Narrow row spacing (< 76 cm) could improve crop competitiveness, suppress weeds, and may provide yield advantage. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of narrow row spacing; however, no quantitative synthesis of these studies exists. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to (i) quantify the overall effect of narrow row spacing (< 76 cm) on weed density, biomass, control, weed seed production, and yield in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] compared with 76 cm row spacing, and (ii) assess the influence of agronomic management decisions (tillage type, weed management, herbicide application frequency and time) on effect of narrow row spacing on weed suppression, and corn and soybean yield. We compiled 1,904 pair-wise observations from 35 studies conducted in 12 states in the United States during 1961-2018. Averaged across individual observations, narrow row spacing suppressed weed density by 34%, weed biomass by 55%, and weed seed production by 45%, while it improved weed control by 32%, and crop yield by 11% compared with 76 cm row spacing. Narrow row spacing in soybean suppressed weed density by 42%, weed biomass by 71%, and increased crop yield by 12% compared with 76 cm row spacing. Although narrow row spacing had a non-significant effect on response variables in corn, the number of studies (n = 1-6) and observations (n = 1-59) addressing each response variable were limited. Tillage type (conventional and reduced) did not influence the response of weed density, control, and seed production in narrow row spacing; however, weed biomass and weed seed production reduced to a greater extent with the sequential application of herbicides compared with a single application. Thus, narrow row spacing in soybean can be integrated with other options for management of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Twenty-nine exotic common bean germplasms and three elite cultivars were examined for phenotypic diversity in two bean-producing environments (Kanpur and Shimla) across three winter seasons and one rainy season. The estimate of genetic variability parameters revealed that the exotic bean germplasm has enough diversity for all the evaluated features. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were found in seed yield, followed by 100-seed weight, pods per plant and pod length. Furthermore, seed yield was the most heritable and genetically advanced quantitative feature, followed by 100-seed weight, pod length and pods per plant. According to a trait association study, the days to maturity of phenological traits have a strong positive correlation with the days to initial flowering and the days to 50% flowering. Pods per plant and seeds per pod most strongly influence increased grain yield. The first two principal components accounted for 63.3% of the variation and demonstrated significant diversity among exotic bean lines for the traits studied, according to the principal component analysis. According to the hierarchical clustering analysis, 29 accessions and three cultivars were divided into three groups. Cluster I contains early flowering and maturing accessions, while cluster III contains high pods per plant and an increased grain yield of germplasms. The fundamental source of phenological fluctuations in both environmental circumstances is temperature. This study found four genetically divergent and stable performance accessions, including EC932021, EC932189 (earliness), and EC931452, EC931971 (high grain yield), which may aid in the establishment of a bean breeding programme.

Rice cultivation in hills is challenged by sub-optimum weather conditions, low soil fertility, low temperature and moisture stress which impedes in attaining high productivity. To address this, four studies were carried out at ICAR Sikkim Centre, Gangtok, India to evaluate relative performance of local organic cultivars and conventionally bred varieties under an organic farming system. Conventionally bred varieties yielded significantly higher (45%) than local cultivars under recommended timely sown conditions whereas local cultivars showed superiority in grain yield under late sown conditions coinciding with low temperature during flowering to grain filling. Genotypes did not show significant interaction when organic or conventional production conditions were compared. For grain yield, there was a significant variation for variety × year interaction under organic system. Local organic cultivars had reduced grain yield and associated traits under rainfed upland conditions. Panicles per unit area had a significant positive association with grain yield in all production environments (organic lowland, organic upland, conventional lowland and conventional upland). Overall, the study indicates using local cultivars as donors for specific stress tolerance traits in background of high yielding genotypes to enhance rice yields sustainably under organic system in hills.

Kerala, a humid tropical southern state, is the third largest producer of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) in India. This tree spice is an important livelihood option for the rural society, especially in Palakkad district which is the lead producer of tamarind in the state with a few accepted primitive cultivars, viz. ‘valanpuli’, ‘madhurapuli’ and ‘thenpuli’. A survey was conducted to identify the fruit variability and document the sweet tamarind types of Palakkad. This study revealed the variability and weight of 30 fruits was seen to be the most indicative variable of tamarind in Kerala. The pod length varied from 5.28 to 23.41 cm and fruit weight from 4.83 to 43.40 g. Hierarchical clustering on principal component analysis resulted in six clusters. The clusters I, IV and V represented collections with fruit weight more than 20 g. Box plot diagrams revealed the high real pulp value in sample KTJ 162 (9.57) and high fruit length in KTJ 44 (21.68 cm). Among 113 collections, 18 samples were collected as perceived sweet types based on local enquiry. In the scatter plot between total soluble solids and ratio between total soluble solids and total titrable acidity, two samples were spotted as sweet types with acidity below 8%. Further molecular characterization and systematic crop improvement programmes are required for conserving the eroding gene pool of tamarind in Kerala and to develop sweet types for commercial production.

An isolated population of 700 specimens initially described as Corynosoma strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) Lühe, 1904 and currently reassigned to Corynosoma neostrumosum n. sp. was collected from one young male Caspian seal, Pusa caspica (Gmelin) in the southern land-locked Caspian Sea in April 2009. Collected worms were morphologically unique compared with those reported by other observers in open waters, especially in shape and distribution of proboscis hooks and trunk spines, dorso-ventral differences in proboscis hooks and their organization, the baldness of anterior proboscis, consistently smaller size of trunk and testes, larger eggs, the rough egg topography, epidermal micropores, and variations in the female gonopore. Molecular data from the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and the mitochondrial cox1 gene was also provided to supplement the morphological study of the new species.

There are few evidence-based interventions to support caregiver mental health developed for low- and middle-income countries. Nae Umeed is a community-based group intervention developed with collaboratively with local community health workers in Uttarakhand, India primarily to promote mental wellbeing for caregivers and others. This pre–post study aimed to evaluate whether Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation for people with mental distress, including caregivers. The intervention consisted of 14 structured group sessions facilitated by community health workers. Among 115 adult participants, 20% were caregivers and 80% were people with disability and other vulnerable community members; 62% had no formal education and 92% were female. Substantial and statistically significant improvements occurred in validated psychometric measures for mental health (12-Item General Health Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and social participation (Participation Scale). Improvements occurred regardless of caregiver status. This intervention addressed mental health and social participation for marginalised groups that are typically without access to formal mental health care and findings suggest Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation; however, a controlled community trial would be required to prove causation. Community-based group interventions are a promising approach to improving the mental health of vulnerable groups in South Asia.

Eupeodes corollae (F.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is the most abundant syrphid fly which is distributed worldwide and is the sole predator of aphids. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the predation rate and functional response of E. corollae against the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.). The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C with 60–70% relative humidity. The results revealed that age-specific net predation rate (qx) increased after the 4th day and a peak was recorded on the 10th day of pivotal age in the third larval instar. The stable host kill rate and finite host kill rate of E. corollae were 18.63 and 21.07, respectively, against the B. brassicae and predicted that a mean of 20.78 aphids was needed for E. corollae to produce one offspring. A negative linear coefficient (P < 0) indicated the type II functional response for all larval instars of E. corollae against the B. brassicae. At higher prey density, the prey consumption was significantly at par with second and third instar larvae of E. corollae as the prey consumption was increased with increasing the prey density, which then decreased after attaining the upper asymptote (76.40 and 81.40% consumption, respectively). The Roger's predator random equation for type II functional response was fitted to estimate attack rate (a) and handling time (Th). The maximum prey consumption was recorded for third instar of E. corollae with a higher attack rate (0.336 h−1) and lower handling time (0.514 h) against B. brassicae, followed by the second and first instar. Thus, it is concluded that the third larval instar of E. corollae was the voracious feeder and used as an efficient biocontrol agent in the IPM programme.

An attempt has been made to illustrate the evolution of pelitic granulite from south of the Balaram-Abu road, which lies in the South Delhi Terrane (SDT) of the Aravalli-Delhi Mobile Belt (ADMB), using geochemistry and geochronology. The current work offers a plausible explanation for the protolith of pelitic granulite, nature of the sediments and its provenance. The elemental geochemistry of the pelitic granulites reveals that the protolith is an arkosic to shaley type. The rare earth elements pattern shows that there is a negative Eu anomaly and a small excess of LREE over HREE. This means that the source of sediments probably has the same elements as the upper crust. However, the amounts of Sr, Nd and Pb vary a lot, which shows that the sediments supplied from two different types of sources (felsic and mafic) in different proportions from a Proterozoic terrain. The monazite geochronology indicates that the metamorphic overprint occurred between 797 Ma and 906 Ma. Additionally, the ages correlate to the debris that was formed between the 1188 Ma and 1324 Ma from magmatic/sedimentary sources for pelitic granulite. The present research provides a more in-depth understanding of the evolutionary history of the pelitic granulite that comprises the SDT in the ADMB region during the Proterozoic era.

Standardized observation of bed baths and showers for 100 residents in 8 nursing homes revealed inadequate cleansing of body sites (88%–100% failure) and >90% process failure involving lather, firm massage, changing dirty wipes or cloths, and following clean-to-dirty sequence. Insufficient water warmth affected 86% of bathing opportunities. Bathing training and adequate resources are needed.

Weed interference is a major factor that reduces peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield in the United States. Peanut growers rely heavily on herbicides for weed control. Although effective, herbicides are not a complete solution to the complex challenge that weeds present. Therefore, the use of nonchemical weed management options is essential. The literature on weed research in peanut in the past 53 yr in the United States was reviewed to assess the achievements and identify current research gaps and prospects for nonchemical weed management for future research. More than half (79%) of the published studies were from the southeastern United States. Most studies (88%) focused on weed management, while fewer studies (12%) addressed weed distribution, ecology, and competitive mechanisms. Broadleaf weeds were the most frequently studied weed species (60%), whereas only 23% and 19% of the published studies were relevant to grasses and Cyperus spp., respectively. Seventy-two percent of the published studies focused on curative measures using herbicides. Nonchemical methods using mechanical (5%) and preventive (13%) measures that influence crop competition and reduce the buildup of the weed seedbank, seedling recruitment, and weed seed production have received less attention. In most studies, the preventive weed management measures provided weed suppression and reduced weed competition but were not effective enough to reduce the need for herbicides to protect peanut yield. Therefore, future research should focus on developing integrated weed management strategies based on multiple preventive measures rather than one preventive measure combined with one or more curative measures. We recommend that research on mechanical weed management should focus on the role of cultivation when integrated with currently available herbicides. For successful weed management with lasting outcomes, the dominant weed communities of specific target locations should be addressed within the context of climate change and emerging constraints rather than focusing on single problematic species.

Background: Effectiveness of “palliative resections” of a dominant epileptogenic focus in adults with multifocal intractable epilepsy confirmed on intracranial EEG has rarely been reported. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database to identify patients who underwent focal resection after confirmation of multiple seizure foci on intracranial EEG. Results of presurgical investigations, intracranial EEG, procedures, complications and outcome were collected. Results: A total of 17 patients underwent palliative resection (8 left, 9 right). Preoperative MRI revealed malformations of cortical development in 6 patients, and MTS in 6 patients. Intracranial stereo EEG revealed 8 bilateral and 9 unilateral multifocal epileptogenic foci. Surgical procedures included anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) or selective amygdalohippocampectomy in 4 patients, ATL plus additional cortical resection in 7 patients, and extratemporal resection in 6 patients. One patient had dysphasia post ATL and a second patient had worsened cognitive dysfunction post extended frontal lobectomy. Favorable seizure outcome (Engel class I and II) was achieved in 10 patients (58.8%). Pathology revealed focal cortical dysplasia in 6 patients and hippocampal sclerosis in 5 patients. Conclusions: Palliative resection of a dominant epileptogenic focus confirmed by intracranial EEG is effective in carefully selected adult cases of intractable epilepsy, particularly in patients with lesional epilepsy.

Background: Sex differences in treatment response to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) are poorly characterized. We compared sex-disaggregated outcomes in patients receiving IVT for acute ischemic stroke in the Alteplase compared to Tenecteplase (AcT) trial, a Canadian multicentre, randomised trial. Methods: In this post-hoc analysis, the primary outcome was excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-1) at 90 days. Secondary and safety outcomes included return to baseline function, successful reperfusion (eTICI≥2b), death and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Results: Of 1577 patients, there were 755 women and 822 men (median age 77 [68-86]; 70 [59-79]). There were no differences in rates of mRS 0-1 (aRR 0.95 [0.86-1.06]), return to baseline function (aRR 0.94 [0.84-1.06]), reperfusion (aRR 0.98 [0.80-1.19]) and death (aRR 0.91 [0.79-1.18]). There was no effect modification by treatment type on the association between sex and outcomes. The probability of excellent functional outcome decreased with increasing onset-to-needle time. This relation did not vary by sex (pinteraction 0.42). Conclusions: The AcT trial demonstrated comparable functional, safety and angiographic outcomes by sex. This effect did not differ between alteplase and tenecteplase. The pragmatic enrolment and broad national participation in AcT provide reassurance that there do not appear to be sex differences in outcomes amongst Canadians receiving IVT.

To explore trait variation, assess relative performance and establish association among yield and its associated traits in maize under organic system, 373 maize genotypes that consisted of landraces, open-pollinated varieties and single-cross hybrids were tested under organic management in Sikkim midhills. Data of 8 years (2009–2015 and 2019) for 12 agronomic traits viz., plant height, days to 50% tasselling, days to 50% silking, days to 75% dry husk, grain yield per ha, anthesis–silking interval, cob length, cob diameter, kernel rows per cob, kernels per row, number of cobs per plot and test weight were taken for analysis. Conventionally bred maize hybrids yielded 95.36% higher than the landraces and 58.60% higher than the open-pollinated varieties. Landraces displayed highest mean anthesis–silking interval of 7.18 days. In open-pollinated varieties, test weight showed a positive association with grain yield (0.37) while plant height (0.33) and kernels per row (0.34) were positively correlated to grain yield in case of landraces. Number of cobs per plot showed a very strong association with grain yield in hybrids (1.0). Kernels per cob and test weight contributed 24% to the variation in grain yield in open-pollinated varieties while anthesis–silking interval, days to maturity, number of cobs/plot, test weight and kernel per row accounted for 97% of the variation in grain yield in landraces. Grain yield in single-cross hybrids is contributed maximum (97%) by days to tasselling, silking, anthesis–silking interval, plant height and number of cobs per plot. The study indicates attaining high number of cobs per unit area along with emphasis on traits such as kernels per row, cob length and diameter for achieving higher yields in single-cross hybrids, selection of high test weight genotypes for open-pollinated varieties and emphasis on cob length, kernels per row and plant height for yield improvement in landraces.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the research and development of hybrid airships for various applications. Airship design involves multiple design parameters from various disciplines that interact mutually. Existing design methodologies, however, are often limited to fixed shapes and geometry. This paper provides a comprehensive parametric design approach for the sizing of multi-lobed hybrid air vehicles for low- and high-altitude applications. The proposed design techniques are robust so that the designer has the freedom to change the number of lobes, the relative location of lobes, the envelope profile, and the optimiser for the design optimisation process. The outcomes of the proposed methodology are envelope volume, wetted surface area, length and span of the envelope, sizing and layout of the solar array, and sizing and layout of the fins. The modeling techniques highlighted in this paper are very efficient for the design and optimisation of multi-lobed airships in the conceptual design phase with a large design exploration space. The robustness of the shape generation algorithms is tested on some of the standard envelope profiles of airships. The effect of the shape and geometry of the multi-lobed envelope on added mass is demonstrated through the added mass estimation using Boundary Element Method.