Restricted Regime Research Articles

Interactions between Magnaporthiopsis maydis and Macrophomina phaseolina, the Causes of Wilt Diseases in Maize and Cotton.

Fungal pathogens are a significant threat to crops worldwide. The soil fungus, Magnaporthiopsis maydis, severely affects sensitive maize hybrids by causing the rapid wilting of plants at the maturity stage. Similarly, the soil fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina, develops in a variety of host plants, which leads to rot and plant mortality. The presence of both pathogens together in diseased cotton plants in Israel suggests possible interactions between them. Here, these relationships were tested in a series of experiments accompanied by real-time PCR tracking in maize and cotton. Despite the fact that neither of the pathogens was superior in a growth plate confrontation assay, their co-inoculum had a significant influence under field conditions. In maize sprouts and fully matured plants, infection by both pathogens (compared to inoculation with each of them alone) led to lesser amounts of M. maydis DNA but to increased amounts of M. phaseolina DNA levels. These results were obtained under a restricted water regime, while optimal water irrigation led to less pronounced differences. In water-stressed cotton sprouts, infection with both pathogens led to an increase in DNA amounts of each of the pathogens. Whereas the M. maydis DNA levels in the double infection remain high at the end of the season, a reduction in the amount of M. phaseolina DNA was observed. The double infection caused an increase in growth parameters in maize and cotton and decreased levels of dehydration in maize plants accompanied by an increase in yield production. Dehydration symptoms were minor in cotton under an optimal water supply. However, under a restricted water regime, the double infection abolished the harmful effect of M. phaseolina on the plants’ development and yield. These findings are the first report of interactions between these two pathogens in maize and cotton, and they encourage expanding the study to additional plant hosts and examining the potential involvement of other pathogens.

Partial and total replacement of fish oil with fatty acid ethyl esters in the starter diets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) are a potential alternative to fish oil as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish feeds. This investigation examined the growth performance, lipid composition, and intestinal and liver histology of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed experimental starter diets with graded levels of FAEE and fish oil. Five experimental diets were formulated with 20% total lipid content and 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% replacement of Alaskan Pollock oil with FAEE oil, and they were formulated with analogous fatty acid levels. The five diets used defatted fish meal as the primary protein source, and a sixth diet was included that used full-fat fish meal and extracted fish oil. Triplicate groups of rainbow trout (144 ± 20 mg initial weight) were fed experimental diets for 62 days on a restricted feeding regime (4–5.5% biomass/day). The group fed the full-fat fish meal diet had faster growth and a lower feed conversion ratio than the defatted fish meal diet groups after 31 and 62 days of feeding. The growth rate and feed conversion ratios of fish were significantly different between the FAEE-containing diet groups in the first 31 days of feeding, but were not significant from 32 to 62 days of feeding. Fatty acid analysis showed similarity between the fatty acid profiles in experimental diets and in fish muscle and liver tissues at the end of the experiment (all groups mean weight ~3.6 g/fish). Satiation feed intake for a single day was measured at 31 days of feeding, and feed intake was higher in the 100% FAEE diet than the control (8.3 ± 1.1% vs 6.4 ± 0.3% daily satiation ratio). This result suggests that FAEE has a positive effect on voluntary feed intake. Histological analysis of posterior intestine enterocytes and hepatocytes showed a significant reduction in lipid vacuole size in the 100% FAEE group, relative to the defatted and full-fat fish meal control groups. These results suggest that rainbow trout had utilized diet with ≥50% FAEE less efficiently in the first feeding phase, likely due to reduced fatty acid absorption, but that these trends were diminished as fish grew to a larger size.

Novel Statistical Methods for Restricted Mean Survival Time and Patient Preference Augmented Dynamic Treatment Regimes in Observational Studies

Novel Statistical Methods for Restricted Mean Survival Time and Patient Preference Augmented Dynamic Treatment Regimes in Observational Studies

Subpopulation augmentation among habitat patches as a tool to manage an endangered Mojave Desert wetlands-dependent rodent during anthropogenic restricted water climate regimes.

Intensive management may be necessary to protect some highly vulnerable endangered species, particularly those dependent on water availability regimes that might be disrupted by ongoing climate change. The Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis) is an increasingly imperiled rodent constrained to rare wetland habitat in the Mojave Desert. In 2014 and 2016, we trapped and radio-collared 30 voles, 24 were translocated and six remained at donor and recipient marshes as resident control voles. Soft-release was performed followed by remote camera and radio-telemetry monitoring. Although comparative metrics were not statistically significant, the mean maximum known distance moved (MDM) was longer for translocated (82.3 ± 14.6 m) vs. resident-control voles (74.9 ± 17.5 m) and for female (98.4 ± 19.9 m) vs. male (57.8 ± 9.1 m) voles. The mean area occupied (AO) tended to be greater in female (0.15 ± 0.04 ha) vs. male (0.12 ± 0.03 ha) voles, and control voles (0.15 ± 0.05 ha) compared with translocated voles (0.13 ± 0.03 ha). The mean minimum known time alive (MTA) was 38.2 ± 19.4 days for resident-control voles and 47.0 ± 10.6 days for translocated voles. Female survival (55.7 ± 14.3 days) exceeded that of males (31.5 ± 9.4 days) regardless of study group. Activity in bulrush/rushes mix and bulrush vegetation types was strongly and significantly overrepresented compared with salt grass and rushes alone, and habitat selection did not differ between resident and translocated voles. Our results provide ecological and methodological insights for future translocations as part of a strategy of promoting long-term survival of an extremely endangered small mammal in a wild desert environment.

Wave–vortex interactions, remote recoil, the Aharonov–Bohm effect and the Craik–Leibovich equation

Three examples of non-dissipative yet cumulative interaction between a single wavetrain and a single vortex are analysed, with a focus on effective recoil forces, local and remote. Local recoil occurs when the wavetrain overlaps the vortex core. All three examples comply with the pseudomomentum rule. The first two examples are two-dimensional and non-rotating (shallow water or gas dynamical). The third is rotating, with deep-water gravity waves inducing an Ursell ‘anti-Stokes flow’. The Froude or Mach number, and the Rossby number in the third example, are assumed small. Remote recoil is all or part of the interaction in all three examples, except in one special limiting case. That case is found only within a severely restricted parameter regime and is the only case in which, exceptionally, the effective recoil force can be regarded as purely local and identifiable with the celebrated Craik–Leibovich vortex force – which corresponds, in the quantum fluids literature, to the Iordanskii force due to a phonon current incident on a vortex. Another peculiarity of that exceptional case is that the only significant wave refraction effect is the Aharonov–Bohm topological phase jump.

On restricted optimal treatment regime estimation for competing risks data.

It is well accepted that individualized treatment regimes may improve the clinical outcomes of interest. However, positive treatment effects are often accompanied by certain side effects. Therefore, when choosing the optimal treatment regime for a patient, we need to consider both efficacy and safety issues. In this article, we propose to model time to a primary event of interest and time to severe side effects of treatment by a competing risks model and define a restricted optimal treatment regime based on cumulative incidence functions. The estimation approach is derived using a penalized value search method and investigated through extensive simulations. The proposed method is applied to an HIV dataset obtained from Health Sciences South Carolina, where we minimize the risk of treatment or virologic failures while controlling the risk of serious drug-induced side effects.

Traditional beliefs and practices in newborn care among mothers in a tertiary care centre in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Background: Neonatal care practices are different in different communities. Before any intervention planned to reduce mortality and mortality in community, understanding of local belief and practices is necessary. Some of the harmful practices need to be abandoned and good or harmless practices need to be appreciated. This study was conducted to understand the cultural beliefs and practices in newborn care among residents of Uttarakhand.Methods: This was descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out among 300 postnatal mothers admitted to the hospital. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analyses of the data was done using SSPS version 22.0.Results: 4% of the mothers believed colostrum to be unsuitable for the newborn. 71% mothers were practicing daily baby massage. 71.3% believed that hot and cold foods can harm their baby’s health. 57.3% practiced application of Kajal on baby’s face. 74.7% of mothers would keep Knife under pillow and 16.7% match box under baby’s cloth. 5.3% mother believed in practice of branding. 81% of mothers accept to practice of pouring oil in baby’s ear. 22.3% mothers believed in isolating mother baby together for 30-40 days.Conclusions: Certain practices are still prevalent like Branding, discarding colostrum, Kajal application, pouring oil in baby’s ear and very restricted dietary regime of mothers. These practices need to be stopped by educating mothers and relatives in postnatal wards.

Implementation of different feeding regimes and flashing light in broiler chicks

A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement was implemented to determine the performance of 450 Cobb broilers subjected to different feeding regimes with and without lighting programs. The chicks were divided into 3 groups according to the feeding regime (ad libitum, restricted, or intermittent), and each group was reared under one of two lighting programs (100% continuous light or 50% continuous light and 50% flashing light). The results showed that the broilers under the ad libitum and intermittent feeding regimes had superior body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) values and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 3 and 6 wk of age. Broilers exposed to flashing light and an intermittent feeding regime had the highest BW and ADG values and the lowest FCR. Birds exposed to intermittent feeding had the highest dressed carcass weight and the lowest heart weight. Broilers reared with flashing light had higher tenderness and juiciness values than the other groups. Broilers subjected to a restricted feeding regime and flashing light had the lowest abdominal fat values of all the groups. Tenderness and juiciness were significantly higher in broilers subjected to the ad libitum feeding regime × flashing light and the intermittent feeding regime × flashing light. Broilers fed an intermittent regime had the lowest spleen %, heterophil, heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and body temperature values of all the groups, and broilers reared under the intermittent regime × flashing light had the lowest spleen %, H/L ratio and body temperature values. Non-significant differences in all health aspects (shank length, keel bone length, foot pad burns, breast blisters score, hock discoloration, and mortality) were observed among the experimental groups. In conclusion, intermittent and restricted feeding regimes and a flashing lighting program improved the FCR and did not produce any adverse effects on performance or physiological parameters. The results of this work show that intermittent feeding and flashing lighting programs are more beneficial to broiler management.

Land Plot Selection Rationale for the Location of Linear Facilities

Nowadays, the issue of land plot selection for linear facilities is relevant because of high land load rate world-wide. The given research into establishing a rationale for linear facilities location focuses on the determination of an optimum alternative. The method used is based on the expert analytic hierarchy process to improve the economic, technical and ecological justification of projects of land allocation for linear facilities of utility equipment. The method was applied in order to select a land plot for a gas pipeline. A number of factors have been proven to be crucial for decision-making, such as negative impact on agricultural activities, area and type of agricultural land, straightness of gas pipeline, construction costs, area of land with restricted use regime and to-be-reclaimed zones. A case study of land allocation for gas pipeline illustrates the solution of the task to find the most appropriate plot of land.

Effects of level of intake of a 50% concentrate pelleted diet on metabolizability by mature Katahdin wethers

Ten adult Katahdin sheep wethers (74.3 ± 2.03 kg initial BW), approximately 3 yr of age, were used in a crossover experiment to study effects of a restricted feeding regime on digestibility, metabolizability, and heat energy. A 50% concentrate pelleted diet was fed near the ME requirement for maintenance (Control; DM intake = 44.4 g/kg BW0.75) and at 55% of this level (Restricted; DM intake = 24.4 g/kg BW0.75). Periods were 4 wk in length, with 3 wk for adaptation, measures in the final week when animals were situated in metabolism cages, and 2 days for gas exchange quantification via a head-box respiration calorimetry system. Apparent total tract digestibilities of DM (68.9 and 76.1%; SEM = 1.08), OM (78.3 and 83.3%; SEM = 1.57), CP (74.6 and 80.7%; SEM = 1.68), NDF (50.9 and 61.9%; SEM = 3.23), and gross energy (77.9 and 83.0%; SEM = 1.59) were greater (P < 0.05) for Restricted than for Control. Expressed in MJ/day, energy in urine (1.03 and 0.67; SEM = 0.294) and ruminally emitted methane (1.03 and 0.77; SEM = 0.076) were greater for Control vs. Restricted (P < 0.05), but as a percentage of gross energy were at least numerically greater for Restricted (urine: 5.63 and 6.48%, SEM = 2.218 and P = 0.594; methane: 5.46 and 7.16% for Control and Restricted, respectively, SEM = 0.579 and P = 0.030). As a consequence, ME intake as a percentage of gross energy intake did not differ (P = 0.354) between treatments (66.8 and 69.4% for Control and Restricted, respectively; SEM = 2.89). The treatment difference in heat energy (11.05 and 9.29 MJ/day; SEM = 0.563) was less than in ME intake (12.67 and 7.30 MJ/day for Control and Restricted, respectively; SEM = 0.508); thus, recovered energy differed from 0 (P < 0.05) and was greater for Control vs. Restricted (1.62 and −1.99 MJ/day; SEM = 0.661). In conclusion, restricted feed intake had marked influence on digestibility, although energy losses in urine and methane energy compensated so that metabolizability did not differ between treatments. With a diet of this nature a similar ME concentration could be assumed for studies with hair sheep fed near the standard maintenance requirement and restricted in intake.

ФЕНОЛОГІЯ РОЗКРИВАННЯ БРУНЬОК У РІЗНИХ КЛОНІВ ТОПОЛЬ ТА ВЕРБ

In the face of global climate changes, studies of bud burst and bud set phenology in trees are necessary to determine the duration of the growing season of plants, the optimal planting period, and seasonal works to achieve high productivity. The purpose of our study was to investigate bud burst phenology in different poplar and willow clones, what is important for predicting possible responses of woody plants to climate changes. Materials and methods: Bud burst phenology in poplar and willow was monitored both on the plants growing at experimental plot and on potted plants. Open-field plant research was conducted on a test site of fast-growing bioenergy trees in the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv). Nine most productive poplar and willow clones were selected for the potted experiment. Throughout the growing season, the plants were kept outdoors, and after the seasonal fall of the leaves, the plants were transferred to an unheated storage room with a limited light regime. During spring, bud burst phenology was screened weekly through 45 days according to the 6-scores scale. The studies showed that the poplar plants grown under laboratory conditions demonstrated faster rates of bud burst compared to the willows, while the plants at the experimental plot, on the contrary, shown faster bud burst in the willows comparing to poplar clones. Such effects may be caused by the restricted light regime at the laboratory space what probably had stronger impact on the bud burst in willows, and in the case of open-field plants also by other random environmental factors. In potted conditions, willows demonstrated a tendency for faster flushing of lateral buds, while most poplar clones showed faster apical bud growth under the same conditions.

Are disturbance separation distances derived from single species applicable to mixed-species shorebird flocks?

Abstract ContextHuman disturbance threatens many bird species worldwide. Flight-initiation distances (FIDs) offer a scientific basis for separation distances between fauna and agents of disturbance, such as people. However, most available FIDs are from single-species groups. Multi-species flocks have received scant attention with regard to their FIDs; yet, they are extremely common in nature. AimTo examine suitable separation distances for mixed-species shorebird flocks by comparing single-species FIDs with those of the same species in mixed-species flocks. MethodWe examined FIDs in mixed- and single-species flocks of four shorebirds (double-banded plover, Charadrius bicinctus, red-capped plover, Charadrius ruficapillus, red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis, and curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea). FIDs were collected in comparable habitat and sites with similar (i.e. highly restricted) regimes of human occurrence. ResultsFIDs of single-species flocks of these species differed in their FID to an approaching walker. Different species permutations in mixed-species flocks resulted in different FIDs. FIDs of mixed-species flocks were lower than or the same as the FIDs of single-species groups of constituent species. Conclusions and implicationsIn our study system, separation distances (e.g. buffers; zones that exclude humans to reduce shorebird disturbance) based on FIDs of single species also would be efficacious for mixed-species flocks containing those species.

Bioaccumulation and morphological traits in a multi-generation test with two Daphnia species exposed to lead

Anthropic pressure negatively affects natural environments. Lead (Pb) is a non-essential highly toxic metal that is present in aquatic ecosystems. Two daphnid species from two different latitudes, the temperate Daphnia magna and the tropical Daphnia similis were used as test-organisms to evaluate a long-term Pb exposure. Both species were exposed for nine generations to a chronic concentration of Pb (50 μg/L) and the effects were explored, considering some endpoints not commonly used in toxicity tests: body burden of Pb and presence of granules in the dorsal region of neonates, hemoglobin contents, carapace deformation and morphology, production of males and ephippia (or dormant haploid egg), changes in the eggs' colour and eggs abortion. This multi-generation test was conducted under two food regimes, the usual (3 × 105 cells/mL) and the restricted (1.5 × 105 cells/mL) regime. On generation F6, Pb acclimated neonates were changed to a clean media for three generations, to evaluate exposure retrieval (recovery period). Negative and adverse effects occurred through generations, but no disparity was shown between D. magna and D. similis. The D. magna Pb accumulation showed different patterns regarding food regime. Bioaccumulation was faster under usual food, rapidly reaching a saturation point, whereas a gradual increase occurred under food restriction. A successful retrieval happened regarding Pb in D. magna, since no difference between control and recovering organisms was evidenced regarding their Pb body burdens. Generational Pb exposure led to carapace malformations, Pb aggregation in neonates' dorsal region, reddish extremities, production of males, ephippia (or dormant haploid egg), and aborted eggs, and changes in the eggs’ colour (green and white). Food restriction also induced the production of males. Reddish extremities disappeared in recovering organisms and ephippia (or dormant haploid egg) did not occurred during the recovery period. Existent males revealed a shorter lifespan than females (under stress). D. magna and D. similis presented similar responses, for the endpoints analysed; however, it does not mean that this lack of sensitivity difference will be observed when other endpoints (e.g. survival, reproduction) are considered. Bioaccumulation of Pb and adverse effects occurred at the tested concentration of 50μg/L, although higher Pb levels are allowed in the environment as safe concentrations, as reported by the Brazilian legislation and the literature where effects are evidences above 400 μg/L of Pb. Pb effects on reproduction, respiration, malformation, and other adverse effects suggest that a chronic generational exposure can be harmful to both D. magna and D. similis, and that such chronic contaminated environments should not be disregarded when it comes to environmental monitoring.

Effects of different feeding frequencies on growth, cataract development and histopathology of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.)

Three duplicate groups of individually tagged lumpfish (mean initial weight: 22.3 ± 2.5 g) were fed either daily (7DW); four days per week (4DW) or three days per week (3DW) at a feeding rate of 2% body weight day−1 for a period of 126 days. There were significant differences in growth rates between the groups with the 7DW fish having the highest growth rates. Cataract prevalence was 53% lower in the 3DW group compared to the 7DW group. Histological examination showed that in some individuals in all three groups there was moderate expansion of the lamina propria in the mid and hind gut regions of the intestine with tissue most likely to represent fibrous tissue with scattered leucocytes. The severity of inflammation appeared to increase the more frequent the fish were fed with the 7DW fish having the highest inflammation score in these tissues. Feeding fish daily also resulted in higher levels of liver vacuolisation and chronic inflammation of the lamina propria in the mid and hind gut region of the intestines. Results from the present study show that restricted feeding regimes can be used to control growth and improve gut and eye health in lumpfish.

Genotype by environment interaction for feed efficiency trait of the juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei held in individuals vs. in groups

To understand the influence the individual-rearing design will exert on selective breeding programs for feed efficiency trait of L. vannamei, this study assessed the extent of genotype by environment (G × E) interaction for feed efficiency of 15 full-sib families reared in individuals vs. in groups. Feed efficiency ratio (FER), average daily weight gain (ADG) and daily feed intake (DFI) were measured on individuals of the families in individual-rearing condition and on groups of individuals of the same families in group-rearing condition, respectively, with a restricted feeding regime. As the experimental design, each family was divided into three groups in both rearing conditions, and a total of 90 group records were used for G × E analysis. In this study, increased FER and ADG denoted as least squared means were observed in group-rearing condition compared to individual-rearing condition. Genetic variance was much higher than G × E and environmental variances for both FER and ADG, but G × E variance was higher than genetic and environmental variances for DFI. Genetic correlations between the two conditions were 0.786 and 0.909 for FER and ADG, respectively, which indicates a mild G × E interaction effect for FER and an insignificant G × E interaction effect for ADG. These results suggest that for family selection the decisions based on individual-rearing design might be applicable for production situation where shrimp are held in social groups and individual-rearing design is feasible in breeding programs for feed efficiency of L. vannamei.

The effect of different feeding rates and restriction on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus.

This study seeks to investigate the effect of restricted feeding regimes at different rate on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus using static and flow through system. Fingerlings were divided into six batches for each systems with the first and second batch fed at 5% body weight (BW) every day and every other day respectively, the third and fourth batch were fed 10% BW every day and every other day respectively while the fifth and sixth batch were fed 15% BW every day and every other day respectively. Result obtained shows that fish fed every other day exhibited compensatory growth at 5% BW in the static system while in the flow through system fish grow better at all feeding rates when fed every other day. Increasing feeding rate however beyond 10% BW did not improve growth when fed every day or every other day in the static system due to poor water quality. This therefore implies that catfish farming can make more profit feeding African catfish at 5% body weight every other day in the static system and up to 15% body weight (every other day) in flow through system, hence taking advantage of the compensatory growth response phenomenon.

Transcriptome analysis reveals interplay between hormones, ROS metabolism and cell wall biosynthesis for drought-induced root growth in wheat

The ability of roots to grow under drought stress is an adaptive trait for crop plants especially under rain fed and restricted irrigation regime. To unravel the molecular mechanism of drought induced-root growth, root transcriptomes of two wheat genotypes viz. Raj3765 and HD2329, with contrasting root growth under drought stress were analyzed. Drought stress significantly enhanced total root length in Raj3765 as compared to that of HD2329. RNA-seq analysis led to the identification of 2783 and 2638 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Raj3765 and HD2329, respectively, under drought stress as compared with non-stress conditions. Functional annotation, gene ontology and MapMan analysis of the DEGs revealed differential regulation of genes for pathways associated with root growth and stress tolerance. Drought stress significantly upregulated auxin receptor (AFB2) and ABA responsive transcription factors (MYB78, WRKY18 and GBF3) in roots of Raj3765. Although certain genes for ethylene pathway were downregulated in both the genotypes, ACC oxidase and 2OG-Fe(II) oxygenase were upregulated only in Raj3765 which might contribute to maintenance of a basal ethylene level to maintain root growth. Several genes related to cell wall biosynthesis and ROS metabolism were significantly upregulated in Raj3765. Genes related to gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid and phenylpropanoid pathways were downregulated in roots of both the genotypes under drought stress. Our analysis suggests that a coordinated yet complex interplay between hormones, cellular tolerance, cell wall synthesis and ROS metabolism are required for drought induced root growth in wheat.

A new method for hydroxyl radical detection by chemiluminescence of flue-cured tobacco extracts

Chemiluminescence (CL) reactions usually take place in a severely restricted pH regime, thereby confining their application in media at different pH. In this paper, the CL behavior of tobacco-methanol extract (TME) was explored. Surprisingly, TME exhibited CL behavior upon mixing with Fe2+/H2O2, HRP/H2O2 and gold nanoparticles/H2O2 oxidation systems, i.e., in acidic, neutral and alkaline solution respectively. Addition of different reactive oxygen species scavengers verified that the hydroxyl radical (OH) triggers TME CL reactions. Then, the CL behavior of TME was applied to determine OH in tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ)/H2O2 system in acidic, neutral and alkaline solutions. CL intensity correlated most strongly (R2 = 0.99) with TCBQ concentration, which was used as a means to indirectly denote OH concentration. This implies that OH could be determined by a TME CL method in a semi-quantitative way regardless of pH value. Therefore, the TME CL method may be a promising method for OH determination in various OH-generating systems.

Assessment of sustainable deficit irrigation in a Moroccan apple orchard as a climate change adaptation strategy

This study was conducted over three consecutive years, 2015, 2016 and 2017, in the Imouzzer Kander region located in northwestern Morocco. The main objective is to evaluate apple tree responses to two sustainable deficit irrigation strategies with 75% (T2) and 50% (T3) of calculated crop evapotranspiration (ETc), compared to a control irrigated with 100% ETc (T1). During the three experiment years, estimated reference evapotranspiration (ET0) was 630, 684 and 728 mm, respectively, in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Under the two restricted regimes, shoot length and fruit size evolution were not significantly affected. During the fruit set of 2017, no significant effects of sustainable deficit irrigation on the relative water content were observed, whereas they increased significantly during the fruit-swelling stage for the T3 treatment. Likewise, net CO2 assimilation (An) was not affected by the irrigation dose, whereas it increased significantly and inversely proportional to the amount of applied water during fruit swelling. Thus, under our experimental conditions, the trees subjected to extreme deficit irrigation (T3) were not stressed at either stage. Moreover, deficit irrigation at 75% ETc increased apple yield significantly. In contrast, deficit irrigation at 50% ETc throughout the cycle was not enough to maintain an acceptable fruit size for the three studied campaigns. However, the best qualitative performance, notably for fruit firmness and sugar content, was attributed to this irrigation regime (T3).

Circatidal rhythm of void volume in young healthy adults

Solar and lunar geophysical cycles are the major zeitgebers of biological oscillators, but most oscillating physiological systems are entrained to circadian rhythm. Although void volume oscillates, entrainment to geophysical cycle has not been shown. Study was done to determine if void volume oscillation of young healthy adults is entrained to geophysical cycle. Healthy undergraduates were placed on ad libitum regime of food and water intake, restricted exercise regime, but no intake of alcoholic beverages, caffeinated drinks, and tobacco. All voids were collected, timed, and measured for 72 h. Void volumes were corrected for body mass and binned to hourly time series. Hourly distribution of voids was tested for uniformity. Void volume time series was denoised, and the dominant oscillatory component was Hilbert transformed to analytical signal. The phase portrait was plotted in complex plane. The geometry of attractors in state space and recurrence were computed. There were 195 subjects, 128 males and 67 females. Geometrical mean age (range) was 26 years (18–37). Geometrical mean voids/day (50% inter-quantile range (IQR)) was 4 (4–5). Voids/hr were not uniformly distributed, . Geometrical mean void vol/kg/hr (50% IQR) was 0.8 ml (0.6–1.0). Void volume oscillation was rhythmic with peaks at 6.00 am and 6.00 pm, and troughs at 12.00 am and 12.00 pm, which coincided with Earth tides. The timescale of oscillation was 12 h. Phase portrait showed trajectories which converged on limit cycle attractor. Recurrence topology showed only periodic regime. Circatidal rhythm of void volume oscillation indicates entrainment to lunar geophysical cycle. The gravitation field of the moon is, therefore, the most likely zeitgeber.