Effects of sowing date and intercropping on yield, yield components and oil content of sunflower and groundnut in a desert environment in northern Sudan

    The summer season in the Northern State, Sudan, is characterized by its limited field activities. The present and future expansion of agricultural production is targeted in desert plain soils away from the River Nile bank. This study was conducted during seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16 with the objectives of determining the effects of sowing date and intercropping system on yield, yield components and oil content of sunflower and groundnut. Split-plot design with randomized complete arrangement with four replicates was used. The main plots were assigned to the three sowing date namely: 1st June, 1st July and 1st August. The sub-plots were assigned to intercropping system: viz: sole cropped and intercropping (two rows of groundnut alternate with two rows of sunflower). The interaction between sowing date and intercropping had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on yield component, total yield and oil content of both crops in both seasons. The highest seed yield was obtained by intercropped sunflower and sole groundnut for 1st June and 1st August, respectively. The highest oil content was attained by intercropped groundnut and sole sunflower, respectively, for 1st August.  First June sowing date resulted in the best land equivalent ratio in both seasons. Based on these results, to obtain high seed yield of high oil content, it could be recommended that 1st of June and 1st of August were optimum sowing dates for sunflower and groundnut, respectively in the desert environment of north Sudan. It was also recommended to intercrop sunflower with groundnut and sow them on the first of June for the highest LER.   النشاط الزراعي محدود جدا في الموسم الصيفي بالولاية الشمالية في السودان.  وأن التوسع الحالي والمستقبلي في الرقعة الزراعية يستهدف أراضي السهل الصحراوي والتروس العليا البعيدة عن حوض نهر النيل. نفذت هذه التجربة في المناخ الجاف علي تربة السهل الصحراوي في الولاية الشمالية في الموسم الصيفي 2014/15 و2015/16 بهدف تحديد أثر تاريخ الزراعة ونظام الزراعة البينية علي الإنتاجية ومكوناتها وكمية الزيت لمحصولي زهرة الشمس والفول السوداني. نظمت المعاملات إحصائيا باستخدام تصميم القطع المنشقة مع القطاعات العشوائية الكاملة بأربعة مكررات. حيث وضع في القطع الرئيسية ثلاثة تواريخ زراعة (1/6 و1/ 7 و1/8) وفي القطع الثانوية نظام الزراعة البينية: حيث زرع المحصول الواحد بمفرده والمحصولين مع بعض في زراعة بينية (صفان من الفول السوداني يَتناوبانِ مع صفين من زهرة الشمس). أظهرت النتائج أن التداخل بين تاريخ الزراعة والزراعة البينية كان له تأثير معنوي على مكونات الإنتاج والإنتاجية وكمية الزيت لكلا المحصولين في كلا الموسمين. أعلى إنتاجية بذور تحققت للزراعة البينية لزهرة الشمس ولمحصول الفول السوداني منفردا عند زراعتهما في تواريخ الأول من يونيو والأول من أغسطس على التوالي. أعلى نسبة زيت تحققت لمحصولي زهرة الشمس منفردا وللزراعة البينية للفول السوداني عند ما نفذت الزراعة بتاريخ الأول من أغسطس. قيمة مؤشر نسبة الأرض المكافئ أعلي من الرقم واحد في كل تواريخ الزراعة، وتاريخ أول يونيو أعطي أفضل مكافئ في الموسمين علي التوالي. للحصول على أعلى إنتاجية بذور ونسبة زيت لمحصولي زهرة الشمس والفول السوداني توصي الدراسة بأن الأول من يونيو  والأول  من أغسطس هي الأمثل لزراعة محصولي زهرة الشمس والفول السوداني علي التوالي في البيئة الصحراوية بشمال السودان, كما توصي أيضا بأن الزراعة البينية لزهرة الشمس والفول السوداني في أول يونيو هي الأفضل في استغلال الأرض. &nbsp

The Compliance Chronic Renal Failure Patient on Restrictions Liquids in Hemodialysis Therapy

Introduction: Nonadherence is a rampant problem among patients undergoing dialysis and can impact multiple aspects of patient care, including medications, and treatment regimens as well as dietary and fluid restriction. The purpose of this descriptive correlative research, on hemodyalysa patient with chronic renal failure was to know the influencing factors of compliance patient to fluid restriction. Method: This study used descriptive correlative design, Data was analysed by using distibution frequency and chi square for analysys relation between variable. Result: The result revealed there were nor significant statistic difference at p > 0.05 between age, gender, education level, frequency of hemodyalysa and health education from nurse to compliance patient to fluid restriction (p = 0.647; p = 0.717; p = 0.345; p = 0.774; p = 0.273). Discussion: Level of patient adherence to therapy not influenced by demographi factor but by the quality of interaction health workers and other factors. This study recommended for further analysis of the factors that influence the level of compliance of the patient as psychological factors (belieft , motivation), socio-economic, and social support

Renal Cell Carcinoma of pelvic kidney with atypical nodal metastasis: A diagnostic challenge

Ectopic pelvic kidney is a known congenital anomaly; however, the presence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in an ectopic kidney is rare with the evidence available in the form of a few case reports only. In this case report, we present a case of metastatic RCC in the pelvic kidney which became a diagnostic challenge because of atypical contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) characteristics and unusual pattern of lymph node involvement including cervical lymph node in the absence of visceral metastasis. Because of its unusual location and uncertain vascular anatomy, ectopic kidney poses a surgical challenge. Owing to the rarity of this condition, optimal surgical approach, metastatic potential, routes of metastasis, and effectiveness of systemic agents in pelvic RCC compared to RCC in a normally located kidney, are largely unknown. Key Words: Renal cell carcinoma, Pelvic kidney, Lymph node metastasis

Effect of case management on neonatal mortality due to sepsis and pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Each year almost one million newborns die from infections, mostly in low-income countries. Timely case management would save many lives but the relative mortality effect of varying strategies is unknown. We have estimated the effect of providing oral, or injectable antibiotics at home or in first-level facilities, and of in-patient hospital care on neonatal mortality from pneumonia and sepsis for use in the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). METHODS: We conducted systematic searches of multiple databases to identify relevant studies with mortality data. Standardized abstraction tables were used and study quality assessed by adapted GRADE criteria. Meta-analyses were undertaken where appropriate. For interventions with biological plausibility but low quality evidence, a Delphi process was undertaken to estimate effectiveness. RESULTS: Searches of 2876 titles identified 7 studies. Among these, 4 evaluated oral antibiotics for neonatal pneumonia in non-randomised, concurrently controlled designs. Meta-analysis suggested reductions in all-cause neonatal mortality (RR 0.75 95% CI 0.64- 0.89; 4 studies) and neonatal pneumonia-specific mortality (RR 0.58 95% CI 0.41- 0.82; 3 studies). Two studies (1 RCT, 1 observational study), evaluated community-based neonatal care packages including injectable antibiotics and reported mortality reductions of 44% (RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.77) and 34% (RR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.93), but the interpretation of these results is complicated by co-interventions. A third, clinic-based, study reported a case-fatality ratio of 3.3% among neonates treated with injectable antibiotics as outpatients. No studies were identified evaluating injectable antibiotics alone for neonatal pneumonia. Delphi consensus (median from 20 respondents) effects on sepsis-specific mortality were 30% reduction for oral antibiotics, 65% for injectable antibiotics and 75% for injectable antibiotics on pneumonia-specific mortality. No trials were identified assessing effect of hospital management for neonatal infections and Delphi consensus suggested 80%, and 90% reductions for sepsis and pneumonia-specific mortality respectively. CONCLUSION: Oral antibiotics administered in the community are effective for neonatal pneumonia mortality reduction based on a meta-analysis, but expert opinion suggests much higher impact from injectable antibiotics in the community or primary care level and even higher for facility-based care. Despite feasibility and low cost, these interventions are not widely available in many low income countries. FUNDING: This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through a grant to the US Fund for UNICEF, and to Saving Newborn Lives Save the Children, through Save the Children US

It’s Not Always Cellulitis: An Unusual Presentation of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis

Background: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a histopathologic term for isolated cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV) without systemic involvement. LCV can be idiopathic or caused by medications, infections, vascular disorders or malignancies. The annual incidence of biopsy-proven leukocytoclastic vasculitis is approximately 45/million individuals. It presents as erythematous macules with palpable purpura bilaterally on dependent areas of the body. Unilateral and localized presentations are uncommon. Here, we present a rare case of isolated LCV on the abdomen. Case Presentation: A 65 year old woman with a history of vitiligo and Raynaud’s Syndrome, presented with a 12 day history of a tender abdominal rash associated with fevers at home, but no other systemic symptoms. The patient was started on multiple antibiotics in the outpatient setting without any improvement. The rash continued to expand and darken prompting her ED visit. On evaluation, vital signs were unremarkable. Abdominal inspection was significant for a large violaceous, palpable rash over the lower abdomen which was tender and warm to touch. Labs showed leukocytosis of 16K, sedimentation rate 104, ANA titer 1:80 but ANCA, antiphospholipid antibodies, HIV/Hepatitis serology, blood cultures, Ds-DNA, and RF were negative. Skin punch biopsy was performed from the right lower abdomen which was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis and thrombotic vasculopathy with ischemic epidermal necrosis. Immunofluorescent studies were negative. Conclusions: Our case represents a rare presentation of LCV, localized in a non-dependent area. LCV should not be missed, as it can clinically mimic cellulitis, but would require a different management

Evaluation of stresses developed in different bracket-cement-enamel systems using finite element analysis with in vitro bond strength tests

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the bond strength of different orthodontic bracket materials (ceramic, stainless steel, and titanium) as well as stresses developed in bracket-cement-enamel systems using finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five extracted human caries-free upper central incisors were divided into three groups (n = 45/group) according to the type of orthodontic bracket materials (stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium). Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups (n = 15/group) according to the bond strength test loading mode (shear short side, shear long side, and tensile). After debonding, the fractured specimen was examined, and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) was determined. FE analysis models analyzed the stress distribution within the cement and enamel. Bond strengths were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test, and the ARI scores were analyzed using chi-square (χ(2)) test. RESULTS: Shear loading at the short side of the bracket resulted in the highest bond strength and lowest maximum principal stress both on cement and enamel compared with the other loading modes (P < 0.05). Ceramic brackets presented with higher bond strength and lower maximum principal stress than metallic brackets (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference for ARI scores between the type of brackets (χ(2) = 64.852, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the manner of loading orthodontic brackets and the selection of orthodontic bracket materials affect the bond strength and stresses developed both on cement and enamel

COVID-19 Case Complicated with Organizing Pneumonia and Pneumothorax: A Case Report

Organizing pneumonia can be idiopathic or caused by multiple etiologies, including viral or bacterial pneumonia, drugs, and autoimmune disorders. It can rarely lead to cyst formation and pneumothorax with the exact mechanism remaining unclear. This case presents a previously healthy 50-year-old male who contracted COVID-19 with subsequent development of organizing pneumonia and pneumothorax. Patients presenting with hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 should be screened for organizing pneumonia upon discharge. This case also illustrates the importance of following such patients radiologically to monitor interstitial lung disease and consider pneumothorax for patients re-presenting with acute symptoms

Conceptual framework for development of comprehensive e-Health evaluation tool

Objective: The main objective of this study was to develop an ehealth evaluation tool based on a conceptual framework including relevant theories for evaluating use of technology in health programs. This article presents the development of an evaluation framework for e-health programs. Materials and Methods: The study was divided into three stages: Stage 1 involved a detailed literature search of different theories and concepts on evaluation of e-health, Stage 2 plotted e-health theories to identify relevant themes, and Stage 3 developed a matrix of evaluation themes and stages of e-health programs. Results: The framework identifies and defines different stages of e-health programs and then applies evaluation theories to each of these stages for development of the evaluation tool. This framework builds on existing theories of health and technology evaluation and presents a conceptual framework for developing an e-health evaluation tool to examine and measure different factors that play a definite role in the success of e-health programs. The framework on the horizontal axis divides e-health into different stages of program implementation, while the vertical axis identifies different themes and areas of consideration for e-health evaluation. Conclusions: The framework helps understand various aspects of e-health programs and their impact that require evaluation at different stages of the life cycle. The study led to the development of a new and comprehensive e-health evaluation tool, named the Khoja–Durrani–Scott Framework for e-Health Evaluation

Aeroelastic stability analysis of aircraft wings with initial curvature

In this study, the aeroelastic instability of a wing with an initial out-of-plane curvature is determined. The structural dynamics of the wing is modelled by using the geometrically exact beam equations, and the aerodynamic loads are determined using an incompressible unsteady aerodynamic model. The wing is considered to have initial out-of-plane curvature, and the effect of the curvature on the flutter velocity and flutter frequency of the wing is determined. Two curved wing cases are considered here. In the first case, the length of the wing is assumed to be constant and therefore, as the wing is curved, the projected area of the wing decreases. In the second case, the wing is assumed to have a constant projected area and therefore different curvature angles result from different wing lengths. When the wing is designed to have an initial out-of-plane curvature, the wing dynamics change, and therefore the aeroelastic stability of the curved wing is also affected. It is shown that as the initial curvature of the wing increases, initially the flutter velocity decreases but then increases, and finally a sudden jump occurs in the flutter velocity due to the change of the coupled modes contributing to flutter. Moreover, the flutter frequency also first decreases as the curvature of the wing increases, and then there is a sudden jump in the frequency, and from this point again the frequency decreases. Finally, results highlighting the importance of the initial curvature and the length of the curved segment on the stability velocity and frequency of the curved wing are presented