affecting older individuals’ care and well-being experiences; and (d) Older individuals’ participation in creative activities as part of rehabilitation. Conclusion: Organizational and structural care deficiencies as well as health disparities can adversely impact older individuals’ autonomous decision-making and goal-setting potentials. The discrepancy between older individuals’ expectations and the reality of returning home along with the illusionary wish to return to a perceived normality, can further negatively affect older individuals’ sense of well-being. Constructive communication, emotional support, family involvement in rehabilitation and creating a stimulating, enriching social environment can humanize and facilitate older individuals’ adjustment to their new reality following ABI. Impact: There is a lack of qualitative research on older individuals’ ABI rehabilitation experiences, especially traumatic brain injury incidents. Further study should consider patients concerns over their involvement in decision-making and goal setting about their care. Overall, this review reveals the need to examine further the significance of humanizing care and the factors that affect older individuals’sense of well-being

Knowledge ‘Translation’ as Social Learning: Negotiating the Uptake of Research-Based Knowledge in Practice

BACKGROUND: Knowledge translation and evidence-based practice have relied on research derived from clinical trials, which are considered to be methodologically rigorous. The result is practice recommendations based on a narrow view of evidence. We discuss how, within a practice environment, in fact individuals adopt and apply new evidence derived from multiple sources through ongoing, iterative learning cycles. DISCUSSION: The discussion is presented in four sections. After elaborating on the multiple forms of evidence used in practice, in section 2 we argue that the practitioner derives contextualized knowledge through reflective practice. Then, in section 3, the focus shifts from the individual to the team with consideration of social learning and theories of practice. In section 4 we discuss the implications of integrative and negotiated knowledge exchange and generation within the practice environment. Namely, how can we promote the use of research within a team-based, contextualized knowledge environment? We suggest support for: 1) collaborative learning environments for active learning and reflection, 2) engaged scholarship approaches so that practice can inform research in a collaborative manner and 3) leveraging authoritative opinion leaders for their clinical expertise during the shared negotiation of knowledge and research. Our approach also points to implications for studying evidence-informed practice: the identification of practice change (as an outcome) ought to be supplemented with understandings of how and when social negotiation processes occur to achieve integrated knowledge. SUMMARY: This article discusses practice knowledge as dependent on the practice context and on social learning processes, and suggests how research knowledge uptake might be supported from this vantage point

Implementation of the evidence for the improvement of nursing care to the critical patient's family: a participatory action research

Background: There are many descriptive studies regarding the needs of the family, as well as those regarding nursing care aimed directly at family members. However, there is no widespread application of such evidence in clinical practice. There has also been no analysis made of the evolution of patterns of knowing during the act of improving clinical practice. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to understand the change process aimed at improving care to critical patient's families, and to explore the evolution of patterns of knowing that nurses use in this process. Methods: Qualitative study with a Participatory Action Research method, in accordance with the Kemmis and McTaggart model. In this model, nurses can observe their practice, reflect upon it and compare it with scientific evidence, as well as define, deploy and evaluate improvement strategies adapted to the context. Simultaneously, the process of empowerment derived from the Participatory Action Research allows for the identification of patterns of knowing and their development over time. The research will take place in the Intensive Care Units of a tertiary hospital. The participants will be nurses who are part of the regular workforce of these units, with more than five years of experience in critical patients, and who are motivated to consider and critique their practice. Data collection will take place through participant observation, multi-level discussion group meetings and documentary analysis. A content analysis will be carried out, following a process of codification and categorisation, with the help of Nvivo10. The approval date and the beginning of the funding were December 2012 and 2013, respectively. Discussion: The definition, introduction and evaluation of care strategies for family members will allow for their real and immediate implementation in practice. The study of the patterns of knowing in the Participatory Action Research will be part of the theoretical and practical feedback process of a professional discipline. Also, the identification of the construction and evolution of knowledge will provide decision elements to managers and academics when choosing strategies for increased quality