Loose Leaf Lettuce Quality Grown in Two Production Systems

Horticultural crops have a strong impact on human nutrition. Lettuce is the most important leafy vegetable in Argentina and it is cultivated mainly in green belts, in greenhouses or open field. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth and phytonutrients concentration of leaf lettuce under greenhouse and field production. Crop establishment was made from seedlings produced in a commercial greenhouse. Loose lettuce cv. Brisa was used for field and greenhouse growth. Experimental design with complete random block with 4 replicates per treatment was used. Fresh and dry weights of shoot, number of leaves, color, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content were measured. Absolute and relative growth rate and commercial yield were calculated. Lettuce grown under greenhouse system showed, as expected, a higher value of fresh and dry weight, number of leaves, leaf area, yield and absolute and relative growth rate. Ascorbic acid value of the leaves decreased during lettuce growth in both production systems. Chlorophyll content was higher in the greenhouse cultivation but the antioxidant capacity was lower in lettuce leaves from greenhouse than the leaves grown on open field

Effect Of Light Environment On Harvest Quality And Postharvest Behavior Of Minimally Processed Sweet Pepper

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two light environments on two maturity stages of sweet pepper and the postharvest behavior of minimally processed product using passive modified atmosphere. The size and fruit morphology were measured at harvest. Overall visual quality, gas concentration inside the bags, weight loss, soluble solids, firmness, electrolyte leakage, carotenoids and ascorbic acid were determined during the storage period. Results showed that quality parameters were affected by radiation and processing. Shaded pepper fruits showed higher water content and lower size compared to fruits exposed to full radiation. Fruit nutritional value was maintained, but after six days was not marketable. Visual quality of intact fruit was not affected without differences between treatments. Shelf life processed red fruits as julienne was reduced, being the worst performing during storage. Post-harvest visual quality was in relation to gases composition (O2 and CO2) inside the trays

CO2 Transoral Laser Microsurgery in Benign, Premalignant and Malignant (Tis, T1, T2) Lesion of the Glottis. A Literature Review

Carbon Dioxide transoral laser microsurgery represents a reliable option for the treatment of early glottic carcinoma (Tis-T2), with good functional and oncological outcomes, nowadays representing one of the main options in larynx preservation protocols. The development and improvement of laser devices means surgeons are able to use more precise instruments compared with classic cold dissection in laser-assisted phonosurgery. Secondary effects on voice, swallowing, or quality of life as well as complications have been well documented. Also, with the introduction of a new proposal for staging systems following the principle of the three-dimensional map of isoprognostic zones, the use of narrow-band imaging in clinical evaluation and intraoperative, and the implementation of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance during preoperative evaluation, the development of new tools to improve surgical quality and preliminary reports regarding the use of carbon dioxide laser in transoral robotic surgery suggests an exciting future for this technique

Mejoramiento de plantas nativas sudamericanas: altas temperaturas como herramienta para superar barreras precigóticas en el complejo Calibrachoa–Nierembergia = Improvement of native South American plants: high temperatures as a tool to overcome precigotic barriers in the complex Calibrachoa–Nierembergia

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la utilización de altas temperaturas como metodología para superar las barreras de incompatibilidad precigótica en cruzamientos interespecíficos entre especies del género Calibrachoa y Nierembergia. Se realizaron los cruzamientos en las combinaciones N. scoparia x C. ovalifolia, N. scopaira x C. caesia, N. linariaefolia x C. thymifolia y N. linariaefolia x C. ovalifolia, utilizando diferentes genotipos. Las plantas con los botones florales preparados para polinizar fueron colocadas en estufa a 50ºC durante 5 minutos para N. scoparia y 2,5 minutos para N. linariaefolia. Cumplido el tiempo se retiraron de la estufa y se polinizaron con polen fresco de Calibrachoa spp. Se evaluó el porcentaje de cruzamientos con llegada de tubos polínicos al estilo y al ovario. La aplicación de altas temperaturas a gineceos de N. scoparia se presentó como una metodología exitosa en la combinación N. scoparia x C. caesia, debido a que en todos los casos la cantidad de tubos polínicos en ovario fue mayor al testigo. En el caso de N. linariaefolia los resultados muestran que si bien hay una mejora con este método, no hubo un incremento de tubos polínicos en ovarios. Los resultados de este trabajo permitieron generar nuevos conocimientos sobre las relaciones intergenéricas, las barreras de incompatibilidad y aspectos vinculados con la biología floral, que sentarán las bases para la obtención de híbridos.The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of high temperatures to overcome prezygotic interspecific incompatibility barriers in crosses between species of Calibrachoa and Nierembergia. The following combinations were evaluated: N. scoparia x C. ovalifolia, N. scoparia x C. caesia, N. linariaefolia x C. thymifolia and N. linariaefolia x C. ovalifolia, using different genotypes. The plants with prepared buds were placed in a stove at 50°C for 5 minutes for N. scoparia and 2.5 minutes for N. linariaefolia. Subsequently, the plants are removed from the oven and pollinated with fresh pollen. The percentage of crosses of pollen tubes to the style and ovary was evaluated. Application of high temperatures in N. scoparia could be a good approach in the combination N. scoparia x C. caesia, because in all cases the amount of pollen tubes in ovary was higher than in the control. For N. linariaefolia results show that, although there is an improvement with this method, no increase of pollen tubes which reached the ovaries. The results of this work allowed generate new knowledge about genera relationships, incompatibility barriers and issues related to the floral biology, which are basic for obtaining hybrids.Instituto de FloriculturaFil: Milicia, Víctor José. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Coviella, Maria Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; ArgentinaFil: Soto, Maria Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; ArgentinaFil: Chiesa, Angel. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Evaluaci\uf3n de sistemas de establecimiento en cuatro variedades de zapallito redondo de tronco Cucurbita maxima (Carr.) Mill\ue1n var. zapallito

The advantages of transplanting with respect to direct sowing has been widely reported in several vegetable species, but there are few studies in Cucurbits, and even fewer in summer squash ( Cucurbita maxima (Carr.) Mill\ue1n var. zapallito ). Morphological and physiological characteristics of hybrid varieties determine earliness of between 5 to 10 days compared to traditional cultivars. The aim of the study was to compare the summer squash setting systems, direct sowing and nursery seedlings, and to determine their effect on yield and earliness in different genotypes. The hybrid varieties F1 Angelo and Espejo, and the standard varieties Any and Any Plus were used combined with two setting systems (direct sowing and nursery seedlings). Male and female flowering dates were recorded. Number of total and marketable fruit, days to harvest, total weight and number of fruit per plant were measured and the average fruit weight was calculated. Early and total yield were determined, as well. Hybrid varieties F1 showed fewer days to harvest than standard varieties. Seedling systems produced an earlier harvest compared to direct sowing, independent of the genotype used. Hybrid varieties F1 had a higher number of total and marketable fruit per plant, independent of the setting system used. It was determined that standard varieties had lower early and total yields.Las ventajas del trasplante respecto a la siembra directa han sido ampliamente reportadas para otras especies, pero no hay muchos estudios realizados en Cucurbit\ue1ceas, y menos a\ufan en zapallito redondo de tronco ( Cucurbita maxima (Carr.) Mill\ue1n var. zapallito ). Las caracter\uedsticas morfol\uf3gicas y fisiol\uf3gicas de los h\uedbridos determinan una precocidad entre 5-10 d\uedas respecto a los cultivares tradicionales. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar los sistemas de implantaci\uf3n del cultivo de zapallito redondo de tronco, siembra directa y alm\ue1cigo-trasplante, y determinar su efecto sobre el rendimiento y la precocidad para distintos genotipos. Se utilizaron las variedades h\uedbridas F1 Angelo y Espejo, y las variedades est\ue1ndar Any y Any Plus, que fueron combinados con dos sistemas de implantaci\uf3n del cultivo (siembra directa y alm\ue1cigo-trasplante). Se registraron fechas de aparici\uf3n de primera flor masculina y femenina. Se midi\uf3 n\ufamero de frutos totales y comerciales, n\ufamero de d\uedas a cosecha, peso total, n\ufamero de frutos cosechados por planta y se calcul\uf3 peso promedio de frutos. Se determin\uf3 rendimiento precoz y total. Las variedades h\uedbridas F1 presentaron menor cantidad de d\uedas a cosecha que las variedades est\ue1ndar. El sistema de establecimiento por alm\ue1cigo y trasplante produjo una cosecha anticipada respecto del cultivo iniciado por siembra directa, independientemente del genotipo utilizado. Las variedades h\uedbridas F1 presentaron mayor cantidad de frutos totales y comerciales por planta, independientemente del sistema de establecimiento empleado. Este hecho determin\uf3 que las variedades est\ue1ndar presentaron menor rendimiento precoz y total

Papas Chips VIII : tablas de conversión y los parámetros de calidad de tubérculos de papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) materia prima para la industria

p.123-131Los valores de peso específico (pe), materia seca (MS) y almidón de los tubérculos de papa son elementos importantes para seleccionar los cultivares (cvs) que se industrializan. Estos tres parámetros se han relacionado por las tablas de conversión, las que a través del dato experimental del pe permiten obtener los de MS y de almidón. Estas tablas son extranjeras, por ello se comparan nuestros valores experimentales de almidón y MS, con lo que se obtendrían de dichas tablas y-o ecuaciones matemáticas. De la confrontación de valores surge la necesidad de disponer de tablas de conversión realizadas en el país, a fin de contar con datos de mayor valor. Se analizaron almidón y materia seca de distintos cvs, de cosecha 1965 a 1980, de diferentes zonas productoras del país, con distinto estado fisiológico y período de almacenamiento. Los valores promedio de materia seca (1.200 determinaciones) y de almidón (600 determinaciones) se correlacionaron. El contenido de MS y de almidón influyen en la calidad de las papas fritas chips. Es importante cuantificar con precisión estos valores para los tubérculos destinados para la industria

TAO Conceptual Design Report: A Precision Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Spectrum with Sub-percent Energy Resolution

The Taishan Antineutrino Observatory (TAO, also known as JUNO-TAO) is a satellite experiment of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). A ton-level liquid scintillator detector will be placed at about 30 m from a core of the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant. The reactor antineutrino spectrum will be measured with sub-percent energy resolution, to provide a reference spectrum for future reactor neutrino experiments, and to provide a benchmark measurement to test nuclear databases. A spherical acrylic vessel containing 2.8 ton gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator will be viewed by 10 m^2 Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) of >50% photon detection efficiency with almost full coverage. The photoelectron yield is about 4500 per MeV, an order higher than any existing large-scale liquid scintillator detectors. The detector operates at -50 degree C to lower the dark noise of SiPMs to an acceptable level. The detector will measure about 2000 reactor antineutrinos per day, and is designed to be well shielded from cosmogenic backgrounds and ambient radioactivities to have about 10% background-to-signal ratio. The experiment is expected to start operation in 2022

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications