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The major purpose of this study is to analyze the economic feasibility of bloom delay by sprinkling as a means of protecting delicious apples from frost. The framework of this study is based on decision making theory under uncertainty. It demonstrates the usefulness of the Bayesian approach to determine optimum action to take in face of uncertain climatic conditions. The economic analysis was conducted for Farmington, Utah, where significant relationships were found between the end of winter rest (end of chill-unit accumulation) and time of full bloom of red delicious apples. A posteriori probabilities for the state of nature were determined using accumulated data of end of winter rest of the apple trees. Applying the Bayesian approach, optimal strategies were determined by use of a posteriori probabilities and knowledge of time of end of winter rest. It was concluded from the analysis that the installation of solid set sprinklers and use of sprinkling to delay bloom is an effective means of frost protection. Sprinkling provides two methods of freeze protection. Bud development can be delayed increasing the hardiness of the bud to colder temperatures. Sprinkling can also be used during periods of freezing temperatures to protect the buds from freezing. It was found that a combination of protection by delay and by sprinkling for freeze protection would result in increased net returns over any other alternative. An important finding of this study is that with the dual protection afforded by sprinkling, extended amounts of delay are not necessary to obtain the desired results.

Bericht über die Tagung der Kommissionen D3 und B2 des Internationalen Kälte-instituts vom 5. - 7. März 1974 in Tokio Johann Heinrich von Thunen-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries began publishing the Informationen aus der Fischereiforschung – Information on Fishery research in 2010

Xenogeneic tissue devitalization is one of the creating methods of the tissuereplacing the biocompatible cell-free shells for the regenerative surgery. The work describes the possibility of applying the complex approach based on the continuous usage of cryo and radioactive (electron irradiation exposure) biological tissue damage effects. The pre-implant treatment provides sterilization and a possibility for the low temperature preservation of xenografts. After the transplantation such a cell-free xenoscaffold can be gradually replaced with the autogenic extracellular matrix from the recipient’s cells and forms a stable long-term structure of the biological prosthesis. Fibrous pericardium (FP) and aortic valve leaflets (AVLs) were extracted from the mature pig. The prepared tissues were rinsed with the sterile normal saline solution and frozen down to the liquid-nitrogen temperature. After one time placing on water-bath (37°C) they were exposed to electron irradiation within dosage range of 25-30 kGray and submerged into the liquid nitrogen vapors. After influence of low temperature and ionizing radiation, tissue morphological structure was assessed using the optical microscopy. Deformations, i.e. longitudinal and transverse monoaxial strength were performed to calculate the physical and mechanical properties of FP and AVLs. Such a devitalization method of the FP and AVLs causes significant destructive changes in cell elements, however the spatial arrangement and structural integrity of the connective tissue fiber are preserved. Joint impact of low temperatures and ionizing radiation gives the synergetic effect, increasing the strength and elastic tissue properties. Freezing down to –196 °C and electron irradiation initiate formation of the intra- and intermolecular transverse cross-linking due to the binding activity of fibrous proteins. It leads to a more dense arrangement of the collagen fiber, adds strength to the implant and provides the structural tissue stabilization. The authors believe that during the remodeling in the recipient organism, the biomaterial structure modified in such a manner can successfully prevent physiological tension.