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The study aimed to assess the impact of mixed silages of biomass sorghum and BRS Capiaçu with cactus pear on the fermentative profile and nutritional value. The silages included forage sorghum cv. Volumax, biomass sorghum cv. 'BRS 716,' BRS Capiaçu grass, a mix of 60% biomass sorghum 'BRS 716' with 40% Opuntia ficus indica Mill ('Gigante') cactus pear (based on fresh matter), and a mix of 60% BRS Capiaçu grass with 40% Opuntia ficus indica Mill ('Gigante') cactus pear (based on fresh matter). The experiment followed a randomized experimental design with five treatments and eight repetitions. The highest gas losses (P < 0.01) and lowest dry matter recovery (DMR; P < 0.01) were observed in the BRS Capiaçu grass and BRS Capiaçu grass with cactus pear silages. The lactic acid concentration in the biomass sorghum with cactus pear silage was 49.96% higher than in the Volumax sorghum silage . Volumax sorghum and 'BRS 716' biomass silages demonstrated higher DM contents (P < 0.01; mean 33.44%) compared to other silages. There was no significant difference (P = 0.24) among silages regarding the potentially degradable insoluble fraction of the DM, with a mean of 51.75%. The mixed silage of biomass sorghum with cactus pear exhibited lower losses and higher DMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the Kerr coefficients of isotropic and uniaxial nematic liquid crystals consisting of hard ellipsoid and hard prolate pear-shaped molecules were theoretically studied using classical density functional theory. A new analytical approximate expression for the direct correlation function of hard pear- shaped molecules is applied. Using the expansion coefficients of this direct correlation function, we calculated the structural parameters, compressibility factor, and excess free energy of the hard pear-shaped liquid crystals. In addition, using the restricted orientation model, one particle density of a confined hard pear- shaped liquid crystal is calculated. The limiting stabilities and estimated transition densities are in qualitative agreement with available data. The results confirm the validity of this approximate direct correlation function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts have been made to streamline the abstract as follows. If further changes are made we are concerned that the integrity of the content may be compromised. We hope you will understand. This study aimed to investigate the impact damage experienced by Pucheng crisp pears during various stages, including harvest, transportation, and processing. Drop impact tests were conducted on pears, considering drop height and collision contact material as factors influencing damage. The bruise area was used as an indicator for damage evaluation. Additionally, the pressure-sensitive film technique was employed to measure the contact stress distribution characteristics of Pucheng crisp pears after the drop impact. The relationship between contact stress distribution and damage area was examined, and the stress area range close to the damage area was determined. The results revealed that the damage area of pears increased linearly with the increasing drop height. Among the four contact materials, foam board exhibited the best cushioning properties, with a maximum safe drop height of 20 cm. The pressure distribution tended to follow a normal distribution, with a pressure range of 0.2-0.3 MPa covering the largest area, corresponding to the majority of the bruise area on the pears. Furthermore, the pressure area and average pressure were found to be related to the severity of bruising. When pears were dropped onto steel, rubber plate and corrugated board, for the former two the stress area exceeding 0.2 MPa closely approximated the damage area, with an average relative error of 7.2%. For the latter, the closest range was above 0.3 MPa, with an average relative error of 3.6%. However, when dropped onto foam board, the average relative error was 75%. This research provides valuable insights for designing packaging tools to minimize damage and serves as a theoretical basis for predicting and assessing pear bruise area using finite element analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study primarily analyzed the response of cold tolerance and phenology periods of four pear cultivars to climate differences in central (Gongzhuling) and eastern (Longjing) Jilin, which could provide a theoretical basis for the regional division and cultivation. It showed that there was a significant difference in the cold tolerance of the same cultivars between the two regions. Soluble sugar and soluble starch contents are the most important physiological indicators that determine the cold tolerance of the pear cultivars in Gongzhuling is stronger than that in Longjing. In phenology, only the cessation of terminal shoot extension and growing season length of pear cultivars were significantly related to their contents of soluble sugar and soluble starch. Furthermore, the gray correlation analysis identified the district's effective accumulated temperature as the key meteorological factors affecting the cessation of terminal shoot extension. The precipitation in the growing season was another major meteorological factor affecting the growing season length. Therefore, in this study, the influence of the main district meteorological factors on the key phenology periods of four pear cultivars, which decided the different accumulation of sugar and starch, eventually lead to the difference in cold tolerance of the same pear cultivar in two regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the impact of different blanching methods and blanching time on the quality of dried pear slices. Pears are only available seasonally, making the production of high-quality dried slices a valuable commodity. The pears were prepared and sliced before being blanched using three different methods: traditional blanching with hot water, blanching with steam, and microwave blanching for varying lengths of time. After blanching, the slices were cooled and then placed on filter papers to dry. The dried slices were then evaluated for chemical properties, such as sugars, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, Brix/acid ratio, ash content, and moisture content. Sensory properties such as color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability were also evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale. The data generated were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the significant differences between variables. The results showed that the blanching method used had a non-significant effect (p <.05) on the chemical properties of the pear slices, such as total sugars (reducing and non-reducing), total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, Brix/acid ratio, ash content, and moisture content. However, there was no significant effect on the sensory properties of color, texture, taste, and overall acceptability. In conclusion, blanching is an effective technique for preventing microbial growth and chemical and enzymatic reactions that can lead to the deterioration of dried pear slices. It also helps to remove moisture without adversely affecting the physicochemical and sensory quality attributes of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to have an understanding of the mechanical properties of crisp pears in order to assess their resistance to damage and investigate their compression patterns. Through tensile and compression tests, this study measured the elastic modulus, tensile strength, compressive strength and other parameters of Pucheng Crisp Pear, explored the effect of storage temperature on the mechanical properties of crisp pears, and developed a storage temperature-mechanical property prediction model. The results of the pear peel tensile test showed that both the tensile strength of the peel decreased with the increase of storage temperature, while the modulus of elasticity was decreased. There were no significant differences in the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the peel at the same storage temperature. The results of the flesh compression test also showed a decrease in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity with increasing storage temperature. Under the same storage condition, the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the pear flesh differed significantly in different directions. The correlation coefficients for tensile strength and modulus of elasticity in both the axial and radial directions for the peel and flesh of crisp pears were high, and provided accurate predictions for mechanical characteristics. These findings could be used to inform the development of mechanical equipment, post-harvest storage methods, and the reduction of mechanical damage in all working stages of crisp pears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although quince may be the finest source of dietary fiber, it has recently been recognized that eating a healthy diet has considerable health advantages. It has a long history of usage in traditional medicine and ethnobotany and is native to the Mediterranean area and Central Asia. Its fruit has hard, bitter, and astringency of the flesh therefore its use are rare. Heat treatment affects the organoleptic and therapeutic properties. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antihemolytic, aphrodisiac, antiallergic, and anti-diabetic properties of C. oblonga flour are well documented. It is a reliable and reasonably priced natural metabolites with unique biological characteristics. The metabolic characteristics and biological ability of this species have been extensively studied. Particularly, quince leaves show promise as a natural supplier of biologically active phytonutrients and are appropriate for use in the food and drug industries. It is primarily produced for fruits and acts as a pear root. The present review highlights the chemical and biological properties of quince fruit flour in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GRAS protein family encodes a family of plant-specific transcription factors that have diverse and significant functions in regulating plant development and anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our study represents the comprehensive identification and comparison of GRAS protein family genes in the Rosaceae. Here, 535 GRAS genes were screened from eight Rosaceae species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that whole-genome duplication (WGD) events and dispersed duplication events were the major mechanisms promoting the expansion of the GRAS protein family in these Rosaceae species. Furthermore, selection pressure caused by different duplication events indicates that GRAS genes were mainly under purifying selection during the evolution process, suggesting that strong functional restriction affected the evolution of GRAS genes. Analysis of gene expression patterns and qRT-PCR assays showed that GRAS genes were widely participating in the development of pear and that expression could be tissue-specific. In particular, further analysis indicated that Pbr010864.1 and Pbr024549.1 might be two important candidate genes during anthocyanin biosynthesis in pear. Our study is the first to perform a comprehensive analysis of the GRAS genes in pear and other Rosaceae species. These results presented here provide profitable information for understanding the process of the GRAS genes evolution and the possible improvement of pear fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control is an alternative strategy to control Cacopsylla bidens. The aim of this study was to untanglethe trophic network involving C. bidens as prey. Molecular techniques along with predator activity surveys were employed to evaluate predation on psylla. Feeding on C. bidens was detected for five predators: Chrysoperla externa, Chrysopidae sp., Hemerobiidae sp., Harmonia axyridis and Cycloneda sanguinea. All these predators begin to feed earlier in the season, apart from C. externawhich fedds from the third psylla generation. These results will allow the development of strategies to increase the presence of these predators in the orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dieback and canker disease caused by species of Botryosphaeriales affect the productivity of pome fruit orchards. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of fungicides and biofungicide for controlling canker and dieback diseases in apple and pear using in vitro and field trials. Isolates of Diplodia seriata, D. mutila, and Dothiorella omnivora from apple, and of D. seriata and Aplosporella aquifolii from pear were used. Cercobin® (thiophanate-methyl), followed by Bellis® (pyraclostrobin + boscalid), and Nativo® (tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin) inhibited mycelial growth, conidial germination and pycnidia formation in vitro in all fungal isolates. T. harzianum produced mycelial growth inhibition and mycoparasitism in dual culture assays. Thiophanate-methyl and T. harzianum fully inhibited pycnidia production, while pyraclostrobin + boscalid and tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin were most effective against conidia germination. In the orchard assays, protective sprays of the fungicides on pruning wounds reduced incidence by up to 20%, while T. harzianum and tebuconazole + trifloxystrobin reduced the lesion severity up 37 and 41%, respectively. This study represents the first evaluation of fungicides and biofungicide effectiveness for the control of canker and dieback diseases of apples and pears in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme low-frequency square positive electric pulses (ELF-EP) are a technique that used in controlling plant pathogens. In this study, we have studied the exposure of Erwinia amylovora (the causal of pear trees fire blight) to different frequencies ranged from 0.7 − 1.6 Hz and different exposure time with pulse duration 1 ms and constant field strength 400 V/m. The results indicate that exposing to 1.4 Hz for 2 hrs decreases the E. amylovora growth. After exposing ELF-EP, antibiotic treatments were caused complete growth inhibition. This study concluded that ELF-EP exposure for 1.4 Hz for 2 hrs rupture the bacterium cell wall and disrupts the cell membrane permeability, which increases the efficacy of antibiotic treatments in bacterial cell growth inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a magnetic biochar adsorbent based on Pyrus pyrifolia discarded peels impregnated with precursor FeCl3·6H2O was fabricated and probed as a low-cost adsorbent for toxic cationic dye methylene blue (MB). The textural characterization of Pyrus pyrifolia magnetic biochar (PMBC) obtained from BET analysis exhibited its mesoporous nature with SBET of 133.960 m2/g. The physicochemical characteristics of PMBC were elucidated using XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX and TEM techniques. The impregnation of FeCl3 has a significant impact on the microstructure of Pyrus pyrifolia based biochar which resulted in enhancement in adsorption efficiency of PMBC. The sorption parameters adsorbent dosage, time, initial MB concentration, and pH were thoroughly elucidated using a batch methodology which were found to be 0.8 g/L, 40 min, 90 mg/L and 6, respectively. Temkin and pseudo-second-order rate equation respectively appropriated the equilibrium data than the rest of the models. The maximum adsorption capacity determined by the Langmuir model was found to be 967.80 mg/g. The adsorbent exhibited better regeneration up to 3 cycles validating its practical usage. The facile synthesis, economic, and environmentally benign characteristic of Pyrus pyrifolia magnetic biochar corroborated it as a highly efficient adsorbent to sequester MB from an aqueous phase. Pyrus pyrifolia discarded peels impregnated with FeCl3·6H2O were exploited as a novel magnetic biosorbent for the abatement of cationic dye from wastewater. The impact of operative variables was analyzed using batch methodology. Isotherm and kinetic modeling on equilibrium data was executed via non-linear approach which is very reliable in comparison to linear way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of resveratrol (RES) and diphenylamine (DPA) on superficial scald of 'Dangshansuli' pears (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) were studied. Pears treated with RES or DPA were stored in cold storage for 210 d and then transferred to shelf life (20 ± 0.5°C) for 5 and 10 d. Compared to the control, RES and DPA maintained the firmness and soluble solid content (SSC) and decreased α-farnesene and its auto-oxidation. RES and DPA decreased membrane lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage but increased auto-oxidant enzyme activities during cold storage. During later storage, RES and DPA significantly regulated energy levels. After cold storage and shelf life, RES and DPA significantly inhibited the scald incidence and scald index. Hence, RES and DPA inhibit scald in slightly different ways. RES can inhibit scald by two pathways, namely, by decreasing α-farnesene and its auto-oxidation products and by decreasing membrane lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage through improvements in energy metabolism and antioxidant capacity. RES has the potential to be a substitute of DPA to effectively control the scald of 'Dangshansuli' pears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of foliar application of potassium nitrate and copper sulfate on the production and quality of Pear cv. Le Conte was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm and Postharvest Laboratory, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan, during the year 2018–19. The aim of the study was to get quality pear production with minimal disease incidence. The research was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study contained two factors, i.e., different concentrations of potassium nitrate (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) as Factor A, while different levels of copper sulfate (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%) as factor B and the treatments were applied in spring season at the fruit set stage. The application of 2% potassium nitrate to the pear plants resulted in heaviest fruit (188.30 g), maximum fruit volume (203.80 cm3), fruit yield tree−1 (60.13 kg) with minimum fruit drop (8.52%) and disease incidence (5.28%), while maximum fruit firmness (7.66 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.40 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.38), ascorbic acid content (5.56 mg.100 g−1) while minimum Titratable acidity (0.41%) were noted in fruits of plants sprayed with 3% potassium nitrate solution. However, the maximum fruit weight (192.04 g), fruit yield tree−1 (59.06 kg), minimum fruit drop (6.75%), and disease incidences (3.54%) were recorded in pear plants applied with 0.6% foliar copper sulfate solution. However, maximum fruit firmness (7.53 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.38 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.31), ascorbic acid content (5.22 mg.100 g−1) with minimum Titratable acidity (0.42%) were noted in the plants sprayed with 0.8% copper sulfate solution. This study will provide a basis for high yield and quality fruit production, which will affect the storability of pear and other important fruit crops. Further studies should be conducted to optimize the dose, timing, and method of application of these fungicides for other pome fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green nanotechnology stands amongst the leading giants of innovation for the twenty first century technological advances. More interesting, is the use of natural products as reducing agents. These could be recyclable materials from fruits and vegetables to produce nanoparticles (NPs) with novel properties. In the current study, silver NPs (AgNPs) were synthesized using the water extracts from the peel and flesh of two Pyrus communis L. cultivars, namely, the Forelle (Red) Pears (RPE) and Packham Triumph (Green) Pears (GPE). The AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial activities of the AgNPs were evaluated using agar well diffusion and microdilution assays. The cytotoxicity of the AgNPs was investigated on a rat macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells using MTT assay. Both the RPE and GPE were capable of synthesizing the AgNPs at high temperatures (70 and 100 °C). The AgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against the test strains, and also had low toxicity towards the RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, the synthesized AgNPs have a potentially viable use in bio-applications for treatment of bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of three different pest control regimes in three pear orchards (two with integrated pest management regimes and one with an organic farming regime) on communities of arthropods were studied in a two-year experiment. Insects were collected in three stages by beating the lower branches of trees. The number of species and other taxa of natural enemies increased with the reduction in insecticide applications. A total of 2,492 individuals of 145 species and other taxa were found in the samples from the three pear orchards with different pest management practices. The most numerous groups were Araneae, with 44 species, and Coleoptera, with 42 species, followed by Hymenoptera, with 33 taxa, and Heteroptera, with 24 species. Of the total number of taxa, the share of entomophagous arthropods was, on average, 62.6%. The share of predaceous individuals was, on average, 63.7% of the total number of individuals. The number of dominant predaceous species decreased with an increase in the diversity of species and other taxa. A significant relationship was found between the number of C. pyri adults and the Shannon-Wiener index of diversity for the predaceous taxa. It was demonstrated that generalist predators and their diversity have an important influence on the regulation of pear psylla in the vegetative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typhlodromus transvaalensis is a generalist predatory mite with economic potential to control eriophyid mites in various fruit trees. Developmental times were significantly longer on Aculus fockeui and Calepitrimerus baileyi than on Aceria dioscoridis. Females of T. transvaalensis presented the shortest oviposition period (20.39 days) and adult longevity (28.96 days) on C. baileyi, while having the longest periods on A. dioscoridis (29.77 and 36.17 days). Total fecundity of females offered A. dioscoridis (39.90 eggs/female) was highest, followed by A. fockeui (27.12 eggs/female) and was lowest on C. baileyi (23.26 eggs/female). The intrinsic rates of increase (r) were higher on A. dioscoridis (0.225 females/female/day) than on A. fockeui (0.175 females/female/day) and C. baileyi (0.168 females/female/day). The generation time (T) was statistically similar on A. fockeui (17.788 days) and C. baileyi (17.501 days) and longest, while was shortest on A. dioscoridis (15.711 days). The net reproductive rate (R0) and the gross reproductive rate (GRR) were highest on A. dioscoridis (34.457 eggs/individual and 35.390 eggs/individual), whereas the lowest values were obtained on C. baileyi (19.107 eggs/individual and 19.500 eggs/individual). The results suggest that T. transvaalensis is a promising control agent for A. fockeui and C. baileyi on pear and apple trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pear is the third most widely grown fruit species in China, a region accounts for over 60% of the world's pear cultivation area and production. Pear scab (Venturia nashicola and Venturia pirina) is one of the most serious diseases of pear. Here, we report a new interspecies hybrid (03-04-034) between Pyrus ussuriensis and Pyrus bretschneideri that exhibits consistently high resistance to Venturia nashicola. We compare its response to leaf infection by hyphae with that of its highly susceptible sister line 03-19-136, measure differences in their production of pathogenesis-related substances in response to infection, the results indicated hyphae could penetrate the cuticle of 03-04-034 in the early stages of infection and grew between cells and died finally in later infection stages, which suggested the resistance of 03-04-034 to scab was initiated by pathogen infection and occurred in later infection stages, typical of systemic acquired resistance. Experiments with the pathogen itself and with exogenous salicylic acid demonstrated 500 µg/ml salicylic acid treatment caused a resistance response similar to that induced by the pathogen, including dramatic increases in endogenous salicylic acid, polyphenols and lignification. In conclusion, 03-04-034 exhibits resistance to Venturia nashicola induced by salicylic acid at an appropriate concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of calcium nitrate (CN) application on the nutrients concentration and yield of Golab apple, Granny Smith apple, Beirut pear and Takdaneh cherry. A completely randomized design experiment was conducted with three factors including: trees (Golab Apple, Granny Smith Apple, Pear cultivar: Beirut and Cherry cultivar: Takdaneh), CN fertilizer treatments (T0: nil, T1: soil application, T2: soil test results application, and T3: soil and foliar application) and Year (First year and Second year) with four replications. Studied parameters included; the concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), nutrient ratios, and fruits yield. The results of two-year experiments indicated that CN application significantly increased fruits Ca concentration. Regarding to results belonged to the second year, the highest Ca and Mg concentration was related to Granny Smith apple, while the highest N concentration was observed in cherry. Also results demonstrated that for all fruits the highest ratios of N/Ca and Ca/Mg was obtained in first and second years, respectively. CN fertilization through the second year, reduced N accumulation in all fruits and balanced the N/Ca ratio. The lowest ratio of N/Ca was observed in T2 and T3. In accordance with the results of the present study, it was found that soil application of CN increased fruits Ca concentration and Ca/Mg ratio and reduced the N/Ca ratio. Generally, increase in Ca uptake improved fruits quality of orchard products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay sets out to examine the connection between capitalism and ideas about time, focusing on Iain Pears's novel Stone's Fall (2009). Capitalism, with its endless promises of future returns, tends to deploy a model of time oriented around progress toward the future. Pears's narrative, by contrast, subverts this by reversing the timeline, each section of the novel a step backwards in time. The first section of the paper examines how other critics, from Walter Benjamin to Mary Poovey, have used similar reversals to undertake critical genealogies of capitalism's emergence. The second section shows how fiction and finance intersect in the credit economy, blending ethics and economies to train subjects who are, in Nietzsche's words, capable of making promises about the future. The essay closes by looking at the notion of prophetic time, which disrupts the capitalist paradigm through the unexpected return of ancient tragedy in the modern novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response of cultivars to iron (Fe) deficiency and the effects of cultivars on Fe-nutrition of rootstocks was investigated through Active-Fe content of the leaf. Leaf samples were taken from the mid-sections of the nursery trees and they were subjected to Active-Fe and Total–Fe analyses. There were significant differences in Fe-nutrition of ungrafted rootstocks, but differences were not observed when the rootstocks were grafted pear cultivars cv. 'Deveci' and 'Santa Maria.' On the other hand, significant differences were observed between the cultivars when they were grafted on different rootstocks. The effect of cultivar on Fe-nutrition of the rootstock was also found to be significant. According to the ungrafted rootstock, cultivars except 'Deveci' grafted on Old Home x Farmingdale (OHxF) 333 (OHF 333) decreased the Fe-nutrition of the rootstock. The combination of OHF 333 x 'Deveci' was quite different and it significantly improved the Fe-uptake of the rootstock. It should be taken into consideration cultivar-induced and/or rootstock x cultivar combinations-induced differences under chlorosis-induced conditions at the new pear orchard establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern pear growing, quince and pear clonal rootstocks are used instead of pear seedlings. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different quince and pear rootstocks on the graft success and the stion (scion+rootstock) growth performance of some pear cultivars/genotypes. In the study, quince (Quince BA 29, Quince A and Quince MC), pear (OHxF 333, Fox 11, Farold 40) clones and pear seedlings were grafted in two standard (Deveci and Williams) and 11 local ('Bardak,' 'Dalkıran,' 'Eşek,' 'İstanbul,' 'Kara,' 'Karga,' 'Karpuz,' 'Kış,' 'Sarıkum,' 'Tefenc' and 'Yaz Ziraati') promising pear cultivars were used. Significant differences were observed in both rootstocks and varieties in terms of graft success and plant development in the study. The graft take, sprout and survival ratios were higher in pear rootstocks than in the quince rootstocks. While the highest graft survival ratio was observed in Fox 11, the lowest was in the BA 29 quince rootstock. The highest graft sprout and graft survival ratio were in 'Deveci,' the lowest in 'Williams,' 'Bardak' and 'Kış' varieties. While the highest shoot lengths and highest diameters were detected in the pear seedling, the lowest were in the MC rootstock. While the longest shoots were observed in 'Kara,' the thickest shoots were observed in 'Eşek' genotypes. As a result of this study, it was determined that the 13 pear cultivars/genotypes grafted on different rootstocks were sufficient in terms of graft success and stion growth performances and it was found that stion of sufficient quality could be grown in the field condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pears (Pyrus spp.) mainly are divided into two main groups of Asian and European species with a wide diversity or similarity in fruit and morphological traits. In this study, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the genome size of 37 cultivars and genotypes of Asian, European, and Iranian indigenous pears. Besides, the relationship between cytological and morphological traits was investigated for the first time. Morphological traits were measured based on the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptor. There were positive relationships between genome size, the fruit pedicel length, and the length to fruit diameter ratio. Although, as the genome size was increased, the fruit diameter and size were decreased. Increasing 1.6 pg of the genome size causes a reduction of one cm in the pear fruit diameter. Moreover, with a larger genome size by 1.1 pg, there was an increase in fruit pedicel by one cm. The obtained results revealed that most of the Iranian native genotypes were similar in shape to European pears, but some of them were also oriented to Asian pear cultivars. Most studied cultivars originated between different regions were diploid (2n = 34) and their genome size varied between 0.99 and 1.99 pg. The average genome size of European and Iranian pears was 1.29 pg and Asian's was 1.32 pg. The principal component analysis (PCA) result showed that the Asian and European genotypes were distinctly separated. Also, according to the cluster analysis, the indigenous cultivars of Iran can be located in the European pear group species. There was a relationship between the East Asian and European pear origins because of the possible gene flow between two major pear culture regions in the past. In general, Iran can be considered as an important region and pathway of gene flow transfer and a rich center of genetic variation of pears. Therefore, this study provided essential information and a useful tool for genetic diversity or similarity assessment of pears through genome size and some morphological traits prediction. Further research on wider fruit tree species in the different fruit-growing regions of the world will warrant the use of genome size as a novel prediction tool for the important morphological traits with specific commercial breeding objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inclusion of cactus pear and common bean residue in sheep rations on intake, apparent nutrient digestibility and rumen parameters. Eight castrated male sheep Santa Inês at an average body weight 55 ± 5 kg, fistulated in the rumen were distributed in two 4 × 4 latin squares with four treatments and eight animals per treatment and four periods. The treatments consisted of four experimental diets: a control diet based on soybean meal and ground corn, diet with soybean meal substitution for bean residue; diet with substitution of corn ground by cactus pear and diet with soybean meal replacement and ground corn for bean residue and cactus pear. The dry matter intake did not differ among treatments. The diets based on cactus pear provided a higher mineral matter intake, crude protein digestibility and lower ether extract intake and reduced water intake (P < 0.05). pH and NH3-N showed quadratic responses due to time after morning feeding (P < 0.05), in which pH had lower values between four and six hours after a meal, while NH3-N showed maximum values two hours after feeding, justified by the higher fermentation occurred during this period and the fast utilization of nitrogen sources. The use of bean residue and cactus pear in rations for sheep does not alter the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, and it does not affect ruminal metabolism parameters of animals under the experimental conditions used. The inclusion of cactus pear in the feed reduces the intake of drinking water by the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant invertases comprise a family of enzymes that catalyze the irreversible hydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose, which plays a crucial role in carbohydrate partitioning and regulating plant growth and development. However, currently, there is little information on the roles of invertases in the development of pear trees. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of a total of 23 invertases from the predicted genome data of the pear plant (Pyrus bretschneideri R.). Based on phylogenetic analysis, the pear invertases could be clustered into 13 acid invertase genes and 10 alkaline/neutral invertase genes. Chromosome location showed that tandem duplication and segmental duplication have played an important role in the expansion of acid and neutral/alkaline invertases in pear plants. Evolutionary analysis of invertases from pear and two model plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa) indicated that the evolutionary divergence of invertases occurred before the common ancestor of dicots and monocots. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the transcripts of all the identified invertase genes were detectable in various tissues. We hypothesize that the identified invertase genes all participate in regulating pear growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of post-harvest foliar-applied Fe(II)-sulfate was assessed and indices were tested for precocious prognosis of Fe-chlorosis in field-grown pear trees. In a commercial pear (Abbé Fétel/BA 29) orchard, Fe-induced chlorotic trees were sprayed in early autumn with a Fe(II)-sulfate heptahydrate solution and compared with water-sprayed control trees. Leaf Fe concentration was higher in senescent and abscised leaves of Fe-sprayed trees, indicating that Fe was taken up. However, phytotoxic symptoms occurred and leaves fell earlier than in untreated trees. Fe(II)-sulfate spray increased Fe concentration of flower buds and fruiting spur leaves as well as leaf Chl values. Yield was increased in sprayed trees by about 13%, mostly associated with a higher fruit number per tree rather than fruit size, indicating an improved fruit set. We hypothesize that a fraction of the absorbed Fe contributed to sustain Fe requirements of the newly formed organs as from growth resumption. Summer leaf SPAD readings were positively correlated with Fe concentration of flower buds, fruiting spur leaves and, in particular, with senescent and abscised leaves. Our findings suggest the effectiveness of the post-harvest foliarly applied Fe(II)-sulfate to improve Fe nutrition of pear trees the following season. Rather than inducing a temporary re-greening, our approach is based on the fact that high Fe-rates sprayed before leaf fall may contribute to increase Fe pools within perennial organs. We propose utilizing leaf Fe concentration of senesced and abscised leaves as a predictive tool for the diagnosis of the Fe-chlorosis occurrence in pear trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated the effect of static and dynamic loading in various storage periods on the amounts of pears' components like total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and Vitamin C amount. in this investigation was subjected to static loading (thin-edge and wide-edge compression) using three different force and for dynamic loading using three weights in three different storage periods. Next, the total phenol content, percentage of antioxidant activity and vitamin C were measured. The results showed that the total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and vitamin C rates were decreased with increasing force and weight loading and also with increasing storage period the amount of components were decreased. The amount DPPH radical scavenging activity, phenol compound and vitamin-C for control sample were 54.36%, 32.5 mg GAE/100 g and 8.3 mg/100Fw respectively, Also for wide loading and thin loading this amount was 35.56 and 37.56%, 13.11 and 21.29 mg GAE/100 g and 5.76 and 6.33 mg/100Fw respectively, For dynamic loading was 25.015%, 11.37 mg GAE/100 g and 5.82 mg/100Fw respectively. In general, the highest amount for the total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and vitamin C obtained in thin-edge loading, also the wide-edge and dynamic loading had more effect on decreasing phenol and vitamin-C in pear during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of drought-tolerant rootstocks is one of the available solutions for the cultivation of pear in semi-arid areas. In order to achieve drought-tolerant rootstocks, seeds of Pyrus syriaca, and Pyrus salicifolia species as well as Pyrus communis cv. Spadona, Khoj no. 1 and Khoj no. 2 were cultivated in the field conditions. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment with two factors of pear species (in five levels) and water stress (in two levels of control and drought stress) based on a randomized complete block design. In drought treatment, the irrigation time was considered based on 80% of allowed water depletion. In control blocks, normal irrigation was performed. The experiment began in July and continued to late September. In stress conditions, P. communis cv. Spadona and Khoj no. 1 had the highest seedling height and stem diameter and P. salicifolia and P. communis cv. Khoj no. 2 had the lowest of the rate of these traits. The lowest increase in electrolyte leakage (EL) and the highest proline content were in P. communis cv. Khoj no. 2 and P. salicifolia and the highest EL and the lowest proline were observed in P. communis cv. Spadonain under drought stress conditions. The most and the least relative water content (RWC) were belonged to P. communis cv. Khoj no. 2 and Spadona, respectively, in stress conditions. According to the studied traits, P. salicifolia and P. communis cv. Khoj no. 2 populations were more tolerant to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small-spored Alternaria was found from black spots of storaged Koerle pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis), one of the economically important fruit in Xinjiang province, China. The morphology is similar to A. limoniasperae but obviously different in secondary conidiophores and conidial septa. A phylogenetic analysis using sequence datasets of ITS, GAPDH, TEF1, RPB2, Alt a1, OPA10–2, and EndoPG genes revealed that it belonged to the Alternaria alternata complex group. Pathogenicity tests illustrated that the fungus was the causal pathogen of black spot on Koerle pear fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated the effect of static and dynamic loading in various storage periods on the amounts of pears' components like total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and Vitamin C amount. in this investigation was subjected to static loading (thin-edge and wide-edge compression) using three different force and for dynamic loading using three weights in three different storage periods. Next, the total phenol content, percentage of antioxidant activity and vitamin C were measured. The results showed that the total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and vitamin C rates were decreased with increasing force and weight loading and also with increasing storage period the amount of components were decreased. The amount DPPH radical scavenging activity, phenol compound and vitamin-C for control sample were 54.36%, 32.5 mg GAE/100 g and 8.3 mg/100Fw respectively, Also for wide loading and thin loading this amount was 35.56 and 37.56%, 13.11 and 21.29 mg GAE/100 g and 5.76 and 6.33 mg/100Fw respectively, For dynamic loading was 25.015%, 11.37 mg GAE/100 g and 5.82 mg/100Fw respectively. In general, the highest amount for the total phenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and vitamin C obtained in thin-edge loading, also the wide-edge and dynamic loading had more effect on decreasing phenol and vitamin-C in pear during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lignin content is a key index affecting the quality of Korla fragrant pear. This study applied a method of near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy combined with chemometric method to establish a predictive model of lignin content. Among them, moving average, baseline, standard normal variate transformations and multiplicative scatter correction were used to preprocess the collected near-infrared spectra. then, the backward interval partial least-squares, synergy interval partial least squares and uninformative variable elimination algorithms were used to select characteristic wavelengths from the whole spectral range to establish a partial least-squares prediction model of lignin content. The partial least-squares model based on uninformative variable elimination selected characteristic wavelengths was simplified, and the prediction of lignin content in Korla pear was more accurate. Multiple determination coefficient values, standard prediction errors and residual prediction errors for prediction were 0.87, 1.36 and 2.03%, respectively. Compared with partial least squares based on the whole spectral range and partial least squares based on Uninformative variable elimination selection, the number of characteristic wavelength variables was reduced from 289 to 51, thereby improving the prediction accuracy of the model. The experimental results showed that the uninformative variable elimination by partial least-squares model was the best model. The combination of near-infrared spectroscopy and uninformative variable elimination optimization can effectively determine the lignin content in Korla fragrant pear. The near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy proved to be a good tool for nondestructive determination of lignin content in Korla fragrant pear. The selection of characteristic wavelengths and appropriate pretreatment methods can improve the accuracy of near-infrared spectroscopy in actual detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide detection has been a long-running concern within the agricultural industry. Therefore, rapid and accurate detection techniques are required. Raman spectroscopy is favored by scientists due to the rapid detection without the need for the pretreatment or destruction of samples. However, the accuracy of the quantitative analysis that is based on Raman spectra is related to the detection model and analysis algorithm. In this study, random forest regression (RFR) was employed to construct a quantitative detection model that correlated the Raman spectral intensity of chlorpyrifos at 341 cm−1 and the chlorpyrifos concentration remaining on the pear surface. RFR performs better than partial least square regression (PLSR). The correlation coefficient (R2) of RFR was 0.9003 and 0.8495 for the training and test sets, respectively. In particular, the R2 value of the test sets was significantly higher than for PLSR (R2 of 0.6985). The intensity of the Raman spectra at 341 cm−1 was improved by four-fold using 100 nm gold nanoparticles. The results show that Raman spectroscopy combined with RFR achieves the rapid and accurate quantitative determination of pesticide residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research deals with various design factors materials)Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Lorg Wood(, hole type, holes' spacing and box edge thickness) in regard to stresses exerted onto the pear packaging boxes. At first, Solid Works 2018 Software was employed to design 81 boxes and the material factors (polyethylene, polypropylene and Lorg wood), box edge thickness (0.35, 0.5 and 0.65 cm), holes' type (circular, square and rectangular) and holes' spacing (2.1, 2.4 and 2.7 cm) were taken into account. The entire boxes were analyzed using Ansys 2018 and the maximum stress rates were calculated. Then, the obtained stress rates were subjected to statistical analysis through taking advantage of SAS 9.2 software. The study results indicated that equivalent stress, total deformation, equivalent elastic strain, shear elastic strain, normal stress and shear stress correspondingly are equal to 638.8pa (rectangular hole type and 0.5 cm edge thickness), 1.91 × 10−11 m (circular hole type and 0.5 cm edge thickness), 3.7 × 10−9 m/m (2.7 cm hole spacing and circular hole type), 4.43 × 10−9 m/m (0.50 cm box edge thickness and circular hole type), 305.66pa (2.7 cm hole spacing and circular hole type) and 225pa (rectangular hole type and 0.5 cm box edge thickness); the highest amounts were 5914.7pa (square hole type and 0.65 cm edge thickness), 1.11 × 10−9 m (square hole type and 0.5 cm box edge thickness), 3.21 × 10−8 m/m (0.65 cm box edge thickness and square hole type), 4.17 × 10−8 m/m (0.65 cm box edge thickness and square hole type), 2880.6pa (0.65 cm box edge thickness and square hole type), 2304.8pa square hole type and 0.65 cm box edge thickness, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering performance and phenology of six new pear cultivars of Nordic origin were examined during a 12 year period. The seasonal timing of shoot growth and flower initiation were monitored in three years. The morphological floral stages of the flower bud formation process were examined for the cultivar 'Celina'. Seven floral stages were identified and described. The date of full bloom varied between years as a function of the currently accumulated heat sum in early spring. Still, the earliness ranking of the cultivars was consistent across years for both flower initiation and blooming. The cultivars 'Anna' and 'Ingeborg' consistently initiated floral primordia 2–3 weeks earlier than 'Celina', 'Clara Frijs', 'Fritjof' and 'Kristina', and this was accompanied with 4–5 days earlier blooming in the following spring. The early flower initiation cultivars 'Anna' and 'Ingeborg' also had richer flowering than the late-blooming cultivars. 'Fritjof' was identified as a suitable pollinator for 'Celina' in the Nordic climate. Comparison of the flowering phenology of pear and apple cultivars showed that while the pears, on average, flowered a week ahead of the apples, they initiated flower primordia almost two weeks later, thus rendering the intervening period approximately three weeks longer in pear than in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two pear cultivars (Meski Ahrech and Alexandrine) grown in pot culture under normal daylight conditions in a greenhouse were submitted to potassium deficiency treatments. The potassium-free treatment decreased leaf K concentration, relative water content, SPAD, and gas exchange comparatively to the control. "Alexandrine" appeared more sensitive to potassium deficiency due to the main decrease in stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (E) compared to "Meski Ahrech" that reduced only carbon assimilation (A). After 42 days of treatments, leaf K concentration in "Alexandrine" was 0.75% DM compared to 1.15% DM in "Meski Ahrech", which appeared to be more efficient in potassium uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In near-infrared spectroscopy applications, the original spectra often contain redundant information, which will seriously affect the performance of chemometric models. Therefore, preprocessing, effective wavelengths selection, and appropriate regression models are essential. The objective of this study was to optimize the nondestructive determination multivariate calibration model of sugar content in 'Snow' pears, using near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. All data (sugar content reference values and spectra data) from three measuring positions (P1, P2, and P3, marked around the pear's equator at angular distances of approximately 120°) were divided into four grouped datasets, namely Set-1 (P1), Set-2 (P2), Set-3 (P3), and Set-4 (average of the three measuring positions). All subsequent optimized processes were performed based on each grouped dataset. First, different preprocessing methods were tested and an optimal method was determined. Then, synergy interval partial least squares and synergy interval partial least squares-competitive adaptive reweighted sampling were applied to select effective regions and effective wavelengths from all wavelengths, respectively, and partial least squares regression models were established and analyzed. In addition, support vector regression models were also established for comparative study. After comprehensive analysis of prediction accuracy and model complexity, the partial least squares regression model based on the 16 selected effective wavelengths for Set-4 was optimal, with the correlation coefficient for prediction, root-mean-square error of prediction, and residual predictive deviation of 0.9701, 0.2311, and 4.12, respectively. The results indicated that with these optimized processes, the multivariate calibration model of sugar content in 'Snow' pears was effectively optimized for each dataset. In addition, it is concluded that partial least squares regression was superior to support vector regression in this study, although some other researches had found different results in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The traditional use of the ethanolic extract of the fruit of Pyrus pashia (EPP) as a potential anticonvulsant was validated using experimental animal models. Furthermore, the anticonvulsant activity of isolated chrysin was investigated against experimental animal models to draw a possible therapeutic mechanism of EPP. Additionally, the safety profile of chrysin was evaluated to explore the possible therapeutic alternative in the management of epilepsy. Method: The anticonvulsant activity in terms of duration of onset of hind limb tonic extension and convulsion of standardized EPP was evaluated against maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model of experimental epilepsy respectively. Furthermore, the anticonvulsant activity and electrophysiological properties of chrysin was investigated in addition to antioxidant activity against PTZ-induced convulsion in experimental animals. Moreover, the neurotoxic profile of the chrysin was assessed in terms of duration of movement and running in photoactometer and rotarod apparatus, respectively. Results: EPP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity against an acute model of MES and PTZ-induced convulsions in experimental animals. Furthermore, chrysin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) also exhibited significant anticonvulsant activity against PTZ-induced convulsions in rats. In addition, chrysin did not exhibit sedative-like behavior in experimental rodents. Discussion: EPP could be considered as a potential and alternative therapeutic option in the management of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the feasibility and the enhancing effect of contact ultrasound application during far-infrared radiation (FIR) drying, a contact ultrasound strengthened FIR (CUFIR) drying equipment was fabricated and used, and CUFIR drying experiments on pear slices were carried out to explore the synergetic effects of ultrasound power and FIR heating on drying characteristics, microstructure, and quality of dried pear products. The results show that the application of contact ultrasound could be obviously helpful to accelerate internal mass transfer in pear slices and improve the drying rate of FIR drying, and higher ultrasound power could lead to stronger strengthening effect. The enforcing effect of ultrasound increased at higher FIR power, and weakened with the reduction of moisture content during CUFIR drying. The Deff values ranged from 4.76 × 10−10 m2/s to 13.94 × 10−10 m2/s in this study and the increase of both FIR power and ultrasound power had significant and positive influence on the increasing of Deff values. With scanning electrical microscope (SEM), it was observed that the improvement of ultrasound power could enlarge the size of microcapillaries and even generate new micropores and microchannels on the ultrasound-treated surface and in the organism structure of pear slices. The increase of ultrasound power could improve total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) of pear slices at FIR powers of 100 and 220 W. Yet, the application of contact ultrasound with ultrasound power of 60 W had negative influence on TPC and TFC at FIR power of 340 W. Although the ascorbic acid content (AAC) reduced as FIR powers increased during FIR drying without contact ultrasound assistance, the increase of ultrasound power could improve AAC at all FIR powers. The CUFIR drying at ultrasound power of 60 W and FIR power of 220 W achieved the lowest energy consumption. Therefore, the application of FIR drying combined with contact ultrasound is a promising method to improve drying rate as well as protect product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of data and information on mineral content in pear fruit and none on the genetic parameters related to these individual elements. The aim of this research was to report mineral composition of pear fruit and to determine the quantitative genetic parameters of mineral content in fruit from interspecific pear populations. There was a high genetic component involved in the accumulation of boron and aluminium in the fruit, with heritabilities of as much as 0.72. Iron had a positive genetic correlation with accumulation of zinc (0.72) and sulphur (0.71), while chromium had a negative correlation with nickel (−0.77), phosphorus (−0.70) and magnesium (−0.4) accumulation. Parents of the same origin (Asian or European) had similar estimated breeding values for total mineral content. Macro element mineral content of fruit was: 4% calcium, 13% phosphorus, 76% potassium, 5% magnesium and 2% sulphur and for micro element mineral content 39% boron, 12% iron, 8% zinc, 4% manganese, 7% copper, 0.4% chromium, 9% nickel and 21% aluminium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfoxaflor residues in 14 daily foods, including rice, sorghum, chilli, cucumber, white pear, apple, egg, beef brisket, chicken breast, fish, pork liver, milk, pine nut and honey, were simultaneously determined using a modified QuEChERS and LC–MS/MS method. These foods were classified into three categories to be purified. A combination of 25 mg of octadecylsilane (C18) + 25 mg of primary and secondary amine (PSA) + 50 mg of graphitised carbon black (GCB) + 150 mg of MgSO4 was used to purify the rice, sorghum, honey, apple and white pear. A combination of 25 mg of C18 + 50 mg of PSA + 50 mg of GCB + 150 mg of MgSO4 was used to purify the chilli and cucumber. A combination of 50 mg of C18 + 25 mg of PSA + 50 mg of GCB + 150 mg of MgSO4 was used to purify the pine nuts, egg, beef brisket, chicken breast, fish, pork liver and milk. The linearity coefficient values were greater than 0.9975. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the ranges of 0.7‒1.8 and 2.0‒5.0 μg kg−1, respectively. Average recoveries of the sulfoxaflor at the 14 food matrices at spiking levels of 5.0, 10 and 50 μg kg−1 ranged from 74.0% to 100.8%, and the relative standard deviation ranged from 2.2% to 11.2%. This is a simple and rapid method for the determination of sulfoxaflor residues in various kinds of daily foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the lance's status and the amount of attention the couched lance has received in historiography, study of its martial art has been neglected. The various lance types and techniques used by western European cavalry have only recently begun to receive scholarly attention. Additionally, Medieval European lance use has too often been studied in isolation, without an adequate understanding of the idiosyncratic and asymmetrical dynamics of mounted combat. Although the charge with the couched lance was a valid tactic, it was only one of many. Light and heavy lances were used in one hand or two to trip, block, unhorse, and wrestle. These techniques were governed by the harsh laws of distance, speed, impact, iron, and asymmetry. By utilizing the surviving Fechtbücher and several Peninsular and Near Eastern sources, a brief foray into the diverse techniques of lance use and their purposes has been attempted here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosols emitted from various anthropogenic and natural sources undergo constant physicochemical transformations in the atmosphere, altering their impacts on health and climate. This article presents the design and characteristics of a novel Photochemical Emission Aging flow tube Reactor (PEAR). The PEAR was designed to provide sufficient aerosol mass and flow for simultaneous measurement of the physicochemical properties of aged aerosols and emission exposure studies (in vivo and in vitro). The performance of the PEAR was evaluated by using common precursors of secondary aerosols as well as combustion emissions from a wood stove and a gasoline engine. The PEAR was found to provide a near laminar flow profile, negligible particle losses for particle sizes above 40 nm, and a narrow residence time distribution. These characteristics enable resolution of temporal emission patterns from dynamic emission sources such as small-scale wood combustion. The formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in the PEAR was found to be similar to SOA formation in a smog chamber when toluene and logwood combustion emissions were used as aerosol sources. The aerosol mass spectra obtained from the PEAR and smog-chamber were highly similar when wood combustion was used as the emission source. In conclusion, the PEAR was found to plausibly simulate the photochemical aging of organic aerosols with high flow rates, needed for studies to investigate the effects of aged aerosols on human health. The method also enables to study the aging of different emission phases in high time resolution, and with different OH-radical exposures up to conditions representing long-range transported aerosols. Copyright © 2019 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scab disease caused by Venturia nashicola is of agroeconomic importance in cultivation of Asian pear. However, little is known about the degree of genetic diversity in the populations of this pathogen. In this study, we collected 55 isolates from pear scab lesions in 13 major cultivation areas in Korea and examined the diversity using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, b-tubulin (TUB2), and translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α) genes as molecular markers. Despite a low level of overall sequence variation, we found three distinctive subgroups from phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, TUB2, and TEF-1α sequences. Among the three subgroups, subgroup 1 (60% of isolates collected) was predominant compared to subgroup 2 (23.6%) or subgroup 3 (16.4%) and was distributed throughout Korea. To understand the genetic diversity among the subgroups, RAPD analysis was performed. The isolates yielded highly diverse amplicon patterns and none of the defined subgroups within the dendrogram were supported by bootstrap values greater than 30%. Moreover, there is no significant correlation between the geographical distribution and the subgroups defined by molecular phylogeny. Our data suggest a low level of genetic diversification among the populations of V. nashicola in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the L-ascorbic acid (AsA) content as well as activities of enzymes and genes in AsA biosynthesis were investigated in bagged and unbagged fruit of Pyrus pyrifolia 'Cuiguan' during on-tree development. The contents of AsA/dehydroascorbate (DHA) and glutathione (γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine, GSH)/oxidised glutathione (GSSG) couples, the enzyme activities of L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH; EC 1.3.2.3), L-galactose dehydrogenase (GalDH; EC 1.1.1.117), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR; EC 1.6.5.4), glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR; EC 1.8.5.1) and glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2), and the relative expression levels of GLDH and DHAR genes were highest at 20 days after full bloom (DAFB) and then decreased to their minimum at harvest. When the fruit were grown in the dark induced by bagging, the ascorbate contents, enzyme activities and gene expression amounts had a statistical decline compared to the control in the most sampling dates. However, although L-AsA metabolism was affected and the use of light transmitting fruit bags may be preferable, the drop in vitamin C was not really significant in a dietary sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of red cactus pear peel and its mucilage on color, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity (AC) of yogurt was investigated. Peel and its mucilage were dried and used for the formulation of different yogurt blends following a constrained mixture design. Color, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, total betalains and AC were evaluated in formulated yogurts. An optimization process was conducted thereafter, and the bioactive compounds and AC of this yogurt were evaluated before and after gastrointestinal simulation. Results indicated that cactus pear peel and its mucilage give a nice magenta color to the yogurts, and also increase the bioactive compounds and AC of them. Optimization procedure indicates that yogurt formulated with 5.5% of cactus pear peel and 7.5% of mucilage displays the highest bioactive compounds and AC; moreover, they were significantly increased (p < 0.05) by the simulated gastrointestinal process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and heat stress are significant factors limiting fruit crop yield in arid conditions. Foliar fertilization is a common practice of supplying fruit crop production with mineral nutrients, especially under limited soil nutrient availability conditions. To evaluate potential effectiveness of the foliar application of macro-, micronutrient and growth regulators on dynamics of physiological parameters of the pear and apple cultivars under abiotic stresses, three-year experiments were carried out under arid conditions at the Russian Research Institute of Arid Agriculture during the 2015-2017 growing seasons. It has been revealed that foliar nutrition reduces the negative influence of heat stress, stabilizes the functional state of plants, thereby enhancing resistance to drought. During the most severe drought periods of vegetation, under the influence of foliar nutrition, there was a significant increase in the total water content (TWC), relative leaf turgidity (RLT) and water retention capacity (WRC); and also index of leaf water deficiency (LWD) was improved as compared to the non-treated control. All foliar treatments involving the macro-, micronutrient and growth regulators significantly enhanced fruit crop yield of pear and apple varieties over the control, yield enhancement was obtained 2.7-22.0 t ha-1 for the Talgar beauty (pear variety), 2.2-19.3 t ha-1 for the Renet Symirenko (apple variety), and 1.6-10.5 t ha-1 for the Starkrimson (apple variety). The most effective treatments for water consumption coefficient (WCC) were plantafol and speedphol. The results suggest that foliar plantafol and speedfol could be used as part of an efficient, sustainable fertilizer program for apple and pear trees formaintaining or improving fruit quality, productivity, and avoiding negative efficacy of abiotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scab disease caused by Venturia nashicola is of agroeconomic importance in cultivation of Asian pear. However, little is known about the degree of genetic diversity in the populations of this pathogen. In this study, we collected 55 isolates from pear scab lesions in 13 major cultivation areas in Korea and examined the diversity using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, b-tubulin (TUB2), and translation elongation factor-1a (TEF-1a) genes as molecular markers. Despite a low level of overall sequence variation, we found three distinctive subgroups from phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, TUB2, and TEF-1a sequences. Among the three subgroups, subgroup 1 (60% of isolates collected) was predominant compared to subgroup 2 (23.6%) or subgroup 3 (16.4%) and was distributed throughout Korea. To understand the genetic diversity among the subgroups, RAPD analysis was performed. The isolates yielded highly diverse amplicon patterns and none of the defined subgroups within the dendrogram were supported by bootstrap values greater than 30%. Moreover, there is no significant correlation between the geographical distribution and the subgroups defined by molecular phylogeny. Our data suggest a low level of genetic diversification among the populations of V. nashicola in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 14th Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) convened in Manila, Philippines from 3 to 8 December 2017. At the meeting, Commission members adopted eight legally binding measures for the purposes of conserving and managing tuna and tuna-like species in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Closing at three am on the longest day of negotiations in WCPFC history, the session advanced complex negotiations on a bridging measure to regulate the region’s three highly valuable tropical tuna stocks. A key factor in the meeting’s late close was the negotiating positions taken by three member countries to alter the measure based on claims concerning their special requirements. Subsequent debate revealed that the Commission currently lacks a systematic approach to addressing the special requirements of its member countries. Furthermore, negotiations showed the extent to which members leverage ambiguity concerning special requirements in order to broker compromises within the Commission’s ad-hoc, short-term decision-making framework. Outcomes from WCPFC14 demonstrate that while Commission members have made long-term promises to evolve their approach to decision-making through tools like harvest strategies and an allocation framework, at the session itself they continued to rely on short-term decision-making that did not reflect scientifically advised limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple sequence repeat (SSRs) markers derived from Malus were used to assess their transferability in the analysis of the genetic diversity and relationship of some Pyrus species. All studied microsatellite loci produced fragments and were polymorphic among the studied samples. Fifty-one allelic variants were detected at eight SSR loci, ranging from five (MS14h03, CH02b10 and CH03g06) to nine (CH02h11a), with a mean of 6.37 alleles per locus. A relatively high level of diversity was recorded among the studied accessions. The average of Shannon's index (I) was 1.04. The Dice genetic similarity coefficient ranged greatly and ‘Khoj 1’ (a member of P. communis) and ‘Shinko’ (a cultivar belonging to P. pyrifolia) had the lowest (0.21) values, while ‘Chojuro’ and ‘Nijisseiki’, two cultivars belonging to P. pyrifolia, had the highest genetic similarity (0.97) among the studied samples. Bayesian cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis plot separated the P. pyrifolia samples from other species, and formed three distinct groups, indicating high genetic differences between P. pyrifolia and other studied pear species. Several private alleles were observed in some of the studied species that would be of great importance for species identification. Furthermore, in 23 samples, more than two alleles were observed in the CH04e03 locus, indicating presence of locus duplication in these samples. Our observations suggest that, for this locus, at least two homologous chromosomes or genomic regions may be presented in the genome of some pear samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cydia pomonella, Euzophera pyriella Yang, and Grapholitha molesta are destructive pest species of Korla fragrant pears in Xinjiang. They are also quarantine pests of concern in a number of countries. Identification of these small pest larvae by morphological characters is difficult, and misidentifications will influence appropriate quarantine decisions. Here, a 520 bp fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was first amplified and sequenced from each species, and a diagnostic region was observed. Subsequently, the species-specific primer and probe sets of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were designed, which amplified a 114-116 bp fragment of COI genes. This method was validated by amplification DNA extracted from single, multiple, and mixed pest samples. Results indicated that this method allows rapid discrimination and reliable identification of larvae, pupae, and adult specimens of all three species, which could help the international export trading of Korla fragrant pears and related products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]