Growth, yield, yield attributes and economics of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by integrated nutrient management

A field experiment was conducted at Sardarkrishinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University Sardarkrushinagar to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield attributes of summer groundnut in 2012. The soil of experimental field was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon (0.17 %) and available nitrogen (149 kg ha-1), medium in available P2O5 (29.3 kg ha-1) and rich in K2O (287 kg ha-1) status. Result revealed that the significantly highest pod yield (2650 kg ha-1), haulm yield (4633 kg ha-1), growth and yield parameters viz., plant height (43.9 cm), filled pods plant-1 (22.6), total pods plant-1 (31.4), pod weight plant-1 (22.3 g) and 100 kernel weight (43.9 g) were recorded under the treatment which received 125 % recommended dose of nitrogen through vermicompost. While in case of phosphorus application @ 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded significantly higher pod (2824 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (4655 kg ha-1) over PSB only and 25 kg P2O5 ha-1 which was at par with the application of phosphorus @ 25 kg ha-1 + PSB for yield attributing characters viz., filled pods plant-1, total pods plant-1, pod weight plant-1. Maximum net realization of `1,13, 056 ha-1 with CBR 4.49 was obtained under application of 125 % RDN through vermicompost with 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 (V3P4). Vermicompost and phosphorus did not exert its interaction effects during course of investigation. This concludes that the groundnut crop should be inoculated with PSB culture @ 200 g per 8 kg seeds before sowing and crop should be fertilized with 125% RDN through vermicompost and phosphorus @ 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 loamy sand soil of North Gujarat agro-climatic condition

Tau PET and multimodal brain imaging in patients at risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

ObjectiveTo characterize individual and group-level neuroimaging findings in patients at risk for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).MethodsEleven male patients meeting criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES, median age: 64) underwent neurologic evaluation, 3-Tesla MRI, and PET with [18F]-Flortaucipir (FTP, tau-PET) and [11C]-Pittsburgh compound B (PIB, amyloid-PET). Six patients underwent [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (FDG, glucose metabolism). We assessed imaging findings at the individual patient level, and in group-level comparisons with modality-specific groups of cognitively normal older adults (CN). Tau-PET findings in patients with TES were also compared to a matched group of patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD).ResultsAll patients with TES sustained repetitive head injury participating in impact sports, ten in American football. Three patients met criteria for dementia and eight had mild cognitive impairment. Two patients were amyloid-PET positive and harbored the most severe MRI atrophy, FDG hypometabolism, and FTP-tau PET binding. Among the nine amyloid-negative patients, tau-PET showed either mildly elevated frontotemporal binding, a "dot-like" pattern, or no elevated binding. Medial temporal FTP was mildly elevated in a subset of amyloid-negative patients, but values were considerably lower than in AD. Voxelwise analyses revealed a convergence of imaging abnormalities (higher FTP binding, lower FDG, lower gray matter volumes) in frontotemporal areas in TES compared to controls.ConclusionsMildly elevated tau-PET binding was observed in a subset of amyloid-negative patients at risk for CTE, in a distribution consistent with CTE pathology stages III-IV. FTP-PET may be useful as a biomarker of tau pathology in CTE but is unlikely to be sensitive to early disease stages

Regression of Body Density on Skinfold Thicknesses in High Altitude Natives: Decline in the Predictive Efficiency on De-Acclimatisation to Low Altitude

Body density, stature, body weight and skinfold thickness at 11 sites were experimentally measured on two groups of high altitude natives (HAN) of Ladakh. Group 1, consisting of 38 similar volunteers was studied after 4-week stay at an altitude of 3658 m and Group 2, consisting of 38 similar volunteers was studied after 4-week stay at Delhi (altitude, 200m). Although, there was a strong relationship between skinfolds, other anthropometric measurements and body density (R=0.898) at high altitude (HA), this relationship was significantly reduced at Delhi (R=0.642). Appropriate regression equations predicting body density from skinfold thicknesses, stature and body weight are given for HAN at both the locations. It is concluded that hyperhydration of the lean body and the adipose tissue may be responsible for the weakening of the multiple Rs on de-acclimatisation to low altitude

Polariton Nanophotonics using Phase Change Materials

Polaritons formed by the coupling of light and material excitations such as plasmons, phonons, or excitons enable light-matter interactions at the nanoscale beyond what is currently possible with conventional optics. Recently, significant interest has been attracted by polaritons in van der Waals materials, which could lead to applications in sensing, integrated photonic circuits and detectors. However, novel techniques are required to control the propagation of polaritons at the nanoscale and to implement the first practical devices. Here we report the experimental realization of polariton refractive and meta-optics in the mid-infrared by exploiting the properties of low-loss phonon polaritons in isotopically pure hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), which allow it to interact with the surrounding dielectric environment comprising the low-loss phase change material, Ge$_3$Sb$_2$Te$_6$ (GST). We demonstrate waveguides which confine polaritons in a 1D geometry, and refractive optical elements such as lenses and prisms for phonon polaritons in hBN, which we characterize using scanning near field optical microscopy. Furthermore, we demonstrate metalenses, which allow for polariton wavefront engineering and sub-wavelength focusing. Our method, due to its sub-diffraction and planar nature, will enable the realization of programmable miniaturized integrated optoelectronic devices, and will lay the foundation for on-demand biosensors.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, typos corrected in v

Unresolved H-Alpha Enhancements at High Galactic Latitude in the WHAM Sky Survey Maps

We have identified 85 regions of enhanced H-Alpha emission at |b| > 10 degrees subtending approximately 1 degree or less on the Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper (WHAM) sky survey. These high latitude ``WHAM point sources'' have H-Alpha fluxes of 10^{-11} to 10^{-9} erg cm^-2 s^-1, radial velocities within about 70 km/s of the LSR, and line widths that range from less than 20 km/s to about 80 km/s (FWHM). Twenty nine of these enhancements are not identified with either cataloged nebulae or hot stars and appear to have kinematic properties that differ from those observed for planetary nebulae. Another 14 enhancements are near hot evolved low mass stars that had no previously reported detections of associated nebulosity. The remainder of the enhancements are cataloged planetary nebulae and small, high latitude H II regions surrounding massive O and early B stars.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, to appear in Feb. 2005 A

Beyond Clinical Examination: Utilizing MRI Surveillance to Detect Recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Differentiate from Posttherapeutic Changes

Background: Early detection of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) recurrence is essential; however, the role and timeline of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance are still under debate. The aim of this study was to determine whether local recurrence (LR) could be identified via clinical examination alone and to assess the MRI morphology of primary STS and LR. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with STS recurrence after surveillance for at least five years from the tumor database of the Medical University of Vienna from 2000 until December 2023. The characteristics of primary STS and LR and the time interval to recurrence and clinical detectability were assessed. The MRIs of LR and posttherapeutic changes (PTC) were compared with the initial MRIs. Results: A total of 57 patients (60% male; mean age 58.5 ± 18.0 years) with STS and histologically confirmed LR were included. The mean time interval to LR was 2.3 ± 1.8 years (range 108 to 3037 days). The clinically detectable recurrences were significantly larger than the inapparent ones (71.9 cm3 vs. 7.0 cm3; p < 0.01). The MRI morphology of all LRs (26/26) closely resembled the initial STS. For comparison, nine patients were included with clinically suspected LRs, which were histologically proven to be PTC. None of these resembled the primary STS. Conclusion: Based on clinical symptoms alone, especially small and early recurrences can be missed, which supports the importance of MRI surveillance

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies on roots of Bombax ceiba Linn. [Estudios farmacognóstico y fitoquímico de las raíces de Bombax ceiba Linn.]

Abstract Resumen Context: Bombax ceiba Linn. (Bombacaceae) is a well-known plant for its antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, aphrodisiac and uterine tonicity properties. Aims: To study pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemically the roots of this plant. Methods: Pharmacognostical study included the macroscopic characters like size, color, surface characteristics, texture, fracture characteristics and odor of the roots. The intact root as well as powdered drug were studied under a microscope to analyze the cellular characteristics of the drug. Physicochemical parameter like extractive values, loss on drying (LOD), total ash, water-soluble and acid insoluble ash, foaming index and hemolytic index of Bombax ceiba root powder were determined as per WHO guidelines. Preliminary phytochemical screening and qualitative chemical examination studies have been carried out for the various phytoconstituents. HPTLC have also carried out using cyclohexane: diethyl ether: ethyl acetate as mobile phase. Results: Chemical evaluation and TLC studies shown presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, saponins and tannins. The microscopic characters have shown presence of cork, cambium, xylem vessels, stone cells, starch grains, calcium oxalate crystals and phloem fibers. Microscopy analysis of the powder included the cork cells, fibers, calcium oxalate crystals and vessel. The presence of steroids was confirmed in HPTLC fingerprinting studies. Conclusions: Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical screening of Bombax ceiba roots will be useful in order to authenticate, standardize and avoid any adulteration in the raw material. The diagnostic microscopic characters and physicochemical data will be helpful in the development of a monograph. The chromatographic fingerprinting profile can be used to standardize extracts and formulations containing Bombax ceiba roots. Contexto: Bombax ceiba Linn. (Bombacaceae) es una planta conocida por sus propiedades anti-hipertensiva, antioxidante, antidiabética, afrodisíaca y tónica uterina. Objetivos: Estudiar farmacognóstica, fisicoquímica y fitoquímicamente las raíces de esta planta. Métodos: El estudio farmacognóstico incluyó los caracteres macroscópicos como tamaño, color, características de la superficie, textura, características de fractura y el olor de las raíces. La raíz intacta y la droga en polvo se estudiaron bajo el microscopio para analizar las características celulares de la droga. Los parámetros fisicoquímicos como valores extractivos, pérdida por desecación (LOD), cenizas totales, índice de formación de espuma soluble en agua y cenizas insolubles en ácido, y el índice hemolítico del polvo de raíz de Bombax ceiba se determinaron según directrices de la OMS. Se realizaron estudios de tamizaje fitoquímico preliminar y examen químico cualitativo para los distintos fitoconstituyentes. También se realizó el estudio por HPTLC usando como fase móvil ciclohexano: éter dietílico: acetato de etilo. Resultados: La evaluación química y los estudios de TLC mostraron presencia de alcaloides, glucósidos, flavonoides, esteroides, saponinas y taninos. Los caracteres microscópicos han demostrado la presencia de corcho, cambium, vasos del xilema, células pétreas, granos de almidón, cristales de oxalato de calcio y fibras del floema. El análisis microscópico del polvo incluyó las células de corcho, fibras, cristales de oxalato de calcio y vaso. La presencia de esteroides se confirmó en estudios de huellas por HPTLC. Conclusiones: El tamizaje farmacognóstico y fitoquímico preliminar de las raíces de Bombax ceiba será útil para autenticar, estandarizar y evitar cualquier adulteración en la materia prima. Los caracteres microscópicos de diagnóstico y los datos fisicoquímicos serán útiles en el desarrollo de una monografía. El perfil cromatográfico de huellas (fingerprinting) puede utilizarse para estandarizar extractos y formulaciones que contengan raíces de Bombax ceiba

The Impact of EEP Removal on U.S. Wheat

The Export Enhancement Program (EEP) was initiated under the Food Security Act of 1985 to offset the adverse effects of unfair trade practices on U.S. exports and to support U.S. prices. More recently, EEP has been constrained by both GATT and the FAIR Act. This study measures the impacts of the elimination of the EEP on U.S. wheat exports and prices over the coming 10-year period. The commodity trade models at the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) are used to analyze the policy question

Multiphoton Bloch-Siegert shifts and level-splittings in a three-level system

In previous work we studied the spin-boson model in the multiphoton regime, using a rotation that provides a separation between terms that contribute most of the level energies away from resonance, and terms responsible for the level splittings at the anticrossing. Here, we consider a generalization of the spin-boson model consisting of a three-level system coupled to an oscillator. We construct a similar rotation and apply it to the more complicated model. We find that the rotation provides a useful approximation to the energy levels in the multiphoton region of the new problem. We find that good results can be obtained for the level splittings at the anticrossings for resonances involving the lower two levels in regions away from accidental or low-order resonances of the upper two levels.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figure