Journal articles on the topic 'Incomplete Block Plans'

For asynchronous Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), this research suggests an ideal Balanced Incomplete Block Design (BIBD) extended design based neighbour finding technique. The algorithm takes use of the characteristics of BIBD extended designs to build a series of transmission plans that guarantee effective neighbour detection with little energy consumption and delay. Simulations are used to test the proposed algorithm, and the results show that it significantly outperforms previous approaches in terms of energy usage, latency, and scalability. The value of this study is in the innovative neighbour finding algorithm that it proposes, which overcomes the drawbacks of existing approaches and provides a scalable and energy-efficient solution for large-scale WSNs. The suggested technique may be used in a variety of settings, including environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and healthcare, where accurate and timely data gathering and processing depend on efficient neighbour detection. The suggested algorithm is implemented step by step in the technique section along with the relevant equations and tables. The simulation results for sample input data are shown in the results section along with pertinent tables and graphs. The results are outlined in the conclusion section, which also emphasises the importance of the suggested method. Overall, the suggested technique provides a viable option for rapid neighbour detection in WSNs, potentially having repercussions for a broad variety of applications.

Many AI researchers are today striving to build agent teams for complex, dynamic multi-agent domains, with intended applications in arenas such as education, training, entertainment, information integration, and collective robotics. Unfortunately, uncertainties in these complex, dynamic domains obstruct coherent teamwork. In particular, team members often encounter differing, incomplete, and possibly inconsistent views of their environment. Furthermore, team members can unexpectedly fail in fulfilling responsibilities or discover unexpected opportunities. Highly flexible coordination and communication is key in addressing such uncertainties. Simply fitting individual agents with precomputed coordination plans will not do, for their inflexibility can cause severe failures in teamwork, and their domain-specificity hinders reusability. Our central hypothesis is that the key to such flexibility and reusability is providing agents with general models of teamwork. Agents exploit such models to autonomously reason about coordination and communication, providing requisite flexibility. Furthermore, the models enable reuse across domains, both saving implementation effort and enforcing consistency. This article presents one general, implemented model of teamwork, called STEAM. The basic building block of teamwork in STEAM is joint intentions (Cohen & Levesque, 1991b); teamwork in STEAM is based on agents' building up a (partial) hierarchy of joint intentions (this hierarchy is seen to parallel Grosz & Kraus's partial SharedPlans, 1996). Furthermore, in STEAM, team members monitor the team's and individual members' performance, reorganizing the team as necessary. Finally, decision-theoretic communication selectivity in STEAM ensures reduction in communication overheads of teamwork, with appropriate sensitivity to the environmental conditions. This article describes STEAM's application in three different complex domains, and presents detailed empirical results.

Data from three ryegrass spaced plant variety trials conducted at Crossnacreevy, Co. Down in each of 1989, 1990 and 1991 were investigated for evidence of spatial dependence. Spatial dependence was most evident in variates measuring the overall dimensions of the plants, especially late season variates. However, the ‘date of ear emergence’ variate, which identifies most of the variety distinctnesses that the trials are intended to detect, was not spatially dependent. On average, 45% of the residual variation in the plot means of the spatially dependent variates was estimated to be of a spatial nature. Consequently, it is likely that the efficiency of analysis of these variates would be improved by using spatial analysis instead of non-spatial analysis or by using alpha (incomplete block) designs instead of complete block designs. The spatial information was used to determine the optimal incomplete block sizes and the likely increase in efficiency due to using alpha designs instead of complete block designs. The optimal incomplete block size for a trial with 10 plants per plot was compared with the optimal incomplete block size for the same trial with single plant plots at the same spacing and was found to be smaller. The gains in efficiency were larger in the trial with 10 plants per plot than in the trial with single plant plots.

Experimental designs that efficiently embed a fixed effects treatment structure within a random effects design structure typically require a mixed-model approach to data analyses. Although mixed model software tailored for the analysis of two-color microarray data is increasingly available, much of this software is generally not capable of correctly analyzing the elaborate incomplete block designs that are being increasingly proposed and used for factorial treatment structures. That is, optimized designs are generally unbalanced as it pertains to various treatment comparisons, with different specifications of experimental variability often required for different treatment factors. This paper uses a publicly available microarray dataset, as based upon an efficient experimental design, to demonstrate a proper mixed model analysis of a typical unbalanced factorial design characterized by incomplete blocks and hierarchical levels of variability.

Algorithmic approach principles relating to development and use of wireless sensor network (WSS) key spaces are formulated based on an analysis of the keys management peculiarities. The formulated principles, which meet certain requirements for the WSS key spaces, have been elaborated proceeding from the assumption that their structure corresponds to one of the varieties of combinatorial block diagrams: cyclic or acyclic projective plane, linear or quadratic transversal block diagrams. Owing to the WSS having a distributed configuration, it becomes possible to avoid the need to construct a combinatorial block diagram in full scope, and the required blocks are computed, whenever necessary, in scaling the network (in adding new nodes) or when determining, in a decentralized manner, the switching parameters of specific nodes. To do so, it is necessary to have algorithms for computing the blocks of the combinatorial block diagram (as the sets of key numbers allocated to a given node) and dual blocks (as the sets of the numbers of nodes to which keys are assigned with the numbers coinciding with the numbers of dual blocks), as well as algorithms for solving derived problems: computing of the key numbers common to two nodes and the number of the node that has a common key with one of two nodes and, possibly, another key with the other one. These problems are solved by using the numbering of elements, blocks and dual blocks in accordance with the proposed duality rule: sets of elements and dual blocks are in one-to-one correspondence by numbering; the dual block with a specified number contains the numbers of blocks containing elements with this number. Distributed (independent) calculation of blocks is carried out on the basis of algebraic identifiers computed by block numbers. In addition to the possible absence of a physical connection between the nodes, the inadmissibility of using separate (compromised) keys is taken into account, and the incomplete furnishing of the network nodes with keys, as well as the incompleteness of the system implementation as a whole. Algorithms for computing the switching parameters of two nodes in designing the WSS and an algorithm for computer modeling of the calculation of such parameters during the WSS operation subject to the specified constraints and in using any of the above types of combinatorial block diagrams are presented.

Randomized Block Design (RBD) is commonly employed to evaluate a set of germplasm accessions (test treatments) along with local checks. In such a trial, if the test treatments under evaluation are more in number and the availability of the seeds is limited, then an alternate experimental design has to be employed. As a remedy, Balanced Incomplete Block Design (BIBD), which estimates treatments contrasts with more precision and the treatments are not repeated in all the blocks, unlike RBD, may be used. Such a constructed layout, not only saves the precious seed material of the test treatments, but also directly reduces the cost of all the related inputs such as labour, water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. Foregoing thoughts were elucidated in the evaluation of 100 accessions of okra along with four check varieties (Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Parbhani Kranti and PB-7) evaluated using Augmented BIB Design with six blocks in the Division of Vegetable crops at I.I.H.R., Bangalore during Kharif 2005. Results showed that by adopting BIB experimental design, instead of regular complete block design 60.2% of the land area required for conducting germplasm evaluation in Okra had been reduced.

“The secret of success is constancy of purpose” – Benjamin Disraeli, British politician Success and failure go side by side in regional anesthesia. No anesthesiologist can claim a 100% success record while giving nerve blocks. Hence, it is always better to focus on how to prevent causes of block failure rather than focusing on managing a failed block. Abdallah and Brull did a comprehensive literature hunt to find out the meaning of block “success” which were used by various authors in their studies and found that it was highly variable and there was lack of consensus regarding its meaning [1]. The most common definition of block success was an achievement of a surgical block within a designated period. There are essentially four stakeholders for defining success criteria: Namely the patient, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the hospital administrator. The various parameters of success for a patient which included post-operative pain and patient satisfaction were evaluated in four trials only. The anesthesiologist-related indicators such as block onset time and complications were reported most frequently. The surgeon and hospital administrator-related indicators were not collected in any trial. For all practical purposes, especially from our perspective, a block failure may be accepted when complying with any one of the following after giving an adequate time of approximately 30 min: Conversion to general anesthesia (GA) after surgical incision. Use of intravenous (IV) opioid analgesics ≥100 μg fentanyl or equivalent after incision. Rescue peripheral nerve block given (a second block after completion of an initial block). Infiltration of local anesthetic agent (LA) into the surgical site. The above four criteria are routinely recorded in medical records and have also been accepted in previous research papers. We may have (a) a total failure which is defined as block where bolus of LA completely misses its target and surgery cannot proceed, (b) an incomplete block where patient has numbness in the area of nerve distribution but not adequate for incision, (c) a patchy block in which some areas in distribution of plexus usually have escaped, (d) a wear off block or secondary failure seen when surgery outlasts the duration of block, and (e) a misdirected block is when part or whole of the drug is injected into the neighboring structures, for example, into a different fascial or muscular plane or a vessel. Morgan had stated that “Regional anesthesia always works – provided you put the right dose of the right drug in the right place.” Failure occurs due to blocking the wrong nerve or not blocking all the nerves for planned surgery. Three primary keys to successful regional anesthesia are, therefore, nerve location, nerve location, and nerve location! – N.M. Denny. Every anesthesiologist must “pause” just before placing the needle at the site of nerve block. While doing so, he re-confirms the patient’s identity, the intended procedure and the correct side of the intended nerve block. There are numerous factors which play a crucial role in the success or failure of a peripheral nerve block. The operator’s technical skills and experience play a substantial role. An unskilled anesthesiologist is perhaps the biggest cause of failure. It has been found that exposure to multiple techniques at the same time is confusing for the beginner. A pearl of wisdom is that one should avoid “over-selling” regional anesthesia (RA) techniques in the initial days of their independent practice. Dr. Gaston Labat in 1924 had wisely sermoned that “A thorough knowledge of the descriptive and topographic anatomy with regard to nerve distribution is a condition which anyone desirous of attempting to study regional anesthesia should fulfill.” If ultrasound (US) is being used, then knowledge of sono-anatomy is equally essential. Gross anatomic distortion will, however, remain a challenge to the success of nerve blocks. It is essential to give appropriate blocks for appropriate surgery. According to Hilton’s Law, the nerve trunk innervating a joint also supplies the overlying skin and the muscles that move that joint, and one must block all the nerves for a successful block. On the contrary, one must also understand the limitations of a particular nerve plexus block and the most common nerves that may be spared in a plexus block. It is better to choose one technique, become familiar, confident and comfortable with it and stay with the technique for a reasonable time, rather than trying unfamiliar nerve block techniques at the first go. Sub-optimal placement of LA in landmark-based technique leads to the highly variable success rate of these blocks. Using proper equipment is always advisable, and both peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) and US have been validated to increase success rates in multiple studies. Block success rates are similar between US and PNS when the block was performed by experts [2]. Whatever the equipment, knowing and familiarizing with it is a bare minimum requirement. While using a nerve stimulator, the current intensity is essentially the most important factor. An evoked motor response at a current of ≤0.5 mA (0.3–0.5 mA) ensures a successful nerve block. Knowledge of an appropriate motor response of the innervating nerve is crucial for the success of the nerve block, and any non-ideal motor responses will increase the failure rates. In recent times, everybody is laying emphasis in US-guided blocks and the target nerve is no longer invisible. Does US-guided blocks lead to a 100% success? Sites et al. identified 398 of 520 peripheral nerve block errors committed by the US novices during their performance [3]. The crux is that the US may not eliminate failures completely. The major limitation of US technology is the dependence on the operator. One needs adequate training and has a definite curve in honing the skills. The most common errors during US-guided blocks are too much of hand motions while holding the needle or probe, poor choice of needle-insertion site and angle, difficulty in aligning needle with the US-beam thus preventing needle visualization, failure to recognize needle tip before injection, anatomic artifacts (tissue resembling target nerve), and failure to recognize maldistribution of LA [4]. Combination of US and PNS (Dual guidance), for nerve identification and blockade, has also been proposed. Using both facilitates learning, improve trainee performance and provide an increased level of confidence and comfort. For superficial blocks, US alone is usually sufficient and PNS may be used to monitor for an overlooked intraneural placement. For deep or anatomically challenging US-guided blocks with inadequate images, PNS can be used to identify the nerve structures of interest. Multi-stimulation, a technique where each component of the nerve plexus is stimulated separately has been proved to increase the success rate and reduce the dose of LA. It, however, requires multiple passes or multiple skin punctures with the block needle. The best results are seen for the infra-clavicular block, mid-humeral block, axillary block, popliteal or sciatic block, and most US-guided nerve blocks. No additional risk of nerve injury during redirection of the needle through partially anesthetized nerves has been reported. Excessively anxious or an uncooperative patient, patients with any mental illness are not the ideal candidates for RA. The patient’s anxiety may affect the anesthesiologist adversely making him anxious, denting his confidence, and consequently ruining his chances of a successful nerve block (Table 1) [5]. Underlying comorbidities in the patient such as obesity, arthritis, and diabetes may affect positioning, access, nerve localization, and identification. A history of a good previous experience of anesthesia or surgery is predictive of a more relaxed patient and a successful block. The management in such patients comprises good pre-operative counseling with a gentle, unhurried patient handling. Subsequent management may include use of a light anxiolytic premedication, followed with lifting drapes off patient’s eyes, shielding of the ears from noise, and applying headphones with soft music in the operation theaters (OT) (Fig. 1). Patients may still claim that their block has failed due to the conscious awareness of OT settings and “sensations” transmitted through unblocked nerve fibers. IV analgesia or sedation with appropriate monitoring for relieving anxiety and pain is essential and considered “standard care” and should not be considered as a failure. Drugs are an important factor for the success of nerve blocks. Usage of a sufficient volume and appropriate concentration of LA solution is the key to a successful nerve block. Too much of volume or concentration of LA may lead to an enhanced risk of side effects rather than increasing efficacy. Likewise, too less of volume or concentration of LA increase chances of failure. The anesthesiologist should always check for wrong dispensing and expiry date of drug personally, before proceeding with the nerve block. Mixing of LA is often misinterpreted to provide significant advantages such as prolongation of the block duration and decreased toxicity; instead, they provide effects which only mimic an intermediate acting agent with higher chances of toxicity. Isolated case reports professing very low volumes of LA must be taken in the right context and should not be made the universal rule. Perineural opioid and non-opioid adjuvants prolong the duration of the block, but none have prolonged duration >24 h. Alkalinization does not improve the block success rate. The adjuvants allow only dose reductions of LA, rather than preventing block failure. The environment where anaesthesiologists who are in a hurry or work under undue pressure, often face higher failure rates . Organizational changes like instituting a “block room” for RA will improve success. Indirectly it will lead to standardization of block procedures in that institution as well. In addition, an area separate from the operation table allows adequate time to test and top up ineffective blocks. Block rooms are a novel way of pooling of expertise, thus allowing excellent teaching opportunities for trainees. Poor ergonomics lead to increased fatigue and poor performance, especially among anesthesia residents and novice operators using US-guided blocks [6]. Our teammates (specifically surgeon’s) personality and their technical skills play a role in the selection of the type of anesthesia, nerve block technique, choice of drug, and need of adjuvants. An uncooperative surgeon is a strong predictor of failure of the nerve blocks. One should always discuss with the surgeon about the surgical plan, site of incision, area to be operated, and position of the patient during surgery. A clinical pearl is not to allow surgeons and OT staff to interrupt while one is giving the block as it will invariably increase the anxiety level. Once a patient is in the OT, the momentum shifts in favor of performing the surgery and only a few surgeons (including mine) have the patience to wait for the block to work. Allowing adequate “soak time” (time for a block to take effect) is mandatory for a block to be successful. 30 min are considered the minimum waiting time before calling any block a failure. Once an incomplete block has been diagnosed preoperatively, the management options are re-block, additional injections or rescue blocks, a different nerve block, spinal, or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in lower limb surgeries, systemic analgesia with opioids or adjuvants, local infiltration anesthesia, and GA success and failure go side by side in regional anesthesia. No anesthesiologist can claim a 100% success record while giving nerve blocks. Hence, it is always better to focus on how to prevent causes of block failure rather than focusing on managing a failed block. Abdallah and Brull did a comprehensive literature hunt to find out the meaning of block “success” which were used by various authors in their studies and found that it was highly variable and there was lack of consensus regarding its meaning [1]. The most common definition of block success was an achievement of a surgical block within a designated period. There are essentially four stakeholders for defining success criteria: Namely the patient, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the hospital administrator. The various parameters of success for a patient which included post-operative pain and patient satisfaction were evaluated in four trials only. The anesthesiologist-related indicators such as block onset time and complications were reported most frequently. The surgeon and hospital administrator-related indicators were not collected in any trial. For all practical purposes, especially from our perspective, a block failure may be accepted when complying with any one of the following after giving an adequate time of approximately 30 min: Conversion to general anesthesia (GA) after surgical incision. Use of intravenous (IV) opioid analgesics ≥100 μg fentanyl or equivalent after incision. Rescue peripheral nerve block given (a second block after completion of an initial block). Infiltration of local anesthetic agent (LA) into the surgical site. The above four criteria are routinely recorded in medical records and have also been accepted in previous research papers. We may have (a) a total failure which is defined as block where bolus of LA completely misses its target and surgery cannot proceed, (b) an incomplete block where patient has numbness in the area of nerve distribution but not adequate for incision, (c) a patchy block in which some areas in distribution of plexus usually have escaped, (d) a wear off block or secondary failure seen when surgery outlasts the duration of block, and (e) a misdirected block is when part or whole of the drug is injected into the neighboring structures, for example, into a different fascial or muscular plane or a vessel. Morgan had stated that “Regional anesthesia always works – provided you put the right dose of the right drug in the right place.” Failure occurs due to blocking the wrong nerve or not blocking all the nerves for planned surgery. Three primary keys to successful regional anesthesia are, therefore, nerve location, nerve location, and nerve location! – N.M. Denny. Every anesthesiologist must “pause” just before placing the needle at the site of nerve block. While doing so, he re-confirms the patient’s identity, the intended procedure and the correct side of the intended nerve block. There are numerous factors which play a crucial role in the success or failure of a peripheral nerve block. The operator’s technical skills and experience play a substantial role. An unskilled anesthesiologist is perhaps the biggest cause of failure. It has been found that exposure to multiple techniques at the same time is confusing for the beginner. A pearl of wisdom is that one should avoid “over-selling” regional anesthesia (RA) techniques in the initial days of their independent practice. Dr. Gaston Labat in 1924 had wisely sermoned that “A thorough knowledge of the descriptive and topographic anatomy with regard to nerve distribution is a condition which anyone desirous of attempting to study regional anesthesia should fulfill.” If ultrasound (US) is being used, then knowledge of sono-anatomy is equally essential. Gross anatomic distortion will, however, remain a challenge to the success of nerve blocks. It is essential to give appropriate blocks for appropriate surgery. According to Hilton’s Law, the nerve trunk innervating a joint also supplies the overlying skin and the muscles that move that joint, and one must block all the nerves for a successful block. On the contrary, one must also understand the limitations of a particular nerve plexus block and the most common nerves that may be spared in a plexus block. It is better to choose one technique, become familiar, confident and comfortable with it and stay with the technique for a reasonable time, rather than trying unfamiliar nerve block techniques at the first go. Sub-optimal placement of LA in landmark-based technique leads to the highly variable Agree n (%) Disagree n (%) Patients’ anxiety is common during regional anesthesia 36 (33) 74 (67) Anxiety is mostly pre-operative 69 (62) 41 (38) Patients’ anxiety concerns me a lot 25 (23) 85 (77) I underestimate patients’ anxiety 49 (44) 61 (55) I am always prepared to manage patients’ anxiety 66 (60) 44 (40) Patients’ anxiety may affect my anxiety 59 (53) 51 (46) Patients’ anxiety affects my confidence in performing regional anesthesia 39 (35) 71 (65) Patients’ anxiety may affect block success 63 (57) 47 (43) Differing advice from surgeon and anesthesiologist increases patient anxiety 100 (90) 10 (9) n: Number of respondents who agree/disagree with the statements; %: Percentages Table 1: Anesthesiologists perception of patients’ anxiety, its frequency and effects during regional anesthesia. (Adapted from Jlala et al., Anaesthesiologists’ perception of patients’ anxiety under regional anesthesia. Local and Regional Anesthesia 2010 success rate of these blocks. Using proper equipment is always advisable, and both peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) and US have been validated to increase success rates in multiple studies. Block success rates are similar between US and PNS when the block was performed by experts [2]. Whatever the equipment, knowing and familiarizing with it is a bare minimum requirement. While using a nerve stimulator, the current intensity is essentially the most important factor. An evoked motor response at a current of ≤0.5 mA (0.3–0.5 mA) ensures a successful nerve block. Knowledge of an appropriate motor response of the innervating nerve is crucial for the success of the nerve block, and any non-ideal motor responses will increase the failure rates. In recent times, everybody is laying emphasis in US-guided blocks and the target nerve is no longer invisible. Does US-guided blocks lead to a 100% success? Sites et al. identified 398 of 520 peripheral nerve block errors committed by the US novices during their performance [3]. The crux is that the US may not eliminate failures completely. The major limitation of US technology is the dependence on the operator. One needs adequate training and has a definite curve in honing the skills. The most common errors during US-guided blocks are too much of hand motions while holding the needle or probe, poor choice of needle insertion site and angle, difficulty in aligning needle with the US-beam thus preventing needle visualization, failure to recognize needle tip before injection, anatomic artifacts (tissue resembling target nerve), and failure to recognize maldistribution of LA [4]. Combination of US and PNS (Dual guidance), for nerve identification and blockade, has also been proposed. Using both facilitates learning, improve trainee performance and provide an increased level of confidence and comfort. For superficial blocks, US alone is usually sufficient and PNS may be used to monitor for an overlooked intraneural placement. For deep or anatomically challenging US-guided blocks with inadequate images, PNS can be used to identify the nerve structures of interest. Multi-stimulation, a technique where each component of the nerve plexus is stimulated separately has been proved to increase the success rate and reduce the dose of LA. It, however, requires multiple passes or multiple skin punctures with the block needle. The best results are seen for the infra-clavicular block, mid-humeral block, axillary block, popliteal or sciatic block, and most US-guided nerve blocks. No additional risk of nerve injury during redirection of the needle through partially anesthetized nerves has been reported. Excessively anxious or an uncooperative patient, patients with any mental illness are not the ideal candidates for RA. The patient’s anxiety may affect the anesthesiologist adversely making him anxious, denting his confidence, and consequently ruining his chances of a successful nerve block (Table 1) [5]. Underlying comorbidities in the patient such as obesity, arthritis, and diabetes may affect positioning, access, nerve localization, and identification. A history of a good previous experience of anesthesia or surgery is predictive of a more relaxed patient and a successful block. The management in such patients comprises good pre-operative counseling with a gentle, unhurried patient handling. Subsequent management may include use of a light anxiolytic premedication, followed with lifting drapes off patient’s eyes, shielding of the ears from noise, and applying headphones with soft music in the operation theaters (OT) (Fig. 1). Patients may still claim that their block has failed due to the conscious awareness of OT settings and “sensations” transmitted through unblocked nerve fibers. IV analgesia or sedation with appropriate monitoring for relieving anxiety and pain is essential and considered “standard care” and should not be considered as a failure. Drugs are an important factor for the success of nerve blocks. Usage of a sufficient volume and appropriate concentration of LA solution is the key to a successful nerve block. Too much of volume or concentration of LA may lead to an enhanced risk of side effects rather than increasing efficacy. Likewise, too less of volume or concentration of LA increase chances of failure. The anesthesiologist should always check for wrong dispensing and expiry date of drug personally, before proceeding with the nerve block. Mixing of LA is often misinterpreted to provide significant advantages such as prolongation of the block duration and decreased toxicity; instead, they provide effects which only mimic an intermediate-acting agent with higher chances of toxicity. Isolated case reports professing very low volumes of LA must be taken in the right context and should not be made the universal rule. Perineural opioid and non-opioid adjuvants prolong the duration of the block, but none have prolonged duration >24 h. Alkalinization does not improve the block success rate. The adjuvants allow only dose reductions of LA, rather than preventing block failure. The environment where anaesthesiologists who are in a hurry or work under undue pressure, often face higher failure rates . Organizational changes like instituting a “block room” for RA will improve success. Indirectly it will lead to standardization of block procedures in that institution as well. In addition, an area separate from the operation table allows adequate time to test and top up ineffective blocks. Block rooms are a novel way of pooling of expertise, thus allowing excellent teaching opportunities for trainees. Poor ergonomics lead to increased fatigue and poor performance, especially among anesthesia residents and novice operators using US-guided blocks [6]. Our teammates (specifically surgeon’s) personality and their technical skills play a role in the selection of the type of anesthesia, nerve block technique, choice of drug, and need of adjuvants. An uncooperative surgeon is a strong predictor of failure of the nerve blocks. One should always discuss with the surgeon about the surgical plan, site of incision, area to be operated, and position of the patient during surgery. A clinical pearl is not to allow surgeons and OT staff to interrupt while one is giving the block as it will invariably increase the anxiety level. Once a patient is in the OT, the momentum shifts in favor of performing the surgery and only a few surgeons (including mine) have the patience to wait for the block to work. Allowing adequate “soak time” (time for a block to take effect) is mandatory for a block to be successful. 30 min are considered the minimum waiting time before calling any block a failure. Once an incomplete block has been diagnosed preoperatively, the management options are re-block, additional injections or rescue blocks, a different nerve block, spinal, or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in lower limb surgeries, systemic analgesia with opioids or adjuvants, local infiltration anesthesia, and GA. “It is not a failure to fail, it is a failure not to have a plan in case you fail” (unknown). The decision to re-block depends on the dose already administered and time allowed to initiate surgery. A lower volume of LA required in US-guided blocks allows for a repeat block to be performed within the maximum permissible dose of LA. Once the surgical procedure has already begun, we are left with very limited options for the management of a failed block. We may still be able to successfully conduct the surgery with analgesic supplementation in the form of opioids and anesthesthetic drug supplementation such as ketamine or propofol in incremental doses in situations where we face partial effect or are expecting the block to take its effect with time. Local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) must be considered as one of the options [7]. The volume of LA is dependent on the extent of the incision, and one should not exceed the upper dose limit. It may be noted that incisional infiltration comprises not only a subcutaneous injection but also intramuscular, interfascial and as deep tissue injections. LIA is also an integral component of multimodal analgesia. If all feasible efforts have been unsuccessful and the patient continues to have persistent pain, then GA is the last resort. Surgical manipulation should then be stopped momentarily, and GA with rapid sequence induction and intubation is to be followed without further delays. Alternatively, GA may be continued with a face mask or a laryngeal mask airway and spontaneous ventilation. When patients having no or little pain during blocks starts having pain when the block has worn off is defined as Rebound pain [8]. Various interventions may be tried for preventing rebound failure [9]. During pre-anesthetic check-up patients must be educated regarding what to expect when block wears off. This remains the most useful strategy. Continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) using perineural catheters (PNCs) is most efficacious. Other options are wound catheter infusion, oral or IV multimodal analgesics and IV or perineural adjuvants. A secondary failure is seen in CPNB, where a repeat dose of LA fails to provide effective analgesia after the initial primary block has resolved. If faced with PNCs failures, it may be addressed by usage of US guidance which improves the success of catheter insertion compared to NS. Sub-circumneural space is considered the ideal space for catheter placement. Tunneling improves catheter security and prevents inadvertent misplacements. Tissue glue may be applied to puncture sites to stop leakage of LA. Intermittent bolus doses are better than continuous basal infusion. Stimulating catheters available in the market have been reported to decrease secondary failure rates. Multimodal analgesia should be provided in all cases, more so in case of a nonfunctioning catheter. There is an ongoing debate on whether blocks should be done after GA. Melissa et al. have rightly questioned – “Nerve Blocks Under GA: Time to liberalize Indications?” [10] Marhofer has tried to demystify the myths related to regional blocks carried out during GA or deep sedation [11]. So how ready are we to change the rules? Taking a lead from our past successful experiences in pediatric patients and truncal or chest blocks, it is advantageous to use a combination of GA with low-volume, lowconcentration single-shot or CPNB [12]. Thus, there will be no risk of failure, no delays and all stakeholders (surgeon, anesthesiologist, patient, and hospital administrator) will be satisfied. As healthcare systems continue to move toward patient-centered parameters, the patient criteria for success of a nerve block will become foremost. Broader questions will emerge beyond mere pain relief. In the attainment of success, there will always remain barriers for nerve blocks (Fig. 2). All effort should be made to encourage every anesthesiologist to practice RA and not utilizing it is probably the biggest failure.

This paper presents a simple method for the generation of continuous influent quality datasets for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that is based on incomplete available routine data, only, without referring to any further measurement. In the approach, Weibull-distributed random data are fitted to the available routine data, such that the resulting distribution of influent quality data shows the identical statistical characteristics. Beside the description of the method, this paper contains a comprehensive analysis of robustness and universality of the approach. It is shown that incomplete datasets with only 10% remaining influent quality data can be filled with this method with nearly the same statistical parameters as the original data. In addition, the use with datasets of different WWTP plants sizes results always in a good agreement between original and filled datasets.

AbstractPotentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution has become a serious environmental threat, particularly in developing countries such as China. In response, there is a growing interest in phytoremediation studies to identify plant species as designated hyperaccumulators of PTEs in polluted soils. Poinsettia was selected as a candidate species for phytoremediation of six PTEs (Zn, Pb, Hg, Cr, As, Cu) in this study. A pot cultivation experiment (randomized incomplete block experimental design with 5 treatments and 4 blocks) was conducted using contaminated soils gathered from an industrial area in southcentral China. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (TF), and bioconcentration factor were analyzed to determine the phytoremediation potential of poinsettia potted in different ratios of polluted soils. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test showed that poinsettia had significant uptake of Zn, Pb, Cu (BAF < 1 and TF < 1, p < 0.05) and Hg (BAF < 1 and TF > 1, p < 0.05). Poinsettias can therefore effectively accumulate Zn, Pb, and Cu in their lateral roots while extracting and transferring Hg into their leaves. Moreover, poinsettia exhibited tolerance towards As and Cr. Interestingly, it was also observed that PTEs can inhibit the height of potted poinsettia at a certain concentration.

Maize breeders consider tolerance to drought as an important criterion in commercial breeding programs. Two traits, stay green and anthesis-silking interval seem to be closely associated with drought tolerance. The main objective of this study was to obtain estimates of means, variability, heritability and estimates of genetic correlations for several traits in two maize synthetic populations. S1 progenies were evaluated in an incomplete block design in four environments. Large genetic variability existed for all traits in both populations but highest variability was found for anthesis-silking interval. Strong, highly significant correlations between drought adaptive traits and grain moisture may cause some undesirable correlative response throughout cycles of selection.

ABSTRACT We characterize the population of wandering black holes, defined as those physically offset from their halo centres, in the romulus cosmological simulations. Unlike most other currently available cosmological simulations, black holes are seeded based on local gas properties and are permitted to evolve dynamically without being fixed at halo centres. Tracking these black holes allows us to make robust predictions about the offset population. We find that the number of wandering black holes scales roughly linearly with the halo mass, such that we expect thousands of wandering black holes in galaxy cluster haloes. Locally, these wanderers account for around 10 per cent of the local black hole mass budget once seed masses are accounted for. Yet for higher redshifts ($z$ ≳ 4), wandering black holes both outweigh and outshine their central supermassive counterparts. Most wandering black holes, we find, remain close to the seed mass and originate from the centres of previously disrupted satellite galaxies. While most do not retain a resolved stellar counterpart, those that do are situated farther out at larger fractions of the virial radius. Wanderers with higher luminosities are preferentially at lower radius, more massive, and either closer to their host’s mid-planes or associated with a stellar overdensity. This analysis shows that our current census of supermassive black holes is incomplete and that a substantial population of off-centre wanderers likely exists.

The efficacy of Krylov subspace solvers is strongly dependent on the preconditioner applied to solve the large sparse linear systems of equation for electromagnetic problems. In this study, we present a three-dimensional (3-D) plane wave electromagnetic forward simulation over a broadband frequency range. The Maxwell’s equation is solved in a secondary formulation of the Lorentz gauge coupled-potential technique. A finite-volume scheme is employed for discretizing the system of equations on a structured rectilinear mesh. We employed a block incomplete lower-upper factorization (ILU) preconditioner that is suitable for our potential formulation to enhance the computing time and convergence of the systems of equation by comparing with other preconditioners. Furthermore, we observe their effect on the iterative solvers such as the quasi-minimum residual and bi-conjugate gradient stabilizer. Several applications were used to validate and test the effectiveness of our method. Our scheme shows good agreement with the analytical solution. Notably, from the marine hydrocarbon and the crustal model, the utilisation of the bi-conjugate gradient stabilizer with block ILU preconditioner is the most appropriate. Thus, our approach can be incorporated to optimize the inversion process.

Aim. The purpose of the study is to predict the occurrence or reveal changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) of swimmers with the help of stabilometric indicators. Materials and methods. Sixty qualified athletes participated in the study (CMS, MS, age 16–18 years). Bicycle ergometry was used to detect cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities, and a stabilometric complex was used to assess postural balance. Results. Incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB) was observed in 53.33% of athletes; first-degree sinoatrial (SA) block – in 10.01%; extrasystoles (supraventricular: atrial, atrioventricular) – in 33.33%; pacemaker migrations – in 3.33%. Athletes in group 0 recorded a higher level of fluctuations in the center of pressure in the frontal plane in all tests (p ≤ 0.05): COP-RMSD in FP MS EO (> 132.32%), LHT (> 31.94%), RHT (> 76.82%), MS EC (> 83.56%), LHT EC (> 68.61%), RHT EC (> by 87.65%). Using Random Forest machine learning algorithm, it is possible to predict the occurrence or detect changes in the heart rhythm and conductivity in swimmers. Conclusion. The features of changes in the electrocardiogram of athletes were considered, the compared parameters of stabilometry data with and without ECG changes were significant at p < 0.05. A Random Forest model was created to predict or detect changes in the ECG of athletes with the help of stabilometric indicators.

Root-knot nematodes are the main soil-dwelling phytopathogens that cause severe damages to plants, especially tomato plants. Exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) can mitigate such pathogenicity. This work aimed to evaluate the growth of tomato plants submitted to Meloidogyne javanica population densities (PD) and application of SA. The experiment was a randomized block design, in an incomplete factorial scheme (central composite design), with five PD (0, 5815, 20000, 34184, and 40,000 eggs per pot) and five SA doses (0.0, 0.29, 1.0, 1.71, and 2.0 mM), with four replicates containing two plants each. Number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, shoot dry mass, root dry mass and total dry mass, Dickson's quality index, leaf area, specific leaf area, specific leaf weight, root volume, absolute and relative growth rates for plant height, number of eggs, number of galls, and nematode reproduction factor were evaluated at 50 days after soil inoculation (DAI). Results showed the application of 0.97, 2.0, and 0.88 mM SA increased, respectively, the RGR, SLA and SLW. On the other hand, 0.91 and 0.93 mM SA decreased, respectively, the number of eggs and reproduction factor of nematodes. Also, M. javanica did not affect the growth of tomato plants until 50 DAI. Keywords: Meloidogyne javanica; phytohormone; Solanum lycopersicum. Morfologia do tomateiro sob ataque de nematoides e aplicação de ácido salicílico RESUMO: Nematoides das galhas são uns dos principais patógenos de solo que causam danos severos nas plantas, especialmente em plantas de tomate. A aplicação exógena de ácido salicílico (AS) pode minimizar os efeitos desses patógenos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento de plantas de tomate submetidas à densidades populacionais de Meloidogyne javanica (DP) e aplicação de AS. O delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial incompleto (Composto Central de Box) com cinco DP (0, 5815, 20000, 34184 e 40000 ovos por planta) e cinco doses de AS (0.0, 0.29, 1.0, 1.71 e 2.0 mM), com quatro repetições e duas plantas por repetição foi utilizado. O número de folhas, altura de planta, diâmetro do caule, massa seca da parte aérea, raiz e total, índice de qualidade de Dickson, área foliar, área foliar específica, peso específico de folha, volume de raiz, taxas de crescimento absoluto e relativo para altura, número de ovos, número de galhas e fator de reprodução dos nematoides foram avaliados aos 50 dias após a inoculação do solo (DAI). A aplicação de 0.97, 2.0 e 0.88 mM de AS aumentam a taxa de crescimento relativo de altura, área foliar específica e peso específico de folhas, respectivamente. A aplicação de 0.91 e 0.93 mM de AS diminuem o número de ovos por grama de raiz e fator de reprodução, respectivamente. M. javanica não influenciou o crescimento de plantas de tomate até 50 DAI. Palavras-chave: Meloidogyne javanica; fitohormônio; Solanum lycopersicum.

The long-term non-use of the most part of productive agricultural lands is connected with the organization of their use - the regulation of land relations and the administration of land resources. Lack of the unified federal information system on agricultural land and land suitable for agriculture but taking a part of other categories of land, the incomplete land cadastre with an inaccurate location of boundaries, excessive retention of agricultural land in state and municipal property used on short-term lease, undeveloped market for agricultural land, excessive concentration of agricultural land in some individuals and legal entities and lack of land in family peasant (farmer) households, favorable conditions for the growth of land rentiers, limited access to land for local rural residents and other numerous problems associated with the loss of development institutions (such as land management), inefficient administration of agricultural land (for example, land redistribution fund) and imperfection or non-implementation of land legislation (when the declarations are not supported by the implementation mechanisms). The article presents the strategy for development of the land policy for agricultural land use, shows the problems and their causes as well as the mechanisms and tools to overcome. The author proposed two scenarios - inertial and target (main), and also the plans and mechanisms of implementation.

Background: The prevalence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) is estimated in 0.2 to 1.3% of healthy people. RBBB had independent association with decreased right ventricle (RV) function, which is considered as predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate RV structure and function in patients with isolated RBBB (without structural heart disease) using two-dimensional echocardiography. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at Chitwan Medical College, Bharatpur from 1st January 2022 to 30th June 2022. Consecutive adult patients aged ≥18 years with isolated RBBB classified into complete RBBB (CRBBB) and Incomplete RBBB (IRBBB) based on electrocardiographic findings. The echocardiographic evaluation was done to assess RV dimension and function. Results: A total of 52 patients with isolated RBBB were included with mean age of the study population was 45.3 ± 9.3 years, (28 ,53.8%) had CRBBB, whereas the remaining (24, 46.2%) had IRBBB. Among the parameters used to assess RV function; mean RV-Fractional area change (P<0.001), Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(P<0.02) and Pulsed Doppler peak velocity at the lateral annulus RV(P<0.001) were significantly lower, while Pulsed Doppler myocardial performance index(P<0.001) was significantly high in CRBBB group as compared to IRBBB group. Similarly, Right atrium and RV dimensional parameters were significant higher in CRBBB compared to IRBBB group. Conclusions: Isolated RBBB is not as benign as it was considered and has deteriorating effect on RV morphology and function. Therefore, patients with Isolated RBBB need follow-up with passing age and more attention toward RV structural and functional analysis.

Under controlled conditions, all the fertilized eggs of Marsilea vestita give rise to well-organized embryos in a few hours. The first cleavage divisions of the zygote are fast and synchronous at 24 °C, whereas they are very modified, slowed down, and unstable at 16 °C. Cold treatment induces morphological and structural alterations, the number and the degree of which are correlated with the treatment duration. The most important alteration concerns the mitotic spindle orientation, which is often aberrant. The ensuing cell wall formation is disrupted, branched, and incomplete; consequently the daughter nuclei exhibit abnormal locations. Furthermore they no longer divide synchronously. The identification of the first segments then becomes impossible. In these cells, some chromatic elements having the appearance of mitotic chromosomes are often located near the spindle; these misplaced chromosomes, therefore, are not integrated to the spindle apparatus. A cold treatment applied at fertilization is effective in preventing the polyspermy block. The supernumerary spermatozoids remain in the cytoplasm of the zygote but never fuse with its nucleus. Despite their altered ontogeny, most treated specimens display, when returned to 24 °C, a surprising ability to recover a normal topographic organization.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), an important class of hazardous airborne pollutants, are mutagenic and carcinogenic substances known to be released during the paving of asphalt. In this study, PAHs emitted from an asphalt mix plant were analyzed to investigate the effects on a suburban residential area. Black carbon, organic carbon, elemental carbon, and PAHs in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were analyzed in a village near the asphalt mix plant. The results of wind direction analysis revealed that the village was meteorologically affected by emissions from the asphalt mix plant. PAHs in PM2.5 ranged from 0.51 to 60.73 ng/m3, with an average of 11.54 ng/m3. Seasonal PAHs were highest in winter, followed in order by spring, autumn, and summer. The diagnostic ratios between PAHs indicate that the source of PAHs could be incomplete combustion of petrogenic origin. The maximum black carbon concentration in the intensive periods reaches up to 14.17 μg/m3 during mix plant operation periods. Seasonal ∑BaPTEF values based on Toxic Equivalence Factor were: winter (2.284 ng/m3), spring (0.575 ng/m3), autumn (0.550 ng/m3), and summer (0.176 ng/m3). The values are about 6.5 times higher than the concentration in another background area and more than three times higher than those in the capital city, Seoul, in the Republic of Korea. In conclusion, primary emissions from the point source can be considered the major contributor to pollution in the residential area.

Abstract This study aims to determine the effect of treatment of fertilization time and dosage of nitrogen to the growth and yield of peanut plants. This experiment is a two-factor experiment with incomplete randomized block design. The first factor is the time (S) of fertilizer consisting of three levels: During planting (S0), 15 days after planting (S1), 30 days after planting (S2), The second factor is the dosage of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer consisting of three levels: 25 kg/ha (N1), 50 kg/ha (N2). The results showed that treatment of fertilization time and a dose of nitrogen showed no significant effect on plant height, maximum leaf number, leaf area index, the total pod containing, total void pod, total pod number, oven dry weight of oven plants, and harvesting index. The interaction of nitrogen dose with a time of fertilization gave a very real effect to most observed variables except for maximum plant height, maximum leaf number, leaf area, harvest index that is not significant. The high dry weight of seed oven per plant was obtained at the fertilizer interaction treatment at 15 days after planting and the dose of nitrogen 25 kg/ha was 30.33 g and or increased by 152.75% and when compared with the control of 12.00 g. From a result of regression analysis got an optimum dose of nitrogen fertilizer that is 34.15 kg/ha with the dry weight of oven seeds per plant maximum 26.73 g. Keywords: Fertilization time, nitrogen dosage, peanut result

Soil moisture conservation practices (SMCPs) have been adopted in Uganda to adapt to the effects of climate variability. However, limited information exists on how conservation measures influence the physico-chemical properties of soil and coffee leaf nutrient concentrations. Thus, we determined the effects of selected SMCPs on the soil physio-chemical properties and leaf nutrient concentrations in Robusta coffee in a randomized incomplete block design, replicated three times, in Kituza, Uganda. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm depths, and analyzed in the laboratory following standard procedures for selected physio-chemical properties. Coffee leaf samples were picked from each treatment (open sun coffee (COSS), coffee cover crop, Desmodium intortum (CCS), coffee mulch, Miscanthidium violoceum (CMS), and coffee A. coriaria (ACS)). Bulk density was significantly (p < 0.001) the highest under ACS (1.61 gcm−3) and lowest under CCS (1.29 gcm−3), and it significantly (p < 0.001) increased with depth. The soil organic matter was higher than the optimum range of 1–3% at the 0–20 cm depth across different SMCPs, but within the optimum range at the 20–40 cm depth. Leaf nitrogen was significantly the highest under ACS (3.19%) and lowest under COSS (2.30%). Overall, the findings suggest that SMCPs improve the soil physio-chemical attributes and leaf nutrients for sustainable coffee productivity. However, ACS improved the leaf plant nutrition better compared to other SMCPs.

Background: The mechanisms of persistent postoperative pain (PPP) with neuropathic features after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are multifaceted and are incompletely understood. Objectives: The aim of this research was to assess whether the ultrasound-guided (USG) intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) could provide better control of PPP and neuropathic disturbances (NPDs) after CEA than the USG superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB). Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Setting: This clinical trial was conducted at the SS Filippo and Nicola Academic Hospital of Avezzano (L’Aquila, Italy). Methods: Patients who were scheduled for primary CEA were chosen. In the experimental group, the USG-ICPB was performed unilaterally, at the level of the third cervical vertebra. The needle was inserted into the deep lamina of the deep fascia of the neck, between the posterior border of the middle scalene muscle and the anterior border of the posterior scalene muscle. Three milliliters saline solution was injected into the opening of the deep lamina, and 20 mL 0.375% levobupivacaine was injected. In the control group, the anesthetic target was located at the inferior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the third cervical vertebra. The needle was superficially inserted below the skin, and 2 to 3 mL saline solution was injected into the opening of the superficial lamina of the deep fascia of the neck. A total of 20 mL 0.375% isobaric levobupivacaine was subsequently injected. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with PPP on movement and at rest 3 months after surgery. The secondary outcome measures were NPD assessment scores using the von Frey hair test and the Lindblom test, opioid and pregabalin consumption. Adverse effects were also recorded. Results: A total of 98 consecutive patients were enrolled and randomized to receive either a USGSCPB (control group, n = 49) or a USG-ICPB (experimental group, n = 49). The sensory blockade was longer in the experimental group. Three months after surgery, the proportions of patients with PPP on movement were significantly different between the experimental and control groups (33%, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 20%-47% vs. 71%, 95% CI, 57%-83%; P < 0.001), whereas there were no differences in the proportions of patients with pain at rest between groups (31%, 95% CI, 18%-45% vs. 49%, 95% CI, 34%-64%; P = 0.063). The proportions of patients with NPDs were not different between the groups, whereas the sizes of the areas of interest (cm2 ) were significantly different. Limitations: A limitation of this study is that we assessed NPDs for only 3 months using the von Frey hair test and the Lindblom test without additional instrumental techniques. Additionally, there are many risk factors for NPDs after CEA. For this reason, another limitation of this research is that we neglected to consider the relationship between the choice of anesthetic block and the presence of these risk factors.Conclusions: The USG-ICPB provided long-lasting analgesia during the postoperative period and might mitigate the development of NPDs, thereby decreasing the analgesic drug requirement. Key words: Carotid endarterectomy, intermediate cervical plexus block, myofascial planes of neck, neuropathic disturbances, persistent postoperative pain, superficial cervical plexus blocks, ultrasound guidance, vascular disease

Women who have had a Cesarean Section (CS) frequently report severe pain and pain-related interference. One reason for insufficient pain treatment might be inconsistent implementation of evidence-based guidelines. We assessed the association between implementing three elements of care recommended by guidelines for postoperative pain management and pain-related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in women after CS. The analysis relied on an anonymized dataset of women undergoing CS, retrieved from PAIN OUT. PAIN OUT, an international perioperative pain registry, provides clinicians with treatment assessment methodology and tools for patients to assess multi-dimensional pain-related PROs on the first postoperative day. We examined whether the care included [i] regional anesthesia with a neuraxial opioid OR general anesthesia with wound infiltration or a Transvesus Abdominis Plane block; [ii] at least one non-opioid analgesic at the full daily dose; and [iii] pain assessment and recording. Credit for care was given only if all three elements were administered (= “full”); otherwise, it was “incomplete”. A “Pain Composite Score-total” (PCStotal), evaluating outcomes of pain intensity, pain-related interference with function, and side-effects, was the primary endpoint in the total cohort (women receiving GA and/or RA) or a sub-group of women with RA only. Data from 5182 women was analyzed. “Full” care was administered to 20% of women in the total cohort and to 21% in the RA sub-group. In both groups, the PCStotal was significantly lower compared to “incomplete” care (p < 0.001); this was a small-to-moderate effect size. Administering all three elements of care was associated with better pain-related outcomes after CS. These should be straightforward and inexpensive for integration into routine care after CS. However, even in this group, a high proportion of women reported poor outcomes, indicating that additional work needs to be carried out to close the evidence-practice gap so that women who have undergone CS can be comfortable when caring for themselves and their newborn.

Case summary A 2-year-old polytraumatized male cat was admitted to a teaching hospital for correction of a defective inguinal herniorrhaphy. Upon arrival, the cat showed signs of neuropathic pain, including allodynia and hyperalgesia. Analgesic therapy was initiated with methadone and metamizole; however, 24 h later, the signs of pain continued. Reparative surgery was performed, and a multimodal analgesic regimen was administered (methadone, ketamine, wound catheter and epidural anesthesia). Postoperatively, the cat showed signs of severe pain, assessed using the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale. Rescue analgesia was initiated, which included methadone, bupivacaine (subcutaneous wound-diffusion catheter) and transversus abdominis plane block. Because the response was incomplete, co-adjuvant therapy (pregabalin and electroacupuncture) was then implemented. Fourteen days after admission, the patient was discharged with oral tramadol and pregabalin for at-home treatment. Relevance and novel information Neuropathic pain is caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system and is a well-described complication following trauma, surgical procedures such as hernia repair, and inadequate analgesia. The aims of this report are to: (1) describe a presentation of neuropathic pain to highlight the recognition of clinical signs such as allodynia and hyperalgesia in cats; and (2) describe treatment of multi-origin, severe, long-standing, ‘mixed’ pain (acute inflammatory with a neuropathic component). The patient was managed using multiple analgesic strategies (multimodal analgesia), including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, locoregional anesthesia, co-adjuvant drugs and non-pharmacological therapy (electroacupuncture).

Salinity is one of the modern agriculture major obstacles, causing several physiological disturbances in plants, adversely affecting its growth and development. Therefore, some techniques are required in order to alleviate the negative effects of salinity stress on plants, as for example an adequate nitrogen fertilization. The aim of this study was to assess the ecophysiological responses of sugar apple plants (Annona squamosa L.) submitted to different salinity levels and nitrogen fertilization doses. The experimental design was a randomized block in an incomplete factorial scheme, with five electrical conductivities of the irrigation water (ECw: 0.5, 1.01, 2.25, 3.49 and 4.0 dS m-1) and five nitrogen doses (0, 101, 350, 598.2 and 700 mg dm-3), with four replicates, generated from the Box Central Composite experimental design matrix. Through a daily course, it was observed variations in gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters. The gas exchange, chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters were measured on photosynthetically active leaves. There was significant interaction between the salinity levels (ECw) and nitrogen doses for the chlorophyll indexes. The electrical conductivity of the irrigation water caused significant negative effects on chlorophyll fluorescence. Therefore, it can be stated that the sugar apple plants ecophysiology varies through the day and that salinity affects its chlorophyll content and fluorescence.

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Pam.) Dawson (Xcc), is a serious disease of vegetable crucifers worldwide. The USDA NC-7 and NE-9 regional PI stations maintain vegetable, mustard, and oilseed crucifers, of which 4084 accessions were available for testing, representing 23 genera and 125 species. These accessions were evaluated for resistance to black rot after wound inoculation with race 1 of the pathogen. Accessions that were symptomless for race 1 of Xcc were replanted and inoculated with race 4 of the pathogen to identify accessions with resistance to both races. Symptomless responses were observed in 362 accessions of the mustard species (Brassica juncea, Brassica carinata, and Brassica nigra), in particular, B. juncea for which 353 of the 389 accessions tested were symptomless. Resistance was identified in five accessions of B. carinata out of 63 evaluated (PI 193460, PI 193959, PI 194254, PI 280230, PI 633077) determined by repeated symptomless responses after inoculation and four accessions of B. nigra from the 83 evaluated (PI 197401, A 25399, A 25401, PI 458981). Five accessions of Brassica rapa (PI 633154, A9285, PI 340208, PI 597831, PI 173847) were identified, which represent promising new sources of resistance to Xcc. Incomplete resistance was identified in an accession of Eruca sativa (PI 633207), an accession of Lepidium spp. (PI 633265), an accession of Sinapis arvensis (PI 296079), and two accessions of B. napus (PI 469733 and PI 469828). These identified accessions represent germplasm that can be used in breeding for resistance to Xcc in vegetable crucifers through interspecific crossing.

ABSTRACT The orbits of the least chemically enriched stars open a window on the formation of our Galaxy when it was still in its infancy. The common picture is that these low-metallicity stars are distributed as an isotropic, pressure-supported component since these stars were either accreted from the early building blocks of the assembling Milky Way (MW), or were later brought by the accretion of faint dwarf galaxies. Combining the metallicities and radial velocities from the Pristine and LAMOST surveys and Gaia DR2 parallaxes and proper motions for an unprecedented large and unbiased sample of 1027 very metal poor stars at [Fe/H] ≤ −2.5 dex, we show that this picture is incomplete. We find that $31{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the stars that currently reside spatially in the disc ($|Z| \le 3{\rm \, kpc}$) do not venture outside of the disc plane throughout their orbit. Moreover, this sample shows strong statistical evidence (at the 5.0σ level) of asymmetry in their kinematics, favouring prograde motion. The discovery of this population implies that a significant fraction of stars with iron abundances [Fe/H] ≤ −2.5 dex merged into, formed within, or formed concurrently with the MW disc and that the history of the disc was quiet enough to allow them to retain their disc-like orbital properties, challenging theoretical and cosmological models.

The research had as objective to study the influence of the doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on soil fertility and nutritional status of yellow passion fruit plants. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in an incomplete fractioned factorial 1/2 (4 &times; 4 &times; 4), with four doses of N (150, 300, 600 and 1200 Kg-1 ha-1 yr-1 N); four doses of P2O5 (200, 400, 800 and 1600 kg-1 ha-1 yr-1) and four doses of K2O (100, 300, 500 and 700 kg-1 ha-1 yr-1). The fertilizers used were the ammonium nitrate = 32% N; triple superphosphate = 44% P2O5 and potassium chloride = 60% K2O. In the fertility of the nitrogen fertilization increased the content of phosphorus and sulfur. The doses of P2O5 increased the concentration of P in the soil. The doses of K2O influenced the increase in the content of K in the soil in the harvest 2013/2014. There was an interaction of the doses of N and K2O in the availability of K in the soil in the harvest 2012/13 with the maximum levels of K, in the doses of 200-400 kg N ha-1 and 600 to 700 kg ha-1 of K2O. In the nutritional state the yellow passion fruit plants was influenced by the doses of N for the sulfur content of the leaves. The maximum content of S leaf concentration of 3.63 g kg-1 was obtained in the dose estimated at 1120 kg ha-1 of P2O5.

Grain yield is a quantitatively inherited trait in groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) and subject to genotype by environment interactions. Groundnut varieties show wide variation in grain yield across different agro-ecologies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Valencia groundnut genotypes for yield stability and classify environments to devise appropriate breeding strategies. Seventeen multi-location trials were conducted in six countries, viz., Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia, from 2013 to 2016. The experiments were laid out following a resolvable incomplete block design, with two replications at each location (hereafter referred to as ‘environments’) using 14 test lines and two standard checks. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis was conducted. Variation attributable to environments, genotypes and genotype × environment interaction for grain yield was highly significant (P<0.001). Genotype, environment and genotype × environment interactions accounted for 7%, 53 % and 40% of the total sum of squares respectively. Superior-performing genotypes possessing high to moderate adaptability and stability levels included ICGV-SM 0154, ICGV-SM 07539, ICGV-SM 07536, ICGV-SM 7501, ICGV-SM 99568 and ICGV SM 07520. Nachingwea 2013 in Tanzania, Nakabango 2014 in Uganda and Chitedze 2015 in Malawi were the most representative and discriminative environments. Considering the implications of interactions for Valencia groundnut breeding in East and Southern Africa we propose that different varieties should be targeted for production in different environments and at the same time used for breeding in specific environments.

Knowledge on the diversity of hypogeous sequestrate ascomycetes is still limited in the Balkan Peninsula. A new species of truffle, Tuberpulchrosporum, is described from Greece and Bulgaria. Specimens were collected from habitats dominated by various oak species (i.e. Quercusilex, Q.coccifera, Q.robur) and other angiosperms. They are morphologically characterised by subglobose, ovoid to irregularly lobed, yellowish-brown to dark brown ascomata, usually with a shallow basal cavity and surface with fissures and small, dense, almost flat, trihedral to polyhedral warts. Ascospores are ellipsoid to subfusiform, uniquely ornamented, crested to incompletely reticulate and are produced in (1–)2–8-spored asci. Hair-like, hyaline to light yellow hyphae protrude from the peridium surface. According to the outcome of ITS rDNA sequence analysis, this species forms a distinct well-supported group in the Aestivum clade, with T.panniferum being the closest phylogenetic taxon.

The objectives of this study were to assess the agronomic performance of common bean genotypes, previously selected for their response to infestation, by Mexican bean weevil and to identify promising lines that can be used as parents in a downstream breeding program. Field experiments were conducted using 144 genotypes under three different agro-ecologies in an unbalanced incomplete block design with three replications. Data on 15 agro-morphological traits were collected, and multivariate methods were used to examine the patterns of variation among the genotypes. The genotypes revealed a high level of phenotypic diversity for all agronomic traits. Six principal components, which contributed 84% of the total variation among the genotypes, were identified. The 15 agro-morphological traits classified the genotypes into three distinct major clusters and sub-clusters. The clustering patterns of the genotypes were according to the seed size, whereby the small and medium beans were distinctly separated from the large-seeded beans. The study established the existence of considerable genetic variations among common bean genotypes. Unique genotypes, such as Nasir, Awash Melka, and RAZ-36 from Cluster I, RAZ-2, RAZ-11, and RAZ-42 from Cluster II, and SER-125, SCR-15, MAZ-200, MAZ-203, and RAZ-120 from Cluster III, were selected based on their distinct agronomic performance. The selected genotypes could be useful for the common bean breeding program.

Imaging tectonic faults with small vertical offsets in argillites (clay rock) using geophysical methods is challenging. In the context of deep radioactive waste disposals, the presence of such faults has to be assessed because they can modify the rock-confining properties. In the Tournemire Experimental Platform (TEP, Aveyron, France), fault zones with small vertical offsets and complex shape have been identified from underground works. However, 3D high-resolution surface seismic methods have limitations in this context that led us to consider the detection and characterization of the faults directly from underground works. We investigated the potential of seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) applied in a transmission configuration to image the clay rock medium in a horizontal plane between galleries and compared it with first-arrival traveltime tomography (FATT). Our objective was to characterize seismic velocities of a block of argillites crossed by a subvertical fault zone with a small vertical offset. The specific measurement configuration allowed us to neglect the influence of the galleries on the wave propagation and to simplify the problem by considering a 2D isotropic horizontal imaging domain. Our FWI scheme relied on a robust adaptation of early arrival waveform tomography. The results obtained with FATT and FWI were in accordance, and both correlated with the geologic observations from the gallery walls and boreholes. We found that even though various simplifications was done in the inversion scheme and only a part of the data was used, FWI allowed us to get higher resolution images than FATT, and it was especially less sensitive to the incomplete illumination because it also used diffracted energy. Our results highlighted the complexity of the fault zone, showing a complex interaction of the main fault system with a secondary system composed of decimetric fractures associated with the presence of water.

ABSTRACT Several studies were carried out to evaluate polymer-coated mineral fertilizers; however, few studies, on the agronomic efficiency of these fertilizers in the field in carrot crop, are available. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of enhanced-efficiency phosphorus fertilizer coated with polymers in carrot (Daucus carota). The experiment was carried out in field, in Ipameri-GO. The experimental design was randomized blocks, arranged in an incomplete factorial design (5x2)+1, considering five phosphorus doses (150, 300, 450, 600 and 750 ha-1 kg P2O5), two P sources [conventional MAP (monoammonium phosphate) and polymer-coated MAP (Policote)] and one additional treatment (control, without P). The evaluated traits were plant height, root length, root diameter, total productivity, marketable root classes, agronomic efficiency of phosphate fertilization and P content in the roots. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. Phosphate fertilization did not influence the P content in carrot roots, but increased plant height, root length and diameter and yield of carrot roots. Polymer-coated phosphate increased plant height, length, diameter and productivity of carrot roots, when compared to conventional fertilizer. Carrot productivity was, on average, 15.5% higher with polymer-coated P source (39.42 t ha-1) than with the conventional P source (34.11 t ha-1). Marketable roots were also improved with the use of polymer-coated phosphate fertilizer. Phosphate fertilizer coated with polymer increased the agronomic efficiency of phosphate fertilization in the carrot crop.

Shallots are agricultural commodities that are always ordered, especially as a cooking spice. Without shallots, it feels as if there is something incomplete in the taste of the dish. To increase the production of shallots it is necessary to modify the cultivation. This study aims to determine the type of mulch and the dose of organic fertilizer from plant waste that has the best effect on the growth and production of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L). The research was carried out from April to July 2021 on the farmer's land, Jalan Sukarela Lr. Batujajar RT.18 KM 7 Sukarame Subdistrict, Palembang. This study used the Experimental Method with a Divided Plot Design consisting of 12 treatment combinations which were repeated 3 times to obtain 36 plots. Factor I = Mulch Type (M) consisting of 3 levels: M1 = Black Silver Plastic Organic Mulch, M2 = Water Hyacinth Organic Mulch, M3 = Jengkol Bark Organic Mulch. Factor II = Plant-waste Organic Fertilizer Dosage (L) consisting of 4 levels: L0 = Chemical Fertilizer According to Recommended Dosage, L1 = 5 tons/ha (1kg/plot), L2 = 10 tons/ha (2kg/plot) L3 = 15tons /ha (3kg/plot). The variables observed were plant height (cm), number of tubers per clump (tubers), tuber weight per plot (grams). The combination treatment of jengkol skin organic mulch with a dose of organic fertilizer from plant waste of 15 tons/ha (3kg/plot) gave the highest effect on the growth and production of shallots at 850.00 grams/plot or equivalent to 8.50 tons/ha.

Apple preferences were examined for regional, cultivar and order-of presentation effects. Seven apple cultivars, four (Honeycrisp, Fiesta, Cortland and Sinta) grown in Nova Scotia (NS) and three (Creston, Silken and Gala) grown in British Columbia (BC) were evaluated for visual, flavour and texture preferences using a nine-point hedonic scale. In both locations, 126 consumers evaluated all seven cultivars for their visual preferences and four of the seven cultivars for their flavour and texture preferences, using an incomplete-block design balanced for presentation order and carry-over effects. On average, the flavour and texture scores of NS consumers were higher than those of BC consumers. Regional differences were most pronounced for visual preferences, with BC consumers preferring Gala and Creston (BC-grown cultivars) and NS consumers preferring Fiesta and Cortland (NS-grown cultivars). Despite these differences, three of the four top-rated cultivars were identical (Gala, Fiesta and Cortland). Flavour preferences were the most similar, with Gala, Silken, Creston and Cortland being preferred by both NS and BC consumers. Regional differences for texture preferences were less pronounced than those for visual preferences, with Creston preferred by both groups. The BC consumers preferred the texture of Silken and Creston, while the NS consumers preferred the texture of Creston, Honeycrisp, Cortland and Gala. Results from the nine-point hedonic scale were correlated with results from the four-point R-index scale. Correlations were highest when discrimination among the cultivars was greatest. Both methodologies effectively quantified consumer preferences, with hedonic scores expressing results in relative terms and the R-index expressing results as probabilities. Key words: Sensory evaluation, consumer preference, apple-cultivar preference, R-index

Light and electron microscopy were used to investigate the interactions between the fungus Colletotrichum trifolii Bain and Essary and callus cultures derived from anthracnose resistant or susceptible alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L.). Race 1 and race 2 of the pathogen completely overgrew both callus types at the same rate of colonization. Comparisons with the responses observed in planta showed some similarities. In both cases the plant cells proximal to the approaching pathogen underwent vacuolar fragmentation and secreted extracellular materials that were histochemically similar when stained with Toluidine blue O and Sudan black B and that appeared to be lignin- or suberin-like in composition. However, in cultures these responses took place in many cells and began while the hyphal front was 0.5 to 1.0 cm distant from the callus edge. In the intact plants the responses were localized initially to one or two epidermal cells and did not begin until the pathogen had penetrated into the cuticle. Further differences were found in the failure of callus cells to form papillae and in their premature death, prior to completion of the defense response and prior to fungal contact. The observations suggested that perhaps the absence of a cuticle in callus tissue contributes to the development of an uncontrolled defence response in which subsequent permeability barriers are incompletely formed. Such factors could contribute to the observed failure of race-specific resistance. Key words: Colletotrichum trifolii, Medicago sativa, callus cultures, cytology.

The cellular antioxidant enzymes play an essential role on the protection of oxidative stress. Pigmented rice bran is the major sources of phytochemicals and elicits antioxidant property. However, the effects of pigmented rice bran on the upregulation of cellular antioxidant enzymes are incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment of HEK-293 cells with pigmented rice bran extracts (200 μg/mL) from Red Hawm, Red Rose, Black Sukhothai-II, and Kum Doisaket strains significantly inhibited H2O2-induced intracellular ROS production. These pigmented rice bran extracts induced mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1), glutathione reductase and catalase. Additionally, treatment with these rice bran extract also increased protein expression of GPx-1 and catalase. Thus, these pigmented rice bran extracts exert the cellular antioxidant effects by decreasing ROS generation as well as increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes.

Abstract Low inherent nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents of smallholder farms limit maize grain yield. Maize grain yield response to N, P, and K mineral fertilizer application and economically optimal rates for nitrogen (EORN), phosphorus (EORP), and potassium (EORK) were evaluated on a Ferric Acrisol within the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The nutrient rates evaluated were N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha−1), P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg ha−1 P2O5), and K (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha−1 K2O). The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications using an incomplete factorial design. Nutrient responses were determined using asymptotic quadratic-plus plateau functions. The best nitrogen rate for all P and K levels was 60 kg ha−1, which gave grain yield of 5 t ha−1. Nitrogen uptake, N agronomic and N recovery efficiencies peaked at 60 kg N ha−1 while N partial factor productivity declined with increasing N application rate. Cost to grain price ratios (CP) were 1.29, 1.65, and 1.65 for N, P, and K, respectively. The EORN was 61 kg ha−1, 32% less than the recommended 90 kg N ha−1 for maize production in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. Nitrogen application had the lowest CP ratio, making its application economically profitable than P and K. The findings suggest that the application of N at 61 kg N ha−1 to maize is economically profitable than at higher application rates. However, further studies should be conducted on farmers’ fields to validate the results obtained.

Drought is one of the most damaging environmental stresses, which decreases the achene yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The objectives of our experimentations were to determine the type of gene action in sunflower under drought stress, for the identification of the lines with higher achene yield for purpose of developing hybrid with higher achene yield. Thirty-two single cross hybrids from 12 inbred lines were developed through line × tester mating design through crossing 8 drought tolerant inbred lines with 4 drought susceptible lines. The evaluation experiment was performed under an alpha (0,1) lattice incomplete block design with three replications. The achene yield related traits like DF, DM, PH, NL/P, HD, SG, AY/P and TAW were evaluated under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. Values of degree of dominance greater than one indicating that traits were under the control of dominant genetic effect. Based on GCA effects, L1 proved good combiner for early flowering, maturity and short stature; while L6 was a good combiner for NL/P, HD and AY/P while L8 for HD, SG, AY/P and TAW under drought stress condition. Based on SCA effects, Hybrid 20 was found a good SCA combiner for early flowering, early maturity, short stature, higher HD, AY/P and TAW under normal as well as drought stress conditions. It was suggested form our study that the lines L1, L6 and L8 can be further used to develop drought tolerant hybrids for higher yield and L5 × L12 (Hy 20) was proposed for general cultivation in irrigated as well as rainfed areas of Pakistan.

3D The three dimensional building modelling has been an interesting topic of research for decades and it seems that photogrammetry methods provide the only economic means to acquire truly 3D city data. According to the enormous developments of 3D building reconstruction with several applications such as navigation system, location based services and urban planning, the need to consider the semantic features (such as windows and doors) becomes more essential than ever, and therefore, a 3D model of buildings as block is not any more sufficient. To reconstruct the façade elements completely, we employed the high density point cloud data that obtained from the handheld laser scanner. The advantage of the handheld laser scanner with capability of direct acquisition of very dense 3D point clouds is that there is no need to derive three dimensional data from multi images using structure from motion techniques. This paper presents a grammar-based algorithm for façade reconstruction using handheld laser scanner data. The proposed method is a combination of bottom-up (data driven) and top-down (model driven) methods in which, at first the façade basic elements are extracted in a bottom-up way and then they are served as pre-knowledge for further processing to complete models especially in occluded and incomplete areas. The first step of data driven modelling is using the conditional RANSAC (RANdom SAmple Consensus) algorithm to detect façade plane in point cloud data and remove noisy objects like trees, pedestrians, traffic signs and poles. Then, the façade planes are divided into three depth layers to detect protrusion, indentation and wall points using density histogram. Due to an inappropriate reflection of laser beams from glasses, the windows appear like holes in point cloud data and therefore, can be distinguished and extracted easily from point cloud comparing to the other façade elements. Next step, is rasterizing the indentation layer that holds the windows and doors information. After rasterization process, the morphological operators are applied in order to remove small irrelevant objects. Next, the horizontal splitting lines are employed to determine floors and vertical splitting lines are employed to detect walls, windows, and doors. The windows, doors and walls elements which are named as terminals are clustered during classification process. Each terminal contains a special property as width. Among terminals, windows and doors are named the geometry tiles in definition of the vocabularies of grammar rules. Higher order structures that inferred by grouping the tiles resulted in the production rules. The rules with three dimensional modelled façade elements constitute formal grammar that is named façade grammar. This grammar holds all the information that is necessary to reconstruct façades in the style of the given building. Thus, it can be used to improve and complete façade reconstruction in areas with no or limited sensor data. Finally, a 3D reconstructed façade model is generated that the accuracy of its geometry size and geometry position depends on the density of the raw point cloud.

Non-uniformly polarized piezoceramic materials can be used in effective energy harvesting devices. Axisymmetric and plane models of electro elastic bodies were studied using applied theory and finite element method (FEM). Applied theory for devices made of parts with longitudinal and transverse polarization was developed. It was based on bending of electro elastic plates models. Numerical experiments for FEM models were performed in ACELAN package. Comparison of applied theory and FEM results showed satisfactory accuracy. First model consists of three parts: transversally polarized part and two parts with opposite longitudinal polarization. It was compared with uniformly polarized model of the same size. Both electro-mechanical coupling coefficient and output voltage produced by forced oscillations were greater in case of non-uniform polarization. Geometrical parameters – such as relative size of parts, electrode positioning and thickness of the device - were varied in series of numerical experiments to determine range of applicability for developed models and to perform initial analyses of most effective set of parameters. Model was analyzed for different boundary conditions. Automation tools for applied theory computations were developed. Second model is a disk with transvers polarization in the central part and opposite longitudinal polarization in two layers of outer part. It also showed output voltage growth. Appling polarization to the device is an important part of manufacturing process. In some cases, parts can be polarized with imperfections as incomplete polarization of deviation of polarization direction. Polarization process for predefined model geometry and electrode scheme can be performed in ACELAN package. Vector field of the polarization were transferred to finite element meshes and used for solving problems with non-uniform polarization. Difference between simplified block model presented in applied theory and full model solved with FEM was estimated. Some problems can be reduced from full to simplified model without significant accuracy loss. Described programs, models and techniques are developed for advanced analysis of non-uniformly polarized energy storage devices.

Aquatic species are among the least studied groups of snakes in Colombia. This is mainly due to their ecology, which makes some species difficult to survey, resulting mostly in fortuitous encounters. Within this group is the genus Tretanorhinus, for which there are records of two species in Colombia, T. mocquardi and T. taeniatus, along with a possible third one, T. nigroluteus. The presence of T. nigroluteus in Colombia has been problematic, since records are based on misidentifications and incomplete information. Here we extend the distribution of this species to the Pacific region of Colombia and discuss the uncertainty of the previous record. We also compare the morphological variation of the only Colombian specimen currently known with individuals of Central America, finding that this individual differs in having a black dorsal ground color without punctulations and a darkened belly. Nonetheless, we consider this combination of scales and color as previously unknown intraspecific variation. Finally, we report for the first time the presence of dome-shaped cephalic mechanoreceptor sensilla for the genus, quantify its density and size for six cephalic scales, and discuss the possible taxonomic value of these structures.

Laminar, or sheet, architecture of the left ventricle (LV) is a structural basis for normal systolic and diastolic LV dynamics, but transmural sheet orientations remain incompletely characterized. We directly measured the transmural distribution of sheet angles in the ovine anterolateral LV wall. Ten Dorsett-hybrid sheep hearts were perfusion fixed in situ with 5% buffered glutaraldehyde at end diastole and stored in 10% formalin. Transmural blocks of myocardial tissue were excised, with the edges cut parallel to local circumferential, longitudinal, and radial axes, and sliced into 1-mm-thick sections parallel to the epicardial tangent plane from epicardium to endocardium. Mean fiber directions were determined in each section from five measurements of fiber angles. Each section was then cut transverse to the fiber direction, and five sheet angles (β) were measured and averaged. Mean fiber angles progressed nearly linearly from −41° (SD 11) at the epicardium to +42° (SD 16) at the endocardium. Two families of sheets were identified at approximately +45° (β+) and −45° (β−). In the lateral region ( n = 5), near the epicardium, sheets belonged to the β+ family; in the midwall, to the β− family; and near the endocardium, to the β+ family. This pattern was reversed in the basal anterior region ( n = 4). Sheets were uniformly β− over the anterior papillary muscle ( n = 2). These direct measurements of sheet angles reveal, for the first time, alternating transmural families of predominant sheet angles. This may have important implications in understanding wall mechanics in the normal and the failing heart.

Hybrid summer rape (Brassica napus L.) seed production blocks were established at two locations in Manitoba in 1986 and 1987 to examine the effect of distance from the pollen source on seed yield, (both total and hybrid) and percent hybridity of seed produced on rows of a male sterile line of the open pollinated population B. napus cultivar, Marnoo, possessing the pol cytoplasmic male sterility inducing cytoplasm. A 10:1 ratio of male sterile line (A-line) to pollen parent was employed. Leaf cutter bees (Megachile rotundata F.) were used as the pollen vector between the two parents. In 1986, no significant differences in total seed yield were found among A-line rows, while in 1987, significant differences in total seed yields of A-line rows were found. Differences in hybrid seed yields among A-line rows were significant for all locations and years. Leaf cutter bees were found to be effective pollinators of the A-line plants. Less than half and less than a third of the seed produced on the A-line rows in 1986 and 1987, respectively, was hybrid seed. The high percentage of non-hybrid seed present in the seed lot may have been due to incomplete male sterility of the Marnoo A-line population. Total seed yields, hybrid seed yields and percent hybridity all declined linearly as distance from the pollen source increased. Improvement in the degree of male sterility of the Marnoo A-line population and/or a reduction in the 10:1 ratio of parents, and subsequent maximum A-line row to R-line row distance, will be necessary if hybrid summer rape seed production using this pol CMS A-line is to be commercially viable.Key words: Brassica napus L., CMS, hybrid, hybridity

Biological wastewater treatment plants (the BTPs) of city of Odesa (Northern and Southern Plants) are the most powerful permanent sources of nutrient pollution of coastal waters of Odesa Region of the north-western part of the Black Sea (the NWPBS) and the Khadzhybei Liman. The article includes a comparative analysis of changes, taking place since the beginning of the 21st century, related to the qualitative composition of return water of the Northern and Southern BTPs and the amount of nutrients reaching the marine environment together with such water, as well as the analysis of possible influence of such changes on eutrophication of coastal waters of Odesa Region of the NWPBS and the Khadzhybei Liman. It was established that despite significant decrease (by 1.7 - 2 times) of return water discharged from the BTPs the amount of nitrates and nitrites reaching the marine environment together with such water increased by 4-6 times. At the same time the reduced inflow of organic matter, ammonium nitrogen and phosphates can be observed. Treatment facilities of Odesa were put into operation back in the 1970s. They use a then typical technology of biological cleaning of wastewater from nutrient compounds in aeration tanks providing aerobic conditions. The technology is considered as incomplete in terms of nitrogen compounds treatment since its final product includes nitrate nitrogen in large quantities. When reaching the marine environment it is absorbed by algae at the stage of primary production of organic matter and thus is transformed in organic nitrogen again. It was noted that since the coastal waters of Odesa Region of the NWPBS and the Khadzhybei Lyman have a high level of trophicity and currently there is a disbalance between mineral nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the water towards insufficiency of mineral nitrogen reserves (as compared with the standard Redfield stoichiometric ratio), additional inflow of nitrates and nitrites in the marine environment together with return water from the BTPs would, in certain circumstances, lead to algal bloom and aggravation of negative eutrophication-related consequences. The research allowed making a conclusion that a modern flow sheet of advanced biological cleaning (treatment) of wastewater from nitrogen compounds should be implemented at the Northern and Southern BTPs in order to reduce the inflow of nitrates in the marine environment. Such flow sheet should ensure both nitrification and denitrification processes.

There is a lack of information about fertilization of pineapple grown in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. So a field experiment with pineapple 'Smooth Cayenne' was carried out to study the effects of NPK rates on yield and fruit quality. The trial was located on an Alfisol in the central part of the State of São Paulo (Agudos county). The experimental design was an incomplete NPK factorial, with 32 treatments set up in two blocks. The P was applied only at planting, at the rates of 0; 80; 160 and 320 kg/ha of P2 0(5), as superphosphate. The N and K2O rates were 0; 175; 350, and 700 kg/ha, applied as urea and potassium chloride, respectively, divided in four applications during the growth period. Response functions were adjusted to yield or to fruit characteristics in order to estimate the nutrient rates required to reach maximum values. The results showed quadratic effects of N and K on yield and a maximum of 72 t/ha of fresh fruit was attained with rates of 498 and 394 kg/ha, respectively of N and K2O. In order to reach the maximum fruit size, and to improve the percentage of first class fruit (mass greater than 2.6 kg), were necessary rates of N and K respectively 11 and 43 % higher than those for maximum yield. No effect of P rates was observed on pineapple plant growth, despite the low availability of this nutrient in the soil. The effect of N rates was negative on total soluble solids and total acidity while the opposite occurred with K, which increased also the content of vitamin C. High yield and fruit size were closely related to N and K concentrations in the leaves.