bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coherent noise suppression in digital holographic microscopy based on label-free deep learning
Authors: Wu Ji , Tang Ju , Zhang Jiawei , Di Jianglei
Published: July 2022

Deep learning techniques can be introduced into the digital holography to suppress the coherent noise. It is often necessary to first make a dataset of noisy and noise-free phase images to train the network. However, noise-free images are often difficult to obtain in practical holographic applications. Here we propose a label-free training algorithms based on self-supervised learning. A dilated blind spot network is built to learn from the real noisy phase images and a noise level function network to estimate a noise level function. Then they are trained together via maximizing the constrained negative log-likelihood and Bayes’ rule to generate a denoising phase image. The experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms standard smoothing algorithms in accurately reconstructing the true phase image in digital holographic microscopy.
Building trust and responsibility into autonomous human-machine teams
Authors: Gillespie Tony
Published: July 2022

Harm can be caused to people and property by any highly-automated system, even with a human user, due to misuse or design; but which human has the legal liability for the consequences of the harm is not clear, or even which laws apply. The position is less clear for an interdependent Autonomous Human Machine Team System (A-HMT-S) which achieves its aim by reallocating tasks and resources between the human Team Leader and the Cyber Physical System (CPS). A-HMT-S are now feasible and may be the only solution for complex problems. However, legal authorities presume that humans are ultimately responsible for the actions of any automated system, including ones using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace human judgement. The concept of trust for an A-HMT-S using AI is examined in this paper with three critical questions being posed which must be addressed before an A-HMT-S can be trusted. A hierarchical system architecture is used to answer these questions, combined with a method to limit a node’s behaviour, ensuring actions requiring human judgement are referred to the user. The underpinning issues requiring Research and Development (R&D) for A-HMT-S applications are identified and where legal input is required to minimize financial and legal risk for all stakeholders. This work takes a step towards addressing the problems of developing autonomy for interdependent human-machine teams and systems.
Eigensolutions and Thermodynamic Properties of Kratzer Plus Generalized Morse Potential
Authors: Isonguyo Cecilia N. , Okon Ituen B. , Antia Akaninyene D. , Oyewumi Kayode J. , Omugbe Ekwevugbe , Onate Clement A. , Joshua Roseline U. , Udoh Monday E. , Ituen Eno E. , Araujo Judith P.
Published: July 2022

In this study, we apply the parametric Nikiforov-Uvarov method to obtain the bound state solution of Schrödinger wave equation in the presence of Kratzer plus generalized Morse potential (KPGM). The energy eigen equation and the corresponding normalised wave function were obtained in closed form. The resulting energy eigen equation was used to study partition function and other thermodynamic properties such as vibrational mean energy, vibrational specific heat capacity, vibrational mean free energy and vibrational entropy for the proposed potential as applied to lithium hydride diatomic molecule. The thermodynamic plots obtained were in excellent agreement to work of existing literatures. The wave function and probability density plots for the diatomic molecules were obtained through a well designed and implemented maple programme.
Influence of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR)-gamma Coactivator (PGC)-1 alpha gene rs8192678 polymorphism by gender on different health-related parameters in healthy young adults
Authors: Montes-de-Oca-García Adrián , Corral-Pérez Juan , Velázquez-Díaz Daniel , Perez-Bey Alejandro , Rebollo-Ramos María , Marín-Galindo Alberto , Gómez-Gallego Félix , Calderon-Dominguez Maria , Casals Cristina , Ponce-González Jesús G.
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to analyze the influence of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1 alpha (PPARGC1A) gene rs8192678 C>T polymorphism on different health-related parameters in male and female young adults. The PPARGC1A gene rs8192678 polymorphism was ascertained by polymerase chain reaction in 74 healthy adults (28 women; 22.72 ± 4.40 years) from Andalusia (Spain). Health-related variables included cardiometabolic risk, anthropometry and body composition, biochemical parameters, insulin sensitivity (QUICKI and HOMA-IR indexes), blood pressure (BP) at rest and after exercise, diet, basal metabolism, physical activity, maximal fat oxidation, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our results showed differences by PPARGC1A gene rs8192678 C>T polymorphism in body mass (p= 0.002), body mass index (p= 0.024), lean body mass (p= 0.024), body fat (p= 0.032), waist circumference (p= 0.020), and BP recovery ratio (p< 0.001). The recessive model (CC vs. CT/TT) showed similar results but also with differences in basal metabolism (p= 0.045) and total energy expenditure (p= 0.024). A genotype*sex interaction was found in the QUICKI index (p= 0.016), with differences between CC and CT/TT in men (p= 0.049) and between men and women inside the CT/TT group (p= 0.049). Thus, the PPARGC1A gene rs8192678 C>T polymorphism is associated with body composition, basal metabolism, total energy expenditure, and BP recovery, where the CC genotype confers a protective effect. Moreover, our study highlighted sexual dimorphism in the influence of PPARGC1A gene rs8192678 C>T polymorphism on the QUICKI index.
Lactate Thresholds and the Simulation of Human Energy Metabolism: Contributions by the Cologne Sports Medicine Group in the 1970s and 1980s
Authors: Wackerhage Henning , Gehlert Sebastian , Schulz Henry , Weber Sebastian , Ring-Dimitriou Susanne , Heine Oliver
Published: July 2022

Today, researchers, practitioners, and physicians measure the concentration of lactate during a graded exercise test to determine thresholds related to the maximal lactate steady state (maxLass) as a sensitive measure of endurance capacity. In the 1970s and 1980s, a group of Cologne-based researchers around Wildor Hollmann, Alois Mader, and Hermann Heck developed the methodology for systematic lactate testing and introduced a 4 mmol.L−1 lactate threshold. Later, they also developed the concept of the maxLass, and Mader designed a sophisticated mathematical model of human energy metabolism during exercise. Mader`s model simulates metabolic responses to exercise based on individual variables such as maximum oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) and the maximal rate of lactate formation (νLa.max). Mader’s model predicts that the νLa.max reduces the power at the anaerobic threshold and endurance performance but that a high νLa.max is required for events with high power outputs in elite athletes. Mader’s model also assumed before the millennium that the rate of fat oxidation is explained by the difference between glycolytic pyruvate synthesis and the actual rate of pyruvate oxidation which is consistent with current opinion. Mader’s model also simulated the V˙O2max slow component in the mid-1980s. Unfortunately, several landmark studies by the Cologne group were only published in German, and as a result, contributions by the Cologne group are under-appreciated in the English-speaking world. This narrative review aims to introduce key contributions of the Cologne group to human metabolism research especially for readers who do not speak German.
Sirtuins and cognition: implications for learning and memory in neurological disorders
Authors: Fagerli Eric , Escobar Iris , Ferrier Fernando J. , Jackson Charles W. , Perez-Lao Efrain J. , Perez-Pinzon Miguel A.
Published: July 2022

Sirtuins are an evolutionarily conserved family of regulatory proteins that function in an NAD+ -dependent manner. The mammalian family of sirtuins is composed of seven histone deacetylase and ADP-ribosyltransferase proteins (SIRT1-SIRT7) that are found throughout the different cellular compartments of the cell. Sirtuins in the brain have received considerable attention in cognition due to their role in a plethora of metabolic and age-related diseases and their ability to induce neuroprotection. More recently, sirtuins have been shown to play a role in normal physiological cognitive function, and aberrant sirtuin function is seen in pathological cellular states. Sirtuins are believed to play a role in cognition through enhancing synaptic plasticity, influencing epigenetic regulation, and playing key roles in molecular pathways involved with oxidative stress affecting mitochondrial function. This review aims to discuss recent advances in the understanding of the role of mammalian sirtuins in cognitive function and the therapeutic potential of targeting sirtuins to ameliorate cognitive deficits in neurological disorders.
Echocardiographic myocardial work in pre-adolescent male basketball players: a comparison with cardiopulmonary exercise test-derived aerobic capacity
Authors: Zhao Kewei , Liu Yu , Dong Lili , Gao Binghong
Published: July 2022

Background: Pressure-strain loop (PSL) analysis provides a novel, less load-dependent non-invasive method to quantify myocardial work and demonstrates a significant correlation with the contractile reserve in adult athletes. We aim to validate PSL-derived markers in characterizing LV function in pre-adolescent basketball players by comparing results before and after the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) and explore its association with CPX-derived aerobic capacity.

Methods: Cardiac morphology and function in 20 pre-adolescent basketball players were assessed at 9.7 years old (9.7 ± 1.1 year) before and after cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Echocardiography was performed in all subjects, including two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Simultaneous brachial-cuff-measured blood pressure was recorded to perform PSL analysis.

Results: Nineteen subjects were included in the final analysis. Exercise training in pre-adolescent males was associated with lower global work index (GWI) and global work efficiency (GWE) at rest. GWE at stress was significantly correlated with VO2max and peak O2 pulse (p = 0.0122, r = 0.56; p = 0.00122, r = 0.69, respectively). When indexed by body mass, GWI and GWE both significantly correlated with relative VO2max (p = 0.0086 and 0.0011 respectively, r = 0.58 and 0.69 respectively); GWI and GWE at baseline and stress were all significantly correlated with peak O2 pulse (GWI at baseline, p< 0.0001, r = −0.90; GWE at baseline, p< 0.0001, r = −0.89; GWI at stress, p= 0.0289, r = −0.50; GWE at stress, p< 0.0001, r = −0.83).

Conclusion: PSL-analysis-derived GWI and GWE at rest indexed by body mass are associated with cardiopulmonary exercise test-derived peak oxygen consumption and oxygen pulse in pre-adolescent athletes.
Gender difference in effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on flexibility and stiffness of hamstring muscle
Authors: Yu Suiqing , Lin Lihua , Liang Hongying , Lin Ming , Deng Weixin , Zhan Xinshu , Fu Xihua , Liu Chunlong
Published: July 2022

Objective: This study investigated the acute effects of PNF stretching on hamstring flexibility and muscle stiffness of lower limbs between genders.

Methods: 15 male and 15 female university students without any injury histories on lower limbs in the past 3 months were included in this study were selected. All subjects were measured by MyotonPRO before and after stretching to determine the muscle stiffness of the biceps femoris muscle (BF), semitendinosus muscle (ST) of the hamstring and the medial gastrocnemius muscles (MG), lateral gastrocnemius muscles (LG), and the soleus (SOL) of the triceps surae muscles. Additionally, their flexibility was measured using the sit-and-reach test (the SR test) and passive hip range of motion (ROM). Differences based on time (pre-stretching vs. post-stretching) and sex (females vs. males) were assessed using 2 × 2 repeated measures AVONA.

Results: There was a significant decrease in the stiffness of the hamstring and triceps surae muscles after stretching (BF, MG, LG, and SOL: p < 0.001; ST: p = 0.003). The muscle stiffness of the hamstring and triceps surae muscles is larger in males than in females at all time points (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in hip flexion angle and the SR test in males and females after PNF stretching (p < 0.001); However, there was no difference in the change in the muscle stiffness and the flexibility between genders (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: PNF stretching helped improve hamstring flexibility and decrease muscle stiffness. Stretching the hamstrings can also contribute to a decrease in the stiffness of the triceps surae muscles. The muscle stiffness of males before and after stretching is always greater than that of females. However, there was no difference in the change of improvement in stretching between genders.
Mu-opioid receptor-dependent transformation of respiratory motor pattern in neonates in vitro
Authors: Gumnit Maia G. , Watters Jyoti J. , Baker Tracy L. , Johnson Sarah M. , Johnson Stephen M.
Published: July 2022

Endogenous opioid peptides activating mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are part of an intricate neuromodulatory system that coordinates and optimizes respiratory motor output to maintain blood-gas homeostasis. MOR activation is typically associated with respiratory depression but also has excitatory effects on breathing and respiratory neurons. We hypothesized that low level MOR activation induces excitatory effects on the respiratory motor pattern. Thus, low concentrations of an MOR agonist drug (DAMGO, 10–200 nM) were bath-applied to neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations while recording inspiratory-related motor output on cervical spinal roots (C4-C5). Bath-applied DAMGO (50–200 nM) increased inspiratory motor burst amplitude by 40–60% during (and shortly following) drug application with decreased burst frequency and minute activity. Reciprocal changes in inspiratory burst amplitude and frequency were balanced such that 20 min after DAMGO (50–200 nM) application, minute activity was unaltered compared to pre-DAMGO levels. The DAMGO-induced inspiratory burst amplitude increase did not require crossed cervical spinal pathways, was expressed on thoracic ventral spinal roots (T4-T8) and remained unaltered by riluzole pretreatment (blocks persistent sodium currents associated with gasping). Split-bath experiments showed that the inspiratory burst amplitude increase was induced only when DAMGO was bath-applied to the brainstem and not the spinal cord. Thus, MOR activation in neonates induces a respiratory burst amplitude increase via brainstem-specific mechanisms. The burst amplitude increase counteracts the expected MOR-dependent frequency depression and may represent a new mechanism by which MOR activation influences respiratory motor output.
Immune remodeling and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yao Yajun , Yang Mei , Liu Dishiwen , Zhao Qingyan
Published: July 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia that causes high morbidity and mortality. However, the underlying mechanism of AF has not been fully elucidated. Recent research has suggested that, during AF, the immune system changes considerably and interacts with the environment and cells involved in the initiation and maintenance of AF. This may provide a new direction for research and therapeutic strategies for AF. In this review, we elaborate the concept of immune remodeling based on available data in AF. Then, we highlight the complex relationships between immune remodeling and atrial electrical, structural and neural remodeling while also pointing out some research gaps in these field. Finally, we discuss several potential immunomodulatory treatments for AF. Although the heterogeneity of existing evidence makes it ambiguous to extrapolate immunomodulatory treatments for AF into the clinical practice, immune remodeling is still an evolving concept in AF pathophysiology and further studies within this field are likely to provide effective therapies for AF.
Subclinical Doses of Combined Fumonisins and Deoxynivalenol Predispose Clostridium perfringens–Inoculated Broilers to Necrotic Enteritis
Authors: Shanmugasundaram R. , Adams D. , Ramirez S. , Murugesan G. R. , Applegate T. J. , Cunningham S. , Pokoo-Aikins A. , Glenn A. E.
Published: July 2022

Fumonisins (FB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins which may predispose broiler chickens to necrotic enteritis (NE). The objective of this study was to identify the effects of subclinical doses of combined FB and DON on NE. A total of 480 day-old male broiler chicks were divided into four treatment groups; 1) control group (basal diet + Clostridium perfringens); 2) necrotic enteritis group (basal diet + Eimeria maxima + C. perfringens); 3) FB + DON group (basal diet + 3 mg/kg FB + 4 mg/kg DON + C. perfringens); and 4) FB + DON + NE group (basal diet + 3 mg/kg FB + 4 mg/kg DON + E. maxima + C. perfringens). Birds in NE and FB + DON + NE groups received 2.5 × 103E. maxima on day 14. All birds were inoculated with C. perfringens on days 19, 20, and 21. On day 35, birds in the NE, FB + DON, and FB + DON + NE groups had 242, 84, and 339 g lower BWG and a 19-, 2-, and 22-point increase in FCR respectively, than in the control group. Subclinical doses of FB + DON increased (p < 0.05) the NE lesion scores compared to the control group on day 21. On day 21, birds in the NE, FB + DON, and FB + DON + NE groups had increased (p < 0.05) serum FITC-D, lower (p < 0.05) jejunal tight junction protein mRNA, and increased (p < 0.05) cecal tonsil IL-1 mRNA compared to control group. On day 21, birds in the NE group had decreased (p < 0.05) villi height to crypt depth ratio compared to the control group and the presence of FB + DON in NE-induced birds further decreased the villi height to crypt depth ratio. Birds in the NE, FB + DON, and FB + DON + NE groups had increased (p < 0.05) C. perfringens, lower (p < 0.05) Lactobacillus loads in the cecal content, and a lower (p < 0.05) CD8+: CD4+ cell ratio in the cecal tonsils compared to the control group. It can be concluded that subclinical doses of combined FB and DON predispose C. perfringens-inoculated birds to NE, and the presence of FB + DON in NE-induced birds exacerbated the severity of NE.
Deficiency of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Impairs Digestion, Lipid Synthesis, and Reproduction in the Kissing Bug Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: Moraes Bruno , Braz Valdir , Santos-Araujo Samara , Oliveira Isadora A. , Bomfim Larissa , Ramos Isabela , Gondim Katia C.
Published: July 2022

Rhodnius prolixus is a hematophagous insect, vector of Chagas disease. After feeding, as blood is slowly digested, amino acids are used as substrates to fuel lipid synthesis, and adult females accumulate lipids in the fat body and produce eggs. In order to evaluate the importance of de novo fatty acid synthesis for this insect metabolism, we generated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) deficient insects. The knockdown (AccKD) females had delayed blood digestion and a shorter lifespan. Their fat bodies showed reduced de novo lipogenesis activity, did not accumulate triacylglycerol during the days after blood meal, and had smaller lipid droplets. At 10 days after feeding, there was a general decrease in the amounts of neutral lipids and phospholipids in the fat body. In the hemolymph, no difference was observed in lipid composition at 5 days after blood meal, but at day ten, there was an increase in hydrocarbon content and a decrease in phospholipids. Total protein concentration and amino acid composition were not affected. The AccKD females laid 60% fewer eggs than the control ones, and only 7% hatched (89% for control), although their total protein and triacylglycerol contents were not different. Scanning electron microscopy of the egg surface showed that chorion (eggshell) from the eggs laid by the AccKD insects had an altered ultrastructural pattern when compared to control ones. These results show that ACC has a central role in R. prolixus nutrient homeostasis, and its appropriate activity is important to digestion, lipid synthesis and storage, and reproductive success.
Automated scratching detection system for black mouse using deep learning
Authors: Sakamoto Naoaki , Haraguchi Taiga , Kobayashi Koji , Miyazaki Yusuke , Murata Takahisa
Published: July 2022

The evaluation of scratching behavior is important in experimental animals because there is significant interest in elucidating mechanisms and developing medications for itching. The scratching behavior is classically quantified by human observation, but it is labor-intensive and has low throughput. We previously established an automated scratching detection method using a convolutional recurrent neural network (CRNN). The established CRNN model was trained by white mice (BALB/c), and it could predict their scratching bouts and duration. However, its performance in black mice (C57BL/6) is insufficient. Here, we established a model for black mice to increase prediction accuracy. Scratching behavior in black mice was elicited by serotonin administration, and their behavior was recorded using a video camera. The videos were carefully observed, and each frame was manually labeled as scratching or other behavior. The CRNN model was trained using the labels and predicted the first-look videos. In addition, posterior filters were set to remove unlikely short predictions. The newly trained CRNN could sufficiently detect scratching behavior in black mice (sensitivity, 98.1%; positive predictive rate, 94.0%). Thus, our established CRNN and posterior filter successfully predicted the scratching behavior in black mice, highlighting that our workflow can be useful, regardless of the mouse strain.
Prognostic role of elevated VEGF in sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang A-ling , Peng Yu , Shen Mei-jia , Liu Xiao-yu , Li Shan , Xiong Meng-chen , Gao Nan , Hu Tian-peng , Zhang Guo-qiang
Published: July 2022

Background: The incidence and mortality of sepsis are increasing year by year, and there is still a lack of specific biomarkers to predict its prognosis. Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in predicting the severity and mortality of sepsis has been gradually discovered.

Methods: Literature was searched through Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) and Cochrane Library databases in March 2022. Observational studies, evaluating the impact of VEGF in sepsis outcomes (mortality and severity) are included in this meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were also assessed. Meta-regression analysis were performed to identify the potential sources of heterogeneity.

Result: A total of 1,574 articles were retrieved from the systematic literature search. We included 20 studies for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Deceased and critically ill patients had higher baseline VEGF levels than survivors and non-severe patients. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for VEGF predicts sepsis mortality were 0.79and 0.76, respectively. the area under the SROC curve was 0.83.

Conclusion: High VEGF are associated with poor clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with sepsis. This study was recorded on PROSPERO, under the registration ID: CRD42022323079.
Wnt 3a Protects Myocardial Injury in Elderly Acute Myocardial Infarction by Inhibiting Serum Cystatin C/ROS-Induced Mitochondrial Damage
Authors: Shen Jian , Li Ying , Jiao Yang , Wang Jihang , Hou Xiaoling , Su Yongkang , Liu Bing , Liu Henan , Sun Zhijun , Xi Qing , Fu Zhenhong
Published: July 2022

Aging represents an independent risk factor affecting the poor prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This present research aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of myocardial injury in elderly AMI by animals and cells experiment. Our previous clinical study found the serum Cystatin C (Cys-C) increased in the elderly AMI population, while the mechanism underlying high Cys-C induced myocardial injury of AMI remains unclear. In the in-vitro study, we confirmed that Wnt/β-catenin could significantly reduce the expression of cytoplasmic Cys-C through transnuclear action, and highly attenuate the occurrence of mitochondrial oxidative stress injury induced via Cys-C/reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the addition of exogenous Wnt3a and inhibition of Cys-C expression could effectively inhibit mitochondrial oxidative stress injury and relieve the acute myocardial hypoxia injury. These results indicate that Cys-C exerted damaging effects on the hypoxic aging cardiomyocyte through the ROS/mitochondrial signaling pathway. Inhibition of this pathway effectively reduced the apoptosis of aging cardiomyocytes. In the in-vivo study, we also explored the function of the Wnt/Cys-C pathway on the ischemic infarction heart. We confirmed that Wnt/β-catenin served as the upstream protective protein of this pathway, and the promotion of this pathway improved the cardiac structure and function of the elderly AMI mice effectively.
Estradiol-17ß Is Influenced by Age, Housing System, and Laying Performance in Genetically Divergent Laying Hens (Gallus gallus f.d.)
Authors: Mehlhorn Julia , Höhne Anja , Baulain Ulrich , Schrader Lars , Weigend Steffen , Petow Stefanie
Published: July 2022

The estrogen estradiol-17ß is known as one of the major gonadal steroid hormones with different functions in reproduction. In this study we analyzed estradiol-17ß concentration in laying hens of four pure bred chicken laying lines at four different time intervals of the laying period (17th–19th week of age, 33rd–35th week of age, 49th–51st week of age, and 72nd week of age). The high performing white egg (WLA) and brown egg (BLA) layer lines as well as the low performing white (R11) and brown (L68) layer lines were kept in both single cages and a floor housing system. We investigated whether there were differences in estradiol -17ß concentrations between lines at different ages that could be related to selection for high egg production or phylogenetic origin of the animals, and whether there was an influence of housing conditions on estradiol-17ß. Estradiol-17ß concentrations differed between high and low performing layer lines at all time intervals studied. High performing hens showed higher estradiol-17ß concentrations compared to low performing hens. In all lines, highest estradiol-17ß concentration was measured at their 49th to their 51st week of age, whereas the peak of laying intensity was observed at their 33rd to their 35th week of age. Additionally, hens with fewer opportunities for activity housed in cages showed higher estradiol-17ß concentrations than hens kept in a floor housing system with more movement possibilities. We could show that laying performance is strongly linked with estradiol -17ß concentration. This concentration changes during laying period and is also influenced by the housing system.
Skeletal muscle and metabolic flexibility in response to changing energy demands in wild birds
Authors: Swanson David L. , Zhang Yufeng , Jimenez Ana Gabriela
Published: July 2022

Phenotypically plastic responses of animals to adjust to environmental variation are pervasive. Reversible plasticity (i.e., phenotypic flexibility), where adult phenotypes can be reversibly altered according to prevailing environmental conditions, allow for better matching of phenotypes to the environment and can generate fitness benefits but may also be associated with costs that trade-off with capacity for flexibility. Here, we review the literature on avian metabolic and muscle plasticity in response to season, temperature, migration and experimental manipulation of flight costs, and employ an integrative approach to explore the phenotypic flexibility of metabolic rates and skeletal muscle in wild birds. Basal (minimum maintenance metabolic rate) and summit (maximum cold-induced metabolic rate) metabolic rates are flexible traits in birds, typically increasing with increasing energy demands. Because skeletal muscles are important for energy use at the organismal level, especially to maximum rates of energy use during exercise or shivering thermogenesis, we consider flexibility of skeletal muscle at the tissue and ultrastructural levels in response to variations in the thermal environment and in workloads due to flight exercise. We also examine two major muscle remodeling regulatory pathways: myostatin and insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1). Changes in myostatin and IGF-1 pathways are sometimes, but not always, regulated in a manner consistent with metabolic rate and muscle mass flexibility in response to changing energy demands in wild birds, but few studies have examined such variation so additional study is needed to fully understand roles for these pathways in regulating metabolic flexibility in birds. Muscle ultrastrutural variation in terms of muscle fiber diameter and associated myonuclear domain (MND) in birds is plastic and highly responsive to thermal variation and increases in workload, however, only a few studies have examined ultrastructural flexibility in avian muscle. Additionally, the relationship between myostatin, IGF-1, and satellite cell (SC) proliferation as it relates to avian muscle flexibility has not been addressed in birds and represents a promising avenue for future study.
Risk factors associated with cassava brown streak disease dissemination through seed pathways in Eastern D.R. Congo
Authors: Kwibuka Yves , Nyirakanani Chantal , Bizimana Jean Pierre , Bisimwa Espoir , Brostaux Yves , Lassois Ludivine , Vanderschuren Herve , Massart Sebastien
Published: July 2022

Vegetatively propagated crops are particularly prone to disease dissemination through their seed systems. Strict phytosanitary measures are important to limit the impact of diseases as illustrated by the potato seed system in Europe. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a devastating disease caused by two viral species collectively named cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs). CBSD can cause substantial root yield losses of up to 100% in the worst affected areas and is easily transmitted through stem cuttings. In Eastern and Central Africa, the epidemiology of CBSVs in the local socio-economical context of production remains poorly known while a better understanding would be an asset to properly manage the disease. This lack of information explains partially the limited efficiency of current regulatory schemes in increasing the availability of quality seed to smallholders and mitigating the spread of pests and diseases. This study surveyed the epidemiology of CBSVs in Uvira territory, Eastern D.R. Congo, and its drivers using a multivariate approach combining farmer’s interview, field observation, sampling and molecular detection of CBSVs. Investigation on the epidemiology of CBSD revealed that three clusters in the study area could be identified using five most significant factors: (i) symptoms incidence, (ii) number of whiteflies, (iii) types of foliar symptoms, (iv) cutting’s pathways and (v) plant age. Among the three clusters identified, one proved to be potentially interesting for seed multiplication activities since the disease pressure was the lowest. Through risk assessment, we also identified several key socio-economic determinants on disease epidemy: (i) factors related to farmer’s knowledge and awareness (knowledge of cassava pests and diseases, knowledge of management practices, support from extension services and management strategies applied), (ii) factors related to the geographical location of farmer’s fields (proximity to borders, proximity to town, distance to acquire cuttings), as well as (iii) the pathways used to acquire cuttings.
DS-MENet for the classification of citrus disease
Authors: Liu Xuyao , Hu Yaowen , Zhou Guoxiong , Cai Weiwei , He Mingfang , Zhan Jialei , Hu Yahui , Li Liujun
Published: July 2022

Affected by various environmental factors, citrus will frequently suffer from diseases during the growth process, which has brought huge obstacles to the development of agriculture. This paper proposes a new method for identifying and classifying citrus diseases. Firstly, this paper designs an image enhancement method based on the MSRCR algorithm and homomorphic filtering algorithm optimized by Laplacian (HFLF-MS) to highlight the disease characteristics of citrus. Secondly, we designed a new neural network DS-MENet based on the DenseNet-121 backbone structure. In DS-MENet, the regular convolution in Dense Block is replaced with depthwise separable convolution, which reduces the network parameters. The ReMish activation function is used to alleviate the neuron death problem caused by the ReLU function and improve the robustness of the model. To further enhance the attention to citrus disease information and the ability to extract feature information, a multi-channel fusion backbone enhancement method (MCF) was designed in this work to process Dense Block. We use the 10-fold cross-validation method to conduct experiments. The average classification accuracy of DS-MENet on the dataset after adding noise can reach 95.02%. This shows that the method has good performance and has certain feasibility for the classification of citrus diseases in real life.
Vibrational courtship disruption of Nilaparvata lugens using artificial disruptive signals
Authors: Feng Zelin , Wei Qi , Ye Zhongru , Yang Baojun , Gao Yufan , Lv Jun , Dai Yanyun , Bao Jia , Yao Qing
Published: July 2022

The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål; Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is a piercing-sucking pest that causes serious damage to rice plants by sucking the phloem sap from the plants and transmitting viruses. During courtship, the BPH vibrates its abdomen to produce signals that are transmitted to rice plants through its legs. Male BPHs search, locate, and mate with female BPHs after they exchange courtship signals with each other. Currently, spraying chemical pesticides is still the primary method for controlling BPH populations in paddy fields, although this approach has led to severe environmental pollution. A physical control method based on BPH courtship disruption to reduce the mating rate is a promising strategy for cutting environmental pollution. To acquire effective courtship disruptive signals, we developed a vibration signal recording, monitoring, and playback system for BPHs. Using this system, BPH courtship signals and male competition signals were collected and analyzed to obtain their frequency spectra. Results show that the mean main vibration frequency of female courtship signals is 234 Hz and the mean pulse rate is 23 Hz. The mean main vibration and pulse frequencies of the male courtship signals are 255 Hz and 82 Hz, respectively. Besides, the mean main vibration frequency of the male competition signal is 281 Hz. Seven different forms and frequencies of artificial signals were played back to male BPHs, then the courtship and behavioral responses of male BPHs were analyzed. Results indicate that a pure tone of 225 Hz prevents the males from recognizing female courtship signals. The male reply rate fell from 95.6 to 33.3% and the mean reply delay time increased from 5.3 s to 9.1 s. The reply rates of the other six artificial signals ranged from 42.9 to 83.7%, and the mean reply delays were between 5.0 s and 9.3 s. Therefore, the courtship behavior of BPHs can be disrupted by using specific artificial disruptive signals.
Effects of Wx Genotype, Nitrogen Fertilization, and Temperature on Rice Grain Quality
Authors: Xia Duo , Wang Yipei , Shi Qingyun , Wu Bian , Yu Xiaoman , Zhang Changquan , Li Yanhua , Fu Pei , Li Minqi , Zhang Qinglu , Liu Qiaoquan , Gao Guanjun , Zhou Hao , He Yuqing
Published: July 2022

Quality is a complex trait that is not only the key determinant of the market value of the rice grain, but is also a major constraint in rice breeding. It is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the combined effects of genotypes and environmental factors on rice grain quality remain unclear. In this study, we used a three-factor experimental design to examine the grain quality of different Wx genotypes grown under different nitrogen fertilization and temperature conditions during grain development. We found that the three factors contributed differently to taste, appearance, and nutritional quality. Increased Wx function and nitrogen fertilization significantly reduced eating quality, whereas high temperature (HT) had almost no effect. The main effects of temperature on appearance quality and moderate Wx function at low temperatures (LTs) contributed to better appearance, and higher nitrogen fertilization promoted appearance at HTs. With regard to nutritional quality, Wx alleles promoted amylose content (AC) as well as starch-lipids content (SLC); nitrogen fertilization increased storage protein content (PC); and higher temperature increased lipid content but decreased the PC. This study helps to broaden the understanding of the major factors that affect the quality of rice and provides constructive messages for rice quality improvement and the cultivation of high-quality rice varieties.
Nutrient Inputs Alleviate Negative Effects of Early and Subsequent Flooding on Growth of Polygonum hydropiper With the Aid of Adventitious Roots
Authors: Chen Yu-Han , Wei Guan-Wen , Cui Yuan , Luo Fang-Li
Published: July 2022

Riparian plants are exposed to harmful stress induced by flooding, which is often accompanied by eutrophication in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region. The phenomenon is mainly caused by domestic sewage discharges, slow water flow, and agricultural fertilizer pollution. Simulating abiotic stress, such as flooding at the initial period, can act as a signal and induce positive responses of plants to subsequent severe stress. In addition, eutrophication supplies nutrients, provides a favorable environment in the early stages of plant, and facilitates good performance in later development. However, whether early flooding (with or without eutrophication) acts as positive cue or as stress on plants at different developmental stages remains unclear. To address this question, seeds of Polygonum hydropiper were collected from low and high elevations in the hydro-fluctuation belt of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region. Plants germinated from these seeds were subjected to shallower and shorter early flooding treatments with or without eutrophication. Subsequently, plants were subjected to deeper and longer flooding treatments with or without eutrophication. Early flooding and eutrophic flooding significantly induced generation of adventitious roots, suggesting morphological adaptation to flooding. Although early flooding and eutrophic flooding treatments did not increase plant biomass in subsequent treatments compared with control, stem length, length and width of the 1st fully expanded leaf, and biomass of plants in the early eutrophic treatment were higher than these of the early flooding treatment plants. These results suggest a negative lag-effect of early flooding, and also indicate that nutrient inputs can alleviate such effects. Similarly, subsequent eutrophic flooding also enhanced plant growth compared with subsequent flooding, showing significantly higher values of leaf traits and adventitious root number. Plants originated from low elevation had significantly higher functional leaf length and stem biomass compared with those from high elevation. These results suggest that nutrient inputs can alleviate negative effects of early and subsequent flooding on growth of P. hydropiper with the generation of adventitious roots.
CRISPR/Cas9 suppression of OsAT10, a rice BAHD acyltransferase, reduces p-coumaric acid incorporation into arabinoxylan without increasing saccharification
Authors: Möller Svenning R. , Lancefield Christopher S. , Oates Nicola C. , Simister Rachael , Dowle Adam , Gomez Leonardo D. , McQueen-Mason Simon J.
Published: July 2022

Ester-linked hydroxycinnamic acids ferulic acid (FA) and para-coumaric acid (p-CA) play important roles in crosslinking within cell wall arabinoxylans (AX) and between AX and lignin in grass cell walls. The addition of hydroxycinnamates to AX, is mediated by the Mitchell clade of BAHD acyl-coenzyme A-utilizing transferases. Overexpression of OsAT10 (a Mitchell clade BAHD acyl transferase) in rice, has previously been shown to increase p-CA content in AX in leaves and stems, leading to increased cell wall digestibility, potentially associated with a concomitant decrease in FA content. To investigate the physiological role of OsAT10 we established CRISPR/Cas9 rice knock-out mutants devoid of OsAT10. Our analysis of hydroxycinnamic acid content in wild type plants revealed that AX associated p-CA is found almost exclusively in rice husks, with very little found in other tissues. Mutant plants were essentially devoid of ester-linked p-CA associated with AX, indicating that OsAT10 represents the major enzyme responsible for the addition of p-CA to arabinoxylan in rice plants. We found no change in the digestibility of rice husk lacking AX-associated p-CA, suggesting that the changes in digestibility seen in OsAT10 overexpressing plants were solely due to compensatory decreases in AX-associated FA.
Identification of ankyrin-transmembrane-type subfamily genes in Triticeae species reveals TaANKTM2A-5 regulates powdery mildew resistance in wheat
Authors: Hu Ping , Ren Yueming , Xu Jun , Wei Qichao , Song Puwen , Guan Yuanyuan , Gao Huanting , Zhang Yang , Hu Haiyan , Li Chengwei
Published: July 2022

The ankyrin-transmembrane (ANKTM) subfamily is the most abundant subgroup of the ANK superfamily, with critical roles in pathogen defense. However, the function of ANKTM proteins in wheat immunity remains largely unexplored. Here, a total of 381 ANKTMs were identified from five Triticeae species and Arabidopsis, constituting five classes. Among them, class a only contains proteins from Triticeae species and the number of ANKTM in class a of wheat is significantly larger than expected, even after consideration of the ploidy level. Tandem duplication analysis of ANKTM indicates that Triticum urartu, Triticum dicoccoides and wheat all had experienced tandem duplication events which in wheat-produced ANKTM genes all clustered in class a. The above suggests that not only did the genome polyploidization result in the increase of ANKTM gene number, but that tandem duplication is also a mechanism for the expansion of this subfamily. Micro-collinearity analysis of Triticeae ANKTMs indicates that some ANKTM type genes evolved into other types of ANKs in the evolution process. Public RNA-seq data showed that most of the genes in class d and class e are expressed, and some of them show differential responses to biotic stresses. Furthermore, qRT-PCR results showed that some ANKTMs in class d and class e responded to powdery mildew. Silencing of TaANKTM2A-5 by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing compromised powdery mildew resistance in common wheat Bainongaikang58. Findings in this study not only help to understand the evolutionary process of ANKTM genes, but also form the basis for exploring disease resistance genes in the ANKTM gene family.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Potential Gene Regulatory Networks Under Cold Stress of Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)
Authors: Zhang Jiaying , An Haishan , Zhang Xueying , Xu Fangjie , Zhou Boqiang
Published: July 2022

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. ) is one of the most economically important evergreen fruit crops in China, while it often suffered the injury of cold stress in winter and earlier spring, and the annual yield loss of loquat fruits caused by cold or freezing stress was immeasurable. However, knowledge about the physiological response and molecular mechanism under cold stress is still limited. To investigate the potential regulation mechanism pre- and post-cold stress in loquat and the changes in physiological indicators, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed against a cold-resistant cv. “Huoju” and a cold-sensitive cv. “Ninghaibai”. The results of physiological indicators related to cold resistance indicated that rachis was most sensitive to cold stress and was considered as the representative organ to directly evaluate cold resistance of loquat based on subordinate function analysis. Here, we compared the transcriptome profiles of rachis pre- and under cold stress in “Huoju” and “Ninghaibai”. A total of 4,347 and 3,513 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in “Ninghaibai” and “Huoju”, among which 223 and 166 were newly identified genes, respectively, most of them were functionally enriched in plant hormone signal transduction (Huoju: 142; Ninghaibai: 200), and there were higher plant hormone content and related DEG expression levels in “Huoju” than that of “Ninghaibai”. Moreover, a total of 3,309 differentially expressed transcription factors (DETFs) were identified, and some DEGs and DETFs were screened to be subjected to co-expression network analysis based on the gene expression profile data. Some candidate DEGs, including UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT), glycosyltransferase (GT), sugar phosphate/phosphate translocator (SPT), sugar transport protein (STP), proline-rich receptor-like protein kinase (PERK), and peroxidise (POD), were significantly affected by cold stress, and the expression level of these genes obtained from real-time quantitative RT-PCR was consistent with the pattern of transcriptome profile, which suggested that these genes might play the vital roles in cold resistance of loquat. Our results provide an invaluable resource for the identification of specific genes and TFs and help to clarify gene transcription during the cold stress response of loquat.
The role of synergistic interplay among proactive personality, leader creativity expectations, and role clarity in stimulating employee creativity
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Wang Meng , Xu Feng
Published: July 2022

This study investigates the interplay among proactive personality, leader creativity expectations, and role clarity in stimulating employee creativity based on the theoretical frameworks of role theory. Questionnaires were distributed to obtain 290 leader-employee dyads from China to examine hypotheses via conditional process analysis. The results show that proactive personality has a positive effect on employee creativity, leader creativity expectations did not play a significant moderating role on the relationship between proactive personality and employee creativity. The interaction between leader creativity expectations and role clarity has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between proactive personality and employee creativity. These findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical significance.
Evidence centered design framework and dynamic bayesian network for modeling learning progression in online assessment system
Authors: Choi Younyoung , Mislevy Robert J.
Published: July 2022

An overarching mission of the educational assessment community today is strengthening the connection between assessment and learning. To support this effort, researchers draw variously on developments across technology, analytic methods, assessment design frameworks, research in learning domains, and cognitive, social, and situated psychology. The study lays out the connection among three such developments, namely learning progressions, evidence-centered assessment design (ECD), and dynamic Bayesian modeling for measuring students’ advancement along learning progression in a substantive domain. Their conjunction can be applied in both formative and summative assessment uses. In addition, this study conducted an application study in domain of beginning computer network engineering for illustrating the ideas with data drawn from the Cisco Networking Academy’s online assessment system.