No description available.

Experiments were conducted with lettuce at the field and in the glasshouse at the Hatfield Experimental Farm, University of Pretoria. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the performance of selected crisphead lettuce cultivars in relation to yield and quality performance and to investigate which level of nitrogen can produce high quality transplants. In the lettuce cultivar trial, fifteen crisphead lettuce cultivars were grown, during March to May 2004. The experiment was laid out as a randomised complete block design with four replications. At harvest, the centre 20 plants were cut for yield determination and five uniform plants were then cut longitudinally for head quality characteristics. For each cultivar, compactness and uniformity were also evaluated and the number of days to maturity was recorded. Among the cultivars tested, the best yielding cultivars were Dual Purpose (46.8 t•ha-1), Great Lakes (45.8 t•ha-1), Mohawk (44.3 t•ha-1) and Victory (43.9 t•ha-1). Poor yielding cultivars were Taina (30.5 t•ha-1), Cannon (31.5 t•ha-1), Summer Time (32.1 t•ha-1) and Classic (33.2 t•ha-1). Del Rio was the best disease resistant cultivar, producing 100% marketable heads. All cultivars tested had good compactness and uniformity with the exception of Great Lakes 659. Early-maturing cultivars were ready 60 days after transplanting. Seeds of the lettuce cultivar ‘Aviram’ were sown, in the nitrogen nutrition of lettuce transplant’s trial. Two days after seeding, the seedlings were fertigated every second day by floating the trays in the plastic-lined tubs containing nutrient solution at 0, 30, 60,90 and 120 mg•L-1 N until field capacity was reached. Transplants produced with 0 N grew poorly, regardless of the sampling date. Nitrogen at 120 mg• L-1 improved the response of shoot growth, plant height and leaf area, but adversely affected root growth. In general, relative growth rate was improved while net assimilation rate was reduced as N level increased. Root: shoot ratio decreased with applied N. The largest values of root: shoot ratio were obtained with 0 N. Both specific leaf area and leaf area ratio increased with applied N. Leaf mass ratio improved, while root mass ratio was reduced as N levels increased. At 35 days after sowing, leaf tissue N increased from 0.43 to 4.15 mg•kg-1 with N applied. Only 25% of the plants produced without N could be pulled from the seedling trays, whereas 90% could be pulled when 90 mg•L-1 N was added. This work suggested that at least 90 mg•L-1N, supplied via floatation irrigation was required to produce a transplant with sufficient roots for ease of pulling. Applying 90 mg•L-1 N, resulted in improved root and shoot growth, resulting in high quality transplants. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Horticulture))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This research included studies for transplant and field crop management with thepurpose of optimizing stand establishment, crop performance and nutritional quality ofartichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) grown in southwest Texas.Post-transplanting heat (35/20oC vs. 25/10oC, day/night temperatures) or drought[30% Water holding capacity (WHC) vs. 60% WHC] stress alone or in combinationsignificantly reduced shoot or/and root growth of artichoke seedlings. Combined heatand drought stresses strongly affected shoot water status and root growth. Results fromthis study imply that it is desirable to improve stand establishment by either conditioningthe seedlings to improve root growth or by preventing leaf dehydration by these stresses.Therefore, effects of plant growth regulators (PGR) on root growth and shoot waterstatus were examined.Ethylene regulators, including precursors or a releasing compound [DLmethionine(MET), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and ethephone(ETH)], and inhibitors [amino-ethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)] were applied to seedlings to evaluate their effect on root growth and development. ACC and ETH (1-100 M·L-1) enhanced root hair, root area and lateralroots (only with ETH at 30 M·L-1).The effects of film-forming antitranspirants and abscisic acid (ABA, 500-2000mg·L-1) foliar application on physiological responses, water status and hardiness ofartichoke transplants were examined under drought stress. ABA at 1000 mg·L-1enhanced drought tolerance of transplants which was associated with the maintenance ofshoot water status via stomatal closure. Film-forming antitranspirants were not effectiveto mitigate drought stress. These results suggest that ACC and ETH as root enhancers,and ABA as a plant water conditioner, could be useful PGR’s to enhance standestablishment in artichoke seedlings.Field artichoke performance in response to irrigation [50, 75 and 100% cropevapotranspiration (ETc)] and N (0-180 kg·ha-1) rates were investigated during threeseasons at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Uvalde, TX. Irrigation was more effectivethan N rates to optimize artichoke yield. Yield reduction by 50% ETc was associatedwith a decrease in head number and weight. The highest yield was obtained with 100%ETc and 120 kg·ha-1 N. This study also showed that deficit irrigation significantlyimproved artichoke head quality, such as phenolic content, but with significant yieldlosses.

This research included studies for transplant and field crop management with thepurpose of optimizing stand establishment, crop performance and nutritional quality ofartichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) grown in southwest Texas.Post-transplanting heat (35/20oC vs. 25/10oC, day/night temperatures) or drought[30% Water holding capacity (WHC) vs. 60% WHC] stress alone or in combinationsignificantly reduced shoot or/and root growth of artichoke seedlings. Combined heatand drought stresses strongly affected shoot water status and root growth. Results fromthis study imply that it is desirable to improve stand establishment by either conditioningthe seedlings to improve root growth or by preventing leaf dehydration by these stresses.Therefore, effects of plant growth regulators (PGR) on root growth and shoot waterstatus were examined.Ethylene regulators, including precursors or a releasing compound [DLmethionine(MET), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and ethephone(ETH)], and inhibitors [amino-ethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)] were applied to seedlings to evaluate their effect on root growth and development. ACC and ETH (1-100 M·L-1) enhanced root hair, root area and lateralroots (only with ETH at 30 M·L-1).The effects of film-forming antitranspirants and abscisic acid (ABA, 500-2000mg·L-1) foliar application on physiological responses, water status and hardiness ofartichoke transplants were examined under drought stress. ABA at 1000 mg·L-1enhanced drought tolerance of transplants which was associated with the maintenance ofshoot water status via stomatal closure. Film-forming antitranspirants were not effectiveto mitigate drought stress. These results suggest that ACC and ETH as root enhancers,and ABA as a plant water conditioner, could be useful PGR’s to enhance standestablishment in artichoke seedlings.Field artichoke performance in response to irrigation [50, 75 and 100% cropevapotranspiration (ETc)] and N (0-180 kg·ha-1) rates were investigated during threeseasons at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Uvalde, TX. Irrigation was more effectivethan N rates to optimize artichoke yield. Yield reduction by 50% ETc was associatedwith a decrease in head number and weight. The highest yield was obtained with 100%ETc and 120 kg·ha-1 N. This study also showed that deficit irrigation significantlyimproved artichoke head quality, such as phenolic content, but with significant yieldlosses.

Recent advances have increased the understanding that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome may be a significant contributor to the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis. Because of this, the use of fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) has become more popular as a potential supplemental treatment option for patients suffering from this disease. Research has shown a possible benefit of FMT in conjunction with varying conventional therapies for patients with mild to moderate disease severity. However, there are scarce publications that have investigated the benefit of FMT in conjunction with a single conventional therapy for patients with moderate to severe disease, specifically. The proposed study is a multicenter, double blind, randomized controlled study of FMT, mercaptopurine (6-MP), and prednisone vs 6-MP and prednisone alone in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. The study subjects will have a baseline evaluation and the treatment trial will last 8 weeks with follow up throughout the study. Investigators will analyze the primary outcome of clinical remission and secondary outcomes of improvement of fecal calprotectin levels, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) score, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the treatment vs control groups. The data from this study will help to identify if FMT would be an additional safe, efficacious treatment modality to the current medical management of ulcerative colitis.

A Thesis submitted to The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine. / Bone marrow transplants (BMT, also hematopoietic stem cell transplants or HSCT/SCT) are one of the greatest medical achievements of the 20th century. They offer a treatment for a host of malignant and nonmalignant hematopoietic disorders, genetic diseases and solid tumors that could otherwise be fatal. Studies have found that 60% of patients undergoing BMT develop pulmonary complications (PC), and 1/3 of those require intensive care after transplantation. Despite the potential pneumotoxicity of induction agents, to date there have been no longitudinal studies following pulmonary function in this high‐risk patient population. This study reviewed patient who underwent autogeneic bone marrow transplant for multiple myeloma at Banner University Medical Center – Tucson (formerly University of Arizona Health Network) from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2013. Pretransplant evaluatin and pulmonary function testing data were obtained and stratified between high dose (standard) Melphalan (200 mg/ms2) and reduced dose (140 mg/ms2). Statistically significant differences were present between the 2 groups at baseline for DLCO but disappeared at 6 and 12‐month followup, while a statistically significant difference for FEV1/FVC ratio was seen at baseline and 6 months but disappeared at 12‐month follow‐up. There were no statistically significant differences seen with FEV1 between the two groups. Given there is no difference in mortality and relapse outcomes between the groups, the standard of care dosing for Melphalan is not associated with an increase in pulmonary morbidity.

Diversity and Teamwork are currently some of the trendiest human resources strategies of boosting team performance and ultimately, organizational performance. This study analyzes the impact of gender, racial, age and employment status diversity on teamwork, and is one of the first studies on diversity and teamwork in the mature phase of Japanese transplants. The theoretical framework includes elements of the symbolic interactionist theory, Kanter.s theory on tokenism, revised contact hypothesis and perspectives on cultural diversity (Ely and Thomas, 2001). The data were collected from interviews with 87 workers from 16 production teams working on the assembly line at a top Japanese auto transplant in US, as well as from observation, analysis of corporate literature and the annual opinion survey. Furthermore, intermediary variables like team climate or team spirit have been found to mediate the relationships between diversity and team performance. Gender mixed teams reported a more enjoyable and pleasant experience in teams, whereas the male teams exposed more rivalry and competition and the female teams had more interpersonal conflicts. Similarly, the racially diverse teams have more fun and more interesting things to discuss at work, which alleviates the boredom caused by the routine of the assembly-line. Age-balanced teams also have optimal functioning in terms of productivity, quality, safety and problem-solving. Differences in employment status were found to bring inequality and different standards of performance for permanent and temporary workers, which can threaten the fundamental principles of teamwork.