Performance of locally developed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids under irrigation

    A field experiment was carried out at two locations, New Halfa and Rahad, for two cropping seasons, summer (2003/04) and winter (2004/05) at each location in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance for yield, yield components and other agronomic characters among 20 locally developed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids. Highly significant differences found between the evaluated hybrids for almost all characters at the four environments, except plant height at New Halfa, in summer, 1000- seed weight and seed yield at both locations in winter. Most of the variation for the morphological traits was due to genetic factors, whereas, the variation in yield and its components was due to environmental factors. High heritability estimate (>60 %) coupled with low genetic advance for the morphological characters indicate epistatic and dominance nature of inheritance, while, the low heritability (<60 %) coupled with high genetic advance for yield and its components, would indicate additive nature of inheritance. Therefore, direct selection for the morpholo-gical traits, based on the phenotype, among the hybrids may be effective, while selection for yield and yield components may not be effective. Thus, there is a need for a mechanism, other than simple selection, to improve yield in sunflower

Enhancement of the Injection Grade Polypropylene using Extrusion Grade Polypropylene and Calcium Carbonate

the invention provides for study properties of polypropylene (injection grade) / polypropylene (extrusion grade) blend filled with calcium carbonates. In four formulations of PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade)) viz. 95/5, 90/10, 85/15 and 80/20 in ratio of weight percentage were prepared for injection molding machine. This PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade) (80/20) blend was selected and investigated at different three fractions of calcium carbonate. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation test were investigated. The rheological properties such as melt flow index (MFI) and melt density were evaluated. The results indicated that incorporate calcium carbonate increase the (MFI), melt density and elongation decreased while increase the tensile strength. It was obtained that increase calcium carbonate content into PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade) blends will increase the density. Taking into consideration, it was concluded that, the optimum composition provided the good mechanical, rheological properties and density is PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade)/Calcium carbonate (80/20/22.5) wt%

Do big athletes have big hearts? Impact of extreme anthropometry upon cardiac hypertrophy in professional male athletes.

AIM: Differentiating physiological cardiac hypertrophy from pathology is challenging when the athlete presents with extreme anthropometry. While upper normal limits exist for maximal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (14 mm) and LV internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd, 65 mm), it is unknown if these limits are applicable to athletes with a body surface area (BSA) >2.3 m(2). PURPOSE: To investigate cardiac structure in professional male athletes with a BSA>2.3 m(2), and to assess the validity of established upper normal limits for physiological cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: 836 asymptomatic athletes without a family history of sudden death underwent ECG and echocardiographic screening. Athletes were grouped according to BSA (Group 1, BSA>2.3 m(2), n=100; Group 2, 2-2.29 m(2), n=244; Group 3, 13 mm, but in combination with an abnormal ECG suspicious of an inherited cardiac disease. CONCLUSION: Regardless of extreme anthropometry, established upper limits for physiological cardiac hypertrophy of 14 mm for maximal wall thickness and 65 mm for LVIDd are clinically appropriate for all athletes. However, the abnormal ECG is key to diagnosis and guides follow-up, particularly when cardiac dimensions are within accepted limits

Detection of SNPs in FABP4 Gene and Its Relationship with Milk Quality Traits in Iraqi Jenoubi Cows

Jenoubi cattle breed classified as a Bos indicus L., is one of Iraqi indigenous cattle that kept for milk production purpose, but the influence of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) on milk-related traits remain poorly understood. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FABP4 gene of Jenoubi cows. The DNA samples were extracted from the blood of 21 cows. Along 565-bp nucleotide (nt) amplicon from the intron 2- exon 3- intron 3 of FABP4 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while forward sequencing was used to detect SNPs and results were analyzed using bioinformatics software. The findings resulted the existence of two SNPs (c.3689G>A and c.3709G>C) in the exon 3 and four SNPs (g.3494A>C, g.3531A>T, g.3743T>C and g.3765T>C) in the intron regions. Therefore, three haplotypes of FABP4 gene were obtained in this study based on three SNPs of g.3494A>C, g.3531A>T and g.3765T>C. Nonetheless, those haplotypes were not significantly influencing to the milk quality traits of Jenoubi cows. However, the SNPs examined in this study might not be used as potential DNA marker to improve milk production traits of the current breed

Millstone Hill measurements and TGCM simulation for the 30 May 1984 annular solar eclipse

On 30 May 1984, the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar was operated to gather data on the effects of the annular solar eclipse on the structure and dynamics of the ionosphere and thermosphere. The eclipse path was about 3 deg. south of Millstone which experienced a maximum obscuration of 86% at about 1705 UT. Both the zenith steerable antennas at Millstone were used in the experiment to collect data on the temporal evolution of the eclipse effects. This experiment represented the first opportunity at Millstone to collect data during an eclipse in the absence of a major magnetospheric disturbance which had previously made the unravelling of eclipse effects difficult. In addition, the configuration of the experiment and analysis of the data included a detailed examination of the effects on the neutral atmosphere. A major catalyst for this study was the opportunity to compare the results with the predictions made from the Thermospheric General Circulation Model (TGCM) at NCAR, as a calibration point for the model. The Arecibo and Sondrestrom radars also participated as part of a radar chain experiment. The analysis of the data from these stations is in progress; the initial results from Millstone Hill are presented

A Delayed Black and Scholes Formula I

In this article we develop an explicit formula for pricing European options when the underlying stock price follows a non-linear stochastic differential delay equation (sdde). We believe that the proposed model is sufficiently flexible to fit real market data, and is yet simple enough to allow for a closed-form representation of the option price. Furthermore, the model maintains the no-arbitrage property and the completeness of the market. The derivation of the option-pricing formula is based on an equivalent martingale measure

Consensus evidence-based recommendations for treat-to-target management of immunoglobulin A vasculitis

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis as well as management of IgAV represent a major challenge for health care professionals. This study was carried out to attain an evidence-based expert consensus on a treat-to-target management approach for IgAV using Delphi technique. The preliminary scientific committee identified a total of 16 key clinical questions according to the patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) approach. An evidence-based, systematic, literature review was conducted to compile evidence for the IgAV management. The core leadership team identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in IgAV management in Egypt upon which experts were gathered from different governorates and health centers across Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (two rounds) to reach a consensus. An online questionnaire was sent to expert panel (n = 26) who participated in the two rounds. After completing round 2, a total of 20 recommendation items, categorized into two sections were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 91.7–100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ⩾75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all the 20 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management have been suggested. This was an expert, consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAV and IgA vasculitic nephritis, based on best available evidence and expert opinion. The guideline presented a strategy of care with a pathway to achieve a state of remission as early as possible