bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overview of Methods to Quantify Invasiveness of Surgical Approaches in Orthopedic Surgery—A Scoping Review
Authors: Buis Niels , Esfandiari Hooman , Hoch Armando , Fürnstahl Philipp
Published: January 2022

Background

There is a trend toward minimally invasive and more automated procedures in orthopedic surgery. An important aspect in the further development of these techniques is the quantitative assessment of the surgical approach. The aim of this scoping review is to deliver a structured overview on the currently used methods for quantitative analysis of a surgical approaches' invasiveness in orthopedic procedures. The compiled metrics presented in the herein study can serve as the basis for digitization of surgery and advanced computational methods that focus on optimizing surgical procedures.

Methods

We performed a blinded literature search in November 2020. In-vivo and ex-vivo studies that quantitatively assess the invasiveness of the surgical approach were included with a special focus on radiological methods. We excluded studies using exclusively one or multiple of the following parameters: risk of reoperation, risk of dislocation, risk of infection, risk of patient-reported nerve injury, rate of thromboembolic event, function, length of stay, blood loss, pain, operation time.

Results

The final selection included 51 articles. In the included papers, approaches to 8 different anatomical structures were investigated, the majority of which examined procedures of the hip (57%) and the spine (29%). The different modalities to measure the invasiveness were categorized into three major groups “biological” (23 papers), “radiological” (25), “measured in-situ” (14) and their use “in-vivo” or “ex-vivo” was analyzed. Additionally, we explain the basic principles of each modality and match it to the anatomical structures it has been used on.

Discussion

An ideal metric used to quantify the invasiveness of a surgical approach should be accurate, cost-effective, non-invasive, comprehensive and integratable into the clinical workflow. We find that the radiological methods best meet such criteria. However, radiological metrics can be more prone to confounders such as coexisting pathologies than in-situ measurements but are non-invasive and possible to perform in-vivo. Additionally, radiological metrics require substantial expertise and are not cost-effective. Owed to their high accuracy and low invasiveness, radiological methods are, in our opinion, the best suited for computational applications optimizing surgical procedures. The key to quantify a surgical approach's invasiveness lies in the integration of multiple metrics.
Antithrombotic Therapy in Spinal Surgery Does Not Impact Patient Safety–A Single Center Cohort Study
Authors: Banat Mohammed , Wach Johannes , Salemdawod Abdallah , Bara Gregor , Shabo Ehab , Scorzin Jasmin E. , Müller Martin , Vatter Hartmut , Eichhorn Lars
Published: January 2022

Objective

Antithrombotic therapy is common in older patients to avoid thromboembolic events. Careful planning is required, particularly in the perioperative environment. There are no clearly date guidelines on the best timing for interrupting the use of anticoagulation in the case of spinal surgery. This study evaluates early per procedural clinical outcomes in patients whose antithrombotic therapy was interrupted for spinal surgery.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. All patients who underwent dorsal instrumentation from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 were included. In group A, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were suspended for 5 days and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for 3 days. In group B, antiplatelet agents (APA) were paused for at least 7 days before surgery to prevent perioperative bleeding. Patients not taking anticoagulation medication were gathered into control group C. We analyzed demographic data, ASA status, blood loss, comorbidities, duration of surgery, blood transfusion, length of hospital stay, complications, thromboembolism, and 30 day in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analyses from the three groups were further analyzed and conducted.

Results

A total of 217 patients were operated and included. Twenty-eight patients taking VKA/DOAC (group A), 37 patients using APA (group B), and 152 patients without anticoagulation (group C) underwent spinal surgery. Those using anticoagulants were significantly older and often with multimorbidity, but did not differ significantly in procedural bleeding, time of surgery, length of hospital stay, complication rate, thromboembolism, or 30 day in-hospital mortality (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data show that dorsal instrumentation safely took place in patients whose antithrombotic therapy was interrupted.
SELPLG Expression Was Potentially Correlated With Metastasis and Prognosis of Osteosarcoma
Authors: Wang Bingqi , Sun Yufu
Published: January 2022

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant primary bone tumor in children. Selectin P ligand gene (SELPLG) has been studied in several cancers. Our research aimed to explore the role of SELPLG in OS.

Methods: All OS patient data was obtained from TARGET and GEO databases. Differential expression analyses were conducted in limma package of R. Functional analyses included GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Immune cell infiltration analysis was done in CIBERSORT software. The overall survival was calculated using survival and survminer package of R.

Results: Significantly lower SELPLG expression was observed in metastatic OS samples compared with non-metastatic OS samples, both in TARGET and in GSE21257. Low SELPLG expression was an independent undesirable prognostic factor for OS patients, in both TARGET and GEO datasets. Totally 62 differentially expressed gene (DEG) overlaps were found between high SELPLG vs. low SELPLG and non-metastatic vs. metastatic OS samples, affecting metastases and thereby influencing the prognosis, which were significantly enriched in 40 GO and six KEGG terms. Five types of immune cells were significantly differentially infiltrated between high and low SELPLG expression OS patients.

Conclusion: SELPLG is closely correlated with metastases and prognosis of OS patients. The OS patients with low SELPLG expression have relatively poorer prognosis and SELPLG is a potential prognostic biomarker for OS.
Gatunki naukowe i dydaktyczne w edukacji polonistycznej
na Ukrainie
Authors: Busiło Samanta
Published: January 2022

The paper analyses the issue of academic writing in Polish. The author
analyses the specifi c characteristics of the development of competences in the
fi eld of understanding and creating texts representing scientifi c and didactic
genres from the Polish-Ukrainian comparative perspective, taking into account
the phenomenon of intercomprehension and linguistic interference. Based on
the analysis of educational practices in Poland and Ukraine, as well as the texts
of the diploma theses of students from Ukraine, based on her own experience
in teaching, the author presents a catalogue of academic genres and frequent
errors in academic writing made by Ukrainian students.
Muzyczne inspiracje w Prawdzie starowieku – pierwszej części
tetralogii Stanisława Vincenza .
Authors: Tkaczuk Tamara
Published: January 2022

The works by S. Vincenz are a phenomenon from the borderline of
cultures, a testimony of the expansion of Ukrainian-Polish cultural and
literary connections. The tetralogy Na wysokiej połoninie (On the high meadow)
presents a wide panorama of the Hutsul region, the harmony of coexistence of
representatives of different ethnic groups on the background of the untouched
nature, which is mythologised, becomes an active participant in the life of the
inhabitants of the Carpathians. Intermediality is dominant in the tetralogy
Na wysokiej połoninie, because the combination of different arts (including
music and painting) facilitates a better disclosure of the unique folk customs
and rituals, the ontology of life, the history of Hutsul folk instruments and the
specifi c characteristics of their use, symbolism, folk dances, the role played
by sounds of nature, mystical meaning of the natural phenomena that have
surrounded the human being since ancient time. The paper deals with the
analysis of the specifi c characteristics of the writer’s use of musical and pictorial
paintings in the work, the use of linguistic means with which the author creates
rhythmic prose, captures the sound vibrations of the nature of the Carpathians
as a unique space existing in harmony with the human being, which was an
innovative phenomenon at the beginning of the 20th century. It was established
that musicality in the tetralogy Na wysokiej połoninie is constructed through
onomatopoeia, mythologisation of the natural elements, is an important part
of the Hutsuls’ traditions, history, life, is a manifestation of the love of nature
as a source of a unique polyphony, harmony, silence, promotes the opening of
space-time to the macrocosm, and emphasises the uniqueness of the greatness
of the Carpathian region and its inhabitants
O potrzebie badania kompetencji leksykalnej dzieci
w wieku wczesnoszkolnym w dydaktyce języka polskiego za granicą
(na przykładzie Stanów Zjednoczonych i Ukrainy)
Authors: Jędryka Beata Katarzyna
Published: January 2022

The knowledge of the vocabulary of early school-age children learning Polish
abroad is one of the most important determinants of the level of their language
profi ciency. The paper presents the situation of Polish language teaching in the
United States of America and Ukraine. Additionally, the paper discusses the
status of the language among people of Polish origin. The author describes the
preliminary results of the research on lexical competence of students: semantic
fi elds with the largest lexical defi cit among the children compared to their peers
in Poland
Unranking Small Combinations of a Large Set in Co-Lexicographic Order
Authors: Kruchinin Vladimir , Shablya Yuriy , Kruchinin Dmitry , Rulevskiy Victor
Published: January 2022

The presented research is devoted to the problem of developing new combinatorial generation algorithms for combinations. In this paper, we develop a modification of Ruskey’s algorithm for unranking m-combinations of an n-set in co-lexicographic order. The proposed modification is based on the use of approximations to make a preliminary search for the values of the internal parameter k of this algorithm. In contrast to the original algorithm, the obtained algorithm can be effectively applied when n is large and m is small because the running time of this algorithm depends only on m. Furthermore, this algorithm can be effectively used when n and m are both large but n−m is small, since we can consider unranking (n−m)-combinations of an n-set. The conducted computational experiments confirm the effectiveness of the developed modification.
Effects of the Entrepreneurial Strategic Orientation of Social Enterprises on Organizational Effectiveness: Case of South Korea
Authors: Cho Changwon , Kim Boyoung , Oh Sungho
Published: January 2022

This study aims to empirically verify whether the entrepreneurial strategic orientation of social enterprises has any effect on organizational effectiveness with the mediation of dynamic capabilities. In the consideration of social enterprises’ features, strategic orientation consisted of social value orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and market orientation. Dynamic capabilities consisted of absorption capacity and coordination capacity, and organizational effectiveness was comprised of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. An online questionnaire survey targeted 228 employees of Korean social enterprises. The survey results were analyzed using a structural equation. As a result of the analysis, entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation significantly affected absorption capacity, but social value orientation did not affect it. Social value orientation and market orientation significantly affected coordination capacity, but entrepreneurial orientation did not affect it. Absorptive capacity and coordination capacity affected organizational effectiveness, and the hypotheses were adopted. Consequently, it was revealed that market orientation had the most significant effects on social enterprises’ dynamic capabilities and organizational effectiveness. It was confirmed that social value orientation and entrepreneurial orientation revealed differences depending on the absorptive capacity and coordination capacity of dynamic capabilities.
Model-Based Dynamic Performance Simulation of a Microturbine Using Flight Test Data
Authors: Erario Mario Leonardo , De Giorgi Maria Grazia , Przysowa Radoslaw
Published: January 2022

Microturbines can be used not only in models and education but also to propel UAVs. However, their wider adoption is limited by their relatively low efficiency and durability. Validated simulation models are required to monitor their performance, improve their lifetime, and to design engine control systems. This study aims at developing a numerical model of a micro gas turbine intended for prediction and prognostics of engine performance. To build a reliable zero-dimensional model, the available compressor and turbine maps were scaled to the available test bench data with the least squares method, to meet the performance of the engine achieved during bench and flight tests. A steady-state aeroengine model was implemented in the Gas turbine Simulation Program (GSP) and was compared with experimental operating points. The selected flight data were then used as input for the transient engine model. The exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and fuel flow were chosen as the two key parameters to validate the model, comparing the numerical predicted values with the experimental ones. The observed difference between the model and the flight data was lower than 3% for both EGT and fuel flow.
Life-Cycle Analysis and Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of a Bio-Based Structural Adhesive
Authors: Tserpes Konstantinos , Tzatzadakis Vasileios
Published: January 2022

For this present paper, we performed a life-cycle analysis and an evaluation of the mechanical properties of an epichlorohydrin/cardanol adhesive in a neat and a nano-filled form. Six different potentials and the cost of the adhesives were derived and compared with those of a commercial epoxy resin. Overall, the neat adhesive was found to be more environmentally friendly and to have a lower production cost. However, the addition of carbon nanotubes increased both the environmental footprint and the cost. The evaluation with regards to the mechanical properties was performed through a comparison of bulk properties and joint properties with the respective average values of commonly used structural and nonstructural adhesives from the literature. It was found that for all properties except for the Young’s modulus the novel adhesive had values greater than the average values of the cosmetic adhesives and for most properties it had values close to the average values of the structural adhesives. Moreover, the presence of the carbon nanotubes enhanced the mechanical properties of the adhesive except for the tensile strength.
Plasma Assisted Re-Ignition of Aeroengines under High Altitude Conditions
Authors: Mehdi Ghazanfar , Bonuso Sara , De Giorgi Maria Grazia
Published: January 2022

Re-ignition of aeroengines under high altitude conditions is of great importance to the safety and use of lean-burn flame. This study is focused on the experimental and numerical characterization of flow dynamics and flame re-ignition in a rectangular burner. A ring-needle type plasma actuator was considered and run by high-voltage (HV) nanopulsed plasma generator. The electrical power delivered to the fluid and an optimal value of reduced electric field (EN) was calculated considering non-reactive flow. Smoke flow visualizations using a high-speed camera and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) were performed to recognize the most dominant flow structures. Experimental results revealed the transport effects due to plasma discharge, such as the induced flow, that could have a strong impact on the recirculation zone near the corners of combustor, improving the mixing performance and reducing the ignition delay time. Two different numerical tools (ZDPlasKin and Chemkin) were used to investigate the ignition characteristics. ZDPlasKin calculated the thermal effect and the plasma kinetic of nanopulsed plasma discharge at the experimentally measured EN. Finally, based on the output of ZDPlasKin, Chemkin estimated the flame ignition at low pressure and low temperature conditions. It was noticed that time required to achieve the maximum flame temperature with plasma actuation is significantly less than the auto-ignition time (‘clean case’, simulation result of the model without considering the plasma effect). Maximum reduction in ignition time was observed at inlet pressure 1 bar (3.5 × 10−5 s) with respect to the clean case (1.1 × 10−3 s). However, as the inlet pressure is reduced, the ignition delay time was increased. At 0.6 bar flame ignition occurred in clean case at 0.0048 s and at 0.0022 s in presence of the plasma actuation, a further decrease of the pressure up to 0.4 bar leads the ignition at 0.0027 s and 0.0063 s in clean and plasma actuation, respectively.
Configuration Optimization for Free-Floating Space Robot Capturing Tumbling Target
Authors: Zhang Long
Published: January 2022

The maximum contact force is one of the most important indicators for contact problems. In this paper, the configuration optimization is conducted to reduce the maximum contact force for a free-floating space robot capturing tumbling target. First, the dynamics model of a free-floating space robot is given, with which the inertial properties perceived at the end-effector can be derived. Combing the inertial properties of the contact bodies, a novel concept of integrated effective mass is proposed. It tries to transform the complex contact process into the energy change of a virtual single body with integrated effective mass. On this basis, a more general continuous contact model is established, which is also suitable for non-central collisions between space robot and the tumbling target. Thereafter, the maximum contact force is derived as an important indicator for the null-space optimization method to reduce the maximum contact force. Finally, numerical simulations with a 3-degree-of-freedom free-floating space robot and a 7-degree-of-freedom free-floating space robot, as the research objects, are carried out respectively and the results show the effectiveness of the method proposed.
The Pivotal Role of Phenological Stages Enhanced by Plant Origin Preparations in the Process of Rhizogenesis of Rosa ‘Hurdal’ Stem Cuttings
Authors: Monder Marta Joanna , Niedzielski Maciej , Woliński Konrad
Published: January 2022

Some biostimulants, including plant origin preparations, act similarly to plant growth regulators. Moreover, the supplementation of known and unknown rooting cofactors can stimulate rhizogenesis in cuttings. The aim of this research was to assess the response of difficult-to-root and long-rooting stem cuttings of the once-blooming old variety Rosa ‘Hurdal’ to preparations of plant origin. The hypothesis was that the plant origin preparations could enhance rooting processes by inhibiting chlorophyll a/b degradation in leaves and postponing leaf senescence, simultaneously increasing the quality of cuttings. The one-bud stem cuttings were made in four phenological stages: (H1) flower buds closed, (H2) open flowers, (H3) just after petal fall, and (H4) 7–14 days after petal shedding. They were treated with either standard commercial powder preparations containing 0.4% indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 0.2% 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) as well as with commercial plant origin preparations that this work will henceforth refer to as: Algae Extract, Organic Preparation, and Plant Extract. The cuttings were evaluated after 12 weeks of rooting them in two substrates: peat–perlite and peat–sand (v:v; 1:1). Mean root percentages for both substrates were noted after preparation from stage H1 (74.5%), H2 (59.5%), H3 (50.8%) shoots. The H4 cuttings did not root at all and were not considered further. The means for all phenology stages together were the highest by the use of 0.6% Algae Extract, 0.012% and 0.02% Organic Preparation, and 0.2% and 0.4% Plant Extract. The lowest means were reported for the control cuttings as well as NAA and IBA treatment. Plant origin preparations encouraged growth parameters but did not unequivocally inhibit the decrease of chlorophyll content in the cuttings’ leaves. The percentage of cuttings that rooted in both rooting substrates was determined by the quality of the cuttings as well as the chlorophyll a/b and soluble protein content in the leaves.
Evaluating the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Climate Information Communication in the African Agricultural Sector: A Systematic Analysis of Climate Services
Authors: Ofoegbu Chidiebere , New Mark
Published: January 2022

The use of climate services (CS) for the provisioning of climate information for informed decision-making on adaptation action has gained momentum. However, a comprehensive review of the literature to evaluate the lessons and experiences of CS implementation in the African agriculture sector is still lacking. Here, we present a systematic review (mapping) of 50 pieces of literature documenting lessons and experiences of CS adoption in the agriculture sector of 20 African countries. The qualitative analysis of the reviewed literature revealed: (1) CS implementation overwhelmingly relied on a participatory process through workshops and participatory scenario planning meetings to connect users with actors along the CS value chain of forecast production, translation, integration, and application. Additionally, innovations such as mobile phones and internet service are increasingly being integrated with CS to strengthen the relationship between CS providers and users. They are, however, mostly at the trial stage and tend to have a varying impact depending on available facilities and infrastructure in the community. (2) Although there is a growing recognition of the need for the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge systems in the production of climate information, such integration is currently not happening. Rather, indigenous knowledge holders are engaged in a participatory process for insight on modalities of making scientific climate information locally relevant and acceptable. Given the aforementioned findings, we recommend further research on modalities for facilitating indigenous knowledge mainstreaming in climate information production, and investigation of options for using innovations (e.g., mobile) to enhance the interactions between CS users and CS providers. Such research will play a great role in scaling up the adoption of CS in the African agricultural sector.
Finding Stable QTL for Plant Height in Super Hybrid Rice
Authors: Yang Huali , Yang Qinqin , Kang Yiwei , Zhang Miao , Zhan Xiaodeng , Cao Liyong , Cheng Shihua , Wu Weixun , Zhang Yingxin
Published: January 2022

Plant height (PH) is one of the most important agronomic traits determining plant architecture in rice. To investigate the genetic basis of plant height in the high-yielding hybrid rice variety Nei2You No.6, recombinant inbred sister lines (RISLs) were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) over four years. A total of 19 minor/medium-effect QTLs were mapped on eleven chromosomes except chromosome 10, totally explaining 44.61–51.15% phenotypic variance in four environments. Among these, qPH-1a, qPH-1b, qPH-2b, qPH-3b, qPH-6, and qPH-7b were repeatedly detected over four years. Among these, the qPH-6 was mapped to an interval of 22.11–29.41 Mb on chromosome 6L, which showed the highest phenotypic variation explained (PVE) of 10.22–14.05% and additive effect of 3.45–4.63. Subsequently, evaluation of near isogenic lines (NILs) showed that the qPH-6 allele from the restorer line (R8006) could positively regulate plant height, resulting in an 18.50% increase in grain yield. These results offered a basis for further mapping of qPH-6 and molecular breeding in improving plant architecture in rice.
Effect of Strip-Till and Variety on Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet against Conventional Tillage
Authors: Górski Dariusz , Gaj Renata , Ulatowska Agnieszka , Miziniak Wojciech
Published: January 2022

A two-factor field experiment using sugar beet was conducted in 2016–2018 at Sokołowo in Poland (ϕ 53°5′16.05″ N, λ 19°6′21.07″ E), in a strip-plot arrangement with four replicates. Strip-till (ST) was compared to conventional tillage (CT) using four commercial sugar beet varieties (Alegra, Armesa, Contenta, Julius). In each study year, the experiment was established on lessivé soils developed from heavy loamy sand. The soil was rich in available macronutrients, while its reaction was neutral. The plant density, sugar yield, roots quality, and technological sugar yield were determined. A significant increase was found in root yield (6.6%) and, accordingly, in technological sugar yield (8.2%) in ST treatment relative to CT. Consistently, an increasing trend was observed for the root sugar content (0.21%). For the varieties examined, no preferences were observed in respect of tillage systems applied. The direction of changes in root yield, sugar content, and technological sugar yield remained constant regardless of the variety, tillage system, or the study year. The contents of potassium, sodium, and α-amino-nitrogen responded equally to both the variety and study year; however, the direction of changes in the above parameters was ambiguous and varied among the study years.
Tile Drainage Flow Partitioning and Phosphorus Export in Vermont USA
Authors: Ruggiero Ryan , Ross Donald , Faulkner Joshua W.
Published: January 2022

Tile drainage (TD) has been identified as a potential non-point source of phosphorus (P) pollution and subsequent water quality issues. Three fields with TD in Vermont USA were monitored to characterize hydrology and P export. Fields were in corn silage and used minimal tillage and cover cropping practices. Preferential flow path (PFP) activity was explored by separating TD flow into flow pathway and source connectivity components using two hydrograph separation techniques, electrical conductivity end member unmixing, and hydrograph recession analysis. TD was the dominant P export pathway because of higher total discharge. Drought conditions during this study limited surface runoff, and possibly resulted in maximum PFP activity in the active clay soils. The non-growing season dominated annual P loading for two of the three study years. Peak P concentrations in TD occurred during events following manure injection in the fall, as well as in the spring post cover crop termination and post-planting. Intra-event analysis of rainfall pulses showed that TD flow and P concentrations were higher because of higher intensity pulses. This study highlights the impacts of current manure management, as well as the potential for climate change to increase P transport to TD.
Assessing the Agricultural Sector’s Resilience to the 2008 Economic Crisis: The Case of Greece
Authors: Sdrolias Labros , Semos Anastasios , Mattas Konstantinos , Tsakiridou Efthimia , Michailides Anastasios , Partalidou Maria , Tsiotas Dimitrios
Published: January 2022

This paper studies the resilience of the agricultural sector compared to eight other sectors of the Greek economy. The analysis is based on a multilevel methodological framework aiming to integrate equilibrium and evolutionary approaches by incorporating temporal (recovery and adaptability), geographical (regional resilience), and sectorial (industrial resilience) aspects, quantified concerning the 2008 economic crisis. Within this composite context, resilience is measured on GVA data according to a dual-axis: horizontally, in terms of measuring the recovering time or the time of transition to a new state of functionality due to a shock, and vertically, in terms of capturing the variability caused by the shock, approximating the system’s adaptability. The analysis shows that the agricultural sector in Greece is generally resilient; although, it has not retained its pre-crisis maximum performance, and it has the smallest Gross Value Added magnitude and the most uneven distribution across the regional dimension. Overall, the analysis promotes the methodological conceptualization of regional resilience and provides insights into the case study of the structural analysis of the Greek rural economy.
Impact of Watermelon Rind and Sea Buckthorn Meal on Performance, Blood Parameters, and Gut Microbiota and Morphology in Laying Hens
Authors: Panaite Tatiana Dumitra , Vlaicu Petru Alexandru , Saracila Mihaela , Cismileanu Ana , Varzaru Iulia , Voicu Sorina Nicoleta , Hermenean Anca
Published: January 2022

Natural ingredients from fruits and fruit-derived by-products have gained special interest as dietary supplements in poultry because of their health-promoting effects. The present work aims to evaluate the impact of the dietary inclusion of watermelon rind and sea buckthorn meal on performances, blood parameters, and gut microbiota and morphology of laying hens. A 4-week trial was conducted on 90 Tetra SL layers (32 weeks old), assigned to three dietary treatments (C, E1, and E2). The C group hens were fed a basal diet based on corn-soybean meal. The experimental diets included 10 g of watermelon rind/kg fed (E1) and 20 g of sea buckthorn meal/kg fed (E2). During the feeding trial, we monitored the performances. Blood samples, intestinal tissue, and intestinal content were collected to assess the effect of dietary ingredients on health status, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota characterization. From the blood samples, cholesterol and triglycerides significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in E1 and E2 compared with the C group. Dietary watermelon rind and sea buckthorn meal positively impacted villus height. Maltase and invertase activity increased only in the duodenum of the E2 group, while alpha-amylase decreased in the duodenum and jejunum of both E1 and E2 groups. The two supplements tested triggered Firmicutes and Lactobacillus spp. multiplication, while reducing harmful bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Enterobacteriaceae. The study provides the first evidence that the dietary inclusion of watermelon rind and sea buckthorn meal can be used in laying hens’ diets with a beneficial impact on hens’ biochemical parameters, gut microbiota, and gut morphology.
Using Biochar and Vermiwash to Improve Biological Activities of Soil
Authors: Becagli Michelangelo , Arduini Iduna , Cardelli Roberto
Published: January 2022

The recycling of key nutrients and bioenergy from waste materials is a goal of sustainable agriculture. The co-application of biochar and a vermicompost solution (vermiwash) could enhance the positive effects of both materials on soil biomass and biological activities. Tomato plants were grown in soil amended with biochar, mixed at a rate of 2% w/w, and vermiwash, applied through fertigation at a rate of 25 mg per plant, alone (B and V) and in combination (BV). Organic C, dissolved organic C (DOC), soil biomass C, and some enzymatic activities were determined at the start (T0) and the end (T100) of the cultivation period in bulk soil and rhizosphere soil. B and V significantly increased the organic C and soil biomass contents. In addition, B retained the DOC species derived from the soil and, in the BV treatment, also the humic substance of the vermiwash. Generally, all the parameters achieved higher values in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil. The altered soil index three (AI3) of enzyme activities suggests that applying V and B is helpful for the soil microorganisms. Synergisms between B and V were low in the bulk soil and clearly evident in the rhizosphere.
13C Labelling of Litter Added to Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Plantation Soil Reveals a Significant Positive Priming Effect That Leads to Less Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation
Authors: Yang Xiangde , Ni Kang , Ma Lifeng , Shi Yuanzhi , Yi Xiaoyun , Ji Lingfei , Ruan Jianyun
Published: January 2022

Although annual return of litter occurs in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plantations, the level of soil organic carbon (SOC) therein remains relatively low. The exact impacts of pruned litter on soil and its association with SOC accumulation in tea plantations remain unclear. In this study, we prepared 13C-labeled tea plant material and incubated it with soils collected at a tea plantation. Carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux and its sources were measured and distinguished based on the 13C isotopic method. Soil microbial community and the utilization of litter C were assessed by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis combined with a stable isotope probing (SIP) technique. Litter incorporation initially significantly increased CO2 efflux. The majority of CO2 production (>90%) arose from native SOC mineralization, which was reflected by a strong positive priming effect (PE) that decreased over time. During the incubation period, β-glucosidase activity significantly decreased in both the control and litter-amended soil. A significant difference in the microbial community was observed between control and litter-amended soil, in which litter incorporation significantly increased the biomass of each microbial group relative to control soil. Based on PLFA-SIP, 78% of the C incorporated into individual microbes was derived from native SOC, while only 22% was derived from litter. Additionally, partial least squares regression path modeling (PLS-PM) revealed that the microbes associated with native SOC mineralization directly affected the changes in SOC (ΔCSOC+litter), whereas microbes related to litter degradation exhibited an indirect effect on ΔCSOC+litter by affecting β-glucosidase activity under litter incorporation. Taken together, SOC accumulated less in the tea plantation system despite the annual return of pruned litter to the field.
Incidence and Distribution of Four Viruses Causing Diverse Mosaic Diseases of Sugarcane in China
Authors: He Er-Qi , Bao Wen-Qing , Sun Sheng-Ren , Hu Chun-Yu , Chen Jian-Sheng , Bi Zheng-Wang , Xie Yuan , Lu Jia-Ju , Gao San-Ji
Published: January 2022

Mosaic diseases of sugarcane caused by various viruses have been reported in most sugarcane planting countries and threaten global sugar production. There is a lack of extensive, systematic investigation of mosaic diseases and their causal viruses in China. In this study, a total of 901 leaf samples showing mosaic symptoms were collected from commercial fields in eight provincial regions in China and tested for sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV), sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV), and maize yellow mosaic virus (MaYMV) using RT-PCR with four specific primer pairs. Of 901 tested samples, 38.5% (347/901) of samples were infected with one of the four viruses alone. Infection by two or more viruses was seen for 42.6% (384/901) of samples. The highest incidence of virus-causing sugarcane mosaic disease was SrMV (70.1%), followed by SCMV (33.4%) and SCSMV (30.3%), and the lowest incidence was seen for MaYMV (5.1%). Three viruses (SrMV, SCMV, and SCSMV) were found in eight sugarcane-planting provinces, whereas MaYMV was only found in Fujian, Guangxi, and Sichuan provinces. Mixed infections of the three main viruses, particularly for SrMV + SCMV and SrMV + SCSMV, were commonly found in the sugarcane samples. Our systematic determination of the occurrence and distribution of four RNA viruses associated with sugarcane mosaic diseases can provide evidence to guide the development of strategies for the prevention and control of sugarcane mosaic diseases in China.
Increased Nitrogen Retention and Reduced Methane Emissions of Beef Cattle Grazing Legume vs. Grass Irrigated Pastures in the Mountain West USA
Authors: MacAdam Jennifer W. , Pitcher Lance R. , Bolletta Andrea I. , Guevara Ballesteros Raul D. , Beauchemin Karen A. , Dai Xin , Villalba Juan J.
Published: January 2022

Grazing studies were carried out over a 5-year period using pregnant cows, yearling calves and 2-year-old heifers to investigate the influence of diet on intake, methane (CH4) emissions and retention of nitrogen (N). Monoculture legume (birdsfoot trefoil, BFT and cicer milkvetch, CMV) or grass (meadow bromegrass, MBG) pastures were rotationally stocked, and during year 4 and year 5, treatments were contrasted with total mixed rations (TMR) fed in confinement. The sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) method was used to continuously measure enteric CH4 emissions. Intake was greater on legume pastures and on TMR than on grass pastures, and enteric CH4 emissions per unit of intake were lower on legumes compared with grass pastures. Legume pastures had elevated non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) concentrations (400 g kg−1 dry matter; DM) typical of perennial legumes cultivated in the Mountain West. A N balance calculated in 2017–2018 demonstrated that N retention was greater for TMR and legume than grass pastures. Enteric CH4 emissions of grazing cow herds account for the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from beef production and can be significantly reduced by using highly digestible forage legumes. The N retention of legumes can potentially enhance the efficiency of N use, thereby increasing the sustainability of grasslands.
The Effect of Glucosinolates on the Growth and Development of Helicoverpa armigera Larvae and the Expression of Midgut Sulfatase Genes
Authors: Li Xue , Cai Fan , Kuerban Guli , Zhang Shaohui , Li Chaoyong , Zhao Ying , Jin Lin , Ma Xiaoli
Published: January 2022

The plant–pest interaction and its mechanisms are a novel research direction for pest control. They provide molecular targets for developing new pesticides and targeted control measures to control insect herbivores. Glucosinolate is a large family of secondary substances found in cruciferous plants that are harmful to herbivorous insects. Specialist herbivores have developed specific anti-defense genes and detoxifying mechanisms against glucosinolate from the host plant, but how generalist herbivores respond to glucosinolate at the molecular level is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of different glucosinolate concentrations on the growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera. Moreover, the expression of sulfatase genes (HaSulfs) was also checked following exposure to glucosinolate concentrations. The developmental duration of larvae and pre-pupa of H. armigera was significantly increased by 14.79–25.03% after feeding glucosinolate compared to the control. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR) was carried out to analyze the expression of HaSulf family genes in the midgut of fifth instar larvae of H. armigera. The results showed that the upregulated expression patterns of HaSulf family genes were diversified after feeding at different concentrations. The expression level of HaSulf was detected with the HaSulf antibody. Only the glucosinolate-fed larvae had a visible target band and were mainly distributed in the midgut wall. Taken together, glucosinolate can significantly affect the growth and development of H. armigera larvae. It can induce the expression of HaSulf in the midgut of H. armigera at gene and protein levels. This study could be useful to understand the development of plant-derived insecticides resistance in H. armigera.
Response of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yield to the Increasing Weather Fluctuations in a Continental Region of Four-Season Climate
Authors: Huzsvai László , Zsembeli József , Kovács Elza , Juhász Csaba
Published: January 2022

Wheat is grown in the largest area in the world as well as in Hungary. Globally, the yield is predicted to decrease due to climate change; however, technological development can potentially compensate for it. In this study, the contribution of climatic and technological trends to the change in winter wheat yield in four sub-regions of Hungary with considerable spatial and temporal variations in weather conditions was evaluated. Long-term trends in both the weather conditions and the technology development, with the consideration of the socio-economic circumstances, were identified. For future yield prediction, non-climatic influences and critical climatic factors, as well as sensitivity in the phenological stages, were considered. In the past 50 years, the average yield variation was lower at regional than country scale. Winter wheat yield was not found to be sensitive to temperature, global degree days, precipitation, and climatic water balance, only to heat stress. Considering the technological development and the heat stress during the critical weeks in the last 30 years, an increase of yields can be expected by 2050 in Hungary’s western regions (0.72–1.55 t ha−1), while yield depression is predicted (0.27–0.75 t ha−1) in the eastern regions compared to the values estimated for 2019, ±1.5 t ha−1 within a 95% confidence interval. We proved that yield estimations can show contradictory changes by sub-regions of an agricultural region if the contribution of site-specific technology development, the dominant weather stressor, and the most sensitive phenological phase is involved in the statistical analyses. Identification of the dominant climatic stressor(s) for the different crops is necessary to keep high yield or even increase it under the changing environmental circumstances. Our findings suggest that heat stress is the main concern to maximize winter wheat production in temperate climate zones.
Effective and Promising Strategy in Management of Tomato Root-Knot Nematodes by Trichoderma harzianum and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae
Authors: Nafady Nivien A. , Sultan Raoof , El-Zawahry Aida M. , Mostafa Yasser S. , Alamri Saad , Mostafa Radwa G. , Hashem Mohamed , Hassan Elhagag A.
Published: January 2022

The ecosystem is considerably affected due to the extensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. As an alternative strategy, this study aimed to assess the biocontrol potential of the bioagents arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting Trichoderma harzianum MZ025966 against tomato root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica). T. harzianum showed a great potentiality to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) (12.11 ± 2.12 μg/mL) and exhibited a noticeable activity of ammonification. Furthermore, T. harzianum revealed protease and lipase enzymatic activity of 28.36 ± 2.82 U/mL and 12.30 ± 0.31 U/mL, respectively, which may illustrate the control mechanism of nematode eggs and juveniles. As in mycorrhizal and/or T. harzianum inoculated tomato plants, the penetration rates of nematodes, as well as the number of juveniles, females, egg mass, and galls were significantly reduced. The lowest number of juveniles was observed in the case of either single mycorrhizal inoculation (45%) or in combination with T. harzianum (55%). The enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase and catalase was enhanced in tomato plants inoculated with the bioagents to overcome the negative impact of nematode parasitism. Our results proved that the application of biocontrol agents not only reduced the nematode population and penetration rate but also improved the plant growth, increased the nutritional elemental content and stimulated the plant’s systematic resistance.
Effects of Coupling Water and Fertilizer on Agronomic Traits, Sugar Content and Yield of Sugarcane in Guangxi, China
Authors: Wu Weixiong , Fu Wuxiang , Alatalo Juha M. , Ma Zhanxia , Bai Yang
Published: January 2022

This work is a contribution to applied water and fertilizer coupling efforts aiming at increasing crop productivity on sugarcane plantations through the analysis of average cane yields obtained following main agronomic traits in growth and sugar content of plantations, in order to improve irrigation scheduling practices. A field experiment was carried out, testing drip irrigation (D), with four levels (0%, 50%, 100% and 150%) of water (W) and four levels (0%, 50%, 100% and 150%) of fertilizer (F) with three replicates. Rain-fed crop (neither irrigation nor fertilizer DW0F0) and manpower irrigation were included as the control (W1F1). The effects of water and fertilizer on agronomic traits (plant high, stem diameter, effective stem number and single stem weight), sugarcane yield and sugar content were studied in Guangxi (southwest China) from 2018–2020. Compared with W1F1, the agronomic traits were higher under DW1F1 treatment; for sugar content, the benefit of the combined treatment was W0.5F0; for sugarcane yield, the best treatment was DW1F1, followed by DW1.5F1. To obtain maximum sugar yield, it is recommended to apply a N fertilizer dose of 292 kg ha−1, K2O fertilizer 146.55 kg ha−1 and P2O5 fertilizer 439.5 kg ha−1 with water 1778.4 m3 ha−1. The results could not only boost efficiency of water and fertilizer, but also establish the reasonable irrigation and fertilizer measure, and regulate yield of sugarcane. It could offer some ideas and techniques for developing precision farming.
A Framework for Financing Post-Registration Variety Testing System: A Case Study from Poland
Authors: Niedbała Gniewko , Tratwal Anna , Piekutowska Magdalena , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Uglis Jarosław
Published: January 2022

Agriculture is essential to ensuring food security and prosperity around the world. The importance of cultivating agricultural plant species cannot be overestimated. One of the key challenges faced by modern food producers is to increase efficiency while ensuring sustainability and improving resilience to unfavorable environmental conditions brought about by ongoing climate change. To meet these challenges, it is vital to continue breeding work and to select plant varieties best adapted to local farming conditions. Undoubtedly, future yield increases will only be achievable by way of genetic improvement. In turn, crop-variety recommendations should rely on the results of properly designed post-registration variety testing (PRVT, in polish PDO), followed up by specific variety recommendations for growers. In this article, we attempt to fill a gap in the international literature regarding post-registration variety testing. We present PRVT as a unique scheme that is key to selecting agricultural plant varieties recommended for cultivation, with due account taken of Poland’s specific farming conditions. Every year, over 1000 field cultivar tests are carried out as part of PRVT. The results of these tests constitute reliable, objective source material for farmers and help them make choices regarding the most valuable varieties for cultivation that are also best adapted to local farming conditions. Among the financial benefits of selecting the right crop varieties for agriculture are lower cultivation costs, including reduced fertilizer and pesticide spending, and higher income generated by larger yields.