bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secret Information Sharing using Multipartite Entanglement in Monty Hall Game
Authors: Kaur Hargeet , Shah Kavit , Swain Debabrata , Shah Kaushal
Published: August 2023

Quantum computing has emerged as a useful resource for winning random games. Monty Hall problem is one such game where the powers of quantum mechanics can be utilized for winning the prize. Our paper depicts this problem as a two-player game, where the two players, i.e. the host and the participant share an entangled quantum state. The entangled state is closely knit with the position of the prize containing door, and the decision of the player i.e. either switch or stay from his initial choice of door. The two players are part of one team as they share a quantum communication channel among them by sharing the entangled state as a quantum resource. This enables them to share share secret information about the position of the price as well as the strategy to opt for winning the game. The article shows a unique way of utilizing three different type of entangled states, 3-qubit symmetric W state, 3-qubit X state, and 5-qubit highly entangled Brown state. Further, the effectiveness of each quantum state as a source of communication in disguise is also compared. All the entangled states under study assure winning the price by the participant. However, each quantum state has different entanglement degree and offer varied merits as per the game setting.
ARGNet: using deep neural networks for robust identification and classification of antibiotic resistance genes from sequences
Authors: Pei Yao , Shum Marcus Ho-Hin , Liao Yunshi , Leung Vivian Wingsee-Wai , Gong Yu-Nong , Smith David , Yin Xiao-Le , Guan Yi , Luo Rui-Bang , Zhang Tong , Lam Tommy Tsan-Yuk
Published: August 2023

Background
Emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an important threat to global health. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are some of the key components to define bacterial resistance and their spread in different environments. Identification of ARGs, particularly from high-throughput sequencing data of the specimens, is the state-of-the-art method for comprehensively monitoring their spread and evolution. Current computational methods to identify ARGs mainly rely on alignment-based sequence similarities with known ARGs. Such approaches are limited by choice of reference databases and may potentially miss novel ARGs. The similarity thresholds are usually simple and could not accommodate variations across different gene families and regions. It is also difficult to scale up when sequence data are increasing.
Results
In this study, we developed ARGNet, a deep neural network that incorporates an unsupervised learning autoencoder model to identify ARGs, and a multiclass classification convolutional neural network to classify ARGs that does not depend on sequence alignment. This approach enables a more efficient discovery of both known and novel ARGs. ARGNet accepts both amino acid and nucleotide sequences of variable lengths, from partial (30–50 aa; 100-150nt) sequences to full-length protein or genes, allowing its application in both target sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Our performance evaluation showed that ARGNet outperformed other deep learning models including DeepARG and HMD-ARG in most of the application scenarios especially quasi-negative test and the analysis of prediction consistancy with phylogenetic tree. ARGNet has a reduced inference runtime by up to 57% relative to DeepARG.
Conclusions
ARGNet is flexible, efficient, and accurate at predicting a broad range of ARGs from the sequencing data. ARGNet is freely available at https://github.com/id-bioinfo/ARGNet, with an online service provided at https://ARGNet.hku.hk.
Solution of Multi-objective Fractional Solid Transportation Problem (MFSTP) some aggregation operators
Authors: KARA NURDAN , TİRYAKİ FATMA
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates a multi-objective fractional solid transportation problem (MFSTP) with several fractional criteria such as cost/profit, etc., and its three items are origin, destination, and product type or transportation mode. This paper deals with the problem's solution and analyzes the effect of several important fuzzy aggregation operators on the problem's solution. The most commonly used aggregation operators are investigated for this problem in this context. To explain the solution approach, a numerical example from the literature is given and solved. Moreover, by comparing the generated solutions, a set of solutions is presented to the decision-maker to choose the appropriate operator for our problem.
Partially substituted La for Sm in Sm 0.8 Sr 0.2 NiO 3 : An efficient electrocatalyst towards alkaline water splitting
Authors: Parihar Reena , Mishra Prakhar , Singh Narendra Kumar
Published: August 2023

Perovskite-type oxides having composition LaxSm0.8-xSr0.2NiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) were explored for their ability to act as facilitators for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. Synthesis of the materials was conducted through sol-gel procedure via malic acid. The materials underwent advanced physicochemical characterization utilizing cutting-edge techniques, namely Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). These analyses provided crucial details about the material’s surface morphology and crystalline structure, opening up exciting possibilities for their diverse applications. Cyclic voltammetry and Tafel Plot were observed for the electrochemical analysis in 1M KOH (25℃). An investigation on the anodic polarization of oxides revealed an increased electrocatalytic activity when La was partially substituted for Sm in Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3. La0.6Sm0.2Sr0.2NiO3 was found to be most active at 800 mV with current density, j = 184.1 mA/cm2. Tafel experiment was conducted in 1M KOH at varying temperatures to determine thermodynamic properties like standard electrochemical energy of activation (ΔH˚#el), standard enthalpy of activation (ΔH˚#) and standard entropy of activation (ΔS˚#).
Short-term panel data analysis of the effect of flood risk communication on individual evacuation decisions
Authors: Ikegai Mirai , Hidaka Ken , Masuda Satoki
Published: August 2023

People-centered risk communication is important to mitigate flood damage caused by the recent increase in heavy rainfall. Longitudinal studies are particularly important for evaluating the effectiveness of different risk communication methods. However, there is a lack of sufficient research. We conducted a longitudinal study, specifically through four panel surveys conducted over a short period of time, to investigate the effects of various risk communication methods, such as a simulated evacuation experience with learning about flood damage, flood-related information distribution including information about the evacuation behavior of others, and hazard maps. The results of a fixed effects analysis of the panel data suggest that the manner in which risk communication is affected varies depending on the initial evacuation attitude. In particular, we found that the distribution of hazard maps had a negative effect on the evacuation behavior of those who initially responded that they would evacuate. This suggests that residents in non-flood-prone areas may have acquired correct hazard perceptions from the hazard maps. However, for those who initially chose not to evacuate, confirmation of the delivered content had a positive effect on their evacuation behavior 12 hours before the typhoon hit. This suggests that those who initially chose not to evacuate may have reconsidered their decision. The risk communication presented in this study may help future risk communication by reducing congestion at evacuation sites due to excessive evacuation, while increasing the evacuation rate of those who should evacuate.
Changes in Vaginal Cytokines Concentrations during Artificial Insemination and Natural Service in Beef Heifers
Authors: McLean Kyle J. , Ault-Seay Taylor B. , Myer Phillip R.
Published: August 2023

Heifer development is crucial for the optimization of reproductive efficiency in beef production. Heifer development is largely influenced by nutrition, however, nutritional status can influence immunological responses crucial for reproduction. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 9) were utilized to elucidate the effects of sampling time, pregnancy status, and type of mating on individual cytokine concentrations and cytokine profiles in the vagina following breeding. A vaginal flush was collected by injecting 20 mL of sterile saline into the vagina via insertion of a Foley catheter and was collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Cytokine profiles were analyzed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and one-way ANOVAs were performed in R Studio to identify differences in individual cytokines based on sampling time, pregnancy status, and type of mating. Cytokine profiles were different (P = 0.05) 7 days after either mating type. Cytokines IL-1β, IL-17a, MCP-1, and TNFα were different based on the mating type and pregnancy status. Multiple cytokines, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17a, VEGFa, and MIP1α, were different between days regardless of pregnancy status. In conclusion, vaginal cytokines differ based on pregnancy status, type of mating, and time which may be indicative of vital pathways that need to be activated for pregnancy.
Comparison of Immediate Intensive Care Outcomes of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Stenting Versus Modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Shunt in Infants With Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation
Authors: Sirisani Joyce Darshinee , Haranal Maruti , Soo Kok Wai , Sivalingam Sivakumar , Khalid Khairul Faizah Mohd
Published: August 2023

Background
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stenting is an alternative to Modified Blalock-Taussig Thomas Shunt (BT)shunt to increase pulmonary blood flow in ductal-dependant pulmonary circulation. The objective of this study is to compare the immediate Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outcomes of PDA stent versus BT shunt in infants with ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation.
Method
This is a single centre, retrospective study in infants less than 6 months with ductal- dependant pulmonary circulation palliated with either PDA stenting or BT shunt from January 2015 till October 2019. Data was reviewed from paediatric ICU database. Demographics details, ICU parameters, mortality and morbidity were compared. The propensity score with inverse probability weighting was used to control the effect of covariates.
Result
A total 183 patients with PDA stent and 80 patients with BT shunt were included. Median age for PDA stent were 5.7 (3.5–9.8) weeks versus 5.9 (3.5–9.8) weeks for BT shunt (P = 0.651). The PDA stent group has shorter ICU stay, 3 (1.0–4.0) days versus 8 (4.0–13.0) days (p < 0.001), shorter length of hospital stay, 9 (6.0–14.0) days versus 16 (10.3–21.0) days (p < 0.001), shorter ventilation days, 2 (1.0–3.0) days versus 3 (2.0-6.5) days (p = 0.002), shorter inotrope days, 3 (1–4) days versus 4 (2–7) days (p < 0.011) and lower mortality, 3 (1.6%) versus 9 (11.2%) (p = 0.001). At 3 months follow-up, the freedom from mortality was not significant (p = 0.831)
Conclusion
PDA stent in infants with ductal-dependant pulmonary blood flow has a more favourable intensive care outcomes with shorter ICU and hospital stay. PDA stent has a better survival outcome.
Validation of the Novel GLAS Algorithm for Early Detection of Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Based on GP73, LG2m, Age, and Sex
Authors: Hemken Philip M. , Qin Xuzhen , Sokoll Lori J. , Jackson Laurel , Feng Fan , Li Peng , Gawel Susan H. , Tu Bailin , Lin Zhihong , Hartnett James , Hawksworth David , Tieman Bryan C. , Yoshimura Toru , Kinukawa Hideki , Ning Shaohua , Liu Enfu , Meng Fanju , Chen Fei , Miao Juru , Mi Xuan , Tong Xin , Chan Daniel W. , Davis Gerard J.
Published: August 2023

Background Diagnosis of liver disease at earlier stages can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of progression to malignancy. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of liver disease, but it is invasive and sample acquisition errors are common. Serum biomarkers for liver function and fibrosis, combined with patient factors, may allow for noninvasive detection of liver disease. We tested and validated the performance of an algorithm that combines GP73 and LG2m serum biomarkers with age and sex (GLAS) to differentiate between patients with early-stage liver disease and healthy individuals in two independent cohorts. Methods To develop the algorithm, prototype immunoassays were used to measure GP73 and LG2m in residual serum samples collected between 2003 and 2016 from patients with staged fibrosis and cirrhosis of viral or non-viral etiology (n = 260) and healthy subjects (n = 133). The performance of five predictive models using combinations of age, sex, GP73, and/or LG2m from the development cohort were tested. Residual samples from a separate cohort with liver disease (fibrosis, cirrhosis, or chronic liver disease; n = 395) and healthy subjects (n = 106) were used to validate the best performing model. Results GP73 and LG2M concentrations were higher in patients with liver disease than healthy controls and higher in those with cirrhosis than fibrosis in both the development and validation cohorts. The best performing model included both GP73 and LG2m plus age and sex (GLAS algorithm), which had an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.95), a sensitivity of 88.8%, and a specificity of 75.9%. In the validation cohort, the GLAS algorithm had an estimated an AUC of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90–0.95), a sensitivity of 91.1%, and a specificity of 80.2%. In both cohorts, the GLAS algorithm had high predictive probability for distinguishing between patients with liver disease versus healthy controls. Conclusions GP73 and LG2m serum biomarkers, when combined with age and sex (GLAS algorithm), showed high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in two independent cohorts. The GLAS algorithm will need to be validated and refined in larger cohorts and tested in longitudinal studies for differentiating between stable versus advancing liver disease over time.
Sister haplotypes and recombination disequilibrium: A new Approach to identify associations of haplotypes with complicated diseases
Authors: Liao Shun-Yao , Tan Yuande
Published: August 2023

Haplotype-based association analysis has several advantages over single-SNP association analysis. However, to date all haplotype-disease associations have not excluded recombination interference among multiple loci and hence some results might be confounded by recombination interference. A ssociation of sister haplotypes with a complicated disease, based on recombination disequilibrium (RD) was presented. We convert DNA base language to genotype language to determine four pairs of sister haplotypes. After doing RD tests in control and case cohorts, one can construct a two-by-two contingent table with sister-haplotypes and a disease and perform Chi-square test for association between haplotypes and disease. Applying this method to a haplotype dataset of Alzheimer disease (AD), association of sister-haplotypes containing ApoE3/4 with risk for AD was identified under no RD. Haplotypes within genes IL-13 were not associated with risk for breast cancer in the case of no RD and no association of haplotypes in IL-17A gene with risk for coronary artery disease were detected without RD. The previously reported associations of haplotypes within these genes with risk for these diseases might be due to strong RD and/or inappropriate haplotype pairs.
An experimental review of the ensemble-based data stream classification algorithms in non-stationary environments
Authors: Khezri Shirin , Tanha Jafar , Samadi Negin
Published: August 2023

Data streams are sequences of fast-growing and high-speed data points that typically suffer from the infinite length, large volume, and specifically unstable data distribution. These potential issues of data streams bold the necessity of data stream mining tasks. Ensemble learning as a prevalent classification approach is widely used in data stream mining studies. Besides the impressive performance of ensemble learning algorithms in providing a collection of diverse and accurate classifiers, they are specifically efficient in handling non-stationary data streams. Due to the component-based nature and the chance of dynamic updates for the components of the ensemble, this category is appropriate for dynamically learning the changing concepts of the data. This paper aims to provide a thorough review of the most significant ensemble-based data stream classification approaches, along with a discussion about the potential issues of the non-stationary data streams. Furthermore, comprehensive experimental analysis is performed to compare the classification performance of the well-known state-of-the-art ensemble-based data stream classification approaches on 24 synthetic non-stationary data streams. The superiority of the approaches is proved by conducting various statistical tests.
Association of climate change and vector borne diseases in South Asia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Khatoon Sajda , Bhattacharya Paramita , Karuveettil Vineetha , Mahapatra Biswajit , Mathew Supriya , Thakur Rishu , Jankiram Chandrashekar , Mukherjee Nirmalya , John Denny
Published: August 2023

Objective
The objective of this review is to provide consolidated evidence on the occurrence of vector-borne diseases is associated with climate change in South Asia.
Introduction:
Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) are parasitic, viral, and bacterial ailments transmitted to humans by vectors. Vectors are organisms capable of transmitting infectious pathogens between humans or between humans and animals. Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) are one of the climate-sensitive communicable diseases identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climate change is a cause for concern since it can have direct and indirect effects on the epidemiology of VBDs. South Asian countries are highly vulnerable to climate change according to the ND-GAIN Country Index.
Inclusion criteria:
This systematic review will include the studies on the population residing in eight South Asian countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan related to vector borne diseases; namely, malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis, Leishmaniasis or kala-azar and schistosomiasis in South Asia and their association with climate change aspects such as increased temperatures, varied precipitation, humidity levels as outcomes.
Methods
A preliminary search of PubMed will be conducted using MESH terms to find relevant papers on Vector Borne Disease, climate change, South Asia. A three-step search approach will be then implemented, including a preliminary limited search, using textual terms in titles and abstracts, and index terms. The databases to be searched for published papers will include Embase (Elsevier), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), and Google Scholar. Grey literature, such as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's technical reports, master's and doctoral dissertations, technical reports of WHO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other grey literature will be searched and analyzed. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers, and papers selected for retrieval will be evaluated for methodological validity using standard checklists. Data will be extracted and synthesized using JBI data extraction forms and synthesis tools for risk/etiology. A meta-analysis of quantitative data will, where possible will be performed using R Studio, and where meta-analysis is not possible, the results will be provided in narrative format including tables and figures to aid in data presentation.
Heterogeneous integration of spin-photon interfaces with a
scalable CMOS platform
Authors: Englund Dirk , Li Linsen , De Santis Lorenzo , Harris Isaac , Chen Kevin , Christen Ian , Trusheim Matthew , Song Yixuan , Gao Yihuai , Errando-Herranz Carlos , Du Jiahui , Clark Genevieve , Ibrahim Mohamed , Gilbert Gerald , Han Ruonan
Published: August 2023

Color centers in diamonds have emerged as a leading solid-state platform for advancing quantum technologies, satisfying the DiVincenzo criteria and recently achieving a quantum advantage in secret key distribution. Recent theoretical works estimate that general-purpose quantum computing using local quantum communication networks will require millions of physical qubits to encode thousands of logical qubits, which presents a substantial challenge to the hardware architecture at this scale. To address the unanswered scaling problem, in this work, we first introduce a scalable hardware modular architecture ''Quantum System-on-Chip'' (QSoC) that features compact two-dimensional arrays ''quantum microchiplets'' (QMCs) containing tin-vacancy (SnV^-) spin qubits integrated on a cryogenic application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). We demonstrate crucial architectural subcomponents, including (1) QSoC fabrication via a lock-and-release method for large-scale heterogeneous integration; (2) a high-throughput calibration of the QSoC for spin qubit spectral inhomogenous registration; (3) spin qubit spectral tuning functionality for inhomogenous compensation; (4) efficient spin-state preparation and measurement for improved spin and optical properties. QSoC architecture supports full connectivity for quantum memory arrays in a set of different resonant frequencies and offers the possibility for further scaling the number of solid-state physical qubits via larger and denser QMC arrays and optical frequency multiplexing networking.
Comparative Analysis of Green Innovation Processes Across Industries: A Cross-Industry Study
Authors: Barbera Salvatore La
Published: August 2023

Amidst global environmental challenges, integrating green innovation across industries is crucial. This paper conducts a cross-industry exploration of green innovation processes. Industries differ in technological expertise, regulatory environments, and resources. We investigate the role of external partners, collaboration strategies, change management, and challenges. Multiple case studies are analyzed, revealing common challenges and unique opportunities. The study underscores the significance of cross-industry insights for fostering green innovation. This paper offers practical insights, guiding industries towards sustainable evolution.
Release Mechanisms for Slow- and Controlled-release Fertilizers and Strategies for Their Use in Vegetable Production
Authors: Morgan Kelly T. , Cushman Kent E. , Sato Shinjiro
Published: August 2023

Fertilizer material costs, particularly nitrogen (N), have increased substantially over the past 5 years. Increased costs, along with increased awareness of the impact of fertilizer leaching on the environment in humid regions, have increased interest in use of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) or controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) materials. The goals of SRF and CRF use are that no nutrient should be limiting for crop uptake, there should be improved nutrient uptake efficiency, and nutrient-leaching potential should be reduced. These considerations are particularly important for crops grown on sandy soils with relatively low nutrient and water holding capacities. Release rates of biodegradable, or slow-release materials, such urea formaldehyde, isobutylidene diurea, and methylene urea are proportional to soil microbial activity and are therefore soil temperature dependent. These materials are N sources and depend on soil biological activity, thus, soil temperature during specific crop growth phenology must be considered and release may be delayed by soil fumigation. Whereas CRFs depend on diffusion through coatings and not biodegradation, both are soil moisture and temperature dependent. Examples of coated materials are sulfur-coated urea, polymer-coated urea, and polymer/sulfur-coated urea. The advantage of these materials is that leachable fertilizer elements other than N can be incorporated within the coating. However, this comes at an increased cost. The use of any single or combination of these materials depends on time of year, the length of crop cycle and crop nutrient demand patterns, and the use of soil fumigants.
Effects of Fertilizer Rate and Form on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Pine Bark Culture
Authors: Williamson J.G. , Miller E.P.
Published: August 2023

Growth and yield of ‘Misty’ and ‘Star’ southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) plants that were grown in pine bark culture were evaluated under several rates of granular or liquid fertilizers. Granular fertilizer resulted in larger canopy volumes and slightly greater annual fruit yield than liquid fertilizer. In 2003 and 2004, canopy growth increased linearly as fertilizer rate increased up to the highest rate tested [81 g nitrogen (N), 11.8 g phosphorus (P), and 44.6 g potassium (K) per plant per year]. Similarly, a positive relationship was found for fruit yield and fertilizer rate during all 3 years. Berry yield was positively correlated with canopy size, and there was no relationship between fertilizer rate and berry yield per canopy volume, indicating that yield and canopy volume increased proportionally with increased fertilizer rate. Mean ‘Star’ berry weight was greater for granular fertilizer treatments than for liquid fertilizer treatments, but mean berry weight of ‘Misty’ was unaffected by fertilizer form. At the end of the experiment, visual examination of eight plants excavated by hand indicated that root systems of blueberry plants were primarily located in the pine bark layer with very few roots penetrating into the underlying soil. Limited water and nutrient holding capacities of pine bark, coupled with frequent irrigations to the shallow root systems in pine bark culture, probably resulted in considerable nutrient leaching and a high fertilizer requirement.
The Use of N-6-benzyladenine to Regulate Flowering of Phalaenopsis Orchids
Authors: Wu Po-Hung , Chang Doris C.N.
Published: August 2023

Phalaenopsis orchid (Phalaenopsis hybrids) is an important potted flower around the world. Programming phalaenopsis to bloom as needed and improving flower quality are important to increasing profitability. Whole plants were sprayed with 70 mg·L−1 N-6-benzyladenine (BA) at dusk on days 1 and 14 after subjecting them to a 26/18 °C treatment. The spiking percentage at week 4 after the start of the 26/18 °C treatment of phalaenopsis Luchia Pink ‘244’ control plants was 58% ± 12% (mean ± se), while 98% ± 4% of the BA-treated plants developed floral spikes. The number of flower spikes in phalaenopsis Luchia Pink ‘244’ and doritaenopsis orchid (Doritaenopsis hybrids) Taisico Firebird ‘OX’ increased from 1 to 1.2 flower spikes per plant and from 1.6 to 2 flower spikes per plant at the end of week 14, respectively. When whole plants were sprayed with 150 mg·L−1 BA at dusk on day 1 of cooling, the number of flower spikes in phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’ increased from 1.3 to 2 flower spikes per plant, and the flower count in phalaenopsis Tai Lin Redangel ‘Queen’ increased from 10.4 to 14 flowers at the end of week 20. However, the flower longevity of phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’ and phalaenopsis Tai Lin Redangel ‘Queen’ was not affected. However, phalaenopsis Luchia Pink ‘244’ sprayed with 70 mg·L−1 BA on days 1 and 14 resulted in deformed flower spikes. It is recommended that 14 to 16 weeks before specific festivals, the phalaenopsis orchids should be put into 26/18 °C and BA treatments (100–150 mg·L−1) at day 1 for commercial phalaenopsis orchids production. However, perhaps BA is not effective for all cultivars.
Application of Microbubbles to Hydroponics Solution Promotes Lettuce Growth
Authors: Park Jong-Seok , Kurata Kenji
Published: August 2023

We investigated the effects of microbubbles, generated by a swivelling microbubble generator in hydroponics nutrient solution, on the growth of leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Twenty-four lettuce seedlings at the four- to five-leaf stage each were transplanted into two culture containers at 21 ± 1 °C (day) and 18 ± 1 °C (night) under fluorescent lamps that provided a photosynthetic photon flux of 173 ± 18 and 171 ± 16 μmol·m−2·s−1 averaged at eight points at the canopy level for micro- and macrobubbles conditions, respectively, during a photoperiod of 16 h per day. Seedlings were cultivated for 2 weeks in two deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponics culture systems in which micro- or macrobubbles were produced, respectively, by a microbubble aerator and aquarium aeration stones. The nutrient solution was maintained at a temperature of 22 ± 1 °C during the experiment. Fresh and dry weights of the microbubble-treated lettuce were 2.1 and 1.7 times larger, respectively, than those of the macrobubble-treated lettuce. Although the reasons for growth promotion by microbubbles are still under investigation, we speculate that the larger specific surface area of the microbubbles and negative electronic charges on the microbubbles surfaces may promote growth because microbubbles can attract positively charged ions that are dissolved in the nutrient solution. These results indicate that microbubbles generated in a DFT hydroponics culture system can remarkably promote plant growth.
Horticultural Crop Production in High Tunnels in the United States: A Snapshot
Authors: Carey Edward E. , Jett Lewis , Lamont William J. , Nennich Terrance T. , Orzolek Michael D. , Williams Kimberly A.
Published: August 2023

High tunnels are becoming an increasingly important production tool for vegetable, small fruit, and cut flower growers in many parts of the United States. They provide a protected environment relative to the open field, allowing for earlier or later production of many crops, and they typically improve yield and quality as well as disease and pest management. Producers, ranging from small-scale market gardens to larger scale farms, are using high tunnels of various forms to produce for early markets, schedule production through extended seasons, grow specialty crops that require some environmental modification, and capture premium prices. The rapid ongoing adoption of high tunnels has resulted in numerous grower innovations and increased university research and extension programming to serve grower needs. An informal survey of extension specialists was conducted in 2007 to estimate numbers (area) of high tunnels and crops being grown in them by state, and to identify current research and extension efforts. Results of this survey provide an indication of the increasing importance of these structures for horticultural crop production across the country.
Effect of Indoor Exposure on the Cold Hardiness and Physiology of Containerized Christmas Trees
Authors: Gooch N.J. , Nzokou Pascal , Cregg Bert M.
Published: August 2023

Containerized conifers are increasingly marketed and used as live Christmas trees worldwide. However, prolonged exposure to indoor conditions may reduce cold hardiness. We examined physiological and morphological changes of three species black hills spruce (Picea glauca), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) subjected to in-home conditions for 10 and 20 days. Shoot cuttings were subjected to artificial freeze testing (AFT) and the physiological and morphological changes were evaluated by chlorophyll fluorescence, bud mortality, and needle damage. After 7 days indoors, bud temperature at 50% lethality (LT50) was −24.5 °C for douglas fir, −23.5 °C for black hills spruce, and −22.5 °C for balsam fir. After 20 days indoors, bud LT50 increased to −18 °C for black hills spruce and balsam fir, and −21 °C for douglas fir. The effect of the indoors exposure on needle damage was very limited for black hills spruce and balsam fir; however, severe needle damage was apparent on douglas fir even at just 3 days of indoor exposure (LT50 = −21 °C). This negative impact worsened with indoor exposure time with LT50 for after 20 days of indoor exposure at −7 °C. Chlorophyll fluorescence values followed a similar trend with needle damage with black hills spruce and balsam fir showing no difference, while douglas fir values were significantly affected. These results confirm the hypothesis that live trees kept indoors for extended periods progressively deharden and become very sensitive to cold damage when moved outdoors following the indoor exposure. However, whole plant survival after transplantation in the field did not corroborate results obtained from the AFT. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential causes of the high transplantation mortality following the display treatments.
Mechanical Cane Pruning and Crop Adjustment Decreases Labor Costs and Maintains Fruit Quality in New York ‘Concord’ Grape Production
Authors: Bates Terry , Morris Justin
Published: August 2023

Four pruning techniques were evaluated from 1999 to 2003 in a commercial ‘Concord’ (Vitis labruscana) vineyard in Westfield, NY. Manual pruning, mechanical pruning with manual pruning follow-up, mechanical pruning with fruit thinning, and minimal pruning with fruit thinning averaged a 2.4-fold difference in retained nodes per vine. Treatments with crop adjustment required fruit thinning in 3 of 5 years to maintain an acceptable crop size. Manually pruned vines, mechanically pruned vines with manual follow-up pruning, and mechanically pruned vines with crop adjustment had similar yields, juice soluble solids, lignified periderm, juice color, juice titratable acidity, and juice pH in 4 of 5 years. Minimally pruned vines tended to have slightly higher yield and lower juice soluble solids, color, and titratable acidity in 3 of 5 years. Pruning system cost estimates indicated a 56% and 80% cost reduction per acre when comparing manual pruning with mechanical pruning plus manual follow-up or mechanical pruning plus mechanical fruit thinning, respectively. These results support two commercially acceptable and sustainable pruning management options for New York ‘Concord’ grape production.
Comparison of Turfgrass Visual Quality Ratings with Ratings Determined Using a Handheld Optical Sensor
Authors: Bell Gregory E. , Martin Dennis L. , Koh Kyungjoon , Han Holly R.
Published: August 2023

Turfgrass performance can be assessed in terms of visual quality, but evaluators require training and may be distracted by many factors that affect accuracy and consistency. The objectives of this study were to assess a handheld optical sensor (GreenSeeker) for evaluating overall turfgrass quality in three turf species over two growing seasons, and to compare the combined time required for visual evaluation and data entry with the time required for the same functions using the handheld optical sensor. Visual quality ratings and sensor ratings were collected on schedules prescribed by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program for the 2002 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), 2002 buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), and 2002 zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) studies in 2003 and 2004. Use of the sensor reduced the time required to complete data collection and data entry by 58% compared with human visual evaluation. Of the three species tested, the bermudagrass evaluation had the strongest correlation between ratings collected by the human evaluator and the sensor [r = 0.79 in 2003 (n = 343), r = 0.85 in 2004 (n = 343)]. The handheld optical sensor provided a consistent, objective evaluation of overall turfgrass quality and required less time than visual evaluation. The handheld optical sensor provides advantages for assessing turfgrass quality that cannot be realized by human evaluation, but the sensor alone is not sufficient for specific evaluations such as color, texture, or density that are routinely characterized by human evaluation.
Preplant Fungicide Dips of Strawberry Transplants to Control Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in California
Authors: Daugovish Oleg , Su Hai , Gubler W. Douglas
Published: August 2023

Bare-root daughter plants of strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) were inoculated with Colletotrichum acutatum, the cause of crown rot, root rot, and fruit rot of strawberry in California. Plants were subsequently dipped in fungicide solutions or washed with running tap water immediately before planting in Summer and Fall 2002 and Fall 2004. Fungicide treatments reduced plant dieback by up to 92% in fruit production fields. Plants treated with azoxystrobin, the premixtures of boscalid + pyraclostrobin and cyprodinil + fludioxonil had 50% to 92% reduction in disease incidence, increased canopy size by more than 100%, and produced significantly higher marketable yields in all planting dates than the inoculated plants that were not treated with the fungicides. Chlorothalonil and captan also significantly reduced disease incidence but did not consistently increase marketable yield compared with the untreated, inoculated control. The effects of propiconazole and trifloxystrobin were inconsistent in reducing disease incidence. Water wash did not reduce root and crown disease incidence but significantly increased marketable yields by 13% over the untreated, inoculated controls in one of two plantings. No pretransplant treatments provided protection against fruit and foliar infection; thus, in-season fungicide applications would be necessary for disease control in commercial production fields if environmental conditions favored disease development.
Initial Response of ‘Concord’ and ‘Sunbelt’ Grapes to Pruning and Fruit Thinning
Authors: Morris Justin , Main Gary , Threlfall Renee , Striegler Keith
Published: August 2023

Balanced, dormant hand pruning was compared with minimal and machine box-cut pruning with no fruit thinning, thinning at 27 to 45 days postbloom, or thinning at veraison on Vitis labruscana grape cultivars, Concord and Sunbelt. Weekly berry weights measured during the growing season showed that minimally pruned ‘Concord’ and ‘Sunbelt’ generally had lower berry weights than hand-pruned vines. Lag phase occurred 50 ± 7 days postbloom in ‘Concord’ and 58 ± 7 days postbloom in ‘Sunbelt’. The duration of harvest period was longer for ‘Concord’ than ‘Sunbelt’, and minimally pruned vines without thinning had the most delayed ripening regardless of cultivar or time of fruit thinning. The desired soluble solids of 17% for ‘Concord’ and 18% for ‘Sunbelt’ were achieved without differences in other fruit composition parameters on all treatments. Delaying harvest of minimally pruned vines without thinning by about 7 days was required to achieve the desired soluble solids. Pruning methods had more effect on yield components than time of thinning. At harvest, minimally pruned vines had lower cluster weights, berry weights, and yield per node compared with hand pruning in both cultivars and years. In terms of second year yield response, ‘Sunbelt’ was not as detrimentally impacted by machine and minimal pruning without thinning compared with ‘Concord’. Preliminary results indicate that machine and minimal pruning with and without thinning are viable alternatives to hand pruning for ‘Concord’ and ‘Sunbelt’ grapes in irrigated vineyards with warm, long growing seasons.
Landscape Performance of Green Fountain Grass Alternatives Grown in Northern and Southern Florida
Authors: Wilson Sandra B. , Knox Gary W.
Published: August 2023

Plant growth, visual quality, flowering, and seed production were assessed for 10 fountain grass (Pennisetum) cultivars planted in northern and southern Florida. All fountain grass cultivars except Rubrum Dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and Red Buttons fountain grass (Pennisetum messiacum) achieved flower ratings of 3 to 5 in both locations during the first growing season. During the second growing season, chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), ‘Cassian’ chinese fountain grass (P. alopecuroides), ‘Hameln’ chinese fountain grass (P. alopecuroides), and ‘Red Buttons’ fountain grass flowered better in northern Florida, and green fountain grass (P. setaceum) and ‘Rubrum Dwarf’ fountain grass flowered better in southern Florida. Visual quality of chinese fountain grass and its cultivars generally declined in October without resuming growth through May. ‘Little Bunny’ chinese fountain grass (P. alopecuroides) and oriental pennisetum (Pennisetum orientale) declined dramatically during the first season and did not survive the 84-week study in northern or southern Florida. ‘Rubrum’ fountain grass (P. setaceum) and ‘Rubrum Dwarf’ fountain grass did not produce any seeds.
Laser Etching: A Novel Technology to Label Florida Grapefruit
Authors: Sood Preeti , Ference Chris , Narciso Jan , Etxeberria Ed
Published: August 2023

Laser labeling of fruit and vegetables is an alternative means of labeling produce in which a low-energy carbon dioxide laser beam etches the surface and reveals a contrasting underlying layer. These etched surfaces can promote water loss and may increase the number of entry sites for decay-promoting organisms. The long-term effects of laser labeling on produce quality during storage have not been examined. We conducted experiments to measure water loss, peel appearance, and potential decay in laser-labeled grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) during storage. Laser-labeled fruit stored at 10 °C and two relative humidities (i.e., 95% and 65%) for 5 weeks showed no increase in decay compared with nonetched control fruit, suggesting that laser labeling does not facilitate decay. This was confirmed by experiments where Penicillium digitatum spores were coated on fruit surfaces before and after etching. In either case, no decay was observed. In agar plates containing a lawn of P. digitatum spores, the laser etching reduced germination of spores in contact areas. Water loss from etched areas and label appearance were determined during storage. Water loss from waxed etched surfaces reached control levels after 24 h in storage. Label appearance slowly deteriorated during 4 weeks in storage and was proportional to laser energy levels and ambient relative humidity. Waxing the labeled surface reduced water loss by 35% to 94%, depending on the wax formulation used. We concluded that laser labeling provides the grapefruit industry a safe alternative to adhesive sticker labeling without enhancing decay susceptibility.
Profitability of Mechanical Fruit Thinning of ‘Sumner’ and ‘Cape Fear’ Pecan
Authors: Wells M. Lenny , Carlson D. Scott , Edwards R. Philip
Published: August 2023

The effects of mechanical fruit thinning on pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] yield, nut quality, and profitability were assessed using ‘Sumner’ and ‘Cape Fear’ pecan trees cultivated in a commercial orchard. The moderate to light production year (OFF year) return crop and return crop value of ‘Cape Fear’ and ‘Sumner’ was increased by mechanical thinning in the year of high production (ON year). This enhanced the 2-year total value and 2-year average value of both cultivars. Increased profitability of these cultivars with mechanical fruit thinning results primarily from higher yields and prices in the OFF year of production, which offset any loss in yield and/or crop value generated by fruit thinning in the ON year. Premature germination of ‘Cape Fear’ pecans was reduced from 34% to 4% with mechanical fruit thinning. Mechanical fruit thinning appears to be a highly valuable practice, leading to increased profit potential for ‘Cape Fear’ and ‘Sumner’ pecan.
Combination of 1-Methylcyclopropene and Ethoxyquin to Control Superficial Scald of ‘Anjou’ Pears
Authors: Bai Jinhe , Yin Xinhua , Whitaker Bruce D. , Deschuytter Kristi , Chen Paul M.
Published: August 2023

Superficial scald of ‘Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis) usually develops after cold storage of ≥3 months. Ethoxyquin has been used to control scald commercially. However, only a small amount of fruit can be treated within 7 days after harvest as recommended, and sometimes ethoxyquin causes phytotoxicity. Application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) showed excellent scald control potential, with rapid and mass treatment feasible. However, fruit may lose normal ripening ability at a dosage of 1-MCP as low as 30 nL·L−1, whereas a dosage of ≤20 nL·L−1 is not enough to control scald. In this investigation, ‘Anjou’ pears treated with 25 nL·L−1 1-MCP immediately after harvest were stored at −1 °C for up to 5 months. After 1, 7, 30, or 60 days of cold storage, part of the fruit were treated with 1000 μL·L−1 ethoxyquin and the remainder was left untreated as nonethoxyquin controls. The incidence of superficial scald, the concentrations of α-farnesene and its conjugated triene (CT) oxidation products, and the ripening ability of fruit were measured after 3-, 4-, and 5-month storages. All fruit ripened properly within 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C regardless of treatment. 1-MCP treatment at harvest or ethoxyquin alone applied within 7 days adequately controlled scald for only 3 months. By contrast, 1-MCP + ethoxyquin controlled scald for 5 months, regardless of when ethoxyquin was applied from 1 to 60 days after the start of cold storage. Thus, a combination of 25 nL·L−1 1-MCP, which is easily applied and does not influence ripening ability, and a delayed application (up to 60 days) of 1000 μL·L−1 ethoxyquin, which is a low dosage that does not cause phytotoxicity on fruit, controlled scald sufficiently. Scald is linked with accumulation of CT oxidation products of α-farnesene. 1-MCP and ethoxyquin inhibited accumulation of CT in fruit peel by different mechanisms. 1-MCP inhibited the production by reducing α-farnesene synthesis and the oxidation to CT, whereas ethoxyquin worked by inhibiting the latter.
Effects of Fumigant Alternatives to Methyl Bromide on Pest Control in Open Field Nursery Production of Perennial Fruit and Nut Plants
Authors: Schneider Sally M. , Hanson Bradley D.
Published: August 2023

Nursery producers of perennial fruit and nut plants rely on preplant fumigation to meet regulatory requirements designed to ensure nematode-free planting stock. In the past, preplant treatments with methyl bromide or high rates of 1,3-dichloropropene were the preferred treatments. However, the phase out of methyl bromide due to environmental concerns and evolving regulations on the use of 1,3-dichloropropene has increased the need for effective and economical alternative fumigation treatments in open field nursery production. A field trial was conducted in a commercial nursery to test weed and nematode control with several tarped and untarped preplant applications of 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, and iodomethane in comparison with methyl bromide. Crop safety and nematode infestation were evaluated on a wide range of tree, vine, and berry nursery stock. No fall fumigation treatment in this study resulted in measurable injury to spring-planted nursery stock. There were few statistical differences between methyl bromide and the other fumigation treatments in crop establishment, crop quality, or nematode level at planting 5 months after treatment, although some untarped treatments had detectable levels of the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.). At grape (Vitus vinifera) and bramble (Rubus spp.) harvest after the first growing season, few statistical differences were noted in the number of nematodes isolated from roots; however, only methyl bromide had nondetectable levels in all varieties. The highest nematode levels were usually found in untarped iodomethane:chloropicrin and untarped chloropicrin plots. At tree harvest 26 months after fumigation, root-knot nematodes were isolated from the roots of highly susceptible tree varieties in several iodomethane:chloropicrin treatments and in chloropicrin alone plots. Untarped applications did not provide commercially acceptable control of weeds or root-knot nematode in this trial. Tarped applications of 30:70 and 50:50 iodomethane:chloropicrin provided nematode control similar to 1,3-dichloropropene, although not as good as methyl bromide. Iodomethane:chloropicrin combinations have been registered in other states and should be considered for use in California perennial fruit and nut crop nurseries as an alternative to methyl bromide.