Cane Length Research Articles

The effect of cane length and step height on muscle strength and body balance of elderly people in a stairway environment.

BackgroundIt has been reported that 75% of stairway accidents occur while descending stairs. Using a cane can help to prevent older people and those with limited mobility from falling. However, studies have shown that two-thirds of older cane users use a cane that is longer than the recommended length, which may cause unnecessary muscular loads. This study aims to assess balance and muscular load in older people descending different height steps with different cane lengths.MethodsNine participants (5 males and 4 females) aged over 65 years participated in this study. Cane length and stair height were independent variables. Electromyography signals were recorded from the biceps brachii of the arm that usually held the cane and from both gastrocnemius muscles. In addition, the center of pressure (CoP) was assessed as an indicator of balance in older people descending a step.ResultsDescending from higher steps resulted in the use of greater arm and leg strength at the time of first foot contact. However, cane length did not affect any of the root mean square values. In addition, the CoP Stabilometric Parameters showed that mean distance, antero-posterior mean distance, total excursions, antero-posterior total excursions, mean velocity, and antero-posterior mean velocity were significantly affected by step height, but not by cane length.ConclusionsIf cane length is within the currently suggested range, then it has little effect on the force load on the arm and legs when descending a step. Step height has a greater effect than cane length on the strategies used by older people to maintain stability.

Growth and development of ‘Illini Hardy’ blackberry (Rubus subgenus Eubatus Focke) under shaded systems

Blackberries (Rubus subgenus Eubatus Focke) of the Eastern United States commonly grow along forest edges and in disturbed sites, though the potential for introducing improved cultivars into managed forest systems has been little explored in agroforestry literature. Bare root ‘Illini Hardy’ blackberry plants were grown under three neutral shade cloth levels (20, 50, and 70 % irradiance relative to full sunlight) and a full sun control in an orchard system over one growing season. The plants were then excavated from the shade plots and the floricanes forced to fruit in a heated greenhouse after receiving a chilling treatment consistent with data published about the cultivar. Potential yield reflected by primocane yield components was only marginally affected by the light treatments, with no significant differences in primocane counts, cane length, or the numbers of nodes. Cane diameter and attributes of primocane architecture were significant, affecting crown geometries and resulting in the highest percent light interception among plants grown at 70 % relative irradiance. Maximum net photosynthesis rates increased at higher irradiance levels with little increase above 70 % full sunlight, although no differences were observed in whole plant biomass or biomass allocation. Flowering and harvest periods were more concentrated from plants receiving 70–100 % relative irradiance during flower initiation. These results suggest that vegetative phases of ‘Illini Hardy’ blackberry may benefit from partial shading with an optimum light intensity approximating 70 % of full sunlight, but that floral bud differentiation is delayed or incomplete at lower irradiance levels produced by whole canopy or intracane shading.

Do traditionally recommended cane lengths equally influence walking in patients after stroke?

BackgroundA cane has been used to improve hemiplegic gait by assisting affected limb to smoothly shift body mass toward the sound limb. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the walking parameters of patients after stroke while walking using traditionally recommended cane lengths that is fitted to the height of the greater trochanter (GT) or to the wrist crease (WC). MethodsSixteen patients with stroke participated in this study and were randomly assigned to walking with a GT or WC cane length. The two traditionally recommended cane lengths were from the ground to the top of the GT or to the distal WC. Measured walking parameters were foot contact area of the affected side, stride length, center of pressure trajectory, foot axis, foot pressures, and walking velocity when walking with a cane. ResultsSignificant differences in foot contact area, foot pressure, and center of pressure trajectory were observed between the two cane lengths (p < 0.05). The GT cane length had a wider mid-foot contact area (by 19.7%), a longer anterior/posterior center of pressure trajectory (by 9.7%), a greater toe pressure (by 26.7%), and a greater mid-foot pressure (by 14.3%) than the WC cane length (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for other walking parameters. ConclusionHemiplegic walking with cane fitted at the GT might results in more normal walking of the affected limb in patients after stroke.

Effect of Cane Technique on Obstacle Detection with the Long Cane

Modern long cane (also known as the white cane) techniques have changed little since their development in the 1940s. The two-point touch and the constant-contact techniques are the two used most widely by travelers who are blind. Regardless of which technique is used, obstacle detection, a key component of preview offered by a long cane (Blasch, La Grow, & De l'Aune, 1996), is crucial for the safety of blind travelers. When obstacles such as construction cones or toys left on the sidewalk are missed, they may trip the cane user, resulting in falls and consequent fall-induced injuries. Several recent studies have examined how different factors affect drop-off detection with the long cane. Cane users detected drop-offs more reliably when they used the constant-contact technique than when they used the two-point touch technique, particularly if they were inexperienced cane users respectively (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2009; Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010a). Younger cane users and those with earlier-onset visual impairments detected drop-offs better than older cane users and those with later-onset visual impairments (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010b). However, drop-off detection performance with a standard marshmallow tip was similar to that with a marshmallow roller tip (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010c). In addition, a cane length difference of 10 inches did not result in a significant difference in drop-off detection (Kim & Wall Emerson, 2012). In respect to obstacle detection, La Grow, Blasch, and De l'Aune (1997a) reported that participants achieved the greatest detection distance for foot-level objects (those that are not higher than the ankle) when the hand holding the cane was held at the midline and positioned below the waist. In another study, La Grow, Blasch, and De l'Aune (1997b) also documented that the two-point touch technique did not provide consistent surface previewing for four of seven participants. Wall and Ashmead (2002) found that pivoting the wrist when swinging the cane resulted in better body coverage than did moving the whole arm. The reliability of traditional cane techniques for detecting obstacles is of particular interest because some of the previous studies reported path coverage rates that were inadequately low (61-69%) when the participants used the two-point touch technique (Uslan, 1978; Wall & Ashmead, 2002). Although one orientation and mobility (OM La Grow & Long, 2011). What is of additional interest is whether the constant-contact technique indeed has an advantage over the two-point touch technique in detecting low obstacles. Such claims have been made by many cane users based on the fact that the cane tip stays in contact with the walking surface at all times when the constant-contact technique is used. However, these claims have been solely based on anecdotes and have not been examined empirically. The purpose of the present study was to examine how reliable the traditional cane techniques are for detecting obstacles and whether the type of cane technique affects obstacle detection as it interacts with the height of the obstacles. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] METHOD Study design and recruitment criteria A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for the study. We recruited 14 sighted students (7 female and 7 male) aged 22 to 62 (median age = 26) from Western Michigan University's (WMU) O&M program. The participants were familiar with both the two-point touch and the constant-contact techniques and their cane use experience ranged from one month to four months (median experience = four months). …

Nutrient uptake, sugarcane yield and economics of high sugar early genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum sp hybrid complex) under various planting seasons and fertility levels in Bihar

A field experiment was conducted for 3 consecutive years (2006-2010) in two seasons (autumn and spring) on sandy loam soil of Bihar, Pusa (Samastipur), to find out the impact of early maturing high sugar genotypes and level of N-P and K fertilization on performance of sugarcane (Saccharum sp hybrid complex). The performance indicated significant superiority of CoSe 95422 to CoP 9301 in terms of germination (35.5 and 34.4 %), tillers (152 700 and 141 400/ha), cane length (204 and 201 cm) and cane diameter (2.32 and 2.25 cm) in autumn and spring season, respectively. CoSe 95422 exhibited significantly higher dry matter accumulation and leaf area index at all the growth stages during both the cropping seasons. Net assimilation rate increased substantially at the initial crop growth stages and declined thereafter. Genotype CoP 9301 achieved higher NAR (6.34 and 5.66 g/m2/day) during June- August, though it was failed to reach the level of significance during August-October. Number of millable canes exhibited marked variation among the genotypes in both the seasons. CoSe 95422 produced significantly highest cane yield during autumn (81.0 tonnes/ha) and spring season (73.2 tonnes/ha) respectively. The percentage increase in mean cane and sugar yield by autumn planted sugarcane over spring planted sugarcane was 9.7 and 11.27 %, respectively. However, maximum sugar yield was obtained by CoSe 95422. Further, it showed significantly higher N (206.8 and 176.5 kg/ha), P (18.5 and 16.9 kg/ha), K uptake (239.4 and 204.0 kg/ha), net return (` 55 430 and ` 46 500) and benefit: cost ratio (1.86 and 1.75) during autumn and spring season, respectively. Fertility level had significant impact on drymatter accumulation and leaf area index across the season as well as stages of growth. Significantly higher tillers (140 300 and 131 000/ha), cane length (208 and 204 cm), cane diameter (2.34 and 2.26 cm), millable cane (102 100 and 100 300/ha) and cane yield (85.2 and 77.6 tonnes/ha) were obtained with the application of 187.5 N + 46.4 P + 62.3 K kg/ha in autumn and spring season, respectively. Though all of these parameters except cane diameter in spring season were statistically similar to 150 N + 37.1 P + 49.8 K kg/ha. A significant increase in cane and sugar yield was observed up to 150 N + 37.1 P + 49.8 K kg/ha. The magnitude of increase in cane yield at 187.5 N + 46.4 P + 62.3 K, 150 N + 37.1 P + 49.8 K kg/ha over 112.5 N + 27.8 P + 37.4 K kg/ha were 37.6 and 30.9%, respectively, during autumn season. Whereas, these increased 35.7 and 28.0% respectively during spring season. Though, significant variation in sugar yield up to 150 N + 37.1 P + 49.8 K kg/ha was noticed during both the season. There was a significant increase in net return by increasing level of N+P+K/ha during both the season. Though, marked variation in benefit: cost ratio (1.87 and 1.75) was observed only up to 150 N + 37.1 P + 49.8 K kg/ha during autumn and spring season, respectively.

1C2-1 The Impact of Muscle Fatigue and Body Equilibrium of the Elderly Using Different Length of Cane on Getting Down in Different Height of Stairway.

1C2-1 The Impact of Muscle Fatigue and Body Equilibrium of the Elderly Using Different Length of Cane on Getting Down in Different Height of Stairway.

Cold tolerance and chilling requirements for breaking of bud dormancy in plants and severed shoots of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

SummaryCold hardiness and the chilling requirements for breaking bud dormancy in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) were studied by exposing dormant plants and severed shoots of the cultivars ‘Glen Ample’ and ‘Asker’ to temperatures ranging from +10ºC to –20ºC for periods of 7 – 21 weeks. Temperatures in the +5ºC to –5ºC range were optimal for breaking bud dormancy and the promotion of flower development across all chilling periods, while +10ºC and –10ºC were outside the optimum chilling temperature range. The effect of the various temperatures varied with the duration of the chilling period. However, even at optimal chilling temperatures, both bud burst and flowering were promoted and advanced in both cultivars by sustained chilling for up to 21 weeks. Experiments with intact potted plants and severed canes of ‘Glen Ample’ produced almost identical dormancy-breaking results. Neither plants nor severed canes of ‘Glen Ample’ survived storage at –10ºC or –20ºC, whereas canes of ‘Asker’ survived at –10ºC.We therefore conclude that 20 or more weeks of chilling at near-freezing temperatures are required for full dormancy release and the promotion of flowering along the entire length of the raspberry cane, which is a pre-requisite for large fruit yields. Therefore, erratic bud break and less consistent fruit yields may be expected in raspberry crops in the wake of ongoing climatic warming with declining winter chill.

Influence of Micronutrients on Yield and Quality of Sugarcane

The field experiment was conducted for 2 years to find out the effect of application of micronutrients on yield and quality of sugarcane in sandy loam soils during 2009 and 2010. The study indicated that all the yield traits viz., NMC, cane length, cane diameter and cane yield were significantly influenced by the application of zinc and Iron. Non significant response was observed with Boron application for growth parameters except for cane diameter. Data on juice quality parameters i.e. sucrose % at harvest showed significant influence due to soil application of boron @ 10 kg/ha followed by FeSO4 spray @ 2 % twice at 30 and 60 days after planting. Sugar yield increased significantly with application of all micronutrients. Regression model was developed which indicated the dependency of sugar yield on cane yield.

Physiological Studies on Ratoonability of Sugarcane Varieties under Tropical Indian Condition

The ratoon crop occupies approximately 40% of the total area of sugarcane crop in tropical India. The main reason for the lower average cane productivity is the yield decline in ratoon crops (40 - 50 t/ha) despite the release of the high yielding varieties and advanced cane production technology. The physiological factors associated with ratooning performance and the variation in growth and yield were studied in 11 sugarcane varieties in two cycles of one plant and two ratoon crops each. The first ratoon and second ratoon crop showed 17.0% and 28.1% reduction in tiller production and 15.5% and 15.7% reduction in NMC, respectively, over plant crop. The differences in growth parameters between the plant and ratoon crops at the formative phase were lesser than that of grand growth and maturity phases. Varieties Co 86032, Co 97008, Co 95020 Co 99004 and Co 2000-10 showed better physiological efficiency in terms of plant height, shoot population, leaf size, TDMP, partitioning efficiency, chlorophyll content and nitrate reductase activity and significantly higher yield components such as NMC, SCW, cane length, internodal length as well as cane yield compared to other varieties. The higher reduction in ratoon yield in Co 99008, Co 94012, Co 8021 and Co 97009 (>35.00% reduction) was due to higher reduction in tiller production associated with stunted plant growth and root system, reducetion in individual leaf size and LAI, TDMP, total chlorophyll content, NMC, internodal length and SCW. The results obtained indicated that the plant height, TDMP, stem partitioning, leaf size, total chlorophyll content, SCW, cane length and cane girth were highly associated with yield of first and second ratoon crops than that of plant crop. Therefore the difference in the association between physiological parameters with yield of plant and ratoon crops therefore decides the ratooning potential of the crop.

The effect of cane length on knee mechanical loading in patients with knee osteoarthritis

The effect of cane length on knee mechanical loading in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Production Potential and Soil Fertility Status of Ratoon Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) as Influenced by Time and Level of Earthing Up and Nitrogen Levels in North-Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

&lt;p&gt;A field experiment was carried out during the spring seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to find out exact time of earthing up with level of earthing up and optimum doses of nitrogen for getting higher productivity, monetary returns, and changes in the fertility status of soils after harvest of ratoon sugarcane (&lt;em&gt;Saccharum officinarum&lt;/em&gt; L.). Twentieth fifth April earthed crop produced significantly more height of tillers, leaf area index at maximum tillering stage, grand growth stage and at harvest, dry matter/tiller at maximum tillering stage at grand growth stage and at harvest, cane length, cane diameter of top, middle and bottom, weight of cane, cane yield, monetary returns, B/C ratio, N, P and K uptake except number of tillers/ha, number of millable cane/ha and net available soil nutrient after the harvest of ratoon crops as compared to 25&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; May and 25&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; June respectively. Twentieth cm height of earthing up from the ridge also significantly increased all the above parameters such as height of tillers, LAI of maximum tillering stage, grand growth stage and harvest, dry matter/tiller at maximum tillering stage, grand growth stage and at harvest, cane length, weight of cane and cane yield than that of 10 cm earthed crop in both the ratoon crops. Application of 210 kg N/ha linearly and significantly increased number of tillers/ha at 60 and 120 days after ratooning, height of tillers at 120 days after ratooning, LAI at maximum tillering stage, grand growth stage, and at harvest, dry matter/tiller at maximum tillering stage, grand growth stage and at harvest, number of millable cane, cane length, cane weight, cane yield, monetary returns, B/C ratio and N, P, K uptake followed by 180 kg N/ha. Ratoon crop showed that there was a build up of nitrogen and phosphorous but depletion in potassium content of the soil. 210 kg N/ha with earlier earthed at 25&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; April to a level of 20 cm was found optimum for obtaining higher yields and monetary returns.&lt;/p&gt;

PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES FROM SUGARCANE AND THEIR POTENTIAL IN PROMOTING GROWTH OF THE HOST UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

SUMMARYTen endophytic bacteria were isolated from different sugarcane varieties growing in the Crop Research Centre, Pantnagar on nitrogen-free medium. Plant growth-promoting potential of the isolates was reported in terms of indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphorus solubilization, siderophore production and antagonistic action against the pathogenColletotrichum falcatum, which causes red rot disease in sugarcanein vitro. All the isolates were able to produce IAA (4.8–9 μg ml−1); three isolates (H3, H5 and H14) solubilized insoluble phosphorus on Pikovaskaya's agar; two isolates (H10 and H14) showed siderophore production on Chrome-azurol S (CAS) agar and antagonism againstC. falcatumwas exhibited by two isolates (H14 and H15) in a dual plate assay. 16 S rRNA sequencing identified isolates H3 and H12 asPseudomonasspp., and H8, H14 and H15 asBacillusspp. A field experiment on sugarcane was conducted with five plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytesPseudomonasspp. (H3 and H12) andBacillusspp. (H8, H14 and H15) along with standard strains ofGluconacetobacterandAzospirillumspp. Plant height, chlorophyll content, total nitrogen and cane length were significantly higher in almost all inoculated plants compared with the uninoculated control. An increase of 40% in cane yield over the control was obtained after inoculation with isolate H15 (Bacillusspp.). This was statistically on par with the standard endophyteGluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, which resulted in 42% increased cane yield. Identification of new diazotrophs and their promising results towards improving plant growth in the field suggest their use as inoculants in future.

Evaluation of Drought Tolerance Potential of Elite Genotypes and Progenies of Sugarcane (Saccharum sp. hybrids)

In order to identify drought tolerant genotypes and study the pattern of segregation for drought, 28 elite sugarcane hybrids and 165 progenies from a proven commercial cross (Co 740 × Co 775) were evaluated for sugar yield attributes and biochemical parameters under normal and drought conditions. In the genotypes, higher reduction in drought in relation to the normal condition were observed for internode length (45.76 %), single cane weight (25.5 %), NMC (22.8 %), cane length (20.10 %) and sucrose content (18.73 %), while cane diameter (2.92 %), internode number (3.58 %) and Brix (−6.99 %) showed marginal variation. Similar reduction in cane height (35.05 %) and internode length (25.13 %) in the progenies indicated that cane length was more adversely affected by drought and the reduction was through shortening of internodes than reduction in internode number. These two easily scorable parameters in field and showing significant positive correlation under normal and drought conditions could serve as reliable characters in drought screening. Nitrate reductase activity showed reduction in the genotypes (39.11 %) and progenies (44.95 %), while proline accumulation and activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase almost doubled in the genotypes and progenies. The tolerant genotypes viz. Co 740, ISH 100, NS 83/247, Co 85019, Co 997 and Co 99008 could be utilized in crop improvement, while Co 419, Co 8021, Co 775 and Co 8368 were susceptible. Higher proportion of drought tolerant genotypes reflected the genetic nature of sugarcane hybrids with genome contribution from the drought tolerant species S. spontaneum.. The population of 165 progenies was categorized into five classes of varying levels of tolerance that followed a normal distribution and hence its value as an immortal mapping population for genetical and molecular studies on drought tolerance.

Architecture, cover and light interception by bramble (Rubus fruticosus): a common understorey weed in temperate forests

Bramble (Rubus fruticosus L.) is a common weed in temperate forest and also in other world ecosystems where it is recorded as an invasive plant. Although it has been described to efficiently compete for water and nutrients, little is known on its competitive ability for light. We described bramble canopy architecture, cover relative to light availability and light interception ability in 60 areas of bramble thicket at 17 sites in France and 1 in England with contrasting soils and climates. The leaf area and leaf number can be predicted by the cane (shoot) length. The leaf inclination distribution was planophile (i.e. leaf laminas distributed in the horizontal plane). There was a good relationship between light interception and leaf area index (LAI) of the different bramble thickets, with no significant site influence, meaning that a single model can be used to predict light interception by bramble in different conditions. Bramble LAI and cover rapidly increased with light availability in the understorey to reach almost 20% cover at only 5‐7% light availability above the thicket. Consequently, bramble is able to tolerate deep shade, which is not in accordance with its reputed moderate to high light requirement reported in the literature and suggests that it is difficult to control this species by manipulating tree canopy. This would have adverse consequences on tree regeneration.

Genetic Parameters and Breeding for Yield in Red Raspberry

For most small fruit-breeding programs, high yield is a key objective and breeders face a number of challenges breeding for high yield, including interaction of environmental influences and the high cost of yield measurements. Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) yield is determined by a number of yield components (YC), including cane number, cane length, number of fruiting laterals, fruit numbers, and fruit size. The ultimate goal for breeders would be to be able to select for high-yield genotypes using key YC as early in the life of the plant as possible. In this study we set out to determine how individual components of yield are inherited, determine which components contribute the most to total yield, and investigate whether it is possible using key components to make selections for high-yielding genotypes on 1- and 2-year-old plants. We estimated variance components, heritabilities, phenotypic and genotypic correlations, and breeding values for yield and YC from 1008 genotypes based on 85 families derived from 45 parents harvested over three seasons in Washington state. Narrow-sense heritability estimates varied from moderately low [0.2 for number of canes (NCAN)] to moderately high [0.69 for berry weight (BWT)]. In general, all YCs were positively correlated with total yield (TYLD). The highest genetic correlation with TYLD was found for BWT (0.8), followed by cane length (CLEN) (0.54) and number of fruit per lateral (NFRT) (0.5). NCAN had the lowest genetic correlation with TYLD (–0.03). Genotype × year (G×Y) interaction was higher for some YCs than others. Berry weight, lateral length (LLEN), and NFRT were found to be the most stable overall seasons and the interaction was higher between the first and second years than between the second and third years of the study. To determine the most important YC, we calculated the correlations between the product of all combinations of subsets of the YC breeding values and TYLD. Berry weight, CLEN, and cane diameter (CDIA) were found to be the most important for 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. The two most important YCs were LLEN and BWT and this was consistent overall seasons. We demonstrate that it is possible to select high-yielding genotypes by measuring key components such as LLEN, CLEN, and BWT in the first and second fruiting seasons.

Overwintering grapevine debris as an important source of Botrytis cinerea inoculum

Production of Botrytis cinerea conidia from infected grapevine debris (trash) left on the ground and in the canopy in the season following harvest was studied in vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand. When subsamples were incubated under high relative humidity in the laboratory, rachides had the greatest sporulation potential (P &lt; 0·05), followed by tendrils, cane lengths and petioles. Trash remaining on the ground under the canopy had higher rates of sporulation (P &lt; 0·05) than that in the inter‐row. The sporulation potential of rachides at different times during the growing season was assessed by placing them in vine canopies or on the inter‐row soil in three vineyards in late spring. Subsamples were removed on five occasions between flowering (capfall) and harvest, and incubated under high relative humidity in the laboratory. Mean numbers of conidia produced from the canopy rachides diminished from 3·5 × 105 per rachis at capfall to 2·6 × 104 at harvest, and from 3·9 × 105 to 2·7 × 103, respectively, from the ground rachides. The greater loss in sporulation capacity of ground rachides was considered to be associated with their earlier spontaneous sporulation and greater degradation in the moist inter‐row sward, where they lost 29% of their weight (P &lt; 0·001) and 23% of their pedicels (P &lt; 0·001), compared to the canopy rachides which lost 0% of their weight and 3% of their pedicels from capfall to harvest. This study has shown that necrotic, overwintering grapevine debris can produce B. cinerea conidia throughout the following growing season, so may contribute to the subsequent risk of bunch rot.

Management of Primocane-fruiting Blackberry: Impacts on Yield, Fruiting Season, and Cane Architecture

Primocane management systems were compared for ‘Prime-Jan’® and ‘Prime-Jim’®, primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson), grown in a field planting in Aurora, OR. Treatments studied were: 1) no manipulation of primocanes (untipped; no floricanes); 2) untipped primocanes growing in the presence of floricanes; 3) untipped primocanes grown with rowcover in late winter to early spring; and 4) primocanes “soft-tipped” at 1 m to encourage branching. Date of primocane first bloom and cane height at bloom were unaffected by cultivar and were only affected by primocane management in 2005. The number of growing degree-days to first bloom ranged from 1272 to 1390 depending on year. Primocane management did not affect ovule or drupelet number per berry or percent drupelet set. ‘Prime-Jim’ had more drupelets and greater weight per berry in 2005 than ‘Prime-Jan’. Fruit harvested earlier in the season had more ovules and drupelets than later harvested fruit in 2004. Primocanes that grew in the presence of floricanes were longer and bloomed later but did not differ in yield from untipped canes grown only for a primocane crop. Use of rowcover in 2005 advanced bloom and harvest, improving yield 73% compared with untipped control canes. Soft-tipping primocanes increased yield 114% to 150% compared with untipped canes (5.6 vs. 2.4 t·ha−1) through increasing branch and node number per cane and percentage of fruiting nodes; soft-tipping did not delay harvest. Yield/cane was negatively correlated with the number of fruiting canes/plot but positively correlated with branches/cane, total branch and cane length, number of nodes and percent fruiting nodes, fruit/cane, and berry weight. The proportion of fruiting nodes was greater on branches than on the main cane illustrating the importance of managing this type of blackberry to increase branch number for high yield.

Effects of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus on seed cane produced through micro-propagated plantlets in sugarcane (Saccharum spp hybrid complex) under sub-tropics

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of micropropagated plantlets inoculated in vitro with Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus on the population counts of diazotroph, plant growth, yield, quality and ultimately planting material of sugarcane cultivar CoS 96268. Maximum cell counts (5.8 × 105 cells/g fresh weight) was obtained in the in vitro, treated micropropagated plantlets-followed by untreated micropropagated plantlets (4.7 × 104 cells/g fresh weight) while it was only 3.7 x104 cells/g fresh weight in conventionally grown plants. The highest cell counts of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus was recorded at grand growth stage which decreased at maturity. Inoculation with diazotroph improved dry matter accumulation specially in roots accompanied by higher uptake of nitrogen and potassium in micropropagated plantlets. There was significant increase in number of millable canes, cane length, number of nodes, cane diameter and cane yield. Besides, treated plantlets produced 5.45 and 1.52 times higher planting material (3 budded setts) over conventionally grown plants and un-treated micropropagated plantlets, respectively. Results signify the use of inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria in micropropagated plantlets for faster multiplication of disease-free healthy seed cane of sugarcane varieties for their adoption.

Comparison of the Plantar Pressure Distributions at Different Cane Lengths

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare plantar pressure distributions of the affected side of stroke patients during walking with canes of three different cane lengths. [Subjects] Thirty-four stroke patients participated in this study. [Method] The three different lengths of cane were: to the top of the greater trochanter, 5 cm above the greater trochanter, and 10 cm above the greater trochanter. The measured parameters were foot contact area, length, width, pressure, and the center of pressure trajectory during the stance phase, from heel-strike to toe-off. [Results] Our data revealed significant increments in the contact width and pressure of the hind foot at the cane length of 10 cm above the greater trochanter. Anterior/posterior center of pressure trajectory also significantly increased at cane lengths of 5 and 10 cm of above the greater trochanter. [Conclusion] The plantar pressure distribution for cane lengths above the greater trochanter were clinically beneficial and more effective at increasing weight shifting to the affected hind foot and harmonizing paralyzed heel strike with better displacement of pressure.

Effect of Cane Length on Drop-off Detection Performance

Although individuals who are blind have used a stick or a cane for their independent travel since the early years of human history, designs for modern long canes did not appear until World War II, when the systematic long cane techniques were developed by Hoover (1962). Ergonomic factors, such as the length of the cane, may affect how well a cane user can detect the presence of obstacles and changes in surface elevation, including drop-offs. Reliable drop-off detection with a long cane, an essential component of surface preview (Blasch, La Grow, & De l'Aune, 1996), is critical for the safety of travelers who are blind who use canes, since missing drop-offs or other changes in elevation in the walking surface may cause them to fall or accidentally stumble into the collision path of approaching vehicles. Kim, Wall Emerson, and Curtis (2009) found that cane users were able to detect drop-offs more reliably when they used the constant contact technique than when they used the two-point touch technique. The characteristics of cane users may also influence the users' performance in detecting drop-offs. In Kim, Wall Emerson, and Curtis's (2010a) study, younger users were able to detect drop-offs more reliably than were older cane users. Cane users who lost their vision early in life also detected drop-offs more reliably than did those who lost their vision later (Kim et al., 2010a). In addition, those who had regularly used a cane for at least two years performed better than did those who were less experienced (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010c). Detecting drop-offs may also be influenced by ergonomic factors, such as the type of cane tip (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010b) and length of the cane (Rodgers & Wall Emerson, 2005). How the length of a cane may affect the detection of drop-offs is of particular interest because there appear to be different opinions on this matter among cane users. According to the traditional method (called the method), a proper cane length is defined as the vertical distance from the ground to 2 inches above the xiphoid process (La Grow & Weessies, 1994). In a study conducted with 10 adult cane users who were visually impaired (that is, those who were blind or had low vision), Rodgers and Wall Emerson (2005) reported that the use of a standard-length cane, measured by the sternum method, allowed the users to detect drop-offs significantly better than with the canes that were either 5%-15% shorter or 10%-20% longer than the standard length. However, some cane travelers have advocated for a cane that is substantially longer than the standard length. For example, Willoughby and Monthei (1998) suggested that although a cane user' s stride, walking speed, and reflexes should be considered, a cane that reaches only to the sternum is not long enough to ensure safety for an average cane user. In addition, Kish (2009) suggested, on the basis of personal anecdotal experience, that children up to age 6 should use canes that are as long as their height and that adult travelers need to use canes that are about chin high. Given this controversy, we investigated whether the length of the cane affects the detection of drop-offs. We also examined whether there is an interaction between the length of a cane and the depth of a drop-off. METHOD A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for the study. We recruited 15 sighted students (13 female and 2 male) aged 22 to 55 (median age = 34) from the orientation and mobility (O&M) program at Western Michigan University who were familiar with both the two-point touch and constant contact techniques. These students had received 1 month to 4 months (median = 1.4 months) of cane training. A 32-foot-long walkway with six carpeted plywood platforms (8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 8 inches high) was used for the study. We placed two plywood boards (2 feet long and 4 feet wide) on top of braced rectangular frames (2 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 inches high) against the lengthwise end of the walkway to change the depth of the drop-off from trial to trial. …