bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agroforests: pre-domestication of forest trees or true domestication of forest ecosystems?
Authors: Michon G. , De Foresta H.
Published: June 2020

Domestication of forest resources and artificialization of forest ecosystems in tropical forest areas are often encompassed in a linear way: from wild resources to genetically improved trees, from complex ecosystems to controlled tree plantations. This linear evolution might be true for professional forestry or horticulture. However, it does not embrace the complexity of smallholder farmers practices for forest resources utilization. Incorporating forest resources in production systems is not a new practice in the tropics, it even constitute the very basis of a whole facet of indigenous agricultures. But this agroforestry practice is not usually considered as a full domestication process. And, in spite of an increasing amount of academic interest for indigenous forest-like plantation models, agroforestry research is not yet fully considering the prospects of these models as far as forest species are concerned. The paper focuses on the discussion of Indonesian examples of ecosystem manipulation and plant domestication. Complex agroforestry systems have been developed by local people for the management of resources ranging from locally consumed forest fruits to highly valuable industrial products such as resins and latexes. This indigenous agroforestry is presented as an elaborate process of total transfer, not only of selected forest resources, but also of true forest structures, from the sphere of 'nature' to that of 'agriculture'. This process is analysed as a particular domestication strategy which integrates conventional species domestication techniques to an original attempt of ecosystem domestication. Prospects for further developing this 'agroforest strategy' for the domestication of forest species are then discussed.
The effect of planting date and plant density on phosphorus uptake and phosphorus harvest by Brussels sprouts
Authors: Everaarts A.P. , Van Beusichem M.L.
Published: June 2020

In experiments at Lelystad, Netherlands in 1989 and 1991/92, Brussels sprouts (cv. Kundry) were planted at 26 700, 33 400 plants/ha on 2 May, 30 May or 27 June in 1989 and 29 April, 28 May or 8 July in 1991. Plant density had no effect or only a limited effect on crop P concentration during the growing season, and had no effect on final crop P. A delay in planting reduced final P uptake, but increased P concentration in the crop and in the sprouts at harvest. Depending on planting date, 33-50 kg P was taken up by the crop by harvest. Of this, 40-60% was removed from the field in the sprouts. There were no interactions between the effects of planting date and plant density. It is suggested that the effect of planting date on P uptake has no consequences for P fertilizer recommendations. It is also suggested that current recommended P fertilizer rates are in excess of the amount of P harvested in the sprouts.
Research priority setting by a stepped agro-ecological approach: case study for the Sahel of Burkina Faso
Authors: Thiombiano L. , Andriesse W.
Published: June 2020

A model is proposed for the identification of research issues. It includes a set of criteria to weigh the relevance of identified research projects, using an agro-ecological approach by a multidisciplinary team. In this approach, emphasis is placed on the assessment of the impact of the expected results of research projects with regard to productivity and to ecological, economical, and social sustainability. The model comprises seven steps: (1) determination of the main function(s) of a selected agro-ecological zone; (2) determination of the user-needs and indigenous knowledge; (3) determination of the constraints and potentials of the agro-ecological zone; (4) review of existing scientific knowledge and technologies; (5) identification of relevant research issues and their division over strategic and applied research; (6) prioritization and selection of themes and projects; and (7) evaluation of personnel, material and funds. A case study is presented of the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. Illustration of the model with this degraded area where sustainability is an actual and important issue allows a discussion on the advantages and limitations of this agro-ecological approach for research prioritization.
Analysis of constraints to agricultural production in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria using multi-scale characterization
Authors: Ogungbile A.O. , Tabo R. , Van Duivenbooden N. , Debrah S.K.
Published: June 2020

A multi-scale characterization approach was used to identify the major constraints to agricultural production and to describe the major production systems in the Sudan Savanna Zone of northern Nigeria. Relative emphasis was placed on the household-level characterization to have a better understanding of the land use system, farmers' constraints and opportunities, so as to better target agricultural technologies and interventions in this large agro-ecological zone. Large variations exist in agricultural management practices among villages and households in terms of access to resources, such as labour, fertilizers, livestock, farm equipment, and land. Intensive and extensive farming practices co-exist within the same villages and households. Results were also used to identify benchmark sites.
Preserving soil quality under irrigation in the Senegal River Valley
Authors: Wopereis M.C.S. , Ceuppens J. , Boivin P. , Ndiaye A.M. , Kane A.
Published: June 2020

Soil quality under irrigation in the Senegal River Valley may become affected by salinization (Delta) and alkalinization (Middle Valley) processes. The salinity status of 158 irrigated rice fields in the Delta was measured with an electromagnetic conductivity meter. Double-cropped fields (two rice crops per year on the same field) were least saline (average horizontal reading: 0.6 dS/m), followed by single-cropped drained fields (1.6 dS/m), single-cropped non-drained fields (2.5 dS/m), non-cropped sites outside irrigation schemes (4.7 dS/m) and abandoned fields (5.7 dS/m). Results illustrated that when cultivating rice in the delta, the ponded water on the soil surface blocks capillary rise of salt from the water table. In the valley, the difference in the total amount of carbonates in 1:50 soil extracts between cultivated and non-cultivated sites was used as an indicator for alkalinization risk in 27 irrigation schemes. Highest rates of carbonate accumulation (0.65 meq HCO3-/(kg soil) per cropping season) and, therefore, greatest soil degradation risk were observed in schemes without drainage, compared to 0.10 meq HCO3-/(kg soil) per cropping season in schemes with good irrigation and drainage facilities. Plot and scheme level recommendations that may preserve soil quality under irrigation are presented.
Leaf CO2 assimilation and leaf dynamics in catch crops during autumn and winter at two levels of nitrogen supply
Authors: Van Dam A.M. , Lantinga E.A.
Published: June 2020

This study relates the leaf CO2 assimilation and leaf dynamics of nitrogen catch crops to environmental conditions. Winter rye (Secale cereale) and fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) were grown as catch crops in an outdoor pot experiment at two rates of nitrogen supply (N2 higher than N1) in Wageningen, Netherlands, from August 1993 until April 1994. Biomass increased with increasing N supply. There was no net growth after mid-November. The number of tillers in rye and of appeared leaves in radish were higher in N2 than in N1. Leaf appearance rate increased with temperature in fodder radish and rye. Tillering in rye ceased in mid-October. Leaf lifespan was related to the temperature sum between leaf emergence and leaf death. Leaf lifespan was 478 +or- 68 degrees C day in fodder radish. In rye, the leaf lifespan gradually decreased from 592 +or- 66 to 389 +or- 25 degrees C day and from 545 (1 observation) to 401 +or- 64 degrees C day in N1 and N2, respectively. In young leaves, Amax (light-saturated CO2 assimilation rate) was approximately 1.2 mg CO2 m-2 leaf s-1 in September and 0.5 mg CO2 m-2 leaf s-1 later on, independent of species and N supply, N supply affected the organic N concentrations only in the older leaves. Amax was not dependent on temperature at measurement (range: 12-19 degrees C in September, 5-15 degrees C from November until March), but, in contrast, strongly related to temperature and irradiance during the preceding growth period. Leaf nitrate concentrations increased with N supply. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations were higher in N1 than in N2 and higher in rye than in fodder radish. They fluctuated during the season. It is concluded that overall growth rates were limited by process rates other than that of leaf CO2 assimilation per unit leaf area in both N1 and N2.
Crop production in relation to cultural practices in the Chromolaena odorata fallow system in South-West Cote d'Ivoire
Authors: Slaats J.J.P. , Janssen B.H. , Wessel M.
Published: June 2020

Farmers grow food crops alternated by short fallow periods of the naturally re-establishing Chromolaena odorata in response to the growing demand for land in humid Africa. It is unknown whether current cultural practices in this system are appropriate and how land use can further be intensified. Maize production was measured in experiments on three sites cleared from a two-, three- and four-year-old C. odorata fallow, respectively. On the two-year-old site, bearing the lowest quantity of vegetation biomass, maize response to removing, burning and intensively burning (i.e.: burning after adding vegetation from outside) the slashed vegetation was studied as well. Various weeding frequencies and fertilizers were applied in the experiments to better assess the effects of the length of the fallow period and the clearing methods. The experiments were conducted during three consecutive cropping seasons to provide an indication of changes in yield over time. During the first season after clearing, maize yield decreased from 3.8 on the four-year-old fallow to 2.6 t ha-1 on the two-year-old fallow. This reduction was due to a lower availability of P and N, and to a higher competition from weeds. Burning or intensively burning the vegetation raised yields of the unfertilized crop, up to 1.2 t ha-1. It increased the availability of phosphorus but did not clearly reduce competition from weeds. In the second and third season, yield fell to 1.5 t ha-1 irrespective of the fallow age. Burning slowed down the yield decline over time. Application of P- and N-fertilizers raised crop yields under all conditions and maintained them up to 5 t ha-1 during the three seasons. Weeding twice instead of once reduced the yield decline over time on the young fallow only. Results suggest that in the C. odorata crop production system a fallow period of two years is too short to be fully effective, that burning the C. odorata slash benefits crop production, even when its amount is limited, and that growing maize for more than one season is worthwhile only where fertilizers are applied.
Sixty years of Dutch nitrogen fertiliser experiments, an overview of the effects of soil type, fertiliser input, management and of developments in time
Authors: Vellinga T.V. , Andre G.
Published: June 2020

Data of nitrogen fertilization experiments of 1934 - 1994 have been analysed, using models for N uptake and dry matter (DM) yield. Both models were affected by fertilizer level, soil type, soil organic matter content, grassland use, cutting frequency, grassland renovation, white clover content and the N content analysis (Crude Protein or total-N). Effects on Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS), Apparent Nitrogen Recovery (ANR) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) are discussed. Differences in SNS, ANR and NUE between sand and clay were small, SNS on poorly drained peat soil was 60 and 80 kg N per ha higher than on clay and sand, respectively, ANR on poorly drained peat soil was 7 and 10% lower. The NUE was similar on sand, clay and poorly drained peat. ANR was low at low N application levels, due to immobilization. ANR increased from 35% to 65% at application levels of 50 and 250 kg N per ha, respectively. At application levels of more than 250 kg N per ha, ANR decreased. NUE decreased from 45 to 29 kg DM per kg N with increasing N application levels of 0 and 550 kg per ha. It is suggested that for a good N utilization a minimum N application of 100 kg N per ha should be used. SNS increased by a mixed use of grazing and cutting with 27 and 40 kg N per ha for sand/clay and poorly drained peat respectively. ANR on sand decreased from 5 to 10% at applications of 200 and 500 kg N per ha and NUE decreased with 1-2 kg DM per kg N. The effect of grazing was stronger under pure grazing than with a mixed use of grazing and cutting. Increasing the cutting frequency from 3 to 8 cuts per year had no effect on SNS, increased ANR with 0-20% and decreased NUE with 4-7 kg DM per kg N. The positive effect of the higher ANR compensated the lower NUE at application levels of 400 kg N per ha. Changes in ANR over the last sixty years can be explained by changes in experimental conditions, experimental treatments and chemical analysis. Changes in NUE can be explained by a higher proportion of perennial ryegrass and genetic improvement.
Herbage and animal production responses to fertilizer nitrogen in perennial ryegrass swards. II. Rotational grazing and cutting
Authors: Lantinga E.A. , Deenen P.J.A.G. , Van Keulen H.
Published: June 2020

The yield response of grass swards to fertilizer nitrogen (N) differs under cutting and grazing, as grazing cattle exert positive and negative effects on pasture production, with varying negative effects on different soil types. Nevertheless, current N fertilization recommendations in the Netherlands are based mainly on economic cost-benefit analyses of long-term cutting trials in small plots. To contribute to formulation of improved N fertilizer recommendations for grassland, experiments were carried out on two soil types and under different management regimes. The effect of fertilizer N application on grassland production and sward quality in perennial ryegrass swards was studied during a number of consecutive years under both rotational grazing and 4-weekly cutting. Experiment 1 was performed with dairy cows on a loam soil at 250 and 550 kg fertilizer N ha-1 year-1. Experiment 2 was performed with beef cattle on a sand soil and fertilizer rates varying from 250 to 700 kg N ha-1 year-1 under grazing and from 0 to 700 kg N ha-1 year-1 under cutting. The results indicate that on loam, N had no effect on sward quality. In the second experimental year, total herbage yield under grazing was almost 10% higher than under cutting at 250 kg N ha-1 year-1 due to recycling of N, whereas at 550 kg N ha-1 year-1 the yield under grazing and cutting was the same. On sand, the economically optimum fertilizer application rate was on average 430 kg N ha-1 year-1 for 4-weekly cutting. Under grazing and at whole system level (integrated grazing and mowing for silage), the optimum rate was below 250 kg N ha-1 year-1. Under grazing on the sand soil, N aggravated sward deterioration due to treading, poaching and especially urine scorching. This was reflected in an increased absence frequency of rooted perennial ryegrass tillers in quadrats with an area of 1 dm2 at increasing fertilizer N application rates. It is concluded that current fertilizer N recommendations for grassland can be further refined by taking into account the positive and negative effects of grazing cattle, in dependence of soil type and level of N supply.
Limits to intensity of milk production in sandy areas in The Netherlands
Authors: Aarts H.F.M. , Habekotte B. , Van Keulen H.
Published: June 2020

Agricultural land in sandy areas is mainly in use by dairy farms. As a result of intensive fertilisation and irrigation, environmental quality is threatened by lost nutrients and lowered groundwater levels. Therefore, Dutch government put decreasing limits to losses of nutrients, with lowest values for well-drained sandy soils. Besides, use of groundwater for irrigation will be restricted. Reducing milk production per hectare can be effective to reduce nutrient losses but is costly, as is the increase of output of nutrients by exporting manure. Improved resource management, leading to reduced inputs per kg milk, might be a more attractive option to realise both environmental and economic goals. This paper describes a procedure to quantify the impact of management on the limits of milk production per hectare on well-drained sandy soils, at defined maximum levels of permitted nutrient losses. The procedure has been applied to a range of farming systems, in order of increasing complexity of nutrient management. It is concluded that current average milk production intensity (12,400 kg ha(-1) yr(-1)) has to be reduced drastically if farm management is not successful in increasing the conversion of dietary N (into milk and body weight) and the re-use of N in manure. On the other hand, results suggest that an intensity of almost 15,000 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) should be attainable by best farmers.
Evaporation: an introductory survey.
Authors: Penman H.L.
Published: June 2020

A review lecture with about 50 references concerning turbulent transport, energy balance and biological aspects.Discussion, pp 87-92. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Evaporation from soil and vegetation.
Authors: Staple W.J.
Published: June 2020

Some results of 28 years' measurements of moisture conservation and use in soil tanks and field plots are described. Most of the rainfall received in south-western Saskatchewan is soon returned to the atmosphere by evaporation from bare soil or by transpiration from crops. Only 21% of the precipitation is conserved in summerfallow during the 21-month summerfallow period. Wheat yield is determined largely by the moisture stored in the soil at seeding time and by the subsequent rainfall. Rough estimates of evaporation from soil can be made under semi-arid conditions, such as in southwestern Saskatchewan, on the basis of predetermined evaporation curves giving the loss for different soil moisture conditions. Detailed data on capillary conductivity and diffusion coefficients are needed for computing moisture movement through soil to an evaporating surface.-Author's summary. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Heat transfer to boiling skimmilk.
Authors: Van Stralen S.J.D.
Published: June 2020

This paper was read at "an informal meeting on physics in agriculture", held at Wageningen, Netherlands in September 1955. The author deals with the highly complex phenomena associated with the boiling of liquids in relation to the transfer of heat from a hot wire to the bulk of the liquid. As temperature is raised, the heat-flux curve consists of three regions: (i) convection, when there are no bubbles, (ii) "nucleate boiling", when bubbles are formed at specific points on the surface and (Hi) "film boiling" in which the whole surface gradually becomes covered by a layer of vapour. Skim-milk and even water containing small amounts of skim-milk show characteristically high maxima for region (ii) at a pressure of 10 cm. Hg. Skim-milk is characterized by the formation of rather stable foams and by the rapid coagulation of proteins, but the author is cautious in his attempts to explain the shape of his curves. G.W.S.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Some impressions of oil palm cultivation in Africa.
Authors: Pronk F.
Published: June 2020

Nigeria, Belgian Congo and Ivory Coast. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
The conservation of grass for feeding purposes in agriculture.
Authors: Dijkstra N.D.
Published: June 2020

The relative values of conserving grass by means of haymaking, artificial drying and silage-making were considered. Silage produced the best conservation of nutrients, and when of good quality was satisfactory feed for livestock. Haymaking produced the greatest loss in the feeding value of the grass. [See also Herb. Abstr. 20: 167 and 177, 25: 1097, 27: 131, 222, and 611].-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Examination of Penman's revised formula. [Esperanto]
Authors: Makkink G.F.
Published: June 2020

Penman's revised evapotranspiration formula tested under grassland conditions with a high water table by means of weighable lysimeters gave satisfactory results. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Phytophthora palmivora of cocoa and its control.
Authors: Tollenaar D.
Published: June 2020

Symptoms and factors affecting the incidence of Phytophthora palmivora are described and discussed. Both branch and leaf canopy treatments have been successfully applied with Kieken's automatic mist blowers. A form of cuprous oxide, Caocobre-Sandoz, has given good control when applied at 2 1/2-3 kg. in 100-2001. per hectare on cycles of 3-6 weeks. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
The influence of vitamins in the feed of laying hens on the quality of the chickens.
Authors: Zwiep N. , De Man T.J.
Published: June 2020

The effect of adding a supplement of vitamins A and D to a diet for laying hens which was known to be adequate for egg production was studied. The diet for one group of birds was supplemented with 1875 I. U. vitamin A and 375 I. U. vitamin D per kg. ; three times these amounts were added to the diet of another group. Number and total weight of eggs, production percentage, i. e. number of eggs as a percentage of number of birds, and hatchability of eggs did not differ significantly between the groups. Fertility was slightly higher with the larger supplements. Quality of chicks was estimated by comparing their behaviour when they were deprived of vitamin A or vitamin D or both. When vitamin D was lacking chicks from the more liberally supplemented group of hens fared best. When deprived only of vitamin A chicks from both groups fared equally well.-J. G. Gordon. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Farm systems in Southeast Asia.
Authors: Terra G.J.A.
Published: June 2020

Indonesian farming systems are discussed.- R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Nitrate accumulation, nitrogen balance and cation-anion ratio during the regrowth of perennial ryegrass.
Authors: Dijkshoorn W.
Published: June 2020

The regrowth of ryegrass was harvested on various dates in a pot experiment. NO3 accumulation occurred until a specific yield level was reached which was critical in respect to the N supply. Below this critical yield the N percentage in the yield gradually declined as a result of the decreasing capacity of the dry matter to assimilate N. After the critical yield was exceeded NO3 disappeared from the leaves and no further N was taken up, so that the N percentage in the yield decreased more rapidly. At first there was a gradual increase in the cation-anion ratio as the grass aged. After the critical yield for N-depletion was exceeded there was a higher rate of increase. The relationship between cation-anion ratio and N status is connected with N metabolism.-From author's summary. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Distribution of tillers of plant species in old permanent grassland with different types of use.
Authors: De Vries D.M. , Hoogers B.J.
Published: June 2020

A survey of 1647 old permanent grasslands was carried out using 25-sq. cm. samples [see Herb. Abstr. 29, p. 1] and the frequency of dominance of each species in the samples (DF), the frequency of occurrence of each species (PF), and the dominance tendency (Dt=DF/PF X 100) was calculated for each field. Tussock-forming species showed a non-uniform distribution of tillers within the sward and the value of Dt for these species was higher than that for uniformly distributed species. Of the 29 species studied, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus and F uncus effusus showed high average values for Dt, while rhizomatous species such as Poa pratensis and Agropyron repens [Elymus repens], stoloniferous species such as Trifolium repens, Poa trivialis and Ranunculus repens, and species spreading by means of seed, such as R. acris, Bromus mollis and Rumex acetosa, had low average Dt values. From values of Dt calculated for fields used for hay, hay-pasture (aftermath grazed), alternate pastures (mown for hay in some years only) and pure pastures, it was shown that D. caespitosa, L. perenne, D. glomerata and J. effusus were more regularly distributed in hay-fields than in pastures. In alternate pastures, J. effusus had a low Dt value, F. arundinacea a high Dt. Species having a preference for hayfields showed higher Dt values than elsewhere, owing to their growth not being restricted by grazing. Typical pasture species which spread by means of runners, such as P. pratensis, Agrostis stolonifera and T. repens, were more homogeneously distributed in hayfields; their increased Dt values in pastures was due to their concentration in the spaces between tussocks of other species.-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Yield and size distribution of potatoes as influenced by seed rate.
Authors: Reestman A.J. , De Wit C.T.
Published: June 2020

Five spacing experiments were carried out in 1957 and '58 with seed potatoes, var. Alpha, measuring 25-28 mm, 35-45 mm and 45-60 mm, planted at 400, 600, 800, 1000 or 1200 tubers/ha in rows 60 cm apart and harvested on 7 dates between 29 July and 16 Oct. There was a positive correlation, within experiments, between the number of stems produced per tuber at wide spacings and the surface area of the skin of the tubers, both where whole tubers and cut setts were used. There was a linear relationship between the reciprocal of the yield and the reciprocal of the seed rate where both were expressed in m2 of skin surface/are. [See Fld Crop Abstr. 12: 1525 and 13: 777.] Where the reciprocal of the yield for each sett size was averaged for all 5 experiments and plotted against the reciprocal of the seed rate, it was shown that the use of large seed depressed yields; this was considered to be due to the less regular distribution of haulms in the row where the large seed was used. Seed size had little influence on grading. Rows 60 cm apart were considered too widely spaced for maximum production.-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Observations on the effect of varying temperatures on the flowering and fruit set in three varieties of groundnut.
Authors: Bolhuis G.G. , De Groot W.
Published: June 2020

Groundnut varieties from Indonesia (var. Schwarz 21), Mallorca and the Ukraine, all bunch types, were grown in pots in growth chambers at 18 degrees , 21 degrees , 27 degrees , 30 degrees and 33 degrees C and given 12 hr. light/day. Germination, but no subsequent growth, occurred at 18 degrees C. The Mallorcan variety alone flowered at 21 degrees C, but did not set fruit. Optimum vegetative growth occurred at 30 degrees C in Schwarz 21 and the Mallorcan var. and at 33 degrees C in the Ukraine variety. Optimum fruit-setting occurred between 27 degrees and 30 degrees C in Schwarz 21, at 27 degrees C in the Mallorcan var., and somewhat below 27 degrees C in the Ukraine var. The range of temperatures at which satisfactory fruit-setting took place was greatest in the Ukraine var. and least in Schwarz 21. There was no indication of thermoperiodicity in groundnuts.-R.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Blister blight (Exobasidium vexans) in tea and its relationship with environmental conditions.
Authors: De Weille G.A.
Published: June 2020

A concise account is given of this disease in Indonesia. Factors unfavourable to the fungus are low R.H., high temperature and ultra-violet insolation. A method of forecasting epidemics has been devised, which is based on running daily totals of sunshine weighted according to the deficiencies of the previous 3 days. This enables dusting with fungicides to be done only when necessary.-Roy. Neth. met. Inst, de Bilt. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Water content at pF 2 as a characteristic in soil-cultivation research in the Netherlands.
Authors: Kuipers H.
Published: June 2020

Moisture content at pF 2 decreases at high bulk densities when areation under wet conditions is top poor for plant growth, and increases if the soil contains a considerable amount of aggregates
Preliminary remarks on porosity of soil aggregates in air-dry state and at pF 2.
Authors: Kuipers H.
Published: June 2020

In pycnometer determinations of the pore volume of 2-5-mm air-dry aggregates from various soils of 1.5-2.5 and 2.6-3.5% organic-matter levels and various clay contents, the use of kerosene (S. & F. XVII [1897]) gave as good values as, and was more convenient than, the use of sand or mercury (the latter giving low porosities). The pore-space percentage of aggregates could be calculated from the water content at pF 2, when no air voids in the small aggregates are likely to occur and water between the aggregates is of no importance. Dry aggregates were only slightly denser in cores of light soils than under field conditions, and swelling was small; dry aggregates were very dense in heavy soils in which moisture content and density of aggregates appeared so closely related that it was difficult to distinguish between the effect of either on the strength of aggregates. Swelling properties and aggregate size are likely to be important factors in the structure of heavy soils. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
The influence of heating on silage fermentation and quality.
Authors: Wieringa G.W. , Schukking S. , Kappelle D. , De Haan S.
Published: June 2020

Laboratory and farm grass silages were studied. In anaerobic conditions in the laboratory temperature did not much affect digestibility of crude protein by pepsin. When laboratory silage was aerated there was a fall in digestibility related to the duration of aeration. In farm silages reduction in digestibility of protein was related to the duration of heating. The relation between degree of aeration and temperature reached is discussed. In 112 samples of farm silage it was shown that silage with less than 0.-2% butyric acid and less than 10% NH3 nitrogen as percentage of total N was obtained only at temperatures below 30 degrees and above 70 degrees C. At high temperatures digestibility of crude protein decreased so that for satisfactory silage the temperature must be kept below 30 degrees . T. D. Bell. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)
Performance of the Hybrid Approach based on Rough Set Theory
Authors: Kan Kilinc Betul , YAZIRLI Yonca
Published: June 2020

One of the essential problems in data mining is the removal of negligible variables from the data set. This paper proposes a hybrid approach that uses rough set theory based algorithms to reduct the attribute selected from the data set and utilize reducts to raise the classification success of three learning methods; multinomial logistic regression, support vector machines and random forest using 5-fold cross validation. The performance of the hybrid approach is measured by related statistics. The results show that the hybrid approach is effective as its improved accuracy by 6-12% for the three learning methods.
Amido resistente: alternativa de alimento funcional para a homeostase da glicose, redução do perfil lipídico e modulação da microbiota intestinal
Authors: Ferronatto Andressa Neuhaus , Rossi Rochele , Cappellari Fernanda
Published: June 2020

Introdução: O amido resistente (AR) é uma fibra solúvel não viscosa e fermentável, definida como a porção de amido que não pode ser digerida por amilases do intestino delgado e, ao chegar no cólon intestinal é fermentado pela microbiota intestinal. Possui propriedades funcionais devido aos seus impactos na glicemia, perfil lipídico, aumento da saciedade e saúde gastrointestinal. Objetivo: compilar estudos que apontam os efeitos do amido resistente no organismo, discutindo os diferentes resultados obtidos sobre o AR nos ensaios clínicos e pré-clínicos, demonstrando seu impacto na saúde humana. Materiais e métodos: foram reunidos 30 artigos científicos, entre eles, estudos clínicos, experimentais e revisões literárias, a partir das bases de dados PubMed, Scielo, Portal de Periódicos CAPES, Google Acadêmico e ScienceDirect, tendo como critério de busca artigos que foram publicados a partir do ano de 2013. Resultados: foram encontrados impactos da ingestão de amido resistente na redução da resposta glicêmica, perda de peso vinculada ao aumento da saciedade, melhora do perfil lipídico e melhora da microbiota intestinal devido ao seu potencial em aumentar a produção de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) como um prebiótico. Conclusões: conclui-se que o amido resistente possui implicações fisiológicas e metabólicas no organismo humano, podendo ser amplamente utilizado como um ingrediente funcional.
Obesidade gestacional: monitoramento espacial no estado de São Paulo
Authors: Garbin Artênio José Ísper , Custodio Lia Borges de Mattos , Moimaz Suzely Adas Saliba , Garbin Clea Adas Saliba
Published: June 2020

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência da obesidade no período gestacional nas dimensões temporal e espacial no Estado de São Paulo. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, ecológico realizado no período de 2008 a 2019. Os dados foram coletados nos sistemas públicos do Datasus e SISVAN. Foram realizadas análises espaciais com taxa bruta e padronizada da obesidade gestacional, utilizando os índices de Moran Global e Moran Local. Também foi realizada análise de tendência para o período com modelo de regressão de Prais-Winsten (p<0.05). Resultados: Foram cadastradas no SISVAN 835.608 gestantes, destas 21,55% (n=180.041) encontravam-se na condição de obesidade. A taxa de prevalência teve variação 12,17 a 30,28 entre os anos de 2008 e 2019. A análise da distribuição espacial da obesidade na gestação apresentou correlação com o espaço territorial estudado. Na análise temporal, verificou-se tendência crescente (p=0,02) para as projeções de 2020 a 2022 no número de casos de mulheres grávidas com obesidade. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a obesidade gestacional possui correlação com a distribuição espacial no Estado de São Paulo, bem como, tendência crescente para os próximos anos.
The Implementation of Arabic E-Learning through Arabic-Online.net
Authors: Mardliyyah Aisyam
Published: June 2020

This study aims to describe Arabic-Online.net and to find out how it is used in the implementation of Arabic learning. Applying a qualitative approach, this research was of literature study. The main object is e-learning site i.e. Arabic-Online.net which can be accessed openly to learn Arabic. Further, this study found that Arabic-Online.net is an Arabic learning model provided to non-native speakers, which is offered by the Saudi Electronic University. Its teaching is based on the General European reference framework by using four language skills and the main components in Arabic. There are 16 levels in the stages ranging from beginner, elementary, intermediate, upper intermediate, advanced, to mastery which contain as many as 796 main interactive videos, 12.000 audio files, 6.320 images and 10.076 exercises. Each level consists of 6 modules (units), each of which includes 24 lessons. E-learning implementation using Arabic-Online.net is conducted in the form of blended learning.
In Vitro ADME, Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Prediction of Human Pharmacokinetics of RBx14255, a Novel Ketolide with Pharmacodynamics Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: VETHAKKANI SAMUEL RAJ , Chaira Trdib , Barman Tarani
Published: June 2020

Purpose: The preclinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a potent fluoroketolide RBx14255 against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae was compared with telithromycin and human clinical dose was predicted for preclinical development. Methods: The in vitro pharmacokinetic characterization was performed for solubility, Caco-2 permeability, microsomal stability, CYP inhibition and plasma protein binding. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were performed in Swiss albino mice, Sprague Dawley rats and Beagle dogs. The pharmacodynamic studies were carried out in mouse against S. pneumoniae in systemic infection and against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in rat lung infection models. Results: RBx14255 showed superior potency and efficacy in mouse and rat infection models. RBx14255 showed pH dependent solubility (0.41 mg/mL at pH 6.8 and >1 mg/mL at pH 1.2), moderate Caco-2 permeability (A to B: 12 nm/s) with high efflux ratio. It showed high plasma protein binding (>97%) in mouse and low binding (45-70%) in rat, dog and human. The compound is mainly metabolized through CYP3A4. Pharmacokinetic parameters and absolute bioavailability of both, RBx14255 and telithromycin are similar in mouse. Both the ketolides showed low plasma clearance (18% of the normal hepatic blood flow rate) in mouse, moderate to high clearance in rat and dog. Mean oral bioavailability was high in mouse (≥85%), moderate in rat (RBx14255: 15% and telithromycin: 51%) and high to moderate in dog (RBx14255: 98% and telithromycin: 56%). The predicted efficacious dose for a 70 kg man ranges from 124 mg BID to 226 mg BID. Conclusion: RBx14255 displayed significantly better pharmacodynamics which correlates with the pharmacokinetic properties against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae as compared to telithromycin. The predicted human efficacious doses are in the range of 124-226 mg, making it amenable to oral dosage form drug in human. This could be a promising clinical candidate for future studies.
Coping with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: AŞKIN Rüstem , TAN DİNSEL Ezgi , BAŞ Alper
Published: June 2020

The global virus outbreak called COVID-19 has been one of the important breaking points in world history. COVID-19 is not only a physical disease affecting the whole world, but also an important issue in terms of community mental health, the effects of which will be understood in the long term. It is essential to explain the long-term and ongoing mental health effects of COVID-19 to take preventive steps. The aim of the present article was to review the impact of similar outbreaks in the past and to understand the potential impact on mental health through data from ongoing studies. Additionally, we summarized possible risk factors that may arise in infected people, healthcare professionals and the general population during COVID-19 outbreak.
Studying the Stock Market – Economic Activity Nexus in Poland with a VAR‑VECM Approach
Authors: Pietraszewski Piotr
Published: June 2020

The paper discusses the links between stock market performance and real economic activity and presents results of an empirical inquiry into dynamic relationships between the main stock index quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WIG) and GDP in Poland over the years 1995–2019. In many empirical studies for highly developed countries not only short‑run dynamic interactions but also a long‑run cointegrating relationship between the stock index and output have been found. Previous studies for Poland reported mainly short‑run linkages between stock returns and changes of economic activity whereas the evidence for a long‑run cointegrating relationship is still quite scarce. In this paper, the VAR‑VECM methodology with the Johansen tests for cointegration is used to study a substantially longer quarterly data interval than has been investigated so far. Research results show that stock returns Granger‑cause GDP growth with up to three‑quarters lead. The evidence for the existence of a long‑term cointegrating relationship has also been found.
Konkurs jako metoda pedagogiczna w turystycznej edukacji uniwersyteckiej: studium przypadku nauczania twórczego rozwiązywania problemów
Authors: Leśniewska-Napierała Katarzyna , Napierała Tomasz , Tjørve Kathleen M.C. , Tjørve Even
Published: June 2020

Głównym celem artykułu jest dyskusja na temat tego, czy możliwość implementacji konkursu jako narzędzia edukacyjnego do rozwijania kreatywności uczestników jest ograniczona, kiedy główną motywację uczestniczących w nim studentów stanowi wygrana. Na potrzeby niniejszego artykułu jako studium przypadku wykorzystano konkurs 24HOURS. Do oceny efektywności konkursu zastosowano trzy metody: pisemną ankietę, indywidualne wywiady pogłębione oraz ankietę online. Wyniki wykazały, iż konkurs zwiększył kreatywność studentów w stopniu niezadowalającym, ponieważ bardziej byli oni skupieni na wygraniu lub zdobyciu wiedzy niż na współpracy lub interakcji z członkami innych zespołów studenckich. Badanie potwierdziło, że opiekunowie studentów są odpowiedzialni za uruchomienie mechanizmów ukierunkowanych zarówno na współpracę, jak i na kreatywność podczas konkursu. Biorąc jednak pod uwagę, że oczekiwania dotyczące zaangażowania opiekunów stały się źródłem pewnych problemów, rola tych osób powinna zostać ściśle określona. Analiza studium przypadku przedstawiona w tym artykule powinna przyczynić się do lepszego rozumienia przez pedagogów projektowania i wykorzystywania konkursów jako narzędzi edukacyjnych.
A ‘Contest’ as a Pedagogical Method in Tourism Higher Education: a Case Study in Teaching Creativity Through Problem-Solving
Authors: Leśniewska-Napierała Katarzyna , Napierała Tomasz , Tjørve Kathleen M.C. , Tjørve Even
Published: June 2020

The main goal of the paper is to discuss whether a contest, as an educational tool, can develop the creativity of participants when the main goal of the students may be to win. A 24HOURS contest was implemented as a case study. Three methods were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the 24HOURS contest: a written questionnaire, individual in-depth interviews, and an online questionnaire. Results proved that the contest was unsatisfactory in increasing students’ creativity, as they were oriented to win, or to acquire knowledge, rather than to cooperate or interact with representatives of other student teams. The investigation confirmed the tutors’ enabling responsibility for both cooperation and creativity during the contest. However, expectations of tutor engagement caused concern and their role should, therefore, have been more clearly defined. Analysis of the case study presented in this paper can provide pedagogues with insight into the design and implementation of contests as educational tools.
Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Perceptions of Brain Injury Survey
Authors: Oyesanya Tolu O. , Turkstra Lyn S. , Brown Roger L.
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Brain Injury Survey (PBIS), an instrument designed to assess nurses' perceptions and preparation to care for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

We adapted two instruments to create the PBIS, and 724 nurses completed the PBIS at three hospitals.

Results

Final instrument has 66 items and is composed of four subscales, which can be used independently. Results showed Cronbach's alpha for the overall scale was excellent (.93) and alphas for each composite subscale were acceptable to excellent (.73–.93). Findings also suggest good discriminant validity and evidence of external validity.

Conclusions

The PBIS is a reliable and valid measure for assessing nurses' perceptions of caring for patients with TBI in practice or research.
Mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus: CT findings
Authors: ALVER Kadir Han , SAĞTAŞ Ergin , AYKOTA Muhammed Raşid , YILMAZ Sevda , UFUK Furkan
Published: June 2020

A 65-year-old female patient presented with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and inability to perform defecation. The patient complained of abdominal pain and constipation for several days, and these symptoms were exacerbated, nausea and vomiting were added to these complaints on the day of admission. Physical examination revealed that abdominal guarding and tenderness, mainly located in the epigastric region. The patient had a history of previous total knee replacement surgery and ischemic stroke but had no history of trauma or abdominal surgery.
Bir üniversite hastanesindeki sağlık personelinin el hijyeni uyum oranlarının değerlendirilmesi: Prospektif bir çalışma
Authors: DİKİŞ Demet , ŞİMŞEK Sera , KEPELİ Nurhayat , KÜÇÜKLER Nilgün Deniz , ULUSOY Behiye , BİLGİLİ KORKMAZ Nilay , AKŞİT BARIK Şükran , UZUNBAYIR AKEL Nilüfer , ERDEM Hüseyin Aytaç , SİPAHİ Oğuz Reşat , ARDA Bilgin , ÇİLLİ Fatma Feriha , METİN Dilek Yeşim , ÖZİNEL Mehmet Ali , ULUSOY Sercan
Published: June 2020

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, 2014 ve 2018 yılları arasında yoğun bakım ünitelerinde (YBÜ) sağlık çalışanlarının el hijyeni uyum oranını saptamaktır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu araştırma yedi YBÜ’de (Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları, Yenidoğan, İç Hastalıkları, Anestezi ve Reanimasyon, Göğüs Hastalıkları, Nöroloji ve Kalp Damar Cerrahisi) çalışan doktor, hemşire ve yardımcı sağlık personelinin el hijyeni uyumunu değerlendiren prospektif, gözlemsel bir çalışmadır. El hijyeni uyumu enfeksiyon kontrol hemşireleri tarafından Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ) beş endikasyonuna göre Ocak 2014 ile Aralık 2018 arasında haberli gözlem şeklinde yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, yüksek ve düşük el hijyeni uyumluluğuna sahip bireylere kişisel geri bildirimler verilmiştir.
Bulgular: Toplam 24153 el hijyeni fırsat gözlemi (2014: 5695, 2015: 5307, 2016: 4563, 2017: 4821, 2018: 3767) yapıldı. Çalışmamızda 2014'ün ilk döneminde el hijyeni uyum oranı %25,6 idi. Tüm çalışanların el hijyeni uyum oranı sırasıyla; 2014: %32,0, 2015: %55,7, 2016: %61,0, 2017: %55,6 ve 2018: %68,1 olmuştur. Mesleklere göre; el hijyeni uyum oranları hemşirelerde %37 ile %70, yardımcı sağlık personelinde %20 ile %51, doktorlarda %28 ile %49 arasındaydı.
Sonuç: Hastanemizde el hijyeni kurallarına uyum, sürekli çabalarla nispeten zayıf seviyelerden ortalama seviyelere yükselmiştir. El hijyeni uyum oranlarını %70'lerin üstüne çıkarmak için daha fazla destekleyici çalışmaya ihtiyaç vardır.
Anatomical variation in the origin of left vertebral artery: A case report
Authors: YÖRÜK Mustafa Deniz , TUNÇER Pınar , DURMAZ Mevlüt Tuğrul , AKTAN İKİZ Zühre Aslı , BİLGE Okan , ÜÇERLER Hülya
Published: June 2020

We report an abnormal origin of a vertebral artery (VA) on the left side of a 72-year-old male cadaver and refer to its clinical importance. In this cadaver, the left VA was originated from a common trunk with the left subclavian artery from the aortic arch. The significance of this arterial variety is crucial for surgery or invasive procedures at the base of the neck or trauma involving cervical structures.
Pemfigus vulgariste çivi belirtisi: Bir olgu sunumu
Authors: ACAR Ayda , KUŞCU AKDENİZ Funda , AKALIN Taner , KARAARSLAN Işıl
Published: June 2020

Çivi belirtisi, bir lezyondan kaldırılan krut ve skuamın alt yüzeyinde boynuzsu ve dikensi çıkıntıların varlığı olarak tanımlanmaktadır. İlk defa ünlü Türk dermatolog Prof. Dr. Hulusi Behçet tarafından kutanöz layşmanyaziste tanımlanmıştır. Literatürde kutanöz layşmanyazis dışında diskoid lupus eritematozus, pemfigus foliaseus, liken planus, seboreik dermatit, radyoterapi sonrası skalpte gelişen skuamlar ve kutanöz B hücreli lenfoma olgularında da bildirilmiştir.

Burada 68 yaşında erkek hastanın gövde yerleşimli bir pemfigus vulgaris lezyonunda görülen çivi belirtisi, pemfigus vulgariste daha önce çivi belirtisinin tanımlanmamış olması ve ülkemiz dermatologlarının çok iyi bildiği çivi belirtisinin belirgin krut ve skuam ile seyreden pemfigus vulgaris lezyonlarında da görülebileceğinin hatırlatılması amacıyla sunulmaktadır.