Consecutive Years Research Articles

A Five-Year Malaria Prevalence/Frequency in Makenene in a Forest-Savannah Transition Ecozone of Central Cameroon: The Results of a Retrospective Study.

Understanding the epidemiological features of malaria is a key step to monitoring and quantifying the impact of the current control efforts to inform future ones. This study establishes the prevalence and frequency of malaria in a forest-savannah ecozone for 5 consecutive years in Cameroon. A retrospective study was conducted in 3 health centers of Makenene from 2016 to 2020, a period covering the second long-lasting insecticide net mass distribution campaign. Malaria infectious records were reviewed from laboratory registers. The difference in exposure to malaria was estimated using a regression logistic model. A total of 13525 patients underwent malaria diagnostic tests, with a general malaria prevalence of 65.3%. A greater prevalence of malaria was observed in males (68.39%) compared to females (63.14%). The frequency of consultations in health centers was dominated by females, with a gender ratio (M/F) of 0.66. Annual trends in malaria prevalence slightly varied from 2016 to 2020, exceeding 60%: 65.2% in 2016; 66.7% in 2017, 68.1% in 2018, 63.2% in 2019, and 65.3% in 2020, with a significant seasonal variation (p < 0.0001). The highest malaria prevalence was observed during the short rainy season, no matter the year. Among positive cases, the most represented age groups were 6-15 (p < 0.0001), followed by those under 5, while the age group >25 years was the least represented. Close monitoring and additional intervention measures for malaria control are needed, as are more studies on vector bionomics and transmission patterns.

Microclimate monitoring in commercial tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) greenhouse production and its effect on plant growth, yield and fruit quality

IntroductionHigh annual tomato yields are achieved using high-tech greenhouse production systems. Large greenhouses typically rely only on one central weather station per compartment to steer their internal climate, ignoring possible microclimate conditions within the greenhouse itself.MethodsIn this study, we analysed spatial variation in temperature and vapour pressure deficit in a commercial tomato greenhouse setting for three consecutive years. Multiple sensors were placed within the crop canopy, which revealed microclimate gradients.Results and discussionDifferent microclimates were present throughout the year, with seasonal (spring – summer – autumn) and diurnal (day – night) variations in temperature (up to 3 °C, daily average) and vapour pressure deficit (up to 0.6 kPa, daily average). The microclimate effects influenced in part the variation in plant and fruit growth rate and fruit yield – maximum recorded difference between two locations with different microclimates was 0.4 cm d-1 for stem growth rate, 0.6 g d-1 for fruit growth rate, 80 g for truss mass at harvest. The local microclimate effect on plant growth was always larger than the bulk climate variation measured by a central sensor, as commonly done in commercial greenhouses. Quality attributes of harvested tomato fruit did not show a significant difference between different microclimate conditions. In conclusion, we showed that even small, naturally occurring, differences in local environment conditions within a greenhouse may influence the rate of plant and fruit growth. These findings could encourage the sector to deploy larger sensor networks for optimal greenhouse climate control. A sensor grid covering the whole area of the greenhouse is a necessity for climate control strategies to mitigate suboptimal conditions.

7953 Testosterone II (TSTII) Immunoassay Meets the CDC HoSt Certification Requirements for a Fourth Consecutive Year

Abstract Disclosure: K.N. Nissen: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. N. Parker: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. P. Samantha: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. J.M. Rhea-McManus: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. V. Shalhoub: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. J. Freeman: Employee; Self; Siemens Healthineers. Background: The Atellica® IM and ADVIA Centaur® Testosterone II (TSTII) assay is enrolled in the CDC Hormone Standardization (CDC HoST) Certification Program, which is traceable to the primary testosterone Standard National Measurement Institute (NMI) M914. Certification is a yearlong process of 40 blinded samples from the CDC, 10 to be tested each quarter. If 4 consecutive quarters meet the bias acceptance criteria of ± 6.4%, CDC certification is achieved. The TSTII assay is standardized using internal standards made from United States Pharmacopea (USP)-grade testosterone. Standards are traceable to ID-LC-MS/MS by method comparison using CDC samples; ID-LC-MS/MS is traceable to the primary testosterone standard NMI M914. Methods: Initially, to standardize the assay, approximately 120 samples were obtained from CDC with CDC HoST ID-LC-MS dose values to value assign master curve standards. Multiple ADVIA Centaur TSTII reagent lots were tested with the CDC patient samples. Internal master curve standards were assayed as unknowns and dose values assigned using the RLU (system generated units–Relative Light Units) to CDC ID-LC-MS dose relationship. From 2019 to 2023, after standard value assignment, at least 179 individual patient samples from the CDC with blinded amounts of testosterone have been tested across all platforms. Each quarter, 10 blinded samples were tested in duplicate over 2 days. Results were analyzed by the CDC according to CLSI EP9-A2 for bias. Results: Correlation between the CDC assigned values and the Atellica IM, ADVIA Centaur, and ADVIA Centaur CP TSTII assay results was strong across all quarterly blind trials from 2019 to 2023 combined—Atellica IM intercept = +0.5 ng/dL, slope = 1.03, r = 0.990, n = 180, Bland Altman mean bias was 4.55%; ADVIA Centaur intercept = +0.3 ng/dL, slope = 1.04, r = 0.993, n = 179, mean bias was -0.27%; ADVIA Centaur CP intercept = +0.9 ng/dL, slope = 1.07, r = 0.993, n = 180, mean bias was 1.26%. The TSTII assay bias on all systems was consistently &amp;lt;6.4%. This enabled the TSTII assays to be CDC certified for a fourth consecutive year. Conclusions: The TSTII assay has consistently achieved CDC certification from 2019 to 2023. Siemens Healthineers is the only testosterone immunoassay manufacturer to be currently certified and has achieved certification for four consecutive years. Presentation: 6/1/2024

12474 Demographic Characteristics Of Patients With Prediabetes Who Reverted To Normoglycemia Or Progressed To Diabetes At 1 Year Follow Up

Abstract Disclosure: E.M. Niedzialkowska: None. F. El Sayed: None. M. Townsend: None. U. Bhatia: None. S. Roy: None. R. Homayouni: None. A. Halalau: None. Background: Pre-diabetes (PD), characterized by hyperglycemia influenced by lifestyle factors, genetics, age, and ethnicity, is considered a risk factor for development of diabetes. However, only a small proportion of PD individuals progress to type-2 diabetes (T2D) each year. More refined diabetes risk prediction tools are needed to direct proactive health management strategies for at-risk populations. Question and Significance: Our study explored the associations between age, race, gender and BMI in PD individuals who either progressed to T2D or reverted to normoglycemia (NG) over a one-year follow-up period. Methods and Design: This is a retrospective observational study of 38,228 patients with PD, based on having two consecutive years of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) between 5.7% and 6.5%. We compared the demographic characteristics of individuals who progressed to T2D or regressed to NG within one year using bivariate (Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-squared) or multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The study cohort included 57.36% females, 66.13% Whites, 19.41% Blacks and 4.36% Asians with a median age of 69. Bivariate analysis revealed significant age differences between PD patients who reverted to NG with median age of 67 in those who reverted vs 70 in those who did not revert (p&amp;lt; 0.0001). In addition, the proportion of males who progressed to T2D was significantly higher and the proportion of Blacks who reverted to NG was significantly lower.Using multivariate regression (adjusting for age, gender, race and BMI), we found that each year in age significantly lowered the odds of reversion from PD to NG (OR 0.98, p&amp;lt;0.0001) but was not associated with progression to T2D. PD males had significantly higher odds of progression to T2D (OR 1.28, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Both Asians (OR 0.62, p&amp;lt;0.0007) and Blacks (OR 0.68, p&amp;lt;0.0004) had significantly lower odds of reversion to NG from PD compared to Whites. Surprisingly, BMI was not associated with neither reversion to NG nor progression to T2D, after adjusting for age, gender, and race. Discussion: Our findings underscore significant racial disparities and gender differences in regression to normoglycemia and progression to diabetes. This emphasizes the need for personalized interventions and targeted strategies for prediabetic populations to mitigate progression to T2D and to achieve normoglycemia. Presentation: 6/1/2024

A Survey of Climate Change Law in the United Kingdom

Abstract A detailed summative statement of the law of climate change in the United Kingdom has yet to be brought together in the legal literature. This article fills the gap by drawing UK climate change law together into an article-length outline. The law is current to 4 July 2024, when the British Conservative Party, which had been in government for fourteen consecutive years, lost to Labour in a general election.

Conscious walk: integrating soundscape, biodiversity, and air quality metrics for holistic urban environmental assessment

The impact of environmental noise, poor biodiversity, and air pollution on urban populations poses a significant challenge to public health. Addressing these concerns requires a comprehensive approach that considers the perceptual experiences of citizens and objective environmental data. The Conscious Walks introduce a hybrid methodology designed to address the perceptive impact of citizens on their environment. Conscious Walks are citizen-science participative projects that combine the active involvement of citizens with scientific data collection. Implemented and tested in Barcelona, Conscious Walks provide a unique opportunity to assess urban soundscapes, and this contribution specifically evaluates the soundscapes of the Ciutadella Park in Barcelona for three consecutive years. The gathered data is carefully cross-referenced with information on air quality and biodiversity obtained during the walks. The novelty of this research lies in the development of integrated indicators that comprehensively capture the interplay between biodiversity, noise pollution, and air pollution. These indicators provide an understanding of urban environmental quality, offering valuable insights for sustainable urban planning and policy-making. The results presented in this contribution underscore the significance of adopting holistic methodologies to address the complex challenges posed by urban environments, emphasizing the need for integrated indicators in assessing the multifaceted aspects of urban sustainability.

Forest fragmentation effects on plant-animal interaction do not always show consistent patterns – Evidence from a seed removal experiment of 31 woody species

Forest fragmentation often leads to changes in the abundance and composition of various organisms, thereby affecting biotic interactions. Currently, many studies lack consensus on the magnitude or direction of the impact of forest fragmentation on plant-animal interactions. Here, we employed seed-rodent interaction as a case study and assessed the removal by rodents of 66,960 seeds belonging to 31 woody species in 18 fragmented forests with areas of 1.05–14,517.63 ha, in a seriously fragmented tropical area in Southwest China for two consecutive years. Our study provided strong evidence that forest fragmentation affected seed-rodent interactions but did not follow a consistent pattern between years. Forest size and edge effects on seed removal were mainly due to variations in seed availability but not rodent activity. Interestingly, the effect of fragment size on seed removal was species-specific with monotonic decreases as well as U-shaped and humped-shaped patterns. These remarkable spatiotemporal and interspecific variations pertaining to forest fragmentation impact on seed removal may translate into subsequent seed germination and seedling regeneration processes, which may further influence the species composition in different fragmented forests. This complexity in responses among plant species reiterates the need to consider the interspecies specificity in conservation and management initiatives of fragmented forests. Additionally, we recommend that multiple field surveys involving multiple species be conducted in future studies focusing on forest fragmentation to help us better understand fragmentation effects on ecological processes.

Annual change in eGFR in renal hypouricemia: a retrospective pilot study.

Extremely low uric acid (UA) levels or increased urinary UA (Uua) excretion might be risk factors for kidney disease in renal hypouricemia (RHU) patients, but their relationship with kidney dysfunction is unclear. This study investigated time-dependent changes in eGFR in RHU patients. This multicenter retrospective study assessed UA metabolism and changes in eGFR (median 5.5years) in 13 RHU patients. We then compared eGFR change in 7 of 13 RHU patients whose eGFR could be measured for 4years with those in normouricemic group (n = 31). In addition, 7 RHU patients were divided into two groups based on URAT1 gene mutations: homozygote and compound heterozygote mutations (Homo/Com group, n = 3), and wild-type and heterogeneous mutations (WT/Hetero group, n = 4). In 13 RHU patients, the median and mean serum UA (SUA) were 0.8 (0.4-2.5) and 1.1 ± 0.7mg/dL. The median and mean Uua were 44.3 (12.7-141.1) and 49.7 ± 36.2mg/dL. The median and mean urinary urate clearance (Cua/Ccr) were 46.8 (11.3-73.6) and 43.3 ± 19.7%. Over 4years, eGFR did not change in the RHU group but declined in the normouricemic group. Annual mean eGFR decline and change rate in the RHU group were the same as those in the normouricemic group (- 1.09 ± 1.11 vs. - 1.09 ± 1.92mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.996) (- 1.74 ± 1.96 vs. - 1.36 ± 2.10%, p = 0.664). And no significant difference was found in eGFR decline or change rate between Homo/Com and WT/Hetero groups (- 0.33 ± 1.03 vs. - 1.67 ± 0.85mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.116) (- 0.61 ± 1.62 vs. - 2.59 ± 1.91%, p = 0.210). RHU from URAT1 genetic mutation may not show eGFR decline over 4 consecutive years.

Predation of eggs and incubating females in willow ptarmigan Lagopus l. lagopus

Nest predation is a major cause of reproductive loss in many ground-nesting birds. During 15 consecutive years the predation of nests and females throughout the incubation season were recorded in a willow ptarmigan Lagopus l. lagopus population in central Norway. The temporal predation patterns, factors affecting the predation probability and age-specific nesting patterns in this species were studied. There was a large annual variation in predation rate of both nests (0-50%) and incubating females (0-29%) in this area during the study period. The mean annual predation rate of nests (15%) was on average three times higher than the predation of incubating willow ptarmigan females (5%). Predation rate was not constant throughout the incubation season, and the nest predation rate increased with increasing number of available nests. The predation events started after the mean initiation day of incubation, and coincided with the highest number of available nests. None of the parameters we tested in a logistic regression analysis (physical condition, nest cover, experience and date for initiation of egg-laying) could predict the predation probability of nests and incubating females. However, “good” nest cover tended to have some predictive value on the predation probability. Yearling incubating females had significantly lower physical body condition than adults, and also there were differences in choice of nest site in relation to cover between the two age groups. Initiation of egg-laying in adult females tended to be distributed more evenly over the season, whereas yearling females had a more aggregated egg-laying pattern, compared to adults.

A-065 The CDC HoSt Certification Requirements Have Been Met for More Than Four Years by the Atellica IM, ADVIA Centaur Testosterone II and Dimension Vista LOCI Total Testosterone Immunoassays

Abstract Background The CDC Hormone Standardization (CDC HoST) Certification Program, is traceable to the primary testosterone Standard National Measurement Institute (NMI) M914. The Atellica® IM, ADVIA Centaur® Testosterone II (TSTII) and Dimension Vista® LOCI Total Testosterone (TTST) assays are enrolled in the program. Certification is a yearlong process of 40 blinded samples from the CDC, 10 for testing each quarter. If 4 consecutive quarters meet bias acceptance criteria of ± 6.4%, CDC certification is achieved. Methods Initially, to standardize the assay approximately 120 samples were obtained from CDC with CDC HoST ID-LC-MS dose values to value assign master curve standards. Multiple ADVIA Centaur TSTII reagent lots were tested with CDC patient samples. Internal master curve standards were assayed as unknowns and dose values assigned using the RLU (system generated units-Relative Light Units) to CDC ID-LC-MS dose relationship. For TSTII (2019- 2023), after standard value assignment, at least 179 CDC blinded samples were tested across all platforms. Each quarter, 10 blinded samples were tested in duplicate over 2 days. Similar procedures were followed for TTST. Results were analyzed by the CDC. Results Correlation between the CDC assigned values and Atellica IM, ADVIA Centaur, and ADVIA Centaur CP TSTII assay results was strong across all quarters from 2019 to 2023 combined. TTST results were strong for 2023. Mean bias between TSTII and TTST results and CDC reference values was consistently &amp;lt;6.4%. This enabled the TSTII assays to be CDC certified for a fourth consecutive year, and TTST for 2023. The table presents TSTII (2019-2023) and TTST (2014-2023) results. Conclusions The TSTII assay consistently achieved CDC certification from 2019 to 2023, while the TTST assay was initially certified in 2014. Siemens Healthineers is the only testosterone immunoassay manufacturer to be currently certified, the TSTII assay has achieved certification for four consecutive years.

Development of a new hexaploid spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety “NIFA NIJAT-23” for commercial cultivation in irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Sustainable wheat farming requires an ongoing process of variety development, release, and quality seed production of new high yielding and disease resistant varieties. Farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are currently cultivating several wheat cultivars, including NIFA AMAN-17, NIFA AWAZ-19, PIRSABAK-21, ZARGHUN-21, PIRSABAK-19, GULZAR-19, KHAISTA-17, PIRSABAK-15, INSAF-15, KP-15 and LALMA-13 under both irrigated and rainfed circumstances. The frequent changes in disease virulence, particularly yellow rust and leaf rust observed frequently over the last three years in KP, have forced breeders to develop new resistant varieties in order to increase productivity. The new hexaploid spring wheat variety NIFA NIJAT-23 (CTHN-162056) developed at NIFA has demonstrated resistance to yellow rust during testing in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wheat Yield Trials (KPWYT) at 13 distinct locations in 2019-20, and this variety with a grain yield of 3337 kg ha-1 has been placed at the third position among 24 test entries. Under normal planting conditions in 2020-21, the NUWYT (National Uniform Wheat Yield Trial) pooled analysis revealed that CTHN-162056 secured the 1st position and provided the greatest mean grain yield of 4701 kg ha-1 across all the candidate lines throughout Pakistan at 31 locations. According to the data reported by the Crop Diseases Research Institute (CDRI), Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, it has demonstrated highly desirable relative resistance index (RRI) for two consecutive years (2020-21 &amp; 2021-22). The Provincial Seed Council (PSC), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved CTHN-162056 and registered as a potential variety “NIFA NIJAT-23”.

Assessing boro rice yield variances across varied seedling ages to address early flash flood vulnerabilities in the Haor area of Bangladesh

Haor is one of the most flood-prone areas of Bangladesh and it underlies in water for several months of a year. Boro rice cultivation in this area is challenging due to the flash flood. An experiment was conducted to examine the suitability and productivity of four rice varieties transplanted in different seedling ages. This experiment was carried out at Sunamganj district for two consecutive years of Boro season in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Four Boro rice varieties namely Binadhan-10, Binadhan-17, Binadhan-24, BINA dhan25, and three seedling ages (i.e., 30, 35 and 40 days old seedlings) were used as treatment in the experiment. It was conducted through a split-plot design with three replications placing seedling ages in the main plot and crop varieties in the subplot. Transplanting of 30 days seedlings of Binadhan-24 produced the highest mean grain yield of 7.8 t ha-1 and 8.2 t ha-1 while 35 days seedlings produced 7.6 t ha-1 and 7.7 t ha-1 respectively, in two consecutive years, the highest among all varieties. The maturity period among crop varieties varied due to the changes in seedling age as lower seedling age showed an earlier maturity period. So, transplanting of 30-35 days seedlings can be recommended for Binadhan-24 cultivation in the haor area. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 38(1): 41-52, 2024

Productivity and Profitability of Four Crops Based cropping Pattern in Jhenaidah District of Bangladesh

A field experiment was carried out at the farmers' field in the Kaliganj upazila for two consecutive years (2021-22, 2022-23). The experiment carried out in a multi-location testing site in the Jhenaidah district, under the Jashore region. The objective of the experiment was to enhance cropping intensity and productivity by incorporating T. Aus into the existing cropping pattern. The current cropping sequence consisted of T. Aman-Mustard-Mungbean, while the suggested cropping sequence included T. Aman- Mustard-Mungbean-T. Aus. The research findings showed that the rice equivalent yield (REY) in the suggested cropping pattern was 21 t ha-1, representing a 31.25% increased over the yield of existing pattern (16 t ha-1). The greater gross return (Tk. ha-1), gross margin (Tk. ha-1), and slightly higher marginal benefit cost ratio obtained from this four-crop-based cropping pattern suggest that the proposed pattern could be recommended for higher productivity and economic benefit in other parts of the Jashore region. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 38(1): 93-100, 2024

Reporting ethical approval in case reports and case series in 12 consecutive years: A systematic review.

Our study describes the reported rate of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, declaration of Helsinki (DoH), and informed consent in the case reports and case series and investigates factors associated with the ethical approval report. We searched PubMed for case reports and case series from 2006 to 2017. Annually, we obtained the first 20 articles of a case report cluster from 20 distinct publications. This analysis initially contained at least 2400 papers, with 100 papers each study design and year. Only 26 (5.4%) of 480 included studies reported IRB approval, DoH approval, and participant informed consent; 58 (12.1%) reported two out of three ethical statements (DoH, informed consent, IRB); and 151 (31.5%) reported only one, leading to nearly 245 studies (51.0%) did not report any ethical approval item. Both clusters mentioned the DoH the least. Only years, ages, ethical item types, and cluster types were associated with ethical reporting practices. This study found the serious under-reporting of ethical practices in both case reports and case series.

Long‐term freezing saline water irrigation and cotton cultivation improved soil properties and maintained low salinity in the root zone of coastal saline soil

AbstractFreezing saline water irrigation in winter has been shown to be an effective method for improving heavy saline–alkali soil via the use of local high‐salinity water. However, the long‐term effects of freezing saline water irrigation on the soil physicochemical properties in the root zone are still unclear. In this study, the dynamics of soil water, electrical conductivity (ECe) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SARe), and changes in relevant soil physicochemical characteristics were investigated on the basis of 11 consecutive years of freezing saline water irrigation and cotton cultivation (FSICC). Although FSICC significantly increased water consumption (ca. 465.92 mm) compared with that of the CK (ca. 133.38 mm), a significantly lower soil ECe in the root zone was still obtained under FSICC than under CK. An annual decrease in soil ECe and an increase in seed cotton yield were observed during the initial 4 years of the FSICC. Thereafter, the soil ECe and SARe in the 0–20 cm layer were stably maintained below 6.1 dS m−1 and 12.9 (mmol L−1)0.5, respectively, and a stable seed cotton yield of 3.92 t ha−1 was obtained. Compared with those of the CK treatment, the long‐term FSICC increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention, soil organic matter and water‐stable aggregates in the 0–20 cm layer, which further increased the available water content and total pore volume (&gt;0.2 μm). These results indicated that the long‐term FSICC significantly improved the soil physicochemical properties and maintained lower levels of soil salinity and SARe in the root zone, although it significantly increased water consumption.

Spatial and temporal diversity of Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and association with Onchocerca volvulus infection in Cameroon

Arthropod microbiota plays an important role in host physiology, and there is growing interest in using vector symbionts to modify vector competence and control parasite transmission. This study aims to characterise the blackfly Simulium damnosum s.l. gut microbiota and to explore possible associations with various bio-ecological determinants of the Onchocerca volvulus establishment and the transmission in blackfly. Adult female blackflies were caught in three Cameroonian health districts belonging to different bioecological zones endemic for onchocerciasis. Flies were dissected and qPCR screened for Onchocerca volvulus infection. The diversity of the blackflies gut microbiota was assessed by high-throughput sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA. Subsequent metataxo-genomic, multivariate, and association analysis were used to investigate the variables that influence the microbiota diversity.Transmission index rates ranging from 20.7 to 6.0 % and 6.2–2.0 % for infection and infectivity rates, respectively, indicate ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis across all surveyed health districts. The identified bacterial taxa were clustered into four phyla, five classes, and 23 genera. The S. damnosum s.l. gut microbiota was dominated by Wolbachia and by Rosenbergiella in Wolbachia-free Simulium. Significant differences were observed in the diversity of S. damnosum s.l. microbiota concerning parity status (P = 0.007), health district of origin (P = 0.001), and the presence of the Onchocerca volvulus. Simulium from the Bafia health district also showed increased bacterial diversity between two consecutive years (P = 0.001). Four bacterial taxa, including Serratia, were associated with the absence of the O. volvulus infection.These results indicate that S. damnosum s.l. from different onchocerciasis foci in Cameroon, exhibit distinguishable gut microbial compositions which are dynamic over time. Some bacterial species are associated with the O. volvulus infection and could be further investigated as biological target/tool for vector modified-based onchocerciasis control.

Understanding how winter conditions in the North Atlantic affect the physiology and behaviour of Atlantic Salmon in sea-cages

In recent years there have been a number of instances where declines in water temperature are suspected to have contributed to winter mortalities at salmon cage-sites in Atlantic Canada. In addition, it is expected that temperature variability due to more intense and frequent winter storms will increase with climate change, and this may further threaten Atlantic salmon health and welfare in sea-cages. To better understand cage-site conditions and aspects of salmon behaviour and physiology during the winter, we fitted Atlantic salmon in commercial size sea-cages in Newfoundland (Canada) for two consecutive years with internal and external data storage tags (DSTs) that recorded depth, temperature, heart rate (fH) and 3D-acceleration (swimming activity). Tags were surgically attached / implanted in late October / early November when water temperatures were 8–10 °C, and the DSTs were collected at the time of harvest. Although tag retrieval was limited due to some early mortality, challenges due to Covid-19 and with fish identification during harvest, the data collected for both years were comparable.Water temperature decreased at a rate of 0.35–0.57 °C week−1 from October / November to March, and the coolest average weekly temperature experienced by the fish was 1.10 °C in early March of both years. Average fH decreased with temperature starting in the fall, and the fish primarily occupied the upper 5 m of the cage for the duration of this study, despite the fact that temperatures were generally homogeneous with depth. Nonetheless, vertical migrations to deeper depths were observed during some periods (e.g., at night during the coldest months), and thus, the average depth of the fish was greater during these times.These data reveal that temperatures in sea-cages in Newfoundland remain below 5 °C for ~5 months and are below 2 °C for ~1.5 months. Thus, understanding how cold temperatures affect various aspects of salmon biology, and monitoring these fish during this period, is critical to the sustainability and future of this industry.

Drought alters the physiological quality of runner-type peanut seeds during seed formation

Sub-optimal water supply during crop development, especially during peak flowering and pod filling, affects the quality of the produced seeds, generally resulting in poor seed quality. The goals of this study were to identify the acquisition pattern of physiological components in peanut seeds as well as to assess the impact of drought during peanut seed development on its physiological quality. The research was conducted at the USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, GA for three consecutive years (2019, 2020, and 2021) using field conditions under two water regimes, well-watered control and drought stress. Rainout shelters were used to prevent rain in the drought-stressed block for 30 d, starting 80 d after planting. The well-watered block received supplemental irrigation when soil water potential reached -40 kPa. Peanut pods from the cultivar Georgia-06G were harvested at 2500 growing degree days, and the peanut maturity profile board was used to classify the pods into different maturity classes. Germination, vigor, desiccation tolerance (DT), and longevity tests were performed on seeds from each maturity class and both water regimes. The acquisition pattern for the physiological components of seed quality was developed for seeds grown under well-watered and drought conditions. Maximum germination occurred in ‘brown 1’ and ‘brown 2’ under drought and well-watered conditions, respectively. Both water regimes reached maximum vigor in the 'brown 1'; however, under well-watered conditions, vigor had a rapid decline after ‘brown 1’ while under drought stress, the decline in vigor was slower. Maximum DT was achieved between ‘orange’ and ‘brown 1’ under drought conditions, whereas under well-watered conditions, maximum DT was achieved between ‘brown 2’ and ‘black 1’. Seeds from immature classes had lower capacity to be stored compared with mature seeds. Overall, drought stress promoted greater physiological quality in the peanut seeds than the well-watered treatment. Maximum physiological quality was achieved in the transition from ‘orange’ into ‘brown 1' under drought conditions, and in the transition from ‘brown 2’ to ‘black 1’ class under well-watered conditions. Also, drought stress preserved seed quality for a longer period.

Optimizing Soil Moisture, Mulching, and Spacing for Yield and Water Productivity in Irrigated Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)

Aims: To standardize crop spacing and irrigation requirements under different mulching situation for better yield and water productivity. Study Design: The experiment was designed in RBD with two replications. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Station, Kerala Agriculture University (KAU), Chalakudy for three consecutive years from 2016 -17, 2017 – 18 and 2018 – 2019. Methodology: Study conducted with 18 treatments, includes three levels of irrigation, three types of mulching and with two different crop spacing. Observations on weed count and weed dry matter production were also taken to study the effect of different mulches on weed growth. Biometric observations of crop growth and yield were recorded. Results: Observations on biometric characters revealed that both the height and diameter of the crop canopy were significantly influenced by mulching and found to be highest in the plot where leaf was used as the mulching material and the yield of Amorphophallus during 2016 - 2017 showed that corm weight was greatly influenced by irrigation levels, mulching and spacing. Corm yield was lowest in the plot where irrigation frequency was once in three days (21.02 t/ha). Yield in leaf mulched plot was 38.11 t/ha while in plastic mulched and no mulched plots were 23.50 and 19.50 t/ha. Effect of treatments on water productivity and BC ratio showed that leaf mulching of the crop has significant effect. In leaf mulched plot, water productivity in 2016-17 was 2.03 while it was only 1.854 and 0.886 in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Similarly, BC ratio was highest for leaf mulched plot followed by no mulch and plastic mulch plot. Conclusion: The experimental results from 2016 -17, 2017 – 18 and 2018 – 2019, showed that Amorphophallus planted at a spacing of 90 cm x 90 cm, irrigated at a frequency of once in three days along with leaf mulching can increase the yield and water productivity along with effective control of weed population.

Effect of management system and dietary seasonal variability on environmental efficiency and human net food supply of mountain dairy farming systems

Although mountain dairy cattle farming systems are pivotal for the economy, as well as for social and environmental aspects. They significantly contribute to the rural development which is currently strongly prioritized in the common EU agricultural policy, at the same time they are also increasingly criticized for having relatively high environmental impacts per kg of product, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, the aim of this study was to assess and compare the environmental efficiency of 2 common alpine dairy farming systems, with focus on the effects of grazing, considering the seasonal variability in feeding at individual cow level and farm management over a 3-year period. This study focuses on alpine farming systems but can be considered to represent well other topographically disadvantaged mountain areas. An intensively managed and globally dominating production system (high-input), aiming at high milk yield through relatively intensive feeding and the use of the high-yielding dual-purpose Simmental cattle, permanently confined in stables, was compared with a forage-based production system (low-input), based on seasonal grazing and the use of the autochthonous dual-purpose breed Tyrolean Grey. For the present analysis, a data set with information on feed intake and diet composition as well as animal productivity at individual cow level, and farm management data based on multiyear data recording was used. Four impact categories were quantified for 3 consecutive years: Global Warming Potential (GWP100), Acidification Potential (AP), Marine Eutrophication Potential (MEP), and Land Use (LU, m2yr and Pt, with the latter additionally considering the Soil Quality Index). Besides being attributed to 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM), these impact categories were also related to 1 m2 of on-farm area. Due to limited agronomic options beyond forage production and pasture use in alpine regions, net provision of protein was calculated for both farming systems to assess food supply and quantify the respective food-feed competition. Overall, the low-input farming system had greater environmental efficiency in terms of MEP per kg FPCM, as well as MEP and AP per m2 than the high-input system. LU was found to be consistently higher for the high-input than for the low-input system, the GWP100 per kg of FPCM was lower for the high-input system. Additionally, pasture access had a significant effect on the reduction of environmental impacts. Lastly, the net protein provision was slightly negative for the high-input system and marginally positive for the low-input system, indicating a lower food-feed competition for the latter. Future studies should also address the social and economic aspects of the farming systems, to offer a comprehensive overview of the 3 key factors necessary for achieving more sustainable farming systems, particularly in disadvantaged marginal regions such as mountain areas.