Apple Autotetraploids—Phenotypic Characterisation and Response to Drought Stress

Polyploidization is an important source of variability for plant breeding. Polyploids are often characterised by increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Since drought and pathogen attack are the main threats to apple cultivation, obtaining new sources of resistance is an important issue for apple breeding. The newly obtained autotetraploid clones of apple cv. ‘Redchief’ showed superior resistance to fire blight. The aim of the presented research was the in-depth phenotypic characterisation of ‘Redchief’ tetraploids and assessment of their response to drought at the physiological and genetic level. The growth of own-rooted five-year-old trees of ‘Redchief’ tetraploids was poor compared with diploids; all growth parameters—the number and length of current season shoots, the total length of current season shoots per tree and the cross-section area of the trunk—were reduced in tetraploid clones. Grafting on M9 rootstock improved the growth characteristics of ‘Redchief’ tetraploids. Compared with diploid plants, the leaves of tetraploids were thicker, with altered shape, higher chlorophyll content, and larger stomata, but the stomatal density decreased. The leaf anatomical structure of tetraploids was changed, the adaxial and abaxial epidermis and both types of mesophyll were significantly thicker than in diploids. Moreover, the pollen grains of tetraploids were larger, but their viability and germination were reduced. Under conditions of limited water supply, the reduction in growth parameters was smaller and the physiological parameters were higher in the ‘Redchief’ tetraploid clone 4x-25 than in diploid plants. The expression of APX gene was higher in tetraploids than in diploids 15 days after drought stress induction. The results suggest the enhanced drought tolerance of the studied ‘Redchief’ autotetraploid clone compared with its diploid counterpart.

Effects of sediment deposit on the hydraulic performance of the urban stormwater drainage system

Sediment deposit is a critical factor strongly affecting the drainage capacity of the conduits due to its cross-section area narrowing and roughness increasing. In this study, a numerical model was applied to investigate the influences of sediment deposit on the hydraulic performance of the drainage conduits. The Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe (NL-TN) basin, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was selected as a case study. The drainage network of the NL-TN basin was simulated by using the EPA-SWMM model. The effects of sediment deposit were assessed by a non-dimensional comparison of the simulated peak flows of the sediment-deposited conduits and the clean ones. The results indicated that the sediment deposit significantly affects the flow capacity of the conduits and could cause severe inundation. Narrowing of the cross-section area has more impact on the hydraulic performance of the conduit than the increase in the roughness. A 40% increase in the Manning coefficient could decline the peak flow to approximately 80-90%, while a 40% increase in sediment thickness depth could degrade the peak flow by about 60-70% to compare with the peak flow of the clean conduit. The findings could support decision makings on the operation and maintenance of the sewer system and adaptation to extreme rainfall events.

Constant stress arches and their design space

It is generally accepted that an optimal arch has a funicular (moment-less) form and least weight. However, the feature of least weight restricts the design options and raises the question of durability of such structures. This study, building on the analytical form-finding approach presented in Lewis (2016. Proc. R. Soc. A 472 , 20160019. ( doi:10.1098/rspa.2016.0019 )), proposes constant axial stress as a design criterion for smooth, two-pin arches that are moment-less under permanent (statistically prevalent) load. This approach ensures that no part of the structure becomes over-stressed under variable load (wind, snow and/or moving objects), relative to its other parts—a phenomenon observed in natural structures, such as trees, bones, shells. The theory considers a general case of an asymmetric arch, deriving the equation of its centre-line profile, horizontal reactions and varying cross-section area. The analysis of symmetric arches follows, and includes a solution for structures of least weight by supplying an equation for a volume-minimizing, span/rise ratio. The paper proposes a new concept, that of a design space controlled by two non-dimensional input parameters; their theoretical and practical limits define the existence of constant axial stress arches. It is shown that, for stand-alone arches, the design space reduces to a constraint relationship between constant stress and span/rise ratio.

The EFFECT OF HYDROPHYTES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY CANAL

The hydrophytes in canal effect directly canal performance by reducing water velocity, enhances sedimentation and reduce canal cross section area which raise water level and reduces water flow. Indirectly the hydrophytes detaches from their origin and flow with water stuck with outlet and reduces its proportionality. In this regard a study was conducted on secondary canal known as Yar Husain Minor (YHM) of Maira Branch Canal, which is part of the Upper Swat Canal Irrigation System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Maira Branch Canal and its secondary canal were designed for Crop Based Irrigation Operation (CBIO), which could supply irrigation water for maximum copping intensity (180%) even during peak periods of irrigation requirements. The current water allowance was 0.67 Ls-1 ha-1 (6.6 mm day-1), which was based on the maximum crop water requirements. The several challenges for operation of YHM and other secondary canals of Maira Branch came from physical barrier mostly in the form of hydrophytes on the performance of YHM canal. Further challenges came from the fact that it receives water from River Swat which is turbid in summer and River Indus (Tarbela Reservoir) which is clear with low turbidity. This caused sedimentation and growth of hydrophytes in the YHM. Furthermore Triangular Profile Crump’s weirs were in all secondary canals including YHM for proportional division to the tertiary outlets (moghas). The study objectives were to investigate the effects of hydrophytes on canal capacity and at the outlets on the performance of the YHM. Hydrophytes growth was observed in head reaches of canal and samples were collected and were identified at the Department of Weed Science & Botany, The University of Agriculture Peshawar. Five types of aquatic weeds were identified. The hydrophytes growth in canal head reaches directly reduces the cross section by more than 50%. Indirectly the detached hydrophytes were get stuck in the outlets and affected its performance. Therefore, daily discharges were measured with/without detached hydrophytes at each outlet from staff gauging. Frequency was based on days stone hydrophytes present divided by total time. It was concluded that secondary canal performance was low due to hydrophytes. The hydrophytes and users interventions influenced the outlets performance by 80%. Trifurcators type outlets were more prone to influence by hydrophytes followed by bifurcators outlet.

Pengaruh Luas Penampang Wadah Terhadap Besarnya Reduksi Volume Sampah Organik Rumah Tangga Menggunakan Larva Lalat Bsf (Black Soldier Fly)

This research is Quasi experimental with the Post Only Group Design method. This study uses the amount of maggot and organic waste with a ratio of 1: 2, with 1/2 kg of maggot against 1 kg of garbage, with a volume of 6000 cm3 containers and a variation of the cross sectional variation of 20x20 cm2 with a height of 15 cm, the cross section area of ​​30x20 cm2 with a height of 10 cm and 10 cm and the cross section area of 30x40 cm2 with a height of 5 cm. Based on the results of the research that has been made, the waste reduction by BSF larvae, the cross-sectional area of ​​20x20 cm was 516.7 gr, the cross-sectional area of ​​30x20 cm was 555.6 gr, while the cross-section area of ​​30x40 cm was 644.4 gr. The highest reduction is obtained from the cross-sectional area of ​​30x40 cm. Based on the results of the normality test it obtained the value of P-Value> α (0.05). This indicates that the data is distributed normally by looking at the variant difference test, obtained a value of p-value 0.049 (<α). Then it can be concluded that there is an influence between cross-sectional area and waste reduction by BSF larvae. The wider cross-section of the garbage container, the easier BSF larvae reduce organic waste.

Combining Exercise, Protein Supplementation and Electric Stimulation to Mitigate Muscle Wasting and Improve Outcomes for Survivors of Critical Illness - the ExPrES Study

Background: The combination of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with high protein supplementation (HPRO) to preserve muscle mass and function has not been assessed in ICU patients. We compared the effects of a multimodal intervention combining NMES and HPRO with mobility and strength rehabilitation program (NMES+HPRO+PT) to standardized ICU care (SC). Methods: Over 14 days the SC group received usual critical care and rehabilitation while the NMES+HPRO+PT received 30 minutes NMES twice daily for 10 days applied to the quadriceps and dorsiflexors bilaterally and a mean 1.3±0.4 HPRO g/kg body weight in addition to SC. Nonresponsive patients received passive exercises and once responsive were encouraged to exercise actively. Primary outcome measures were muscle volume and cross-section area (CSA) measured using CT-imaging. Secondary outcomes included nutritional status, nitrogen balance, effect on delirium, and days on mechanical ventilation (MV).Results: On day 14, the NMES+HPRO+PT group lost significantly less muscle volume of both thighs and lower legs compared to SC group. The mean combined left and right thigh CSA and volume of the NMES+HPRO+PT group was significantly larger than the SC group on day 14. The nitrogen balance of the SC group was negative throughout the study duration, while the NMES+HPRO+PT group was positive on days 5, 9, and 14. At any time during their ICU stay SC patients experienced more delirium than the PT+NMES+HPRO group (46% vs 32%, p=0.09) although not statistically significant. There were no differences between groups when comparing length of stay or days on MV. Conclusion: The combination of NMES, HPRO and PT resulted in mitigation of lower extremity muscle loss and amelioration of clinical status of patients admitted to the ICU. The value of NMES, HPRO and PT independently in the initial and ongoing care of ICU survivors beyond 14 days of admission remains to be evaluated.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT3195127

Dynamic shapes of the zygote and two-cell mouse and human

ABSTRACT Mouse zygote morphokinetics were measured during interphase, the mitotic period, cytokinesis, and two-cell stage. Sequences of rounder–distorted–rounder shapes were revealed, as were changing patterns of cross section area. A calcium chelator and an actin-disrupting agent inhibited the area changes that occurred between pronuclear envelope breakdown and cytokinesis. During cell division, two vortices developed in each nascent cell and they rotated in opposite directions at each end of the cell, a pattern that sometimes persisted for up to 10 h. Exchange with the environment may have been promoted by these shape and area cycles and persisting circulation in the cytoplasm may have a similar function between a cell's interior and periphery. Some of these movements were sporadically also seen in human zygotes with abnormal numbers of pronuclei and the two-cell stages that developed from these compromised human zygotes.

Experimental Evaluation of Tension and Shear Responses of Material Discontinuities in Origami-Based Sheet Metal Bending

Origami-based sheet metal (OSM) bending uses the origami concept to form a three-dimensional (3D) structures from a two-dimensional (2D) sheet by a series of bending operation. The OSM bending relies on a material discontinuity (MD) to perform the bending operation where the MDs are subjected to tension and shear load. Even though the OSM bending is a process that is simple, cost-effective, and easy to integrate into mass production, the understanding of the OSM bending mechanics is limiting its wide application. Particularly, the deformation behavior of MDs under tension and shear load remains unknown. Hence, this work investigates the response of MDs to these loads using the standard tension and shear tests. From the tests, critical values for two different ductile fracture criteria (DFC) are determined, and the possibility of a failure occurring in OSM bending is predicted. Results show that the load-bearing capability of the MDs is related to change in the effective cross-section area of a MD. Simple tension and shear tests can provide a simple procedure to predict failure in OSM bending. The impact of self-contact occurred under shear load influences maximum shear force and accuracy of failure prediction.

Resistance training induces similar adaptations of upper and lower-body muscles between sexes

The purpose of the study was to compare sex adaptations in hypertrophy, strength and contractile properties of upper and lower-body muscles induced by resistance training (RT). Eighteen RT untrained male (MG) and female (FG) students (aged 24.1 ± 1.7 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.08 m, weight: 70.4 ± 12.3 kg) undervent 7 weeks of biceps curl and squat training (2 days/week, 60–70% repetition maximum, 3–4 sets, 120 s rest intervals, reps until muscular failure). At baseline and final measurement, thickness and cross-section area, one-repetition maximum and tensiomyography parameters (contraction time − Tc and radial displacement − Dm) of elbow flexors (biceps brachii) and knee extensors (4 quadriceps muscles) were evaluated. Although MG tends to display greater absolute strength gains for upper- (p = 0.055) and lower-body (p = 0.098), for relative changes ANCOVA revealed no sex-specific differences for either of the tested variables. Significant hypertrophy was observed for all tested muscles, except for vastus intermedius in FG (p = 0.076). The Dm significantly decreased for biceps brachii (MG by 12%, p < 0.01 and FG by 13.1%, p < 0.01) and rectus femoris (MG by19.2%, p < 0.01 and FG by 12.3%, p < 0.05), while Tc values remain unchanged. These results indicate that initial morphological, functional and contractile alterations following RT are similar for males and females, and that there are no specific sex adaptations either for the upper- or lower-body muscles. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04845295).

An investigation of Aharonov-Bohm effect towards the potential use for the gravitational wave detection

We investigate an alternative way to detect the gravitational wave using the concept of Aharonov-Bohm experiment in curved space-time. Our system consists of an electron beam which is split into two beams passing opposite sides of the solenoid and producing interference patterns. The change in interference patterns can be observed if the system is perturbed by the gravitational wave, and can be used to trace back to the nature of the gravitational wave. This system is described by the cylindrical coordinate in Minkowski space-time where we set the incoming wave propagating in the z-direction, perpendicular to the solenoid’s cross-section. We found that the perturbation on the cross-section area due to gravitational strength is not strong enough to significantly change the phase shift. Contrarily, by changing the magnetic field generated by the current inside the solenoid, the results suggest that the significant phase shift could potentially be detected if the gravitational wave is allowed to propagate in the direction that is perpendicular to z-direction.