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Recently, the eco-friendly production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a focal point for researchers. In India, the quest for cost-effective, non-hazardous compounds suitable for reducing and stabilizing AgNPs has been limited. This study explores the synthesis of AgNPs using Elettaria cardamomom seed extract. We evaluated the efficiency of silver ion (Ag+) reduction and AgNP formation from an aqueous AgNO3 solution combined with the cardamom seed extract. Characterization of the AgNPs was carried out through UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, EDAX, and FTIR. This research presents a practical and efficient strategy for AgNP production. A formulation using readily available 1 mm aqueous AgNO3, known for its accessibility and therapeutic properties, was created with cardamom seed extract serving as both a capping and reducing agent. Within 30 minutes, the silver ions were reduced to AgNPs, resulting in a change from golden to dark brown-reddish tint. Various analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, were employed for characterization. This study introduces an affordable, robust, and renewable method using E. cardamomum seeds for AgNP synthesis, which is entirely eco-friendly and devoid of toxic chemicals. AgNPs hold promise for applications in cancer treatment and diagnosis, setting them apart from other noble metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A naturally occurring component called pectin is present in many fruits, including berries and apples. Almost all plants contain it, where it adds to the structure of the cell. Pectinase is an enzyme product that is used professionally to break down pectin. Pectinases are widely used in the wine and citrus juice industries. It is used in the fruit juice business for clarification because it lowers viscosity, which results in the creation of clear juice. In the current research, soil samples were taken from six different regions in the Ahmedabad district in an effort to isolate bacteria that produce pectinase from those samples. Primary screening produced a total of 41 strains, of which 14 showed pectinase activity. Screening was done by using Vincent's agar medium containing pectin. Best pectinolytic activity was determined by clear zone of hydrolysis on selective media. Among 14 isolates, Isolate 1 was showing highest zone of utilization which was selected for further study. Pectinase was produced by submerge fermentation technique and physicochemical parameters were optimized in which isolate 1 showed highest activity at pH 7.4, temperature 37°C, incubation period 48hrs., inoculation size, substrate, carbon source, nitrogen source. Isolate 1 was characterized by its cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular basis by 16S rRNA sequencing and designated as Bacillus subtilis. This isolate was applied for fruit juice clarification and demucilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The right to rehabilitation as a form of reparation is well-established in international law although with respect to torture survivors, it has been insufficiently scoped, conceptually unclear and what it means in practice, has remained partial and ambiguous. This article provides a clinical perspective on the conceptualisation of the right to rehabilitation as a form of reparation for survivors of torture. It explores the nature of rehabilitation and its components in practice, highlighting the theoretical and ideological influences which shape diverse approaches to rehabilitation in practice. Drawing on recent developments in international law, specifically, the conceptualisation of rehabilitation in General Comment 3 on Article 14 of the Convention Against Torture is discussed and an integrative, conceptual model of rehabilitation, drawing on legal and clinical perspectives, is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Torture and other forms of ill treatment have been reported in at least 141 countries, exposing a global crisis. Survivors face multiple physical, psychological, and social difficulties. Psychological consequences for survivors are varied, and evidence on treatment is mixed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the benefits and harms of psychological, social, and welfare interventions for torture survivors.Methods and Findings: We updated a 2014 review with published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for adult survivors of torture comparing any psychological, social, or welfare intervention against treatment as usual or active control from 1 January 2014 through 22 June 2019. Primary outcome was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms or caseness, and secondary outcomes were depression symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and adverse effects, after treatment and at follow-up of at least 3 months. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios were estimated using meta-analysis with random effects. The Cochrane tool was used to derive risk of bias. Fifteen RCTs were included, with data from 1,373 participants (589 females and 784 males) in 10 countries (7 trials in Europe, 5 in Asia, and 3 in Africa). No trials of social or welfare interventions were found. Compared to mostly inactive (waiting list) controls, psychological interventions reduced PTSD symptoms by the end of treatment (SMD -0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.52 to -0.09, p = 0.005), but PTSD symptoms at follow-up were not significantly reduced (SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.74 to 0.06, p = 0.09). No significant improvement was found for PTSD caseness at the end of treatment, and there was possible worsening at follow-up from one study (n = 28). Interventions showed no benefits for depression symptoms at end of treatment (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.50 to 0.03, p = 0.09) or follow-up (SMD -0.23, 95% CI -0.70 to 0.24, p = 0.34). A significant improvement in functioning for psychological interventions compared to control was found at end of treatment (SMD -0.38, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.18, p = 0.0002) but not at follow-up from only one study. No significant improvement emerged for quality of life at end of treatment (SMD 0.38, 95% CI -0.28 to 1.05, p = 0.26) with no data available at follow-up. The main study limitations were the difficulty in this field of being certain of capturing all eligible studies, the lack of modelling of maintenance of treatment gains, and the low precision of most SMDs making findings liable to change with the addition of further studies as they are published.Conclusions: Our findings show evidence that psychological interventions improve PTSD symptoms and functioning at the end of treatment, but it is unknown whether this is maintained at follow-up, with a possible worsening of PTSD caseness at follow-up from one study. Further interventions in this population should address broader psychological needs beyond PTSD while taking into account the effect of multiple daily stressors. Additional studies, including social and welfare interventions, will improve precision of estimates of effect, particularly over the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In discussing 'Whiteness', a context is provided as to current issues facing British clinical psychology, with an overview of the history of clinical psychology in the United Kingdom, and a particular focus on how issues of immigration, diversity, and racism have been addressed. Following this, the constantly changing training context of clinical psychologists within Britain is explored, with lacunae evident around confronting institutional racism and Black trainee experiences. The history of addressing this issue within the University of East London's clinical psychology training programme is outlined, as well as the recent introduction of workshops to focus on 'Whiteness' and 'decolonising' the profession, in response to consistent trainee concerns. This is integrated with respect to focusing on the sorts of psychologists that might be needed to advance and transform the profession positively in the current global political climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers on shoot length, root length, number of leaves, number of flowers and fruit yield at different stages of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L) plants. Research was focused on improved production of cumin with beneficial way of management of application of chemical and biofertilizers. In chemical treatments urea and ammonia fertilizers which contain high nitrogen content was used, in biofertilizers treatments, liquid biofertilizers i.e., bacterial biofertlizers prepared in laboratory and were used and powder biofertilizers were used. Root length, shoot length, numbers of buds and numbers of fruits was found maximum in biofertilizers treatments. Application of bacterial biofertilizers can fulfill the nutrient requirement of cumin under organic farming condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines professional development workshops focused on Connected Math, a particular curriculum utilized or being considered by the middle-school mathematics teachers involved in the study. The hope was that as teachers better understood the curriculum used in their classrooms, i.e., Connected Math, they would simultaneously deepen their own understanding of the corresponding mathematics content. By focusing on the curriculum materials and the student thought process, teachers would be better able to recognize and examine common student misunderstandings of mathematical content and develop pedagogically sound practices, thus improving their own pedagogical content knowledge. Pre- and post-mathematics content knowledge assessments indicated that engaging middle-school teachers in the curriculum materials using pedagogy that can be used with their middle-school students not only solidified teachers' familiarity with such strategies, but also contributed to their understanding of the mathematics content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical psychology aims to address the needs of diverse populations, including those from minority ethnic backgrounds. Arguably, one obstacle to developing appropriate psychological services to minority ethnic people is the lack of relevant qualitative research with people who do not speak English. In particular, there is little exploration around working with professional interpreters during the research. This article explores some methodological and ethical issues arising in psychological research with interpreters, using one study (Vara 2003) as an illustration. This study was conducted in collaboration with a refugee community organisation from which Rwandan refugee people were recruited to participate in qualitative interviews with a Kinyarwandan-speaking interpreter. Some methodological and ethical issues arising in qualitative research with interpreters and implications for psychological service provision are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School policy regarding student failure of courses at the K-12 level generally focuses on grade retention or social promotion, neither of which addresses the students' needs. Grade retention has never been effective in helping students gain mastery of course objectives. To reduce the numbers of social promotions, many states require 8th graders to earn a passing score on state-mandated standardized tests. If students do not earn the required score, they are not allowed to matriculate to the next grade, regardless of their teacher-assigned course grades (Ezarik, 2003). A relatively unique approach to help students who have failed one or more courses at the high school level is a credit recovery program. Though details of such programs vary from district to district, the one unifying aspect for any credit recovery program is the opportunity for students to earn credit for a course failed. The purpose of this paper is to describe a pilot credit recovery program implemented in a large suburban high school in the Midwest. Historical, longitudinal student data revealed that freshmen who fail at least one course are four times more likely to fail to graduate in four years (R. Hankey, personal communication, July, 2009). With this is mind, the school developed a pilot credit recovery program for freshmen who had failed at least one course; online and traditional curricula were provided. The short-term goal was to provide an opportunity for freshmen to recover credits lost due to failure; the long-term goal was to reduce the dropout rate for freshmen who had failed at least one course, and consequently contribute to a higher graduation rate for the freshman class. This paper presents the results of the first cohort of students who completed the pilot program after their freshman year and who have now completed their second year of high school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which explored demarcations for clinical psychologists who may act as global agents variously reinforcing inequality and facilitating empowerment. Assessment of the range of human rights violations and the process of exile experienced by many asylum seekers and refugee people; Discussion on the Eurocentric nature of psychology; Explanation for the tendency of psychologists to de-politicize human distress.

Examines the psychological symptom levels, social support, stressors and the awareness and use of local social services by Asian immigrants. Effect of migration on quality of life; Impact of stress on physical and psychological health; Lack of understanding of the nature and role of social support networks in the immigrant Asian population.

Food intolerance, often known-as Food Allergy (FA), is an abnormal immunological response to a food protein or component. The severity of a Food Allergy reaction varies. Immune responses can be mediated by IgE, non-IgE, or both in some situations. The gut considers dietary proteins to be foreign antigens, and those who are allergic to them have an immunological reaction to them. The body triggers an allergic reaction when IgE binds to the dietary allergen. Vomiting, itching, rashes, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction vary from mild to severe. If the allergic symptoms are detected, then it's critical to eliminate the allergen-containing foods from your diet. In the event of accidental exposure, epinephrine should be given intramuscularly. Cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, shellfish, and fish are all common foods that cause allergic responses. Immunotherapy, anti-IgE therapy, probiotics, and gene therapy are some of the additional treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A drastically increasing elderly population and disparity among disability poses a concern for the US health care industry. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed whether ADL and IADL disabilities were different among non-Hispanic white (NHW) and non-Hispanic black (NHB) populations age 65 and over. Data was retrieved from the 2001-2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for comparing NHBs and NHWs using chi-square analysis for bivariate comparisons. For both elderly NHBs and elderly NHWs, increased rates of disability were reported for being over 75, female, single, and having lower education. NHBs reported statistically higher disability rates for ADL, IADL, and for any disability, with 10.0%, 18.0%, and 19.3%, respectively, compared to NHWs. There is a need to increase the access for NHBs to nursing home, hospice, and assisted-living facilities. Of further concern is the finding of lower institutionalization rates in the NHB population despite the significant presence of increased disability. The growing NHB elderly population needs an urgent societal intervention to address the persistent disparity, which has been neglected for so many years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]