Effect of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of introduced mango cultivars

   Kitchener is the most extensively cultivated mango cultivar in the Sudan. However, this cultivar is not popular in export markets due to its high fiber content. Hence, internationally popular mango cultivars have been recently introduced to the Sudan from South Africa. They  include Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Haden and Sensation. An experiment was conducted in Kamleen nursery, Gezira State, Sudan, during June 2008 to May 2011, to investigate the effects of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of these introduced mango cultivars compared to the local cultivar, Abusamaka . The trees were planted at a spacing of 5x5m and 10x10 m and subjected to three types of pruning, namely, pruning to two branches, three branches, tip pruning and control. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. Plant spacing was assigned to the main plots and pruning treatments to the sub-plots. Results showed that the wider spacing resulted in significantly larger canopy diameter and larger number of fruits per tree than the closer spacing in all cultivars and seasons. However, the closer spacing resulted in significantly larger number of fruits/ha and  higher total yield/ha than the wider spacing due to the larger number of trees/ha. Pruning of mango trees to three main branches resulted in significantly the highest yield components and total yield, followed by two branches, tipping and the lowest yield components were produced by the un-pruned control. The introduced mango cultivars had significantly more vigorous vegetative growth, earlier in flowering, higher yield components and total yield and better fruit quality than the local cultivar Abusamaka. It could be concluded that the introduced cultivars Tommy Atkins, Kent and Keitt are promising cultivars to be grown in the Sudan using the high density planting system and pruned annually for high production of good quality fruit.        يعتبر الصنف كتشنر أكثر أصناف المانجو انتشاراً في السودان ولكنه غير مرغوب في أسواق الصادر نسبة لاحتوائه على نسبة عالية من الألياف. لذلك فقد تم استجلاب بعض الأصناف المرغوبة عالمياً من جنوب أفريقيا ، وقد شملت هذه الأصناف تومي أتكنز ، كنت ، كييت ، هادن وسنسيشن. أجريت التجربة بمشتل الكاملين ، ولاية الجزيرة ، خلال الفترة من يونيو 2008 حتى مايو 2011م لمعرفة تأثير أبعاد الزراعة والتقليم على النمو الخضري ومكونات الانتاج والانتاجية  ونوعية الثمار لهده الأصناف المستوردة مقارنة بالصنف المحلى أبوسمكة. زرعت الأشجار على مسافات 5x5 م و10x 10 م وتم تقليمها بثلاثة طرق للتقليم على النحو التالي : تقليم على فرعين وتقليم على ثلاثة أفرع وتقليم القمم النامية للأفرع وغير مقلمة للمقارنة. استخدم تصميم القطع المنشقة بثلاث مكررات، حيث اسندت القطع الرئيسية لأبعاد الزراعة والقطع الفرعية لطرق التقليم. اظهرت النتائج أن مسافات الزراعة 10x10م اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأكبر عدد الثمار للشجرة الواحدة بالمقارنة مع 5x5م فى كل  المواسم. أبعاد الزراعة  5x5 م اعطت معنوياً أعلى عدد للثمار وأعلى انتاجية للهكتار نسبة للعدد الكبير من الاشجار فى الهكتار. تقليم أشجار المانجو لثلاثة أفرع أعطى معنوياً أعلى انتاج يليه التقليم لفرعين ثم تقليم القمة وأدنى انتاجية كانت فى الاشجار غير المقلمة. الأصناف المستوردة اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأعلى انتاجية وأفضل نوعية للثمار بالمقارنة مع الصنف المحلي أبوسمكة. خلصت الدراسة إلى أنّ الاصناف المستوردة تومي اتكنز وكنت وكيت هى أصناف واعدة يمكن زراعتها فى السودان بطريقة الزراعة المكثفة وتقليمها سنوياً للحصول على أعلى انتاج من الثمار عالية الجودة

CO2 concentration measurements inside expansion-compression engine under high EGR conditions using an infrared absorption method

The purpose of this study is to measure the high concentrations of CO2 near a spark plug inside an internal combustion engine, and an infrared absorption method is used for the measurement. The spark plug sensor was adapted to a compression-expansion machine, and the CO2 concentration near the spark plug was measured by adding a gas mixture, including CO2 to imitate EGR. Next, the EGR ratio was changed from 10 to 40%, and the CO2 concentration was measured. The effect of the CO2 on the flame propagation was investigated by visualizing the bottom view of the compression-expansion machine. The measurements of CO2 mass concentration are in agreement with those predicted by direct-absorption spectroscopy fundamental theory from the crank angle −60 to −15 deg ATDC. The error was less than 20%, and under the conditions with an EGR ratio of 20–40%.The purpose of this study is to measure the high concentrations of CO2 near a spark plug inside an internal combustion engine, and an infrared absorption method is used for the measurement. The spark..

Phytochemical screening, total phenolic, reducing sugar contents, and antioxidant activities of Gelidium spinosum (S.G. Gmelin) P.C. Silva

Gelidium spinosum is edible red seaweed with high economic values and potential pharmacological activities. This research aimed to evaluate phytochemicals, total phenolic content, reducing sugar content, and antioxidant properties of Gelidium spinosum methanol-aqueous extracts. Maceration with different solvent ratios of methanol-water was employed to afford various crude extracts. The standard procedures of preliminary phytoconstituents determination were employed to screen the presence of various phytochemicals. Phenolic and reducing sugar contents were determined using Folin-Cioucalteu and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid methods. The antioxidant activities of seaweed extracts were determined through DPPH and reducing power assays. The 100% methanol extract of G. spinosum was found to be rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, proteins, reducing sugar, saponins, steroids and tannins. The aqueous extract of G. spinosum contained flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, reducing sugars, saponins and tannins at a moderate level. The total phenolic content range was 6.43 to 49.78 mg EGA/g extract. The highest reducing sugar content was shown by 100% methanol extract (1278.20 ± 21.25 mg GE/g extract). The highest antioxidant activities were found in 100% methanol extract for reducing power assay, and 75% methanol extract of G. spinosum for DPPH method. There was a positive correlation between reducing sugar, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. Results further confirmed the potential use of red seaweed in various ailments, however, should further be confirmed through more appropriate similar studies

Round-the-clock performance of coronary CT angiography for suspected acute coronary syndrome: Results from the BEACON trial

Objective: To assess the image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) outside office hours. Methods: Patients with symptoms suggestive of an ACS underwent CCTA at the emergency department 24 hours, 7 days a week. A total of 118 patients, of whom 89 (75 %) presented during office hours (weekdays between 07:00 and 17:00) and 29 (25 %) outside office hours (weekdays between 17:00 and 07:00, weekends and holidays) underwent CCTA. Image quality was evaluated per coronary segment by two experienced readers and graded on an ordinal scale ranging from 1 to 3. Results: There were no significant differences in acquisition parameters, beta-blocker administration or heart rate between patients presenting during office hours and outside office hours. The median quality score per patient was 30.5 [interquartile range 26.0–33.5] for patients presenting during office hours in comparison to 27.5 [19.75–32.0] for patients presenting outside office hours (p=0.043). The number of non-evaluable segments was lower for patients presenting during office hours (0 [0–1.0] vs. 1.0 [0–4.0], p=0.009). Conclusion: Image quality of CCTA outside office hours in the diagnosis of suspected ACS is diminished. Key Points: • Quality scores were higher for coronary-CTA during office hours.• There were no differences in acquisition parameters.• There was a non-significant trend towards higher heart rates outside office hours.• Coronary-CTA on the ED requires state-of-the-art scanner technology and sufficiently trained staff.• Coronary-CTA on the ED needs preparation time and optimisation o

Continuous wavelet transform methods for the simultaneous determinations and dissolution profiles of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide in tablets

ABSTRACT Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) was proposed for the simultaneous determination and dissolution profiles of valsartan (VAL) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in tablets, without the use of a chemical separation procedure. The CWT approach was applied to the original UV spectra and their ratio spectra in the optimal wavelength ranges. After testing several wavelet families, Mexican hat function-CWT and Daubechies7-CWT (mexh-CWT and db7-CWT, respectively) were found to be suitable for the transformation of the original UV spectra. In the following procedure, mexh-CWT and Coiflets3-CWT (coif3-CWT) were found to be appropriate for the signal analysis of ratio spectra (RS) of VAL/HCT and HCT/VAL. Calibration graphs for VAL and HCT were obtained by measuring db7-CWT and mexh-CWT amplitudes in the transformation of the original absorption spectra and RS-coif-CWT and RS-mexh-CWT amplitudes in the transformation of the ratio spectra. The validity and applicability of the proposed CWT methods were evaluated through the analysis of an independent set of synthetic binary mixtures consisting of VAL and HCT. The proposed signal processing methods were then successfully applied to the simultaneous quantitative evaluation and simultaneous dissolution profiles of the related drugs in commercial tablets, with good agreement reported for the experimental results

The Physical Processes of CME/ICME Evolution

As observed in Thomson-scattered white light, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are manifest as large-scale expulsions of plasma magnetically driven from the corona in the most energetic eruptions from the Sun. It remains a tantalizing mystery as to how these erupting magnetic fields evolve to form the complex structures we observe in the solar wind at Earth. Here, we strive to provide a fresh perspective on the post-eruption and interplanetary evolution of CMEs, focusing on the physical processes that define the many complex interactions of the ejected plasma with its surroundings as it departs the corona and propagates through the heliosphere. We summarize the ways CMEs and their interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) are rotated, reconfigured, deformed, deflected, decelerated and disguised during their journey through the solar wind. This study then leads to consideration of how structures originating in coronal eruptions can be connected to their far removed interplanetary counterparts. Given that ICMEs are the drivers of most geomagnetic storms (and the sole driver of extreme storms), this work provides a guide to the processes that must be considered in making space weather forecasts from remote observations of the corona.Peer reviewe

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods: We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings: Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation: Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation