Number Of Crowns Research Articles

Morphological development and dry weight distribution of alfalfa cultivars varying in fall dormancy under a short‐term cultivation system

AbstractNon‐dormant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has been cultivated successfully in the east central regions of China as a short‐term component of a forage‐grain rotation system, but it remains unclear how shoots of alfalfa with different levels of fall dormancy develop in this system. Five alfalfa cultivars with contrasting fall dormancy were sown in the field in Nanjing, China, in October 2012 and 2013, and were harvested three times in the following year. The number and dry weight of shoots that originated from crown (crown shoots) and axillary buds (axial shoots) were recorded at each harvest. The results were analyzed for dormant, semi‐dormant and non‐dormant cultivars over 2 years. At the first spring harvest, axial shoots accounted for an average of 18.3% of dry weight per plant and became the dominant shoot type during later harvests. Crown shoots accounted for 81.7% of plant dry weight in first harvest and the majority of dry weight per plant totaled over three harvests in all fall dormancy types. Fall dormancy had little effect on the relative proportion of crown and axial shoots in dry weight per plant, and the number of crown and axial shoots. Non‐dormant cultivars produced heavier individual crown and axial shoots, resulting in greater dry weight per plant at each harvest. Our results show that non‐dormant cultivars used in our study produce greater dry weight per plant under a short‐term cultivation system, primarily because they have greater dry weight of individual crown and axial shoots.

Principal Component Analysis based Assessment of Trees Outside Forests in Satellite Images

This Paper Presents, an automated Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) based procedure for assessing the number of tree crowns in a High Resolution Satellite Image based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) algorithm. This automated method comes into picture to reduce the manual power, time and money. PCA involves in a mathematical approach in usage of orthogonal transforms for converting a given set of correlated observed values into a set of modified grey levels of linearly uncorrelated variables and these newly generated values are called principal components. Then a bounded set of thresholding values are used to identify the trees, Laplacian of Gaussian (LOG) operator is used to find and mark the boundaries of trees to extract the tree crowns available in the test site. Finally, count the number of tree crowns by using available morphological open and close operations with the help of connectivity methods. The results obtained are matched with manual approximated count and the accuracy of algorithm is done by testing on 20 different sets of test areas the accuracy achieved is 86.6 and it is better than NDVI and Watershed segmentations. Further improvement is possible when this method is combined with NDVI.

Comparison of margin discrepancy of complete gold crowns fabricated using printed, milled, and conventional hand-waxed patterns

Statement of problemThe recent application of printing for the fabrication of dental restorations has not been compared and evaluated for margin discrepancy (margin fit) with restorations fabricated using milling and conventional hand-waxing techniques. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare margin discrepancy of complete gold crowns (CGCs) fabricated from printed, milled, and conventional hand-waxed patterns. Material and methodsThirty crown patterns were produced by each of 3 different methods: printed by ProJet DP 3000, milled by LAVA CNC 500, and hand waxed, then invested and cast into CGCs. Each crown was evaluated at 10 positions around the margin on the corresponding epoxy die under ×50 light microscopy to determine the mean and maximum margin discrepancy. Measurements were made using a micrometer positioning stage. The results were compared by ANOVA (α=.05). ResultsMilled and hand-waxed patterns were not statistically different from each other (P>.05), while printed patterns produced significantly higher mean and maximum margin discrepancy than milled and hand-waxed patterns (P<.05). ConclusionsRelative to margin discrepancy, the LAVA CNC 500 milled and hand-waxed patterns were not significantly different from each other. The ProJet DP 3000 printed patterns were significantly different from LAVA CNC 500 milled and hand-waxed patterns, with an overall poorer result. Fabricating CGCs from printed patterns produced a significantly higher number of crowns with unacceptable margin discrepancy (>120 μm).

The impact of smoking on marginal bone loss in a 10-year prospective longitudinal study.

The aim of this epidemiologic study was to determine the impact of smoking on marginal bone loss in a subsample derived from an original randomly selected adult sample, after adjusting for oral and general factors. The number of participants at baseline in this 10-year longitudinal study was 616 (mean age: 42 years, range 21-63 years). The participants underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey. After recall in 2003, 473 (77%) of the participants accepted and completed an identical survey. In 2008, the survey was repeated, and 301 (48.9%) individuals were included in this study. The marginal bone level of each tooth was measured in mm. Age, gender, smoking habits, number of teeth, apical periodontitis, crowns and initial marginal bone level were also recorded for each individual. Only individuals who did not report a change in smoking habits during the 10-year period were included in the study. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate crude and adjusted associations between smoking and marginal bone loss. At the first, radiographic survey smokers had a statistically significantly more reduced marginal bone level (in average 0.9 mm) than nonsmokers. After 10 years, a progression of a mean marginal bone loss of > 2 mm was statistically significantly more common in smokers than in nonsmokers (7.1% and 0%, respectively). Furthermore, a marginal bone loss of 1-2 mm was observed in 29% of the smokers and 19% of the nonsmokers, and ≤ 1 mm marginal bone loss was found in 69% of smokers and 81% of nonsmokers. Even after adjusting for initial marginal bone level, gender, age, and also presence of apical periodontitis and crowns, the difference in progression of marginal bone loss was still statistically higher in smokers (on average 0.36 mm). The smokers started out with a more reduced marginal bone level than nonsmokers. However, even after adjusting for the initial marginal bone level, the progression of marginal bone loss in smokers was more pronounced than in nonsmokers. This shows that smoking is a factor with significant impact on the marginal bone level and can be assumed to be a true risk factor for marginal bone loss.

Fit of lithium disilicate crowns fabricated from conventional and digital impressions assessed with micro-CT

Statement of problemAlthough the number of lithium disilicate crowns fabricated with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology has increased, the accuracy of the prostheses produced by using digital pathways remains unknown. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to compare marginal and internal discrepancies of lithium disilicate crowns fabricated from digital and conventional impressions. Material and methodsA typodont mandibular first molar was prepared for a lithium disilicate crown, and 20 duplicate dies were fabricated by milling poly(methyl methacrylate) resin blocks from laboratory scans. Four groups of 5 lithium disilicate crowns each were created by using a CS3500 (Carestream Dental) intraoral digital impression; Trios (3shape) intraoral digital impression; Ceramill Map400 (Amann Girrbach) extraoral digital impression; and a heat-press technique as a control group. All of the IPS e.max CAD (Ivoclar Vivadent AG) crowns were produced using a 5-axis milling engine (Ceramill Motion2). The lithium disilicate crowns were cemented with zinc phosphate cement under finger pressure. Marginal and internal discrepancies were measured using micro-computed tomography (SkyScan1172). One-way ANOVAs with the Tukey honest significant differences test were used for statistical analysis of the data (α=.05). ResultsThe mean marginal discrepancies of CS3500 lithium disilicate crowns were 129.6 μm, 200.9 μm for Ceramill Map400, and 207.8 μm 176.1 μm for the heat-press technique; and the internal discrepancy volumes for CS3500 were 25.3 mm3, 40.7 mm3 for Trios, 29.1 mm3 for Ceramill Map400, and 29.1 and 31.4 mm3 for the heat-press technique. The CS3500 group showed a significantly better marginal discrepancy than the other 3 groups and a smaller internal discrepancy volume than the Trios group (P<.05). ConclusionsSignificant differences were found between IPS e.max CAD crowns produced using 2 intraoral digital impressions, whereas no differences were found between IPS e.max CAD crowns produced from an extraoral digital impression and IPS e.max Press crowns produced using a heat-press technique.

Evergreen broadleaf forest transition zone changes in Japan from 1961 to 2008 detected by aerial ortho-photos

In order to detect the distribution change of evergreen broad-leaved trees (EBTs) in a old-growth forest on the transitional zone of cool-temperate and warm-temperate zones, we used the ortho-photo data conversed from the aerial photos. Comparing the crown map of EBTs in the 1-ha verification plot with the ground truth data of individual tree inventory, 14 out of 17 (82%) upper layer trees were found to be visually read on the aerial photo We chose two indices for detecting the distribution change of EBTs, crown number and total crown area. We made crown maps of the 20-ha plot based on ortho-photos in 1961, 1975, 1985, 2003, 2005 and 2008, and calculated crown number and total crown area for each photos. The crown number increased at a rate 0.18/year/ha from 1961 to 2000’s, and total crown area also increased at a rate 0.21% for the 20-ha plot. The total crow area increase was highly probable because errors of area in orthophotos were smaller than secular changes of the area.

Stress distribution in implant-supported prostheses using different connection systems and cantilever lengths: digital photoelasticity

Photoelastic analysis was used to evaluate the biomechanical behaviour of implant-supported, double-screwed crowns with different connection systems and cantilever lengths. Three models were made in PL-2 photoelastic resin and divided into six groups, on the basis of the implant connection system (external hexagon [EH] or Morse taper [MT]), type of abutment (Mini Pilar [Neodent, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil] or “UCLA”) and number of crowns in the cantilever (one or two). The implant-prosthesis unit was placed in a circular polariscope. Occlusal surfaces of the crowns were subjected to 100-N loads in the axial and oblique (45°) directions in a universal testing machine (EMIC). Generated stresses were recorded and analysed qualitatively in a graphics program (Adobe Photoshop). Under axial loading, all of the groups had similar numbers of fringes, which were increased when the crowns were subjected to oblique loading. The highest number of fringes was found during oblique loading in the EH + Mini Pilar group. In conclusion, although the type of implant connection system did not have a direct influence on the stress distribution for axial loading, the cantilever length did have a direct influence on stress distribution. Models with two crowns in the cantilever showed more stress, with a greater concentration of force on the cervical part of the implant.

Influence ofAzotobacter, Azospirillumand PSB on vegetative growth, flowering, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Chandler

In order to investigate the influence of Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB on vegetative growth, flowering, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Chandler, the present experiment was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U.P.), India, during two subsequent years. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and ten treatments, viz., three levels each of Azotobacter (5, 6 and 7 kg/ha), Azospirillum (5, 6 and 7 kg/ha) and PSB (5, 6 and 7 kg/ha) including a control. Five kg of FYM was applied as a basal dose in all the treatments including control. All the doses of Azotobactor, Azospirillum and PSB were applied at the time of planting in the field. Plants treated with Azotobacter @ 7 kg/ha results significantly increase in the height of plant (16.05 and 15.13 cm, respectively), number of leaves (54.75 and 52.70, respectively), number of crown (6.34 and 5.74, respectively), number of runners (4.93 and 4.61, respectively), number of flowers (52.38 and 48.46, respectively) and number of fruits set (25.66 and 24.17, respectively) per plant. Maximum duration of harvesting (67.10 and 64.90 days, respectively) and minimum number of days to produce first flower (62.26 and 60.63 days, respectively) with significantly more yield (180.89 and 178.68 g/plant, respectively) were also obtained with Azotobacter @ 7 kg/ha treated plants. So far as the quality characters of berries are concerned, Azotobacter @ 7 kg/ha treated plants also produced berries with maximum average length (3.55 and 3.42 cm, respectively), width (2.35 and 2.27 cm, respectively), weight (7.23 and 6.73 g, respectively), TSS (9.13 and 8.610Brix, respectively), total sugars (8.20 and 7.71%, respectively) and ascorbic acid (56.01 and 55.69 mg/100g of pulp, respectively) contents as compared to other treatments.

Assessment of nickel release from various dental appliances used routinely in pediatric dentistry.

Context:The use of nickel-containing alloys in dentistry has been questioned because of the biological liabilities of nickel and the release of nickel ions from dental appliances into the oral cavity. The potential health hazards of nickel and chromium and their compounds have been the focus of attention for more than 100 years. It has established that these metals could cause hypersensitivity.Aims:To assess the nickel release from various dental appliances used in pediatric dentistry.Settings and Design:It is a in vitro study.Materials and Methods:The study was undertaken to analyze in vitro biodegradation of space maintainers and stainless steel crowns made out of stainless steel materials from different manufacturers. The leaching effect simulating the use of clinical practice was studied by keeping the respective number of Stainless Steel Crowns and space maintainers in the artificial saliva incubating at 37°C and analyzing for nickel release after 1,7,14,21 and 28 days using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Statistical Analysis:The results were statistically analyzed by using One way ANOVA and repeated measures of ANOVA was applied at different time intervals i.e. 1,7,14,21,28 days. The critical value for statistical significance was set at P = 0.05.Results:Results showed that there was measurable release of nickel which reached maximum level at the end of 7 days which was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusions:The release of nickel and chromium very much below when compared with the average dietary intake of nickel (200-300 ppm/day) which were not capable of causing any toxic effects.

Investigation of fibrous cap stresses on vulnerable plaques leading to heart attacks.

Rupture-prone plaques in the coronary arteries, called ``vulnerable plaques'', are recognized as the key factor in acute myocardial infarction. Vulnerable plaques have a thin fibrous cap over a large fatty core and are highly susceptible to rupture. In general, this type of plaque rupture is mainly associated with stress concentrated on the fibrous cap. Fibrous cap stresses are counted among the most important factors in the plaque rupture process and must be taken into consideration when assessing the plaque vulnerability leading to heart attacks. The objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of nitinol stent deployment on the morphological changes of vulnerable plaques and then to propose a new stent design concept for effectively reducing fibrous cap stresses and the associated rupture risk. The deployment of a self-expanding nitinol stent was modeled, and the resulting stress distribution on the fibrous cap was investigated. The fibrous cap stresses were more uniformly distributed and the maximum stress was reduced by 13% when the crown number of the stent was increased. This study demonstrates an excellent approach to stent design that could effectively reduce the risk of a vulnerable plaque rupturing and causing a heart attack.

Effect of foliar application by organic matter extract and humic acid in vegetative proprieties of strawberry (Fragarra ananassa. Duch. )

A study was carried out in a plastic house for a palm date research unit/agriculture college/university of Baghdad (Abu Ghraib). During the season 2013-2014, to study the effect of spraying extract organic material and applying Humic acid and there interaction in the strawberry vegetative growth. The study include 12 treatments, to spray strawberry's plant with four levels from the extractions of organic matter (Distilled water, one volume of extracted organic matter to one volume of Distilled water 1:1, one volume of extracted organic matter to two volume of Distilled water 1:2 and one volume of extracted organic matter to three volume of Distilled water 1:3 just or with applied of three concentration of Humifert-ultra 0, 2.5, 5 ml.l-1 to the soil. A factorial experiment carried out at randomized completed blocked design (RCBD) with three replicates, Averages were tested with LSD at 5% level of probability. The important result were found when the plants significantly at 2:1 level's was reached 3.85cm comparing with 2.478cm of plant's control. While the treatment 1:1 give the longest of runner's length were reach 130.875cm comparing with 77.394cm of plant's control, while the treatment 3:1 record highest numbers of crowns, runners and one leave distance were reached 3.792crown.plant-1,6.645runner.plant-1 and 76.423cm2 sequentially comparing with control's treatment that reach 2.737crown.plant-1,2.448 runner.plant-1 and 53.359cm2 sequentially. The additions of Humic acid were increased the plant's height and crowns number's significantly reaches 3.465cm, 3.783crown.plant-1 sequentially at 5ml.l-1 level. While the control was reached 3.199 cm and 2.496 crown. plant-1 sequentially. While the plants were treated with 2.5ml.l-1 superior on other treatments gives greater crown diameter reach 43.937 mm while control treatment was 32.503mm. there were significantly effect to the two factors of the studies traits, the treatment H2.T1 give higher average of plant height's reach 4.510 cm, the treatment H0.T2 longest runner reach 143.124 cm and the crown diameter reach 62.551mm at H1.T0 treatment's superior significantly comparing with control treatment's that give 22.131mm, the H2.T0 treatment gives highest number of crowns reaches 5.125 crown.plant-1 comparing with control treatment's that gives 1.000 crown. plant-1, the study's results show's that H0.T3 treatment was superior significantly in runners number which gives greater number of runners reach 7.823 runner. plant-1 comparing with control treatment's that gives 1.000 runner. plant-1. While the leaves area were superior at the treatment H1.T3 significantly which gives 104.623cm2 comparing with control treatment's that gives 50.210cm2 .

Capability of the CANAPI algorithm to derive shrub structural parameters from satellite imagery in the Alaskan Arctic

ABSTRACTThe observed greening of Arctic vegetation and the expansion of shrubs in the last few decades probably have profound implications for the tundra ecosystem, including feedbacks to climate. Uncertainty surrounding this vegetation shift and its implications calls for monitoring of vegetation structural parameters, such as fractional cover of shrubs. In this study, CANAPI, a semi-automated image interpretation algorithm that identifies and traces crowns by locating its crescent-shaped sunlit portion, was evaluated for its ability to derive structural data for tall (&gt; 0.5 m) shrubs in the Arctic. CANAPI estimates of shrub canopy parameters were obtained from high-resolution imagery at 26 sites (250 m x 250 m each) by adjusting the algorithm's parameters and filter settings for each site, such that the number of crowns delineated by CANAPI roughly matched those observed in the high-resolution imagery. The CANAPI estimates were then compared with field measurements to evaluate the algorithm's performance. CANAPI successfully retrieved fractional cover (R2= 0.83,P&lt; 0.001), mean crown radius (R2= 0.81,P&lt; 0.001), and total number of shrubs (R2= 0.54,P&lt; 0.001). CANAPI performed best in sparse vegetation where shrub canopies were distinct, while it tended to underestimate shrub cover where shrubs were clustered. The CANAPI algorithm and the regression equations presented here can be used in Arctic tundra environments to derive vegetation parameters from any sub-meter panchromatic imagery.

Forest Condition Monitoring Using Very-High-Resolution Satellite Imagery in a Remote Mountain Watershed in Nepal

Satellite imagery has proven extremely useful for repetitive timeline-based data collection, because it offers a synoptic view and enables fast processing of large quantities of data. The changes in tree crown number and land cover in a very remote watershed (area 1305 ha) in Nepal were analyzed using a QuickBird image from 2006 and an IKONOS image from 2011. A geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) was carried out using the region-growing technique for tree crown detection, delineation, and change assessment, and a multiresolution technique was used for land cover mapping and change analysis. The coefficient of determination for tree crown detection and delineation was 0.97 for QuickBird and 0.99 for IKONOS, calculated using a line-intercept transect method with 10 randomly selected windows (1×1 ha). The number of tree crowns decreased from 47,121 in 2006 to 41,689 in 2011, a loss of approximately 90 trees per month on average; the area of needle-leaved forest was reduced by 140 ha (23%) over the same period. Analysis of widely available very-high-resolution satellite images using GEOBIA techniques offers a cost-effective method for detecting changes in tree crown number and land cover in remote mountain valleys; the results provide the information needed to support improved local-level planning and forest management in such areas.

Strawberry yields with high-tunnel and open-field cultivations and the relationship with vegetative and reproductive plant characteristics

In Colombia, high-tunnel systems may be a viable alternative for increasing the yields of strawberry crops due to their ability to prevent fruit losses and plant damage caused during periods of high precipitation. This study aimed to compare the yield and its relationship with vegetative and reproductive components of Albion and Monterey strawberry cultivars, established in open-field and high-tunnel systems in Cajica (Colombia), at 2,562 m a.s.l. and 4°56'N, 74°00'W. A combined analysis of the environments was carried out. A random complete block design was used in each environment with six replications for each cultivar. This study evaluated the relationship between the leaf area, the number of crowns, the number of leaflets, the number of flowers, the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the number of fruits, the incidence of foliar damage, the yield per plant and the fruit size. There were positive correlations between the vegetative variables and the reproductive variables, which explained why 'Monterey', a cultivar with more vigor, presented a higher yield that 'Albion'. The growth conditions in the high-tunnel system promoted rapid vegetative growth in the 'Monterey' plants, with an increase in yield and a decrease in losses. The 'Albion' cultivar plants in the high-tunnel system presented a decrease in fruit losses; however, these plants did not present differences in the yield, as compared to the plants established in the open-filed system. Despite the benefits of a decrease in fruit losses due to rot seen in the high-tunnel system, this system had an increase in powdery mildew and calcium deficiency.

Technology for Rehabilitation of Yamuna Ravines - Cost-Effective Practices to Conserve Natural Resources through Bamboo Plantation

The present study evaluated bamboo ( Dendrocalamus strictus ) based resource conservation in the Yamuna ravines at Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ravine lands are highly degraded dry lands and 3.97 m ha area is affected by ravines in India. One ravine micro watershed of 2.8 ha area was planted with two rows of bamboo in staggered manner as vegetative barrier for the analysis of hydrological and economic aspect of bamboo plantation. Hydrological results showed that runoff has been reduced from 9.6% to 1.8% and soil loss from 4.2 to 0.6 t/ha/year in the last 4 years. Based on bamboo growth performance, average value of culm height and culm collar diameter have been recorded as 3.80 m and 22.50 mm, the value of average crown size and number of culms per clump being 3.93 m and 18 numbers respectively. Further, the soils under bamboo plants improved in terms of decreased pH and enhanced soil organic carbon. The economic analysis suggested a cash outflow of Rs 48,000 ha -1 from 7th year onwards to the stakeholders in the region, in addition to the benefits accrued to society at large in terms of value of nutrient (Rs 2125-5555 ha -1 ) saved through soil conservation. This study recommends bamboo plantation for productive and protective utilization of such degraded lands. It also suggests that the high cost of establishment for individual stakeholders can be met through subsidies and banks' financial inclusion programme in developing countries such as India. Further, public funding can also be routed through appropriate budgetary provisions in development plans of corporate entities involved in the rural development in the country.

Distribution patterns of trees in paddy field landscapes in relation to agro-ecological settings in northeast Thailand

Deforestation accompanied by the expansion of agricultural land makes tree resources less available in many regions in the tropics, and small-scale farmers often incorporate trees with agricultural lands to meet their demands for food, timber, fuelwood, or fodder. This study analyzed the distribution patterns and management of multiple tree species grown in the rice paddy fields of a forest-depleted region in northeast Thailand – a region whose forestland represents only 16.32% of the total land area. Twenty villages from 11 provinces were selected for the remote sensing analysis of tree density and microhabitat. Interview surveys were conducted among villagers on their tree use and management, and field observations were performed to determine tree species’ composition. The average tree-unit density (based on the number of tree crowns, either of a single tree or of cohesive trees, appearing in satellite images) was 6.27units/ha, and was correlated with both density on the levee (5.30units/ha on average) and levee length per unit paddy area (475.25m/ha on average). The levees were more significant as tree habitats in the villages on the floodplain where the early introduction of agricultural machinery and direct seeding reduced the number of trees inside the fields where rice crops are grown. In total, 79 tree species representing 66 genera and 33 families were observed in the paddy fields. Remnant trees from the original forest, mostly Dipterocarpaceae and Fabaceae, have decreased due to cutting for use as timber and fuel. More recently, eucalypt and teak for timber, and mango and tamarind for edible fruits, have been planted on the levees as income sources. Farmers have recognized that while leaf litter fertilizes the soil, excess shading reduces the rice yield. The coppicing of eucalypt and pollarding of Mitragyna diversifolia were conducted for the sustainable harvest of timber and fuelwood, and also to avoid creating excess shade. Paddy rice fields are the monoculture of a staple crop, but they can harbor multiple trees on their levees, which play a counteractive role in forestland decline.

The response to bacterial inoculation is cultivar-related in strawberries

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of biofertilizer and cultivar on vegetative potential (height of the plant, number of crowns and leaves per plant, and the area of a single leaf), leaf mineral composition (micro- and macroelements), yield potential (number of inflorescences and fruit set per plant, yield per plant, and yield per square meter), fruit characteristics (mass, length, width, and fruit shape index), and chemical traits (soluble solids content, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, total anthocyanins (TACY), total phenolic content (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) in the fruits of Clery, Joly and Dely strawberry plants. Two types of biofertilizer were applied: Biofertilizer 1 (inoculums of the mixture of liquid bacteria cultures of the genera Azotobacter, Derxia, and Bacillus) and Biofertilizer 2 (inoculums of liquid culture of diazotrophic bacteria belonging to the genus Klebsiella). The applied biofertilizers made a significant impact on the parameters of vegetative potential and contents of some macroelements and microelements in the leaf, as well as the values of TA, TACY, TPC, and TAC. Cultivar demonstrated a significant impact on plant height and the number of crowns in it, leaf macroelement and microelement content, generative potential parameters, and morphometric and chemical fruit parameters.

Oralno zdravlje djece ometene u mentalnom razvoju na području opštine Banja Luka

Introduction: Dental care for people with mental disabilities is an integral part of the comprehensive medical care. Mentally challenged people, in addition to mental have, in cases of severe psychophysical development disorders, motor disturbances as well, which prevent them from adequately maintaining oral hygiene and general health. In institutions where these people are located, there is often no dental service or dentist to take care of their oral health. Aims of the study: The basic goal of the research is to determine the oral health condition of the intellectually disabled children in the municipality of Banja Luka. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on 65 children (26 females and 39 males), age range: 5 to 15 years old. According to a type of disability by 10th International classification of the diseases, children were divided into two groups: group 1/F71(n=35) and group 2/F72 (n=30). Dental check assessed: teeth number, presence of decayed, missing/extracted teeth and radices relictae, presence and number of crowns, gingival index-GI and plaque index-PI. Results: The analysis showed there was no significant difference in the number of decayed, extracted, filled teeth and there were no significant differences in the values of DMFT, gingival and plaque index. Conclusion: Children with mental disabilities in the municipality of Banja Luka have a bad state of the mouth and teeth. In relation to the degree of mental disability of children, there was no significant difference in the number of decayed, extracted, filled teeth, DMFT, gingival and plaque index.

Vegetative Growth, Yield and Leaf Mineral Composition in Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa DUCH. CV. Pajaro) as Influenced using Nickel Sulfate and Urea Sprays

In this study, interactions of nickel sulfate and urea sprays on vegetative growth, yield and leaf mineral contents in strawberry were investigated. Rooted Pajaro strawberry plants were potted in 3 liter pots filled with soil, leaf mold and sand (1:1:1, v/v/v). Established plants were foliar sprayed with nickel sulfate at 0, 150, 300 and 450 mg L−1 and urea 0 and 2 g L−1 concentrations. Results indicated that nickel (Ni; 300 mg L−1) plus urea (2 g L−1) significantly increased the yield and runner numbers. Nickel sulfate at the rate of 300 and 150 mg L−1and urea (2 g L−1) significantly increased the crown numbers. The greatest root fresh and dry weights were obtained from untreated plants. Urea at 2 g L−1 without nickel significantly increased shoot fresh and dry weights. Nickel at 450 mg L−1 without urea significantly increased Ni concentration in leaves. Overall, nickel sulfate at 150 and 300 mg L−1 along with urea at 2 g L−1 were the best treatments.

Establishment of microcuttings of Hexastylis species

Micropropagation of Hexastylis species (Aristolochiaceae) requires the development of establishment protocols for in vitro -generated microcuttings. Hexastylis shuttleworthii (Britten & Baker f.) Small var. harperi Gaddy in vitro-rooted microcuttings survived in higher percentages (67%) and had more leaves after 7.5 mo than ex vitro-rooted microcuttings (8%); however, once rooted, both survived equally under greenhouse conditions. In vitro-rooted microcuttings of H. arifolia (Michx.) Small var. arifolia, H. minor (Ashe) Blomquist, and H. speciosa Harper ‘Buxom Beauty’ cultured for 4 wk with IBA (0, 2.5, 5, or 10 μM) survived transplanting equally well. A blended Metro-Mix 510:perlite mix (1:1, v:v) improved greenhouse survival of in vitro-rooted microcuttings of H. arifolia and H. speciosa ‘Buxom Beauty’ compared to Metro-Mix 510 alone. Higher percentages of H. shuttleworthii var. harperi multiple-crown microcuttings survived (96%) compared to single-crown microcuttings (29%), but after one year, neither initial crown number nor first-year overwintering environment (greenhouse versus raised-field bed) affected growth. For H. naniflora (Blomquist) Pfeifer ‘Eco Decor’, initial in vitro-rooted microcutting fresh weight and leaf number failed to relate to survival ( 90%); however, initial fresh weight and root number were directly correlated with final plant size and leaf number after 14 mo in a raised-field bed. In vitro-rooted microcuttings of H. shuttleworthii var. harperi and H. naniflora ‘Eco Decor’ were readily established ( 86% survival) when planted directly in a raised-field bed under shade. Commercial micropropagation of Hexastylis species appears to be practical due to the ease with which in vitro-rooted microcuttings could be established ex vitro .