Endophytic fungi are excellent sources of new natural bioactive products with potential for exploitation in medical, agricultural, and industrial fields. Beneficial effects of endophytes are not only limited to promoting plant growth, but also to react as plant protection agents against phytopathogenic microorganisms and plant pests. The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Porcine enteric coronaviruses include some of the most relevant viral pathogens to the swine industry such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) or porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) as well as several recently identified virus such as swine enteric coronavirus (SeCoV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) or swine enteric alphacoronavirus (SeACoV). The aim of this study is the identification

Mammary tumors are the most prevalent neoplasms in non-neutered female dogs, with genetic and epigenetic alterations contributing to canine mammary carcinogenesis. This study quantified global DNA methylation in 5-methylcytosine (5mC)-immunostained canine mammary tumor samples and established histopathological and clinical correlations. A total of 91 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mammary tumor samples

Sepsis is currently defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis may occur secondary to infection anywhere in the body, and its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully understood. Variations in the host immune response result in diverse clinical manifestations, which complicates clinical recognition and fluid therapy both in humans and

Despite being of debatable efficacy, alternative medicines are in regular use on both organic and conventional dairy farms as part of a strategy for limiting the on-farm use of antibiotics. The study presented here examined French dairy farmers' understanding of and experiences with these medicines, focusing on homeopathy, aromatherapy and phytotherapy. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach combining

Sperm cryopreservation is a powerful tool for the livestock breeding program. Several technical attempts have been made to enhance the efficiency of spermatozoa cryopreservation in different farm animal species. However, it is well-recognized that mammalian spermatozoa are susceptible to cryo-injury caused by cryopreservation processes. Moreover, the factors leading to cryo-injuries are complicated

Intensive farming systems represent a stressful environment for pigs and negatively influence neuroendocrine functions, behavior, and performance. Outdoor farming is an alternative option, which is thought to imply several beneficial effects for the animal. Dietary essential oils are known to be an innovative strategy to improve pig health and performance, and oregano essential oil (ORE) possesses

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), caused by FMD virus (FMDV), is a highly contagious and economically devastating viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals worldwide. In this study, the coexpression of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)–fused capsid proteins of FMDV serotype O by single plasmid in Escherichia coli was achieved with an optimal tandem permutation (VP0–VP3–VP1), showing a protein yield close

Rhodococcus equi is an animal pathogen and zoonotic human opportunistic pathogen associated with immunosuppressive conditions. The pathogenicity of R. equi is linked to three animal host-associated virulence plasmids encoding a family of “Virulence Associated Proteins” (VAPs). Here, the PCR-based TRAVAP molecular typing system for the R. equi virulence plasmids was applied to 26 R. equi strains isolated

The mode of battery replacement will become the main means of urban public transport energy supply, which will have a significant impact on the energy cost of public transport companies and the stability of the power system. Therefore, this paper proposes a charging and discharging optimization model for electric buses to participate in the carbon trading market and the peak shaving auxiliary service

Private businesses and policymakers are accelerating the deployment and advancement of smart grid technology innovations that can support smart energy systems. Technological advances such as the Internet of Things (IoT) provide a broad range of energy sector applications, such as transmission and distribution, energy supply, power generation, renewable energy integration, load demand management, etc

Besides being the main consumer of energy, buildings can be smart energy hubs offering demand side flexibility for the grid. The main loads in buildings are heating and cooling and they have the advantage to be flexible if controlled in a smart way. There are plenty of ways in which controllers can act for increasing the demand side energy flexibility of buildings and different approaches in quantifying

The transpiration of trees is an important factor in the surface energy balance and the hydrosphere-atmosphere-biosphere water vapor cycle. It is also the main cause of a tree’s ecological effects, such as cooling and humidification. A major challenge is to establish a model that can accurately predict the transpiration rate of urban trees at different time scales. To address this challenge, field

The phenomenon of urban shrinkage occurs not only in large and medium cities, but also in small towns. Small town shrinkage comprises the core element of China’s urban shrinkage, and is affected by both regional and local factors. However, this shrinkage phenomenon has not yet attracted extensive academic attention. Therefore, we studied small towns in Northeast China in order to identify the patterns

The smart city, as a new urbanization mode, provides a practicable initiative for achieving the win-win situation of economic development and environmental protection. This paper examines the influence of smart city construction on urban green total factor productivity (GTFP), explores the influence mechanism and further investigates the heterogeneous influence among the factors of urban scale, human

Severe land surface temperature (LST) significantly impacts residents' thermal discomfort and can be life-threatening during warm seasons. Therefore, it is essential to identify the inequalities in LST exposure, i.e. the socioeconomic groups who are over- or underexposed to LST. There is a knowledge gap in the literature: there is no previous study which differentiates between national-scale inequalities

In the last decades, processed animal proteins, such as poultry by-product meal (PBM) and insect meals have received great attention as sustainable and nutritious aquafeed ingredients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate growth performances, liver and gut histology, macromolecular composition and inflammatory response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed diets deprived of fish meal,

Development of molecular markers for growth trait in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is of importance to the aquaculture industry in the Mekong river delta. This study aims to analyze the genetic variation and the effects of the Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) genes on growth traits in striped catfish. We sequenced fragments of IGF1

The nursery stages of mussel aquaculture are highly inefficient with most juvenile mussels being lost within the first few months after seeding, although the precise timing of losses is largely unknown. One possibility is that many juveniles are lost at seeding because they are either impaired or killed by the process of transporting juveniles from collection sites to coastal nursery farms, or because

The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is one of the most important aquaculture species in the world, while its industry has been hampered by mass summer mortality caused by pathogenic factors including Vibrio bacteria. Selective breeding of oyster strains with high resistance to Vibrio bacteria would be an effective and sustainable approach to prevent massive economic loss. Estimation of genetic parameters

This study addresses the problem of determining optimal design of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) systems for detecting and localizing whale calls in real-time in variable-noise environments. The performance of various PAM system is assessed using the detection theory and simulation modeling applied to the context of North Atlantic right whale (NARW) upcalls in feeding grounds and noisy shipping

Improving the interfacial dynamics and tribological behavior of high-speed braking systems are important for train safety. The effects of different damping components on the interfacial dynamic response and tribological properties of a braking system are presented in this study. Firstly, four kinds of damping components made of fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Mn-Cu alloy and Mn-Cu damping

In this paper, completely noncontact and nondestructive testing and imaging of internal defects in thick metal with a modified combination of laser ultrasonic testing (LUT) and the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) is studied. Strong ultrasonic plane wave generated by a high-power and unfocused laser source irradiate on a sample surface with a constraint and transparent layer is proposed

This study aims to determine the influence of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on performance, clinical and pathological pictures, virulence gene expression, and electron microscopy of experimentally induced E. coli infection (colisepticaemia) in broiler chickens. One day-old chickens (n=120) distributed into 4 equal groups (1-4) with 3 replicates of 10 each were used. Birds fed mash diet for 3 phases:

ABSTRACT Animals play a large role in society, yet attitudes about animals vary widely depending on individual differences in age, gender, experience with animals, and culture. The purpose of this study was to examine which factors, particularly geographic location, may influence college students’ overall attitudes toward animal use. College students (n = 297), age ranged from 18–54 years (M = 19.88

The wild camel (Camelus ferus) is a critically endangered species found in extremely arid environments of Central Asia. The wild camel population and its distribution areas have decreased significantly since the middle of the 19th century. The species is now restricted to four isolated habitats in China and Mongolia, and more than 20 years have passed since the most recent surveys of its status and

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are useful for extracting chemical compounds due to their properties, such as surface area and the potential for chemical modification. Especially the formation of CNTs with carboxylic acid functional group makes them disperse in water-based samples and have strong interaction forces with cationizable analytes. Based on these features, carboxylic acid functionalized

Urbanization is increasingly compromising residents’ connection to natural habitats and landscapes. With established relationships between human–nature connection (HNC) and pro-environmental behaviour and human well being, there are calls for effective interventions to strengthen HNC in urban settings. However, much of this research has operationalised HNC in narrow psychological terms. Based on an

As shown in our previous study, Kwoniella heveanensis DMKU-CE82, a volatile organic compound (VOC)-producing yeast, demonstrated promising antagonistic activity against aflatoxin-producing strain of Aspergillus flavus. This yeast’s volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could reduce Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in corn grains. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of temperatures and relative humidity on

The marketability and adoption of robotic systems in agriculture is largely limited by economic and technology barriers that prevent highly efficient autonomous operations at a cost that justifies the generally low commodity values. From the technology perspective, autonomous systems exhibit brittleness in uncontrolled, unforeseen, and unlearned situations, prevalent in complex agricultural environments

Recognizing the potential interactions and synergies between adaptation and mitigation in land-use policies in general and forest policies in particular, research on climate change policy has increasingly focused on integrating both objectives simultaneously (hereafter “interaction model”). However, while support exists for the integration of adaptation and mitigation, very few policies have successfully

Completeness in land registration and efficiency in land-information services have emerged as global prerequisites to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) and ease of doing business (EoDB). Land registration is a national priority for Indonesia, which aims to complete the process for all unregistered land parcels in the country and validate the quality of previously registered and certified

Railroad switch machines are essential electromechanical equipment in a railway network, and the occurrence of failures in such equipment can cause railroad interruptions and lead to potential economic losses. Thus, early diagnosis of these failures can represent a reduction in costs and an increase in productivity. This paper aims to propose a predictive model based on computational intelligence techniques

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) have been described as precursors of gametes and provide a connection within generations, passing on the genome to the next generation. Failures in the formation of gametes/germ cells can compromise the maintenance and conservation of species. Most of the studies with PGCs have been carried out in mice, but this species is not always the best study model when transposing

Genomics comprises a set of current and valuable technologies implemented as selection tools in dairy cattle commercial breeding programs. The intensive progeny testing for production and reproductive traits based on genomic breeding values (GEBVs) has been crucial to increasing dairy cattle productivity. The knowledge of key genes and haplotypes, including their regulation mechanisms, as markers for

Wilson’s Disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in humans, often presenting with hepatic copper overload. Finding the genetic cause of a rare disease, especially if it is related to food constituents like the trace element copper, is a Herculean task. This review describes examples of how the unique population structure of in-bred dog strains led to the discovery of a novel gene and two modifier

Turtles are suspected to be involved in the epidemiology of Leptospira; however, data about the dissemination of this zoonotic pathogen among chelonians are scant. In the present study, the serum samples collected from 49 Trachemys scripta elegans living in a natural park of northern Italy were tested by a microagglutination test to measure detectable antibodies against different Leptospira serovars

The onset of COVID has impacted the field of veterinary medicine and the lives of cat guardians in numerous ways, yet the subject remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to better understand cat guardians’ fears and concerns pertaining to veterinary care and obtainment of pet care products and food during the initial lock down phase of the COVID pandemic to better address these concerns

Background: The use of wheat and flaxseed to produce omega-3 (ω-3) enriched poultry meat and eggs is very popular in the world. However, wheat and flaxseed contain some anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), and enzymes are usually used to alleviate the deleterious influence of ANFs. Method: A 2 × 3 two factors design was used in the experiment. A total of 540 twenty-week-old Nongda-3 laying hens were randomly

This study provides data on the environmental sustainability, economic profitability, and gastrointestinal tract development of Siberian sturgeon diets containing black soldier fly full-fat larvae meal (BSFL) for a fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) replacement. BSFL was used at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of the diet, replacing by up to 61.3% of FM and 95.4% of FO. BSFL positively affected the feed

Understanding the factors that result in people becoming dog owners is key to developing messaging around responsible acquisition and providing appropriate support for prospective owners to ensure a strong dog–owner bond and optimise dog welfare. This qualitative study investigated factors that influence pet dog acquisition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 142 sets of dog owners/caretakers

Triclosan is a chlorinated phenolic, used in many personal and home care products for its powerful antimicrobial effect. Several studies have shown triclosan toxicity and the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 has limited its use. It has been recently included in endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a list of chemicals known for their ability to interfere with hormonal signaling

There is a growing demand by the modern consumer for meat containing less fat and lower levels of saturated fatty acids, which are considered to increase the risk of coronary heart disease. In southern Italy, the Gentile di Puglia breed is one of the most common on farms, and the light lambs are often consumed. The study evaluates the effect of a diet containing extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum)

The complex including entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their mutualistic partner, i.e., Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus bacteria, respectively possesses many attributes of ideal biological control agents against numerous insect pests as a third partner. Despite authenic opportunities for their practical use as biocontrol agents globally, they are challenged

Blackleg and tuber soft rot are among the most important potato diseases caused by the bacteria belonging to the genera Pectobacterium. This pathogen causes significant economic losses each year. The antagonistic activity of different bacterial cultures against this pathogen was studied. Six hundred eight bacterial cultures isolated from potato tubers and rhizosphere soils procured from different locations

Insecticidal proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) marks the genetically modified cotton crop that was commercialized in India in March 2002 for the control of lepidopteron bollworms. Despite organized initial control, the pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), adapted itself to cry toxins resulted in field control failures in 2016 and 2017. The present study was designed

Ammonia (NH3) is the major source of N loss related to laying hen facilities. Previous studies are often based on continuous monitoring of NH3 concentration and ventilation rate in the facilities during long periods. The objectives of this study were (i) to relate climate and production management parameters to model NH3 emission, (ii) to check the accuracy of the proposed model and (iii) to evaluate

Pseudoscorpions are microarthropods that are distributed from the equator to beyond the Arctic circle. Wyochernes asiaticus (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) is the northernmost species of pseudoscorpion and is broadly distributed in Beringia, an Arctic and sub-Arctic region that remained unglaciated during the last glacial maximum. Wyochernes asiaticus is anoxia tolerant and has moderate

Spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a destructive defoliator found throughout the Nearctic boreal forest. This pest has a broad geographic range and shows regional variation in key life history traits. These population differences may represent important adaptations to local environmental conditions and reflect underlying genetic diversity. Existing laboratory

The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a significant destructive force in the pine forests of western Canada and has the capacity to spread east into a novel host tree species, jack pine (Pinaceae). New populations have been documented in central Alberta, Canada, but the source populations for these outbreaks have yet to be identified. In this study

Bovine endometrial stromal cells (bESCs) are exposed to a complex environment of bacteria and viruses due to the rupture of epithelial cells after delivery. Inflammatory responses are elicited by the activation of host pattern recognition receptors through pathogen-related molecules such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the cell membrane. Forsythoside A (FTA) is a major active constituent of Forsythia

Semidomesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus, n = 21) were scheduled twice for chemical immobilization with medetomidine–ketamine as part of a scientific experiment in June 2014. During the first round of immobilizations, seven animals developed severe respiratory depression (RD). Three individuals died, and 4 recovered. The ambient temperature during the 2 days of immobilization

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the world. The objectives of this study were to assess alfalfa yield improvement in the Canadian prairies, and determine critical climatic factors influencing alfalfa yield in different soil zones. Forage yield data of alfalfa cultivars tested from 1997 to 2011 in the Western Forage Variety Testing System were used for the analysis

Due to rapid urbanization, Indian cities have faced serious environmental problems, including pollution, loss of urban green space, increasing heat island phenomena, and destruction of the urban ecosystem, over the past few decades. Urban ecological security (UES) measures the degree of urbanization pressure and level of ecological sensitivity. Currently, urban ecological security assessment (UESA)

It is well established that low-income and communities of color often receive delayed disaster recovery while disproportionately impacted from disasters. Governments have more recently employed equity principles into their policies and frameworks to improve resiliency of such communities to disasters. However, although many city agencies have an overlying goal to advance racial equity, the reality

Since December 2019, the world has witnessed the stringent effect of an unprecedented global pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of January 29,2021, there have been 100,819,363 confirmed cases and 2,176,159 deaths reported. Among the countries affected severely by COVID-19, the United States tops the list. Research