Evaluation of the protection against norovirus afforded by E. coli monitoring of shellfish production areas under EU regulations

EC Regulation 854/2004 requires the classification of bivalve mollusc harvesting areas according to the faecal pollution status of sites. It has been reported that determination of Escherichia coli in bivalve shellfish is a poor predictor of norovirus (NoV) contamination in individual samples. We explore the correlation of shellfish E. coli data with norovirus presence using data from studies across 88 UK sites (1,184 paired samples). We investigate whether current E. coli legislative standards could be refined to reduce NoV infection risk. A significant relationship between E. coli and NoV was found in the winter months (October to February) using data from sites with at least 10 data pairs (51 sites). We found that the ratio of arithmetic means (log10 E. coli to log10 NoV) at these sites ranged from 0.6 to 1.4. The lower ratios (towards 0.6) might typically indicate situations where the contribution from UV disinfected sewage discharges was more significant. Conversely, higher ratios (towards 1.4) might indicate a prevalence of animal sources of pollution; however, this relationship did not always hold true and so further work is required to fully elucidate the factors of relevance. Reducing the current class B maximum (allowed in 10% of samples) from 46,000 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 75750±103) to 18,000 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 29365±69) reduces maximum levels of NoV by a factor of 2.6 to 1; reducing the upper class B limit to 100% compliance with 4,600 E. coli per 100 g (corresponding NoV value of 7403±39) reduces maximum levels of NoV by a factor of 10.2 to 1. We found using the UK filtered winter dataset that a maximum of 200 NoV corresponded to a maximum of 128±7 E. coli per 100 g. A maximum of 1,000 NoV corresponded to a maximum of 631±14 E. coli per 100 g

Active Brownian Particles. From Individual to Collective Stochastic Dynamics

We review theoretical models of individual motility as well as collective dynamics and pattern formation of active particles. We focus on simple models of active dynamics with a particular emphasis on nonlinear and stochastic dynamics of such self-propelled entities in the framework of statistical mechanics. Examples of such active units in complex physico-chemical and biological systems are chemically powered nano-rods, localized patterns in reaction-diffusion system, motile cells or macroscopic animals. Based on the description of individual motion of point-like active particles by stochastic differential equations, we discuss different velocity-dependent friction functions, the impact of various types of fluctuations and calculate characteristic observables such as stationary velocity distributions or diffusion coefficients. Finally, we consider not only the free and confined individual active dynamics but also different types of interaction between active particles. The resulting collective dynamical behavior of large assemblies and aggregates of active units is discussed and an overview over some recent results on spatiotemporal pattern formation in such systems is given.Comment: 161 pages, Review, Eur Phys J Special-Topics, accepte

Efeito do silício na preferência para oviposição de Bemisia tabaci biótipo B (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em plantas de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

O biótipo B de Bemisia tabaci destaca-se entre as pragas principais do feijoeiro. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a indução de resistência à mosca-branca pela aplicação de silício em feijoeiro. Foram testados 4 tratamentos, em esquema fatorial 2 (cultivares Carioca e Valente) x 2 (com e sem aplicação de silício) e 6 repetições. Dez dias após a emergência das plântulas, foram aplicados 500 ml de solução de ácido silícico a 1% no solo, na dosagem equivalente a 2 t SiO2/ha. Dez dias após a aplicação do silício, as plantas foram infestadas com adultos não sexados de mosca-branca em sala climatizada, sendo 100 moscas-brancas/vaso. Para o teste sem chance de escolha, o mesmo procedimento foi utilizado, com cada vaso coberto por gaiolas de tecido organza. Anteriormente à infestação, uma planta de cada vaso foi retirada, seca em estufa até peso constante para avaliação do teor de fenóis. Após 48 horas de infestação, os adultos liberados foram removidos das plantas para avaliação do número de ovos. Para isso, foi escolhida uma folha de uma planta/vaso, selecionando-se a terceira folha apical inteiramente desenvolvida. Após quinze dias, foi avaliado o número de ninfas de 3° e/ou 4° ínstar. Não houve resposta entre cultivares de feijoeiro à aplicação de silício. Foi observado menor número de ovos e menor número de ninfas nas plantas tratadas com silício no teste com chance de escolha. No teste sem chance de escolha, a aplicação de silício não afetou a oviposição da mosca-branca e o desenvolvimento das ninfas, bem como o teor de fenóis.The biotype B of Bemisia tabaci stands out among the main pests of the bean plant. The objective of this work was to evaluate the resistance induction to the whitefly by silicon application in bean plant. The experimental design was completely ranlomized with 4 treatments, in a 2 (cultivar Carioca and Brave) x 2 (with and without silicon application) factorial outline and 6 repiicates. Ten days after the emergence of the seedlings, 500 ml of 1% silicic acid solution was applied in the soil, at a dosage equivalent to 2 t SiO2/ha. Ten days after the silicon application, the plants were infested with non-sexed whitefly adults in an acclimatized room, wiht 100 whiteflys/vase. For the non-choice test, the same procedure was used, with each vase covered by cages of organza cloth. Previously to the infestation, a plant of each vase was removed, oven-dried to constant weight for the evaluation of phenol levels. After 48 hours of infestation, the liberated adults were removed from the plants for evaluation of the number of eggs. For that, a leaf of a plant/vase was chosen, selecting the third completely developed apical leaf. After fifteen days, the number of nymphs of 3rd and/or 4th instar were evaluated. There was no response among cultivars of common bean to silicon application. A lower number of eggs and lower number of nymphs were observed in the plants treated with silicon in the test with chance choice. In the no-choice test the silicon application did not affect the oviposition of the whitefly and the nymph development, as well as the phenol levels

Physiological quality of soybean and wheat seeds produced with alternative potassium sources

O uso de fontes não convencionais para fornecimento de K às plantas tem sido amplamente estudado, mas os efeitos de materiais alternativos na qualidade fisiológica das sementes não são conhecidos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja e trigo em função da aplicação fontes de potássio em uma sucessão de culturas. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de três fontes de K (KCl, rocha alcalina e fonolito moído, com 58%, 11% e 8.42% de K2O, respectivamente) aplicados em quatro doses (0, 25, 50 e 100 kg K2O ha-1). As doses de potássio foram aplicadas na soja e seu efeito residual foi avaliado na cultura do trigo, cultivado em sucessão. Logo após a colheita, as sementes de soja e trigo foram avaliadas pelos testes de teor de água, massa de sementes, germinação, primeira contagem, condutividade elétrica, comprimento de plântulas e massa da matéria seca de plântulas. Plantas de soja adubadas com fontes alternativas para fornecimento de K produzem sementes com maior massa e menor permeabilidade de membranas comparado às com KCl; maior qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja e massa de sementes de trigo são obtidas com maiores doses de K2O independente da fonte.The use of unconventional sources of K for plants has been widely studied, but the effects of alternative materials on physiological seed quality are still relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean and wheat seeds after using different potassium sources in a crop succession. The experimental design was a completely randomized block with four replications. Treatments consisted of three K sources (KCl, alkaline rock and ground phonolite, with 58%, 11% and 8.42% of K2O, respectively) applied in four doses (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg K2O ha-1). Potassium doses were applied in soybean and their residual effects were evaluated on the following wheat crop. Soybean and wheat seeds were evaluated immediately after harvesting by tests for moisture content, seed weight, germination, first count, electrical conductivity, seedling length and seedling dry matter. Soybean plants fertilized with alternative sources of K produced heavier seeds with a lower coat permeability compared to KCl; the physiological quality of soybean seeds and the weight of wheat seeds increase due to higher K2O doses, independently of their source.UNESP FCA Department of Plant Production/AgricultureUNESP FCA Department of Plant Production/Agricultur