bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalization of biomechanical simulations of the left ventricle by in-vivo cardiac DTI data: Impact of fiber interpolation methods
Authors: Stimm Johanna , Nordsletten David A. , Jilberto Javiera , Miller Renee , Berberoğlu Ezgi , Kozerke Sebastian , Stoeck Christian T.
Published: November 2022

Simulations of cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics have been reported to be sensitive to the microstructural anisotropy of the myocardium. Consequently, a personalized representation of cardiac microstructure is a crucial component of accurate, personalized cardiac biomechanical models. In-vivo cardiac Diffusion Tensor Imaging (cDTI) is a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging technique capable of probing the heart’s microstructure. Being a rather novel technique, issues such as low resolution, signal-to noise ratio, and spatial coverage are currently limiting factors. We outline four interpolation techniques with varying degrees of data fidelity, different amounts of smoothing strength, and varying representation error to bridge the gap between the sparse in-vivo data and the model, requiring a 3D representation of microstructure across the myocardium. We provide a workflow to incorporate in-vivo myofiber orientation into a left ventricular model and demonstrate that personalized modelling based on fiber orientations from in-vivo cDTI data is feasible. The interpolation error is correlated with a trend in personalized parameters and simulated physiological parameters, strains, and ventricular twist. This trend in simulation results is consistent across material parameter settings and therefore corresponds to a bias introduced by the interpolation method. This study suggests that using a tensor interpolation approach to personalize microstructure with in-vivo cDTI data, reduces the fiber uncertainty and thereby the bias in the simulation results.
Genome-wide identification, interaction of the MADS-box proteins in Zanthoxylum armatum and functional characterization of ZaMADS80 in floral development
Authors: Tang Ning , Cao Zhengyan , Wu Peiyin , Zhang Xian , Lou Juan , Liu Yanni , Wang Qiyao , Hu Yang , Si Shuo , Sun Xiaofan , Chen Zexiong
Published: November 2022

As a typical dioecious species, Zanthoxylum armatum establishes apomictic reproduction, hence only female trees are cultivated. However, male and hermaphrodite flowers have recently appeared in female plants, resulting in a dramatic yield reduction. To date, the genetic basis underlying sex determination and apomixis in Z. armatum has been largely unknown. Here, we observed abortion of the stamen or carpel prior to primordium initiation, thus corroborating the potential regulation of MADS-box in sex determination. In Z. armatum, a total of 105 MADS-box genes were identified, harboring 86 MIKC-type MADSs with lack of FLC orthologues. Transcriptome analysis revealed candidate MADSs involved in floral organ identity, including ten male-biased MADSs, represented by ZaMADS92/81/75(AP3/PI-like), and twenty-six female-specified, represented by ZaMADS80/49 (STK/AGL11-like) and ZaMADS42 (AG-like). Overexpressing ZaMADS92 resulted in earlier flowering, while ZaMADS80 overexpression triggered precocious fruit set and parthenocarpy as well as dramatic modifications in floral organs. To characterize their regulatory mechanisms, a comprehensive protein-protein interaction network of the represented MADSs was constructed based on yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Compared with model plants, the protein interaction patterns in Z. armatum exhibited both conservation and divergence. ZaMADS70 (SEP3-like) interacted with ZaMADS42 and ZaMADS48 (AP3-like) but not ZaMADS40 (AP1-like), facilitating the loss of petals in Z. armatum. The ZaMADS92/ZaMADS40 heterodimer could be responsible for accelerating flowering in ZaMADS92-OX lines. Moreover, the interactions between ZaMADS80 and ZaMADS67(AGL32-like) might contribute to apomixis. This work provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms of MADS-boxes in sex organ identity in Z. armatum.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the GRAS gene family in Dendrobium chrysotoxum
Authors: Zhao Xuewei , Liu Ding-Kun , Wang Qian-Qian , Ke Shijie , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Diyang , Zheng Qinyao , Zhang Cuili , Liu Zhong-Jian , Lan Siren
Published: November 2022

The GRAS gene family encodes transcription factors that participate in plant growth and development phases. They are crucial in regulating light signal transduction, plant hormone (e.g. gibberellin) signaling, meristem growth, root radial development, response to abiotic stress, etc. However, little is known about the features and functions of GRAS genes in Orchidaceae, the largest and most diverse angiosperm lineage. In this study, genome-wide analysis of the GRAS gene family was conducted in Dendrobium chrysotoxum (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) to investigate its physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, and expression patterns under abiotic stress in orchids. Forty-six DchGRAS genes were identified from the D. chrysotoxum genome and divided into ten subfamilies according to their phylogenetic relationships. Sequence analysis showed that most DchGRAS proteins contained conserved VHIID and SAW domains. Gene structure analysis showed that intronless genes accounted for approximately 70% of the DchGRAS genes, the gene structures of the same subfamily were the same, and the conserved motifs were also similar. The Ka/Ks ratios of 12 pairs of DchGRAS genes were all less than 1, indicating that DchGRAS genes underwent negative selection. The results of cis-acting element analysis showed that the 46 DchGRAS genes contained a large number of hormone-regulated and light-responsive elements as well as environmental stress-related elements. In addition, the real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT−qPCR) experimental results showed significant differences in the expression levels of 12 genes under high temperature, drought and salt treatment, among which two members of the LISCL subfamily (DchGRAS13 and DchGRAS15) were most sensitive to stress. Taken together, this paper provides insights into the regulatory roles of the GRAS gene family in orchids.
A study of relationship between social support, work values and job search behavior
Authors: Wang Fang , Qu Jian-Guo
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 outbreak has put more pressure on the labor market, reducing employment opportunities and increasing graduate unemployment. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the relationship between social support, work values and job search behavior. The theoretical model was tested using the data collected from 560 Chinese fresh graduates (Mage = 23.45 years; standard deviation = 2.02). The participants completed questionnaires that assessed their social support, work values and job search behavior. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. The results indicated that social support was positively and directly associated job search behavior and work value mediated the association between social support and job search behavior. These findings will encourage future researchers to investigate the phenomena of job search behavior.
A study into shared reading groups, with specific relation to religious reading
Authors: Harsh Esther Valora
Published: November 2022

This paper examines a live shared-reading group conducted through The Reader Organization, with the approval of the University of Liverpool's ethics committee. It is a revised excerpt from a successful inter-disciplinary Ph.D. thesis undertaken within the School of Psychology.1 The intention in forming the group was to explore the reading of Marilynne Robinson's Home by a wide variety of modern readers of different backgrounds and persuasions, in the light of religious writing in an age of diminished religious tradition. The main research question was to test what literature can do in carrying meaning which can be seen as religious, or was previously deemed religious, among readers who may not think of themselves in such terms. The second was to see how a shared community-group setting can enable collaborative engagement with the challenge to develop different ways of thinking, beyond the individual default of either religious dogma or anti-religious prejudice. The method employed overall in the wider Ph.D. study was Grounded Theory: essentially, empirical analysis rather than top-down conceptualization. Grounded Theory, in refusing to begin from rigidly preassembled categories, is appropriate to a literature-inflected study and, in particular, a literary study that is concerned with religious meaning in situations of humanitarian crisis. It allows the possibility of empirical work and careful detailed analysis, amid a complex of overlapping psychological, spiritual, and family concerns entangled within the experience of modern life. In this particular case study, which may be described as a form of Action Research, the researcher, also acting as the reader leader of the group, brought developed tools taken from psychologist Wilfred Bion, introduced to the reading group itself during the sessions as a means of measurement and navigation through the novel. If the aim was simply to undertake a study of the text, then this paper would be more narrowly literary, but the concern was with wider real-world effects in relation to individuals within the group work. Through close examination of the week-by-week transcripts of the reading group, this study highlights the search for moments of development, or what might have stood in the way of development. The researcher used a consensus group of three supervisors to check the selection of the best moments (failing or succeeding in coming closer to what will be called below, after Bion, “0”) recorded in the written transcripts of the sessions. One of the most powerful findings in this study is what will be called a mini-tradition developed by the group members in praxis, in terms of practices which they find, use, and come back to during their work with more difficult and painful passages in the text.
The influence of the interaction between platform types and consumer types on the purchase intention of live streaming
Authors: Xie Ying , Du Kai , Gao Peng
Published: November 2022

Under the background of the rapid development of live streaming shopping industry, diversified live streaming platforms have emerged one after another. This study aims to explore the interaction effect of platform types (live streaming embedded in e-commerce platforms/LSEEC vs. e-commerce integrated into live streaming platforms/ECILS) and consumer types (goal-driven consumers vs. recreational consumers) on purchase intention. To verify the effect, this study firstly conducted a laboratory experiment (Study 1), and then carried out a questionnaire survey through the Internet (Study 2). The results indicate that the interaction effect of platform types and consumer types exists (Study 1) and thinking patterns play a mediating role (Study 2): for goal-driven consumers, LSEEC platforms are more likely to stimulate their rational thinking and enhance their purchase intention; for recreational consumers, ECILS platforms are more likely to stimulate their emotional thinking and enhance their purchase intention. The findings expand the depth of research related to live streaming platforms, deepen the understanding of the thinking patterns in live streaming shopping decision-making, and have certain guiding significance for the strategic formulation of enterprises.
Students’ learning growth in mental addition and subtraction: Results from a learning progress monitoring approach
Authors: Anderson Sven , Schurig Michael , Sommerhoff Daniel , Gebhardt Markus
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to measure and describe students’ learning development in mental computation of mixed addition and subtraction tasks up to 100. We used a learning progress monitoring (LPM) approach with multiple repeated measurements to examine the learning curves of second-and third-grade primary school students in mental computation over a period of 17 biweekly measurement intervals in the school year 2020/2021. Moreover, we investigated how homogeneous students’ learning curves were and how sociodemographic variables (gender, grade level, the assignment of special educational needs) affected students’ learning growth. Therefore, 348 German students from six schools and 20 classes (10.9% students with special educational needs) worked on systematically, but randomly mixed addition and subtraction tasks at regular intervals with an online LPM tool. We collected learning progress data for 12 measurement intervals during the survey period that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical results show that the employed LPM tool for mental computation met the criteria of LPM research stages 1 and 2. Focusing on the learning curves, results from latent growth curve modeling showed significant differences in the intercept and in the slope based on the background variables. The results illustrate that one-size-fits-all instruction is not appropriate, thus highlighting the value of LPM or other means that allow individualized, adaptive teaching. The study provides a first quantitative overview over the learning curves for mental computation in second and third grade. Furthermore, it offers a validated tool for the empirical analysis of learning curves regarding mental computation and strong reference data against which individual learning growth can be compared to identify students with unfavorable learning curves and provide targeted support as part of an adaptive, evidence-based teaching approach. Implications for further research and school practice are discussed.
The effects of roasting on antioxidant and anticancer activities of fermented Hass avocado seeds
Authors: Zhao Zhiyu , Hamid Nazimah , Qian Liuyi , Gutierrez-Maddox Noemi , Kam Rothman , Kantono Kevin , Wang Kelvin , Lu Jun , Le Thao T.
Published: November 2022

Avocado by-products present a waste issue for cold-pressed avocado oil processors in New Zealand. The avocado seed contains many extractable compounds that are beneficial to health. This work aims to evaluate the effects of roasting fermented avocado seed to produce a food ingredient with beneficial antioxidant and anticancer properties. Avocado seeds were subjected to natural fermentation and inoculated fermentation with either Lactobacillus plantarum or kefir. The fermented samples were evaluated in terms of total plate count values of lactic acid bacteria acetic acid bacteria and yeasts. The number of microorganisms increased significantly (p < 0.001) over the 7 days of fermentation for all samples. Fermentation with L. plantarum resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities compared to kefir and naturally fermented samples. The fermented avocado seeds were further subjected to roasting to yield a shelf-stable dried powder. Roasted samples fermented by L. plantarum had significantly (p < 0.001) higher total polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assays) compared to kefir and naturally fermented samples. The avocado seed powder showed the best inhibition effect on Hep G2 followed by the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. The roasting conditions for optimal antioxidant and anticancer activities were determined to be at 127°C for 24.7 min. This study demonstrated that fermentation of avocado seeds in combination with roasting yielded a powder with good antioxidant and anticancer activities, which can potentially be incorporated into food for added health benefits.
Community extension MSME's entrepreneurial activities in relation to poverty reduction
Authors: Valle Lislee , Costan Emily , Costan Felix , General Edralin , Alcantara Gerly , Kilat Ronnel Victor , Batican Ivy , Olivar Gladies Mae , Avila Denilin
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Higher Education Institutions play a role in poverty reduction by implementing community extension programs focusing on capacity building and entrepreneurship training. Cebu Technological University programs offer these programs through various skills training to its targeted beneficiaries. This study aims to assess the community extension Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) entrepreneurial activities concerning poverty reduction. The research participants are beneficiaries of community extension programs that primarily focus on capacity building and entrepreneurship training, and they eventually become entrepreneurs.

Method

Using a cross-sectional survey, 172 valid responses were analyzed, with entrepreneurship education (EE), budgeting financial literacy (BFL), access to credit facilities (ACF), and entrepreneurial performance (EP) as predictors of poverty reduction (PR). Results from Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) generate insights from the seven hypothesized paths of the proposed model.

Results and discussion

Findings revealed that entrepreneurship education (β = 0.258, p < 0.05), budgeting financial literacy (β = 0.147, p < 0.05), and access to credit facilities (β = 0.541, p < 0.001) help reduce poverty. However, no significant relationship was found between entrepreneurial performance and poverty reduction (β = 0.132, ns) whose cause may be directly pointed to the pandemic's significant impact on MSME's entrepreneurial activities.

Conclusion

This study confirms the importance of entrepreneurship education, budgeting, financial literacy, and credit access in promoting entrepreneurial success and reducing poverty.
Design and Experimental Study on Vibration Reduction of an UAV Lidar Using Rubber Material
Authors: Fu Jia , Liu Guangming , Fan Chaohui , Liu Ziyang , Luo Haitao
Published: November 2022

Rubber shock absorbers are widely used to reduce vibration in aerospace load devices due to their high damping characteristics. However, due to the material nonlinearity of rubber and high temperature, the accurate numerical simulation and practical application of rubber shock absorbers face difficulties and challenges. In this paper, taking a T-type rubber shock absorber as an example, according to the correlation data obtained from the performance test of rubber materials, a constitutive model of rubber materials is established for its hyperelasticity-viscoelasticity simulation analysis. On this basis, the rubber shock absorber was used to carry out the numerical simulation and experimental verification of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR). The results show that when the rubber constitutive model is used for simulation analysis, the obtained acceleration response curve on the UAV LiDAR is in good agreement with the test results, which effectively confirms the accuracy of the numerical simulation, and successfully verifies that the rubber shock absorber is suitable for vibration reduction of UAV LiDAR. At the same time, this method also provides a practical and effective solution for the vibration reduction design of rubber shock absorbers.
Supervisor Support, Self-Efficacy, and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Office De-Clutter
Authors: Saleem Farida , Malik Muhammad Imran , Qasim Awais
Published: November 2022

The study aims to test the impact of social support from supervisors and self-efficacy on employee performance through office de-clutter (a mediator) in banks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the supporting factors (social support and self-efficacy) to de-clutter for maintaining employee performance is a novel contribution to the literature and is supported by the social exchange theory—SET. The employee’s performance can be maintained with lower levels of office clutter (de-clutter). The office clutter can be managed through the availability of managerial social support and employee self-efficacy. The impact of supervisor support and self-efficacy on employee performance is examined through the lens of the social exchange theory. A cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted with 202 primary responses from bank employees. The responses were recorded using closed-ended questionnaires. A response rate of 73.9% was achieved. Reliability and validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha scores and AVE, respectively. PLS-SEM was used as a data analysis and hypotheses testing technique. The results revealed that supervisors’ social support and self-efficacy significantly and positively affect employee performance. Moreover, supervisors’ social support and self-efficacy helped in office de-clutter, further ensuring better performance.
Design of a Distributedly Active Morphing Wing Based on Digital Metamaterials
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Wu Qi , Lu Yifei , Bao Panpan , Yang Yu , Li Daochun , Sun Xiasheng , Xiang Jinwu
Published: November 2022

Morphing wings are a typical application of shape-adaptive structures in aviation, which play an important role in improving the comprehensive performance of an aircraft. However, traditional morphing wings based on purely mechanical, rigid-flexible coupling, or purely flexible structures usually cannot achieve a distributed morphing ability and have limitations in weight, intelligence level, and reliability. In this paper, a distributed morphing lattice structure based on variable geometry digital metamaterials is proposed. The innovative structural concept consists of three types of fundamental cells featuring remarkably different mechanical properties and three other types of derived cells. One type of the derived cells embedded with micro-actuators, named an active cell, can autonomously extend or contract. All these cells can be reversibly assembled in a random sequence to form an active distributed morphing lattice structure with the ability to realize different target aerodynamic contours. In addition, taking a simplified variable thickness wing as a designing case, this paper develops a cell combination optimization methodology on the basis of a heuristic algorithm to determine the optimal combination sequence of the six types of basic cells and the actuator inputs of active cells collaboratively. Final results show that the optimized lattice structure can morph its outer surface into a predefined aerodynamic contour with a maximum deviation of 3 mm.
Evaluating Data Augmentation Effects on the Recognition of Sugarcane Leaf Spot
Authors: Huang Yiqi , Li Ruqi , Wei Xiaotong , Wang Zhen , Ge Tianbei , Qiao Xi
Published: November 2022

Research on the recognition and segmentation of plant diseases in simple environments based on deep learning has achieved relative success. However, under the conditions of a complex environment and a lack of samples, the model has difficulty recognizing disease spots, or its recognition accuracy is too low. This paper is aimed at investigating how to improve the recognition accuracy of the model when the dataset is in a complex environment and lacks samples. First, for the complex environment, this paper uses DeepLabV3+ to segment sugarcane leaves from complex backgrounds; second, focusing on the lack of training images of sugarcane leaves, two data augmentation methods are used in this paper: supervised data augmentation and deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGANs) for data augmentation. MobileNetV3-large, Alexnet, Resnet, and Densenet are trained by comparing the original dataset, original dataset with supervised data augmentation, original dataset with DCGAN augmentation, background-removed dataset, background-removed dataset with supervised data augmentation, and background-removed dataset with DCGAN augmentation. Then, the recognition abilities of the trained models are compared using the same test set. The optimal network selected based on accuracy and training time is MobileNetV3-large. Classification using MobileNetV3-large trained by the original dataset yielded 53.5% accuracy. By removing the background and adding synthetic images produced by the DCGAN, the accuracy increased to 99%.
Determination of Discrete Element Modelling Parameters of a Paddy Soil with a High Moisture Content (>40%)
Authors: Zhou Hao , Zhou Tienan , Wang Xuezhen , Hu Lian , Wang Shengsheng , Luo Xiwen , Ji Jiangtao
Published: November 2022

Discrete element modelling (DEM) parameters are of great importance for the accurate prediction of soil properties and disturbance. This study aimed to provide an efficient method for accurately determining the DEM parameters of a paddy soil with a high moisture content (45.66%). The DEM parameters of the paddy soil modelled using the Hertz–Mindlin with JKR contact model were determined by using the Plackett–Burman (PB), steepest ascent, and central composite tests. The accuracies of the developed DEM models were evaluated using actual slumping tests. Based on the PB test, the surface energy of soil, coefficients of soil–soil rolling friction, and coefficients of soil–steel static friction exerted larger influences on the overall relative error (δZH). The optimization results showed that to achieve a minimum δZH (5.96%), the surface energy of soil, the coefficients of soil–soil rolling friction, and the coefficients of soil–steel static friction should be 0.808 J m−2, 0.11, and 0.6, respectively. The optimized DEM model had an overall relative error of 7.27% with a coefficient of variation of 1.32%, indicating that the DEM parameters of the calibrated paddy soil had good accuracy.
Hybrid Metaheuristic Algorithm for Optimizing Monogastric Growth Curve (Pigs and Broilers)
Authors: Benvenga Marco Antonio Campos , Nääs Irenilza de Alencar , Lima Nilsa Duarte da Silva , Pereira Danilo Florentino
Published: November 2022

Brazil is one of the world’s biggest monogastric producers and exporters (of pig and broiler meat). Farmers need to improve their production planning through the reliability of animal growth forecasts. Predicting pig and broiler growth is optimizing production planning, minimizing the use of resources, and forecasting meat production. The present study aims to apply a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm (SAGAC) to find the best combination of values for the growth curve model parameters for monogastric farm animals (pigs and broilers). We propose a hybrid method to optimize the growth curve model parameters by combining two metaheuristic algorithms Simulated Annealing (SA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA), with the inclusion of a function to promote the acceleration of the convergence (GA + AC) of the results. The idea was to improve the coefficient of determination of these models to achieve better production planning and minimized costs. Two datasets with age (day) and average weight (kg) were obtained. We tested three growth curves: Gompertz, Logistic, and von Bertalanffy. After 300 performed assays, experimental data were tabulated and organized, and a descriptive analysis was completed. Results showed that the SAGAC algorithm provided better results than previous estimations, thus improving the predictive data on pig and broiler production consistency. Using SAGAC to optimize the growth parameter models for pigs and broilers led to optimizing the results with the nondeterministic polynomial time (NP-hardness) of the studied functions. All tuning of the growth curves using the proposed SAGAC method for broilers presented R2 above 99%, and the SAGAC for pigs showed R2 above 94% for the growth curve.
Human Health and Soil Health Risks from Heavy Metals, Micro(nano)plastics, and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Agricultural Soils
Authors: Perković Stanislava , Paul Carsten , Vasić Filip , Helming Katharina
Published: November 2022

Humans are exposed to agricultural soils through inhalation, dermal contact, or the consumption of food. Human health may be at risk when soils are contaminated; while some soil contaminants such as heavy metals (HMs) have been extensively studied, others such as micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) or antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) pose novel threats. This paper investigates the linkages between soil contamination and human health risk by reviewing the state of knowledge on HMs, MNPs, and ARB in agricultural soils. A keyword-based search in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted, complemented with a backward snowball search. We analysed main sources of contamination for agricultural soils, risks to human health differentiated by uptake pathway (ingestion, inhalation, dermal), and interactions of contaminants with microorganism, soil fauna, and plants. Results show that the emergence and spread of ARB and antibiotic resistant genes from agricultural soils and their contribution to antibiotic resistances of human pathogens is recognized as a significant threat. Likewise, a growing body of evidence indicates that MNPs are able to enter the food chain and to have potentially harmful effects on human health. For HM, knowledge of the effects on human health is well established. Multiple agricultural practices increase HM concentrations in soils, which may lead to adverse health effects from the ingestion of contaminated products or inhalation of contaminated soil particles. Severe knowledge gaps exist about the pathways of the contaminants, their behaviour in soil, and human uptake. Little is known about long-term exposure and impacts of MNPs, antibiotics and ARB on human health or about the possible combined effects of MNPs, ARB, and HMs. Missing monitoring systems inhibit a comprehensive assessment of human health risks. Our research demonstrates the need for human health risk assessment in the context of agricultural soils, in particular to be able to assess risks related to measures reinforcing the concept of the circular economy.
Overexpression of Maize Glutathione S-Transferase ZmGST26 Decreases Drought Resistance of Arabidopsis
Authors: Jiang Yushi , Zhang Yuzhe , Duan Ruijie , Fan Jiayi , Jiao Peng , Sun Hongji , Guan Shuyan , Liu Siyan
Published: November 2022

Drought stress critically endangers the growth and development of crops. Glutathione S-transferase plays a vital role in response to abiotic stress. However, there are few studies on the role of glutathione S-transferase in maize drought stress. In this study, the significantly downregulated expression of ZmGST26 in roots under drought stress was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Promoter analyses showed that there were several cis-acting elements related to drought stress and that were involved in oxidative response in the promoter region of ZmGST26. Subcellular localization results showed that ZmGST26 was localized in the nucleus. The transgenic lines of the Arabidopsis over-expressing ZmGST26 were more sensitive to drought stress and ABA in seed germination and inhibited ABA-mediated stomatal closure. Under drought stress, phenotypic analyses showed that the germination rate, root length and survival rate of ZmGST26 overexpressing lines were significantly lower than those of wild-type lines. The determination of physiological and biochemical indexes showed that the water loss rate, malondialdehyde, O2− and H2O2 of the overexpression lines significantly increased compared with wild-type Arabidopsis, but the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD and POD), and proline and chlorophyll contents were significantly reduced. Subsequently, the qRT-PCR analysis of drought stress-related gene expression showed that, under drought stress conditions, the expression levels of DREB2A, RD29A, RD29B and PP2CA genes in ZmGST26 overexpression lines were significantly lower than those in wild-type Arabidopsis. In summary, ZmGST26 reduced the drought resistance of plants by aggravating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in Arabidopsis.
Increasing the Activity of Sugarcane Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Enhanced Growth and Grain Yields in Transgenic Indica Rice
Authors: Mulyatama Reza Anugrah , Neliana Intan Ria , Sawitri Widhi Dyah , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kim Kyung-Min , Sugiharto Bambang
Published: November 2022

Sucrose is the primary form of mobile photoassimilates, and its level is regulated by sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) in plants. Increasing in the SPS activity was accompanied by an increase in sucrose accumulation. This study was designed to examine the effect of the overexpression sugarcane SoSPS1 gene on sucrose metabolizing enzymes, growth, and grain yield of indica rice. The SoSPS1 gene was constructed in a binary vector under the control of a rice ubiquitin promoter and transformed into indica rice using an Agrobacterium vector. Five lines of transgenic rice were selected to develop homozygous transgenic lines and used for analysis. The overexpression of the SoSPS1 gene significantly increased the transcript and protein levels, followed by increasing in SPS activity and sucrose content in the leaves of the transgenic rice lines. Moreover, the activity of soluble acid invertase (SAI) was elevated rather than sucrose synthase (SuSy) in the transgenic lines. The increase in the sucrose-degrading enzymes leads to an increase in plant growth and development. The plant height and number of tillers were significantly higher in the transgenic line compared to non-transgenic (NT) rice. In addition, the amylose content, the number of seeds per panicle, and the weight of 1000 grains of seed, including dry biomass weight, were increased in the transgenic lines. The results indicated that enhancement of SPS activity, as well as sucrose content, provides a higher carbon partitioning for higher growth and productivity of the transgenic rice lines.
Deficit Irrigation Stabilizes Fruit Yield and Alters Leaf Macro and Micronutrient Concentration in Tomato Cultivation in Greenhouses: A Case Study in Turkey
Authors: Atilgan Atilgan , Rolbiecki Roman , Saltuk Burak , Jagosz Barbara , Arslan Firat , Erdal Ibrahim , Aktas Hakan
Published: November 2022

Water is crucial for agriculture and needs to be used effectively due to climate change and drought in the Mediterranean region. For this reason, to adapt to water deficit scenarios, deficit irrigation applications are increasing in importance. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of varying levels of irrigation on growth parameters and concentration of nutrients in tomato plants grown under greenhouse conditions. The irrigation schedule used in this study was designed to include 100% (control), 90%, 80% and 70% of evaporation from the class-A pan. Water deficit was found to cause a stress effect in tomato plants, which was reflected in changes in the physiological function plants, such as flowering and early ripening. In addition, the SPAD values were examined, for which the lowest value of the green color intensity of the leaves was 47.3 (I3) and the highest was 48.7 (I4). However, the results of statistical analyses show that the difference was not significant. We also observed that the height values of tomato plants were the highest in the period of seedling and fruit ripening under full irrigation. Furthermore, analysis of the macronutrient content of tomato leaves showed that the obtained values were below the threshold values recommended for manganese. Based on these and similar studies, we believe that the application of water stress is most effective during the phases in which the plants are least affected. We believe that determining the periods during which tomato or any other crop is be affected by the least water stress will be more accurate for both plant development and economic production.
Intelligent Weed Management Based on Object Detection Neural Networks in Tomato Crops
Authors: López-Correa Juan Manuel , Moreno Hugo , Ribeiro Angela , Andújar Dionisio
Published: November 2022

As the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important crops worldwide, and the conventional approach for weed control compromises its potential productivity. Thus, the automatic detection of the most aggressive weed species is necessary to carry out selective control of them. Precision agriculture associated with computer vision is a powerful tool to deal with this issue. In recent years, advances in digital cameras and neural networks have led to novel approaches and technologies in PA. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have significantly improved the precision and accuracy of the process of weed detection. In order to apply on-the-spot herbicide spraying, robotic weeding, or precise mechanical weed control, it is necessary to identify crop plants and weeds. This work evaluates a novel method to automatically detect and classify, in one step, the most problematic weed species of tomato crops. The procedure is based on object detection neural networks called RetinaNet. Moreover, two current mainstream object detection models, namelyYOLOv7 and Faster-RCNN, as a one and two-step NN, respectively, were also assessed in comparison to RetinaNet. CNNs model were trained on RGB images monocotyledonous (Cyperus rotundus L., Echinochloa crus galli L., Setaria verticillata L.) and dicotyledonous (Portulaca oleracea L., Solanum nigrum L.) weeds. The prediction model was validated with images not used during the training under the mean average precision (mAP) metric. RetinaNet performed best with an AP ranging from 0.900 to 0.977, depending on the weed species. Faster-RCNN and YOLOv7 also achieved satisfactory results, in terms of mAP, particularly through data augmentation. In contrast to Faster CNN, YOLOv7 was less precise when discriminating monocot weed species. The results provide a better insight on how weed identification methods based on CNN can be made more broadly applicable for real-time applications.
Isolation of Three Metallothionein Genes and Their Roles in Mediating Cadmium Resistance
Authors: Zhang Pei-Hong , Zhang Xue-Jie , Tang Ting-Wei , Hu Heng-Liang , Bai Ning-Ning , Zhang Da-Wei , Meng Shuan , Peng Jia-Shi
Published: November 2022

Isolating the genes responsible for cadmium (Cd) accumulation and tolerance in oilseed rape and uncovering their functional mechanism is of great significance for guiding genetic improvement to cope with heavy metal pollution. In this study, we screened the cDNA library of Brassica napus cv. Westar using a yeast genetic complementation system and isolated BnMT2-22a, BnMT2-22b and BnMT3b, which can mediate Cd tolerance in yeast. They all have two cysteine-rich domains in their sequence. Ectopic expression of these MTs demonstrated that all of them enhanced Cd and Cu tolerance in yeast, but had no effect on Mn and Zn tolerance. The fusion of the red fluorescent protein mRFP did not affect their function in mediating Cd tolerance, and using these functional fusion proteins we observed that they were all localized in cytosol. Meanwhile, their expression in yeast did not affect the accumulation of Cd in the yeast transformants. Gene expression analyses found that BnMT2-22a, BnMT2-22b and BnMT3b were all induced by Cd in roots, and BnMT3b was also significantly induced in shoots. These results indicate that the genes BnMT2-22a, BnMT2-22b and BnMT3b isolated with cDNA library screening can mediate Cd tolerance, and they may detoxify Cd via cytosolic chelation.
Effects of Previous Fall–Winter Crop on Spring–Summer Soybean Nutrition and Seed Yield under No-Till System
Authors: Soratto Rogério P. , Guidorizzi Fernando V. C. , Sousa Westefann S. , Gilabel Amanda P. , Job André L. G. , Calonego Juliano C.
Published: November 2022

Interest in fall–winter species options for rotation with soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) has arisen; however, little is known about how they can affect the performance of subsequent soybean under a no-tillage system in tropical environments. Our objective was to evaluate the leaf nutrient concentration, aboveground dry matter (DM) accumulation, macronutrient uptake, yield components, and seed yield of soybean cropped in succession to different crop species. Consequently, a field experiment was conducted during three consecutive growing seasons in Botucatu, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the cultivation of five crops (crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex. R.E. Fries), maize (Zea mays L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)) in rotation with soybean, in addition to plots that lie fallow (spontaneous weeds) in the soybean off-season, totaling six treatments. Letting plots lie fallow during the off-season reduced the DM accumulation, nutrient uptake, and seed yield of the soybean crop in succession. Preceding cultivation of fall–winter crambe or sunflower favored the uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, and S by the following soybean crop. The cultivation of sorghum, safflower, and crambe as fall–winter crops also increased the seed yield of subsequent soybean (from 12 to 18% on the average of three growing seasons) compared to fallow plots. The highest increases in soybean seed yield were found in succession to maize (37%) or sunflower (45%) in the second and third growing seasons, respectively.
Characterization of Antagonist Potential of Selected Compost Bacterial Isolates (CBI) against Plant and Human Pathogens
Authors: Tannouri Abdo , Rizk Ziad , Al Daccache Marina , Ghanem Chantal , Azzi Valérie , Haddad Rami , Maroun Richard G. , Hobaika Zeina , Badra Rebecca , Salameh Dominique
Published: November 2022

Several fecal and enteric pathogens are present within the primary organic raw materials that are introduced to compost piles. These pathogens may compete with the existing microbiota and limit their efficiency, yielding only partial decomposition of the final compost. These pathogens also affect the process kinetics and persist in the final compost or may even regrow as a result of the declining effect of indigenous antagonistic micro-organisms. In this work, 11 indigenous bacterial isolates were selected from compost piles that were constructed from different percentages of comingled primary organic raw materials. Enzymatic, biochemical, and genetic characterization profiling of these strains was fulfilled. The top hits supplied by GenBank proved the genetic diversity of these strains, which belonged to 6 different families. This diversity, applied also at enzymatic and biochemical levels, showed the different degradation patterns of amino acids, carbohydrates, hormones, and proteins. CBI2 has been shown to be the most active isolate in the degradation of the different types of hormones and proteins from dairy products but lacks the enzymes needed for the degradation of ammonia into nitrogen. The antagonistic potential of recuperated secondary metabolites proved the total inhibition of all strains against Fusarium oxysporum and no growth limitation against Botrytis cinerea. Only the secondary metabolites of CBI1, CBI5, and CBI9 isolates showed inhibitory activity against Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli, whereas only those of CBI6 and CBI8 inhibited the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes accordingly. From that finding, these strains are considered pioneering, with high potential to ensure both the efficient degradation of organic matter and the elimination of existing pathogens when applied to compost piles.
Research on the Influence of Fertilization System on the Production and Sustainability of Temporary Grasslands from Romania
Authors: Călina Jenica , Călina Aurel , Iancu Tiberiu , Miluț Marius , Croitoru Alin Constantin
Published: November 2022

The analysis of the impact of the organic and mineral fertilization systems on the production and sustainability of the temporary grasslands in Romania represents a decisive step in establishing the optimal management in such a technology. The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of these two types of fertilization on hay production, floristic structure, chemical composition–nutritional quality, economic efficiency, and sustainability, in order to improve the cultural technology. The study was carried out in the area of Horezu, Romania. A mixture of five fodder plants was used in the study—Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense, Festuca pratensis, Lolium perenne, and Lotus corniculatus—which were sown in two fertilization systems: mineral and organic. The research was carried out between 2017 and 2020, very different years from a climatic point of view. The year 2017 was used to establish the autumn experience, so it is incomplete and was not used in the interpretation of the obtained results. The results of our research contribute to the implementation of better technology for the cultivation of temporary grasslands because the statistical interpretation established that they are significant for all the objectives pursued: production, floristic and chemical composition, and economic efficiency. We recommend small farmers reconsider the use of an organic fertilization system, as they can achieve maximum efficiency, improvement of all physical and chemical properties of the soil, and reduction of feed contamination.
An Ethical Framework for Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Cities
Authors: Pastor-Escuredo David , Treleaven Philip , Vinuesa Ricardo
Published: November 2022

The digital revolution has brought ethical crossroads of technology and behavior, especially in the realm of sustainable cities. The need for a comprehensive and constructive ethical framework is emerging as digital platforms encounter trouble to articulate the transformations required to accomplish the sustainable development goal (SDG) 11 (on sustainable cities), and the remainder of the related SDGs. The unequal structure of the global system leads to dynamic and systemic problems, which have a more significant impact on those that are most vulnerable. Ethical frameworks based only on the individual level are no longer sufficient as they lack the necessary articulation to provide solutions to the new systemic challenges. A new ethical vision of digitalization must comprise the understanding of the scales and complex interconnections among SDGs and the ongoing socioeconomic and industrial revolutions. Many of the current social systems are internally fragile and very sensitive to external factors and threats, which lead to unethical situations. Furthermore, the multilayered net-like social tissue generates clusters of influence and leadership that prevent communities from a proper development. Digital technology has also had an impact at the individual level, posing several risks including a more homogeneous and predictable humankind. To preserve the core of humanity, we propose an ethical framework to empower individuals centered on the cities and interconnected with the socioeconomic ecosystem and the environment through the complex relationships of the SDGs. Only by combining human-centered and collectiveness-oriented digital development will it be possible to construct new social models and interactions that are ethical. Thus, it is necessary to combine ethical principles with the digital innovation undergoing in all the dimensions of sustainability.
Primate Sex and Its Role in Pleasure, Dominance and Communication
Authors: Clarke Esther , Bradshaw Katie , Drissell Kieran , Kadam Parag , Rutter Nikki , Vaglio Stefano
Published: November 2022

Sexual intercourse in the animal kingdom functions to enable reproduction. However, we now know that several species of non-human primates regularly engage in sex outside of the times when conception is possible. In addition, homosexual and immature sex are not as uncommon as were once believed. This suggests that sex also has important functions outside of reproduction, yet these are rarely discussed in sex-related teaching and research activities concerning primate behaviour. Is the human sexual experience, which includes pleasure, dominance, and communication (among others) unique, or do other primates also share these experiences to any extent? If so, is there any way to measure them, or are they beyond the rigour of scientific objectivity? What would be the evolutionary implications if human-like sexual experiences were found amongst other animals too? We comment on the evidence provided by our close relatives, non-human primates, discuss the affective and social functions of sex, and suggest potential methods for measuring some of these experiences empirically. We hope that this piece may foster the discussion among academics and change the way we think about, teach and research primate sex.