Wrocław University of Technology

About: Wrocław University of Technology is a education organization based out in Wrocław, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Computer science. The organization has 13115 authors who have published 31279 publications receiving 338694 citations.

Plant Growth Biostimulants Based on Different Methods of Seaweed Extraction with Water

Abstract: We explored two methods for obtaining aqueous extracts: boiling and soaking of Baltic seaweeds (EB and ES, resp.). Algal extracts were characterized in terms of polyphenols, micro- and macroelements, lipids content, and antibacterial properties. The utilitarian properties were examined in the germination tests on Lepidium sativum for three extract dilutions (0.5, 2.5, and 10%). It was found that the extracts were similar in micro- and macroelement concentrations. Water was proved to be a good solvent to extract phenolic compounds. The algal extract produced by soaking biomass did not show inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Only the boiled extract had an inhibitory activity against E. coli. Germination tests revealed a positive influence of the bioproducts on the cultivated plants. In the group treated with 10% EB, plants were 13% longer than in the control group; the content of elements B, Mo, Zn, and Na in the group treated with 10% ES was higher by 76%, 48%, 31%, and 59% than in the control group, respectively; the content of chlorophyll was 2.5 times higher in 0.5% ES than in the control group. Extracts showed the slight impact on the morphology of plants.

Survey of Drones for Agriculture Automation from Planting to Harvest

Abstract: Farmers explore the capabilities for applications of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with image processing, pattern recognition and machine learning, so its logical to ask where best to apply this technology for maximum effect. Machines can do automated tasks better, cheaper and faster. One can use the camera from the sky and measure things on the earth especially on cropland from drones and satellites. Over time, drones have increased in capabilities and fallen in cost, and their use has greatly expanded especially in complex terrain. High quality remote sensing with spectral imaging using drones makes them interesting for regular use in Precision Agriculture (PA). Drones are often used in agriculture in ways that were highly controversial only a short time ago even there are no unified legislation on drones usage in agriculture. In this paper we address problem of Remote Sensing (RS) technologies combined with Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms to support and develop selected agriculture operations like map or sensor-based Variable Rate Application (VRA).

T4 Phage and Its Head Surface Proteins Do Not Stimulate Inflammatory Mediator Production

Abstract: Viruses are potent activators of the signal pathways leading to increased cytokine or ROS production. The effects exerted on the immune system are usually mediated by viral proteins. Complementary to the progress in phage therapy practice, advancement of knowledge about the influence of bacteriophages on mammalian immunity is necessary. Particularly, the potential ability of phage proteins to act like other viral stimulators of the immune system may have strong practical implications for the safety and efficacy of bacteriophage therapy. Here we present studies on the effect of T4 phage and its head proteins on production of inflammatory mediators and inflammation-related factors: IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p40/p70, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIG, RANTES, GCSF, GM-CSF and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plasma cytokine profiles in an in vivo mouse model and in human blood cells treated with gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc were evaluated by cytokine antibody arrays. Cytokine production and expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC class II molecules were also investigated in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells treated with whole T4 phage particle or the same capsid proteins. The influence of T4 and gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc on reactive oxygen species generation was examined in blood cells using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. In all performed assays, the T4 bacteriophage and its capsid proteins gp23*, gp24*, Hoc and Soc did not affect production of inflammatory-related cytokines or ROS. These observations are of importance for any medical or veterinary application of bacteriophages.