The construction and evaluation of an instrument to determine the sports knowledge of boys from grades nine through twelve,

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Pollination of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir as influenced by Botrytis fungicides

The effects of fungicides on grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir) pollen germination and tube growth were studied in vitro, and a related field trial examined effects of time of fungicide application during flowering on seed number and fruitset. Fungicides pyrimethanil, cyprodinil + fludioxonil and chlorothalonil incorporated into in vitro germination medium at the recommended mixing rate for field application all prevented pollen germination. When the fungicides were diluted to 10 % of the recommended mixing rate, pollen grain germination was still completely inhibited. Further dilution to 1 %, resulted in some pollen grains germinating but the level was significantly less than the control, and the grains that did germinate had stunted pollen tubes (< 100 μm in length), compared with controls not exposed to fungicide (800 μm in length). In a 0.1 % dilution of the fungicides, germination percent was not significantly different to untreated control, however pollen tube length was still slightly suppressed in media containing pyrimethanil (523 μm) and cyprodinil + fludioxonil (366 μm). In spite of these marked effects on pollen germination and tube growth in vitro, plants sprayed with pyrimethanil at either 5 or 80 % cap fall, resulted in no significant reduction in fruitset. Seed set however was affected, with seed number per berry being significantly reduced on inflorescences that were sprayed at 5 % cap fall.

Erratum

Pollination of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir as influenced by Botrytis fungicidesVitis 44 (3), 111-115 (2005

Pruning effects on Pinot Noir vines in Tasmania (Australia)

Effects of pruning on yield, three basic measures of fruit composition and cane carbohydrate concentration in Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot Noir vines were investigated in a cool climate wine area of Tasmania (Australia) from 2002 to 2004. Four pruning treatments comprising of 10, 20, 30 and 40 nodes per vine were imposed on 8-year-old vines. Bunch number, bunch weight, berry number and berry weight were measured. Cane samples were collected in the second year for tissue carbohydrate analysis. Fruit was analysed for pH, skin colour and sugar level. For each of the yield components measured there was a significant year effect but no interaction between year and pruning treatment. In each of the three years pruning to a higher bud number decreased the number of bunches per bud but no other yield component. Pruning treatment significantly affected starch content of the winter canes but not soluble carbohydrate levels. Pruning affected both pH and colour of fruit but not sugar concentration.

Radiology teaching improves anatomy scores for medical students

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if small group teaching in Radiology impacted Anatomy scores in the summative end of year examination. METHODS: Small group teaching in Radiology was incorporated into Anatomy of year one medical students during the academic years 2016/17 and 2017/18. Examination outcome for 2 years before and 1 year after the study period were compared.Question papers for end of year summative examinations were retrieved; questions relating to Anatomy were identified and anonymised scores for students were obtained. RESULTS: Student numbers ranged 238 to 290/year. Mean Anatomy scores ranged 62-74%, this compared with mean total exam score of 62-65%. No significant difference in Anatomy and Total examination scores for 2015, 2016 and 2019. Mean (SD) Anatomy scores were significantly higher than the Total examination scores for the study period of 2017 and 2018 [68.97 (17.32) vs 63.12 (11.51) and 73.77 (17.85) vs 64.99 (10.31) (p < 0.001)]. Combined Anatomy scores 2017 and 2018 were significantly higher than 2015 and 2016, difference of 5.50 (95% C.I. 3.31-7.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to objectively demonstrate Radiology small group teaching significantly improved Anatomy scores for medical students in the summative end of year examination. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: No evidence in the literature that Radiology teaching improves examination outcomes for medical students.This is the first study to directly link Radiology teaching with improved Anatomy examination result.Small group teaching in Radiology is a feasible way to teach Anatomy

Interleukin-18: a therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis?

Interleukin 18 (IL-18), a member of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines has been demonstrated to be an important mediator of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Several reports have implicated its role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although biologic therapy is firmly established in the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases including RA, partial and non-responder patients constitute residual unmet clinical need. The aim of this article is to briefly review the biology of, and experimental approaches to IL-18 neutralisation, together with speculation as to the relative merits of IL-18 as an alternative to existing targets