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Prediction Models for the Plant Coverage Percentage of a Vertical Green Wall System: Regression Models and Artificial Neural Network Models
No full text(1) Background: The expansion that most cities have been showing for more than half a century has also brought with it an increase in the density of buildings, most of the time at the expense of green areas. This has led to negative effects, such as overpopulation of cities, rising urban temperatures, pollution of water, air, soil, and others, affecting daily urban life. As a result, specialists from different fields form multidisciplinary teams are looking for solutions to counteract these effects. The subject of visible facades has registered an increased interest among researchers in recent years because they can represent a viable solution that can contribute to increasing the degree of urban comfort. However, for such a system to be effective, it is necessary that the plants used grow and develop harmoniously and ensure the best possible coverage of the facade. The aim of this research is to find an adequate mathematical model that can predict, with a high degree of accuracy, the percentage of plant coverage of a green wall system, which is positioned in the city of Iasi, northeastern Romania. (2) Methods: The models used for this purpose were a multiple linear regression model (MLR) and a model based on a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN). Four independent variables (soil temperature, soil moisture, week of the year, and cardinal wall orientation) and the interaction between two variables (soil temperature and week of the year) were used for the multiple linear regression model. Artificial neural networks were also trained to estimate the percentage of plant coverage in the analyzed system, and the network with the best mean squared error performance was chosen in doing predictions. For both MLR and ANN models, we constructed confidence intervals for the degree of plant coverage of the system (PCP) for a set of observed values. In the case of the ANN model, the confidence interval was derived via the bootstrap method, which is a resampling with replacement technique used to generate new samples from the original dataset. To the best of our knowledge, the derivation of confidence intervals using a combination of neural networks with the bootstrap method has not been used before, at least for predictions in horticulture. (3) Results: The ANN employed here consisted of one input layer with four neurons, one hidden layer with five neurons, and one output layer with one neuron. The comparison showed that the confidence interval obtained using ANN has a shorter length (and thus it is more accurate) than that obtained by the multiple linear regression model. The choice of the experimental module façade had a significant influence (of magnitude 1.9073) on the plant coverage percentage. An increase of one unit in soil humidity will determine an increase of almost 5.1% in plant coverage percentage, and an increase of 1 °C in soil temperature will determine a decrease of almost 1.21% in plant coverage percentage. The choice of the experimental module façade had a significant influence (of magnitude 1.9073) on the plant coverage percentage. (4) Conclusions: Although both methods showed to be useful in making predictions, the ANN method showed better predictive capabilities, at least when the performance is measured by the mean squared error. This fact may be useful when predicting the percentage of plant coverage of a green wall system with a higher degree of accuracy, in the case of organizing outdoor exhibitions or other similar projects
Evaluation of old apple varieties grown in North-Eastern part of Romania
Get PDFOld apple cultivars, either originating from Romania or of foreign origin but grown widely in this region, were examined to provide a characterisation of the varieties. The aim of the thesis was to observe and evaluate the phenological, and morphological traits of the old apple cultivars using the following methods as: observation of flowering phenology traits and the classification of the cultivars into flowering time groups; characterisation of the gene bank collection and the determination of diversity using morphological markers; preparation of a number-coded characterisation based on the morphological and biological traits laid down in the UPOV guidelines. Identified and collected material provides the initial genetic source for variety improvement. Using the observations and determinations made, we identified the potential genitors for different useful characteristics that we used in controlled intra and interspecific hybridizing. Researchers constant concern refers to preserving, coplotting, periodically reorganizing and assessing the biological and agrochemical characteristics of each genotype, the exchange of biological material into the restricted manner and the assessment of the potential genitors for some useful characteristics used in genetic breeding programs
Effect of non-genetic factors on birth weight in a population of Teleorman Black Head sheep breed
No full textConsidering the increasing demand for sheep meat, it is necessary to optimize the breeding strategies and the management of sheep breeding in Romania in order to satisfy this demand by obtaining animals with high genetic potential in terms of body development traits. Knowing that some of the main factors such as sex, parity, type of birth are considered sources of variation of several growth-related traits within the sheep species, the aim of the present work was to determine the influence of these factors on the birth weight of a population of Teleorman Black Head sheep. In order to achieve the scope, the birth weight character of 732 lambs born in the 2021 lambing season was studied. The data obtained by weighing were statistically processed in Excel using the software 'Real statistics'. The sex ratio was 1:0.77, with 407 females and 316 males, which had an average birth weight of 4.053 ± 0.039 kg and 4.19 ± 0.044 kg, respectively. The results showed that birth weight was insignificantly influenced by sex (p>0.01), strongly influenced by parity (p<0.01) and strongly influenced by birth type (p<0.01)
On the Future Perspectives of Some Medicinal Plants within Lamiaceae Botanic Family Regarding Their Comprehensive Properties and Resistance against Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
No full textLamiaceae is one of the largest botanical families, encompassing over 6000 species that include a variety of aromatic and medicinal spices. The current study is focused on three plants within this botanical family: basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.). These three species contain primary and secondary metabolites such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds, fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential oils and have traditionally been used for flavoring, food preservation, and medicinal purposes. The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the nutraceutical, therapeutic, antioxidant, and antibacterial key features of these three aromatics to explore new breeding challenges and opportunities for varietal development. In this context, a literature search has been performed to describe the phytochemical profile of both primary and secondary metabolites and their pharmacological uses, as well as to further explore accession availability in the medicine industry and also to emphasize their bioactive roles in plant ecology and biotic and abiotic stress adaptability. The aim of this review is to explore future perspectives on the development of new, highly valuable basil, summer savory, and thyme cultivars. The findings of the current review emphasize the importance of identifying the key compounds and genes involved in stress resistance that can also provide valuable insights for further improvement of these important medicinal plants
Hematological effects in acute toxicity generated by the administration of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Get PDFVarious studies demonstrated risks and benefits in the use of bee venom, a natural product characterized by a complex organic structure. In this study, we aimed to test the effects of bee venom administration in rabbits. Hematological investigations were carried out by determining specific blood indicators at different time intervals and at varying doses of venom. The obtained results showed a toxic action dependent on the dose and the daily cumulative effect; in the case of erythrocyte and platelet parameters, bee venom progressively generated the onset of thrombocytosis and reduced hemolysis for the short term. In the case of leukocytes, the administration of bee venom caused an increase of WBC count, segmented neutrophils and Ne/Lymph ratio, proportional to the dose and time of bee venom inoculation, but within the reference range; the average values of unsegmented neutrophils and basophils was above the upper limit of the normal range, with oscillating changes during the experiment; monocytosis and eosinophilia was also noted at different doses and times of venom inoculation. The investigations carried out 7 days after stopping the administration of bee venom revealed, in many cases, a progressive return to normal for the hematological parameters, except blood platelets
Comparative Studies of Thermal Conductivity Determination in Synthetic Wood with RecyclableWaste Content Using an Experimental Design Approach
No full textWaste has become an everyday subject, especially its efficient recycling due to the increasing decline in the planet’s primary resources. Therefore, their recovery is intended to be total and with minimal energy consumption. Biomass waste is fully recoverable in raw or processed states and in combination with other compatible waste types (including wastewater from construction, polymers, and sunflower seeds). It represents the basic elements for obtaining synthetic wood to replace natural wood, which is very expensive and difficult to obtain (lasts for several years). This paper proposes three methods to determine the thermal conductivity of these new materials (synthetic wood) to guarantee and optimise their thermal characteristics. The determination of thermal characteristics in insulating materials is usually performed experimentally in a double climate chamber or more simply using a special instrument of the ISOMET type, but under these conditions, the sample must meet certain conditions imposed by the manufacturer to be tested. Thus, two experimental investigation methods are used to which a numerical method is added, which consists of modelling by the finite element method with an adequate programme of heat transfer through these materials. Four samples with variable content of recyclable waste obtained through combinations resulting from six different experimental design plans with two controlled factors were analysed to optimise synthetic wood recipes for the efficiency of their hygro-thermal characteristics. The content of the tested samples varied relative to the quantity and number of recyclable wastes included in the final recipe. Thus, the thermal conductivity obtained was different for each sample but close to that of similar synthetic wood-type materials and natural wood
No-tillage impact on hydro-physical properties of the soil on corn crop
No full textWater content is essential for all soil processes. It functions as a transfer medium for nutrients in the soil solution, as well as a source of water needed for plant growth and development. The practice of no-tillage, compared to conventional tillage, has a positive influence on the continuity of the soil pore system, with direct effects on water and air circulation. The present scientific research investigates the dynamics of hydro-physical properties in tillage systems practiced in the experimental field of the Soil Management Department in Ezăreni Farm, Iasi University for Life Sciences, Romania. It is geomorphologically located on the transition Coast of Iasi, in a plateau area, with a cambic chernozem soil, with clayloam texture. Soil samples were collected from the reference plots in undisturbed natural settlement, using 100 cm3 metal cylinders to determine the hydraulic conductivity. Soil samples were also taken at a depth of 0-90 cm for gravimetric moisture determination and WatchDog sensors (SM100) were placed at a depth of 10-30 cm at the beginning of the growing season for volumetric moisture measurement. In the field, the infiltration rate of water into the soil was determined using the double ring infiltrometer. The results confirm that the no-tillage system conserves more water in the soil, has higher saturated hydraulic conductivity values, from 0.196 at 30-40 cm depth to 1.209 (cm/s x 10-2) at 20-30 cm depth, and the infiltration rate determined in the field is 4% higher compared to the conventional system
The influence of tillage system applied to the crops of autumn wheat on some components of the soil population
No full textReserch on the influence of tehnological factors on seed production at the Bromus inermis Leyss in the third year of vegetation
Get PDFSeed production is undoubtedly of particular importance for the overseeding or reseeding of permanent grasslands and the establishment of temporary meadows, by providing the necessary seed material. The research conducted during the period 2022-2023, at the Research and Development Station for Meadows, Vaslui (46°40' - 36°10' north latitude and 27°44' - 20°40' east longitude) pursued the influence of fertilization and the distance between rows on seed production (kg/ha) for smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.). The organized experience was trifactorial, 2×3×5 type, it was placed according to the method of subdivided plots, with the plot harvestable area of 20 m2 (2 m × 10 m), in three replications, and the studied factors were: A - variety (a1 - Mihaela, a2 - Iulia Safir), B - the distance between rows with three graduations (b1 - 25 cm, b2 - 37.5 cm and b3 - 50 cm) and C - fertilization with five graduations (c1 - unfertilized, c2 - N50P50, c3 - N50P50K50, c4 - N75P75K75 and c5 - N100P100K100). Following the study, it was found that by applying mineral fertilized with N75P75K75 and by sowing at 25 cm distances between rows seed production was higher
Impact of Different Levels of Crude Protein on Production Performance and Meat Quality in Broiler Selected for Slow Growth
No full textThe production performance and meat quality of the slow-growing hybrid Hubbard JA757 were monitored under conditions of diets differentiated by crude protein content. A total of 1200 as-hatched day-old chickens were equally and randomly allotted into two treatments (T-1 and T-2), with six replicates provided for each treatment (100 chickens/replicate). T-1 chickens received standard diets (according to Hubbard Company recommendations), and those in T-2 were fed diets supplemented with crude protein (+0.5% CP in the growing phase and +1.0% CP in the finishing phase). At the end of the investigations (age 56 days), the T-2 chickens performed better than the T-1 chickens for growth traits (+2.72% body weight; +2.77% daily growth gain; −0.34% mortality; and −4.15% feed conversion ratio); for slaughtering (+0.66% dressed yield; +1.10% breast weight; and +1.25% thigh weight); and for quality meat (+0.55% dry matter in thigh muscles and +1.52% dry matter in breast muscles) (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) occurred between treatments for body weight, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio due to the 0.5% CP feed supplementation during the 15–28 day age period, justifying the usefulness of the CP increasing throughout the grower diet only and not during the finishing period