Effect of Fruit Pruning and Potassium Application on Growth and Production of Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis).

This study aims to determine the effect of fruit pruning and application of Potassium on the growth and production of strawberry plants (Fragaria chiolensis). This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 2 factors. The first factor was fruit pruning consisting of 4 levels: P0 = No pruning, P1 = 1 pruning, P2 = 2 pruning, P3 = 3 pruning. The second factor is Potassium fertilizer consisting of 4 levels: K0 = 0 g/plant, K1 = 2 g/plant, K2 = 4 g/plant, K3 = 6 g/plant. The observed variables were plant height (cm), flowering age (days), Fruit Weight (g), Fruit Volume (cm3), Sugar Content (%), Plant Wet Weight (g), and Plant Dry Weight (g). The results showed that pruning three fruits/plant increased plant height, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, fresh weight and dry weight. Applying potassium fertilizer up to a dose of 6 g/plant can increase plant height, flowering time, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, and wet and dry weight. Meanwhile, the interaction between fruit pruning and potassium application had no significant effect on all observed parameters.This study aims to determine the effect of fruit pruning and the application of Potassium on the growth and production of strawberry plants (Fragaria chiolensis). This study used a randomized block design (RBD) with two factors. The first factor was fruit pruning consisting of 4 levels: P0 = No pruning, P1 = 1 pruning, P2 = 2 pruning, P3 = 3 pruning. The second factor is Potassium fertilizer consisting of 4 levels: K0 = 0 g/plant, K1 = 2 g/plant, K2 = 4 g/plant, and K3 = 6 g/plant. The results showed that pruning 3 fruits/plant increased plant height, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, fresh weight, and dry weight. Applying potassium fertilizer up to a dose of 6 g/plant can increase plant height, flowering time, fruit weight, fruit volume, sugar content, wet weight, and dry weight. The interaction between fruit pruning and potassium application had no significant effect on all observed parameters

Strategi pengembangan agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri di Kecamatan Merek Kabupaten Karo

Agrotourism is a series of tourism activities that develop agricultural activities as the main target of tourism. Agritourism covers various aspects of agriculture, including natural landscapes, agricultural activities, diversity in agricultural production, agricultural technology, and agricultural customs prevailing. The research purpose was to analyze and identify internal and external factors and develop appropriate strategies for orange self-picking agrotourism. The research was carried out in orange self-picked agrotourism in Merek District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province purposively. The research sample was 40 samples. Data analysis was carried out using the IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation), EFE (External Factor Evaluation) matrix, SWOT matrix, and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Processes). The research results determined the 12 internal factors and 12 external factors. In addition, there were 13 strategies for developing the orange self-picking agrotourism.Agrowisata adalah serangkaian aktivitas pariwisata yang mengembangkan aktivitas pertanian sebagai sasaran utama wisata. Agriwisata mencakup berbagai aspek pertanian antara lain pemandangan alam, kegiatan pertanian, keberagaman dalam produksi pertanian, teknologi pertanian, dan adat istiadat di bidang pertanian yang  berlaku di suatu wilayah. Tujuan penelitian adalah melakukan analisis dan identifikasi terhadap faktor internal dan eksternal, dan pengembangan strategi yang sesuai untuk agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri. Penelitian dilakanakan di agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri di Kecamatan Merek, Kabupaten Karo, Provinsi Sumatera Utara secara purposive. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 40 sampel. Analisis data dilakukan menerapkan matriks IFE (Internal Factor Evaluation), EFE (External Factor Evaluation), matriks SWOT, dan Hasil penelitian ini menemukan 12 faktor internal dan 12 faktor eksternal. Selain itu didapatkan 13 strategi pengembangan agrowisata jeruk petik sendiri

Comparative Study of Parents' Satisfaction Rate toward Baiturrahmah Daycare Service

This research aims to investigate satisfaction change rate of parents before and after they drop their children at Baiturrahmah Daycare. Implementing the quantitative approach, data is gathered through questionnaire and literary studies. Research hypotheses are tested through the Wilcoxon method by comparing two paired samples. With 5% test rate, the results show that there are no significant parents satisfaction rate increase before and after they drop their children. Furthermore, according to the samples’ opinions, their expectations of the service quality before they drop their children met what service they are provided by the daycare—this discouraged the satisfaction rate increase

Penjarangan Buah dan Perendaman dalam Kitosan terhadap Lama Simpan Buah Stroberi (Fragaria chiloensis L.)

Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Methodist Indonesia pada bulan Mei 2016, bertujuan mendapatkan konsentrasi kitosan sebagai pelapis buah stroberi pada penyimpanan pasca panen. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok dengan faktor pertama: penjarangan buah yaitu B0=tanpa penjarangan, B1=dijarangkan sisa buah 2, B2=dijarangkan sisa buah 4, B3=dijarangkan sisa buah 6. Faktor kedua: konsentrasi kitosan yaitu: K0=tanpa kitosan, K1=50 cc/L air, K2=100 cc/L air, K3=150 cc/L air. Perendaman buah dilakukan dengan mencelupkan buah ke dalam larutan kitosan selama 20 detik, dikeringanginkan selama 5 menit, disimpan pada suhu ruang (25°C). Parameter pengamatan: kekerasan buah (g/mm2), total asam (%), padatan terlarut total (°brix), perubahan susut bobot (%). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kekerasan buah tertinggi terdapat pada B0K3 (3.97 g/mm2 umur 0 jam; 2.28 g/mm2 umur 24 jam; 1.95 g/mm2 umur 48 jam); total asam tertinggi terdapat pada B0K3 (2.58 % umur 0 jam; 2.42 % umur 24 jam; 2.03 % umur 48); padatan terlarut total tertinggi terdapat pada B1K0(8.81 °brix umur 0 jam; 9.50 °brix umur 24 jam; 10.03 °brix umur 48 jam) dan perubahan susut bobot buah terendah terdapat pada B0K3 (0.55 % umur 0 jam; 0.61 % umur 24 jam; 0.78 % umur 48 jam)

Pengaruh aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza dan pupuk fosfor terhadap produksi tanaman kedelai (Glycine max L. Meriil)

This study aims to determine the production of soybeans with the application of mycorrhizal biological fertilizers and P fertilizers on the production of soybeans (Glycine max L. Meriil). This experiment was carried out at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Indonesian Methodist University, from August–October 2018. This study used a Randomized Block Design (RAK) consisting of Mycorrhiza (M) namely M0: 0 g/plant (control); M1: 5 g/plant; M2: 10 g/plant; M3: 15g/plant and Fertilizer (P), namely P0: 0 g/plant (control); P1:0.25 g/plant; P2: 0.5 g/plant; P3: 0.75 g/plant. All treatment combinations were 12 combinations and each treatment combination was repeated 3 times. Variables observed in this study include: flowering age (days); seed production per sample (g); seed production per plot (g); dry weight of 100 seeds (g). The experimental results showed that the interaction between mycorrhizal application and application of NPK fertilizer had a significant effect on seed production per sample, seed production per plot, dry weight of 100 seeds and not significantly different with flowering age. The highest seed production per sample was found in the M3P3 treatment of 26.32 g, the highest seed production per plot was found in the M3P2 treatment of 161.80 g and the highest dry weight of 100 seeds was found in the M3P3 treatment of 25.60 g. The mycorrhizal biofertilizer application treatment showed that the fastest flowering time was found in the M3 treatment, namely 36.58 days and 36.92 days in the P (P3) fertilizer treatment.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui produksi tanaman kedelai dengan aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza dan pupuk fosfor terhadap produksi tanaman kedelai (Glycine max L. Meriil). Percobaan ini dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Methodist Indonesia, dari bulan Agustus–Oktober 2018. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) yang terdiri dari dosis mikoriza (M) yaitu M0: 0 g/tanaman (kontrol); M1: 5 g/tanaman; M2: 10 g/tanaman; M3: 15g/tanaman dan Pupuk P (P) yaitu P0: 0 g/tanaman (kontrol); P1:0,25 g/tanaman; P2: 0,5 g/tanaman; P3: 0,75 g/tanaman. Seluruh kombinasi perlakuan adalah sebanyak 12 kombinasi dan tiap kombinasi perlakuan diulang sebanyak 3 kali. Peubah amatan yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini antara lain: umur berbunga (hari); produksi biji per sampel (g); produksi biji per plot (g); bobot kering 100 biji (g). Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa Interaksi antara aplikasi mikoriza dan pemberian pupuk NPK berpengaruh nyata pada produksi biji per sampel, produksi biji per plot, bobot kering 100 biji dan berbeda tidak nyata dengan umur berbunga. Produksi biji per sampel tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P3 sebesar 26,32 g, produksi biji per plot tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P2 sebesar 161,80 g dan bobot kering 100 biji tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan M3P3 sebesar 25,60 g. Perlakuan aplikasi pupuk hayati mikoriza menunjukkan waktu tercepat berbunga terdapat pada perlakuan M3 yaitu 36,58 hari dan 36,92 hari pada perlakuan pupuk P (P3)

Esvaziamento Axilar: Um Procedimento em Desuso?

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the gold standard procedure for breast cancer staging and axillary lymph node dissection (AD) is recommended when metastasis are found. Two recent practice-changing studies altered this paradigm. They brought into discussion old unanswered questions, such as the impact of AD on morbidity, survival and choice of adjuvant therapy as well as new questions, like the role of radiotherapy and the omission of AD after positive SLNB. The authors reviewed the literature focusing on these issues and concluded that AD after positive SLNB can be omitted in selected cases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acceptability, feasibility and cost of point of care testing for sexually transmitted infections among South African adolescents where syndromic management is standard of care

BACKGROUND: Young people (YP) in southern Africa are at substantial risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite the epidemiological and biological link between STIs and HIV transmission and acquisition, infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) remain widely undiagnosed. Syndromic STI management is the standard of care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) despite a high prevalence of asymptomatic infections. We conducted an observational study to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and cost of a STI test-and-treat service for YP in Cape Town. METHODS: YP attending a mobile clinic (MC) and a youth centre clinic (YC) were offered STI screening. Urine testing for CT and NG using a 90-min molecular point-of-care (POC) test on the GeneXpert platform was conducted and treatment provided. Data were collated on demographics, sexual behaviour, presence of symptoms, uptake of same-day treatment, prevalence of CT/NG, and service acceptability. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty six participants were enrolled (median age 20, 83% female).57% (209/366) of participants tested positive for either CT (126/366, 34%) or NG (57/366, 16%) or co-infection (26/366, 7%). Clinical symptoms were a poor predictor of GeneXpert diagnosed CT or NG, with a sensitivity of 46.8% and 54.0% for CT and NG respectively. Although half of participants initially chose to receive same day results and treatment, only a third waited for results on the day. The majority of participants (91%) rated the service highly via a post-visit acceptability questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Curable STIs are highly prevalent in this population. STI screening using POC testing was feasible and acceptability was high. The study provides further impetus for moving policy beyond syndromic management of STIs in South Africa

Surgical and medical second trimester abortion in South Africa: A cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A high percentage of abortions performed in South Africa are in the second trimester. However, little research focuses on women's experiences seeking second trimester abortion or the efficacy and safety of these services.</p> <p>The objectives are to document clinical and acceptability outcomes of second trimester medical and surgical abortion as performed at public hospitals in the Western Cape Province.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a cross-sectional study of women undergoing abortion at 12.1-20.9 weeks at five hospitals in Western Cape Province, South Africa in 2008. Two hundred and twenty women underwent D&E with misoprostol cervical priming, and 84 underwent induction with misoprostol alone. Information was obtained about the procedure and immediate complications, and women were interviewed after recovery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median gestational age at abortion was earlier for D&E clients compared to induction (16.0 weeks vs. 18.1 weeks, p < 0.001). D&E clients reported shorter intervals between first clinic visit and abortion (median 17 vs. 30 days, p < 0.001). D&E was more effective than induction (99.5% vs. 50.0% of cases completed on-site without unplanned surgical procedure, p < 0.001). Although immediate complications were similar (43.8% D&E vs. 52.4% induction), all three major complications occurred with induction. Early fetal expulsion occurred in 43.3% of D&E cases. While D&E clients reported higher pain levels and emotional discomfort, most women were satisfied with their experience.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As currently performed in South Africa, second trimester abortions by D&E were more effective than induction procedures, required shorter hospital stay, had fewer major immediate complications and were associated with shorter delays accessing care. Both services can be improved by implementing evidence-based protocols.</p

A fresh look at the evolution and diversification of photochemical reaction centers

In this review, I reexamine the origin and diversification of photochemical reaction centers based on the known phylogenetic relations of the core subunits, and with the aid of sequence and structural alignments. I show, for example, that the protein folds at the C-terminus of the D1 and D2 subunits of Photosystem II, which are essential for the coordination of the water-oxidizing complex, were already in place in the most ancestral Type II reaction center subunit. I then evaluate the evolution of reaction centers in the context of the rise and expansion of the different groups of bacteria based on recent large-scale phylogenetic analyses. I find that the Heliobacteriaceae family of Firmicutes appears to be the earliest branching of the known groups of phototrophic bacteria; however, the origin of photochemical reaction centers and chlorophyll synthesis cannot be placed in this group. Moreover, it becomes evident that the Acidobacteria and the Proteobacteria shared a more recent common phototrophic ancestor, and this is also likely for the Chloroflexi and the Cyanobacteria. Finally, I argue that the discrepancies among the phylogenies of the reaction center proteins, chlorophyll synthesis enzymes, and the species tree of bacteria are best explained if both types of photochemical reaction centers evolved before the diversification of the known phyla of phototrophic bacteria. The primordial phototrophic ancestor must have had both Type I and Type II reaction centers

Molecular landscape of pelvic organ prolapse provides insights into disease etiology

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) represents a major health care burden in women, but its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated. We first used a case-control design to perform an exome chip study in 526 women with POP and 960 control women to identify single nucleotide variants (SNVs) associated with the disease. We then integrated the functional interactions between the POP candidate proteins derived from the exome chip study and other POP candidate molecules into a molecular landscape. We found significant associations between POP and SNVs in 54 genes. The proteins encoded by 26 of these genes fit into the molecular landscape, together with 43 other POP candidate molecules. The POP landscape is located in and around epithelial cells and fibroblasts of the urogenital tract and harbors four interacting biological processes—epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune response, modulation of the extracellular matrix, and fibroblast function—that are regulated by sex hormones and TGFB1. Our findings were corroborated by enrichment analyses of differential gene expression data from an independent POP cohort. Lastly, based on the landscape and using vaginal fibroblasts from women with POP, we predicted and showed that metformin alters gene expression in these fibroblasts in a beneficial direction. In conclusion, our integrated molecular landscape of POP provides insights into the biological processes underlying the disease and clues towards novel treatments.Development and application of statistical models for medical scientific researc