Robust small area estimation under spatial non-stationarity

Geographically weighted small area methods have been studied in literature for small area estimation. Although these approaches are useful for the estimation of small area means efficiently under strict parametric assumptions, they can be very sensitive to outliers in the data. In this paper, we propose a robust extension of the geographically weighted empirical best linear unbiased predictor (GWEBLUP). In particular, we introduce robust projective and predictive small area estimators under spatial non-stationarity. Mean squared error estimation is performed by two different analytic approaches that account for the spatial structure in the data. The results from the model- based simulations indicate that the proposed approach may lead to gains in terms of efficiency. Finally, the methodology is demonstrated in an illustrative application for estimating the average total cash costs for farms in Australia

Antifogging additives for greenhouse covers - effects on phytochemicals and nutritional quality of lettuce

Antifogging additives are commercially used in greenhouse films to prevent water droplet formation on these films. This can increase light transmission, and thus, improve crop yield. However, the effect of polytunnels with antifogging additives on phytochemical content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata ) is currently unclear. Here, polytunnels were chosen as a model to investigate the impact of antifogging additives in a completely randomized setting. Analysis by means of chromatographic methods coupled with mass spectrometry revealed a general influence of polytunnel cultivation compared to lettuces grown without a polytunnel on the content of phenolic compounds, photosynthetic pigments and fatty acids. The use of antifogging additives does not lead to significant differences in phenolic compounds and fatty acids. However, significant differences were observed for carotenoids and chlorophylls by both polytunnel cultivation and the use of antifogging additives. These differences probably occurred predominantly due to differences in light and temperature regimes related to polytunnel cultivation. Thus, due to polytunnels in general and the use of antifogging additives in particular, environmental conditions are created that impact valuable compounds and alter nutritional quality of crops

Impact of climate change on non-communicable diseases caused by altered UV radiation

Background: UV radiation can cause serious skin and eye diseases, especially cancers. UV-related skin cancer incidences have been increasing for decades. The determining factor for this development is the individual UV exposure. Climate change-induced changes in atmospheric factors can influence individual UV exposure. Methods: On the basis of a topic-specific literature research, a review paper was prepared and supplemented by as yet unpublished results of the authors’ own studies. The need for scientific research and development is formulated as well as primary prevention recommendations. Results: Climate change alters the factors influencing UV irradiance and annual UV dose in Germany. First evaluations of satellite data for Germany show an increase in mean peak UV irradiance and annual UV dose for the last decade compared to the last three decades. Conclusions: The climate change-related influences on individual UV exposure and the associated individual disease incidence cannot yet be reliably predicted due to considerable uncertainties. However, the current UV-related burden of disease already requires primary preventive measures to prevent UV-related diseases. This is part of a series of articles that constitute the German Status Report on Climate Change and Health 2023

The interaction of salinity and light regime modulates photosynthetic pigment content in edible halophytes in greenhouse and indoor farming

Given its limited land and water use and the changing climate conditions, indoor farming of halophytes has a high potential to contribute significantly to global agriculture in the future. Notably, indoor farming and classical greenhouse cultivation differ in their light regime between artificial and solar lighting, which can influence plant metabolism, but how this affects the cultivation of halophytes has not yet been investigated. To address this question, we studied the yield and content of abscisic acid, carotenoids, and chlorophylls as well as chloride of three halophyte species (Cochlearia officinalis, Atriplex hortensis, and Salicornia europaea) differing in their salt tolerance mechanisms and following four salt treatments (no salt to 600 mM of NaCl) in two light regimes (greenhouse/indoor farming). In particular, salt treatment had a strong influence on chloride accumulation which is only slightly modified by the light regime. Moreover, fresh and dry mass was influenced by the light regime and salinity. Pigments exhibited different responses to salt treatment and light regime, reflecting their differing functions in the photosynthetic apparatus. We conclude that the interaction of light regime and salt treatment modulates the content of photosynthetic pigments. Our study highlights the potential applications of the cultivation of halophytes for indoor farming and underlines that it is a promising production system, which provides food alternatives for future diets

Does Constitutive Expression of Defense-Related Genes and Salicylic Acid Concentrations Correlate with Field Resistance of Potato to Black Scurf Disease?

Black scurf disease on potato caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG3 occurs worldwide and is difficult to control. The use of potato cultivars resistant to black scurf disease could be part of an integrated control strategy. Currently, the degree of resistance is based on symptom assessment in the field, but molecular measures could provide a more efficient screening method. We hypothesized that the degree of field resistance to black scurf disease in potato cultivars is associated with defense-related gene expression levels and salicylic acid (SA) concentration. Cultivars with a moderate and severe appearance of disease symptoms on tubers were selected and cultivated in the same field. In addition, experiments were conducted under controlled conditions in an axenic in vitro culture and in a sand culture to analyze the constitutive expression of defense-related genes and SA concentration. The more resistant cultivars did not show significantly higher constitutive expression levels of defense-related genes. Moreover, the level of free SA was increased in the more resistant cultivars only in the roots of the plantlets grown in the sand culture. These results indicate that neither expression levels of defense-related genes nor the amount of SA in potato plants can be used as reliable predictors of the field resistance of potato genotypes to black scurf disease

Sulfate attack - Reaction mechanisms revealed by a multi proxy approach

The destructive effects of sulfate attack on concrete structures are well known, but the reaction paths and mechanisms that cause the deterioration are still under debate. The aim of this study is to contribute to a deeper understanding on investigating concrete damage by introducing a novel and promising multi proxy approach method. The methodology comprises advanced mineralogical and hydro-geochemical methods as well as stable isotope signals. Investigations were performed on various field case studies in Austria, where the locally occurring ground water was classified as slightly aggressive to concrete, in accordance to DIN EN 206-1. Nevertheless intense concrete damage related to sulfate attack was found. Severely damaged mushy concrete consisted mainly of thaumasite, secondary calcite, gypsum and relicts of aggregate. The expressed interstitial solutions from such material were extremely enriched in SO4 (up to >30000 mg L-1). Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope were applied successfully and demonstrated that the degree of evaporation provoked enrichments in SO4 and other dissolved, potentially harmful ions such as Cl. Furthermore, the enormous accumulation of incompatible trace elements (e.g. Rb and Li) clearly indicated that numerous wetting and drying cycles had occurred. Such a highly dynamic system is known to induce severe destructive effects on concrete. In this study we demonstrate that the application of a multi proxy approach can provide a better understanding of the complexity of reaction mechanisms involving sulfate attack on concrete structures. More detailed knowledge on the individual reactions that promote concrete damage in field structures will help to find specific counter measures for already affected buildings and to develop tailored concrete recipes, applications and constructive measures for future projects

Effect of Narrowband UV-B Irradiation on the Growth Performance of House Crickets

Indoor co-cultivation systems can answer to the need for sustainable and resilient food production systems. Rearing organisms under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) irradiation provides the possibility to control and shape the emitted light spectra. UV-B-irradiation (280–315 nm) can positively affect the nutritional composition of different plants and other organisms, whereas information on edible insects is scarce. To evaluate the potential effect of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and LED-emitting LEDs on the rearing and nutritional quality of edible insects, house crickets (Acheta domesticus) were reared from the age of 21 days under controlled LED spectra, with an additional UV-B (0.08 W/m2) dose of 1.15 KJm2 d−1 (illuminated over a period for 4 h per day) for 34 days. UV-B exposure showed no harm to the weight of the crickets and significantly increased their survival by ca. 10% under narrowband UV-B treatment. The nutritional composition including proteins, fat and chitin contents of the insects was not affected by the UV-B light and reached values of 60.03 ± 10.41, 22.38 ± 2.12 and 9.33 ± 1.21%, respectively, under the LED irradiation. Therefore, house crickets can grow under LED irradiation with a positive effect of narrowband UV-B application on their survival

Synthesis of Zeolites from Fine-Grained Perlite and Their Application as Sorbents

The hydrothermal alteration of perlite into zeolites was studied using a two-step approach. Firstly, perlite powder was transformed into Na-P1 (GIS) or hydro(xy)sodalite (SOD) zeolites at 100 °C and 24 h using 2 or 5 M NaOH solutions. Secondly, the Si:Al molar ratio of the reacted Si-rich solution was adjusted to 1 by Na-aluminate addition to produce zeolite A (LTA) at 65 or 95 °C and 6 or 24 h at an efficiency of 90 ± 9% for Al and 93 ± 6% for Si conversion. The performance of these zeolites for metal ion removal and water softening applications was assessed by sorption experiments using an artificial waste solution containing 4 mmol/L of metal ions (Me(2+): Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+) and Zn(2+)) and local tap water (2.1 mmol/L Ca(2+) and 0.6 mmol/L Mg(2+)) at 25 °C. The removal capacity of the LTA-zeolite ranged from 2.69 to 2.86 mmol/g for Me(2+) (=240–275 mg/g), which is similar to commercial zeolite A (2.73 mmol/g) and GIS-zeolite (2.69 mmol/g), and significantly higher compared to the perlite powder (0.56 mmol/g) and SOD-zeolite (0.88 mmol/g). The best-performing LTA-zeolite removed 99.8% Ca(2+) and 93.4% Mg(2+) from tap water. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the LTA-zeolites from perlite for water treatment and softening applications

Gene Expression and Metabolite Profiling of Thirteen Nigerian Cassava Landraces to Elucidate Starch and Carotenoid Composition

The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates effective approaches to improve provitamin A content of major staple crops. Cassava holds much promise for food security in sub-Saharan Africa, but a negative correlation between beta-carotene, a provitamin A carotenoid, and dry matter content has been reported, which poses a challenge to cassava biofortification by conventional breeding. To identify suitable material for genetic transformation in tissue culture with the overall aim to increase beta-carotene and maintain starch content as well as better understand carotenoid composition, root and leaf tissues from thirteen field-grown cassava landraces were analyzed for agronomic traits, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and starch content. The expression of five genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis were determined in selected landraces. Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between starch and beta-carotene content, whereas there was a strong positive correlation between root yield and many carotenoids including beta-carotene. Carotenoid synthesis genes were expressed in both white and yellow cassava roots, but phytoene synthase 2 (PSY2), lycopene-epsilon-cyclase (LCY epsilon), and beta-carotenoid hydroxylase (CHY beta) expression were generally higher in yellow roots. This study identified lines with reasonably high content of starch and beta-carotene that could be candidates for biofortification by further breeding or plant biotechnological means