Search results for "RICU"
showing 10 items of 9347 documents
Are alternative food networks winning strategies to increase organic SMEs profitability? Evidence from a case study
2020
The aim of this study was to understand how and how much alternative food networks (AFNs) contribute to increasing the profitability of the organic SMEs, compared to traditional organic sales channels. For this purpose, an economic analysis and an in-depth interview were carried out in a case study located in the Sicilian northern coast. Findings showed a clear convenience of the participation to alternative food networks compared to the case in which all farm production was conferred to traditional sales channels, highlighting an increase both of farm profit (+76.9%) and net income (+72.1%). However, the in-depth interview revealed that AFNs are a mean, not only to have economic benefits, …
Role of lignin and sodium carbonate on the swelling behavior of black liquor droplets during combustion
2018
AbstractA partial removal of lignin from black liquor (BL) by carbonation and lignin precipitation was studied. In lignin-lean BL droplets during combustion in a laboratory furnace at 800°C in stagnant air, the maximum swelling was decreased. This observation was interpreted as showing that the lignin content decrement is due mainly to removal of higher molar mass (HMM) lignin and that the Na2CO3content of the BL is increased. Stepwise precipitation experiments with industrial softwood and hardwood kraft BLs by carbonation (resulting in pH decrement from 13 to 9) indicated that a fraction of HMM lignin (MM >10 kDa) with a higher amount of carbohydrates precipitated more prominently and e…
Designation of lectotypes for the Mexican species of Andricus described by Alfred Kinsey and comments about some generic synonymies (Hymenoptera: Cyn…
2017
Abstract The Kinsey collection of gall wasps deposited in the American Museum of Natural History was studied. Some species of the genus Andricus were originally described based on cotypes: A. furnaceus, A. incomptum, A. marmoreus, A. peredurus, and A. tecturnarum. The type series of A. furnaceus and A. peredurus were previously studied and lectotypes were designated. Lectotypes are here designated for A. incomptum, A. marmoreus, and A. tecturnarum. Comments on the type series and photographs of the lectotypes and galls of these species are included. Also some generic synonymies and some other Andricus species are discussed.
Priming: getting ready for battle
2006
International audience; Infection of plants by necrotizing pathogens or colonization of plant roots with certain beneficial microbes causes the induction of a unique physiological state called “priming.” The primed state can also be induced by treatment of plants with various natural and synthetic compounds. Primed plants display either faster, stronger, or both activation of the various cellular defense responses that are induced following attack by either pathogens or insects or in response to abiotic stress. Although the phenomenon has been known for decades, most progress in our understanding of priming has been made over the past few years. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of p…
Composition, Antifungal, Phytotoxic, and Insecticidal Activities of Thymus kotschyanus Essential Oil
2020
Essential oils (EOs) are some of the outstanding compounds found in Thymus that can exert antifungal, phytotoxic, and insecticidal activities, which encourage their exploration and potential use for agricultural and food purposes. The essential oils (EO) obtained from Thymus kotschyanus collected in the East Azerbaijan Province (Iran) were characterized using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Thymol was the most important compound (60.48%), although 35 other active compounds were identified in the EO. Significant amounts of carvacrol (3.08%), p-cymene (5.56%), and &gamma
Insecticide residues in cotton soils of Burkina Faso and effects of insecticides on fluctuating asymmetry in honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus).
2011
8 pages; International audience; Four insecticides (acetamiprid, cypermethrin, endosulfan and profenofos) are used quarterly in the cotton-growing areas of Burkina Faso, West Africa. These insecticides were investigated in soils collected from traditionally cultivated and new cotton areas. Also, the effects of insecticide exposure on the developmental instability of honey bees, Apis mellifera, were explored. In soil samples collected three months after insecticide treatments, endosulfan and profenofos concentrations varied in the range of 10-30μgkg(-1) in the traditionally cultivated zones and 10-80μgkg(-1) in the new cotton zones, indicating a pollution of agricultural lands. However, only…
Stress for invasion success? Temperature stress of preceding generations modifies the response to insecticide stress in an invasive pest insect
2012
Adaptation to stressful environments is one important factor influencing species invasion success. Tolerance to one stress may be complicated by exposure to other stressors experienced by the preceding generations. We studied whether parental temperature stress affects tolerance to insecticide in the invasive Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Field-collected pyrethroid-resistant beetles were reared under either stressful (17°C) or favourable (23°C) insecticide-free environments for three generations. Then, larvae were exposed to pyrethroid insecticides in common garden conditions (23°C). Beetles were in general tolerant to stress. The parental temperature stress alone affect…
Characterizing the effects of salt stress in Calendula officinalis L
2017
In this study the effects of salt stress on growth and several stress markers were investigated in the ornamental and medicinal plant Calendula officinalis. One month old plants were submitted to increasing concentrations of salt up to 150mM NaCl for a period of 30 days. Salinity affected growth in terms of stem length and fresh weight of the plants, but water content remained unchanged indicating a certain tolerance to low and mild concentrations of salt. Although Na+ and Cl− increased in parallel to applied salt treatments, the levels of K+ and Ca2+ showed no significant change, while Mg2+ levels recorded a two folds increase upon the application of the highest salt concentration. Other m…
A bark beetle infestation predictive model based on satellite data in the frame of decision support system TANABBO
2020
The European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus L. causes significant economic losses in managed coniferous forests in Central and Northern Europe. New infestations either occur in previously undisturbed forest stands (i.e., spot initiation) or depend on proximity to previous years’ infestations (i.e., spot spreading). Early identification of newly infested trees over the forested landscape limits the effective control measures. Accurate forecasting of the spread of bark beetle infestation is crucial to plan efficient sanitation felling of infested trees and prevent further propagation of beetle-induced tree mortality. We created a predictive model of subsequent year spot initiation and spo…
Halloysite nanotubes as a carrier of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) bioactives
2020
Abstract Cornelian cherry fruit extract rich in anthocyanins and iridoids was encapsulated in the halloysite nanotubes in order to obtain a stable nanoscale system for better delivery and prolonged release of bioactive constituents. The cyclic vacuum technique was used for halloysite nanotubes-cornelian cherry composite preparation and the loading of 8.5 wt% was achieved. Pure cornelian cherry extract exhibited antiproliferative effect on HT-29, MCF7, and MRC-5 cells, pristine halloysite nanotubes affected the growth of MCF7 cells, while halloysite nanotubes-cornelian cherry composites demonstrated proliferative activity in all tested cells. The sustained release of anthocyanins was achieve…