Effect of Planting Date and Other Management Inputs on Production of Wheat.

Intensive cereal management (ICM) can optimize the yield and performance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.). Planting is often delayed beyond the optimum date along the Gulf Coast due to frequent precipitation. Field experiments were conducted at four locations in 1991 and two locations in 1992 to evaluate the effects of intensive management practices on performance of wheat planted at recommended and post-recommended dates. Seeding rates of 84 or 168 kg ha\sp{-1} and topdress N rates of 90 or 90 + 45 kg ha\sp{-1} were evaluated for an early and a late-maturing cultivar planted at a recommended date or 35 d later, with or without foliar fungicide application. Late planting resulted in significant yield loss even though more spikes m\sp{-2} were produced. Yield loss for the late-planted crop was due to lighter and fewer kernels spike\sp{-1}. Leaf area index (LAI) was unaffected by either planting date or seeding rate. Grain yield was not affected by seeding rate for the early-planted wheat. The seeding rate of 168 kg ha\sp{-1} gave higher leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. ex. Desm. f. sp. tritici) and Septoria leaf (Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter) and glume (Leptosphaeria nodorum) blotch ratings, but increased grain yield when the crop was planted late by increasing spikes m\sp{-2}. Additional spring N significantly increased yield of the crop planted at a recommended date by increasing grains spike\sp{-1}, but did not increase the yield for the late-planted crop. Additional spring N also increased LAI and absorption of photosynthetically active radiation by the crop planted at both dates. \u27Traveler\u27 gave higher grain yield by producing heavier and more kernels spike\sp{-1}. \u27Terral-101\u27 produced higher LAI and spikes m\sp{-2}. Fungicide application increased the yield of resistant and susceptible cultivar equally, despite the fact that the susceptible cultivar developed about three-times the severity of leaf rust as the resistant cultivar in the absence of fungicide. Bacterial streak (Xanthomonas campestris pv. translucens (Jones, Johnson, and (Reddy) Dye) was not affected by fungicide application, N, and seeding rate, while Septoria leaf blotch was only affected by cultivar

Influence of economic growth, energy production, and subcomponents on the environment: a regional level analytical modeling

This study examines the long-term impact of energy production and economic growth on the environment using data on real GDP, energy production (and its subcomponents), carbon dioxide emissions, and real foreign trade. The datasets contain 99 countries that are classified into seven regions and analyzed by using MG, AMG, and CCEMG estimators. Estimates reflect that economic growth increases environmental pollution while foreign trade decreases it in all selected regions. In analyzing the conservation and neutrality hypotheses, we found that the conservation hypothesis was successfully verified for the global panel, Europe, and Africa, whereas the former was verified in North America, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific regions. The study suggests focusing on renewable energy production policies to sustain the current growth pace

Pakistan Textiles can Bounce Back Vigorously

The purpose of this research study is to identify and analyze the methods for increasing the market share of the Pakistan Textile industry in the world. This paper discusses the macro economic factors responsible for advancement and development of the textile industry in leading textile producing countries.  The approaches adopted in this study are: firstly, developing a set of key success factors by studying the market leaders in the world i.e. China, India and USA; secondly, problems are being identified in the Pakistan Textile industry by comparing those key success factors with the situations in Pakistan. The problems found in Pakistan textile are further investigated and verified through primary research based on qualitative data. Finally, a set of recommendations is developed for the solution of problems found in Pakistan textile industry to increase its market share in the world. This paper proposes suggestions for solving problems found in Pakistan textile industry. Proper implementation of the guidelines given in this study greatly improves the chances of the Pakistan textile industry realizing its full potentials and ultimately increases its world market share. Keywords: Pakistan, Textile Industry, Key Success Factors, Market Share JEL Classification: L67 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.937

Outcome of surgical treatment for neglected congenital muscular torticollis: a series of 28 adolescent patients

Background: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common musculoskeletal anomaly that can be excellently managed at birth with conservative physiotherapy; as a result, literature on neglected cases of CMT in older patients is sparse, and there is controversy regarding the ideal surgical approach. This report aims to provide the outcome of 28 adolescent patients with neglected CMT who underwent unipolar release at the distal sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). Methods: Twenty-eight adolescent patients with untreated CMT presented to our department between 2016 and 2019 and underwent unipolar release at the distal end of their SCM. All patients had no other anomaly based on clinical examination and radiological investigations. At the time of surgery, the mean age of patients was 15.8 years (range 13–18 years). There were 10 male and 18 female patients with the right side affected in 20 cases. All patients were followed up for 2 years. Patients were evaluated using an adapted version of the modified Lee’s scoring system to assess cosmesis and the cervical-mandibular angle (CMA) to assess radiological change. Results: The adapted modified Lee’s scoring system indicated 17 patients (60.7%) had an excellent outcome, 6 patients (21.4%) had a good outcome, and 5 patients (17.9%) had a fair outcome. In particular, scarring was fine in 23 patients (82.1%) and only slight in the remaining. Independent to the categorical outcome, all patients subjectively reported high satisfaction with their cosmesis. The preoperative mean CMA was 19.6° (range, 8.5–31.5°), which was reduced to a mean of CMA of 14.0° (range, 3–28°) after surgery (P Conclusion: In uncomplicated cases of neglected CMT in adolescent patients, unipolar tenotomy of the distal SCM is a safe and reliable technique with good clinical outcomes

An Unbiased Lipid Phenotyping Approach To Study the Genetic Determinants of Lipids and Their Association with Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors.

Direct infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry (DIHRMS) is a novel, high-throughput approach to rapidly and accurately profile hundreds of lipids in human serum without prior chromatography, facilitating in-depth lipid phenotyping for large epidemiological studies to reveal the detailed associations of individual lipids with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Intact lipid profiling by DIHRMS was performed on 5662 serum samples from healthy participants in the Pakistan Risk of Myocardial Infarction Study (PROMIS). We developed a novel semi-targeted peak-picking algorithm to detect mass-to-charge ratios in positive and negative ionization modes. We analyzed lipid partial correlations, assessed the association of lipid principal components with established CHD risk factors and genetic variants, and examined differences between lipids for a common genetic polymorphism. The DIHRMS method provided information on 360 lipids (including fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterol lipids), with a median coefficient of variation of 11.6% (range: 5.4-51.9). The lipids were highly correlated and exhibited a range of associations with clinical chemistry biomarkers and lifestyle factors. This platform can provide many novel insights into the effects of physiology and lifestyle on lipid metabolism, genetic determinants of lipids, and the relationship between individual lipids and CHD risk factors

The Pakistan risk of myocardial infarction study: A resource for the study of genetic, lifestyle and other determinants of myocardial infarction in south Asia

The burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) is increasing at a greater rate in South Asia than in any other region globally, but there is little direct evidence about its determinants. The Pakistan Risk of Myocardial Infarction Study (PROMIS) is an epidemiological resource to enable reliable study of genetic, lifestyle and other determinants of CHD in South Asia. By March 2009, PROMIS had recruited over 5,000 cases of first-ever confirmed acute myocardial infarction (MI) and over 5,000 matched controls aged 30-80 years. For each participant, information has been recorded on demographic factors, lifestyle, medical and family history, anthropometry, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram. A range of biological samples has been collected and stored, including DNA, plasma, serum and whole blood. During its next stage, the study aims to expand recruitment to achieve a total of about 20,000 cases and about 20,000 controls, and, in subsets of participants, to enrich the resource by collection of monocytes, establishment of lymphoblastoid cell lines, and by resurveying participants. Measurements in progress include profiling of candidate biochemical factors, assay of 45,000 variants in 2,100 candidate genes, and a genomewide association scan of over 650,000 genetic markers. We have established a large epidemiological resource for CHD in South Asia. In parallel with its further expansion and enrichment, the PROMIS resource will be systematically harvested to help identify and evaluate genetic and other determinants of MI in South Asia. Findings from this study should advance scientific understanding and inform regionally appropriate disease prevention and control strategies

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe