bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Optimizing Culture Medium Mineral Composition for in vitro Propagation of Actinidia arguta
Authors: Hameg Radhia , Arteta Tomás A. , Landin Mariana , Gallego Pedro P. , Barreal M. Esther
Published: December 2020

The design of plant tissue culture media remains a complicated task due to the interactions of many factors. The use of computer-based tools is still very scarce, although they have demonstrated great advantages when used in large dataset analysis. In this study, design of experiments (DOE) and three machine learning (ML) algorithms, artificial neural networks (ANNs), fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms (GA), were combined to decipher the key minerals and predict the optimal combination of salts for hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta)in vitromicropropagation. A five-factor experimental design of 33 salt treatments was defined using DOE. Later, the effect of the ionic variations generated by these five factors on three morpho-physiological growth responses – shoot number (SN), shoot length (SL), and leaves area (LA) – and on three quality responses - shoots quality (SQ), basal callus (BC), and hyperhydricity (H) – were modeled and analyzed simultaneously. Neurofuzzy logic models demonstrated that just 11 ions (five macronutrients (N, K, P, Mg, and S) and six micronutrients (Cl, Fe, B, Mo, Na, and I)) out of the 18 tested explained the results obtained. The rules “IF – THEN” allow for easy deduction of the concentration range of each ion that causes a positive effect on growth responses and guarantees healthy shoots. Secondly, using a combination of ANNs-GA, a new optimized medium was designed and the desired values for each response parameter were accurately predicted. Finally, the experimental validation of the model showed that the optimized medium significantly promotes SQ and reduces BC and H compared to standard media generally used in plant tissue culture. This study demonstrated the suitability of computer-based tools for improving plantin vitromicropropagation: (i) DOE to design more efficient experiments, saving time and cost; (ii) ANNs combined with fuzzy logic to understand the cause-effect of several factors on the response parameters; and (iii) ANNs-GA to predict new mineral media formulation, which improve growth response, avoiding morpho-physiological abnormalities. The lack of predictability on some response parameters can be due to other key media components, such as vitamins, PGRs, or organic compounds, particularly glycine, which could modulate the effect of the ions and needs further research for confirmation.
Proteomic Changes in Antioxidant System in Strawberry During Ripening
Authors: Song Jun , CampbellPalmer Leslie , Vinqvist-Tymchuk Mindy , Fillmore Sherry , Forney Charles , Luo Honghui , Zhang Zhaoqi
Published: December 2020

To investigate the strawberry antioxidant defense system during fruit ripening, a targeted quantitative proteomic approach using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was developed to investigate targeted proteins in the antioxidant enzyme system in strawberry fruit. We investigated 46 proteins and isoforms with 73 identified peptides which may be involved in this antioxidant enzyme system. Among the proteins that changed during ripening, aldo/keto reductase (AKR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione transferase (GT) increased significantly, while dehydroascorbate reductase, 2-Cys peroxiredoxin, catalase (CAT), 1-Cys peroxiredoxin and L-ascorbate peroxidase (APX) decreased significantly. These results suggest that fruit ripening of strawberry activates the enzymes of an SOD/glutathione metabolism system. The methodologies used in this study will be useful for systematically characterizing the role of antioxidant enzymes in fruit ripening of other plants.
Pilot Production of SARS-CoV-2 Related Proteins in Plants: A Proof of Concept for Rapid Repurposing of Indoor Farms Into Biomanufacturing Facilities
Authors: Diego-Martin Borja , González Beatriz , Vazquez-Vilar Marta , Selma Sara , Mateos-Fernández Rubén , Gianoglio Silvia , Fernández-del-Carmen Asun , Orzáez Diego
Published: December 2020

The current CoVid-19 crisis is revealing the strengths and the weaknesses of the world’s capacity to respond to a global health crisis. A critical weakness has resulted from the excessive centralization of the current biomanufacturing capacities, a matter of great concern, if not a source of nationalistic tensions. On the positive side, scientific data and information have been shared at an unprecedented speed fuelled by the preprint phenomena, and this has considerably strengthened our ability to develop new technology-based solutions. In this work, we explore how, in a context of rapid exchange of scientific information, plant biofactories can serve as a rapid and easily adaptable solution for local manufacturing of bioreagents, more specifically recombinant antibodies. For this purpose, we tested our ability to produce, in the framework of an academic lab and in a matter of weeks, milligram amounts of six different recombinant monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Nicotiana benthamiana. For the design of the antibodies, we took advantage, among other data sources, of the DNA sequence information made rapidly available by other groups in preprint publications. mAbs were engineered as single-chain fragments fused to a human gamma Fc and transiently expressed using a viral vector. In parallel, we also produced the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 N protein and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Spike protein in planta and used them to test the binding specificity of the recombinant mAbs. Finally, for two of the antibodies, we assayed a simple scale-up production protocol based on the extraction of apoplastic fluid. Our results indicate that gram amounts of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could be easily produced in little more than 6 weeks in repurposed greenhouses with little infrastructure requirements using N. benthamiana as production platform. Similar procedures could be easily deployed to produce diagnostic reagents and, eventually, could be adapted for rapid therapeutic responses.
Clovamide, a Hydroxycinnamic Acid Amide, Is a Resistance Factor Against Phytophthora spp. in Theobroma cacao
Authors: Knollenberg Benjamin J. , Li Guo-Xing , Lambert Joshua D. , Maximova Siela N. , Guiltinan Mark J.
Published: December 2020

The hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) are a diverse group of plant-specialized phenylpropanoid metabolites distributed widely in the plant kingdom and are known to be involved in tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress. The HCAA clovamide is reported in a small number of distantly related species. To explore the contribution of specialized metabolites to disease resistance in cacao (Theobroma cacaoL., chocolate tree), we performed untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and compared the basal metabolite profiles in leaves of two cacao genotypes with contrasting levels of susceptibility toPhytophthoraspp. Leaves of the tolerant genotype ‘Scavina 6’ (‘Sca6’) were found to accumulate dramatically higher levels of clovamide and several other HCAAs compared to the susceptible ‘Imperial College Selection 1’ (‘ICS1’). Clovamide was the most abundant metabolite in ‘Sca6’ leaf extracts based on MS signal, and was up to 58-fold higher in ‘Sca6’ than in ‘ICS1’.In vitroassays demonstrated that clovamide inhibits growth of three pathogens of cacao in the genusPhytophthora, is a substrate for cacao polyphenol oxidase, and is a contributor to enzymatic browning. Furthermore, clovamide inhibited proteinase and pectinasein vitro, activities associated with defense in plant-pathogen interactions. Fruit epidermal peels from both genotypes contained substantial amounts of clovamide, but two sulfated HCAAs were present at high abundance exclusively in ‘Sca6’ suggesting a potential functional role of these compounds. The potential to breed cacao with increased HCAAs for improved agricultural performance is discussed.
Acute Effects of Mental Recovery Strategies After a Mentally Fatiguing Task
Authors: Loch Fabian , Hof zum Berge Annika , Ferrauti Alexander , Meyer Tim , Pfeiffer Mark , Kellmann Michael
Published: December 2020

Both daily demands as well as training and competition characteristics in sports can result in a psychobiological state of mental fatigue leading to feelings of tiredness, lack of energy, an increased perception of effort, and performance decrements. Moreover, optimal performance will only be achievable if the balance between recovery and stress states is re-established. Consequently, recovery strategies are needed aiming at mental aspects of recovery. The aim of the study was to examine acute effects of potential mental recovery strategies (MR) on subjective-psychological and on cognitive performance outcomes after a mentally fatiguing task. A laboratory-based randomized cross-over study with twenty-four students (22.8 ± 3.6 years) was applied. Participants were run through a powernap intervention (PN), a systematic breathing intervention (SB), a systematic breathing plus mental imagery intervention (SB+), and a control condition (CC) with one trial a week over four consecutive weeks. Mental fatigue was induced by completion of the 60-min version of the AX-continuous performance test (AX-CPT). The Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were assessed to measure effects on perceptual outcomes. Cognitive performance was measured with a reaction time test of the Vienna Test System (VTS). During all three recovery interventions and CC portable polysomnography was applied. Results showed a significant increase from pre-AX-CPT to pre-MR on fatigue states and recovery-stress states indicating that the induction of mental fatigue was effective. Moreover, results underlined that analysis yielded no significant differences between recovery interventions and the control condition but they revealed significant time effects for VAS, SRSS items, and cognitive performance. However, it could be derived that the application of a rest break with 20 min of mental recovery strategies appears to enhance recovery on a mainly mental and emotional level and to reduce perceived mental fatigue.
The Challenge of Generating Sustainable Value: Narratives About Sustainability in the Italian Tourism Sector
Authors: Galuppo Laura , Anselmi Paolo , De Paoli Ilaria
Published: December 2020

Tourism is capable of distributing wealth and participating substantially in the economic development of many countries. However, to ensure these benefits, the planning, management, and monitoring of a sustainable offer become crucial. Despite the increasingly widespread attention to sustainability in this sector, however, the concept of sustainable tourism still appears fragmented and fuzzy. The theoretical frameworks used in many studies often reduce sustainability to its environmental or social aspects and consider such pillars as separate issues. Furthermore, although most studies acknowledge that a potentially wide number of stakeholders play a role in sustainable tourism production, they have so far focused on host communities, tourism producers, or tourists themselves independently. Fewer explorations have addressed simultaneously different stakeholders, their perceptions of sustainable tourism experience, and the various concerns and tensions that may arise. This study aims to investigate sustainability issues in tourism by considering the voices of two relevant stakeholders involved in “co-producing” the tourism experience: tourists and tour operators. Based on a qualitative study conducted in Italy, the article critically discusses how travelers and tour operators craft the sustainability idea, the implicit assumptions that rely on their different perspectives, and their practical implications. The results highlight four different narratives on sustainable tourism, which are related to different assumptions on sustainability and actions legitimated to generate sustainable value. Finally, the article offers insights into how to develop a more holistic and critical approach to sustainable tourism through education and communication.
Towards Mindless Stress Regulation in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: A Systematic Review
Authors: Béquet Adolphe J. , Hidalgo-Muñoz Antonio R. , Jallais Christophe
Published: December 2020

Background:Stress can frequently occur in the driving context. Its cognitive effects can be deleterious and lead to uncomfortable or risky situations. While stress detection in this context is well developed, regulation using dedicated advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is still emergent.

Objectives:This systematic review focuses on stress regulation strategies that can be qualified as “subtle” or “mindless”: the technology employed to perform regulation does not interfere with an ongoing task. The review goal is 2-fold: establishing the state of the art on such technological implementation in the driving context and identifying complementary technologies relying on subtle regulation that could be applied in driving.

Methods:A systematic review was conducted using search operators previously identified through a concept analysis. The patents and scientific studies selected provide an overview of actual and potential mindless technology implementations. These are then analyzed from a scientific perspective. A classification of results was performed according to the different stages of emotion regulation proposed by the Gross model.

Results:A total of 47 publications were retrieved, including 21 patents and 26 studies. Six of the studies investigated mindless stress regulation in the driving context. Patents implemented strategies mostly linked to attentional deployment, while studies tended to investigate response modulation strategies.

Conclusions:This review allowed us to identify several ADAS relying on mindless computing technologies to reduce stress and better understand the underlying mechanisms allowing stress reduction. Further studies are necessary to better grasp the effect of mindless technologies on driving safety. However, we have established the feasibility of their implementation as ADAS and proposed directions for future research in this field.
Affective Variables and Cognitive Performances During Exercise in a Group of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Guicciardi Marco , Fadda Daniela , Fanari Rachele , Doneddu Azzurra , Crisafulli Antonio
Published: December 2020

Previous research has documented that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive impairment. Psychological variables were repeatedly investigated to understand why T2DM patients are poorly active, despite standards of medical care recommends performing aerobic and resistance exercise regularly and reducing the amount of time spent sitting. This exploratory study aims to investigate how affective variables as thoughts, feelings, and individuals’ stage of exercise adoption can modulate low cognitive performances during an experimental procedure based on exercise. The Exercise Thoughts Questionnaire (ETQ), Exercise-Induced Feeling Scale (EFI), and Physical Activity Stage of Change were administered to a sample of 12 T2DM patients. The Bivalent Shape Task (BST) alone (BST), BST with exercise [control exercise recovery (CER) + BST], and BST with metaboreflex [post-exercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) + BST] were used as mental task, and response time to congruent, incongruent, and neutral stimuli was recorded. Concomitant cerebral oxygenation (COX) was evaluated by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). As expected, T2DM patients performed significantly better when the stimulus was presented in congruent trials (followed by neutral and incongruent). In the CER + BST session, T2DM patients showed longer reaction time to incongruent trials than in the PEMI + BST and BST alone sessions. Positive feelings toward exercise seem to modulate cognitive performances in high challenging task only if T2DM patients were conscious to play exercise. These results could provide some insights for health intervention targeting exercise for patients with T2DM in order to enhance cognitive performances.
Prevalence and Associated Factors for Depressive Symptomatology in Chinese Adults During COVID-19 Epidemic
Authors: Peng Songxu , Lai Xin , Du Yukai , Li Yuting , Tian Kunming , Gan Yong
Published: December 2020

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been rapidly transmitted worldwide, which contributed to various psychological problems (such as fear, depression, and anxiety) among the general population in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among Chinese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of Chinese adults was conducted during 17–29 February 2020. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D).

Results: A total of 3,399 respondents were included in the analysis. It was observed that 14.2% (481/3,399) of the participants were screened positive for depressive symptoms. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99), smoking (OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.10–2.26), self-rated health (good: OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37–0.66; fairly: OR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45–0.80), having greater support scores (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94–0.96), knowledge about the main symptom of COVID-19 (very clearly: OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42–0.79; relatively clearly: OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44–0.79), and staying in Wuhan within 3 months before the outbreak of epidemic (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.38) were associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the general population in China had depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 epidemic. Routine screening and targeted interventions for depression are needed among high-risk depressed individuals during the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Economic and Social Value of Science and Technology Parks. The Case of Tecnocampus
Authors: Torres-Pruñonosa Jose , Raya Josep Maria , Dopeso-Fernández Roberto
Published: December 2020

This article aims to measure both the economic and social value of Tecnocampus, a Science and Technology Park in its region of influence (Mataró city in the Maresme region of Catalonia, Spain). Our results show that the impact of Tecnocampus has a socioeconomic cost–benefit ratio of 2.39. Measuring the impact of this multifaceted centre requires a diverse approach. Although the methods used are not new, the combination of them presents a novel approach to measure the impact of an institution of this nature. We have measured the economic value with the Input–Output model, including the Social Accounting Matrix. On the other hand, for social value calculations, we have used cost–benefit analysis adding measurements of firm localisation to estimate externality effects. Our main results present an economic value of more than 0.054% of the Catalan GDP, whereas the employment impact represents almost 0.37% of total employment in the region. The total economic multiplier of Tecnocampus activity is estimated to be 1.89. Social value generates an additional 0.50 euros to the multiplier according with our analysis. This additional social value represents an increase of productivity estimated in 20 million euros of operational income for Catalan firms and the creation of seven additional firms in the Maresme region as a result of knowledge spillovers. The social value also includes reduction of over-education caused by a better matching between graduates and enterprises, a more direct application of research, and an increase in consumer surplus. Finally, we discuss the policy implications of our findings to promote investments in this kind of infrastructures.
Positive Impact of Professionalism on the Perception of Global Well-Being: A Study in Healthcare Professionals Starting Their First Working Experience in Peruvian Rural Areas
Authors: López-Morales Humberto , Rivera-Diaz Edgar , Ore-Zuñiga Andrew , Vera-Portilla Angel , San-Martín Montserrat , Delgado Bolton Roberto C. , Vivanco Luis
Published: December 2020

Introduction: In Peru, recently graduated physicians and nurses who are willing to start working in the public healthcare system, first have to work in their newly acquired profession in the programme denominated “Servicio Rural Urbano y Marginal de Salud” (SERUMS). The SERUMS programme is a 1-year contract in rural areas of the country. The aim of this study was to confirm the following hypothesis: the development of abilities associated to professionalism has a positive effect on the perception of global well-being in the professionals beginning SERUMS.

Material and methods: In the study two cohorts of medical and nursing professionals that started SERUMS in 2017 and 2019 were included. The perception of global well-being and general health condition were measured with the Scale of Life Satisfaction (SWLS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), respectively. Professionalism was measured using Jefferson's scales of empathy (JSE), teamwork (JSAPNC), and lifelong learning (JeffSPLL). An analysis in phases using the R language was applied to develop a multiple regression model that would explain the lineal relationship between the global perception of well-being and the studied variables.

Results: The study sample included 303 professionals (108 men and 195 women) with a mean age of 26 years, ranging from 22 to 39 years (SD = 4). Based on their profession, 230 were medical doctors and 67 were nurses. The multiple regression model evidenced that age (p < 0.001), social dysfunction (p < 0.001), severe depression (p < 0.001), and inter-professional collaborative work abilities (p < 0.001) explain 38% of the variability in the global perception of well-being. Moreover, a second model explained 44% of the variability in the inter-professional collaborative work abilities based on a lineal relationship with empathy (p < 0.001), lifelong learning (p < 0.001), and future professional orientation (p = 0.01). Both models complied with the necessary conditions for statistic inference and showed large effect sizes.

Conclusions: These findings confirm that professionalism has an important role in improving the global well-being of the professionals initiating SERUMS. This influence is direct in the case of inter-professional collaborative work, whereas it is indirect in the case of empathy and lifelong learning.
Counting the Costs: A Method for Evaluating the Cost of Achieving SDG 11
Authors: Prakash Mihir , Kamiya Marco , Ndugwa Robert , Cheng Mengfan
Published: December 2020

As we enter the decade of action on the SDGs, it is necessary to have quantifiable information on the relevant costs of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without this information, it will be difficult for decision-makers and stakeholders to effectively allocate existing and scarce resources as well as identify the resource gap that would need to be bridged through exploration and implementation of feasible alternate financing mechanisms. Several studies have estimated the global resource needs to achieve the SDGs, but none identify a clear way to estimate these costs for cities, which are expected to deliver on the SDG agenda for the anticipated 70% of the world's population by 2050. This is perhaps because resource needs vary significantly with city context. Acknowledging this need and to stimulate the dialogue on local costs of sustainability, this study proposes a novel method to determine the cost of achieving housing, transportation, public spaces and solid waste management dimensions (or hard costs) of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) as well as the cost of municipal governance and planning (soft costs) for cities in developing countries. The study also demonstrates the value proposition of using a systematic approach to model the costs of achieving SDG 11 by applying this method to four countries. Apart from sharing the proposed method, the study shares four key findings: (1) despite the inherent difficulty of quantifying and standardizing what comprehensive urban sustainability means for all cities, urban experts do agree on objective criteria of what a baseline level of urban performance should be for some of its dimensions; (2) pursuit of sustainable cities implies different things depending on the development status of the country; (3) cities of different sizes have differing needs and costing methods need to account for transitions from small- to medium-size and medium- to large-size over time; and (4) better understanding needs to be built of what achievement might look like in practice for the subjective targets of SDG 11 such as those pertaining to “heritage and conservation” and “disaster risk and resilience.”
Influence of Drying and Wildfire on Longitudinal Chemistry Patterns and Processes of Intermittent Streams
Authors: MacNeille Ruth B. , Lohse Kathleen A. , Godsey Sarah E. , Perdrial Julia N. , Baxter Colden V.
Published: December 2020

Stream drying and wildfire are projected to increase with climate change in the western United States, and both are likely to impact stream chemistry patterns and processes. To investigate drying and wildfire effects on stream chemistry (carbon, nutrients, anions, cations, and isotopes), we examined seasonal drying in two intermittent streams in southwestern Idaho, one stream that was unburned and one that burned 8 months prior to our study period. During the seasonal recession following snowmelt, we hypothesized that spatiotemporal patterns of stream chemistry would change due to increased evaporation, groundwater dominance, and autochthonous carbon production. With increased nutrients and reduced canopy cover, we expected greater shifts in the burned stream. To capture spatial chemistry patterns, we sampled surface water for a suite of analytes along the length of each stream with a high spatial scope (50-m sampling along ~2,500 m). To capture temporal variation, we sampled each stream in April (higher flow), May, and June (lower flow) in 2016. Seasonal patterns and processes influencing stream chemistry were generally similar in both streams, but some were amplified in the burned stream. Mean dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations increased with drying by 22% in the unburned and by 300% in the burned stream. In contrast, mean total nitrogen (TN) concentrations decreased in both streams, with a 16% TN decrease in the unburned stream and a 500% TN decrease (mostly nitrate) in the burned stream. Contrary to expectations, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations varied more in space than in time. In addition, we found the streams did not become more evaporative relative to the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) and we found weak evidence for evapoconcentration with drying. However, consistent with our expectations, strontium-DIC ratios indicated stream water shifted toward groundwater-dominance, especially in the burned stream. Fluorescence and absorbance measurements showed considerable spatial variation in DOC sourcing each month in both streams, and mean values suggested a temporal shift from allochthonous toward autochthonous carbon sources in the burned stream. Our findings suggest that the effects of fire may magnify some chemistry patterns but not the biophysical controls that we tested with stream drying.
Rule of UA on Cardiac Myocytes Uric Acid Differently Influence the Oxidative Damage Induced by Acute Exposure of High Level of Glucose in Chicken Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Jiao Hongchao , Zhao Jingpeng , Wang Xiaojuan , Lin Hai
Published: December 2020

Background:Uric acid (UA) is a potent scavenger of oxidants in mammalian and avian species. In humans, hyperglycemia with simultaneous hyperuricemia may exert additional damage to the cardiovascular system. Chickens naturally have hyperglycemia (10.1–11.0 mmol/L) and hyperuricemia (100–900 μmol/L), which makes them an interesting model.

Methods:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UA on the oxidative damage induced by acute exposure of high level of glucose in chicken cardiac myocytes.

Results:Cell viability and the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were decreased by glucose treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After acute exposure to high level of glucose (300 mM), a moderate level of UA (300 μM) increased cell viability and reduced TBARS and glutathione (GSH) content. Compared to the control or to independent high glucose (300 mM) or UA (1,200 μM) treatment, the concurrent treatment of high glucose and high UA significantly increased the TBARS, protein carbonyl contents, and ROS concentration, whereas it decreased the cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and GSH content. In the presence of high glucose and UA, the nucleic protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was decreased and the mRNA levels of the genescat, sod1, sod2, gss, andgclcwere downregulated.

Conclusion:In conclusion, acute exposure of high level of glucose induced oxidative damage in the cardiac myocytes of chicken. The present result suggests that an adequate level of uric acid is helpful in alleviating the acute oxidative damage that is induced by high glucose, whereas the inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway by a high level of uric acid may render the cardiac myocytes more vulnerable to suffering from oxidative damage.
Effect of Seasonal Drought on the Agronomic Performance of Four Banana Genotypes (Musa spp.) in the East African Highlands
Authors: Uwimana Brigitte , Zorrilla-Fontanesi Yasmín , van Wesemael Jelle , Mduma Hassan , Brown Allan , Carpentier Sebastien , Swennen Rony
Published: December 2020

Banana (Musa spp.), a perennial (sub-)tropical crop, suffers from seasonal droughts, which are typical of rain-fed agriculture. This study aimed at understanding the effect of seasonal drought on early growth, flowering and yield traits in bananas grown in the East African highlands. A field experiment was set up in North Tanzania using four genotypes from different geographical origins and two different ploidy levels. The treatments considered were exclusively rain-fed versus rain supplemented with irrigation. Growth in plant girth and leaf area were promising traits to detect the early effect of water deficit. Seasonal drought slowed down vegetative growth, thus significantly decreasing plant girth, plant height and the number of suckers produced when compared to irrigated plants. It also delayed flowering time and bunch maturity and had a negative effect on yield traits. However, the results depended on the genotype and crop cycle and their interaction with the treatments. “Nakitengwa”, an East African highland banana (EAHB; AAA genome group), which is adapted to the region, showed sensitivity to drought in terms of reduced bunch weight and expected yield, while “Cachaco” (ABB genome group) showed less sensitivity to drought but had a poorer yield than “Nakitengwa”. Our study confirms that seasonal drought has a negative impact on banana production in East Africa, where EAHBs are the most predominant type of bananas grown in the region. We also show that a drought-tolerant cultivar not adapted to the East African highlands had a low performance in terms of yield. We recommend a large-scale screening of diploid bananas to identify drought-tolerant genotypes to be used in the improvement of locally adapted and accepted varieties.
Pigeonpea Yield and Water Use Efficiency: A Savior under Climate Change-Induced Water Stress
Authors: Musokwa Misheck , Mafongoya Paramu
Published: December 2020

Frequent droughts have threatened the crop yields and livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in South Africa. Pigeonpea can be grown by farmers to mitigate the impacts of droughts caused by climate change. An experiment was conducted at Fountainhill Farm from January 2016 to December 2017. The trial examined grain yield in addition to water use efficiency (WUE) of pigeonpea intercropped with maize versus sole pigeonpea and maize. A randomized complete block design, replicated three times, was used. Soil water tension was measured at 20, 50, and 120 cm within plots. The highest and lowest soil water tension was recorded at 20 m and 120 m respectively. Combined biomass and grain yield were significantly different: pigeonpea + maize (5513 kg ha−1) > pigeonpea (3368 kg ha−1) > maize (2425 kg ha−1). A similar trend was observed for WUE and land equivalent ratio (LER), where pigeonpea + maize outperformed all sole cropping systems. The inclusion of pigeonpea in a traditional mono-cropping system is recommended for smallholder farmers due to greater WUE, LER and other associated benefits such as food, feed and soil fertility amelioration, and it can reduce the effects of droughts induced by climate change.
Sheep Grazing and Wildfire: Disturbance Effects on Dry Grassland Vegetation in the Western Italian Alps
Authors: Nota Ginevra , Ravetto Enri Simone , Pittarello Marco , Gorlier Alessandra , Lombardi Giampiero , Lonati Michele
Published: December 2020

Land abandonment represents a major threat to the conservation of European semi-natural dry grasslands. To ensure biodiversity and habitat conservation, in this study, sheep grazing was reintroduced in abandoned Festuco-Brometea dry grasslands of a western Italian alpine valley. The experimental design included three treatments, along a gradient of increasing disturbance: (i) not-grazed, (ii) grazed, and (iii) penning areas. Unexpectedly, two years after grazing reintroduction, a wildfire hit the study area. To investigate the short-term effects of grazing and wildfire disturbances on vegetation, 62 permanent transects were monitored from 2014 to 2018. Vegetation cover, plant diversity, and richness and abundance of three functional groups of species were analyzed through generalized linear mixed models. Grazing caused little changes in vegetation, with the greatest effects observed in penning areas: the pioneer xerothermic species group, including many rare plant species, benefited from the reduction in the litter layer and the opening of gaps in the sward induced by trampling. The wildfire led to an increase in plant diversity and to changes in plant composition: dry grassland species decreased, while pioneer xerothermic and ruderal species increased their abundance. Short-term results suggest that both disturbances may foster the conservation of alpine dry grasslands.
Combined Application of Inoculant, Phosphorus and Potassium Enhances Cowpea Yield in Savanna Soils
Authors: Emmanuel Obianuju Chiamaka , Akintola Olayiwola Akin , Tetteh Francis Marthy , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: December 2020

Low soil phosphorus levels in savanna soils of Ghana limit cowpea response to inoculation. A two-year experiment was carried out on 2 soil types of the Guinea and Sudan savanna zones of Ghana based on the hypothesis that Bradyrhizobia inoculant (BR3267) in combination with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer will significantly increase cowpea root nodulation, growth and yield. The study aimed to determine the effect of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on cowpea response to Bradyrhizobia inoculant. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated four times. The plot size was 8 × 3 m, with the sowing distance of 60 × 20 cm. The treatment comprises of commercial Bradyrhizobia inoculant, phosphorus (0, 30, 40 kg P2O5 ha−1) and potassium (0, 10, 20, 30 K2O ha−1). Application of Bradyrhizobia inoculant with 30 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 20 kg K2O ha−1 gave the highest grain yield (1.68 and 1.86 tons ha−1) at both soils which did not differ from the yield obtained from BR-40-30 kg ha−1 P2O5 and K2O ha−1 on the Ferric Lixisol and BR-40-20 kg ha−1 P2O5 and K2O on the Ferric Luvisol. The same treatment also gave the highest nodule number and nodule dry weight. The results of this study have shown that the application of Bradyrhizobia inoculant followed by P and K fertilizer was effective for cowpea growth in field conditions.
New Approaches to Assess Fertility in Domestic Animals: Relationship between Arterial Blood Flow to the Testicles and Seminal Quality
Authors: Velasco Ana , Ruiz Salvador
Published: December 2020

The early identification of infertile males improves reproduction efficiency at a production level and is essential to secure high production rates. Before entering a breeding program, males must pass an initial breeding soundness examination (BSE) which consist of several diagnostic exams whose end point is to estimate their future fertility. There is ongoing research to find new markers that allow better identification of fertile males. Doppler mode allows the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the irrigation of organs. When evaluating the reproductive system, Doppler mode has been successfully used for the evaluation of the uterine and ovarian irrigation. In males, it is gaining relevance for the evaluation of testicular irrigation. Researchers have found a relationship between pulsed-wave Doppler velocimetric parameters and seminal quality in various domestic animal species. This suggests Doppler ultrasound parameters should be considered as objective parameters to evaluate testicular function. In this review, we analyze the results in the main domestic animal species and discuss the differences and similarities among the results. We also discuss the effect of the location of the measurements, breed, season and laterality in the measurement of Doppler velocimetric parameters as well as the impact and limitations of this method of assessing breeding soundness.
Skeletal Anomalies in Senegalese Sole (Solea senegalensis, Kaup) Fed with Different Commercial Enriched Artemia: A Study in Postlarvae and Juveniles
Authors: de Azevedo Ana Manuela , Losada Ana Paula , Ferreiro Isabel , Riaza Ana , Losada Vanesa , Russo Tommaso , Boglione Clara , Vázquez Sonia , Quiroga María Isabel
Published: December 2020

The high incidence of skeletal anomalies in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) still constitutes a bottleneck constraining its production. There are diverse commercially available products for the enrichment of live preys, but few reports of their influence on skeletogenesis in Senegalese sole. This study evaluated the presence of vertebral anomalies in postlarvae and juvenile Senegalese sole fed with Artemia spp. metanauplii enriched with four commercial products (EA, EB, EC, and ED) in a fish farm. The most frequent alterations consisted of deformations of the neural/haemal arches and spines and fusions and deformations of hypurals, epural, or parhypural. The correspondence analysis ordered fish from each age in separated semiaxis, indicating the presence of different anomaly patterns for the two sampled stages. The results showed only very light changes in the frequency of vertebral abnormalities among tested enrichment products, i.e., individuals from EC and EA lots displayed less vertebral body anomalies and/or vertebral column deviations at 31 and 105 days after hatching, respectively. The existence of a large shared malformation pattern in all the experimental groups leads to impute to the rearing conditions as the main driving factor of the onset of such group of anomalies, probably masking some dietary effect.
Updates on the Morphometric Characterization of Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in Sri Lanka
Authors: Algewatta Hirusha Randimal , Perera Priyan , Karawita Hasitha , Dayawansa Nihal , Manawadu Dinushika , Liyanage Malith
Published: December 2020

An accurate morphological description and analysis based on reliable data are unavailable for the geographically isolated population of M. crassicaudata in Sri Lanka. This study provides the most updated morphological description of M. crassicaudata with special reference to body measurements directly obtained from 27 specimens collected island-wide. Morphological parameters were recorded under three age classes that were defined based on their body weight (BW) and total body length (TBL); juvenile (BW: <4.3 kg TBL: <56.0 cm), subadult (BW: 4.3–7.3 kg TBL: 56–101 cm), and adult (BW: >7.3 kg TBL: >101 cm) and gender to reveal sexual dimorphism based on morphometric parameters. The TBL of adult males ranged between 137 and 177 cm while body weight ranged between 20.4 and 48.8 kg. The average count of body scales was 511 ± 21. The body scales were found arranged in 13 longitudinal rows with the highest number of scales observed on the vertebral scale row (16 ± 1). Three major scale morphs were identified; broad rhombic scales, elongated kite-shaped scales, and folded shaped scales. Broad rhombic shaped scales was the dominant scale type (80.49%) on the body (405 ± 7). The tail-length to body-length ratio of an Indian pangolin was 0.87. The tail length of an Indian pangolin is a reliable predictor of the TBL and has potential implications in quick field data gathering.
Tolerance of Prolonged Oral Tedizolid for Prosthetic Joint Infections: Results of a Multicentre Prospective Study
Authors: Senneville Eric , Dinh Aurélien , Ferry Tristan , Beltrand Eric , Blondiaux Nicolas , Robineau Olivier
Published: December 2020

Objectives: Data on clinical and biological tolerance of tedizolid (TZD) prolonged therapy are lacking. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study including patients with prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) who were treated for at least 6 weeks but not more than 12 weeks. Results: Thirty-three adult patients of mean age 73.3 ± 10.5 years, with PJI including hip (n = 19), knee (n = 13) and shoulder (n = 1) were included. All patients were operated, with retention of the infected implants and one/two stage-replacements in 11 (33.3%) and 17/5 (51.5%/15.2%), respectively. Staphylococci and enterococci were the most prevalent bacteria identified. The mean duration of TZD therapy was 8.0 ± 3.27 weeks (6–12). TZD was associated with another antibiotic in 18 patients (54.5%), including rifampicin in 16 cases (48.5). Six patients (18.2%) had to stop TZD therapy prematurely because of intolerance which was potentially attributable to TZD (n = 2), early failure of PJI treatment (n = 2) or severe anaemia due to bleeding (n = 2). Regarding compliance with TZD therapy, no cases of two or more omissions of medication intake were recorded during the whole TZD treatment duration. Conclusions: These results suggest good compliance and a favourable safety profile of TZD, providing evidence of the potential benefit of the use of this agent for the antibiotic treatment of PJIs.
Intra-Articular Injection of (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate to Attenuate Articular Cartilage Degeneration by Enhancing Autophagy in a Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Rat Model
Authors: Huang Hsuan-Ti , Cheng Tsung-Lin , Ho Cheng-Jung , Huang Han Hsiang , Lu Cheng-Chang , Chuang Shu-Chun , Li Jhong-You , Lee Tien-Ching , Chen Shih-Tse , Lin Yi-Shan , Lee Chih-Yao , Kang Lin , Lin Sung-Yen , Chen Chung-Hwan
Published: December 2020

(-)-Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) is the main active green tea catechin and has a wide variety of benefits for health. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) occurs as a consequence of joint injuries that commonly happen in the young population. In this study, we investigated the effects of EGCG on PTOA prevention by using the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)–OA model and further investigated the roles of autophagy in OA treatment. Our results showed that intra-articular injection of EGCG significantly improved the functional performances and decreased cartilage degradation. EGCG treatment attenuated the inflammation on synovial tissue and cartilage through less immunostained cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-13. We further noted EGCG may modulate the chondrocyte apoptosis by activation of the cytoprotective autophagy through reducing the expression of the mTOR and enhancing the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, beclin-1, and p62. In conclusion, intra-articular injection of EGCG after ACL injury inhibited the joint inflammation and cartilage degradation, thereby increasing joint function. EGCG treatment also reduced the chondrocyte apoptosis, possibly by activating autophagy. These findings suggested that EGCG may be a potential disease-modifying drug for preventing OA progression.
Behavior of Astrocytes Derived from Human Neural Stem Cells Flown onto Space and Their Progenies
Authors: Shaka Sophia , Carpo Nicholas , Tran Victoria , Espinosa-Jeffrey Araceli
Published: December 2020

Long-term travel and prolonged stays for astronauts in outer space are imminent. To date more than 500 astronauts have experienced the extreme conditions of space flight including microgravity and radiation. Here we report that human neural stem cells (NSCs) flown onto space were successfully induced to the astrocyte phenotype when grown in fetal calf serum (FCS) supplemented medium. We want to emphasize that these astrocytes were generated after the space flight through a slow process lasting several weeks. Interestingly, we also found that these cells newly formed astrocytes, proliferated slowly but significantly and they showed a tendency to continue proliferating at the same pace. Astrocytes, a major type of glial cells, are key for the normal function of the central nervous system (CNS). They are also emerging as a critical component in most neurodegenerative diseases. Knowledge on the effects of space microgravity on them is of utmost importance for long duration space travel.
Numerical Evaluation of Early-Age Crack Induction in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement with Different Saw-Cut Dimensions Subjected to External Varying Temperature Field
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Naseem Ahsan , Iqbal Nouman , Winne Pieter De , De Backer Hans
Published: December 2020

Since 1970, continuously reinforced concrete pavements have been used in Belgium. The standard design concept for CRCP has been modified through several changes made in the design parameters to eliminate the cluster of closely spaced crack patterns, since these crack patterns lead to the development of spalling and punch-out distresses in CRCPs. Despite adjusting the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, slab thickness, and addition of asphalt interlayer, the narrowly spaced cracks could not be effectively removed. The application of transverse partial surface saw-cuts significantly reduced the probability of randomly occurring cracks in the reconstruction project of the Motorway E313 in Herentals, Belgium. The field investigation has also indicated that the early-age crack induction in CRCP is quite susceptible to the saw-cut depth. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of different depths and lengths of the partial surface saw-cut on the effectiveness of crack induction in CRCP under external varying temperature field. For this purpose, the FE software program DIANA 10.3 is used to develop the three dimensional finite element model of the active crack control CRCP segment. The characteristics of early-age crack induction in terms of crack initiation and crack propagation obtained from the FE model are compared and discussed concerning the field observations of the crack development on the active crack control E313 test sections. Findings indicate that the deeper saw-cut with longer cut-lengths could be a more effective attempt to induce the cracks in CRCP in desirable distributions to decrease the risk of spalling and punch-out distresses in the long-term performance of CRCP. These findings could be used as guidance to select the appropriate depth and length of saw-cut for active crack control sections of CRCP in Belgium.