bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of doubled haploid lines derived from different cycles of the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) maize population
Authors: Ledesma Alejandro , Ribeiro Fernando Augusto Sales , Uberti Alison , Edwards Jode , Hearne Sarah , Frei Ursula , Lübberstedt Thomas
Published: July 2023

Molecular characterization of a given set of maize germplasm could be useful for understanding the use of the assembled germplasm for further improvement in a breeding program, such as analyzing genetic diversity, selecting a parental line, assigning heterotic groups, creating a core set of germplasm and/or performing association analysis for traits of interest. In this study, we used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to assess the genetic variability in a set of doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from the unselected Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) maize population, denoted as C0 (BSSS(R)C0), the seventeenth cycle of reciprocal recurrent selection in BSSS (BSSS(R)C17), denoted as C17 and the cross between BSSS(R)C0 and BSSS(R)C17 denoted as C0/C17. With the aim to explore if we have potentially lost diversity from C0 to C17 derived DH lines and observe whether useful genetic variation in C0 was left behind during the selection process since C0 could be a reservoir of genetic diversity that could be untapped using DH technology. Additionally, we quantify the contribution of the BSSS progenitors in each set of DH lines. The molecular characterization analysis confirmed the apparent separation and the loss of genetic variability from C0 to C17 through the recurrent selection process. Which was observed by the degree of differentiation between the C0_DHL versus C17_DHL groups by Wright’s F-statistics (FST). Similarly for the population structure based on principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear separation among groups of DH lines. Some of the progenitors had a higher genetic contribution in C0 compared with C0/C17 and C17 derived DH lines. Although genetic drift can explain most of the genetic structure genome-wide, phenotypic data provide evidence that selection has altered favorable allele frequencies in the BSSS maize population through the reciprocal recurrent selection program.
Fine mapping of the flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase gene controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper anthers and stems
Authors: Wang Yixin , Wang Zheng , Du Heshan , Chen Bin , Wang Guoyun , Wang Qian , Geng Sansheng , Zhang Xiaofen
Published: July 2023

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L) is one of the most important vegetables grown worldwide. Nevertheless, the key structural and regulatory genes involved in anthocyanin accumulation in pepper have not been well understood or fine mapped yet. In this study, F1, F2, BC1P1, and BC1P2 pepper populations were analyzed and these populations were derived from a cross between line 14-Z4, which has yellow anthers and green stems, and line 14-Z5, which has purple anthers and stems. The results showed that the yellow anthers and green stems were determined by a single recessive locus called to as ayw. While, using preliminary and fine mapping techniques, ayw locus was located between markers aywSNP120 and aywSNP124, with physical distance of 0.2 Mb. The CA11g18550 gene was identified as promising candidate for the ayw locus, as it co-segregated with the yellow anthers and green stems phenotypes. CA11g18550 encodes a homolog of the F3’5’H (flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase) anthocyanin synthesis structure gene. The missense mutation of CA11g18550 possibly resulted in a loss-of-function. The expression analysis showed that CA11g18550 was significantly expressed in the stems, leaves, anthers and petals in 14-Z5, and it’s silencing caused the stems changing from purple to green. This study provides a theoretical basis for using yellow anthers and green stems in pepper breeding and helps to advance the understanding of anthocyanin synthesis.
Increasing character strength knowledge, interest, and skill: preliminary evidence for a collaborative and multimethod assessment procedure
Authors: Klibert Jeffrey , Simpson Michaela , Weiss Brandon , Yancey C. Thresa , Pritulsky Calla , Luna Amy , Houseman Hayley , Samawi Hani
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The study’s objective was to evaluate whether a qualitative, collaborative, and multimethod assessment protocol increased reports of character strength interest, knowledge, and perceived skills.

Methods

Thirty-two participants completed three phases of data collection. Participants were first screened for well-being, which was used as an auxiliary covariate to order participants into experimental conditions. Selected participants were randomly assigned to a control or collaborative and multimethod assessment (card sort × qualitative interview) condition. Participants completed pre- and post-measures of strength interest, knowledge, and perceived skill. In the final phase, second phase participants were invited to report on strength-related outcomes 24 h post-administration using an online survey.

Results

A series of 2 (Assessment Condition) × 3 (Time) mixed ANOVAs were analyzed. Results revealed a significant assessment condition by time interaction for strength knowledge and perceived skill. Participants in the collaborative and multimethod assessment condition reported higher strength knowledge and perceived skills compared to control participants. These effects were maintained for 24 h.

Conclusion

The findings offer preliminary yet sizable support for using collaborative and multimethod assessment procedures to increase strength knowledge and perceived skill. Because of the qualitative, collaborative, and individualized nature of our assessment protocol, the findings offer a low-cost and contextually bound pathway to increase strength-based outcomes.
Nurturing wellbeing amidst the climate crisis: on the need for a focus on wellbeing in the field of climate psychology
Authors: Isham Amy , Morgan Gareth , Kemp Andrew Haddon
Published: July 2023

Awareness of climate change can prompt overwhelming emotions that threaten wellbeing such as anger, despair, and anxiety. Neoliberal views of human beings and their mental health strip the individual from their social and material context, driving personal dissatisfaction, social isolation, and ecological destruction. In this piece, we contend that advancements in scholarly research on wellbeing offer valuable insights for addressing the challenges posed by the climate crises while respecting human wellbeing. Such frameworks, which include the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) and the GENIAL model, emphasize the interconnected nature of people, communities, and their environment. In turn, they help to lay the groundwork for the development of ‘post-growth’ societies focused on supporting outcomes such as human wellbeing, social justice, and environmental regeneration. There are a number of different actions that practitioners and even lay individuals can take to promote positive outcomes and effective responses in the face of the climate crisis. These actions, discussed in the concluding sections of the article, aim to foster wellbeing and impactful engagement with the challenges posed by climate change.
Marital status and living apart affect sleep quality in male military personnel: a study of the China’s Navy during COVID-19
Authors: Guo Xin , Meng Yao , Lian Hao , Li Yinan , Xu Ying , Zhang Ruike , Xu Jingzhou , Wang Hao , Xu Shuyu , Cai Wenpeng , Xiao Lei , Su Tong , Tang Yunxiang
Published: July 2023

Background

Marital status is a robust sociodemographic predictor of sleep. Having to live apart from spouse may have different implications than those of cohabitants or singles, especially in military personnel. Further research on this group will help provide knowledge in advance and facilitate early targeted interventions.

Methods

An online questionnaire study was conducted from July to November 2021. A total of 1,832 male military personnel completed the questionnaire. The marital status was measured by a self-reported single choice question. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and The Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about sleep scale (DBAS-16) were used to measure sleep-related outcomes. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was applied to reduce the effects of confounding. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between marital status and sleep and explore the impact of living together or not.

Results

After inverse probability weighting, the prevalence of poor sleep quality, sleepiness and dysfunctional beliefs were 16.1, 20.1 and 7.1%, respectively. One-way ANOVA results for the means of both groups were statistically significantly different, except for the sleep latency and sleep disturbance dimensions of PSQI. Participants who were married were more likely to have poor sleep quality (OR: 1.408, 95% CI: [1.10, 1.80]), to have daytime sleepiness (OR: 1.560, 95% CI: [1.27, 1.92]) and to develop dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes (OR: 2.497, 95% CI: [1.65, 3.80]) than those who were unmarried. Further analysis showed that the odds of developing poor sleep quality and DBAS in participants who married but living apart were significantly bigger than those unmarried (OR: 1.548 and 3.991, respectively.), while there were no significant differences in the odds of daytime sleepiness (OR: 0.738, p = 0.050). Age was a protective factor for the development of bad sleep outcomes, while family economic was an independent risk factor.

Conclusion

Marital status appear important for sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and sleep beliefs. The effect of living apart or not should be considered separately as an important predictor of sleep.
Cognitive subgroups and the relationships with symptoms, psychosocial functioning and quality of life in first-episode non-affective psychosis: a cluster-analysis approach
Authors: Kam Candice Tze Kwan , Fung Vivian Shi Cheng , Chang Wing Chung , Hui Christy Lai Ming , Chan Sherry Kit Wa , Lee Edwin Ho Ming , Lui Simon Sai Yu , Chen Eric Yu Hai
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Prior research examining cognitive heterogeneity in psychotic disorders primarily focused on chronic schizophrenia, with limited data on first-episode psychosis (FEP). We aimed to identify distinct cognitive subgroups in adult FEP patients using data-driven cluster-analytic approach, and examine relationships between cognitive subgroups and a comprehensive array of illness-related variables.

Methods

Two-hundred-eighty-nine Chinese patients aged 26–55 years presenting with FEP to an early intervention program in Hong Kong were recruited. Assessments encompassing premorbid adjustment, illness-onset profile, symptom severity, psychosocial functioning, subjective quality-of-life, and a battery of cognitive tests were conducted. Hierarchical cluster-analysis was employed, optimized with k-means clustering and internally-validated by discriminant-functional analysis. Cognitive subgroup comparisons in illness-related variables, followed by multivariable multinominal-regression analyzes were performed to identify factors independently predictive of cluster membership.

Results

Three clusters were identified including patients with globally-impaired (n = 101, 34.9%), intermediately-impaired (n = 112, 38.8%) and relatively-intact (n = 76, 26.3%) cognition (GIC, IIC and RIC subgroups) compared to demographically-matched healthy-controls’ performance (n = 50). GIC-subgroup was older, had lower educational attainment, greater positive, negative and disorganization symptom severity, poorer insight and quality-of-life than IIC- and RIC-subgroups, and higher antipsychotic-dose than RIC-subgroup. IIC-subgroup had lower education levels and more severe negative symptoms than RIC-subgroup, which had better psychosocial functioning than two cognitively-impaired subgroups. Educational attainment and disorganization symptoms were found to independently predict cluster membership.

Discussion

Our results affirmed cognitive heterogeneity in FEP and identified three subgroups, which were differentially associated with demographic and illness-related variables. Further research should clarify longitudinal relationships of cognitive subgroups with clinical and functional outcomes in FEP.
The mediating effect of stigma between self-perceived burden and loneliness in stroke patients
Authors: Fan Wenfeng , Ma Ke ke , Yang Cai xia , Guo Yuan li
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Stroke patients may experience reduced socialization and feelings of isolation due to post-stroke sequelae such as impaired motor function and cognitive deficits. Factors associated with loneliness need to be explored to develop targeted interventions. However, little is known about the impact of self-perceived burden and illness stigma on loneliness in this population.The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of stigma on self-perceived burden and loneliness in stroke patients.

Methods

The cluster random sampling method was adopted to select 1028 stroke patients from the neurology department of third-grade A hospitals and second-grade A hospitals in 5 cities of Henan Province from May 2022 to August 2022. A general data questionnaire, self-perceived burden scale, stroke stigma scale, and loneliness scale were used to investigate. The structural equation model was used to analyze the mediating effect of stigma between self-perceived burden and stigma.

Results

The loneliness of stroke patients was positively correlated with self-perceived burden and stigma. The results of the mediation analysis showed that stigma played a complete mediating role between self-perceived burden and loneliness.

Discussion

The results of the study revealed the relationship between self-perceived burden, stigma, and loneliness in stroke patients. Stigma mediated the relationship between self-perceived burden and loneliness in this population.Stigma should be emphasized as an important modifiable psychological factor that affects loneliness of stroke patients.
Association between air pollution and primary liver cancer in European and east Asian populations: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Sun Mengting , Gao Ming , Luo Manjun , Wang Tingting , Zhong Taowei , Qin Jiabi
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The incidence of primary liver cancer is increasing year by year, with environmental factors playing a non-negligible role. At present, many studies are still disputing whether air pollution is associated with primary liver cancer incidence, and it is difficult to draw causal inferences. Therefore, in this study, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal relationship between air pollution (including PM2.5, PM2.5–10, PM10, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides) and primary liver cancer risk and its related biomarkers (Alpha-fetoprotein, Osteopontin, Glypican-3 and Arginase-1).

Patients and methods

We used large-scale publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data to conduct MR analyses of European and East Asian populations. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis method, and weighted median model, MR-Egger, simple model and weighted model methods were selected for quality control. Heterogeneity was checked by the Cochran’s Q test. The MR-Egger regression and the MR-PRESSO global test detect pleiotropy. The sensitivity analysis was performed using the leave-one-out method.

Results

Between air pollution and primary liver cancer in either European (PM2.5: p = 0.993; PM2.5–10: p = 0.833; PM10: p = 0.257; nitrogen dioxide: p = 0.215; nitrogen oxides: p = 0.614) or East Asian (PM2.5: p = 0.718; PM2.5–10: p = 0.362; PM10: p = 0.720; nitrogen dioxide: p = 0.101; nitrogen oxides: p = 0.760) populations were found no statistical association. Notably, there was a causal relationship between nitrogen oxides and Arginase-1, a biomarker associated with hepatocellular differentiation, statistically significant associations remained after deletion for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with alcohol intake frequency, Body mass index (BMI) and cancers (Beta: 4.46; 95%CI: 0.83–8.08; p = 0.015). There was no heterogeneity or pleiotropy in the results.

Conclusion

This MR study found no evidence to support a causality between air pollution and primary liver cancer in European and East Asian populations, but nitrogen oxides may affect hepatocellular differentiation.
Using ChatGPT to navigate ambivalent and contradictory research findings on artificial intelligence
Authors: Sohail Shahab Saquib , Madsen Dag Øivind , Himeur Yassine , Ashraf Maheen
Published: July 2023

With the rapid development and integration of AI in various domains, understanding the nuances of AI research has become critical for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. However, the results are vast and diverse and even can be contradictory or ambivalent, presenting a significant challenge for individuals seeking to grasp and synthesize the findings. This perspective paper discusses the ambivalent and contradictory research findings in the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and explores whether ChatGPT can be used to navigate and make sense of the AI literature.
Decoupling touch from sex: gender(ed) representations of physical intimacy in the cuddle industry
Authors: Santos Paulo
Published: July 2023

The present study explores the resistance to and potential transformation of hegemonic gender norms regarding intimacy and sexuality through an instrumental case study of the so-called “professional cuddlers”, a category of body workers that have proliferated in Europe since 2015 offering paid sessions of non-sexual physical intimacy. Despite efforts to frame the service as a form of therapy, professional cuddling is often misunderstood as a front for prostitution, and practitioners must frequently deal with unwanted sexual advancements. Drawing from a 3-year online ethnographic study of cuddling services, the dataset includes 10 in-depth interviews informed by a previous qualitative analysis of 46 newspaper articles, 16 forum discussions, and 25 websites related to such practices. Findings demonstrate that the representational limbo experienced by practitioners could be better understood as a product of the “sexusociety”. Though it is unclear whether professional cuddling has any significant impact on hegemonic gender norms, results show that it nonetheless deconstructs the normative landscape through the enactment of alternative scripts.
Simple transanal total mesorectal resection versus laparoscopic transabdominal total mesorectal resection for the treatment of low rectal cancer: a single-center retrospective case-control study
Authors: Yang Wei-Feng , Chen Wenbin , He Zijian , Wu Zixin , Liu Huilong , Li Guanwei , Li Wang-Lin
Published: July 2023

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simple TaTNE in the treatment of low rectal cancer compared with laparoscopic transabdominal TME.

Methods

We collected patients with low rectal cancer admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and November 2021 who received simple TaTME or laparoscopic transabdominal TME. The main outcome was the integrity of the TME specimen. Secondary outcomes were the number of lymph nodes dissected, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, surgical conversion rate, Specimen resection length, circumferential margin (CRM), and distal resection margin (DRM), complication rate. In addition, the Wexner score and LARS score of fecal incontinence were performed in postoperative follow-up.

Results

Pathological tissues were successfully resected in all patients. all circumferential margins of the specimen were negative. Specimen resection length was not statistically significant (9.94 ± 2.85 vs. 8.90 ± 2.49, P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in group A (n = 0) was significantly lower than that in group B (n = 3) (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in operation time between group A and group B (296 ± 60.36 vs. 305 ± 58.28, P > 0.05). Among the patients with follow-up time less than 1 year, there was no significant difference in Wexner score and LARS score between group A and group B (P > 0.05). However, in patients who were followed up for more than 1 year, the Wexner score in group A (9.25 ± 2.73) was significantly lower than that in group B (17.36 ± 10.95) and was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

For radical resection of low rectal cancer, Simple TaTME resection may be as safe and effective as laparoscopic transabdominal TME, and the long-term prognosis may be better.
Skeletal effects following developmental flame-retardant exposure are specific to sex and chemical class in the adult Wistar rat
Authors: Schkoda Stacy , Horman Brian , Witchey Shannah K. , Jansson Anton , Macari Soraia , Patisaul Heather B.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Accumulating evidence reveals that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can disrupt aspects of metabolic programming, suggesting that skeletal development may be at risk, a possibility that is rarely examined. The commercial flame retardant (FR) mixture, Firemaster 550 (FM 550), has repeatedly been shown to negatively influence metabolic programming, raising concerns that skeletal integrity may consequently be impaired. We have previously shown that gestational and lactational exposure to 1,000 µg FM 550 negatively affected sex-specific skeletal traits in male, but not female, rats assessed at 6 months of age. Whether this outcome is primarily driven by the brominated (BFR) or organophosphate ester (OPFR) portions of the mixture or the effects persist to older ages is unknown.

Materials and methods: To address this, in the present study, dams were orally exposed throughout gestation and lactation to either 1,000 μg BFR, 1,000 µg OPFR, or 2,000 µg FM 550. Offspring (n = 8/sex/exposure) were weaned at PND 21 and assessed for femoral cortical and trabecular bone parameters at 8 months of age by high-resolution X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Serum levels of serotonin, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, and calcium were quantified.

Results: FM 550 affected both sexes, but the females were more appreciably impacted by the OPFRs, while the males were more vulnerable to the BFRs.

Conclusion: Although sex specificity was expected due to the sexual dimorphic nature of skeletal physiology, the mechanisms accounting for the male- and female-specific phenotypes remain to be determined. Future work aims to clarify these unresolved issues.
Research and Experiment on Variable-Diameter Threshing Drum with Movable Radial Plates for Combine Harvester
Authors: Wang Fazheng , Liu Yanbin , Li Yaoming , Ji Kuizhou
Published: July 2023

In order to solve the problem of the threshing performance of a large combine harvester being reduced due to the non-adjustable diameter of the threshing drum, a variable-diameter threshing drum with movable radial plates based on the principle of concentric regulation was studied. It was mainly composed of a mechanism for adjusting the diameter by moving the radial plates, six fixed threshing tooth rods, six retractable threshing tooth rods and the single piston rod hollow hydraulic cylinder. The threshing gap can be adjusted by a stepless change of the drum diameter. By using RecurDyn simulation and field performance tests, the adjustable ranges of diameter and gap of the movable variable-diameter threshing drum were 670~710 mm and 10~30 mm. Based on the feed amount of the combine, the rotation speed of the threshing drum and the threshing gap (the diameter of the drum) as the influencing parameters, and the grain entrainment loss rate, grain un-threshed rate and grain breakage rate as the evaluation indexes, the three-factor and three-level response surface tests were carried out, and the result data were analyzed using Design-Expert 13.0. The optimal threshing gap and rotation speed of the threshing drum were determined under different feeding quantities. A comparative test was carried out to adjust and fix the threshing gap and rotation speed of the threshing drum in real time according to the change in feeding amount. The results showed that when the working parameter combination under different feeding amounts was adjusted in real time, the entrainment loss rate was 0.65%, the un-threshed rate was 0.063% and the breakage rate was 0.47%. Compared with the threshing gap and the rotation speed of the threshing drum being fixed, the entrainment loss rate, the un-threshed rate and the breakage rate were reduced by 44.9%, 27.6% and 34.1%, respectively. A threshing drum with variable diameter was provided for a large multi-crop harvesting combine to realize the concentric stepless adjustment of the threshing gap.
Key Technologies of Plug Tray Seedling Transplanters in Protected Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Liu Wei , Tian Shijie , Wang Qingyu , Jiang Huanyu
Published: July 2023

The process of plug tray seedling transplanting is a crucial step in protected agriculture production. Due to issues such as high labor intensity, poor consistency of work quality, and low efficiency, the application of automated transplanting machines has provided a solution to these issues. For the diversity of transplanting operations, various mechanical structures and technological applications have been developed for automated transplanting equipment. Therefore, this paper provides systematic research of current studies on the key transplanter technologies. Firstly, through an analysis of the types of transplanting operations, the technical requirements of automated transplanting equipment for different operation types are elucidated. Subsequently, the key technologies applied in transplanting machines are discussed from the perspectives of substrate physical characteristics, end effectors, integration of multiple end effectors, vision systems, and transplanting path planning. Moreover, an analysis is conducted on the advantages, disadvantages, and application scenarios of different research methods for each key technology. Lastly, the existing problems and technical difficulties of the transplanting machine are summarized, and future research directions are discussed. This analysis provides a valuable reference for further research and development in the field of transplanting machines for plug tray seedlings.
The Ecophysiological Determinants of Tuber Yield in Response to Potato Genotype and Nitrogen Availability
Authors: Sandaña Patricio , Lizana Carolina X. , Pinochet Dante , Santana José , Carrera Rafael
Published: July 2023

The cultivar selection and nitrogen (N) fertilization are key management factors to improve potato yield. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ecophysiological determinants of biomass and tuber yield in potato genotypes in response to N availability under field conditions. Experiments 1 and 2 were carried out in a volcanic soil of southern Chile during the 2021–2022 season. Treatments were applied in the factorial combination of (i) fifteen genotypes of potatoes and (ii) three N fertilization rates (0, 200 and 400 kg N ha−1, 0 N, 200 N and 400 N, respectively). A wide range in total dry matter biomass (5.9–22.1 Mg DM ha−1) and tuber yield (5.1–18.3 Mg DM ha−1) was observed across the experiments. In both experiments, the total biomass and tuber yield were affected by the N rate (p < 0.05) and genotype (p < 0.01), but not by their interaction (p > 0.05). Tuber dry matter yield was strongly related (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.01) to total biomass and weakly related to the harvest index (HI). In both experiments, the total biomass was explained by the radiation use efficiency (RUE) (R2 = 0.69–0.75, p < 0.01). The principal components analysis showed that tuber yield, biomass and RUE were related. The Finlay and Wilkinson analysis revealed that different cultivars varied significantly (p < 0.001) in their sensitivity to N availability. Across environments (3 N rates × 2 experiments), the most responsive cultivars to N availability were Pukara, Rodeo, Asterix and Patagonia. This information will be useful for potato production systems aimed at improving tuber yield and N use efficiency.
Genotyping the High Protein Content Gene NAM-B1 in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the Development of a KASP Marker to Identify a Functional Haplotype
Authors: Cha Jin-Kyung , Park Hyeonjin , Kwon Youngho , Lee So-Myeong , Oh Ki-Won , Lee Jong-Hee
Published: July 2023

Protein content is one of the main factors determining the end-use quality of wheat. NO APICAL MERISTEM-B1 (NAM-B1) is a major gene regulating wheat grain protein content. The present study aimed to identify new genetic resources using the wild-type NAM-B1 allele to breed high-protein-content wheat cultivars. We genotyped the HIGH GRAIN PROTEIN CONTENT-B1 (GPC-B1) locus and NAM-B1 allele in 165 wheat cultivars. A kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) marker was designed for functional NAM-B1 allele screening. The results revealed that 41 out of 165 cultivars carried the GPC-B1 locus. Among the 41 GPC-B1-carrying cultivars, the wild-type NAM-B1 allele was identified in only 3 cultivars, none of which were Korean. The remaining 38 cultivars showed a 1-bp insertion in NAM-B1, resulting in a stop codon in the middle of the gene, rendering it nonfunctional. Overall, this study reveals that the utilization of the three selected cultivars possessing the wild-type NAM-B1 gene, in conjunction with the developed KASP assay, could increase the protein content in Korean wheat cultivars.
New Insights into the Cosmetic Behaviour of Bearded Vultures: Ferruginous Springs Are Shared Sequentially
Authors: Margalida Antoni , Almirall Ivan , Negro Juan J.
Published: July 2023

Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of cosmetic behaviour of bearded vultures, being the signalling individual dominance status the most accepted. However, no advances have been made in understanding this mysterious behaviour, in part due to the secrecy of this species. With the help of camera traps and GPS devices we monitored the use of a ferruginous spring in the Pyrenees (Spain) providing new insights into this aspect of their behavioural ecology. Most of the visits (93.5%) involved a single bearded vulture and bathing behaviour only occurred when a single individual was present, confirming their secretive behaviour. A total of 50% of individuals that visited the site were non-adults, suggesting that cosmetic coloration functions as an attenuating signal that may also benefit subordinate individuals. Future studies with the help of new technologies could help to disentangle some questions about the real function of cosmetic coloration and their social relevance.
Field Implementation of Forecasting Models for Predicting Nursery Mortality in a Midwestern US Swine Production System
Authors: Magalhaes Edison S. , Zhang Danyang , Wang Chong , Thomas Pete , Moura Cesar A. A. , Holtkamp Derald J. , Trevisan Giovani , Rademacher Christopher , Silva Gustavo S. , Linhares Daniel C. L.
Published: July 2023

The performance of five forecasting models was investigated for predicting nursery mortality using the master table built for 3242 groups of pigs (~13 million animals) and 42 variables, which concerned the pre-weaning phase of production and conditions at placement in growing sites. After training and testing each model’s performance through cross-validation, the model with the best overall prediction results was the Support Vector Machine model in terms of Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE = 0.406), Mean Absolute Error (MAE = 0.284), and Coefficient of Determination (R2 = 0.731). Subsequently, the forecasting performance of the SVM model was tested on a new dataset containing 72 new groups, simulating ongoing and near real-time forecasting analysis. Despite a decrease in R2 values on the new dataset (R2 = 0.554), the model demonstrated high accuracy (77.78%) for predicting groups with high (>5%) or low (<5%) nursery mortality. This study demonstrated the capability of forecasting models to predict the nursery mortality of commercial groups of pigs using pre-weaning information and stocking condition variables collected post-placement in nursery sites.
Fish Gut Microbiome Analysis Provides Insight into Differences in Physiology and Behavior of Invasive Nile Tilapia and Indigenous Fish in a Large Subtropical River in China
Authors: Liu Yaqiu , Kou Chunni , Li Yuefei , Li Jie , Zhu Shuli
Published: July 2023

The gut microbiome is thought to play vital roles in host fitness and local adaptation to new environments, thereby facilitating the invasion of the host species. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (NT) is an aggressive and omnivorous species that competes with native fishes for food resources, and it has successfully invaded much of the Pearl River basin in China. Here, we investigated the gut microbiomes of invasive Nile tilapia and indigenous black Amur bream (BA) in the same river section using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results indicated that the gut microbiome of NT had several special characteristics, e.g., higher alpha diversity and greater niche breadth, compared with the bream. The gut microbiota of the small size of Nile tilapia (NTS) and small size of black Amur bream (BAS) groups were dominated by Proteobacteria, while those of the NTS and large size of Nile tilapia (NTL) and BAS and large size of black Amur bream (BAL). BAL and NTL were characterized by Firmicutes and Fusobacteriota, respectively. We found that Pseudomonas, Cetobacterium, Ralstonia, and Romboutsia were biomarkers of the NTS, NTL, BAS, and BAL groups, respectively. Moreover, the results collectively suggested that the clustering coefficients of BAL and NTL networks were greater than those of BAS and NTS networks, and BAS had the smallest network among the four groups. Positive interactions between two ASVs dominated the BAS, NTS, and NTL networks, while the proportion of negative interactions between two ASVs in the BAL network was remarkably increased. Low levels of interspecies competition in the NT gut microbiome would contribute to high diversity in the dietary niches and would also benefit the survival and local adaptation of the host. Our results identified specific biomarkers of gut microbial species in invasive Nile tilapia and provided useful information concerning how to monitor and manage invasive Nile tilapia populations.
Molecular Epidemiology of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. Infecting Dogs in Latin America
Authors: Di Azevedo Maria Isabel Nogueira , Aymée Luiza , Borges Ana Luiza dos Santos Baptista , Lilenbaum Walter
Published: July 2023

Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Infections can vary from asymptomatic and chronic infections to clinical acute diseases. The disease is endemic in tropical areas, such as Latin American countries, but a broad understanding of the dynamics of circulation of strains, based on molecular data, has not yet been performed. Based on in silico analyses, the present study aims to analyze the genetic diversity and circulation patterns of haplotypes from pathogenic leptospires infecting dogs in Latin America. DNA sequences were obtained from GenBank platform, curated, and aligned. Genetic distances were calculated, and a maximum likelihood tree and haplotype network were constructed. According to the inclusion criteria adopted, a total of 148 sequences were identified. Most of the records were from Brazil, including sequences from L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. Phylogenetic analysis showed a genetically closely related cluster, consisting of a larger haplogroup that includes the reference strain Fiocruz L1-130, known to be the major circulating strain in humans. Moreover, no genetic variations were observed according to clinical history and/or geographical localization. We described the molecular epidemiology of leptospires circulating among dogs in Latin America and demonstrated a very genetically homogeneous group, elucidating its ubiquitous circulation pattern and drawing attention to the important role of dogs in the One Health transmission dynamics of leptospirosis.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices of Community Pharmacists in United Arab Emirates
Authors: AlAhmad Mohammad M. , Rabbani Syed Arman , Al-Salman Remah , Alameri Hiba , Al Namer Yamama , Jaber Ammar Ali Saleh
Published: July 2023

Background: The purpose of this paper is to assess the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities in community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, was conducted using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four AMS outpatient core elements, namely, commitment, action, tracking and reporting, and education and expertise, with each element containing different associated items. Pharmacy teams’ responses were categorized into three levels: low, satisfactory, or high. Results: Fifty-five pharmacy teams participated. Respondents confirmed implementation of at least one item of each AMS outpatient core element: commitment (94.5%), action (94.5%), tracking and reporting (67.3%), and education and expertise (81.8%). In supporting AMS implementation, surveyed teams scored high (81.8%) for action, satisfactory (65.5%) for education and expertise, low (43.6%) for tracking and reporting, and satisfactory (76.4%) for commitment. Attending antimicrobial stewardship programs was found to be a statistically significant predictor of implementation of antimicrobial stewardship activities (p = 0.048). Conclusions: The majority of community pharmacies met the core elements of outpatient antimicrobial stewardship to some degree. There is a significant association between participation in antimicrobial stewardship programs and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship activities by pharmacists in practice.
The Silent Threat to Women’s Fertility: Uncovering the Devastating Effects of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Kaltsas Aris , Zikopoulos Athanasios , Moustakli Efthalia , Zachariou Athanasios , Tsirka Georgia , Tsiampali Chara , Palapela Natalia , Sofikitis Nikolaos , Dimitriadis Fotios
Published: July 2023

Oxidative stress (OS), which arises through an imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of female infertility, with the latter constituting just one of a number of diseases linked to OS as a potential cause. The aim of the present article is to review the literature regarding the association between OS and female infertility. Among the reproductive diseases considered are endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while environmental pollutants, lifestyle variables, and underlying medical conditions possibly resulting in OS are additionally examined. Current evidence points to OS likely contributing to the pathophysiology of the above reproductive disorders, with the amount of damage done by OS being influenced by such variables as duration and severity of exposure and the individual’s age and genetic predisposition. Also discussed are the processes via which OS may affect female fertility, these including DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, the last section of the manuscript contains an evaluation of treatment options, including antioxidants and lifestyle modification, capable of minimizing OS in infertile women. The prime message underlined by this review is the importance of considering OS in the diagnosis and treatment of female infertility. Further studies are, nevertheless required to identify the best treatment regimen and its ideal duration.
Heating Drinking Water in Cold Season Improves Growth Performance via Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity and Rumen Fermentation Function of Beef Cattle
Authors: He Tengfei , Long Shenfei , Yi Guang , Wang Xilin , Li Jiangong , Wu Zhenlong , Guo Yao , Sun Fang , Liu Jijun , Chen Zhaohui
Published: July 2023

The research aimed to investigate the suitable drinking water temperature in winter and its effect on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and rumen fermentation function of beef cattle. A total of 40 beef cattle (640 ± 19.2 kg) were randomly divided into five treatments with eight cattle in each treatment raised in one pen according to initial body weight. Each treatment differed only in the temperature of drinking water, including the room-temperature water and four different heat water groups named RTW, HW_1, HW_2, HW_3, and HW_4. The measured water temperatures were 4.39 ± 2.546 °C, 10.6 ± 1.29 °C, 18.6 ± 1.52 °C, 26.3 ± 1.70 °C, and 32.5 ± 2.62 °C, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) showed a significant linear increase during d 0 to 60 and a quadratic increase during d 31 to 60 with rising water temperature (p < 0.05), and the highest ADG of 1.1911 kg/d was calculated at a water temperature of 23.98 °C (R2 = 0.898). The average rectal temperature on d 30 (p = 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (p < 0.01) increased linearly with increasing water temperature. Additionally, HW_2 reduced serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05), and increased serum total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) compared with RTW. Compared with HW_2, RTW had unfavorable effects on ruminal propionate, total volatile fatty acids, and cellulase concentrations (p < 0.05), and lower relative mRNA expression levels of claudin-4 (p < 0.01), occludin (p = 0.02), and zonula occludens-1 (p = 0.01) in the ruminal epithelium. Furthermore, RTW had a higher abundance of Prevotella (p = 0.04), Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 (p = 0.03), and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004 (p = 0.03), and a lower abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae (p < 0.01) and Marinilabiliaceae (p = 0.05) in rumen compared to HW_2. Taken together, heated drinking water in cold climates could positively impact the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and rumen fermentation function of beef cattle. The optimal water temperature for maximizing ADG was calculated to be 23.98 °C under our conditions. Ruminal propionate and its producing bacteria including Prevotella, Succinivibrionaceae, and Lachnospiraceae might be important regulators of rumen fermentation of beef cattle drinking RTW under cold conditions.
Effect of Sprouting on the Phenolic Compounds, Glucosinolates, and Antioxidant Activity of Five Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz Cultivars
Authors: Bravi Elisabetta , Falcinelli Beatrice , Mallia Giorgia , Marconi Ombretta , Royo-Esnal Aritz , Benincasa Paolo
Published: July 2023

Sprouts are increasingly present in the human diet, being tasty and healthy foods high in antioxidant compounds. Although there is a body of literature on the sprouting of many plant species, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has not yet been studied for this purpose. This study aimed to characterize the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of five different Camelina cultivars (ALBA, CO46, CCE43, JOELLE, and VERA). In particular, the contents of phenolic compounds (PCs), phenolic acids (PAs), and glucosinolates (GLSs) were investigated. PCs, PAs, GLSs, and the antioxidant activity of seeds differed among cultivars and were greatly increased by sprouting. A PCA analysis underlined both the effect of the cultivar (PC2) and the germination (PC1) on the nutritional properties of Camelina. The best nutritional properties of seeds were observed for ALBA and CCE43, while the best nutritional properties of sprouts were recorded for CCE43 and JOELLE, since the latter cultivar showed a greater enhancement in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity with sprouting. Finally, a UHPLC-UV procedure for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina was developed and validated. The performance criteria of the proposed method demonstrated that it is useful for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina.
Adaptive Optical Closed-Loop Control on the Basis of Hyperparametric Optimization of Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Bo , Zhou Yilin , Jia Jingjing , Zhang Yirui , Li Zhaoyi
Published: July 2023

In adaptive optics systems, the precision wavefront sensor determines the closed-loop correction effect. The accuracy of the wavefront sensor is severely reduced when light energy is weak, while the real-time performance of wavefront sensorless adaptive optics systems based on iterative algorithms is poor. The wavefront correction algorithm based on deep learning can directly obtain the aberration or correction voltage from the input image light intensity data with better real-time performance. Nevertheless, manually designing deep-learning models requires a multitude of repeated experiments to adjust many hyperparameters and increase the accuracy of the system. A wavefront sensorless system based on convolutional neural networks with automatic hyperparameter optimization was proposed to address the aforementioned issues, and networks known for their superior performance, such as ResNet and DenseNet, were constructed as constructed groups. The accuracy of the model was improved by over 26%, and there were fewer parameters in the proposed method, which was more accurate and efficient according to numerical simulations and experimental validation.
A New Approach for Predicting the Rheological Properties of Oil-Based Drilling Fluids under High Temperature and High Pressure Based on a Parameter-Free Method
Authors: Ye Yuguang , Fan Honghai , Liu Yuhan
Published: July 2023

Under different temperatures and pressures, the physical parameters of drilling fluid will change, resulting in inaccurate drilling hydraulic calculations. Aiming to address the problem of the traditional rheological prediction method needing to first determine the rheological model, this paper proposed a method for first predicting the readings of the rheometer and then determining the rheological model. The model established in this paper adopted a parameter-free method, which expands the application range of the model. Rheology experiments were carried out on the three types of oil-based drilling fluids collected at the well site. The model in this paper was verified based on the experimental data. The results showed that, compared with the traditional drilling fluid rheological prediction method, the model established in this paper had a better prediction effect, with an average error of 4.85%, and the average error reduction ranges from 3.8% to 8.3%. The model established in this paper is able to provide theoretical support for accurate hydraulic calculation.
Mission and Reliability Driven Fleet-Level Selective Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Two-Stage Method
Authors: Chen Qinghua , Wang Pengxiang , Yang Lin , Wang Jiangshan , Yi Xiaojian
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the problem of planning and scheduling in selective maintenance tasks of mission requirements and the health condition of the fleet. In order to deal with the problems of high maintenance cost and long time consumption in maintenance systems, a two-stage fleet maintenance optimization method is proposed. Firstly, a selective maintenance model of fleets based on age reduction is established to maximize the probability of completing the next mission and minimize the maintenance cost. Secondly, a multiobjective sparrow search algorithm is designed to solve the maintenance planning problem in the first stage, and a nondominated solution set of maintenance strategies satisfying the mission constraint is obtained. In the second stage, the simulated annealing algorithm is used to schedule the maintenance task and obtain the minimum maintenance hours required by the maintenance strategy. An example analysis of a vehicle fleet is launched to prove the effectiveness of this method. In a word, this method not only meets the mission requirements but also achieves the purpose of reducing maintenance cost and maintenance hours, which can provide reference for other types of equipment maintenance.