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The current study aimed to investigate the effect of planting date and irrigation on some characteristics of cumin cultivated in Iran. The experimental characteristics included three planting dates and five irrigation regimes. Irrigation at flowering + seed filling stage and full irrigation had the highest essential oil content (3.6%) and plant height (16.71 cm), respectively. On all planting dates, irrigation enhanced the total chlorophyll and carotenoids content, relative water content, umbel number plant−1, seed number umbel−1, 1,000-seed weight, and seed yield but reduced the proline content and water-use efficiency (WUE). The highest chlorophyll content (1.54 mg g−1 fresh weight (FW)), carotenoids content (0.35 mg g−1 FW), umbel number plant−1 (18.03), seed number umbel−1 (21.16), 1,000-seed weight (4.12 g), seed yield (1002.7 kg ha−1), and essential oil yield (22.13 kg ha−1) were obtained on 19 January and irrigation at the flowering + seed filling stages. The greatest amount of WUE (0.53 kg m−3) was measured on 9 January under no irrigation condition. Therefore, to produce cumin under similar climatic conditions, early planting of cumin in early January, along with two irrigations at the flowering and seed filling stages, is recommended. HIGHLIGHTS Changing the plant growth conditions changes the morphological and physiological characteristics.; Delay in cumin planting reduced the carotenoids content.; By balancing redox reactions, proline induces cellular homeostasis and reduces lipid peroxidation.; The water deficit caused the remarkable accumulation of secondary metabolites.;

In saline condition, addition to salinity stress, nitrogen deficiency is also observed. In order to investigate the response of yield, yield components, and nitrogen efficiency of cotton to supplemental nitrogen application in saline conditions in optimum and delayed cultivation, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was done in Sabzevar Islamic Azad University in 2017-2018. Factors were: planting date (optimum and late) and nitrogen levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 kg.ha-1) as a foliar application on the bolling stage as Urea form. Delayed planting reduced the number of bolls per plant (6.59 %), boll weight (17.33%), seed cotton yield (14.70 %), nitrogen uptake efficiency (23.2 %), and nitrogen use efficiency (11.32 %) compared to optimum cultivation. Foliar application of 7.5 kg N.ha-1increased the number of bolls per plant (67.6%), boll weight (47.2%), seed cotton yield (73.2%), nitrogen uptake efficiency (45.1%), and nitrogen use efficiency (41.2%) compared to control. Sprayed due to lack of solution. The highest plant height, number of reproductive branches, lint percentage, lint yield, and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency in optimum planting date and foliar application of 7.5 kgN.ha-1were obtained which was not significantly different from foliar spraying of 5 kgN.ha-1. Nitrogen foliar application could not improve the negative effects of planting delay on yield and yield components of cotton. In general, the results of this experiment showed that the best seed cotton yield can be achieved by planting at the optimum date and spraying 5 kg of nitrogen as a supplement at the beginning of the bolling stage that increases the efficiency of cotton nitrogen consumption in saline conditions.

Abstract Background The critical period of weed control (CPWC) refers to the period of time during the crop growth cycle when weeds must be controlled to prevent yield losses. Ultra-narrow row (UNR) is a method of planting of cotton in rows that are 25 cm or less apart. Amongst cultural techniques for weed control, the use of narrow row spacing is considered to be a most promising approach that can effectively suppress weed growth and provide greater yields in cotton. This cultivation system can shorten the length of the critical weed-crop interference duration and results in greater yield. The current research aimed to determination of critical time of weed control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under conventional and ultra-narrow row spacing conditions. Field experiments were arranged as factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Factors were cultivation system (conventional (50 cm row spacing) and ultra narrow row (25 cm row spacing and weed treatment including 30, 45, 60, and 75 days weeding after emergence during the growing season (weed free), and 30, 45, 60, and 75 without weeding (weed infested) in the growing season along with weedy and weed-free from sowing to harvesting. A four-parameter log-logistic model was fit to the two sets of relating relative crop yield to data obtained from increasing durations of weed interference and lengths of weed-free period. Results In both years and cultivation systems, the relative yield of cotton decreased with the increasing duration of weed-interference but increased with the increasing duration of weed-free period. Ultra-narrow row cultivation delayed the beginning of the CPWC in cotton. Under ultra-narrow row condition, the CPWC ranged from 21 to 99 days after germination in 2021 and 23 to 91 days in 2022 based on the 5% acceptable yield loss. Under conventional cultivation CPWC ranged from 17 to 102 days after emergence in 2021 and 18 to 95 days after emergence in 2022. Conclusions Under both conventional and Ultra-narrow row conditions, weed interference reduces seed yield. Under ultra-narrow row condition, weed interference until 21.1–23.5 days after cotton emergence and under conventional condition, weed interference until 16.9–18.5 days after cotton emergence had not significant reduction on cotton yield.

This paper investigates the effects of cold plasma radiation on the percentage, velocity, average germination per day, germination index, and prose and growth of green cumin roots. A factorial experiment was performed in a randomized design in 5 repetitions. Test factors included pretreatment of cold plasma irradiation time at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes by 7 and 14 kV and 800 Hz plasma generators. The results of this work showed that the treatment time and the applied voltage of cold plasma significantly affect the percentage, velocity, average of germination per a day, germination index, and prose and root of the green cumin seed. Among all treatments, a dose of treatment with time of 6 minutes at a peak voltage of 14 kV had the greatest effect on the referred characteristics, except increasing root in which plasma treatment with a dose of 3 minutes has the most effect. Cold plasma has been generated with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a hand-made and designed in on desk dimensions, in which air is used as plasma active gas.

This article studies free recall, i.e., the reactivation of stored memory items, namely patterns, in any order, of a model of working memory. Our free recall model is based on a biologically plausible modular neural network composed of $H$ modules, namely hypercolumns, each of which is a bundle of $M$ minicolumns. The coupling weights and constant bias values of the network are determined by a Hebbian plasticity rule. Using techniques from nonlinear stability theory, we show that cluster synchronization is the central mechanism governing free recall of orthogonally encoded patterns. Particularly, we show that free recall's cluster synchronization is the combination of two main mechanisms: simultaneous activities of minicolumns representing an encoded pattern, i.e., within-pattern synchronization, together with time-divided activities of minicolumns representing different patterns. We characterize the coupling and bias value conditions under which cluster synchronization emerges. We also discuss the role of heterogeneous coupling weights and bias values of minicolumns' dynamics in free recall. Specifically, we compare the behaviour of two $H \times 2$ networks with identical and non-identical coupling weights and bias values. For these two networks, we obtain bounds on couplings and bias values under which both encoded patterns are recalled. Our analysis shows that having non-identical couplings and bias values for different patterns increases the possibility of their free recall. Numerical simulations are given to validate the theoretical analysis.

This review presents an up-to-date account of research in multi-hazard assessment and vibration control of engineering structures. A general discussion of the importance of multi-hazard consideration in structural engineering, as well as recent advances in this area, is presented as a background. In terms of performance assessment and vibration control, various hazards are considered with an emphasis on seismic and wind loads. Although multi-hazard problems in civil engineering structures are generally discussed to some extent, the emphasis is placed on buildings, bridges, and wind turbine towers. The scientific literature in this area is vast with rapidly growing innovations. The literature is, therefore, classified by the structure type, and then, subsequently, by the hazard. Main contributions and conclusions from the reported studies are presented in summarized tables intended to provide readers with a quick reference and convenient navigation to related publications for further research. Finally, a summary of the literature review is provided with some insights on knowledge gaps and research needs.

Traditional techniques for treatment of waste rubber, such as burning, generate some highly non-degradable synthetic materials that cause unrepairable environmental damages by releasing heavy metals, such as arsenic, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. For this, scrap tires are used as lightweight alternative materials in many engineering applications, such as retaining wall backfilling. In the present study, 90 laboratory models were prepared to evaluate the stability of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with plate anchors. Then, the bearing capacity and horizontal displacements of the retaining walls were monitored by exerting a static loading to investigate the effects of adding different contents (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%) of recycled crumb rubber (RCR) to the fill of a mechanically stabilized retaining wall with plate anchors. To visualize the critical slip surface of the wall, the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was employed. Results showed that the circular anchor plates almost continually provided a higher bearing capacity and wall stability than the square plates. Moreover, the backfill with 15 wt% RCR provided the maximum bearing capacity of the wall. Increasing the weight percentage of RCR to 20 wt% resulted in a significant reduction in horizontal displacement of the wall, which occurred due to the decrease in lateral earth pressure against the whole walls. An increase in RCR content resulted in the decrease in the formation of failure wedge and the expansion of the wall slip surface, and the failure wedge did not form in the sand mixtures with 15 wt% and 20 wt% RCRs. Keywords: Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, Plate anchor, Recycled crumb rubber (RCR), Particle image velocimetry (PIV)

To evaluate the effects of application time and type of organic and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components of saffron, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Sheshtamad, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The factors were time of fertilizer foliar application (January and early February) and the type of fertilizer: Humic acid (0.5 L.ha-1), Amino acid fertilizer (0.5 L.ha-1), Complete fertilizer (2 L.ha-1), Complete fertilizer+amino acids (1 L.ha-1+0.5 L.ha-1) and a control without the use of fertilizers. In this experiment, fresh weight of flower, number of flowers per square meter, stigma length, stigma+style yield and stigma yield were measured. The results showed that the highest flower fresh weight (200.6 kg.ha-1), number of flowers (68.5), stigma length (2.57 cm), stigma+style yield (3.6 kg.ha-1) and stigma yield (1.75 kg.ha-1) were achieved by foliar application of complete fertilizer+amino acids. Fertilizer application time had a significant effect on fresh weight of flower, number of flowers per square meter, stigma length, stigma+style yield and stigma yield. Fertilizer application in February had higher positive effect than its application in March. Reaction of yield was also different to time of fertilizer application. In early February, using complete fertilizer was better compared to other fertilizers while in March complete fertilizer + amino acid or complete fertilizer had more yield compared to other fertilizers.

The effect of times of weeding on reducing herbicide dose in sugar beet was studied in 2011-2012 in Jovein. The experiment was conducted in split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was herbicide doses (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended dose (Chloridazon 3.25 kg. a.i. ha-1 soil applied) and sub plot was times of hand weeding (0, one time hand hoeing, tow times hand hoeing, at 30 and 60 days after plant emergence). Traits like root yield and white sugar yields, impure sugar content, alkalinity coefficient, sodium, potassium, α-amino nitrogen and sugar content in molasses were evaluated. The result showed that the increased frequency of weeding reduced weed density, weed dry weight, α-amino nitrogen and percentage of impure and pure sugar contents, root yield and sugar yield. The least weed density and biomass of weeds were observed in recommended dose. Increasing the doses of herbicide increased impure sugar content (14.48%), α-amino nitrogen (57.86%), pure sugar (19.30%), root yield (77.67%) and sugar yield (111.17%) while it decreased potassium (18.77%), sodium (28.84%) contents and alkalinity coefficient (52.76%) as compared with that of control. For most of the traits, there were not statistically significant difference between the recommended dose and 75% of the recommended dose. Increasing the number of hand weedings reduced herbicide dosages. The, results finally showed that 25% dose reduction of herbicide in one time weeding and 50% dose reduction of it in twice weedings might produce desirable economic yield (root yield).

In order to investigate the effect of effective microorganism application method on saffron growth characteristics in the presence of chemical and organic fertilizers, a field experiment was conducted at Sheshtamad County during the growing season of 2013-2014. The experiment was carried out as split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental factors included effective microorganisms (EM) application method as main plots (no application, soil application and foliar application of EM) and chemical and organic fertilizers application as subplots (no application, soil application of humic acid, soil application of 20, 20, 20+TE and soil application of humic acid + 20, 20, 20+TE). The results showed that soil and foliar application of EM had no significant effect on plant height, but it significantly increased corm number, corm yield, shoot dry weight and number of buds per corm. The average corm weight was reduced in response to soil and foliar application of EM. The highest corm number (220.33), corm yield (1023.33 g m-2) and shoot dry weight (43.02 g m-2) were obtained in soil application of EM treatment. The maximum number of buds per corm (8.68) and average corm weight (5.10 g) were observed in foliar application and no application of EM conditions, respectively. Application of 20, 20, 20+TE and combined application of humic acid and 20, 20, 20+TE increased corm number, corm yield, shoot dry weight and number of bud per corm compared to control and soil application of humic acid. Soil application of humic acid produced the highest average corm weight. Soil and foliar application of EM improved the response of saffron growth characteristics to organic and chemical fertilizers. According to the results, soil applications of EM and 20, 20, 20+TE are recommended to produce maximum corm yield in saffron.

Background and Aims: Coaxial double-pigtail plastic stent (DPPS) placement is often performed within lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) to prevent adverse events (AEs) such as stent occlusion and bleeding. This study compares the safety and outcomes of LAMSs alone versus LAMSs with coaxial DPPSs for PFC management., Methods: Patients undergoing drainage of a PFC with LAMSs were retrospectively identified and categorized as LAMS or LAMS/DPPS based on initial drainage strategy. The AE rate, AE type, and clinical success were extracted by chart review., Results: One hundred eighty-five individuals (83 LAMS, 102 LAMS/DPPS) were identified. No significant differences were found in rates of clinical success (75.9% LAMS vs 69.6% LAMS/DDPS, P = .34) or overall AEs (15.7% LAMS vs 15.7% LAMS/DPPS, P = .825)., Conclusions: In this comparative single-center study, placement of a coaxial DPPS for drainage of PFCs with LAMSs did not affect rates of AEs or clinical success., Competing Interests: Disclosure The following authors disclosed financial relationships: R. Law: Consultant for ConMed and Medtronic; royalties from UpToDate. A. C. Storm: Consultant for Apollo Endosurgery; research support from Apollo Endosurgery and Boston Scientific. B. T. Petersen: Consultant for Olympus America; investigator for Boston Scientific and Ambu. B. K. Abu Dayyeh: Consultant for Endogenex, Endo-TAGSS, Metamodix, BFKW, USGI, Apollo Endosurgery, Medtronic, Spatz Medical, EndoGastric Solutions, Aspire Bariatrics, and Boston Scientific; research support from Cairn Diagnostics, USGI, Apollo Endosurgery, Medtronic, Spatz Medical, EndoGastric Solutions, Aspire Bariatrics, and Boston Scientific; speaker for Olympus and Johnson & Johnson. V. Chandrasekhara: Consultant for Covidien LP and Boston Scientific; shareholder in Nevakar Corporation. All other authors disclosed no financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)