scholarly journals Rapid continental spread of a salt-tolerant plant along the European road network

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fekete ◽  
Gy. Haszonits ◽  
D. Schmidt ◽  
H. Bak ◽  
O. Vincze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Road Network ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Salt Tolerant ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Germination Experiment ◽  
Plantago Coronopus

AbstractThe spread of alien species with the expansion of road networks and increasing traffic is a well-known phenomenon globally. Besides their corridor effects, road maintenance practices, such as the use of de-icing salts during winter facilitate the spread of halophyte (salt tolerant) species along roads. A good example is Plantago coronopus, a mainly coastal halophyte which has started spreading inland from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal habitats, recently reaching even Central European countries (e.g. Hungary). Here we studied the spread of this halophyte and tried to identify factors explaining its successful dispersion along roads, while also comparing native and non-native roadside occurrences with regard to altitude of the localities, size of roadside populations and frequency of roadside occurrences. We completed a comprehensive literature review and collected more than 200 reports of occurrence from roadsides spanning a total of 38 years. During systematic sampling the frequency of the species along roads was significantly higher in the Mediterranean (native area), than along Hungarian (non-native area) roads, however the average number of individuals at the sampling localities were very similar, and no significant difference could be detected. Using a germination experiment, we demonstrate that although the species is able to germinate even at high salt concentrations, salt is not required for germination. Indeed salt significantly decreases germination probability of the seeds. The successful spread of the species could most likely be explained by its remarkably high seed production, or some special characteristics (e.g. seed dimorphism) and its ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. Considering the recent and rapid eastward spread of P. coronopus, occurrences in other countries where it has not been reported yet can be predicted in coming years.

scholarly journals ALIGNMENT MODEL FOR TRUNK ROAD NETWORK MAINTENANCE OUTSOURCING

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ena E. ORUGBO ◽  
Babakalli M. ALKALI ◽  
Anjali DESILVA ◽  
David K. HARRISON
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Score Card ◽  
Network Maintenance ◽  
Trunk Road ◽  
Maintenance Outsourcing ◽  
Alignment Model

Road maintenance outsourcing is now the foremost strategy by which road authorities procure maintenance works. Despite growing application of road maintenance outsourcing, there are conflicting estimates on the effective­ness of road maintenance outsourcing and shortage of appropriate models to align over optimistic expectations of road authorities from road maintenance outsourcing with substantiated benefits. This paper investigates the efficacy of road maintenance outsourcing. In this paper, the different variants of road maintenance outsourcing and road maintenance works are evaluated with a SWOT analysis and a comprehensive literature review respectively. In addition, a road main­tenance outsourcing alignment model based on a decision tree and Balance Score Card is proposed and illustrated with a Nigerian trunk road network authority as a case study. The result of the SWOT analysis and comprehensive literature review establishes fresh insight into road maintenance outsourcing dynamics. The presented road maintenance outsourc­ing alignment model provides adequate pathways that could assist road authorities identify the most appropriate road maintenance outsourcing variant for road maintenance procurement. In addition it aligns actual benefits and expectations of road maintenance outsourcing and facilitates development of SMART metrics for effective assessment of road main­tenance outsourcing. The proposed model is applicable across other infrastructures.

scholarly journals Biochemical and molecular characterization of Alternaria alternata isolates highly resistant to procymidone from broccoli and cabbage

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingran Wang ◽  
Tiancheng Lou ◽  
Lingling Wei ◽  
Wenchan Chen ◽  
Longbing Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternaria Alternata ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Leaf Blights ◽  
High Level

AbstractAlternaria alternata, a causal agent of leaf blights and spots on a wide range of hosts, has a high risk of developing resistance to fungicides. Procymidone, a dicarboximide fungicide (DCF), has been widely used in controlling Alternaria leaf blights in China for decades. However, the resistance of A. alternata against DCFs has rarely been reported from crucifer plants. A total of 198 A. alternata isolates were collected from commercial fields of broccoli and cabbage during 2018–2019, and their sensitivities to procymidone were determined. Biochemical and molecular characteristics were subsequently compared between the high-level procymidone-resistant (ProHR) and procymidone-sensitive (ProS) isolates, and also between ProHR isolates from broccoli and cabbage. Compared with ProS isolates, the mycelial growth rate, sporulation capacity and virulence of most ProHR isolates were reduced; ProHR isolates displayed an increased sensitivity to osmotic stresses and a reduced sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); all ProHR isolates showed a reduced sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) except for the isolate B102. Correlation analysis revealed a positive cross-resistance between procymidone and iprodione, or fludioxonil. When treated with 10 μg/mL of procymidone, both mycelial intracellular glycerol accumulations (MIGAs) and relative expression of AaHK1 in ProS isolates were higher than those in ProHR isolates. Sequence alignment of AaHK1 from ten ProHR isolates demonstrated that five of them possessed a single-point mutation (P94A, V612L, E708K or Q924STOP), and four isolates had an insertion or a deletion in their coding regions. No significant difference in biochemical characteristics was observed among ProHR isolates from two different hosts, though mutations in AaHK1 of the cabbage-originated ProHR isolates were distinct from those of the broccoli-originated ProHR isolates.

scholarly journals Antifungal Activity of Propyl Disulfide from Neem (Azadirachta indica) in Vapor and Agar Diffusion Assays against Anthracnose Pathogens (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum) in Mango Fruit

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 839
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rafiullah Khan ◽  
Vanee Chonhenchob ◽  
Chongxing Huang ◽  
Panitee Suwanamornlert
Keyword(s):  
Antifungal Activity ◽  
Mycelial Growth ◽  
Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides ◽  
Colletotrichum Acutatum ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Pathogenicity Test ◽  
Agar Diffusion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Diffusion Assay

Microorganisms causing anthracnose diseases have a medium to a high level of resistance to the existing fungicides. This study aimed to investigate neem plant extract (propyl disulfide, PD) as an alternative to the current fungicides against mango’s anthracnose. Microorganisms were isolated from decayed mango and identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum acutatum. Next, a pathogenicity test was conducted and after fulfilling Koch’s postulates, fungi were reisolated from these symptomatic fruits and we thus obtained pure cultures. Then, different concentrations of PD were used against these fungi in vapor and agar diffusion assays. Ethanol and distilled water were served as control treatments. PD significantly (p ≤ 0.05) inhibited more of the mycelial growth of these fungi than both controls. The antifungal activity of PD increased with increasing concentrations. The vapor diffusion assay was more effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of these fungi than the agar diffusion assay. A good fit (R2, 0.950) of the experimental data in the Gompertz growth model and a significant difference in the model parameters, i.e., lag phase (λ), stationary phase (A) and mycelial growth rate, further showed the antifungal efficacy of PD. Therefore, PD could be the best antimicrobial compound against a wide range of microorganisms.

scholarly journals A Threat of Farmers’ Suicide and the Opportunity in Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Development in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Mariappan ◽  
Deyi Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Input Cost

Agriculture is the main sources of income for humans. Likewise, agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. In India, Tamil Nadu regional state has a wide range of possibilities to produce all varieties of organic products due to its diverse agro-climatic condition. This research aimed to identify the economics and efficiency of organic farming, and the possibilities to reduce farmers’ suicides in the Tamil Nadu region through the organic agriculture concept. The emphasis was on farmers, producers, researchers, and marketers entering the sustainable economy through organic farming by reducing input cost and high profit in cultivation. A survey was conducted to gather data. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to test the hypothesis regards the cost and profit of rice production. The results showed that there was a significant difference in profitability between organic and conventional farming methods. It is very transparent that organic farming is the leading concept of sustainable agricultural development with better organic manures that can improve soil fertility, better yield, less input cost and better return than conventional farming. The study suggests that by reducing the cost of cultivation and get a marginal return through organic farming method to poor and small scale farmers will reduce socio-economic problems such as farmers’ suicides in the future of Indian agriculture.

scholarly journals 4K 3-dimensional video microscope system (orbeye) for transsphenoidal pituitary surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Rotermund ◽  
Jan Regelsberger ◽  
Katharina Osterhage ◽  
Jens Aberle ◽  
Jörg Flitsch
Keyword(s):  
3D Visualization ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Pituitary Surgery ◽  
Image Resolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Duration Of Surgery ◽  
Video Microscope ◽  
Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery

Abstract Background In previous reports on experiences with an exoscope, this new technology was not found to be applicable for transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. As a specialized center for pituitary surgery, we were using a 4K 3D video microscope (Orbeye, Olympus) to evaluate the system for its use in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery in comparison to conventional microscopy. Method We report on 296 cases performed with the Orbeye at a single institution. An observational study was conducted with standardized subjective evaluation by the surgeons after each procedure. An objective measurement was added to compare the exoscopic and microscopic methods, involving surgery time and the initial postoperative remission rate in matched cohorts. Results The patients presented with a wide range of pathologies. No serious events or minor complications occurred based on the usage of the 4K 3D exoscope. There was no need for switching back to the microscope in any of the cases. Compared to our microsurgically operated collective, there was no significant difference regarding duration of surgery, complications, or extent of resection. The surgeons rated the Orbeye beneficial in regard to instrument size, positioning, surgeon’s ergonomics, learning curve, image resolution, and high magnification. Conclusions The Orbeye exoscope presents with optical and digital zoom options as well as a 4K image resolution and 3D visualization resulting in better depth perception and flexibility in comparison to the microscope. Split screen mode offers the complementary benefit of the endoscope which may increase the possibilities of lateral view but has to be evaluated in comparison to endoscopic transsphenoidal procedures in the next step.

Forest path condition monitoring based on crowd-based trajectory data analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Francisco Arcas-Tunez ◽  
Fernando Terroso-Saenz
Keyword(s):  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Road Networks ◽  
Trajectory Data ◽  
Country Road ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sport Activities ◽  
Path Condition ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The City

The development of Road Information Acquisition Systems (RIASs) based on the Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) paradigm has been widely studied for the last years. In that sense, most of the existing MCS-based RIASs focus on urban road networks and assume a car-based scenario. However, there exist a scarcity of approaches that pay attention to rural and country road networks. In that sense, forest paths are used for a wide range of recreational and sport activities by many different people and they can be also affected by different problems or obstacles blocking them. As a result, this work introduces SAMARITAN, a framework for rural-road network monitoring based on MCS. SAMARITAN analyzes the spatio-temporal trajectories from cyclists extracted from the fitness application Strava so as to uncover potential obstacles in a target road network. The framework has been evaluated in a real-world network of forest paths in the city of Cieza (Spain) showing quite promising results.

scholarly journals Integrity, use and care of long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Nyangi ◽  
Elizabeth Kigondu ◽  
Beatrice Irungu ◽  
Margaret Nganga ◽  
Anthony Gachanja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Malaria Vector ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Bed Nets ◽  
Malaria Vector Control ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets

Abstract Background Vector control is an essential component in prevention and control of malaria in malaria endemic areas. Insecticide treated nets is one of the standard tools recommended for malaria vector control. The objective of the study was to determine physical integrity and insecticidal potency of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) used in control of malaria vector in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Method The study targeted households in an area which had received LLINs during mass net distribution in 2016 from Ministry of Health. A total of 420 households were sampled using systematic sampling method, where the household heads consented to participate in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to assess care and use while physical examination was used to determine integrity. Chemical concentration was determined by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results After 18 months of use, 96.9% (95% CI: 95.2–98.6%) of the distributed nets were still available. Regarding net utilization, 94.1% of household heads reported sleeping under an LLIN the previous night. After physical examination, 49.9% (95% CI: 43–52.8%) of the bed nets had at least one hole. The median number of holes of any size was 2[interquartile range (IQR) 1–4], and most holes were located on the lower part of the nets, [median 3 (IQR 2–5)]. Only 15% of the nets with holes had been repaired. The median concentration for α-cypermethrin was 7.15 mg/m2 (IQR 4.25–15.31) and 0.00 mg/g (IQR 0.00–1.99) for permethrin. Based on pHI, Chi-square test varied significantly with the manufacturer (X (6, N = 389) = 29.14, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between nets with different number of washes (X2(2) = 4.55, p = 0.103). Conclusion More than three-quarters of the nets supplied had survived and insecticidal potency was adequate in vector control. Standard procedure for field evaluation of surface insecticidal content available to a mosquito after landing on a net to rest is recommended.

scholarly journals One year of Raman lidar observations of free-tropospheric aerosol layers over South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5429-5442 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Giannakaki ◽  
A. Pfüller ◽  
K. Korhonen ◽  
T. Mielonen ◽  
L. Laakso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Tropospheric Aerosol ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
532 Nm

Abstract. Raman lidar data obtained over a 1 year period has been analysed in relation to aerosol layers in the free troposphere over the Highveld in South Africa. In total, 375 layers were observed above the boundary layer during the period 30 January 2010 to 31 January 2011. The seasonal behaviour of aerosol layer geometrical characteristics, as well as intensive and extensive optical properties were studied. The highest centre heights of free-tropospheric layers were observed during the South African spring (2520 ± 970 m a.g.l., also elsewhere). The geometrical layer depth was found to be maximum during spring, while it did not show any significant difference for the rest of the seasons. The variability of the analysed intensive and extensive optical properties was high during all seasons. Layers were observed at a mean centre height of 2100 ± 1000 m with an average lidar ratio of 67 ± 25 sr (mean value with 1 standard deviation) at 355 nm and a mean extinction-related Ångström exponent of 1.9 ± 0.8 between 355 and 532 nm during the period under study. Except for the intensive biomass burning period from August to October, the lidar ratios and Ångström exponents are within the range of previous observations for urban/industrial aerosols. During Southern Hemispheric spring, the biomass burning activity is clearly reflected in the optical properties of the observed free-tropospheric layers. Specifically, lidar ratios at 355 nm were 89 ± 21, 57 ± 20, 59 ± 22 and 65 ± 23 sr during spring (September–November), summer (December–February), autumn (March–May) and winter (June–August), respectively. The extinction-related Ångström exponents between 355 and 532 nm measured during spring, summer, autumn and winter were 1.8 ± 0.6, 2.4 ± 0.9, 1.8 ± 0.9 and 1.8 ± 0.6, respectively. The mean columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD) obtained from lidar measurements was found to be 0.46 ± 0.35 at 355 nm and 0.25 ± 0.2 at 532 nm. The contribution of free-tropospheric aerosols on the AOD had a wide range of values with a mean contribution of 46%.

The Research on the Mechanical Property of CBF/PP Composite Board

2010 ◽  
Vol 150-151 ◽  
pp. 1063-1067
Author(s):  
Fei Fei Zhu ◽  
Zhi Li Zhong ◽  
Zong Fu Guo
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Property ◽  
Polypropylene Fiber ◽  
Basalt Fiber ◽  
Variance Analysis ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Composite Board ◽  
Actual Application ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference

The three composite boards which were made of continuous basalt fiber (CBF) and polypropylene fiber (PP) in different fiber ratios were researched on this paper. The manufacturing forming process included blending, carding, web formation, laminating and compression molding orderly. The tension and bending properties were investigated experimentally, and then dual variance analysis was used to show the significant difference of the mechanical property in the transverse and longitudinal orientation as well the appreciable impact of different fiber ratios to the mechanical property. The results show that the difference of the tension and blending strength in the same direction, among composite boards in different fiber proportions, is about 1~10Mpa; the difference in the same fiber proportion, between transverse and longitudinal, vary within a wide range from 10Mpa to 30Mpa. The results of variance analysis have also proved the conclusion, the difference between transverse and longitudinal is more significant than the difference among different fiber proportions. In the similar study, the significance hadn’t been seen sufficiently, so this paper provides reference to the actual application of the composite board.

RELATIONSHIP OF ELEVATED BLOOD TYROSINE TO THE ULTIMATE INTELLECTUAL PERFORMANCE OF PREMATURE INFANTS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Menkes ◽  
Doris W. Welcher ◽  
Helene S. Levi ◽  
Joseph Dallas ◽  
Neil E. Gretsky
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Intellectual Performance ◽  
Wide Range Achievement Test ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Picture Completion

Blood tyrosine concentrations were followed from birth to nursery discharge in 71 premature infants fed a high protein formula supplemented by 60 mg/day of ascorbic acid. In 89% of infants blood tyrosine concentrations were abnormal, and in 38% of infants the maximum level observed was 15.0 mg/100 ml or higher. Maximum blood tyrosine levels correlated significantly with gestational age (p = < 0.05) but not with birth weight. In a follow-up study performed at 15 months of age, infants with high tyrosine levels had no increase in the incidence of neurological abnormalities. Between 7 and 8 years of age a second follow-up study was performed on 62 children. This included a WISC, a Wide-Range Achievement Test (WRAT), and tests for psychomotor and language maturity. Two children had died in the interval, and five of the 62 were retarded for full testing. The full scale WISC I.Q. of all children correlated with birth weight at the 10% confidence level (p = < 0.1). The mean WISC I.Q. of high and low tyrosine subjects was 82.9 and 81.6 respectively. When infants were grouped by birth weight, a significant difference was detected in subjects weighing 2,000 gm or more. High tyrosine infants had a significantly lower performance I.Q. than low tyrosine infants (82.4 and 97.8 respectively; p = < 0.02). Significant differences were recorded in the scores on Object Assembly, Picture Assembly, and Picture Completion of the WISC. Significant differences were also seen on the Spelling subtest of the WRAT (p = < 0.02). We observed no adverse effect of high tyrosine levels on the intellectual performance of smaller premature infants, who on the whole have a greater risk for other complications of prematurity.

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