bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Roadmap to Inform the Implementation of Evidence-Based Collaborative Care Interventions in Communities: Insights From the Michigan Mental Health Integration Partnership
Authors: Rusch Amy , DeCamp Lindsay M. , Liebrecht Celeste M. , Choi Seo Youn , Dalack Gregory W. , Kilbourne Amy M. , Smith Shawna N.
Published: May 2021

Background:Despite increasing calls for further spread of evidence-based collaborative care interventions (EBIs) in community-based settings, practitioner-driven efforts are often stymied by a lack of experience in addressing barriers to community-based implementation, especially for those not familiar with implementation science. The Michigan Mental Health Integration Partnership (MIP) is a statewide initiative that funds projects that support implementation and uptake of EBIs in community-based settings. MIP also provides anin situimplementation laboratory for understanding barriers to the uptake of EBIs across a variety of settings. We report findings from a statewide qualitative study of practitioners involved in MIP projects to garner their perspectives of best practices in the implementation of EBIs.

Methods:Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews of practitioners and researchers from six MIP Projects were conducted with individuals implementing various MIP EBI projects across Michigan, including stakeholders from project teams, implementation sites, and the State of Michigan, to identify common barriers, challenges, and implementation strategies deployed by the project teams, with the purpose of informing a set of implementation steps and milestones.

Results:Stakeholders identified a number of barriers to and strategies for success, including the need for tailoring program deployment and implementation to specific site needs, development of web-based tools for facilitating program implementation, and the importance of upper-level administration buy-in. Findings informed our resultant community-based Implementation Roadmap, which identifies critical steps across three implementation phases—pre-implementation, implementation, and sustainability—for implementation practitioners to use in their EBI implementation efforts.

Conclusion:Implementation practitioners interested in community-based EBI implementation often lack access to operationalized implementation “steps” or “best practices” that can facilitate successful uptake and evaluation. Our community-informed MIP Implementation Roadmap, offering generalized steps for reaching successful implementation, uses experiences from a diverse set of MIP teams to guide practitioners through the practices necessary for scaling up EBIs in community-based settings over pre-implementation, implementation and sustainability phases.
Adolescents' Understanding of What Causes Emotional Distress: A Qualitative Exploration in a Non-clinical Sample Using Ideal-Type Analysis
Authors: O'Neill Alisha , Stapley Emily , Stock Sarah , Merrick Hannah , Humphrey Neil
Published: May 2021

Background: There is increased interest in early intervention and prevention of mental health difficulties during adolescence; thus, we are seeing increased efforts to optimize well-being during this epoch. Positive emotional experiences are a central component of overall well-being. However, research exploring what adolescents perceive to be the cause(s) of their emotional difficulties is lacking. Improving understanding of this issue within non-clinical adolescent groups may provide useful insight into how to develop strategies to support young people as they navigate emotional difficulties.

Objectives: The aim of this research was to explore if meaningful categories of perceived cause(s) for emotional distress exist for non-clinical adolescent groups.

Methods: The data for this study were drawn from interviews across 6 sites in England conducted as part of the 5-year national evaluation of the HeadStart Learning Programme. The sample comprised of 32 young people aged 11–12 years from the first annual wave of qualitative data collection in 2017. Ideal type analysis—a qualitative form of person-centered analysis—was used to construct a typology of adolescents perceived cause(s) for emotional distress.

Findings: We identified five distinct categories of perceived cause: (1) perceived lack of control; (2) unfair treatment; (3) others, their actions and judgements as the catalyst; (4) concerns for self and others; and, (5) self as cause.

Conclusions: Our findings illustrate that distinct categories for perceived cause of emotional distress exist among adolescents considered to be “at risk” of developing mental health difficulties, which provides a foundation for future necessary work seeking to investigate the possible link between perceived cause for emotional distress and help-seeking behavior among sub-clinical groups.
Adaptive Cognitive Mechanisms to Maintain Calibrated Trust and Reliance in Automation
Authors: Lebiere Christian , Blaha Leslie M. , Fallon Corey K. , Jefferson Brett
Published: May 2021

Trust calibration for a human–machine team is the process by which a human adjusts their expectations of the automation’s reliability and trustworthiness; adaptive support for trust calibration is needed to engender appropriate reliance on automation. Herein, we leverage an instance-based learning ACT-R cognitive model of decisions to obtain and rely on an automated assistant for visual search in a UAV interface. This cognitive model matches well with the human predictive power statistics measuring reliance decisions; we obtain from the model an internal estimate of automation reliability that mirrors human subjective ratings. The model is able to predict the effect of various potential disruptions, such as environmental changes or particular classes of adversarial intrusions on human trust in automation. Finally, we consider the use of model predictions to improve automation transparency that account for human cognitive biases in order to optimize the bidirectional interaction between human and machine through supporting trust calibration. The implications of our findings for the design of reliable and trustworthy automation are discussed.
Greening and Just Cities: Elements for Fostering a South–North Dialogue Based on a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: de Souza Daniele Tubino , Torres Pedro Henrique Campello
Published: May 2021

The design and deployment of green amenities is a way to tackle cities' socio-environmental problems in the quest for urban sustainability. In this study, we undertake a systematic review of research published in international peer-reviewed journals that analyzes environmental justice issues within the context of the deployment of urban green amenities. Since most studies focus on the Global North, where this scholarship first emerged, our goal is to link the literature focused on the North and the South. This study aims to outline similarities and differences regarding the nexus of justice and the greening of cities in both contexts as well as to identify knowledge gaps in this scholarship in the Global South. “Green infrastructure” and “nature-based solutions,” as the leading concepts for cities' greening agendas, are used as descriptors in combination with “justice” and/or “green gentrification” in searches undertaken of two bibliographic databases. Our results show there is a need to better delineate a research agenda that addresses such issues in a heterogeneous Global South context while gaining insights from advances made by research on the Global North.
The Effects of Sport Activities and Environmentally Sustainable Behaviors on Subjective Well-Being: A Comparison Before and During COVID-19
Authors: Wendtlandt Mario , Wicker Pamela
Published: May 2021

This study examined the effects of sport activities and environmentally sustainable behaviors on the subjective well-being of working-age adults (18–64). Specifically, it analyzes the effects of different types of sport activities, including nature-based, natural resource-using, and nature-neutral sport activities and different types of environmentally sustainable behaviors such as recycling, ecological consumption, energy-saving, and mobility on subjective well-being. The study conducts comparisons between the period before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the first lockdown in Germany. Quantitative survey data were collected using a convenience sampling approach (n = 412). Sport activities were captured with the number of hours spent on nature-based, natural resource-using, and nature-neutral activities. Environmentally sustainable behaviors were measured across four areas, including recycling, ecological consumption, energy-saving, and mobility. Subjective well-being was measured using the scale of the World Health Organization (WHO-5). Differences between the periods before and during COVID-19 were analyzed using t-tests. A set of multivariate regression models were estimated with subjective well-being as the dependent variable and sport activities, environmentally sustainable behaviors, and socio-demographics as independent variables. The results show that nature-based and nature-neutral sport activities significantly decreased during the first COVID-19 lockdown, while environmentally sustainable behaviors increased. The regression analyses reveal that nature-based and nature-neutral sport activities as well as ecological consumption significantly added to individuals' subjective well-being in the pre- and during-COVID-19-period. A decrease in nature-based and nature-neutral sport activities significantly predicted a decrease in individuals' subjective well-being. The findings of this study might help people understand the role and importance of active living for psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No Consequence for Lateral View X-Ray in Displaced Proximal Femoral Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Macke Christian , Werner Maic , Herold Lambert , Krause Olaf , Graulich Tilmann , Clausen Jan-Dierk , Krettek Christian , Liodakis Emmanouil
Published: May 2021

Background: Due to demographic changes, proximal femoral fractures (PFF) in the elderly rise constantly. The standard diagnostic tool is still the X-ray of the pelvis/hip in two planes. Our hypothesis was that the lateral-view X-ray has little influence on classification, planning of the operative procedure, and choice of implant in geriatric patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all initial X-rays of PFF in geriatric patients (≥70 years) from May 2018 until August 2019 in a Level I Trauma center. Three experienced consultants categorized the fractures on the ap pelvis view and performed Garden and Pauwels classification as well as a two-staged classification displaced/nondisplaced [for femoral neck fractures (FNF)] or AO Classification [for intertrochanteric fractures (ITF)]. Afterward, they decided the operative strategy as well as implant choice [dynamic hip screw (DHS), intramedullary nail (IMN), or arthroplasty]. After 4 weeks, they categorized all fractures again with now available lateral view X-rays in a different order.

Results: Two hundred seven patients (146 female, 61 male; 70.5 vs. 29.5%) with 90 FNF and 117 ITF (43.5 vs. 56.5%) could be included. Age was 84.6 ± 6.9 years. The treatment was in 45 cases DHS, in 82 cases IMN, and for the other 80 cases arthroplasty. The interobserver reliability of the classifications were poor, except for the two-staged classification [Fleiss-κ ap view only = 0.708 (CI 95% 0.604, 0.812) vs. additional lateral = 0.756 (CI 95% 0.644, 0.869)]. Moreover, independent from the classification, there were no significant changes in management and choice of implant with additional lateral view.

Conclusions: Regarding our results, we consider the lateral view dispensable for standard X-ray of displaced PFF in geriatric patients. In nondisplaced fractures, it could be added secondary.
Case Report: Abomasum Impaction in Beef Cattle Due to High Intake of Distillers' Grain and Treatment Options in Southwest China
Authors: Yong Kang , Luo Zhengzhong , Yang Qinwen , Zhang Chuanshi , Zhou Qianlan , Jiang Hua , Zhang Yong , Cao Suizhong
Published: May 2021

In Southern China, distillers' grain is the main feed ingredient for small beef cattle farms. High intake of distillers' grain may lead to abomasum impaction, a disorder caused by the accumulation of solid content within the organ. For treatment, there are non-surgical and surgical options. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of beef cattle with abomasum impaction due to high intake of distillers' grain. Forty-nine Simmental beef cattle from 13 farms in Chongqing, China, were diagnosed with abomasum impaction. Animals were male, aged ≤2 years, and weighed between 200 and 350 kg. In this retrospective study, information on distillers' grain intake and clinical data were collected for 49 beef cattle diagnosed with abomasum impaction. The animals were treated between 2011 and 2019 with either non-surgical therapy or surgery. Animals diagnosed with mild abomasum impaction (n = 14) fully recovered after non-surgical treatment. Among moderate cases (n = 19), 12 cattle recovered after non-surgical treatment (63%), while the remaining seven did not respond well and underwent surgery. Three of those animals were subsequently cured (3/7). Among the severe cases (n = 16), four cattle were cured after non-surgical treatment (25%) (4/16). Of the remaining 12 cattle, six were slaughtered, and six died after surgery. Non-surgical treatment is efficient for mild abomasum impaction caused by a high intake of distillers' grain and may be considered for both moderate and severe cases. However, the treatment success rate for more severe cases decreases as the disease severity worsens.
Effects of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Extract on the Metabolomics of Serum and Feces in Weaned Piglets Challenged by Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Dingfa , Zhou Luli , Zhou Hanlin , Hou Guanyu
Published: May 2021

The effects of dietary supplementation with guava leaf extracts (GE) on intestinal barrier function and serum and fecal metabolome in weaned piglets challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) were investigated. In total, 50 weaned piglets (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace) from 25 pens (two piglets per pen) were randomly divided into five groups: BC (blank control), NC (negative control), S50 (supplemented with 50 mg kg−1 diet GE), S100 (100 mg kg−1 diet GE), and S200 (200 mg kg−1 diet GE), respectively. On day 4, all groups (except BC) were orally challenged with enterotoxigenic ETEC at a dose of 1.0 × 109 colony-forming units (CFUs). After treatment for 28 days, intestinal barrier function and parallel serum and fecal metabolomics analysis were carried out. Results suggested that dietary supplementation with GE (50–200 mg kg−1) increased protein expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) (p < 0.05) and Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with GE (50–200 mg kg−1) increased the level of tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and reversed the higher level of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) induced by ETEC in serum compared with the NC group (p < 0.05), and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of piglets. In addition, dietary addition with GE (100 mg kg−1) reversed the lower level of L-pipecolic acid induced by ETEC in feces compared with the NC group (p < 0.05) and decreased the oxidative stress of piglets. Collectively, dietary supplementation with GE exhibited a positive effect on improving intestinal barrier function. It can reprogram energy metabolism through similar or dissimilar metabolic pathways and finally enhance the antioxidant ability of piglets challenged by ETEC.
Engineering Comprehensive Model of Complex Wind Fields for Flight Simulation
Authors: Chen Jianwei , Wang Liangming , Fu Jian , Yang Zhiwei
Published: May 2021

A complex wind field refers to the typical atmospheric disturbance phenomena existing in nature that have a great influence on the flight of aircrafts. Aimed at the issues involving large volume of data, complex computations and a single model in the current wind field simulation approaches for flight environments, based on the essential principles of fluid mechanics, in this paper, wind field models for two kinds of wind shear such as micro-downburst and low-level jet plus three-dimensional atmospheric turbulence are established. The validity of the models is verified by comparing the simulation results from existing wind field models and the measured data. Based on the principle of vector superposition, three wind field models are combined in the ground coordinate system, and a comprehensive model of complex wind fields is established with spatial location as the input and wind velocity as the output. The model is applied to the simulated flight of a rocket projectile, and the change in the rocket projectile’s flight attitude and flight trajectory under different wind fields is analyzed. The results indicate that the comprehensive model established herein can reasonably and efficiently reflect the influence of various complex wind field environments on the flight process of aircrafts, and that the model is simple, extensible, and convenient to use.
Efficacy of Root Zone Temperature Increase in Root and Shoot Development and Hormone Changes in Different Maize Genotypes
Authors: Xia Zhenqing , Zhang Guixin , Zhang Shibo , Wang Qi , Fu Yafang , Lu Haidong
Published: May 2021

In the context of global warming, the effects of warming in the root zone of crops on maize seedling characteristics deserve research attention. Previous studies on the adaptive traits of dryland maize have mainly focused on soil moisture and nutrients, rather than analyzing potential factors for the adaptive traits of root zone warming. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different root zone warming ranges on the agronomic traits, hormones, and microstructures of maize seedling roots and leaves. The results showed that minor increases in the root zone temperature significantly enhanced maize seedling growth. However, when the temperature in the root zone was excessive, the stem diameter, root surface area, root volume, total root length, dry matter accumulation, and root/shoot biomass of maize seedlings sharply decreased. Under high temperature stress in the root zone, the root conduit area; root stele diameter; root content of trans-zeatin (ZT), gibberellin A3 (GA3), and indoleacetic acid (IAA); leaf thickness; upper and lower epidermis thickness; and leaf content of ZT and GA3 were significantly decreased. The hormone content and microstructure changes might be an important reason for root growth maldevelopment and nutrient absorption blockage, and they also affected the leaf growth of maize seedlings. Compared with the ‘senescent’ maize type Shaandan 902 (SD902), the plant microstructure of the ‘stay-green’ maize type Shaandan 609 (SD609) was less affected by increased temperatures, and the ability of the root system to absorb and transport water was stronger, which might explain its tolerance of high temperature stress in the root zone.
Allelic Variation of Soybean Maturity Genes E1–E4 in the Huang-Huai-Hai River Valley and the Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Wu Tingting , Wen Huiwen , Song Wenwen , Xu Cailong , Han Tianfu , Sun Shi , Wu Cunxiang
Published: May 2021

Soybean is planted in a wide span of the world, and flowering and maturity time is an important trait determining soybean yield formation and adaptation. Maturity loci E1, E2, E3 and E4 were frequently reported as the most influential genetic loci for soybean flowering and maturity. To understand the allelic variation and assess the phenological traits of cultivars with different E allelic combinations in natural environments, 251 cultivars of maturity group (MG) I–V were field tested in 42 locations across four sub-regions in the Huang-Huai-Hai and Northwest region of China and genotyped with KASP markers for E1–E4 loci. The results indicated that mutant alleles were only found in the E1 and E2 locus, all of the cultivars carried functional alleles in the E3 and E4 loci in this area, with the frequency of mutant allele to be higher in early maturity groups (MGs) than late MGs. Among nine E allelic combinations in this area, one photoperiodic insensitive mutation in E2 loci (E1/e2-ns/E3-Ha/E4 and E1/e2-ns/E3-Mi/E4) made up the largest proportion (25.10 and 18.33%), while two photoperiodic insensitive mutations in both E1 and E2 loci (e1-as/e2-ns/E3-Ha/E4) (1.20%) occupied the lowest proportion in this panel. The major combinations of E locus for MGI, MGII and MG III in this area were E1/E2-dl/E3-Mi/E4, E1/e2-ns/E3-Mi/E4 and E1/e2-ns/E3-Ha/E4, respectively. Cultivars carrying e1-as/e2-ns/E3-Ha/E4 genotype flowered earliest (34 days) on average, 7.6 days earlier than the latest-flowering E haplotype (E1/e2-ns/E3-Ha/E4). This study provided an opportunity to detect the E allelic combinations in the Huang-Huai-Hai River Valley and the Northwest China, which would facilitate the improvement of soybean adaptation in the future.
Effect of Soil Tillage Practice on Photosynthesis, Grain Yield and Quality of Hybrid Winter Wheat
Authors: Buczek Jan , Migut Dagmara , Jańczak-Pieniążek Marta
Published: May 2021

Although the conventional tillage (CT) system dominates in the cultivation of wheat in Europe, currently, mainly for economic and environmental reasons, especially in the case of new varietal genotypes, reduced tillage systems (RT), including no-tillage (NT), are practised. The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of tillage systems on yield, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the quantity and quality of protein of hybrid winter wheat cultivars grown under various hydrothermal conditions in the years of the research. A field experiment was carried out between 2016 and 2019 in Domaradz (49°47′38′′ N, 21°56′54′′ E), Poland. The following factors were tested: three tillage systems—conventional (CT), reduced (RT) and no-tillage (NT), and five hybrid cultivars of winter wheat—Hybery, Hyking, Hymalaya, Hypocamp and Hyvento. The highest grain yield and the most favourable values of physiological parameters were found in the CT system in comparison to the reduced systems RT and NT. Unfavourable hydrothermal conditions with a deficit of precipitation during the 2018/2019 growing season resulted in a decrease in the grain yield and selected physiological parameters in the CT system, while they increased in the NT system. More favourable physiological parameters and higher yields resulted from cultivation of hybrid winter wheat in the CT system for cvs. Hymalaya and Hypocamp grain, and in the NT system for cv. Hyking. The use of the CT system in comparison to RT and NT resulted in a significant increase in the value of grain quality parameters and the content of the sum of gliadins and glutenins as well as γ, ω gliadins and HMW glutenins. No statistical differences were found in the content of albumin and globulin or α/β subunits of gliadins and LMW glutenins in the CT and RT systems. Cvs. Hyvento and Hyking, in the CT as well as in the RT and NT systems, obtained higher values of quality characteristics and fractions and subunits of gluten proteins, especially when low hydrothermal coefficients were recorded during the grain formation and ripening period (June–July).
Fruit Quality Traits and Genotypic Characterization in a Pomegranate Ex Situ (Punica granatum L.) Collection in Greece
Authors: Karapetsi Lefkothea , Pantelidis Georgios , Pratsinakis Emmanouil D. , Drogoudi Pavlina , Madesis Panagiotis
Published: May 2021

Pomegranate is one of the oldest known fruit crops, well adapted to hot and dry areas and successfully grown in Mediterranean countries. During the last two decades, numerous publications have revealed the traditionally known associations between pomegranate consumption and health benefits, which led to increased demand by consumers and expansion in cultivation areas. Pomegranate is well adapted to areas with diverse pedoclimatic conditions and local cultivars could provide an essential source of genes for breeding. In this study, fruit phenotypic and genetic variability, and relationships, were studied in 26 Greek and foreign pomegranate cultivars/accessions grown in an ex situ collection located in Naoussa Greece, using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) molecular markers. Results from the principal component analysis made on fruit phenotypic characters revealed five components that accounted for 74.8% of the total variance, the first being related to skin color parameters and the second to juice antioxidant contents and aril color. Clustering from phenotypic data allocated individuals into four clusters. A total of 184 bands were generated for all markers applied across the 26 pomegranate cultivars/accessions, with an average of 77 bands per ISSR markers and 82 bands for SCoT markers. Low variability in the phenotypic and genotypic level was indicated; nevertheless, results from the association study between phenotypic traits and molecular markers that were obtained using Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) could prove valuable for marker-assisted breeding programs, especially from SCoT markers that were found to be strongly or averagely associated with the morphological traits and chemical components.
Phosphate-Solubilizing Enterobacter ludwigii AFFR02 and Bacillus megaterium Mj1212 Rescues Alfalfa’s Growth under Post-Drought Stress
Authors: Kang Sang-Mo , Khan Muhammad-Aaqil , Hamayun Muhammad , Kim Lee-Rang , Kwon Eun-Hae , Kang Yo-Sep , Kim Ki-Yong , Park Jae-Jeong , Lee In-Jung
Published: May 2021

Drought stress is a prevalent environmental stress that adversely affects agricultural industries worldwide. In this study, bacterial isolates, AFFR02 and Mj1212, showed tolerance to polyethylene glycol-induced (PEG) drought stress (approximately 15%) and possess strong phosphate-solubilizing capacity. Moreover, we investigated the plant growth attributes, chlorophyll content, and ion uptake in alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L) inoculated with isolates AFFR02 and Mj1212 under drought stress. We observed that drought stress drastically affects alfalfa’s growth attributes: shoot length: SL (24.88%), root length: RL (29.62%), shoot fresh weight: SFW (49.62%), root fresh weight: RFW (45.09%), stalk diameter: SD (52.84%), and chlorophyll content: CC (19.2%). However, in bacterial-inoculated alfalfa plants, the growth attributes significantly recovered were SL (12.42%), RL (21.30%), SFW (50.74%), RFW (46.42%), SD (76.72%), and CC (17.98%). In drought-stressed alfalfa plants, we observed a significant decrease in the relative water content (7.45%), whereas there was an increase in electrical conductivity (68.87%) and abscisic acid contents (164.42%). Antioxidant analysis showed a significant increase in total phenolic content (46.08%), DPPH-scavenging activity (39.66%), total flavonoid (13.68%), and superoxide dismutase (28.51%) in alfalfa treated with drought stress and bacterial isolates AFFR02 and Mj1212 simultaneously. Moreover, an increase in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis of potassium (17.98%), phosphorous (11.14%), calcium (3.07%), and magnesium (6.71%) was recorded for bacteria-inoculated alfalfa plants under drought stress. In conclusion, bacterial isolates AFFR02 and Mj1212 enhance alfalfa growth under drought stress. Therefore, the isolates could be used as potential candidates in smart-climate agricultural practices in drought-stricken areas worldwide.
Assessing the Impacts of Extreme Precipitation Change on Vegetation Activity
Authors: Pei Fengsong , Zhou Yi , Xia Yan
Published: May 2021

Extreme climate events frequently have more severe effects on terrestrial vegetation activity than long-term changes in climate averages. However, changes in extreme climate events as well as their potential risk on vegetation activity are still poorly understood. By using the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (MLR-YR) in China as an example, this paper aims to understand the vegetation response to changes in extreme precipitation events from 1982 to 2012 using the maximum normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as an indicator. By applying extreme value theory (EVT), the potential risks of extreme precipitation events on vegetation activity were analyzed by conducting return period analysis. Results indicated that vegetation activity could be affected by extreme precipitation events, especially the combined effects of the frequency and intensity of precipitation extremes. For instance, vegetation activity could be enhanced in the regions with weakened intensity but increased occurrence of extreme precipitation events. In addition, we found potential risk of extreme precipitation events on vegetation activity from the results of precipitation extreme trend and return period analysis. These phenomena can be associated with the local occurrence of extreme precipitation events, different land cover types, and soil moisture cumulative effect on vegetation growth. This study stresses the importance of considering both current changes in and the potential risk of extreme precipitation events to understand their effects on vegetation activity.
Hyperspectral Detection and Monitoring of Salt Stress in Pomegranate Cultivars
Authors: Calzone Antonella , Cotrozzi Lorenzo , Lorenzini Giacomo , Nali Cristina , Pellegrini Elisa
Published: May 2021

Advancements in the ability to detect plant responses to salinity are mandatory to improve crop yield, quality, and management practices. The present study shows the capability of hyperspectral reflectance (400–2400 nm) to rapidly and non-destructively detect and monitor the responses of two pomegranate cultivars (Parfianka, P, and Wonderful, W) under salt treatment (i.e., 200 mL of 100 mM NaCl solution every day) for 35 days. Analyzing spectral signatures from asymptomatic leaves, the two cultivars, as well as salinity conditions were discriminated. Furthermore, using a partial least squares regression approach, we constructed predictive models to concomitantly estimate (goodness-of-fit model, R2: 0.61–0.79; percentage of the root mean square error over the data range, %RMSE: 9–14) from spectra of various physiological leaf parameters commonly investigated in plant/salinity studies. The analyses of spectral signatures enabled the early detection of salt stress (i.e., from 14 days from the beginning of treatment, FBT), even in the absence of visible symptoms, but they did not allow the identification of the different degrees of salt tolerance between cultivars; this cultivar-specific tolerance to salt was instead reported by analyzing variations of leaf parameters estimated from spectra (W was less tolerant than P), which, in turn, allowed the detection of salt stress only at later times of analysis (i.e., slightly from 21 day FBT and, evidently, at the end of treatment). The proposed approach could be used in precision agriculture, high-throughput plant phenotyping, and smart nursery management to enhance crop quality and yield.
Modern Biotechnologies: Innovative and Sustainable Approaches for the Improvement of Sugarcane Tolerance to Environmental Stresses
Authors: Shabbir Rubab , Javed Talha , Afzal Irfan , Sabagh Ayman El , Ali Ahmad , Vicente Oscar , Chen Pinghua
Published: May 2021

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the most important industrial cash crops, contributing to the world sugar industry and biofuel production. It has been cultivated and improved from prehistoric times through natural selection and conventional breeding and, more recently, using the modern tools of genetic engineering and biotechnology. However, the heterogenicity, complex poly-aneuploid genome and susceptibility of sugarcane to different biotic and abiotic stresses represent impediments that require us to pay greater attention to the improvement of the sugarcane crop. Compared to traditional breeding, recent advances in breeding technologies (molecular marker-assisted breeding, sugarcane transformation, genome-editing and multiple omics technologies) can potentially improve sugarcane, especially against environmental stressors. This article will focus on efficient modern breeding technologies, which provide crucial clues for the engineering of sugarcane cultivars resistant to environmental stresses.
Implementation of a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) for Soybean Maturity Prediction in African Environments
Authors: Marcillo Guillermo S. , Martin Nicolas F. , Diers Brian W. , Da Fonseca Santos Michelle , Leles Erica Pontes , Chigeza Godfree , Francischini Josy H.
Published: May 2021

Time to maturity (TTM) is an important trait in soybean breeding programs. However, soybeans are a relatively new crop in Africa. As such, TTM information for soybeans is not yet as well defined as in other major producing areas. Multi-environment trials (METs) allow breeders to analyze crop performance across diverse conditions, but also pose statistical challenges (e.g., unbalanced data). Modern statistical methods, e.g., generalized additive models (GAMs), can flexibly smooth a range of responses while retaining observations that could be lost under other approaches. We leveraged 5 years of data from an MET breeding program in Africa to identify the best geographical and seasonal variables to explain site and genotypic differences in soybean TTM. Using soybean cycle features (e.g., minimum temperature, daylength) along with trial geolocation (longitude, latitude), a GAM predicted soybean TTM within 10 days of the average observed TTM (RMSE = 10.3; x = 109 days post-planting). Furthermore, we found significant differences between cultivars (p < 0.05) in TTM sensitivity to minimum temperature and daylength. Our results show potential to advance the design of maturity systems that enhance soybean planting and breeding decisions in Africa.
Counteractive Effects of Sugar and Strigolactone on Leaf Senescence of Rice in Darkness
Authors: Takahashi Ikuo , Jiang Kai , Asami Tadao
Published: May 2021

Plant hormones strigolactones (SLs) were recently reported to induce leaf senescence. It was reported that sugar suppresses SL-induced leaf senescence in the dark; however, the mechanism of the crosstalk between SLs and the sugar signal in leaf senescence remains elusive. To understand this mechanism, we studied the effects of glucose (Glc) on various senescence-related parameters in leaves of the rice. We found that sugars alleviated SL-induced leaf senescence under dark conditions, and the co-treatment with Glc suppressed SL-induced hydrogen peroxide generation and membrane deterioration. It also suppressed the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes upregulated by SL, suggesting that Glc alleviates SL-induced senescence by inhibiting the oxidative processes. SLs can adapt to nutrient deficiency, a major factor of leaf senescence; therefore, we suggest the possibility that Glc and SL monitor the nutrient status in plants to regulate leaf senescence.
Advances in Mechanisms and Omics Pertaining to Fruit Cracking in Horticultural Plants
Authors: Wang Yuying , Guo Linhui , Zhao Xueqing , Zhao Yujie , Hao Zhaoxiang , Luo Hua , Yuan Zhaohe
Published: May 2021

Fruit cracking is a physiological disease that occurs during fruit development, which limits the quality and marketability of the fruit and causes great economic losses. Fruit cracking is affected by physiological, genetic and environmental factors. In this paper, the mechanism of fruit cracking was elaborated from cutin and cell wall, especially the gene families related to cell wall metabolism, including the polygalacturonase (PG) gene family, xylologlucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family and expansin gene family. In addition, due to the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology, an increasing number of horticultural plants have completed genome sequencing. This paper expounds the application of omics, including transcriptome, proteome, metabolomics and integrative omics in fruit cracking. The measures to reduce fruit cracking include using plastic rain covers and bagging, and spraying mineral and plant growth regulators. In this paper, the mechanisms of fruit cracking are reviewed at the molecular level, and the problems needing to be solved in fruit cracking research are put forward.
Effects of Climate Change on Grassland Biodiversity and Productivity
Authors: Bellocchi Gianni , Picon-Cochard Catherine
Published: May 2021

Associated with livestock farming, grasslands with a high diversity of plant species are at the core of low-input fodder production worldwide [...]
Overexpression of GhMPK3 from Cotton Enhances Cold, Drought, and Salt Stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sadau Salisu Bello , Ahmad Adeel , Tajo Sani Muhammad , Ibrahim Sani , Kazeem Bello Babatunde , Wei Hengling , Yu Shuxun
Published: May 2021

Cotton production is hampered by a variety of abiotic stresses that wreak havoc on the growth and development of plants, resulting in significant financial losses. According to reports, cotton production areas have declined around the world as a result of the ongoing stress. Therefore, plant breeding programs are concentrating on abiotic stress-tolerant cotton varieties. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are involved in plant growth, stress responses, and the hormonal signaling pathway. In this research, three abiotic stresses (cold, drought, and salt) were analyzed on GhMPK3 transformed Arabidopsis plants. The transgenic plant’s gene expression and morphologic analysis were studied under cold, drought, and salt stress. Physiological parameters such as relative leaf water content, excised leaf water loss, chlorophyll content, and ion leakage showed that overexpressed plants possess more stable content under stress conditions compared with the WT plants. Furthermore, GhMPK3 overexpressed plants had greater antioxidant activities and weaker oxidant activities. Silencing GhMPK3 in cotton inhibited its tolerance to drought stress. Our research findings strongly suggest that GhMPK3 can be regarded as an essential gene for abiotic stress tolerance in cotton plants.
Use of the pK Spectroscopy Method in the Study of Protolytic Properties of Humic Substances and Other Soil Polyelectrolytes
Authors: Lodygin Evgeny , Shamrikova Elena
Published: May 2021

A common technique for the potentiometric analysis of complex protolytic systems is mathematical data processing. This approach allows for transforming the experimental titration curve into a function of the ionogenic group distribution of the titrated object by the values of the pK (−lgKa) acid dissociation. This distribution function is called the pK spectrum, and the approach itself is called pK spectroscopy. In this case, solutions are found not in the form of discrete dissociation constants but as a distribution function of the concentrations of ionogenic groups over a continuous spectrum of dissociation constants. The purpose of this work is to test the possibility of using the pK spectroscopy method for assessing the acid–base properties of humic substances, water-soluble fraction, and soils. The results of testing the pK spectroscopy method showed that this method is expressive and more informative than the traditional method of continuous potentiometric titration. The use of the pK spectroscopy method for studying the protolytic properties of humic substances and other environmental objects is justified. The content and values of pK of ionogenic groups of fulvic acids, water-soluble fraction, and soil suspensions were determined. In the objects, the presence of three to five ionogenic groups with pK values from 3.2 to 9.6 was revealed.
Optimization by Means of Chemometric Tools of an Ultrasound-Assisted Method for the Extraction of Betacyanins from Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)
Authors: Carrera Ceferino , Pastol Jean , Setyaningsih Widiastuti , Ruiz-Rodríguez Ana , Ferreiro-González Marta , Fernández Barbero Gerardo , Palma Miguel
Published: May 2021

Betacyanins have been reported to provide prominent health-promoting effects, in addition to contributing to the exotic color and pleasant palate of red dragon fruit that has been attracting universal interest for over a decade. An accurate determination of betacyanins in dragon fruit is important if we are to benefit from the nutraceutical features of these compounds. Seven betacyanin pigments have been identified and extracted by means of ultrasound-assisted techniques from red dragon fruit. Chemometric tools such as Box–Behnken Design (BBD) in conjunction with response surface methodology (RSM) have been successfully used to evaluate and optimize the relevant extraction variables i.e., temperature (A: 10, 35, 60 °C), solvent composition (B: 20, 50, 80% methanol in water), sample to solvent ratio (C: 0.1:10, 0.2:10, 0.3:10 g/mL), power (D: 20, 45, 70%), and cycle (E: 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 s−1). The results obtained from the analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggest that the solvent composition (p 0.0063), sample to solvent ratio (p 0.0126), and cycle (p 0.0302) are the most influential variables in betacyanin extraction. The optimal variable settings for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were a 54.6 °C extraction temperature, 0.3 s−1 cycle, 20% ultrasound power, 21.4% methanol in water solvent composition, 0.2:10 sample to solvent ratio, and a 5 min extraction time. The validation of the method for repeatability and intermediate precision provided excellent results at 1.56% and 2.94% respectively. Furthermore, the novel UAE method was successfully used for the determination of betacyanins content in red dragon fruit from different geographic origins.
An Animal-Assisted Education Intervention with Dogs to Promote Emotion Comprehension in Primary School Children—The Federico II Model of Healthcare Zooanthropology
Authors: Scandurra Cristiano , Santaniello Antonio , Cristiano Serena , Mezza Fabrizio , Garzillo Susanne , Pizzo Rosa , Menna Lucia Francesca , Bochicchio Vincenzo
Published: May 2021

Emotion comprehension (EC) is a crucial competence for children, as it determines the quality of peer interactions. This study assessed the efficacy of an animal-assisted education (AAE) intervention with dogs based on the Federico II Model of Healthcare Zooanthropology (FMHZ) to promote EC in a group of primary school children. One hundred and four children (48 females) aged 6–7 years took part in the study, of whom 63 participated in the AAE intervention (i.e., experimental group) and 41 did not (i.e., control group). The intervention was deployed in a school setting through a group format and consisted of five bimonthly sessions. EC was assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Student’s t-test and mixed-model ANOVA were performed to analyze the effect of the intervention on EC. EC significantly improved in children of the experimental group compared to the control group. Significant time effects from pre- to post-intervention, post-intervention to follow-up, and pre-intervention to follow-up assessment were found in the experimental group only. AAE based on FMHZ was effective in improving EC in children.
Evaluation of Chemical Composition and Meat Quality of Breast Muscle in Broilers Reared under Light-Emitting Diode
Authors: Bennato Francesca , Ianni Andrea , Martino Camillo , Grotta Lisa , Martino Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

The present study was designed to investigate the role of three different light-emitting diode (LED) light color temperatures on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and breast meat quality of broilers. In our experimental condition, 180 chicks were randomly distributed into four environmentally controlled rooms (three replicates/treatment). The experimental design consisted of four light sources: neon (Control), Neutral (Neutral LED; K = 3500–3700), Cool (Cool LED; K = 5500–6000), and Warm (Warm LED; K = 3000–2500). Upon reaching the commercial weight (3.30 ± 0.20 kg live weight), 30 birds from each group were randomly selected, and live and carcass weight were evaluated to determinate the carcass yield. Following the slaughtering, samples of hemibreast meat were collected from each group and analyzed for physical and chemical properties, fatty acids composition, and volatile compounds. Live weight and carcass weight were negatively influenced by the Warm LED; however, no significant differences were observed in carcass yield in any of the experimental conditions. Higher drip loss values were detected in breast meat samples obtained by broilers reared under Neutral and Cool LEDs. In regard to the meat fatty acids profiles, higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) values were detected with the Warm LED; however, the ratio of PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) did not change in any group. The evaluation of volatile profiles in cooked chicken meat led to the identification of 18 compounds belonging to the family of aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and phenolic compounds, both at 0 (T0) and 7 (T7) d after the cooking. The results of the present study suggest that the LED represents an alternative technology that is cheaper and more sustainable than traditional light sources, since it allows economic savings for poultry farming without significant alterations on the production parameters or the quality of the product.
Equine Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Atalaia Tiago , Prazeres José , Abrantes João , Clayton Hilary M.
Published: May 2021

Injuries to the locomotor system are a common problem in athletic horses. Veterinarians address these injuries using appropriate medical, surgical, and pharmacological treatments. During or after recovery from the initial injury, horses may be treated for functional locomotor deficits using specific rehabilitation techniques aimed at restoring full athletic performance. This study reviews the literature to identify which rehabilitative techniques have been used most frequently in horses over the past 20 years, the protocols that were used, and the outcomes of the treatments in naturally occurring injuries and diseases. Publications were identified using keyword selection (Equine Athlete OR Equine OR Horse) AND (Rehabilitation OR Physiotherapy OR Physical Therapy). After removing duplicates and screening papers for suitability, 49 manuscripts were included in the study. The majority of publications that met the inclusion criteria were narrative reviews (49%) in which the authors cited the relatively small number of published evidence-based studies supplemented by personal experience. Observational/descriptive studies were also popular (35%). Randomized control trials accounted for only 10%. The most frequently reported rehabilitation techniques were exercise, electrotherapy, and hydrotherapy. The findings highlight the need for further information regarding type of intervention, parameterization, and outcomes of equine rehabilitation in clinical practice.
The Effects of Feed Color on Broiler Performance between Day 1 and 21
Authors: Gulizia Joseph P. , Downs Kevin M.
Published: May 2021

Two trials were conducted to determine feed color effects on broiler performance. A completely randomized design was used. Trial 1 included four treatments: control (complete broiler starter diet), red, green, and blue; and Trial 2 included four treatments: control, orange, yellow, and purple. Each trial had 4 treatments with 4 replicates (60 birds/treatment) fed to 240 male Cobb 500 broilers during a 21 d grow out. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure. In Trial 1, there were no treatment effects on average body weight, body weight gain, and feed consumption (p > 0.05). Adjusted feed conversion for control (1.23) was less than red (1.27; p = 0.001) and green (1.26; p = 0.009), with blue (1.25; p = 0.056) tending to be different during the experimental period. In Trial 2, there were no treatment effects on average body weight, feed consumption, and adjusted feed conversion during this study (p > 0.05). Body weight gain between d 1 to 14 for purple (490.78 g/bird) was more than orange (467 g/bird; p = 0.013) and yellow (461 g/bird; p= 0.004), with control (474 g/bird; p = 0.052) tending to be different. Results indicate that these feed colors had some, albeit limited, influence on broiler performance parameters.