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

Shear wave ultrasound elastography of the shoulder joint tendons

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences in full compliance for the requirement for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Radiography at Durban University of Technology, 2020.Background: The assessment of tissue elasticity in clinical practice has not been well established. Shear wave ultrasound elastography is a recent technique which quantitatively estimates tissue elasticity. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the biomechanics of the rotator cuff and biceps tendons of the shoulder joint in asymptomatic participants, in order to establish a reference range for use in clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to measure the elasticity of the rotator cuff and biceps tendons (in kilopascals), using shear wave ultrasound elastography and to establish a shear wave ultrasound elastographic reference range of the rotator cuff and biceps tendons for use in clinical practice. Methods: This quantitative study included 260 asymptomatic participants aged between 21 and 45 years (mean age 34.52±7.75 years). The demographic data incorporated participants’ age, gender, race, weight, height, daily lifestyle activities, body mass index and medical history. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire, B-Mode ultrasound and shear wave ultrasound elastography, using the GE Logiq E 9 equipment. The proximal, middle and distal sites of the biceps, subscapularis, and supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons were imaged in both longitudinal and axial planes. The teres minor tendon was imaged in a single sagittal and axial plane. Results: The reference ranges of the rotator cuff and biceps tendons have been evaluated by finding 95% confidence intervals for the mean elasticity for each of the tendons. A 95% confidence interval provides a lower and upper limit into which 95% of tendon measurements would be expected to fall. The reference ranges for the mean tendon elasticity for the tendons were as follows: For the biceps tendon in sagittal and axial planes, the reference ranges are 102.52-108.34 kPa and 96.44-101.08 kPa respectively. For the subscapularis tendon in sagittal and axial planes, the reference ranges are 102.84-110.60 kPa and 110.60 kPa-108.02 kPa respectively. The supraspinatus tendon in sagittal and axial planes have reference ranges 106.83-114.54 kPa and 102.29-109.59 kPa, respectively. The infraspinatus tendon in sagittal and axial planes have reference ranges 102.39-111.87 kPa and 99.61-107.77 kPa respectively. The reference ranges for teres minor tendon in sagittal and axial planes are 96.90-101.20 kPa and 96.68- 101.09 kPa respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the reference values observed between males and females for the proximal, middle and distal sites of the biceps tendon in the sagittal plane (p<0.05). The reference values ranged from 101.93±18.84 kPa-104.09±16.86 kPa (in females) and 109.40±18.15 kPa-109.41±19.07 kPa (in males). A statistically significant difference was also noted in the teres minor tendon in the sagittal and axial planes (p<0.05). The reference values ranged from 96.71±16.49 kPa (in females)-102.74±18.76 kPa (in males) in the sagittal plane and 97.03±18.29kPa (in females)-101.79±17.39 kPa (in males) in the axial plane. Conclusion: This study provided a non-invasive estimate of the elasticity of the rotator cuff and biceps tendons in kPa, using shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE). The results of our study have the potential to complement B-Mode ultrasound in the diagnosis, treatment and follow up of rotator cuff and biceps tendon pathology.

Foreword

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