bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Availability bias and heterogeneity in saliency, recency, and frequency of promotions for plant-based foods: a naturalistic observation
Authors: McRae Cameron , Dubé Laurette
Published: November 2024

Availability bias influences decisions by how readily certain events, objects, or people can be brought to mind. This “out of sight, out of mind” effect depends on whether these elements are present during decision-making. To promote sustainable food consumption, understanding this bias is crucial, as marketing promotions exhibit heterogeneity in terms of the salience, recency, and frequency with which they are administered. Our research examines the impact of different promotions that vary across these three dimensions on the demand for plant-based food products and their interaction with price sensitivity. We analyzed weekly purchases of 21 plant-based beverage brands across 242 stores in Quebec, Canada, from 2015 to 2016 using two-level mixed-effect regression models across four studies. Results from Study 1 indicate that flyer promotions that had high salience, recency, and frequency were most effective (B = 0.417, p < 0.001), compared to mobile promotions with low salience and variable recency and frequency (B = 0.233, p < 0.001) or in-store promotions of high salience but low recency and frequency (B = 0.073, p < 0.001). Of the mobile promotions evaluated in Study 2, advertisements promoting bonus loyalty points were the most effective in driving demand (B = 0.776, p < 0.001), followed by general advertisements (B = 0.125, p < 0.001). Demand was elastic across all models, and most promotions increased price sensitivities in Studies 3 and 4 regardless of their salience, recency, or frequency. The findings highlight the synergistic effect of promotional elements delivered both before and at the decision-making moment in overcoming availability bias to boost demand for sustainable products. However, frequent promotions may increase price sensitivities due to anchoring to promotional prices. This article has implications for theory and practice.
Investigating the impact of land use land cover change on groundwater level dynamics in the Koraiyar watershed, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Naik S. R. Sreerama , Masilamani P. , Kushawaha Jyoti , Jahangeer Jahangeer
Published: November 2024

Land use refers to how the surface of a designated area is utilized, encompassing both developed and vacant lands. The intricate interplay between population growth and the availability of natural resources gives rise to diverse challenges that are exhibited in the recharge of groundwater. This research was conducted in the Koraiyar Watershed, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. The change in the land use land cover (LULC) was detected by digitizing the linear imaging self scanning sensor (LISS) III and LISS IV satellite images for the years 2000 and 2011 using the maximum likelihood classification algorithm. LANDSAT-8 OLI data were processed for the year 2020. The study area has subsequently undergone an assessment of groundwater levels to determine the impact between groundwater and land use land cover. The result of the study indicates a continuous decrease in the wet crop area, which is the effect of the gradual depletion of groundwater resources. Along with this, the narrowing of the water bodies and increased areas of dry crops, industrial areas, and quarries are also responsible for lowering groundwater table depletion and contamination. Settlements increased from 39 to 49 km2 from 2000 to 2011 and then gradually increased by 50 km2 in 2020 to meet the demand of the population. From 2000 to 2019, the groundwater level has been declining with respect to the LULC pattern. The increase in concrete platforms in the study can affect the infiltration. Thus, the study can aid in developing water management strategies and decisions for governmental and non-governmental policymakers.
Customer Reviews of Accommodation as an Important Factor in Choosing and Booking Accommodation: Analysis of Conditions in V4 Countries
Authors: Kolesárová Stela , Šenková Anna , Kormaníková Erika , Šambronská Kristína
Published: November 2024

Customer reviews represent an important aspect when choosing accommodation from the customer’s point of view. The customer assumes that if the facility has a higher number of positive reviews from other customers, his experience with the services of the selected accommodation will be similar. This paper focuses on the importance of customer reviews of accommodation facilities in the context of V4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). The aim of the paper was to analytically evaluate customer reviews of accommodation facilities in V4 countries as an important factor in the selection and reservation of accommodation services, such as gastronomic services, accommodation and additional services. We focused primarily on examining the differences in customer evaluations of accommodation facilities in these V4 countries. The findings highlight the importance of positive and negative reviews in influencing guest satisfaction and loyalty. At the end of the paper, we offer recommendations for accommodation facilities that are focused on positive as well as negative reviews.
Impact of Grazing Tibetan Pigs on Soil Quality
Authors: Wu Guoxin , Wang Haoqi , Duan Mengqi , Ze Licuo , Dong Shixiong , Zhang Huimin , Wang Kejun , Tan Zhankun , Shang Peng
Published: November 2024

Pig manure, as an organic fertilizer, can significantly affect soil nutrient content, pH, and electrical conductivity. Moreover, the accumulation of heavy metals in pig manure and their potential ecological risks are also important concerns in soil management. Additionally, grazing systems may influence soil health and ecological balance by altering the soil microbial community structure. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of grazing Tibetan pigs on soil quality, focusing on the physicochemical properties, heavy metal accumulation, and microbial diversity. In the surface soil after grazing (GS0), pH, EC, AP, and AK were significantly higher than before grazing (NS0) (p < 0.05), while AN showed no significant difference. In the 10 cm soil layer, pH, EC, AK, and AN in GS10 were significantly higher than in NS10 (p < 0.05), whereas AP was significantly lower (p < 0.05). At the 20 cm depth, pH, EC, AP, and AK in GS20 were significantly higher than in NS20 (p < 0.05), but AN was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Overall, AN, AP, and AK decreased with increasing soil depth, while pH and EC showed no significant changes between the 10 cm and 20 cm layers (p > 0.05). In GS0 soil, the contents of Cd(II) and Zn(II) were significantly lower than those in NS0 (p < 0.05), while Pb(II) content was significantly higher (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Cu(II), Ni(II), Cr(VI), As(V), and Hg(II) (p > 0.05). In GS10 soil, Ni and Pb(II) contents were higher, whereas Cu(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II) contents were lower. In GS20 soil, Pb(II) and Cr(VI) contents were higher, while Cu(II) and Zn(II) contents were lower. Overall, GS had consistently lower Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II) contents at all depths compared to NS, while Pb(II) and Cr(VI) contents were higher, showing depth-related variation trends, possibly due to plant absorption and heavy metal leaching. Probiotics such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Acinetobacter increased significantly in soil, resulting in changes in the soil bacterial community.
Synthesis of Highly Intercalated Urea–Clay Nanocomposite via Pomegranate Peel Waste as Eco-Friendly Material
Authors: Teimouri Yanehsari Abolfazl , Sabahi Hossein , Jahani Yousef , Mahmoodi Mohammad Hossein , Shalileh Farzaneh
Published: November 2024

Until now, no slow-release urea (SRU) fertilizer has been made using the screw press method and the powder of plant residues rich in polyphenols, which are considered eco-friendly materials due to some health benefits for agricultural soil. Therefore, the goal of this experiment was to synthesize a novel SRU fertilizer using “eco-friendly materials” and the “screw press method”. In order to achieve this goal, urea (U) was innovatively and highly intercalated between interlayers of impure montmorillonite (Mt) (bentonite) with the help of polyphenol-rich pomegranate peel powder (PPP) by a single-screw oil press machine. The experiment had five treatments, including a fixed ratio of U/Mt (4:1) with variable ratios of U/Mt/PPP (w/w), including 4:1:0 (F1), 4:1:1 (F2), 4:1:1.5 (F3), and 4:1:2 (F4). Control (U) and F5 treatments (U/PPP at ratio of 4:1) were also included. These composites were fabricated using a single-screw oil press machine. The produced composites were characterized using FTIR, SEM, XRD, and TG analyses. The release pattern was studied using the White method. The XRD (low-angle) results revealed that the interlayer space of Mt increased from 12.3 Å in bentonite to 19.4 Å, 27.3 Å, 25.7 Å, and 0 Å in the F1, F2, F3, and F4 composites, respectively, which is an indicator of the high intercalation of U between the interlayers of Mt, especially in the F2 treatment. The XRD (low- and normal-angle) analyses indicated that the two main reasons for the high intercalation in the F2 treatment were, first, the complete conversion of urea from a crystalline to an amorphous state by PPP and, second, the increase in the interlayer space of Mt nano-sheets by PPP. It seems that PPP at a low concentration (F2) can have a positive effect on the placement of U in the interlayer space, but at high concentrations (F4), due to intensive pectin gelation, the space between the Mt layers grows until complete exfoliation. FTIR spectra and TG analysis also confirmed this hypothesis. SEM images revealed the formation of an intensive crosslink between U, Mt, and PPP. A release test in water revealed that only 10% of U in the F2 treatment was released after 10 h, and 87% after 120 h, which indicates the satisfactory slow-release pattern of this composite. By comparing the results of the present study with the other SRUs reported in the literature, it can be concluded that the composite F2, in addition to offering valuable polyphenol-rich plant materials, had an acceptable performance in the aspect of the U release pattern.
Vineyard Edges Increase Bird Richness and Abundance and Conservation Opportunities in Central Chile
Authors: Muñoz-Sáez Andrés
Published: November 2024

Agricultural landscapes significantly impact biodiversity, particularly within vineyard ecosystems where the configuration of native vegetation and vineyard edges plays a pivotal role. This study investigated the structure of bird communities across vineyards, their edges, and adjacent native vegetation, utilizing generalized linear mixed models to analyze the influence of surrounding land covers at varying scales of 100 m and 1000 m radii across these three landscape types on bird richness and abundance and functional groups. The results highlight that native vegetation is crucial for supporting endemic bird species, with 41% of all observed species found across all three habitat types and a significant 66.7% shared between native vegetation and edge habitats. In particular, insectivores and carnivores, key to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision, showed higher abundances in areas with extensive native vegetation, underscoring its vital role in maintaining ecological functions. Edges not only enhanced the general bird richness and abundance but also served as crucial habitats for granivores and omnivores, influencing ecosystem dynamics through changes in the trophic guild community structure. These findings underscore the importance of conserving native vegetation within vineyard landscapes to foster a diverse avian community that contributes to enhancing ecosystem services. These results provide an opportunity to intensify restoration initiatives on vineyard edges and enhance our understanding of how certain species adapt to agriculture. This can be considered a vital nature-based solution for sustainable agriculture, promoting biodiversity conservation alongside productive agroecological practices in vineyard ecosystems.
Data-Independent Acquisition Method for In-Depth Proteomic Screening of Donkey Meat
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Qu Honglei , Wang Xinrui , Wang Tianqi , Ma Qiugang , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Zhu Mingxia , Wang Changfa , Liu Wenqiang , Chai Wenqiong
Published: November 2024

Donkey meat has gained popularity as an emerging meat product due to its superior nutritional value and distinctive flavor. Despite this, research on the molecular mechanisms that contribute to meat quality, particularly within the field of proteomics, remains limited. This study aimed to address this gap by utilizing the data-independent acquisition (DIA) technique to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the gluteus superficialis (WG), longissimus thoracis (WLT), and semitendinosus (WS) muscles of donkeys. Our analysis revealed 189 and 384 DEPs in the WG/WLT and WS/WLT muscles, respectively. Several significant potential pathways, involving these DEPs, were found to be closely associated with donkey meat quality. These pathways include fatty acid biosynthesis, TGF-β signaling, FOXO signaling, mTOR signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation. The identified DEPs and their regulated pathways were involved in regulating intramuscular fat deposition, protein metabolism, and amino acid metabolism in donkey muscles. These mechanisms have a direct impact on the physicochemical properties and flavor of donkey meat. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular processes influencing the quality of donkey meat. Additionally, the findings of our study may be influenced by the sample size. Therefore, further research with a larger sample is needed to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of meat quality.
Foliar Biofortification of Maize (Zea mays L.) with Selenium: Effects of Compound Type, Application Rate, and Growth Stage
Authors: Mrština Tomáš , Praus Lukáš , Száková Jiřina , Kaplan Lukáš , Tlustoš Pavel
Published: November 2024

Nowadays, attention is focused on the lack of selenium in the average diet, which is a highly valued element in the body’s antioxidant system. The major metabolites of selenium are selenoproteins, which have an irreplaceable function in the body. This study focused on optimizing conditions for the biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.) with selenium (Se). Three separate pot experiments were conducted to identify the key factors influencing the efficacy of foliar selenium application. The experiments were designed to investigate the effects of different forms of selenium (selenite, selenate, and selenium nanoparticles) on maize development, the influence of the phenological stage of maize at the time of foliar Se application, and the optimal application rate of Se (100, 150, 200, or 250 µg). The results indicated that sodium selenate without a wetting agent was the most effective form for enhancing total Se content in maize, with the greatest accumulation being in leaves (3.01 mg/kg dry matter). Phenological stages (BBCH) 51 and 60 were identified as the most suitable phenological stages for Se application in terms of total Se content about 1 mg/kg in leaves and about 0.4 mg/kg in grain and the presence of organic Se compounds (mostly selenate ion and selenomethionine). We concluded from the study that a foliar application of 200 µg of sodium selenate per pot during these stages resulted in maximum Se uptake without adversely affecting plant yield. Further research is recommended to validate these findings under field conditions, paving the way for improved agricultural practices in selenium biofortification.
CO2 Flux Emissions by Fixed and Mobile Soil Collars Under Different Pasture Management Practices
Authors: da Rocha Junior Paulo Roberto , Andrade Felipe Vaz , Donagemma Guilherme Kangussú , Balieiro Fabiano de Carvalho , Mendonça Eduardo de Sá , Nascimento Adriel Lima , Pires Fábio Ribeiro , Nardotto Júnior André Orlandi
Published: November 2024

Carbon dioxide flux emissions (CFE) from agricultural areas exhibit spatial and temporal variability, and the best time of collar fixation to the soil prior to the collection of CO2 flux, or even its existence as a factor, is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the fixation time of collars that support the soil-gas flux chamber based on the influence of CFE on different pasture management practices: control (traditional pasture management practice) (CON), chisel (CHI), fertilized (FER), burned (BUR), integrated crop-livestock (iCL), and plowing and harrowing (PH). A field study was conducted on the clayey soil of Udults. The evaluations were performed monthly by fixing the PVC collars 30 d and 30 min prior to each CFE measurement. Although a linear trend in CFE was observed within each pasture management practice between the two collar-fixation times, collar fixation performed 30 min prior led to an overestimation of CFE by approximately 32.7% compared with 30 d of collar fixation. Thus, CFE were higher (p ≤ 0.10) in the MC, when compared to the FC, when the CON, BUR, and iCL managements were evaluated. Overall, fixing the collar 30 d prior to field data collection can improve the quality of the data, making the results more representative of actual field conditions.
The Transcriptome of Dahlia pinnata Provides Comprehensive Insight into the Formation Mechanism of Polychromatic Petals
Authors: Zou Jiuchun , Ran Liping , Zhou Rui , Wang Zhongwei
Published: November 2024

Garden dahlias (Dahlia pinnata) are popular for their wide range of color variations, with polychromatic cultivars enhancing their ornamental value. Previous studies on the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (ABP) have indicated that the post-transcriptional suppression of the chalcone synthase gene (CHS) is involved in the formation of the white petals of dahlias. To further explore the complex mechanisms underlying polychromatic petal formation, we selected the bicolor cultivar ‘LiRen’ to identify candidate genetic factors. Through the detection of proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin, it was indicated that the white tips of the petals lacked anthocyanin but accumulated some proanthocyanidin, albeit at significantly lower levels than those at the red bases of the petals. This suggests that the upstream ABP, which involves CHS, is not entirely inactive. Transcription sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that the inactive ABP in the white tips results from the downregulation of ABP structural genes. The low abundance of DpMYB1 appears to be the key factor influencing the lack of strong transcription activation of the structural genes. Additionally, highly upregulated DpSPL9 targeted by the downregulated miR156 in the white tips was identified through qRT-PCR. This suggests that DpSPL9 may act as an anthocyanin depressor to destabilize the MYB-bHLH-WDR complex through interaction with DpMYB1. The findings indicate that the DpMYB1 and miR156-DpSPL9 modules play potential regulatory roles in the formation of bicolor petals. Overall, these results provide new insights into the color patterning of dahlias and will be valuable for further studies regarding the mechanisms underlying polychromatic petal formation.
Rice Growth-Stage Recognition Based on Improved YOLOv8 with UAV Imagery
Authors: Cai Wenxi , Lu Kunbiao , Fan Mengtao , Liu Changjiang , Huang Wenjie , Chen Jiaju , Wu Zaoming , Xu Chudong , Ma Xu , Tan Suiyan
Published: November 2024

To optimize rice yield and enhance quality through targeted field management at each growth stage, rapid and accurate identification of rice growth stages is crucial. This study presents the Mobilenetv3-YOLOv8 rice growth-stage recognition model, designed for high efficiency and accuracy using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery. A UAV captured images of rice fields across five distinct growth stages from two altitudes (3 m and 20 m) across two independent field experiments. These images were processed to create training, validation, and test datasets for model development. Mobilenetv3 was introduced to replace the standard YOLOv8 backbone, providing robust small-scale feature extraction through multi-scale feature fusion. Additionally, the Coordinate Attention (CA) mechanism was integrated into YOLOv8’s backbone, outperforming the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) by enhancing position-sensitive information capture and focusing on crucial pixel areas. Compared to the original YOLOv8, the enhanced Mobilenetv3-YOLOv8 model improved rice growth-stage identification accuracy and reduced the computational load. With an input image size of 400 × 400 pixels and the CA implemented in the second and third backbone layers, the model achieved its best performance, reaching 84.00% mAP and 84.08% recall. The optimized model achieved parameters and Giga Floating Point Operations (GFLOPs) of 6.60M and 0.9, respectively, with precision values for tillering, jointing, booting, heading, and filling stages of 94.88%, 93.36%, 67.85%, 78.31%, and 85.46%, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the optimal Mobilenetv3-YOLOv8 shows excellent performance and has potential for deployment in edge computing devices and practical applications for in-field rice growth-stage recognition in the future.
Recent Advances in Co-Occurrence Network of Super-Wetting Materials and Their Application in Agricultural Engineering: A Critical Review
Authors: Chen Weiping , Ren Zhiying , Lin Youxi , Li Yuedan , Chen Xueyong
Published: November 2024

Global food security is a critical issue, necessitating greater attention to the relationship between agricultural productivity and the ecological environment. Super-wetting materials, with their unique micro-rough structures and low surface energy, hold significant potential for addressing challenges in agricultural engineering. This review explores the research landscape of super-wetting materials by analyzing their temporal distribution, institutional and scholarly contributions, co-occurrence networks, and emerging keywords. These analyses reveal the research strengths, hotspot distributions, evolving concepts, and development trends in the field. Additionally, recent advances in the application of super-wetting materials in agricultural engineering—such as agricultural films, controlled-release fertilizers, and pesticide spraying—are highlighted. In the future, super-wetting materials and their research prospects in agricultural engineering are proposed in combination with the development trend, which provides support and inspiration for cultivating and developing new quality productive forces in agriculture and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Management for Yield and N Use Efficiency in Wetland Rice Cultivation in Bangladesh
Authors: Kamuruzzaman Md. , Rees Robert M. , Islam Md. Torikul , Drewer Julia , Sutton Mark , Bhatia Arti , Bealey William J. , Hasan Md. Mahmodol
Published: November 2024

Achieving high-yielding crops while also improving nitrogen use efficiency is a significant challenge for agricultural production in Bangladesh. We investigated the impacts of applying nitrogen (N) using different management options in wetland rice on a calcareous dark gray soil over three seasons. These included (1) the recommended dose of available N as prilled urea, (2) the recommended N dose plus 25% extra of available N as prilled urea, (3) 25% less than the recommended dose of available N as prilled urea, (4) the recommended dose of prilled urea in 2 t ha−1 cow dung, (5) the recommended dose as urea super granules (USGs) by deep placement, (6) 4 t ha−1 biochar with the recommended dose of prilled urea, and (7) Zero N. It was found that the growth, yield, and N use efficiency (NUE) were significantly different from the results obtained for prilled urea in all the alternative fertilizer options. The deep placement of USG consistently increased plant height, total number of tillers per plant, effective tillers per plant, chlorophyll content, panicle length, grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight. The yield increases over recommended prilled urea were 5.22% for USG followed by biochar with the recommended dose. Similarly, using the deep placement of USG gave the highest yield and harvest index. In addition, compared to the recommended dose of prilled urea, the deep placement of USG increased NUE by 13%, agronomic N efficiency by 20%, and recovery N use efficiency by 19%. This suggests the rate of N application could be reduced by up to 8% without impacting yield by using deep placement of USG instead of prilled urea. The cost–benefit ratio was higher for the deep placement of USG than all other treatments. Biochar with the recommended dose of prilled urea also showed good results in terms of growth, yield, and NUE (41.8, 43.0, and 41.7, respectively, during three sequential years), but the extra cost of the biochar reduced the cost–benefit ratio. These findings suggest that the deep placement of USG is the best option for improving the yield of rice while also improving N use efficiency.
Evaluation of Promising Characteristics of Rhizomatous Alfalfa Male Sterile Mutant Accessions
Authors: Wang Ming , Shi Shangli , Kang Wenjuan , Jing Fang , Cheng Xi , Du Yuanyuan , Han Yilin
Published: November 2024

Evaluating key traits of male sterile mutant accessions in rhizomatous alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is crucial for selecting plants for artificial hybrid breeding of rhizomatous maternal lines. In this study, branch cuttings from four male sterile mutant accessions of ‘Qingshui’ alfalfa were used as experimental samples. We evaluated phenotypic traits, which included pollen viability and stigma receptivity, as well as nutritional quality, using difference analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. Prioritizing pollen viability and stigma receptivity, while considering phenotypic traits and nutritional quality as supplementary factors, allowed us to comprehensively evaluate 24 rhizomatous alfalfa individuals. This evaluation led to the identification of four male sterile mutant accessions with superior traits. The pollen from accession 4-4 was found to be partially fertile, whereas the remaining 23 alfalfa individuals were entirely male sterile. All 24 individuals exhibited stigma receptivity levels suitable for effective pollination. Principal component analysis revealed that among the assessed traits, the leaf–stem ratio contributed most significantly, followed by crude protein content, while neutral detergent fiber content had the least impact on overall quality. Additionally, the number of branches showed a strong positive correlation with individual plant yield (p < 0.01). No significant correlations were detected among plant height, stem diameter, forage grading index, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber content, and yield. Overall, our comprehensive evaluation suggests that accessions 1-2, 2-2, 3-1, and 4-3 are most suitable for use as parental lines in artificial hybrid breeding.
Grapefruit Extracts and Black Chokeberry Juice as Potential Antioxidant and Antifungal Agents for Carrot Seed Treatment
Authors: Jarosz Magdalena , Dorna Hanna , Szopińska Dorota , Krzesiński Włodzimierz , Szwengiel Artur
Published: November 2024

Grapefruit extracts and black chokeberry juice have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of grapefruit-based preparations, Biosept Active and Citrogrep, and black chokeberry juice on the germination, vigor, and health of carrot seeds. The seeds of two cultivars were soaked for 30 min in 0.25% grapefruit-based preparations and in 5 and 25% chokeberry juice. Standard ISTA methods were used to evaluate seed germination and health. The chemical composition of the applied preparations and juice was analyzed with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The grapefruit-based preparations differed significantly in their chemical composition, qualitatively and quantitatively, but in both of them, flavanones and flavones prevailed. Biosept Active improved seed germination especially in the cultivar, which was characterized by a lower initial seed quality. The significant positive correlations between germination at the first and final counts, as well as the contents of flavanones and flavones, were identified in this cultivar. Moreover, the negative correlations between the percentages of diseased seedlings, dead seeds, the percentages of seed infested with Cladosporium spp., Epicoccum nigrum, Melanospora simplex, and Ulocladium spp., and the investigated compounds were found. Chokeberry juice, at the higher concentration, showed some antioxidant activity; however, it frequently stimulated the growth of the fungi.
Insights into the Driving Factors of Methane Emission from Double-Season Rice Field Under Different Fertilization Practices in South China
Authors: Zheng Jin , Lu Yusheng , Xu Peizhi , Xie Kaizhi , Zhou Changmin , Li Yaying , Geng Haoyang , Wang Qianyuan , Gu Wenjie
Published: November 2024

Paddy fields are the main agricultural source of greenhouse gas methane (CH4) emissions. To enhance rice yield, various fertilization practices have been employed in rice paddies. However, the key microbial and abiotic factors driving CH4 emissions under different fertilization practices in paddy fields remain largely uncharted. This study conducted field experiments in a traditional double-cropping rice area in South China, utilizing five different fertilization practices to investigate the key factors influencing CH4 emissions. High-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt2 functional prediction were employed to investigate the contributions of soil physicochemical properties, CH4-metabolizing microorganisms (methanogens and methanotrophs), and key genes (mcrA and pmoA) on CH4 emissions. The results showed that CH4 emission fluxes exhibited seasonal variations, with consistent patterns of change observed across all treatments for both early- and late-season rice. Compared to the no-fertilization (NF) treatment, cumulative CH4 emissions were lower in early-season rice with green manure (GM) and straw returning (SR) treatments, as well as in late-season rice with GM treatment, while rice yields were maintained at higher levels. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that potential methanogens were primarily distributed among four orders: Methanobacteriales, Methanocellales, Methanomicrobiales, and Methanosarcinales. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of the CH4-related key gene mcrA and these microorganisms. Functional analysis indicated that these potential methanogens primarily produce methane through the acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways. Aerobic CH4-oxidizing bacteria, predominantly from the genus Methylocystis, were detected in all the treatments, while the CH4 anaerobic-oxidizing archaea ANME-1b was only detected in chemical fertilization (CF) and cow manure (CM) treatments. Our random forest analysis revealed that the relative abundance of two methanogens (Methanocellales and Methanosarcinales) and two environmental factors (pH and DOC) had significant impacts on the cumulative CH4 emissions. The variance decomposition analysis highlighted the CH4-metabolizing microorganisms explained 50% of the variance in the cumulative CH4 emissions, suggesting that they are the key microbial factors driving CH4 emissions. These findings provide guidance for the development of rational measures to reduce CH4 emissions in paddy fields.
Genome-Wide Association Study and Phenotype Prediction of Reproductive Traits in Large White Pigs
Authors: Zhang Hao , Bao Shiqian , Zhao Xiaona , Bai Yangfan , Lv Yangcheng , Gao Pengfei , Li Fuzhong , Zhang Wuping
Published: November 2024

In a study involving 385 Large White pigs, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to investigate reproductive traits, specifically the number of healthy litters (NHs) and the number of weaned litters (NWs). Several SNP loci, including ALGA0098819, ALGA0037969, and H3GA0032302, were significantly associated with these traits. In the combined-parity analysis, candidate genes, such as BLVRA, STK17A, PSMA2, and C7orf25, were identified. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these genes are involved in key biological processes, including organic synthesis, the regulation of sperm activity, spermatogenesis, and meiosis. In the by-parity analysis, the PLCXD3 gene was significantly associated with the NW trait in the second and fourth parities, while RNASEH1, PYM1, and SEPTIN9 were linked to cell proliferation, DNA repair, and metabolism, suggesting their potential role in regulating reproductive traits. These findings provide new molecular markers for the genetic study of reproductive traits in Large White pigs. For the phenotypic prediction of NH and NW traits, several machine learning models (GBDT, RF, LightGBM, and Adaboost.R2), as well as traditional models (GBLUP, BRR, and BL), were evaluated using SNP data in varying proportions. After PCA processing, the GBDT model achieved the highest PCC for NH (0.141), while LightGBM reached the highest PCC for NW (0.146). The MAE, MSE, and RMSE results showed that the traditional models exhibited stable error rates, while the machine learning models performed comparatively better across the different SNP ratios. Overall, PCA processing provided some improvement in the predictive performance of all of the models, though the overall increase in accuracy was limited.
Effects of Extrusion on the Available Energy and Nutrient Digestibility of Soybean Meal and Its Application in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang Ge , Sun Zhiqiang , Wang Tenghao , Liu Ling , Zhao Jinbiao , Zhang Zeyu
Published: November 2024

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of extrusion devices on the available energy and nutrient digestibility of soybean meal (SBM), and further to investigate the impact of different levels of extruded SBM on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, eighteen crossbreed growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 32.6 ± 2.7 kg were randomly assigned to three treatments, including a corn basal diet, SBM, and extruded SBM diets. In addition, six cannulated pigs (initial BW, 22.3 ± 1.8 kg) were allocated across an 6 × 3 Youden square design. The experimental treatments included a N-free diet and three diets containing 40% of different SBM sources. The results indicated that extrusion reduced the anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal without affecting the digestibility of available energy and nutrients. In Exp. 2, 192 pigs (initial BW, 6.60 ± 0.54 kg) were allocated across four diets supplemented with 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% extruded SBM. The four treatments were randomized and each comprised six replicate pens containing four boars and four gilts. The results showed that average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased linearly with the increase in extruded SBM levels from d 0–14 (p < 0.05), and average daily gain (ADG) increased; ATTD was higher in the GE, DM, OM, and CP of piglets in the 9% extruded SBM group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the extrusion treatment reduced ANFs in SBM, and adding 9% extruded SBM to the diet improved the growth performance of weaned piglets by increasing the digestibility of nutrients.
Effects of Yucca Extract on Nutrient Digestibility, Antioxidant Status, Estrus and Faecal Microorganism in Gilts
Authors: Gao Junjie , Wei Wenyan , Ji Chao , Pan Xujing , Chang Junlei , Zhang Qianhou , Zhao Xilun , Jiang Xuemei , Zhang Ruinan , Che Lianqiang , Lin Yan , Fang Zhengfeng , Zhuo Yong , Feng Bin , Li Jian , Hua Lun , Wu De , Xu Shengyu
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of yucca extract (YE) supplementation on estrus, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity and fecal microorganisms of gilts. Twenty gilts were randomly divided into two groups: basal diet (CONT) and basal diet + 0.25 g/kg YE (YETG). The results showed that supplementing 0.25 g/kg YE in the diet of gilts significantly increased the apparent digestibility of dietary energy, crude fat and crude protein (p < 0.05). In addition, YE could also improve the antioxidant capacity of gilts, significantly increase the serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of gilts (p < 0.05). In terms of fecal microorganisms, YE significantly increased the Shannon index and Simpson index of fecal microorganisms of gilts (p < 0.05), decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Streptococcus sp., and increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Prevotalla sp. in the feces of gilts (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary YE increased the apparent digestibility of nutrients, improved the antioxidant status of gilts and increased the α diversity of fecal microorganisms. These results provide a reference for the application of YE in gilts production.
Expression Profiles of Housekeeping Genes and Tissue-Specific Genes in Different Tissues of Chinese Sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)
Authors: Li Yanping , Lv Yunyun , Cheng Peilin , Jiang Ying , Deng Cao , Wang Yongming , Wen Zhengyong , Xie Jiang , Chen Jieming , Shi Qiong , Du Hao
Published: November 2024

The Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is an ancient, complex autooctoploid fish species that is currently facing conservation challenges throughout its distribution. To comprehensively characterize the expression profiles of genes and their associated biological functions across different tissues, we performed a transcriptome-scale gene expression analysis, focusing on housekeeping genes (HKGs), tissue-specific genes (TSGs), and co-expressed gene modules in various tissues. We collected eleven tissues to establish a transcriptomic repository, including data from Pacific Biosciences isoform sequencing (PacBio Iso-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and then obtained 25,434 full-length transcripts, with lengths from 307 to 9515 bp and an N50 of 3195 bp. Additionally, 20,887 transcripts were effectively identified and classified as known homologous genes. We also identified 787 HKGs, and the number of TSGs varied from 25 in the liver to 2073 in the brain. TSG functions were mainly enriched in certain signaling pathways involved in specific physiological processes, such as voltage-gated potassium channel activity, nervous system development, glial cell differentiation in the brain, and leukocyte transendothelial migration in the spleen and pronephros. Meanwhile, HKGs were highly enriched in some pathways involved in ribosome biogenesis, proteasome core complex, spliceosome activation, elongation factor activity, and translation initiation factor activity, which have been strongly implicated in fundamental biological tissue functions. We also predicted five modules, with eight hub genes in the brown module, most of which (such as rps3a, rps7, rps23, rpl11, rpl17, rpl27, and rpl28) were linked to ribosome biogenesis. Our results offer insights into ribosomal proteins that are indispensable in ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis, which are crucial in various cell developmental processes and neural development of Chinese sturgeon. Overall, these findings will not only advance the understanding of fundamental biological functions in Chinese sturgeon but also supply a valuable genetic resource for characterizing this extremely important species.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) in General Hospital: An Essential Practice
Authors: Samarkos Michael
Published: November 2024

Antimicrobial drugs are unique among the different categories of medications as their inappropriate use has a negative impact both for the individual patient, as is the case with all other medications, and for the general population as well [...]
Comparative Analysis of Chemical Composition and Radical-Scavenging Activities in Two Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Yoon Nari , Jeong Sung-Hwan , Park Jong-Suk , Kim Woo Jung , Lee Sanghyun
Published: November 2024

Triticum aestivum (wheat) is one of the most significant crops worldwide. This study compares the chemical composition and radical-scavenging activities of two cultivars of T. aestivum, Saekeumkang wheat (SW) and Baekkang wheat (BW). Sprouted wheatgrass extracts of SW and BW were analyzed using assessments of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array (HPLC-PDA). Radical-scavenging activities were evaluated using 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS·+) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The results indicated that SW had a higher total polyphenol content than BW, while no significant differences were observed regarding total flavonoid content. HPLC-PDA analysis, guided by LC-ESI/MS, identified four compounds—saponarin, schaftoside, isoorientin, and isovitexin—with isoorientin (3.02 mg/g extract) and schaftoside (4.23 mg/g extract) present in higher concentrations in SW compared to BW. In the ABTS·+ assay, the two samples did not show noticeable differences, with SW displaying a scavenging ability with an IC50 of 3.36 mg/mL, and BW with an IC50 of 3.19 mg/mL. Contrarily, the DPPH assay results showed an inverse trend, suggesting that the radical-scavenging behavior may be influenced by the synergistic and antagonistic interactions of the compounds in SW and BW extracts.
Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Cyclic Towing System for Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Luo Xinhao , He Shiping
Published: November 2024

The cyclic towing system for underwater vehicles presented in this paper is a platform, featuring high efficiency and flexibility that is specifically designed for hydrodynamic experiments with underwater vehicles in an experimental water tank. To study the dynamic characteristics of the cyclic towing system, this paper employs the Lagrange equations of the second kind to model the key components of the system, including the underwater vehicle, towing wheel, guiding wheel, tensioning device, and cable. The model calculates the system’s stiffness, damping, mass, and fluid resistance equations, while the overall dynamic model of the system is numerically solved using the Runge–Kutta method. The validity of this model was verified by comparing and analyzing the simulation results with those from the commercial software ADAMS. Finally, this paper discusses the effects of different operating conditions, such as input torque and tensioning force, on the system’s operation. The research findings can provide theoretical support for engineering applications of cyclic towing systems.
Measurement of Ultra-High Speed by Optical Multistage Cascade Frequency Reduction Technology
Authors: Ma Heli , Chen Long , Gu Wei , Liu Cangli , Tang Longhuang , Jia Xing , Tao Tianjiong , Liu Shenggang , Chen Yongchao , Wang Xiang , Wu Jian , Li Chengjun , Liu Dameng , Weng Jidong , Liu Huan
Published: November 2024

In order to reduce the frequency of high-frequency Doppler signal light, the electronic bandwidth of a data acquisition system is reduced. This paper mainly describes the principle and experimental verification results of optical multistage cascade frequency reduction technology. The bandwidth requirement of the detector and the oscilloscope is reduced by the method of “relaying” the measured beat frequency signal between multiple electronic channels. Aiming to achieve the requirement of ultra-high speed measurement of 22 km/s, the requirement of the original signal frequency as high as 28 GHz electrical bandwidth is reduced to the acquisition and recording system with only 8 GHz bandwidth. A complete velocity profile of up to 11.47 km/s is measured on a three-stage light gas gun with velocity measurement accuracy of 1%.
Fast Detection of Idler Supports Using Density Histograms in Belt Conveyor Inspection with a Mobile Robot
Authors: Jakubiak Janusz , Delicat Jakub
Published: November 2024

The automatic inspection of belt conveyors gathers increasing attention in the mining industry. The utilization of mobile robots to perform the inspection allows increasing the frequency and precision of inspection data collection. One of the issues that needs to be solved is the location of inspected objects, such as, for example, conveyor idlers in the vicinity of the robot. This paper presents a novel approach to analyze the 3D LIDAR data to detect idler frames in real time with high accuracy. Our method processes a point cloud image to determine positions of the frames relative to the robot. The detection algorithm utilizes density histograms, Euclidean clustering, and a dimension-based classifier. The proposed data flow focuses on separate processing of single scans independently, to minimize the computational load, necessary for real-time performance. The algorithm is verified with data recorded in a raw material processing plant by comparing the results with human-labeled objects. The proposed process is capable of detecting idler frames in a single 3D scan with accuracy above 83%. The average processing time of a single scan is under 22 ms, with a maximum of 75 ms, ensuring that idler frames are detected within the scan acquisition period, allowing continuous operation without delays. These results demonstrate that the algorithm enables the fast and accurate detection and localization of idler frames in real-world scenarios.
Predicting the Open Porosity of Industrial Mortar Applied on Different Substrates: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Travincas Rafael , Mendes Maria Paula , Torres Isabel , Flores-Colen Inês
Published: November 2024

This study aims to evaluate the potential of machine learning algorithms (Random Forest and Support Vector Machine) in predicting the open porosity of a general-use industrial mortar applied to different substrates based on the characteristics of both the mortar and substrates. This study’s novelty lies in predicting the mortar’s porosity considering the substrate’s influence on which this mortar is applied. For this purpose, an experimental database comprising 1592 datapoints of industrial mortar applied to five different substrates (hollowed ceramic brick, solid ceramic brick, concrete block, concrete slab, and lightweight concrete block) was generated using an experimental program. The samples were characterized by bulk density, open porosity, capillary water absorption coefficient, drying index, and compressive strength. This database was then used to train and test the machine learning algorithms to predict the open porosity of the mortar. The results indicate that it is possible to predict the open porosity of mortar with good prediction accuracy, and that both Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms (RF = 0.880; SVM = 0.896) are suitable for this task. Regarding the main characteristics that influence the open porosity of the mortar, the bulk density and open porosity of the substrate are significant factors. Furthermore, this study employs a straightforward methodology with a machine learning no-code platform, enhancing the replicability of its findings for future research and practical implementations.