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Harvest Time (harvest + time)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	55%
Chemistry	27%

Selected Abstracts

Endoscopic Versus Conventional Radial Artery Harvest,Is Smaller Better?

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2006
Oz M. Shapira M.D.
Methods: Data were prospectively collected on 108 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG with ERH, and compared to 120 patients having conventional harvest (CH). Follow-up was achieved in 227 patients (99%). At the time of follow-up the severity of motor and sensory symptoms, as well as cosmetic result in the harvest forearm, were subjectively graded using a 5-point scale. Grade 1,high intensity deficits, poor cosmetic result. Grade 5,no deficits, excellent cosmetic result. Results: Hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke rates were similar between the groups. Follow-up mortality, reintervention rate, and average angina class were also similar. Harvest time was longer in the ERH group (61 ± 24 min vs. 45 ± 11 min, p < 0.001). Three patients in the ERH group were converted to CH and one radial artery was discarded. There were no vascular complications of the hand in either group. Average score of motor (ERH 4.4 ± 0.9, CH 4.2 ± 1.0) or sensory symptoms (ERH 3.7 ± 1.1, CH 3.8 ± 1.2) were similar. In the CH group sensory deficits were observed in the distribution of both the lateral antebrachial cutaneous and the superficial radial nerves (SRN). In contrast, sensory deficits in the ERH group were limited to the distribution of the SRN. Cosmetic result score was higher in the ERH group (ERH 4.2 ± 1.0, CH 3.1 ± 1.4, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: ERH is safe. It is technically demanding with a significant learning curve. Motor and sensory symptoms are not completely eliminated by using a smaller incision, but cosmetic results are clearly superior. [source]

Influence of cutting regime and fertilizer application on the botanical composition, yield and nutritive value of herbage of wet grasslands in Central Europe

GRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009

Abstract The changes in dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition and nutritive value of herbage to ruminants of two wet grasslands, Arrhenatherum elatius grassland (Experiment 1) and a Molinia caerulea fen meadow (Experiment 2), in which a range of cutting and fertilizer treatments were imposed in 1999, were assessed after 4,7 years of treatment imposition. Both experiments had a split-plot design with four replicates. In Experiment 1 the three main-plot cutting treatments were two cuts with a delayed first cut, three cuts and four cuts during the growing season of each year. In Experiment 2 the cutting treatments were two cuts with a traditional harvest time, two cuts with a delayed first cut and three cuts. The four sub-plot fertilizer treatments were an unfertilized control, application of a phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizer, application of a nitrogen (N) and PK fertilizer to the first cut only (N1PK) and application of PK plus N applied to each of two, three or four cuts (NcPK). Application of fertilizer influenced yield and botanical composition of herbage more than the cutting treatments while the opposite occurred for nutritive value of the herbage. Application of fertilizer increased the proportion of tall grasses in Experiment 1 and forbs in Experiment 2. The proportion of Equisetum palustre, present only in Experiment 1, was reduced from 0·33 to less than 0·01 by increased cutting frequency together with the NPK fertilizer treatments. In Experiment 1 diversity of vascular plants was negatively affected only by the four-cuts treatment while on both wet grasslands other cutting and fertilizer application treatments had no effect. Changes in DM yield of herbage caused by the cutting and fertilizer application treatments were similar for both vegetation types with DM yield increased significantly by fertilizer application but only slightly or not reduced by increasing the cutting frequency. Nutritive value of herbage was positively correlated with cutting frequency and was most influenced at the first cut. [source]

Where do the feral oilseed rape populations come from?

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
A large-scale study of their possible origin in a farmland area
Summary 1Many cultivated species can escape from fields and colonize seminatural habitats as feral populations. Of these, feral oilseed rape is a widespread feature of field margins and roadside verges. Although considered in several studies, the general processes leading to the escape and persistence of feral oilseed rape are still poorly known. Notably, it remains unclear whether these annuals form transient populations resulting mainly from seed immigration (either from neighbouring fields or during seed transport), or whether they show real ability to persist (either through self-recruitment or seed banks). 2We conducted a 4-year large-scale study of factors involved in the presence of feral oilseed rape populations in a typical open-field area of France. The results were subjected to statistical methods suitable for analysing large data sets, based on a regression approach. We subsequently addressed the relative contribution of the ecological processes identified as being involved in the presence of feral populations. 3Many feral oilseed rape populations resulted from seed immigration from neighbouring fields (about 35,40% of the observed feral populations). Immigration occurred at harvest time rather than at sowing. Around 15% of such populations were attributed to immigration through seed transport. 4The other half resulted from processes of persistence, mainly through persistent seed banks (35,40% of the observed feral populations). This was all the more unexpected because seed banks have not yet been documented on road verges (despite being frequent within fields). Local recruitment was rare, accounting for no more than 10% of the feral populations. 5Synthesis and applications. Understanding the dynamics of feral oilseed rape populations is crucial for evaluating gene flow over an agro-ecosystem. Our results show that, while many feral populations do come from annual seed dispersal, a significant number also result from seeds stored in the soil for several years. In the current context of coexistence and management of transgenic with non-transgenic crops, feral persistence and, especially, the seed bank contribution to the dynamics of feral populations need to be considered seriously. The latter, combined with self-recruitment, indicates a high potential for the persistence of transgenes and the possible emergence of gene-stacking. [source]

Robotic Surgery Using ZeusÔ MicroWristÔ Technology

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2003
The Next Generation
Methods: We used the ZeusÔ (Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA) telemanipulation system to perform the internal mammary artery (IMA) takedown in 56 patients, in 12 of whom we used the newest model with MicroWristÔ (Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA) technology. Port orientation was based on thoracic anatomy, the decisive landmarks being the mammillary line and the axillary line. The distance between ports was at least 9 cm, and the patient's arm was positioned with the left shoulder raised and angulated by not more than 90 degrees. Results: Mean setup time was 44 ± 18 minutes for the first five patients and 16 ± 7 minutes for the last five patients, with an overall average of 24 ± 12 minutes. IMA harvest time at the beginning reached a mean of 95 ± 23 minutes and decreased to 44 ± 18 minutes in the last five cases. Average IMA takedown time was 58 ± 17 minutes. The IMA was patent with a good flow in all 56 patients. Conclusions: The introduction of robotic technology into clinical routine has resulted in safe procedures with a short learning curve. However, basic training in the modality is a must in order to achieve technical excellence. (J Card Surg 2003; 18:1-5) [source]

SELECTED DRYING CONDITIONS AND STORAGE PERIOD AND QUALITY OF WALNUT SELECTIONS

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 2 2003
M. A. KOYUNCU
Walnut selections were hulled at harvest time, and 3 and 5 days after harvest to determine the effects of hulling time on postharvest quality. Walnuts removed from their hulls were stored shelled and unshelled under ambient conditions after being dried at selected conditions. Among the tested hulling dates, the best results were obtained from the walnuts hulled at harvest time. At the end of the storage period, the least quality losses were determined in the walnuts dried in the sun. Generally, quality losses in the shelled walnuts were greater than quality losses in the unshelled walnuts. According to the research results, walnuts removed from their hulls and dried under sun can be stored under ambient conditions (21 ± 1C and 50,65 RH) and retain acceptable quality for 12 months. [source]

Nutrient content and yield in relation to top breakover in onion developed from greenhouse-grown transplants,

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2009
Vincent M Russo
Abstract BACKGROUND: Onions (Allium cepa L.) generally are harvested based on percentage of tops broken over. Since plant metabolism changes over time, percentage of tops broken over may be used to determine a harvest time to deliver marketable bulbs with the best nutrient content. RESULTS: The cultivars Candy and Texas Grano 1015 Y were harvested at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% breakover in 2006 and 2007. Larger and heavier bulbs were produced by Candy and in 2006, the year with near-normal precipitation. There was little difference in bulb size and weight due to percent breakover. Contents of chemical moieties in bulbs were affected by year, with the majority of values being higher in 2006, and there were either no differences due to cultivar, or where differences were found nitrate-N, phosphate and sulfate contents were lower in Candy. Soluble solids content was lower in 2006 and higher in Candy. Content of nitrogen and phosphorous in a Kjeldahl digest, nitrate-N, phosphate, potassium and sulfate were either linearly or quadratically distributed over percent breakover. Nitrite-N, calcium, magnesium, sodium and soluble solids were randomly distributed over percent breakover. Bulb size and weight did not change from the 20% breakover point, and most of the chemical moieties analyzed, with the exception of nitrate- and nitrite-N values, were highest below the 30% breakover. CONCLUSION: Harvest occurring soon after breakover begins could be beneficial in terms of nutrient content without loss of bulb size or weight. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

The effect of delayed harvest on moisture content, insect damage, moulds and aflatoxin contamination of maize in Mayuge district of Uganda

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 15 2005
Archileo N Kaaya
Abstract Field drying is a traditional practice carried out by farmers in Uganda and it is one of those practices reported to affect the postharvest quality of maize. A study was therefore conducted to establish the effects of delayed harvest on moisture content, insect damage, moulds and aflatoxin contamination of maize in Mayuge district. Sixteen farmers were selected from Bayitambogwe sub-county, eight from each of the villages of Bugodi and Musita. Maize was sampled from each farmer's field in 2003B and 2004A seasons at harvest stages of physiological maturity and after delayed harvest for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Each sample was analysed for mould incidence, moisture content, insect damage and aflatoxin contamination. In each season, mould incidence, insect damage and aflatoxin levels significantly (P < 0.05) increased with delayed time of harvest. Moisture content reduced with delayed harvest time but the maize did not dry to the required safe storage moisture content of ,15%. Seasonal effects were only significant for moisture content: the 2003B crop had consistently lower moisture content than 2004A crop. These results indicate that, for improved harvest quality of maize, farmers should harvest no later than 3 weeks after maize has attained physiological maturity. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Glucosinolates in isaño (Tropaeolum tuberosum) tubers: qualitative and quantitative content and changes after maturity

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 7 2004
Rodrigo Ramallo
Abstract Six varieties of isaño (Tropaeolum tuberosum), an Andean edible tuber, were analysed. The aim was to characterise qualitatively and quantitatively their content of glucosinolates and to determine concentration changes of these compounds upon delayed harvest. Additionally, exploratory assays were carried out on the effect of postharvest cold storage of the tubers as well as of a drying process imposed on blanched tuber slices. Only one glucosinolate (p -methoxybenzyl glucosinolate) was found in the six domestic varieties analysed. Its concentration varied between 36.5 and 90.0 µmol g,1 dry matter. This range is relatively high when compared with other edible glucosinolate-containing vegetables. ,Dark' coloured tuber varieties showed higher levels than ,light' coloured tuber varieties at normal harvest time. Of the two varieties on which the effect of delayed harvest was studied, one showed increasing and then decreasing changes until 44 days after maturity, while the other did not show any significant change with time. Postharvest cold stored samples showed similar changes to tubers kept in soil, and glucosinolate levels in dried blanched tubers did not differ significantly from those in fresh samples. Taken together, the data indicate that the glucosinolate content of isaño is highly dependent on both the variety and the time of harvest. These parameters should be taken into account when considering isaño as a promising food source with medicinal properties for humans and animals, but also with possible adverse biological effects, all related to the presence of glucosinolates. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Effect of harvest time and storage conditions on almond kernel oil and sugar composition

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2003
Ioannis Kazantzis
Abstract The effect of storage for 6 months at 5,°C (80% RH) versus 20,°C (60% RH) of shelled versus in-shell almonds was studied on early versus late harvested nuts from ,Ferragnes' and ,Texas' trees. Kernel quality characteristics, oil composition and sugar composition were determined initially and after 6 months of storage. Early harvested almonds had similar kernel weight to but higher moisture content than late harvested almonds after 6 months of storage. Early harvested almonds also had similar oil quality (based on ultraviolet absorption coefficient measurements) and oil composition but lower sugar content and modified sugar composition compared with late harvested almonds. Storage of shelled almonds resulted in kernels with higher oil content, better oil quality, similar oil composition, similar sugar content and some modifications in sugar composition compared with in-shell stored almonds. Finally, storage for 6 months at either 5 or 20,°C resulted in lower moisture content, higher oil content, similar oil quality and composition, similar sugar content and some modifications in sugar composition compared with freshly harvested almonds. Almonds stored at 5,°C retained higher kernel weight and moisture content than almonds stored at 20,°C. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Defense mechanisms against grazing: a study of trypsin inhibitor responses to simulated grazing in the sedge Carex bigelowii

OIKOS, Issue 9 2007
Åsa Lindgren
Trypsin inhibitors have been suggested to constitute an inducible defense in the sedge Carex bigelowii, and some former studies suggest that this might be a cause for the cyclic population dynamics in many alpine and arctic small mammals, for example lemmings (Lemmus lemmus). We investigated this further by using a method of simulated grazing (clipping) at different intensities, in three different habitats with varying resource availability, with different harvest times (hours after clipping), and two different stages of ramets (reproductive/vegetative) in a study from the Swedish mountain range. Our results do not indicate that C. bigelowii has an inducible defense constituted by an increase in trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), but rather that the amount of soluble plant proteins (SPP) is lowered in wounded plants. The responses were somewhat different in the three habitats, with ramets growing in the marsh showing the highest ratio of TIA to SPP, due to low amounts of SPP. We did not find any significant effects of harvest time, or of the stage of the ramet that could support the hypothesis of an inducible defense. To conclude, we could not find any evidence for an inducible defense consisting of trypsin inhibitors in Carex bigelowii ramets, but we did find variations in the amount of SPP that may have nutritional consequences for herbivores. [source]

Endoreduplication in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seeds during development, after processing and storage, and during germination

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
M. Rewers
Abstract Flow cytometry was used to study endoreduplication in developing, stored and germinating seeds of cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Fruits growing in a commercial seed production field were collected every 7 days, starting 14 days after pollination (DAP) up to 63 DAP (commercial harvest time). Seeds were isolated and the proportion of nuclei with different DNA contents in the whole seeds and in the embryos was analysed. Germination capacity of fresh and dried seeds at 25°C was established. In addition, the same analyses were performed on the seeds after processing (fermentation, drying and cleaning), following 1 and 2 years of storage, and after imbibition for 3, 6 and 12 h. In the young developing seeds, endoreduplication up to 128C occurred but this decreased to 8C by maturity. The proportion of endosperm nuclei was the highest at 21 DAP (30%) and then decreased to below 14% at harvest and 8% after processing. In the mature processed seeds, the majority of embryo nuclei (about 80%) contained 2C DNA; however, about 2% of endoreduplicated (8C) nuclei were still present. Seeds did not show any germination capacity up to 21 DAP; then it gradually increased to reach 100% as early as 49 DAP, 2 weeks before commercial harvest time. The relationship between seed maturity, germination and cell cycle status is discussed. The mean C-value of the seed cells as well as the (4C + 8C + 16C)/2C ratio are recommended as markers of cucumber seed maturity and the advancement of germination/priming (the stage of germination sensu stricto). [source]

Sowing density and harvest time affect fibre content in hemp (Cannabis sativa) through their effects on stem weight

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
W. Westerhuis
Abstract Sowing density and harvest time are considered important crop management factors influencing fibre quantity and quality in hemp (Cannabis sativa). We investigated whether the effects of these factors are essentially different or that both factors affect stem weight and thereby total and long-fibre content. The effects of all combinations of three sowing densities and three harvest times were studied for six different stem parts. Almost 500 samples consisting of stem parts from 50 plants and with a length of 50 cm were tested. Fibres were extracted by a controlled warm-water retting procedure, followed by breaking and scutching. The initial sample weight was fractionated into retting losses, wood, tow and long fibre. In both Italy and the Netherlands, crops were successfully established with different stem densities (99,283 m,2), plant heights (146,211 cm) and stem diameters (4.5,8.4 mm) at harvest. Stem dry matter yields (6.8,11.7 Mg ha,1) increased with a delay in harvest time but were not affected by sowing density. Retting loss percentages were lower in lower stem parts and decreased with later harvest because maturation was associated with increasing amounts of fibre and wood. Within a certain stem part, however, the absolute retting losses were constant with harvest time. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the amount of fibre in a hemp stem is almost completely determined by the weight and the position of that stem part. When the plant grows, the increase in dry matter is split up into fibres and wood in a fixed way. This total fibre/wood ratio was highest in the middle part of the stem and lower towards both bottom and top. Sowing density and harvest time effects were indirect through stem weight. The long-fibre weight per stem increased with the total fibre weight and hence with stem weight. Stem weight increased with harvest time; as harvest time did not affect plant density, the highest long-fibre yields were obtained at the last harvest time. The long fibre/total fibre ratio was lowest in the bottom 5 cm of the stems but similar for all other parts. Sowing density and harvest time effects again were indirect. Fibre percentages in retted hemp decreased with increasing stem weights towards a level that is presumably a variety characteristic. The dry matter increase between harvests, however, is much more important with respect to total and long-fibre yield. [source]

Effects of salt stress on purslane (Portulaca oleracea) nutrition

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
M. Teixeira
Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the influence of saline stress on the chemical composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), in particular the mineral composition. Four salinity levels were investigated using irrigation solutions with electrical conductivity values of 0.8, 6.8, 12.8 and 24.2 dS m,1 and two planting dates (May and July) were tested. Samples of full-grown leaf and stems of purslane were harvested after 7 and 15 days of the saline treatment exposure. Chemical analysis (dry matter basis) of leaves showed significant differences among the different saline treatments for all the characteristics measured. Salinity levels, planting date and harvest time significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the levels of crude protein, total lipids, ash and carbohydrate content. Salinity treatments did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the water content of purslane leaves. The crude protein content of purslane leaves decreased with increasing salinity levels and time of exposure to treatment. However, carbohydrates and mineral residue content increased. An unusual phenomenon was noted for intermediate salinity levels, whereby an increase in total lipid content was measured in leaves of plants exposed to salinity treatments of 6.8 and 12.8 dS m,1. The highest mineral residue content was seen in leaves of purslane exposed to the highest salinity treatment. The mineral composition was also affected by salinity levels, Na and Cl uptake, and accumulation increased with increasing salinity in irrigation solution; Mg concentration was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by salinity levels, although a slight increase was seen, and Ca, K and Zn levels significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Ca and Zn preferentially accumulated in the leaves, while K and Na values were higher in the stems. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in relative ratio of Na/K, Mg/K, Na/Ca and Mg/Ca was observed with increasing salinity levels. A decrease in the yield of purslane was only observed for the most severe saline treatment, where the highest ratio of Mg/Ca was seen. This study reveals that purslane is relatively tolerant to conditions of moderate salinity, thus improving its potential to become a key vegetable crop for animal and human consumption. [source]

Optimization of fed-batch parameters and harvest time of CHO cell cultures for a glycosylated product with multiple mechanisms of inactivation

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2007
Ryan S. Senger
Abstract Optimization of fed-batch feeding parameters was explored for a system with multiple mechanisms of product inactivation. In particular, two separate mechanisms of inactivation were identified for the recombinant tissue-type activator (r-tPA) protein. Dynamic inactivation models were written to describe particular r-tPA glycoform inactivation in the presence and absence of free-glucose. A glucose-independent inactivation mechanism was identified, and inactivation rate constants were found dependent upon the presence of glycosylation of r-tPA at N184. Inactivation rate constants of the glucose-dependent mechanism were not affected by glycosylation at N184. Fed-batch optimization was performed for r-tPA production by CHO cell culture in a stirred-tank reactor with glucose, glutamine and asparagine feed. Feeding profiles in which culture supernatant concentrations of free-glucose and amino acids (combined glutamine and asparagine) were used as control variables, were evaluated for a wide variety of set points. Simulation results for a controlled feeding strategy yielded an optimum at set points of 1.51 g L,1 glucose and 1.18 g L,1 of amino acids. Optimization was also performed in absence of metabolite control using fixed feed-flow rates initiate during the exponential growth phase. Fixed feed-flow results displayed a family of optimum solutions along a mass flow rate ratio of 3.15 of glucose to amino acids. Comparison of the two feeding strategies showed a slight advantage of rapid feeding at a fixed flow rate as opposed to metabolite control for a product with multiple mechanisms of inactivation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 378,390. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Applications of PAT-Process Analytical Technology in Recombinant Protein Processes with Escherichia coli

ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2008
C. Kaiser
Abstract Monitoring of bioprocesses and thus observation and identification of such processes is one of the main aims of bioprocess engineering. It is of vital importance in bioprocess development to improve the overall productivity by avoiding unintentional limitations to ensure not only optimal process conditions but also the observation of established production processes. Furthermore, reproducibility needs to be improved and final product quality and quantity be guaranteed. Therefore, an advanced monitoring and control system has been developed, which is based on different in-line, on-line and at-line measurements for substrates and products. Observation of cell viability applying in-line radio frequency impedance measurement and on-line determination of intracellular recombinant target protein using the reporter protein T-Sapphire GFP based on in-line fluorescence measurement show the ability for the detection of critical process states. In this way, the possibility for the on-line recognition of optimal harvest times arises and disturbances in the scheduled process route can be perceived. [source]