Standardizing vegetative propagation as a tool for polycross mating of ascending purple milkvetch (Astragalus adsurgens Pall.)

Non-Peer ReviewedThis article highlights the efficacy of plant growth regulators and nutrient solutions on root development and survival of ascending purple milkvetch (APMV) cuttings. Three auxin-like growth regulators and Hoagland solutions were used as root inducing agents. The cuttings were planted in sand medium that allowed evaluation of rooting effectiveness. The study showed that up to 100% establishment of APMV cuttings can be achieved with the application of half-strength modified Hoagland (MHL) solution and plant growth regulators such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 100mg L-1 strength. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is first time documentation of the vegetative propagation of APMV

Nitrogen availability and economic returns of various crop rotations with forage and annual crops

Non-Peer Reviewe

Nitrogen availability and economic returns of various crop rotations with forage and annual crops

Non-Peer Reviewe

Promising native forage options for semi-arid prairies of western Canada

Non-Peer ReviewedThere is growing interest in native plant species for their use as forage, pasture, energy crop, and as land reclamation and revegetation materials. This article reports the results of population improvement work on northern wheatgrass (NWG), purple prairie clover (PPC), white prairie clover (WPC) and plains rough fescue (PRF) carried out at Swift Current Research and Development Centre - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Substantial selection differential were achieved in all species in terms of growth vigour, plant health, biomass and seed yield in all species. This suggests ample scope for selection gain for the desirable traits. Seed shattering is one of the challenges facing the domestication and commercialization of these native plant species

Effect of cropping sequences on soil biological activity in semiarid region of western Canada

Non-Peer ReviewedSoil productivity and environmental sustainability hinge on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil dehydrogenases (DHs) are one of the major classes of intracellular oxidoreductase enzymes involved in energy metabolism of living cells. The soil DHs activity is used as an indicator of overall soil microbial activity. This study employed the soil DHs assay to examine the effect of different cropping sequences including wheat, mustard and pulse crops in 4-year rotation on the soil biological activity. The DHs assay used in this study was originally developed by Le Casida et al. (1964). In this method, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) is used as an indicator dye that helps to observe electron transport system activity. The DHs involved in electron transport system reduce the colourless soluble TTC (substrate) and convert it into an insoluble red colour product, known as triphenylformazan (TPF). TPF can be quantified by spectrophotometry at the visible wavelength of 485 nm. Higher the intensity of the red colour in the soil extract solution, higher is the concentration of TPF and hence the higher DHs activity. In this study, the results of DHs assay of the final year (2014) of different 4-year crop rotations are presented. The study clearly showed that frequent inclusion of pulse crops especially chickpea in the cropping systems is conducive to the soil biological activity

Prolongation of the QTc Interval Is Seen Uniformly During Early Transmural Ischemia

ObjectivesIn order to more clearly understand the electrocardiographic manifestations of early transmural ischemia, we studied electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patients undergoing balloon angioplasty.BackgroundDecisions regarding reperfusion strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction rely largely on the presence of ST-segment elevation (STE) in the ECG, consequently with significant limitations. Studies of the “ischemic cascade” show that ST-segment changes occur well after the onset of wall motion abnormalities.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed ECGs obtained at 20-s intervals in 74 patients undergoing elective balloon angioplasty. The ECGs were analyzed using 3 methodologies. In 74 patients, the ST-segment, the T-wave, and the QT-interval were analyzed using the MUSE (General Electric HC, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) automated system (MUSE). Fifty patients were also analyzed using the Interval Editor automated system (IE; General Electric HC). In 20 patients, measurements were made manually.ResultsTransmural ischemia prolonged the QTc interval (using the Bazett’s formula) in 100% of patients. In all 74 patients analyzed with MUSE, QTc interval prolonged from 423 ± 25 ms to 455 ± 34 ms (p < 0.001). In the 50 patients analyzed with IE, QTc interval prolonged in 50 of 50 (100%) patients (from 424 ± 27 ms to 458 ± 33 ms [p < 0.001]). Mean time to maximal QTc interval prolongation, changes in T-wave polarity, ≥1 mm STE, and ST-segment depression (STD) were 22, 24, 29, and 35 s, respectively. Although QTc interval prolonged in 100% of patients, T-wave changes, STE, and STD (≥1 mm) occurred in 7%, 15%, and 7%, respectively.ConclusionsThe QTc interval prolongs in 100% of patients with early transmural ischemia. When compared with clinically accepted indexes of transmural ischemia (i.e., STD and STE [≥1 mm]) it is the earliest ECG abnormality

Unsteady aerodynamics analysis and modelling of a Slingsby Firefly aircraft:Detached-Eddy Simulation model and flight test validation

This paper presents unsteady stall characteristics of a Slingsby T67M260 Fire y light aircraft from both a computational uid dynamics (CFD) half model and ight tests. Initial results from the steady CFD, based on a RANS k . ! SST turbulence model, established the critical angle of attack of the stall to be stall = 16 , with a maximum lift coe cient of CLmax = 1.2. Comparisons with straight and level ight test data were comparable up to = 12 { 14 , with the increasing deviation at higher attributed to the e ect of the propeller slipstream under these ight conditions. The RANS CFD model was then extended to an unsteady Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) model for three angles of attack at pre-stall and stall condition ( = 14 , 16 , 18 ), with analysis of the vortex shedding frequency. Further comparisons were then made with ight test data taken using on-board accelerometers and wing tuft surface ow visualization, at a stalled condition at equivalent . These unsteady CFD data established a dominant shedding frequency ranging from 11.7 Hz { 8.74 Hz with increasing and a Strouhal number based on wing chord of St = 0.11, which when compared to flight test accelerometer spectra matched within 2.9% of the measured frequenc