Dr. FENG, Xuqiao, Full-professor of Food quality and safety in the College of Food Science and Engineering, Bohai Univerisity, and the Head of Institute for Science and Technology of Fruits and vegetables Professor FENG, Xuqiao got his BSc in 1984, MSc in 1987 and PhD in 1996 from Southwest University and then went abroad to work in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and ARO Volcani Center in Israel from July 1996 to June 2001 and the University of California at Davis in USA from July 2001 to the end of 2008 as visiting professor or postdoctorate. He was introduced to work in Shenyang Agricultural University as Liaoning Province Overseas Talent at the beginning of 2009 and later in 2014 he transferred to work in Bohai University. He has published the first book in China about food quality Food Quality Control and the first series of Modern Food Science and Technology. He is also serving presently as the Director of Liaoning Province Society of Food Quality and Safety, the Vice-Chairman of Dietitian Association of Liaoning Province, and the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Food Safety and Quality.

Speech Title: Food Safety in relation to Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Protection Abstract: Food safety has become the main concern of human beings as living standards greatly improved because of economical development and achievement. However, there is some confusion on the concept of food safety. Problems resulted from unsafe food have been specifically paid attention to while those resulted form safe food are completely ignored, or, even have not yet been noticed. In fact, damages to our health caused by safe food are much more serious than those caused by unsafe food. Numbers of overweight and obese people have been increasing yearly all around the world, so does the cost of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and cancer mainly generated by obesity. In China, 14.7% of the population are overweight and 2.6% are obese with a total obesity number of more than 900 millions and a total overweighed number of more than 0.2 billions. Especially, number of obese children has increased 28 times during the past 15 years. According to the latest analysis report issued by British government, the premature death toll of 70,000 people every year in the country is caused by improper diet , and a third of heart disease and a quarter of cancer patients are related to the diet risk factors. How to deal with these health problems mainly related with food? Food safety will be discussed and related suggestion be posed with the perspectives of sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

Dr.S.T.Selvan M.V.Sc, Ph.D., Professor of the Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Tamilnadu (India) Dr.S.T.Selvan M.V.Sc, Ph.D.,is working as Professor in the Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Tamilnadu (India) for more than 20 years in the field of Poultry Science. He graduated in the year 1989 from the Madras Veterinary College and completed his Ph.D in the year 2000. His Ph.D work on Layer Nutrition was recognized by the CSIR, Government of India and he was offered CSIR Scholarship. During the year 2000, he was offered a fellowship from FAO, Rome to undergo three months program in the University of Melbourne, Australia. During his fellowship he was given training in Ostrich management. He has published more than 30 Research articles and 45 abstracts in both National and International forums. 15 research abstracts were presented in International conference held in the country and abroad. He presented three papers on ostrich rearing in 4th International Ratite Symposium and World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) conference held in Brisbane, Australia (2008) and one paper each in the XXI European Symposium on the quality of poultry meat, Bergamo, Italy (2013) and Asia Pacific Poultry Conference in Jeju Island, South Korea (APPC 2014). He has guided 1 Ph.D student and 9 M.V.Sc students. For the past 11 years he has been working on the welfare of ostriches. He is an expert in the field of nutrition, management and reproduction of ostrich.

Speech Title: HEMATOLOGY AND BLOOD CHEMISTRY VALUES IN OSTRICHES (Struthio camelus) IN SUB TROPICAL CONDITIONS Abstract: An accurate hematology and biochemical value in livestock is an indicator of its impending health condition. Ostriches are new to our country and hence, less information is available about their physiological conditions. Complete blood picture would be a true indicator of its health. Hence, an attempt was made to assess the hematologic and biochemical values of ostriches reared in this station. Ostriches in the age group of 12 – 16 weeks were selected for this purpose. Blood was collected from the brachial vein. Blood was collected in sodium citrated tubes for hematological studies and serum for serological tests. The following mean values were determined in the blood: total erythrocyte count = 1.68 ± 0.02 x1012/litre, packed cell volume = 34.16 ± 0.79, hemoglobin concentration = 112.5 ± 3.35g/l, total leukocyte count = 7.95 ± 0.53x109/litre, erythrocyte sedimentation rate = 1.68 ± 0.17 mm /h, heterophils = 62.17 ± 0.94%), monocytes = 1.50 ± 0.22%, lymphocytes = 31.17 ± 0.79 %, eosinophils = 1.33 ± 0.21% and basophils = 3.83 ± 0.31 %. Blood chemistry results revealed: total protein = 3.80 ± 0.17g/dl, SGOT = 17.32 ± 0.37 IU/dl, alkaline phosphatase = 15.46 ± 0.44 KA units, glucose = 185.25 ± 10.06 mg/dl, cholesterol = 54.69 ± 2.57 mg /dl, albumin = 2.25 ± 0.06 g /dl and globulin = 1.55 ± 2.57 mg/dl. These blood values would enable us diagnose the disease conditioned in the birds and also in monitoring the health status of the birds.

Dr. Yuri Shavrukov, Senior Research Associate, School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University (Australia); and School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide (Australia) Dr. Yuri Shavrukov originates from Siberia (Russia), where he graduated from Novosibirsk State University and received a PhD (1991) from the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. He was subsequently employed at the same Research Institute, initially as Junior and later as Senior Researcher. In 2001 Dr. Shavrukov was successfully granted the position of Post-Doctoral Researcher at CSIRO Plant Industry in Adelaide (Australia), following his permanent migration to Australia. In 2004 he was employed as a Research Associate at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) at the University of Adelaide (Australia). Currently, Dr. Yuri Shavrukov occupies a shared Senior Research Associate Position at the University of Adelaide and Flinders University, Adelaide (Australia), under the supervision of Prof. Peter Langridge and Ass.Prof. Kathleen Soole, respectively. Dr. Yuri Shavrukov coordinates a number of Australian and International projects in countries such as Kazakhstan and South Africa that employ molecular techniques to serve a wide range of research-based and agricultural needs.

Speech Title: High-throughput genotyping technology: Evolution from costly TaqMan and KASP to adaptable and economical SNP Amplifluor markers Abstract: Plant genotyping is based on either manual or high-throughput molecular marker technology. Hundreds of different procedures employing classical molecular markers via restriction, amplification, labelling and separation steps are available to researchers for manual genotyping. Modern high-throughput technology, especially for SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), requires complicated and expensive equipment from companies with a monopoly on the supply of the accompanying reagents. TaqMan was the original type of molecular markers followed by KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific Polymorphism). Use of these technologies in ordinary laboratories is often prevented by their high costs. In contrast, we have developed a technique using SNP Amplifluor (Amplification with Fluorescence) in Kazakh AgroTechnical University, Astana using only a standard qPCR instrument that may be adapted to suit any PCR cycler and fluorescence Plate-reader. The SNP Amplifluor assay was approximately 10- and 100-fold cheaper than KASP and TaqMan, respectively, since the gene-specific primers themselves do not require fluorescent labels and a single batch of the universal fluorescent probes can be used unchanged for many thousands of genotypes under study. Results of SNP Amplifluor marker genotyping in wheat, barley, chickpea, sugar beet and wheatgrass showed clear allele discriminations, demonstrating its adaptability to a wide range of applications.

Prof. Dr. Anas Sarwar Qureshi, Chairman, Department of Anatomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad - Pakistan. Anas Sarwar Qureshi has 30 years of teaching, research and administration experience at University level. He obtained a Ph.D. degree in Anatomy from University of Veterinary Science Hanover, Germany in 1995. Later, he was awarded a two-year Post-Doc (1998-2000) by the Humboldt Foundation Germany to work at the Institute of Anatomy and Physiology Bonn University, Germany. Recently he has completed Endeavour fellowship at the Department of Neurosurgery, The Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and worked on the “Development of new treatments for brain arteriovenous malformations: molecular responses to radiation in in vitro and in vivo models “. Besides, coordinating an EU-Asia-Link project, he has won grants from several national donor agencies. Prof. Qureshi has supervised/co-supervised 7 PhD and 45 master‘s candidates. Presently he is supervising 4 PhD candidates. He has authored more than 200 publications reputed journals, 9 books and many chapters in international reference books. He is convener of National curriculum committee for Anatomy and National testing service (Biomedical Group) Pakistan. He was bestowed Star Laureate Award in the recognition of his outstanding performance in his field in 2007. Presently he is Professor and Chairman, Department of Anatomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Speech Title: Effects of camel milk on hematochemical and histomorphometric charecteristics of diabetic pregnant uterus and neonatal kidneys and liver in albino rats Abstract: To elucidate the effect of oral administration of camel milk on hematologic and histometeric parameters of diabetic pregnant uterus in Albino rats and kidney and liver of their neonates. 18 rats were collected and divided into 3 groups (n=6). Group A served as normal control. Diabetes was induced in rest of the two groups with Alloxan®. Group B was kept as diabetic control and group C was treated with oral administration of camel milk @ 40ml/kg/day for 90 days. On 60th day, an adult male was introduced in each group for mating. After parturition (21 days) the animals were slaughtered and maternal uterus, neonatal kidneys and liver sample was collected. These tissues were processed by paraffin technique and stained with H&E. Slides of uteri were examined under microscope to measure the area of endometrial glands and thickness of endometrium and myometrium using automated image analysis system image J®. Neonatal liver and kidneys were also subjected to same procedure to observe degenerative changes in glomerulus, convoluted tubules, and hepatocytes respectively. Results revealed significantly (P<0.05) lower hematological parameters in control diabetic group (B) as compared to control normal group (A). These parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in camel milk treated group (C) as compared to the control diabetic group (B). Blood glucose level in control diabetic (B) group was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to the control normal (A) group. Camel milk treatment reduced blood glucose level significantly (P<0.05) at 4th week in treated group. Histometrical parameters of uterus were found significantly (P<0.05) higher in camel milk treated group as compared to the control diabetic group. In conclusion, based on results obtained in this study oral camel milk treatment for long time (i.e., 90 days) has potential to decrease blood glucose, degenerative changes in maternal uteri and neonatal liver and kidneys. It also improves the neonatal body weight delivered by camel milk treated diabetic dam as compared to the neonates of control diabetic dam.

Assoc. Prof. Tarlochan Singh Mahajan, Department of Physics, GSS DGS Khalsa College, Patiala 147001, Punjab, India Tarlochan Singh Mahajan obtained his master’s degree in Physics from Punjabi University Patiala in 1981. He did Post M. Sc diploma in Electronics and TV Engr. from Punjabi University Patiala, India in 1982 and stood first in merit. Dr. Mahajan earned his Ph.D. from Thapar University (in March 2014). He started his career as Assistant Professor at Department of Physics, GSSDGS Khalsa College, Patiala, India in 1984. Currently he is working as Head of Physics Department and Vice-Principal in the same college. His research interests include Phase conjugation (Theoretical Physics), Agriculture Physics and comparative Study of Religion and Science. He Published many research papers related to Effect of Electric and Magnetic Treatments on Germination of various types of Seeds. Dr. Mahajan is also having public presence through his writing in state level newspaper, and TV appearances. He has many national and international presentations at conferences and publications to his credit. In 1993, Dr. Mahajan wrote a book ‘Gurbani and Science’. This book bagged ‘excellent book award’ from Language Department Punjab. In 1999 he wrote another book “A journey from life to death”. In 2006, he released a wonderful book on the topic “Present and future Science in the light of Gurbani (Sikh Religion)”. In this book he proved that whatever science is telling us today is similar to what was written in Guru Granth Sahib about 500 years ago. This book is remarkable because its 2nd part is based on predictions of future science in the light of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh Religion).

Speech Title: Effect of Electric and Magnetic Treatments on Germination of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) Seed Abstract: Visible light signals controls the seed germination, leaf expansion, stem elongation, flower initiation and pigment synthesis. Since light being electromagnetic source affects the process of seed germination therefore, it is of special interest to find the effect of electric and magnetic treatments on the seed germination process. Earth’s magnetic field is a natural component of the environment for living organisms and there is an electric field between clouds and the earth. All plants on the earth’s surface experience electric and magnetic fields. However, the role of electric and magnetic fields and their influence on plants is insufficiently understood. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a medicinal plant. It has potential benefit in diabetes and many other diseases. When treated with electric and magnetic fields, there is an increase in the yield of bitter gourd. Results showed that electric field stimulates germination of bitter gourd seeds positively at low levels and gives resonating effect at 500 V/cm. The seeds of bitter gourd were also exposed to magnetic fields of 0.07, 0.12, 0.17 and 0.21 T for 20 min. There was continuous positive stimulation under all applied fields. It is found that low electric field improves the early germination parameters. However, higher electric field gives retardation to germination yield. Magnetically and electrically treated seeds showed a change in water uptake and germination capacity. In future there is scope to investigate the seed microscopically to know the seed element which resonates or stimulates at some particular field level.

Prof. DR. MAGDY MOHAMED GABER, Department of Nutrition National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Cairo Egypt More than 36 years of research experience in both laboratory and field in the area of fish nutrition-and culture interactions, wastewater reclamation under the guidance of Prof. Y. A. Prvezencev, Department of Zoology, University of Temriazev Moscow, Russia from November, 1988 till to day. Fields of my experiences are under guidance of Prof. Conrad Dabrowski Department of Natural resources, Ohio University, USA. Links to further information on specialist area or projects National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of Temriazev Moscow, Russia

Speech Title: Production of Freshwater Fish with Unconventional Ingredients Abstract: The problem:     The most important raw materials used in the fish feed industry are fishmeal, fish oil and corn meal which preferred as a protein and energy source due to its high protein and energy content, good amino acid balance, lack of ant nutrients and high palatability. However, because of its high cost and limited resources, its substitution is a basic prerequisite for the sustainability of aquaculture. The number of feedstuffs with high protein content that can currently be used to replace fish meal is very important for Aquaculture. Formulating Feeds     Nutritionally complete feeds should be used whenever natural foods are absent or where natural foods only make a small contribution to nutrition. When substantial amounts of natural productivity are no available, supplemental feeds need to contain all essential nutrients. We will focus on nutritionally-complete feeds. More...

Cigdem Savaskan, Prof.Dr., full professor of plant biology, retired, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. Prof.Dr. Savaskan has got her BSc in Faculty of Sciences belonging to Ankara University in 1980, MSc and PhD in the Guraduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences of the same University 1989 and 1994 respectively. She worked in Turkish Atomic Energy Authority as a scientific researcher in cytology and mutation genetics subjects until 2002. In the same time, she worked for ‘Genetic basis of mutation and related techniques for crop improvement’ in the Department of Genetics belonging to Silesian University in Poland between 1992–1993, supported by FAO/IAEA. After having PhD degree, she concentrated herself on ‘doubled haploid plant production in durum wheat using intergeneric crosses’ and, for this, she worked about that in John Innes Centre, Cereal Genetics Laboratory, Norwich-United Kingdom in 1995, supported by ‘Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Authority’(TUBITAK)/Royal Society (ESEP). In 2002, she began to work as full professor in Süleyman Demirel University, which is one of the young Turkish state University located in the mediterranean region of Turkey, until 2012 October. She has given lecutes on angiosperm embryology, plant cell, microtechniques in under graduate program and molecular basis of mutation, advanced genetics, plant tissue culture etc.. in BSc and PhD programmes. She completed the managements a number of PhD and BSc thesis due to the projects in plant tissue culture techniques by setting up a ‘plant tissue culture and biodozimeter lab’ in the same time.

Speech Title: The exploit of cereal embryo structure for productive reasons by in vitro techniques Abstract: There are two main sides of our general works exploiting embryo structure in durum wheat and some other cereals. First is haploid (or doubled haploid) embryo production using anther or microspore culture or intergeneric crosses, to ameliorate desirable characters genetically homozygote. Many researches completed and published about that subject. Second side is to use mature embryo structure for protection desirable phenotypic characters without loosing any genes in genotype. Thus, ameliorated genotypes can be stored and cultivated longer time with mature embyo culture technique without being alien pollination etc. in field conditions. For that reason, two different auxin and also their combination with kinetin were used for two different wheat genotype (hexaploid and tetraploid) mature embryos, to understand efficient dose for calli production and plant regeneration in plant tissue culture. Modified MS media were used by adding a single dose of arabinogalactan protein (AGP) and without adding it for regeneration. In further step of this study, most efficient auxin+kinetin combination which is determined previous research, it was used in the same modified MS medium to produce calli production and plant regeneration in three different genotypes (hexaploid and tetraploid wheat and diploid barley). In that case, various amounts (0,2,5,7,10,12 mg/l) of AGP were added to the modified MS medium to determine the best of it regenerant plant production. Data were calculated in five different developmental stages of treatments. All statistical analysis of data were performed and means were compared with Duncan’s test.

Alexandre dos SANTOS, PhD, Professor of Forest Entomology in Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso (IFMT), Mato Grosso State and Federal University of Lavras in Minas Gerais State (UFLA), Brazil Professor Alexandre dos Santos is Forest Engineering (2006) and MS in Entomology (2008) from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA / Brazil), PhD in Entomology from the Federal University of Lavras / Unit Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux (BioSP) (INRA / France) in 2012. He is Professor of Forestry course in Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso (IFMT) - Campus Cáceres/ Brazil and Collaborator Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Entomology at Federal University of Lavras (UFLA / Brazil). He is currently working with Spatial Statistic of Insects, Integrated Pest Management of Forest Insects and in the development of technological solutions (software and industrial products) for Brazilian forestry problems.

Speech Title: Expert system for identification of economically important insect pests in commercial teak plantations Abstract: Homogeneous teak plantations in Brazil occupy large areas with genetically close plants, which may favor insect pests. The insect pests can reduce the quantity and quality of wood produced. The identification of insects at early stages is important to prevent its spread. The objective of this study was to develop an expert system to identify, with mobile smartphones as inference engine, economically important insects attacking commercial teak plantations. The expert system developed (ENTOTECA) proved to be an appropriate technology to identify 23 insects of economic importance at the species level, through a practical and easy interface, usable by any common man. The use of ENTOTECA is aligned with the forest certification that requires the identification of insects before the control decision-making process. New expert systems for other forestry problems and alternative approaches will be discussed.

Dr. Bruce C. Anderson, FCSCE, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Cross-appointed Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning (Department of Geography and Planning), Queen's University, Appointee, High End Foreign Expert Recruitment Program, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University Having received his Bachelor's (Toronto 1978), and M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees (British Columbia 1982 and 1989), Bruce Anderson is currently a Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, and Cross-appointed Professor, Department of Geography (School of Urban and Regional Planning) at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Bruce teaches in civil and environmental engineering, and his research focuses on natural and engineered biological systems for watershed/source water protection, with application to urban stormwater and agricultural runoff management, and small-scale wastewater treatment. Bruce is or has been a co-principal investigator in a number of research groups and he is a member and director in several national and international associations and societies (including the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering International Affairs Committee).More...

Speech Title: Innovative treatment options in agricultural areas and agri-food industries for sustainable source water protection Abstract: It is now widely acknowledged that diffuse (non-point) loading of nutrients from agricultural fields is a leading cause of water quality problems in freshwater lakes in North America and around the world. In humid growing areas (the province of Quebec, Canada as an example), the use of subsurface tile drainage systems is common practice to achieve ideal field moisture and growing conditions; unfortunately these drains also function to channel water (and the consequent fertilizer nutrient load) quickly away to the nearest surface stream, river and/or lake, resulting in the recent proliferation of toxic algae blooms, the growth of hypoxic (low oxygen) zones in lakes, and general water quality deterioration. Interestingly, the location and function of these drains also presents an excellent opportunity for the application of innovative applied treatment, since the formerly diffuse discharges are turned into point-sources by the drains, which in turn can serve as the influent sources for applied treatment systems.More...

Dr. Xiangjia Min, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Applied Chemical Biology, Youngstown State University, Ohio, USA Dr. Min got his B. S. degree in Agronomy from Qingdao Agricultural University, Shandong, China, in 1984, M. S. degree in Agronomy from China Agricultural University, Beijing, China, in 1987. He obtained his Ph. D. degree in Agronomy from University of Hawaii, Honolulu, USA, in 1995. He completed his postdoctoral training at University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1998; and at the Physical and Chemical Research Institute (RIKEN), Japan, in 2000. He worked as a researcher associate at University of British Columbia and Concordia University, Canada, during 2000 – 2008. He is currently employed as an Associate Professor at Youngstown State University, Ohio, USA. Dr. Min’s researcher activities covered several different fields including plant physiology, DNA barcoding and molecular evolution, plant genomics, and bioinformatics. He has published 50 papers in peer reviewed journals or books and implemented several widely used bioinformatics tools and databases, including OrfPredictor for predicting protein coding regions in cDNAs and protein subcellular location databases. His recent work focuses on analyzing plant alternative splicing and development of the plant alternative splicing database. The tools and databases developed by Dr. Min’s group can be accessed at http://bioinformatics.ysu.edu/

Speech Title: Comprehensive cataloging and analysis of alternative splicing events in maize Abstract: Gene expression is a key step in developmental regulation and responses in changing environment in plants. Alternative splicing (AS) is a process generating multiple RNA isoforms from a single gene pre-mRNA transcript that increases the diversity of functional proteins and RNAs. Identification and analysis of alternatively splicing events are critical for crop improvement and understanding regulatory mechanisms. Maize is an important food crop. As in maize a large number of transcripts generated by RNA-seq technology are available, we incorporate these data with data assembled with ESTs and mRNAs to comprehensively catalog all genes with potential undergoing AS. A total of 192,624 AS events were detected and classified, including 103,566 (53.8%) basic events and 89,058 (46.2%) complex events which were formed by combination of various types of basic events. Intron retention is the dominant type of basic AS event, accounting for 24.1%. These AS events were identified from 91,128 transcripts which were generated from 26,669 genomic loci. It was estimated 55.3% maize genes may undergo AS. The data can be accessed at Plant Alternative Splicing Database (http://proteomics.ysu.edu/altsplice/). Keywords: Alternative splicing, cereal crops, gene expression, maize, mRNA

Dr. Sigrid Haunberger, Senior Research Associate, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School for Social Work (Switzerland) Sigrid Haunberger holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from the University of Applied Sciences Landshut (Germany), and a Master Degree in Sociology (main subject), work- and organizational psychology, statistics and criminology (secondary subjects) from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich (Germany). In addition, she holds a PhD in Sociology (survey research) from the University of Bern (Switzerland). She worked at the University of Bern and the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agricultural Economics and Engineering (Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART). Nowadays she is a senior research associate at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. Her main research focus lies on empirical social structure analysis, survey research methodology and agricultural sociology, among other things. The results of her research was published in national and international journals, such as Swiss Journal of Sociology and Journal of Official Statistics.

Speech Title: On the social situation of the farming population in Europe with a special focus on the farming population in Switzerland Abstract: As part of a social report, this paper traces the social situation of farmers in Europe in comparison with other occupational groups and different types of welfare states on the basis of the European Social Survey (ESS). With the social situation – which encompasses the quality of life and life opportunities of population groups – various factors such as job, income, unemployment, values, and integration in society are taken into account. The reference occupational group with which farmers are compared is critical for the interpretation of the results. Above all, we consider especially the social situation of the farming population in Switzerland. In the assessment of their economic situation, the farming population differs little from other occupational groups; in terms of their subjectively perceived integration into society, the farming population does not fall behind other occupational groups. As far as values are concerned, depending on the reference, the farming population turns out to be less universalistic, less traditional, and more success-oriented. Concerning the different types of welfare states, no differences were detected. The results allows us to conclude that in the analyses of social structure farmer must be seen as a separate and specific occupational category due to the fact that they differ from other occupational groups. The paper contributes to social indicators research that enables monitoring and analysing changes in the social structure in the agricultural sector and the development of living conditions of the population. Keywords: agricultural population, welfare states, social position, subjective well-being, values

Hisayoshi Hayashi, Professor of Biosphere Resource Science and Technology Program, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Professor Hisayoshi HAYASHI got his PhD in 1986 at University of Tsukuba in crop science. He had job experiences as an extension officer and a researcher in local governmental level for seven years, then moved to University of Tsukuba. He belongs to Biosphere Resource Science and Technology Program, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba and majored in crop production systems. His research group focused on the following researches: The effects of crop production systems on environmental loads for example greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), chemical fertilizers and agro-chemicals, and carbon sequestration; Development of sustainable agricultural production systems with less environmental loads, and stable and high yield of crops; Production systems of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) and its usage for rural development in Japan and in the world; Food culture (Syokuiku) activities using millets and evaluate their effects on school children.

Speech Title: Application of Rice Husk Charcoal Increased the Silicon Content of Rice Plants and Improved Carbon Sequestration in Andosol Paddy Soil Abstract: Rice husk charcoal (RC) produced from the pyrolysis of rice husk (RH) can be used as a cost-effective biochar in rice-based farming systems. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of RC application on the CO2 equivalent balance of carbon (C) sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions, and on rice productivity, in an Andosol paddy field The experiment compared the following treatments: RC applied at 10, 20, and 40 Mg ha−1 (RC10, RC20, and RC40, respectively), RH applied at 20 Mg ha−1 (RH20), and a control without RC or RH application (CONT). The application of RC and RH was carried out in the first year of the experiment. Data on the growth and yield of rice, and on soil physicochemical properties, were collected in both years, while data on greenhouse gas emissions were measured in the first year. The results showed that the silicon (Si) content of rice straw was higher in the treatments including RC or RH than in CONT in both years, although rice growth and yield parameters were not significantly different among the treatments in either year. There was a positive linear correlation between C storage in the top 10 cm of the soil and the RC application rate. In the first year of the experiment, the CO2 equivalent balance between soil C sequestration and the combined global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 and N2O emissions indicated that the treatments in which RC was applied stored more C in the soil than the CONT, whereas the RH20 treatment emitted more C than the CONT. At the end of the experiment, the increases in soil C contents relative to CONT corresponded to 66–122% of the amounts of C added as RC and 65% of the C added as RH. The amount of soil C sequestration would be much greater if the downward movement of RC and RH below the top 10 cm layer of the paddy field was taken into consideration. These findings suggest that rice husk charcoal application increases the Si content of rice straw and enhances soil carbon sequestration in an Andosol paddy soil. Further field studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of increasing the Si content of rice straw in different soil types and under different environmental conditions.

Prof. Quanli Zong, Prof. Quanli Zong, College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Xinjiang, China Dr. Quanli Zong is a Professor at Shihezi University. His research focus lies at Agricultural Water-Soil Engineering and Engineering Hydraulics. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from the University of Wuhan and Master of Engineering degree from Shihezi University. As an Academic Visitor, he studied in the University of Southampton from January, 2014 to January, 2015. His previous experience involved being a member of the research team obtained a Prize of Agricultural Water saving from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. He also won a second Prize and three times third Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress from Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps of China. As a director of research team, he got three projects from National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). He has published over 90 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 4 books and 20 chapters in books.

Speech Title: Backwashing performance of screen filters in drip irrigation systems Abstract: Two parameters (backwashing pressure difference and backwashing time) of backwashing performance for two screen filters with one geometry and two different screens (8GWZ-832-S178 and 8GWZ-756-S124) using two water qualities (tap water and sand–water mixture) were studied in a total of 84 runs (44 runs for tap water, 16 and 24 filtration cycles for sand–water mixture and backwashing, respectively). The backwashing pressure difference and backwashing time were calculated using the experimental data, and the results were largely in the range of measured values. Three constraint conditions (flowrate, sand condition and filtration time) of backwashing pressure difference were analysed, and the optimal values of backwashing pressure difference were given as 60.0 and 70.0 kPa for 178 µm and 124 µm, respectively. The backwashing time of the screen filter was affected primarily by the flowrates of the filter inlet and backwashing outlet, the mean sand concentrations in the filter inlet and in the backwashing outlet, the percentage of particle sizes greater than the pore diameter of the screen, the ratio between the backwashed particles and the deposited particles on the surface of the screen, and the filtration time. According to the results of the backwashing experiment and prototype observation, the optimal backwashing time was given as 30 to 45 s for both screen filters. Both backwashing parameters were proved to be reasonable by the prototype observation results of the 143rd, 133rd and 144th groups of the Eighth division in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, China.

Zahed HOSSAIN, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, Nadia, Pin No.741235, West Bengal, INDIA Dr. Zahed Hossain currently holds the position of Associate Professor at the Department of Botany, University of Kalyani, West Bengal, India. Dr. Hossain has been working in the field of plant stress physiology for the past 15 years. He pursued his Ph.D. research work on Plant Salinity Stress from the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow as CSIR-JRF and SRF. Dr. Hossain is the recipient of several prestigious National, International Awards and Fellowships, such as JSPS Invitation Fellowship, DST-BOYSCAST Fellowship, Visiting Research Fellowship from Generalitat Valenciana, Spain for pursuing research at the Universitat Jaume I, Castello de la Plana, Castello, Merit Scholarships from University of Kalyani for securing top position in B. Sc. and M. Sc. levels. His research group investigates the plant response towards different environmental challenges at the physiological, biochemical, transcript and proteomic levels. Moreover, his research focuses on the plant response mechanism to nanoparticles stress. His current research work has focused on exploring the miRNA-mediated response to heavy metal stress in maize.

Speech Title: Insights into the stress responses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings to CuO-NPs Abstract: Accidental or incidental release of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) has become a serious threat to the environment (Lee et al., 2010). Plants have evolved a myriad of strategies to deal with such environmental challenges (Hossain et al., 2016). Understanding the complex mechanisms of plant response to NPs is thus essential for assessing the impact of nano-pollutants on environment (Shaw et al., 2014). The present study highlights the impact of nano-CuO (CuO-NPs) stress on rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings. Three different levels of stress (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM suspensions of copper II oxide, <50 nm particle size) were imposed and seedling growth was monitored at different time intervals. Dose dependent reduction in shoot and root growth was recorded with passage of time. To get an overview of nano-stress response of rice, fine tuning of ascorbate–glutathione cycle, membrane damage, in vivo ROS detection, foliar H2O2 and proline accumulation under nano-CuO stress were investigated in detail. High concentration of CuO-NPs exposure resulted oxidative damages as evident from enhanced ROS scavenging antioxidant enzymes activity and increased MDA level. Moreover, presence of dark blue and deep brown spots on stressed leaves as visible after histochemical staining with NBT and DAB respectively indicate severe oxidative burst under CuO-NPs stress. As compared to control, 1.0 and 1.5 mM CuO-NPs challenged leaves showed higher APX activity. However, such elevated APX activity fund to be insufficient to scavenge all H2O2 produced in excess under CuO-NPs stress. In addition, enhanced GR activity coupled with isolated increase in GSH/GSSG does not give much protection from oxidative damages, as evident from higher MDA level in stressed leaves over control. Marked decline in DHAR activity also renders the stressed cells in futile recycling of DHA into AsA, which might be another decisive factor of meager performance of rice seedlings in overcoming CuO-NPs stress induced oxidative damages.

Prof. Dr. Petr Karlovsky, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research, Grisebachstrasse 6, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany Prof. Dr. Petr Karlovsky is head of Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research Section at the University in Goettingen, Germany. He studied biochemistry in Purkynje University in Brno, Czech Republic, and obtained his PhD degree in the Institute of Biophysics in the same city. In 1986 he moved to Germany to conduct research at universities in Hohenheim and Goettingen. In 1999 he joined DuPont/Pioneer Hi-Bred in the USA, working as a Research Manager in Johnston (IA) and Newark (DE). In 2002 he accepted a professor position at the University of Goettingen, Germany. His lab investigates biological functions of mycotoxins and other metabolites in interactions of fungi with other fungi, plants and arthropods. Prof. Karlovsky is Vice President of the Society for Mycotoxin Research. He was nominated for two Expert Groups of ILSI (Brussels, Belgium), for a Senior Visiting Fellowship Award of Institute of Advanced Studies (Bologna, Italy) and for visiting professorship awards of the University of Connecticut (Storrs, USA) and Zhejiang University (Hangzhou, China). He joined several editorial boards and serves as a reviewer for grant agencies in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Portugal, Singapore and USA. He co-authorized numerous scientific publications and is listed as a co-inventor on several patents.

Speech Title: Mycotoxins in food as a threat to food safety Abstract: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that are toxic to animals. Food commodities become contaminated with mycotoxins when pathogenic fungi infect crops in the field or spoilage fungi colonize harvested commodities in storage. Most countries adopted legal maximum limits for mycotoxin levels in food and feed but complying with these limits poses a challenge to crop production because good agricultural practices and crop protection measures cannot completely prevent fungal infection of crop in the field and the resulting mycotoxin accumulation. Mycotoxin production in storage can be blocked efficiently by controlling temperature and humidity. Many storage facilities used by smallholder farmers in tropical and subtropical countries with climate supportive of fungal growth do not allow for efficient temperature and humidity control. As a result, mycotoxin contamination of food commodities and exposure of consumers to foodborne mycotoxins continue posing a serious threat to food safety. Measures counteracting mycotoxin exposure include pre- and postharvest strategies ranging from manual sorting to the use of genetically enhanced crop varieties and food processing technologies detoxifying mycotoxins by physical, chemical or enzymatic treatments. General principles of good agricultural practices and good manufacturing practices are firmly established but implementation of measures specifically targeting mycotoxins is lagging behind. Food safety concerns among consumers, triggered by media coverage for food scandals worldwide, have so far mainly focused on pesticide residues, food additives and other human-made chemicals. Rising awareness of the toxic and carcinogenic potential of natural products, which by large margins surpasses health risks imposed by synthetic compounds that have been approved for the food chain, is an important yet neglected prerequisite for successful mitigation of foodborne mycotoxin exposure.

Assoc. Professor Khim Phin Chong, PhD, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia PAssoc. Professor Dr. Khim-Phin Chong holds a PhD in Plant Science from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. He was the founder of the Sustainable Palm Oil Research Unit (SPOR) in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and former Head of the Unit for four years. Throughout his career as an academician and researcher in UMS, he has published more than 100 papers in international and national journals and proceedings, co-authored two chapters in book and three books on Ganoderma disease. To date, Dr Chong has led 21 research projects in the capacity as the head of project and co-member another 11, which all related to plant diseases sponsored by various industries and government agencies nationally and internationally with total amount approximately USD 600,000. In 2015, his proposal managed to secure an Endowed Professor Chair with approximately USD 500,000 from Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd, one of the Giant companies of palm oil in Malaysia on Sustainable Oil Palm Management. He also serves as editor and reviewer to several journals published by Elsevier, Springer and others. He was the Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation of School of Sustainable Agriculture, UMS in 2010-2011. Dr. Chong has been invited to talk in several conferences as keynote and plenary speaker. He was also invited as a Visiting Professor to Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (Philippines), Visiting Scientist to Seoul National University (South Korea) and University of Hull (United Kingdom). Currently, he is a supervisor to 5 PhD and 6 MSc. students and actively involves in several consultancy work related to oil palm diseases.

Speech Title: The Changes of Oil Palm Roots Cell Wall Lipids during Pathogenesis of Ganoderma Abstract: One of the first physical defences of plants against fungal infection is the plants' cell wall. Interaction between combinations of metabolism enzymes known as the ‘weapons’ of pathogen and the host cell wall probably determine the fate of possible invasion of the pathogen in the host. The present work aims to study the biochemical changes of cell wall lipids of oil palm roots and to determine novel information on root cell wall composition during pathogenesis of Ganoderma boninense by using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Sixty compounds were identified in healthy roots, while 67 compounds were found in infected roots. Based on Total Ion Chromatogram analysis, several compounds were found more abundant in the roots infected with G. boninense compared to the healthy roots. Interestingly, nine new compounds were identified from the cell wall lipids of roots infected with G. boninense. These includes Cyclohexane, 1,2-dimethyl-, Methyl 2-hydroxy 16-methyl-heptadecanoate, 2-Propenoic acid, methyl ester, Methyl 9-oxohexacosanoate,5-[(3,7,11,15-Tetramethylhexadecyl)oxy]thiophene-2carboxylic acid, Ergosta-5,7,22,24(28)-tetraen-3beta-ol, 7-Hydroxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan, Glycine and (S)-4'-Hydroxy-4-methoxydalbergione that may involve as response to pathogen invasion. This paper provides an original comparative lipidomic analysis of oil palm roots cell wall lipids in plant defence during pathogenesis of Ganoderma.

Dr. T. B. S. Rajput, Emeritus Scientist, Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi – 110012, India Dr Rajput is a specialist in the field of Agricultural Water Management. He has developed several technologies for improving water use efficiency at farmers' fields. He has published a large number of research articles in national and international journals. He is one of the highly decorated scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), with highest award of agricultural research i.e. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Dr Rajput has been teaching at PG School of IARI and has guided many MSc and PhD students. IARI and ICAR have awarded him with their best teacher awards. Dr Rajput has authored many books; two of his books on Drip Irrigation and Improving Water Use Efficiency have earned him the prestigious Gyan Vigyan and Shikshak Samman Awards of Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Human Resources Developemnt, Government of India.

Speech Title: Micro irrigation - a means of extending irrigated area in canal, tank and well commands Abstract: India has worlds' 17 percent population and only 2.3 per cent land and 4 per cent water resources. Significant investments have been made for the development of water resources through canal network in the India particularly after the independence of the country in 1947. Out of net cultivated area of 142 Mha in India, only 45 per cent is irrigated and the remaining is rainfed. Productivity of rainfed areas is very low ranging between 1-2 T/ha. More...

Dr. Jianfeng Xu, Associate Professor of Biochemical Engineering, Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) and College of Agriculture and Technology, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA Dr. Jianfeng Xu has been a faculty member at Arkansas State University since 2008. Prior to his current position, he was a Research Scientist at Cornell University (2006-2008), a Research Scientist/Postdoctoral Fellow at Ohio University (1998-2006), and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Institute of Process Engineering (Beijing), Chinese Academy of Sciences (1997-1998). Dr. Xu got PhD of Biochemical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology (China) in 1997. He has published more than 65 papers in peer reviewed journals and 7 book chapters. He received 3 U.S. patents and 2 European patents. His current research is focused on plant cell and tissue culture for the production of therapeutic proteins, and plant biomass processing for the production of biofuels and other biobased products. His research projects have been funded by USDA, NSF and NIH.

Speech Title: Engineering the plant cell wall with novel "designer" glycopeptides as a molecular carrier for cell wall-modifying enzymes Abstract: Reconstructing the chemical and structural characteristics of the plant cell wall with cell wall-modifying (CWM) enzymes (e.g., endoglucanase, xylanase and expansin), represents a promising solution to reduce the overall cost of plant biomass processing for production of biofuels and/or other biobased products. More...

Dr. Dirk Cremer, Regulatory Affairs Manager, DSM Nutritional Products Europe Ltd., Human Nutrition and Health, P.O. Box 2676, 4002 Basel, Switzerland Dr. Cremer is a food chemist by training and currently employed as a Regulatory Affairs Manager at DSM Nutritional Products in Switzerland. He has an industrial track record in Regulatory Affairs of more than 15 years and is actively involved in important regulatory issues on the agenda in the EU, Middle East and at Codex Alimentarius. He is an influential member of the German BLL, NATCOL, FSE, ELC and ISO. Among others, he is the chair-person within ELC (FIA) to represent the European food ingredients industry at Codex Alimentarius level and also chairs the German DIN mirror committee to ISO (TC 34). He as well chairs the ‘natural colour’ working group within NATCOL. He has shaped important industry positions such as the European food industry (ELC/FDE) position on nano labelling and is a speaker on regulatory affairs topics at international conferences.

Speech Title: Towards a globally valid definition for "natural" food ingredients? Abstract: The food basket contains a diversity of ingredients used in foods, including agricultural commodities such as rice and derived products (rice starch, rice wine), water, various food additives ranging from plant extracts to nitrogen from air, microorganisms, vitamins, minerals, botanical extracts and so forth. On processed finished foods marketing claims related to the naturalness of food ingredients (e.g. "100% natural") are frequently used to attract consumer attention and influence purchase decision. Due to this trend, manufacturers more and more reformulate products to use ingredients they perceive as being more “natural”. But what is a “natural” food and food ingredient? Is it all about perception? ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, has embarked on a journey to technically define what is needed for a food ingredient to qualify as “natural”. A firsthand account is given in this presentation about this ISO work and critically discussed from an industry and consumer perspective and insights behind the scene of the food business world are provided.

Dr. Paul (Long) Cheng, Lecturer in Livestock Nutrition and Grazing Management, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Dookie Campus, Victoria 3647, Australia Dr Paul (Long) Cheng graduated from Lincoln University (New Zealand's specialist land-based university), New Zealand in 2008, with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours. In 2009 Dr Cheng commenced his PhD, investigating the use of nitrogen isotopic fractionation as a biomarker to indicate nitrogen use efficiency of ruminants, graduating in 2013 from Lincoln University, New Zealand. Dr Cheng then took up a part time lecturer position to teach livestock production system course, before commencing a postdoc position with The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT), New Zealand to investigate the use of herbs for dairy heifer production. Dr Cheng conducted 25 ruminant (including dairy cow, heifer, goat and sheep) research projects in Australia and New Zealand and also collaborated with 12 institutions from seven countries over the past five years. Dr Cheng presented his research at numerous conferences and meetings both within Australia and overseas. Dr Cheng published more than 40 refereed paper, covering studies ranging from monogastric to ruminant, from nutrition to genetics, from animal production to product quality. Dr Cheng successfully supervised 10 scholars to complete their postgraduate degree, visiting scholarship and internship training over the last 5 years. As a Lecturer in Livestock Nutrition and Grazing Management and subject coordinator of Systems Biology and Animal Systems, Dr Cheng is committed to provide high quality teaching and supervision to students and equip them with practical skills to be successful in their future career.

Speech Title: Review of the use of plantain as a novel herb to improve livestock production and reduce environment footprint Abstract: Recently there is an increased interest in including herbs, such as plantain and chicory in ryegrass based pasture to improve grazing ruminant productivity and reduce environmental footprint in Australasia. The review evaluated 11 published research studies with 53 treatment groups using simple regression analysis. Feed conversion efficiency was used as a proxy for productivity and urinary nitrogen concentration was used as a proxy for grazing ruminant environmental footprint. The results showed that feeding lactating dairy cows with increasing levels of plantain in the diet can reduce urinary nitrogen concentration. On the other hand, no relationship was found between plantain inclusion level in the diet and urinary nitrogen concentration for growing cattle. The feed conversion efficiency was not changed by plantain inclusion level in the diet for both lactating and growing animals.

Wenqiao Yuan, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA Dr. Wenqiao Yuan is a professor at North Carolina State University. He is a titled University Faculty Scholar (Provost’s Professor), and a recipient of many prestigious national and international honors and awards, such as the U.S. National Science Foundation “CAREER Award”, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers “New Holland Young Researcher Award”, “Rain Bird Engineering Concept of the Year Award”, “Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award”, “Superior Paper Award”, and “Distinguished Service Award”. Dr. Yuan has published more than 110 SCI/EI articles and 4 book chapters with over 1840 citations and an h-index of 21. He has advised 22 Ph.D. and 8 M.S. students and supervised more than 40 scholars and undergraduate research assistants in the last 10 years. Dr. Yuan is an associate editor of three SCI journals, and has been the chair of several technical committees of his professional societies. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his research and educational accomplishments in renewable energy and products, and has been invited to speak in many institutions and conferences worldwide.

Speech Title: Biochar benefiting green agriculture and global warming Abstract: Biochar is charcoal produced from biomass via pyrolysis or gasification. It has been traditionally used as a soil amendment due to its positive effects on soil nutrient status, microbial community, and soil biota or plant growth. Recently, the chemical stability of biochar and its slow degradation has attracted interests in using biochar as a carbon sink to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Biochar has also demonstrated its potential in reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, which is attributed to the high porosity and large surface area of biochar that enables absorption/adsorption of water, ammonia or water-soluble ammonium, as well as nitrate ions. More...

Prof. Dr. Bulent GULCUBUK, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey Dr. Bulent GULCUBUK is a Professor of Agricultural Economics. GULCUBUK joined the academic life in 1990. GULCUBUK is Assoc. Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey. GULCUBUK holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics. He earned his M.Sc. in Rural Sociology and Ph.D. in Rural Development from the Ankara University. Dr. GULCUBUK has extensive scholarly researches that have been presented at national as well as international forums. He has written numerous research books and papers. He is member of International Association of Agricultural Economics, European Sociology Association and Rural Sociological Society. He is director of Development Studies Center-Ankara University. His research areas include rural and agricultural development, agricultural policy, rural sociology, entrepreneurship, rural economy, rural industry, rural woman.

Speech Title: Aspects of women labour in agriculture in the world: turkey case Abstract: Women are always involved in productive and economic activities be it agriculture or non-agriculture. Women's economic activities have changed in terms of form and content as a result of economic, social and technological changes in the course of history. In parallel with an increase in an organisational characteristic of social and economic life, particularly after the Industrial Revolution, economic activities were mostly conducted by large enterprises. More...

Dr. Luca Senni, Senior research fellow, Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Terni, Italy. Dr. Luca Senni obtained his Bachelors and Master’s degree in Matter Physics from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, in 1994. In this same University he started the first years as research assistant in the field of Non Destructive Testing via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance techniques on various organic and inorganic materials. Currently he is working as Senior research fellow/Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering of the University of Perugia, with 14 years of teaching, research and project management experience. He is fellow of the Italian Institute of Non-destructive Testing (AIPnD) and he has worked on non-destructive diagnostic research in various fields ranging from cultural heritage conservation, to food analysis and industrial production, managing several research projects (funded by EU) as Pi and Co-Pi. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in NDT and signal processing and he has guided Ph.D theses and a number of Masters theses. His research fields include the laser and optical NDT techniques, acoustic and ultrasonic waves physics, imaging and image processing, devices and NDE, sensors and actuators, and the monitoring and control of the industrial processes.

Speech Title: Food safety and quality assessment through near infrared laser imaging Abstract: During the last few years, nondestructive testing of food quality has drawn increasing attention by the food industry and research institutions. It may happen that food products contains foreign bodies such as bones, stones, plastics, glass, or other contaminants such as fungi. A system operating in a through-transmission configuration is designed and implemented by the use of low power near-infrared laser radiation at four different frequencies to obtain multispectral images of food samples. The apparatus for food inspection is able to detect unwanted foreign bodies or contaminants inside whether unpacked or even packed food samples. The excellent spatial resolution obtained allows the detection of objects up to a millimeter in size within materials with thickness on the order of centimeters. No sample preparation is necessary, hence the analysis is very simple and very fast and can be improved to be carried out on-line. Since the absorption spectra of various materials are well known, or can easily be obtained through preliminary spectroscopic analysis, the laser wavelengths can be carefully chosen to calibrate the system to the desired focus (quality analysis, defect identification, etc.) and to optimize the sensitivity of the procedure with respect to the desired target: e.g. the detection of molds (fungus) or of pieces of plastic, glass, metal, wood, etc.

Dr. Xiu-Qing Li, Research Scientist, Fredericton Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7, Canada Dr. Xiu-Qing Li’s research is a senior level research scientist on molecular genetics, genome biology, and potato genetic improvement at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) since 1997. Dr. Li was appointed as Associate Research Scientist at the “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique” (CNRS, France), Associate Professor at Peking University, Invited Professor at Université de Paris-Sud, and Visiting Professor at Purdue University. Dr. Li is an Academic Editor of “PloS ONE”, Editor of Canadian Plant Biotechnology Newsletter, and on editorial board for “Genetics and Epigenetics” and “Potato Journal”. Dr. Li edited three books—“Studies on Artificial Seeds of Plants” (Peking University Press, 1990), "Somatic Genome Manipulation" (Springer, 2015), and "Somatic Genome Variation" (Wiley Blackwell, 2017). More...

Speech Title: Rapid screening for potato plant tolerance to nutritional stresses and identification of associated genes using a hydroponic system Abstract: Potato is a very important food and vegetable crop, but its production usually requires high inputs of nitrogen, as well as phosphorous. Utilization of potato cultivars tolerant to low inputs of fertilizers, and management of the crops with appropriate amounts of fertilizers, are highly desirable. The challenge is how to determine which potato cultivars are tolerant to low inputs of nitrogen and whether a potato plant is under nitrogen deficiency. Field-based screening for nutrient use efficiency is often problematic due to variation of weather and spatial heterogeneity of soil chemical and physical properties in the research plots. More...