Influence of Potassium Fertilizer Application Timing on Cotton Production as Related to Soil Potassium on U.S. Coastal Plain Soils

Understanding soil K dynamics is highly significant in cotton production owing to its prominent role in cotton fiber quality. About 31 % of cotton production in the U.S. is concentrated in SE states, with coastal plain soils having low innate K availability. Crop fertilizer-K recommendations are primarily made worldwide and across the U.S. using pre-plant STK concentrations. A literature review on cotton K studies suggests that fertilizer-K recommendations based on pre-plant STK concentrations alone need fine-tuning to meet the increasing K demands in modern cultivars, variations in crop K requirement patterns, and varied soil K supplying capacity. Studies have been conducted to find the optimum fertilizer-K rate and split fertilizer-K application impact in cotton. However, there is a lack of studies assessing if whole K application at high nutrient requirement growth stages can improve K-use efficiency compared to the application at planting. Field studies were conducted at Edisto REC in Blackville, SC, from 2018 to 2021 on soils with varying STK concentrations to evaluate the impact of different fertilizer-K application timing on cotton growth, yield, fiber quality and K-use efficiency. Treatments included fertilizer-K application rates (KR) of 0, 46, 92, and 138 kg K ha-1 applied either at planting, first square growth stage, or first flower growth stage. In the 2018 to 2020 field studies, pre-plant STK concentrations were in the low category (16-30 mg kg-1 M-1 K), but a yield response was noted only in the 2020 study, with the highest yield recorded with KR of 92 kg K ha-1 applied at the time of cotton planting. In the 2018 and 2019 trials with low STK, the utilization of subsoil K in the clayey subsoil horizon (Bt) could have caused no yield response to the K application. Cotton growth was highest, with a 92 kg ha-1 rate, when applied at planting with no impact on lint percentage. The yield and fiber quality parameters showed similar trends across five years for parameters like fiber length, length uniformity, elongation, and contrasting trends concerning micronaire. However, fiber quality was reduced due to late planting and exposure to unfavorable weather conditions. Agronomic K-use efficiency increased two-fold with the single whole application at planting compared to the first square and flower stage application. Continued research on the impact of varying fertilizer-K rates and application timing in different soil types across South Carolina can give more insight into the soil-plant K dynamics existing in the region to further validate the fertilizer-K recommendations adopted in the state

A hybrid combination of substitution and transposition ciphers for efficient encryption using graph labeling

In this study, we conceptualise a hybrid approach of plaintext encryption by making use of Substitution and Transposition cipher technique namely Playfair Cipher and Simple Columnar Transposition. Both the Ciphers are Symmetric Encryption Technique and the need for developing such a hybrid is to inherit the positive traits as well as restrict certain limitations of both the techniques to a considerable extent. The resulting hybrid text is further subjected to Graph Labeling Technique as the receiver receives the ciphertext in the form of a Graph structure together with a clue to determine the type of labeling used and the ciphertext sequence. Here we adopt two varied labeling techniques namely Simply Sequentially Additive labeling and Distance two labeling for some Tree related Graphs and the corresponding Decryption of the Cipher Graph yields the desired plaintext.Publisher's Versio

Study of Multilayer Flow of a Bi-Viscous Bingham Fluid Sandwiched Between Hybrid Nanofluid in a Vertical Slab with Nonlinear Boussinesq Approximation

Bi-Viscosity Bingham plastic fluids are used to understand the rheological characteristics of pigment-oil suspensions, polymeric gels, emulsions, heavy oil, etc. High-temperature applications in many industrial and engineering problems, linear density-temperature variation is inadequate to describe convective heat transport. Therefore, the characteristics of the nonlinear convective flow of a Bi-Viscosity Bingham Fluid (BVBF) through three layers in a vertical slab are studied. The two outer layers of the oil-based hybrid nanofluid and the intermediate layer of BVBF are considered. The thermal buoyancy force is governed by the nonlinear Boussinesq approximation. Continuity of heat flux, velocity, shear stress, and temperature are imposed on the interfaces. The governing equations are derived from the Navier-Stokes equation, conservation of energy, and conservation of mass for three layers. The nonlinear multipoint (four-point) boundary value problem (NMBVP) is solved using the differential transform method (DTM). Converging DTM solutions are obtained, and they are validated. The entropy equation and Bejan number were also derived and analyzed. It is established that the nonlinear density-temperature variation leads to a significant improvement in the magnitude of the velocity and temperature profiles due to the increased buoyancy force and as a result, the drag force on the walls is reduced. The drag force on the slab gets reduced by decreasing the volume of nanoparticles. Furthermore, nonlinear convection and mixed convection give rise to an advanced rate of heat transport on the walls and thereby to an enhanced heat transport situation

Treatment burden, not health risk attitude associated with adherence in patients with mental illness in South India

Background: Attitude towards health risks and treatment burden may mediate treatment adherence in therapeutic care. There is a paucity of study examining the levels and relationships of these variables in patients with mental illness. Objective: This study was conducted to know the relationships of health risk attitude & treatment burden and medication adherence in patients with mental illness. Settings and design: Cross-sectional, Hospital-based study. Methods and material: One hundred seventy consecutive participants in remission of mental illness were recruited. The patient\u27s details were assessed with Sociodemographic proforma while attitude towards health risk was assessed with Health-Risk Attitude Scale (HRAS). To evaluate the burden of treatment, the Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ) was used while medication adherence was rated with the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics, KruskaleWallis H, Linear regression analysis. Results: Mean score on MARS was 4.9 (SD ± 1.7) while HRAS and TBQ were 62.2 (SD ± 8.6) and 44.2 (SD ± 23). On linear regression analysis scores of TBQ were statistically significant positively linked to HRAS score (R2 ¼ .35, df ¼ 1, F ¼ 94.2, p ¼ 0.001), While Scores on MARS were statistically significant negatively linked TBQ and HRAS score (R2 ¼ .53, df ¼ 2, F ¼ 97.1, p ¼ 001). Conclusions: Health risk aversion and treatment burden may upraise in mentally ill, and linked to poor medication adherence

Prevalence of Vitamin D3 deficiency among pediatric patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in remission - A cross-sectional observational study from Vadodara, Gujarat

Background: Vitamin D deficiency occurs in nephrotic syndrome (NS) through various mechanisms, resulting in loss of both, Vitamin D binding protein and 25-(OH) D, in the urine leading to the risk of bone disorders. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to detect the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in children with idiopathic NS during remission. Methods: This study was conducted from April to November 2016 at the pediatric nephrology clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Vadodara. A total of 34 children were enrolled with idiopathic NS in remission, of which 14 had first attack of NS and ten of Frequently Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome (FRNS) and Infrequently Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome each. Vitamin D levels were measured using serum levels of 25-(OH) D by chemiluminescence method. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 28 of 34 (82%) children; of which, 16 (47%) had severe deficiency and 12 (35.2%) had mild to moderate deficiency. Children with the first attack of NS had a median Vitamin D level of 8.17 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 2.9–28), IFRNS had a median of 6.8 ng/ml (IQR 2.9–33), and FRNS had the lowest median of 5.3 ng/ml (IQR 2.9–16). Although there were differences among all the 3 groups, differences were not statistically significant (Kruskal–Wallis 4.89, p=0.08) which showed decreased levels of Vitamin D. Conclusion: High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was observed in all 3 groups of idiopathic NS; the lowest being in FRNS. There was no significant association with lower levels of Vitamin D and relapses in NS. More research is needed to assess Vitamin D deficiency and to ensure the effect of Vitamin D supplementation for children with NS

Mejora de los niveles de conciencia y salud periodontal entre pacientes sometidos a terapia con aparatos de ortodoncia fijos con gingivitis establecida y programa de mantenimiento de la salud periodontal: Un estudio basado en cuestionarios.

Objetive: Home oral care practices in patients undergoing orthodontic therapy are often ineffective in maintaining optimal plaque control. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of periodontal maintenance program in subjects with established gingivitis undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance therapy for one year. Material and Methods: Forty patients undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance therapy with established chronic gingivitis were recruited for the study. As a part of a periodontal maintenance program, a pre-validated structured questionnaire evaluating oral hygiene and periodontal health was administered at the baseline as well as at the end of the study. At the baseline Gingival Bleeding Index, Gingival Index, and Bonded Bracket Plaque Index scores were recorded, Scaling and polishing procedure was performed followed by a customised Oral Hygiene Advice (OHA) session was conducted for all the study subjects. Clinical indices were assessed and OHA was conducted at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of orthodontic treatment visits. Results: There was significant improvement in the clinical indices and awareness regarding oral hygiene and periodontal health level in the patients at the end of the 12th month. Conclusion: The periodontal maintenance program appeared to be effective in improving the periodontal health and awareness health awareness level about oral hygiene among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy at the end of 12 months in our study population.Objetivo: Las prácticas de cuidado bucal en el hogar en pacientes sometidos a terapia de ortodoncia suelen ser ineficaces para mantener un control óptimo de la placa. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la efectividad del programa de mantenimiento periodontal en sujetos con gingivitis establecida sometidos a terapia con aparatos de ortodoncia fijos durante un año. Material y Métodos: Se reclutó para el estudio a 40 pacientes sometidos a terapia con aparatos de ortodoncia fijos y con gingivitis crónica establecida. Como parte de un programa de mantenimiento periodontal, se administró un cuestionario estructurado pre-validado que evaluaba la higiene bucal y la salud periodontal al inicio y al final del estudio. En la línea de base, se registraron las puntuaciones del índice de sangrado gingival, el índice gingival y el índice de placa de soporte adherido, se realizó el procedimiento de raspado y pulido seguido de una sesión personalizada de consejos de higiene oral (CHO) para todos los sujetos del estudio. Se evaluaron los índices clínicos y se llevó a cabo la CHO a los 3, 6, 9 y 12 meses durante las visitas de tratamiento de ortodoncia. Resultados: Hubo una mejora significativa en los índices clínicos y la conciencia sobre la higiene oral y el nivel de salud periodontal en los pacientes al final del 12º mes. Conclusión: El programa de mantenimiento periodontal pareció ser eficaz para mejorar la salud periodontal y el nivel de conciencia de la salud sobre la higiene bucal entre los pacientes sometidos a terapia de ortodoncia fija al final de los 12 meses en nuestra población de estudio

Ceramic Materials for 3D Printing of Biomimetic Bone Scaffolds – Current state–of–the–art & Future Perspectives

Ceramic bone implants have potential properties ideal for long-term implantation applications. On comparison with other materials, ceramic biomaterials have advantages such as biocompatibility, low cost, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, corrosion resistance, and can be made into various shapes with desired surface properties. Among transplantation surgeries, bone transplantation is the second largest in the globe after blood transfusion which is an indication for rising hope on the potential treatment options for bone. 3D printing is one of the most advanced fabrication techniques to create customized bone implants using materials such as ceramics and their composites. Developing bone scaffolds that precisely recapitulate the mechanical properties and other biological functions of bone remains a major challenge. However, extensive research on ceramic biomaterials have resulted in the successful 3D printing of complex bony designs with >50% porosity with cortical bone mechanical properties. This review critically analyses the use of various 3D printing techniques to fabricate ceramic bone scaffolds. Further, various natural and synthetic ceramic materials for producing customized ceramic implants are discussed along with potential clinical applications. Finally, a list of companies that offer customized 3D printed implants and the future on clinical translation of 3D printed ceramic bone implants are outlined

Analysis of Throughput in Infrastructure based Multi-Radio Network

This paper deals with the design of an infrastructure based network consisting of Multi-radio Hybrid mobile nodes that perform traffic splitting over the network. The multi- radio mobile nodes have a WiMAX and a WiFi Radio that are used in transmitting data traffic over two different radio channels. Data traffic is split statically over a node and transmitted over the two radio channels. We analyse the Throughput and End-to-End delay for data transmission in the network

Cerebral Arterial Circulation: 3D Augmented Reality Models and 3D Printed Puzzle Models

The field of augmented reality (AR) and three-dimensional (3D) printing are rapidly growing with many new potential applications in medical education and pedagogy. In this chapter, we have used 3D AR and 3D printed models of the cerebral arterial circulatory system, created by us to simplify concept learning. Various cerebral circulation diseases pertaining to ophthalmology can be explained in detail for immersive learning, with the help of various 3D models, for structures such as the circle of Willis, cavernous sinus, various cranial nerves, cerebrum, cerebellum and the eye. These models not only help in cognitive understanding of cerebral circulation diseases but also aid in diagnosing them with better conviction. Ophthalmologists, sometimes being the first responder, have a vigilant role to play with a heightened awareness of these cerebral arterial circulation diseases, which are not only vision-threatening but life-threatening too. This chapter summarizes the construction and holistic application of these 3D ophthalmology-related arterial cerebral circulation models in AR and 3D printing

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ophthalmology Related Cerebral Arterial Circulation Diseases: A 3D Animated Encyclopedia

Cerebral circulation is the flow of blood through a group of arteries and veins which supply the brain. There are various diseases related to ophthalmology, due to pathologies in the cerebral arterial system. Arteries inside the skull can be blocked by plaque or disease, which in turn triggers a series of events leading to various cranial nerve palsies, visual fields defects, retinal diseases, etc. The highlights of this chapter are the novel three-dimensional (3D) animative videos created by us, to simplify various cerebral arterial circulation diseases and their diagnostic concepts for neophytes. 3D animative videos can aid learning and help in the cognitive concept building of these complex pathologies