bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Launch Vehicle Engine PHM Technology and Analysis Methods Research
Authors: Lin Ruliang , Yang Jialin , Huang Lijing , Liu Zhiwen , Zhou Xuehua , Zhou Zhiguo
Published: May 2023

The reliability and safety of launch vehicle launch missions might be effectively increased thanks to the fault prediction and health management (PHM) technology of engines, which could also improve with problem diagnostics and decrease the cost of operation and maintenance overhaul. This paper combines the equipment characteristics and the current state of safeguarding for large, complex space systems, introduces the intelligent launch vehicle engine PHM technology methods that are being gradually implemented in space systems, and discusses and compares fault detection and health assessment techniques. Subsequently, analysis of the measurement signals from a rocket engine was performed using an example, and it was shown that the established comprehensive health assessment structure, which is based on the fault prediction algorithm method and the fuzzy comprehensive assessment method, could successfully realize the effectiveness of the rocket engine system health assessment, which had an outstanding application value.
Overview of SNPs Associated with Trans Fat Content in Cow’s Milk
Authors: Bykova Olga , Shevkunov Oleg , Kostyunina Olga
Published: May 2023

Lipids consumed with milk derivatives are one of the main parts of the human diet. Trans fatty acids in milk are causing a debate about their impact on the incidence of cardiovascular disease, pathological abnormalities, and cancer. The fatty acid profile of milk is influenced by a large number of different factors, one of which is genetic. The development of genetic studies, including Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), may help define genomic regions associated with fatty acid content in milk, including trans fatty acids. This article provides an overview of international studies on the identification of genomic regions and SNPs associated with the trans fatty acids in cow’s milk. The results are based on research of cattle such as Norwegian Red cattle, Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss. The presented review shows that 68 SNPs were localized on chromosomes 1, 2, 4–6, 8–10, 12, 14–20, 22–25, and 27–29. Further research in this direction will provide new information that will serve as an impetus for the creation of modern breeding technologies and increase the performance of the manufacture of high-quality dairy products. The search for genetic markers associated with the content of TFA in milk is a promising direction in agricultural science and will allow more complete breeding work with cattle.
Deep CNN-Based Planthopper Classification Using a High-Density Image Dataset
Authors: Ibrahim Mohd Firdaus , Khairunniza-Bejo Siti , Hanafi Marsyita , Jahari Mahirah , Ahmad Saad Fathinul Syahir , Mhd Bookeri Mohammad Aufa
Published: May 2023

Rice serves as the primary food source for nearly half of the global population, with Asia accounting for approximately 90% of rice production worldwide. However, rice farming faces significant losses due to pest attacks. To prevent pest infestations, it is crucial to apply appropriate pesticides specific to the type of pest in the field. Traditionally, pest identification and counting have been performed manually using sticky light traps, but this process is time-consuming. In this study, a machine vision system was developed using a dataset of 7328 high-density images (1229 pixels per centimetre) of planthoppers collected in the field using sticky light traps. The dataset included four planthopper classes: brown planthopper (BPH), green leafhopper (GLH), white-backed planthopper (WBPH), and zigzag leafhopper (ZIGZAG). Five deep CNN models—ResNet-50, ResNet-101, ResNet-152, VGG-16, and VGG-19—were applied and tuned to classify the planthopper species. The experimental results indicated that the ResNet-50 model performed the best overall, achieving average values of 97.28% for accuracy, 92.05% for precision, 94.47% for recall, and 93.07% for the F1-score. In conclusion, this study successfully classified planthopper classes with excellent performance by utilising deep CNN architectures on a high-density image dataset. This capability has the potential to serve as a tool for classifying and counting planthopper samples collected using light traps.
Characterization of Sweet Corn Production in Subtropical Environmental Conditions
Authors: Paranhos Jessica , Foshee Wheeler , Coolong Timothy , Heyes Brian , Salazar-Gutierrez Melba , Kesheimer Kathelyn , da Silva Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro
Published: May 2023

Weather variability in subtropical environmental conditions of the southeastern U.S. impact sweet corn production in the region, which is one of the most important in the country. Understanding sweet corn performance under these environmental conditions is important to help growers with decision making. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate and characterize the performance of ten commercial sweet corn cultivars exposed to several environmental conditions of the southeastern U.S. and to describe impacts of weather variability on cultivar development, yield, and ear quality. Field experiments were conducted in five locations of the southeastern U.S. during the spring and fall of 2020 and 2021. Weather data, biomass accumulation, yield, and ear quality were measured for all cultivar within seasons and locations. Heavy rainfall events created waterlogging conditions for sweet corn development; however, it was the daily air temperature of seasons that mostly impacted yield and ear quality. Daily air temperatures extended the growing season of spring but reduced crop development in the fall. Consequently, biomass accumulation was generally higher in the spring (4243 kg ha−1) compared to the fall (1987 kg ha−1). Biomass accumulation translated into yield, which was thereby higher in the spring compared to the fall. Cultivars with great potential against environmental stresses and best performance for most locations were Affection, GSS1170, Passion, and SCI336 in the spring, and Affection, GSS1170, and SC1136 in the fall. Ultimately, sweet corn yield was strongly correlated with ear dimensions but poorly correlated with number of grains in a kernel, suggesting that breeding programs trying to increase potential yield should be focused on ear diameter and length.
Emerging Frontiers in Nanotechnology for Precision Agriculture: Advancements, Hurdles and Prospects
Authors: Yadav Anurag , Yadav Kusum , Ahmad Rumana , Abd-Elsalam Kamel
Published: May 2023

This review article provides an extensive overview of the emerging frontiers of nanotechnology in precision agriculture, highlighting recent advancements, hurdles, and prospects. The benefits of nanotechnology in this field include the development of advanced nanomaterials for enhanced seed germination and micronutrient supply, along with the alleviation of biotic and abiotic stress. Further, nanotechnology-based fertilizers and pesticides can be delivered in lower dosages, which reduces environmental impacts and human health hazards. Another significant advantage lies in introducing cutting-edge nanodiagnostic systems and nanobiosensors that monitor soil quality parameters, plant diseases, and stress, all of which are critical for precision agriculture. Additionally, this technology has demonstrated potential in reducing agro-waste, synthesizing high-value products, and using methods and devices for tagging, monitoring, and tracking agroproducts. Alongside these developments, cloud computing and smartphone-based biosensors have emerged as crucial data collection and analysis tools. Finally, this review delves into the economic, legal, social, and risk implications of nanotechnology in agriculture, which must be thoroughly examined for the technology’s widespread adoption.
Investigation of the Detectability of Corn Smut Fungus (Ustilago maydis DC. Corda) Infection Based on UAV Multispectral Technology
Authors: Radócz László , Szabó Atala , Tamás András , Illés Árpád , Bojtor Csaba , Ragán Péter , Vad Attila , Széles Adrienn , Harsányi Endre , Radócz László
Published: May 2023

Corn smut fungus (Ustilago maydis [DC.] Corda) is a globally widespread pathogen affecting both forage and sweet maize hybrids, with higher significance in sweet maize. Remote sensing technologies demonstrated favorable results for disease monitoring on the field scale. The study focused on the changes in vegetation index (VI) values influenced by the pathogen. In this study, four hybrids, two forage maize and two sweet maize hybrids were examined. Artificial infection was carried out at three different doses: a low (2500 sporidium number/mL), medium (5000 sporidium number/mL) and high dose (10,000 sporidium number/mL) with a non-infected control plot for each hybrid. The experimental plots were monitored using a multispectral UAV sensor of five monochrome channels on three different dates, i.e., 7, 14 and 21 days after infection. Five different indices (NDVI, GNDVI, ENDVI, LCI, and NDRE) were determined in Quantum GIS 3.20. The obtained results demonstrated that the infection had a significant effect on the VI values in sweet maize hybrids. A high-dose infection in the Dessert R 73 hybrid resulted in significantly lower values compared to the non-infected hybrids in three indices (NDVI, LCI and GNDVI). In the case of the NOA hybrids, GNDVI and ENDVI were able to show significant differences between the values of the infection levels.
Acid Hydrothermal Amendment of Grape Wine Pomace: Enhancement of Phenol and Carbohydrate Co-Solubilization
Authors: Serrano Antonio , Díaz-Navarrete Paola , Mora Roberto , Ciudad Gustavo , Ortega Juan Carlos , Pinto-Ibieta Fernanda
Published: May 2023

Byproducts from the winery industry contain many bioactive compounds that are considered high-value-added compounds. White grape pomace (GP) is rich in carbohydrates; consequently, it can be used as a raw material for subsequent bioprocesses. In the present study, low-temperature hydrothermal treatments were carried out using different operational conditions regarding temperature (65–95 °C), time (120–240 min), and sulfuric acid addition at various concentrations (5–15% v/v). The results showed that by using a temperature of 65 °C, a period of 120 min, and 15% (v/v) of H2SO4, it was possible to obtain a liquid phase rich in phenols and carbohydrates, with total phenol compounds corresponding to 2113 ± 140 mg of gallic acid/kg GP and composed mainly of 3-hydroxytyrosol (1330 ± 22 mg/kg GP). In parallel, carbohydrate solubilization reached 245 g glucose/kg GP. These results demonstrate the promising potential of hydrothermally treated grape pomace as raw material for biorefinery processes.
Determination of Physiochemical Characteristics Associated with Various Degrees of Cadmium Tolerance in Barley Accessions
Authors: Tahir Nawroz Abdul-razzak , Lateef Djshwar Dhahir , Mustafa Kamil Mahmud , Rasul Kamaran Salh , Khurshid Fawzy Faidhullah
Published: May 2023

Soil contamination by heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), which is present as a result of agricultural and industrial practices, is a critical problem in many countries around the world. High Cd concentrations in crops during the seedling stage can have a negative impact on performance and growth. The aim of the present study, which involved 59 barley accessions, was to investigate the effects of different Cd concentrations (125, 250, and 500 µM) on the responses of the barley accessions and to identify the biomarker parameters that would aid in the early growth stage selection of the best-performing accession. Barley accessions differed significantly in their morphological and physiochemical characteristics. Compared to the untreated plants, treatments with Cd lowered germination percentages by 1.75–64.28%, 1.67–46.62%, and 1.66–61.90% for concentrations of 125, 250, and 500 μM, respectively. The average of all genotypes showed significant reductions in root length, shoot length, and fresh weight of seedlings, ranging from 37.08% to 77.88%, 18.70% to 44.10%, and 7.69% to 35.87%, respectively. In comparison to untreated plants, the average seed water absorption (WU) increased across all accessions by 42.21% and 20.74%, respectively, under Cd-125 and Cd-250 stress conditions. In contrast, all biochemical measurements increased when Cd concentrations were elevated, with the exception of guaiacol peroxidase (GPA) and catalase (CAT). Across all genotypes, the mean of proline (PC) and sugar (SSC) contents showed the largest increases (123% for PC and 98.63% for SSC) under the Cd-500 stress condition. Three barley accessions: Acsad-14, ABN, and Arabi Aswad, were found to be the most tolerant accessions under all cadmium exposure, whereas the performance of the other tested accessions: Black-Kalar, Bujayl 1-Shaqlawa, and Black-Chiman was inferior. The OMIC analysis identified the biomarker parameters for differentiating the high, moderate, and low tolerant groups as the WU for Cd-125 stress, GPA, WU, CAT, total phenolic content for Cd-250 stress, and all physiochemical traits, with the exception of the CAT feature for Cd-500 treatment. The majority of trait pairings showed significant correlations. Hence, Acsad-14, ABN, and Arabi Aswad barley accessions that had great performance under cadmium conditions can be candidates for selection in a breeding program to improve the growth of plants and output in lands infected by cadmium. It can be concluded that seed water uptake, guaiacol peroxidase, and proline content were biomarker traits that would aid in the early growth stage selection of the best-performing accession under Cd stress conditions.
Morphological and Physiological Response of Tomato to Sole and Combined Application of Vermicompost and Chemical Fertilizers
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Ju Jing , Zhao Haitao , Bhatti Saleem Maseeh , Saleem Gulnaz , Memon Saima Parveen , Ali Shahzaib , Younas Muhammad Usama , Rajput Nimra , Jamali Zameer Hussain
Published: May 2023

Chemical fertilizers are commonly used to meet the nutritional demands of crops and boost their yields. However, their high costs and excessive application in soils increase the cost of production and have negative effects on the soil and environmental health. Vermicompost is an organic amendment that can potentially lessen the dependence on chemical fertilizers, with the additional advantages of sustainable nutrient supply to crops and maintaining soil health. To evaluate the potential of the two diverse vermicompost, the sole and combined applications of these vermicompost with reduced rates of chemical fertilizers were used for tomato cultivation in a field study. The results indicated that vermicompost produced from cattle manure combined with chemical fertilizers was more effective in improving tomato growth, physiology, yield, and nutritional attributes. Compared to the control treatment (NP applied), the combined application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizer significantly improved the root length (21.6%), plant height (167%), SPAD value (13.5%), chlorophyll ‘a’ (96%), chlorophyll ‘b’ (161%), relative water content (16%), membrane stability index (18%), carotenoid (87%), yield (82%), photosynthetic rate (148%), fruit diameter (83%), protein (89%), fat (27.5%), fiber (12%), vitamin C (52%), calcium (54%), magnesium (117%), phosphorus (38%) and potassium (128%). In addition, significant improvements in different soil physicochemical properties were also pragmatic. The results suggest that vermicompost application with reduced doses of chemical fertilizers can be used to improve crop yield and soil physico-chemical properties.
Exploring the Genetic Variation of Stripe Rust Foliar and Head Infection in Egyptian Wheat as an Effect of Climate Change
Authors: Esmail Samar M. , Omar Ghady E. , El-Orabey Walid M. , Börner Andreas , Mourad Amira M. I.
Published: May 2023

Wheat stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend f. sp. tritici; Pst) is a severe disease that affects wheat-growing areas worldwide. In the last few years, Pst head infection (PstHI) was recorded to cause severe yield damage in Egypt. Little information is known about PstHI. In the current study, a set of 34 Egyptian cultivars were evaluated for their Pst foliar infection (PstFI) and PstHI in two growing seasons (2021 and 2022) in Egypt. High genotypic variations in PstFI and PstHI were found. A very weak correlation was found between the resistance to PstFI and PstHI in both growing seasons. Therefore, the resistance to each symptom might be controlled by different genetic systems. The effect of PstFI and PstHI on kernel traits was investigated. PstHI was found to significantly reduce kernel width and weight in heavily diseased years. Therefore, a significant reduction in wheat yield and quality is expected in case of severe PstHI. Three Egyptian genotypes were resistant to PstFI and PstHI in both growing seasons. These genotypes could help in improving the resistance to both symptoms. However, due to the low genetic distance among them, looking for additional sources of resistance is recommended. In 2021, higher head infection was found compared with 2022. Highly significant differences in maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum dew point, and average dew point were found between the two growing seasons. Out of these four factors, dew point and ambient temperature were found to be possible reasons for increasing PstHI. Furthermore, 51 isolines carrying different resistance genes were included in the evaluation. At least ten stripe rust resistance genes were found to be effective against PstFI and PstHI. These ten genes should be included in future breeding programs to improve Pst resistance and understand the effect of climate change on Pst.
Association of High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits with Grain and Pasta Quality in Spring Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum L.)
Authors: Kroupin Pavel Yu. , Bespalova Ludmila A. , Kroupina Aleksandra Yu. , Yanovsky Aleksey S. , Korobkova Varvara A. , Ulyanov Daniil S. , Karlov Gennady I. , Divashuk Mikhail G.
Published: May 2023

Spring durum wheat is an important raw material for producing diverse products such as couscous, bulgur, bread, and pasta. The quality of the dough is significantly influenced by high-molecular-weight glutenins, the allelic status of which depends on the region and breeding program. In this study, a collection of 69 cultivars and promising lines of durum wheat were analyzed for the allelic state of Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 using SDS-PAGE and KASP PCR markers. Protein and gluten content, volume increase index, pasta breaking strength, general pasta estimation, SDS, and gluten index were measured for each accession based on a two-year field experiment in the Krasnodar region. The analysis revealed that the Glu-B1al, Glu-B1d, and Glu-B1z* alleles positively influence gluten index, with Glu-B1al increasing protein, gluten, and SDS content, whereas Glu-B1d decreased these traits. Glu-B1e, on average, decreased the gluten index and SDS value but did not affect protein or gluten content. The role of alleles affecting the gluten index and protein content in ensuring the quality of pasta in durum wheat breeding is discussed.
Dairy Manure-Derived Biochar in Soil Enhances Nutrient Metabolism and Soil Fertility, Altering the Soil Prokaryote Community
Authors: Obayomi Olabiyi , Taggart Cosette B. , Zeng Shengquan , Sefcik Kristin , Willis Bianca , Muir James P. , Kan Eunsung , Brady Jeff A.
Published: May 2023

Although various studies have investigated biochar (BC) soil amendments for improving soil microbial abundance, functions, and community structure, a comparison of dairy manure biochar (MBC) to wood biochar (WBC) is warranted given the large volume of manure produced in high-intensity dairy production. Additionally, the synergistic effects of different BC sources and loading percentages on microbial functions and community composition using massively parallel 16S DNA sequencing in BC-amended soils with different types of crops are limited. In this study, the synergistic effects of BC type, BC loading percentage, and crop types on soil fertility, prokaryote community diversity, and functions were investigated in a greenhouse study. The MBC and WBC were used to amend sandy loam soils at increasing BC loading percentages (0, 5, and 10%) to grow the cool-season forages crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum; an annual legume) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.; an annual forage grass) for 120 days. High nutrient concentrations in MBC shifted microbial communities towards r-strategists and alkaliphiles, potentially increasing the rate of nutrient bioremediation from high nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing soil amendments. This study enables emerging biochar agronomic use recommendations with different crops.
Effects of Annual Straw Incorporation Combined with Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer in Rice Season on Dry Matter and Nutrient Accumulation Characteristics of Subsequent Rapeseed
Authors: Song Zhengli , Xu Guiling , Feng Yuehua , Li Jie , Luo Jiali , Wang Xiaoke , Gao Yuqi , You Xiaoxuan , Ren Hongjun
Published: May 2023

In the rice–rapeseed rotation system, straw incorporation plays an important role in achieving the rational utilization of resources and maintaining crop production. However, in the study of rice–rapeseed rotation, there was no study on the effect of straw and nitrogen (N) fertilizer in the rice season on the dry matter accumulation (DMA) and nutrient accumulation of subsequent rapeseed. So, this study relied on the localization experiment of rice–rapeseed rotation and annual straw incorporation (full straw returning to the field, SR; the control is full straw removal from the field, CK) with different N fertilizer application rates (N1: 0 kg ha−1, N2: 75 kg ha−1, N3: 150 kg ha−1, and N4: 225 kg ha−1) in the rice season. Based on the fourth year of experiment implementation, the effects of annual straw incorporation combined with the N fertilizer application rate in the rice season on the leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetic potential (PP), DMA and its distribution proportion and rate, and nutrient uptake and its allocation proportion in rapeseed were discussed. At the bolting stage (BS), initial flowering stage (IFS), terminal flowering stage (TFS), and mature stage (MS), the DMA of rapeseed in SR was significantly higher than that in CK by 69.90, 64.27, 62.90, and 41.27%, respectively. The accumulation of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in SR was significantly higher than that in CK at the BS, IFS, TFS, and MS. Straw treatment had a significant impact on the apparent surplus of N, P, and K in the rice, rapeseed, and annual seasons, while the application of N fertilizer in the rice season had a significant or extremely significant impact on the apparent surplus (AS) of N in the rice, rapeseed, and annual seasons, indicating that fertilization of previous crops had a certain aftereffect. Therefore, straw incorporation is a sustainable farmland management measure.
Comparative Study of Inoculation Methods to Determine the Aggressiveness of Xanthomonas citri pv. glycines Isolates and to Evaluate the Reaction of Soybean Cultivars to Bacterial Pustule
Authors: Bertoglio Caroline , Moura Duin Izabela , Netzel de Matos Janaina , Rodrigues Ribeiro Neucimara , Pereira Leite Rui , Balbi-Peña Maria Isabel
Published: May 2023

Bacterial pustule caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. glycines (syn. X. axonopodis pv. glycines) is an important bacterial disease for soybean production worldwide. Currently, the planting of resistant soybean cultivars is the main measure for control of the disease. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the aggressiveness of different X. citri pv. glycines isolates and to establish a new protocol to evaluate the reaction of soybean cultivars to bacterial pustule under greenhouse conditions. The molecular analysis based on the entire 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolates GDM 01, GDM 02, 333 and 87-2 belong to the X. citri pv. glycines pathovar with 100% identity with the pathotype strain K29 of this bacterium. Differences in aggressiveness were observed among the X. citri pv. glycines isolates. There were differences in the reaction of the soybean cultivars to bacterial pustule, depending on the inoculation method. The isolates 333, GDM 01 and GDM 02 were the most aggressive, while 87-2 and GDM 03 were the least aggressive ones. The best conditions for inoculation of the soybean plants were in the V3 vegetative growth stage with the inoculum concentration of 108 CFU mL−1, and moist chamber for 24 h before and after inoculation. Spraying without injury was the quickest and most practical inoculation method to screen soybean genotypes for resistance to bacterial pustule in breeding programs. Further, this method of inoculation closely simulates the natural bacterial infection under field conditions and produces typical symptoms of the disease. The standard brush inoculation method overestimated disease severity, so we do not recommend this method for the evaluation of bacterial pustule resistance in soybean breeding programs.
Differential Responses of Soil Microbial N-Cycling Functional Genes to 35 yr Applications of Chemical Fertilizer and Organic Manure in Wheat Field Soil on Loess Plateau
Authors: Liang Yinyan , Yang Caidi , Sainju Upendra M. , Zhang Nannan , Zhao Fazhu , Wang Weizhen , Wang Jun
Published: May 2023

Fertilization changes nitrogen (N)-cycling processes and associated microbial communities in agricultural ecosystems. However, the long-term responses of N-cycling potential and microbial functional genes to different fertilization sources remain unclear. Soil samples were collected to a depth of 20 cm under winter wheat applied annually with N fertilizer (NF), organic manure (OM), N fertilizer plus organic manure (NM), and a control without fertilization (CK) for 35 yr, and they were analyzed for microbial functional genes involved in soil N cycling using metagenome sequencing in the Loess Plateau of China. Soil N fractions were greater with OM and NM than NF and CK. The total abundances of N-cycling genes were 9.3% (p < 0.05) greater with NM than CK, and 8.2% (p < 0.05) and 12.2% (p < 0.01) higher with OM and NM than NF, respectively. Compared to CK, OM and NM increased the abundance of genes associated with nitrification, denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, and assimilatory nitrate reduction, but decreased the abundance of genes related to organic N metabolism. However, NF increased the abundance of genes involved in nitrification. Both OM and NM also enhanced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria carrying N-cycling genes but reduced those of Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria. Soil organic carbon, total N, and potential carbon mineralization were the dominant factors affecting the abundances of N-cycling genes. Long-term application of OM and NM can promote N cycling by enhancing gene abundance due to increased soil organic matter and microbial biomass compared to NF and CK.
Dual-Purpose Rye, Wheat, and Triticale Cover Crops Offer Increased Forage Production and Nutrient Management but Demonstrate Nitrogen Immobilization Dynamics
Authors: Glaze-Corcoran Samantha , Smychcovich Alexandra , Hashemi Masoud
Published: May 2023

Dual-purpose cover crops (DPCCs) are gaining popularity for their potential to provide additional forage, while also providing significant ecosystem services. In the Northeastern United States, DPCCs can be incorporated into corn silage (Zea mays L.) production, increasing the environmental sustainability and economic resiliency of dairy systems. In a three-year field study, rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and triticale (xTriticosecale) DPCCs provided an average of 4.1 Mg ha−1 of forage, without impacting subsequent corn silage yield. The relative feed values of triticale and wheat were 120 and 122, respectively, significantly greater than that of rye at 109. DPCCs removed 60 kg ha−1 of nitrogen (N) and 20 kg ha−1 of phosphorus (P) on average at harvest; this removal is important for nutrient management in manured systems with high P levels. The results of this experiment suggested that in addition to capturing nutrients from the fall manure application, DPCCs captured nutrients already present in the soil. The DPCC residue left in the field after harvest represented 46% of the total plant biomass, and returned 1.6 Mg ha−1 of carbon. Decomposition trends of DPCCs demonstrated nitrogen immobilization dynamics. Twenty percent of all the residual nitrogen was released in the first week after termination. The residual biomass continued to decompose, but the nitrogen decomposition was arrested. While, in this study, corn yields were not impeded, our findings demonstrated the potential to affect the fertility needs of corn in a multi-year rotation.
Changes in Drip Irrigation Water Distribution Patterns Improve Fruit Quality and Economic Water Productivity in Early-Season Lemon Trees
Authors: Robles Juan Miguel , García-García José , Navarro Josefa María , Botía Pablo , Pérez-Pérez Juan Gabriel
Published: May 2023

The physiological and agronomic responses of two irrigation systems were compared in ‘Fino 49′ lemon trees (Citrus limon [L.] Burm. fil.). The irrigation systems consisted of different designs of the irrigation installation (same amount of water and irrigation frequency): a conventional design (2L, two drip lines with six drippers per tree), and a design with a larger wetted surface (3L, implementing the conventional design with a third drip line with nine drippers per tree). Results indicated that the 3L design promoted a better distribution of water and fertilisers in the soil profile, improving some gas-exchange parameters in periods of low evaporative demand or after rain. The agronomic response showed two main effects on fruit quality: (1) the total numer of fruits affected by endoxerosis was reduced, and (2) the first harvest (the earliest fruits harvested) moved forward in time. From an economic point of view, economic water productivity was increased, mainly due to an increment in the proportion of first-harvested lemon, but also due to the decrease in lemon produced for the industry (affected by endoxerosis). The 3L irrigation system could be an interesting alternative to favour fruit precocity, improving the use of the available water resources for early lemon tree growers.
Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Soil: Environmental Pollutants Affecting Crop Health
Authors: Rashid Abdur , Schutte Brian J. , Ulery April , Deyholos Michael K. , Sanogo Soum , Lehnhoff Erik A. , Beck Leslie
Published: May 2023

Heavy metals and metalloids (HMs) are environmental pollutants, most notably cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, and chromium. When HMs accumulate to toxic levels in agricultural soils, these non-biodegradable elements adversely affect crop health and productivity. The toxicity of HMs on crops depends upon factors including crop type, growth condition, and developmental stage; nature of toxicity of the specific elements involved; soil physical and chemical properties; occurrence and bioavailability of HM ions in the soil solution; and soil rhizosphere chemistry. HMs can disrupt the normal structure and function of cellular components and impede various metabolic and developmental processes. This review evaluates: (1) HM contamination in arable lands through agricultural practices, particularly due to chemical fertilizers, pesticides, livestock manures and compost, sewage-sludge-based biosolids, and irrigation; (2) factors affecting the bioavailability of HM elements in the soil solution, and their absorption, translocation, and bioaccumulation in crop plants; (3) mechanisms by which HM elements directly interfere with the physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes in plants, with particular emphasis on the generation of oxidative stress, the inhibition of photosynthetic phosphorylation, enzyme/protein inactivation, genetic modifications, and hormonal deregulation, and indirectly through the inhibition of soil microbial growth, proliferation, and diversity; and (4) visual symptoms of highly toxic non-essential HM elements in plants, with an emphasis on crop plants. Finally, suggestions and recommendations are made to minimize crop losses from suspected HM contamination in agricultural soils.
Water Management for Sustainable Irrigation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production: A Review
Authors: Arouna Alfassassi , Dzomeku Israel K. , Shaibu Abdul-Ganiyu , Nurudeen Abdul Rahman
Published: May 2023

In the face of the negative impacts of climate change and the accelerated growth of the global population, precision irrigation is important to conserve water resources, improve rice productivity and promote overall efficient rice cultivation, as rice is a rather water-intensive crop than other crops. For several decades, various water conserving technologies have been studied in order to significantly increase water use efficiency (WUE). The objective of this paper is to review the main technologies and approaches for assessing the water requirements of rice crop in order to contribute to water saving in irrigated rice production, after clarifying the performance indicators of the irrigated systems. Several scientific articles from previous studies were consulted and analyzed. These studies showed that irrigation water conservation includes a wide range of practices, staring from the crop irrigation water requirements assessment to the implementation of the water saving practices on the field. In addition, irrigation water conservation technologies could be categorized into three groups, namely water-conserving irrigation systems, water-saving irrigation methods, and water-conserving agronomic practices. The influence of the individual and combined irrigation water use efficiency tools was highlighted. This paper will enable researchers to acquire knowledge on water-saving methods for estimating the rice crop water requirements and thus allow them to effectively contribute to improve the performance of irrigated rice cultivation systems using various water conservation technologies.
Improved U-Net for Growth Stage Recognition of In-Field Maize
Authors: Wan Tianyu , Rao Yuan , Jin Xiu , Wang Fengyi , Zhang Tong , Shu Yali , Li Shaowen
Published: May 2023

Precise recognition of maize growth stages in the field is one of the critical steps in conducting precision irrigation and crop growth evaluation. However, due to the ever-changing environmental factors and maize growth characteristics, traditional recognition methods usually suffer from limitations in recognizing different growth stages. For the purpose of tackling these issues, this study proposed an improved U-net by first using a cascade convolution-based network as the encoder with a strategy for backbone network replacement to optimize feature extraction and reuse. Secondly, three attention mechanism modules have been introduced to upgrade the decoder part of the original U-net, which highlighted critical regions and extracted more discriminative features of maize. Subsequently, a dilation path of the improved U-net was constructed by integrating dilated convolution layers using a multi-scale feature fusion approach to preserve the detailed spatial information of in-field maize. Finally, the improved U-net has been applied to recognize different growth stages of maize in the field. The results clearly demonstrated the superior ability of the improved U-net to precisely segment and recognize maize growth stage from in-field images. Specifically, the semantic segmentation network achieved a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 94.51% and a mean pixel accuracy (mPA) of 96.93% in recognizing the maize growth stage with only 39.08 MB of parameters. In conclusion, the good trade-offs made in terms of accuracy and parameter number demonstrated that this study could lay a good foundation for implementing accurate maize growth stage recognition and long-term automatic growth monitoring.
Morphologic and Genetic Characterization of Protospirura canariensis n. sp. (Nematoda, Spiruridae), a Parasite of the Black Rat Rattus rattus (Rodentia, Muridae) from El Hierro Island (Canary Archipelago, Spain)
Authors: Miquel Jordi , Martín-Carrillo Natalia , Ribas Alexis , Sánchez-Vicente Santiago , Feliu Carlos , Foronda Pilar
Published: May 2023

A new spirurid nematode, Protospirura canariensis n. sp., a parasite of the black rat Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridae), in El Hierro Island (Canary Archipelago, Spain), was described by means of light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The most discriminating characteristics between the new species and the remaining species of the genus Protospirura were observed to be the following: (a) the number of tooth-like outgrowths in the sub-median and lateral lobes of the pseudolabia, both in males and females (2 and 4, respectively); (b) the size of the right and left spicules in males (643–715 µm and 309–412 µm, respectively); and (c) the numbers and arrangements of the cloacal papillae in males. The new species has a total of 17 cloacal papillae (4 large and pedunculated pairs of precloacal papillae, an unpaired precloacal papilla and 4 pairs of postcloacal papillae). The arrangement of the postcloacal papillae are as follows: the first pair are large, pedunculated and placed near the posterior edge of cloaca; the three remaining postcloacal pairs are grouped and located near the posterior tip. In the latter group, the papillae in the first pair are large and pedunculated. The parasitized hosts and their geographical distributions were also useful criteria in distinguishing P. canariensis n. sp. from the remaining species of the genus Protospirura. In addition, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) sequence of the new species was obtained and compared with the available data of related species.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Qista Baited Traps in Capturing Mosquito Vectors of Diseases in the Camargue Region (France) and Investigating Their Diversity
Authors: Boucheikhchoukh Mehdi , Lafri Ismail , Chamssidine Combo Anlamina , Regalado Christophe , Barthés César , Leulmi Hamza
Published: May 2023

Nuisance, allergy, and vector role: mosquitoes are responsible for numerous inconveniences. Several strategies have been employed to fight against this confirmed vector. To record the diversity of mosquito vectors in Camargue (France) and assess the effectiveness of the Qista trap, six BAMs were deployed as a belt barrier to protect the Espeyran Castle (Saint-Gilles, Camargue). Prior to evaluating the reduction in the nuisance rate, recovery nets from the traps and human landing catches (HLC) were utilized twice a week in the treated and control areas. Overall, 85,600 mosquitoes were captured, belonging to eleven species, namely Aedes albopictus, Aedes caspius, Aedes detritus, Aedes dorsalis, Aedes rossicus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles maculipennis, Culex pipiens, Culex modestus, Culiseta annulata and Culiseta longiareolata. The six BAM devices trapped 84,461 mosquitoes. The average capture rate per BAM is 76.92 mosquitoes per day. The rate of nuisance has decreased from 4.33 ± 2.88 before the deployment to 1.59 ± 2.77 after BAM implantation. The Qista BAM trap seems to be an excellent tool for reducing the nuisance rate and may help researchers to optimize trapping methods by obtaining more significant sample sizes. It may also allow the updating of the host-seeking mosquito species’ reported biodiversity in the south of France.
Longitudinal Studies on Alzheimer Disease Mouse Models with Multiple Tracer PET/CT: Application of Reduction and Refinement Principles in Daily Practice to Safeguard Animal Welfare during Progressive Aging
Authors: Palumbo Giovanna , Kunze Lea Helena , Oos Rosel , Wind-Mark Karin , Lindner Simon , von Ungern-Sternberg Barbara , Bartenstein Peter , Ziegler Sibylle , Brendel Matthias
Published: May 2023

Longitudinal studies on mouse models related to Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology play an important role in the investigation of therapeutic targets to help pharmaceutical research in the development of new drugs and in the attempt of an early diagnosis that can contribute to improving people’s quality of life. There are several advantages to enriching longitudinal studies in AD models with Positron Emission Tomography (PET); among these advantages, the possibility of following the principle of the 3Rs of animal welfare is fundamental. In this manuscript, good daily experimental practice focusing on animal welfare is described and commented upon, based on the experience attained from studies conducted in our Nuclear Medicine department.
Beyond the Five Freedoms: Animal Welfare at Modern Zoological Facilities
Authors: Miller Lance J. , Chinnadurai Sathya K.
Published: May 2023

The current manuscript highlights the aspects of an animal welfare program for a modern zoological facility. The program should be proactive to identify areas for continuous improvement as well as reactive to address any identified animal welfare concerns. The program should go beyond the five freedoms and utilize one of the more modern frameworks as a foundation for the program. The program should have an animal welfare committee where staff can submit animal welfare concerns without fear of retaliation. Ongoing monitoring of all individual animals should utilize both positive and negative indicators of welfare. Staff should be trained on the most current science and be able to understand key concepts about animal welfare. Facilities should also utilize new scientific findings to continuously improve animal care practices. Modern zoological institutions, including both zoos and aquariums, have an ethical responsibility to provide high levels of animal welfare for the animals under their professional care. Simply meeting minimum standards developed decades ago is not adequate, as animals should have the opportunity to thrive.
Comparison of Cefepime with Piperacillin/Tazobactam Treatment in Patients with Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Kim Bo-Guen , Kang Danbee , Min Kyung Hoon , Cho Juhee , Jeon Kyeongman
Published: May 2023

Although cefepime and piperacillin/tazobactam are commonly prescribed for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which one is the superior therapy remains unclear. Using Korean National Health Insurance Service data from January 2018 to December 2018, we compared the clinical outcomes of patients with HAP who were treated with cefepime and those treated with piperacillin/tazobactam. Data from 9955 adult patients with HAP, of whom 1502 (15%) received cefepime and 8453 (85%) received piperacillin/tazobactam, were retrieved for primary analysis. Tube feeding, suctioning, positioning care, and intensive care unit admission were more common among patients who received piperacillin/tazobactam. Treatment outcomes, including rates of in-hospital mortality, pneumonia-related readmission, and all-cause mortality within 6 months after discharge, were comparable between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of data from patients who required tube feeding, the risk for in-hospital mortality was significantly higher among those who received cefepime (fully adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.97; p = 0.042). Treatment outcomes did not differ between patients who received cefepime and those who received piperacillin/tazobactam treatment, but among patients who were at risk for aspiration, such as those receiving tube feeding, those who received piperacillin/tazobactam had lower rates of in-hospital mortality.
Ascorbate and Antibiotics, at Concentrations Attainable in Urine, Can Inhibit the Growth of Resistant Strains of Escherichia coli Cultured in Synthetic Human Urine
Authors: Amábile-Cuevas Carlos F.
Published: May 2023

There are conflicting reports on the antibacterial activity of ascorbate; all at concentrations much higher than the typical in human plasma, but that can be reached in urine. The effect of 10 mM ascorbate (in itself not inhibitory) along with antibiotics, was tested both in Mueller-Hinton broth (MHb) and in synthetic human urine (SHU), against resistant isolates of Escherichia coli from lower urinary infections. The activity of nitrofurantoin and sulfamethoxazole was higher in SHU than in MHb; minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in SHU with ascorbate were below typical urinary concentrations. For other antibiotics, MICs were the same in MHb vs. SHU, with no effect of ascorbate in MHb; but in SHU with ascorbate, MICs of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin also went below reported urinary concentrations, with a lesser effect with norfloxacin and trimethoprim, and none with ampicillin. The effect of ascorbate was independent of oxygen and not related to the susceptibility of each strain to oxidative stress. Ascorbate oxidizes during incubation in SHU, and bacterial growth partially prevented oxidation. These results suggest that 10 mM ascorbate can enhance the inhibitory activity of antibiotics upon resistant strains in urine. Clinical experimentation with ascorbate–antibiotic combinations against urinary infections caused by resistant bacteria is warranted.
Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Derived from Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (AgNPs-LR) Targeting Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensing-Mediated Virulence Factors
Authors: Awadelkareem Amir Mahgoub , Siddiqui Arif Jamal , Noumi Emira , Ashraf Syed Amir , Hadi Sibte , Snoussi Mejdi , Badraoui Riadh , Bardakci Fevzi , Ashraf Mohammad Saquib , Danciu Corina , Patel Mitesh , Adnan Mohd
Published: May 2023

In recent years, bacterial pathogens have developed resistance to antimicrobial agents that have created a global threat to human health and environment. As a novel approach to combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), targeting bacteria’s virulent traits that can be explained by quorum sensing (QS) is considered to be one of the most promising approaches. In the present study, biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus (AgNPs-LR) were tested against three Gram-negative bacteria to determine whether they inhibited the formation of biofilms and triggered the virulence factors controlled by QS. In C. violaceum and S. marcescens, a remarkable inhibition (>70%) of QS-mediated violacein and prodigiosin production was recorded, respectively. A dose-dependent decrease in virulence factors of P. aeruginosa (pyocyanin, pyoverdine, LasA protease, LasB elastase and rhamnolipid production) was also observed with AgNPs-LR. The biofilm development was reduced by 72.56%, 61.70%, and 64.66% at highest sub-MIC for C. violaceum, S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Observations on glass surfaces have shown remarkable reductions in biofilm formation, with less aggregation of bacteria and a reduced amount of extra polymeric materials being formed from the bacteria. Moreover, swimming motility and exopolysaccharides (EPS) was also found to reduce in the presence of AgNPs-LR. Therefore, these results clearly demonstrate that AgNPs-LR is highly effective in inhibiting the development of biofilms and the QS-mediated virulent traits of Gram-negative bacteria. In the future, AgNPs-LR may be used as an alternative to conventional antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections after careful evaluation in animal models, especially for the development of topical antimicrobial agents.