scholarly journals Fruit Development and Primary Metabolism in Apple

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1160
Author(s):  
Verónica Tijero ◽  
Francesco Girardi ◽  
Alessandro Botton
Keyword(s):  
Primary Metabolism ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Organoleptic Characteristics ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Important Trait ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Apple Quality

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) represent one of the most produced fruits worldwide, along with citrus and bananas. As high quality is an important trait for the consumer, many studies have focused on the research of new techniques to ensure and preserve the optimal organoleptic characteristics of this fruit. However, despite the huge number of studies on recent technological advances dealing with fruit final quality, less research has focused on the physiological aspects of apple development, including a variety of processes triggered after fertilization, such as photosynthesis, assimilation of carbohydrates, cell division, and cell enlargement, which determine apple final quality. In the present review, we summarize some of the most important changes and mechanisms linked to the primary metabolism of apples, as well as the effect of agronomic practices, such as fruit thinning, as key factors to improve apple quality and meet consumer demands, with the aim of amassing available information and suggesting future directions of research.

scholarly journals Do We Need to Use Bats as Bioindicators?

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Danilo Russo ◽  
Valeria B. Salinas-Ramos ◽  
Luca Cistrone ◽  
Sonia Smeraldo ◽  
Luciano Bosso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Legal Obligation ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
River Quality ◽  
Surrogate Taxa ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Sampling Problems ◽  
The Eu

Bats show responses to anthropogenic stressors linked to changes in other ecosystem components such as insects, and as K-selected mammals, exhibit fast population declines. This speciose, widespread mammal group shows an impressive trophic diversity and provides key ecosystem services. For these and other reasons, bats might act as suitable bioindicators in many environmental contexts. However, few studies have explicitly tested this potential, and in some cases, stating that bats are useful bioindicators more closely resembles a slogan to support conservation than a well-grounded piece of scientific evidence. Here, we review the available information and highlight the limitations that arise in using bats as bioindicators. Based on the limited number of studies available, the use of bats as bioindicators is highly promising and warrants further investigation in specific contexts such as river quality, urbanisation, farming practices, forestry, bioaccumulation, and climate change. Whether bats may also serve as surrogate taxa remains a controversial yet highly interesting matter. Some limitations to using bats as bioindicators include taxonomical issues, sampling problems, difficulties in associating responses with specific stressors, and geographically biased or delayed responses. Overall, we urge the scientific community to test bat responses to specific stressors in selected ecosystem types and develop research networks to explore the geographic consistency of such responses. The high cost of sampling equipment (ultrasound detectors) is being greatly reduced by technological advances, and the legal obligation to monitor bat populations already existing in many countries such as those in the EU offers an important opportunity to accomplish two objectives (conservation and bioindication) with one action.

Determination of target volumes in radiotherapy and the implications of technological advances: a literature review

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51
Author(s):  
Bongile Mzenda ◽  
M.E. Hosseini-Ashrafi ◽  
A. Palmer ◽  
D.F. Hodgson ◽  
H. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Adaptive Radiotherapy ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Image Guided Radiotherapy ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Target Volumes ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Modelling Techniques

AbstractThis study assesses the influence of new techniques and technologies in radiotherapy on the derivation and applicability of the margins currently used for treatment planning. The validity of the continued use of the recommendations of International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) and other recommendations as a result of the additional information derived from these emerging techniques is also reviewed. The ICRU formulations still remain fundamental in the derivation of target volumes in radiotherapy; however, revisions to these have been recommended through various experimental and modelling techniques leading to the publication of various margin recipes. These recipes are used for margin definitions in new radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The use of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) techniques leads to the reduction in organ motion uncertainties and setup errors, allowing for the adjustment of margins and treatment plans as well as dose escalation. Clinical trials are still needed to validate most of the new techniques in radiotherapy, particularly in IGRT techniques leading to adaptive radiotherapy. It is recommended that well devised clinical trials should be conducted to investigate fully the efficacy of these new techniques, particularly in radiotherapy image guidance and adaptive radiotherapy. Such trials would validate any recommendations regarding the current clinical margins and impact on their continued clinical use.

scholarly journals Equine colic: a review of the equine hindgut and colic

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Bland
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Technological Advances

Colic is the major cause of morbidity and mortality, premature deaths, and is the number one health concern in horses. To increase the quality of life for horses, it is vital to understand the causes, signs, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of colic. Horses are hindgut fermenters and their cecal microbiome can easily be altered due to environmental and physiological changes. Colic can be induced from starch overloading, which can have detrimental effects on the cecum microbiome, such as decreasing hindgut pH and altering the production of volatile fatty acids. In addition, if the immune system becomes compromised, causing changes in the hindgut microbiome, this will trigger a proliferation of opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria, which can cause numerous gastrointestinal diseases, resulting in colic. However, identifying a variety of microorganisms in the cecum is extremely difficult and understudied because difficulties in sampling and not all bacteria strains can be cultured. Therefore, next generation sequencing has helped in identifying microbes found in the gastrointestinal tract. Using the application of metagenomics, allows scientists to be able to sequence thousands of microorganisms simultaneously. In addition, exploring new techniques to help identify and achieve a clearer picture of the microbiome population and how it may change during bouts of colic could revolutionize the way veterinarians diagnose colic and tailoring a treatment specific to the microoganisms that are proliferating. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of colic and next technological advances could increase the quality of life for horses and minimize the mortality rates.

scholarly journals A critical analysis of the management of craniofacial microsomia

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-78
Author(s):  
David John David AC
Keyword(s):  
Distraction Osteogenesis ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Craniofacial Microsomia ◽  
New Procedures

Distraction Osteogenesis was introduced into the management of Craniofacial Microsomia some decades ago. It assumed almost instant popularity without evidence of advantage. Poor long-term results and high rates of relapse prove this technique is unsuitable for all but the most carefully selected patients. While innovation and technological advances are to be celebrated, it is vital that new procedures are rigorously tested against current protocols. It is also imperative, that thorough knowledge of disease pathology and pathogenesis are applied against new procedures. It is the view of the author that many painful, useless operations would be avoided if surgeons better understood these key fundamentals. Furthermore, there must be clear guidelines for the introduction of new techniques and devices, and this must happen independently of manufacturers.

Privacy Risk in E-Commerce

2009 ◽  
pp. 1188-1193
Author(s):  
Tziporah Stern
Keyword(s):  
World Wide ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The World ◽  
Data Files ◽  
The Right

Privacy, or the right to hold information about oneself in secret (Masuda, 1979; O’Brien & Yasnof, 1999), has become increasingly important in the information society. With the rapid technological advances and the digitalization of information, retrieval of specific records is more rapid; personal information can be integrated into a number of different data files; and copying, transporting, collecting, storing, and processing large amounts of information is easier. Additionally, the advent of the World Wide Web and the fast-paced growth of the Internet have created further cause for concern. The vast amounts of digital information and the pervasiveness of the Internet facilitate new techniques for gathering information—for example, spyware, phishing, and cookies. Hence, personal information is much more vulnerable to being inappropriately used. This article outlines the importance of privacy in an e-commerce environment, the specific privacy concerns individuals may have, antecedents to these concerns, and potential remedies to quell them.

scholarly journals Four Factors that will shape the Future of Work

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Beno
Keyword(s):  
Technological Progress ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Future Of Work ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Future ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Diverse World ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Complex Activities

The future of work is shaped by technological progress, globalisation and glocalisation, and societal and institutional change. As a result of recent developments, a diverse world of work with significant differences in working conditions by industry and occupation will develop, with a focus on creative, interactive and more complex activities with essential skills. At the same time, demands on companies with regard to innovation and flexibility are growing. To understand the future of work, we believe it is essential to explore four major factors that will impact on the future of work: 1) Technological progress, IT platforms, the sharing and knowledge economy; 2) Demographic, social and environmental changes; 3) Globalisation and glocalisation; and 4) Labour flexibility. Our aim is to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the future of work by examining these four key factors that influence today’s labour market, because this market is agile, since people can work anywhere at any time. In summary, seeing automation as synonymous with job losses is not correct. We contend that it is a mistake to believe that globalisation and technological advances lead to a reduction in the demand for human employees. However, it is possible that the opposing viewpoints of those who agree and those who disagree with this opinion are causing a polarisation of the workforce. Changes in our society, such as the constantly evolving demography, as well as environmental issues and ICT, have an influence on the way we work, and when, how and where we work.

scholarly journals IMPROVED STOCK UNEARTHING METHOD (ISUM) ALLOW TO ASSESS SOIL EROSION PROCESSES IN GRAFTED PLANTS USING IN SITU TOPOGRAPHICAL MEASUREMENTS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
Enric Terol ◽  
Artemi Cerdà
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Soil Depletion ◽  
Agricultural Areas

Policymakers, stakeholders and rural inhabitants must be aware of the relevance of soil erosion as an irreversible landdegradation process. This is key to achieve the land degradation neutrality challenge and the sustainability of humankindand natural ecosystems. Agricultural areas are being affected by soil erosion threatening soil quality and, subsequently,food security. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new techniques and methods visually friendly and easy to be accessedto survey and assess the soil erosion concerns. ISUM (Improve Stock Unearthing Method) is a well-contrasted procedureto estimate and map soil mobilisation and erosion rates. To achieve this goal, using the plant graft union as a biomarkerconducting in situ topographical measurements along perpendicular transects allow us to i) explain key factors related tothe activation of soil erosion processes such as tillage, the age of plantation, parent material or hillslope positions; ii)complete other well-contrasted methods such as RUSLE (Revised Soil Loss Equation), IC (Index of connectivity) orStructure from Motion; and, iii) identify hotspot areas affected by soil depletion, accumulation or mobilisation. In thisconference, we will show how we developed a new improvement of this method in different crops (vineyards, citrus,persimmons or almonds), under different environmental conditions (parent material, vine ages, soil management, or slopeangle) with diverse geomatic procedures (interpolation methods and geostatistical analysis, topographical measurementsand models) using GIS techniques.

scholarly journals Parasitism in Eukaryota - Reconstruction of Ancestral and Unavailable Extant States

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e25739
Author(s):  
Lydia Buntrock ◽  
Bernhard Renard ◽  
Emanuel Heitlinger
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Species Interaction ◽  
State Information ◽  
Large Sets ◽  
Computational Reconstruction ◽  
Important Trait ◽  
Topology Information ◽  
Available Information

Parasitism can be defined as an interaction between species in which one of the interaction partners, the parasite, lives in or on the other, the host. The parasite draws food from its host and harms it in the process. According to some estimates, over 40% of all eukaryotes are parasites. Nevertheless, it is difficult to obtain information about a particular taxon is a parasite computationally making it difficult to query large sets of taxa. Here we test to what extend it is possible to use the Open Tree of Life (OTL), a synthesis of phylogenetic trees on a backbone taxonomy (resulting in unresolved nodes), to expand available information via phylogenetic trait prediction. We use the Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI) database to categorise 25,992 and 34,879 species as parasites and free-living, respectively, and predict states for over ~2.3 million (97.34%) leaf nodes without state information. We estimate the accuracy of our maximum parsimony based predictions using cross-validation and simulation at roughly 60-80% overall, but strongly varying between clades. The cross-validation resulted in an accuracy of 98.17% which is explained by the fact that the data are not uniformly distributed. We describe this variation across taxa as associated with available state and topology information. We compare our results with several smaller scale studies, which used manual expert curation and conclude that computationally inferred state changes largely agree in number and placement with those. In clades in which available state information is biased (mostly towards parasites, e.g. in Nematodes) phylogenetic prediction is bound to provide results contradicting conventional wisdom. This represents, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive computational reconstruction of the emergence of parasitism in eukaryotes. We argue that such an approach is necessary to allow further incorporation of parasitism as an important trait in species interaction databases and in individual studies on eukaryotes, e.g. in the microbiome.

scholarly journals Skin Color in Apple Fruit (Malus × domestica): Genetic and Epigenetic Insights

Epigenomes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Wuqian Wang ◽  
Jean-Marc Celton ◽  
Gerhard Buck-Sorlin ◽  
Sandrine Balzergue ◽  
Etienne Bucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Skin Color ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Exact Nature ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Phenotypic Changes ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Important Trait

Apple skin color is an important trait for organoleptic quality. In fact, it has a major influence on consumer choice. Skin color is, thus, one of the most important criteria taken into account by breeders. For apples, most novel varieties are so-called “mutants” or “sports” that have been identified in clonal populations. Indeed, many “sports” exist that show distinct phenotypic differences compared to the varieties from which they originated. These differences affect a limited number of traits of economic importance, including skin color. Until recently, the detailed genetic or epigenetic changes resulting in heritable phenotypic changes in sports was largely unknown. Recent technological advances and the availability of several high-quality apple genomes now provide the bases to understand the exact nature of the underlying molecular changes that are responsible for the observed phenotypic changes observed in sports. The present review investigates the molecular nature of sports affected in apple skin color giving arguments in favor of the genetic or epigenetic explanatory models.

Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin: Volume 10: Issue 1, May 2021

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Gomez Garcia ◽  
Henry Mooney ◽  
David Rosenblatt ◽  
Maria Alejandra Zegarra ◽  
Gralyn Frazier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Demand Growth ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Source Countries ◽  
Tourism Services ◽  
Trade And Investment

Countries around the world have endured over a year of extreme uncertainty in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, and economies in the Caribbean have suffered more than most. But with the increasing availability of vaccines and prospects for a resumption of international travel, light is emerging at the end of the Pandemic tunnel. With this in mind, The Inter-American Development Bank Caribbean1 Departments most recent Quarterly Bulletin reviews the latest available information regarding the crisis impacts on citizens, their economies, and key factors that will determine the speed and depth of recovery. As also discussed in previous editions, prospects for tourism-dependent economies will depend heavily on vaccine penetration and border normalization in source countries particularly the United States and Western Europe, while commodity-intensive economies could benefit from upward revisions to global demand growth estimates. All countries in the region can do much to support a rapid recovery through forward-looking policies aimed at ensuring they are well positioned to take advantage of post-Pandemic preferences with respect to travel and tourism, services trade, and investment. Our latest report considers these issues, what may lie ahead, and how counties can best position themselves for a recovery in 2021 and beyond.

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