Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses of Vigorous ‘Delicious’ Apple Trees to Pruning and Growth Regulator Treatments1

In March 1974 vigorous 1-year-old terminal branch sections of ‘Delicious’/Mailing 9 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees were all headed-back 2/3 or removed (3/3). Three weeks after full-bloom (AFB) the dormant-pruned trees received current-season's-shoot removal and/or 1000 ppm succinic acid-2,2-dimethyl-hydrazide (daminozide, SADH) treatments in a factorial experimental design. Total number and growth of shoots from 1- and/or 2-year-old branch sections were the same regardless of dormant pruning. Only a small amount of that growth occurred on 2-year-old branch sections where terminals were headed-back 2/3. Nitrogen movement was altered in the fruiting zone of the canopy by heading-back treatments. Shoot removal AFB affected total shoot growth only when bases where shoots were removed were treated with 1% naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). SADH reduced shoot growth 18%. Yield was primarily a function of fruit-load in the interior of the tree and was reduced by every treatment which increased shoot growth on 2-year-old branch sections. In 1974 effects of treatments on yield were independent and combinations of treatments individually increasing yield showed addtive effects. Heading-back 3/3 in 1974 reduced fruits per tree in 1975 due to spur loss. Only the 1974 shoot-removal treatments had a carry-over effect on shoot growth in 1975.
Clinicopathological Features of Alopecia With an Emphasis on Etiology and Histopathological Characteristics of Scarring Alopecia

Introduction Alopecia is a common dermatological condition with varied etiologies based on age, gender and geographic location. Non-cicatricial (non-scarring) alopecia is more common but often not biopsied. Alternatively, primary cicatricial (scarring) alopecia is diagnostically more challenging and more commonly biopsied to determine the etiology. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of alopecia in our population. Methods We conducted a retrospective study at the Department of Histopathology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Pakistan. A total of 104 patients were enrolled in the study who underwent scalp biopsy for alopecia over a period of 11 years. Clinical data were obtained from clinical referral forms, which included age, sex of the patients and duration of the lesions. Three hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections, along with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), PAS with diastase and collagen stains were examined, and histopathological diagnosis was rendered. Results Our study demonstrated that alopecia was more prevalent among females, accounting for 73.1% of cases. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of <35 years (53.8%). The type of alopecia in 88.5% of the cases was scarring, while there were 11.5% cases of non-scarring alopecia. The most common diagnoses were discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) (23.1%) and pseudopelade of Brocq (PB) (23.1%), followed by lichen planopilaris (LPP) (15.4%). A significant association was noted between the histological features and the diagnosis, as epidermal atrophy was the most common histological feature in most cases of DLE, followed by periadnexal infiltrates, lymphocytic infiltrates, follicular plugging and basement membrane thickening. In LPP, the most common histological features were perifollicular infiltrates and fibrosis. In PB, the frequently recurring histological features in most cases were the loss of sebaceous glands, dermal fibrosis and epidermal thinning. Conclusion In this study, we demonstrated the key role of skin punch biopsy and histology in determining the accurate etiology of scarring alopecia. We found discoid lupus erythematosus and pseudopelade of Brocq to be the most common causes of scarring alopecia, followed by lichen planopilaris.
Comparison of Pour-through and Saturated Pine Bark Extract N, P, K, and pH Levels1

The pour-through (PT) method of nutrient extraction, which involves pouring water on the container media surface and collecting the extract (leachate), was compared to the saturated soil extract (SSE) method for a 100% pine bark medium at container capacity (102% gravimetric moisture). The SSE and PT correlation coefficients, respectively, were 0.99 and 0.94 for N, 0.99 and 0.97 for P, 0.99 and 0.93 for K, and 0.99 and 0.98 for pH. As container media moisture levels increased from 50 to 102%, the PT and SSE soluble salt levels increased 1.5 and 1.6 times, respectively, while nitrate levels increased 1.7 and 1.6 times, respectively. The volume of water applied for the PT was varied from 40 to 100 ml and did not result in extraction of different levels of N, P, K, Ca, or Mg. These data indicate the PT is an alternative to the SSE for nutrient extraction from a pine bark medium.
Combining Ability Analyses of Fruit Yield and Quality in Near-homozygous Lines Derived from Cucumber

Combining ability estimates for characters relating to yield and fruit quality were undertaken to determine if lines derived from Cucumis sativus var. hardwickii (R.) Alef. (hardwickii) could be used in the development of higher-yielding commercial cucumbers. General and specific combining ability estimates were obtained in a North Carolina Design II experiment for nine near-homozygous processing cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) lines, five of which were derived from hardwickii germplasm. Lines were evaluated under two planting densities (29,000 and 58,000 plants/ha) for three harvests, and environments sampled were two planting times (2 weeks apart within the same year). Traits evaluated included fruit number per plant, primary lateral branch number, percentage of pistillate flowers, days to anthesis, fruit length, and fruit length : diameter (L:D) ratio. General combining ability (GCA) mean squares were significant at both planting densities for all traits when combined over planting times, except for fruit L:D ratio at the higher density. Specific combining ability mean squares were significant for days to anthesis. Of the lines evaluated, WI 2963 and 4H261 produced the greatest GCA female and male effects, respectively, for three harvest yield and primary lateral branch number, but the lowest effects for fruit size. Our results suggest that further selection within these high-performance hardwickii derivatives for fruit shape will produce lines that perform well at a high planting density when crossed with sativus lines having good general combining ability.
Production, forage quality and cattle performance in Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani grasses in different forms of animal supplementation in crop-livestock integration

Crop-livestock integration is the production strategy that consists of the diversification and integration of the different productive, agricultural and livestock systems, within the same area. Thus, the goal was to evaluate the production, forage quality and cattle performance in Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani grasses in different forms of animal supplementation in crop-livestock integration. The study was set up a randomized block experimental design, with four replicates, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of two forages (BRS Tamani and BRS Paiaguas) and two animal supplementation strategies (mineral and protein-energy supplementation), in a crop-livestock integration system. Paiaguas palisadegrass showed higher forage production in all grazing cycles. Both forages showed satisfactory results in terms of average daily weight gain and total weight. The provision of protein supplementation to animals did not interfere with animal performance. Paiaguas palisadegrass and Tamani guinea grass showed potential in crop-livestock integration in succession to soybean and may be an alternative of quality food to be offered in the dry season. The system contributed to maintaining the sustainability of animal production on pasture.
Impact of Radiation-induced Trismus on Patients’ Life Quality

Head and neck cancers (HNC) account for 10–15% of all cancers globally. Curative radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without surgery are widely accepted standard treatment modalities for these patients. Radiation-induced fibrosis is one of the side effects of these treatments, and it causes degeneration, inflammation, pain, and atrophy of the masticatory muscle fibers and the temporomandibular joint, resulting in trismus. Trismus, also known as hypomobility of the mouth, is defined as a restricted opening of the mouth. Radiation-induced trismus (RIT) can occur within the first three months of treatment or up to 12–48 months later during the follow-up period. It has a significant negative influence on daily activities and vital oral functions, including speech problems, difficulty eating or drinking, psychological problems, malnutrition, dehydration, and difficulty with oral hygiene, reducing the quality of life (QoL). Given the underappreciated nature of trismus and its negative consequences in HNC patients receiving RT or C-CRT, the purpose of this review was to provide a concise review of the physical, social, and emotional implications of RIT and their impact on QoL measures, as well as the available evaluation methods for physicians in the related medical fields.
Growth and Seasonal Partitioning of Dry Matter in Eight-year-old ‘Loring’ Peach Trees

During the 1984 growing season, trees of ‘Loring’ peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) on ‘Halford’ rootstocks were divided into the following components; fruit, leaves, shoots, 1-year wood, 2-year wood, frame, and roots. The sampling dates were coincident with key fruit and tree developmental stages: dormant, 15 days after full bloom, the end of Stages I and II of fruit developement, harvest, and 45 days after harvest (leaf fall). At the beginning of Stage II, four additional trees per remaining sampling date were hand-thinned to 15 cm between fruit. Initially, the mean dry weight of trees was 27.1 kg. Unthinned and thinned trees increased 43% and 39%, respectively, in dry weight by 45 days after harvest. Dormant hand-pruning removed about 4 kg of growth. This amount represented nearly the entire season's dry weight of shoot, 1-year-old, and 2-year-old wood growth. The proportion of total tree weight in fruit was increased at harvest in unthinned trees, whereas leaf and 2-year wood dry weight was reduced. A modified harvest index, the proportion of total annual increase distributed to fruit, was 0.50 for unthinned trees and 0.37 for thinned trees. The ratio of annual dry weight increase per unit leaf area was 0.33 and 0.27 kg·m−2 leaf area for unthinned and thinned trees, respectively. The maximum mean leaf area was estimated to be 62.9 × 103 m2·ha−1. The greatest leaf area density, measured at the end of Stage II, was 7.7. Absolute growth rates of vegetative components were highest during Stage II of peach fruit growth, and intermediate during Stage I.
Aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Rhizophora apiculata forest in Ca Mau, Vietnam

Abstract. Bao TQ, Ha NT, Nguyet BTM, Hoan VM, Viet LH, Hung DV. 2021. Aboveground biomass and carbon stock of Rhizophora apiculata forest in Ca Mau, Vietnam. Biodiversitas 23: 403-414. Despite the small proportion of mangrove forests globally, they contribute significantly in carbon storage. Yet, biomass and carbon stock in mangrove forests might vary depending on various factors including the dominant species that occurred. This study was conducted to determine the biomass and carbon stock of a mangrove forest dominated by Rhizophora apiculata Blume in Ca Mau, Vietnam. Data were collected from 56 representative sample plots (50m x 50m), and 46 sample trees with different age classes and diameter sizes were cut down to measure the fresh biomass. The dry biomass and carbon content were analyzed in the laboratory. The average aboveground biomass and carbon stock of the individual tree and the R. apiculata forest at different diameter sizes had a significant difference and were mostly found in the stem (74.5%-79.5%). The conversion factor from fresh biomass to dry biomass was 0.56; the conversion factor from dry biomass to carbon was 0.46. The total biomass of the individual trees had a close relationship with two variables diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (Hvn) in the form of the logarithmic function: ln(Wtk) = -1,86412 - 1,95419*ln(Hvn) + 2,26798*ln(DBH*Hvn). The total biomass and carbon stock of the entire forest stand increased in accordance with the diameter size and age classes. The R. apiculata stand had a density of 1,040-15,800 trees/ha and a timber volume of 27.2 to 365.6 m3/ha. The average biomass of the R. apiculata stand was 191.1 tons/ha with a range from 49.6 to 357.4 tons/ha. The carbon stock in forest biomass ranged from 23.8 to 188.7 tons C/ha, with an average of 117.4 tons C/ha. The forest’s CO2 absorption ranged from 60.0 to 691.7 tons CO2/ha, with an average of 415.9 tons/ha. The carbon stocks of trees of age class I to age class VI were 41.6 tons C/ha, 79.4 tons C/ha, 101.4 tons C/ha, 132.9 tons C/ha, 154.0 tons C/ha, and 167.4 tons C/ha, respectively.
Relationships of Plant Density and Harvest Index to Seed Yield and Quality in Carrot

Carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Danvers) seed were produced at plant spacings of 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30 m in 0.80-m rows to give populations of 25, 13, 6, and 4 plants/m2. Samples from the adjacent commercial carrot seed field provided an additional density of 36 plants/m2. Seed yield, harvest index, and seed quality were evaluated with respect to umbel order and plant density. Phenological development was unaffected by plant density, but plant height increased significantly as density increased. The number of umbels per plant and the number of seeds per umbel decreased with increasing plant density, while seed weight was unaffected. The proportion of the seed contributed by primary umbels increased from 20% at the lowest to 60% at the highest density. Seed yield per plant declined continuously as population increased, but seed yield per unit area increased to a maximum at 12 plants/m2, then declined. Total biological yield (above-ground biomass) rose to a plateau level with increasing plant population. Ceiling biological yield coincided with maximum seed yield. Seed quality within each umbel order, assessed by germination percentage and rate, seedling growth, embryo length, and abnormal or embryoless seeds, was unaffected by plant density, but consistently decreased from primary to tertiary umbel orders. Harvest index (seed yield/biological yield) was highly correlated with seed quality. The relationship between harvest index and plant density in carrot seed production may be useful in optimizing plant populations for maximum seed yield and quality.
Impact of Physical Contact on Preterm Infants’ Vital Sign Response to Live Music Therapy

Evidence that music therapy stabilises vital parameters in preterm infants is growing, but the optimal setting for therapy is still under investigation. Our study aimed to quantify the effect of physical contact during live music therapy in preterm infants born < 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA) on post-therapy vital sign values. Live music therapy was delivered twice-weekly until discharge from hospital to 40 stable infants < 32 weeks’ GA. Baseline and post-therapy heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and physical contact during each session were recorded. 159 sessions were performed with, and 444 sessions without, physical contact. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses based on directed acyclic graphs were performed. The mean GA was 28.6 ± 2.6 weeks, and 26 (65%) infants were male. Mean absolute values for heart and respiratory rates lowered during music therapy regardless of physical contact. The mean post-therapy SaO2 was higher compared to baseline values regardless of physical contact (mean differences −8.6 beats/min; −13.3 breaths/min and +2.0%). There were no clinically relevant changes in vital sign responses between therapy sessions, with or without physical contact, or adjusted post-therapy values for any of the studied vital signs. Physical contact caused better baseline and post-therapy vital sign values but did not enhance the vital sign response to music therapy. Thus, the effect of music therapy on preterm infants’ vital signs is independent of physical contact and parents’ presence during music therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The Impact of Signing Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders on the Use of Non-Beneficial Life-Sustaining Treatments for Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Retrospective Study

Background: Intensive care medical technology increases the survival rate of critically ill patients. However, life-sustaining treatments also increase the probability of non-beneficial medical treatments given to patients at the end of life. Objective: This study aimed to analyse whether patients with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order were more likely to be subject to the withholding of cardiac resuscitation and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in the ICU. Methods: This retrospective study collected data regarding the demographics, illness conditions, and life-sustaining treatments of ICU patients who were last admitted to the ICU between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017, as determined by the hospital’s electronic medical dataset. Results: We identified and collected data on 386 patients over the two years; 319 (82.6%) signed a DNR before the end. The study found that DNR patients were less likely to receive cardiac resuscitation before death than non-DNR patients. The cardiac resuscitation treatments included chest compressions, electric shock, and cardiotonic drug injections (p < 0.001). However, the life-sustaining treatments were withdrawn for only a few patients before death. The study highlights that an early-documented DNR order is essential. However, it needs to be considered that promoting discussions of time-limited trials might be the solution to helping ICU terminal patients withdraw from non-beneficial life-sustaining treatments.
Device and surgical procedure-related infections in Canadian acute care hospitals from 2011 to 2020

Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to place a burden on patient health and safety as well as on the healthcare system. In Canada, national surveillance of HAIs at sentinel acute care hospitals is conducted by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program. This article describes ten years of device and surgical procedure-related HAI epidemiology in Canada from 2011 to 2020. Methods Data were collected from over 40 Canadian sentinel acute care hospitals between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), hip and knee surgical site infections (SSIs), cerebrospinal fluid shunt SSIs and paediatric cardiac SSIs. Case counts, rates, patient and hospital characteristics, pathogen distributions, and antimicrobial resistance are presented. Results Between 2011 and 2020, 4,751 device and surgical procedure-related infections were reported, with CLABSIs in intensive care units (ICUs) representing 67% (n=3,185) of all reported infections. Over the surveillance period, significant rate increases were observed in adult mixed ICU CLABSIs (0.8 to 1.6 per 1,000 line days, p=0.004) while decreases were observed in neonatal ICU CLABSIs (4.0 to 1.6 per 1,000 line days, p=0.002) and SSIs following knee arthroplasty (0.69 to 0.29 infections per 100 surgeries, p=0.002). No trends were observed in the other reported HAIs. Of the 5,071 pathogens identified, the majority were gram-positive (68%), followed by gram-negative (23%) and fungi (9%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (27%) and Staphylococcus aureus (16%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens. Conclusion This report describes epidemiological and microbiological trends among select device and surgical procedure-related HAIs, essential for benchmarking infection rates nationally and internationally, to identify any changes in infection rates or antimicrobial resistance patterns and to help inform hospital infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship policies and programs.
Comparative Growth of Chrysanthemums at Different Night Temperatures1

Several cultivars of spray and standard chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) were grown at normal (16°C) or split (16° and 10°) night temperature during the short-day growth period. The overall growth, number of blooms and buds, and weight of blooms were increased by the split night temperature treatment. Many growth parameter means, except leaf area ratio (LAR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR), were higher when the plants were grown at the split night temperature. Most growth parameters, except specific leaf area (SLA), were affected significantly by either temperature treatments or cultivar differences and harvest times. The data indicate that the split night temperature treatment was beneficial to the growth of some and not detrimental to the growth of other cultivars of chrysanthemums.
Unlocking Barriers to Circular Economy: An ISM-Based Approach to Contextualizing Dependencies

Despite it being imperative to a sustainable development, a circular economy remains scarcely adopted by companies. Barriers towards this are extensively explored yet with little focus on their mutual dependencies. Neglecting dependencies is argued to cause suboptimization and lead to unsuccessful circular projects. To counter this and strengthen companies in assessing dependencies among context-dependent barriers towards a circular transition, this study proposes a practice-oriented approach based on an interpretive structural modelling methodology. This is validated through a case study with a Danish mechatronics manufacturer with which fourteen semi-structured interviews, a survey, and a workshop were conducted. Findings reveal an interwoven network of barriers with numerous chain mechanisms across managerial, market-related, financial, technical, and regulative aspects, which underpins the need to approach the circular transition systemically. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the ability of the methodology to facilitate discussions and assist industrial practitioners, both on a strategic and operational level, in systematically untangling the complex interrelations to identify root causes for inertia and prioritize mitigation measures.
Effect of supplementation of biotin in total mixed ration of dairy cows on rumen fermentation characteristics by in vitro gas production technique

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of biotin on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial biomass production by in vitro gas production technique. Biotin was supplemented to the substrate - total mixed ration (TMR) at various doses viz., T1-0 (control), T2-0.5, T3-1.0, T4-1.5 and T5-2.0 mg/kg DM. The in vitro true dry matter degradability, total gas production, metabolizable energy and microbial protein production were found be increased proportionally to the dose of biotin. However, the methane and volatile fatty acid production were not affected by biotin supplementation. Results revealed that the positive effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation were dose-dependent and biotin can be incorporated in the diet of dairy cows to improve nutrient digestibility and rumen biomass production.