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

SCALABLE HPC SIMULATIONS OF FLEXIBLE MULTIBODY INDEX-3 DYNAMIC SYSTEMS

In this paper a highly scalable parallel formulation of the primal-dual technique is presented for index-3 constrained flexible multi-body dynamics system. The key features of the primal-dual approach are constraint preservation, preserving the original order of accuracy of time integration operators that are employed, and faster convergence rates of nonlinear iterations for the solution of flexible multi-body dynamical systems. In addition, this technique not only preserves the underlying properties of time integration operators for ordinary differential equations, but also eliminates the need for index reduction, constraint stabilization and regularization approaches. The key features of the parallel formulation of rigid and flexible modeling and simulation technology are capabilities such as adaptive high/low fidelity modeling that is useful from the initial design concept stage to the intermediate and to the final design stages in a single seamless simulation environment. The examples considered illustrate the capabilities and scalability of the proposed high performance computing (HPC) approach for large-scale simulations

A prospective observational study to evaluate the role of restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is the primary treatment modality for Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour (RETURBT) is indicated to reduce risk of residual disease and correct staging errors after primary TURBT. The aim of the study is to evaluate the risk of residual tumour and upstaging in NMIBC after TURBT and to investigate the risk factors for the same.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over 4 years and 87 patients were included in the study. Patients with NMIBC underwent RETURBT after 2-6 weeks of primary TURBT. The incidence of residual tumour and upstaging in RETUBRT was correlated with various histopathological and morphological parameters in primary TURBT.Results: Out of 87 patients, who underwent RETURBT, residual disease was present in 51 patients (58.6%) and upstaging occurred in 22 patients (25.2%).On univariate analysis, T1 stage (p=0.01), high grade (p=0.01), Carcinoma in situ(CIS) (p=0.01) and multifocality (p=0.05) were predictive for residual disease in RETURBT. High grade (p=0.01), CIS (p=0.01) and absence of detrusor muscle in specimen (p=0.03) were risk factors for upstaging in RETURBT.Conclusions: NMIBC have high incidence of residual disease and upstaging after primary TURBT. T1 stage, high tumour grade, CIS, and multifocality are risk factors for residual disease after primary TURBT. High tumour grade, CIS and absence of detrusor muscle are strongly associated with upstaging during RETURBT

Surgical revascularization versus amputation for peripheral vascular disease in dialysis patients: a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in dialysis patients is controversial. METHODS: We examined the post-operative morbidity and mortality of surgical revascularization or amputation for PVD in a retrospective analysis of United States Renal Data System. Propensity scores for undergoing amputation were derived from a multivariable logistic regression model of amputation. RESULTS: Of the Medicare patients initiated on dialysis from Jan 1, 1995 to Dec 31, 1999, patients underwent surgical revascularization (n = 1,896) or amputation (n = 2,046) in the first 6 months following initiation of dialysis were studied. In the logistic regression model, compared to claudication, presence of gangrene had a strong association with amputation [odds ratio (OR) 19.0, 95% CI (confidence interval) 13.86–25.95]. The odds of dying within 30 days and within1 year were higher (30 day OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.45–2.36; 1 yr OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.25–1.71) in the amputation group in logistic regression model adjusted for propensity scores and other baseline factors. Amputation was associated with increased odds of death in patients with low likelihood of amputation (< 33(rd )percentile of propensity score) and moderate likelihood of amputation (33(rd )to 66(th )percentile) but not in high likelihood group (>66(th )percentile). The number of hospital days in the amputation and revascularization groups was not different. CONCLUSION: Amputation might be associated with higher mortality in dialysis patients. Where feasible, revascularization might be preferable over amputation in dialysis patients

Development of a regulatory mechanism for the control of exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) in the South African mining industry

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in June 2012 declared diesel exhaust to be a Group 1 Human carcinogen. Currently in South Africa there are no regulatory mechanism specifically to control exposure to diesel exhaust and particulate matter. The objective of this research report is to develop a regulatory mechanism for the control of exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) in the South African Mining Industry The primary methods used during this research were to establish a crude exposure baseline using the NIOSH 5040 method of sampling and analysis for personal exposure. The numbers of samples per occupation at the mines under study were done according to the Mandatory Code of Practice on Airborne Pollutants issued by the DME (now DMR); the sample results were also used to estimate the total carbon to elemental carbon (TC/EC) ratio. The analysis of the development of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and or tailpipe emissions standards was primarily literature based. From the personal samples taken, there were a number of overexposures when compared to current international benchmarks such as the Mine Health and Safety Administration standards in the USA. The processes of developing occupational exposure limits are well defined internationally and the various health impact studies have provided adequate data for the exposure limits to be developed. Recommendations have been made for a phased-in approach to compliance with exposure limits that will be introduced through regulation. Most of the health impact studies tend to indicate that the odds of developing lung cancer at much lower exposures are reduced. The time to lobby for an OEL for exposure to DPM and to introduce tailpipe emissions standards (as necessary e.g. in coalmines) has become urgent. This work concludes that as close to a health based OEL would be Time Weighted Average (8hr) of 0.1 mg/m3 EC, as sampled and analysed through the NIOSH 5040 method

Influence of adhesives on the bond strength of vinylpolysiloxane to acrylic tray material

Aim : &nbsp;To&nbsp; &nbsp;compare &nbsp;&nbsp;the&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;bond &nbsp;strength&nbsp; &nbsp;of&nbsp;vinylpolysiloxane &nbsp;impression &nbsp;material&nbsp;to autopolymerizing acrylic resin tray material when manufacturer recommended tray&nbsp;adhesives are used, with that of universal adhesives.Material and methods:&nbsp;&nbsp; To&nbsp;&nbsp; analyze&nbsp;&nbsp; the&nbsp; influence of&nbsp; adhesives on the bond strength of medium&nbsp; viscosity vinylpolysiloxane impressions to auto polymerizing acrylic resin tray material, A total of 80 specimens were prepared&nbsp; which&nbsp;&nbsp; included&nbsp; 20 samples of each category. Mechanical properties of the test specimens were assessed by tensile bond strength using universal testing machine.Results:&nbsp; Amongst the adhesives, manufacturer recommended adhesive yields a&nbsp;&nbsp; higher tensile bond strength compared to Universal tray adhesive and this difference is statistically significant (P&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Amongst the adhesives, manufacturer&nbsp; recommended adhesive yields a higher tensile bond strength compared to universal tray adhesive in both test material I (reprosil) and test material II (aquasil) samples when auto polymerizing acrylic resin&nbsp; tray&nbsp;&nbsp; material is used. In our study, we found that test material II (aquasil) yielded&nbsp;&nbsp; higher&nbsp;&nbsp; tensile bond strength&nbsp; when&nbsp; compared to test&nbsp;&nbsp; material I (reprosil) using auto polymerizing&nbsp; acrylic&nbsp; resin as tray&nbsp; material.&nbsp