bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Securing Web Application by Embedded Firewall at Gytech Indosantara Mandiri Ltd.
Authors: Yusup Muhammad , Maisyaroh Maisyaroh , Septiana Laila
Published: May 2020

Gytech Indosantara Mandiri Ltd. in the last few years experienced many Cybercrime attacks on the Web Server which caused many moral and material losses. Therefore, it is necessary to consider ways to fight and prevent attacks on the webserver. One way to fight and prevent attacks is to use the Attack Signatures method by using ModSecurity and fail2ban as a Web Application Firewall (WAF). ModSecurity is used to detect and prevent the occurrence of Cyber Crime in the Http and https services. Whereas Fail2ban is used to prevent Bruteforce attacks on ssh, FTP and telnet services. Modesecurity, which acts as a Web Application Firewall (WAF) will send logs to Fail2ban when exploits occur on the Web Server. Meanwhile, Fail2ban will block the Attacker's IP address so that both can be used as a Web Application Firewall or can be used as layer 7 network security.
Synthesis of Porous Silica Particles for the Adsorption of Organic Dye in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Cho Young-Sang , Jeong Sol , Nam Soyoung
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the removal of the organic dye like methylene blue using porous particles in a batch adsorption process. Porous silica microparticles were synthesized with macropores or meso-macropores and used as adsorbent particles. The hierarchically porous structures with additional mesopores were found to be more effective adsorbent than simple macroporous particles. The size of the macropores affected the adsorption capacity of the porous particles, and smaller pore size resulted in a larger amount of organic dye being adsorbed on the particle surface, due to increased surface area. Silica microparticles with wrinkled surfaces were also tested, and their adsorption capacities were studied in relation to their morphologies. Unlike previous studies using mesoporous silica as adsorbents, in this study the methylene blue adsorption kinetics could be explained by the second to fourth order reaction, implying that faster removal of dye molecules is possible compared to photocatalytic reactions, with first order kinetics. The higher order kinetics can be advantageous, providing a faster removal rate, compared to the conventional photocatalytic removal of dyes and other adsorbents.
Influence of Cultural Practices on the Development of Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) on Maize at Bako, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Sisay Aschalew , Abebe Fekede , Wako Kedir
Published: May 2020

The experiment was conducted at Bako Agricultural Research Center from 2008 to 2009 cropping seasons in order to evaluate the effect of sowing dates and ploughing frequency on the development of Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) on maize. The susceptible variety Phb 3253, with three sowing dates (early, optimum and late at 10 days interval) and three ploughing treatments: Minimum tillage (once), farmer’s practice (three times ploughing) and four times ploughing were used. All plots were uniformly treated with GLS infected crop residue before first ploughing. Trial was laid out in factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Among the planting dates, the highest disease severity of 7.60, 7.44  & 7.00, (1-9 scale) and Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) 305.83, 280.1 and 280.33 were recorded in early sown minimum (conservation) tillage practices, while the lowest was with AUDPC 161.50, 196.50 and 222.67 in four times ploughed plots in 2007, 2008 and 2009 years respectively. The highest thousand seed weight and grain yield was observed in four times ploughed and in early sown plots, while the lowest thousand seed weights and grain yield were recorded in the conservation tillage practice. Four times ploughed and early sown fields had a mean yield advantage of 474.73kg (6.66%) and a total yield advantage 2020.77kg (36.23.6%) over three times ploughed and minimum tillage practices for the three seasons 2008-2009. In general higher disease severity, low thousand seed weight and grain yield were recorded for the conservation tillage compared to other practices. The overall results showed that four times ploughing result in superior maize grain yield performance compared to others as it has resulted in reducing the disease development.
Geographical Distribution of Physiologic Races of Puccinia triticina and Postulation of Resistance Genes in New Wheat Cultivars in Egypt
Authors: Soliman Nour E. K. , Abdelbacki Ashraf M. M. , Najeeb Mohammad A.A. , Omara Reda I.
Published: May 2020

Knowledge of the geographical distribution for physiologic races of Puccinia triticina and identification of leaf rust resistance genes (Lr ,s) in the recent Egyptian wheat cultivars are essential for maximizing resistance in future-bred cultivars. The  aim   of   this   study   was   to   know   the   status  of resistance in Egyptian wheat cultivars against wheat leaf rust and the most frequent race distributed. Infected samples were collected from five Governorates, i.e.,  Dakahlia,  Kafr el-Sheikh,  Beheira,  Sharqia  and  Sohag comprised the wheat growing area in Egypt. These samples were isolated, purified and identified on the differential stes. Gene postulation was done using fifteen identified races on Egyptian wheat cultivars correlated with Lr genes. Thirty three races identified during three seasons 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The most frequent race was TK (10%) followed by race BB (7.58%), PK (6.55%), TT (4.82%), PT (3.79%) and MT (3.44%). Moreover, races; BB, TT and PT were present during three seasons while these races appeared in some Governorates and disappeared in other Governorates. On the other hand, the most frequently occurring gene in ten Egyptian wheat cultivars was Lr35 (70%), followed by Lr22 (60%), Lr27 (40%), Lr34 (30%), Lr19 (30%),Lr18 (10%),Lr36 (10%) and Lr46 (10%), eight out of sixteen Lr genes were not present in the tested cultivars. It is concluded that there was a good variation in Lr genes carried by wheat cultivars commercially grown in Egypt. Therefore, strategies for deploying resistance genes to prolong effective disease resistance are suggested to control wheat leaf rust disease.
Advances of Basic Molecular Biology Techniques: Potential to Apply in Plant Viroid Detection in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijerathna Yapa M.A.M.
Published: May 2020

Viroids are the smallest pathogens of plants. They are the cause of serious diseases on economic plants worldwide. Prevention and detection of the pathogens are the best method to reduce the economic loss from viroid infection. During last decade, genetics and molecular biology techniques have gained an increasing presence in plant pathology research. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most upgrade molecular biology techniques that have been used and studied recently. Most relevant published reports and hand skilled techniques have presented here with emphasis on suitable Viroid detection technique should be used for Sri Lanka.
Physiological Races and Virulence Diversity of Puccinia graminis pers. f. sp. tritici eriks. & e. Henn. on Wheat in Tigray Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Teklay , Dawit Woubit , Woldeab Getaneh
Published: May 2020

Wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is a disease that causes complete annihilation of wheat crops over wide areas during epidemic years. The highland of Ethiopia is considered as a hot spot area for the development of stem rust complex. Hence, this study was carried out to detect the virulence diversity of P. graminis f. sp. tritici in Southern Tigray. The findings of this paper were based on race analysis through inoculation of stem rust populations, isolation and multiplication of single-pustule of the pathogen and race determination by inoculating on stem rust differential hosts. The phenotypic characterization of P. graminis f. sp. tritici resulted in identification of 20 races from 32 isolates, which included the most prevalent races TTSNK, RRJJC and HRJJC with a frequency of 9.4% each and the most virulent races TTKSK and TTSSK each making 85% of Sr genes ineffective. Three important races (TTSSK, TTSNK and RRTTF) are new to the study area and the country (Ethiopia) as a whole putting a significant wheat proportion at risk. Among 20 wheat stem rust differential hosts, four were found effective for 75% and more of the races identified. Differential host carrying Sr24 was effective to all, while gene SrTmp was effective to 90% of the races followed by Sr17 and Sr31 each effective for 75%. In contrast, differential hosts carrying SrMcN, Sr9b, Sr9g and Sr10 were ineffective to 96.9, 93.8, 87.5 and 81.2% of the isolates tested, respectively. Thus, use of effective Sr genes such as Sr24 and SrTmp in single cultivar through gene pyramiding has paramount importance as the additive effects of several genes gives the cultivar a wider base  stem rust resistance along with periodic race survey.
Improvment Biocontrol of Damping-Off and Root Rot/Wilt of Faba Bean by Salicylic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Abdel-Monaim Montaser F.
Published: May 2020

Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina were found to be associated with root rot and wilt symptoms of faba bean plants collected from different fields in New Valley governorate, Egypt. All the obtained isolates were able to attack faba bean plants (cv. Giza 40) causing damping-off and root rot/wilt diseases. R. solani isolates 2 and 5, F. solani isolate 8, F. oxysporum isolate 12 and M. phaseolina isolate 14 were the more virulent ones in the pathogenicity tests. Biocontrol agents (Trichoderma viride, Bacillus megaterium) and chemical inducers (salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide) individually or in combination were examined for biological control of damping-off and root rot/wilt and growth promotion of faba bean plants in vitro and in vivo. Both antagonistic biocontrol agents and chemical inducers either individually or in combination inhibited growth of the tested pathogenic fungi.Biocontrol agents combined with chemical inducers recorded the highest inhibited growth especially in case SA + T. viride and SA+ B. megaterium. Under green house and field conditions, all treatments significantly reduced damping-off and root rot/ wilt severity and increased survival of plants. Also, these treatments increased fresh and dry weights of the survived plants in pots compared with control.  The combination of biocontrol agents and chemical inducers were more effective than using them individually and SA+ T. viride was the best treatment in this respect. Under field conditions, all these treatments significantly increased growth parameters (plant height and No. of branches plant-1) and yield components (No. of pods and seedsplant-1, weight of 100 seeds and total yield feddan-1 and protein content in both seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Faba bean seeds soaked in SA+ T. viride and SA+ B. megaterium were recorded the highest growth parameters and yield components. Generally, the combination of biocontrol agents and chemical inducers recoded the best results for controlling damping-off and root rot/wilt diseases in greenhouse and field with addition improved plant growth and increased yield components in the field.
Incidence of Potato Viruses in Different Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan
Authors: Gul Zishan , Khan Aftab A. , Khan Asif U. R. , Khan Zaheer U.
Published: May 2020

Three consecutive potato crops are grown annually in Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) province is the main source for seed tubers. During the year 2010, 240 symptomatic and viral susceptible potato leave samples were collected from Swat, Dir, Abbottabad and Mansehra and serologically confirmed through Double Antibody Sandwich (DAS) Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) against Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Potato virus M (PVM), Potato virus S (PVS) and Potato virus A (PVA). The presence or absence of viruses was confirmed by observing the yellow and white color in ELISA plates respectively. According to ELISA results, overall percentage incidence of viral diseases was found highest in Swat (65%) followed by Mansehra (61%), Dir (53%) and Abbottabad (43.33%) while PVY and PVS were dominant in Swat (26.66%), Dir (20%), Mansehra (15%) and Abbottabad (21.66%) respectively. PVX was not detected in Abbottabad while Swat samples seemed to be free from PVM and PVA.
Production Efficiency of Different Strains of Pleurotus ostreatus Using Various Cellulosic Agro-Wastes
Authors: Khaliq Nazia , Khan Nasir A. , Javed Nazir , Gondal Amjad S.
Published: May 2020

Different local strains of Oyster mushroom were evaluated using different cellulosic agro-wastes including cotton waste, paddy straw and wheat straw for mycelial growth, spawn running and  production efficiency of different strains of Pleurotus ostreatsus. Maximum production efficiency of P. Sajur caju was observed (195.9%) on wheat straw while minimum production efficiency was recorded (132.1%) on paddy straw followed by cotton waste where the production efficiency was 107.9%. P. ostreatus (white strain) showed maximum production efficiency (113.7%) on wheat straw and minimum (88.8%) on cotton waste. While the production efficiency of P. ostreatus (gray strain) was almost same on cotton waste and wheat straw but greater than paddy straw (128.3%). The Overall performance of P. Ostreatus (gray strain) remained best during its cultivation.
Studies on Vascular Infection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 4 in Banana by Field Survey and Green Fluorescent Protein Reporter
Authors: Xiao Rong F. , Zhu Yu-Jing , Li Yan-Dan , Liu Bo
Published: May 2020

Fusarium wilt of banana (Musa spp.) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is one of the most serious banana fungal diseases in the world. Understanding the infection process of Foc is important for development of effective ways in disease control. In order to follow infection and colonization of this pathogen from root to rhizome and pseudostem tissues of banana, a highly pathogenic strain FJAT-3076 of Foc race 4 (Foc4) was transformed with gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the fungus carrying gfp (FJAT-3076-GFP) was used to inoculate banana plants (Cavendish cv. B.F.). After inoculation for 3 to 10 d, it was observed that the conidia and their germ-tubes had penetrated into epidermis of young roots. The hyphae were found inside the root xylem 10 d after inoculation in the rhizome and pseudostem xylem after inoculation for 17 d. All plants infected by Foc died in 24 d after inoculation. It was also observed that Foc had spread all over the xylem and part of hyphae reached the pseudostem surface. Hyphal population was found the highest in the pseudostem, lower in root and least in rhizome. Field survey confirmed that Foc4 were mostly present in the base of pseudostem and less in the rhizome. Thus, effective prevention of the Foc hyphae movement from the rhizome up to the pseudostem might delay or control banana wilt disease.
Induction of Systemic Resistance by Biocontrol Agents against Bacterial Blight of Cotton Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum
Authors: Raghavendra Vinay B. , Siddalingaiah Lokesh , Sugunachar Nagesh K. , Nayak Chandra , Ramachandrappa Niranjana S.
Published: May 2020

Bioagents such as Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were isolated from cotton rhizosphere soil and tested individually for their effectiveness in controlling bacterial blight of cotton caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum (Xcm). Talc based formulations were prepared and used for seed treatment at different concentrations for assessing their ability to stimulate plant growth and to control bacterial blight disease. Among bioagents, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum proved to be effective in controlling disease under field conditions.  Other than direct action, these bioagents triggered the defense related enzymes involved in synthesis of phenols. Higher activity of peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase and b-1,3-glucanase was observed in P. fluorescens and T. harzianum treated cotton plants after challenge inoculation with Xcm. Seed treatment with these bioagents enhanced the seed germination and growth parameters against blight disease and they also induced systemic resistance in plant for defense mechanisms.
Mass Production of the Beneficial Nematode Steinernema carpocapsae Utilizing a Fed-Batch Culturing Process
Authors: Upadhyay Devang , Kooliyottil Rinu , Mandjiny Sivanadane , Inman III Floyd L. , Holmes Leonard D.
Published: May 2020

The present study deals with the batch and fed-batch mass production of Steinernema carpocapsae. S. carpocapsae is an entomoparasitic nematode that is used as a biological control agent of soil-borne crop insect pests. The ability and efficiency of fed-batch culture process was successful through the utilization of the nematode’s bacterial symbiont Xenorhabdus nematophila. Results from the fed-batch process were compared to those obtain from the standard batch process. The fed-batch process successively improved the mass production process of S. carpocapsae employing liquid medium technology. Within the first week of the fed-batch process (day six), the nematode density obtained was 202,000 nematodes mL−1; whereas on day six, batch culture mode resulted in a nematode density of 23,000 nematodes mL−1. The fed-batch process was superior to that of batch production with a yield approximately 8.8-fold higher. In fed-batch process, the nematode yield was improved 88.6 % higher within a short amount of time compared to the batch process. Fed-batch seems to make the process more efficient and possibly economically viable.
Vigor of Plantlet from Microplantlet Treated by Filtrate and Cell Suspension of Some Isolates of Bacillus and Resistance to Banana Wilt Pathogen after Acclimatization
Authors: Wiyono Hadi , Widono Salim
Published: May 2020

Blood Disease Bacterium (BDB) and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (FOC) is a couple wilt pathogen  of  banana.  These pathogens are the most important constraint in cultivation of banana in Indonesia.  In the integrated control strategy of the disease, the use of healthy seedlings produced from tissue culture technique is recommended.  The seedling produced by tissue culture technique however leads to lower vigor and susceptibility to the disease due to the aseptic work in vitro causing the beneficial bacterial endophytic to be eliminated. Therefore, the utility of the beneficial endophytic bacteria should be studied for recovering the vigor and resistance of the seedling.     Three isolates of endophytic Bacillus (B04, B05, B10) have been effective as growth promoter of microplantlet and antagonist of BDB and FOC in vitro.   Here then, this article reports the study results of the vigor of the plantlet (treated microplantlet by filtrate or cell suspension of the Bacillus) after 3 months in acclimatization. The results were similar to the previous results on microplantlet in vitro, that Bacillus isolates B04, B05, and B10 were capable of promoting the growth and inducing the resistance to wilt pathogens on banana plantlets.  The treatments with bacterial cell inoculums were more effective than those bacterial filtrate. Isolate B10 was most potential followed by B05 and B04 respectively.
Determinación de los parámetros de productividad de cepas de Pleurotus ostreatus y P. opuntiae cultivadas en paja de trigo y pencas de maguey combinadas con sustratos agrícolas
Authors: Portilla Segura Alejandro , Romero-Arenas Omar , Valencia de Ita Maria De los Ángeles , Hernández Espinosa Miguel Ángel , Lanteta Cortés Gerardo , Rivera-Tapia José Antonio
Published: May 2020

Antecedentes: La seta silvestre de maguey (Pleurotus opuntiae) es un alimento importante de las zonas semi-áridas del centro de México, apreciado por campesinos e indígenas desde tiempos antiguos, de sabor deseable y aprovechado en épocas de lluvias; sin embargo, hay pocos estudios acerca de su cultivo.

Objetivos: Comparar la producción y calidad nutritiva de basidiomas de P. opuntiae y P. ostreatus cultivados en paja de trigo, así como evaluar la combinación de diferentes residuos agrícolas combinados con penca de maguey para el cultivo de P. opuntiae, en condiciones controladas.

Métodos: Pleurotus opuntiae y P. ostreatus se cultivaron en pencas de maguey y residuos agrícolas pasteurizados a 80 °C/2 h. Se cuantificó la producción total, eficiencia biológica y tasa de producción. Se realizó un estudio químico proximal de los basidiomas obtenidos en los diferentes sustratos. El diseño estadístico fue por bloques al azar, además se realizó un análisis de componentes principales para determinar la correlación entre los rendimientos.

Resultados y conclusiones: Los mejores parámetros productivos se obtuvieron en paja de trigo con la cepa de P. ostreatus, pero P. opuntiae presentó un mayor contenido de proteína cruda y cenizas en la combinación de dos residuos agrícolas con penca de maguey.
Ensemble Deep Learning Models for Forecasting Cryptocurrency Time-Series
Authors: Livieris Ioannis E. , Pintelas Emmanuel , Stavroyiannis Stavros , Pintelas Panagiotis
Published: May 2020

Nowadays, cryptocurrency has infiltrated almost all financial transactions; thus, it is generally recognized as an alternative method for paying and exchanging currency. Cryptocurrency trade constitutes a constantly increasing financial market and a promising type of profitable investment; however, it is characterized by high volatility and strong fluctuations of prices over time. Therefore, the development of an intelligent forecasting model is considered essential for portfolio optimization and decision making. The main contribution of this research is the combination of three of the most widely employed ensemble learning strategies: ensemble-averaging, bagging and stacking with advanced deep learning models for forecasting major cryptocurrency hourly prices. The proposed ensemble models were evaluated utilizing state-of-the-art deep learning models as component learners, which were comprised by combinations of long short-term memory (LSTM), Bi-directional LSTM and convolutional layers. The ensemble models were evaluated on prediction of the cryptocurrency price on the following hour (regression) and also on the prediction if the price on the following hour will increase or decrease with respect to the current price (classification). Additionally, the reliability of each forecasting model and the efficiency of its predictions is evaluated by examining for autocorrelation of the errors. Our detailed experimental analysis indicates that ensemble learning and deep learning can be efficiently beneficial to each other, for developing strong, stable, and reliable forecasting models.
Multi-Fidelity Design Optimisation of a Solenoid-Driven Linear Compressor
Authors: Beckers Jarl , Coppitters Diederik , De Paepe Ward , Contino Francesco , Van Mierlo Joeri , Verrelst Björn
Published: May 2020

Improved management and impermeability of refrigerants is a leading solution to reverse global warming. Therefore, crank-driven reciprocating refrigerator compressors are gradually replaced by more efficient, oil-free and hermetic linear compressors. However, the design and operation of an electromagnetic actuator, fitted on the compression requirements of a reciprocating linear compressor, received limited attention. Current research mainly focuses on the optimisation of short stroke linear compressors, while long stroke compressors benefit from higher isentropic and volumetric efficiencies. Moreover, designing such a system focuses mainly on the trade-off between number of copper windings and the current required, due to the large computational cost of performing a full geometric design optimisation based on a Finite Element Method. Therefore, in this paper, a computationally-efficient, multi-objective design optimisation for six geometric design parameters has been applied on a solenoid driven linear compressor with a stroke of 44.2 mm. The proposed multi-fidelity optimisation approach takes advantage of established models for actuator optimisation in mechatronic applications, combined with analytical equations established for a solenoid actuator to increase the overall computational efficiency. This paper consists of the multi-fidelity optimisation algorithm, the analytic model and Finite Element Method of a solenoid and the optimised designs obtained for optimised power and copper volume, which dominates the actuator cost. The optimisation results illustrate a trade-off between minimising the peak power and minimising the volume of copper windings. Considering this trade-off, an intermediate design is highlighted, which requires 33.3% less power, at the expense of an increased copper volume by 5.3% as opposed to the design achieving the minimum copper volume. Despite that the effect of the number of windings on the input current remains a dominant design characteristic, adapting the geometric parameters reduces the actuator power requirements significantly as well. Finally, the multi-fidelity optimisation algorithm achieves a 74% reduction in computational cost as opposed to an entire Finite Element Method optimisation. Future work focuses on a similar optimisation approach for a permanent magnet linear actuator.
Automatic Detection and Monitoring of Insect Pests—A Review
Authors: Cardim Ferreira Lima Matheus , Damascena de Almeida Leandro Maria Elisa , Valero Constantino , Pereira Coronel Luis Carlos , Gonçalves Bazzo Clara Oliva
Published: May 2020

Many species of insect pests can be detected and monitored automatically. Several systems have been designed in order to improve integrated pest management (IPM) in the context of precision agriculture. Automatic detection traps have been developed for many important pests. These techniques and new technologies are very promising for the early detection and monitoring of aggressive and quarantine pests. The aim of the present paper is to review the techniques and scientific state of the art of the use of sensors for automatic detection and monitoring of insect pests. The paper focuses on the methods for identification of pests based in infrared sensors, audio sensors and image-based classification, presenting the different systems available, examples of applications and recent developments, including machine learning and Internet of Things. Future trends of automatic traps and decision support systems are also discussed.
Fate of a 15N-labeled Urea Pulse in Heavily Fertilized Banana Crops
Authors: Raphael Line , Recous Sylvie , Ozier-Lafontaine Harry , Sierra Jorge
Published: May 2020

Banana crops in the Caribbean are characterized by the use of high rates of nitrogen (N) fertilization which causes severe environmental damages. The aim of this study was to assess the fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE) of banana crops in the field. To do so, a field trial was carried out during the first (GS1) and the fourth (GS4) growing seasons of banana crops, and the fate of a 15N-labeled pulse applied late in the growing season (flowering stage) was determined. At harvest, NUE (average 24% 15N applied) and the total recovery of fertilizer 15N in the soil–plant system (i.e., 40% in GS1 and 62% in GS4) were low. Low NUE resulted mainly from the dilution in a large soil mineral N pool derived from earlier applications of the labeled-N fertilizer applied at flowering, combined with leaching caused by numerous high-intensity rainfall events (>20 mm d−1). Crop residues from previous cycles present at time of fertilizer application in the fourth growing season, promoted fertilizer N immobilization, which in turn favored fertilizer N recovery by decreasing N leaching. The results suggest that N fertilization after the first season could be reduced by 30% (i.e., −90 kg N ha−1) corresponding to the suppression of two applications from flowering to harvest with the current fertilizer management, as available N derived from earlier applications is sufficient to meet plant requirements.
Assessing the Impact of Drought Stress and Soil Cultivation in Chardonnay and Xynisteri Grape Cultivars
Authors: Chrysargyris Antonios , Xylia Panayiota , Litskas Vassilis , Stavrinides Menelaos , Heyman Lisa , Demeestere Kristof , Höfte Monica , Tzortzakis Nikolaos
Published: May 2020

Cyprus has a long tradition in grape cultivation and wine making and grapevine is important for the sustainability of the agricultural sector, like in other Mediterranean areas. Water scarcity, which is projected to increase due to climate change, could negatively affect the sector. In this research, the effects of irrigation and tillage treatments on various aspects of vine growth and product quality (e.g., yield, physiology and quality attributes), were studied in Chardonnay and Xynisteri cultivars grown in clay soils in Cyprus. Regarding soil properties and water content, N and K were more abundant in the soil than P and through the growing period irrigation tended to increase electrical conductivity (EC) in the soil. Soil water content (volumetric) was 22%–27.5% and 13%–16%, when irrigation was applied or not, respectively. Vegetative soil cover occupied 50%–55% of the surface and contained species typically present in Mediterranean farms (e.g., Poaceae, Fabaceae and Brassicaceae). Tillage increased yield in Xynisteri (4–5 kg plant−1) but negatively affected other parameters such as chlorophyll levels (in Xynisteri). In combination with irrigation, tillage increased antioxidant activity in Chardonnay (assessed by FRAP and DPPH), at harvest. Total phenolics at harvest were higher in the grape juice of Xynisteri, compared to Chardonnay (30–40 and 20–25 mg GA g−1 fresh weight, respectively). Irrigation influenced phytohormone levels in the two cultivars. ABA increased in non-irrigated Xynisteri, reflecting an increased capacity to react towards water stress. Water stress is considered to increase polyphenols in grapes, but in the case of Xynisteri it seems that irrigation water is required to obtain better quality grapes as without irrigation volumetric water content (VWC) is close to the permanent wilting point. Titratable acidity and total tannins decreased in Chardonnay, when tillage and irrigation were applied. In addition, tillage and irrigation tended to elevate the pH of the grape juice. Tillage and irrigation on the other hand, had no effect on the levels of ascorbic acid and total anthocyanin content. The results of this research may help to select management strategies that support the adaptation of viticulture to climate change in Cyprus and other Mediterranean areas.
Spatialization of Actual Grain Crop Yield Coupled with Cultivation Systems and Multiple Factors: From Survey Data to Grid
Authors: Li Jingxin , Zhang Hongqi , Xu Erqi
Published: May 2020

The spatialization of actual grain crop yield helps to understand the spatial heterogeneity of yield and support for the precise farming and targeted farmland management. However, inadequate consideration and quantification of anthropogenic factors affecting the estimation of actual yield distribution easily cause uncertainties in recent researches. Here, we developed a new grain crop yield spatialization (GCYS) model in order to downscale the yield from county to grid scale. The GCYS model is composed of four modules: (a) cultivated land Net Primary Productivity (NPP) calculation module, (b) comprehensive agricultural system construction module, (c) key factors establishment module, and (d) integration and validation module. Its novelty is to realize the actual grain crop yield spatialization from county scale to grid scale by quantifying and spatializing the comprehensive agricultural system when considering the diversity of cultivated structure and field management factors. Taking Guizhou and Guangxi Karst Mountains Region as a study-area, the GCYS model is developed and tested. The determination coefficients of regression analysis between agricultural survey data and spatialization results of paddy rice yield calculated by our model reach 0.72 and 0.76 in 2000 and 2015, respectively (p < 0.01). The results visualize the spatial pattern of actual grain crop yield at the grid scale, which show a gradually decreasing trend from southeast to northwest. With an increase in potential yield and improvement of field management technologies, the actual average yield of grain crops per unit increased form 4745.10 kg/ha of 2000 to 5592.89 kg/ha of 2015. Especially in high-yield zones in southeast area, mechanized cultivation became the dominated factor, rather than chemical fertilizer application. This demonstrates that our model can provide a reference for agricultural resource utilization and policy-making.
Effects of Beech Bark Extract in the Sage (Salvia Officinalis L.) Plant Growth and Volatile Oil Profile
Authors: Tanase Corneliu , Ștefănescu Ruxandra , Gheorghieș Diana Gabriela , Dandu Loredana , Nisca Adrian , Darkó Béla , Socaci Sonia Ancuța
Published: May 2020

The use of bioactive compounds can act in growth stimulation and also influence the biosynthesis of the metabolites in plants. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of the beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) bark crude extract (BBCE) on the growth and development of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) plants. Special attention was given to the analysis of volatile oil obtained from the sage treated plant. Thus, the biological activity of BBCE was assessed by determining the germination capacity, biomass accumulation, histo-anatomical aspects, and photoassimilatory pigment accumulation, quantitative, and qualitative sage volatile oil analysis. The results show stimulation of the biomass and photoassimilatory pigment accumulation. The mesophyll thickness and the vascular tissue surface are smaller in the treated variants, compared to the control. On the other hand, the amount of volatile oil was significantly higher in the treated plants. In the experimental variants, an increase in the quantity of eucalyptol, camphor, camphene, and α-caryophyllene is observed. The amount of eucalyptol increased in the experimental variant, with about 82%, compared to the control. BBCE could be properly used as natural bioregulators because according to our results seems to improve the yield of the sage crop. The results of this research have the potential to contribute greatly to ecological agricultural production.
Feline Leishmania spp. Infection in a Non-Endemic Area of Northern Italy
Authors: Spada Eva , Perego Roberta , Vitale Fabrizio , Bruno Federica , Castelli Germano , Tarantola Gaia , Baggiani Luciana , Magistrelli Sonia , Proverbio Daniela
Published: May 2020

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) is an emerging vector-borne feline disease, with increasing numbers of cases reported and studies performed internationally. This study aimed to update the epidemiological status for FeL in stray cats in Milan, northern Italy; compare these results with previous studies in Northern Italy; and report clinicopathologic findings and coinfections in cats infected with Leishmania spp. A total of 117 cats were tested for L. infantum and retrovirus infection, hematological, and biochemical parameters. Demographic and clinical data were collected and FeL affected cats screened for selected coinfections. Overall, 10/117 (8.6%) cats tested positive for L. infantum: in five cats L. infantum DNA was found in popliteal lymph nodes and five were IFAT seropositive at titers from 1:80 to 1:160. Infected cats were concentrated in a specific area of Milan (p = 0.0154). No specific clinicopathologic abnormalities or retroviral infections were significantly linked to the infection, other than hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.0127). Seroreactivity to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Chlamydophila felis, and Toxoplasma gondii was found in some infected cats. A high prevalence of FeL was found in a non-endemic area of northern Italy and future studies should continually monitor this data to understand whether these cases are imported or if Leishmania vectors are present in this area.
HPLC MS-MS Analysis Shows Measurement of Corticosterone in Egg Albumen Is Not a Valid Indicator of Chicken Welfare
Authors: Caulfield Malcolm P. , Padula Matthew P.
Published: May 2020

Assessment of animal welfare can include analysis of physiological parameters, as well as behavior and health. Levels of adrenocortical hormones such as cortisol (and corticosterone in chickens) have been relied on as indicators of stress. Elevations in those hormones have been said to be correlated with poor welfare, while levels in the normal range have been interpreted to mean that animals are in a good state of welfare. Procuring blood samples from animals for hormone measures can in itself be stressful and cause increases in the target hormones. To overcome this problem, indirect measures of cortisol and corticosterone have been developed. In chickens, corticosterone levels in egg albumen are said to be a useful indirect measure, and have been used in several recent studies as indicators of chicken welfare. All of the measures of chicken egg albumen corticosterone in welfare studies have used immunoassays, and have reported values ranging from about 0.5 to over 20 ng/g. Using these measures, egg albumen from chickens housed in conventional cages or free ranging has been said to have indistinguishable corticosterone levels. This has been used to support the conclusion that chickens kept in conventional cages are not experiencing stress and are in a good state of welfare. In this study, we have used high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) to measure corticosterone in egg albumen. We found levels of corticosterone (median level about 50 pg/g) in egg albumen which were just above the limit of detection. By contrast, we found significant levels of progesterone and cortisol, hormones which would be expected to cross react with anti-corticosterone antibodies, and which therefore might explain the high reported levels of corticosterone using immunoassay. We conclude that because corticosterone levels in egg albumen are negligible, they cannot be used as an indicator of chicken welfare.
Meat Quality, Amino Acid, and Fatty Acid Composition of Liangshan Pigs at Different Weights
Authors: Gan Mailin , Shen Linyuan , Chen Lei , Jiang Dongmei , Jiang Yanzhi , Li Qiang , Chen Ying , Ge Guihua , Liu Yihui , Xu Xu , Li Xuewei , Zhang Shunhua , Zhu Li
Published: May 2020

Indigenous pig breeds are important biological resources and their diversity has been severely damaged. The Liangshan pig is a typical mountain-type local pig breed in southwest China. Here, the meat quality, amino acid, and fatty acid composition of Liangshan pigs were compared at seven stages within the weight range of 50–90 kg. A score for comprehensive factors of meat quality was maintained after rising and kept in a plateau within 74.9–91.5 kg of body weight. The total amount of amino acids in the longissimus dorsi muscle remained stable, and the total fatty acids showed an upward trend. Amino acid composition analysis revealed that as the body weight of Liangshan pigs increased, umami, basic, and acidic amino acid contents decreased, while the essential amino acids (EAA) content and the ratio of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids increased. Fatty acid composition analysis revealed that as body weight increased, the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) exhibited a downward trend, while the content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) exhibited an upward trend. This study is a primary step towards the development and utilization of Liangshan pigs and provides useful information for local pork processing and genetic improvement.
Humane Use of Cardiac Puncture for Non-Terminal Phlebotomy of Wild-Caught and Released Peromyscus spp.
Authors: Williams Scott C. , Linske Megan A. , Stafford Kirby C.
Published: May 2020

The cardiac puncture technique for obtaining relatively large volume (50–150 µL) blood samples from sedated rodents has been used in research for nearly a century. Historically, its use to phlebotomize and then release live rodents was more common. However, recently its use in a non-terminal capacity frequently imparts negative connotations in part because exsanguination of sedated animals via cardiac puncture is now an American Veterinary Medical Association-approved euthanasia technique. This association has resulted in ethical concerns by manuscript reviewers and in a few instances, outright refusal by some peer-reviewed journals to publish research that utilized the technique. To counter the perceived negative associations with its non-terminal use, we summarized nearly two decades (2001–2019) of capture and handling data throughout Connecticut, resulting in over 7000 cardiac punctures performed on nearly 5000 sedated, live-captured and released Peromyscus spp. We show that our total handling mortality rate (3.7%) was comparable, if not lower, than similar field studies that utilized other phlebotomy techniques. Many public health, integrated tick management, and vector-borne disease ecology studies require samples from individual wild-caught Peromyscus spp. over time to determine intervention efficacy and pathogen infection monitoring, and in such field studies, post-operative care is not an option. Proper execution of cardiac puncture does not increase susceptibility of individuals to predation upon release as can potential ocular abnormalities or infections that can occur as the result of use of other techniques. We posit that neither exsanguination nor resulting euthanasia are requirements of cardiac puncture and that its use is entirely appropriate for obtaining blood samples from live-captured and released Peromyscus spp. Properly performed cardiac puncture is an excellent technique to obtain blood samples from sedated, individual Peromyscus spp. on multiple appropriately-spaced occasions over single trapping seasons while keeping animal welfare a top priority.
Effect of Feed Restriction on the Behaviour and Welfare of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Trocino Angela , White Peter , Bordignon Francesco , Ferrante Valentina , Bertotto Daniela , Birolo Marco , Pillan Giulio , Xiccato Gerolamo
Published: May 2020

Under intensive rearing conditions, the welfare of broiler chickens may be at risk depending on genotype and sex, due to their different growth rates. The practice of quantitative feed restriction may also impact on welfare. This study aimed to evaluate behaviour and corticosterone content in plasma and faeces at different ages using 896 one-day-old chicks housed in 32 pens, allocated to 8 groups, i.e., 2 genotypes (standard vs. high breast yield) × 2 sex × 2 feeding plans (ad libitum vs. restricted, AL vs. FR). The feeding system affected the percentage of standing (9.84% vs. 11.7% in AL vs. FR; p ≤ 0.001), feeding (7.51% vs. 8.17%; p ≤ 0.01) and sitting/lying (67.0% vs. 64.1%; p ≤ 0.001), and the faeces corticosterone content (12.2 vs. 13.6 ng/g in AL vs. FR; p ≤ 0.10). Sex affected the percentage of pecking other chickens, standing and comfort behaviours. Changes in behaviour were recorded between high and standard breast yield genotypes with faeces corticosterone which tended to be higher in the former (p ≤ 0.10). Significant interactions between the main factors and age were observed. Major changes in behaviour were due to feed restriction, which stimulated activity during restriction.
Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Native LL37 and Citrullinated LL37 That Discriminate the Two LL37 Forms in the Skin and Circulation of Cutaneous/Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Lande Roberto , Palazzo Raffaella , Hammel Philippe , Pietraforte Immacolata , Surbeck Isabelle , Gilliet Michel , Chizzolini Carlo , Frasca Loredana
Published: May 2020

Human cathelicidin LL37 is a cationic antimicrobial peptide active against bacteria and viruses and exerting immune modulatory functions. LL37 can be also a target of autoreactive B- and T-lymphocytes in autoimmune settings. Irreversible post-translational modifications, such as citrullination and carbamylation, mainly occurring at the level of cationic amino acids arginine and lysine, can affect the inflammatory properties and reduce antibacterial effects. Moreover, these modifications could be implicated in the rupture of immune tolerance to LL37 in chronic conditions such as psoriatic disease and cutaneous lupus (LE)/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we describe the generation and fine specificity of six recombinant antibodies (MRB137–MRB142), produced as a monovalent mouse antibody with the antigen-binding scFv portion fused to a mouse IgG2a Fc, and their ability to recognize either native or citrullinated LL37 (cit-LL37) and not cross-react to carbamylated LL37. By using these antibodies, we detected native LL37 or cit-LL37 in SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) sera, and in LE skin, by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Such antibodies represent previously unavailable and useful tools to address relationships between the presence of post-translational modified LL37 and the immune system status (in terms of innate/adaptive responses activation) and the clinical characteristics of patients affected by chronic immune-mediated diseases or infectious diseases.
Encapsulation of the Antistaphylococcal Endolysin LysRODI in pH-Sensitive Liposomes
Authors: Portilla Silvia , Fernández Lucía , Gutiérrez Diana , Rodríguez Ana , García Pilar
Published: May 2020

Phage lysins are promising new therapeutics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. These so-called enzybiotics offer, amongst their most notable advantages, high target specificity and low resistance development. Moreover, there are numerous recent and ongoing studies aimed at demonstrating the efficacy and safety of endolysins in animal models or even in clinical trials. Nonetheless, as is the case for other antimicrobials, it is important to assess potential strategies that may broaden their potential applications or improve their stability. Encapsulation, for instance, has given very good results for some antibiotics. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of encapsulating an endolysin against the opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most problematic bacteria in the context of the current antibiotic resistance crisis. Endolysin LysRODI has antimicrobial activity against many S. aureus strains from different sources, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. Here, this protein was encapsulated in pH-sensitive liposomes with an efficacy of approximately 47%, retaining its activity after being released from the nanocapsules. Additionally, the encapsulated endolysin effectively reduced S. aureus cell counts by > 2log units in both planktonic cultures and biofilms upon incubation at pH 5. These results demonstrate the viability of LysRODI encapsulation in liposomes for its targeted delivery under mild acidic conditions.