bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cycling in older adults: a scoping review
Authors: Kardan Mohammadhossein , Akter Taiyeba , Iqbal Mehvish , Tcymbal Antonina , Messing Sven , Gelius Peter , Abu-Omar Karim
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Regular physical activity provides many health benefits to older adults. As a well-known form of physical activity, cycling can be an appropriate means for older people to meet WHO recommendations and to improve their health. In addition, cycling can help to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The primary aim of this scoping review is to identify the currently available scientific evidence and gaps of research in this field.

Methods

A systematic search in seven databases resulted in 7,192 studies. After the exclusion of duplicates, studies were screened by two independent reviewers in a two-stage process. Based on previously defined inclusion criteria, 123 studies were included. Data extraction was based on a descriptive analytical method, and seven categories for the main topics of studies were developed. Data were extracted by three reviewers to analyze different characteristics of included articles such as age range, study design, data type, gender, type of bicycle, and country of origin.

Results

The included studies covered the following topics: (1) traffic safety, (2) cycling as physical activity or for transport, (3) health benefits, (4) environmental factors, (5) facilitators and barriers, (6) application of technology and (7) promotion of cycling. Results show that the majority of studies were performed in both younger (60–79 years) and older (80+ years) adults. Most studies had an observational study design, used conventional bicycles, and were based on quantitative methods. Researchers from the United States, Netherlands, and Japan published the highest number of studies related to cycling.

Discussion

Traffic safety was the most prevalent focus of the included studies. Gaps were identified with regard to studies focusing on the promotion of cycling, application of technology, as well as facilitators and barriers of cycling. While research on traffic safety should continue to be a high priority for public health, potentially more research should focus on how to get older people to bicycle more. This is warranted by the proven individual and planetary health benefits of cycling and the urgency of combating climate change.
Economics, urban planning, and food systems: from “chrematistike” to “oikonomia” toward sustainable cities
Authors: Simon Sandrine
Published: June 2023

The history of cities and of urbanism has closely followed economic changes—so much so that cities have been described as microcosms of our economic systems. As heavy contributors to climate change, pollution and the generation of waste, cities have been urged to embark on a transition to progressively become more sustainable. However, while efforts are being focused on transforming urbanism to face this challenge, urbanists are not sufficiently questioning the economic barometers they rely on. In an attempt to explain that making cities sustainable cannot emerge from relying on paradigms that create un-sustainability in the first place, this article suggests that insights from alternative approaches to economics (such as ecological economics) and to urban planning (that view cities as ecosystems) could help in understanding better what a transition toward sustainable cities could mean. Since jeopardized food security emerged from the recent Covid crisis as one of the main shortcomings of our globalized economic systems, the discussion places food systems at the core of the transition toward sustainable cities. What is suggested here is that, in the current context of a post-Covid, rapidly urbanizing and fighting climate change world, urbanists might find in the “oikonomia” etymological origin of economics (i.e., economics as “the management of resources to meet the needs of the household”) a better source of inspiration than in its other etymological origin of “chrematistike” (“economics as the art of generating monetary wealth”) to contribute to the type of advances in urbanism that are urgently needed.
Grounding United States policies and programs in soil carbon science: strengths, limitations, and opportunities
Authors: Gelardi Danielle L. , Rath Daniel , Kruger Chad E.
Published: June 2023

The advent of “natural climate solutions” and “climate smart agriculture” has increased interest in managing agricultural lands to sequester soil carbon and mitigate climate change. This has led to enormous opportunities for soil scientists and growers alike, as new soil carbon initiatives are created by public, private, and philanthropic entities. It has also led to confusion over what is possible or practical to achieve through agricultural management, as soil carbon formation and storage is complex, and its response to management is context-dependent. This can pose challenges to decision makers tasked with creating defensible, science-informed policies and programs for building and protecting soil carbon. Here we summarize the science concerning the potential for agricultural soils to serve as a natural climate solution, in order to frame a discussion of current approaches in United States (US) policy and practice. We examine existing strategies such as soil health initiatives and direct incentive payments, as well as emerging schemes such as carbon markets and crop insurance reform. We suggest future directions for each strategy, and make recommendations for synthesizing approaches into a cohesive US policy portfolio. Guiding principles for this discussion include the notions that (i) climate change adaptation must be prioritized alongside climate change mitigation; (ii) soil carbon sequestration must be paired with greenhouse gas emission reductions; (iii) structural issues and barriers to adoption must be addressed as part of all policies and programs; (iv) practice- and place-specific programs must be administered in lieu of one-size-fits-all prescriptions; and (v) soil carbon science is not yet sufficiently advanced for the accounting and contractual frameworks proposed in cap-and-trade or regulatory approaches.
Heavy metal toxicity in poultry: a comprehensive review
Authors: Aljohani Abdullah S. M.
Published: June 2023

Arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) have been recognized as most toxic heavy metals that are continuously released into the environment, both from natural sources and from anthropogenic production of fertilizers, industrial activities, and waste disposal. Therefore, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are found in increasing concentrations in bodies of water, fodder, feed, and in the tissues of livestock, including poultry, in the surroundings of industrial areas, leading to metabolic, structural, and functional abnormalities in various organs in all animals. In poultry, bioaccumulation of As, Pb, Cd, and Hg occurs in many organs (mainly in the kidneys, liver, reproductive organs, and lungs) as a result of continuous exposure to heavy metals. Consumption of Cd lowers the efficiency of feed conversion, egg production, and growth in poultry. Chronic exposure to As, Pb, Cd, and Hg at low doses can change the microscopic structure of tissues (mainly in the brain, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs) as a result of the increased content of these heavy metals in these tissues. Histopathological changes occurring in the kidneys, liver, and reproductive organs are reflected in their negative impact on enzyme activity and serum biochemical parameters. Metal toxicity is determined by route of exposure, length of exposure, and absorbed dosage, whether chronic and acute. This review presents a discussion of bioaccumulation of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in poultry and the associated histopathological changes and toxic concentrations in different tissues.
Time to eRAASe chronic inflammation: current advances and future perspectives on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system and chronic intestinal inflammation in dogs and humans
Authors: Heilmann Romy M. , Csukovich Georg , Burgener Iwan A. , Dengler Franziska
Published: June 2023

Chronic idiopathic intestinal inflammation is an increasing worldwide problem that affects companion animals, especially dogs, and human patients. Although these disease entities have been intensely investigated recently, many questions remain, and alternative therapeutic options are needed. Diarrhea caused by dysregulation of intestinal electrolyte transport and subsequent fluid and electrolyte losses often leads to secondary consequences for the patient. Currently, it is not exactly clear which mechanisms are involved in the dysregulation of intestinal fluid absorption, but differences in intestinal electrolyte shifts between human and canine patients suggest species-specific regulatory or counterregulatory mechanisms. Several intestinal electrolyte transporters are differentially expressed in human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), whereas there are virtually no studies on electrolyte transporters and their endocrine regulation in canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy. An important mechanism involved in regulating fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS), which may affect intestinal Na+ transport. While RAAS has previously been considered a systemic regulator of blood pressure, additional complex roles of RAAS in inflammatory processes have been unraveled. These alternative RAAS pathways may pose attractive therapeutic targets to address diarrhea and, thus, electrolyte shifts in human IBD and canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy. This article comparatively summarizes the current knowledge about electrolyte transport in human IBD and canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy and the role of RAAS and offers perspectives for novel therapeutic avenues.
Development and field evaluation of PCR assays based on minimum length Bm86 cDNA fragments required for Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma tick species delineation
Authors: Zamiti Sayed , Mhadhbi Moez , Dhibi Mokhtar , Darghouth Mohamed Aziz , Ben Said Mourad
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks are important genera that can transmit diseases to both animals and humans, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tick-borne encephalitis, and several types of spotted fever. The accurate identification of tick species is essential for the effective control and prevention of tick-borne diseases. However, traditional identification methods based on morphology can be challenging and subjective, leading to errors. The development of DNA markers has provided more precise and efficient methods for tick species identification, but the currently available markers have limitations in their discriminatory power and sensitivity. To address this need for more sensitive and specific markers, this study aimed to identify two minimum sequence fragments required for tick Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus species identification using the Bm86 cDNA marker, which has previously been shown to be in perfect agreement with the current taxonomy of hard ticks based on its complete sequence.

Methods

Based on our in silico determination that a minimum sequence of 398 bp for Rhipicephalus spp. (from 1487 to 1884) and 559 bp for Hyalomma species (from 539 to 1097) was necessary for species delineation, two distinct PCR assays were developed to apply these sequences in practice.

Results and discussion

Discrimination between species within each genus was achieved through sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis following the sequencing of the two PCR products. Subsequently, their performance was evaluated by testing them on the field-collected ticks of the Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus genera obtained from various host animals in different geographic regions of Tunisia. The use of shorter partial sequences specific to the tick genera Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma, which target the tick's RNA banks, could represent a significant advance in the field of tick species identification, providing a sensitive and discriminatory tool for interspecific and intraspecific diversity analysis.
Powered Landing Control of Reusable Rockets Based on Softmax Double DDPG
Authors: Li Wenting , Zhang Xiuhui , Dong Yunfeng , Lin Yan , Li Hongjue
Published: June 2023

Multi-stage launch vehicles are currently the primary tool for humans to reach extraterrestrial space. The technology of recovering and reusing rockets can effectively shorten rocket launch cycles and reduce space launch costs. With the development of deep representation learning, reinforcement learning (RL) has become a robust learning framework capable of learning complex policies in high-dimensional environments. In this paper, a deep reinforcement learning-based reusable rocket landing control method is proposed. The mathematical process of reusable rocket landing is modelled by considering the aerodynamic drag, thrust, gravitational force, and Earth’s rotation during the landing process. A reward function is designed according to the rewards and penalties derived from mission accomplishment, terminal constraints, and landing performance. Based on this, the Softmax double deep deterministic policy gradient (SD3) deep RL method is applied to build a robust reusable rocket landing control method. In the constructed simulation environment, the proposed method can achieve convergent and robust control results, proving the effectiveness of the proposed method.
3D Printer Selection for Aircraft Component Manufacturing Using a Nonlinear FGM and Dependency-Considered Fuzzy VIKOR Approach
Authors: Wang Yu-Cheng , Chen Tin-Chih Toly , Lin Yu-Cheng
Published: June 2023

As a viable means to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, three-dimensional (3D) printing has been extensively used in the aircraft industry. However, due to the growing number of suitable 3D printers and the often-high prices of these 3D printers, aircraft manufacturers still face many obstacles in screening possible 3D printers. In addition, dependencies between criteria make it difficult for decision makers to properly assess their absolute priorities. Existing methods fail to address these issues. To solve this problem, this study proposes a nonlinear fuzzy geometric mean (FGM) and dependency-considered fuzzy vise kriterijumska optimizacija i kompromisno resenje (fuzzy VIKOR) approach. The first novel treatment is to design the nFGM method to ensure that the absolute priorities assigned to criteria are correct. Subsequently, in the dependency-considered fuzzy VIKOR, the dependencies between criteria are considered, and a realistic reference point is defined by measuring the distance from each 3D printer to it for proper evaluation. The nonlinear FGM and dependency-considered fuzzy VIKOR approach has been applied to assess and compare five 3D printers for manufacturing aircraft components.
Effects of Gas Thermophysical Properties on the Full-Range Endwall Film Cooling of a Turbine Vane
Authors: Liu Jian , Xu Mengyao , Xi Wenxiong
Published: June 2023

To protect turbine endwall from heat damage of hot exhaust gas, film cooling is the most significant method. The complex vortex structures on the endwall, such as the development of horseshoe vortices and transverse flow, affects cooling coverage on the endwall. In this study, the effects of gas thermophysical properties on full-range endwall film cooling of a turbine vane are investigated. Three kinds of gas thermophysical properties models are considered, i.e., the constant property gas model, ideal gas model, and real gas model, with six full-range endwall film cooling holes patterns based on different distribution principles. From the results, when gas thermophysical properties are considered, the coolant coverage in the pressure side (PS)-vane junction region is improved in Pattern B, Pattern D, Pattern E, and Pattern F, which are respectively designed based on the passage middle gap, limiting streamlines, heat transfer coefficients (HTCs), and four-holes pattern. Endwall η distribution is mainly determined by relative ratio of ejecting velocity and density of the hot gas and the coolant. For the cooling holes on the endwall with an injection angle of 30°, the density ratio is more dominant in determining the coolant coverage. At the injection angle of 45°, i.e., the slot region, the ejecting velocity is more dominant in determining the coolant coverage. When the ejecting velocity Is large enough from the slot, the coolant coverage on the downstream endwall region is also improved.
Investigation of Optical Properties and Activity of Wheat Stripe Rust Urediospores
Authors: Chen Xu , Yao Zhifeng , He Dongjian
Published: June 2023

Stripe rust is one of the most common diseases challenging the safe production of wheat. Rapid identification and analysis of urediospores, responsible for disease transmission, are the key to preventing and controlling stripe rust. The current spore detection is time-consuming and requires auxiliary equipment, but many optical detection methods and sensors with high efficiency, sensitivity, and detection ability have been developed and widely used. Thus, the investigation of optical parameters is the prerequisite for optical sensitive detection and is detailed in this study. Firstly, the microscopic images and surface elements of wheat stripe rust urediospores were obtained using a high-resolution electron microscope and an energy spectrum analyzer. The reflectivity and absorptivity spectra in the near-infrared band of active/inactivate urediospores were measured. Further, the optical parameters, such as reflection phase shift, complex refractive index, and dielectric constant, of the urediospores were analyzed based on electromagnetic theory and Kramers–Kronig relation. The results revealed that the urediospores have a strong tolerance to near-infrared light, and the real part of the complex refractive index n was between 1.0 and 1.4. These observations indicate that whether the spores are active or not has little effect on the real part and dielectric constant of the complex refractive index but has a significant impact on the imaginary part and extinction coefficient of the complex refractive index, and the corresponding relationship between the optical properties of urediospores and biological components was established. These findings were verified with HPLC-MS and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis Technology and lay a theoretical foundation for detecting urediospores of wheat stripe rust by using optical sensors. The study provides a reference for the analysis of optical characteristics of other biological samples.
Agricultural Insurance, Risk Management and Sustainable Development
Authors: Zhichkin Kirill A. , Nosov Vladimir V. , Zhichkina Lyudmila N.
Published: June 2023

Risk management and sustainability in agro-industrial production play an important role [...]
Optimal Preharvest Melatonin Applications to Enhance Endogenous Melatonin Content, Harvest and Postharvest Quality of Japanese Plum
Authors: Cortés-Montaña Daniel , Bernalte-García María Josefa , Serradilla Manuel Joaquín , Velardo-Micharet Belén
Published: June 2023

Plum is one of the most produced stone fruits worldwide. Melatonin is an environmentally eco-friendly substance that, in low concentrations, activates defence systems against biotic and abiotic stresses. This substance is considered a tool that could increase fruit quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different preharvest foliar applications with different melatonin concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 mmol L−1) to enhance melatonin content and shelf life of ‘Primetime’ plum. To this purpose, two and three applications were carried out at different critical stages of fruit growth. Different quality characteristics such as size, colour, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ripening index, respiration rate, ethylene production rate, anthocyanins and total antioxidant activity, as well as endogenous melatonin content, were tested at harvest and after 40 days of cold storage. Results showed that ‘Primetime’ plums that received 3 applications of 0.5 mmol L−1 enhanced endogenous melatonin content at harvest and showed less softening, delayed darkening, higher anthocyanin concentration and total antioxidant activity after 40 days of storage. Therefore, the concentration of 0.5 mmol L−1 melatonin in 3 applications was effective in improving the quality of ‘Primetime’ plums.
The Impact of Different Environments on Productive Performance, Welfare, and the Health of Muscovy Ducks during the Summer Season
Authors: Krunt Ondřej , Zita Lukáš , Kraus Adam , Vejvodová Kateřina , Drábek Ondřej , Kuře Jiří , Chmelíková Eva
Published: June 2023

The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of the housing system (deep litter [DL] vs. deep litter with swimming pond [DLSP]) on productive performance, carcass traits, body temperature, blood profile, and the element composition of the femur and tibia in Muscovy ducks. At 5 weeks of age, sexed ducklings (264) were divided into 4 equal groups according to housing system and gender (drakes vs. ducks). The groups were as follows: 66 drakes/DL, 66 drakes/DLSP, 66 ducks/DL, and 66 ducks/DLSP. Each of the four groups was divided into three identical replicated subgroups of 22 animals. Regarding external body temperature, the DL birds had higher temperatures compared with the DLSP birds. In addition, drakes had lower temperature values than ducks. Regarding the blood analysis, the birds did not manifest any deviations in the biochemical traits of the blood. The DLSP birds had greater live weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio, but a lower proportion of breast meat than the DL birds. The housing conditions did not affect the fracture toughness of the tibia and femur of the birds; however, Muscovy ducks from the DLSP group had more Ca and Mg in the tibia and more Mg in the femur compared with the DL birds.
An Empirical Study on Convective Drying of Ginger Rhizomes Leveraging Environmental Stress Chambers and Linear Heat Conduction Methodology
Authors: Depiver Joshua Adeniyi , Mallik Sabuj
Published: June 2023

This comprehensive study provides an in-depth examination of the convective drying process and drying kinetics of ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale), precisely honing in on the influence of moisture content variation on the thermal property of thermal conductivity. Our research reveals a direct correlation between decreasing moisture content and thermal conductivity during drying, conducted under meticulously controlled conditions with a drying temperature range of 10 °C to 60 °C and an optimum drying temperature identified at 60 °C with a relative humidity of 35%. We scrutinise the thermal properties, namely, the thermal conductivity, in relation to moisture content, shedding light on the intricate dynamics involved. The study uncovers the distinct advantage of convective drying over traditional methods, shortening the drying time to just 24 h, compared to the nine and eight days required for open sun and solar tunnel drying, respectively. We identified optimal moisture levels for various ginger types: unblanched (6.63%, thermal conductivity 0.0553 W/m·K), blanched (9.04%, thermal conductivity 0.0516 W/m·K), peeled (8.56%, thermal conductivity 0.0483 W/m·K), and unpeeled ginger (5.98%, thermal conductivity 0.0460 W/m·K). As drying progressed, the moisture content fell from 81% to approximately 6–9%, concomitantly lowering the thermal conductivity from roughly 0.0553 W/m·K to around 0.0460–0.0516 W/m·K. These findings offer significant implications for the food industry, proposing improvements in drying processes and strategies for energy conservation when drying ginger rhizomes and similar agricultural produce. Moreover, this study sets a solid foundation for future investigations into potential applications of these insights to other agricultural products and various drying techniques.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Machine Learning-Based Assessment and Prediction of Soil Enzyme Activity
Authors: Shahare Yogesh , Singh Mukund Partap , Singh Prabhishek , Diwakar Manoj , Singh Vijendra , Kadry Seifedine , Sevcik Lukas
Published: June 2023

Different soil characteristics in different parts of India affect agriculture growth. Crop growth and crop production are significantly impacted by healthy soil. Soil enzymes mediate almost all biochemical reactions in the soil. Understanding the biological processes of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling requires defining the significance of prospective elements at the play of soil enzymes and evaluating their activities. A combination of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Random Forest (RF) models, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was employed in this study to assess soil enzyme activity, including amylase and urease activity, soil physical properties, such as sand, silt, clay, and soil chemical properties, including organic matter (SOM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and fertility level. Compared to other methods for estimating soil phosphatase, cellulose, and urease activity, the RF model significantly outperforms the MLR model. In addition, due to its ability to manage dynamic and hierarchical relationships between enzyme activities, the RF model outperforms other models in evaluating soil enzyme activity. This study collected 3972 soil samples from 25 villages in the Bhandara district of Maharashtra, India, with chemical, physical, and biological parameters. Overall, 99% accuracy was achieved for cellulase enzyme activity and 94% for N-acetyl-glucosaminidase enzyme activity using the Random Forest model. Crops have been suggested based on the best performance accuracy algorithms and evaluation performance metrics.
A Multi-Objective Optimization Method for a Tractor Driveline Based on the Diversity Preservation Strategy of Gradient Crowding
Authors: Chang Feilong , Yuan Fahui , Lu Zhixiong
Published: June 2023

This study presents a multi-objective optimization method for a tractor driveline based on the diversity maintenance strategy of gradient crowding. The objective was to address the trade-off between high power and low fuel consumption rates in a tractor driveline by optimizing the distribution of driveline ratios, aiming to enhance overall driving performance and reduce fuel consumption. This method introduces a strategy for evaluating gradient crowding to reduce non-inferior solution sets during selection to ensure the uniform and wide distribution of solutions while maintaining population diversity. The transmission ratio of a tractor is optimized by varying the input of the transmission ratios in each gear, constraining the theoretical tractor driving rate, common transmission ratio, and drive adhesion limit, and introducing the diversity maintenance strategy of gradient crowding. The goal is to reduce the loss rate of driving power and specific fuel consumption as much as possible. The analysis results demonstrate that the GC_NSGA-II algorithm, incorporating the evaluation strategy of gradient crowding, achieves greater diversity and a more uniform distribution in the front end. After verifying the algorithm, the optimized tractor showed a reduction of 41.62 (±S.D. 0.44)% in the theoretical loss rate of driving power and 62.8 (±S.D. 0.56)% in the loss rate of specific fuel consumption, indicating that the tractor’s drive performance significantly improved, accompanied by a substantial reduction in the fuel consumption rate. These findings affirm the feasibility of the proposed optimization method and provide valuable research insights for enhancing the overall performance of tractors.
Research Progress in Soybean by Phytohormone Modulation and Metal Chelation over the Past Decade
Authors: Shaffique Shifa , Kang Sang-Mo , Hoque Md. Injamum Ul , Imran Muhamad , Aaqil khan Muhamad , Lee In-Jung
Published: June 2023

Phytohormones have been acknowledged as an eco-friendly and alternative source for plant growth promotion and abiotic stress tolerance. Heavy metal stress has attained considerable attention worldwide because of its serious effects. Globally, it is a major cause of crop yield loss. Soybean is an important legume crop that continuously faces environmental stress, such as heavy metal stress. The application of plant growth regulators, such as phytohormones, enhances plant tolerance toward heavy metals. Phytohormones augment the interaction with plants. They improve plant productivity under stress due to the potential of phytostabilization. They are capable of enhancing metal stress tolerance by reducing oxidation stress. In the present review, an attempt has been made to summarize the role of phytohormones in metal chelation in a model plant, soybean. The results suggest that among the phytohormones, ABA, JA, SA ET, GA, and IAA are synergistic with metal chelation, whereas cytokinins are antagonistic. The application of phytohormones and corresponding microbes enhances the production of glutathione (GSH), which enhances metal tolerance by metal sequestration.
Deciphering Ciprofloxacin’s Impact on Growth Attributes and Antioxidant Compounds in Pasankalla Quinoa
Authors: Ramos Adan Quisocala , Ramos Yoselin Mamani , Camaticona Nora Magaly Quispe , Tejeda José Luis Ramos , Quiróz Clara Nely Campos , Maldonado Ingrid , Huamán-Castilla Nils Leander , Vilca Franz Zirena
Published: June 2023

The utilization of irrigation water contaminated with antibiotics can potentially affect the growth and production of metabolites in crops. Thus, the effect of Ciprofloxacin (CIP) in irrigation water on the morphological characteristics and polyphenol content in the Pasakalla variety of quinoa was evaluated. Quinoa seeds were sown and irrigated twice weekly with different CIP doses (1, 10, and 100 µg/L). The plant was divided into roots, leaves, panicles, and grain to measure their morphological characteristics and antioxidant properties (the content of total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenolic profile). Root length and biomass of the plant were not affected by the dosage of CIP during physiological maturity. On the contrary, plant growth was reduced (16%) when 10 ug/L of CIP was used. On the other hand, the presence of high CIP concentrations (100 ug/L) improved the biosynthesis of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity by 52 and 59% compared to the control. Profile polyphenols show that vanillic acid and procyanidins A2 and B2 were significantly increased. Thus, the use of CIP could promote a higher enzymatic activity to produce specific polyphenols in order to inhibit the presence of ROS. Finally, under CIP-controlled conditions, the production of polyphenols could be improved without altering the plant’s expected growth.
Predation and Control Effect of Eupeodes corollae Fabricius (Diptera: Syrphidae) on Leguminous Plant Aphids
Authors: Jiang Shanshan , Li Hui , Wu Kongming
Published: June 2023

Eupeodes corollae Fabricius, one of the most common predatory natural enemies of agricultural ecosystems, plays an important role in aphid control, but its ability to prey on and control leguminous plant aphids has not been systematically studied. Our study on the spawning and predation preferences, predatory function responses, searching efficiency, and prevention and control capabilities of E. corollae on Aphis craccivora Koch, Myzus persicae Sulzer, and Megoura japonica Matsumura showed that the spawning and predation preferences of E. corollae were consistent and that it preferred A. craccivora for both spawning and predation. The Holling’s type II response was observed in the second- and third-instar larvae of E. corollae to the three species of aphids. For A. craccivora, M. persicae, and M. japonica, the maximum daily predations (1/Th) of second-instar larvae were 83.33, 166.67, and 47.62, respectively, and those of third-instar larvae were 142.86, 200.00, and 90.91, respectively. For A. craccivora, the aphid population decline rates for the 1:1000 and 1:2000 treatment ratios were close to 100% 12 days after the release of E. corollae; for M. persicae, the aphid population decline rates for the 1:2000, 1:4000, and 1:6000 ratios were 98.80%, 96.46%, and 92.89%, respectively. For M. japonica, the aphid population decline rates for the 1:250, 1:500, and 1:1000 ratios all reached 100%. These results provide good theoretical and application value for the management of aphids and the optimization of the ecological biocontrol service functions of E. corollae.
Different Concentrations of Chemical Topping Agents Affect Cotton Yield and Quality by Regulating Plant Architecture
Authors: Wu Yanqin , Tang Jiyuan , Tian Jingshan , Du Mingwei , Gou Ling , Zhang Yali , Zhang Wangfeng
Published: June 2023

Manual removal of the main stem tips of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a traditional topping approach in China. However, chemical topping has become an inevitable trend. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the effect and appropriate concentration of agents for advancement of cotton whole process mechanization management technology. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different methods of topping on cotton yield and plant architecture in Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Plant topping included manual topping, non-topping as the control, and chemical topping (high, medium, and low concentrations of topping agent) to determine a suitable topping method and topping agent concentration for machine-picked cotton. Chemical topping was performed using fortified mepiquat chloride (DPC+). Chemical topping and manual topping increased seed cotton yield compared with non-topping. Compared with non-topping, high, medium, and low concentrations of topping agent significantly increased the yield by 19.5–27.9%, 24.1–29.4%, and 24.3–28.4%, respectively. Topping treatment mainly regulated yield and total boll number per unit area by affecting the boll number per plant and had a certain positive effect on fiber strength but no significant effect on boll weight. Chemical topping affected both vertical and horizontal plant architecture characteristics of cotton; the plant height of low-, medium-, and high-concentration treatments increased by 7.2–11.4 cm, 4.0–5.7 cm, and 2.3–4.4 cm, respectively, compared with manual topping and decreased by 5.1–7.8 cm, 8.3–13.5 cm, and 9.4–16.9 cm, respectively, compared with non-topping. The number of main stem internodes was significantly different between high- and low-concentration treatments, which showed that the higher the concentration, the lower the number of the main stem internodes. Chemical topping controlled the increase in the length of the upper branches, the higher the concentration, the lower the increase in the length of the upper fruit branch. Compared with non-topping, the medium concentration of topping agent controlled the number of fruit branches, similar to manual topping. The role of upper internode length of cotton cannot be ignored under chemical topping. The peak leaf area index (LAI) of medium- and high-concentration treatments was delayed for 1 week in the late growth period (after topping for 28 d) compared with manual topping. The LAI values were high, and the duration of high values was prolonged. The optimal chemical topping agent was the medium concentration.
Analysis of Phenotypic and Physiological Characteristics of Plant Height Difference in Alfalfa
Authors: Jing Fang , Shi Shangli , A Yun , Guan Jian , Lu Baofu , Wu Bei , Wang Wenjuan , Ma Ruihong , Nan Pan
Published: June 2023

Cultivating new alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties with high yield and quality is of great significance for improving alfalfa yield and promoting the development of the grass and livestock industry. Plant height is an important indicator of alfalfa yield and is closely related to photosynthetic capacity, harvest index and yield. However, the underlying cause of the variation in height among alfalfa plants is not clear. In this paper, we measured the phenotypic traits, photosynthetic physiology and endogenous hormone content of tall- and short-stalked alfalfa materials and analyzed the important external and internal factors that caused the difference in plant height of alfalfa. We found that the phenotypic traits of tall- and short-stalked alfalfa materials showed significant differences, and dwarf alfalfa showed significant shortening of the main stem internode length. There were also some differences in light and physiological indicators and endogenous hormone contents between tall- and short-stalked alfalfa materials. Through correlation analysis, we found that the phenotypic traits and physiological indicators significantly correlated with alfalfa plant height were the number of internodes, stem diameter, average internode length, leaf–stem ratio, leaf area, Pn (net photosynthetic rate), Tr (transpiration rate), upper leaf SP (soluble protein), Suc (sucrose) content, middle stem Sta (starch) content, middle stem ZT (zeatin) and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid). Further analysis showed that Tr, IAA and LA played a direct role in plant height, with Tr contributing the most to plant height, followed by IAA. Finally, we found that the starch content of the middle stem had a significant impact on plant height through principal component analysis. These results provide new insights into the formation and genetic improvement of plant height traits in leguminous forages such as alfalfa.
Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa Calyx and the Phytotoxicity of Hydroxycitric Acid Lactone
Authors: Isin Ozkan Tugba Gonca , Appiah Kwame Sarpong , Akalin Emine , Fujii Yoshiharu
Published: June 2023

Weeds pose major constraints in crop production. The use of allelochemicals and allelopathic species can provide an effective alternative for sustainable weed management. In a previous study that evaluated the allelopathic activity of wild and cultivated plants in Turkey, Hibiscus sabdariffa demonstrated the strongest inhibitory potential. This study aimed to estimate the phytotoxic influence of the H. sabdariffa water crude extracts on Lactuca sativa L. in a bioassay experiment. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to identify two major compounds, hydroxycitric acid lactone and hydroxy citric acid, and their plant growth inhibitory activities were evaluated by bioassays. Hydroxycitric acid lactone had a stronger growth inhibitory activity on L. sativa L. and was estimated as a major allelochemical in H. sabdariffa calyx. The high concentration (16.7% of the dry weight of the calyx) and strong inhibitory effect (EC50, 73.7 ppm) of the hydroxycitric acid lactone could demonstrate the growth inhibitory activity of the H. sabdariffa calyx extract. This study showed that hydroxycitric acid lactone, a major compound in the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa, is a plant growth inhibitor.
Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Durability and Sustainable Use of Pb1 Gene-Mediated High Field Resistance to Rice Panicle Blast
Authors: Fujii Kiyoshi , Suzuki Taro , Nakamura Mitsuru , Yoshida Tomofumi , Uchikawa Yoshinori , Suwazono Haruka , Hayashi Nagao , Kanda Yasukazu , Inoue Haruhiko
Published: June 2023

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a significant threat to rice production. Rice blast susceptibility has been observed in Japanese rice varieties with excellent eating quality. Enhancing blast resistance is essential to ensure minimal use of agricultural chemicals. Two types of blast resistance are observed: True resistance, which is a type of qualitative resistance expressed by a major gene, and field resistance, which is a type of quantitative resistance expressed by multiple micro-acting genes. ‘Resistance collapse’, in which a variety with a true resistance gene becomes diseased by blast fungus races compatible with the resistance gene, has been observed. Varieties carrying blast-resistance genes, such as Pb1 (panicle blast resistance 1), have been developed through DNA marker-assisted selection. In this review, we focus on the Pb1, which expresses strong quantitative resistance to panicle blast and has been widely used in Japan without showing ‘resistance collapse’ for 40 years. Pb1 is an ‘adult plant resistance gene’ that does not exert strong selection pressure on the blast population during the leaf blast stage, thus preventing the selective multiplication of Pb1-compatible blast strains. This epidemiological mechanism prevents ‘resistance collapse’. Interdisciplinary research and breeding are required to sustainably use genes that induce high field resistance.
Adaptive Response to Gillnets Bycatch in a North Sardinia Mediterranean Shag (Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii) Population
Authors: Satta Valentina , Pira Angela , Cherchi Santino , Nissardi Sergio , Rotta Andrea , Pirastru Monica , Mereu Paolo , Zedda Marco , Bogliolo Luisa , Naitana Salvatore , Leoni Giovanni Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Mediterranean Shag (Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii) is a seabird endemic to the Mediterranean and Black Seas, recently included in the IUCN list of threatened Species. Most of the reproductive colonies are hosted in Sardinia and surrounding islets. Bycatch in fishing nets is one of the most significant threats for this population. Our work aimed to assess alterations in the sex ratio caused by bycatch and to study the adaptive response of the population to a skewed adult sex ratio. The sex ratio of Mediterranean Shags found drowned in the gillnets near the colonies and that of the nestlings of the Corcelli (northeast Sardinia) colony was determined using the sex-linked polymorphism of the gene Chromobox-Helicase-DNA-binding 1. The data of the shags found drowned in gillnets evidenced a high mortality rate (83.3%; p < 0.001) and a larger size of males (35% heavier than females, p < 0.05) compared to females, supporting the theory that heavier individuals are able to forage at great depths. With 64.8% of the nestlings being male, the sex ratio of nestlings was statistically different from parity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was related to the brood size. In one- and two-chick broods, 73% and 70% of nestlings, respectively, were males, while in three-chick broods, only 33% were males. Our data identify the higher rate of male shags drowned in gillnets as a factor causing an alteration of the sex ratio in the Mediterranean Shag population. According to the Sex Allocation Theory, an adaptive adjustment of sex made by adult females restores the Mendelian sex ratio in the population.
Phylogeographic and Paleoclimatic Modelling Tools Improve Our Understanding of the Biogeographic History of Hierophis viridiflavus (Colubridae)
Authors: Romero-Iraola Iñaki , Freitas Inês , Jiménez-Ruíz Yolanda , Geniez Philippe , García-París Mario , Martínez-Freiría Fernando
Published: June 2023

Phylogeographic and paleoclimatic modelling studies have been combined to infer the role of Pleistocene climatic oscillations as drivers of the genetic structure and distribution of Mediterranean taxa. For the European whip snake, Hierophis viridiflavus, previous studies based on paleoclimatic modelling have depicted a low reliability in the pattern of past climatic suitability across the central Mediterranean Basin, which barely fits the species’ genetic structure. In this study, we combined phylogeographic and paleoclimatic modelling tools to improve our understanding of the biogeographic history of H. viridiflavus, particularly extending the sampling and phylogeographic inferences to previously under-sampled regions. Phylogeographic analyses recovered two major clades that diverged at the beginning of the Pleistocene and had diversified in different ways by the late Pleistocene: the east clade (composed of three subclades) and the west clade (with no further structure). Paleoclimatic models highlighted the temperate character of H. viridiflavus, indicating range contractions during both the last inter-glacial and last glacial maximum periods. Range expansions from southern-located climatic refugia likely occurred in the Bølling–Allerød and Middle Holocene periods, which are supported by signals of demographic growth in the west clade and South–East–North subclade. Overall, this work improves our understanding of the historical biogeography of H. viridiflavus, providing further insights into the evolutionary processes that occurred in the Mediterranean Basin hotspot.
Mechanisms of Piperacillin/Tazobactam Nephrotoxicity: Piperacillin/Tazobactam-Induced Direct Tubular Damage in Mice
Authors: Yang Jihyun , Ko Yoon Sook , Lee Hee Young , Fang Yina , Oh Se Won , Kim Myung-Gyu , Cho Won Yong , Jo Sang-Kyung
Published: June 2023

Piperacillin/tazobactam (PT) is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for critically ill patients in intensive care. PT has been reported to cause direct nephrotoxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated the mechanisms underlying PT nephrotoxicity using a mouse model. The kidneys and sera were collected 24 h after PT injection. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and renal pathologies, including inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis, were examined. Serum BUN, creatinine, and NGAL levels significantly increased in PT-treated mice. We observed increased IGFBP7, KIM-1, and NGAL expression in kidney tubules. Markers of oxidative stress, including 8-OHdG and superoxide dismutase, also showed a significant increase, accompanied by mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. The decrease in the acyl-coA oxidase 2 and Bcl2/Bax ratio also supports that PT induces mitochondrial injury. An in vitro study using HK-2 cells also demonstrated mitochondrial membrane potential loss, indicating that PT induces mitochondrial damage. PT appears to exert direct nephrotoxicity, which is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in the kidney tubular cells. Given that PT alone or in combination with vancomycin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in patients at high risk of acute kidney injury, caution should be exercised.
Ginger-Enriched Honey Attenuates Antibiotic Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Ng Wen-Jie , Hing Chin-Lu , Loo Choon-Boq , Hoh Ee-Khang , Loke Ian-Lung , Ee Kah-Yaw
Published: June 2023

Quorum sensing (QS) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays an essential role in virulence factors, biofilm formation as well as antibiotic resistance. Approaches that target virulence factors are known to be more sustainable than antibiotics in weakening the infectivity of bacteria. Although honey has been shown to exert antipseudomonal activities, the enhancement of such activity in ginger-enriched honey is still unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the impacts of honey and ginger-enriched honey on the QS virulence factors and biofilm formation of antibiotic resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Outcomes showed honey and/or ginger-enriched honey significantly reduced the protease activity, pyocyanin production and exotoxin A concentration of the isolates. The swarming and swimming motility together with biofilm formation in all clinical isolates were also significantly inhibited by both honey samples. Notable morphological alteration of bacterial cells was also observed using scanning electron microscopy. A principal component analysis (PCA) managed to distinguish the untreated group and treatment groups into two distinct clusters, although honey and ginger-enriched honey groups were not well differentiated. This study revealed the effectiveness of honey including ginger-enriched honey to attenuate QS virulence factors and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa.