Effect of gender on strength gains after isometric exercise coupled with electromyographic biofeedback in knee osteoarthritis: A preliminary study

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of gender on strength gains after five week training programme that consisted of isometric exercise coupled with electromyographic biofeedback to the quadriceps muscle.Materials and methodsForty-three (20 men and 23 women) patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), were placed into two groups based on their gender. Both groups performed isometric exercise coupled with electromyographic biofeedback for five days a week for five weeks.ResultsBoth groups reported gains in muscle strength after five week training. However, the difference was found to be statistically insignificant between the two groups (P=0.224).ConclusionThe results suggest that gender did not affect gains in muscle strength by isometric exercise coupled with electromyographic biofeedback in patients with knee OA

Effect of agronomic practices on productivity and profitability of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to find out the optimum sowing time and crop geometry for realising higher productivity and profitability in anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Fifteen treatment combinations comprising of five dates of sowing viz., 15th October, 30th October, 15th November, 30th November and 15th December in main plot and three crop geometry viz., 20 cm × 10 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm and 30 cm × 10 cm spacing in sub plot were taken. The results revealed that sowing of anise on 15th October produced significantly higher plant height (7.94 cm, 40.98 cm and 54.88 at 60,90 DAS and at harvest, respectively), number of branches plant-1 (14.70 and 13.92 at 90 DAS and harvest respectively), number of umbels plant-1 (40.91), number of umbellates umbel-1 (17.4), number of seeds umbellate-1 (19.45), test weight (2.60 g), seed yield (892 kg ha 1), gross returns (Rs. 80,280 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 74,280 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (12.38). Crop geometry of 20 cm × 10 cm significantly resulted in highest plant height, number of branches plant-1 at all stages, number of umbels plant-1 (31.57), number of umbellates umbel-1 (14.72), number of seeds per umbellate (17.58), test weight (2.40 g), seed yield (507 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs. 39630 ha-1) and Benefit Cost Ratio (6.61). Therefore, sowing of anise on I5th October at 20 cm × 10 cm spacing was optimum for realising higher productivity and profitability of the crop. &nbsp

Effect of agronomic practices on productivity and profitability of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.)

A field experiment was carried out at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to find out the optimum sowing time and crop geometry for realising higher productivity and profitability in anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Fifteen treatment combinations comprising of five dates of sowing viz., 15th October, 30th October, 15th November, 30th November and 15th December in main plot and three crop geometry viz., 20 cm × 10 cm, 25 cm × 10 cm and 30 cm × 10 cm spacing in sub plot were taken. The results revealed that sowing of anise on 15th October produced significantly higher plant height (7.94 cm, 40.98 cm and 54.88 at 60,90 DAS and at harvest, respectively), number of branches plant-1 (14.70 and 13.92 at 90 DAS and harvest respectively), number of umbels plant-1 (40.91), number of umbellates umbel-1 (17.4), number of seeds umbellate-1 (19.45), test weight (2.60 g), seed yield (892 kg ha 1), gross returns (Rs. 80,280 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 74,280 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (12.38). Crop geometry of 20 cm × 10 cm significantly resulted in highest plant height, number of branches plant-1 at all stages, number of umbels plant-1 (31.57), number of umbellates umbel-1 (14.72), number of seeds per umbellate (17.58), test weight (2.40 g), seed yield (507 kg ha-1), net returns (Rs. 39630 ha-1) and Benefit Cost Ratio (6.61). Therefore, sowing of anise on I5th October at 20 cm × 10 cm spacing was optimum for realising higher productivity and profitability of the crop. &nbsp

Influence of sheep manure, vermicompost and biofertilizer on growth, yield and profitability of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) production

A field study on effect of various sources of organic manure (sheep manure and vermi compost) with and without biofertilizer (Azotobacter sp.) on performance of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) was conducted at Ajmer (Rajasthan) during rabi 2003, 2004 and 2005. Application of biofertilizer alone as well as in combination with sheep manure, vermicompost and recommended doses of fertilizer resulted in higher growth, yield attributes and yield over absolute control. The association of biofertilizers with all sources of nutrients proved beneficial and resulted in higher growth and yield. Application of recommended doses of fertilizer with seed inoculation by biofertilizer proved to be superior for realizing higher net return and benefit:cost ratio. &nbsp

Natural variation reveals that intracellular distribution of ELF3 protein is associated with function in the circadian clock

Natural selection of variants within the Arabidopsis thaliana circadian clock can be attributed to adaptation to varying environments. To define a basis for such variation, we examined clock speed in a reporter-modified Bay-0 x Shakdara recombinant inbred line and localized heritable variation. Extensive variation led us to identify EARLY FLOWERING3 (ELF3) as a major quantitative trait locus (QTL). The causal nucleotide polymorphism caused a short-period phenotype under light and severely dampened rhythm generation in darkness, and entrainment alterations resulted. We found that ELF3-Sha protein failed to properly localize to the nucleus, and its ability to accumulate in darkness was compromised. Evidence was provided that the ELF3-Sha allele originated in Central Asia. Collectively we showed that ELF3 protein plays a vital role in defining its light-repressor action in the circadian clock and that its functional abilities are largely dependent on its cellular localization

Efecto de annealing sobre las propiedades estructurales, térmicas y mecánicas de la composición de aleación binaria Al85 Ni 15

Introduction: The Al 85-Ni15 alloy with 99.99% purity of Al and Ni were prepared by an arc melting technique system. The annealing effect onthe microstructure properties, phase transformation and micro-hardness for the Al-Ni alloy system were investigated. Material and Methods:The alloys were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) as well as Vickers micro-hardness measurement. Results and Discussion: The quantitative results confirm that the chemical composition of the alloys is very close to compositions and the microstructures are in typical lamellar morphology. Mechanical properties for the as-prepared samples and subsequently heat-treated samples were measured by a Vickers indenter. Values of the micro-hardness (HV) Conclusions: According the XRD pattern analysis a multi phases produced, such as Al, AlNi3in room temperature, Al3Ni2, Al0.42Ni0.58 at 200ºC, Al1.1Ni0.9 at 300ºC and Al 0.802Ni0.198, AlNi3 and AlNi at 400ºC, and Al0.802Ni0.198, AlNi3 and AlNi for 500ºC. Similar approached were obtained from the results of SEM and DTA measurements. Annealing treatments are visibly affecting the alloy phase formation with different phases at different temperature. and the elastic modulus (E) of the as prepared sample are 132.9±0.1 kgfmm-2 (1.329±0.1 GPa) and 80.340±0.1 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the characteristic of the materials plasticity (δH) value was calculated to be 0.85. The micro-hardness values are decrease with the increase of annealing temperatures

Growth and yield of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) as influenced by irrigation, nutrient levels and crop geometry

A field experiment was conducted during 2003-06 at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to study the growth, profitability and productivity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) as influenced by irrigation (12, 15 and 18 days interval), nutrients levels (N and P2O5 each at 60/30, 90/40 and 120/50 kg ha-1) and crop geometry (40 cm x 25 cm, 50 cm x 25 cm and 60 cm x 25 cm). Significantly higher yield attributes, seed yield and N, P and K uptake was obtained with 15 days irrigation interval. Growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and N, P and K uptake were significantly higher with application of 120 kg N and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Crop geometry of 60 cm x 25 cm resulted in significantly higher seed yield. Thus, irrigation at 15 days interval with 120 kg N and 50 kg P2 O5 ha-1 at 60 cm x 25 cm was optimum for realizing higher yield, profitability and productivity of fennel. &nbsp

Effect of irrigation, nutrient levels and crop geometry on growth and yield of dill (Anethum sowa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to study the growth, profitability and productivity of dill (Anethum sowa L.) as influenced by irrigation and nutrient levels with varying crop geometry. Three irrigation levels (12, 15 and 18 days interval) in main plot, three nutrient levels (N and P2O5 each at 60 + 30, 90 + 40 and 120 + 50 kg ha-1, respectively) in sub plot and three crop geometry patterns (40 × 25 cm, 50 × 25 cm and 60 × 25 cm) in sub-sub plot were studied. The highest plant height at all the growth stages was recorded with irrigation at 12 days interval but higher branches plant-1, dry matter plant-1, yield attributes, seed yield, straw and biological yield of 1.2, 2.1 and 3.3 t ha-1 respectively, as well as net return (Rs.15,428 ha-1) and benefit : cost ratio (0.74) was recorded with irrigation at 15 days interval. Higher plant height, dry matter accumulation at all growth stages, yield attributes, seed yield (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) as well a net return (Rs. 14,464/-) and benefit : cost ratio (0.69) were obtained with application of 90 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 being at par with 120 kg N and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Crop geometry of 50 × 25 cm resulted in higher seed (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) over 60 × 25 cm. Thus, application of irrigation at 15 days interval with 90 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5 ha-1 at 50 × 25 cm crop geometry was optimum for realizing higher yield, profitability and productivity of dill. &nbsp

Effect of irrigation, nutrient levels and crop geometry on growth and yield of dill (Anethum sowa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season at Ajmer (Rajasthan) to study the growth, profitability and productivity of dill (Anethum sowa L.) as influenced by irrigation and nutrient levels with varying crop geometry. Three irrigation levels (12, 15 and 18 days interval) in main plot, three nutrient levels (N and P2O5 each at 60 + 30, 90 + 40 and 120 + 50 kg ha-1, respectively) in sub plot and three crop geometry patterns (40 × 25 cm, 50 × 25 cm and 60 × 25 cm) in sub-sub plot were studied. The highest plant height at all the growth stages was recorded with irrigation at 12 days interval but higher branches plant-1, dry matter plant-1, yield attributes, seed yield, straw and biological yield of 1.2, 2.1 and 3.3 t ha-1 respectively, as well as net return (Rs.15,428 ha-1) and benefit : cost ratio (0.74) was recorded with irrigation at 15 days interval. Higher plant height, dry matter accumulation at all growth stages, yield attributes, seed yield (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) as well a net return (Rs. 14,464/-) and benefit : cost ratio (0.69) were obtained with application of 90 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 being at par with 120 kg N and 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Crop geometry of 50 × 25 cm resulted in higher seed (1.2 t ha-1), straw (2.1 t ha-1) and biological yield (3.3 t ha-1) over 60 × 25 cm. Thus, application of irrigation at 15 days interval with 90 kg N and 40 kg P2 O5 ha-1 at 50 × 25 cm crop geometry was optimum for realizing higher yield, profitability and productivity of dill. &nbsp