bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between nocturnal and diurnal aeration in Nile tilapia rearing tanks
Authors: Lima Francisco Roberto dos Santos , Cavalcante Davi De Holanda , Rebouças Vanessa Tomaz , Sá Marcelo Vinícius do Carmo e
Published: February 2018

The present study has assessed the benefits of the association between nocturnal and diurnal aeration of water on Nile tilapia’s culture tanks’ water and soil quality, as well as to fish growth performance. There were control tanks without mechanical aeration. In the nocturnal tanks, the aeration was provided daily from 22:00 h up to 06:00 h. The diurnal tanks were provided with aeration daily from 10:00 h up to 18:00 h. In the nocturnal and diurnal tanks, the culture water was aerated from 10:00 h up to 06:00 h. The concentration of NH3 was significantly lower in the diurnal aerated, and nocturnal + diurnal aerated tanks when compared to the non-aerated tanks. The best water quality management to attain simultaneously high DO2 and low NH3 concentration was the nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water. The nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water has not shown any clear advantage on fish growth performance after 10 weeks when compared to the nocturnal aeration of water. It was concluded that the nocturnal + diurnal aeration of water is a water quality management superior to the nocturnal aeration because it achieves a better water quality
Cutting Edge: Divergent Requirement of T-Box Transcription Factors in Effector and Memory NK Cells
Authors: Madera Sharline , Geary Clair D. , Lau Colleen M. , Pikovskaya Olga , Reiner Steven L. , Sun Joseph C.
Published: February 2018

The T-box transcription factors T-bet and Eomesodermin (Eomes) instruct discrete stages in NK cell development. However, their role in the immune response of mature NK cells against pathogens remains unexplored. We used an inducible deletion system to elucidate the cell-intrinsic role of T-bet and Eomes in mature NK cells during the course of mouse CMV infection. We show both T-bet and Eomes to be necessary for the expansion of virus-specific NK cells, with T-bet upregulation induced by IL-12 signaling and STAT4 binding to a conserved enhancer region upstream of the Tbx21 loci. Interestingly, our data suggest maintenance of virus-specific memory NK cell numbers and phenotype was dependent on T-bet, but not Eomes. These findings uncover a nonredundant and stage-specific influence of T-box transcription factors in the antiviral NK cell response.
An Antigen-Free, Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell–Targeting Immunotherapy To Bolster Memory CD8+ T Cells in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Masuta Yuji , Yamamoto Takuya , Natsume-Kitatani Yayoi , Kanuma Tomohiro , Moriishi Eiko , Kobiyama Kouji , Mizuguchi Kenji , Yasutomi Yasuhiro , Ishii Ken J.
Published: February 2018

The priming, boosting, and restoration of memory cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes by vaccination or immunotherapy in vivo is an area of active research. Particularly, nucleic acid–based compounds have attracted attention due to their ability to elicit strong Ag-specific CTL responses as a vaccine adjuvant. Nucleic acid–based compounds have been shown to act as anticancer monotherapeutic agents even without coadministration of cancer Ag(s); however, so far they have lacked efficacy in clinical trials. We recently developed a second-generation TLR9 agonist, a humanized CpG DNA (K3) complexed with schizophyllan (SPG), K3-SPG, a nonagonistic Dectin-1 ligand. K3-SPG was previously shown to act as a potent monoimmunotherapeutic agent against established tumors in mice in vivo. In this study we extend the monoimmunotherapeutic potential of K3-SPG to a nonhuman primate model. K3-SPG activated monkey plasmacytoid dendritic cells to produce both IFN-α and IL-12/23 p40 in vitro and in vivo. A single injection s.c. or i.v. with K3-SPG significantly increased the frequencies of activated memory CD8+ T cells in circulation, including Ag-specific memory CTLs, in cynomolgus macaques. This increase did not occur in macaques injected with free CpG K3 or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Injection of 2 mg K3-SPG induced mild systemic inflammation, however, levels of proinflammatory serum cytokines and circulating neutrophil influx were lower than those induced by the same dose of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Therefore, even in the absence of specific Ags, we show that K3-SPG has potent Ag-specific memory CTL response–boosting capabilities, highlighting its potential as a monoimmunotherapeutic agent for chronic infectious diseases and cancer.
TGF-β1 Suppresses the Type I IFN Response and Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Grunwell Jocelyn R. , Yeligar Samantha M. , Stephenson Susan , Ping Xiao Du , Gauthier Theresa W. , Fitzpatrick Anne M. , Brown Lou Ann S.
Published: February 2018

TGF-β1 is a pleiotropic cytokine with an established role in fibrosis; however, the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β1 are less characterized. Elevated levels of TGF-β1 are found in patients with acute and chronic lung diseases, and the underlying disease processes are exacerbated by respiratory viral infections. The alveolar macrophage is the first line of cellular defense against respiratory viral infections, and its response to infections is dependent on environmental cues. Using the mouse alveolar macrophage line, MH-S, and human CD14+ monocyte-derived macrophages, we examined the effects of TGF-β1 on the type I IFN antiviral response, macrophage polarization, and mitochondrial bioenergetics following a challenge with human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Our results showed that TGF-β1 treatment of macrophages decreased the antiviral and proinflammatory response, and suppressed basal, maximal, spare mitochondrial respiration, and mitochondrial ATP production. Challenge with RSV following TGF-β1 treatment further exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction. The TGF-β1 and TGF-β1+RSV–treated macrophages had a higher frequency of apoptosis and diminished phagocytic capacity, potentially through mitochondrial stress. Disruption of TGF-β1 signaling or rescue of mitochondrial respiration may be novel therapeutically targetable pathways to improve macrophage function and prevent secondary bacterial infections that complicate viral respiratory infections.
Cutting Edge: Check Your Mice—A Point Mutation in the Ncr1 Locus Identified in CD45.1 Congenic Mice with Consequences in Mouse Susceptibility to Infection
Authors: Jang Youngsoon , Gerbec Zachary J. , Won Taejoon , Choi Bongkum , Podsiad Amy , B. Moore Bethany , Malarkannan Subramaniam , Laouar Yasmina
Published: February 2018

B6.SJL-Ptprca Pepcb/Boy (CD45.1) mice have been used in hundreds of congenic competitive transplants, with the presumption that they differ from C57BL/6 mice only at the CD45 locus. In this study, we describe a point mutation in the natural cytotoxicity receptor 1 (Ncr1) locus fortuitously identified in the CD45.1 strain. This point mutation was mapped at the 40th nucleotide of the Ncr1 locus causing a single amino acid mutation from cysteine to arginine at position 14 from the start codon, resulting in loss of NCR1 expression. We found that these mice were more resistant to CMV due to a hyper innate IFN-γ response in the absence of NCR1. In contrast, loss of NCR1 increased susceptibility to influenza virus, a result that is consistent with the role of NCR1 in the recognition of influenza Ag, hemagglutinin. This work sheds light on potential confounding experimental interpretation when this congenic strain is used as a tool for tracking lymphocyte development.
Diffeomorphic approximation of $W^{1,1}$ planar Sobolev homeomorphisms
Authors: Hencl Stanislav , Pratelli Aldo
Published: February 2018

Let

\Omega\subseteq\mathbb R^2

be a domain and let

f\in W^{1,1}(\Omega,\mathbb R^2)

be a homeomorphism (between

\Omega

and

f(\Omega)

). Then there exists a sequence of smooth diffeomorphisms

f_k

converging to

f

in

W^{1,1}(\Omega,\mathbb R^2)

and uniformly.
HOMFLY-PT and Alexander polynomials from a doubled Schur algebra
Authors: Queffelec Hoel , Sartori Antonio
Published: February 2018

We define a generalization of the Schur algebra which gives a unified setting for a quantum group presentation of the HOMFLY-PT polynomial, together with its specializations to the Alexander polynomial and to the

\mathfrak {sl}_m

Reshetikhin–Turaev invariant.
Toxicity and biodegradability of caffeic acid in anaerobic digesting sludge
Authors: Hernandez JE , Edyvean RGJ
Published: February 2018

Caffeic acid in waste comes from a variety of industries, and its disposal is likely to increase due to emerging processes such as graphene production and use in healthcare products. The current sustainable option to treat waste caffeic acid and prevent its natural transformation in soil to greenhouse gases, is anaerobic digestion. However, little is known about the toxic and inhibitory effects of caffeic acid on biogas production as well as its ultimate anaerobic biodegradability; or about the reactive adsorptive processes taking place with caffeic acid in sludge, metabolic intermediates, thermodynamic limitations and the effects on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Standard methods revealed that 80% of biogas production (EC80) from a readily digestible biomass was inhibited at 389 mg caffeic acid·g-1 VSS. Up to 52% of caffeic acid was biodegraded. β-oxidation and reductive dehydroxylation were the initial activation reactions transforming caffeic acid into typical polyphenol structural units (protocatechuic acid and 4HBA). Adsorption of caffeic acid (53.3% and 28.6%) to the sludge occurred even at inhibitory concentrations. The EPS structure remained unchanged regardless of the increase in concentration of caffeic acid. Reasonable concentrations of caffeic acid could be co-digested with a similar readily digestible biomass with an expected reduction in biogas production. It is feasible to treat waste caffeic acid by anaerobic digestion and adsorption of its derivates, in order to reduce the contribution to global warming and to protect the environment.
Development and assessment of rules to parameterise the ACRU model for design flood estimation
Authors: Smithers JC , Rowe TJ , Horan MJC , Schulze RE
Published: February 2018

Design flood estimation (DFE) is essential in the planning and design of hydraulic structures. In South Africa, outdated methods are widely applied for DFE. In this paper the potential of a continuous simulation modelling (CSM) approach to DFE in South Africa, using the daily time-step ACRU agrohydrological model, is investigated. The paper focuses on the links and similarities between the SCS-SA and ACRU models and the subsequent preliminary investigations that were undertaken to account for and incorporate the land cover classes, including land management practices and hydrological condition, of the SCS-SA model into the ACRU CSM approach. The approach to this study was to investigate how design volumes simulated by the SCS-SA model for various land management practices or conditions could be simulated by the ACRU model. Since peak discharge estimation in both models is directly dependent on simulated volumes, this preliminary study focused only on design runoff volumes, with subsequent investigations on peak discharge required in future research. In the absence of observed data, design runoff volumes and changes in design runoff volumes, as simulated by the SCS-SA model, were used as a substitute for observed data, i.e., as a reference, to achieve similar design runoff volumes and changes in design volumes in the ACRU model. This was achieved by adjusting relevant input parameters in the ACRU model to represent the change in management practice or hydrological condition, as represented in the SCS-SA model. Following a sensitivity analysis of relevant ACRU parameters, calibration of 2 selected parameters against SCS-SA CN values for selected land cover classes was performed. A strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.94) between these ACRU parameters and SCS-SA CNs for selected land cover classes was found and consequently specific rules and equations were developed to represent SCS-SA land cover classes in ACRU. Recommendations are made to further validate and verify the approach and to further the development of a CSM system for DFE in South Africa.
Determination of oestrogen hormones in raw and treated water samples by reverse phase ultra-fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry – a case study in Johannesburg South, South Africa
Authors: Mnguni SB , Schoeman C , Marais SS , Cukrowska E , Chimuka L
Published: February 2018

Hormones in water samples have been classified as ‘emerging pollutants’ and may pose a potential risk for humans. Hormones can be found in both surface and ground water at low concentrations. These compounds enter water streams through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and may elicit endocrine disruption to organisms. As a result of the low concentrations, a suitable analytical methodology is essential for their determination. In the past, residues of oestrogens in aqueous and solid environmental samples have commonly been analysed by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with mass spectrometry (MS). However, the necessary derivatisation steps are not only time consuming and laborious but also tedious. The first part of this case study was to develop a method to determine trace concentrations of the estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (E2α), 17-β-estradiol (E2β) and 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) hormones using reverse phase ultra-fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-UFLC). Using the developed method, the second part of the case study was to determine the concentrations of the hormones in raw and treated potable water samples from the Vaal River catchment area in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa. Analytes were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE C18 sorbent) cartridges and subsequently injected into ultra-fast liquid chromatography with the reverse phase column coupled to mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS) for analyte determinations. The limits of quantification were in the range of 0.24 to 0.32 ng·L-1 for the analytes. Accuracy was 95.6, 93.8, 97.6 and 100.9% for EE2, E2α, E2β and E1, respectively. In raw water samples taken during the rainy wet season, estrone was detected at concentrations of 0.90 and 4.43 ng·L-1. However, treated potable water samples did not contain detectable levels of hormones. This is potentially due to the ability of a water treatment process to remove endocrine disruptors during water purification.
Effect of landcover/land-use changes on water availability in and around Ruti Dam in Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe
Authors: Gumindoga W , Rwasoka DT , Ncube N , Kaseke E , Dube T
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to quantify the upstream land-use and landcover changes and assess their effect on Ruti Dam levels and water availability in Nyazvidzi catchment. Remote-sensing techniques, hydrologic modelling and statistical inference were applied. Spatial landcover dynamics were derived from Landsat satellite data for the years 1984, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2008, and 2013 using the maximum likelihood classification technique. Results showed that forests and shrubs decreased by 36% between 1984 and 2013 whilst cultivated areas increased by 13% over the same period. The HEC-HMS rainfall-runoff model was used to simulate steamflow for the Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe. For the calibration period (2000–2001), a  satisfactory Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) model peformance of 0.71 and relative volume error (RVE) of 10% were obtained. Model validation (1995—1997) gave a NSE of 0.61 and RVE of 12%. We applied the Mann-Kendall trend test to assess for monotonic trends in runoff over the study period and the results showed that there were significant decreases in observed runoff at Station E140 (monthly time scale) and at Stations E62 and E140 (seasonal time scale). Results showed that the wet season (Nov–Feb) had higher mean water balance values with an excess runoff of 8.12 mm/month. The dry season (April—Sept) had lower mean water balance values, with the lowest at 0.04 mm/month. Strong positive relationships (r2) between dam levels and land-use changes were obtained as follows: bare (0.95), cultivation (0.76) and forests (0.98). The relationship between runoff generated and land-use changes was found to be relatively weaker (0.54 for forests, 0.51 for bare and 0.14 for cultivation). Findings of this study underscore the relevance of applying hydrological models, remote sensing and statistical inference in quantifying and detecting environmental changes, as well as how they affect the availability and the quality of water resources in space and time.
Sensitization and Stress Corrosion Crack Response of Dual Certified Type 304/304L Stainless Steel
Authors: Fisher K.B. , Miller B.D. , Johns E.C. , Hermer R. , Brown C. , Marquis E.A.
Published: February 2018

Sensitization has previously been implicated in the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of carbon-containing Type 304 stainless steel (SS) in oxygenated water. Thus, Type 304L SS, with low carbon content, is expected to be resistant to sensitization and therefore SCC susceptibility. The current work evaluates the SCC response of two heats of dual certified Type 304/304L SS that exhibit different microchemical characteristics. One heat contains elevated boron content, while the other heat has delta ferrite stringers in the matrix. It is shown that both heats can be susceptible to SCC because of their unique microchemical features under certain combinations of heat treatment, water chemistry, and deformation level, while under other conditions they remain relatively resistant to SCC.
A comprehensive study of new hybrid models for Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) with Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO), Differential Evolution (DE), Firefly (FA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Bees (BA) algorithms for spatial prediction of groundwater spring potential mapping
Authors: Khosravi Khabat , Panahi Mahdi , Tien Bui Dieu
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Groundwater are one of the most valuable natural resources in the world and their sustainable management is necessary. One of the most important methods in managing groundwater is developing groundwater potential mapping (GPM). The current study benefits from a new hybrids of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) with five meta-heuristic algorithms, namely Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO), Differential Evolution (DE), Firefly (FA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Bees (BA) algorithms for spatial prediction of groundwater spring potential mapping at Koohdasht-Nourabad plain, Lorestan province, Iran. A total number of 2463 springs were identified and then divided in two classes randomly, including 70 % (1725 locations) of the springs were applied for model training and the remaining 30 % (738 spring locations), which were excluded in the training phase, were utilized for the model valuation. Thirteen groundwater occurrence conditioning factors, namely slope degree, slope aspect, altitude, curvature, stream power index (SPI), topographic wetness index (TWI), terrain roughness index (TRI), distance from fault, distance from river, land-use, rainfall, soil order and lithology (units) have been selected for modeling. The stepwise assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method was applied to determine the spatial correlation between springs and conditioning factors. The accuracy of the map achieved after applying these five hybrid models was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The results showed that ANFIS-DE has the highest prediction capability (0.875) for groundwater spring potential mapping in the study area, followed by ANFIS-IWO and ANFIS-FA (0.873), ANFIS-PSO (0.865) and ANFIS-BA (0.839). Results of Freidman and Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the models' performances except for ANFIS-FA vs. ANFIS-DE and ANFIS-PSO vs. ANFIS-DE. The results of this research can be useful for decision makers to sustainable management of groundwater resources.
Firm Risk and Proxy Fights: Evidence from SOX
Authors: Chen Fang , Huang Jian , Yu Han
Published: February 2018

The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) is documented to curb executive risk-taking and firm risk. Utilizing SOX as an exogenous shock on firm risk, we find that proxy fight threats are positively related to a firm’s total risk and idiosyncratic risk. Specifically, although firm risk generally decreases post-SOX, high proxy fight threats mitigate this change in firm risk. We also find that although firms adopt more conservative policies such as decreasing their leverage and payout post-SOX, these changes are mitigated by proxy fight threats. In sum, our findings indicate that proxy fights act as an external disciplinary mechanism, encourage executive risk-taking, and increase firm risk.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Biomedical Waste Management among Health Care Personnel in a Secondary Care Hospital of Al Buraimi Governorate, Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Al Balushi Ahmed Yar Mohammed Dawood , Ullah Muhammad Muqeet , Makhamri Amal Ali Al , Al Alawi Fatma Sulieman , Khalid Mansoor , Al Ghafri Hilal Masaud
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND: Due to existence of highly infectious materials, the biomedical waste can be a probable source for transmission of diseases as well as occupational hazards among health care workers if not adequately managed. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedical waste management among health care personnel in a secondary hospital of Al Buraimi Governorate, Sultanate Oman.METHODOLOGY: A Cross sectional descriptive self-administered questionnaire based study was conducted among 207 subjects from 30th September 2015 to 30th March 2016 in Al-Buraimi hospital, Oman. Stratified random sampling comprised of four strata (100 nurses, 65 doctors, 22 housekeeping staff and 20 laboratory technicians).Chi-Square test was applied using SPSS version 21 with significance level ≤ 0.05. Confidentiality was maintained with ethical approval from research committee and informed formal consent was taken from the participants. RESULT: Overall response rate was 125 (60.3%) from total 207, mean age 36.14±8.9 and age ranges from 20 to 58 years with mean age (doctors 42.5, nurses 29.8, laboratory technician 29.2 and housekeeping staff 36). Female proportion of 82 (65.6%) was higher as compare to males 43 (34.4%). The study was analyzed on the basis of “satisfactory” and “unsatisfactory” scores using “cut-off point” tools. Nurses had better satisfactory knowledge (90.9%), attitude (94.5%) and practice (80%) scores as compare to other participants. The overall “satisfactory” knowledge, attitude and practice scores were found to be statistically insignificant (P=0.100, P=0.346, P=0.364 respectively). No significant relationship established between dichotomized variables of knowledge and practice (P = 0.264) as well as attitude and practice (P = 0.147).CONCLUSION: The “satisfactory” scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were found to be higher among nurses as compared to other participants, which may be due to intensive patient care and more involvement in biomedical waste management as well as greater responsibility allocated by hospital administration.
In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Herbal Extracts From Tabuk Region (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Against Nosomial Pathogens: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Fatima Farheen , Bhat Showket Hussain , Ullah Mohammad Fahad , Abu-Duhier Faisel , Husain Eram
Published: February 2018

AIM: The study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of herbal extracts from Tabuk region against nosocomial pathogens.MATERIAL & METHODS: The plants included in this study were collected according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The plants were grinded into fine powder using electric grinder, and the powder was transferred into air tight containers. Extracts of this powder was prepared in form of stock solution that was further used for preparing solutions of different concentrations. Antibacterial tests including minimum inhibitory concentration and maximum bactericidal concentration, broth dilution method, and well-diffusion method were performed.RESULTS: The current study has determined the herbs that possess antimicrobial activity against the most common nosocomial pathogens. The sample extracts including Achinella fragrantissima, Artemisia judaica, Caralluma quadrangular, Cleome droserifera, Rhyza stricta, Moringa, and Ochradenus baccatus were tested for organisms including; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The results have depicted positive anti-microbial activity of herbal shrubs.CONCLUSION: The results have demonstrated positive and promising anti-microbial activities against the nosocomial pathogens.
Reducing CO2 Flux by Decreasing Tillage in Ohio: Overcoming Conjecture with Data
Authors: O'Dell Deb , Eash Neal S. , Hicks Bruce B. , Oetting Joel N. , Sauer Thomas J. , Lambert Dayton M. , Logan Joanne , Wright Wesley C. , Zahn James A.
Published: February 2018

While the literature is clear about excessive tillage decreasing soil carbon (C) content, there are few experimental studies that document the comparative effects of soil and crop management on C sequestration. Using micrometeorology we measured CO2 flux from a maize crop grown on both no-till and tilled soils in north-central Ohio. We used Bowen Ratio Energy Balance (BREB) systems to quantify the flux between the atmosphere and either the soil surface (at crop planting) or 0.2 m above the canopy once the crop was established and growing. The no-till plot sequestered 263 g CO2 m-2 (90% confidence interval -432.1 to -99.9) while the tilled plot emitted 146 g CO2 m-2 (90% confidence interval -53.3 to 332.2) during 104 days of the 2015 growing season; a net difference of 410 g CO2 m-2. The difference is statistically significant at the 90% confidence level (based on a bootstrap analysis). The results indicate that no-tillage practices can sequester C, maintain soil productivity, and ensure landscape sustainability.
Chilling Prevention on Banana ‘Nanica’ in the Field with Bagging
Authors: Lima Juliana Domingues , Rozane Danilo Eduardo , Gomes Eduardo Nardini , Silva Silvia Helena Modenese Gorla da , Moraes Wilson Da Silva , Kluge Ricardo Alfredo
Published: February 2018

Low temperature in the field causes chilling injury (CI) in banana and peel browning. The aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of different bagging materials and combinations on bunch development of banana (Musa AAA cv. Nanica) and the occurrence of CI. The study was carried in Jacupiranga, São Paulo, Brazil, in a completely randomized design in 2 × 9 factorial, two years of formation (2013 and 2014) and nine bagging materials, with eight replicates. Materials consisted in blue transparent polyethylene, white non-woven fabric, white opaque polyethylene, bubble wrap, white laminated non-woven fabric, double paper, blue transparent polyethylene plus kraft paper, blue transparent polyethylene plus white non-woven fabric and control (non-bagged). Fruits formed in both years showed low L* and C* values related to the CI index. On the coldest days of 2013 and 2014, bagging raised the temperature by only 1.91 and 3.17 °C, respectively. Depending on the year of bunch formation, the bagging materials influenced the period between flowering and harvest, but not the bunch mass. In the green fruit, the content of chlorophylls was lower in double paper, while L* was higher, but there were no differences in the content of phenols for the different materials. In mature fruits, CI index, L* and a* were not affected by the bagging materials, unlike coordinates b*, h° and C*, which were lower for double paper, with no difference between other materials and non-bagged fruits. Bagging materials did not prevent CI and did not reduce the peel browning intensity.
Characteristics of Rice Flour Breads Using Yeast Isolated from Pear Red Bartlett Fruits
Authors: Nagai Takeshi , Kai Norihisa , Tanoue Yasuhiro , Suzuki Nobutaka
Published: February 2018

To develop high qualities of rice flour breads, we tried to prepare breads using rice flours from major five non-glutinous rice cultivars on market shares of Japan and wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain YTPR1 isolated from pear Red Bartlett fruits. Apparent amylose contents of rice flours were measured about 12.1-19.9%. Damaged starch contents of these flours were about 22% regardless to the kinds of rice cultivars. Gluten was added about 20 wt.% based on rice flour, and breads were made in the same way. Any bread has caused caving. Next, the amount of water added in dough was regulated in consideration of moisture contents of rice flours. Except for Akitakomachi flour, breads largely expanded, although loaves volumes did not amount to that on bread made from bread flour and commercially available baker’s dried yeast. It was observed correlation between the amount of water and amylose contents of rice flours with R2 = 0.703. It suggested that the amount of water added in dough might estimate from amylose contents of rice flours. Specific volumes of these loaves were low compared with that made from bread flour. However, by sensory analysis, breads made from Hinohikari and Haenuki flours had total points closest to that made from bread flour: it could produce high quality of breads using Hinohikari and Haenuki flours and yeast isolated from pear Red Bartlett fruits.
Sample Sufficiency for Estimation of the Mean of Rye Traits at Flowering Stage
Authors: Bandeira Cirineu Tolfo , Cargnelutti Filho Alberto , Carini Fernanda , Schabarum Denison Esequiel , Kleinpaul Jéssica Andiara , Pezzini Rafael Vieira
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the sample size to estimate the traits mean in cultivars and sowing times, at flowering of rye culture. Ten uniformity trials were performed combining two cultivars in five sowing times. In the flowering of culture, in 100 plants of each uniformity trial, eleven traits were evaluated. The descriptive statistics was calculated and it was determined the sample size to estimate the mean in levels of precision (amplitude of the confidence interval of 95% for 5, 10, …, 35% of the mean) by resampling with replacement. The cob length presented the lowest variability among the eleven traits and, consequently, smaller sample size in both cultivars and five sowing time. There is variability in the sample size to estimate the mean among the traits, cultivars and sowing times. The measurement of 425, 276, 189 and 138 plants in cultivar BRS Progresso and 642, 413, 285 and 211 plants in cultivar Temprano, are enough to estimate the mean amplitude of the confidence interval of 95% maximum of 20, 25, 30 and 35%, respectively, for all the traits and sowing times.
An Investigation of Coat Colour Distribution of West African Dwarf Goats
Authors: Idowu Peter Ayodeji , Adelabu Olusesan Adeyemi
Published: February 2018

This study was carried out to determine coat colour distribution of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat in Abeokuta North and South Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Three thousand, three hundred and ten (3310) WAD goats were randomly sampled consisting of 2511 (75.86%) does and 799 (24.14%) bucks. Animals were prevalently maintained on semi-intensive management. Various coat colours identified were black with highest frequency of 941 (28.42%), brown 436 (13.17%), badgerface 346 (10.45%), grey 254 (7.67%), buckskin 222 (6.70%), lateral belly 154 (4.65%), white and black 149 (4.50%), white and brown 134 (4.05%), white and black marking 105 (3.17%), black and white marking 92 (2.78%), spotted white 88 (2.66%), spotted black 80 (2.42%), blackmash 63 (1.90%), tan 61 (1.84%), white 57 (1.72%), bezoar 49 (1.48%), spotted brown 40 (1.21%), lateral stripes 33 (1.00%), with swiss marking having the lowest frequency of 6 (0.18%). The gene frequency was estimated using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation which resulted as 0.70 and 0.30 for eumelanin and Phaeomelanin respectively. Chi-square (χ2) analysis was further carried out, which revealed that the difference between observed frequency and expected frequency was significant (P < 0.05) implying that the segregation in the area of study was not supported by Mendelian ratio of 3:1. High level of variation was observed in coat colour among goats in the areas studied with black coat colour being the predominant. Hence, conscious selection could be embarked upon to investigate the influence of coat colour on adaptation, thermoregulation, growth and productivity.
Luehea divaricata Martius et Zuccarini Is a Sensitive Species to Aluminum, Not Presenting Phytoremediation Potential
Authors: Possebom Gessieli , Pereira Aline Soares , Dorneles Athos Odin Severo , Sasso Victória Martini , Rossato Liana Veronica , Tabaldi Luciane Almeri , Bellochio Sabrina Dalla Corte , Alves Jover Da Silva , De Jesus Luana De Campos , Bernardy Katieli
Published: February 2018

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of aluminum (Al) on physiological and biochemical parameters of Luehea divaricata seedlings grown in a hydroponic system under greenhouse conditions to verify the possible tolerance to Al or phytoremediation potential of this species. Seeds of Luehea divaricata were placed to germinate in commercial substrate and after 30 days the seedlings were transferred to a hydroponic system with a complete nutrient solution, pH at 4.5±0.1, with daily adjustment. After 20 days of acclimatization, homogenous plants were selected and transferred to a new nutrient solution (without phosphorus (P) and pH at 4.5±0.1) with different concentrations of Al: 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg L-1, each treatment being composed of 10 replicates of one plant each. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design. After seven days of exposure to the treatments, plants were collected for physiological and biochemical analyzes. Aluminum promoted a significant reduction in fresh and dry weight of roots, stems and leaves; in plant height; leaf number; leaf area; and pigment content. On the other hand, Al promoted an increase in lipid peroxidation and guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activity. Therefore, the presence of Al in the growth medium, for the studied conditions, altered significantly both physiological and biochemical parameters in Luehea divaricata seedlings, presenting a sensitive behavior to this element. Due to these characteristics, the studied species does not show phytoremediation potential.
Effect of Male Planting Date and Female Plant Population on Hybrid Maize Yield and Evaluation of Use of Hybrid-Maize Simulation Model for Grain Yield Estimation in Hybrid Maize Seed Production
Authors: Musundire Lennin , Dari Shorai , MacRoberts John , Yang H. S. , Derera John , Tongoona Pangirayi
Published: February 2018

The study was carried out to determine the effect of male planting date (MPD) and female plant population (FPP) on the grain yield (GY) performance of a three-way hybrid and to evaluate Hybrid-Maize simulation model for grain yield estimation in hybrid seed maize production. Fifteen treatment combinations of five MPD as a deviation from the female planting date and three FPP replicated three times were used. The Hybrid-Maize simulation model programme was used to forecast the possible GY outcomes for the fifteen treatments of the experiment using estimated parameters and weather data for the 2006/7 season. The field experiment produced significant (P < 0.005) main effects but non-significant interaction effects for GY, yield components and antheis-silking interval (ASI). Female seed yield was affected by time of male pollen shed relative to female silking: ASI, with highest yields associated with close synchrony (ASI= +/-3 days). ASI had a significant effect on the number of kernels per ear (KPE), with the greatest KPE (318) associated with an ASI of +/-3 days. FPP effects on yield are typical for maize, showing a curvilinear response from low to high density. The optimum population density for GY was 5.4 plants m-2. Simulation output from the Hybrid-Maize simulation model showed an overestimation of GY compare to the observed yield. Furthermore, the model was unable to predict yields for the low FPP of 2.7 plants m-2. We found that Hybrid-Maize simulation model has limited potential for simulating hybrid maize seed production, as it does not accommodate limitations that may occur during the growing season: difference in male and female planting dates, pollen density and dispersion. Hence, the fixed parameters for the Hybrid-Maize simulation model can only be used in maize commercial production.
Characterization of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Accessions Cultived in Southern Brazil
Authors: Francisco Felipe , Pereira Gabriely Pinto , Machado Marília Pereira , Kanis Luiz Alberto , Deschamps Cícero
Published: February 2018

Stevia, a native species of South America, is commercially important as a source of the non-caloric diterpene glycosides stevioside and rebaudioside-A. Although it has been cultivated in southern Brazil, the production is not enough to meet the domestic market demand. This study evaluated biomass accumulation, morphological and physiological characters, and steviol glycosides yield of seven stevia accessions after two cuts. A great variation for the different plant characteristics was found between the first and second cuts. There was a positive correlation between biomass production and SGs content and productivity. The overall Principal Components Analysis results in both cuts indicate that the accessions CE7 and CE14 presented great Reb-A yield, height and lodging (%). The accessions CE4 and CE12 produced high Ste yield and accessions CE6, CE8 and CE9 the highest leaf:stem ratio and low SGs. The stevia accessions showed characteristics of the interest for crop improvement for both biomass and SGs production.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 10, No. 3
Authors: Brown Anne
Published: February 2018

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2018.
Biological Control Potential of Streptomyces sp. AR10 Producing Albocycline Isolated from Soil around Ant Nest
Authors: Ohike Tatsuya , Matsukawa Tetsuya , Okanami Masahiro , Kajiyama Shin’ichiro , Ano Takashi
Published: February 2018

Fifty actinomycetes were isolated from fifteen soil samples and were screened for their antagonism against fungal plant pathogens by dual culture assay, and one of the strain named AR10 was shown to be most effective in suppression of growth of plant pathogen. An antifungal compound of AR10 was extracted, and purified by TLC and HPLC. As a result of NMR and LC-MS analysis, the antifungal compound was identified as albocycline. AR10 suppressed Rhizoctonia damping-off of cucumber in infection control assay. The 16S rDNA sequence of AR10 shows high sequence similarity to those of genus Streptomyces, and the closest similarity was found in the sequence of S. lanatus NBRC 12787T with 98.7% similarity. However, the production of albocycline in Streptomyces closely related to AR10 in the phylogenetic tree has not been reported. Our finding suggests that AR10 can be a candidate for biological control agents.
Assessment of Fungal Pathogens Affecting the Weed Conyza bonariensis in Argentina
Authors: Bonacci Martin , Formento Ángela N. , Daita Fernando , Sartori Melina , Etcheverry Miriam , Nesci Andrea , Barros Germán
Published: February 2018

In the last years Conyza bonariensis has become an important weed and control is difficult with the use of current technology in Argentinean pampas region. The increasing prevalence of herbicide-resistant weed species, public concern related to pesticide use and the introduction of government policies for pesticide reduction, is driving the search for alternative methods to chemical control. The aims of the present study were to detect fungal diseases associated with C. bonariensis, to identify fungal isolates from the symptomatic leaves and to confirm through Koch’s postulates the isolates pathogenicity. Mycological analysis of symptomatic leaves showed the presence of twelve genera of filamentous fungi. Among 116 isolates, Colletotrichum spp. was the most prevalent genus followed by Nigrospora spp. and Septoria spp. In the pathogenicity assays, 22 out of 116 isolates were able to comply with the Koch’s postulates. The pathogenic isolates were included into three genera Alternaria spp., Colletotrichum spp. and Septoria spp. This study provides the first report that demonstrates pathogenicity of fungal isolates on C. bonariensis in Argentina and represents the first step in a future biocontrol program.
Enhancing the Biodiversity of Insects Pollinators through Flowering Grass Strips
Authors: Dimitrov Yanko , Palagacheva Nedyalka , Mladenova Rositsa , Zorovski Plamen , Georgiev Stoyan , Radev Zheko
Published: February 2018

The extensive use of plant protection products in agricultural practice and obtaining high and top quality yields results in decline of a major part of the natural regulators and the insects-pollinators. The reduction in their numbers in agricultural areas poses a threat for the pollination of entomophilous plants on global scale. The objective of this study was to establish areas of flowering varieties of grass mixes, ensuring proper habitats and food source for the pollinators of agricultural crops. The tests showed that the plant varieties in the grass mixes blossomed in the period April to June (1.5-2 months), providing varying species of pollinators, depending on the plants species. In the different-coloured layers of the grass mixtures: white, purple and yellow, the following pollinators were determined: Apis mellifera L., Megachile sp., Halictus scabiosae Rossi, Lasioglossum xanthopus Kirby, Melita leporita, Andrena flavipes Panzer., Macropis europaeae Warn., Anthidium manicatum L., Ceratina cucurbitina Rossi and Ceratina sp.
Colour constancy in natural images through colour naming and sensor sharpening
Authors: Vázquez Javier
Published: February 2018

Colour is derived from three physical properties: incident light, object reflectance and sensor sensitivities. Incident light varies under natural conditions; hence, recovering scene illuminant is an important issue in computational colour. One way to deal with this problem under calibrated conditions is by following three steps, 1) building a narrow-band sensor basis to accomplish the diagonal model, 2) building a feasible set of illuminants, and 3) defining criteria to select the best illuminant. In this work we focus on colour constancy for natural images by introducing perceptual criteria in the first and third stages.To deal with the illuminant selection step, we hypothesize that basic colour categories can be used as anchor categories to recover the best illuminant. These colour names are related to how the human visual system has evolved to encode relevant natural colour statistics. Therefore the recovered image provides the best representation of the scene labelled with the basic colour terms. We demonstrate with several experiments how this selection criterion achieves current state-of-art results in computational colour constancy. In addition to this result, we psychophysically prove that usual angular error used in colour constancy does not correlate with human preferences, and we propose a new perceptual colour constancy evaluation.The implementation of this selection criterion strongly relies on the use of a diagonal model for illuminant change. Then, the second contribution focuses on building an appropriate narrow-band sensor basis to represent natural images. We propose to use the spectral sharpening technique to compute a unique narrow-band basis optimized to represent a large set of natural reflectances under natural illuminants and given in the basis of human cones. The proposed sensors allow predicting unique hues and the World colour Survey data independently of the illuminant by using a compact singularity function. Additionally, we studied different families of sharp sensors to minimize different perceptual measures. This study brought us to extend the spherical sampling procedure from 3D to 6D.Several research lines remain still open, such as, measuring the effects of using the computed sharp sensors on the category hypothesis; or inserting spatial contextual information to improve category hypothesis. Finally, to explore how individual sensors can be adjusted to the colours in a scene.
Real-time analysis and classification of bioaerosols based on optical scattering properties
Authors: Kaliszewski Miron , Trafny Elżbieta Anna , Włodarski Maksymilian , Lewandowski Rafał , Stępińska Małgorzata , Kwaśny Mirosław , Kostecki Jerzy , Kopczyński Krzysztof
Published: February 2018

The size and shape of biological particles are important parameters allowing discrimination between various species. We have studied several aerosols of biological origin such as pollens, bacterial spores and vegetative bacteria. All of them presented different morphology. Using optical size and shape analyser we found good correlation between light scattering properties and actual particle features determined by scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy. In this study, we demonstrated that HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) offers fast and continuous bioaerosol classification based on shape and size data matrices of aerosols. The HCA gives an unequivocal interpretation of particle size vs. asymmetry data. Therefore, it may provide high throughput and reliable screening and classification of bioaerosols using scattering characteristics. Keywords: bioaerosol classification, scattering, particle size and shape analysis, biological warfare agents’ detection, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)
Technical aspects of circulating tumor cells (CTC) isolation using molecular sieve
Authors: Pastuszka Paweł , Bogdanowicz Zdzisław , Kowalik Artur , Gruszczyński Krzysztof , Łapiński Mariusz
Published: February 2018

The article presents the characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the context of their enrichment. It presents the possibility of the use of molecular sieves in CTC isolation. It shows important technical factors affecting the efficiency of CTC enrichment using molecular sieves and indicates the necessity of compromise choice of these parameters. It shows 2D molecular sieve construction made within the Biomedical Engineering Centre of MUT. It presents the future directions of research which assumes the use of this construction for a molecular filter in the form of sieve stack. Keywords: molecular sieves, circulating tumor cells (CTC) enrichment, laser photolithography, laser ablation
Properties of welded joints made in high strength steel using laser technology
Authors: Ślęzak Tomasz , Śnieżek Lucjan
Published: February 2018

The usage of high strength steels (HSS) provides numerous benefits in the form of the cross- section area reduction causing weight decrease, improvement in exploitation parameters and in result positive financial effect. The most advantageous results are observed in the parts loaded by tensile stresses. The factors most influencing the fatigue strength of the metals, especially the steels of high value of yield point, are stress concentration in the originated geometrical notches, local changes of the stress state or the microstructure of paternal material. Improvement in the fatigue behaviour of HSS steels can be achieved by changing the commonly used technique for high-energy joining technology, namely laser beam welding. Relatively narrow welds and reduced heat-affected zone (HAZ) have minimized the residual stresses and distortions. The paper presents the results of the studies focused on mechanical properties of welded joints of high strength fine-grained steel S960QL. There was investigated the impact of heat input on the microstructure, microhardness- and residual stresses in the weld and HAZ. The crucial part is devoted to the fatigue research and fractographic investigation of the fatigue ruptures of laser-made welds. There were also found in the origins the cause of crack initiation. Keywords: mechanics, fatigue life, high strength steel, laser welding