Heterosis and combining ability in a diallel cross of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

A diallel analysis on 8 pure lines of Abelmoschus esculentus was done at 3 sites in Cameroon (Dibang, Yaoundé and Yagoua) in a randomized complete block design, with 3 replications, to estimate both the heterosis and the combining ability. The heterosis over mid-parent and the combining abilities were significant for all the studied traits. Reciprocal effects were observed for all traits, except for the 50 % flowering day. The best results of heterosis, over mid-parent, were recorded by combination 1 x 2 for seeds number per pod parameter (54.78 %). These parameters are supposed to improve the characters in okra.Key-words : Okra, heterosis, diallel analysis

At what peak velocity ratio value should duplex-detected infrainguinal vein graft stenoses be revised?

Objectives:To determine the peak velocity ratio (PVR) threshold at which to intervene and correct duplex detected vein graft stenoses.Design:Prospective study.Materials:Infrainguinal vein grafts in patients attending the vascular studies for routine postoperative surveillance.Methods:Colour duplex detected stenotic vein graft lesions with a peak velocity ratio (PVR) between 2.0 and 2.9 were identified and monitored by serial duplex scans performed monthly for 3 months and then at 3-monthly intervals thereafter. At the end of the study period, the outcome of these lesions were analysed.Results:Thirty-eight lesions were identified from 32 grafts. Of these lesions, sixteen (42%) resolved, 11 (29%) remained stable and 11 (29%) progressed to a PVR of ≥3.0 and underwent angioplasty. There were no occlusions in any of the grafts during the period of study.Conclusion:Colour duplex detected vein graft stenoses with a PVR of less than 3.0 can be treated expectantly if grafts with stenoses with a PVR 2.0–2.9 are scanned every month for at least 3 months after detection

Unbalanced fertilizer use in the Eastern Gangetic Plain: The influence of Government recommendations, fertilizer type, farm size and cropping patterns

Intensive cropping systems with diverse cropping patterns present a challenge for nutrient management on smallholder farms. Government-endorsed recommendations for crop fertilizer use are designed to assist farmers achieve profitable and balanced nutrient inputs, but it is unclear how closely farmers follow these recommendations. We identified farmers’ current nutrient use gaps (overuse or underuse) relative to the Government-endorsed recommended nutrient doses in two cropping patterns in three representative Agro-ecological Zones of Bangladesh. A total of 330 farms were surveyed in 2019 from three farm size categories (referred to as large-, medium and small-scale) and their gaps in nutrient use were assessed relative to Government-endorsed Fertilizer Recommendation Guides (FRG) published in 2012 and in 2018: FRG-2012 and FRG-2018. The large- and medium-scale farms used 11–16%, 80–90% and 21–30%, respectively, over-doses of NPK in the cropping season under fully rice-based cropping pattern relative to FRG-2012 recommendations, while the over-dose levels were much lower for small-scale farms. Small-scale farms used much less than recommended S, Mg, Zn, B and organic manure (OM) rates relative to FRG-2012. The FRG-2018, which increased N and K recommendations but decreased the P recommendation for rice crops relative to FRG-2012, shows that all farms can decrease the dose of P (by 50%) while small-scale farms need to increase the dose of N (7%), K (16%), S (20%) and to apply Zn in the fully rice-based cropping pattern. On the other hand, the farms could greatly reduce NPK (19%, 86% and 44%, respectively) use while increasing S (14%), Mg, Zn, B and OM use relative to FRG-2018 in the pattern with the high-value potato crop. To increase crop profitability, enhance food security and save Government treasury in the Eastern Gangetic Plain enabling approaches are needed to effectively communicate the benefits of balanced nutrient use practices to farmers

Estimated differences in economic and environmental performance of dairy herds across the UK

Production data were obtained from about half a million milk recorded dairy cows and the Farm Business Surveys for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This study modelled the average herd in each region between the years 2010 to 2015 and assessed the impact of a single unit change on the economic value and greenhouse gas emissions intensity (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents per kg milk solids) for selected production, health and fertility traits associated with dairy cows. The results of this study show that there are differences in the average production of dairy herds across regions of the UK; however, only slight differences in calculated economic values and emissions intensity values associated with biological traits were found. Recognising the regional and potential genotype x environment differences associated with milk production, and providing a methodology to assess these differences at the farm level, would help improve the resilience and efficiency of milk production in the future

Limb reconstruction in Ollier's disease.

We present our experience of lengthening and correction of complex deformities in the management of patients with Ollier's dysplasia (multiple enchondromatosis) from 1985 and 2002. All patients were under 18 years with a minimum follow-up time of 2 years (mean 9.6 years, range 2-15 years). There were a total of ten patients of which seven were male and three female. The mean age at presentation was 10.7 years (range 5-17 years; SD 3.7 years). The total length gain was 42.3 mm (range 30-110 mm; SD 28.9 mm). The number of days in external fixation was 164.8 days (range 76-244 days; SD 42.9 days). The bone healing index was 32.5 days/cm (18-50 days/cm; SD 10.3 days/cm). Patients with Ollier's disease have limb length inequality and angular deformities and require multiple reconstructive procedures owing to a high incidence of recurrence. We identified a tendency for the osteotomy to prematurely consolidate and advise the latency period after surgery to be 4-5 days and for distraction to proceed at a faster rate

Bilateral infrainguinal vein grafts and the incidence of vein graft stenosis

Objectives:To elucidate the incidence of significant vein graft stenosis in patients who have undergone bilateral infrainguinal vein grafts.Materials:Between 1987 and 1996, 22 patients were identified from our vascular studies database as having undergone bilateral infrainguinal vein bypass grafting.Methods:Data was obtained from the vascular studies database and by case note review. All patients had been part of a vein graft surveillance programme.Results:Of the 22 patients with bilateral vein grafts, eight were excluded from further analysis because one or more of their grafts failed within 30 postoperative days. In the remaining 14 patients (28 vein grafts) there were 15 primary vein graft stenoses. Six patients (43%) had bilateral vein graft stenoses, which is significantly higher (p = 0.0008) than the predicted value of 9%, for developing bilateral vein graft stenoses. For those patients who developed a vein graft stenosis in their first grafted limb (9/14), 67% (6/14) subsequently developed a vein graft stenosis in their second grafted limb.Conclusion:Patients who develop vein graft stenosis in one limb are at a greater risk of developing a contralateral vein graft stenosis if that limb is grafted. This may well be due to individual vein morphology or unidentified systemic factors that play a role in the aetiology of vein graft stenosis

4f spin density in the reentrant ferromagnet SmMn2Ge2

The spin contribution to the magnetic moment in SmMn2Ge2 has been measured by magnetic Compton scattering in both the low and high temperature ferromagnetic phases. At low temperature, the Sm site is shown to possess a large 4f spin moment of 3.4 +/- 0.1 Bohr magnetons, aligned antiparallel to the total magnetic moment. At high temperature, the data show conclusively that ordered magnetic moments are present on the samarium site.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, transferred from PRL to PRB (Rapid Comm.