Two-day Intervals Research Articles

Enhanced aquaculture effluent polishing by once and repetitive nutrients deprived seawater Chlorella sp.

The nutrients-rich aquaculture effluent may cause severe environmental and ecological destructions if discharged without adequate treatment. Microalgae can serve as a good candidate in aquaculture effluent polishing since it can realize water purification as well as in situ resource transformation as aquaculture feeds comparing to traditional remediation efforts. Enhanced nutrients removal by nutrients deprived microalgae has been revealed before, but repetitive nutrients deprivation is so far applied only for biofuel production purposes, and it is still unclear whether such a strategy can be adopted for further effluent polishing. This study comprehensively investigated the improved aquaculture effluent polishing by once and repetitive nutrients deprivation of indigenous seawater Chlorella sp. Synthetic effluent of various strengths (total nitrogen = 2–50 mg/L, total phosphorus = 0.2–5 mg/L) were first treated by nutrients replete microalgae, then subsequently polished by nutrients deprived microalgae. A semi-continuous sequential system was established and evaluated at various dilution plans, using both nutrients replete and repetitive nutrients deprived microalgae. Results showed that nutrients replete microalgae could only polish low strength aquaculture effluent to discharge acceptable levels (dissolved inorganic nitrogen≤0.5 mg/L, phosphate≤0.05 mg/L), while a following treatment by nutrients deprived microalgae could also treat moderate strength effluent to meet the discharge limits, and the improved nutrients removal was most efficient (>90% removal) during the first two days of effluent polishing. The semi-continuous sequential system with repetitive nutrients deprivation at two-day intervals could polish the high strength effluent to discharge acceptable levels respectively after 5, 7, and 9 days, using 1, 2, and 3 days of water exchange intervals in each circulation treatment. The extra microalgal biomass produced during repetitive nutrients deprivation (0.28–0.8 g/L biomass increase during each round of deprivation) was advantageous for system scale-up, or could be utilized as in situ aquaculture feed or other value-added products due to its lipid and carbohydrate rich properties.

Final oocyte maturation (FOM) model and artificial reproduction of burbot spawners (Lota lota) originating from the F1 generation of a cultured stock in comparison to wild stock

The burbot (Lota L.) is one of the most promising freshwater new fish species for cold-water aquaculture. Due to the lack of availability of wild spawners, it is imperative to breed cultured spawners. In the present study, artificial reproduction of a cultured stock of burbot was carried out and then compared with wild fish reproduction results. Patterns of burbot final oocyte maturation were developed and they were compared during artificial reproduction of wild and cultured burbot. For the first time, a model of final oocyte maturation (FOM) was formulated in a hormonally stimulated female burbot. The relationship between the oocyte maturity stage is straightforward and, at a water temperature of 2 °C, progress by the next stage was observed in two-day intervals. This model was tested on a group of wild and cultured fish (generation F1) originating from the Vistula Lagoon (Northern Poland). In both cases, the very high utility of the proposed model in the artificial reproduction of burbot was confirmed. The fertilization was very high. In wild and cultured forms was similar and was over 95% (95.4 ± 0.3 and 95.3 ± 0.3 as mean ± SD for wild and cultured, respectively). The differences in the survival to eyed-egg-stage (92.2 ± 0.8 and 91.9 ± 0.7 for wild and cultured, respectively) and hatchability of eggs (91.1 ± 0.9 and 90.9 ± 0.8 for wild and cultured, respectively) were statistically insignificant. In summary, a cultured stock of burbot spawners can be successfully used for the stable production of the stocking material of this species.

Response of growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and digestive enzyme activity to different feeding strategies in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) under high-temperature stress

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of using different feeding strategies on the growth performance, feed efficiency, antioxidant capacity, digestive enzyme activities, and serum biochemical parameters of common carp, Cyprinus carpio for 40 days under high-temperature stress. A total of 120 fish (average initial weight 25.30 ± 1.27 g) were distributed in 12 tanks maintained in a circulating aquarium system (a water flow rate of 1 L/min). Fish were divided into four treatments: feeding every day with two meals, feeding one-day intervals with two meals, feeding two-day intervals with two meals, and feeding four-day intervals with two meals (named as T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively). The results show that the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the T2 group were significantly higher than the other groups, while the feed conversion rate (FCR) of the T2 group was lower than in the other groups (P < 0.05); Serum glucose (GLU) content of fish in the T2 group was significantly higher than the other groups; The liver total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity of fish in the T0 group had a significantly lower value than in the T2 group (P < 0.05); The liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content of fish in the T0 group had a significantly lower value than those others (P < 0.05); the gut trypsin and lipase (LPS) activity of fish in the T2 group showed the highest value, while the gut amylase (AMS) activity of fish in the T0 group showed the lowest value compared to the others; the IBR index showed the lowest value in the T2 group. It can be concluded that the T2 group of fish showed the best growth performance and gut digestive enzyme activities, with reduced negative impacts during high-temperature stress. This intermittent feeding strategy improved the antioxidant status of fish. Therefore, feeding every third day is recommended as an improved feeding regime for C. carpio during periods of elevated water temperature. The results of this study further extend our understanding of how feeding strategies in C. carpio culture can be implemented rationally during summer under high temperatures, which will provide valuable information for improving aquaculture management.

Treating developmental dyslexia using transcranial stimulation combined with a reading stimulation program: A pilot study

Objective: Evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with reading therapy on the performance of reading tasks in a serie of cases of children and adolescents with developmental dyslexia (DD). Method: (IRB/UNIFESP number:1281/2017). Four dyslexic students (two children and two adolescents) were evaluated with regards to rate and accuracy of reading fluency on three occasions: pre-intervention as well as one and six months after intervention. The intervention consisted of five consecutive sessions of active tDCS (1 mA for 20 minutes), followed by a two-day interval and another five sessions of tDCS combined with cognitive skills stimulation of phonological processing and decoding of words. Anodal tDCS was administered over the left parieto-occipital cortex, with the cathode placed over contralateral deltoid muscle. Each session was preceded by execution of semantic-lexical and phonological evocation tasks. Data were analyzed using Friedman test and JT method for analysis of clinical significance and the reliable change index. Results: Improvements were found in text reading rate and accuracy and word accuracy at the one-month and six-month evaluation. A significant increase was found in correct reading of words and pseudowords six months after intervention. Most of the improvements were reliable, with clinical significance in some cases. Conclusion: Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with a reading stimulation program proved effective at improving reading skills in these participants.

Effect of Drought Stress on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters, Phytochemical Contents, and Antioxidant Activities in Lettuce Seedlings

This study monitored changes in chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), growth parameters, soil moisture content, phytochemical content (proline, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, total phenol content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC)), and antioxidant activities in 12-day-old lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings grown under drought stress (no irrigation) and control (well irrigated) treatments in controlled conditions for eight days. Measurements occurred at two-day intervals. Among ten CF parameters studied, effective quantum yield of photochemical energy conversion in PSII (Y(PSII)), coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP), and coefficient of photochemical quenching of variable fluorescence based on the lake model of PSII (qL) significantly decreased in drought-stressed seedlings from day 6 of treatment compared to control. In contrast, maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), ratio of fluorescence (Rfd), and quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII (Y(NO)) were significantly affected only at the end. All growth parameters decreased in drought-stressed seedlings compared to control. Proline started increasing from day 4 and showed ~660-fold elevation on day 8 compared to control. Chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities decreased in drought-stressed seedlings. Results showed major changes in all parameters in seedlings under prolonged drought stress. These findings clarify effects of drought stress in lettuce seedlings during progressive drought exposure and will be useful in the seedling industry.

Germination responses of Cola acuminata (Pal. De Beauv.) seeds to different substrates, photoperiods and dehydration

Cola acuminata (Pal. De Beauv.), one of the many forest tree species which are of socio-economic importance in Western and Central Africa, is still exploited in the wild by subsistence farmers because it has not been domesticated yet. As a contribution to its domestication, the present study aimed at determining germination requirements and desiccation tolerance of seeds. Three substrates (forest topsoil, river sand and mixture of forest top soil and river sand), two photoperiods (12 hours/day and continuous darkness) and dehydration were investigated for their effects on seeds germination percentage. To evaluate the seeds’ tolerance to desiccation, fresh seeds were dried at laboratory temperature for 16 days during which seeds moisture content, seeds germination percentage and electrical conductivity of seeds leachate were monitored at two-day intervals. Results showed that the mean germination percentage recorded on the mixture of forest top soil and river sand (97.2 ± 1.0%) was significantly higher than that recorded on forest topsoil (85.5 ± 4.0%), which was in turn higher than that obtained on river sand (70 ± 1.5%). The effect of photoperiod on germination percentage was not significant (p = 0.112). As response to seeds drying, the mean germination percentage slightly decreased as moisture got lost, then drastically dropped when moisture content was below 45.95 ± 4.2%. Seeds failed to germinate when their moisture content fell below 27.1 ± 2.1%. Electrical conductivity of seed leachate exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with both germination percentage (p ˂ 0.01, r = -0.926) and moisture content (p ˂ 0.01, r = -0.931). It is concluded that the best substrate for C. acuminata seeds’ germination is the mixture of forest top soil and river sand in a 1/1 (v/v) ratio. Cola acuminata seeds are desiccation-sensitive and their storage behavior is recalcitrant. This is a significant constraint for conservation that should be addressed in further researches.Keywords: Cola acuminate, seed germination, photoperiod, desiccation tolerance, moisture content, storage behavior.

Effects of irrigation intervals and irrigation levels on oil content and fatty acid composition of peanut cultivars

Oil content and fatty acid composition are the most significant quality criteria of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), and these parameters is greatly influenced by irrigation and fertilization practices. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation intervals and irrigation levels on oil content and fatty acid composition of peanuts, under sandy soil conditions in two consecutive years, using ‘Halisbey’, ‘NC-7’, and ‘Sultan’ peanut cultivars, commonly grown in Turkey. Irrigation levels were arranged based on total evaporation from Class-A pan, and irrigations were applied through drip lines. Irrigation intervals were set as two and four days, and irrigation levels were set as 50% (I50), 75% (I75), 100% (I100) and 125% (I125) of Class-A pan evaporations. Oil content, unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids), and saturated fatty acids (palmitic, myristic, arachidic, behenic and lignoceric acids) were determined. For oil content, treatments were identified as the most appropriate irrigation for a two-day irrigation interval of all cultivars, I100 for four-day irrigation interval of ‘Halisbey’ and ‘Sultan’ cultivars and I75 for four-day irrigation interval of ‘NC-7’ cultivar. Oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids of peanuts. Cultivars exhibited different variations in these fatty acids based on irrigation intervals and irrigation levels. In general, oleic acid contents decreased, but linoleic and palmitic acid contents increased with increasing irrigation levels. The greatest oleic acid contents were obtained from two and four-day irrigation intervals of I50 treatments in ‘Halisbey’ and ‘NC-7’ cultivars and from two and four-day irrigation intervals of I75 treatments of the second year in ‘Sultan’ cultivar. Present findings revealed that for quality peanut production, both irrigation intervals and irrigation levels should be taken into consideration.

Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy (LED 630nm) on Muscle and Nerve Histomorphometry after Axonotmesis.

Peripheral injuries constitute a substantial clinical problem with unsatisfactory treatment. The study's objective was to analyze the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on median nerve regeneration and muscle recovery after axonotmesis. Twenty-four rats were randomized into three groups: control (CG), injury (IG), and LED therapy (LEDG). A 630±20nm (300-mW) LED was placed in contact with the skin. One point over the injury site was irradiated for 30s, delivering 9J (9Jcm-2 ). PBMT irradiation was performed once daily for 5days followed by two-day interval and then more five consecutive days of treatment. Proximal and distal segments of the nerve and flexors muscles were removed for histomorphometric analysis using H&E staining for muscles and osmium tetroxide for nerves. The myelinated fiber and axon diameter and the myelin sheath thickness were greater in the proximal and distal nerve segments in the LEDG compared to the IG (P≤0.05). The number of myelinated fibers was greater in the distal segment of the LEDG (P≤0.05). The area, circumference, and diameter of the muscle fibers were larger in the LEDG than in the IG (P≤0.05). The PBMT protocol used favored axonal regeneration and muscle recovery.

Germination of West African Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst) Seeds: Effects of Dehydration and Different Pre-sowing Treatments

Diospyros mespiliformis is a highly valued and threatened tree species within the Sahelo-Sudanian zone of Africa, but its seed germination requirements under cultivation are not well researched. In a first experiment which aimed at determining germination response of seeds to dehydration, fresh seeds were dried at room temperature for 26 days during which their moisture content, their germinability, and their viability were monitored at two-day intervals. In the second experiment, 14 pre-germination treatments were tested for their effect on the germination of dried seeds. Results showed that fresh seeds had 52.7% moisture and achieved 97.7% germination. As seeds were dried, percentage germination gradually decreased with decreasing moisture content and reached 0% when moisture content had dropped to 18%. Meanwhile, seed viability remained at 100% over drying duration. Seeds that were not germinated after air dry also recorded 100% viability. The most effective treatment for inducing germination of dried seeds was scarification using 98% sulfuric acid for 30 min which resulted in 96.6% germination. This study reports for the first time in D. mespiliformis seeds a desiccation-induced dormancy which can be efficiently alleviated by acid scarification. This study provides useful information that will contribute to efficient management of D. mespiliformis seed resources for propagation.

A study on physicochemical parameters of fish pond effluents: A case study of Umudibia fish farm

This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics of fish pond effluents. Four (4) effluent samples were collected at two-day intervals from a fish pond located at Umudiba Nekede, Owerri, and analyzed to ascertain their characteristics. The physiochemical parameters assessed are the temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, turbidity, ammonia, total hardness, alkalinity, pH, and electrical conductivity. The result revealed the following ranges for the physicochemical characteristics: temperature (23.0 to 25.9°C), pH (6.24 to 3.1), total alkalinity (43.1 to 50.4mg/l), total dissolved solid (27.9 to 95.2 mg/l), total hardness (19.7 to 21.5mg/l), turbidity (12 to 170 NTU), and electrical conductivity (137.6 to 144.3 μmhos/cm). The result of the study indicated that the effluents from the fish pond could constitute a threat to the ecology of the aquatic water bodies if not properly treated before discharge.

Physical activity buffers the effects of work-family conflict on work engagement through mastery recovery experience

Based on the Effort-Recovery model and the Job Demands-Resources model, this study investigated the moderated mediational process in which physical activity after work interacted with one type of work-family conflict, work-to-family conflict (work interference with family), to predict mastery recovery experience, which in turn explained work engagement (i.e., vigor, dedication, and absorption). Participants were 373 employees in South Korea who responded to an online survey twice with a two-day interval. Work-to-family conflict was measured on Tuesday, physical activity and mastery experience during Wednesday after work were retrospectively measured on Thursday, and three subtypes of work engagement were measured on Thursday. Our results indicated that physical activity after work moderated the relationship between work-to-family conflict and mastery experience such that the negative effect of work-to-family conflict on mastery experience was reduced in longer hours of physical activity. Furthermore, work-to-family conflict had conditional indirect effects on three subtypes of work engagement through mastery experience depending on the hours of physical activity, and the conditional indirect effect was strongest for vigor. These findings suggest that physical activity can promote recovery experience even in harsh conditions including the experience of work-family conflict, ultimately improving work engagement.

Longitudinal Microbiome Analysis in a Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Mouse Model.

The role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been in focus for decades. Although metagenomic observations in patients/animal colitis models have been attempted, the microbiome results were still indefinite and broad taxonomic presumptions were made due to the cross-sectional studies. Herein, we conducted a longitudinal microbiome analysis in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model with a two-factor design based on serial DSS dose (0, 1, 2, and 3%) and duration for 12 days, and four mice from each group were sacrificed at two-day intervals. During the colitis development, a transition of the cecal microbial diversity from the normal state to dysbiosis and dynamic changes of the populations were observed. We identified genera that significantly induced or depleted depending on DSS exposure, and confirmed the correlations of the individual taxa to the colitis severity indicated by inflammatory biomarkers (intestinal bleeding and neutrophil-derived indicators). Of note, each taxonomic population showed its own susceptibility to the changing colitis status. Our findings suggest that an understanding of the individual susceptibility to colitis conditions may contribute to identifying the role of the gut microbes in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Behavioural repeatability in larval Limnephilus lunatus Curtis, 1834 (Trichoptera) in an open-field test

This article investigates inter-individual repeatability in distance moved in an open-field test for larval Limnephilus lunatus Curtis, 1834. Repeatability across four trials (two-day trial intervals) was comparable to previous studies on arthropod species (repeatability: R = 0.37), indicating that L. lunatus is a suitable model species in this research field. Two potential nuisance factors were corrected for: (1) progressively declining activity over consecutive trials and (2) case mass:body mass ratio, affecting activity negatively. These factors require consideration in behavioural experiments on larval caddisflies. Pairwise correlations of distance moved among trial days showed that behaviour in the first trial did not correspond well with behaviour in the following trials. Re-analysing the data using only trials 2 to 4 increased the repeatability (repeatability: R = 0.50), suggesting that future studies should consider not including data derived from initial trials, as the initial trial may constitute a different context than the following ones.

Profil Bobot Badan dan Tingkat Mortalitas Tikus Jantan Galur Sprague Dawley Selama Pembentukan Fibrosarkoma yang Dipicu oleh Benzo(a)piren

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is one of several examples of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that come from incomplete combustion of organic materials.BaP compound is used in research to induce fibrosarcoma.In general, patients with cancer will experience a reduction in body weight. This study aims to determine the body weight profile, the time it takes to cause fibrosarcoma, and the mortality rate of male Sprague Dawley rats after injection with BaP. In this study, 18 rats were used with two treatments.Rats in treatment 0 (P0) were not treated, while rats in treatment I (PI) were injected with BaP 0.3% in 0.1 mL oleum olivarumten times given gradually at two-day intervals via subcutaneous. There were six and 12 rats, respectively, P0 and PI. BaP solution is prepared by dissolving in oleum olivarum, mixing, and stirring until homogeneous. The rats were weighed at the beginning of the study and then carried out routinely once a weekfor 19 weeks of research. At the beginning of the study, the average body weight of rats at P0 and PI were 121.43 ± 7.04 g and 131.49 ± 16.31 g, respectively. The mean body weight of the rats at P0 and PI from the first week to the 19th were178.53 ± 29.97 g and 159.20 ± 14.24 g, respectively. The time taken to inducefibrosarcoma was 85.5 ± 17.6 days. The mortality rate in treatment P0 was 0% and PI treatment was 8.33%.From the results of this study, it can be concluded that giving BaP significantly reduces the body weight profile of rats and has a mortality rate of 8.33%.

Thermoregulation in humid climate-adapted and Savannah breeds of goats exposed to West African cold (harmattan) season

Abstract The West African Dwarf (WAD) goats have hereditary dwarfism and are adapted to the humid climate. The study compared the cold tolerance of WAD and Savannah (Red Sokoto and Sahel) goats during the peak of the West African cold season in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. A total of 18 adult non-pregnant, dry does comprising equal number of each breed (six per breed) were used for the study. Thermoregulatory variables were recorded four times in the morning (07:00 h) and afternoon (13:00 h) hours at two-day intervals. Results revealed that irrespective of the hour of day, the WAD had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher respiratory rate when compared with Red Sokoto and Sahel goats. The diurnal afternoon rise in respiratory rate and the magnitude of afternoon rise in rectal temperature was higher (p &lt; 0.0001) in WAD than Sahel and Red Sokoto goats. The body surface temperature in the morning hours was significantly lower in WAD compared with Sahel breed, while in the afternoon hours, the inter-digital space temperature was significantly lower in WAD compared with Savannah breeds. However, there were no significant (p &gt; 0.05) differences in heart rate, rectal, head and leg temperatures between the breeds in both morning and afternoon hours. Discriminant analysis revealed that the morning hours induced greater homogeneity in the thermoregulatory responses between the breeds adapted to the humid and Savannah climates as compared with the afternoon hours. It was concluded that although WAD goats employed more intense peripheral vasoconstriction to survive cold exposure and demonstrated greater diurnal amplitude in thermoregulatory variables, they maintained comparable core body temperature as the indigenous Savannah breeds. Thus, suggesting that despite the hereditary dwarfism, the WAD goats could conserve body heat during the West African cold season in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria.

Mandrills learn two-day time intervals in a naturalistic foraging situation

Primates display high efficiency in finding food in complex environments. Knowledge that many plant species produce fruit simultaneously, can help primates to anticipate fruit finding at the start of fruiting seasons. Knowledge of elapsed time can help primates decide when to revisit food trees to find ripened fruit and to return before competitors find these fruits. To investigate whether mandrills are able to learn time intervals of recurring food, we recorded the foraging choices of captive mandrills in a group setting. We used a procedure with renewable food rewards that could be searched for: carrots and grapes, hidden underground in specific places with different renewal intervals (2 and 5 days, respectively). We monitored the first choice of location for individuals, if other individuals had not already searched at the same location, to exclude possible effects of individuals following others rather than relying on memory. Throughout the study, the mandrills became increasingly likely to first search at carrot locations on carrot days, while the probability of them searching at carrot locations decreased on days without carrot. Due to model instability, our results were inconclusive about an effect of grape days on the choice of the mandrills. Cues provided by conspecifics indicating the availability of simultaneously emerging food rewards did not affect the choice of the mandrills. We conclude that mandrills can take into account elapsed time in a foraging context. Thereby, this study indicates how mandrills can use temporal cognitive abilities to overcome temporal challenges of food-finding in a group setting.

The reliability of a restraint sensor system for the computer-supported detection of spinal stabilizing muscle deficiencies

BackgroundThe presence of muscular deficiency seems to be a major cause of back pain that requires counteractions. Considering that the autochthonous back muscles, responsible for straightening and stabilizing the spine, cannot be activated voluntarily, they can be strengthened only through specific training. The computer-supported test and training system (CTT) Centaur (BfMC GmbH, Leipzig, SN, Germany) seems well suited for this purpose. To show its potential as a reliable diagnostic and training tool, this study aimed to evaluate the test-retest reliability of this 3D spatial rotation device.MethodsA prospective pilot study was conducted in 20 healthy volunteers of both sexes. For test-retest reliability analysis, three measurements were performed with a two-day interval between each measurement. Each measurement consisted of a one-minute endurance test performed in eight different positions (transverse plane). During the test, the subject was tilted by 90° in the sagittal plane from a neutral, upright position. Meanwhile, the subject’s level of upper body stabilization along the body axis was assessed. All trunk movements (momentum values) were quantified by a multicomponent force sensor and standardized relative to the subject’s upper body mass. The range of motion was assessed by 95% confidence ellipse analysis. Here, all position-specific confidence ellipses for each measurement were merged to a summarized quantity. Finally, ICC analysis using a single-rating, absolute agreement, two-way mixed-effects model and a Bland-Altman plot was performed to determine the reliability.ResultsConsidering all measurements (t1, t2, t3), the ICC for reliability evaluation was 0.805, and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was [0.643, 0.910]. Moreover, the Bland-Altman plots for all three pairs of time points did not show significant differences.ConclusionThis study concludes that the CTT Centaur shows good test-retest reliability, indicating it can be used in clinical practice in the future.

The First Study for The Acaricidal Activity of Alcoholic Extracts of Adiantum capillus-veneris and Funaria hygrometric against Argas persicus

The present study was conducted to investigate the acaricidal activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of two Cryptogams plants, namely Adiantum capillus-veneris (fern plant) and Funaria hygrometrica (moss plant) at different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) on semi-fed females of Argas persicus (away from their hosts) collected from the field. The percentages of mobile, immobile, and dead females were recorded two-day intervals for 30 days after treatment with all extracts assayed at different concentrations, using the dipping method. The results indicated that all extracts at different concentrations caused a significant decrease in the percentages of mobile ticks and a significant increase in the percentages of dead ones when compared with the control. The acaricidal efficacy of A. capillus-veneris and F. hygrometrica extracts may be attributed to their contents of many active phytochemical constituents that having high potential against ticks. At the highest concentration (4%), the percentage of tick mortality for methanolic extract was more efficient than ethanolic one for both plants recording 100% efficiency for A. capillus-veneris and 50% for F. hygrometrica. So, we recommended using A. capillus-veneris methanolic extract at 4% as a herbal pesticide against A. persicus which have all characters of ideal pesticides; effective (100% acaricidal activity), easily available, cheap, biodegradable (eco-friendly), and do not cause mammalian toxicity.

Physiological and productive characteristics of the banana 'Prata-Anã' subjected to different irrigation intervals and emitter heights

This study aimed to evaluate the productive characteristics, gas exchange and water use efficiency of the banana 'Prata-Anã' clone Gorutuba under different irrigation intervals associated with different emitter heights. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme: two irrigation intervals (daily and every two days) and four emitter heights (50, 70, 90, and 110 cm) in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The irrigation depths applied by the microsprinkler irrigation system were calculated as a function of crop evapotranspiration. The gas exchanges were evaluated during the period of greatest climatic stress, and the productive characteristics were evaluated at harvest. The economic water use efficiency was determined indirectly by considering the production divided by the applied irrigation depth, which was the same in all the treatments. The instantaneous water use efficiency was estimated with an infrared gas analyzer in the critical climatic period. There was no interaction between the irrigation intervals and emitter heights. The two-day irrigation interval resulted in lower values of leaf temperature and photosynthetically active radiation incident on the leaves, resulting in a higher fruit weight and, consequently, higher yields and a higher water use efficiency. The highest fruit weights were obtained at heights of 70 and 90 cm.

A comparative study of the entomofauna (Coleoptera, Diptera) associated with hanging and ground pig carcasses in a forest habitat of Poland

Suicide by hanging is one of the most common causes of death, worldwide. Therefore, studies of insects associated with hanging cadavers are important for developing entomological tools capable of estimating the postmortem intervals in such cases. We conducted a two-year experiment, in the spring, summer, and autumn of 2012 and 2013, studying the entomofauna of 12 hanging and 12 ground, decomposing pig carcasses in a hornbeam-oak forest, in western Poland. Both carcass treatments showed colonization by similar insect species. Among the 224 taxa collected, 61 and 52 were minimally abundant (≥10 individuals) during the adult stage on at least one hanging and at least one ground carcass, respectively. During the spring and autumn, more adult flies were attracted to hanging carcasses, whereas during the summer, their numbers were similar on both hanging and ground carcasses. Adult beetles were higher in number on hanging carcasses during the spring, but during the summer and autumn, they were slightly more abundant on ground pig carcasses. Irrespective of the carcass treatment, Dryomyzidae, Muscidae, and Piophilidae were the most abundant flies, whereas representatives of Geotrupidae, Histeridae, and Silphidae were the dominant families in the studied beetle community. Only Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Scriba) and Hydrotaea similis Meade adults and Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus) larvae reached minimal abundance on all carcasses during all seasons. Carcass treatment only affected the numbers of minimally abundant fly species at the larval stage due to their higher numbers on ground pig carcasses. Although differences in the residency patterns of insects were observed between carcass treatments, they were not significant. In general, adult insects tended to be present for slightly longer times on hanging carcasses than on ground carcasses, whereas beetle larvae had longer presences on ground pig carcasses. Fly larvae were present on ground carcasses for the same amount of time as on hanging carcasses. More broken residency patterns were observed among the adult insects and beetle larvae that colonized hanging carcasses. Fly larvae that colonized ground carcasses had more breaks within the presence periods than fly larvae colonizing hanging carcasses. Neither treatment significantly affected the time of insect appearance on carrion. Most species appeared at the same time or at within one- or two-day intervals on both treatments. Seasonal differences in insect appearance were found, with most species colonizing quickly during the summer. The implications of these findings for forensic entomology are discussed.