Cut Quality Research Articles

Holding solution pH and composition consistently improve vase life of rose, lily and gerbera

We assessed the influence of postharvest pulsing solutions pH and composition on cut flower quality of rose (Rosa hybrida cvs. Avalanche and Black Magic), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cv. Beaudine) and lily (Lilium × elegans cv. Fangio) under room (20±2 °C) and cold storage (4±1 °C) conditions. Cut flowers were placed in different acidic (pH, 3.5 - 4) or basic (pH, 7.0 - 7.5) preservative solutions containing water, sugar 5% (flower food), 100 mg/L silver nitrate (AgNO3 act as a bactericide), or a commercial product (2% sugar + bactericide and fungicide). Acidic solutions had higher or similar (never lower) vase life at both room and cold storage conditions and across species. In addition, vase life was 3-4 times longer in cold storage when compared to room conditions. Leaf chlorophyll concentrations for rose and lily were inconsistent or not significant across the species at both conditions (room and cold storage). The commercial preservative solution consistently and significantly had higher vase life than water for all tested cut flower species and under both room and cold storage environments. AgNO3 ranked second in terms of vase life enhancement. Overall, the use of only flower food (sugar) or bactericide (AgNO3) had a positive impact on vase life but only the combined use of a preservative substance (specifically at pH, 3.5 - 4.0) consistently guaranteed a high cut flower quality across flower species.

Effects of in-the-bag dry-ageing on meat quality, palatability and volatile compounds of low-value beef cuts

This study evaluated the effects of in-the-bag dry-ageing (BDA) (21 and 42 d) on meat quality, palatability, and volatile compounds of clod heart, brisket, and flat iron cuts from steers. In all cuts, BDA increased moisture losses (P < 0.05), but this did not reduce the juiciness of 21 d BDA versus wet-aged (WA) steaks. In clod heart, BDA increased overall tenderness at 21 d compared to 21 d WA (P < 0.01). Regardless of ageing period, BDA of clod heart increased beef flavour and salty taste and decreased sour-dairy and stale/cardboard flavours and concentrations of volatile compounds derived from lipid oxidation compared to WA (P < 0.05). In brisket, BDA increased salty taste and fatty aroma and reduced bloody/serumy flavour, whereas decreased beef and buttery flavours and intensified some unpleasant aromas/flavours (P < 0.05) for both ageing periods. The BDA of flat iron increased several undesirable aromas/flavours and decreased sweet taste and beef and buttery flavours (P < 0.05), regardless of ageing period. Overall, BDA for 42 d decreased meat quality and palatability and increased concentrations of volatile compounds from lipid oxidation, especially in flat iron cuts. Value could be recovered by customizing BDA periods by cut.

The DEHVILS survey overview and initial data release: high-quality near-infrared Type Ia supernova light curves at low redshift

ABSTRACT While the sample of optical Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) light curves (LCs) usable for cosmological parameter measurements surpasses 2000, the sample of published, cosmologically viable near-infrared (NIR) SN Ia LCs, which have been shown to be good ‘standard candles,’ is still ≲ 200. Here, we present high-quality NIR LCs for 83 SNe Ia ranging from 0.002 &amp;lt; z &amp;lt; 0.09 as a part of the Dark Energy, H0, and peculiar Velocities using Infrared Light from Supernovae (DEHVILS) survey. Observations are taken using UKIRT’s WFCAM, where the median depth of the images is 20.7, 20.1, and 19.3 mag (Vega) for Y, J, and H-bands, respectively. The median number of epochs per SN Ia is 18 for all three bands (Y,J, and H) combined and 6 for each band individually. We fit 47 SN Ia LCs that pass strict quality cuts using three LC models, SALT3, snoopy, and B ayeSN and find scatter on the Hubble diagram to be comparable to or better than scatter from optical-only fits in the literature. Fitting NIR-only LCs, we obtain standard deviations ranging from 0.128 to 0.135 mag. Additionally, we present a refined calibration method for transforming 2MASS magnitudes to WFCAM magnitudes using HST CALSPEC stars that results in a 0.03 mag shift in the WFCAM Y-band magnitudes.

Sampling of Atlantic salmon using the Norwegian Quality cut (NQC) vs. Whole fillet; differences in contaminant and nutrient contents

Risk- benefit assessments of seafood require high-quality food composition data. In accordance with EU regulations, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) has conventionally been sampled using the Norwegian Quality Cut (NQC), a sub-cut of the middle section of the fish, in Norwegian surveillance programs. By comparing the contents of nutrients and contaminants in 34 samples of farmed Atlantic salmon, we aimed to evaluate the representativeness of the NQC compared with the whole fillet. Of the 129 analytes evaluated, eight single analytes, in addition to 25 different fatty acids, showed significant differences between the cuts. Significant differences were evident for total fat, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and sum PCB-6, but not for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. We further suggest that the NQC may still be used in large-scale sampling of Atlantic salmon, and that the whole fillet would be preferable when analysing the content of nutrients.

Chitosan Coating Functionalized with Flaxseed Oil and Green Tea Extract as a Bio-Based Solution for Beef Preservation.

Ecological and safe packaging solutions arise as pivotal points in the development of an integrated system for sustainable meat production. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a combined chitosan (Ch) + green tea extract (GTE) + essential oil (thyme oil, TO; flaxseed oil, FO; or oregano oil, OO) coating on the safety and quality of vacuum-packaged beef during storage at 4 °C. An optimized bio-based coating formulation was selected (2% Ch + 2% GTE + 0.1% FO) to be applied to three fresh beef cuts (shoulder, Sh; knuckle, Kn; Striploin, St) based on its pH (5.8 ± 0.1), contact angle (22.3 ± 0.4°) and rheological parameters (viscosity = 0.05 Pa.s at shear rate > 20 s-1). Shelf-life analysis showed that the Ch-GTE-FO coating delayed lipid oxidation and reduced total viable counts (TVC) and Enterobacteriaceae growth compared with uncoated beef samples over five days. In addition, Ch-GTE-FO coating decreased total color changes of beef samples (e.g., ∆E* = 9.84 and 3.94, for non-coated and coated Kn samples, respectively) for up to five days. The original textural parameters (hardness, adhesiveness and springiness) of beef cuts were maintained during storage when Ch-GTE-FO coating was applied. Based on the physicochemical and microbial characterization results, the combination of the Ch-GTE-FO coating developed was effective in preserving the quality of fresh beef cuts during refrigerated storage along with vacuum packaging.

Experimental evaluation of cut quality and temperature field in fiber laser cutting of AZ31B magnesium alloy using response surface methodology

Fiber laser cutting of AZ31B magnesium alloy was studied to assess the effect of laser cutting process parameters on the resultant cutting temperature near the cut kerf and the resultant cut quality. To systematically analyze the effect of parameters on the temperature variation and cutting edge surface roughness during the cutting process of the AZ31B magnesium alloy, the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized to fit a quadratic polynomial model through the experiments. The influence of three main factors including speed of cutting, power of laser and nozzle distance on the major responses of temperature near the cut kerf, average surface roughness of the cutting edge and the cut kerf quality was then evaluated.Changes in the cutting speed had no serious impact on the quality of the cut kerf.Laser power levels from 800 to 1000 W were suitable for laser cutting of magnesium alloy sheets. The results showed thatvariations in the nozzle distance and laser emitted power had a remarkable effect on the temperature variation around the cut kerf width. Changing the nozzle distance and thereby creating different laser beam diameter had a more significant influence on the temperature variation rate (about 15 %), in comparison to the laser power. The nozzle distance had a huge effect on the cutting edge surface roughness due to the significant variation of laser beam energy density and beam diameter and hence, the cut kerf dimensional changes.The optimal cutting condition was obtained at the minimum roughness according to the investigated parameters levels, which included the cutting speed of 6 m/min, the power level of 1000 W and the nozzle distance of 0.8 mm. The SEM images from the top surface of the cut kerf implied the existence of oxidation in the magnesium alloy kerf edges.

Growth regulators on the shooting and rooting of Tamarix chinensis stem cuttings

Tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis) is a halophyte that plays a critically important role in the restoration of saline land. It reproduces via seeds, but the germination rate of seeds is low in its natural environment, which greatly limits its ability to spread. Vegetative propagation is a useful method for enhancing the quality and reproduction of plants, and the effects of growth regulators on stem cuttings vary. Here, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations (0, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, and 3000 mg L−1) of gibberellin A3 (GA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 6-benzylamine purine (BAP) on the survival, shoots, and root formation of tamarisk stem cuttings. The survival of tamarisk stem cuttings was 100% in the 100 mg L−1 GA, 1000 mg L−1 IBA, and 500 mg L−1 BAP treatments. The highest number of new shoots per cutting was observed in the 1000 mg L−1 IBA treatment and three times higher than in the control (0 mg L−1; CK), only significant difference with the 250 mg L−1 NAA treatment. The fresh weight of the shoots and roots was higher in the 100 mg L−1 GA, 1000 mg L−1 IBA, 500 mg L−1 BAP, and 250 mg L−1 NAA treatments, and was 161%, 200%, 114%, 66% and 150%, 300%, 150%, 183% higher than in the CK, respectively. Although, the fresh weight of the shoots and roots was highest in the 1000 mg L−1 IBA treatment, it is only significantly differed from that in the 500 mg L−1 BAP and 250 mg L−1 NAA treatments in the fresh weight of the shoots. No significant differences in root length and diameter were observed in the 100 mg L−1 GA, 1000 mg L−1 IBA, 500 mg L−1 BAP, and 250 mg L−1 NAA treatments. Root surface area and volume were significantly higher in the 250 mg L−1 NAA treatment than in the 1000 mg L−1 IBA and 500 mg L−1 BAP treatments. Overall, growth regulators significantly affected the shooting and rooting ability of tamarisk stem cuttings. The following treatments were the most effective for enhancing the quality of tamarisk stem cuttings: 100 mg L−1 GA, 1000 mg L−1 IBA, 500 mg L−1 BAP, and 250 mg L−1 NAA. The growth of tamarisk stem cuttings was maximized in the 1000 mg L−1 IBA treatment, and the survival of tamarisk stem cuttings was lowest in the 250 mg L−1 NAA treatment. This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for the technology of growth regulators on the shooting and rooting of tamarisk stem cuttings.

Improved Constraints on the 21 cm EoR Power Spectrum and the X-Ray Heating of the IGM with HERA Phase I Observations

We report the most sensitive upper limits to date on the 21 cm epoch of reionization power spectrum using 94 nights of observing with Phase I of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). Using similar analysis techniques as in previously reported limits, we find at 95% confidence that Δ2(k = 0.34 h Mpc−1) ≤ 457 mK2 at z = 7.9 and that Δ2(k = 0.36 h Mpc−1) ≤ 3496 mK2 at z = 10.4, an improvement by a factor of 2.1 and 2.6, respectively. These limits are mostly consistent with thermal noise over a wide range of k after our data quality cuts, despite performing a relatively conservative analysis designed to minimize signal loss. Our results are validated with both statistical tests on the data and end-to-end pipeline simulations. We also report updated constraints on the astrophysics of reionization and the cosmic dawn. Using multiple independent modeling and inference techniques previously employed by HERA Collaboration, we find that the intergalactic medium must have been heated above the adiabatic cooling limit at least as early as z = 10.4, ruling out a broad set of so-called “cold reionization” scenarios. If this heating is due to high-mass X-ray binaries during the cosmic dawn, as is generally believed, our result’s 99% credible interval excludes the local relationship between soft X-ray luminosity and star formation and thus requires heating driven by evolved low-metallicity stars.

MAGIC observations provide compelling evidence of hadronic multi-TeV emission from the putative PeVatron SNR G106.3+2.7

Context.Certain types of supernova remnants (SNRs) in our Galaxy are assumed to be PeVatrons, capable of accelerating cosmic rays (CRs) to ~ PeV energies. However, conclusive observational evidence for this has not yet been found. The SNR G106.3+2.7, detected at 1–100 TeV energies by different γ-ray facilities, is one of the most promising PeVatron candidates. This SNR has a cometary shape, which can be divided into a head and a tail region with different physical conditions. However, in which region the 100 TeV emission is produced has not yet been identified because of the limited position accuracy and/or angular resolution of existing observational data. Additionally, it remains unclear as to whether the origin of the γ-ray emission is leptonic or hadronic.Aims.With the better angular resolution provided by new MAGIC data compared to earlierγ-ray datasets, we aim to reveal the acceleration site of PeV particles and the emission mechanism by resolving the SNR G106.3+2.7 with 0.1° resolution at TeV energies.Methods.We observed the SNR G106.3+2.7 using the MAGIC telescopes for 121.7 h in total – after quality cuts – between May 2017 and August 2019. The analysis energy threshold is ~0.2 TeV, and the angular resolution is 0.07−0.1°. We examined theγ-ray spectra of different parts of the emission, whilst benefitting from the unprecedented statistics and angular resolution at these energies provided by our new data. We also used measurements at other wavelengths such as radio, X-rays, GeVγ-rays, and 10 TeVγ-rays to model the emission mechanism precisely.Results.We detect extended γ-ray emission spatially coincident with the radio continuum emission at the head and tail of SNR G106.3+2.7. The fact that we detect a significantγ-ray emission with energies above 6.0 TeV from only the tail region suggests that the emissions above 10 TeV detected with air shower experiments (Milagro, HAWC, Tibet ASγand LHAASO) are emitted only from the SNR tail. Under this assumption, the multi-wavelength spectrum of the head region can be explained with either hadronic or leptonic models, while the leptonic model for the tail region is in contradiction with the emission above 10 TeV and X-rays. In contrast, the hadronic model could reproduce the observed spectrum at the tail by assuming a proton spectrum with a cutoff energy of ~1 PeV for that region. Such high-energy emission in this middle-aged SNR (4−10 kyr) can be explained by considering a scenario where protons escaping from the SNR in the past interact with surrounding dense gases at present.Conclusions.Theγ-ray emission region detected with the MAGIC telescopes in the SNR G106.3+2.7 is extended and spatially coincident with the radio continuum morphology. The multi-wavelength spectrum of the emission from the tail region suggests proton acceleration up to ~PeV, while the emission mechanism of the head region could either be hadronic or leptonic.

Different Responses to Adventitious Rhizogenesis under Indole-3-Butyric Acid and Seaweed Extracts in Ornamental’s Cuttings: First Results in Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Fraser’s photinia ‘Red Robin’ (Photinia x fraseri Dress, Rosaceae family) is an important primary ornamental landscaping species with optimal hedge or screen effects and low maintenance, but it is difficult to root when propagated by cuttings, although high concentrations of phytohormones are used to optimize rhizogenesis. To our knowledge, there is currently no feasible enhanced method for photinia vegetative propagation through stem cuttings, using seaweed extract-based biostimulants as root promoters. Given the economic importance of the species, this research aims to assess the effects of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and seaweed extract-based stimulators on the quality of photinia ‘Red Robin’ cuttings, in terms of rooting indicators and ground and aboveground agronomic features. The treatments applied were different concentrations of commercial rooting stimulators compared to an untreated control: C0: distilled water; Rhizopon AA: 1% IBA (R1); Kelpak®: 2 mL L−1 (K2); Kelpak®: 3 mL L−1 (K3); Goteo®: 2 mL L−1 (G2); Goteo®: 3 mL L−1 (G3). The first results showed different responses to adventitious rhizogenesis under IBA and both seaweed extract treatments. At 70 DAC (days after cutting), the seaweed extract stimulated the production of over 80% of cuttings with callus; at 240 DAC, the percentage of rooted cuttings treated under R1 was the highest = 34.3%; the worst results were obtained by both biostimulant treatments at the highest doses: K3 = 21.3% and G3 = 20.7%. Furthermore, R1 produced 3.07 roots per cutting, which was 50% higher than the average of all other treatments. The applications of Kelpak® and Goteo® biostimulants, at both concentrations, resulted in an inhibition of root length with values below the untreated control. Rooted cuttings under R1 showed the highest ground (0.35 g) and aboveground (0.47) dry value. Neither seaweed extract, Kelpak® or Goteo®, at different concentrations, improved both the ground and above-ground weights of rooted cutting, compared to the untreated control, indicating that these natural products are not suitable for Fraser’s photinia ‘Red Robin’ propagation using this methodology. The overall quality of cuttings in IBA treatment was the strongest, with 1%, being the optimum concentration. Further research must be conducted to propose effective agronomic protocols by investigating application methods, doses and number of applications, and to clarify the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of action of these seaweed extracts.

Effects of the Aging Period and Method on the Physicochemical, Microbiological and Rheological Characteristics of Two Cuts of Charolais Beef.

Wet-aging (WA) and dry-aging (DA) methods are usually used in the beef industry to satisfy the consumers' tastes; however, these methods are not suitable for all anatomical cuts. In this study, WA and DA were applied to improve the quality of two cuts of Charolais beef (Longissimus dorsi and Semitendinosus). For 60 days (i.e., 2 days, 15 days, 30 days and 60 days of sampling), a physicochemical, rheological, and microbiological analysis were performed at WA (vacuum packed; temperature of 4 ± 1 °C) and at DA (air velocity of 0.5 m/s; temperature of 1 ± 1 °C; relative humidity of 78 ± 10%) conditions. The results showed that the aging method influenced the aging loss (higher in the DA), cooking loss (higher in the WA), malondialdehyde concentration (higher in the DA) and fatty acid profile (few changes). No differences in the drip loss and color were observed, which decreased after 30 days of aging. The WBSF and TPA test values changed with increasing an aging time showing that the aging improved the tenderness of meat regardless of the aging method. Moreover, the aging method does not influence the microbiological profile. In conclusion, both WA and DA enhanced the quality of the different beef cuts, suggesting that an optimal method-time and aging combination could be pursued to reach the consumers' preferences.

A reduction procedure and pipeline for the detection of trans-Neptunian objects using occultations

Abstract Kuiper belt objects smaller than a few kilometres are difficult to observe directly. They can be detected when they randomly occult a background star. Close to the ecliptic plane, each star is occulted once every tens of thousands of hours, and occultations typically last for less than a second. We present an algorithm, and companion pipeline, for detection of diffractive occultation events. Our approach includes: cleaning the data; an efficient and optimal matched filtering of the light curves with a template bank of diffractive occultations; treating the red-noise in the light curves; injection of simulated events for efficiency estimation; and applying data quality cuts. We discuss human vetting of the candidate events in a blinded way to reduce bias caused by the human-in-the-loop. We present Markov Chain Monte Carlo tools to estimate the parameters of candidate occultations, and test them on simulated events. This pipeline is used by the W-FAST. The methods discussed here can be applied to searches for other Trans-Neptunian objects, albeit with larger radii that correspond to a larger diffraction length scale.

The Pristine survey – XX. GTC follow-up observations of extremely metal-poor stars identified from Pristine and LAMOST

ABSTRACT Ultra-metal-poor stars ($\rm {[Fe/H]} \lt -4.0$) are very rare, and finding them is a challenging task. Both narrow-band photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy have been useful tools for identifying candidates, and in this work, we combine both approaches. We cross-matched metallicity-sensitive photometry from the Pristine survey with the low-resolution spectroscopic Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) data base, and re-analysed all LAMOST spectra with $\rm {[Fe/H]} _{\rm Pristine} \lt -2.5$. We find that ∼1/3rd of this sample (selected without $\rm {[Fe/H]} _{\rm Pristine}$ quality cuts) also have spectroscopic $\rm {[Fe/H]} \lt -2.5$. From this sample, containing many low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) spectra, we selected 11 stars potentially having $\rm {[Fe/H]} \lt -4.0$ or $\rm {[Fe/H]} \lt -3.0$ with very high carbon abundances, and we performed higher S/N medium-resolution spectroscopic follow-up with the Optical System for Imaging and low Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy (OSIRIS) on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). We confirm their extremely low metallicities, with a mean of $\rm {[Fe/H]} = -3.4$, and the most metal-poor star having $\rm {[Fe/H]} = -3.8$. Three of these are clearly carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars with $+1.65 \lt \rm {[C/Fe]} \lt +2.45$. The two most carbon-rich stars are either among the most metal-poor CEMP-s stars or the most carbon-rich CEMP-no stars known, the third is likely a CEMP-no star. We derived orbital properties for the OSIRIS sample and find that only one of our targets can be confidently associated with known substructures/accretion events, and that three out of four inner halo stars have prograde orbits. Large spectroscopic surveys may contain many hidden extremely and ultra-metal-poor stars, and adding additional information from e.g. photometry as in this work can uncover them more efficiently and confidently.

Experimental Studies on Hastealloy C276 while Machining with CO2 Laser Cutting Machine

Laser cutting process is well suitable process for the cutting applications of high strength temperature resistant alloys, that are very difficult to cut with conventional process. Moreover, the lasers are widely using now-a-days for variety of cutting operations in many varieties of industries. Because of its complex nature of its operation, it is not easy to control so as to get the desired quality of cut in case of laser beam cutting process. This necessitates the importance of research to be carried out on the various processes i.e cutting, drilling, and welding etc by using the laser apparatus. The research mainly concentrated on the conduction of experiments i.e the cutting operation on Haste alloy C276 with CO2 laser beam. Total 31 trails are done using the CO2 laser beam apparatus. Laser power, speed, gas pressure and focal distance were the parameters chosen to vary. The outputs measured are surface roughness and the burr height which are direct measure to the quality of the cut surfaces. Two dimensional plots are plotted and analyzed the reasons for the increase or decrease of output with either the increase or decrease of input process parameters. Also, 3D plots are plotted to know the interactions.

Evaluating the Effect of Accelerated Aging at Different Temperature and Time Points on Beef Quality and Enzyme Activity of Lower Quality Beef Cuts

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of four accelerated aging (AA) methods at different temperature and time points on meat quality and enzymatic activity of two lower quality beef cuts.

Methods of examination and assessment of the safety of goat meat of the Zaanen breed

The purpose of the study was to develop a comprehensive system of veterinary and sanitary examination of the safety and quality of slaughter products of Zaanen goats. The studies were conducted on goats at the age of 36 months. According to the results of veterinary and sanitary examination of organs and carcasses, all experimental animals were found to be healthy. Five muscles served as the material for studying the chemical composition: the semi-webbed muscle, the biceps femur, the longest back, the biceps shoulder and intercostal muscles were studied. Organoleptic studies of meat and internal organs were carried out in accordance with the requirements of GOST 7269-79, physico-chemical studies of meat were carried out in accordance with GOST 23392-78, the mineral composition of tissues was studied on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The biological value of Zaanen goat meat was determined according to the “Methodological recommendations for the use of the express method of biological evaluation of products and feeds”. Studies have shown that to assess the safety and quality of goat cuts and carcasses as meat raw materials, anatomical characteristics and morphometric parameters of regional lymph nodes should be used: heads - mandibular, parotid and pharyngeal lateral and medial; necks - superficial and deep cervical; thoracic limbs - axillary, axillary of the first rib and superficial cervical; sternum - axillary; chest wall - superficial cervical and intercostal; lower back - lumbar; pelvic extremity - popliteal, superficial and deep inguinal; the mammary glands are supramental.

Soil medium and watering frequency alter growth and allocation for Blue Diamond cholla (Cylindropuntia multigeniculata), a rare cactus of the northeast Mojave Desert, USA

Blue Diamond cholla (<i>Cylindropuntia multigeniculata</i> (Clokey) Blackb. [Cactaceae]) is a rare cactus of the Mojave Desert. We explored whether cultivation from joint cuttings is a viable method for supporting threatened populations. Terminal joints were collected from adult plants at the type locality and grown in a shade house: We tested whether 2 soil mixes that varied in the ratio of inorganic and organic components (50:50 compared to 85:15) and 2 watering frequencies (250 ml every 5 d compared to 500 ml every 10 d) promote root growth important to outplanting survival. Plants grown from joint cuttings in the 50:50 soil had greater shoot and root biomass, produced more joint segments, and had higher initial and final survivorship over the 5-mo study. Neither soil nor watering treatments shifted biomass allocation to roots as hypothesized, but frequent watering produced longer roots, which may benefit reintroduced plants by assisting root access to deep soil moisture. Despite their vigor during collection, freshly cut joints rapidly declined in condition, resulting in approximately 50% mortality during the first month of the study. Initial mortality was not explained by the identity, condition, or size of the maternal plant. Prior-year weather patterns and collection procedures may influence quality and durability of joint cuttings and require further study. While larger plants were produced from the 50:50 mix, and root length was increased by frequent watering, reintroduction of nursery-grown plants will indicate whether such treatments aid establishment in the dry habitat where this species occurs. Scoles-Sciulla S, Stosich A, DeFalco L. 2023. Soil medium and watering frequency alter growth and allocation for Blue Diamond cholla (<i>Cylindropuntia multigeniculata</i>), a rare cactus of the northeast Mojave Desert, USA. Native Plants Journal 24(1):4–17.

Effect of light quality of long-day treatments on flowering in Delphinium

The effects of light quality on the flowering need to be investigated for the efficient use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in cut flower production because of the environmentally friendly features of LEDs. Assuming long-day treatments in cut flower production, we used Delphinium species, popular long-day plants, and treated the plants at night with relatively weak light to investigate the effects of light quality. We used reproductive experimental conditions with phytotrons and long-day treatments, mainly monochromatic light, to establish an experimental system to elucidate physiological and molecular mechanisms in the near future. Before investigating the effect of monochromatic light, we first performed a long-day treatment with a widely used white LED. A similar effect to the incandescent lamp on bolting was observed, suggesting the possibility that red or blue light, but not far-red light, are adequate to promote flowering from the spectra of both light sources. Next, long-day treatments were performed with LEDs emitting monochromatic blue, red, and far-red light. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, flowering is well known to be promoted by far-red and blue light and inhibited by red light. However, long-day treatment with red light for Delphinium effectively promoted flowering. Treatment with far-red light, which shows an opposite flowering response to red light in A. thaliana, also promoted the flowering of Delphinium. As for blue light, the flower budding rate of D. grandiflorum reached 100%, and that of D. elatum was lower. Compared to far-red and blue lights, long-day treatment with red light did not negatively impact cut flower quality, including cut flower length and number of florets. Our results on light quality impact on flowering response will contribute to technology for regulating Delphinium flowering and potentially also lead to the elucidation of the mechanism of unique flowering promotion by red light.

Prediction of Burr Formation in End Micro Milling Poly methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and Polycarbonate (PC) Substrates Using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)

Polymer microfluidic device is growing in the fields of disease detection, drug synthesis, and environmental monitoring because of the benefits of the miniaturized platforms that provides rapid high-throughput analysis at small sample volumes. A machining technique called micro milling is employed in the manufacture of micro components (micro fluidic devices) such as poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). Micro milling has the advantage of being a quicker, more affordable, and more effective method for fabricating more complex structures. PMMA has been used as the substrate in this study for micro milling followed by factor analysis. This aim of this study is to understand the influence of each micro milling parameter to the surface quality. This paper includes 450 microscopic images of the micro-milling substrate by different parameters like spindle speed, depth of cut and Surface quality. The microscopic images are divided to test, train and Val dataset, using three datasets and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is designed.

Design and Performance Test of Multi Intake Foods Product Cutting Machine

Appropriate technology is one of the answers to support small and medium enterprises in the sustainability of their business production. This research aims to design and test the performance of multi-intake food product cutting machines, this cutting machine can be applied to cutting food products such as tempeh, crackers, fruits, or tubers. This machine is called multi intake because it can cut more than one material at the same time and produce more cuts in a relatively short time. This machine is equipped with an automatic propulsion system that can produce pieces of uniform thickness. The results showed that the construction of a multi-intake cutting machine for cutting food ingredients in the form of tempeh has a capacity of 120 kg h-1 to 173.5 kg h-1, the most optimal performance of the cutting machine for foodstuffs and can increase the capacity and quality of the stripping results achieved in the use of an electric motor with power 375 Watt with engine shaft rotation (n) = 327 rad s-1 and a thrust speed of 0.370 cm s-1 which can produce a cutting capacity of 173.5 kg h-1 with intact, not defective, and flat cut quality.