bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADAM10: Possible functions in enamel development
Authors: Shahid Shifa , Ikeda Atsushi , Layana Michelle C. , Bartlett John D.
Published: November 2022

ADAM10 is A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAM) family member that is membrane bound with its catalytic domain present on the cell surface. It is a sheddase that cleaves anchored cell surface proteins to shed them from the cell surface. ADAM10 can cleave at least a hundred different proteins and is expressed in most tissues of the body. ADAM10 is best characterized for its role in Notch signaling. Interestingly, ADAM10 is transported to specific sites on the cell surface by six different tetraspanins. Although the mechanism is not clear, tetraspanins can regulate ADAM10 substrate specificity, which likely contributes to the diversity of ADAM10 substrates. In developing mouse teeth, ADAM10 is expressed in the stem cell niche and subsequently in pre-ameloblasts and then secretory stage ameloblasts. However, once ameloblasts begin transitioning into the maturation stage, ADAM10 expression abruptly ceases. This is exactly when ameloblasts stop their movement that extends enamel crystallites and when the enamel layer reaches its full thickness. ADAM10 may play an important role in enamel development. ADAM10 can cleave cadherins and other cell-cell junctions at specific sites where the tetraspanins have transported it and this may promote cell movement. ADAM10 can also cleave the transmembrane proteins COL17A1 and RELT. When either COL17A1 or RELT are mutated, malformed enamel may occur in humans and mice. So, ADAM10 may also regulate these proteins that are necessary for proper enamel development. This mini review will highlight ADAM10 function, how that function is regulated by tetraspanins, and how ADAM10 may promote enamel formation.
Dynamic regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway metabolites in modulating sorghum defense against fall armyworm
Authors: Grover Sajjan , Shinde Sanket , Puri Heena , Palmer Nathan , Sarath Gautam , Sattler Scott E. , Louis Joe
Published: November 2022

Plants undergo dynamic metabolic changes at the cellular level upon insect infestation to better defend themselves. Phenylpropanoids, a hub of secondary plant metabolites, encompass a wide range of compounds that can contribute to insect resistance. Here, the role of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) phenylpropanoids in providing defense against the chewing herbivore, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, was explored. We screened a panel of nested association mapping (NAM) founder lines against FAW and identified SC1345 and Ajabsido as most resistant and susceptible lines to FAW, respectively, compared to reference parent, RTx430. Gene expression and metabolomic studies suggested that FAW feeding suppressed the expression level of genes involved in monolignol biosynthetic pathway and their associated phenolic intermediates at 10 days post infestation. Further, SC1345 genotype displayed elevated levels of flavonoid compounds after FAW feeding for 10 days, suggesting a diversion of precursors from lignin biosynthesis to the flavonoid pathway. Additionally, bioassays with sorghum lines having altered levels of flavonoids provided genetic evidence that flavonoids are crucial in providing resistance against FAW. Finally, the application of FAW regurgitant elevated the expression of genes associated with the flavonoid pathway in the FAW-resistant SC1345 genotype. Overall, our study indicates that a dynamic regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway in sorghum plants imparts resistance against FAW.
Comparative metabolomics provides novel insights into correlation between dominant habitat factors and constituents of Stellaria Radix (Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata Bge.)
Authors: Li Zhenkai , Wang Hong , Feng Lu , Song Le , Lu Yongping , Li Hongying , Li Yanqing , Tian Gege , Yang Yan , Li Haishan , Mei Xiangui , Peng Li
Published: November 2022

Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata Bge. (SDL) is the original plant of the traditional Chinese medicine Yinchaihu (Stellaria Radix). It is mainly distributed in the arid desert areas of northwest China, which is the genuine medicinal material and characteristic cultivated crop in Ningxia. This study aims to analyze the effects of different origins on SDL metabolites and quality, as well as to screen the dominant habitat factors affecting SDL in different origins. In this study, metabolites of SDL from nine different production areas were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF MS) based metabolomics. And field investigations were conducted to record thirteen habitat-related indicators. Results showed that 1586 metabolites were identified in different origins, which were classified as thirteen categories including lipids, organic acids and organic heterocyclic compounds derivatives. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the metabonomic spectra of SDL from different origins had various characteristics. What’s more, co-expression network correlation analysis revealed that three metabolites modules (MEturquoise, MEbrown and MEblue) were more closely with the habitat factors and 104 hub metabolites were further screened out as the habitat-induced metabolite indicators. Besides, soil texture, soil pH value and soil total salt content were found as the dominant habitat factors which affect SDL metabolites. In conclusion, the study showed different habitat factors had various effects on SDL’s quality and established relationship between them, which provide reference for revealing SDL’s genuineness formation mechanism and guiding industrial crops practical production by habitat factors selection.
Linkages between stomatal density and minor leaf vein density across different altitudes and growth forms
Authors: Zhang Ming , Gao Huirong , Chen Shuang , Wang Xiaochun , Mo Weiyi , Yang Xue , Wang Xue , Wang Zhibo , Wang Ruili
Published: November 2022

Water supply and demand in leaves are primarily determined by stomatal density (SD, water demand) and minor leaf vein density (VLA, water supply). Thus, covariation between them is essential for maintaining water balance. However, there is debate over whether these two traits vary in a coordinated way. Here, we gathered SD and VLA data from 194 species over four altitudinal gradients, and investigated their relationships across all species, growth forms, and different altitudes. Our findings demonstrated that SD and VLA were positively associated across all species, independent on plant phylogeny. Moreover, the reliability of this SD-VLA relationship increased with altitudes. Although the stomatal number per minor vein length (SV) remained stable across different altitudes and growth forms, the positive SD-VLA relationship was found only in shrubs and herbs, but not in trees. Differently, a strong coordination between total stomatal number and total leaf vein length was observed across all species, trees, shrubs and herbs. These findings suggested that coordinating stomatal number and minor vein length within one leaf, rather than stomatal and vein density, may be a common choice of plants in the fluctuating environment. Therefore, to explore the relationship between total number of stomata and total length of leaf veins seems to better reflect the linkage between stomata and leaf veins, especially when covering different growth forms.
Research on accurate perception and control system of fertilization amount for corn fertilization planter
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Yafei , Wang Hui , Mao Hanping , Zhou Liming
Published: November 2022

At present, there are excessive fertilizer use and poor uniformity of fertilizer discharge in corn fertilizer planter. The key difficulty is that accurate perception and control of fertilizer amount has not been solved. Aiming at the above problems, a set of accurate perception and control system applied to corn fertilization planter was studied. According to the difference in dielectric properties between fertilizer and air, a sensor for online detection of fertilizer amount based on capacitance method was designed. And the relationship model of mass flow rate for N, P, K fertilizer and capacitance output was established. In order to reduce the influence of pulsation on fertilization flow, a high-precision fertilizer flow control system for fertilization planter based on the fertilizer flow feedback and PID control method was designed. The validated results showed that the maximum measurement error between the relationship model and capacitance output was 3.75%. As the temperature rises from room temperature to 55°C, the differential capacitance change rate of the sensor was less than 3%. The steady-state error of fertilizer discharge was less than 2%. The field experiment of the accurate perception and control system for corn fertilization amount show that the electric drive fertilization system has good consistency, the maximum and average variation coefficient of fertilization were 3.74%, 1.6%, respectively, and the variable control accuracy was greater than 97%. The control accuracy of the grain spacing control by electric drive seed metering was 98%. Therefore, the precision fertilization control system in this study can realize high-precision and on-demand fertilization. It is of great significance to realize the intelligence and precision for corn fertilization planter.
Need for uniqueness moderates the effectiveness of different types of scarcity appeals
Authors: Wang Yan , Kong Shuhong , Li Meng , Liu Lin
Published: November 2022

Marketers frequently implement scarcity messages in promoting their products. Scarcity due to demand and scarcity due to supply have both been found to influence consumers’ product evaluations positively. However, the differential effects of these two types of scarcity messages have been understudied. Study 1 manipulated scarcity appeals type and need for uniqueness orthogonally and examined their effects on purchase intention. Study 2 manipulated scarcity appeals type and tested its effect on perceived uniqueness. Study 3 manipulated scarcity appeals type and tested the moderated mediation model that perceived uniqueness mediated the interactive effects of scarcity type and need for uniqueness on purchase intention. Across three studies, we find that consumers perceive supply-based scarcity products as more unique than demand-based scarcity products. Consequently, in comparison with demand-based scarcity messages, supply-based scarcity messages increase purchase intention for consumers with high need for uniqueness. In contrast, these messages decrease purchase intention for consumers with low need for uniqueness. Our findings contribute to the research on scarcity appeals, uniqueness perception, and need for uniqueness. Our research also suggests that marketers need to implement different types of scarcity appeals to convey uniqueness information and to attract different consumers.
The role of classroom- and individual-level teen stereotypes in Chinese adolescents' academic adjustment: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Qu Yang , Devakonda Varun , Shi Zeyi , Yang Beiming , Wang Qian
Published: November 2022

Adolescence is often portrayed in a negative light in Western culture, with teens being viewed as rebellious and irresponsible. Yet, there is substantial cultural and individual variability in views of teens. The empirical research to date is limited in that it mainly examines whether teen stereotypes are influential at the individual level. Teen stereotypes might also be perpetuated at the classroom level, which may have important implications for adolescent adjustment over time. Focusing on adolescents in Chinese culture where the teen years are often viewed in a positive light, this two-wave longitudinal study employed multi-level analyses to investigate whether stereotypes of adolescence at the classroom level play a role in Chinese adolescents' academic adjustment over time (N = 785; 55% girls; mean age = 12.96 years). Consistent with prior research on views of teens, the present analyses suggested that teen stereotypes regarding family obligation and school engagement at the individual level predicted adolescents' value of school and self-regulated learning strategies over the seventh grade. More importantly, classroom-level teen stereotypes were also largely predictive of adolescents' value of school and self-regulated learning strategies over time, controlling for their earlier academic adjustment, individual-level teen stereotypes, and classroom-level adjustment. Taken together, these findings indicate that stereotypes of adolescence in classroom or peer settings may contribute to adolescents' academic adjustment during this phase. The findings also provide a potential foundation for interventions aimed at promoting adolescents' positive development via changing teen stereotypes in the classroom.
Enriching sociocultural perspectives on the effects of idealized body norms: Integrating shame, positive body image, and self-compassion
Authors: Mills Jennifer S. , Minister Claire , Samson Lindsay
Published: November 2022

Body image is an integral aspect of the psychology of the self. Idealized body images are ubiquitous in both traditional media forms (e.g., magazines, television) and social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram). The classic sociocultural model of body image (i.e., the Tripartite Influence Model) emphasizes pathways between idealized body norms, appearance comparisons, internalization of body ideals, and body dissatisfaction and its outcomes. We summarize the model and identify some issues to be addressed in future work, particularly in light of the immense popularity of social media. We review three topics that are not included in the sociocultural model but that provide a more complete picture of the influence of societal body norms on body image: (1) body shame, (2) positive body image, and (3) self-compassion. Research on the nature, assessment, and relevance of these constructs is reviewed in detail. In terms of clinical applications of these areas of research for individuals at risk of body dissatisfaction, we suggest assessing for and targeting body shame, cultivating facets of positive body image, and teaching strategies for developing self-compassion.
Captain or deckhand? The impact of self-leadership on employees’ work role performance under remote work
Authors: Maden-Eyiusta Ceyda , Alparslan Suzan Ece
Published: November 2022

Relying on self-determination theory, this study investigates the mediating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between self-leadership and work role performance (task proficiency, task adaptivity, and task proactivity) in remote work settings. It also explores whether and how supervisor close monitoring moderates the indirect impact of self-leadership on work role performance. Hypotheses were tested using a two-study design including white-collar employees from a broad range of jobs and companies (Study 1) and employee-supervisor dyads working in small and medium-sized firms (Study 2) in Turkey. In Study 1, results showed that self-leadership had a positive indirect effect on employees’ work role performance through psychological empowerment. In Study 2, the cross-lagged two-wave design provided support for this indirect effect while demonstrating partial support for the moderating role of supervisor close monitoring. The current study contributes to research on self-leadership and work role performance by providing a detailed understanding of the motivational process through which self-leadership leads to increased work role performance. It also offers practical insights for enhancing self-leaders’ work role performance, particularly within the remote work context.
The efficacy of a transdiagnostic group cognitive behavioral intervention for Chinese elderly with emotional disorders: A one-year follow-up randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yan Zijun , Meng Fanqiang , He Meiling , Li Zhanjiang
Published: November 2022

Background

With the global aging, geriatric emotional disorders have received more and more attention. Psychotherapy is an effective approach for alleviating the symptoms associated with emotional disorder, but the number of experienced therapists is low. Studies should be conducted to explore a low-cost and efficient treatment method. Previous findings indicate that transdiagnostic cognitive behavior therapy is an effective approach for treatment of emotional disorders. Group therapy is appropriate for the elderly as they are characterized by high levels of loneliness. In this study, we compared and explored the effects of a transdiagnostic group cognitive behavioral intervention (TD-GCBT), a transdiagnostic individual cognitive behavioral intervention (TD-CBT), and treatment as usual (TAU) on treatment of emotional disorders among the elderly.

Method

A total of 120 elderly patients diagnosed with emotional disorders were randomly assigned to the TD-GCBT group (40), TD-CBT group (40), and TAU group (40). Changes in symptoms were assessed using HAMD, PHQ-9, HAMA, and GAD-7 scales at baseline, post-treatment (three months), six-month and twelve-months follow-up. The efficacies of the three intervention strategies were compared using linear mixed-effects models. Post-hoc and simple effect analyses were conducted to determine the differences among the three groups.

Results

The HAMD, PHQ-9, HAMA, and GAD-7 scores revealed a significant effect from baseline to 12 months for time (p < 0.001), group (p < 0.001) and time × group interaction (p < 0.001) in TD-GCBT group compared with the TD-CBT group and TAU group. The effect of TD-GCBT (HAMD: Cohen’s d (3th month, 6th month, 12th month) = 2.69, 3.98, 4.51; HAMA: Cohen’s d = 2.84, 4.13, 5.20) and TD-CBT (HAMD: Cohen’s d = 2.55, 2.87, 2.63; HAMA: Cohen’s d = 2.43, 2.83, 2.78) group was better relative to that of the TAU group (HAMD: Cohen’s d = 0.41, 1.13, 1.46; HAMA: Cohen’s d = 0.64, 1.22, 1.57) (p < 0.001). The scores of the TD-GCBT group showed the most significant decrease compared with the other two groups.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that TD-GCBT method is effective for treatment of emotional disorders among the elderly. TD-GCBT is effective for alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms up to at least nine months after treatment. The results indicate that TD-GCBT is a cost-effective and resource-effective strategy and can be used an alternative therapy for treatment of mental disorders.

Clinical trial registration

[https://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1900021806].
Direct and indirect effects of alexithymia on disordered eating in a non-clinical female sample: Determining the role of negative affect
Authors: Wallis Deborah J. , Ridout Nathan
Published: November 2022

Background

Alexithymia is an independent predictor of symptoms of eating disorders, but also influences disordered eating in clinical samples indirectly via negative affect (depression and anxiety). The aim of the current work was to establish if alexithymia predicts disordered eating in a non-clinical sample directly and indirectly (via negative affect).

Methods

A sample of healthy females (n = 248) completed measures of depression, anxiety, alexithymia, and disordered eating (drive for thinness, bulimia, and body dissatisfaction). Bias-corrected bootstrapping was used to conduct parallel mediation analyses to determine if negative affect (depression and anxiety) mediated the influence of alexithymia on disordered eating.

Results

The relationship between alexithymia (difficulty identifying feelings) and drive for thinness was mediated by depression but not anxiety. The link between difficulty identifying feelings and bulimia was mediated by anxiety but not depression. The correlation between alexithymia (difficulty describing feelings) and body dissatisfaction was mediated by both depression and anxiety. However, after controlling for negative affect, difficulty identifying feelings remained an independent predictor of drive for thinness, and difficulty describing feelings remained an independent predictor of body dissatisfaction.

Conclusion

Facets of alexithymia (DIF and DDF) directly predict disordered eating in healthy participants as well as indirectly via depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that targeted interventions to improve the ability of individuals to identify and describe their feelings could be beneficial in reducing disordered eating, particularly in those “at risk” of developing eating disorders.
Official promotion and extreme environmental regulation: Evidence from prefecture-level cities in China
Authors: Meng Zuhan , Shi Anna , Du Sixuan
Published: November 2022

Under the background of Chinese decentralization, avoiding the shortsightedness of local officials has become the policy focus of the central government's environmental regulation. In recent years, with the achievement of environmental protection gradually becoming a necessity for promotion, local officials increasingly prefer to implement extreme environmental regulation (EER) to quickly control environmental deterioration. Based on this specific fact, this paper constructs a systematic GMM model, trying to study whether the promotion of officials can fully explain the executive logic of EER under the influence of limited tenure and geographical rotation. It is found that EER and limited tenure have a U-shaped relationship, and geographical rotation can inhibit EER during the limited tenure. In addition, China has not formed an “environment-only” promotion tournament. Heterogeneity analysis showed that in areas with high bureaucratic compliance, local officials are late in strengthening EER during their tenure while the inhibition effect of geographical rotation is poor; Compared with older officials, young officials have stronger motivation to implement EER, and the inhibition of geographical rotation is obvious. To sum up, our research shows that the green promotion system only enhances officials' demands for environmental achievements, but it does not restrict officials' short-sighted governance strategies. The central government should start by expanding environmental protection assessment indicators and improving the quality of official rotation to narrow the implementation space of EER, thereby encouraging local governments to promote stable and sound environmental governance in a compliant and long-term manner.
COVID-19, income and gender wage gap: Evidence from the China family panel studies (CFPS) 2014 to 2020
Authors: Dui Haojian
Published: November 2022

COVID-19 has a ubiquitous impact on human society and a significant impact on the labor market. This paper explores the impact of COVID-19 on income and its gender differences based on Generalized Difference-in-Differences using publicly available national micro-tracking survey data (CFPS 2014–2020) for the first time. The main findings are as follows: 1. COVID-19 significantly reduces incomes and affects men more; 2. Telecommuting mitigates income losses and is a significant factor contributing to the smaller impact on women; 3. There is educational heterogeneity in COVID-19 shock, with a significant negative impact on the income of those with lower education and a non-significant impact on those with higher education; 4. Men working in production and transportation, as well as female workers in commerce and services, will suffer the greatest loss of income; 5. For men, the older they are, the more they are affected by COVID-19, while the opposite is true for women; 6. Compared to urban residents, COVID-19 has a greater impact on rural residents. There are some policy implications: 1. the relationship between COVID-19 prevention measures and economic development should be carefully considered. 2. Telecommuting should be promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 3. The vulnerable groups should be protected.
Do sustainable food system innovations foster inclusiveness and social cohesion? A comparative study
Authors: Hennchen Benjamin , Schäfer Martina
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Existing food systems are not only responsible for severe environmental damage, but also face pressing social challenges, with people having uneven access to safe and healthy food, good working conditions, and political participation. These socio-ethical aspects play a key role in successful food transitions. So far, aspects of social cohesion and inclusiveness within social food innovations have rarely been analyzed in more depth. Many social innovations have emerged over the last few decades, such as land cooperatives, farm leasing models, community-supported agriculture, or citizen shareholder companies. Expectations towards these financing models vary from facilitating more investment in a sustainable and socially responsible agri-food sector and a shift towards more local food to the creation of transparent relationships between food producers and consumers.

Objectives

It is against this backdrop that this paper compares three different food innovations—citizen shareholder companies, community-supported agriculture, and food co-ops—regarding their inclusiveness, the degree of member involvement, and the quality of experienced connectedness.

Methods

Empirically, this paper draws on quantitative and qualitative data, including an online survey, two focus group discussions, and a broad literature search.

Results

Findings reveal that all food innovations show a rather low level of inclusiveness, although efforts are being made to overcome barriers to access. Food innovations generate social cohesion between different actors along the value-added chain, which is constituted differently in a more service-oriented versus a community-oriented model.

Discussion

Overall, these innovations provide key momentum towards the dominant food regime by rewarding producers for sustainable practices, establishing stronger producer–consumer relationships, and motivating consumers to assume shared responsibility. Based on the different approaches adopted, we consider the food innovations as complementary for food system transitions.
Investigating effective testing strategies for the control of Johne's disease in western Canadian cow-calf herds using an agent-based simulation model
Authors: Johnson Paisley , McLeod Lianne , Qin Yang , Osgood Nathaniel , Rosengren Leigh , Campbell John , Larson Kathy , Waldner Cheryl
Published: November 2022

Johne's disease is an insidious infectious disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Johne's disease can have important implications for animal welfare and risks causing economic losses in affected herds due to reduced productivity, premature culling and replacement, and veterinary costs. Despite the limited accuracy of diagnostic tools, testing and culling is the primary option for controlling Johne's disease in beef herds. However, evidence to inform specific test and cull strategies is lacking. In this study, a stochastic, continuous-time agent-based model was developed to investigate Johne's disease and potential control options in a typical western Canadian cow-calf herd. The objective of this study was to compare different testing and culling scenarios that included varying the testing method and frequency as well as the number and risk profile of animals targeted for testing using the model. The relative effectiveness of each testing scenario was determined by the simulated prevalence of cattle shedding MAP after a 10-year testing period. A second objective was to compare the direct testing costs of each scenario to identify least-cost options that are the most effective at reducing within-herd disease prevalence. Whole herd testing with individual PCR at frequencies of 6 or 12 months were the most effective options for reducing disease prevalence. Scenarios that were also effective at reducing prevalence but with the lowest total testing costs included testing the whole herd with individual PCR every 24 months and testing the whole herd with pooled PCR every 12 months. The most effective method with the lowest annual testing cost per unit of prevalence reduction was individual PCR on the whole herd every 24 months. Individual PCR testing only cows that had not already been tested 4 times also ranked well when considering both final estimated prevalence at 10 years and cost per unit of gain. A more in-depth economic analysis is needed to compare the cost of testing to the cost of disease, taking into account costs of culling, replacements and impacts on calf crops, and to determine if testing is an economically attractive option for commercial cow-calf operations.
Design of Guided Bending Bellows Actuators for Soft Hand Function Rehabilitation Gloves
Authors: Duanmu Dehao , Wang Xiaojun , Li Xiaodong , Wang Zheng , Hu Yong
Published: November 2022

This study developed a soft pneumatic glove actuated by elliptical cross-sectional guided bending bellows to augment finger-knuckle rehabilitation for patients with hand dysfunction. The guided bending bellows actuators (GBBAs) are made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials, demonstrating the necessary air tightness as a pneumatic actuator. The GBBAs could produce different moments of inertia when increasing internal air pressure drives the GBBAs bending along distinct symmetry planes and exhibits anisotropic kinematic bending performance. Actuated by GBBAs, wearable soft rehabilitation gloves can be used for daily rehabilitation training of hand dysfunction to enhance the range of motion of the finger joint. To control each finger of the gloves independently to achieve the function of manipulating gestures, a multi-channel pneumatic control system is designed, and each air circuit is equipped with an air-pressure sensor to make adjustments based on feedback. Compared with general soft robotic exoskeleton gloves currently used for hand dysfunction, the GBBAs actuated soft gloves have the advantage of enhancing the rehabilitation strength, finger movement range, and multi-action coordination applied with guided bending bellows actuators.
The Impact of Leadership on Boosting Employee Creativity: The Role of Knowledge Sharing as a Mediator
Authors: Khassawneh Osama , Mohammad Tamara , Ben-Abdallah Rabeb
Published: November 2022

In this study, we examined the role that knowledge sharing plays in mediating the relationship between the employee trust in leadership and employee innovation in the service sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We included 346 people employed in the service industry. According to the study’s findings, having faith in one’s leader has a beneficial and discernibly positive impact on the degree to which employees share their knowledge and innovate. Knowledge sharing has a positive and substantial effect on the creativity of employees, and vice versa. According to the study’s findings, the openness of leaders partially mediates the willingness of employees to try new things and share information, which is a consequence of the trust that employees have in their leaders and their willingness to experiment with new concepts.
Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Metastatic Effects of Ethanol Extract from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Roots and its Sub-Fractions in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Vo Thuy-Lan Thi , Yang Shu-Er , Huang Liang-Gie , Li Po-Hsien , Chen Chien-Lin , Song Tuzz-Ying
Published: November 2022

Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., known as pigeon pea, C. cajan (L.) Millsp. roots (CR) contain daidzein, genistein, and cajanol which have numerous health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of sub-fractions (EECRpw, EECRp25, EECRp50, EECRp70, and EECRp95) containing 95% ethanol extract from CR (EECR95) in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC25). We found that the sub-fraction (EECRp70) significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and down-regulated secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-2 in a dose-dependent manner, and the mechanisms were related to down-regulated iNOS/COX-2/NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Moreover, EECRp70 in combination with a cancer chemotherapeutic agent (cisplatin or taxol) also blocked cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle in subG1 phase, inhibited intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, and reduced migration and invasion of SCC25 cells. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that EECRp70 inhibits proliferation and metastatic, which is related to the relatively high uptake of genistein of EECRp70 (2.71%) in SCC25 cells for 12 h. In addition, EECRp70 contains abundant flavonoids such as genistein and cajanol. Thus, we suggest that the study supports the anecdotal use of CR in herbal medicine and functional food.
The Application of Humic Acid Urea Improves Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Crop Yield by Reducing the Nitrogen Loss Compared with Urea
Authors: Kong Baishu , Wu Qicong , Li Yongqiang , Zhu Taochuan , Ming Yufei , Li Chuanfu , Li Chuanrong , Wang Fenghua , Jiao Shuying , Shi Lianhui , Dong Zhi
Published: November 2022

Enhancing nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) and reducing urea N losses are major challenges in ensuring sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid urea on N losses, soil microbial nutrient balance and NUE through leaching experiments, soil incubation experiments and field experiments of maize-wheat rotation. We set up four N gradients (240 kg N hm−2, 216 kg N hm−2, 192 kg N hm−2, 168 kg N hm−2) and two N fertilizer types (urea and humic acid urea) to make up five treatments, with no N application as the control. The results showed that humic acid urea reduced the fertilizer N losses by 25.51%, 23.07% and 23.08% in the three pathways of N leaching, NH3 volatilization and N2O emission, respectively, compared with urea. Humic acid urea significantly increased soil ammonium N, nitrate N and available phosphorus contents, and brought the enzyme stoichiometry ratio closer to 1:1:1, which promoted microbial nutrient balance. Application of humic acid urea significantly increased yield, NUE and annual net economic profit of maize and wheat. Among all treatments, the application of humic acid urea at 216 kg N hm−2 maximized NUE, reduced environmental pollution and increased yield.
Inhibitory Effects of Appropriate Addition of Zero-Valent Iron on NH3 and H2S Emissions during Sewage Sludge Composting
Authors: Liu Yuan , Liu Junwan , Zheng Guodi , Yang Junxing , Cheng Yuan
Published: November 2022

Large amounts of NH3 and H2S are emitted during sewage sludge composting, resulting in odor pollution. This composting experiment was carried out using sewage sludge mixed with sawdust, and different amounts of zero-valent iron (ZVI) were added to investigate the effect on volatile gases, such as NH3 and H2S, and to analyze the effect on the available sulfur, total sulfur, moisture content, and germination index of the compost. The results showed that the addition of ZVI during the composting process had noticeable effects on the emission of NH3 and H2S. ZVI could also increase the heating rate and peak temperature of the pile, reduce the available sulfur loss, and promote the dewatering and decomposition of the compost pile. The addition of 3% ZVI had the best effect on NH3 emissions; it reduced the peak concentration of NH3 release during composting by 21.0% compared to the blank group. However, the addition of 2% ZVI was the most effective for H2S emissions; it reduced the peak release concentration of H2S by 20.0%. A higher addition of ZVI was more effective in reducing the moisture content and increasing the germination index of the compost.
Industrial Organic Wastewater through Drip Irrigation to Reduce Chemical Fertilizer Input and Increase Use Efficiency by Promoting N and P Absorption of Cotton in Arid Areas
Authors: Hao Xianzhe , Shi Xiaojuan , Khan Aziz , Li Nannan , Shi Feng , Li Junhong , Tian Yu , Han Peng , Wang Jun , Luo Honghai
Published: November 2022

The use of industrial waste as an agricultural resource is important for clean and sustainable agriculture. We assumed that industrial organic wastewater coupled with chemical fertilizer would increase cotton yield by enhancing nutrients absorption and utilization. To test this hypothesis, a two-year (2019–2020) field trial was conducted to assess the impacts of CK (0 kg ha−1), chemical fertilizer (CF) (N-P2O5-K2O: 228-131-95 kg ha−1), chemical fertilizer + organic wastewater (F0.6 (60%CF + OW: 1329 kg ha−1), F0.8 (80%CF + OW), F1.0 (CF + OW), F1.2 (120%CF + OW) and F1.4 (140%CF + OW)) on nutrient absorption and distribution, fertilizer use efficiency and cotton yield under drip irrigation system. Compared with CF, the soil organic matter, NH4+-N and AV-K increased significantly after F0.8-F1.4 treatments. The absorption of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) by plants after dripping organic wastewater (F0.8-F1.4) increased by 1.1–11.2% as compared with CF (F0.6, CF < F0.8, F1.0 < F1.2, F1.4). Under F0.8, treatment resulted in a higher distribution rate of N, P and K in reproductive organs compared with other counterparts. In addition, drip application of organic wastewater promoted the absorption of magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) in leaves and Fe in roots with higher translocation of Zn and boron (B) to reproductive organs compared with other treatments. The absorption of N, P and K was positively correlated with Mg, negatively correlated with calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S), and positively correlated with manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). The yield and fertilizer utilization rate of cotton were higher at F0.8. Conclusively, the use of 1329 kg ha−1 organic wastewater (organic mattered ≥ 20%, humic acid ≥ 20 g L−1, Bacillus subtilis ≥ 2 × 108 L−1) combined with chemical fertilizer (N-P2O5-K2O) at (182-104-76 kg ha−1) reduces the application of chemical fertilizer and can increase utilization efficiency of chemical fertilizer with a high cotton yield under mulch drip irrigation in arid regions.
OsCSN1 Regulates the Growth and Development of Rice Seedlings through the Degradation of SLR1 in the GA Signaling Pathway
Authors: Musazade Elshan , Liu Yanxi , Ren Yixuan , Wu Ming , Zeng Hua , Han Shining , Gao Xiaowei , Chen Shuhua , Guo Liquan
Published: November 2022

The constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN) is involved in various regulations during plant development. The CSN is a highly conserved protein complex with nine subunits, and CSN1 acts in a network of signaling pathways critical for plant development. Although CSN1 has been widely studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, there have been few investigations on CSN1 in rice. In this paper, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, CSN1 was edited from Oryza sativa subsp. japonica (rice). After screening out the OsCSN1 knockout mutant and OsCSN1 reduce mutant, the phenotype and protein expression were identified under different light conditions. Experiments showed that in OsCSN1 knockout mutant and OsCSN1 reduce mutant, the SLR1 protein was rapidly degraded at the rice seedling. In this study, the OsCSN1 acted as a negative regulator to affect seedling growth and development through CUL4-based E3 ligase, which is involved in the degradation of SLR1 in the GA signaling pathway. However, its direct target and mechanism of action are not clear.
Variation in the Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia and L. × intermedia
Authors: Walasek-Janusz Magdalena , Grzegorczyk Agnieszka , Zalewski Daniel , Malm Anna , Gajcy Sylwia , Gruszecki Robert
Published: November 2022

The antimicrobial properties of essential oil from Lavandula sp. raise hopes related to its use in phytotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils from cultivars of L. angustifolia (‘Hidcote Blue Strain’, ‘Hidcote Blue’) and L. × intermedia (‘Phenomenal’, ‘Grosso’) grown in central-eastern Poland, that is, at the border of the northern lavender cultivation range. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by GC/MS. Essential oil concentrations (20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.6, 0.3, 0.16, 0.08, and 0.04 mg/mL) were tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) towards ten strains of Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria, and eight yeasts in vitro culture. Essential oils from the Lavendula cultivars showed antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms analysed. The yeasts were characterised by higher sensitivity to lavender oil compared to bacteria, while Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive than Gram-negative bacteria. The lowest MIC values for bacteria and fungi were obtained for ‘Grosso’. Furthermore, the ‘Grosso’ oil showed the highest fungicidal activity, while the highest bactericidal activity was found in ‘Hidcote Blue’ and ‘Grosso’. Using Staphylococcus aureus as an example, it was shown that different bacterial strains of the same species show varying sensitivity to the essential oil. A higher oil content was noted for the cultivars L. × intermedia, especially for the ‘Phenomenal’. Linalyl acetate and linalool were the main components of the essential oil in all cultivars. However, in the ‘Grosso’ oil, a high content of terpinen-4-ol (18.08%) was also recorded. An analysis of the relationships between the content of the main components in the analysed essential oils and the antimicrobial activity of essential oils suggested that linalool and terpinen-4-ol were compounds potentially responsible for antimicrobial activity. The obtained results allow us to conclude that essential oil with significant antimicrobial activity can be obtained from Lavandula sp. plants harvested in the northern part of the cultivation range.
SNP and Haplotype Variability in the BnP5CR2 Gene and Association with Resistance and Susceptible Cultivars for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Yu , Wu Dong , Qu Dong , Sun Xiaomin , Zhang Xiaojuan
Published: November 2022

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a serious disease of oil crop. The P5CR gene is the first gene reported to be associated with resistance to Sclerotinia infection in soybeans, and its closest homologs are located on chromosomes A10 and C09 of Brassica napus. We named these BnP5CR1 and BnP5CR2, respectively. The purpose of this study was to examine the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and haplotype diversity (Hd) of BnP5CR2 among canola cultivars with different levels of resistance to S. sclerotiorum as well as the expression patterns of BnP5CR2 via an association analysis using resistant and susceptible cultivars of B. napus. The results can thus provide information for future research on the mechanisms of disease resistance to S. sclerotiorum and the breeding of resistant canola cultivars. A total of 95 and 12 polymorphic sites were detected in 1870 and 678 SNP sites in 16 BnP5CR2 and their coding DNA sequence (CDS) population, respectively. A total of six different haplotypes (H1–H6) were inferred from the 16 BnP5CR2 gene-CDS that contributed to the high level of polymorphism. Hd was equal to 0.617, and H1 shared by 10 cultivars was the dominant haplotype, suggesting that H1 is an ancient haplotype among the BnP5CR2 genes. H6 and H5 haplotpypes were present in Nan12R and ZhongYou821, respectively. The expression level in vitro of the BnP5CR2 between Nan12R and ZhongYou821 was significantly different. The upregulated expression of BnP5CR2 in resistant cultivars was higher than that of susceptible cultivars under 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h treatments of pathogen stress, among which the expression level was significantly increased at 6 h, 12 h and 36 h in resistant cultivars, and the difference reached a highly significant level at 6 h (p < 0.01). The two cultivars with clear differences in expression features possessed different BnP5CR2 gene-CDS-haplotypes, indicating that gene-CDS-haplotype diversity may have greater power than SNPs for the detection of causal genes for quantitative traits.
Vermicomposting of Lavender Waste: A Biological Laboratory Investigation
Authors: González-Moreno Miguel Ángel , García Gracianteparaluceta Beñat , Marcelino Sádaba Sara , Prieto Cobo Eduardo , Seco Meneses Andrés
Published: November 2022

In the present work, lavender waste, a residue of the essential oil extract industry, was used to feed Eisenia andrei with mature horse manure at ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 on dry weight basis. Vermicomposting was carried out for 70 days in laboratory conditions. Biological parameters such as population build-up, total biomass, mortality and cocoon production were observed and measured. Increasing concentrations of waste affected positively the growth and reproduction of worms in a significant way. The 100% lavender waste combination showed the best cocoon production and even tripled their biomass in the first week. A seed germination test was also made, where no evidence of toxicity was found. The germination index range was, in general terms, above 100. The results indicated that the earthworm E. andrei was able to transform lavender waste into compost and thus play a major role in industrial waste management and apply circular economy.
Emergence of Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter junii in China
Authors: Wang Zhiren , Fan Xuanyang , Wang Shuyi , Li Shuguang , Gao Yue , Wang Hui , Li Henan
Published: November 2022

The increasing number of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria presents a serious threat to global health. However, colistin-resistant Acinetobacter junii has rarely been reported. We identified a colistin-resistant A. junii clinical isolate, AJ6079, in blood. The colony of AJ6079 presented a dry phenotype, and it was difficult to form a bacterial suspension, whilst transmission electron microscopy revealed that AJ6079 possessed a thick outer membrane. The phenotypic and genomic comparisons were conducted with one colistin-susceptible A. junii, which had the same antibiotic susceptibility profile except for colistin, and had the same KL25 capsule biosynthesis locus. The AJ6079 exhibited a slower growth rate, indicating that colistin-resistant A. junii possesses a higher fitness cost. The genome of AJ6079 had a G+C content of 38.7% and contained one 3,362,966 bp circular chromosome with no plasmid or mobile colistin resistance (mcr) gene. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the AJ6079 contained several previously unreported point mutations in colistin-resistance-related genes involving amino acid substitutions in PmrB (N5K, G147C), LpxA (I107F, H131Y), and LpxD (F20I, K263R), which might be correlated with colistin resistance in A. junii. Further research is needed for verification as the genetic background was not exactly the same between the two isolates.
Benzylaminopurine and Abscisic Acid Mitigates Cadmium and Copper Toxicity by Boosting Plant Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Reducing Metal Accumulation and Translocation in Bamboo [Pleioblastus pygmaeus (Miq.)] Plants
Authors: Emamverdian Abolghassem , Ding Yulong , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser , Barker James , Liu Guohua , Li Yang , Mokhberdoran Farzad , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: November 2022

An in vitro experiment was conducted to determine the influence of phytohormones on the enhancement of bamboo resistance to heavy metal exposure (Cd and Cu). To this end, one-year-old bamboo plants (Pleioblastus pygmaeus (Miq.) Nakai.) contaminated by 100 µM Cd and 100 µM Cu both individually and in combination were treated with 10 µM, 6-benzylaminopurine and 10 µM abscisic acid. The results revealed that while 100 µM Cd and 100 µM Cu accelerated plant cell death and decreased plant growth and development, 10 µM 6-benzylaminopurine and 10 µM abscisic acid, both individually and in combination, increased plant growth by boosting antioxidant activities, non-antioxidants indices, tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity (TAL), as well as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (PAL). Moreover, this combination enhanced protein thiol, total thiol, non-protein, glycine betaine (GB), the content of proline (Pro), glutathione (GSH), photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll and Carotenoids), fluorescence parameters, dry weight in shoot and root, as well as length of the shoot. It was then concluded that 6-benzyl amino purine and abscisic acid, both individually and in combination, enhanced plant tolerance under Cd and Cu through several key mechanisms, including increased antioxidant activity, improved photosynthesis properties, and decreased metals accumulation and metal translocation from root to shoot.