bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A sustainable approach for demand side management considering demand response and renewable energy in smart grids
Authors: Ahmad Syed Yasir , Hafeez Ghulam , Aurangzeb Khursheed , Rehman Khalid , Khan Taimoor Ahmad , Alhussein Musaed
Published: September 2023

The development of smart grids has revolutionized modern energy markets, enabling users to participate in demand response (DR) programs and maintain a balance between power generation and demand. However, users’ decreased awareness poses a challenge in responding to signals from DR programs. To address this issue, energy management controllers (EMCs) have emerged as automated solutions for energy management problems using DR signals. This study introduces a novel hybrid algorithm called the hybrid genetic bacteria foraging optimization algorithm (HGBFOA), which combines the desirable features of the genetic algorithm (GA) and bacteria foraging optimization algorithm (BFOA) in its design and implementation. The proposed HGBFOA-based EMC effectively solves energy management problems for four categories of residential loads: time elastic, power elastic, critical, and hybrid. By leveraging the characteristics of GA and BFOA, the HGBFOA algorithm achieves an efficient appliance scheduling mechanism, reduced energy consumption, minimized peak-to-average ratio (PAR), cost optimization, and improved user comfort level. To evaluate the performance of HGBFOA, comparisons were made with other well-known algorithms, including the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), GA, BFOA, and hybrid genetic particle optimization algorithm (HGPO). The results demonstrate that the HGBFOA algorithm outperforms existing algorithms in terms of scheduling, energy consumption, power costs, PAR, and user comfort.
Modified experimental method to investigate micro transport in the shale matrix for shale gas production
Authors: Hu Zantong , Deng Yonghong , Li Jingxuan , Wu Xiaojun , Bai Jinmei , Tian Junqiang
Published: September 2023

Matrix permeability is the primary transport property for shale gas recovery, due to the special production process of gas from matrix to wellbore. With the micro pore size of shale matrix, it is necessary to consider micro transport mechanisms for the obtained permeability from macro experimental techniques. In this study, the macro experimental permeability was investigated in micro way, by the analyzation of pressure drop curves of shale matrix at high- and low-pressure experimental conditions, with modified numerical model containing micro transport mechanisms. As selected parameters, porosity, pore radius and tortuosity were regressed to obtain apparent permeabilities of three samples. The analysis shows that, tortuosity is much higher than macro one, and has been proved to be necessary and reasonable. The Knudsen diffusion and slippage effect control the micro transport of shale matrix at low and high pressure, separately, which is the main difference of macro and micro transports. Slippage flow weight factor helps to increase of slippage flow proportion with pressure. Higher pore radius and tortuosity both could weaken the effect of Knudsen diffusion, and slippage flow appears positive relationship with pore size at high pressure. This research provides an inspiration to shale transport study and a micro perspective theoretical guidance for the macro recovery of in-site shale gas reservoir.
The Taxonomic Revolution of New World dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)
Authors: Cupello Mario , Silva Fernando A. B. , Vaz-de-Mello Fernando Z.
Published: September 2023

After almost two decades of stagnation, the taxonomy of the New World Scarabaeinae dung beetles has since 1988 been going through a period of great effervescence. In the last 35 years, 81 complete revisions and 69 supplements have been produced by 86 authors based in 15 countries, addressing the taxonomic status of 950 species. This is what we christen as the Taxonomic Revolution of New World dung beetles. We review the history and products of this revolution, explore its causes and its apparent exceptionalism among most other New World Coleoptera groups, and point to the many great challenges that still face the scarabaeine taxonomists. An aspect of interest to ecologists is the coevolution of the Taxonomic Revolution with what we call the Ecological Revolution of dung beetles, i.e., the similar expansion in ecological studies about these organisms. We argue that it has been the continuous feedback between these two simultaneous processes that has enabled each of them to exist and flourish: without the Ecological Revolution, the Taxonomic Revolution could not have existed, and vice-versa. Ecologists and taxonomists are partners in the scientific enterprise, symbionts one may say.
Advances in genetic variation in metabolism-related fatty liver disease
Authors: Shi Fan , Zhao Mei , Zheng Shudan , Zheng Lihong , Wang Haiqiang
Published: September 2023

Metabolism-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the world. Its pathogenesis is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. With the upgrading of gene screening methods and the development of human genome project, whole genome scanning has been widely used to screen genes related to MAFLD, and more and more genetic variation factors related to MAFLD susceptibility have been discovered. There are genetic variants that are highly correlated with the occurrence and development of MAFLD, and there are genetic variants that are protective of MAFLD. These genetic variants affect the development of MAFLD by influencing lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. Therefore, in-depth analysis of different mechanisms of genetic variation and targeting of specific genetic variation genes may provide a new idea for the early prediction and diagnosis of diseases and individualized precision therapy, which may be a promising strategy for the treatment of MAFLD.
The potential protective effects of pre-injury exercise on neuroimmune responses following experimentally-induced traumatic neuropathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Koop Meghan A. , Sleijser-Koehorst Marije L. S. , Hooijmans Carlijn R. , Tdlohreg Paul Q. , Lutke Schipholt Ivo J. , Scholten-Peeters Gwendolyne G. M. , Coppieters Michel W.
Published: September 2023

Pre-clinical evidence shows that neuropathy is associated with complex neuroimmune responses, which in turn are associated with increased intensity and persistence of neuropathic pain. Routine exercise has the potential to mitigate complications of future nerve damage and persistence of pain through neuroimmune regulation. This systematic review aimed to explore the effect of pre-injury exercise on neuroimmune responses, and other physiological and behavioural reactions following peripheral neuropathy in animals. Three electronic databases were searched from inception to July 2022. All controlled animal studies assessing the influence of an active exercise program prior to experimentally-induced traumatic peripheral neuropathy compared to a non-exercise control group on neuroimmune, physiological and behavioural outcomes were selected. The search identified 17,431 records. After screening, 11 articles were included. Meta-analyses showed that pre-injury exercise significantly reduced levels of IL-1β (SMD: -1.06, 95% CI: -1.99 to -0.13, n=40), but not iNOS (SMD: -0.71 95% CI: -1.66 to 0.25, n=82). From 72 comparisons of different neuroimmune outcomes at different anatomical locations, vote counting revealed reductions in 23 pro-inflammatory and increases in 6 anti-inflammatory neuroimmune outcomes. For physiological outcomes, meta-analyses revealed that pre-injury exercise improved one out of six nerve morphometric related outcomes (G-ratio; SMD: 1.95, 95%CI: 0.77 to 3.12, n=20) and one out of two muscle morphometric outcomes (muscle fibre cross-sectional area; SMD: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.27 to 1.54, n=48). For behavioural outcomes, mechanical allodynia was significantly less in the pre-injury exercise group (SMD -1.24, 95%CI: -1.87 to -0.61) whereas no overall effect was seen for sciatic function index. Post hoc subgroup analysis suggests that timing of outcome measurement may influence the effect of pre-injury exercise on mechanical allodynia. Risk of bias was unclear in most studies, as the design and conduct of the included experiments were poorly reported. Preventative exercise may have potential neuroprotective and immunoregulatory effects limiting the sequalae of nerve injury, but more research in this field is urgently needed.
Dried urine spot method for detection of Schistosoma mansoni circulating cathodic antigen in resource-limited settings: a proof of concept study
Authors: Zacharia Abdallah , Makene Twilumba , Kinabo Clemence , Ogweno George , Lyamuya Faraja , Ngasala Billy
Published: September 2023

Background

Among the challenges in schistosomiasis surveillance and mapping surveys is the lack of a sensitive diagnostic method especially in low transmission setting. Currently, the WHO recommends the use point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (Schisto POC-CCA) tests for surveillance and mapping of intestinal schistosomiasis. However, Schisto POC-CCA test has its drawbacks, one of which is the timely availability of test kits. One approach to overcoming this challenge is to develop a low-cost sampling method that allows for the collection and transport of urine specimens even in resource-limited settings.

Objective

To develop a simple and efficient method for the collection and detection of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) CCA using urine spotted onto filter paper.

Methodology

To develop a dried urine spot (DUS) method, various dried matrix extraction parameters were tested and optimized using predesigned steps. The parameters include the size of filter paper (determined by the number of punches), volume of solvents, and type of solvent. Moreover, we optimized the incubation conditions (time and temperature). Urine and stool specimens to conduct the experiments were collected from volunteer fishermen in Mwanza and this project staff. Data were entered into the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20 for analysis.

Results

The optimal results were obtained when the procedure was run under the following conditions: Five punches of filter paper containing DUS were dissolved in 150 µl of distilled water and incubated at room temperature for 24 hours in an Eppendorf tube. More than 93% of the assays performed under these conditions produced results that were either comparable to or significantly better than the standard method.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility of collecting urine specimen (DUS) using filter paper and detecting Schistosoma CCA from DUS specimen using the Schisto POC-CCA cassette test.
Rationale for combined therapies in severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients
Authors: Gonzaga Aitor , Andreu Etelvina , Hernández-Blasco Luis M. , Meseguer Rut , Al-Akioui-Sanz Karima , Soria-Juan Bárbara , Sanjuan-Gimenez Jose Carlos , Ferreras Cristina , Tejedo Juan R. , Lopez-Lluch Guillermo , Goterris Rosa , Maciá Loreto , Sempere-Ortells Jose M. , Hmadcha Abdelkrim , Borobia Alberto , Vicario Jose L. , Bonora Ana , Aguilar-Gallardo Cristobal , Poveda Jose L. , Arbona Cristina , Alenda Cristina , Tarín Fabian , Marco Francisco M. , Merino Esperanza , Jaime Francisco , Ferreres José , Figueira Juan Carlos , Cañada-Illana Carlos , Querol Sergio , Guerreiro Manuel , Eguizabal Cristina , Martín-Quirós Alejandro , Robles-Marhuenda Ángel , Pérez-Martínez Antonio , Solano Carlos , Soria Bernat
Published: September 2023

An unprecedented global social and economic impact as well as a significant number of fatalities have been brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute SARS-CoV-2 infection can, in certain situations, cause immunological abnormalities, leading to an anomalous innate and adaptive immune response. While most patients only experience mild symptoms and recover without the need for mechanical ventilation, a substantial percentage of those who are affected develop severe respiratory illness, which can be fatal. The absence of effective therapies when disease progresses to a very severe condition coupled with the incomplete understanding of COVID-19’s pathogenesis triggers the need to develop innovative therapeutic approaches for patients at high risk of mortality. As a result, we investigate the potential contribution of promising combinatorial cell therapy to prevent death in critical patients.
Revealing the biological mechanism of acupuncture in alleviating excessive inflammatory responses and organ damage in sepsis: a systematic review
Authors: Yang Lin , Zhou Dan , Cao Jiaojiao , Shi Fangyuan , Zeng Jiaming , Zhang Siqi , Yan Guorui , Chen Zhihan , Chen Bo , Guo Yi , Lin Xiaowei
Published: September 2023

Sepsis is a systemic inflammation caused by a maladjusted host response to infection. In severe cases, it can cause multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and even endanger life. Acupuncture is widely accepted and applied in the treatment of sepsis, and breakthroughs have been made regarding its mechanism of action in recent years. In this review, we systematically discuss the current clinical applications of acupuncture in the treatment of sepsis and focus on the mechanisms of acupuncture in animal models of systemic inflammation. In clinical research, acupuncture can not only effectively inhibit excessive inflammatory reactions but also improve the immunosuppressive state of patients with sepsis, thus maintaining immune homeostasis. Mechanistically, a change in the acupoint microenvironment is the initial response link for acupuncture to take effect, whereas PROKR2 neurons, high-threshold thin nerve fibres, cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) activation, and Ca2+ influx are the key material bases. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway of the vagus nervous system, the adrenal dopamine anti-inflammatory pathway, and the sympathetic nervous system are key to the transmission of acupuncture information and the inhibition of systemic inflammation. In MODS, acupuncture protects against septic organ damage by inhibiting excessive inflammatory reactions, resisting oxidative stress, protecting mitochondrial function, and reducing apoptosis and tissue or organ damage.
Causal relationships between circulating inflammatory factors and IgA vasculitis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Qin Jiading , Zhang Ling , Ke Bo , Liu Tingting , Kong Chunfang , Jin Chenghao
Published: September 2023

Background

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune-associated vasculitis, yet its exact etiology remains unclear. Here, we explore the interaction between IgAV and inflammatory factors using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods

We conducted a bidirectional summary-level MR analysis to delineate the causality of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and 41 circulating inflammatory regulators with IgAV. Data on genetic variants related to inflammation were obtained from three genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on CRP, PCT, and human cytokines, whereas data on IgAV was from large meta-analyses of GWAS among 216 569 FinnGen Biobank participants. The primary MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) approach, and the sensitivity analyses were carried out using MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier.

Results

This study revealed the association of CRP higher levels with increased risk of IgAV through IVW method (Estimate odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.98, P = 0.04), MR-Egger (OR = 1.87, CI: 1.15-3.02, P = 0.01), weighted median (OR = 2.00, CI: 1.21-3.30, P = 0.01) and weighted mode (OR = 1.74, CI: 1.13-2.68, P = 0.02). Furthermore, elevated IL-8 was strongly implicated with a higher risk of IgAV (IVW OR = 1.42, CI: 1.05-1.92; P = 0.02). Conversely, genetically predicted IgAV was associated with decreased levels of TNF-β (IVW estimate β = -0.093, CI: -0.178 - -0.007; P = 0.033). Additionally, no such significant statistical differences for other inflammatory factors were found.

Conclusion

Our current study using bidirectional MR analysis provides compelling evidence for a causal effect of CRP, PCT, and circulating inflammatory regulators on IgAV. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of IgAV and emphasize the potential of targeting inflammatory factors for therapeutic interventions.
Targeting phosphoglycerate kinases by tatridin A, a natural sesquiterpenoid endowed with anti-cancer activity, using a proteomic platform
Authors: Ferraro Giusy , Voli Antonia , Mozzicafreddo Matteo , Pollastro Federica , Tosco Alessandra , Monti Maria Chiara
Published: September 2023

Tatridin A (TatA) is a germacrane sesquiterpenoid containing one E-double bond and one Z-double bond in its 10-membered ring, which is fused to a 3-methylene-dihydrofuran-2-one moiety. Tatridin A bioactivity has been poorly investigated despite its interesting chemical structure. Here, a functional proteomic platform was adapted to disclose its most reliable targets in leukemia monocytic cells, and phosphoglycerate kinases were recognized as the most affine enzymes. Through a combination of limited proteolysis and molecular docking, it has been discovered that tatridin A interacts with the active domains of phosphoglycerate kinase 1, altering its hinge region, and it can be accountable for tatridin A inhibition potency on enzyme activity. A more detailed tatridin A biological profile showed that it is also fully active against gastric cancer cells, downregulating the mRNA levels of chemokine receptor 4 and β-catenin and inhibiting the invasiveness of living KATO III cells as a direct consequence of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 antagonism.
Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza in hospitalized children <5 years in the US
Authors: McGrath Leah J. , Moran Mary M. , Alfred Tamuno , Reimbaeva Maya , Di Fusco Manuela , Khan Farid , Welch Verna L. , Malhotra Deepa , Cane Alejandro , Lopez Santiago M. C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

We compared hospitalization outcomes of young children hospitalized with COVID-19 to those hospitalized with influenza in the United States.

Methods

Patients aged 0-<5 years hospitalized with an admission diagnosis of acute COVID-19 (April 2021-March 2022) or influenza (April 2019-March 2020) were selected from the PINC AI Healthcare Database Special Release. Hospitalization outcomes included length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, oxygen supplementation, and mechanical ventilation (MV). Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for confounders in logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among children hospitalized with COVID-19 (n = 4,839; median age: 0 years), 21.3% had an ICU admission, 19.6% received oxygen supplementation, 7.9% received MV support, and 0.5% died. Among children hospitalized with influenza (n = 4,349; median age: 1 year), 17.4% were admitted to the ICU, 26.7% received oxygen supplementation, 7.6% received MV support, and 0.3% died. Compared to children hospitalized with influenza, those with COVID-19 were more likely to have an ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–1.48). However, children with COVID-19 were less likely to receive oxygen supplementation (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.64–0.78), have a prolonged LOS (aOR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75–0.88), or a prolonged ICU stay (aOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.46–0.68). The likelihood of receiving MV was similar (aOR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.1).

Conclusions

Hospitalized children with either SARS-CoV-2 or influenza had severe complications including ICU admission and oxygen supplementation. Nearly 10% received MV support. Both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza have the potential to cause severe illness in young children.
A solution for the neutron diffusion equation in the spherical and hemispherical reactors using the residual power series
Authors: El-Ajou Ahmad , Shqair Mohammed , Ghabar Ibrahim , Burqan Aliaa , Saadeh Rania
Published: September 2023

A novel analytical solution to the neutron diffusion equation is proposed in this study using the residual power series approach for both spherical and hemispherical fissile material reactors. Various boundary conditions are investigated, including zero flux on the boundary, zero flux on the extrapolated boundary distance, and the radiation boundary condition (RBC). The study also shows how two hemispheres with opposing flat faces interact. We give numerical results for the same energy neutrons diffused in pure P239u. By qualitative comparison with the homotopy perturbation method and Bessel function-based solutions, the residual power series method (RPSM) presents accurate series solutions that converge to the exact solutions, as shown in this study. Moreover, numerical results were shown to be improved by the computer implementation of the analytic solutions.
A plant virus protein, NIa-pro, interacts with Indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase, whose levels positively correlate with disease severity
Authors: Gnanasekaran Prabu , Zhai Ying , Kamal Hira , Smertenko Andrei , Pappu Hanu R.
Published: September 2023

Potato virus Y (PVY) is an economically important plant pathogen that reduces the productivity of several host plants. To develop PVY-resistant cultivars, it is essential to identify the plant-PVY interactome and decipher the biological significance of those molecular interactions. We performed a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen of Nicotiana benthamiana cDNA library using PVY-encoded NIa-pro as the bait. The N. benthamiana Indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase (IAAS) was identified as an interactor of NIa-pro protein. The interaction was confirmed via targeted Y2H and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. NIa-pro interacts with IAAS protein and consequently increasing the stability of IAAS protein. Also, the subcellular localization of both NIa-pro and IAAS protein in the nucleus and cytosol was demonstrated. By converting free IAA (active form) to conjugated IAA (inactive form), IAAS plays a crucial regulatory role in auxin signaling. Transient silencing of IAAS in N. benthamiana plants reduced the PVY-mediated symptom induction and virus accumulation. Conversely, overexpression of IAAS enhanced symptom induction and virus accumulation in infected plants. In addition, the expression of auxin-responsive genes was found to be downregulated during PVY infection. Our findings demonstrate that PVY NIa-pro protein potentially promotes disease development via modulating auxin homeostasis.
Differences in rhizosphere soil fungal communities of wild and cultivated Paeonia ludlowii species
Authors: Qiao Hongyong , Gao Danlei , Yuan Tao
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Paeonia ludlowii is a rare and endangered plant species with a high application value. However, its low cultivation success rate in China has severely limited its protection, development, and utilization. In addition to natural factors, microorganisms in the rhizosphere play an important role in determining its cultivation success.

Methods

In this study, growth indexes and soil physicochemical properties of both wild (origin: Nyingchi) and cultivated (introduction: Luanchuan) species of P. ludlowii were measured during the flowering, fruiting, and autumn foliage stages. ITS high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to detect rhizosphere soil fungi, and the diversity, community structure, functional prediction, molecular network, and ecological processes of the microbial community assembly were examined by multidirectional analysis.

Results and discussion

The results indicated that: both wild and cultivated P. ludlowii species were able to flower and fruit normally, although the wild species had a higher number of flowers and fruits and higher soil available phosphorus and available potassium contents than those of the cultivated species. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant rhizosphere soil fungal phyla in both P. ludlowii species. However, our network analysis showed that Ascomycota as the key fungal phylum of the wild species, whereas the cultivated species lacked key fungi. The community assembly mechanisms of rhizosphere soil fungi in both wild and cultivated species were primarily stochasticity, with no significant differences between them. Based on the results of FUNGuild and molecular network analyses, cultivated species had a higher proportion of fungi, such as Soil Saprotroph, that can easily cause diseases. Additionally, the network connections among fungi were weaker in the cultivated species than those in the wild species, which increased the cultivated species susceptibility to external environmental interferences. Therefore, from a soil microorganism perspective, this study suggests that, after the introduction and cultivation of P. ludlowii, if rhizosphere soil fungi fail to gradually form a close network relationship and instead promote the growth of pathogenic fungi, the fungal ecosystem would become vulnerable.
Spray losses study of two pesticides by UASS in integrated rice–crayfish farming system and acute toxicity evaluation on Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Guangyu , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Zhenhua , Pang Sen , He Xiongkui , Song Jianli
Published: September 2023

Introduction

While the integrated rice-crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) farming system (IRCFS) is widely developing in China, the widespread use of Unmanned Aerial Spraying Systems (UASS) to protect rice from pests has led to potential pesticide risk for the crayfish in IRCFS. Therefore, it is crucial to examine UASS’s spray deposition and drift in IRCFS.

Method

In this study, we used the oligonucleotide sequence-tracking / dot-blotting (OSTDB) method to trace pesticide spraying. We collected detailed data not only on spray loss in the paddy fields, but also on spray drift in the breeding ditches caused by upwind and downwind spray areas. Additionally, pesticide residues in the breeding ditches were measured using LC-MS/MS by collecting water samples after pesticide application.

Results

The data analysis indicated that the spray loss in the paddy field was significantly greater than that in the breeding ditches. The spray drift in the breeding ditches, caused by the upwind spray area, was seven times higher than that originating from the downwind spray area. Furthermore, the results also revealed that the bulk flow between the paddy fields and the breeding ditches contributed a substantial amount of pesticide residue to the water body in the breeding ditches. In addition, we investigated the acute toxicities of common insecticides using in paddy fields, including thiamethoxam (THI), chlorantraniliprole (CHI), THI·CHI-Mix and THI·CHI-WG.

Discussion

The results demonstrated that the spray losses and spray drift from UASS spray applications of these pesticides in IRCFS would not cause acute toxicity or death in crayfish. These findings provide important materials for establishing pesticide application standards and guiding the field testing of droplet deposition and drift in IRCFS.
Sugar accumulation enhancement in sorghum stem is associated with reduced reproductive sink strength and increased phloem unloading activity
Authors: Xue Xueyi , Beuchat Gabriel , Wang Jiang , Yu Ya-Chi , Moose Stephen , Chen Jin , Chen Li-Qing
Published: September 2023

Sweet sorghum has emerged as a promising source of bioenergy mainly due to its high biomass and high soluble sugar yield in stems. Studies have shown that loss-of-function Dry locus alleles have been selected during sweet sorghum domestication, and decapitation can further boost sugar accumulation in sweet sorghum, indicating that the potential for improving sugar yields is yet to be fully realized. To maximize sugar accumulation, it is essential to gain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the massive accumulation of soluble sugars in sweet sorghum stems in addition to the Dry locus. We performed a transcriptomic analysis upon decapitation of near-isogenic lines for mutant (d, juicy stems, and green leaf midrib) and functional (D, dry stems and white leaf midrib) alleles at the Dry locus. Our analysis revealed that decapitation suppressed photosynthesis in leaves, but accelerated starch metabolic processes in stems. SbbHLH093 negatively correlates with sugar levels supported by genotypes (DD vs. dd), treatments (control vs. decapitation), and developmental stages post anthesis (3d vs.10d). D locus gene SbNAC074A and other programmed cell death-related genes were downregulated by decapitation, while sugar transporter-encoding gene SbSWEET1A was induced. Both SbSWEET1A and Invertase 5 were detected in phloem companion cells by RNA in situ assay. Loss of the SbbHLH093 homolog, AtbHLH093, in Arabidopsis led to a sugar accumulation increase. This study provides new insights into sugar accumulation enhancement in bioenergy crops, which can be potentially achieved by reducing reproductive sink strength and enhancing phloem unloading.
New protocol for rapid cassava multiplication in field conditions: a perspective on speed breeding
Authors: Conceicão Leila Verena da , Cortes Diego Fernando Marmolejo , Klauser Dominik , Robinson Michael , Oliveira Eder Jorge de
Published: September 2023

Despite the economic and social importance, high-yielding cassava cultivars are only released after extensive research, mainly due to the low multiplication rate. This study aimed to assess the impact of using smaller-sized seed cuttings treated with agrochemicals (8MP) compared to the conventional planting size (16 cm) on genetic parameters, agronomic performance, and the ranking of cassava clones based on yield and growth attributes. The evaluation was carried out in clonal evaluation trial (CET), preliminary yield trial (PYT), and uniform yield trials (UYT). Additionally, a new selection scheme for cassava breeding programs was proposed. A total of 169 clones were evaluated, including 154 improved clones at different stages of selection and 15 local varieties used as checks. Field trials were conducted using both sizes of propagative material (8MP and 16 cm) in each phase of the breeding program. The data were analyzed using mixed models, considering the random effects of genotype and genotype-environment interaction (G×E) to determine variances and heritabilities. Bland-Altman concordance and correlation analysis of selection indices were employed to examine the consistency in the ranking of cassava clones using different seed cutting sizes. The distribution of variance components, heritabilities, means, and range of the 8MP and 16 cm trials in different phases of the cassava breeding program exhibited remarkable similarity, thereby enabling a comparative assessment of similar genetic effects. With a selection intensity of 30%, the concordance in clone ranking was 0.41, 0.57, and 0.85 in CET, PYT, and UYT trials, respectively, when comparing the selection based on 8MP and 16 cm trials. It is worth noting that the ranking of the top 15% remained largely unchanged. Based on the findings, proposed changes in the cassava selection scheme involve increasing the number of trials starting from the CET phase, early incorporation of G×E interaction, elimination of the PYT trial, reduction of the breeding cycle from 5 to 3 years, and a decrease in the time required for variety development from 11 to 9 years. These modifications are expected to lead to cost reduction and enhance the effectiveness of cassava breeding programs.
Community diversity and the other-race effect in infancy
Authors: Bauer Trinity , Hall Cidnee , Bursalıoğlu Aslı , Guy Maggie W.
Published: September 2023

The other-race effect (ORE) is characterized by processing advantages for faces of one's own race over faces of another race and is observed at ~9 months of age. Environmental exposure to other races has an impact on the development of the ORE. In the current study, we examined the effects of community racial diversity on the ORE in 9- to 12-month-olds from across the United States. We hypothesized that community racial diversity would influence the amount of experience that infants have with individuals of other races and be an important factor in predicting the ORE across broad regions of the United States. We predicted that infants from more diverse communities would demonstrate successful processing of own- and other-race faces, while infants from less diverse communities would demonstrate successful processing of own-race but not other-race faces. This would indicate that the ORE is exhibited more strongly in infants from less diverse communities than in infants from more diverse communities. Participants completed familiarization and visual paired comparison (VPC) trials with own- and other-race faces in an online study. Our results showed that although the ORE was present, the effect was driven by community members who were the racial majority. Recognition biases were not observed in community racial or ethnic minority participants, potentially due to increased exposure to racial out-group members, which mitigated the development of the ORE in this subset of participants. This study has far-reaching implications in the study of infant face perception, child development, and social justice, as the ORE develops at a young age, and may lead to a complex pattern of racial biases contributing to systemic barriers in society.
The evolution of hierarchically structured communication
Authors: Planer Ronald J.
Published: September 2023

Human language sentences are standardly understood as exhibiting considerable hierarchical structure: they can and typically do contain parts that in turn contain parts, etc. In other words, sentences are thought to generally exhibit significant nested part-whole structure. As far as we can tell, this is not a feature of the gestural or vocal communication systems of our great ape relatives. So, one of the many challenges we face in providing a theory of human language evolution is to explain the evolution of hierarchically structured communication in our line. This article takes up that challenge. More specifically, I first present and motivate an account of hierarchical structure in language that departs significantly from the orthodox conception of such structure in linguistics and evolutionary discussions that draw on linguistic theory. On the account I propose, linguistic structure, including hierarchical structure, is treated as a special case of structured action. This account is rooted in the cognitive neuroscience of action, as opposed to (formal) linguistic theory. Among other things, such an account enables us to see how selection for enhanced capacities of act organization and act control in actors, and for act interpretation in observers, might have constructed the brain machinery necessary for the elaborate forms of hierarchically structured communication that we humans engage in. I flesh out this line of thought, emphasizing in particular the role of hominin technique and technology, and the social learning thereof, as evolutionary drivers of this brain machinery.
Performance evaluation of an AI-based preoperative planning software application for automatic selection of pedicle screws based on computed tomography images
Authors: Jia Shanhang , Weng Yuanzhi , Wang Kai , Qi Huan , Yang Yuhua , Ma Chi , Lu Weijia William , Wu Hao
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Recent neurosurgical applications based on artificial intelligence (AI) have demonstrated its potential in surgical planning and anatomical measurement. We aimed to evaluate the performance of an AI planning software application on screw length/diameter selection and insertion accuracy in comparison with freehand surgery.

Methods

A total of 45 patients with 208 pedicle screw placements on thoracolumbar segments were included in this analysis. The novel AI planning software was developed based on a deep learning model. AI-based pedicle screw placements were selected on the basis of preoperative computed tomography (CT) data, and freehand surgery screw placements were observed based on postoperative CT data. The performance of AI pedicle screw placements was evaluated on the components of screw length, diameter, and Gertzbein grade in comparison with the results achieved by freehand surgery.

Results

Among 208 pedicle screw placements, the average screw length/diameters selected by the AI model and used in freehand surgery were 48.65 ± 5.99 mm/7.39 ± 0.42 mm and 44.78 ± 2.99 mm/6.1 ± 0.27 mm, respectively. Among AI screw placements, 85.1% were classified as Gertzbein Grade A (no cortical pedicle breach); among free-hand surgery placements, 64.9% were classified as Gertzbein Grade A.

Conclusion

The novel AI planning software application could provide an accessible and safe pedicle screw placement strategy in comparison with traditional freehand pedicle screw placement strategies. The choices of pedicle screw dimensional parameters made by the model, including length and diameter, may provide potential inspiration for real clinical discretion.
A Review of Methods and Applications for a Heart Rate Variability Analysis
Authors: Nayak Suraj Kumar , Pradhan Bikash , Mohanty Biswaranjan , Sivaraman Jayaraman , Ray Sirsendu Sekhar , Wawrzyniak Jolanta , Jarzębski Maciej , Pal Kunal
Published: September 2023

Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as an essential non-invasive tool for understanding cardiac autonomic function over the last few decades. This can be attributed to the direct connection between the heart’s rhythm and the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The cost-effectiveness and ease with which one may obtain HRV data also make it an exciting and potential clinical tool for evaluating and identifying various health impairments. This article comprehensively describes a range of signal decomposition techniques and time-series modeling methods recently used in HRV analyses apart from the conventional HRV generation and feature extraction methods. Various weight-based feature selection approaches and dimensionality reduction techniques are summarized to assess the relevance of each HRV feature vector. The popular machine learning-based HRV feature classification techniques are also described. Some notable clinical applications of HRV analyses, like the detection of diabetes, sleep apnea, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, renal failure, psychiatric disorders, ANS Activity of Patients Undergoing Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation, and monitoring of fetal distress and neonatal critical care, are discussed. The latest research on the effect of external stimuli (like consuming alcohol) on autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity using HRV analyses is also summarized. The HRV analysis approaches summarized in our article can help future researchers to dive deep into their potential diagnostic applications.
Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison of Decision-Map Techniques for Explaining Classification Models
Authors: Wang Yu , Machado Alister , Telea Alexandru
Published: September 2023

Visualization techniques for understanding and explaining machine learning models have gained significant attention. One such technique is the decision map, which creates a 2D depiction of the decision behavior of classifiers trained on high-dimensional data. While several decision map techniques have been proposed recently, such as Decision Boundary Maps (DBMs), Supervised Decision Boundary Maps (SDBMs), and DeepView (DV), there is no framework for comprehensively evaluating and comparing these techniques. In this paper, we propose such a framework by combining quantitative metrics and qualitative assessment. We apply our framework to DBM, SDBM, and DV using a range of both synthetic and real-world classification techniques and datasets. Our results show that none of the evaluated decision-map techniques consistently outperforms the others in all measured aspects. Separately, our analysis exposes several previously unknown properties and limitations of decision-map techniques. To support practitioners, we also propose a workflow for selecting the most appropriate decision-map technique for given datasets, classifiers, and requirements of the application at hand.
A Crop of High Nutritional Quality and Health Maintenance Value: The Importance of Tartary Buckwheat Breeding
Authors: Kreft Ivan , Golob Aleksandra , Germ Mateja
Published: September 2023

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.), originating in the Himalayan area, is cultivated in central Asia and northern, central, and eastern Europe. Tartary buckwheat grain and sprouts are rich in flavonoid metabolites rutin and quercetin. The synthesis of flavonoids in plants is accelerated by UV-B solar radiation to protect the plants against radiation damage. During Tartary buckwheat food processing, a part of rutin is enzymatically converted to quercetin. Rutin and quercetin are able to pass the blood–brain barrier. Studies have investigated the effects of rutin and quercetin on blood flow to the brain, consequently bringing more nutrients and oxygen to the brain, and causing improved brain function. In addition to the impact on blood flow, rutin and quercetin have been shown to have antioxidative properties. The goals of breeding Tartary buckwheat are mainly to maintain and enhance the high nutritional quality. The goals could be reached via the breeding of Tartray buckwheat for larger cotyledons. Other main breeding efforts should be concentrated on the easy husking of the grain, the prevention of seed shattering, and the improvement in growth habits to obtain uniformity in grain ripening and a stable and high yield.
Feeding Strategies and Nutritional Quality of Animal Products
Authors: Untea Arabela Elena , Saracila Mihaela , Vlaicu Petru Alexandru
Published: September 2023

Feeding strategies play a crucial role in determining the nutritional quality of animal products [...]
Size Structure Transformation of Polish Agricultural Farms in 2010–2020 by Typological Groups of Voivodeships
Authors: Badach Elżbieta , Szewczyk Janina , Lisek Sławomir , Bożek Jadwiga
Published: September 2023

Changes in the agrarian structure are among the indicators of Polish agriculture’s adaptation to competition with the EU agriculture and therefore require a thorough examination. The purpose of this paper is to determine the scale, direction and level of diversification of Polish agricultural farm size structures in 2010–2020 by typological groups of voivodeships. The research was carried out on the basis of Statistics Poland (GUS) data on the number of farms by size groups for the years 2010 and 2020. The following farm size groups were analysed: up to 2 ha of agricultural land (AL), 2–5 ha, 5–10 ha, 10–20 ha, 20–50 ha and over 50 ha. Based on fuzzy classification, four typological groups were distinguished, comprising voivodeships with similar farm size structure. Then, changes in the structure of the typological groups and changes in the number of farms in absolute terms were presented. The structure of the typological groups changed only marginally, while changes in the number of farms in absolute terms were very significant. In all groups, a decrease in the total number of farms was observed, notably farms of up to 10 ha in size, as well as an increase in the number of farms larger than 20 ha, with the rate and scale of those changes varying regionally. The largest decrease in the number of farms was recorded for voivodeships with the most fragmented agrarian structure.
Response of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and Its Rhizospheric Organisms to the Selective Pressures of High-Concentration Oxytetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Tobramycin
Authors: Xia Zhaobin , Lai Xinuo , Zhao Xing , Wang Lu , A Gayuebumo , Yin Xiangyu , Ren Zhihua , Chen Chaoxi
Published: September 2023

Antibiotics play an essential role in the treatment of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Despite their benefits, the release of an increasing amount of various antibiotics into the environment poses a potential threat to plants, soils, animals, and microorganisms. Here, an outdoor pot experiment was conducted to preliminarily evaluate high concentrations of three antibiotics (oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin) on Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and its rhizospheric organisms. The results showed that the three antibiotics had different effects on the growth behavior (germination uniformity, average growing height gain per week, and thousand seed weight) and biomass (aboveground biomass and belowground biomass) of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. After adding high concentrations of the three antibiotics to the soil of each test group, the earthworm extract in group A (oxytetracycline) significantly increased the coagulation parameters prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT). The PT significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while the TT was not affected in group B (ciprofloxacin). For group C (tobramycin), the TT significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and the PT was not affected compared to the CK group (control group). The application of the three antibiotics caused alterations in the general activity of enzymes, such as soil sucrase (SC), urease (UE), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and nitrate reductase (NR). Different antibiotic groups influenced the rhizosphere bacterial diversity and community structure of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. At the phylum level, Ignavibacteriae was only found in group C, and Parcubacteria and Ignavibacteriae were not present in the CK group. At the genus level, Parcubacteria_norank was not present in the CK group, and BSV40_norank was found in group C. Ultimately, the results suggested that high concentrations of oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin could affect the growth behavior and biomass of Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. and alter its rhizobacterial community structure, providing the scientific basis for the rational use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and veterinary science.
Intercropping of Echinochloa frumentacea with Leguminous Forages Improves Hay Yields, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Diversity, and Soil Enzyme Activities in Saline–Alkali Soil
Authors: Cheng Yunlong , Xu Xing , Zhang Yang , Gu Xudong , Nie Haojie , Zhu Lin
Published: September 2023

Soil salinization is detrimental to crop growth, agricultural yields, and environmental protection. Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link is a pioneer species for the alteration of saline–alkali lands. In this paper, we examined the effects of intercropping between E. frumentacea and leguminous forages on saline land improvement in the saline–alkali soil of the Hetao-Ningxia Plain, China. We found that intercropping increased the diversity and richness of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in the rhizosphere soil of E. frumentacea. Glomus was the dominant genus in the saline–alkali soil of the Hetao-Ningxia Plain, where Glomeraceae, VTX00067, VTX000193, and VTX000165 were the dominant species. Intercropping improved the activities of soil urease, sucrase, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase. The hay yields of E. frumentacea were correlated positively with soil enzyme activities, Chao1 index, and ACE index, and negatively with total water-soluble salt content. Together, intercropping between E. frumentacea and leguminous forages enhances AMF diversity and soil enzyme activities, which provides an agricultural practice for improving sustainability of the agro-ecosystem in saline–alkali areas.