An eco-friendly way to protect wheat seeds from phytopathogens

Protecting wheat seed from phytopathogens is a popular topic for plant breeders. The objects requiring close attention and control on wheat are smut infections, pathogens of root rot. And if the pathogens of smut we have learned to fight quite effectively with, then microorganisms that infect underground parts of plants are controlled with less success and many questions in the system of protection against them remain controversial. The issue of reducing the pesticide load on agrocenoses, starting with the protection of seeds, also remains relevant. The article presents the results of field trials of means of protecting spring wheat seeds from root rot in 2019–2020, carried out within the framework of the state assignment at the Kurgan SRIA — branch of FSBSI UrFASRC, according to generally accepted methods. The aim of the research was to assess the biological, economic efficiency of the combined use of a chemical seed dressing agent and a biofungicide based on Bacillus subtilis in protecting wheat from soil-seed infections, to determine the competitiveness of an ecologized method of protecting seeds (reduced consumption rate of a chemical seed dressing agent in combination with biological fungicide). The obtained research results indicate that with a high level of damage to wheat by root rot (Fusarium, B. sorokiniana), the use of seed treatment with the studied preparations ensured the preservation of 10–12% of the yield, more efficiency was noted in the variants with the Oplot 0.5 l/t and the Oplot 0.3 l/t + Nodix Premium 0.3 l/t . The technical effectiveness of fungicides against wheat root rot ranged 44% for Nodix Premium to 85–86% for chemical protection and mixed use. An environmentally friendly method of protecting wheat seeds, which consists in using a 40% lower rate of a chemical dressing agent with a biopesticide, turned out to be competitive.

Monitoring Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) Levels in Mixed-Use Residential-Commercial Buildings in Shiraz, Iran: Assessing the Carcinogenicity and Non-Carcinogenicity Risk of Their Inhabitants

The aim of this study is to investigate the concentration of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) compounds in the indoor air of residential-commercial complexes and to compare it with other residential buildings (control) as well as to assess the carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity risk of these pollutants. BTEX concentration was investigated in the indoor air of 30 ground floor restaurants, 30 upper residential units of the complexes, 20 adjacent residential units (control), and their corridors. The mean BTEX concentration measured in the upper residential units was reported higher than in the control residential units, though they were not significantly different. The lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) value calculated for benzene in the upper residential units was lower than 10−4 and higher than 10−6 across all ages, indicating a carcinogenicity risk. Furthermore, the mean hazard quotient (HQ) for all compounds was obtained lower than 1, suggesting no concern about the non-carcinogenicity risk of these compounds in the studied region. Nevertheless, considering the sources of benzene production in the indoor air as well as the carcinogenicity of these pollutants and the risk they pose in human health, application towards the reduction of the sources and concentration of benzene in the indoor air are necessary.

Pedestrian Safety in Compact and Mixed-Use Urban Environments: Evaluation of 5D Measures on Pedestrian Crashes

This study examined the impact of density, diversity, design, distance to transit, and destination accessibility, five measures, known as the 5Ds, that characterize the built environment, on pedestrian–vehicle crashes in Seoul, Korea. Using spatial analysis based on 500-m grid cells, this study employed negative binomial regression models on the frequencies of three specific types of pedestrian–vehicle crashes: crashes causing death, major injury, and minor injury to pedestrians. Analysis shows that compact and mixed-use urban environments represented by 5D measures have mixed effects on pedestrian safety. Trade-off effects are found between a higher risk for all types of pedestrian crashes, and a lower risk for fatal pedestrian crashes in 5D urban environments. As a design variable, a higher number of intersections is more likely to increase some types of pedestrian crashes, including fatal crashes, a finding which warrants policy attention to promote pedestrian safety near intersection areas. This study also confirms an urgent need to secure the travel safety of pedestrians near public transit stations due to the higher risk of pedestrian crashes near such facilities. Various destinations, such as retail stores, traditional markets, and hospitals, are associated with pedestrian crashes. Pedestrian safety measures should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of pedestrian crashes near major destination facilities.

Phenomenon of the Mixed Use of Indonesian and English among Students on the Island of Java

Language, according to one expert, is the most complete and effective communication to convey ideas, messages, intentions, feelings and opinions to others. One of them is English which is an international language. With the spread of English in Indonesia, there is a trend of language mixing between Indonesian and English in its use in everyday life, especially among students. This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing a trend that exists among Indonesian students, namely the mixed use of Indonesian and English and focuses on language in spoken use in communication. This research uses a descriptive method through a qualitative approach by means of a survey using a questionnaire and a study of the literature. Where, with this method, researchers get two types of data, namely primary data and secondary data. In the results of the study, it was found that at least 88, 6% or 39 of 44 respondents have used a mixture of Indonesian and Indonesian in their daily lives. So it can be concluded that the use of a mixture of Indonesian and English among students has become a phenomenon. Several factors that influence the occurrence of this phenomenon are friendly affective meaning and increased self-confidence.

Improving Best Management Practice Decisions in Mixed Land Use and/or Municipal Watersheds: Should Approaches Be Standardized?

Best management practices (BMP) are defined in the United States Clean Water Act (CWA) as practices or measures that have been demonstrated to be successful in protecting a given water resource from nonpoint source pollution. Unfortunately, the greatest majority of BMPs remain unvalidated in terms of demonstrations of success. Further, there is not a broadly accepted or standardized process of BMP implementation and monitoring methods. Conceivably, if standardized BMP validations were a possibility, practices would be much more transferrable, comparable, and prescriptive. The purpose of this brief communication is to present a generalized yet integrated and customizable BMP decision-making process to encourage decision makers to more deliberately work towards the establishment of standardized approaches to BMP monitoring and validation in mixed-use and/or municipal watersheds. Decision-making processes and challenges to BMP implementation and monitoring are presented that should be considered to advance the practice(s) of BMP implementation. Acceptance of standard approaches may result in more organized and transferrable BMP implementation policies and increased confidence in the responsible use of taxpayer dollars through broad acceptance of methods that yield predictable and replicable results.

The Grand Central Markets; Heritage-led Regeneration through adaptive reuse

<p>There is growing acceptance that heritage buildings are an important element of New Zealand’s social capital and that heritage conservation provides economic, cultural and social benefits to urban communities. The role of building conservation has changed from preservation to being part of a broader strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability. Heritage-led regeneration through reuse presents an opportunity to encourage the enhancement and protection of both existing built heritage and New Zealand’s historic building stock. Over the years, there has been significant loss of historic heritage in the Auckland city centre, and a number of heritage buildings continue to suffer from neglect, decay, under-use or insensitive new design. There is a need to properly integrate these heritage assets into New Zealand’s future planning strategies. This thesis investigates strategic planning schemes and visions for a mixed-use development to support urban regeneration in Auckland’s City Centre. Imposing a design-led approach, this research will begin by a broad critique of building preservation, adaptive reuse and placemaking theories. In conjunction with this, internationally recognised adaptive reuse, mixed-use and urban regeneration projects will be reviewed. Utilising international literature and precedents, an adaptive research approach is applied to the former Auckland Railway Station in order to demonstrate its potential to be revitalised into a contemporary mixed-use development that reflects Auckland’s diverse cultural mix. The objective of this research investigation is to form a critical design approach to allow the former Auckland Railway Station to become the heart and soul of the community whilst establishing an ecologically sound future. The process will involve a layered response; respecting and conserving the existing fabric, harnessing the ‘sense of place’ and applying interventions that promotes occupation and community engagement.</p>

The Grand Central Markets; Heritage-led Regeneration through adaptive reuse

<p>There is growing acceptance that heritage buildings are an important element of New Zealand’s social capital and that heritage conservation provides economic, cultural and social benefits to urban communities. The role of building conservation has changed from preservation to being part of a broader strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability. Heritage-led regeneration through reuse presents an opportunity to encourage the enhancement and protection of both existing built heritage and New Zealand’s historic building stock. Over the years, there has been significant loss of historic heritage in the Auckland city centre, and a number of heritage buildings continue to suffer from neglect, decay, under-use or insensitive new design. There is a need to properly integrate these heritage assets into New Zealand’s future planning strategies. This thesis investigates strategic planning schemes and visions for a mixed-use development to support urban regeneration in Auckland’s City Centre. Imposing a design-led approach, this research will begin by a broad critique of building preservation, adaptive reuse and placemaking theories. In conjunction with this, internationally recognised adaptive reuse, mixed-use and urban regeneration projects will be reviewed. Utilising international literature and precedents, an adaptive research approach is applied to the former Auckland Railway Station in order to demonstrate its potential to be revitalised into a contemporary mixed-use development that reflects Auckland’s diverse cultural mix. The objective of this research investigation is to form a critical design approach to allow the former Auckland Railway Station to become the heart and soul of the community whilst establishing an ecologically sound future. The process will involve a layered response; respecting and conserving the existing fabric, harnessing the ‘sense of place’ and applying interventions that promotes occupation and community engagement.</p>