Sideropenic dysphagia

No Abstract

The Passagassawakeag Rail Trail, Belfast, Maine

Maine Geological Survey, Geologic Facts and Localities, Circular GFL-224https://digitalmaine.com/mgs_publications/1515/thumbnail.jp

Thermoinhibition of seed germination

Thermoinhibition describes the inability of seeds to germinate at high temperatures, although germination proceeds immediately when the temperature is reduced below a certain threshold level. This phenomenon is distinct from thermodormancy, where some form of dormancy-breaking treatment is required before germination can proceed at the favourable temperature. Like seed dormancy, thermoinhibition is manifested in a number of different ways, ranging from simple high-temperature induced changes to the structures enclosing the embryo which prevent radicle emergence, to the interaction of a number of different factors, and probable expression of certain genes inhibitory to germination which may be temperature regulated. Thermoinhibition occurs in a large number of important crop species, so that an understanding of this phenomenon is both of scientific interest and practical importance

Seedling establishment characteristics of Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii

The viability of Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii seed used in this investigation was around 85% when tested under optimum conditions of tissue culture. Seedling establishment embodied radicle protrusion and breaking of epicotyl dormancy. The seed coat, an endosperm extract, and GA3 significantly influenced embryo emergence. The seed coat is not an appreciable barrier to water uptake but exhibited a degree of mechanical resistance. Both the coat and endosperm extract inhibited germination. Removal of the radicle end of the testa and soaking in GA3 (100–200mgl−1) promoted radicle growth at 15°C. Epicotyl dormancy was broken by soaking seeds in GA3 or maintaining excised embryos on Woody Plant Medium containing 1mgl−1 GA3. Chilling at 5°C for 30 days was required to break epicotyl dormancy of emerged embryos. The seed structures surrounding the embryos impose mechanical and chemical restraints on germination. The embryo itself appears to be lacking growth promoters as exogenous GA3 promoted epicotyl growth

Integration and the performance of healthcare networks:do integration strategies enhance efficiency, profitability, and image?

PURPOSE: This study examines the integration effects on efficiency and financial viability of the top 100 integrated healthcare networks (IHNs) in the United States. THEORY: A contingency- strategic theory is used to identify the relationship of IHNs' performance to their structural and operational characteristics and integration strategies. METHODS: The lists of the top 100 IHNs ranked in two years, 1998 and 1999, by the SMG Marketing Group were merged to create a database for the study. Multiple indicators were used to examine the relationship between IHNs' characteristics and their performance in efficiency and financial viability. A path analytical model was developed and validated by the Mplus statistical program. Factors influencing the top 100 IHNs' images, represented by attaining ranking among the top 100 in two consecutive years, were analysed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No positive associations were found between integration and network performance in efficiency or profits. Longitudinal data are needed to investigate the effect of integration on healthcare networks' financial performance

Effects of Caffeine on the Seed Germination of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc)

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different caffeine concentrations on seed germination of Bambara groundnut. The seeds were pre-soaked in distilled water for 12 hours and then exposed to the different concentrations of the caffeine doses prepared on weight basis, i.e. 0.005 %, 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 0.75 % 1.0 %, 1.25 %, 1.5%, 1.75% and 2.0% w/w caffeine in solution, prepared in a phosphate buffer of pH-7 2. Three replications of the treatments were made and sown with each seed of the treated concentrations in a pot using a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD). Seed germination was scored for seven days and the germinated seedlings were further observed for 9 weeks. The radicle length, shoot height, and stem girth were measured weekly after germination. From the results, it was evident that increased concentration of caffeine reduced the germination percentage of the seeds. The caffeine concentrations of 1.75-2.0% recorded no germination compared with more than 90% germination at the end of the 7 days recorded in the case of 0.05-0.25% caffeine concentrations. There was a reduction in radicle length as the caffeine concentration increased at 7 weeks after planting. 0.5% caffeine concentration recorded the highest shoot length of 3.32cm among the caffeine concentrations with no significant difference detected in the stem girth studied. From the results obtained therefore, lower caffeine concentrations showed an increase in Bambara groundnut germination, hence could result in general improvement in crop yield.Keywords: Bambara nuts, Caffeine, Crop, Germination, Vigna, Yol

Brand visualization: Effects of "product shape- typeface design" congruence on brand perceptions and price expectations

This research addresses effects of congruence of symbolic meanings connoted through product shape and typeface design on brand perceptions and price expectations. Based on processing fluency accounts, it is predicted that shape-typeface congruence, as opposed to shape-typeface incongruence, positively affects perceptions of brand credibility, brand aesthetics, and product value, the latter reflected in higher price expectations. These predictions were tested in two studies in which shape and typeface of a fictitious brand of bottled waters were manipulated. Findings from both studies were in line with our predictions. Moreover, study 2 indicates that perceived brand aesthetics mediates the effect of shape-typeface congruence on price expectations

Symbolic meaning integration in design and its influence on product and brand evaluation

Previous research and theorizing in product design and consumer psychology testifies to the importance of congruence among symbolic meanings connoted through elements in visual communications such as advertisements, product appearance, and product packaging. However, understanding of the processes whereby meaning congruence impacts consumer response is limited. In this paper, we propose a framework for understanding congruence effects in design based on recent studies addressing processing fluency. Based on these findings, the authors propose that incongruence thwarts impression formation of product and brand by inducing ambiguity, thereby negatively affecting attitude formation. However, research indicates that congruence effects may vary across consumers. Hence, in the experimental study presented, effects of ‘advertising slogan-product shape’ (in)congruence were studied as a function of consumers’ tolerance for information ambiguity. Results from this study indicate that incongruencies are particularity distressing for consumers with a low tolerance for ambiguity in everyday life. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Morphology, phenology and agronomic traits of two wild Mexican common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) populations under cultivation

The objective of this research was to characterise two populations of wild bean grown simultaneously in an experimental field site in Chapingo, Mexico. For comparative purposes, two cultivars of common bean were included. Only seven of 24 phenological and morphological traits (e.g. number of days to emergence, expansion of primary leaves and third trifoliolate leaf, number of branches per plant, diameter of stem, number of flower buds per plant and nodes per branch) investigated were statistically similar between and within wild samples due largely to differences in growth habit. The number of inflorescences, leaves, pods and seeds per wild plant fluctuated between 72 and 145, 109 and 206, 68 and 284 and 180 and 513, respectively. In contrast, each cultivar was highly homogeneous. Principal component analyses supported the conclusion that these morphological and agronomic characteristics of wild common bean populations primarily depend on the predominant growth habit type and that under different environments, the expression of these traits may change