16th Annual Symposium of the School of Science, Engineering and Health

In this 16th Annual Symposium of the School of Science, Engineering, and Health, our faculty, staff and students continue the strong tradition of showcasing student and faculty innovation, creativity, and productivity in our academic departments. Basic and applied research in science and health fields stem from curiosity, acquired skill, and a desire to test and improve processes from foundational principles. The outcomes of scientific research expand intellectual understanding and have tremendous impact on quality of life, environmental health, and human flourishing. Angela C. Hare, Ph.D. Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Healt

Micro/nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices for biomedical applications

Micro/Nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have been increasingly used in biomedical research [1]. Because of their adaptability, feasibility, and cost-efficiency, these devices can revolutionize the future of preclinical technologies. Furthermore, they allow insights into the performance and toxic effects of responsive drug delivery nanocarriers to be obtained, which consequently allow the shortcomings of two/three-dimensional static cultures and animal testing to be overcome and help to reduce drug development costs and time [2–4]. With the constant advancements in biomedical technology, the development of enhanced microfluidic devices has accelerated, and numerous models have been reported. Given the multidisciplinary of this Special Issue (SI), papers on different subjects were published making a total of 14 contributions, 10 original research papers, and 4 review papers. The review paper of Ko et al. [1] provides a comprehensive overview of the significant advancements in engineered organ-on-a-chip research in a general way while in the review presented by Kanabekova and colleagues [2], a thorough analysis of microphysiological platforms used for modeling liver diseases can be found. To get a summary of the numerical models of microfluidic organ-on-a-chip devices developed in recent years, the review presented by Carvalho et al. [5] can be read. On the other hand, Maia et al. [6] report a systematic review of the diagnosis methods developed for COVID-19, providing an overview of the advancements made since the start of the pandemic. In the following, a brief summary of the research papers published in this SI will be presented, with organs-on-a-chip, microfluidic devices for detection, and device optimization having been identified as the main topics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An investigation of land-use practices on the Agulhas Plain (South Africa), with emphasis on socio-economic and conservation issues

Biobliography : leaves 147-156.An investigation of land-use practices was undertaken on the Agulhas Plain, a species-rich area at the southern tip of Africa. Data were collected from landowners and visitors using questionnaire surveys. Further information was obtained by means of a literature search and interviews with key informants. A historical background of land use in the area is given. Although the area has been utilized since the Earlier Stone Age (>200000 years BP), the most dramatic changes to the landscape have occurred post 1850, with the large transformation of indigenous veld into cultivated lands. Four categories of farms were identified: livestock farms, fynbos farms, mixed farms and conservation farms. Livestock farms covered the largest surface area. Cereal crops cultivated on these farms provided a net income of R 918 OOO/y. Grazing provided a net income of R 7.3 million/yon cultivated land and R 2.3 million/y was attributed to indigenous veld. This latter figure highlights the importance of natural veld for grazing, but for certain vegetation types, stocking rates were above the recommended norms. Fynbos flower farms had the second largest surface area of the four categories of farms. Fynbos wildflowers were found to be the largest single agricultural sector on the Agulhas Plain, yielding an estimated net income of R 8.55 million/y. Most harvesting from the wild takes place from Acid Sand Fynbos, which is relatively common, and there appears to be potential for wildflower harvesting to be compatible with biodiversity conservation, if managed correctly. Cultivated fynbos flowers yielded a net income of R 1.5 million/y. Cultivation of land for fynbos flowers is on the increase, and pristine fynbos is primarily being targeted for this practice, thereby threatening the biodiversity of these areas. Many landowners are involved with mixed farming practices and there are a small number of conservation farms, generally situated at the coast, which rely on outside funding for their management

Proceedings of the 94th Annual Virginia Academy of Science Meeting, 2016

Full proceedings of the 94th Annual Virginia Academy of Science Meeting, May 18-20, 2016, at University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Irrigation Systems and Practices in Challenging Environments

The book Irrigation Systems and Practices in Challenging Environments is divided into two interesting sections, with the first section titled Agricultural Water Productivity in Stressed Environments, which consists of nine chapters technically crafted by experts in their own right in their fields of expertise. Topics range from effects of irrigation on the physiology of plants, deficit irrigation practices and the genetic manipulation, to creating drought tolerant variety and a host of interesting topics to cater for the those interested in the plant water soil atmosphere relationships and agronomic practices relevant in many challenging environments, more so with the onslaught of global warming, climate change and the accompanying agro-meteorological impacts. The second section, with eight chapters, deals with systems of irrigation practices around the world, covering different climate zones apart from showing casing practices for sustainable irrigation practices and more efficient ways of conveying irrigation waters - the life blood of agriculture, undoubtedly the most important sector in the world

The bioeconomy potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) : challenges of new genotypes and cultivation systems to meet the rising demand for phytocannabinoids

Cannabis sativa L. as a prime example of a multifunctional crop is excellently suited for recycling management due to its versatility and the usability of the whole plant. Cannabis currently experiences a boom due to its rich phytochemical repertoire, its fibres and valuable oil required in numerous products, and its unique agricultural properties. The medical benefits of C. sativa, based on the phytocannabinoids available in flowers and leaves, are the main focus of attention worldwide. Innovative markets in the food, cosmetics and pharma industry are growing fast, with a focus on cannabidiol (CBD), which is the leading cannabinoid of the cannabis plant. Basically, it is important to differentiate between industrial hemp genotypes and phytocannabinoid-rich (PCR) cannabis genotypes. Industrial hemp meet the 0.2% THC limit mandated by the EU legislation, and therefore, can be legally cultivated by farmers on a field scale. PCR genotypes contain high amounts of non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD and cannabigerol (CBG) in the range of 10 30% while their THC content is also below 0.2%. These genotypes are currently being bred but are still barely available on the market. Cannabinoid extraction from industrial hemp cultivated on a field scale could provide a decisive advantage as the harvested biomass quantities could be significantly increased through better land use and cost management, compared to an indoor system. The multi-functionality of the industrial hemp can provide added economic value. Therefore, existing cultivation systems for fibre and oilseed production have to be modified as the harvesting time and harvested organ are expected to differ greatly from those of the present systems. In order to achieve this, publication I dealt with the objective, to determine the yield potential of different EU-registered hemp genotypes with regard to inflorescence and biomass yield as well as cannabinoid content, depending on genotype, growth stage and biomass fraction in an outdoor cultivation system. The cultivation of seven industrial hemp genotypes (Finola, Fédora17, Ferimon, Félina32, Futura75, USO 31 and Santhica27) was carried out in a two-year field experiment. Sampling of leaves and inflorescence, took place at four specific growth stages: vegetative leaf stage, bud stage, full-flowering stage, and seed maturity stage. Dry matter was recorded, and cannabinoids were analysed. The results indicated that the content of cannabinoids highly depended on the genotype and the growth stage. Thus, biomass and inflorescence yields must be considered for an optimized harvest result. Genotype Santhica27 indicated the highest contents of CBG/A. Further, it was found that genotypes such as Futura75, Fédora17, Félina32, Ferimon, Finola and Santhica27, which were highlighted to have a higher CBD/A or CBG/A content compared to other evaluated genotypes, reached the highest yields of threshing residues after seed maturity, and thus a higher CBD/A and CBG/A yield per area. In conclusion, harvesting after seed maturity seems to be economically beneficial. These findings make selected industrial hemp genotypes excellent candidates for multipurpose cropping. Additionally, the thesis aimed at further standardization of PCR genotypes in indoor cultivation systems. Due to the prescribed requirement of high-quality medical cannabis material, indoor cultivation is in focus as under the system all production parameters can be standardized. The production of cannabinoids under indoor conditions is expensive due to processing costs and regulatory limitations, thus there is an increasing interest in using the available space requirements efficiently. Publication II evaluated the adaptation of the plant architecture, through the targeted use of synthetic phytohormones, aiming for a small and compact plant morphology for various indoor systems. The objective was, to test the impact of exogenously applied plant growth regulators (PGRs), such as NAA, BAP and a mixture (NAA/BAP-mix) of both on the plant architecture of different PCR genotypes. Therefore, genotypes were treated with synthetic phytohormones in various concentrations in a greenhouse experiment. Furthermore, the differences in leaf and flower yields resulting from morphological changes in these genotypes and their CBD/A content was investigated. A genotype-specific impact of applied PGRs on the plant architecture was determined. NAA led to more compact plants with a consistently high floral yield for genotype KANADA, whereas CBD/A content was not affected. Genotypes 0.2x and FED showed reduced floral yields due to the PGRs applications. Publication III dealt with the evaluation of the growth performance of PCR genotypes grown in different substrate compositions substituted with peat alternatives in an indoor cultivation system. The impacts of the following substrate compositions: peat-mix growth media (PM); peat-mix substituted with 30% of green fibres (G30) consisting of coniferous wood and wood chips from pine and spruce wood growth media, and coco coir fibres (CC), on growth performance, biomass and flower yields, biomass nitrogen (N) content as well as CBD/A contents were tested. The results showed that the different substrates had significant impacts on the growth, biomass and floral yields, root development and N tissue content of the tested genotypes. A genotype-specific reaction on floral yield was investigated. While genotype KANADA had the highest floral yields when grown in PM, 0.2x showed no significant differences, with higher floral yields grown in G30 and CC. For both genotypes, no limiting effect on CBD/A content was enacted. It can be concluded, that organic peat alternatives such as green fibres, partly replacing peat in standard growing media, offers a genotype-specific option.Cannabis sativa L. eignet sich aufgrund der Möglichkeit, die ganze Pflanze zu nutzen, hervorragend für die Kreislaufwirtschaft und ist daher ein Paradebeispiel für eine multifunktionale Nutzpflanze. Die Cannabispflanze erlebt derzeit einen Boom aufgrund ihres reichhaltigen Repertoires an sekundären Pflanzeninhaltsstoffen, ihrer Fasern und ihres wertvollen Öls in zahlreichen Industriezweigen sowie ihrer positiven landwirtschaftlichen Eigenschaften. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt dabei im medizinischen Nutzen, basierend auf den in Blüten und Blättern vorhandenen Phytocannabinoiden. Es ist wichtig, zwischen Nutzhanf Genotypen und phytocannabinoid-reichen (PCR) Genotypen zu unterscheiden. Nutzhanf erfüllt den von der EU-Gesetzgebung vorgeschriebenen THC-Grenzwert von 0,2% und kann daher im Feldmaßstab legal angebaut werden. PCR Genotypen, enthalten hohe Mengen an nicht-psychoaktiven Cannabinoiden, wie CBD und Cannabigerol (CBG), in einem Bereich von 1030%, während ihr THC-Gehalt unter 0,2% liegt. Diese Genotypen werden derzeit gezüchtet und sind noch kaum auf dem Markt erhältlich. Die Cannabinoid-Extraktion von aus Nutzhanf gewonnenen Rohstoffen, könnte einen entscheidenden Wettbewerbsvorteil bieten, da die geerntete Biomasse durch eine bessere Flächennutzung und mehr Kosteneffizienz im Vergleich zu einem Indoor-Produktionssystem deutlich erhöht werden könnte. Darüber hinaus kann die Multifunktionalität der Nutzhanfpflanze einen wirtschaftlichen Mehrwert bieten. Bestehende Anbausysteme für die Faser- und Ölsaatenproduktion müssen neu entwickelt werden, da sich der Erntezeitpunkt und Ernteorgan stark von den bisherigen Systemen unterscheiden dürften. Um dies zu erreichen, befasst sich Publikation I mit folgenden Zielen: Ermittlung des Ertragspotenzials verschiedener Nutzhanf Genotypen hinsichtlich Blütenstand- und Biomasseertrag sowie Cannabinoidgehalt in Abhängigkeit von Genotyp, Wachstumsstadium und Biomassefraktion in einem Freilandanbausystem. In einem zweijährigen Feldversuch wurden sieben Nutzhanf Genotypen (Finola, Fédora17, Ferimon, Félina32, Futura75, USO31 und Santhica27) angebaut. Die Beprobung von Blättern und Blütenständen erfolgte zu vier spezifischen Wachstumsstadien: vegetatives Blattstadium, Knospenstadium, Vollblütestadium und zur Samenreife. Die Trockensubstanz wurde erfasst sowie der Cannabinoidgehalt analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass der Gehalt an Cannabinoiden stark vom Genotyp und dem Wachstumsstadium abhängt. Daher müssen für ein optimales Ernteergebnis die Biomasse und der Ertrag der Blütenstände berücksichtigt werden. Der Genotyp Santhica27 wies den höchsten Gehalt an CBG/A auf. Die Genotypen Futura75, Fédora17, Félina32, Ferimon, Finola und Santhica27, welche die höchsten CBD/A- bzw. CBG/A Gehalte aufwiesen hatten zur Samenreife die höchsten Biomasseerträge an Druschrückständen und somit einen höheren CBD/A- und CBG/A-Ertrag pro Fläche. Folglich ist eine Ernte nach der Samenreife wirtschaftlich vorteilhaft. Diese Ergebnisse machen ausgewählte Nutzhanf Genotypen zu idealen Kandidaten für den Mehrzweckanbau in Bezug auf Biomasseproduktion und CBD/A- bzw. CBG/A-Gewinnung, um das volle Potenzial der Hanfpflanze auszuschöpfen. Zusätzlich befasste sich die Arbeit mit einer weiteren Standardisierung von PCR Genotypen in Indoor-Anbausystemen. Aufgrund der vorgeschriebenen hohen Qualitätsanforderungen für medizinisches Cannabismaterial rückt der Indoor-Anbau immer mehr in den Fokus, da alle Produktionsparameter standardisiert werden können. Die Produktion von Cannabinoiden unter Indoor-Bedingungen ist aufgrund von Verarbeitungskosten und regulatorischen Einschränkungen teur. Daher wird eine kosteneffektive Produktionskette angestrebt. In Publikation II wurde die Anpassung der Pflanzenarchitektur durch den gezielten Einsatz von synthetischen Phytohormonen evaluiert. Mit dem Ziel eine kleine und kompakte Pflanzenmorphologie mit hohen Blütenerträgen zu generieren. Dies umfasste folgende Zielsetzungen: den Einfluss exogen applizierter Pflanzenwachstumsregulatoren (PGRs), wie NAA, BAP und einer Mischung (NAA/BAP-Mix) aus beiden auf die Pflanzenarchitektur verschiedener PCR Genotypen zu prüfen. Darüber hinaus den Biomasseertrag sowie den CBD/A Gehalt zu bestimmen. In einem Gewächshausexperiment wurden die Genotypen mit synthetischen Phytohormonen in verschiedenen Konzentrationen behandelt. Als Ergebnis wurde ein genotyp-spezifischer Einfluss der applizierten PGRs auf die Pflanzenarchitektur festgestellt. NAA führte beim Genotyp KANADA zu einer kompakteren Pflanzenmorphologie mit einem konstant hohen Blütenertrag, während der CBD/A-Gehalt nicht beeinflusst wurde. Die Genotypen 0.2x und FED zeigten durch die Anwendungen reduzierte Blütenerträge. Publikation III befasste sich mit der Bewertung von Ertragsparametern und CBD Gehalt von PCR Genotypen, welche in verschiedenen Substratzusammensetzungen in einem Indoor-Topfanbausystem kultiviert wurden. In einem Gewächshausexperiment wurde der Einfluss folgender Substratzusammensetzungen: Torf-Mix (PM); Torf-Mix, substituiert mit 30% Grünfasern (G30), und Kokosfaser (CC), auf Wachstumsleistung, N-Gehalt, Wurzelwachstum sowie CBD/A-Gehalt untersucht. Die verschiedenen Substrate zeigten signifikante Auswirkungen auf die Wachstumsleistung und die Wurzelentwicklung der getesteten Genotypen. Es wurde eine genotyp-spezifische Reaktion auf den Blütenertrag untersucht wobei kein limitierender Effekt auf den CBD/A-Gehalt festgestellt wurde. Es lässt sich schlussfolgern, dass organische Torfalternativen wie Grünfasern, die Torf in Standardtopfsubstraten teilweise ersetzen, eine genotyp-spezifische Option bieten

TB116: Integrated Systems for Managing Potatoes in the Northeast

This technical bulletin presents the results of a research project developed to determine the feasibility of using an integrated pest management (IPM) system to improve economic and environmental benefits for the Northeast region. Research was conducted to develop and evaluate IPM techniques. These techniques were then tested, improved, and implemented in pilot programs on commercial potato farms in Suffolk County and Steuben County, New York, and Aroostook County, Maine.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1076/thumbnail.jp