Branch Diameter Research Articles

Flow-induced acoustic resonances in closed tandem side branches with large diameter

Flow-induced acoustic resonances in closed tandem side branches with large branch diameter are investigated experimentally. The diameters of the main pipe and branches are 305 mm and 64 mm, respectively. Three single branches with different lengths, L/d = 5.86–8.52, are investigated. The first and second hydrodynamic modes are excited at Strouhal numbers close to 0.4 and 0.8, respectively. The normalized pulsation amplitude of a certain mode decreases in branch length. For tandem branches, the resonances are rarely affected by the distance in the investigated range of Lt/D = 3.28–9.84. The branch number has no effects on dominant frequencies, but the critical velocity increases in branch number. In the delayed regions, the amplitudes in tandem branches are enhanced remarkably due to change in resonance mode. The maximum amplitudes excited by the first acoustic mode in the tandem branches, which are much higher than that in the single branch, are all in delay regions and close.

Vegetative rescue potential of Brazil nut through epicormic shoots on detached branches

ABSTRACT Obtaining juvenile material may favor the clonal propagation of Brazil nut, Bertholletia excelsa. We aimed to assess the emission of epicormic shoots on detached branches of Brazil nut trees as a function of the mother tree and branch diameter, in order to provide juvenile material for use in clonal multiplication. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 6 (mother trees) x 3 (stem diameter: < 20 20-40 and 40-80 mm) factorial design, with four replicates. Every five days the number of shoots emitted was counted and the sprouting speed index and average sprouting time were calculated. The number of epicormic shoots and the sprouting speed index were dependent on the interaction between mother tree and branch diameter. Branches with larger diameter (20-40 and 40-80 mm) showed higher potential for obtaining propagules for use in Brazil nut clonal multiplication (cutting, grafting and in vitro cultivation).

Vegetative development of vine rootstock cultivars in brazilian cerrado conditions

In the State of Goiás, studies related to the vine's responses to the region's edaphoclimaticconditions are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of three vine rootstock cultivars, IAC 572 'Jales', IAC313 'Tropical' and IAC766 'Campinas', in the region of Goiânia, GO, after drastic pruning for uniformity. To evaluate the growth of rootstocks, the experiment was carried out in random blocks, in a double factorial scheme (3x7), with five replications, each repetition formed by a plant. The first factor consisted of three rootstocks: IAC313 ‘Tropical’, IAC572 ‘Jales’ and IAC766 ‘Campinas’. The plants were evaluated after 45 days after a drastic uniformization pruning, totaling seven evaluations (45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 days after pruning), this being the second factor. The diameter of the main branch at the height of grafting (80 cm) and length of the main branch were evaluated. With the data on the diameter and length of the main branch, the absolute growth rate in diameter and length was calculated.The IAC572 'Jales' rootstock cultivar has greater vigor for branch growth, being 69% and 47.3% longer in length, and 49.8% and 18.8% longer in diameter than the IACrootstock. IAC 313 'Tropical' 'and' IAC766 'Campinas', respectively. The IAC766 ‘Campinas’ rootstock cultivar, although it has low vigor in branch growth, presents satisfactory development.

Morphological parameters of middle cerebral arteries associated with aneurysm formation

PurposeThe objective of this work was to investigate the correlation between morphological parameters of the MCA and the formation of aneurysms.MethodsMCA aneurysms were diagnosed in 122 cases using CT angiography (including 30 cases of M1 proximal aneurysms, 70 cases of M1 bifurcation aneurysms, and 22 cases of distal aneurysms). Images from these cases were retrospectively compared with images from 50 healthy controls. Morphological parameters including the angle of the MCA with the ICA (α) and the ACA (β) were evaluated in the three aneurysm groups and the control group; parent-daughter angles (γ1, γ2), bifurcation angles (γ3), bifurcation diameters, angle ratios, and branch diameter ratios were also compared between the bifurcation aneurysm group and the control group. The blood vessel parameters between the aneurysm groups and controls were analyzed statistically.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in α between the three groups of aneurysms and the control group (P = 0.381). In comparing β between the three groups of aneurysms and the control group, statistically significant differences were only observed between the MCA distal aneurysm group and the control group (P = 0.010). Compared with the control group, MCA bifurcation aneurysms were associated with larger γ3 and smaller γ1 and γ2 (P < 0.001). This resulted in significantly larger angle ratios in the MCA bifurcation aneurysm group (P < 0.001). For the diameter measurements, the bifurcation diameter of the MCA bifurcation aneurysms was significantly smaller (P = 0.001).ConclusionThe formation of MCA aneurysms is related to morphological parameters.

Evaluation of the anastomoses between the ophthalmic artery and the middle meningeal artery by superselective angiography.

There are three anastomoses between the ophthalmic artery (OA) and the middle meningeal artery (MMA): the anastomotic branch with MMA, the recurrent meningeal branch and the anterior falx artery. We aimed to evaluate the anastomotic branches between the OA and the MMA on superselective angiograms of pediatric patients with retinoblastoma. We evaluated 126 angiographies performed on children with retinoblastoma. The mean diameter and angiographic visibility percentage of the anastomotic branches between the OA and the MMA were examined according to age group and sex. The mean diameter of anastomotic branch with MMA was measured 0.58 ± 0.13mm and we found this branch in 15 of 126 angiographic images (11.9%). We detected the recurrent meningeal branch in 47 of total images (37.3%). The recurrent meningeal branch arose 85.1% from the lacrimal artery, 8.5% from the anastomotic branch with MMA and 6.4% directly from the OA. The mean diameter of this artery was measured 0.21 ± 0.06mm. Anterior falx artery was found in 86 of 126 angiographic peocedures (68.3%) and the mean diameter was measured 0.22 ± 0.06mm. Knowledge of the anastomoses between the OA and the MMA system are all necessary to perform safe and successful endovascular and surgical procedures involving the orbital region.

No evidence of body size effects on the reproductive behaviour of a non-territorial damselfly Chalcolestes viridis

Body size has important effects on reproductive behaviour and fitness of species. Although body size is usually advantageous for territorial species, its direct implication in determining the behaviour of non-territorial species is still not well understood. Here we investigate the reproductive behaviour of a non-territorial damselfly Chalcolestes viridis in northeast Algeria and assess the effects of body size on different behavioural and ecological components. The diurnal pattern of abundance depended on temperature and hour of the day, showing a peak within temperatures ranging between 23° and 26°C. Copulation and oviposition duration were not correlated to body size and did not change across the season. In addition, the species oviposited eggs in wooden substrates that were 150–200 cm above the water surface, and this vertical stratification was negatively correlated to branch diameter and water depth, positively correlated with water width and velocity, but was not correlated with body size and season. Our study suggests that body size might not be very relevant in shaping certain aspects of reproductive behaviour and habitat selection in non-territorial damselflies, but could influence other fitness components.

Modeling of mechanized cutting of fruit trees

In the complex of agrotechnical measures for garden care, cutting is one of the most effective methods of stimulating plants. With the help of cutting, crowns of young plants are formed, during the period of increasing aging, the crown is rejuvenated to restore growth, increase productivity and quality of fruits. In the practice of gardening, thickened plantings are widely introduced, in which the number of plants per unit area is significantly increased. In growing fruit trees in a row close together. In such plantings, the crowns are formed with one, maximum two branching orders. This makes it possible to cut the crowns of trees from above or from the sides in the same plane, without violating the subordination of branches. Such cutting can be carried out using machines and thus significantly reduce the amount of manual cutting, which will be reduced to removing the conductor and thinning the thickening branches in the central part of the crown. Contour cutting helps increase the productivity of pest and disease tree control units, reducing the consumption of pesticides. Machines for contour cutting the crown must provide a high-quality cut of branches with a diameter of 5 … 75 mm. Studies of national and foreign scientists have found that segmental cutting devices satisfactorily cut branches up to 20 mm in diameter, and disk-type cutting devices cut branches over 20 mm. However, in gardens, branches of different diameters occupy a very different spatial position. To significantly expand the capabilities of machines with different forms of cutting (light, heavy), fruit tree crown cutters are often equipped with interchangeable cutting devices (segment and disk). This complicates the machine, but makes it possible to use the cutting device of the most optimal type when cutting in specific conditions.

Numerical analysis of two-phase flow from a stratified region through two side branches

This work studied the capability of a commercial CFD code in modelling two-phase flow from a header through two branches. The geometry considered in this study consists of a rectangular tank with two horizontal outlet branches of the same diameter d=6.35 mm, separated by a distance L centre to centre L∕d=1.5 with their centrelines falling in a plane inclined an angle θ = 30° from the horizontal. A block-structured, hexahedral computational mesh was used. The gas–liquid flow was computed using the inhomogeneous, free surface model of ANSYS CFX. Mesh-independence tests were conducted and the solutions of the discretized equations were progressed in time using a small time step size (≈ 0.0001 s). Results were obtained for the critical heights of the interface at the onsets of gas and liquid entrainment at both branches, as well as the outlet mass flow rate and quality during two-phase discharge. Good agreement was found between the numerical results and the available experimental data and correlations.

Assessment of Vein Diameter and Body Surface Temperature after High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on the Tarsal Joint in Healthy Horses

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on vein diameter and on body surface temperature changes in the tarsal joint area in a group of clinically healthy racehorses. The hypothesis of the study was that HILT increases vein diameter and body surface temperature in healthy tissue. The study involved 16 Thoroughbreds being subjected to ultrasonographic examination to assess changes of diameter of the cranial branch of the medial saphenous vein and thermographic examination to indicate temperature change of the dorsal surface of the tarsal joint, just before and immediately after HILT treatment. Vein diameter and mean surface temperature of the tarsal joint significantly increased after HILT treatment. In addition, the study was the first to describe the photothermal effect of HILT in healthy horses. More studies are necessary to specify the parameters of the procedure, that is, wavelength, energy density, or time of the procedure, depending on the patient’s individual characteristics and type of tissue.

Crescimento inicial do cafeeiro robusta submetido a consórcios culturais nas entrelinhas

O manejo cultural nas estrelinhas do cafeeiro pode influenciar diretamente na produtividade da cultura. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento inicial de clones de cafeeiro robusta, irrigados por gotejamento, submetidos a diferentes manejos culturais nas entrelinhas. A área de pesquisa foi conduzida em uma lavoura cafeeira com 30 dias de transplantada até aproximadamente 12 meses, adotando-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco cultivos distintos nas entrelinhas do cafeeiro: vegetação espontânea (plantas daninhas), milho e feijão em sucessão, estilosantes campo grande, Brachiaria ruziziensis e ausência de vegetação (limpo). Avaliaram-se as características biométricas do cafeeiro: altura de planta, diâmetro da copa, diâmetro do caule, e número de ramos plagiotrópicos do cafeeiro; a densidade, umidade e porosidade do solo até os 0,40 m de profundidade; índice de Clorofila Falker e trocas gasosas entre as 7h-18h. O manejo com vegetação espontânea e B. ruziziensis interferiram negativamente no diâmetro da copa e nos índices de clorofila do cafeeiro. Maiores valores de transpiração (2,67 mmol m-2 s-1) foram observados na ausência de cobertura, e os menores valores (2,19 mmol m-2 s-1) no cultivo com milho e feijão em sucessão. As trocas gasosas não são influenciadas pela presença do consórcio cultural nas entrelinhas e, são mais efetivas no início da manhã e final da tarde. Pode-se adotar manejos com estilosantes; milho e feijão em sucessão; e ausência de vegetação nas entrelinhas do cafeeiro em fase de formação.

Endothelial damage and dysfunction in acute graft-versus-host disease.

Clinical studies have suggested a potential involvement of endothelial dysfunction and damage in the development and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). Accordingly, we found an increased percentage of apoptotic caspase 3 positive blood vessels in duodenal and colonic mucosa biopsies of patients with severe aGvHD. In murine experimental aGvHD, we detected severe microstructural endothelial damage and reduced endothelial pericyte coverage accompanied by reduced expression of endothelial tight junction proteins leading to increased endothelial leakage in aGvHD target organs. During intestinal aGvHD, colonic vasculature structurally changed, reflected by increased vessel branching and vessel diameter. As recent data demonstrated an association of endothelium-related factors and steroid refractory aGvHD (SR-aGvHD), we analyzed human biopsies and murine tissues from SR-aGvHD. We found extensive tissue damage but low levels of alloreactive T-cell infiltration in target organs, providing the rationale for T-cell independent SR-aGvHD treatment strategies. Consequently, we tested the endothelium-protective PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil, which reduced apoptosis and improved metabolic activity of endothelial cells in vitro. Accordingly, sildenafil treatment improved survival and reduced target organ damage during experimental SR-aGvHD. Our results demonstrate extensive damage, structural changes, and dysfunction of the vasculature during aGvHD. Therapeutic intervention by endothelium- protecting agents is an attractive approach for SR-aGvHD complementing current anti-inflammatory treatment options.

Femoral artery anatomy is a risk factor for limb ischemia in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

In minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), femoral artery cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can cause limb ischemia. This study evaluated the association between femoral artery anatomy and the risk of limb ischemia in MICS. Eighty-one patients who underwent MICS with CPB using single femoral artery cannulation between 2010 and 2018 were included. The patients were stratified by their femoral artery diameter and anatomy of ectopic side branch, i.e., medial or lateral femoral circumflex arteries: Type A, deep femoral artery (DFA) ≥ superficial femoral artery (SFA); type B, DFA < SFA with an ectopic side branch of the common femoral artery (CFA); type C, DFA < SFA with an ectopic side branch at the CFA bifurcation; and type D, DFA < SFA without an ectopic side branch. The ratio of the postoperative creatine kinase concentration and the cross-sectional area of the femoral muscles (CK/MA) was used as a surrogate marker of limb ischemia. Predictors of high CK/MA were evaluated. No critical limb ischemia was observed in this study. The median postoperative creatine kinase and CK/MA were 1954 (1305-2872) IU/l and 15.2 (9.2-19.8) IU/l/cm2. Multivariable logistic regression found that anatomical type D (odds ratio 4.19, 95% confidence interval: (1.26-14.0); p = 0.020) and prolonged CPB time (OR 1.01, 95% CI (1.00-1.02); p = 0.045) were independent risk factors of high CK/MA. Anatomical type D and prolonged CPB time were associated with risk of limb ischemia in MICS.

Formation of Vortices in Idealised Branching Vessels: A CFD Benchmark Study.

Atherosclerosis preferentially occurs near the junction of branching vessels, where blood recirculation tends to occur (Malek et al. in J Am Med Assoc 282(21):2035-2042, 1999, https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.282.21.2035 ). For decades, CFD has been used to predict flow patterns such as separation and recirculation zones in hemodynamic models, but those predictions have rarely been validated with experimental data. In the context of verification and validation (V&V), we first conduct a CFD benchmark calculation that reproduces the vortex detection experiments of Karino and Goldsmith (1980) with idealised branching blood vessels (Karino and Goldsmith in Trans. Am. Soc. Artif. Internal Organs 26:500-506, 1980). The critical conditions for the formation of recirculation vortices, the so-called critical Reynolds numbers, are the main parameters for comparison with the experimental data to demonstrate the credibility of the CFD workflow. We then characterise the wall shear stresses and develop a surrogate model for the size of formed vortices. An automated parametric study generating more than 12,000 CFD simulations was performed, sweeping the geometries and flow conditions found in the experiments by Karino and Goldsmith. The flow conditions were restricted to steady-state laminar flow, with a range of inflow Reynolds numbers up to 350, with various flow ratios between the main branch outlet and side branch outlet. The side branch diameter was scaled relative to the main branch diameter, ranging from 1.05/3 to 3/3; and the branching angles ranged in size from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. Recirculation vortices were detected by the inversion of the velocity vector at certain locations, as well as by the inversion of the wall shear stress (WSS) vector. The CFD simulations demonstrated good agreement with the experimental data on the critical Reynolds numbers. The spatial distributions of WSS on each branch were analysed to identify potential regions of disease. Once a vortex is formed, the size of the vortex increases by the square root of the Reynolds number. The CFD data was fitted to a surrogate model that accurately predicts the vortex size without the need to run computationally more expensive CFD simulations. This benchmark study validates the CFD simulation of vortex detection in idealised branching vessels under comprehensive flow conditions. This work also proposes a surrogate model for the size of the vortex, which could reduce the computational requirements in the studies related to branching vessels and complex vascular systems.

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization promotes Zanthoxylum armatum ‘Hanyuan Putao Qingjiao’ flower bud differentiation in Sichuan, China

Chinese prickly ash is an ecologically and economically important tree species. In southwestern China, its yield is low due to severe fruit and flower drop related to the relatively low nutrient status of shoots and/or flowers caused by a lack of nutrient supply. Therefore, studies on flower bud differentiation are of great importance to improve the yield of Chinese prickly ash. An orthogonal experimental design was used to study the effects of N (urea, 97.8, 195.7 and 391.3 g/individual), P (superphosphate, 150, 300 and 600 g/individual) and K (potassium sulphate, 83.3, 166.7 and 333.3 g/individual) treatments on flower bud differentiation in 3-year-old Zanthoxylum armatum ‘Hanyuan Putao Qingjiao’ trees. The results showed that N, P and K fertilizer application significantly increased the flower bud differentiation rate, branch diameter and number, the soluble sugar content, the soluble protein content, the C/N ratio, the ABA content and the ABA/IAA ratio but decreased the GA content and IAA content in Chinese prickly ash. The flower bud differentiation rate was positively related to the soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, C/N ratio and ABA/IAA ratio (p < 0.05) but negatively related to GA and IAA (p < 0.05). A higher P content increased the accumulation of nutrients and ABA in the buds, thereby promoting the flower bud differentiation in Z. armatum ‘Hanyuan Putao Qingjiao’. From these results, the flower bud differentiation in Z. armatum ‘Hanyuan Putao Qingjiao’ requires appropriate N, P and K fertilizer ratios and amounts. Treatment 12 (N2P3K1) significantly improved the absorption of nutrients in the buds and promoted the differentiation of flower buds.

Fractal analysis of concurrently prepared latex rubber casts of the bronchial and vascular systems of the human lung.

Fractal geometry (FG) is a branch of mathematics that instructively characterizes structural complexity. Branched structures are ubiquitous in both the physical and the biological realms. Fractility has therefore been termed nature's design. The fractal properties of the bronchial (airway) system, the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein of the human lung generates large respiratory surface area that is crammed in the lung. Also, it permits the inhaled air to intimately approximate the pulmonary capillary blood across a very thin blood–gas barrier through which gas exchange to occur by diffusion. Here, the bronchial (airway) and vascular systems were simultaneously cast with latex rubber. After corrosion, the bronchial and vascular system casts were physically separated and cleared to expose the branches. The morphogenetic (Weibel's) ordering method was used to categorize the branches on which the diameters and the lengths, as well as the angles of bifurcation, were measured. The fractal dimensions (DF) were determined by plotting the total branch measurements against the mean branch diameters on double logarithmic coordinates (axes). The diameter-determined DF values were 2.714 for the bronchial system, 2.882 for the pulmonary artery and 2.334 for the pulmonary vein while the respective values from lengths were 3.098, 3.916 and 4.041. The diameters yielded DF values that were consistent with the properties of fractal structures (i.e. self-similarity and space-filling). The data obtained here compellingly suggest that the design of the bronchial system, the pulmonary artery and the pulmonary vein of the human lung functionally comply with the Hess–Murray law or ‘the principle of minimum work’.

Scots Pine Stem Parameters in Sites with Different Stand Densities in Lithuania

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different stand densities and thinning regimes on stem quality parameters, mainly branch characteristics, of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees. The study provides some input to the discussion about Scots pine stem quality responses to different forest management practices in relatively young stands. Materials and Methods: Total tree height, height to the lowest live and dead branch, diameter at breast height (DBH), and diameter of all branches from the whorls located up to 6 m from the ground were measured. The linear regression models to predict branch diameter, as the main parameter for the stem quality assessment, were developed based on stand density and stem parameters. Results and Conclusions: DBH, branch diameter and number of branches up to 6-m stem height were significantly higher in the stands with the lowest density. These stem parameters showed a relatively clear downward trend from the lowest to the highest stand densities. The main identified variables which significantly affected stem quality, were branch diameter and diameter of the thickest branch in the bottom part of the stem, at least up to 3-m stem height. For practical use, the best fitted model was estimated when stand density, DBH, and branch diameter up to 3-m height were included in a single equation. The developed model for branch diameter could be used as a forest management tool for managing stem-wood quality.

Salix dormant bud cryotolerance varies by taxon, harvest year, and stem‐segment length

AbstractWillow (Salix L.) species have good qualities for becoming a biomass crop for production of biofuels. They grow on marginal soils, produce high yields of wood in a short period of time, and are easily propagated. Salix is one of the few genera that may be cryopreserved as dormant winter buds (DBs) instead of using tissue culture techniques. The objective of our study was to evaluate selected factors that affect cryotolerance of nine Salix germplasm accessions in the USDA‐ARS National Plant Germplasm System collection. One‐year‐old branches harvested in January over 3 yr were cut into either 6‐ to 7‐ or 10‐cm segments containing at least two DBs. Segments were treated with a slow‐cooling procedure and stored in vapor‐phase liquid N (LNV). Control segments were stored at −5 °C until planting. The LNV‐exposed and the −5 °C‐stored nodal segments were warmed and directly planted in a cold greenhouse. Six weeks later, the material was evaluated for shoot and root development. Segments that developed a shoot were considered viable. Average viability varied among years (0–35.1%) even for the same accession, species (4.2–51.4%), and segment length. Dormant buds on 10‐cm segments had higher average viability (82.2%) than did DBs on 6‐ to 7‐cm segments (43.9%), suggesting higher suitability for cryopreservation. In the material studied, Salix DB viability was correlated with branch diameter, DB density, and the ability to develop shoots and roots prior to cryopreservation.

The Long-term Fate of Aortic Branches in Patients With Aortic Dissection

ABSTRACT Objective Late morbidity and mortality related to aortic branches in patients with aortic dissection (AD) are not well described. We aimed to investigate the fate of aortic branches in a population cohort of patients with newly diagnosed AD. Methods We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project record linkage system to identify all Olmsted County, MN, residents diagnosed with AD from 1995 to 2015. Only patients with >30 days of available follow-up imaging were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was freedom from any branch-related event (any intervention, aneurysm, malperfusion, rupture, or death occurring after the acute phase >14 days). Secondary outcome was the diameter change of the aortic branches. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of branch-related events; univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to assess aortic branches growth rate. Results Of 77 total incident AD cases, 58 patients who survived with imaging follow-up were included, 28 (48%) with type A and 30 (52%) with type B AD. The presentation was acute in 39 (67%) cases; 6 (10%) had branch malperfusion. Of 177 aortic branches involved by the AD, 81 (46%) arose from the true lumen, 33 (19%) from the false lumen, 63 (36%) from both. After the acute phase, freedom from any branch-related event at 15 years was 48% (95%CI 32-70). Thirty-one branch-related events occurred in 19 patients over 15 years: 12 interventions (76% freedom, 95%CI 63-92), 10 aneurysms (67% freedom, 95%CI 50-90), 8 malperfusions (76% freedom, 95%CI 61-94) and 1 rupture (94% freedom, 95%CI 84-100). There were no branch-related deaths. Type B AD (HR 3.5, 95%CI 1.1-10.8; P=.033), patency of the aortic false lumen (HR 6.8, 95% CI 1.1-42.2; P=.038) and malperfusion syndrome at presentation (HR 6.0, 95% CI 1.3-28.6; P=.023) were predictors of late aortic branches-related events. Overall growth rate of aortic branches was 1.3±3.0 mm/year. Patency of the aortic false lumen, initial branch diameter, and Marfan syndrome were significantly associated with diameter increase. Conclusions In patients with AD, aortic branch involvement was responsible for a significant long-term morbidity, without any related mortality. Type B AD, patency of the aortic false lumen, or malperfusion syndrome at presentation had a higher risk of branch events during the long-term follow-up. Dilatation of the aortic branches was observed in one third of cases during follow-up, in particular in case of a patent aortic false lumen or Marfan syndrome.

Integrated detection of citrus fruits and branches using a convolutional neural network

The key technology for a fruit picking robot is to identify fruits in different occlusion states. Based on the mask regional convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) and a branch segment merging algorithm, an integrated system was developed to simultaneously detect and measure citrus fruits and branches. A training dataset was constructed for fruit and tree appearance, including single fruit, multiple fruits, occluded fruits, branches and trunk. A segmental labeling method for random and irregular branches is proposed to improve the precision of the Mask R-CNN. Based on the segmental mask regions identified by this model, a more precise bounding box is obtained by calculating the minimum enclosing rectangle of mask regions. Then, a branch segment merging algorithm reconstructs branches and the trunk. Diameters of fruits and branches are obtained by mapping the color image onto the depth image. The average precision of fruit and branch recognition are 88.15% and 96.27%, respectively. The average measurement error of fruits’ transverse diameters, fruits’ longitudinal diameters, and branch diameters are 2.52, 2.29, and 1.17 mm, respectively. Experiments show the detection system has good performance for all types of fruits and occlusions. This vision system can effectively help the robot to plan the appropriate picking path and avoid obstacles.

Drought-Induced Mortality: Branch Diameter Variation Reveals a Point of No Recovery in Lavender Species.

In the context of climate change, determining the physiological mechanisms of drought-induced mortality in woody plants and identifying thresholds of drought survivorship will improve forecasts of forest and agroecosystem die-off. Here, we tested whether continuous measurements of branch diameter variation can be used to identify thresholds of hydraulic failure and physiological recoverability in lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula × intermedia) plants exposed to severe drought. Two parameters of branch diameter variation were tested: the percentage loss of diameter and the percentage loss of rehydration capacity. In two greenhouse experiments with different growth conditions, we monitored variation in branch diameter in the two lavender species exposed to a series of drought/rewatering cycles that varied in drought-stress intensity. Water potential, stomatal conductance, loss of xylem hydraulic conductance, and electrolyte leakage were also measured. We observed that plants were not able to recover when percentage loss of diameter reached maximum values of 21.3% ± 0.6% during drought, regardless of species and growth conditions. A percentage loss of rehydration capacity of 100% was defined as the point of no recovery, and was observed with high levels of cellular damage as estimated by electrolyte leakage measured at 75.4% ± 9.3% and occurred beyond 88% loss of xylem hydraulic conductance. Our study demonstrates that lavender plants are not able to recover from severe drought when they have used up their elastic water storage. Additionally, drought-induced mortality in these species was not linked to xylem hydraulic failure but rather to high levels of cell damage.