Quantifying Temperature Effects on Developmental Rate and Plant Quality of Compact Container-grown Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Mean daily temperature effects on plant development rates and quality were evaluated for compact container-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Compact tomato varieties ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ were grown in greenhouses at 18 to 26 °C (Experiment 1) and 20 to 30 °C (Experiment 2) under supplemental high-pressure sodium lighting and 16-hour photoperiod. The number of days to first open flower, first ripe fruit, and from flower to ripe fruit were measured and development rates calculated by taking the reciprocal (e.g. 1/days). Temperature effects were predicted by fitting a linear (for first open flower) and a nonlinear exponential function (for first ripe fruit and between first open flower and ripe fruit) which included base temperature (Tmin) and maximum developmental rate (Rmax) parameters. Plant quality attributes were measured in Experiment 2. As temperature increased, the time to flower and fruit decreased (i.e. developmental rates increased) for both varieties. Estimated Tmin was 8.7 °C for ‘Siam’ and 11.4 °C for ‘Red Velvet’ whereas Rmax was similar between varieties (0.030 at fruit, and 0.037 from flower to fruit). ‘Siam’ and ‘Red Velvet’ grown at ≈25 °C had a relatively short crop time, compact canopy, adequate fruit size, and a high number of fruits per plant at finish. Compact tomatoes are new crops being grown by greenhouse floriculture operations for ornamental and edible value, and the information from this study can help growers schedule these crops to meet critical market windows and determine the impacts of changing growing temperature on crop timing and quality

Parental Perceptions of Child Life Specialists

Most children spend time in the hospital at some point during their childhood whether it is for a short visit or a long-term stay. Hospitalization can be a very stressful experience for children and their families. Child life specialists work in hospitals to help families navigate hospitalizations and cope with stress. This study aimed to investigate parental perceptions of child life specialists, including parents’ familiarity with their role, recognition of its importance, appreciation for help provided, and the formation of meaningful relationships with child life specialists. A survey was conducted among child life specialists who had worked with children and families in hospital settings, and ninety-one responses were collected. The findings indicate that parents were generally unfamiliar with the role of a child life specialist before entering the hospital. However, after interacting with a child life specialist, parents came to recognize the importance and value of the child life specialists’ role and appreciated the help that they provided for their child and family. Child life specialists also feel that they can form meaningful relationships with the parents they work with. Overall, the study emphasizes the crucial role that child life specialists play in supporting children and families throughout hospitalization

Labeling Energy Drinks: Tackling a Monster of a Problem

Energy drinks first rose to popularity in the 1980s after the creation of Red Bull. In addition to high caffeine amounts, energy drinks often contain herbal stimulan