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Energy isan important in put for economic and industrial development and anindispensable production input for the continuation of the production process.In a very large part of economic and social life, electrical energy is widelyused because of its easy usage and other advantages. The aim of this study isto investigate the effect of the production of paper and paper products and thegross national product, which is an indicator of economic growth, on theconsumption of electricity by panel data analysis. For this purpose, a paneldata set was established for 20 OECD countries between 2006 and 2016 fromEurostat and Wordbank. Cross-sectional dependence, heteroskedasticity andautocorrelation assumptions were tested for the model and deviations from theassumptions were observed. Parameters were estimated using the Driscoll-Kraayestimators, which are resistant to these deviations. As a result of theanalysis, it was found that an increase of 1% in the production of paper andpaper products increased the electrical energy consumption by 0.22%, the increaseof 1% in the per capita gross domestic product increased approximately 0.62% inelectricity consumption., Enerji,ekonomik ve endüstriyel kalkınma için önemli ve üretim sürecinin devamı içinvazgeçilmez bir üretim girdisidir. Kolay kullanım ve diğer avantajlarısebebiyle ekonomik ve sosyal yaşamın oldukça geniş bir bölümünde yaygın olarakelektrik enerjisinden yararlanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, kağıt ve kağıtürünleri üretimi ve ekonomik büyümenin bir göstergesi olan gayri safi millihasılanın elektrik enerjisi tüketimi üzerindeki etkisini panel veri analizi ileincelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, Eurostat ve Wordbank’tan elde edilen2006-2016 yılları arasında 20 OECD ülkesi için panel veri seti oluşturulmuştur.Model için yatay kesit bağımlılığı, değişen varyans ve otokorelasyonvarsayımları sınanmış ve varsayımlardan sapma olduğu görülmüştür. Bu sapmalaradirençli Driscoll-Kraay tahmin edici kullanılarak parametreler tahminedilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda, kağıt ve kağıt ürünleri üretiminde meydana gelecek%1’lik bir artış elektrik enerjisi tüketimini %0.22 oranında, kişi başıgayri safi milli hasıladaki %1’lik bir artışın ise elektrik tüketimindeyaklaşık olarak %0.62 dolayında arttırdığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır.

The use of deinking paper sludge (DPS) as a fertilizer instead of sending it to landfill could play a role in reducing greenhouse gases and improving soil properties. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the changes in the physical (permeability and structural stability), chemical (particularly soil pH), and biological (microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), microbial biomass soil CO2 emissions) of a calcareous agricultural soil following two successive annual amendments with three treatments (0, 30, and 60 Mg DPS ha&minus, 1&mdash, control, DPS30, and DPS60, respectively), and (2) to determine whether the addition of N-fertilizer to these treatments (controlF, DPS30F, and DPS60F, respectively) causes changes to soil fertility. The DPS application increased soil organic matter (+0.80%: DPS60 vs. control, and +0.35%: controlF vs. DPS60F), available phosphorus (+23.14 mg kg&minus, 1: DPS60 vs. control, and +14.34 mg kg&minus, 1: DPS60F vs. controlF), potassium (+0.6 g kg&minus, 1: controlF vs. DPS30F), and calcium (+0.28 g kg&minus, 1: DPS60 vs. control). The 60 Mg DPS ha&minus, 1 rate improved permeability and structural stability, regardless of the presence or absence of N-fertilizer. On the other hand, the 60 Mg DPS ha&minus, 1 rate without N-fertilizer lead to a decrease in total mineralization rate and qCO2, thereby indicating a reduction in CO2 emissions. The rate of 60 Mg ha&minus, 1 DPS could be effectively used to enhance the permeability and stability (soil restoration) and mitigate CO2 emissions, whereas the 30 Mg ha&minus, 1 rate could be used as fertilizer to improve the fertility of calcareous soils.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of paper bagging of grape bunches on the morphological, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of berries of three table grapes varieties as an environmentally-friendly technique for protecting clusters from biotic and abiotic agents. Clusters of Italia, Autumn Royal, and Regal Seedless grape cultivars were bagged and compared to a not-bagged control. Air temperature inside and outside the bags was monitored. Bunch weight and length, number of berries per bunch, berry longitudinal and transversal diameter, berry mass, number of seeds per berry (normal in size and aborted), soluble solid content, titratable acidity, and skin color by CIEL*a*b* parameters were determined on four points of each berry. Berries were evaluated using texture analysis, and the main texture profile analysis parameters were compared. The air temperatures around not-bagged clusters were slightly higher than inside the bags. In all the cultivars under evaluation, bagged bunches were heavier compared with not-bagged ones. In Autumn Royal and Regal Seedless, these differences were mainly owing to the higher number of berries and higher berry weight of the bagged bunches. Regarding mechanical properties, in seedless varieties, the bagging treatment increased berry hardness (related to the berry firmness) and decreased berry cohesiveness and resilience, whereas an opposite behavior was found in cv. Italia. Berry skin break force was lower in the bagging treatment in all the analyzed varieties, indicating a softer and easier-to-chew berry skin. The findings demonstrate that the bagging technique affected the three variety parameters to different extents. The main differences were found in the seedless varieties in terms of berry size and bunch characteristics. For all varieties, bagged bunches achieved the quality level required by the market, confirming the suitability of this technique. However, the bag industry is proposing many different bag types (differing in material, shape, color, and closing system), therefore, further studies are needed to obtain more complete and exhaustive technical information.

Borax as a food additive chemical is very dangerous. Borax is prohibited from being used in food because it can cause various diseases such as cancer, kidney damage, and even death. This study aims to identify the borax content in the meatballs sold in Meulaboh City. The study design uses purposive sampling with a total of 20 meatball samples from each seller collected and continued by a qualitative test using turmeric paper and shallot extract. The study results show that all samples tested were free of borax. This can be seen from the absence of changes in turmeric paper and shallot extract. Therefore, it can be concluded that the meatballs sold in Meulaboh do not contain borax and are safe to consume.

Strawberry is a popular and nutritious fruit. However, its improper post-harvest handling leads to quality degradation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of active paper packaging placements methods on strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) quality during refrigerated storage. Strawberry quality was determined based on the physical (weight loss, hardness, color), chemical (pH, total titratable acid, total soluble solids and vitamin C content) and microbiological (total plate count) properties. The results of this study indicated that different placement methods of active paper packaging had no significant effect on the physical and chemical qualities; but it did affect the microbiological quality of the strawberries. At the end of the experiment (12 days), the microbial content of C (the bottom and walls), D (covering all surfaces) and E (cut into pieces) samples were significantly lower than the A (without active paper packaging) and B (the bottom) samples. The Total Plate Count (TPC) values of the control and B samples were higher than the maximum acceptable limit of 6 log10 colony-forming units (CFU) g-1, while the other samples remained below the limit. These results indicated that a larger surface area of active paper that had contact with the strawberries provided better protection against microbes. Due to their microbial properties, C, D and E treatments maintained the strawberry quality for up to 12 days, compared with 9 days for control and B treatments. Active paper packaging containing oleoresin from solid waste of pressed Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. can be applied to extend the shelf life of strawberries during refrigerated storage.

The paper deals with the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the crepe paper and chickpaper. The thickness of crepe paper was 300 m with the surface mass 150 g*m-2 and chickpaper paper thickness was 100 m with the surface mass 40 g*m-2. Crepe paper and chickpaper are usually used for chicken breeding. Longitudinal and transversal tensile properties were studied. The tensile behavior was monitored on the motorized test stand ANDILOG STENTOR 1000 (Andilog Technologies, Vitrolles, France).There were measured the tensile properties as modulus of elasticity, maximal elongation, maximal tensile force, tensile strengths, tensile index and strain at break of the longitudinal and transversal samples by testing paper strips. Mean values of the maximal elongation b of longitudinal chickpaper samples were three times smaller than maximal elongation of transversal samples. Mean values of maximal tensile force Ft, tensile strength b tensile indexw and maximal strain at break T of longitudinal chickpaper samples were two times smaller than maximal quantities of transversal samples. Mean values of the tensile modulus of elasticity of longitudinal and transversal chickpaper samples were almost equal. Chickpaper mechanical properties in tension were different in the longitudinal and transversal direction of the original paper surface. Mean values of the maximal elongation b and maximal strain at break T of longitudinal crepe paper samples were sixty times smaller than maximal elongation and maximal strain at break of transversal samples. Mean values of maximal tensile force Ft, tensile strength b andtensile indexw of longitudinal crepe paper samples were fourth times smaller than maximal quantities of transversal samples. Mean values of the tensile modulus of elasticity of longitudinal samples of crepe paper were thirty eight times smaller than values of transversal samples.

First paragraph: The cover of this open call issue of JAFSCD is a Google Earth shot of the Schrebergartens outside Mann­heim, Germany. Schrebergartens are named for Dr. Moritz Schreber, a Leipzig University professor who specialized in pediatric health. He is infamous for advocating that children strictly obey adults, but he also suggested that city children should have access to fresh air and green space. Schrebergartens are similar in some respects to the Russian dacha, often including “tiny houses,” raised beds, perennials—and lots of garden gnomes. Entire colonies of Schrebergartens have been established since WWII. . . .

The fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is the causal agent of a wide range of cereal diseases. For long-term preservation, the fungus is grown and stored desiccated on filter papers at –20 °C. Inoculated filter papers are cut into pieces of 0.5–1.0 cm diameter prior to storage. In the present study, a fast (11 min) and simple method of preparing DNA suitable for amplifying avirulence genes of M. oryzae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. A piece of filter paper containing the fungus was removed from a glass bottle and placed in a 0.2 mL Eppendorf tube containing 100 μL 10 × TE. The suspension was heated for 10 min at 95 °C in a PCR machine. The tube was then centrifuged for 1 min at 3000 r min − 1 . One μL of 10 × TE solution containing DNA was used for PCR. A total of 28 samples were PCR tested. As a positive control, fungal DNA was extracted using a conventional DNA preparation method. DNA samples obtained from both methods were stored at 4 °C. PCR was performed with DNA on the preparation day and after 4, 8, 10, and 18 days of refrigerated storage. In four samples, samples 12, 13, 14, and 28, AVR-Pi9 failed to be amplified. These four samples were tested with a different set of primers for AVR-Pi9 , and for AVR-Pita1 , confirming that the quality of the samples was insufficient for PCR. Overall, for nearly 90% (24/28) of the samples, the quality of the DNA prepared directly from the fungus on filter paper appeared suitable for a rapid survey of genetic identity of the rice blast fungus by PCR. This method will be useful and effective for reducing cost and time and could readily be adopted worldwide for analysis of M. oryzae and possibly other fungi.

Garut dapat tumbuh di seluruh Indonesia, belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal. Tepung garut memiliki amilosa tinggi sekitar 20-29% berpotensi untuk menggantikan tepung beras dalam pembuatan rice paper. Penggunaan tepung garut kurang fleksibel, keras, dan rapuh. Perlu penambahan bahan plasticizer sorbitol untuk mengatasinya. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap, dengan satu dari faktor penambahan konsentrasi sorbitol yang faktor dari 5 tingkat, ada 0.2%;0.6%;1%.1.4%dan 1.8% (b / v air) dan diulang 4 kali untuk mendapatkan 20 unit eksperimental. Data dianalisis dengan ANOVA dan uji BNT dengan interval kepercayaan 5%. Pemilihan perlakuan terbaik menggunakan Metode Multiple Attribute. Hasil penelitian dipilih dengan karakteristik terbaik dari edible film dengan penambahan konsentrasi sorbitol dari 1% (b / v). Edible film ini dipilih memiliki nilai rata-rata ketebalan 0.14 mm, 3.86 kPa kekuatan tarik, persen pemanjangan 5.43%, kecerahan (L *) 29.40, kadar air 13.59% dan nilai laju transmisi uap air 6.9 g/m2 24 jam.

The aim of this paper is to indicate the representation of the papers related to wine and wine (eno) tourism in the scientific journals in the field of tourism from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) list, with the Impact Factor (IF) - Clarivate Analytics. Fifteen journals have been analyzed on the basis of the phrase presence related to wine and wine tourism in titles, keywords and abstracts. 91 papers have been singled out, with their review per journal, as well as summary of publication frequency per year. The significance of wine and wine tourism in the entire tourism is emphasized through the tendency of their increasing presence in the most relevant scientific journals in the field. This paper creates a foundation for the authors interested in detailed research of the papers published so far, and therefore further development of the scientific and research activities related to wine and wine tourism.

The objective of study was to determine some properties of tissue papers and identify the position in Turkey. Napkins, toilet papers and paper towels used in this study were supplied from 5 different companies. Physical and optical properties of these papers were investigated and compared them to each other. Grammage, moisture content, crepe, bulk, density, tensile strength, thickness, water retention value and water absorption time were determined as physical properties and brightness and whiteness values were measured as optical properties. According to obtained results, the best results in physical and optical properties of napkins, toilet papers and paper towels belong to C, E and A Company, respectively., Bu çalışmada, temizlik kağıtlarının Türkiye’deki durumunu belirlemek ve bazı özelliklerini araştırmak amaçlanmıştır. Bu kapsamda çalışmada kullanılan peçete kağıtları, tuvalet kağıtları ve kağıt havlular 5 farklı firmadan temin edilmiştir. Bu kağıtların optik ve fiziksel özellikleri araştırılmış ve birbirleriyle karşılaştırılmıştır. Gramaj, rutubet miktarı, krep, hacimlilik, yoğunluk, çekme direnci, kalınlık, su tutma değeri ve su emme hızları belirlenmiştir. Optik özelliklerden ise parlaklık ve beyazlık değerleri ölçülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre peçete kağıtları, tuvalet kağıtları ve kağıt havlulara ait en iyi optik ve fiziksel özellikler sırasıyla C, E ve A firmalarına ait olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) seeds were germinated and grown for 35 days in an organic standard substrate contained in either plastic, peat, paper, or newspaper containers to determine whether the container material might affect growth. Days to emergence, days to first leaf, and developmental morphological traits and physiological characteristics were monitored. Differences in evaporation and pH of water in contact with the containers were measured in separate experiments. Evaporation was lowest from plastic and highest from peat containers, while pH was lowest with water in contact with peat containers. Plant growth was fastest and most robust in plastic containers as demonstrated by their shoot height, stem diameter, and root and shoot dry weights. Seedlings grown in newspaper containers presented exceedingly poor growth and showed signs of stress.

First paragraphs: On behalf of the JAFSCD staff and community, I would like to extend condolences to anyone in the JAFSCD community—our shareholders—who have lost family members or colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are with you. We also wish anyone who has contracted the virus our best wishes for a speedy and full recovery, and hope for a better future for those whose lives have been turned topsy-turvey by the pandemic. On May 26, 2020, the United States officially reported losing 100,000 individuals, many of whom were vulnerable to this plague—especially the poor, people of color, the elderly, and essential workers. This represents a moral and systemic fail­ure for the world’s richest country. As Americans are cobbling together an assortment of food provisioning strategies, what we are witnessing is a demonstration of just how fragile American food security is in a time of crisis. However, as you’ll see in this open call issue, COVID-19 is also highlighting our strengths and creativity, and what we can build on in a future food system that contributes to our overall health, well-being, and social resiliency. . . .

First paragraph: Earlier this winter, the Alaska cod fishery—once considered robust and resilient—was closed for the entire 2020 season. It has been a blow to coastal communities’ economies and ways of life, and to the food supply chain North America has depended on for much of its cod. The reality is that fisheries around the world are being dramatically affected by overconsumption, overfishing, and climate change. Consumers are flocking to nutritious sources of ocean-based proteins, from top-of-the-food-chain tuna to secondary and tertiary species and even bycatch. But what are the consequences of this trend? As with many aspects of the food system, we must find a balance between our personal health and well-being and the interests of the planet. Finding this homeostasis is the mission of a growing number of food systems researchers and practitioners, and this is a welcome addition to the good food movement. As depicted on our cover, the state of Rhode Island’s Seafood Marketing Collaborative may provide an example of a practical way forward in finding this balance. . . .

In this research, indexed articles of faculty members and researchers of the Iranian Fisheries Research Institute (IFRI) based on qualitative and quantitative scientometric indicators in Web of Science database were investigated. Scientometric and citation analysis methods have been used to conduct the research. Findings indicated that 498 authored and co-authored articles indexed in this database from the beginning to 2015. 198 articles (37.95%) published in the Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences. Totally, average citation per paper 6.39, average citation per paper excluding self-citation 5-71, immediacy index 0.147, mean of impact factor 0.804 and H-index were 26. Self-citation rate was about 11%. The most articles categorized in the field of Marine freshwater biology (364). In total, the costs of 40.57% of articles are provided by national and international organizations. Of this amount, 31.73% belong to domestic organizations and 8.84% belong to foreign organization. The researchers of the IFRI had the most international collaboration and co-authorship with their counterparts from Malaysia (64 articles), USA (27 articles) and South Korea (15 articles) respectively. Among the 20 most cited papers, only 6 authored by the researchers of IFRI as first/coressponding author. The great number of the faculty members and researchers of IFRI has been published in Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences. This leads to two outcomes is contradictory. On the one hand, led to the publication status and number of articles increased in terms of quantity grow; But, on the other hand, reduces the quality status of articles, including average citation per paper, the mean of immediacy index, and the mean of impact factor.

The Enhancing Food Security in the Northeast (EFSNE) project started in 2011 to explore the potential for regional food systems to improve food security in the Northeastern U.S. Building on the nationwide interest in local food systems, EFSNE researchers have been motivated by a desire to understand whether regional food systems, which have a larger geographic scope, might have some of the perceived sustainability benefits attributed to local food while providing food accessible to all consumers. To this end, an interdisciplinary team drawn from academic institu­tions, federal government research organizations, and nonprofits has spent seven years trying to understand food consumption, distribution, pro­cessing, and production in the Northeast. Through studying the actual supply chains in nine locations around the Northeast region and doing extensive modeling and analysis of secondary data on food systems, we have attempted to understand the extent to which the region can rely on its own food production and can meet the needs of low-income populations. This issue of JAFSCD presents an initial set of three papers that summarize key insights gathered so far. These papers explore (1) the food system as viewed through an eight-product market basket, (2) our experience engaging and informing stakeholders, and (3) consumers’ perceptions of regional food. Papers to be pub­lished in a later issue are likely to cover (4) our educational activities and their impact on students and trainees, (5) the distribution of products in the Northeast food system, and (6) the capacity of the region to produce food.

Cellulose from abundant newspaper waste could be transformed into methane through anaerobic fermentation. This research was carried out to compare the gas production including methane between samples containing feces and waste paper mixture as inoculum and substrate, respectively and added with and without BS4 enzyme. The enzyme was produced in Indonesian Research Institute of Animal Produce (IRIAP) by growing Eupenicillium javanicum BS4 in coconut meals. There were three treatments, i.e., 30% manure (M30); 15 % manure + 15 % paper waste (MP 30); MP30 + 3 mL BS4 enzyme equal to 0.42 U/g dry matter (MPE30) The percentage of waste papers addition in feces was calculated on dry matter (DM) basis and every treatment had five replications. Total gas and methane productions were measured weekly, while dry matter losses were determined during 5 week fermentation. Interactions between treatments and incubation time were analyzed using completely randomized design each week. Kind of substrates influenced both total gas and methane productions during incubation time. Both waste papers and enzyme addition enhanced gas production. The highest total gas and methane productions for five weeks incubation were highly significantly observed (PKey Words: Methane, Fibrenolytic-Enzyme, Waste Papers, Cattle Manures

Two methods for collecting blood specimens for measuring antibody to Pasteurella multocida were compared. Blood was collected on filter-paper strips, air-dried and stored at 4°C along with paired samples collected by venepumeture . Analysis using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that the protein composition of filter paper extract and serum was similar. Both samples had common proteins of 67, 52-58 and 27 kDa. However, there are two proteins bands of 14 and 30 kDa that were only found in, filter-paper extract. Westernblot analysis also showed that samples from both sampling techniques reacted to P. multocida proteins of 43 kDa. Samples from experimental and field animals were also collected by the two techniques and assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for P. multocida antibodies . The agreement between samples from experimental animals and the field using ELISA was analyzed . Samples from experimental animals, showed a very high correlation (r = 0.931) in ELISA results among samples collected by the two techniques. However, the correlation was lower (r = 0.799) in samples collected from the field. Cost analysis showed that filter-paper collection technique was 100 times more economical compared to venepuncture technique. It was concluded that eluates of whole blood dried on filter paper can be used as an alternative to sera in ELISA for measuring antibodies to P. multocida.

The effect of different paper mulches and two different biodegradable plastic mulches on the yield of field-grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was examined. The studies were conducted during two climatically different growing seasons 2011 and 2012 in Southern Finland. All the mulches increased the yield as compared to bare ground. In 2011, cucumbers on all the mulches with a dark upper surface produced higher yields than those on kraft paper alone. In 2012, when the average temperatures were lower than in 2011, there were no differences in yield between different types of mulches. Soil temperatures of the experimental plots were monitored throughout the growing seasons. The mulches with a dark-colored upper surface increased the soil temperature more than the ones with a light-colored upper surface. The soil warming effect of the mulches was greater during early season and diminished when the plants grew larger and their leaves covered most of the mulch surface. There was no need for weed control except in uncovered plots. In conclusion, during both years dark-colored paper mulch was comparable to biodegradable film in yield production and could replace it as a mulch material in cucumber production.

Mulching has become an important practice in modern field production. Plastics are the most widespread mulching materials, and especially black polyethylene is used almost everywhere due to its low price and proved positive results in production. Together with its still growing popularity, there is increasing concern about the environmental effects of using such vast amounts of plastics in agriculture without solutions for sustainable and safe disposal of the material. There have been several attempts to try to find safe and environmentally friendly alternative materials to replace plastic mulches. The use of biodegradable films is increasing because they can be left safely in the field after harvesting, but they are not very durable and are much more expensive than plastics. Another alternative is paper. This article reviews the published research on paper mulches and discusses the opportunity that they offer for solving the problems of the immense use of plastics in agriculture and the associated environmental threat. Different mulching materials have been used for different agricultural and horticultural species in different climatic environments, and results vary according to the chosen approach, growing practices, conditions and species, so generalizations are hard to make. One advantage of paper mulches is that they do not create the disposal problems that plastic films always and partially degradable bio-films often do in long-term use. Paper mulches break down naturally after usage and incorporate into the soil. Laying paper mulches in large scale farming is a problem to be solved. The quality of the paper needs to be adapted or improved for mulching purposes, and its price needs to be more competitive with that of plastic mulches. The review shows that there is considerable potential for using paper mulches in agriculture and horticulture.

With the advancing digital transformation in society as a whole and in agriculture in particular the use of digital animal monitoring in livestock farming is steadily increasing. Since the introduction of the first automatic systems in the 1980s many monitoring approaches have been developed. However, adoption and diffusion of the systems varies, and uptake is often slow. Of course, all new developments bear challenges, risks and opportunities. We herein summarise the expected future prospects and developments as perceived by stakeholders by using discussions in focus groups to collect the information. Therefore, a stakeholder workshop on the topic of animal monitoring and digital transformation in livestock farming was held in November 2017 in Kassel, Germany, with 30 invited participants from a range of stakeholder groups. We identified four key messages: 1. Health and welfare of livestock can be improved by optimised process control using objective real-time data without replacing human judgement; 2. disruptive processes can result in new farming models and markets; 3. different personalities and highly qualified workers might enter the agricultural businesses, and 4. small farms could profit from digital transformation. Our findings highlight the importance of providing possibilities and reducing barriers for agricultural development so that disruptive technologies and new people and ideas have a chance to grow sustainably. Policymakers need to develop suitable regulations for data security and protection to safeguard a fair workplace and market for the involved stakeholders.

The cancerous process is result of disturbed cell function. This is due to the accumulation of many genetic and epigenetic changes within the cell, expressed in the accumulation of chromosomal or molecular aberrations, which leads to genetic instability. It is difficult to assess the validity of individual aetiological factors, but it can be concluded that interaction of various risk factors has the largest contribution to the cancer development. Environmental, exogenous and endogenous factors as well as individual factors, including genetic predisposition contribute to the development of cancer. Epidemiological research on the development of malignant tumors has focused over the years on the determinants of environmental and genetic factors of cancer incidence and mortality rate. According to current state of knowledge, 80–90% of malignant tumors are caused by external environmental factors (carcinogens). Epidemiological studies have proved that the main factors responsible for the development of malignant neoplasia among humans are environmental factors arising from human behaviour. It has been confirmed that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diet, and reproductive behaviour are important for the development of malignant neoplasia in the human population. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 we may expect about 10 million deaths, including 7–8 million in the developing countries, while this number in the developed countries will not change and will be 2–3 million. The aim this study was systematization of knowledge concerning the risk factors of malignant tumours and supplementing them with the latest research results.

Black polyethylene (PE) is the most common mulching material used in horticultural crops in the world but its use represents a very serious environmental problem. Biodegradable films and paper mulches are available alternatives but farmers are reluctant to adopt them because of their high market prices. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the economic profitability of eight biodegradable mulching materials available for open-air pepper production. The economic evaluation is based on a four-year trial located in a semi-arid region of Spain. Three scenarios of PE waste management are examined: (i) absence of residues management, (ii) landfill accumulation, and (iii) total recycling. The inclusion of the costs of waste management and recycling under the current Spanish legislation only reduced the final net margin by 0.2%. The results show that an increase in subsidy rates of up to 50.1% on the market price would allow all biodegradable films to be economic alternatives to PE. The study supports the mandatory measures for the farmers to assume the costs of waste management and recycling. Despite savings in field conditioning costs, high market prices of biodegradable materials and papers are not compensated by the current level of subsidies, hampering their adoption in the fields. Waste management Economic evaluation Biodegradable mulch Polyethylene Published

RESUMO Este trabalho procurou avaliar a eficiência de tratamento floculante com sulfato de alumínio ou cloreto férrico para o efluente bruto neutralizado de uma indústria de celulose e papel. A filtração do efluente, removendo fibras, finos, macromoléculas e flocos naturais, permitiu expressivas reduções da cor aparente, cor real e DQO do mesmo. Enquanto o sulfato de alumínio mostrou excelentes resultados, o cloreto férrico não teve bom desempenho. Deve-se otimizar as concentrações, as formas de agitação e a decantação dos flocos. Para as amostras testadas, na primeira seqüência de testes, concentrações com cerca de 2500 ppm de sulfato de alumínio (com 14 moléculas de água de hidratação) mostraram ótimos resultados para redução de cor aparente, cor real, DQO e cloretos. Conforme o previsto, na segunda seqüência de testes as concentrações de [Al2 (SO4)3, 14 H2O] diminuíram para todos os índices físico-químicos testados. A melhor concentração para pH, cor aparente e cor real foi de 1000 ppm filtrado, enquanto que para cloretos foi de 2000 ppm não filtrado, com o tempo de agitação de 1 minuto com alta velocidade e 15 minutos à baixa velocidade, com exceção da cor real que foi de 10 minutos à baixa velocidade. Como recomendação, sugere-se avaliar uma etapa seqüencial de filtração após clarifloculação/decantação. Com isso, o desempenho de um tratamento físico-químico de efluentes desse tipo será eficiente, apesar do custo envolvido na aquisição do insumo sulfato de alumínio. ABSTRACT This paper tried to evaluate the efficiency of the flakelet treatment with aluminum sulphate or ferric chloride for the neutralized brute effluent of a pulp and paper industry. The effluent filtration, removing fibers, fines macromolecules and natural flakes, permited expressive reductions of the apparent color, real color and COD of the same. While the aluminum sulphate showed excellent results, the ferric chloride didn’t have good performance. It should optimize the concentrations the stirring forms and the flakes decantation. To the samples tested in the first sequence of tests, concentrations around 2,500 ppm of aluminum sulphate (with 14 water molecules of hydration) they showed excelent results to the reduction of the apparent and real color, COD and clorides. As it was foreseen, in the second sequence of tests, the concentrations of [Al2 (SO4)3, 14 H2O] decresead to all the physicochemical index testad. The best concentration to pH, apparent color and real color was of 1,000 ppm filtrated, while the chorides it was 2000 ppm not filtrated, with one minute [1] in high- speed and fifteen [15] minutes in low speed, stirring time except the real color that was ten [10] minutes in low speed. A recommendation, is suggested to evaluate a sequencial phase of filtration after (clarifloculation/decantation). With this, the performance of a physicochemical treatment of the effluents of this type will be efficient, in spite of the cost involved in the acquisition of aluminum sulphate supply.

The aim of this paper is to determine the economic viability of the electronic warehouse receipt registry introduction, as a step toward electronic warehouse receipts. Both forms of warehouse receipt paper and electronic exist in practice, but paper warehouse receipts are more widespread. In this paper, the dematerialization process is analyzed in two steps. The first step is the dematerialization of warehouse receipt registry, with warehouse receipts still in paper form. The second step is the introduction of electronic warehouse receipts themselves. Dematerialization of warehouse receipts is more complex than that for financial securities, because of the individual characteristics of each warehouse receipt. As a consequence, electronic warehouse receipts are in place for only to a handful of commodities, namely cotton and a few grains. Nevertheless, the movement towards the electronic warehouse receipt, which began several decades ago with financial securities, is now taking hold in the agricultural sector. In this paper is analyzed Serbian electronic registry, since the Serbia is first country in EU with electronic warehouse receipts registry donated by FAO. Performed analysis shows the considerable impact of electronic warehouse receipts registry establishment on enhancing the security of the system of public warehouses, and on advancing the trade with warehouse receipt.

Appropriate organic amendment management is essential in potato production to increase soil productivity and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) quality. The objectives of this two-year field study (2004–2005) were to evaluate the effects of organic amendment applications with or without mineral N fertilizer addition on potato yield, N uptake, N use efficiency (NUE), and on disease incidence. The experimental design was a split-plot, which included nine treatments with four different organic amendments applied in fall 2003 or in spring 2004 at a rate of 40 Mg ha−1 (wet basis) and an unamended control in main plots, and N fertilizer rates (0 and 90 kg N ha−1) in sub-plots. Organic amendments consisted of fresh cattle manure (FCM), composted cattle manure (CCM), paper mill sludge with C/N ratio 15 (PMS2) applied alone (0 kg N ha−1) or supplemented with mineral fertilizer at a rate 90 kg N ha−1. The N fertilizer rate in the unamended control consisted of 0 and 150 kg N ha−1. No organic amendments were applied in 2005 to evaluate residual effects. Fall and spring applications of FCM, CCM and PMS alone significantly increased N uptake and potato marketable yields by 2.5 to 16.4 Mg ha−1, compared to the unfertilized control. Combining organic amendments with N fertilizer at 90 kg N ha−1 increased potato yields, N uptake, and specific gravity, which were comparable to those obtained in mineral N fertilizer treatments (150 kg N ha−1). Residual effects of organic amendments alone had no significant effects on potato yields or on N uptake compared to the unfertilized control. Potato NUE for FCM, CCM and PMS ranged from 6% to 25% in the first year and from 2% to 8% in the residual year. The NUE values were higher for PMS with lower C/N ratio compared to FCM and CCM. This study did not show any difference between organic amendment applied in spring or fall on potato yield and quality. It was also demonstrated that mineral N fertilizer needed to be combined with organic amendments to sustain potato yield and N nutrition. This study showed that appropriate organic amendment management could increase potato yield and quality and reduce N fertilizer requirement.

Six energycanes viz., SBIEC 14001, SBIEC 14002, SBIEC 14003, SBIEC 14004, SBIEC 14005 and SBIEC 14006 developed at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute were evaluated along with a registered genetic stock SBIEC 11002 for biomass production under suboptimal management condition with limited irrigation and fertigation during 2013-14 and 2014-15 and under normal irrigation during 2015-16 (Plant crop) and 2016-17 (Ratoon crop). Among the six clones evaluated, SBIEC 14006, a selection from open pollinated fluff of Erianthus arundinaceus clone IK 76-75 was identified as promising clone based on high harvestable biomass and fibre content in cane. This clone recorded the highest mean harvestable biomass of 265.28 t/ha compared to the SBIEC 11002 (219.22) across four environments and showed 21.01 % improvement. The mean harvestable biomass yield under limited irrigation condition was 241.47 t/ha while under normal irrigation condition the yield was 289.08 t/ha. For fibre % cane also SBIEC 14006 recorded the highest value of 27.54 % compared to SBIEC 11002 (20.90 %). The clone recorded an average of 8.94 % juice brix and 4.72 % juice sucrose. It also recorded 2.18 cm cane diameter and 1.24 kg of single cane weight. Tall and non-lodging nature of canes makes the clone amenable for mechanical harvesting. This clone can be ratooned for at least 7-8 years hence no need for replanting every year. This promising clone is identified as an ideal energycane due to more biomass yield per unit area and requires low input, low production cost and low nutrient requirement which are the characteristics of energycanes.

This research was put to the demand functions for different kinds of paper and paper board in china, aiming to locate the factors which affect the quality demand of these commodities using linear and non linear functions. The results of the application illustrated that the 1/2 logarithm function for the base 10 on the right side was the best perfect state for writing and reading paper, and the logarithm function for the base 10 for both sides was the perfect state of news paper, and the multiple linear regression was the best state for other kinds of paper and paper boards, while the logarithm function for the base 10 for both sides was represent the state of gross paper and paper boards. With regard to import functions, the results indicated that the 1/2 logarithm function for the base 10 on the right side was represented the best perfect state for writing and reading paper, while the logarithm function for the base 10 for both sides was represented the perfect state for news paper, other kinds of paper and paper board and for the gross paper and paper board.

RESUMO Este estudo procurou analisar as características de algumas pastas celulósicas branqueadas de eucaliptos disponíveis no mercado e seu impacto nas propriedades dos papéis utilizados para impressão “offset”. Também buscou estudar formas para reduzir o número de testes laboratoriais que hoje são definidos como necessários para a caracterização desses recursos fibrosos. Foram analisadas treze pastas celulósicas de mercado, brasileiras e internacionais, aplicando-se testes de viscosidade intrínseca, solubilidade em solução de NaOH5% (S5), “coarseness”, número de fibras/g, comprimento médio das fibras, teor de finos pelo vaso de drenagem dinâmica e grau Schopper Riegler (ºSR), antes das pastas serem refinadas. Foram também aplicados testes para determinar o índice de tração, alongamento, índice de arrebentamento, índice de rasgo, volume específico, resistência ao ar, opacidade, alvura e ascensão capilar Klemm, para cada uma das pastas antes de refinar e para os níveis de refino de 25ºSR, 30ºSR, 40ºSR e 55ºSR. As celuloses de eucaliptos brasileiras apresentaram uma maior drenabilidade inicial (pasta ainda não-refinada), requerendo um menor número de revoluções do refinador PFI para atingir o mesmo grau de refino, em relação às polpas internacionais estudadas. Os valores médios iniciais do alongamento, do índice de tração, do índice de arrebentamento e do índice de rasgo, apresentados pelas celuloses brasileiras, superaram significativamente os obtidos para as celuloses internacionais, mudando, porém, esse comportamento já a partir do nível de 25ºSR. Nas faixas de S5 e viscosidade intrínseca apresentadas pelas polpas brasileiras e internacionais, não se evidenciou sua correlação com as propriedades associadas ao grau de interligação entre as fibras, tais como índice de tração, índice de rasgo e índice de arrebentamento, para cada grupo de polpas analisadas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram definir o critério de ensaio a 30ºSR como o melhor em conseqüência do maior número de correlações entre as várias propriedades avaliadas antes e após a refinação. Nesse nível, as polpas internacionais apresentaram significativamente maiores valores médios de índice de tração e índice de rasgo do que as brasileiras, enquanto as polpas brasileiras apresentaram maior valor médio de opacidade e menor consumo médio de energia de refino. Em termos de qualificação laboratorial, sugeriu-se que as análises de índice de tração e rasgo e opacidade fossem definidas como prioritárias para comparação e caracterização desse tipo de pastas celulósicas, quando o objetivo final é a produção de papéis de impressão “offset”. ABSTRACT The purpose of this work was to analyze the characteristics of some eucalypts pulps available in the market, aiming to understand their influence in the properties of the offset papers. Another objective of this work was to show alternatives to reduce the number of laboratory tests in the pulp specifications. Thirteen (13) market pulps (Brazilian and international pulps) were analyzed and the tests applied were as follows: intrinsic viscosity, alkali solubility at 5%, coarseness, numbers of fibers per gram of pulp, average length of fibers, fine fraction by the Dynamic Paper Chemistry Jar (DPCJ), drainability by Schopper Riegler, before refining. Other tests, such as: tensile index, stretch, burst index, tear index, bulk, air resistance, opacity and absorption of water by cappilarity (Klemm) were performed for each type of pulp before refining and for refining levels of 25 ºSR, 30 ºSR, 40 ºSR and 55 ºSR. No evidence of the influence of S5 and intrinsic viscosity was observed at the range of the market pulp properties variation. The Brazilian pulps presented higher initial drainability and required lower PFI revolutions to the same level of refining in comparison to the international pulps. The initial average values of strength indexes: tensile, stretch, burst and tear were higher to the Brazilian pulps. However, this situation was changed at 25 ºSR and other levels of drainability. Due to the higher number of correlations at 30 ºSR, this level of drainability was chosen to determine the pulp characteristics profile. At this level, international pulps showed better values of tensile and tear index, but a higher energy consumption and a lower opacity in comparison to the Brazilian pulps. In addition, this paper suggested the concentration of the lab technical evaluation of pulps on the analysis of opacity, tensile and tear indexes. Such procedure should reduce the number of lab tests as well.

First paragraph: One of the many benefits of an electronic journal is that it grants us the flexibility to publish additional outstanding papers in response to a special-topic call for papers. Such is the case with volume 1, issue 3. In this issue we offer open-call papers on food and agriculture–based community development, as well as a supplementary collection of papers related to the topic of Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture that was started in the previous issue. These papers contribute substantially to the breadth of papers found in issue 2 and include the first papers published from Asia, Australia, and Africa.

The purpose of this work was to analyze the characteristics of some eucalypts pulps available in the market, aiming to understand their influence in the properties of the offset papers. Another objective of this work was to show alternatives to reduce the number of laboratory tests in the pulp specifications. Thirteen (13) market pulps (Brazilian and international pulps) were analyzed and the tests applied were as follows: intrinsic viscosity, alkali solubility at 5%, coarseness, numbers of fibers per gram of pulp, average length of fibers, fine fraction by the Dynamic Paper Chemistry Jar (DPCJ), drainability by Schopper Riegler, before refining. Other tests, such as: tensile index, stretch, burst index, tear index, bulk, air resistance, opacity and absorption of water by cappilarity (Klemm) were performed for each type of pulp before refining and for refining levels of 25 ºSR, 30 ºSR, 40 ºSR and 55 ºSR. No evidence of the influence of S5 and intrinsic viscosity was observed at the range of the market pulp properties variation. The Brazilian pulps presented higher initial drainability and required lower PFI revolutions to the same level of refining in comparison to the international pulps. The initial average values of strength indexes: tensile, stretch, burst and tear were higher to the Brazilian pulps. However, this situation was changed at 25 ºSR and other levels of drainability. Due to the higher number of correlations at 30 ºSR, this level of drainability was chosen to determine the pulp characteristics profile. At this level, international pulps showed better values of tensile and tear index, but a higher energy consumption and a lower opacity in comparison to the Brazilian pulps. In addition, this paper suggested the concentration of the lab technical evaluation of pulps on the analysis of opacity, tensile and tear indexes. Such procedure should reduce the number of lab tests as well.

O presente trabalho descreve a utilização de sangue total em papel-filtro para avaliação dos níveis de anticorpos específicos contra o vírus da doença de Newcastle (NDV) através da técnica de inibição da hemaglutinação (HI). Coletaram-se e analisaram-se por HI amostras de sangue de noventa e oito galinhas, com um histórico conhecido de vacinação contra o NDV HI. O sangue foi impregnado em papel-filtro Wathman n° 1 com 3cm2 e também coletado em tubos para a obtenção de soro. Armazenaram-se os papéis à temperatura ambiente e procedeu-se a sua análise num período de até quarenta e cinco dias. A sensibilidade, a es¬pecificidade, o valor preditivo positivo e o valor preditivo negativo do HI mediante o uso de papel-filtro, comparado com o HI em que se utilizou soro, foram de 89%, 73%, 76% e 87 %, respectivamente. Detectaram-se um índice de pre¬cisão de 80% e um coeficiente de correlação r = 0,81%. O título médio geométrico de anticorpos foi 33,1% e 33,6 para eluídos de papel-filtro e os soros, respectivamente. A asso¬ciação entre os dois métodos foi altamente significativa (p< 0.001) quando analisada pelo teste de Fisher. Os resultados indicam o potencial da utilização do sangue em papel-filtro como uma alternativa ao soro para detecção de anticorpos contra o NDV. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Galinha, inibição da hemaglutinação, sorologia. The present study describes the evaluation of a filter paper blood sampling technique for assessment of the level of antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Blood samples were collected from ninety eigth chickens with a known history of vaccination against NDV and analyzed by HI method. The blood was impregnated onto Whatman no. 1 filter paper with 3cm2 and also collected in tubes for obtaining serum. The papers were stored at room temperature and tested within fourty five days. The resulting sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the filter paper HI compared to serum HI was 89%, 73%, 76% and 87%, respectively. It was found index precision of the 80% and the correlation coefficient r = 0.81%. The overall average geometrical titer of antibodies was 33.1 and 33.6 in eluates and in sera, respectively. Association between the two methods was found to be highly significant (p < 0.001) when analyzed by Fishers test. The results indicate the potential use of filter paper blood sampling technique as an alternative to serum for detection of the antibodies against NDV. KEY-WORDS: Chicken, hemagglutination inhibition, serology.

Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. Livestock subsector makes the major contribution to the overall economy. The livestock sector accounts for 19% of the GDP and generates 16–19% of the foreign exchange earnings of the country. It constitutes around 35% of the agricultural GDP, or 45% if indirect contributions are taken into account. With the rapidly growing population, increasing urbanization, and rising incomes, the domestic demand for meat, milk, and eggs is expected to increase significantly in the foreseeable future. The livestock production system in Ethiopia is traditional and contributes to both subsistence and cash generation. Hide is the raw skin of mature animals of larger kinds, example cattle, horse, and also other large animals. Skin is the skin of fully grown animals of smaller kinds. Hide and skin in the subsector is constrained by various structural, production, information exchange, and quality problems, as well as financial constraints. The opportunities of hides and skins sector in Ethiopia are raw material availability due to the large livestock base in pastoral areas, ready market, there is a growing national and international market for hides. To improve the hide and skin sector situation in Ethiopia, training needs to be provided for producers and collectors, collection and marketing of hide and skin should be done immediately after slaughtering, and household, government, and national and international organizations need to work together.

R E S U M O O presente estudo descreve os tratamentos alternativos a que foi submetido o efluente secundário de uma indústria de celulose kraft branqueada. As amostras do efluente foram analisadas quanto ao teor de cloretos e de elementos-traço (zinco, cobre, chumbo e cádmio) e, a seguir, foram tratadas com sulfato de alumínio ou cloreto férrico, como floculantes, utilizando-se, ainda, resíduos sólidos do processo industrial ("dreg", "grit", cinza pesada) e carvão ativo, como auxiliares de floculação. Foi observada uma significativa redução do teor de cloretos e de elementos-traço nos efluentes finais, com o uso combinado de sulfato de alumínio/carvão ativo 2 e cloreto férrico/resíduos industriais, respectivamente. S U M M A R Y The present study describes the alternative treatments applied to the secundary effluent of a bleached kraft process pulp industry. The effluent samples were analysed in relation to their contents of chloride and trace elements (zinc, copper, lead and cadmium), and submitted to a treatment with aluminium sulphate or iron chloride, as floculants, using further, solid residues of industrial process (dreg, grit and heavy ash) and active carbon, as coagulation adjuvants. A significant reduction of the contents of chloride and trace elements in the final effluent was observed by the combined use of aluminium sulphate/active coal 2 and iron chloride/industrial residues, respectively.

O estudo visa levantar problemas prioritários e propor estratégias e acções que o sistema pecuário familiar pode desempenhar para redução da pobreza e melhoria da qualidade de vida das Comunidades Monte Macaco e Santa Margarida na Ilha de São Tomé. Não é conclusivo, mas aponta como principal causa das dificuldades a falta de dinheiro para fazer face a problemas sanitários, de alojamento e de alimentação para animais, situação agravada pelo roubo destes e mau funcionamento das Associações. A discussão sobre as causas levou à proposta de soluções tendentes a ultrapassar as dificuldades. Os agricultores-criadores propõem a elaboração de um projecto de intervenção para melhorar o sistema e a qualidade de vida. Nesse sentido, o estudo sugere realização de uma oficina comunitária, planeamento participativo e um inquérito formal concomitante.The study aimed to identify main problems and find out strategies and actions to be taken by livestock smallholders to reduce poverty and improve quality of life of Monte Macaco and Santa Margarida Comunities of São Tomé Island. Although it is inconclusive, the result shows that lack of fïnancing support to invest on animal health, housing and feeding is the main constraint for livestock smalholders production and it becomes worst due to animal robbery and weakness of Comunnity Associations. Discussion about causes led to the proposal of actions to overcome difficulties. Livestock smallholders suggested an intervention project to enhance the system and the quality of life. In this sense, there should be workshops, leading to the participative planning of Community and based on formal surveys.

SLIT ( sublingual immunotherapy ) induces allergen-specific immune tolerance by sublingual administration of a gradually increasing dose of an allergen. The mechanism of SLIT is comparable to those during SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy), with the exception of local oral dendritic cells, pre-programmed to elicit tolerance. In the SLIT dose, to achieve the same efficacy as in SCIT, it should be 50–100 times higher with better safety profile. The highest quality evidence supporting the efficacy of SLIT lasting 1 – 3 years has been provided by the large scale double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) trials for grass pollen extracts, both in children and adults with allergic rhinitis. Current indications for SLIT are allergic rhinitis (and conjunctivitis) in both children and adults sensitized to pollen allergens (trees, grass, Parietaria ), house dust mites ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae ), cat fur, as well as mild to moderate controlled atopic asthma in children sensitized to house dust mites. There are positive findings for both asthma and new sensitization prevention. Severe adverse events, including anaphylaxis, are very rare, and no fatalities have been reported. Local adverse reactions develop in up to 70 – 80% of patients. Risk factors for SLIT adverse events have not been clearly identified. Risk factors of non-adherence to treatment might be dependent on the patient, disease treatment, physician-patient relationship, and variables in the health care system organization.

Accordingly to EU Directive EC128, pesticide application equipment may satisfy minimum requirements listed in Annex II in order to achieve a high level of protection for human health and the environment. A second aspect refers to harmonized standards precised in article 20 (1) with a principle of presumption of conformity. Finally it is also possible to propose alternative methods as potential tools for sprayer inspection.

Aim of the study is to assess the possibility to use water sensitive papers to estimate, beside the superficial coverage, also the amount of deposit on the target at varying the spray features. To point out the main quantities influencing the deposit, the behaviour of the water sensitive papers was simulated by assuming some simplifying hypotheses: log-normal distribution of the diameter population of the drops and circular spots. Several images (630) of water sensitive papers, sprayed with drops of different mean diameter (from 100 up to 500 μm), constant coefficient of variation (0.50), and theoretical percentage of covered surface ranging from 10 up to 100%, were produced by means of simulation. These images were considered as effective water sensitive paper images and then analysed by means of an image processing software. The correlations between measured and effective values were studied and they allowed for an estimate of deposit and spray features from the image data. This implies that the analysis of the water sensitive paper images allows the determination of more complex parameters such as the unitary deposit and the impact density, all data strictly related to the efficacy of a phytosanitary treatment.

The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of using water sensitive papers (WSP) to estimate the amount of deposit on the target when varying the spray characteristics. To identify the main quantities influencing the deposit, some simplifying hypotheses were applied to simulate WSP behaviour: log-normal distribution of the diameters of the drops and circular stains randomly placed on the images. A very large number (4704) of images of WSPs were produced by means of simulation. The images were obtained by simulating drops of different arithmetic mean diameter (40-300 μm), different coefficient of variation (0.1-1.5), and different percentage of covered surface (2-100%, not considering overlaps). These images were considered to be effective WSP images and then analysed using image processing software in order to measure the percentage of covered surface, the number of particles, and the area of each particle; the deposit was then calculated. These data were correlated with those used to produce the images, varying the spray characteristics. As far as the drop populations are concerned, a classification based on the volume median diameter only should be avoided, especially in case of high variability. This, in fact, results in classifying sprays with very low arithmetic mean diameter as extremely or ultra coarse. The WSP image analysis shows that the relation between simulated and computed percentage of covered surface is independent of the type of spray, whereas impact density and unitary deposit can be estimated from the computed percentage of covered surface only if the spray characteristics (arithmetic mean and coefficient of variation of the drop diameters) are known. These data can be estimated by analysing the particles on the WSP images. The results of a validation test show good agreement between simulated and computed deposits, testified by a high (0.93) coefficient of determination.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito do teor de água do solo sobre a quantidade de fósforo extraída por papéis de filtro impregnados com óxido de ferro (P,). Usaram-se seis solos do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, previamente incuba- dos com três doses de fósforo. A extraçâo de fósforo foi feita com 75% do teor de água retido à capacidade de campo, e em fluxo saturado. Em solo saturado, o fósforo extraído foi, em média, aproximadamente 20 vezes maior que o determinado em umidade equivalente a 75% da capacidade de campo. A extraçâo de fósforo foi linear com o tempo de contato entre o solo e o papel de filtro, no período estudado de 24 horas.In order to evaluate sou phosphorus extraction by iron oxide impregnated filter papers (Pi), a laboratory study was conducted with six soils from lhe Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil) previousiy incubated with dijferent phosphorus leveis. Phosphorus extraction was done at 75% of water retained atfield capacity and in saturated conditions. In saturated conditions, lhe soil phosphorus extracted was m lhe average nearly 20 times greater than that extracted at 75% of field capacity moisture levei. Phosphorus extraction increased linearly with time during lhe 24 hours test period.

Julius-Kühn-Archiv; 439; 59-66

Declines of seed viability in storage and losses of stored commodities due to fungal spoilage and insect pests are promoted by high moisture content. However, measuring seed or grain moisture content in the field can be difficult, particularly in rural locations in developing countries. Because seed/commodity moisture content is uniquely related to equilibrium relative humidity at a given temperature, moisture content can be estimated by measuring the relative humidity of a sample enclosed in a sealed container. Relative humidity can be measured using electronic meters, or even more inexpensively using indicator paper that changes color in response to relative humidity. We describe this method and provide a spreadsheet to convert relative humidity to moisture content for many common seeds and commodities. This simple method can be used in the field for quickly estimating seed or commodity moisture content to determine whether further drying is needed or is suitable for storage, milling or other uses.

First paragraph: Sometimes you just have to improvise. We received such a strong response to our call for manuscripts on food system planning that we decided to squeeze a group of excellent additional papers on the topic into this winter issue. Starting out the issue, however, are a number of exceptional open-call papers. We begin with Assessing the Growth Potential and Economic Impact of the U.S. Maple Syrup Industry, by Michael Farrell and Brian Chabot. In honor of one of North America's unique seasonal foodways, this paper will remain open access (freely accessible even without a subscription) through April 2012....

Due to the rapid expansion of irrigated agriculture, effi cient use of the limited water resources in arid and semi-arid regions is becoming more and more vital. However, water salinity is a major problem due to its negative infl uence on the yields of many crops. It reduces citrus trees’ growth and causes physiological disorders. Primarily salt-stress lowers net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, and water potential of citrus tree leaves, in addition to accumulation of excessive concentration of Chloride or Sodium in leaves. A great deal of research indicates that citrus have the genetic potential to be salt-sensitive; however inheritance studies in citrus are scarce. In this paper the adverse of effects of salinity on physiological aspects of citrus are reviewed. The review summarizes the prevailing state of knowledge about the responses and tolerance of citrus trees to salinity.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different storage conditions on the physiological and sanitary quality and oil content of castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds. Seeds of castor bean plants of the Guarani, and IAC-80 cultivars were stored in two environments (cold room, and room conditions), using three package types (multifoliate Kraft paper bag, and polyethylene bag, and polyethylene bag with vacuum at 1 atm). In addition, another storage condition was evaluated: cryopreservation (-196 °C) in foil paper bags. Seed quality was evaluated before storage and at 4, 8, and 12 months after storage by testing their 7-day and 14-day germination, emergence, health, water content, and oil content. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with 7×4 factorial arrangement consisting of seven storage conditions and four evaluation times. Cryopreservation is the ideal condition for maintaining the seed physiological quality of the Ricinus communis cultivars used throughout storage. The oil content of the R. communis seeds decreases, and the incidence of Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. fungi increases throughout storage, regardless of the storage conditions. Para investigar se diferentes condições de armazenamento interferem no potencial fisiológico, sanitário e no teor de óleo de sementes de mamona (Ricinus communis) foram utilizadas sementes de duas cultivares, Guarani e IAC-80, armazenadas em dois ambientes (câmara fria e armazém convencional) em duas embalagens (saco de papel Kraft multifoliado e saco plástico - com e sem acondicionamento a vácuo a 1 atm). Testou-se ainda outro tipo de acondicionamento, utilizando-se papel aluminizado para criopreservação das sementes (-196 °C). A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada antes do armazenamento e após 4, 8 e 12 meses por meio dos testes de geminação (contagem aos 7 e 14 dias), emergência, sanidade, teor de água e teor de óleo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 7x4, sendo sete condições de armazenamento e quatro épocas. A criopreservação (-196 °C) é a condição ideal para manutenção do potencial fisiológico de sementes de Ricinus communis, cultivares IAC-80 e Guarani, ao longo do armazenamento. Independente das condições de armazenamento de sementes de R. communis, o teor de óleo decresce e a incidência dos fungos Aspergillus spp. e Fusarium spp. aumenta ao longo do armazenamento.