Factors influencing fruit cracking: an environmental and agronomic perspective.

Fruit cracking, a widespread physiological disorder affecting various fruit crops and vegetables, has profound implications for fruit quality and marketability. This mini review delves into the multifaceted factors contributing to fruit cracking and emphasizes the pivotal roles of environmental and agronomic factors in its occurrence. Environmental variables such as temperature, relative humidity, and light exposure are explored as determinants factors influencing fruit cracking susceptibility. Furthermore, the significance of mineral nutrition and plant growth regulators in mitigating fruit cracking risk is elucidated, being calcium deficiency identified as a prominent variable in various fruit species. In recent years, precision farming and monitoring systems have emerged as valuable tools for managing environmental factors and optimizing fruit production. By meticulously tracking parameters such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and fruit skin temperature, growers can make informed decisions to prevent or alleviate fruit cracking. In conclusion, effective prevention of fruit cracking necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses both environmental and agronomic factors.

Development of a Portable Low-Cost System for the Metrological Verification of Wheelchair Roller Ergometers.

Wheelchair ergometers are widely used in research, clinical practice, and sports environments. The majority of wheelchair ergometers are roller systems that allow for wheelchair propulsion in the personal wheelchair on one or two (instrumented) rollers. Oftentimes these systems are only statically calibrated. However, wheelchair propulsion is dynamic by nature, requiring a dynamic validation process. The aim of the current project was to present a low-cost portable system for the dynamic metrological verification of wheelchair roller ergometers, based on an instrumented reference wheel. The tangential force on the roller is determined, along with its uncertainty, from the reference wheel properties, and compared with the force measured by the ergometer. Uncertainty of this reference wheel system was found to be lower than the one of the ergometer used, indicating that this novel approach can be used for the metrological verification of ergometers.

Radial Artery Pseudoaneurysm Complicating Distal Transradial Access for Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization.

We report a case of a distal radial access (dRA) pseudoaneurysm complicating a chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). After hospital discharge, the patient developed progressive pain and swelling at the access site and ultrasound revealed a distal radial artery pseudoaneurysm. This completely resolved conservatively with manual compression. This case highlights a potential vascular complication of the recently introduced dRA with its conservative management.