Influence of Different Planting Scheduling and Cultivar on the Growth and Yield of Cotton Crop

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting schedule on the growth and yield of cotton crop at Cotton Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam during Kharif 2013. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated factorial randomized complete block design. The treatments consisted of three cotton cultivars, i.e. Star-2, NIAB-78 and Sindh-1, and three planting schedulings, viz. 20th April, 10th May and 30th May. The statistical analysis showed that different planting schedules significantly (P<0.05) affected the growth and yield parameters of cotton varieties. Among planting schedulings, planting of cotton varieties on 20th April resulted in maximum seed germination, plant height, sympodial branches per plant, days to first flowering, bolls per plant, seedcotton yield plant-1, seedcotton yield, GOT, staple length and minimum monopodial branches per plant, followed by planting of cotton varieties on 10th May in all the traits studied, particularly seedcotton yield. However, minimum growth and yield attributes, particularly seedcotton yield was observed when cotton crop was sown on 30th May. In case of varieties, maximum growth and yield traits were produced by cotton cultivar Sindh-1, followed by cotton cultivar NIAB-78 in all the parameters studied. However, minimum performance were observed by cotton cultivar Star-2. As regards interactive effects, the interaction of 20th April x cotton cultivar Sindh-1 resulted in maximum output, whereas minimum output were recorded under the interaction of 30th May x cotton cultivar Star-2. Hence, results concluded that the interaction of 20th April x cotton cultivar Sindh-1 proved to be the most feasible for obtaining maximum seed cotton yield (3177.5 kg ha-1) of cotton crop under agro-ecological conditions of tandojam. Keywords: Planting  schedule, Growth, Yield, Cotton cultiva

A Tractable Handoff-aware Rate Outage Approximation with Applications to THz-enabled Vehicular Network Optimization

In this paper, we first develop a tractable mathematical model of the handoff (HO)-aware rate outage experienced by a typical connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) in a given THz vehicular network. The derived model captures the impact of line-of-sight (LOS) Nakagami-m fading channels, interference, and molecular absorption effects. We first derive the statistics of the interference-plus-molecular absorption noise ratio and demonstrate that it can be approximated by Gamma distribution using Welch-Satterthwaite approximation. Then, we show that the distribution of signal-to-interference-plus-molecular absorption noise ratio (SINR) follows a generalized Beta prime distribution. Based on this, a closed-form HO-aware rate outage expression is derived. Finally, we formulate and solve a CAVs' traffic flow maximization problem to optimize the base-stations (BSs) density and speed of CAVs with collision avoidance, rate outage, and CAVs' minimum traffic flow constraint. The CAVs' traffic flow is modeled using Log-Normal distribution. Our numerical results validate the accuracy of the derived expressions using Monte-Carlo simulations and discuss useful insights related to optimal BS density and CAVs' speed as a function of crash intensity level, THz molecular absorption effects, minimum road-traffic flow and rate requirements, and maximum speed and rate outage limits.Comment: This paper has been accepted in the IEEE Global Communications (GLOBECOM) 2023 conferenc

The correlation between stone nephrolithometry score and hemoglobin drop in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between the STONE score [(S)ize of the stone, (T)opography or location, degree of (O)bstruction of the urinary system, (N)umber of stones, and (E)valuation of Hounsfield units] and postoperative hemoglobin drop in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).Methods: This was a prospective observational study and all adult patients aged 18-65 years undergoing unilateral, single-tract PCNL using 26 Ch. Amplatz sheath for renal calculi were included. The five variables of the STONE nephrolithometry score were calculated prior to the procedure. The stone-free rates were assessed on imaging at four weeks and complications were graded using the modified Clavien system.Results: Of the 142 patients included, 75% were below 55 years of age. More than half of our patients were diabetic with more than 60% having a body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg/m2. The mean STONE score was 7 with 33% having a high (\u3e9) STONE score. The mean hemoglobin drop was 1.15 +0.92 g/dL with eight patients (5.63%) requiring transfusion and one (0.7%) requiring angioembolization; one patient required readmission for observation. Complete STONE clearance was achieved with PCNL alone in 78.2% of the patients. There was a significant correlation of hemoglobin drop with the STONE score, stone size, and preoperative creatinine clearance. Patients with a hemoglobin drop of \u3e1 g/dL had a higher STONE score and mean stone size. The overall complication rate was significantly higher (10.5%) in patients with a hemoglobin drop of \u3e1 g/dL as compared to those with a hemoglobin drop of \u3c1 g\u3e/dL (2.8%).Conclusion: Stone complexity as measured by the STONE score correlates with post-PCNL hemoglobin drop, stone clearance, and complication rates. The STONE score may be used for preoperative counseling and to evaluate the potential need for transfusion

1-(Pyridin-2-yl)-2-[2-(trifluoro­meth­yl)benz­yl]-3-[2-(trifluoro­meth­yl)phen­yl]propan-1-one

The title compound, C23H17F6NO, crystallizes with two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The mol­ecules assume an approximate propellar shape, with the three aromatic rings being bent with respect to the plane formed by the C atoms that are connected to the methine C atom [dihedral angles: pyridyl 67.49 (3)°, phenyl 56.82 (4)° and phenyl 77.21 (6)° in one mol­ecule, and corresponding angles of 71.60 (6), 53.68 (4) and 77.53 (6)° in the second mol­ecule]

Urdu translation and validation of premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT)

Objective: To validate an Urdu translation of premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) by analyzing the association of this diagnostic tool with the clinical diagnosis of premature ejaculation (PE) and intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT).Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the urology section of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, for six months duration, from July 2018 to December 2018. In our study 108 subjects, aged 20 to 50 years, who were in a stable sexual relationship (heterosexual) for a minimum duration of six months, were asked to fill the Urdu version of PEDT, 61 with PE and 47 without PE.Results: The two groups matched for mean age, duration of relationship and education level. The duration of 1.2 (±0.5) minutes was the mean self-estimated IELT in the PE group and 3.7±0.9 minutes in patients without PE. There was a significant negative correlation of 0.6 (p-value \u3c0.001) between the PEDT score and self-estimated IELT. The test-retest reliability for each item was found to be significant for each individual item (≥ 0.84, p-value \u3c0.001) and 0.94 was the correlation coefficients of the total score, showing an excellent test-retest reliability. 0.93 was the Cronbach\u27s alpha score (95% Confidence interval = 0.905 - 0.948) indicating a significant internal consistency in the Urdu version of PEDT.Conclusions: The Urdu version of PEDT is a valid tool to define and quantify PE objectively, with adequate internal consistency. This version of PEDT has a good negative correlation with self-estimated IELT and excellent correlation with clinical PE

2-Benzyl-3-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)propan-1-one

Mol­ecules of the title compound, C21H19NO, assume an approximate propellar shape, with the three aromatic rings being nearly perpendicularly aligned with respect to the plane formed by the C atoms that are connected to the methine C atom [dihedral angles: pyridyl 79.82 (4)°, phenyl 80.12 (3)° and phenyl 86.93 (3)°]

Non-invasive predictors of response to tamsulosin for benign prostatic obstruction

Objectives: To identify non-invasive predictors of response to tamsulosin 0.4 mg in patients with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).Methods: Males ≥ 50 years of age with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of BPO for over three months were included in the study. We assessed change in the mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate (Qmax) after six weeks of medical therapy. Clinical and uroflowmetry parameters were compared between two groups of patients with \u3e25% vs. \u3c25% change in the IPSS after treatment. Pre- and post-treatment post-void residue (PVR), Qmax, and IPSS were compared by independent t-test, univariate/multivariate regression analysis.Results: A total of 121 patients were included. At presentation, the mean prostate size was 35.7±12.2 grams and the mean IPSS was 16.3 ± 4.8. Improvement in the mean IPSS was 7.83, with more marked improvement in storage compared to voiding LUTS (5.26 vs. 2.57). Majority (58%) had a quality of life (QoL) score of 4-5 at presentation whereas after 6-weeks of medication (83.5%) had a QoL score of 0-2. Treatment failure was noted in 11 (9.1%) patients. IPSS was higher and Qmax was lower at the time of presentation in patients who had \u3c25% improvement. However, the two groups were identical on the basis of demographic and other factors (BMI, age, prostate size, PVR).Conclusion: Moderate LUTS secondary to BPO responds favourably to alpha-blocker (tamsulosin 0.4 mg) treatment. Uroflowmetry (UFM) parameters, that is, Qmax and IPSS are important factors in predicting short-term response to medical therapy

Managing Development of Fringe Areas in Dhaka City: Land Readjustment as a Technique for Sustainable Future Development Ensuring Environmental and Social Justice

Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. With the rapid growth of population and high urbanization rate, Dhaka is bound to expand the borders to accommodate the growing need of space. But this expansion is already taking its toll in the form of environmental degradation and social injustice hampering the geographical sustainability in the process. This study proposes a controlled and well-planned development in the eastern fringe of Dhaka City (comprising of Badda, Satarkul and Vatara) to meet up the challenge of future accommodation requirements. The area being geographically vulnerable with lots of agricultural lands, water bodies and retention ponds, the prime concern is to ensure the geographic sustainability of the area and use all the natural features as a vital tool in the process of development. As a planning technique, Land Readjustment Scheme is applied in this regard. This report contains all the measures and proposals regarding the natural features of the study area as well as the whole process of the development scheme including a financial proposal to recover the cost of the development to make this plan financially viable. Finally, the outcome of the study shows that it can be well implemented as all the objectives are fulfilled to the fullest.Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Ishrat Islam, Professor, DURP, BUET; Dr. Mohammad Shakil Akther, Professor, DURP, BUET; Farzana Khatun, Lecturer, DURP, BUET

Cloudlet computing : recent advances, taxonomy, and challenges

A cloudlet is an emerging computing paradigm that is designed to meet the requirements and expectations of the Internet of things (IoT) and tackle the conventional limitations of a cloud (e.g., high latency). The idea is to bring computing resources (i.e., storage and processing) to the edge of a network. This article presents a taxonomy of cloudlet applications, outlines cloudlet utilities, and describes recent advances, challenges, and future research directions. Based on the literature, a unique taxonomy of cloudlet applications is designed. Moreover, a cloudlet computation offloading application for augmenting resource-constrained IoT devices, handling compute-intensive tasks, and minimizing the energy consumption of related devices is explored. This study also highlights the viability of cloudlets to support smart systems and applications, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and applications that require high-quality service. Finally, the role of cloudlets in emergency situations, hostile conditions, and in the technological integration of future applications and services is elaborated in detail. © 2013 IEEE