Mid October Research Articles

Estimation of introduction and transmission rates of SARS-CoV-2 in a prospective household study.

Household studies provide an efficient means to study transmission of infectious diseases, enabling estimation of susceptibility and infectivity by person-type. A main inclusion criterion in such studies is usually the presence of an infected person. This precludes estimation of the hazards of pathogen introduction into the household. Here we estimate age- and time-dependent household introduction hazards together with within household transmission rates using data from a prospective household-based study in the Netherlands. A total of 307 households containing 1,209 persons were included from August 2020 until March 2021. Follow-up of households took place between August 2020 and August 2021 with maximal follow-up per household mostly limited to 161 days. Almost 1 out of 5 households (59/307) had evidence of an introduction of SARS-CoV-2. We estimate introduction hazards and within-household transmission rates in our study population with penalized splines and stochastic epidemic models, respectively. The estimated hazard of introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in the households was lower for children (0-12 years) than for adults (relative hazard: 0.62; 95%CrI: 0.34-1.0). Estimated introduction hazards peaked in mid October 2020, mid December 2020, and mid April 2021, preceding peaks in hospital admissions by 1-2 weeks. Best fitting transmission models included increased infectivity of children relative to adults and adolescents, such that the estimated child-to-child transmission probability (0.62; 95%CrI: 0.40-0.81) was considerably higher than the adult-to-adult transmission probability (0.12; 95%CrI: 0.057-0.19). Scenario analyses indicate that vaccination of adults can strongly reduce household infection attack rates and that adding adolescent vaccination offers limited added benefit.

CONDUCE OF POLYFILM OF POLYHOUSE ON SOIL MOISTURE AFTER COMPOSITING FARM YARD MANURE

Protected cultivation is one of the most prominent methods practiced by most of the cultivators in North India especially to shield crops during adverse climatic conditions. Inside the polyhouse a microclimate is generated which protects the cultivars. An attempt was made to study the effect of polyfilm of polyhouse on the tomato yield when the seedbed was prepared by applying the farm yard manure by paddle operated farm yard manure applicator compared to broadcasting method (P1 and P2 ) in the crop research farm of Maya group of colleges, Dehradun. Two plots (O1 and O2) were also prepared in the same way in open field condition. The analysis was made on the attributes such as air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity and intensity of light in both situations, i.e. under protected cultivation and open field from mid October 2021 to mid march 2022. The results reveal air temperature was found to be 3-6ºC low in protected conditions but relative humidity was 12-14% higher. Soil temperature was 3-9 ºC was high in open field state but light intensity was low in polyhouse. The yield inside the polyhouses was obtained 48.7 t/h and 54.8 t/h compared to open field that was 31.6 t/h and 42.8 t/h.

Determination of appropriate planting time for better seed yield of onion (Allium cepa) varieties at selected districts of Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Onion is among the important vegetable crops commercially grown both by large and small scale farmers in Ethiopia as well as Arba Minch area. Its seed production (high seed yield and quality) depends on a number of factors such as planting date, bulb size, varieties, soil fertility, growing environments, plant population and adequate plant protection measures. Among these factors, planting time, varieties and growing environment are believed to have a remarkable influence on seed production of onion. The main objective of this study is to determine appropriate planting time for onion seed production and to select high seed yielder onion variety. Mother bulb was produced during June to August and the bulbs are stored in diffused light storage (DLS) about 3o days. Field experiment was conducted in Gamo Zone, Mirab Abaya woreda for two successive years (2021 - 2022) using spacing of 40cm x 20cm in Plot size of 3m x 2m.The experiment consisted of two varieties (Bombay red & Nafis) and four planting times (Mid September, Early October, Late October & Early November) in completely randomized block design in factorial arrangement replicated three times. ANOVA revealed that highly significant differences among treatments (P<0.01) were observed for most characters studied. Mean performance of combined result indicated that variety Bombay red planted in mid October gave highest seed yield (1178.3 kg/ha) whereas the lowest seed yield was recorded from the same variety planted at early October (415.0 kg/ha). Therefore, variety mid October is recommended as a suitable planting time of seed production for variety Bombay red and to be popularized in the study area for better onion seed yield production.

Validation of Bio-stimulant Seed Treatment, Soil and Foliar Application of Nano DAP, Urea, K, Zn, Cu, B Formulations in a Flood Affected Bt Hybrid Cotton

Bt hybrid cotton faced 30-60% excess rains in 70% years since its release and four times water logging in 2021, in a deep and shallow Vertisols with Calcareous sub-strata forced to confirm all the agronomical advices to it. Water logging reduced the biomass, boll number and cotton lint yields to more than 50 percent except the fibre quality. Prevailing runoff and leaching losses of soil applied fertilizer nutrients were accumulated at downstream, which increased the soil test values. Water logging caused reduction of index leaf N, P, K, Zn and B nutrient status below the threshold levels. Soil application of Zn and B once in three years alone or seed treatment formulation with N, P, K Bio-inoculant consortia along with nano ZnO 0.0004% + CuO 0.0001% as seed treatment at the time of sowing with or without foliar application of NPK WSF 2%, Zn 0.5%, B 0.3% or 0.04% nano formulations of DAP alternated with Urea alongwith ZnO and K with common insecticides and fungicidal sprays significantly improved index leaf nutrient status, biomass, boll number and seed cotton yields in both the soils. Validation of these results in station trials during 2022-24 found the need for atleast two foliar application of nano nutrients each DAP + ZnO + K followed by nano Urea+ ZnO + K 0.004% alternately at the mid and end September and October months. This increased N, P, K, Zn, B content in index leaves and seeds with additional cotton lint yield 209 kg ha-1 worth 174 US $ ha-1 net profit by soil application ZnSO4 20 and Borox 5 kg ha-1 yr -3 in Vertisols and three times foliar application at squaring, flowering and boll formation stage with nano ZnO 0.004%+ B 0.3% or ZnSO4 0.36% +Boron 0.2% in Vertisols with calcareous sub-strata.

On Earth and in My House

On Earth and in My House

A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF ANAEMIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KASHMIR VALLEY.

Introduction: Anaemia during pregnancy is a major health problem in South Asian countries and developing countries.World Health Organization (WHO) has dened anaemia in pregnancy as the haemoglobin less than 11g/dl. Predisposing factors of anaemia in pregnancy are young age, grandmultiparity, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, ignorance and short interpregnancy interval. This study was done to know the prevalence and type of anaemia among pregnant women in Kashmir valley and study the factors that lead to the women being anaemic prior to pregnancy and gradually worsening of anaemia with each trimester. Materials And Method: A retrospective observational time based study was conducted from to mid October 2021 to mid January 2022 at Lalla Ded hospital , GMC Srinagar, Kashmir. Relevant patient data,ie. gestational age, parity, interpregnancy interval, same day haemoglobin estimation was collected from opd record register and analysed. The prevalence of anaemia was Results: 82.46%. moderate anaemia was most common (52.13%). The prevalence of anaemia was high among all the trimesters; 71.43% in rst trimester,86.5% in second trimester,80.5% in third trimester. Although the prevalence of anaemia was high in both primigravidae (76.72%) and multigravidae(85.51%), the prevalence of anaemia among primigravidae was less than multigravidae. Mild anaemia was more prevalent in primigravidas (24.66%) than multigravidas (19.56%) whereas moderate and severe anaemia was more in multigravidas. With interpregnancy interval of < 1yr, there was high incidence of moderate anaemia (85.71%). Whereas it was 31.25% when interpregnancy interval was between 1-<2yr. Conclusion: Most women enter pregnancy in an anaemic state, which is worsened as pregnancy progresses. Iron supplementation helps in decreasing the severity of anaemia, however the current measures are inadequate as high percentage of women in the third trimester suffer from anaemia(80.5%).Multiparity and interpregnancy interval < 1 yr was found to be important risk factors for anaemia.

Chewing dynamics of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) maintained under semi-intensive and intensive management systems in Ladakh, India

The present study was conducted in mid October 2019 to compare the chewing dynamics and nutritional analysis of feed, fodder and concentrate fed to Bactrian camel raised under semi-intensive and intensive management systems in Leh and Nubra valley, Ladakh. Number of chews per bolus was significantly (P<0.01) higher in camels reared for tourist activities under semi-intensive managementsystem, consuming high fiber diet in comparison to animals raised under intensive management system and fed diet with lower fiber content. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), the major browse species available for camel in Ladakh appeared to have high nutritional value in terms of organic matter, crude fiber and crude protein than Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay. From the present study, it can be concluded that management system and fiber content of the diet have significant effect on chewing dynamics inBactrian camel.

The relevance of WHO support to member states in measuring and understanding behaviour insights during Covid-19 syndemic

Abstract WHO has developed approaches and activities in measuring pandemic fatigue. Member states were consulted on their needs in beginning October 2020. WHO proposed develop national action plans to measure pandemic fatigue, which should be based on the strategies and principles presented in the WHO document “Pandemic Fatigue - Reinvigorating the public to prevent COVID-19”, and on the basis of recommendations in WHO publications: “Risk communication and community engagement readiness and initial response for novel coronaviruses: interim guidance” and “Risk communication and community engagement strategy for COVID-19 template”. WHO has developed a tool for understanding behavior in COVID-19 (“WHO tool for behavioral insights on COVID-19”) in ten steps, with recommendations to countries on how to approach measuring and monitoring pandemic fatige. In doing so, WHO advises countries to establish a national response coordination mechanism involving a wide range of relevant stakeholders. Stakeholders should be involved in all ten steps of implementing the tool to understand people's behavior in relation to COVID-19. A “Survey tool and guidance: behavioural insights on COVID-19” was launched mid October 2020, supporting member states in organizing their Covid-19 fatigue linked surveying activities. Slovenia is running bi-weekly panel surveying (representative national sample of 1000 participants every 14 days) in 20 waves (dec2020/dec21), extensively exploring ineqalities linked to gender, age, socioeconimic status and others in bi-weekly reports. According to the feedback from member states, international dimension is very valuable for all member states. It is very important for them to have the venue for sharing experiences, challenges and strategies to overcome obstacles. New inequalities emerging from the Covid-19 syndemic will be presented in the next four presentations of the workshop.

Assessing year-round phenology and reproduction of the migratory painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), in a Mediterranean area in southern Spain

The painted lady, Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758), migrates seasonally between Africa and Europe with a northward multigenerational migration from Africa to Europe in spring and a southward migration from Europe to Africa in autumn. However, little is known about the year-round phenology of this species in southern regions in the Mediterranean Basin. In this study the year-round phenology and reproduction of painted ladies was recorded during a seven-year period (2014-2020) at 7 lowland sites (< 80 m a.s.l) near the coast of CĂĄdiz (southern Spain). Overall, a total of 2341 painted lady butterflies (or 0.56 butterflies/km) were recorded along 4186 km of transects of the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS). Data pooled for all sites and years indicate a migration of painted ladies in autumn (mid and late October), another peak in abundance in winter (late February) and finally a migration in spring (late May). Abundance, however, varied greatly between sites and years. In July 2019, a spectacular migration of painted ladies was recorded across the study area that was also recorded in other European countries a few weeks later. Territorial behaviour of males, including hill-topping and courtship, oviposition and immature stages were recorded in autumn and winter. Reproductive behaviour was not recorded in spring or summer. Painted ladies were most abundant during the autumn migration, less abundant in spring and much less abundant in winter. This study confirms that the southern tip of Western Europe close to North Africa is an important stop-over region during the migration of painted ladies although numbers fluctuate enormously between years and sites. To my knowledge, this is the first time that the timing of year-round migration and the reproduction of painted ladies in the autumn-winter months have been described for a southern European population.

Preparing for translocations of a Critically Endangered petrel through targeted monitoring of nest survival and breeding biology

Abstract The population of the recently-described Whenua Hou diving petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis comprises c. 200 adults that all breed in a single 0.018 km2 colony in a dune system vulnerable to erosion. The species would therefore benefit from the establishment of a second breeding population through a translocation. However, given the small size of the source population, it is essential that translocations are informed by carefully targeted monitoring data. We therefore modelled nest survival at the remaining population in relation to potential drivers (distance to sea and burrow density of conspecifics and a competitor) across three breeding seasons with varying climatic conditions as a result of the southern oscillation cycle. We also documented breeding phenology and burrow attendance, and measured chicks, to generate growth curves. We estimated egg survival at 0.686, chick survival at 0.890, overall nest survival at 0.612, and found no indication that nest survival was affected by distance to sea or burrow density. Whenua Hou diving petrels laid eggs in mid October, eggs hatched in late November, and chicks fledged in mid January at c. 86% of adult weight. Burrow attendance (i.e. feeds) decreased from 0.94 to 0.65 visits per night as chicks approached fledging. Nest survival and breeding biology were largely consistent among years despite variation in climate. Nest survival estimates will facilitate predictions about future population trends and suitability of prospective translocation sites. Knowledge of breeding phenology will inform the timing of collection of live chicks for translocation, and patterns of burrow attendance combined with growth curves will structure hand-rearing protocols. A tuhinga whakarāpopoto (te reo Māori abstract) can be found in the Supplementary material.

Abstract GS1-02: Phase III study of palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative primary breast cancerand with high relapse risk after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT): First results from PENELOPE-B

Abstract Background: About one third of patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), HER2- primary breast cancer with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy will relapse despite adjuvant endocrine therapy. The risk of relapse can be assessed more accurately using the CPS-EG scoring system (Mittendorf et al. JCO 2011). Therapeutic inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK 4/6) by palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy demonstrated highly relevant efficacy in metastatic breast cancer. Thus, we hypothesize that palbociclib may also be active in these high-risk patients with primary breast cancer. Methods: PENELOPE-B (NCT01864746) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study in women with centrally confirmed HR+, HER2- primary breast cancer without a pathological complete response after taxane-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and at high-risk of relapse (CPS-EG score ≥3 or 2 and ypN+). After completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and locoregional therapy, patients were randomized (1:1) to receive 13 cycles of palbociclib 125mg daily or placebo on days 1-21 in a 28d cycle in addition to standard endocrine therapy. Randomization was stratified by lymph node status (at surgery), age, Ki-67, global region, and CPS-EG score. Primary endpoint is invasive disease-free survival (iDFS). Final analysis was planned after 290 iDFS events with efficacy boundary p<0.0463 due to 2 interim analyses. Main secondary endpoints include iDFS excluding second primary invasive non-breast cancers, overall survival, and safety. Results: A total of 1250 patients were randomized between 2/2014 and 12/2017. Median age was 49.7 years [range 19-79]; 96.8% had residual disease in the breast, 94.6% were ypN+; G3 was reported in 47.4%, Ki-67 >15% in 27.7 %; 54.7% of patients had risk status CPS-EG score ≥3. 1118 patients (89%) completed at least 7 cycles of therapy. 50.1% of patients received aromatase inhibitor (AI), 49.8% tamoxifen, 6.6% AI + gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and 9.7% tamoxifen + GnRH. Most common related serious adverse events (SAEs) were infections and vascular disorders. 8 fatal SAEs were reported. Conclusions: PENELOPE-B evaluates the effect of palbociclib for 1 year compared to placebo in addition to endocrine therapy in high-risk primary breast cancer patients. The database was locked with 308 events on September 25th 2020. After breaking the blind for analysis, top line results will be available as of mid October 2020. Results of the final iDFS analysis will be presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Sibylle Loibl, Frederik Marmé, Miguel Martin, Michael Untch, Hervé Bonnefoi, Sung-Bae Kim, Harry Bear, Nicole Mc Carthy, Mireia Melé Olivé, Karen Gelmon, José García Sáenz, Catherine M Kelly, Toralf Reimer, Masakazu Toi, Hope S Rugo, Sabine Seiler, Valentina Nekljudova, Carsten Denkert, Michael Gnant, Andreas Makris, Nicole Burchardi, Gunter von Minckwitz. Phase III study of palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy (ET) in patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative primary breast cancerand with high relapse risk after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT): First results from PENELOPE-B [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-02.

Preface 1st International Conference on Industrial Agriculture (ICONIA 2020)

Agriculture plays an important role for providing food and jobs as well as an engine of economic growth in most developing countries. In terms of large scale or industrial agriculture, this field faces big challenges for providing food, feed, fiber and fuel for growing population while answering issues of sustainability, natural resource depletion, climate change, market protection, and food security. Therefore, agriculture based tropical countries should be able to address the challenges through collaboration and innovations. Accordingly, we held the First International Conference on Industrial Agriculture (ICONIA 2020) as a part of conference series presented by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with the theme of Managing Crisis in Industrial Agriculture: Way Forward. This conference is the first round held by Pusat Inovasi Agroteknologi (PIAT) UGM in a close collaboration with partner universities: Universitas Janabadra, Politeknik LPP, Universitas Pembangunan ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, Institut Pertanian INTAN Yogyakarta, and Universitas Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa. This program provides an ideal platform for policy makers (government), private sectors, planters, agriculturist, academicians, professionals, NGO’s, and students to share the experience and knowledge about industrial agriculture.ICONIA 2020 covers various topics from Genetic Resources and Utilization, Crop Production Technology, Modern Agriculture, Post-harvest Agriculture, Agricultural Socioeconomics, to Agriculture Waste Management. This conference was planed one year before that would use an ordinary conference format in a hotel on the mid October 2020 expecting a huge number of participant and some exhibitions. However in the early 2020, the pandemic outbreak forced the conference committee to postpone the date to 3rd December in the hope for outbreak ceased. Unfortunately, until the mid 2020 there was no positive sign of the cease of this pandemic, thus, the committee decided to switch into a virtual conference format. The virtual conference was also mandated by UGM for all the conference held in 2020 and also comply with local government (Yogyakarta) regulation. Luckily through several adaptations and changes, we were still able to get 30 paper submission and four plenary lectures from 5 different countries.During the conference, the online presentation was using Zoom Meeting platform. The committee set up a control room to handle the conference in Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta at the conference date for ensuring stable internet connection and electrical supply. ICONIA 2020 has two sessions in sequence which are plenary session and parallel session. The plenary sessions delivered by four speakers: Prof. Bunyamin Tar’an, Ph.D. (University of Saskatchewan, Canada), Roland Schafleitner, Ph.D. (World Vegetable Center, Taiwan), Benisiu Thomas, Ph.D. (University of Namibia) and Dr. Guilherme Rossi Machado Junior, MS. (Rossi Consultoria E. LTDA, Brazil). Each keynote speaker had 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for question and answers session. Meanwhile, presenters in parallel sessions were given 10 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for question and answer. All 28 papers have been presented successfully using Zoom Meeting and Conference platform. Meanwhile, non-presenter participants number are 68 which were able to follow the plenary session online before separated into four parallel virtual rooms based on their choice.By all the challenge due to this pandemic, one day conference of 1st ICONIA 2020 has been successfully held. There was no significant hindrance due to internet connection or others. We do hope the next ICONIA can be held in a normal conditions with more participants and more significant contribution to Industrial Agriculture fields.

Using estimated nutrient intake from pasture to formulate supplementary concentrate mixes for grazing dairy cows

In pasture-based dairy systems, feeding a complex concentrate mix in the parlor during milking that contains cereal grains and protein supplements has been shown to have milk production advantages over feeding straight cereal grain. This experiment had the aim of testing whether further milk production advantages could be elicited by adjusting the composition of the concentrate mix in an attempt to match the expected nutrient intake from pasture during late spring. The experiment used 96 lactating dairy cows, grazing perennial ryegrass pasture offered at a target allowance of 30 kg of dry matter/cow per day (to ground level) during late spring (mid October to November) in southeastern Australia. Cows were allocated into 3 replicates of 4 treatment groups, with 24 cows in each treatment. Each treatment group was offered 1 of 4 dietary treatments in the parlor at milking: control consisting of crushed wheat and barley grains; formulated grain mix (FGM) consisting of crushed wheat, barley, and corn grains and canola meal; designer grain mix 1 (DGM1) consisting of the same ingredients as the FGM grain mix but formulated using the CPM Dairy nutrition model to take into account the expected nutrient intake from pasture; and designer grain mix 2 (DGM2) consisting of the same ingredients as DGM1 but with canola meal replaced by urea and a fat supplement (Megalac, Volac Wilmar, Gresik, Indonesia). Concentrate mixes were offered at 8.0 kg of dry matter/cow per day, except for DGM2 cows, which were offered 7.5 kg of dry matter/cow per day. The experiment ran for a total of 28 d; after a 14-d adaptation period, nutrient intake, milk production, and body weight were measured over a 14-d measurement period. Milk yield (kg) of cows fed the FGM diet was greater than that of the control cows but was not different from that of the DGM1 and DGM2 cows. However, milk fat and protein yields (kg) were greater for cows fed the FGM diet than for all other diets. There was no difference in estimated daily pasture or total dry matter intakes between the 4 treatment groups, despite cows fed the DGM2 treatment consuming less of the concentrate mix (average 6.5 kg of dry matter/cow per day when offered 7.5 kg of dry matter/cow per day). This research has demonstrated the potential for using a nutrition model to take into account the expected nutrient intake from pasture to formulate a concentrate mix (DGM1) to achieve similar milk yields, but also highlighted the need for near real-time analyses of the pasture to be grazed so as to also capture benefits in terms of milk fat and protein yield.

Response Behavior, Emotional and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adults to Covid-19 Pandemic Health Protocols in Western Region of Kenya

Purpose: Covid-19 has caused more than 700 deaths with more than 40 thousand infections in Kenya, by end mid October 2020. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic contributes to unprecedented spread response behavior and emotional distress among people. The introduction of new health protocols has been a key factor in shaping new norm and psychological behavior, emotional response and adjustment. However, new behavior norms meant to curb spread of COVID-19 has not been without uncertainty. Therefore, the study seeks to establish Adults’ response behavior, emotional and psychological adjustment to COVID19 pandemic global health protocols as emphasized by health subsector in Kenya.Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 251 adults living in Western region of Kenya completed a survey questionnaire to evaluate the response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment of adults to covid-19 pandemic health protocols in Western region of Kenya. The survey Questionnaires were districted to target adult participants using WhatsApp and e-mail address during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA were employed to analyze data.Findings: Three tests were conducted and overall, the findings revealed insignificant difference between categorical variables (gender, level of education and occupation category and dependent variables (response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment of adults to COVID-19 health protocols. The results revealed statistically insignificant differences between; gender and response behavior (t (249) =.583, p ˃0.05), occupation categories and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 pandemic (F (3,247) = .516, p ˃0.05), and level of education and emotional responses to COVID-19 health protocols (F (3, 247) = 1.974, p ˃0.05).Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: These findings suggest that response behavior response, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment to COVID-19 health protocols do not differ with categorical variables of the adults. The focus therefore should be to work on response behavior, emotional response and psychosocial adjustment indiscriminately in order to help people adapt to the new behavior and norm to curb spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring the burden of Ntwetwe virus–A novel orthobunyavirus associated with CNS infections–in Ugandan children

Background: Ntwetwe virus is a novel orthobunyavirus which was recently discovered from the cerebrospinal fluid of a three-year-old Ugandan girl with a fatal CNS infection. Orthobunyaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses, are prevalent worldwide and can cause different types of disease, ranging from mild febrile illness to fatal CNS infections. It is expected that human exposure to Ntwetwe virus may be common because of its presumed vector (the Anopheles mosquito) and the high seroprevalence to its closest relative (Tataguine virus) in sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, because of its recent discovery, attempts to further study this virus have not yet been performed. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Ntwetwe virus infections in children in the region where the virus was first identified and describe the clinical characteristics of infected cases. Moreover, this study aims to determine whether and which mosquitoes transmit Ntwetwe virus. This information will provide us with the first insight into the burden of Ntwetwe virus infections which will be important for clinicians, policy makers and future research. Methods and materials: We conducted a human case-control study on children presenting with mild febrile and severe neurologic symptoms–each linked to a healthy control–to Kiboga hospital between August 2019 and January 2020. Infection by Ntwetwe virus was determined by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of blood and cerebral spinal fluid samples in the Uganda Virus Research Institute. The prevalence of acute Ntwetwe virus infections for both case groups was compared to healthy controls. For Ntwetwe virus positive patients, clinical and anthropological risk factors for infection were determined by comparison to patients negative for Ntwetwe virus. Mosquitos were captured at two time points by field teams from the UVRI using CDC light traps over a period of 2 weeks in the area surrounding Kiboga hospital during the dry and rainy season. Results: Fifteen cases (14 mild and one severe) and five controls were included by mid October 2019. Further inclusion and testing is ongoing. Conclusion: Results of this study will–for the first time–be presented at the ICID.

Screening of advanced breeding lines for high temperature tolerance using biochemical parameters in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

A set of 30 advanced breeding lines of Brassica juncea were screened for heat tolerance in terms of biochemical parameters in field condition at ICAR-DRMR. The selection was based on (1) early sowing (ES) (September) when average soil temperature was 41ᵒC and atmospheric temperature was around 35ºC so that heat stress coincided with seedling growth and (2) normal sown (NS) (mid October) where soil temperature was 34.2ᵒC so that seedling growth did not coincide with any stress. Various biochemical parameters like total chlorophyll, total carotenoid content, total antioxidant capacity, radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation and proline content were measured in leaves at flowering stage to evaluate the variability among the genotypes and comparison between ES and NS was done. Stress susceptibility index (SSI) categorized genotype NPJ-124 and DRMR-1165-40 to be highly tolerant. Correlation analysis among all the traits showed total antioxidant capacity to be significantly correlated to carotenoids and chlorophyll pigment levels showing the importance of these parameters as indices for screening.

Effects of Fruit Cracking and Maturity Stage on Quality Attributes and Fatty Acid Composition of Pomegranate Seed Oils

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the composition of pomegranate seed oils according to fruit cracking and maturity stage. Quality attributes and fatty acid profile of seed oils of intact and cracked fruits from two pomegranate varieties (Gabsi and Chelfi) were studied at two different harvest dates (1 September and mid October). The variety, harvest date, and fruit cracking were proved to affect significantly seed oil quality. ‘Gabsi’ variety exhibited higher seed oil content and total phenolic content compared to those in ‘Chelfi’ fruits. However, seed oils from ‘Chelfi’ fruits were characterized by the highest amounts of palmitic, palmitoleic, linoleic, and stearic acids. Seeds from cracked fruits exhibited higher oil content than those in intact fruits. Fruit cracking increased the peroxide value, phenol concentration, and the contents of linoleic, linolenic, catalpic, and erucic acids while decreased the β-carotene content. Changes occur in analytical parameters and fatty acid profile as the ripening process progressed. A significant decrease in free acidity content was noted while the peroxide value, the palmitic and linoleic acid contents increased with the delay of harvest. Therefore, the variety, fruit cracking, and harvest date contribute largely to the characteristics of pomegranate seed oils.

OLCI A/B Tandem Phase Analysis, Part 1: Level 1 Homogenisation and Harmonisation

Copernicus is a European system for monitoring the Earth in support of European policy. It includes the Sentinel-3 satellite mission which provides reliable and up-to-date measurements of the ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere, and land. To fulfil mission requirements, two Sentinel-3 satellites are required on-orbit at the same time to meet revisit and coverage requirements in support of Copernicus Services. The inter-unit consistency is critical for the mission as more S3 platforms are planned in the future. A few weeks after its launch in April 2018, the Sentinel-3B satellite was manoeuvred into a tandem configuration with its operational twin Sentinel-3A already in orbit. Both satellites were flown only thirty seconds apart on the same orbit ground track to optimise cross-comparisons. This tandem phase lasted from early June to mid October 2018 and was followed by a short drift phase during which the Sentinel-3B satellite was progressively moved to a specific orbit phasing of 140° separation from the sentinel-3A satellite. In this paper, an output of the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-3 Tandem for Climate study (S3TC), we provide a full methodology for the homogenisation and harmonisation of the two Ocean and Land Colour Instruments (OLCI) based on the tandem phase. Homogenisation adjusts for unavoidable slight spatial and spectral differences between the two sensors and provide a basis for the comparison of the radiometry. Persistent radiometric biases of 1–2% across the OLCI spectrum are found with very high confidence. Harmonisation then consists of adjusting one instrument on the other based on these findings. Validation of the approach shows that such harmonisation then procures an excellent radiometric alignment. Performed on L1 calibrated radiances, the benefits of harmonisation are fully appreciated on Level 2 products as reported in a companion paper. Whereas our methodology aligns one sensor to behave radiometrically as the other, discussions consider the choice of the reference to be used within the operational framework. Further exploitation of the measurements indeed provides evidence of the need to perform flat-fielding on both payloads, prior to any harmonisation. Such flat-fielding notably removes inter-camera differences in the harmonisation coefficients. We conclude on the extreme usefulness of performing a tandem phase for the OLCI mission continuity as well as for any optical mission to which the methodology presented in this paper applies (e.g., Sentinel-2). To maintain the climate record, it is highly recommended that the future Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D satellites perform tandem flights when injected into the Sentinel-3 time series.

CALET on the International Space Station: the first three years of observations

The CALorimetric Electron Telescope CALET is a space instrument designed to carry out precision measurements of high energy cosmic-rays on the JEM-EF external platform on the International Space Station, where it has been collecting science data continuously since mid October 2015. In addition to its primary goal of identifying nearby sources of high-energy electrons and possible signatures of dark matter in the electron spectrum, CALET is carrying out extensive measurements of the energy spectra, relative abundances and secondary-to-primary ratios of elements from proton to iron, and even above (up to Z = 40), studying the details of galactic particle propagation and acceleration. An overview of CALET based on the data taken during the first three years of observations is presented, including a direct measurement of the electron+positron energy spectrum from 11 GeV to 4.8 TeV. The proton spectrum has been measured from 50 GeV to 10 TeV covering, for the first time with a single space-borne instrument, the whole energy interval previously investigated in separate sub-ranges by magnetic spectrometers and calorimetric instruments. Preliminary spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei are also presented, together with gamma-ray observations and searches for an e.m. counterpart of LIGO/Virgo GW events.

Soil nitrogen supply of peat grasslands estimated by degree days and soil organic matter content

Accurate estimates of the quantity and rate of soil nitrogen supply (SNS) are essential to increase soil and farm N use efficiencies, in particular for soils high in organic matter. The objective of this work was to enhance the empirical understanding of the SNS of dairy grasslands on peat soils, using soil properties and weather variables. Data were collected from studies on herbage N uptake carried out between 1992 and 2017 in the western peat district of the Netherlands. For the period between March to mid October, SNS was estimated from the sum of mean growing season daily temperatures, soil organic matter (SOM) and applied calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) N with a residual standard error of 25–27 kg ha−1. Each °C growing season temperature sum affected SNS by 78–90 g ha−1 and each g SOM per 100 g dry soil affected SNS by 3.6–3.9 kg ha−1, respectively. SNS was equally estimated for conditions with and without CAN fertilisation. Validation with data from independent field trials showed similar impacts of SOM and growing season temperature sum on SNS. The error of prediction of the presented models, however, was still too large for direct on-farm application and led to underestimations for a specific site. Nevertheless, the obtained models allow for an increased understanding of soil and farm N balances. The models can therefore be used for improved temporal and spatial SNS-adapted farming practice advice, which can potentially lead to reduced soil and farm N surpluses.