bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laugh in Case of Emergency: Framing the Pandemic Through Memes in Italy and Russia
Authors: Marsili Andrea , Shchetvina Anya
Published: May 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, meme culture prospered. New topics, styles and problems emerged from meme-sharing, resulting in a specific genre – quarantine memes. Although some of the possible causes could be linked to the lockdown boredom and consequent increase in screen-time among internet users; we argue that the other cause has to be sought in the complex role memes had (and still have) as instruments of symbolic framing.

As De Rycker (2018) put forth, a crisis is a human activity carried out knowingly and intentionally. Understanding the COVID-19 pandemic as a crisis, we aim to analyse quarantine memes as a participatory practice of ‘doing crisis’ – in particular, by framing its meanings and making sense of changes in everyday life.

Quarantine memes exist in the context of uncertainty, risks and fears about people’s health, restrictions of freedom, stress and changes in daily routines. The creation of memes that emerged from this context frames the pandemic and the virus in a variety of ways, not only suggesting different points of view but also establishing norms, encouraging (dis)belief and satirically or creatively commenting on new COVID-related practices.

Using a combination of digital ethnography and content analysis, we observed the meme-related participatory practices of quarantine memes on the most popular webpages in two countries: Russia (VKontakte) and Italy (Facebook). Temporally covering the first wave and the subsequent pandemic containment measures (February-October 2020), we distinguished a set of framing strategies that are suggested via memes by online audiences: alienation, avoidance, awareness-raising, critique, domestication, subversion, escapism and acknowledgement of emotions. Comparing and contrasting the topics and symbolic strategies that emerged in those countries, we showed that symbolic framing via memes is not a straightforward phenomenon, but a long-nuanced process in which different perceptions of the virus overlapped each other and changed through time.
Competitiveness of the Southeast European Countries in the Conditions of the Globalization
Authors: Živković Jelena
Published: May 2022

Globalization is a process often identified with the economic integration of countries, the creation of a single market while neglecting other aspects of globalization. Besides its economic dimension, The KOF index of globalization includes the social and political dimensions. One of the questions is how the countries manage to strengthen their competitive position in the international market in the age of globalization. Is it challenging to maintain a stable competitive position in the conditions of greater connection of countries and in what form? For this reason, the paper deals with the change of the Global Competitiveness Index, a renowned measure of the competitiveness of national economies according to the methodology of the World Economic Forum, under the influence of increased economic globalization of Southeast European countries. It also estimates the impact of globalization, or its economic, social and political dimension on the economic growth of Southeast European countries, which is one of the requirements for successful positioning on the international economic scene.
The Importance of Fruit and Vegetables in the External Trade of the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Marković Milan , Marjanović Ivana
Published: May 2022

The main goal of the research is to consider and compare the importance of fruits and vegetables in external trade in goods of the Republic of Serbia. According to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), “Vegetables and Fruit” is a division that is dominant in Serbian exports of agricultural and food products, and it is necessary to investigate its competitiveness. The key tools used in the analysis are the coverage of imports by exports, then the Contribution to the Trade Balance (CTB) index, as well as the analysis of unit values of exports and imports, in order to compare and evaluate the structure of external trade in fruits and vegetables. The results show that fruit, according to all indicators, has a significantly higher competitiveness compared to vegetables, as well as a higher importance in external trade of goods. This knowledge can serve the creators of agricultural policy to favour the production and exports of fruit products because they can radically improve the structure of total exports, especially when it comes to processed products. Since this is a perennial plantation, the results cannot be expected in a shorter period of time. The previous research has not specifically considered the importance of this segment of agri-food exports and its internal competitiveness (having in mind the applied indicators), which is the main benefit of the study within this paper.
Indicators of caesium 137 concentration in forest litter and health status of pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Chernobyl zone
Authors: Osipova Valentina , Benin Dmitrii , Semenycheva Irina , Volkova Irina
Published: May 2022

We analyse the concentration of caesium-137 (137Cs) in forest litter in relation to forest site conditions. The research was carried out in 2004–2019 in the Krasnogorsk district of the Bryansk region (the Russian Federation). It covered three areas corresponding to the exclusion zone, compulsory resettlement zone, and the zone of residence of the population with the right to resettlement. In all these areas, the concentration of 137Cs in forest litter and the condition of pine stands was studied. We revealed that the forest litter contains more than 90% of 137Cs in all combustible materials. The content of 137Cs in fallen branches, bark, cones, and needles varies from 10 to 15%. More than 50% of the specific activity, which is an indicator of 137Cs content, accounts for needles of pine phytocenoses. In 2019, the best state of pines was recorded for older trees. At the age of 60–80 years, 13% of the studied forest stands were classified as weakened, 87% – as very weakened, and 0% as dying. In the 40–56 age group, dying out and very weakened stands accounted for 50% each, whereas weakened ones were not revealed at all. The interaction between 137Cs and tree age was not identified.
Population genetic diversity in Quercus robur and Ulmus laevis in Southern Urals (Russia): a comparatively study of adults and progeny in localities with contrast forest cover
Authors: Ianbaev Ruslan , Boronnikova Svetlana , Yanbaev Yulai , Gainanov Salavat , Kulagin Aleksey
Published: May 2022

Extensive forest areas decreased and fragmented during anthropogenic development of the zone of broad-leaved forest tree species in Russia. The pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and the European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.), important key components of these ecosystems, suffered last few centuries of extreme climate events, attacks of insects and diseases. Using ISSR genetic markers, we compared expected heterozygosity and allelic diversity of these two species in natural and artificial stands, planted and naturally regenerated progeny. Weak differences in the genetic diversity in Q. robur and U. laevis were revealed in areas with different forest cover and participation of the species in a stand composition. Overall, we found that the genetic diversity of parent natural and artificial stands is well reproducing in natural offspring and planted saplings. But the tree species studied express both higher and lower heterozygosity in planted trees in comparison to natural stands.
Natural aldose reductase inhibitors for treatment and prevention of diabetic cataract: A review
Authors: Daoudi Nour Elhouda , Bouziane Omar , Bouhrim Mohamed , Bnouham Mohamed
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Aldose reductase (AR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol responsible for the development of diabetic complications like cataracts. Medicinal plants contain several phytocompounds that can inhibit this enzyme.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to cite medicinal plants that have been tested for their ability to inhibit aldose reductase and consequently prevent cataracts and classify the major isolated compounds that have this activity.

Methods: We reviewed 154 articles published between 1954 and 2020 in English via three databases: ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and PubMed. We have classified the plants that showed a significant anti-cataract effect, in the form of a list including the scientific and family names of each plant. Also, we have cited the IC50 values and the active constituents of each plant that showed inhibitory activity towards AR.

Results: We have described 38 herbs belonging to 29 families. Besides, 47 isolated compounds obtained from the cited herbs have shown an AR inhibitory effect: luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, apigenin, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinic acid, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’-O-β-glucopyranoside, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester, andrographolide, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-D-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one, E-4-(60-hydroxyhex-30-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate, delphinidin 3-O-β-galactopyranoside-3’,5’-di-O-β-glucopyranoside, 1,2,3-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanol, (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methanol, trans-anethole, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-(6’-O-galloyl)-glucoside, β-glucogallin, puerariafuran, quercetin, gallic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, protocatechuic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and syringic acid.

Conclusion: natural therapy becomes an interesting alternative in the treatment and prevention of cataract by using medicinal plants rich in active compounds considered as AR inhibitors.
A Systems Approach to the Development of Educational Standards for Fostering Personal Values
Authors: Shulhina Liudmyla , Dąbrowska Anna
Published: May 2022

This article proposes to consider the education system as a factor in the formation of people’s personal values. We examine students’ perceptions of the degree to which existing educational standards are oriented towards the formation and development of personal values, as well as formulate proposals for the implementation of a systems approach to the development of educational standards as a factor in improving the existing complex of personal values. The methodology applied included: desk analysis by comparison, deduction, and induction; a questionnaire study; variance, discriminant, factor and morphological analysis. Respondents were segmented according to the criteria “presence of groups of values” — “conjugation of groups of values with variables.” University students, i.e., the part of society that is considered the most active and progressive, were found to have a low level of moral and ethical values. After considering the place of education in the macro-environment of the country was substantiated, we propose a number of measures to address the problem of raising the level of values among all participants in the educational process, in order to reduce the gap between the pace of technical advancement and humanitarian development of society.
Testing Polish Secondary-School Students’ Written Social Communication Competence Based on a Timed Composition Task
Authors: Gołata Krzysztof
Published: May 2022

This study experimentally evaluated Polish school students’ competence at written communication, understood as one of the forms of social communication. The task, performed online, was designed to see if the students were able to select the most important information from a given base text and to compose new texts on this basis to comply with three different length requirements, and how they behaved under the pressure of the time allocated to complete the sub-tasks. Results from an overall pool of 500 secondary school students from a diverse sample of schools (in the city of Poznań and the surrounding Wielkopolska province) that differed in terms of type and ranking suggest an overall poor competence at various composite skills involved in written social communication: information selection, summarization, logical structuring, and cohesive embellishment. Participants clearly exhibited various problems with concisely formulating thoughts, properly complying with instructions, etc. Composing a short, written message (based on a provided base text) and/or freely embellishing and reformulating information clearly caused them considerable difficulty. The article closes with some suggestions for how the methods used could potentially be improved in future studies of this type.
Contemporary ceremonial media events – time and temporalities of liveness
Authors: Jerslev Anne
Published: May 2022

This article discusses media events and liveness as ways live is performed in and by the media. Understanding the workings of contemporary media events entails understanding how they are embedded in complex patterns of temporalities; hence, the article deploys the notion of temporality of liveness to contemplate different ways in which time is entangled and made salient as particular forms of temporality in the unfolding of media events. Analysing the Danish queen's 2020 New Year's speech, the Danish prime minister's Covid-19 speech of 11 March 2020, and the broadcasting of the inauguration of Joe Biden on 20 January 2021, the article shows that liveness can be approached analytically. The analysis unfolds the diversity and changeability of temporalities of liveness, and argues that contemporary ceremonial events may be local or global, small or large, but still reach a substantial portion of a population. Thus, a point in the article is to call attention to the enduring importance of broadcast media and television for the creation of media events that gather and “enthrall” large audiences, to quote Daniel Dayan and Elihu Katz, even in a time of global digital network communication.
The Aristotelian Conception of Natural Law and Its Reception in Early Protestant Commentaries on the Nicomachean Ethics
Authors: Svensson Manfred
Published: May 2022

The Protestant reception both of Aristotle and of the concept of natural law have been the object of renewed attention. The present article aims at a cross-fertilization of these two recoveries: did a specifically Aristotelian approach to natural law (among other important sources) play a significant role in classical Protestant thought? The article answers this question by means of a review of the Protestant commentaries on Aristotle’s natural law-passage in Nicomachean Ethics V, 7. Reformation and post-Reformation scholars sometimes offered original readings of this text, but above all they cultivated the various approaches to the passage that had been developed during the medieval period.
John Calvin on the Intersection of Natural, Roman, and Mosaic Law
Authors: Sytsma David S.
Published: May 2022

Although there are many studies on John Calvin’s teaching on natural law, the relation between natural law and Roman law has received relatively less attention. This essay examines the relation between natural law and Roman law in Calvin’s exegetical writing on the Mosaic law. I argue that Calvin regarded Roman law as an exemplary, albeit imperfect, witness to the natural law, and he used Roman law to aid in his interpretation of the Mosaic law. Since he assumed that Roman law embodies principles of natural law, Calvin drew on Roman law as an aid in order to distinguish natural from positive law within the Mosaic law. He also broadened the scope of commandments in the second table of the Decalogue by comparison with natural and Roman law. Yet although Calvin drew many continuities between Mosaic and Roman laws, he remained critical of the Roman system due to various failings in comparison with Scripture and principles of natural law.
Pagans and Theologians: An Examination of the Use of Christian Sources in Niels Hemmingsen’s De Lege Naturae
Authors: Hutchinson Eric J.
Published: May 2022

At the conclusion of his De lege naturae apodictica methodus, a treatise on the law of nature, how it is grasped by the human mind, and how it coheres with the Decalogue, Niels Hemmingsen claims to have eschewed the use of theological sources in his argument, claiming instead to have demonstrated ‘how far reason is able to progress without the prophetic and apostolic word’. Yet the reader of the treatise will notice several citations of theologians alongside those of pagan poets and philosophers. This essay demonstrates that there is less here than meets the eye, that is, that Hemmingsen quotes theologians only to buttress what one can know from natural reason or the classical tradition, even when he is discussing God, and thus he does not violate his own stated principle.
Snapshot of resistance and virulence features in ESCAPE strains frequently isolated from surgical wound infections in a Romanian hospital
Authors: Rayyif Sajjad Mohsin I , Alwan Wathek N. , Mohammed Hamzah B. , Barbu Ilda Czobor , Holban Alina M. , Gheorghe Irina , Banu Otilia , Shalal Omar S. , Chifiriuc Mariana C. , Mihaescu Grigore
Published: May 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic features (adherence, biofilm formation, virulence, antibiotic susceptibility) and the genetic background of antibiotic resistance in nosocomial ESCAPE strains consecutively isolated from surgical wound infections in hospitalized patients.

Methods: 86 bacterial strains consecutively isolated from various wound infections were analysed by their antibiotic resistance (antibiotic susceptibility testing and PCR for certain antibiotic resistance genes), virulence, biofilm formation and cellular adherence.

Results: The bacterial isolates were identified as: Enterobacterales (n = 39) including Escherichia coli (n = 9), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 14) Proteus mirabilis (n = 7), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n = 26) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 20). Compared to other isolates, S. aureus strains exhibited the highest capacity to produce soluble virulence factors and to develop biofilms in vitro, with significant differences between methicillin resistant and methicillin susceptible isolates. Among enterobacterial isolates, K. pneumoniae strains expressed the highest capacity to develop biofilms. The assessment of bacterial adherence to HeLa cells revealed that all bacterial strains adhered to the cellular substrata, showing various adherence patterns. E. faecalis strains exhibited a low soluble virulence factors profile, a lower capacity to adhere to epithelial cells and to develop biofilms.

Conclusions: The present study could contribute to the understanding of the pathology of infected wounds, depending on the etio-logical agents, providing data with positive impact on the therapeutic management of surgical wounds infections.
Crinum latifolium extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in human macrophages
Authors: Köktürk Sibel , Cetinkol Yeliz , Cirrik Selma
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Crinum latifolium is a natural plant showing the anti-inflammatory effects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Crinum latifolium extract on proinflammatory cytokine production and maturation of early and late endosomes in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human macrophages at light microscopic and biochemical levels.

Material and Methods: The effects of Crinum latifolium extract in human macrophages stimulated with LPS was evaluated to optic densities of the lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) and early endo-some antigen 1 (EEA1) by immunohistochemistry staining and to level of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Crinum latifolium group exhibited a significant decreased in the levels of IL-6 in the supernatant as compared to the LPS group for 2 and 72 hours (p<0.0001). Crinum latifolium group exhibited a significant increased in the optic density of the EEA1 and LAMP-1 in coverslips as compared to the control and lipopolysaccharide groups after 2 and 72 hours (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: Crinum latifolium may a therapeutic plant in the inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis, through anti-inflammatory effects, such as decrease in production of the proinflammatory cytokine and increase in maturations of the early and late endosomes in macrophages.
Effect of Moisture of Pharmaceutical Material MCC Avicel PH102 and Tablet Diameter on the Compression Process and Tablet Strength
Authors: Guštafík Adam , Jezsó Kristian , Vaľková Karolína , Macho Oliver , Peciar Peter
Published: May 2022

This paper focuses on the effect of moisture of powder material on the process of tablet compression and on tablet mechanical strength. The powder used in the experiments was Avicel PH102 microcrystalline cellulose, as it is the most widely used excipient in direct tablet compression. The compression process is described using the Heckel equation and the strength of the tablets was determined using a Brazilian test. To introduce the reader to the issue, the first part of the paper is devoted to a theoretical introduction. The second part of the work is devoted to the description of experimental equipment and work procedure. The last part of the paper presents the results of the experiment and their evaluation. The reason for this experiment was the assumption that the moisture of the raw material significantly affects the compression process and the mechanical strength of the tablet. A series of experiments demonstrated this effect, which can be seen in the respective graphs.
Effects of Cricket Addition on the Chemical, Functional, and Sensory Properties of Complementary Formulation from Millet Flour
Authors: Simeon Egwujeh I.D. , Basiru Danjuma Audu , Momoh Amidu
Published: May 2022

The effect of cricket addition on the proximate composition, mineral compositions, functional and sensory properties of complementary food formulated from millet was studied. The result of the chemical composition showed significantly increase in the protein and fat level of the formulated complementary food (9.28±0.16 - 20.20±0.07) % and (3.65±002 - 8.12±0.08) %, respectively. However, a significant decrease in the carbohydrate level (75.61±0.03 - 60.44±0.31) g/100g was observed. Evaluation of functional properties showed that cricket addition did not affect the bulk density but increased the water absorption (2.46±0.05), Emulsion (38.02±0.40%), foam (6.00±0.00), gelation (20.00±0.00%) capacities and pH (6.20±0.02). The mineral contents including Fe, Ca, Na, and K of the food ranged from 7.54±0.10 - 10.25±0.05 mL/100g, 30.35±0.15 - 34.98±0.10 mL/100g, 9.35±0.29 - 14.47±0.06 mL/100g and 30.92±0.03 - 56.40±010 mL/100g respectively increasing with increased addition of cricket flour The formulated samples were rated higher for taste, colour, flavour, texture and the overall acceptability than the control. In general sample 513 containing 75:25 cricket: millet flour showed more improvement than other formulated samples and most acceptable in terms of taste, flavour mouth feel and overall acceptability. Adding cricket flour to millet flour as complementary food would help in addressing protein energy malnutrition in children.
Spread and Damage of Citrus Longhorned Beetle [Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)] to Hazelnut Orchards in Turkey
Authors: Turan Ali , Erdoğan Veli
Published: May 2022

Turkey is the largest hazelnut producer, and the Trabzon is one of the important provinces with an annual production of 47.000 tons. The citrus longhorned beetle [Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)] is not an indigenous pest to Turkey. It is a poliphagous woodboring beetle with a large host range including ornamental plants and fruit trees such as Citrus and Corylus. The insect was intercepted for the first time on maple and willow plants in a nursery in Istanbul in 2014. Domestic trade of those plants caused the spread of the insect from Istanbul to Trabzon in 2016. Since then, the insect has been spreading at speed in villages of Maçka district. However, the spread of the insect could have not been prevented. The insect was detected in 250 ha in 2020, but the area enlarged to 409 ha in 2021. Quarantine measures and eradication studies have been applied in the region that chemicals were sprayed and infested plants were destroyed. Currently, hazelnut orchards of 286 ha were dismantled and more than 172,000 ocaks were removed and destroyed in Akmescit, Alaçam, Armağan, Bahçekaya, Durali, Esiroğlu, Günay, Hızarlı, Işıklar, Öğütlü and Temelli villages. To compensate the losses, objective yield estimates were made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials and 2.6 $ per kg was set to pay to the growers for the period of 4 years. By the end of 2021, 539 growers were paid of about 1.975,000 $ for compensation. Although the infestation and the spread of the insect is monitored it poses a real threat to hazelnut sector in the Black Sea region.
Determining The Feed Value, Feed Quality, and in Vitro Fermentation Properties of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) Harvested in Different Periods
Authors: Gürsoy Esra , Sezmiş Gürkan , Kaya Ali
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical content, in vitro gas and methane production, relative feed value (RFV), relative feed quality (RFQ), in vitro digestibility parameters, and microbial protein production of the Italian ryegrass plants harvested in different periods of the 2020 production season in Erzincan. In this study an ANKOM Daisy Incubator was used to determine the in vitro digestibility parameters. In vitro gas production technique was used todetermine gas production and predicted parameters. It was found that there were significant differences between the Italian ryegrass plants harvested in different periods in terms of composition, RFV, RFQ, and in vitro digestibility and fermentation parameters. The RFV, metabolizable energy (ME), net energy (NE), true NDF digestibility (TNDFD), organic matter digestibility degree (OMDD), total digestible nutrient (TDN), dry matter intake (DMI), and RFQ values of the Italian ryegrass plants were found to be 247.32, 9.13, 5.68, 62.26%, 54.15%, 55.35%, 4.82%, and 215.81, respectively. On the other hand, after 24 hours of incubation it’s in vitro gas (GP), and methane production (ml and %), true dry matter digestibility (TDMD) values, partitioning factor (PF), microbial protein (MP), microbial protein synthesis efficiency (MPSE), and true digestibility (TD) were found to be 105.41, 17.35, 16.42, 281.72, 2.68, 57.68, 20.32, and 59.82, respectively. In conclusion, determining the digestibility of plants via the measurement of RFV, RFQ, digestion parameters, and gas production in different harvest periods provided insights into the potential of Italian ryegrass as a feed material.
Covid-19 and Food Security: Impact on Wheat
Authors: Özden Cevher , Bulut Mutlu , Şen Burak
Published: May 2022

The new coronavirus, emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, turned into a major global pandemic and has caused many deaths around the world. Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected every aspect from economy, education to health system. During Covid-19 pandemic, access to foodstuffs has become even more important, and some countries have imposed restrictions on exports of basic food items for fear of food shortages. These restrictions and quotas are feared to disrupt the flows of trade for staple foods such as wheat, corn and rice, which has deepened the concerns for food security. This study was conducted to examine the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on wheat price, production and trade and to review the policies of wheat exporter countries. According to the results of the study, Covid-19 did not cause fear in wheat markets, and no shortages of wheat are expected in the short term. Although countries have reduced the measures they have taken as of May, uncertainties regarding food safety still persist for the coming years. World economies have shrunk significantly as a result of the drastic measures they have taken against covid-19, which could worsen the situation for low income households.
Perspective Regulatory Framework on Health Claim of Tea-Mini Review
Authors: Prawira-Atmaja M Iqbal , Sita Kralawi , Widya Setyaningtyas Stefania Stefania , Maulana Hilman , Setiadi Doni , Priatni Sri , Sulaswatty Anny
Published: May 2022

Tea is a popular beverage with potential health benefits for those who consume it regularly. Tea products with health claims require scientific evidence based on clinical trials with generally accepted scientific data and newly developed scientific data. Tea products have been labelled FOSHU in Japan, claiming to reduce body fat and cardiovascular risk. In The USA, health claims on tea cannot be recommended and categorized as Qualified Health Claims. In Europe, health claims for tea still required further research to provide accepted scientific data. This review aims to explain the position of tea products based on the perspective of the regulatory framework of food health claims in the different official agencies in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Mitigation of Chilling Stress Effects on Eggplant Seedlings by Exogenous Application of Melatonin
Authors: Yakuboğlu Gökçen , Köklü Ardıç Şebnem , Cuci Yakup , Korkmaz Ahmet
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore the possibilities of improving chilling stress tolerance of eggplant seedlings through exogenous melatonin (MEL) application. Eggplant (Hadrian F1) seedlings were treated with various concentrations (0, 1, 5 or 25 μM) of MEL via soil drench after which they were subjected to chilling stress at 5°C/10°C (night/day) for 3 days. Following stress imposition, the efficacy of MEL applications on enhancing chilling stress tolerance was determined by several physical and physiological measurements and biochemical analyses. The results demonstrated that exogenous application of MEL alleviated the adverse effects of chilling stress in eggplant seedlings. Among the MEL concentrations tested, 5 µM was determined as the most effective concentration since antioxidant enzyme (CAT, POX and APOX) and photosynthetic activities increased while visual and membrane damage decreased in 5 µM MEL-treated seedlings. Also, these results are the first experimental evidence that exogenous application of MEL could improve chilling stress tolerance in eggplant, but further detailed studies are necessary to better understand the mechanism in acquiring chilling tolerance.
Studies of Phenolic Compounds Coupled to Minerals in Cocoa Beans of the “Mercedes” and “Forastero” Varieties from the Divo and Abengourou Regions (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Karim Jean Constant Kouablan , Justin Saki Suomion , Bernard Sea Tehi , Severin Kra Kouassi Aboutou , Kouassi Loh Yoboue Guillaume Arthur
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to contribute to the valorization of the cocoa bean varieties “Mercedes” and “Forastero” grown in Côte d’Ivoire. A comparative characterisation of phenolic compounds and minerals in the beans of the “Mercedes” and “Forastero” varieties from two major cocoa production areas of Côte d’Ivoire were determined. The phenolic compounds of cocoa beans were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study showed that a significant difference at the 5% level was observed in the averages of minerals, cinnamic acid, protocatechic acid, quercetin, coumaric acid, rutin, ellagic acid, veratric acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid and naringenin. On the other hand, no significant difference at the 5% level was observed in the averages of arbutin, catechin, vanillic acid and caffeic acid in the bean kernels analysed in the Divo and Abengourou regions. The proportion of cinnamic acid is (6.18±0.63 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo), that of ellagic acid is (18.48±0.44 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo) and that of naringenin is (5.95±0.35 mg/100g “Mercedes” Divo). The amount of potassium is (7569.97±1.51 mg/kg “Forastero” of Abengourou) and that of iron is (179.9 ± 0.70 mg/Kg “Forastero” of Divo). The phenolic compounds and minerals in the cocoa bean samples analysed are highly correlated and rich in antioxidants. They would be beneficial for many biological functions. They can be recommended in pharmacology and cosmetics to fight against oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases.
Analysis of Clade V MLO Gene Expressions in Hazelnut Leaves upon Exposure to Powdery Mildew
Authors: Baykal Ulku , Özcan Kadriye
Published: May 2022

Powdery mildew affecting European hazelnut Corylus avellana L. trees in Turkey is caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Erysiphe corylacearum. This fungal disease causes significant economic losses by reducing the yield and quality of hazelnuts. Loss-of-function mutations in the mildew resistance locus o (MLO) gene family of many plants confer high levels of broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew. The proteins encoded by the genes at the MLO locus are divided into approximately seven different conserved clades. Among them, the phylogenetic clade V has been shown to be involved in PM susceptibility, as inactivation of these genes leads to long-term disease resistance in dicotyledons. In this study, we examined the temporal expression pattern of three hazelnut MLO genes, previously identified as clade V, in response to powdery mildew infection in C. avellana cv. Tombul. Leaves are the main tissue affected by the powdery mildew pathogen in hazelnut plants. Analysis of MLO expression in hazelnut leaves showed that CavMLO2 and CavMLO6 were significantly upregulated after challenge with E. corylacearum, providing preliminary evidence that they may be involved in PM susceptibility. Thus, these results present a basis for the isolation and use of relevant genes in plant breeding for disease resistance. Moreover, expression profiles of the clade V MLO genes are also important to identify candidate genes that need to be silenced or edited for future molecular studies to obtain resistant hazelnut varieties.
Alkali Extraction of Dietary Fiber from Trigonella-foenum graecum L. Seeds (Dietary Fiber of Fenugreek Seeds)
Authors: Türker İzzet , Daştan Sedanur , İşleroğlu Hilal
Published: May 2022

In this study, alkali dietary fiber extraction method was evaluated to obtain soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from Trigonella-foenum graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds. The process conditions of alkali extraction method ensuring the highest total dietary fiber yield were investigated by response surface methodology. Furthermore, some physicochemical and functional properties of extracted soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from fenugreek seeds such as water retention capacity, oil adsorption capacity, swelling capacity, glucose adsorption index and α-amylase inhibition capacity were determined. Total dietary fiber yield was 78% at 52.50 g/L of sample: NaOH ratio and 1.01 M NaOH concentration as the optimum process conditions. Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber gave better results than soluble dietary fiber when physicochemical and functional properties were compared.
Invasion of Fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] (JE Smith ,1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidanead) Management Strategies in Maize Fields of Nepal
Authors: Pokhrel Shobha , Bahadur Khadka Gautam , Diki Sherpa Dolma , Sah Neha , Gautam Ishan , Dev Upadhyaya Sachindra , Khanal Rashmi
Published: May 2022

The fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda, (JE Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] is a polyphagous pest native to tropical and subtropical regions of America. After it was detected for the first time in Nepal in the Nawalpur area on 9th May 2019, it has become a major threat in maize fields even though it has over 80 host species to proceed its life cycle. Due to its migratory nature, FAW moth can travel up to 500 km before oviposition, and infestation of its larva has resulted in vast devastation of the vegetative as well as reproductive parts of plants causing significant yield loss in maize. A mature larva possesses a dark head with an upside-down pale Y-shaped marking on the head area and black four spots that are arranged in a square on the second last body segment. This paper audits the executive choices (avoidance, observing, push-pull, cultural, biological, organic, chemical, and integrated techniques to incorporate in FAW susceptible areas) that apply to smallholder farmers who do not have the monetary asset to buy compound pesticides and other costly control instruments. For the majority of Nepalese farmers with low resources and small landholding, push-pull technology is beneficial and applicable. Botanicals that have bioactive chemical compounds, insecticidal, pest repellent properties are environment-friendly and degradable, readily available in tropical and subtropical regions of Nepal. The assessment of the efficacy of implemented management practices against FAW has revealed that implementation of more than one method of management practices showed the least percentage of infestation as compared to the individual method.
Effects of Economic Partnership Agreements Between Ecowas and the EU on Trade, Revenue and Welfare of Agricultural Trade of Ecowas Bloc
Authors: Nwali Collins Sunday , Adegboyega Eyitayo Oguntade , Taiwo Ejiola Mafimisebi , Adekemi Adebisola Obisesan
Published: May 2022

This study examined the Effects of Economic Partnership Agreements between ECOWAS and the EU on Trade, Revenue and Welfare of Agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc. The specific objectives of the study were to:(i) estimate the potential trade creation and diversion effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc, (ii) estimate the potential revenue effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc and (iii) estimate the potential welfare effects of EPA on agricultural trade of ECOWAS bloc. World Integrated Trade Solutions provided access to an online secondary data as classified by United Nations Harmonized system. The result on the potential trade creation and diversion effects of EPA on both trading blocs showed that ECOWAS will gain US$198.9million in trade creation and lose US$58.4 million in Trade Diversion. On the other hand, there will be no trade creation for EU with negligible trade diversion of – US$0.2million. The result showed total potential tariff revenue losses of US$366.4million for ECOWAS bloc post EPA. On the other hand, EU will lose (US$951.8million) its agricultural products post EPA. The result further showed potential welfare gain of US$27.6million for consumers of ECOWAS bloc. On the other hand, there will be welfare gain of the EU at US$243.5million for their consumers post EPA. Among all the recommendations, the study therefore points out that the on-going EPA negotiations between ECOWAS and the EU need not to be hurriedly signed by ECOWAS bloc. Also, ECOWAS needs to strengthen its agricultural production efficiency to be able to compete globally and encourage its individual countries to return to a single digit borrowing interest rate to encourage more investment by local agricultural producers if they want to enjoy the benefits of trade treaties at long run if EPA is eventually signed.
The Effect of Different Salinity Levels on Germination Development of Some Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Varieties
Authors: Zeki Koçak Mehmet , Göre Merve , Kurt Orhan
Published: May 2022

Salinity, which is one of the abiotic stress factors, severely restricts plant production as a result of the negative effects of plants in different growth and development periods. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the tolerance limits of plants to salinity in order to eliminate the limiting effect in terms of plant growth. Flax is an industrial plant that is used for multiple purposes and has commercial importance in the world. This research was carried out in controlled laboratory conditions in 2021 to determine the effects of salinity on the germination of flax seeds.
In the study, germination rate, root length, root fresh weight, shoot length and shoot fresh weight were evaluated. The result showed that significant differences between different NaCl solutions for all evaluated characters. Although the highest value was obtained in the control group in Mures variety, the highest value was obtained in 25 nM NaCl concentration in all other characters except for the germination rate in Dakota variety. The highest germination rate of 93.3% was obtained from the control application (0 mM NaCl) in both varieties. On the other hand, there was no germination in both varieties in 200 mM application.
Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves and Berries Oilcake Extracts
Authors: Mazari Azzedine , Abdoun Louisa , Dif Nessrine , Fedjer Zineb , Blama Aicha , Mahdeb Amokrane
Published: May 2022

As a part of prospecting bioactive molecules from natural resources, the phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of extracts of leaves and berries oilcake of Pistacia lentiscus L., collected from two sites (Mechat and Bordj-Ali) in the northeast region of Algeria, were investigated. Dried leaves and berries oilcake obtained after removing the oily part by mean of Soxhlet apparatus were macerated in methanol in order to recover their respective active extracts. The phytochemical content analysis showed that lentisk leaves of both sites were relatively rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidins. The phytochemical content of berries oilcake extract was lower than that of leaves, yet, samples of Bordj-Ali displayed higher values for all assayed phytochemicals compared to those of Mechat. The P. lentiscus leaves extract exhibited a strong radical-scavenging activity (IC50 = 10.46 µg/mL) against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and a substantial inhibitory activity against H2O2 free radicals (20.23 - 25.92%). Furthermore, these extracts displayed a very strong reducing power (EC50 = 28.08 µg/mL) and total antioxidant capacity (104.07 - 159.39 mg EAA/g DW). The observed results correlated positively with total phytochemical content strongly plead in favor of valorization of this wild plant as a potential natural source of active biomolecules for food, cosmetics, and medicinal industry sectors.
Genetic Relationship of Seven Endemic Inula L. (Asteraceae) Species Grown in Turkey
Authors: Sevindik Emre , Paksoy Mehmet Yavuz , Sevindik Mustafa
Published: May 2022

In this study, genetic relationship of ISSR markers of seven endemic Inula species distributed in Turkey was carried out. Plant samples were collected from different regions of Turkey in 2013 and gDNA was obtained by DNA isolation from green leaves. Genetic relationship between species was determined using 12 ISSR primers. PCR products were run on agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized under UV light. All gel images were examined and the presence and absence of polymorphic bands were scored as 0 and 1. A total of 85 bands were obtained from the primers. Of these, 74 polymorphic and 11 monomorphic bands were obtained. The total polymorphism rate was found to be approximately 87.05%. The phylogenetic tree and genetic distances between species were calculated using the PAUP 0 4.0b10 analysis program. According to the distance matrix, the genetic distance was found between the closest Inula helenium subsp. orgyalis and Inula helenium subsp. vanensis (0.29851), while the farthest between Inula sarana and Inula macrocephala (0.56000) species. The phylogenetic tree was obtained using the UPGMA algorithm, and the tree consisted of two groups. The results were compared with the morphological, palynological nrDNA and cpDNA results of the past. Our findings supported previous studies.
Investigation of Consumption Preferences of Snail Meat on Northern Cyprus
Authors: Kaya Yıldırım Fatma , Ulusoy Beyza Hatice
Published: May 2022

Although snail meat is an important source of protein in terms of human nutrition, it has found a place in the eating and drinking culture of very few communities. Consumption of snail meat is socially accepted in many parts of the Cyprus. It is called as “Garavolli” by the Cypriot people and is also one of the most delicious appetizers. This research is important in determining the consumption behaviour of the people of the Northern Cyprus and determining their preferences depending on cooking methods. According to the results of this study, 32.7% of the participants do not consume snail meat, while 67.3% of them consume snail meat. It is consumed more at home (41.3%), compared to consuming at restaurants (38.1%). While 47% of participants consuming preferred to consume as boiled (with olive oil and vinegar), 3.8% of them preferred to consume as grilled. The most preferred method of cooking is boiling then dipping it to olive oil and vinegar. As we see from the answers, habits directly effect on preference to consume or not to consume the snail meat.
The Effect of Hatching System and Egg Weight on Hatching Traits in Turkish Geese: Hatch time, Hatchability and Gosling Quality Traits
Authors: Uçar Ahmet , Boz Mehmet Akif , Erensoy Kadir , Sarıca Musa
Published: May 2022

This study was performed to determine the effect of hatching system (house and hatcher) and egg weight (heavy and light) on pip-hatch time, hatchability and some gosling quality traits. A total of 389 eggs (fertile of candling) from 2-year-old Turkish Native Goose were used in the study. Before the incubation process, all eggs were individually numbered and weighed. Eggs were divided into heavy (≥160 g) and light (
Physicochemical Properties of Honey Produced at Different Altitudes
Authors: Erdoğan Yaşar , Turan Metin
Published: May 2022

The types and densities of honeyed plants vary depending on the altitude. This causes the amount and Physicochemical structure of honey produced in apiaries of different altitudes to change. In this study, honey harvest from the honeybee colonies placed at different altitudes in the same geographical region was carried out in the first week of September. Standard laboratory methods were used to determine some physicochemical properties of the honey samples. Some of the minimum and maximum average values obtained as a result of the analysis of honey samples; moisture 14.70% and 18.60%, free acidity 20.50 meq/kg and 25.30 meq/kg, pH 3.20 and 4.30, EC 0.22 and 0.44 mS/cm, fructose 32% to 45%, glucose 0.10% to 0.18%, sucrose from 0.66% 1.80%, maltose ranged from 0.66% to 1.80%. Also, HMF ranged from 1.80 mg/kg to 3.50 mg/kg, proline 530.00 mg/kg and 710.00 mg/kg, Density from 1.44 g/cm3 to 1.49 g/cm3, Invertase 20.30 U/kg-28.50 U/kg, Diastase activity 13.23-19.07 and Total phenolic content ranged from 76.00-94.00 g.
It has been determined that the physicochemical structures of honey produced at different heights are statistically different from each other. This study aims to determine the effect of altitude difference on the quantity and physicochemical structure of honey.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Pathogenicity
Authors: Urgancı Nida Nur , Yılmaz Nazife , Koçer Alaşalvar Gamze , Yıldırım Zeliha
Published: May 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family, is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic, endospore negative, oxidase and catalase positive. It is widely found in nature and isolated from soil, plants, water and animals. It can grow rapidly on the surface of the food and form oxidized products and mucous substances. P. aeruginosa, one of the leading foodborne pathogens, causes important concerns in food safety due to being a source of contamination, causing food poisoning and antimicrobial resistance in animals, forming biofilms and difficulties in preventing biofilms. In this review, information on history, microbiological, cultural and biochemical characteristics, virulence factors and pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa are given. In addition, infections caused by P. aeruginosa and its presence in food are described.