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• SIMDualKc computed the soil water balance of Zucchini squash irrigated with furrow and drip methods. • The model simulated soil water contents with RMSE ≤ 0.002 m3 m−3 and NSE from 0.166 to 0.732. • Calibrated basal K c for the initial, mid- and end-season varied from 0.18 to 0.22, 0.85 to 0.98, and 0.56 to 0.71. • Furrow irrigated plots presented substantial percolation losses and reduced yields. • Drip plots resulted in higher water productivity values and yields. The coastal area of the Syrian Akkar region is particularly suitable for intensive vegetable production, and Zucchini squash (Curcubita pepo L.) is one of the most profitable crops grown there. Local agricultural policies have been especially concerned at improving irrigation water management in the region by rationalizing water and nutrient use, modernizing irrigation methods, and minimizing the associated environmental risks. The objective of this study was to compute the soil water balance in Zucchini squash plots irrigated with furrow and drip methods using the SIMDualKc model during four growing seasons (2012–2015). The furrow plots (treatment T0) represented the traditional irrigation practices in the study area while the drip plots (treatments T1 and T2) followed alternative irrigation schemes. The SIMDualKc model was able to simulate soil water contents measured in the field plots, returning root mean square error values lower than 0.002 m3 m−3 and modelling efficiencies ranging from 0.166 to 0.732. The basal (non-stressed) crop coefficients (K cb) varied from 0.18 to 0.22, 0.85 to 0.98, and 0.56 to 0.71 during the initial, mid-season, and end-season stages, respectively, with the actual values (K cb act) often matching the potential ones. The evaporation coefficients (K e) varied according to irrigation schedules and methods during the early crop stages, but were minimized with full canopy development. Drip T1 presented always the highest water productivity (WP) indicators due to the higher frequency of irrigation events, with less water applied per event. In contrast, furrow T0 resulted in substantial percolation losses, which affected yields and WP. Hence, model results evidenced the benefits of precise irrigation for Zucchini squash production in the Syrian Akkar region, further enhancing the need for sustainable water management practices in local production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent report, we showed that it is possible to establish the culture of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells (HCEnCs) from older donor corneas (usually over 65 year olds) when left to attach in the presence of a viscoelastic solution, potentially increasing the donor pool for culturing HCEnCs. Therefore, we set out to evaluate the outcome of using a viscoelastic solution (Viscoat) to accelerate the attachment of passaged cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs). The cells from 28 donor tissues were isolated using peel-and-digest method and evenly seeded into two wells of an 8-well chamber slide. The cells were left to attach after topical application of Viscoat. At confluence, one well was subjected to end-stage characterization, whereas the other well was passaged into another two wells. The cells at P1 were attached with and without the use of Viscoat. The growth rate was monitored; and at confluence, morphometric analysis, corneal endothelial specific (CD166-Tag1A3 & PRDX6-Tag2A12), mitochondrial and respiration assessment (Tom-20 and Seahorse); function-associated (Na+/K+ATPase & ZO-1); proliferative (Ki-67) marker analysis, and viability (Hoechst, Ethidium Homodimer and Calcein AM-HEC) studies were performed. Cells at P0 (with Viscoat) showed 100% confluence at day 9. Cells at P1 with and without Viscoat showed significant difference of confluence 67.0% v 18.8% respectively (p < 0.05). Confluence rate, cell density, hexagonality, Ki-67 positivity and mitochondrial intensity was significantly higher (p < 0.05), whereas cell-area and polymorphism was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the cells attached with Viscoat compared with the cells attached without Viscoat. There was no significant difference in oxygen consumption rate between the groups. In conclusion, we observed that acceleration in the attachment of passaged HCEnCs with the assistance of Viscoat, could be beneficial for the propagation of HCEnCs isolated from older donors, to increase their propensity to proliferate, without loss of the expression of vital proteins and heterogeneity in cellular morphology. • Attachment of the Human Corneal Endothelial Cells (HCEnCs) can be accelerated using a viscoelastic (Viscoat) solution. • HCEnCs passaged with Viscoat helps in cellular attachment and proliferation. • Passaged HCEnCs with Viscoat maintain the expression of vital proteins and cellular morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]