Growth Speed Research Articles

Potential of siam weed extract in combination with Trichoderma harzianum to stimulate seed germination of Coffea arabica

The Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) beans feature a solid and thick seed shape that obstructs the germination process. Seed germination is an important feature of coffee plant cultivation and significantly impacts on the growth and development of the coffee plant. Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L.) has the potential to be used as an organic fertilizer due to its nutrients and secondary metabolite compounds which can help accelerate plant growth. The optimal use of organic fertilizer can be achieved by using Trichoderma harzianum. This research aims to determine the effect and optimal concentration of Siam weed extract (Chromolaena odorata L.) and Trichoderma harzianum on the germination of Arabica coffee seeds. The research used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in the form of siam weed extract concentrations of 8 ppm and 16 ppm and concentrations of Trichoderma harzianum of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, and 20 ppm. The research finding indicated that the C2T1 treatment had the best results in terms of germination, growth speed, growth synchrony, hypocotyl length, and number of leaves on coffee plants. Meanwhile, the C2T4 treatment had the highest chlorophyll content.

Response of tomato seed germination to several extraction techniques and magnetic field exposure treatments

The superior seeds are indicated by clean, good germination rate, pest and disease-free. One of the problems in providing superior tomato seeds is the presence of pulp attached to the tomato seeds, leading to less clean of seed. To remove the muscus on tomato seeds, the seeds have to be extracted. Other than seeds extraction, seeds exposure also could optimize seeds growth by increasing the metabolism of the tomato. The aim of this research is to determine the best extraction technique and magnetic field exposure for obtaining high tomato seeds germination. The complete random design used in this research consist of two factors, seeds extraction and magnetic field with three time replications. The result showed that seeds extraction for 24 hours is the best treatment for improving the maximum germination percentage, growth potential, growth rate, speed growth, uniformity index than others. Magnetic exposure at 6mT is the best treatment to improve seeds maximum growth and seeds speed growth.

Methane pumping by rapidly refreezing lead ice in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean

If and how the sea ice cycle drives the methane cycle in the high Arctic is an open question and crucial to improving source/sink balances. This study presents new insights into the effects of strong and fast freezing on the physical–chemical properties of ice and offers implications for methane fluxes into and out of newly formed lead ice. During the 2019–2020 transpolar drift of the Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), we took weekly samples of growing lead ice and underlying seawater at the same site between January and March 2020. We analyzed concentrations and stable carbon isotopic signatures (δ13C–CH4) of methane and calculated methane solubility capacities (MSC) and saturation levels in both environments. During the first month, intense cooling resulted in the growth of two-thirds of the final ice thickness. In the second month, ice growth speed decreased by 50%. Both growth phases, disentangled, exposed different freeze impacts on methane pathways. The fast freeze caused strong brine entrapment, keeping the newly formed lead ice permeable for 2 weeks. These physical conditions activated a methane pump. An increased MSC induced methane uptake at the air–ice interface, and the still-open brine channels provided top-down transport to the ocean interface with brine drainage. When the subsurface layer became impermeable, the top-down pumping stopped, but the ongoing uptake induced a methane excess on top. During the second growth phase, methane exchange exclusively continued at the ice–ocean interface. The shift in the relative abundance of the 12C and 13C isotopes between lead ice and seawater toward a 13C-enrichment in seawater reveals brine drainage as the main pathway releasing methane from aging lead ice. We conclude that in winter, refrozen leads temporarily function as active sinks for atmospheric methane and postulate that the relevance of this process may even increase when the Arctic fully transitions into a seasonally ice-covered ocean when leads may be more abundant. To highlight the relevance of methane in-gassing at the air–ice interface as a potential but still unconsidered pathway, we include estimates of the occurrence and frequency of young lead ice from satellite observations of leads during MOSAiC.

Bacillus aryabhattai dose recommendation for corn seed inoculation

The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can be a sustainable alternative to improve the uniformity and speed of emergence and initial growth of plants. However, the effects of Bacillus aryabhattai inoculation are still incipient and inconclusive, and there is no recommendation for the use of inoculant doses containing B. aryabhattai. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of B. aryabhattai inoculation in improving the germination and initial growth of corn plants (Zea mays L.), and to determine the optimal inoculant dose to be recommended for inoculation of corn seeds. Corn seeds were inoculated with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40-mL kg–1 of the inoculant containing the strain CMAA 1363 of Bacillus aryabhattai. Four replicates of 50 seeds were sown in plastic boxes containing washed coarse sand. At 18 days after sowing, the emergence rate (E), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM) was recorded. The results showed that the use of inoculant containing B. aryabhattai improved the initial growth and dry matter production of corn plants. This suggests that B. aryabhattai could be an excellent option for producing microbiological inoculants with enormous potential for use in Brazilian and global agriculture. The optimal dose of inoculant containing B. aryabhattai to be applied to corn seeds can range between 20 and 22-mL kg–1 of inoculant.

Effect of acidic polymers on the morphology of non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation of potassium bromide

Non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation (NPLIN) in supersaturated potassium bromide (KBr) solutions with the addition of acidic polymers is reported here for the first time. Upon absorbing the incident laser, crystallites are immediately induced along the laser pathway in the solution, eventually growing into needle-shaped crystals of varying sizes. When comparing induction time, nucleation probability, and crystal habits with spontaneous nucleation, the results suggest that NPLIN creates a distinct morphological pathway, transforming cubic crystals into needle-like structures. Additionally, it improves crystallization probability and growth rate. This paper aims to realize control from crystal nucleation to crystal growth by adding acidic polymers to the process of laser-induced nucleation, potentially influencing crystal morphology modification in NPLIN. With 19 wt% acidic polymers added to the solution as additives, control over both crystal growth and morphological modifications was observed: cubic KBr crystals with square patterns were produced through laser irradiation, and there was a varying reduction in both the number and growth rate of the crystals. The influence of acidic polymers on the solution environment was analyzed to determine the reasons for the variations in crystal quantity and growth speed. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the changes in crystal shape were also discussed.

Analysis of Hydrogen Combustion in a Spark Ignition Research Engine with a Barrier Discharge Igniter

Hydrogen fuel is gaining particular attention in internal combustion engines. In addition to zero-carbon emissions, major advantages relate to its combustion characteristics, which allow a significant increase in thermal efficiency under ultra-lean operation and with very low NOx levels. The ignition system is one of the main technology enablers, as it determines the capability to control ultra-lean operations, avoid backfire phenomena, and/or reduce the risks of abnormal combustions. The latter results from hydrogen’s low ignition energy and it is associated with factors like high-temperature residuals, hot spots, and irregular spark plug discharge. The ACIS gen 2-Barrier Discharge Igniter excels in accelerating the initial flame growth speed by the generation of non-equilibrium low-temperature plasma, a strong ignition promoter for the combined action of kinetic and thermal effects. Moreover, its volumetric discharge facilitates combustion initiation on a wide region, in contrast to the localized ignition of traditional spark systems. In this work we present for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, experimental results showing the performance of a hydrogen engine with a low-temperature plasma discharge. Tests were conducted on a single-cylinder research engine, achieving ultra-lean conditions with cycle-to-cycle variability results below 2.5%. The analysis indicates that the H2-BDI combined solution is capable of accelerating the evolution of the flame front compared to traditional spark plugs, leading to a significant reduction in the cycle-to-cycle variability. A meticulous adjustment of the BDI control parameters further enhances igniter performance and contributes to a deeper understanding of the innovative approach proposed in this study.

Investigating the effect of steel micro‐ and macro‐fibers on the bond behavior of steel rebar embedded in ultra‐high performance concrete

AbstractIn recent years, the use of ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) has been widely considered in special structures and retrofitting of existing structures. Since most of the relations proposed by the regulations are based on the behavior of concrete with normal strength concrete, it is necessary to conduct more experimental studies to predict the behavior of UHPC. One of these notable behaviors is the bond and cohesion between rebar and UHPC, which plays a critical role in the design and seismic behavior of structures. In the present study, a series of experimental tests of uniaxial compressive strength, splitting (Brazilian) tensile strength, elastic modulus, and pull‐out of ribbed steel bars from ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) were performed. The tests were done considering the four‐volume fractions of hooked‐end steel macro‐fibers, straight steel micro‐fibers, a hybrid combination of these two fibers, three different diameters of ribbed steel bars, and several embedded lengths. Moreover, direct tensile and compressive stress–strain curves, Young's modulus, bonding properties of rebar with UHPFRC, and fracture mechanisms were considered. The results indicated that applying micro‐fibers may enhance the bond stress between rebar and UHPC better than macro‐fibers. Also applying hybrid fibers resulted in the concurrent enhancement of bond stress and the optimum point slip of UHPC in the stress–slip diagram. This finding maybe attributed to the satisfactory performance of micro‐fibers in reducing the growth speed of micro‐level cracks and the suitable effect of macro‐fibers in decreasing the progression speed of macro‐level cracks. Furthermore, it was revealed that the increase in rebar diameter and embedding length leads to the reduction of maximum bond stress in UHPFRC.

The Influence of Observability on The Adoption of Tissue Culture Banana Seedlings in Tanzania

In seedling technology, Banana seedlings are undergoing a profound transformation with the integration of advanced innovation, referred to as tissue culture banana seedling. The study delves into the science of seedling technology and innovation adoption within the banana farming sector. We explore the dynamic interactions between tissue culture innovation and farmer adoption. The study adopted a positivism philosophy, cross-sectional survey design, and purposive sampling techniques. A sample size of 350 banana farmers in Kilimanjaro was drawn from the population of the study using the Yamen formula for sample size determination. Since the outcome variable was dichotomous the binary logistic regression model was employed. The result indicates that the highest mean was for the statement banana tissue culture seedling grow faster compared to local sucker (M=3.75), indicating the speed of growth is seen as a clear observable benefit. Standard deviations were relatively low, ranging from 0.826 to 0.872, indicating less variation in responses. These results suggest smallholder farmers perceive tissue culture banana seedlings as having moderately high observability, especially related to the visible benefits of faster planting growth and income generation compared to using local banana seedlings. We shed light on the adoption of tissue culture banana seedlings. Adoption is reshaping traditional seedling suckers practices, enhancing productivity and business opportunity. Farmers' adoption will lead to economic development and job creation. Farmers markets provide opportunities for small farmers and businesses to sell their products, and support to meet the growing demand for locally produced food.

IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY AND SEED GROWTH OF EXPIRED CAYENNE PEPPER (Capsicum frutescens) THROUGH INVIGORATION TECHNIQUE USING YOUNG CORN EXTRACT

One of the problems in companies engaged in the seed. Production is the large number of seeds that can not be sold immediately or accumulate in storage warehouses resulting in expired seeds. Seeds in this condition will experience deterioration and decrease in quality so special treatment is needed to improve their physiological quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in the physiological quality and growth of expired cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) seeds through invigoration techniques using young corn extract (Zea mays). The research was conducted in the laboratory and Green House of Seed Production Techniques, Polytechnic of Jember, using the Non-Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method with the concentration of young corn extract (K) as the treatment factor. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and followed by DMRT level of 5%. The K factor consists of 5 levels, namely K02 (without soaking in young corn extract), K1 (20% of young corn extract), K2 (25% of young corn extract), K3 (30% of young corn extract), and K4 (35% of young corn extract ). The results showed that the use of young corn extract for expired cayenne pepper seeds invigoration had a significantly different effect on the parameters of growth synchrony and vigor index, and had a very significant effect on the parameters of germination power, maximum growth potential, and growth speed. These results indicate that young corn extract is capable of acting as a bio-invigorator in improving the physiological quality of expired seeds.

A fractional mathematical model approach on glioblastoma growth: tumor visibility timing and patient survival

In this paper, we introduce a mathematical model given by
 \begin{equation}
 { }^c \mathfrak{D}_t^\alpha u = \nabla \cdot \mathrm{D} \nabla u + \rho f(u) \quad \text{in } \Omega,
 \end{equation}
 where $f(u)=\frac{1}{1-u/\mathrm{K}}, \, u/\mathrm{K} \neq 1, \, \mathrm{K} > 0$, to enhance established mathematical methodologies for better understanding glioblastoma dynamics at the macroscopic scale. The tumor growth model exhibits an innovative structure even within the conventional framework, including a proliferation term, $f(u)$, presented in a different form compared to existing macroscopic glioblastoma models. Moreover, it represents a further refined model by incorporating a calibration criterion based on the integration of a fractional derivative, $\alpha$, which differs from the existing models for glioblastoma. Throughout this study, we initially discuss the modeling dynamics of the tumor growth model. Given the frequent recurrence observed in glioblastoma cases, we then track tumor mass formation and provide predictions for tumor visibility timing on medical imaging to elucidate the recurrence periods. Furthermore, we investigate the correlation between tumor growth speed and survival duration to uncover the relationship between these two variables through an experimental approach. To conduct these patient-specific analyses, we employ glioblastoma patient data and present the results via numerical simulations. In conclusion, the findings on tumor visibility timing align with empirical observations, and the investigations into patient survival further corroborate the well-established inter-patient variability for glioblastoma cases.

Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) Concentration and Seedling Media Composition on the Germination and Growth of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) from True Shallot Seed

Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a vegetable commodity that contributes greatly to horticultural production and inflantion levels. The use of superior seeds is expected to produce maximum shallot production. The majority of Indonesian farmers use 30% of the harvested tubers as planting material, with production costs being quite expensive. Many shallot farmers also experience several problems with tuber seeds that are hollow and damaged. True Shallot Seeds can be an efficient and profitable altervative planting material. Implementing TSS shallot cultivation is considered difficult and requires longer time for sowing. Soaking seeds using Gibberelin can have a physiological effect on the germination process. Seedling media factor with a certain composition are needed to produce maximum seeds. The experiment was carried out in factorial manner using Random Design Complete with three replications. The GA3 concentration factor has four treatment levels: G0 = 0 ppm/control, G1 = 2 ppm, G2 = 4 ppm, and G3 = 6 ppm. The seedling media composition factors has four treatment levels: M0 = soil + compost/control (1:1), M1 = cocopeat + compost (1:1), M2 = husk charcoal + compost (1:1), and M3 = sand + compost (1:1). The data analysis used was Analysis of Variance, if there were significant differences between the treatments, a further tes was carried out using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 5% level. The result showed that the interaction between GA3 concentration treatment and seedling media composition and the single factor GA3 concentration had no significant effect on all observed variables. The composition of the seedling media has a significant effect on the speed of seed growth, seed height, root length, and seed wet weight with optimum results for germination and vegetative growth of TSS seeds, namely the compositionof soil+compost/control (M0) seedling media on the variables of seed growth speed (%/etmal), seed height (cm), and seed wet weight (gram).

SOCIALIZATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS, INDONESIAN QUR'AN SCHOOL BANDAR LAMPUNG

Background: Adolescence is a transition period from childhood to adulthood which is marked by the speed of growth and development both physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. The process of adolescent growth and development must receive special attention so that it can be controlled during this phase. Problems that occur in teenagers such as early marriage, premarital sex, pregnancy outside of marriage, abortion, HIV, and AIDS are caused by a lack of information about reproductive health. The aim of the research: is to determine the description of adolescent knowledge about reproductive health at the Indonesian Qur'an School in Bandar Lampung. Research methodology: descriptive research with a research design using a cross-sectional approach. The instrument used is a questionnaire with an ordinal scale. The total sample was 21 teenagers taken using saturated sampling. Research results: show that adolescent knowledge about reproductive health is in the good category at 81% (17 people), and poor knowledge is 19% (4 people). Most teenagers' knowledge about reproductive health is sufficient. Conclusions and Recommendations: It is hoped that the results of this research will be a consideration for carrying out reproductive health education for school-age adolescents to be aware of the high incidence of sexuality and anxiety in parents. Apart from that, the results of this research can also be a basis for future researchers to develop management interventions to overcome adolescents' lack of knowledge in reproductive health.

Land Surface Temperature Changes in Different Urbanization Increments in China since 2000

In the rapidly urbanizing world, as one of the distinct anthropogenic alterations of global climate change, global warming has attracted rising concerns due to its negative effects on human well-being and biodiversity. However, existing studies mostly focused on the difference in temperature elevation among urbanized areas and non-urbanized areas, i.e., rural or suburban areas. The allometric urban warming at intra-urban scales was overlooked. This research aimed to expand our understanding of urbanization–temperature relationships by applying a concept of a “previous-new” dichotomy of urbanized areas. To quantify the land surface temperature (LST) dynamics of 340 cities in China, we analyzed the LST of different land use types through trend analysis and absolute change calculation models. The urban heat island (UHI) effect of two spatial units, i.e., newly expanded urbanized area (“new UA” hereinafter) during 2000–2015 and previously existing urbanized area (“previous UA” hereinafter) in 2000, were compared and discussed. Our findings reveal that urban growth in China coincided with an LST increase of approximately 0.68 °C across the entire administrative boundary, with higher increases observed in regions between the Yellow River and Yangtze River and lower increases in other areas. Moreover, the new UA exhibited significantly greater LST increases and urban heat island intensity (HUII) compared to the previous UA. The dynamics of LST corresponded to the speed and scale of urban growth, with cities experiencing higher growth rates and percentages exhibiting more pronounced LST increases. This study reveals the impact of the underlying surface on human settlements on a large scale.

Enhancing growth speed of 3C–SiC using solution growth method by a new low temperature Mn-based cosolvent

Solution growth is a promising method for rapidly and stably preparing high-quality silicon carbide (SiC) single crystals. However, the coexistence of polycrystalline parasitism and solid inclusions during the growth of SiC in high-temperature solutions above 1800 °C still poses a serious threat to the quality of single crystals. Herein, we introduce an innovative Mn-based cosolvent for controlling the stable and fast growth of cubic-type silicon carbide (3C–SiC) single crystals at low temperatures. Firstly, our thermodynamic analysis reveals that SiC is the only stable solid compound in the low-temperature solution (1500–1600 °C) of the Si–Mn–C system, which is an important condition for the stable growth of crystals. Compared to typical solvents like Si–Cr, Si–Ti, and Si–Fe, the Si–Mn solvent exhibits the highest solubility and supersaturation for carbon. Secondly, our solubility calculations of SiC in the solvent show that the Mn-rich solvent can significantly increase the solubility of SiC. Thirdly, we successfully grew 3C–SiC single crystals from Si–Mn solution at 1500 °C without other SiC polymorphs produced. Rapid growth of SiC crystals in Mn-rich solution was achieved by modulating the content of Mn. Our work highlights the superiority of Si–Mn cosolvents in facilitating rapid growth of 3C–SiC single crystals at low temperatures. It introduces a novel approach by applying phase diagram calculation techniques to design suitable solvent systems for the solution growth of SiC single crystals.

Abstract 2020: Determination of parameters to understand the metabolism in the tumor microenvironment by in vivo microdialysis

Abstract The tumor microenvironment presents a unique surrounding with more favorable conditions for the cancer cells to growth thrive and interact than for the host cells. To obtain a better understanding of cancer biology and pathophysiology, information about the physiological state of the tumor microenvironment is crucial. By using the in situ microdialysis technique we can quantitate relevant modulators in the interstitial space of the tumor. The current set of experiments demonstrates the benefits of the use of microdialysis in freely-moving awake tumor-bearing animals. Following inoculation, growth was monitored continuously and upon an average tumor volume of 400 mm3, the animals underwent surgical implantation of microdialysis probes. The next day, the sample collection was initiated by perfusion of the implanted probes with dialysate fluid. Samples were continuously collected over several hours and stored at -80C. Levels of analytes indicative of metabolic and physiological conditions of the tumor microdialysis were quantified by EIA and/or LC-MS/MS analysis. The microdialysis technology combined with sensitive analytical methods allows us to quantify several analytes from the tumor microenvironment simultaneously and monitor changes over time. Metabolic activity is an important indicator of tumor growth speed. Depletion of energy can lead to increases in lactate levels and acidification of the tumor microenvironment. Resulting in a reduction of host immunological efficacy. Elucidation of the status of the tumor environment during tumor growth and treatment allows for better translational models. Citation Format: Mariette Suzan Heins, Gunnar Flik. Determination of parameters to understand the metabolism in the tumor microenvironment by in vivo microdialysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2020.

Rate-dependent augmented finite element method for fast arbitrary crack growth

Experimental observations indicate that fast crack growth often exhibits a rate dependency, which is caused by the viscosity of the material and the dissipation of energy resulting from the branching of microcracks. To address this phenomenon in simulation modeling, this study introduces a rate-dependent augmented finite element method designed for analyzing fast arbitrary crack growth. The method utilizes the maximum principal stress criterion to simulate arbitrary crack growth and predict the path of crack growth. The elements where crack growth is expected are divided into subelements, and they are re-assembled by incorporating rate-dependent cohesive elements between them to construct augmented finite elements. The cohesive elements are based on a rate-dependent trapezoid traction–separation relationship, where the critical traction and fracture toughness are modeled as functions of the separation rate and crack growth speed. The augmented finite elements only contain external nodal degrees of freedom (DoFs), while internal nodal DoFs are condensed. They can be utilized as conventional elements. A numerical algorithm based on the proposed method was developed in this article, and it was implemented in ABAQUS via user element subroutine. The effectiveness of this method and algorithm is validated through an example of dynamic crack growth in a double cantilever beam. The results demonstrate agreement with experimental and computational findings reported in the literature. Additionally, the method was applied to other structures, yielding reasonable outcomes. Analysis of these examples confirms the method’s utility in predicting fast arbitrary crack growth under dynamic load conditions.

Galleria mellonella in vitro model for chromoblastomycosis shows large differences in virulence between isolates

BackgroundChromoblastomycosis is the World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized fungal implantation disease that eventually leads to severe mutilation. Cladophialophora carrionii (C. carrionii) is one of the agents. However, the pathogenesis of C. carrionii is not fully investigated yet.MethodsWe investigated the pathogenic potential of the fungus in a Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) larvae infection model. Six strains of C. carrionii, and three of its environmental relative C. yegresii were tested. The G. mellonella model was also applied to determine antifungal efficacy of amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and terbinafine.ResultsAll strains were able to infect the larvae, but virulence potentials were strain-specific and showed no correlation with clinical background of the respective isolate. Survival of larvae also varied with infection dose, and with growth speed and melanization of the fungus. Posaconazole and voriconazole exhibited best activity against Cladophialophora, followed by itraconazole and terbinafine, while limited efficacy was seen for amphotericin B.ConclusionInfection behavior deviates significantly between strains. In vitro antifungal susceptibility of tested strains only partly explained the limited treatment efficacy in vivo.

The Influence of Observability on The Adoption of Tissue Culture Banana Seedlings in Tanzania

In the seedling’s technology, Banana farming is undergoing a profound transformation with the integration of advanced technologies, referred to as tissue culture banana seedlings. The study delves into the empires of seedling technology and innovations adoption within the banana farming sector. We explore the dynamic interactions between Tissue culture innovation, and the farmer's adoption. The study adopted positivism philosophy, a cross-sectional survey design, and purposive sampling techniques. A sample size of 350 banana farmers in Kilimanjaro was drawn from the population of the study using Yamen formula for sample size determination. Since the outcome variable was dichotomous the binary logistic regression model was employed. The results indicate that, the highest mean was for the statement “Banana tissue culture seedlings grow faster compared to local suckers” (M=3.75), indicating the speed of growth is seen as a clear observable benefit. Standard deviations were relatively low, ranging from 0.826 to 0.872, indicating less variation in responses. These results suggest smallholder farmers perceive tissue culture banana seedlings as having moderately high observability, especially related to the visible benefits of faster planting growth and income generation compared to using local banana seedlings. We shed light on the adoption of tissue culture seedlings. Adoption is reshaping traditional suckers’ practices, enhancing productivity and business opportunity. Farmers adoption will leads to the economic development and job creation. Farmers markets provide opportunities for small farmers and businesses to sell their products, and support to meet the growing demand for locally produced food.

Patterns of recovery in extant and extirpated seabirds after the world's largest multipredator eradication.

Eradicating invasive predators from islands can result in substantial recovery of seabirds, but the mechanisms that drive population changes remain poorly understood. Meta-analyses have recently revealed that immigration is surprisingly important to the recovery of philopatric seabirds, but it is not known whether dispersal and philopatry interact predictably to determine rates of population growth and changes of distribution. We used whole-island surveys and long-term monitoring plots to study the abundance, distribution, and trends of 4 burrowing seabird species on Macquarie Island, Australia, to examine the legacy impacts of invasive species and ongoing responses to the world's largest eradication of multiple species of vertebrates. Wekas (Gallirallus australis) were eradicated in 1988; cats (Felis catus) in 2001; and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), black rats (Rattus rattus), and mice (Mus mus) in 2011-2014. We compared surveys from 1976-1979 and 2017-2018 and monitoring from the 1990s and 2000s onward. Antarctic prions (Pachyptila desolata) and white-headed petrels (Pterodroma lessonii) increased ∼1% per year. Blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea) and gray petrels (Procellaria cinerea) recolonized following extirpation from the main island in the 1900s but remained spatially and numerically rare in 2018. However, they increased rapidly at 14% and 10% per year, respectively, since cat eradication in 2001. Blue and gray petrel recolonization occurred on steep, dry, west-facing slopes close to ridgelines at low elevation (i.e., high-quality petrel habitat). They overlapped <5% with the distribution of Antarctic prion and white-headed petrels whichoccurred in suboptimal shallow, wet, east-facing slopes at high elevation. We inferred that the speed of population growth of recolonizing species was related to their numerically smaller starting size compared with the established species and was driven by immigration and selection of ideal habitat.

Investigation on interlayer debonding behavior of unidirectional composite laminates under cyclical hygrothermal aging duration effects

AbstractThe composite interlamination is the key part of load transfer and plays a decisive role in the overall mechanical performance of composite structures. The interlaminar property is predominantly influenced by the matrix resin which is easily affected by the hygrothermal environment. This paper delved into the effect of hygrothermal aging duration on the interlayer debonding behavior of unidirectional (UD) laminates. The pre‐cracked specimens were treated by hygrothermal aging with a period of 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. The double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were employed to evaluate the interlaminar property. The effect of hygrothermal aging on load–displacement responses, R‐curves, crack growth speed, and fracture surface topography was analyzed. The results revealed that the load‐bearing capacity of aged specimens presented a reduction of 18.6%–29.0% compared with unaged ones. The interlaminar fracture toughness of specimens subjected to 15 days of treatment decreased significantly compared with that of unaged specimens due to the increase of water absorption caused by hygrothermal aging. With the increase in hygrothermal aging time, the interlaminar fracture toughness peaked at 60 days because of the post‐curing effect, followed by a declining trend influenced by the dominant hygrothermal aging effect. The fiber bridging of aged samples was increasingly obvious, became the most prominent at 60 days, and then gradually reduced. The fiber bridging diminished the crack propagation speed, hindered interlaminar debonding, and contributed to the interlaminar toughening.Highlights The samples underwent hygrothermal aging for 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Load ability of aged samples was at least 18.6% lower than that of unaged ones. R‐curves rose before the crack length of 79 mm and then tended to stabilize. Fracture toughness first decreased, then increased and reduced with aging time. Fiber bridging could hinder crack growth and improve the interlayer property.