The effects of different irrigation methods on root distribution, intensity and effective root depth of young dwarf apple trees

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of different irrigation methods (drip, subsurface drip, surface and under-tree micro sprinkler) on the root distribution, intensity and effective root depth of “Williams Pride” and “Jersey Mac” apple cultivars budded on M9, rapidly grown in Isparta Region. The rootstocks were shallow root system and their root distribution was placed near trunk center and accumulated in diameter of 0.5 m and depth of 0.4 m of soil volume as bowl shape. The root intensity was reduced gradually away from surface and trunk; the root distribution was uniform in all irrigation methods used in the study. In other words, the effect of irrigation methods on root distribution was similar. Generally, the amount of “Williams Pride” root was higher than that of “Jersey Mac” variety. Therefore, these varieties have partial effect on root of the rootstock. Also, effective root depth was increased during the experimental years. Over the years, effective root depths obtained were 28.4 - 36.6 cm in 2006; 32.3 - 42.5 cm in 2007 and 37.1 - 45.2 cm in 2008, respectively. As a result, effective root depths for irrigation of the varieties can be taken as 40 - 45 cm until 3 years old

Mitigating Tipburn True Foliar Calcium Application in Indoor Hydroponicly Grown Mini Cos Lettuce

Hydroponic systems provide a highly advantageous environment for cultivating green leafy vegetables. Among these advantages, there is a significant acceleration in harvest compared to conventional farming methods, the attainment of high yields, enhanced leaf coloring, increased nutritional content, and improved sweetness, all of which are crucial factors. However, a particular issue known as tip burn is encountered when cultivating, especially Yedikule (Romaine) type lettuce in hydroponic systems. This study investigates various calcium dosages applied via foliar spray to mitigate tip burn on Thespian and Suntred lettuce varieties (green and red Romaine mini types). Different calcium dosages were employed for both lettuce varieties. This experiment examined various parameters for both lettuce types, including plant height, root length, stem diameter, plant age, dry weight, root dry and fresh weight, macro and micronutrient content, dry matter, and total yield. The results indicate that combining foliar calcium and adequate ventilation effectively mitigates tipburn. This research emphasizes the significance of such a combined approach in preventing tip burn in hydroponically grown lettuce, specifically Thespian and Suntred varieties

The interplay between learner beliefs and foreign language anxiety: insights from the Turkish EFL context

Foreign language learning in classroom settings has long been found to be associated with anxiety (Horwitz, 1986). Though it is known that sources of foreign language anxiety are varied (Young, 1991), whether anxiety is related to learners’ inherent beliefs about language learning is understudied. To this end, the present study examines the possible relationship between learner beliefs and language anxiety in the under-researched Turkish EFL context. A population of university-level Turkish EFL learners (n=153) completed the Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) and the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety scale (FLCAS). The underlying constructs in both instruments were explored using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). A series of Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) tests were performed on the factor scores from both instruments. The findings revealed that fear of ambiguity was positively linked to classroom performance anxiety and negative feelings towards English. In addition, the more confident learners feel themselves using English, the more desire they seem to have to interact with native speakers. Overall, positive beliefs about language learning may be helpful in reducing anxiety and boosting confidence in language learning. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the complex psychology of language learning but also have important implications for instructed EFL/ESL settings

Effect of heat treatment on the wear and corrosion behaviors of a gray cast iron coated with a COLMONOY 88 alloy deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray

The present work has been conducted in order to determine the influence of heat treatment on the wear and corrosion behaviours of a gray cast iron substrate coated with a Ni base coating deposited by HVOF thermal spray. The wear resistance of the coatings was obtained using a reciprocating wear tester by rubbing a 10 mm diameter steel ball on the coatings at normal atmospheric conditions. Corrosion tests were performed using potentiodynamic polarization measurements in a 3,5 % NaCl solution. It was observed that the corrosion and wear resistance of the coatings increased along with the reduction of porosity and roughness by the heat treatment

Human neutrophil development and functionality are enabled in a humanized mouse model

Mice with a functional human immune system serve as an invaluable tool to study the development and function of the human immune system in vivo. A major technological limitation of all current humanized mouse models is the lack of mature and functional human neutrophils in circulation and tissues. To overcome this, we generated a humanized mouse model named MISTRGGR, in which the mouse granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was replaced with human G-CSF and the mouse G-CSF receptor gene was deleted in existing MISTRG mice. By targeting the G-CSF cytokine-receptor axis, we dramatically improved the reconstitution of mature circulating and tissue-infiltrating human neutrophils in MISTRGGR mice. Moreover, these functional human neutrophils in MISTRGGR are recruited upon inflammatory and infectious challenges and help reduce bacterial burden. MISTRGGR mice represent a unique mouse model that finally permits the study of human neutrophils in health and disease

Ion source and LEBT of KAHVELab proton beamline

The KAHVE Laboratory, at Bo\u{g}azi\c{c}i University, Istanbul, Turkey is home to an educational proton linac project. The proton beam will originate from a 20 keV H+ source and will be delivered to a two module Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) operating at 800 MHz via a low energy beam transport (LEBT) line. Currently, the design phase being over, commissioning and stability tests are ongoing for the proton beamline which is already produced and installed except the RFQ which is being manufactured. This work summarizes the design, production and test phases of the ion source and LEBT line components

Elevated Pontine and Putamenal GABA Levels in Mild-Moderate Parkinson Disease Detected by 7 Tesla Proton MRS

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. However, postmortem evidence indicates that the pathology of lower brainstem regions, such as the pons and medulla, precedes nigral involvement. Consistently, pontomedullary damage was implicated by structural and PET imaging in early PD. Neurochemical correlates of this early pathological involvement in PD are unknown. Methodology/Principal Finding: To map biochemical alterations in the brains of individuals with mild-moderate PD we quantified neurochemical profiles of the pons, putamen and substantia nigra by 7 tesla (T) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thirteen individuals with idiopathic PD (Hoehn & Yahr stage 2) and 12 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers participated in the study. c-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in the pons and putamen were significantly higher in patients (N = 11, off medications) than controls (N = 11, p,0.001 for pons and p,0.05 for putamen). The GABA elevation was more pronounced in the pons (64%) than in the putamen (32%). No other neurochemical differences were observed between patients and controls. Conclusion/Significance: The GABA elevation in the putamen is consistent with prior postmortem findings in patients with PD, as well as with in vivo observations in a rodent model of PD, while the GABA finding in the pons is novel. The more significant GABA elevation in the pons relative to the putamen is consistent with earlier pathological involvement of th