Head Diameter Research Articles

Sunflower germplasms’ response to different water and salinity stress levels in greenhouse and field conditions under subsurface drip irrigation

AbstractSunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is moderately tolerant to salt and water stress, but its production can still be significantly and adversely affected by increases in these stressors as a result of the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural soil and crop productivity. The morphological and productivity (dry head weight, dry root weight, dry shoot weight, head diameter, whole seed weight, crude protein content, crude oil content, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosanoic acid, 11‐eicosenoic acid, homo‐gamma‐linolenic w6 acid, lignoceric acid and plant height) responses of modern sunflower germplasms to different levels of salt and drought stress under greenhouse and field conditions were investigated and analysed. Six germplasms were evaluated under three salt concentrations (0, 150 and 250 mM), and two germplasms were evaluated for drought response under three irrigation levels. Significant differences in the response of sunflower germplasms to water and salinity were detected. The same germplasms exhibited significant differences in response to water and salinity between the treatments, which also varied significantly between the germplasms for the same treatment. The irrigation level significantly influenced the amount of oil but not the crude protein or fatty acid composition. The results and information of this research can aid in selecting and improving sunflower productivity under adverse (i.e. saline and drought) conditions.

Effect of Transplanting Time and Nitrogen–Potassium Ratio on Yield, Growth, and Quality of Cauliflower Landrace Gigante di Napoli in Southern Italy

Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting times (9 September and 7 October), in factorial combination with five nitrogen–potassium ratios (0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and 1.4) on plant growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. A split-plot design was used for the treatment distribution in the field, with three replications. The earlier transplant and the 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest yield, mean weight, and firmness of cauliflower heads which were not significantly affected by both transplanting time and N:K ratio in terms of colour components. The 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest head diameter with the earlier transplant, whereas the 1.0 ratio was the most effective on this parameter in the later crop cycle. The highest nitrate, nitrogen, and potassium concentrations in the heads were recorded with the earlier transplanting time. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and polyphenol content increased with the rise of the N:K ratio. The element use efficiency was constantly negative with the N:K increase for nitrogen and was augmented until the 1.2 ratio for potassium. The results of our investigation showed that the optimal combination between transplanting time and N:K ratio is a key aspect to improve head yield and quality of the cauliflower landrace Gigante di Napoli, under the perspective of biodiversity safeguarding and valorisation.

Intraoperative live measurement of femoral head size for acetabular cup sizing: simple, accurate, and green!

Templating is the first step in achieving a successful total hip arthroplasty. We hypothesize that native head size is highly correlated with implanted cup size. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to look for a correlation between sizes of the intra-operative measurement of the femoral head and the implanted cup. This is a monocentric observational study conducted from December 2018 till January 2023. All patients admitted for a primary total hip arthroplasty were included and retrospectively reviewed. Intra-operative femoral head measurement, radiographic femoral head diameter, templated (planned) cup size, and definitive implanted cup size were recorded. The sample included 154 patients (85 female and 69 males) with a mean age of 66.2 ± 10.4years. There were 157 THA cases; 82 on the right side and 75 on the left side. The native head size and acetate template on digital radiographs were the most significantly positively correlated with cup size (P < 0.0001) while the radiological head size was significantly negatively correlated with cup size (P = 0.009). The implanted cup was on average 2 ± 2mm bigger than the native head size measured intra-operatively. The native femoral head diameter measured intra-operatively is a simple and reliable tool to help the surgeons choose the proper size of the acetabular cup, preventing complications during surgery hence optimizing results post operatively. This technique would contribute to a more ecofriendly orthopaedic reconstructive surgery.

Cross-process chain influence of process variations in self-piercing riveting with regard to semi-finished product dimensions

Semitubular self-piercing riveting is an important and well-established mechanical joining process. A new approach, which involves the use of high strain hardening rivet materials, has the potential advantage of increasing resource efficiency in rivet production by eliminating the normally necessary post-treatment of the rivets by means of heat treatment and coating. However, as the high strain hardening of the rivet materials leads to extraordinarily high tool loads during rivet forming, process fluctuations can be particularly critical. For example, fluctuations in the dimensions of the semi-finished products used can influence the forming process itself, but also the quality of the formed rivets, which in turn can affect the subsequent joining process and the joint formation. An increased reject rate or premature tool failure caused by this is detrimental to the resource efficiency of the entire process chain. Therefore, a fundamental knowledge of the cross-process chain cause-and-effect relationships in conjunction with fluctuating billet dimensions is needed and is acquired within this research work. The investigations show that the forming and the joining process as well as the manufactured components themselves are influenced by the billet dimensions. The forming forces and tool stresses rise with increasing billet volume. Tool failure due to excessive or uneven stress can be the result. As the billet volume increases, the head diameter and the head thickness of the rivets increase. Consequently, the joining process and the joint are also indirectly influenced by the billet volume. With increasing volume, the joining force rises and, due to the increase in the head diameter, so does the joint strength. Knowledge of the detailed relationships is therefore highly relevant for the successful use of high strain hardening rivet materials.

Investigation of heat exchanger tube fitted with triangular perforated nail head twisted‐tape inserts

AbstractA numerical investigation of the Nusselt number, heat transfer augmentation efficiency, and friction factor in a laminar flow tube with triangular perforated nail head twisted tape (TPNHTT) is reported using ANSYS 19.2 Fluent. The effects of triangular cut (each side 3 mm) in the middle pitch of the tape along the height, diameter, and top diameter of the nail head (10, 2, and 2.5 mm, respectively) have been explored for (300 ≤ Re ≤ 1800) in a tube of 22 mm diameter. In this paper, implementation has been done with a TPNHTT varying width (14 ≤ b ≤ 20) twist ratio (TR) ranging from (3 ≤ TR ≤ 6), inserts in a tube for laminar flow. Twisted tape (TT) produces a swirl flow associated with fluid resulting in heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop characteristics other than that for the plain tube (PT). The performance of the Nusselt number and friction factor increased up to 123.62% and 495.30%, respectively, on the application of TPNHTT as compared with PT. A maximum thermal performance efficiency of 2.98 has been achieved using the twisted‐tape ratio of the current tube in laminar flow at a Reynolds number of 1700. In addition, correlation equations (11) and (12) have been developed for the friction factor and Nusselt number valid for 300 ≤ Re ≤ 1800, 14 ≤ b ≤ 20, and 3 ≤ TR ≤ 6. The study has proved that applying TT is an upgraded approach for laminar convection heat transfer. This novel work finding will be supportive for researchers to design the latest heat exchangers.

Optimum flow rate enhances the performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in hydroponic culture

Poor substate flow rate affects the production of crops under hydroponic systems as contact and collision times of ions (nutrients) with roots is affected deciding nutrients uptake rate and quantity required for crop growth. Keeping in view, a study was conducted under hydroponic culture to obtain optimal flow rate for higher production of lettuce, which is an important leafy vegetable. Two lettuce varieties (Boston and Lollo Bionda) were subjected to 4 different flow rates (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 L min-1) under completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial arrangement and replicated four times. The outcomes of the study suggest that performance of Lollo Bionda variety was better than Boston regarding root and shoot fresh and dry biomass, leaf number, area, length and width and head diameter and plant height. The same parameters kept on increasing with increase of flow rate and achieved maximum values at 1.5 L min-1. Beyond that flow rate the values for these parameters declined which indicated that the optimal flow rate for these 2 lettuce verities is 1.5 L min-1. Hence, it was concluded that for higher production of lettuce, the flow rate should be kept at 1.5 L min-1 in Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) using hydroponic system with environmental and substrate conditions mentioned in materials and method portion of this article.

3D numerical simulations of mixed convective heat transfer and correlation development for a thermal manikin head

The head represents 10 % of the body's total surface area. Unprotected, it accounts for a significant portion of overall heat loss when exposed to cold conditions. This study was motivated by a need to clarify how the human head interacts with its environment in terms of heat exchange. Accurate estimations of heat transfer coefficients on the human head are essential for conducting thermal comfort and safety analyses in buildings. In this study, a thermal head resembling a real male human head is utilized to investigate heat transfer between the body and the surrounding environment. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is proposed to simulate steady-state dry heat loss from the human head within a chamber. This model provides predictions for heat flux, temperature, and velocity distribution surrounding the head. A straightforward correlation, derived from numerical and experimental findings, is introduced to forecast the average Nusselt number for the head under combined natural and forced convection. This correlation, relying on dimensionless parameters (Grashof, Reynolds, and Prandtl numbers), offers enhanced accuracy, simplicity, and fewer terms. The predicted average Nusselt numbers from the proposed correlation for mixed convection closely match CFD and experimental results, with relative percentage differences within ±2 %, signifying excellent accuracy across a broader range of flow conditions, including temperature differences and air velocities. Additionally, the study explores the impact of head diameter on overall heat transfer.

Shoulder MRI parameters in anticipating anterior shoulder dislocation: Are they a reliable and reproducible tool in clinical practice?

BackgroundAnterior shoulder dislocation (ASD) is a frequently observed musculoskeletal injury that is often encountered in the context of sports activities or as a result of trauma. Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters have been previously investigated for the purpose of characterizing the anatomical features, which could potentially be responsible for the episodes of instability. These measurements have the potential to identify patients who are susceptible to dislocation. Consequently, ensuring the reliability and consistency of these measurements is crucial in the diagnosis and the management of athletic or traumatic shoulder injuries. MethodsA group of four students, who had no previous experience in reading MRI series, were selected to perform radiographic measurements on specific parameters of MRI scans. These parameters were glenoid version, glenoid depth, glenoid width, humeral head diameter, humeral containing angle, and the ratio of humeral head diameter to glenoid diameter. The four participants conducted two distinct readings on a total of 28 sets of shoulder MRI scans. Simultaneously, the aforementioned measures were assessed by a consultant shoulder surgeon. ResultsA total of 1512 measurements were categorized into nine sets: eight from students’ measurements (two per student) and one from the consultant. Intra-rater reliability assessed by the intra-class correlation (ICC) test indicated excellent or good reliability for all parameters (p < 0.05), with glenoid depth showing the highest (0.925) and humeral-containing angles the lowest (0.675) ICC value. Inter-rater correlation, also evaluated using ICC, demonstrated strong correlation (p < 0.05), with glenoid diameter having the highest ICC score (0.935) and glenoid depth the lowest (0.849). Agreement analysis, expressed by Cohen's Kappa test, revealed substantial agreement (p < 0.05) for all parameters, with humeral head diameter having the highest agreement (0.90) and humeral-containing angle the lowest (0.73). ConclusionIn this study, intra- and inter-rater MRI parameters are substantially concordant. Credibility comes from these reliability and agreement analyses' statistical significance. Glenoid diameter and depth are the most reliable intrarater and interrater, respectively. Best agreement was with the humeral-containing angle. These data demonstrate repeatability and clinical relevance. Level of EvidenceLevel IV

Sunflower Growth and Grain Yield under Different Tillage Systems and Sources of Organic Manure on Contrasting Soil Types in Limpopo Province of South Africa

A field study was conducted to assess the effect of tillage systems (TSs) and manure rates (MRs) on sunflower growth and yield at the University of Limpopo Experimental Farm (Syferkuil) which is on sandy loam soils and University of Venda Experimental Farm (UNIVEN) clayey soils, both located in Limpopo Province of South Africa for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 cropping seasons. The experimental design was a split plot with three replications. The main plot was the tillage treatments: conventional (CON) and in-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH), while the subplots were the manure treatments: viz. poultry and cattle manures at rates of 20 and 35 t ha−10, plus a control (no manure application). The IRWH is a tillage technique that collects rainwater on a 2 m wide runoff strip into the 1 m wide basin where it infiltrates deep into the soil beyond the evaporation zone but is available for crop use. The results revealed that at Syferkuil IRWH had a significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) on grain yield, head diameter, head dry matter and aboveground dry matter yield in both cropping seasons, whereas at UNIVEN, the significant increase was obtained on grain yield, head diameter, aboveground dry matter, plant height and stem girth during both cropping seasons. The effect of manure rate significantly increased with the application rate, with poultry manure at the highest rate of 35 t ha−1 significantly recording high mean values of grain yield, head diameter, head dry matter, aboveground dry matter, plant height and stem girth at both sites during the two cropping seasons. The increase in leaf area index and 100 seed weight by IRWH and manure rate application varied across the growing stages and cropping seasons with no consistent trend. At Syferkuil, TS and MR interaction was significant on head diameter and on aboveground dry matter at flowering stage in the first cropping season, whereas at UNIVEN, it was significant on head diameter in the first cropping season. Therefore, these results suggest that IRWH combined with poultry manure (35 t ha−1) can be adopted to improve sunflower crop yield under similar management and environmental conditions. In the absence of poultry manure, farmers may opt to use cattle manure at a rate of 35 t ha−1 for better improved yield.

Investigation of contact behavior on a model of the dual-mobility artificial hip joint for Asians in different inner liner thicknesses.

The four components that make up the current dual-mobility artificial hip joint design are the femoral head, the inner liner, the outer liner as a metal cover to prevent wear, and the acetabular cup. The acetabular cup and the outer liner were constructed of 316L stainless steel. At the same time, the inner liner was made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). As this new dual-mobility artificial hip joint has not been researched extensively, more tribological research is needed to predict wear. The thickness of the inner liner is a significant component to consider when calculating the contact pressure. To make use of finite element analysis to gain a better understanding of the contact behavior in various inner liner thicknesses on a new model of a dual-mobility artificial hip joint, with the ultimate objective of determining the inner liner thickness that was most suitable for this particular type of dual-mobility artificial hip joint. In this study, the size of the femoral head was compared between two diameters (28 mm and 36 mm) and eight inner liner thicknesses ranging from 5 mm to 12 mm. Using the finite element method, the contact parameters, including the maximum contact pressure and contact area, have been evaluated in light of the Hertzian contact theory. The simulation was performed statically with dissipated energy and asymmetric behavior. The types of interaction were surface-to-surface contact and normal contact behavior. The maximum contact pressures in the inner liner (UHMWPE) at a head diameter of 28 mm and 36 mm are between 3.7-13.5 MPa and 2.7-10.4 MPa, respectively. The maximum von Mises of the inner liner, outer liner, and acetabular cup are 2.4-11.4 MPa, 15.7-44.3 MPa, and 3.7-12.6 MPa, respectively, for 28 mm head. Then the maximum von Mises stresses of the 36 mm head are 1.9-8.9 MPa for the inner liner, 9.9-32.8 MPa for the outer liner, and 2.6-9.9 MPa for the acetabular cup. A head with a diameter of 28 mm should have an inner liner with a thickness of 12 mm. Whereas the head diameter was 36 mm, an inner liner thickness of 8 mm was suitable. The contact pressures and von Mises stresses generated during this research can potentially be exploited in estimating the wear of dual-mobility artificial hip joints in general. Contact pressure and von Mises stress reduce with an increasing head diameter and inner liner's thickness. Present findings would become one of the references for orthopedic surgery for choosing suitable bearing geometric parameter of hip implant.

Determination of preoperative risk factors for iliopsoas tendonitis after total hip arthroplasty: Asimulation study.

This study aims to identify preoperative risk factors for iliopsoas tendonitis after total hip arthroplasty, a complication typically attributed to acetabular cup position and orientation, using a validated iliopsoas impingement detection simulation. Analyzing CT scans and X-rays of 448 patients using a validated preoperative planning protocol, patients were simulated for iliopsoas impingement and categorized into at-risk and not at-risk groups based on a prior validation study, with a 23% at-risk incidence. Implementing a propensity score matching algorithm to reduce covariate imbalance, we identified factors that may exacerbate risk of iliopsoas tendonitis. Parameters that were investigated included standing pelvic tilt, functional femoral rotation, and the difference between the planned acetabular cup diameter and native femoral head diameter (ΔC-NFH). Comparing pelvic tilt, we found a significant difference between the groups (at-risk: -6.0°, not at-risk: -0.7°; p << 0.01). A similar trend was noted for ΔC-NFH (at-risk: +5.7 mm, not at-risk: +5.1 mm; p = 0.01). Additional simulations of at-risk patients indicated increased anteversion of the acetabular cup reduces impingement risk more effectively than medialisation. These findings suggest that spinopelvic parameters may exacerbate iliopsoas irritation risk, underscoring their importance in preoperative planning and patient expectation management. Similar findings of a greater than 6 mm difference between cup size and native femoral head diameter being a significant risk for iliopsoas tendonitis have been observed before, underscoring its potential veracity. These results may provide surgeons with a simple threshold that can be used in determining a cup size to reduce the risk of iliopsoas tendonitis.

Advancing pediatric head CT dose prediction: correlating patient size metrics with AP and LAT dimensions in Moroccan population

This study aims to establish comprehensive relationships between patient size, focusing on effective diameter (Deff) and water-equivalent diameter (Dw), in conjunction with anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) dimensions. The primary goal is to refine precise patient dose estimations in pediatric head computed tomography (CT) examinations. Our examination involved a dataset of 105 pediatric head CT images sourced from a Moroccan pediatric university hospital. These images, selected from the central scanning range, underwent quantification for LAT, AP, Deff, and Dw, with measurements carried out using RadiAnt Dicom Viewer for lateral and anteroposterior dimensions. Our analytical approach encompassed modeling Deff and Dw as functions of LAT, AP, and combined AP + LAT dimensions. Additionally, Dw was modeled as a function of Deff and calculated Size Specific Dose Estimates (SSDE) based on Dw was compared to SSDE computed from one single dimension. The outcomes revealed strong correlations among Deff, Dw, and fundamental geometric dimensions (LAT, AP, and AP + LAT), as indicated by consistently high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.8). SSDE calculated from Dw shows impressive correlation with SSDE computed from a single dimension (R² > 0.9). This study offers insights into the relationships between patient size and critical dimensions, identifying high correlations that can represent a significant advancement in predicting doses for pediatric head CT examinations. This introduces the potential for streamlining the determination of head diameter and dose by relying on a single dimension, thereby enhancing the efficiency of dose predictions by facilitating the monitoring of radiation exposure of this population in clinical routine.

Enhancing Freeze Tolerance of Field-grown Lettuce with Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, and Calcium Chloride

With the climate continuing to change, specialty crop growers are particularly at risk for economic loss caused by erratic weather conditions, excess heat and rain, and frost damage. Although tolerant to cold, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a major horticultural crop at risk for exposure to freezing temperatures in late fall or early spring in the Midwest. Exogenous applications of salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and calcium chloride have been shown to improve abiotic stress in plants, particularly with freezing tolerance. This research investigated the effects of the exogenous application of salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and calcium chloride, in varying concentrations, on field-grown lettuce. The study was conducted at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station, Ames, IA, USA. Weekly applications of salicylic acid (0.5 and 1.0 mM), ascorbic acid (0.5 and 1.0 mM), and calcium chloride (10 and 20 mM) were applied until plants were a marketable size. A control treatment (no spray) was also included. Data regarding plant size, yield, leaf area, leaf number, plant dry weight, plant nutrient analysis, and freeze tolerance were collected. Freeze tolerance assessments were conducted through laboratory-simulated freeze events and the evaluation of natural in-field freeze events. Freeze injury was quantified through the electrolyte leakage method. Marketable weights in 2020 and 2021 were statistically similar, except for 1.0 mM salicylic acid in 2020, which showed a significantly lower marketable weight and head diameter. Trends during both years showed that stress protectant applications had the most effective freeze protection at −12 °C in laboratory-simulated freeze events. Calcium chloride at 20 mM had the highest protection at −12 °C, with 13.3% and 24.0% less injury compared with the control in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Salicylic acid 1.0 mM at −12 °C had 4.7% and 23.7% less injury compared with control during these two years, respectively. Ascorbic acid 1.0 mM at −12 °C also showed 6.8% and 9.5% less injury than the control in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Similar trends were observed after in-field freezing events, with 20 mM calcium chloride providing the highest protection against frost in 2020 and 2021. These findings advance the understanding of the capabilities of stress protectants on lettuce as chemical primers after freezing events. This research highlights the benefits of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and calcium chloride as stress protectants and encourages future research and further exploration of concentrations, methods of application, and timing of application of products.

Cemented dual-mobility constructs in uncemented revision acetabular components.

Dislocation remains a leading cause of failure following revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). While dual-mobility (DM) bearings have been shown to mitigate this risk, options are limited when retaining or implanting an uncemented shell without modular DM options. In these circumstances, a monoblock DM cup, designed for cementing, can be cemented into an uncemented acetabular shell. The goal of this study was to describe the implant survival, complications, and radiological outcomes of this construct. We identified 64 patients (65 hips) who had a single-design cemented DM cup cemented into an uncemented acetabular shell during revision THA between 2018 and 2020 at our institution. Cups were cemented into either uncemented cups designed for liner cementing (n = 48; 74%) or retained (n = 17; 26%) acetabular components. Median outer head diameter was 42 mm. Mean age was 69 years (SD 11), mean BMI was 32 kg/m2 (SD 8), and 52% (n = 34) were female. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Mean follow-up was two years (SD 0.97). There were nine cemented DM cup revisions: three for periprosthetic joint infection, three for acetabular aseptic loosening from bone, two for dislocation, and one for a broken cup-cage construct. The two-year survivals free of aseptic DM revision and dislocation were both 92%. There were five postoperative dislocations, all in patients with prior dislocation or abductor deficiency. On radiological review, the DM cup remained well-fixed at the cemented interface in all but one case. While dislocation was not eliminated in this series of complex revision THAs, this technique allowed for maximization of femoral head diameter and optimization of effective acetabular component position during cementing. Of note, there was only one failure at the cemented interface.

Morphometry of the Humeral Head, Greater and Lesser Tuberosities: A Radiographic Study

Background: Greater and lesser tuberosities are present in the upper end of humerus. With the increased prevalence of proximal humeral fractures, providing a precise estimation for the humeral head, greater and lesser tuberosities dimensions, and testing bilateral and gender differences of the proximal part of the humerus are essential information. Methodology: Three hundred and ten shoulder magnetic resonance imaging scans were used in this study; these scans were obtained from the department of radiology from January 2020 to December 2021. These images include 155 for males and the same number for females, 190 right-sided humeri, in addition to 120 left-sided images. Analyzing the data was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, an independent t-test was used, and P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) between different genders in terms of the diameter of the humeral head, greater and lesser tuberosities. In addition, a significant difference was found between different sides in terms of the diameter of the lesser tuberosities. Conclusion: As a result of great variation among different populations, providing a precise morphometry of the proximal humerus has become mandatory to restore the best possible morphology for the proximal humeral end. Furthermore, the difference in these measurements between males and females could be helpful in forensic medicine.

Optimizing Potassium and Iron Levels for Enhanced Sunflower Yield in Peshawar Valley

Sunflower cultivation is integral to meeting the demand for edible oil seeds, necessitating the optimization of plant nutrient application for optimal crop production. A field trial conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, during the summer of 2022 aimed to assess the impact of varying potassium and iron levels on sunflower yield and yield components. Four levels of potassium (0, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha-1) and four levels of iron (0, 5, 10, 15 kg ha-1) were investigated using a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications, maintaining one control plot in each replication. Iron sulfate and Muriate of potash were utilized as sources of iron and potassium, respectively. Results revealed that applying potassium at a rate of 60 kg ha-1 led to maximum head diameter (18.38 cm), thousand-achene weight (47.56 g), biological yield (7476 kg ha-1), and grain yield (2039 kg ha-1) accompanied by taller plants (169.3 cm). Similarly, iron application at a rate of 15 kg ha-1 resulted in increased plant height (159.2 cm), maximum head diameter (18.01 cm), 1000 achene weight (47.8 g), biological yield (7416 kg ha-1), and grain yield (2062 kg ha-1). Notably, the effect of iron on plant height was non-significant. Based on the findings, the application of potassium at 60 kg ha-1 and iron at 15 kg ha-1 is recommended for achieving higher sunflower yields in agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley. This study revealed the significance of tailored nutrient management strategies for maximizing sunflower productivity in specific region

Isolation, Identification, and Biological Characterization of Phage vB_KpnM_KpVB3 Targeting Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11

This study aimed to isolate a phage capable of lysing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and to analyse its biological characteristics and whole-genome sequence. The phage was isolated and purified from the sewage. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe the bacteriophage's morphology. Phenotypic characterization of the bacteriophages was determined. The genomic information was analysed. Evolutionary relationships were established through comparative genomics, proteomics, and phylogenetic analysis. The isolation of a virulent phage, named Klebsiella phage vB_KpnM_KpVB3, was notable for forming 6-7 mm transparent circular zones, each surrounded by a distinct halo. The phage had a head diameter of ca. 30 nm and a tail length of ca. 20 nm, being identified as a member of the Myoviridae family and the Caudovirales order. The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 0.00001, with an incubation period of 20 minutes and a lysis period of 60 minutes, and the number of released phages after lysis was 133±35 PFU/cell. The phage was relatively stable at temperatures ranging from 10°C to 40°C and at pH values ranging from 3 to 11. Its lytic efficiency against CRKP was 30.30%. It has been shown to be able to destroy the biofilm of host bacteria. The bacteriophage genome consists of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with a total length of 48,394 base pairs, a GC content of 48.99%, and 78 open reading frames (ORFs). The study resulted in the isolation vB_KpnM_KpVB3, a phage demonstrating potential therapeutic efficacy against infections caused by CRKP.

Assessment of polyethylene wear in dual mobility implant for Asians on various head-to-liner ratios: A finite-element analysis

Based on several references, Asians carry out several daily activities that are different from Westerners, which require a greater range of motion. Because of that, a dual mobility (DM) implant was created that was adapted to the activities of Asian people. One of the factors that might shorten the life of a hip implant is wear. Simulations of wear that are based on computation can guide product design to reduce the amount of adhesive and abrasive wear. Even though advanced modeling approaches have been established, a great deal of wear is still not understood, especially regarding the metal-on-polyethylene articulations found on DM cups. It is critical to examine the wear on the DM cup's head-to-liner ratio to determine the proper head diameter and liner thickness for this DM cup. In this work, wear was analyzed using finite-element analysis and compared between three different femoral head diameters matched with different thicknesses of the polyethylene liner on DM cups. Wear was analyzed throughout the regular walking cycle at each head-to-liner ratio. The findings of this study can be used to develop a dual-mobility artificial hip joint for Asians with the slightest wear.

Evaluation of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) varieties with respect to growth and yield in Chitwan, Nepal

A field experiment was carried out during October, 2021 to March, 2022 with an objective to evaluate growth and yield parameters of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) varieties in the Horticulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The treatments were six broccoli varieties viz. two open pollinated (Calabrese and Green Sprouting) and four hybrid varieties (Centauro, Century, Delight, Everest Green). Data were collected for biometrical, phonological, yield and yield attributing characteristics. Results revealed significance for growth and yield parameters. Calabrese had the tallest plant (100.60 cm), the highest leaf number per plant (15.75), the longest leaf (73.90 cm), higher canopy diameter (101.75 cm) and earliness in head initiation (54.50 days) as well as head maturity (60.25 days). Highest head diameter (30.13 cm) and economic yield (22.52 mt/ha) was observed in Century. Thus, Century was found more profitable for commercial production in the environment conditions of Chitwan, Nepal.

Automated Grading of Angelica sinensis Using Computer Vision and Machine Learning Techniques

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a member of the Umbelliferae family, is commonly known as Danggui (Angelica sinensis, AS). AS has the functions of blood tonic, menstrual pain relief, and laxatives. Accurate classification of AS grades is crucial for efficient market management and consumer health. The commonly used method to classify AS grades depends on the evaluator’s observation and experience. However, this method has issues such as unquantifiable parameters and inconsistent identification results among different evaluators, resulting in a relatively chaotic classification of AS in the market. To address these issues, this study introduced a computer vision-based approach to intelligently grade AS. Images of AS at five grades were acquired, denoised, and segmented, followed by extraction of shape, color, and texture features. Thirteen feature parameters were selected based on difference and correlation analysis, including tail area, whole body area, head diameter, G average, B average, R variances, G variances, B variances, R skewness, G skewness, B skewness, S average, and V average, which exhibited significant differences and correlated with grades. These parameters were then used to train and test both the traditional back propagation neural network (BPNN) and the BPNN model improved with a growing optimizer (GOBPNN). Results showed that the GOBPNN model achieved significantly higher average testing precision, recall, F-score, and accuracy (97.1%, 95.9%, 96.5%, and 95.0%, respectively) compared to the BPNN model. The method combining machine vision technology with GOBPNN enabled efficient, objective, rapid, non-destructive, and cost effective AS grading.