Background and Objectives: 3D visualization technology provides a more intuitive visual virtual reality surgical presentation for preoperative simulation planning, inhand visualization operation and accurate postoperative assessment in surgical procedures, but there is a lack of evidence to support whether this technology is more advantageous in preoperative planning of giant goiter. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of 3D visualization technology in the preoperative planning of giant goiter.
The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, is a minor pest in Japan but has become a serious invasive species in several parts of the world, causing damage in a variety of crops and high costs for its control. Many different methods of control have already been applied, including chemical and cultural measures, as well as mass-trapping. The efficacy of biological control attempts, using parasitoids, nematodes, fungi, or bacteria has also been discussed especially with regard to added value of lower ecological impact. The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) treatments is probably attributable to the proteins accumulated in the parasporal body of the bacteria. In this context, a study was conducted to assess the insecticidal activity against P. japonica of the Bt 3 domain non-parasporal body accumulated Cry1Ia protein, and the structurally distant Bt proteins Mpp23Aa and Xpp37Aa. Their activity was tested against P. japonica larvae using a modified leaf-dip protocol, and only the Cry1Ia showed some activity. The results suggest that additional studies on Bacillus proteins are needed for developing new biological control strategies against P. japonica.
In the context of climate changes, expected increases in intensity, frequency, and unpredictability of waterlogging events will aggravate wheat yield losses, currently estimated to range between 20-50%. Wheat production must fulfill ca. 20% of the population’s energy and protein requirements. Evaluating germplasm with different backgrounds may reveal variability for waterlogging tolerance, allowing a better selection of genotypes with desirable traits for wheat breeding programs. In this work, the effect of waterlogging on adventitious root emission, tiller survival and yield was evaluated. Five studied germplasm groups (Portuguese Landraces; Varieties with introduced Italian germplasm; Post-Green Revolution varieties with introduced CYMMIT germplasm; Advanced Lines from the Portuguese Cereal Breeding Program; Australian varieties) were studied. Groups exhibited intra and intervariability in all parameters in response to waterlogging imposed in climatized growth chambers. After 14 days of waterlogging, the number of adventitious roots ranged from 0 to 7.6 plant-1, with 4 Portuguese Landraces depicting the highest number. The number of living tillers at the end of the stress was highly variable, ranging from reductions of 100% to increases up to 35%. At harvest, the number of productive tillers significantly differed among genotypes, with reductions reaching 100% in some cases and increases up to 138% in others. The existence of variability and the identification of key traits underlying waterlogging tolerance will contribute to develop more adapted wheat plants and to improve wheat yield.
Molecular-genetic and functional characterization of bacterial strain B. velezensis BIM В-439 D as the basis of biopesticide Betaprotectin was carried out. Bacterial genome contained 10 loci determining synthesis of polyfunctional enzyme complexes responsible for production of several antimicrobial compounds and lacking genes of drug resistance and pathogenicity. It was shown that the microbial culture suppressed development of a broad spectrum of fungal and bacterial pathogens infecting agricultural crops, raised germination power and sprouting rate of cucumber seeds, displayed high survival rate in natural soil microbiocenoses accounting for elevated phytoprotective and growth-stimulating potential and attractive application prospects as the active principle of biopesticide Betaprotectin. Prolonged application record of biopesticide throughout 10-year vegetation period to promote greenhouse cucumber culture provided for stable phytosanitary control of root rots, caused favorable effect on plant status and increased yields of vegetable products.
Dalbergia sissoo is a native tree species of the Indo-Pak and is one of the most important timber-producing species used in the agroforestry, fuelwood, and furniture industries. Historically widespread mortality of shisham due to dieback was observed during an El Niño cycle characterized by low rains and high temperatures. This is the first report that has successfully established the role of water deficit in shisham dieback under Ceratocystis fimbriata infection. Seedlings were either predisposed to water deficit for two weeks before fungal inoculation or subjected to both stresses i.e., biotic, and abiotic at the same time. The imposition of water deficit and the availability of water at the time of inoculation was determined by the rate of plant development, lesion growth, physiological parameters such as (stomatal conductivity, transpiration rate, photosynthesis rate, water potential, water use efficiency), chlorophyll contents, carotenoids, and oxidative enzymes such as POD, CAT, and H2O2. Water-stressed plants showed dieback symptoms and more susceptibility to fungal infection than well-watered plants clearly demonstrating water deficit is the primary cause of shisham dieback. Inoculated plants responded to stress by decreasing stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and photosynthetic activity due to low water potential. The growth rate was also affected due to low chlorophyll and carotenoid content. D. sissoo reacts to stress by increased production of CAT and POD, enzymes. This study emphasizes the importance of exploring the interaction of drought x disease in shisham and the primary physiological responses involved in plant growth.
Conversion of farmland to forest is one of the important policies of China’s western development strategy, which is of great significance to the protection of ecological environment in western China. In the context of this era, the traditional grazing-based breeding method that the western region has long adhered to needs to be replaced by the factory-based house feeding with large-scale construction of forage bases. On the basis of a self-developed multi-layer three-dimensional intelligent environmental control system, this study comprehensively optimized the temperature and humidity control system, automatic micro-spraying system, intelligent ventilation system and automatic light filling system, so as to develop an efficient wheat hydroponic planting system. Based on the above planting system, it only takes 7 days from sowing to harvesting. The roots, stems and leaves of wheat grains are all fodder, and 7 kilo-grams of green forage grass can be produced by per kilogram of wheat. In addition, through hydroponic transformation of wheat, protein starch, which is difficult or inefficient to be absorbed in the form of wheat seed, can be transformed into easily absorbed amino acids and glucose. Meanwhile, the vitamin content of green feed is significantly increased, which is of great significance to improve the feed biological conversion rate.
This research aims the failure of soft biological tissues in the context of minimally invasive surgery based on numerical analysis that fits experimental results. Using robotic arms for assistance in medical procedures during the last years led to new trends in the development of devices for inserting needles into biological tissues, as well as expansion of studies for the development of new types of needles. A better understanding of the mechanical interaction between a medical tool and a biological tissue requires not only detailed investigation and experimental testing but also study for evaluation of the tissue characteristics and the effect of the needle geometry on the process. The purpose of this first study is to investigate the mechanical properties of soft medical tissues, and the force reaction at needles and to study necessary aspects for performing FEA numerical analysis with better results and better correlation with experimental data.
The scarcity of water resources remains a global challenge. Finding alternatives to increase water availability is an imperative for adaptation and resilience in Cabo Verde. The research developed consisted in evaluating the use of desalinated, blended1 and brackish water in a light textured soil and its impacts on the productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) crops. The yield of tomato crop, irrigated with blended water (T2 with 2.5 dS/m), was 23.38 ton/ha; followed by irrigation with blended water (T3 with 3.5 dS/m) with a yield of 16.56 ton/ha, and irrigation with brackish water (T4 with 5.75 dS/m) whose yield was16.93 ton/ha. The lowest yield recorded (4.8 ton/ha) was with the treatment T1, irrigation with desalinated water. Regarding fruit quality, no significant variations were observed in tomato quality parameters, however, the variety Savana F1 is sensitive to apical rot. The average weight of the fruits differed according to the treatments: T1 (33.3g), T2 (39.7 g), T3 (32.4 g) and T4 (26.9 g). In terms of yield decrease (Qy) the following values were recorded: T1 (Qy =79.5%), T3 (Qy =29.2%) and T4 (Qy =27.6%) compared to the best treatment, T2 (23.38 ton/ha). The zucchini crop despite being moderately sensitive to salinity, did not adapt to the environmental conditions of the trial. The yield of sweet potato crop, irrigated with T1, was 14.6 ton/ha, followed by T2 with 11.08 ton/ha and T3 with 9.15 ton/ha. The lowest value verified (5.87 ton/ha) was with T4, brackish water. Regarding tubers quality, no significant variations were observed, but the average weight was better with the T1 treatment (199.4 g) followed by T2 (181.5g) and T3 (141.4g) and lastly T4 (126.3g). In terms of Qy, T2 (Qy =24.1%), T3 (Qy =37.3%) and T4 (Qy =60%) were the best compared to T1 (14.6 ton/ha). The results show that irrigation with blended water (desalinated and brackish) in adequate doses is a solution for increasing water availability and strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems in Cabo Verde (SID).
Pesticide residues must be managed for food safety and regulations are being strengthened worldwide. In Korea, the Positive List System (PLS) was introduced to prevent the misuse and manage unregistered pesticides. The PLS is a system that applies 0.01 mg/kg to crops for which maximum residue limits is not set. A more stringent regulatory system could lead to an increase in agricultural products that exceed standards. Therefore it is necessary to confirm the change in the determination rate of agricultural products exceeding the previous pesticide residue standards. In terms of climate change, temperature increase and changes in precipitation patterns are the main pest and pathogen infection determinants. Complex interactions and climate variability will lead to more frequent spraying of pesticides and eventually affect consumer exposure at the end of the food chain. Therefore, we confirmed the relationship between temperature and precipitation, which are climate factors and pesticide residues. Agricultural products (n=5,560) distributed at wholesale market (SeoBu, GakHwa) in the southwest Korea were collected and 311 kind of residual pesticides were analyzed using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. This study could serve as basic data for pesticide residue prevention, management, control and monitoring in countries seeking to tighten pesticide standards.
Western flower thrips (WFT) are a major insect pest of blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius, Rosaceae) crops in Mexico, causing significant damage to blackberry crops. Yellow and blue traps are used to monitor adult thrips populations during the blossom season. However, the effect of different shades of these colours on the capture of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is not clearly known. The current study evaluated four shades of yellow (opaque, neutral, brilliant, and phosphorescent) and three shades of blue (opaque, neutral, and brilliant), subsequently, the most attractive shade (brilliant blue or high lustre blue was selected, and different geometric figures (circle, half-circle, rhombus, triangle, inverted triangle, and square) were evaluated on a black background in blackberry crops. Brilliant blue and phosphorescent yellow traps captured the highest number of WFT adults; but brilliant blue traps captured numerically more WFT adults than phosphorescent yellow traps. The use of different geometric figures of brilliant blue on a green background did not improve thrip capture compared to the brilliant blue trap without a background. The kairomone Lurem-TR increased the number WTF adults captured 2 - 3 times more the unbaited trap, and 2 mg of eugenol increased 1.5 - 2.5. These results are useful to complement the monitoring system for F. occidentalis in host crops of this pest.
Only a limited number of post-bloom thinners is available for apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) at the present time. The influence of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in two strains of ‘Gala’, one strain of ‘Delicious’, and one strain of ‘Fuji’ apples, when fruitlet diameter was about 20 mm, on fruit set and fruit size at hand-thinning in Southwest Idaho in the Intermountain West region, USA was studied. Applications of ACC reduced fruit set in ‘Schlect Spur Delicious’ in 7 and 30 days after application. Acc applications reduced fruit set in ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples 30 days after application. Fruit weight after 30 days of ACC application (hand thinning time) in trees receiving ACC was higher than those in Untreated Control and the difference was significant only in ‘Schlect Spur Delicious’ apple. Application of ACC at 300 mg·L−1 or 365 mg·L−1 in this study did not have any advese effects on foliage or fruit skin in any of the tested cultivars in this project.
‘Piarom’ date (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the semi-arid and commercially important cultivars in Iran. In Ahvaz region of Iran, most of the date cultivars, including ‘Piarom’, turn sour and fall prematurely, during the rutab stage, due to high moisture content, leading to a major yield reduction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate different methods of artificial ripening of ‘Piarom’ dates in the khalal and rutab stages. The treatments included immersing the ‘Piarom’ fruit in acetic acid (1% and 2%) and NaCl (1%and 2%) solutions and freezing treatments for three times of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Harvesting of Khalal was done at three different times from the beginning of Khalal stage and once every two weeks. Fruit receiving an acidic acid application at 2% in all immersion and harvest treatments had the highest speed and percentage of transformation of khalal to rutab. Crop with a 2% acidic acid immersing treatment at the first and third harvests had the highest desirable fruit-finish. The highest percentage of desirable dates in the first and second harvests was related to 72- and 24-hours freezing treatments, respectively. By delaying the harvesting time, the moisture content of the khalals decreased significantly. The moisture content percentage of fruit obtained from chemical and physical treatments was higher than that of natural dates. There was no significant difference among different harvesting times regarding soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and percentage of reducing sugar of khalal fruit. In general, the SSC of artificially ripened fruit was lower than that of natural ‘Piarom’ dates. During all three harvest times, the TA level of date fruit obtained from chemical treatments was significantly affected by the treatments. In all three harvests, there was no significant difference among chemical treatments regarding of reducing sugars percentage. In all three harvests, the reducing sugar content of frozen fruit was lower than that of natural dates. According to the study, acetic acid at 2% was more successful than other treatments if it did not have a bad effect on the taste and aroma of the fruit. Thus, we suggest that the impact of other acid-containing compounds, but without the poor taste of acidic acid, such as acid extracts from other fruit be experimented for the ripening of ‘Piarom’ date in the future.
Mediterranean Diet has been widely studied and its nutritional, healthy, and sustainable benefits have been recognized. However, in the last decades, globalization has brought about major changes in the developed world and a progressive deviation from the main Mediterranean patterns. Fresh food and traditional recipes continue to be valued and their beneficial effects on health are scientifically proven. Despite this, they have been largely replaced by fast and less nutritious food is it possible to perform alternatives and procedures that help us to mitigate some deviations from the Mediterranean Diet, contributing to a more right, sustainable, and nutritious food system in a globalized world? This communication reinforces the idea that food technology and scientific advances must be properly applied to meet the challenges faced by Mediterranean countries.
Article history: Received: 08 November, 2020 Accepted: 24 December, 2020 Online: 15 January, 2021 The widespread team project method is more effective when used in conjunction with heuristic methods. The large number of heuristic methods and the variety of their descriptions create a problem to prepare students for the use of these methods. A method based on two areas of knowledge heuristics and psychology is proposed. The personality types of students STEM specialties according to Myers-Briggs are considered. An analysis of interaction of personality types from the point of view of application of heuristic methods is performed. The survey for percentage composition personality types of student STEM specialties was carried out and predominantly types of student STEM specialties was determine. Heuristic methods are consideration as sum of heuristic techniques and procedure. It is shown that many methods involve the same heuristic techniques and differ only in procedures. A generalized method has been developed that allows replacing most of the methods based on collective discussion. This method included five heuristic techniques: collective discussion, pause between the presentation of ideas and their criticism, random associations, analogy, expert evaluation, using a matrix. This method is mainly aimed at teaching students of STEM specialties. A project team is formed to use the method. The composition of this team includes a discussion group, a criticism group and a expert evaluation group. These groups are formed in accordance with the personal types of participants. The method includes an algorithm for team members to interact when using heuristic techniques and procedures.
Safety vegetables are nutritionally essential for our good health, but we are daily fighting against to take “Safe and Fresh Vegetables” for “sake of “Good Health” due to contamination, adulterations and pesticides residues effects. The aim of the study was to examine the consumers’ preference for food quality and safety attributes of fresh vegetables by using quality and safety attributes of fresh vegetables using the best-worst scaling technique. The balanced incomplete block design procedure was employed to obtain a total 180 sample from Dhaka and Mymensingh city of Bangladesh. The data were collected through survey monkey software by using the pre-determined structured questionnaire and analyzed by the MaxDiff scaling and multinomial mixed logit regression model. The results revealed that fresh vegetable attributes were a combination of size, appearance, texture, freshness, and flavor as well as nutritional ingredients and safety aspects that determine their value to the consumer. The fresh vegetables contained vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber that satisfied consumer demand and helped to keep healthy and protect from diseases. The researchers found that nutritional value, purity, freshness, shelf life and safety are the most important attributes of fresh vegetables and variety, size, content, colour are the least important for the consumers. The study concludes that demand for can be significantly stimulated in the study area when these most important attributes have been considered by producers, processors, and marketers.
Different evidences indicate that climate of the earth was changed and continuously changing. Thus, this study investigates the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers and its factors that influence the choice of farmers’ in Hobicha woreda, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. The data was collected from 137 sample households using a survey questionnaire and was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and econometric methods. The multivariate probit model was used to examine the adaptation strategies and the determinant factors that influence farmers’ choice of the adaptation strategies respectively. The adaptation strategies considered in the MVPM model analysis were crop selection (49.6%), cropping calendar (61.3%), crop diversification (57.7%), soil and water conservation practices (45.3%) and irrigation (8.8%). In addition, the MVPM analysis showed that gender, age, educational status, farm size, Soil fertility, distance from the market center, agroecology, access to climate information and access to credit of the households are significant factors influencing the smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies. Therefore, strengthening the farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate change is important policy implication.
The article discusses the possibility of overcoming the remediation restrictions in the territories of technogenic and anthropogenically altered landscape using an integrated biotechnological approach that affects modern technologies for optimizing the landscape conditions and creating sustainable plant-soil-microorganism systems. The possibilities of increasing the resistance of plants, microorganisms and actinomycetes for the purposes of biological remediation are analyzed. We are discussing the technological aspects of the organization of the restoration of landscapes with slopes and problematic in terms of the availability of toxic materials.
The hygroscopic balance of castor bean seeds (Ricinus communis L.) assists the proper handling of the product to preserve its water content at the levels recommended for safe storage. The objective of this work was to determine the water adsorption isotherms of castor bean seeds (EVF103 and EVF106) to obtain information on the amount of water that this product adsorb at temperatures of 10, 20, 30, 40oC and water activities between 0.20 and 0.89, as well as adjusting different mathematical models to the experimental data. To obtain the hygroscopic equilibrium, the indirect static method was used, using Hygropalm Model Aw 1 equipment, analyzing castor bean seeds of the genotypes EVF103 and EVF106. The Copace model (for the EVF103) and Modified Oswin model (for the EVF106), according to the statistical parameters and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and Schwarz’s bayesian information criterion (BIC) information criteria, represent the hygroscopicity of castor bean seeds in the temperature range of 10 to 40oC. In a same water activity, the water content of the castor bean seeds of the genotypes EVF103 and EVF106 reduces with increasing temperature.
The objective of this study was to propose an adaptation to the measurement methodology using enzymatic kits with raw meat and compare the efficiency in the quantification of total cholesterol in raw and freeze-dried meat, in order to optimize the execution of the analysis and the estimation of the results obtained. We used the longissimus thoracis and semitendinosus Nellore muscles which were acquired in a commercial slaughterhouse. They were ground with a food processor and separated; one of these parts was freeze-dried and the other was kept raw. The methodology purposed in our research (using freeze-dried meat), obtained better measures for cholesterol levels in both muscles. The total cholesterol measures for longissimus thoracis and semitendinosus with freeze-dried meat were 12% and 13% higher comparing to raw meat, respectively. The utilization of freeze-dried meat was more effective on the extraction and measurement of total cholesterol in both muscles.
The influence of different cropping systems on the soil weed seed bank after the first crop rotation within a five-field crop rotation (barley undersown with red clover, red clover, winter wheat, pea, potato) in three organic (Org) and in two conventional (Conv) cropping systems was investigated. In organic systems Org I and Org II cover crops were incorporated as a source of nutrient inputs to the soil and in Org II composted cattle manure was also applied. The Org 0 acted as the organic control system without cover crops and manure. The two conventional cropping systems were treated with herbicides and fungicides and differed in fertilizer application (i.e. Conv I no fertilizer use (as control) and Conv II mineral fertilizer use). In general, the lowest number of annual weed seeds was found in system Conv I, the highest in Conv II. In organic systems with cover crops (Org I, II) there was a strong tendency for decreased weed seed numbers and increased biodiversity. The highest values of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef richness index were in Org II system. In all systems the most abundant species in weed seed banks were Chenopodium album L. and Viola arvensis Murr.
