Enhancement of Germination and Emergence of Hot Pepper Seeds by Priming with Acetyl Salicylic Acid

The effect of priming using priming solution supplemented with acetyl salicylic acid was investigated in terms of germination and seedling emergence performance of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescens var. Exotica) seeds. Seeds were primed in priming solution with KNO3 only, KNO3 + 0.1mM ASA, KNO3 + 0.5 mM ASA and KNO3 + 1 mM ASA for 6 days in a dark cabinet under ordinary room condition. Following priming, seeds were immediately subjected to germination test for 14 days and emergence test for 27 days. Primed seeds significantly improved the initial germination percentage, the speed of germination, the height of seedlings, shoot fresh and dry weight and the number of leaves compared to unprimed seeds. Priming seeds with KNO3 solution only had significantly highest initial germination percentage of 97%, the speed of germination of 49.28, and final germination percentage of 100% in the germination test conducted. In the seedling emergence test, significantly, the highest final germination percentage of 99% was observed in seeds primed in KNO3 and 0.5 ASA solution. As to speed of germination, height of seedlings, and shoot fresh weight, seeds primed in KNO3 only had significantly got the highest results of 5.91, 11. 67 cm. and 16.93 grams, respectively. In terms of survival capacity of seedlings, seeds primed in KNO3 + 0.1mM ASA had the highest seedling survival of 98.67 % and highest shoot dry weight of 1.50 grams. The highest number of leaves was from seeds primed in KNO3 only and in KNO3 +1 mM ASA. These results show the important role of priming in the germination attributes of hot pepper seeds. Although priming with KNO3 only had the most significant results among the parameters measured, an addition of 0.1 mM ASA and 0.5 mM ASA to the priming solution improved the survival ability of the seedlings by 5.67% and 6% as well enhanced the final germination by 3% from seeds primed with KNO3 alone and by 23% on unprimed seeds, respectively. Keywords: hot pepper, priming, acetyl salicylic acid, germination, speed of germination, initial germination percentage, final germination percentage

Vegetable Seed Germination Enhancement Using Different Levels of Pyroligneous Acid (PA)

Different concentration of pyroligneous acid in priming solutions were tested on the germination of four (4) different vegetable seeds such as radish, tomato, cucumber and eggplant. Priming solutions were consist of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% pyroligneous acid  used to prime the seeds of eggplant and tomato for twenty four (24) hours while sixteen (16)  hours for cucumber and radish seeds. Germination test were done in dark room condition using petri dishes containing 50 seeds each with three replications. Fastest rate of germination were observed on radish and cucumber seeds with only two days reaching 100 % germination. Final germination percentage of tomato and eggplant seeds treated with pyroligneous acid increased with 7% and 4 % difference compared to untreated seeds. Priming enhances the germination of tested vegetable seeds ranging from 93 to 100% germination in all treatments of all seeds except for 20% PA (T5) in eggplant seeds with 76% FGP. Studies dealing with the different number of days of seed priming, application of PA during seedling emergence, vegetative, and reproductive stage of plants is suggested to fully explore its potential as organic fertilizer and growth enhancer. Keywords: pyroligneous acid, priming, vegetable seeds, speed of germination, initial germination percentage, final germination percentage.

Representing Complexity in Part-Whole Relationships within the Foundational Model of Anatomy

The Foundational Model of Anatomy (FMA) is a frame-based ontology that represents declarative knowledge about the structural organization of the human body. Part-whole relationships play a particularly important role in this representation. In order to assure that knowledge-based applications relying on the FMA as a resource can reason about anatomy, we have modified and enhanced currently available schemes of meronymic relationships. We have introduced and defined distinct partitions for decomposing anatomical structures and attributed the part relationships in order to eliminate ambiguity and enhance specificity in the richness of meronymic relationships within the FMA

Problems and Solutions with Integrating Terminologies into Evolving Knowledge Bases

We have merged two established anatomical terminologies with an evolving ontology of biological structure: the Foundational Model of Anatomy. We describe the problems we have encountered and the solutions we have developed. We believe that both the problems and solutions generalize to the integration of any legacy terminology with a disciplined ontology within the same domain

HIV Testing of At Risk Patients in a Large Integrated Health Care System

OBJECTIVE: Early identification of HIV infection is critical for patients to receive life-prolonging treatment and risk-reduction counseling. Understanding HIV screening practices and barriers to HIV testing is an important prelude to designing successful HIV screening programs. Our objective was to evaluate current practice patterns for identification of HIV. METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort analysis of 13,991 at-risk patients seen at 4 large Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care systems. We also reviewed 1,100 medical records of tested patients. We assessed HIV testing rates among at-risk patients, the rationale for HIV testing, and predictors of HIV testing and of HIV infection. RESULTS: Of the 13,991 patients at risk for HIV, only 36% had been HIV-tested. The prevalence of HIV ranged from 1% to 20% among tested patients at the 4 sites. Approximately 90% of patients who were tested had a documented reason for testing. CONCLUSION: One-half to two-thirds of patients at risk for HIV had not been tested within our selected VA sites. Among tested patients, the rationale for HIV testing was well documented. Further testing of at-risk patients could clearly benefit patients who have unidentified HIV infection by providing earlier access to life-prolonging therapy

Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Pepper using Arbuscular Mychorrhizal Fungi (Mykovam)

Soil-borne antagonists Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Mykovam were evaluated for their ability to suppress the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum.  The experiment utilized two hundred (200) hot pepper seedlings as test plants that were grown in the seedling trays. The recommended rate of AMF Mykovam were introduced to half of the seedling population (100 seedlings) while leaving the other half untreated. Introduction of AMF was borne by incorporating them in the soil seven (7) days prior to the inoculation of pure culture of Ralstonia solanacearum.  Fastest rate of infection caused by R. solanacearum was observed on untreated seedlings three (3) days after inoculation while the highest infection were on the second (31%) and third (28%) week. T-test results showed highly significant difference between the seedlings with and without AMF treatments. Rate of infection from seedlings treated with AMF ended on the early days of second week possibly due to the presence of AMF colonizing the roots of hot pepper seedlings which compete for the nutrients and produces substance that caused to antagonize the disease -causing pathogens. Hence, applying inoculum of AMF at early seedling stage of hot pepper to infect the roots and protect them for the entry of pathogenic microorganism R. solanacearum is recommended. Keywords: Mycorrhizal Fungi, Ralstonia solanacearu

An integrative action research on improving the marketing strategies of Kumintang Republik Restaurant in Club Balai Isabel Resort and Hotel in Talisay, Batangas towards consistent growth in monthly sales

This integrative action research seeks to improve the marketing strategies of Kumintang Republik Restaurant, an Italian start-up restaurant business located inside Club Balai Isabel Resort and Hotel in Talisay, Batangas, towards achieving consistent growth in monthly sales. This study deployed the action research design and ran two cycles leveraging various methods of inquiry and causal mechanisms. This action research unravels the business’s real problem that would allow the restaurant management to (1) develop new and improved marketing strategies, (2) develop an integrated marketing plan that boosts its brand awareness and visibility, and (3) ultimately execute the new and improved marketing strategies to drive sales. The action researcher and his collaborators decided to focus on resolving root causes related to people and promotions factors through leveraging various methods of inquiry such as Realistic ORJI, Ladder of Inference, Argyris\u27 left-hand column technique, Types of inquiry, Four Parts of Speech, Force Field Analysis, and Systems Thinking, content frameworks such as Ishikawa Diagram and Marketing Mix Analysis, and Kotter\u27s 8-Step Change Model for process framework. While running the action research, the researcher with his collaborators conducted several interventions to assess the viability and effectiveness of their marketing plan. This included hiring a dedicated marketing lead and restaurant manager, deploying integrated digital and traditional marketing activities such as social media marketing, mounting traditional out-of-home advertorial signages, running sales-related promos, and redesigning the restaurant’s menu layout for ease of comprehension and better appreciation by all guests. In Cycle 1, the findings revealed that integrating consistent and effective social media marketing and traditional billboard marketing is an effective marketing strategy to build and boost the business’ brand awareness and visibility among its target market. In Cycle 2, in addition to continuing the effective use of social media marketing, the execution of directional signage solidifies the effective use of traditional marketing in promoting restaurant businesses in this digital age. In both cycles, the two leaders assigned in the roles of Marketing Lead and Restaurant Manager are significantly impacting the business operations to help the business promote and sell more. In a broader context, this action research can be referenced by other startup organizations that are new to the restaurant business and are struggling to grow monthly sales through marketing. Keywords: digital marketing, traditional marketing, advertising, social media, restaurant business, startup business, sales, strategies, marketing pla