Irrigation Tube Research Articles

Absentee Landowners and their Impact: A Village-Level Study in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

This study investigates the implications of the rise of non-cultivating absentee landowning households within the agrarian economy. A primary survey was conducted across eight villages—four in Telangana and four in Andhra Pradesh—selected based on their irrigation sources, including canals, tube wells or tanks, while dry/rainfed villages were chosen based on rainfall, particularly in drought-affected areas. These selected villages represent a diverse range of agrarian structures seen in broader regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Absentee landowning households have become increasingly significant within the agrarian landscape of the study area. Their proportion is notable, particularly in regions with public irrigation provisions (canals and tanks). In contrast, in drought-affected and tube-well-irrigated regions, a smaller percentage of absentee landowning households reside in urban areas. The study underscores the adverse effects of absentee landowning households on agriculture. These households are often reluctant to sell their land due to expectations of future value appreciation, fixed rental income and benefits from government policies. Consequently, this reluctance leads to a lack of agricultural investment, adversely impacting the agrarian economy.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection with gel immersion technique for superficial esophageal neoplasms.

Gel immersion (GI) endoscopy provides a good visual field in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD); however, its clinical outcomes are poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between esophageal gel immersion endoscopic submucosal dissection (GI-ESD) and conventional ESD (C-ESD) to determine the safety and efficacy of GI-ESD. The data of 71 consecutive patients who underwent esophageal ESD between April 2021 and March 2023 at a Japanese tertiary center were retrospectively reviewed. GI was achieved using an additional irrigation tube. The treatment outcomes between the GI-ESD and C-ESD groups were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to control for confounding factors. A total of 75 superficial esophageal epithelial neoplasms (41 in the C-ESD and 34 in the GI-ESD groups) were treated using ESD. The mean procedure time in the GI-ESD group was significantly shorter than that in the C-ESD group (59.2±36.2 vs 85.3±45.7min, P=0.008). After IPTW adjustment, the mean procedural times were 62.6±36.6 and 82.9±41.7min in the GI-ESD and C-ESD groups, respectively (P=0.037), and the incidence rate of muscle layer damage was 4.2% in the GI-ESD group and 30.6% in the C-ESD group (P=0.001). In the multivariate analysis, specimen size ≥30mm (odds ratio [OR]: 9.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.46-36.30, P=0.001) was positively correlated with longer procedural time (≥90min), whereas GI-ESD (OR: 0.19, 95%CI: 0.05-0.68, P=0.011) showed a negative association. Esophageal GI-ESD may be useful in terms of safety and time efficiency. The GI technique could be an option for esophageal ESD.

Chandelier-assisted bimanual technique for securing infusion in eyes with hazy media.

Hazy media with resultant difficulties in visualisation hamper the surgical approach and outcomes in various vitreoretinal surgical scenarios, including eyes with keratoprosthesis in situ. We propose a novel chandelier-assisted bimanual infusion using a flute needle to overcome the inability to secure infusion safely in such eyes. The surgical technique was performed with the assistance of chandelier illumination. The irrigation tubing from the vitrectomy machine was connected to a flute needle for infusion. A bimanual technique was utilized with the flute needle connected to infusion in one hand and the cutter in the other hand. A 34-year-old monocular male patient with a keratoprosthesis in his seeing eye developed late-onset endophthalmitis with retroprosthetic membranes. The visual acuity had dropped from 20/20 to hand motions. Our novel bimanual technique helped secure infusion safely for vitrectomy. The patient recovered well to a visual acuity of 20/60 with a good anatomical outcome. Early vitrectomy may be essential for ensuring optimal outcomes in certain eyes with endophthalmitis. Surgical intervention in eyes with keratoprosthesis with secondary endophthalmitis is challenging due to difficulties in visualisation. This was overcome in our case with a novel bimanual chandelier-assisted technique for securing infusion.

Irrigation and oil palm empty fruit bunch mulch enhance eggplant growth, radiation interception and dry matter yield

Organic mulching is a well-known management practice that conserves soil water and nutrients as well as increases crop yield. Nonetheless, research on combined organic mulching using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and irrigation is limited. Field-based experiments were conducted over three seasons to test the sole and combined effects of EFB as organic mulch and irrigation on the growth, total dry matter yield (TDMY), accumulated intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (AIPAR), and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) in a low fertile tropical sandy clay loam soil. Air-dried EFB was used as an organic mulch by spreading it on the soil surface at rates of 0 (EFB0), 20 (EFB20), and 40 t ha−1 (EFB40), and either fully-irrigated (I100), deficit-irrigated (I40), or non-irrigated (I0). The I100 plots were irrigated to field capacity (FC) every 3–4 days based on PR2 Profile Probe measurements and the resultant irrigation volume supplied to the plants via drip irrigation tubes. The I40 plots received 40 % of the water given to the I100 plots, and the I0 plots were solely rain-fed. At the end of the third season, the 40 t ha−1 EFB-mulch increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon, potassium, cation exchange capacity, and the soil’s specific surface area. In the first season, all the measured eggplant growth and yield parameters were neither responsive to irrigation only, EFB-mulch only, or both. In the second and third seasons, the EFB20 and EFB40 treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased leaf chlorophyll content index (LCCI), photosystem II (Fv/Fm ratio), absolute performance index (PIabs), TDMY, AIPAR, and RUE compared to the non-mulched control treatment. Soil pH was high in the EFB-mulched plots and correlated positively with TDMY and AIPAR. The I100 significantly improved LCCI, Fv/Fm, PIabs, and TDMY during the second season. In the third season, a highly significant interaction between irrigation and mulching was detected on TDMY, AIPAR, RUE, LCCI, Fv/Fm ratio, and pH (H2O). This indicated a positive effect on soil nutrient availability especially phosphorus as TDMY and AIPAR correlated with soil pH. The I100 and I40 significantly increased AIPAR by 48.1 % and 37.2 %, and RUE by 26.7 % and 11.0 %, respectively, compared to I0 during the third season. The total dry matter yield of the African eggplant was enhanced by EFB-mulch, with the effect increasing over up to three growing seasons, especially when combined with irrigation during dry periods.

Investigation of failure of flexible GI endoscope disinfection because of Burkholderia cepacia contamination in irrigation tubing

Background and AimsThis study aims to identify the cause of disinfection failure of multiple flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes and to enhance the cleaning and disinfection procedures. MethodsSamples from endoscopy devices, surrounding objects, cleaning water, automatic sterilizer, and integrated endoscopic washing workstation in a Digestive Endoscopy Center were collected and analyzed for microbial contamination and DNA/gene contents, between May and July 2021. ResultsThe sample analysis revealed that the sink irrigation tubing of the washing workstation was contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia. After effective disinfection measures, the B. cepacia detection in the disinfected endoscope dropped from 13.23% to 0% (p=0.041). The presence of B. cepacia was confirmed through homology search and gene sequencing. ConclusionsThe primary reason for endoscope disinfection failure is the contamination of the sink irrigation tubing by the B. cepacia bacteria. These findings emphasize the need for thorough cleaning of irrigation tubings in integrated endoscopic washing workstations, which is generally neglected in routine maintanance.

Case Report: Antibiotic Irrigation and Drainage Tube for Managing Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media After Cochlear Implantation.

Cochlear implantation (CI) is the most effective solution for patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, especially in children. However, a major postoperative complication, known as chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), poses challenges for both doctors and families of the patients, which can affect post-CI hearing outcomes. We present the case of post-CI CSOM in a 15-year-old girl. She had been utilizing a unilateral cochlear implant for 7 years and had been experiencing intermittent earache and discharge in her only audible ear for the past 15 months. After antibiotic treatment failed to resolve her symptoms, we opted for a tympanomastoidectomy, and removed the receiver-stimulator package while keeping the electrode inside her cochlea. Simultaneously, we inserted an irrigation and drainage tube into the mastoid and middle ear space to discharge the exudate and control infection by applying topical antibiotics. The patient's ear discharge had resolved within 1 month, and her tympanic membrane healed naturally. Our successful experience shows that antibiotic irrigation and draining have effectively controlled infection and accelerated wound healing in this patient with post-CI CSOM, and it further prompted the patient to undergo bilateral CI 9 months later.

Irrigation and Thermal Buffering Using Mathematical Modeling

Two methods of irrigation, drip, and sprinkler were studied to determine the response of the Javits green roof to irrigation. The control study was dry unirrigated plots. Drip irrigation consisted of irrigation tubes running through the green roof that would water the soil throughout and sprinkler irrigation used a sprinkler system to irrigate the green roof from above. In all cases, the irrigated roofs had increased the soil moisture, reduced temperatures of both the upper and lower surfaces, reduced growing medium temperatures and reduced air temperatures above the green roof relative to the unirrigated roof. The buffered temperature fluctuations were also studied via air conditioner energy consumption. There was a 28% reduction in air conditioner energy consumption and a 33% reduction in overall energy consumption between dry and irrigated plots. Values of thermal resistance or S were determined for accuracy and for this study, there was little change which is ideal. A series of infra-red and thermal probe measurements were used to determine temperatures in the air and sedum. It was determined that the sprinkler irrigation did a better job than the drip irrigation in keeping cooler temperatures within the green roof. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to verify the variation in moisture temperatures buffering energy consumption. By getting a p-value &lt; 0.05, it indicates that the model is accurate for prediction and medium temperatures were statistically different.

Long-Term Effects of Plastic Mulch in a Sandy Loam Soil Used to Cultivate Blueberry in Southern Portugal

Numerous plastic products are used in agriculture, including containers, packaging, tunnels, drip irrigation tubing, and mulches. Large amounts of plastics are used as mulches on the soil surface for vegetable and fruit production (tomato, cucumber, watermelon, strawberry, and vine) to reduce weed competition, increase water and fertilizer use efficiency, and enhance crop yield. Portugal uses around 4500 t/year of polyethylene to cover approximately 23,000 ha of agricultural land, and only a small amount is recovered for recycling or secondary uses because of issues of contamination with the soil, vegetation, pesticides, and fertilizers. Cleaning and decontaminating polyethylene mulch are costly, and commercial technology is often not accessible or economical. Most plastic mulch is composed of polyethylene that degrades slowly and produces a large quantity of residues in the soil, with a negative impact on the environment. In the present study, the effects of long-term cultivation of blueberry using green 100% high-density polyethylene mulch in the south Portugal were evaluated for soil chemical and biological changes. High-density green plastic mulch did not contaminate the topsoil with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and heavy metals, buttotal nitrogen, organic carbon concentrations, electric conductivity, and microbial activity were significantly reduced in the planting row compared with the bare soil without mulching. Furthermore, the presence of plastic mulch did not negatively affect the presence of nematodes, and the number of Rhabditida (bacterial feeders) increased in the planting and covered row.

Factors Affecting Wheat Production in Districts Loralai and Jaffarabad Baluchistan

The present study aims to identify the main factors affecting wheat production in the upper zone of the Loralai District and the plain zone of the Jaffarabad District. Data was collected from the farmers by purposive sampling method. A structured questionnaire was developed for collecting data from the farmers. A total of 85 growers were identified for data collection from the study area. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the significant factors affecting the production of wheat. The yield of wheat was considered a dependent variable. The multiple regression model indicates that the amount of DAP and Urea applied to wheat crops, number of canal irrigation accessible and tube well irrigation availability were significant factors associated with yield of wheat in the study area.

Effect of Modified Peristaltic Phacoemulsification Device on Efficiency and Post-Occlusion Pressure Surge.

To evaluate efficiency of grooving, nuclear fragment removal, and changes in pressure control in the Oertli Faros using traditional peristaltic and Speed and Precision (SPEEP) features. The SPEEP mode uses novel peristaltic technology permitting independent control of flow and vacuum. A porcine lens model was used with an enclosed chamber simulating the anterior segment. Grooving efficiency is evaluated with flow rates of 10, 30, and 50 mL/min using whole lenses. Lens cubes were emulsified at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% power with both SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes. Surge was evaluated with pressure gauges placed on the irrigation tubing and aspiration tubing. Pressure readings were recorded per the following: fluid and vacuum were initiated for 15 seconds, vacuum tubing was occluded for 5 seconds, tubing patency was then re-introduced for 15 seconds. Differences between sensors were recorded. No significant increase in efficiency was seen with increasing flow rate from 30 to 50 mL/min using SPEEP. No significant differences were shown in lens fragment removal in SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes at any power tested. Pressure difference measurements were not significantly different with SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes. We showed that lower flow rates show comparable efficiency of grooving when using the SPEEP mode. The SPEEP function did not show increased efficiency in nuclear fragment removal when compared to traditional mode. Surge control was also comparable with both SPEEP and non-SPEEP modes. We suggest that the SPEEP function included in the Oertli Faros may have some advantages.

Rancang Bangun Sistem Irigasi Tetes dan Monitoring Kualitas Lahan Pertanian Tadah Hujan Berbasis Web

In this study the object studied was rainfed agricultural land, this type of agriculture depends on rainwater so good management is needed in managing the cropping system to produce optimal results. The drip irrigation system can be used when the dry season arrives to support the quality of moisture in the soil and soil quality monitoring is carried out to determine the planting of corn plant seeds. The prototype method is used in designing drip irrigation systems and monitoring the quality of agricultural land. System design using the prototype method is one of the software design techniques used in designing web applications. The application is designed using the PHP programming language and the framework used is CodeIgniter (CI), so the Unified Modeling Language (UML) is designed. Internet of Things uses NodeMCU ESP8266 as a microcontroller that will connect to the web. The results of the sensor test for 30 minutes on soil moisture can be maintained at 40-80% humidity when drip irrigation is running. When the water in the tank runs out and drip irrigation is not running, the soil moisture will decrease by 30%, the soil pH value is at a value of 6-7% and the temperature value is at 21-34 degrees Celsius, the soil quality is suitable for planting corn seeds. The drip irrigation system can be used when the dry season arrives to keep the soil moist and this land monitoring is useful for farmers in determining good land conditions for planting corn seeds. The system design can be further developed by adding sensors to the water control in the drip irrigation tube to measure the amount of water used.

Concentration and Diversification of Crops in Ambedkar Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh, India

People have relied on agriculture as their primary source of income all over the world. More than half of the population of India depends on agriculture for employment and livelihood. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of food grains because of its fertile Gangetic plains, canal irrigation, and government and private tube wells. Social, economic, political, and technological factors also decide crop production in different parts of the state. In this study, calculation and analysis of crop concentration and crop diversification in Ambedkar Nagar district have been done for 2000 and 2018 to investigate the changing relations between land, humans, and the environment. Crop concentration is calculated using Jasbir Singh's method, whereas crop diversification is calculated using the Gibbs and Martin method. Crop concentrations of crops like rice, wheat, and pulses are increasing, while crop concentrations of sugarcane are decreasing. Crop concentration in Ambedkar Nagar district shows changing trends from 2000 to 2018, crop diversification also follows the same pattern. The high crop concentration of food crops and the high crop diversification index show that agriculture is still the primary occupation and source of income and livelihood in the district.

An integrated weed management approach in tomato using soil steaming, mulching, and winter cover crops

One of the most significant yield losses in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is due to weeds. Yellow and purple nutsedge, large crabgrass, and Palmer amaranth are the most troublesome weed species in tomato production throughout the southeastern United States. This study aimed to determine the impact of soil steaming, plastic mulching, and cover crops on weed suppression, tomato height, and fruit yield. The cover crops used were hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and cereal rye (Secale cereale). The study was conducted at the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, USA. The experiment used a completely randomized block design with three fall cover crop treatments, including fallow, and each was replicated three times and repeated in two years. Each plot was broadcasted with a mixture of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.), large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), and Palmer amaranth [Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Watson] at a density of 20 plants m-2 for each weed species. Two days after sowing the weed seeds, the soil surface was steamed according to its assigned treatment until it reached 61°C for either 0, 5, or 20 min. After steaming, drip irrigation tubing was laid on each row, and covered by black, 0.0254-mm plastic mulch. Data were recorded in both years, including weed cover, plant height, and fruit yield. The lowest weed cover was observed at 5 min of soil steaming in mulched treatment, and the highest cover was noted at 0 min of soil steaming in the absence of mulching. Yellow nutsedge was the dominant weed species, even under steam and mulch treatments. The use of cover crops did not show a difference compared to fallow treatments. However, hairy vetch showed the lowest weed cover, followed by crimson clover. Tomato plants in steamed soil were up to 13 cm taller than those in unsteamed soils. Additionally, steaming at 5 or 20 min in combination with plastic mulch increased the marketable and cull yield. Soil steaming and mulching increased tomato plant height and yield while decreasing weed population and can, therefore, be effectively incorporated into an integrated weed management program in tomato.

Local hardware hypothermia influence on the physiological processes

Relevance. Cold vasodilation is a response to a decrease in local and general temperature. Dose-controlled hypothermia is a therapeutic method for treating various pathological processes. Materials and Methods. In our study, we analyzed various indicators of the general condition of the human body under the influence of local controlled hypothermia. The study involved 25 healthy volunteers from the age of 21 to 34, including 14 males and 11 females. The study was carried out at a constant temperature of 25 ºС, relative humidity of 30 ± 5%, and an atmospheric pressure of 765mm Hg in silence and moderate illumination. The instruments of these indicators were bio-impedancemetry, angioscanning, as well as general thermometry. We also performed local thermometry of the buccal mucosa to identify temperature correlations between local hypothermia and buccal mucosa temperature. Local сontrolled hypothermia of the face was carried out by applying an elastic mask to the subject’s face. The mask had a system of irrigation tubes connected to the «ViTherm» device, which cooled the liquid and maintained its circulation. Due to the circulation of the cooled liquid in the mask the face was cooled. The mask covered the parotid-chewing, buccal, zygomatic, and infraorbital regions on the right and left. LCG lasted 50 minutes, and the circulating fluid temperature was 18 ºС. Results and Discussion. The effect of local controlled hypothermia at 18-20 °C did not affect vital signs in healthy adults: active cell mass, electrical reactance, extracellular fluid, oxygen saturation, the duration of systole. pulse. general temperature. At the same time, a decrease in tissue hydration was recorded. The revealed physiological effect of local hypothermia justifies using this temperature regime to reduce postoperative edema. Conclusion. Due to the absence of negative effects of local controlled hypothermia on the vital signs of the human body, the development and application of this tool in clinical practice, including the dental surgeon. is relevant.

Determination of Irrigation Flowrate During Flexible Ureteroscopy: Methods for Calculation Using Renal Pelvis Pressure.

Background: Proper control of irrigation flowrate during ureteroscopy is important to manage thermal and pressure risks. This task is challenging because flowrate is not directly measured by commercially available ureteroscopic or fluid management systems. However, flowrate can be calculated using a hydrodynamic relationship based on measurable values during ureteroscopy. Objectives of this in vitro study were to (1) calculate inflow resistance for different working channel conditions and then using these values and (2) calculate irrigation flowrate and determine its accuracy across a range of renal pelvis pressures. Materials and Methods: A 16 L container was filled with deionized water and connected by irrigation tubing to a 9.6F single-use ureteroscope. Inflow resistance was determined by plotting flowrate (mass of fluid collected from ureteroscope tip in 60 seconds) vs irrigation pressure (range 0-200 cmH2O). Next, the tip of the ureteroscope was inserted into the renal pelvis of a silicone kidney-ureter model and renal pelvis pressure was measured. In conjunction with the previously determined inflow resistance and known irrigation pressure values, flowrate was calculated and compared with experimentally measured values. All trials were performed in triplicate for working channel conditions: empty, 200 μm laser fiber, 365 μm laser fiber, and 1.9F stone basket. Results: Flowrate was linearly dependent on irrigation pressure for each working channel condition. Inflow resistance was determined to be 5.0 cmH2O/(mL/min) with the 200 μm laser fiber in the working channel and calculated flowrates were within 1 mL/min of measured flowrates. Similar results were seen with a 365 μm laser fiber, and 1.9F basket. Conclusions: Utilizing renal pelvis pressure measurements, flowrate was accurately calculated across a range of working channel conditions and irrigation pressures. Incorporation of this methodology into future ureteroscopic systems that measure intrarenal pressure could provide a real-time readout of flowrate for the urologist and thereby enhance safety and efficiency of laser lithotripsy.

Additional irrigation tube with therapeutic endoscope to aid gel immersion endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Additional irrigation tube with therapeutic endoscope to aid gel immersion endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Natural Repellents as a Method of Preventing Ant Damage to Microirrigation Systems.

Simple SummaryAnts play an essential role in most agroecosystems. However, these insects can occasionally be detrimental to agricultural microirrigation equipment by chewing on tubing parts and causing uneven water distribution along the crops. One of the alternatives traditionally proposed to avoid this damage is the incorporation of substances into the tube material that deter or reduce chewing activity. However, the few attempts made prior to this research were unsuccessful due to the unsuitability of the selected substances and the methods used to integrate them into the tubing. In this study, we assessed the protective efficacy of this method in pipes used for subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). Unlike traditional attempts, we selected nontoxic compounds previously proven to be repellent against ants and integrated them into drip tubing through complex processes such as plastic compounding, injection and extrusion. The use of this type of tubing in a crop where significant ant damage is often reported revealed minimum damage when compared to control tubing containing no repellent additives. This suggests the efficiency of this method in providing protection against ants, but further studies are recommended prior to the commercialization of the designed system.Ants are important because they damage agricultural equipment, including microirrigation systems. The aim of this research was to assess the efficiency of the incorporation of repellents in drip irrigation tubing as a method of protection against ant damage. Unlike previous studies, we tested a series of nontoxic compounds that are repellent to ants. First, we assessed their repellent effects on a local ant species via olfactometer trials. Then, the candidates showing the best results (cinnamon essential oil, p-anisaldehyde and ethyl anthranilate) were incorporated via compounding, injection and extrusion to polyethylene tubing to test their efficiency in the field. Field tests showed high damage levels in the control tubing containing no repellents, presumably caused by up to six different ant species (Cardiocondyla batesii, Plagiolepis pygmaea, P. schmitzii, Solenopsis sp., Tapinoma nigerrimum and Tetramorium semilaeve). In contrast, the pipes containing the three selected compounds remained almost intact, with the treatment including ethyl anthranilate showing no damage at all. These results suggest the strong repellent potential of the selected compounds, even when integrated into plastic, as well as the apparent success of the proposed methodology against the damage caused by ants. The diversity of damage-causing agents that exist in or above the soil strongly encourages further studies to determine the overall efficiency of repellents in protecting irrigation pipes.

Annealing Time Effect on Intermetallic Compounds of Hot Dip Galvanizing Coating

The use of zinc coatings deposited onto steel is one of the most important commercial processing techniques employed to protect steel components exposed to severe corrosive environments. Our objective is to improve the coated galvanizing steel used as irrigation tube in the agriculture field. After the best mechanical and chemical preparation, the substrates of this steel were galvanized by immersion in a molten zinc bath heated at 450°C during 15 min. the coated steel substrates underwent an annealing treatment in classical furnace heated at 350 °C for various holding times. This research work is to investigate the time effect of annealing treatment on intermetallic compounds of coatings obtained by hot dip galvanizing steel. For this purpose, several characterization means are used to evaluate the change effected by the annealing time on the phases of galvanizing coating. The kinetic growth of each layer relates the thickness to the annealing time by a simple power law. The treatment of annealing at temperature of 350 °C and holding time of 150 min can changed the structural and mechanical properties of coating phases. The gamma and delta layers presented the hard inner layers became relatively soft phases which would not lead to cracking and detachment of the coating.

Effects of spatial and temporal regulation of drip emitters and tube configurations on water productivity of juvenile macadamia trees in the tropics

SummaryMacadamia in Australia is traditionally grown in semi-arid climates with hot and humid summers and cool winters supporting rainfed cultivation. Recent industry expansion into more northern, drier production areas of Queensland, Australia, requires supplementary irrigation for successful macadamia production. However, ever-increasing demand for irrigation water in these areas is both competitive and regulated. Limited information is available to optimize water use efficiency for field-grown macadamia trees. We trialled a technique that employs specially designed drip tubes with push-in emitter plugs to close emitters so that transplanting can start with emitters closed distant from tree bases and open next to the trunks of each tree. Additional emitters are then gradually opened (i.e., plugs are removed) as tree canopy size increases over subsequent years. This technique was tested on single and double in-line irrigation tube configurations per row of macadamia. Temporal regulation of emitter closure significantly reduced irrigation input by 75, 50 and 25% in the first, second and third year of treatment. Hence, irrigation over the three-year establishment period was reduced to one-half that of the non-regulated crop. These early reductions of irrigation in juvenile trees had no significant negative effects on plant growth (height, canopy spread, leaf chlorophyll and leaf photosynthetic rates), nor on nut counts. Control of emitter discharge between the plants along the row in the earlier stage (i.e., before complete within-row canopy cover) also reduced weed growth between the trees in the row. Notable growth advantages of the single in-line over the double in-line tube configuration were evident, with a non-significant but sizeable benefit on nut counts too. Effects of the temporal regulation of emitters and of in-line tube configurations must be validated on cultivars with differing water requirements and for the longer-term reproductive performance and nut quality.

Facial Nerve Palsy After Ear Infection: A Case Report

<strong>Introduction:</strong> The incidence of acute mastoiditis, a common complication of otitis media, has significantly decreased with the emergence of antibiotic therapy [1]. Classical symptoms of acute mastoiditis include fever, irritability, otalgia, swelling of the mastoid area, and retroauricular erythema [2]. Delay in appropriate antibiotic treatment of mastoiditis may lead to intracranial and extracranial complications. Facial nerve paralysis is a rare complication of otomastoiditis with different pathophysiologic mechanisms postulated [3]. Extensive literature search showed cases of lower motor neuron involvement of the facial nerve in affected patients. We report an unusual case of mastoiditis without fever complicated by epidural abscess and upper motor neuron facial nerve palsy in a previously healthy adolescent. <strong>Case Presentation:</strong> A 13-year-old male presented with painful progressive swelling behind his left ear of 5 days duration. Symptoms had started 2 weeks prior with complaints of left ear pain, and he was diagnosed with impacted cerumen and prescribed topical hydrogen peroxide. There was no history of fever, ear discharge, hearing loss or change in neurologic status. On admission, physical examination showed 4x4 cm tender swelling over the left mastoid region with forward displacement of the pinna and cerumen impaction. Neurological assessment was normal. Laboratory investigations showed peripheral leukocytosis (12,200 cells/uL) with neutrophilia (74%), and elevated c-reactive protein (87 mg/L). Head CT scan showed acute coalescent left mastoiditis with small left epidural abscess formation, displacing the left sigmoid sinus medially, and a developing left mastoid subperiosteal abscess (see <em><strong>Figure 1</strong></em>). A diagnosis of acute mastoiditis was made, and he was commenced on intravenous ceftriaxone and vancomycin with resultant decrease in size of the swelling and normalization of inflammatory markers. On the third day of admission, the patient developed mild right-sided facial asymmetry with sparing of the upper part of the face. Ceftriaxone was changed to piperacillin-tazobactam for broader-spectrum anerobic and gram-negative coverage. Otolaryngology evaluation revealed Bezold’s abscess requiring mastoidectomy. The father initially declined, given improvement in the patient’s symptoms, but consented to wide myringotomy and placement of a short-term myringotomy tube for further drainage and middle ear irrigation. Samples of pus collected were sent for aerobic, anaerobic, mycobacterial, and fungal cultures which all came back negative except for scant growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis. MRI done on the second post-operative day showed severe coalescent left otomastoiditis, mild meningeal enhancement compatible with meningitis along the left lateral temporal lobe, and a small sliver of epidural abscess along the left infratemporal fossa (see <em><strong>Figure 2</strong></em>). Antibiotic treatment was escalated from Piperacillin-tazobactam to meropenem to provide a broader gram-negative and anaerobic coverage. At this point, father consented, and patient underwent mastoidectomy with craniotomy and epidural abscess drainage. Patient received 14 days of parenteral antibiotics. He showed clinical and radiological improvement on repeat MRI, facial asymmetry resolved and patient was discharged home in stable condition to complete 1-month of oral antibiotics (levofloxacin + amoxicillin-clavulanate) with subsequent outpatient follow-up. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Mastoiditis is a complication of otitis media that can lead to potentially life-threatening intracranial complications. Interestingly, the patient developed rightsided facial asymmetry sparing the upper part of the face suggesting a left upper motor neuron facial nerve palsy with involvement of the contralateral face. This finding is unique to our case, and to our knowledge has not been described in literature. A plausible anatomic explanation is the involvement of ipsilateral corticobulbar tract with subsequent interruption of the main input to the lower portion of contralateral facial nerve nucleus which controls the muscles of the lower face [4]. This results in sparing of the upper facial muscles characteristic of upper motor neuron lesion. Appropriate antibiotic treatment with surgical intervention led to complete resolution of symptoms.