bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of Tunable Microwave Signal Generation Based on a 1-GHz All-Polarization-Maintaining Mode-Locked Fiber Laser
Authors: Song Denghui , Yin Ke , Kong Sirui , Chen Xiya , Xu Zhongjie
Published: October 2022

Photonics-based microwave generation brings the advantages of photonic oscillators, such as high stability, wide bandwidth, and low loss, to the microwave domain. In this paper, the generation of tunable microwave signals was investigated both theoretically and experimentally based on an all-polarization-maintaining 1-GHz mode-locked fiber laser. Based on beating between two highly chirped optical pulse trains with a relative time delay at the photodetector, tunable microwave signals could be obtained. The numerical simulations show that 40 GHz or higher microwave signals could be obtained by tuning the time delay and dispersion. To experimentally validate the theoretical model, the generation of tunable microwave signals from 2–4 GHz was demonstrated. Due to the utilization of polarization-maintaining devices, the optical output has a high degree of linear polarization of more than 99%, which verifies the enhanced system stability. These demonstrations are imperative for solidifying the advancements of recent years and could promote the utilization of photonics-based microwave generation in microwave photonics.
Long-Distance, Real-Time LED Display-Camera Communication System Based on LED Point Clustering and Lightweight Image Processing
Authors: Li Jingwen , Pan Chuhan , Pan Junxing , Lin Jiajun , Lu Mingli , Jiang Zoe Lin , Fang Junbin
Published: October 2022

LED displays can be used to realize the dual functions of display and communication simultaneously. However, existing LED display-based visible light communication (VLC) systems suffer due to their short transmission distance and are not practical. A long-distance, real-time display-camera communication (DCC) system is proposed in this paper. First, a LED-DCC point clustering scheme is proposed to increase the transmission distance by clustering multiple adjacent LED display points for improving the quality of the VLC signal captured by an image sensor. Then, a lightweight, back-forth, fast image processing algorithm is proposed to reduce the introduced additional computational complexity caused by point clustering and enhance the reliability of information extraction from the real-time captured images/video frames. The experimental system was implemented with a 2.2-inch 16 × 16 point LED display and the CMOS camera on the smartphone. Experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve a maximum data transmission distance of 7 m under a bit error rate (BER) of 0.5, which is about 9 times that of the previous LED-DCC system, and can achieve a data transmission distance of 175 cm under the 7% forward error correction (FEC) limit, which is about 12 times that of the previous LED-DCC system. Additionally, the decoding latency for extracting information from each video frame is only 13.26 ms, which guarantees real-time data reception.
Effect of Twisting Phases on the Polarization Dynamics of a Vector Optical Field
Authors: Liu Quanbin , Chew Khian-Hooi , Huang Yingqi , Liu Caixia , Hu Xiaobo , Li Yuhua , Chen Rui-Pin
Published: October 2022

The effect of twisting phases on the polarization dynamics of a vector vortex beam with a spatially variant state of polarization (SoP) is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The twisted vector vortex optical field with the cross-phase modulation is experimentally generated and observed. The presence of the twisting phases on the vector optical field results in novel propagation dynamics and the evolution of polarization states. The optical field performs the process of compressing and stretching the orthogonal polarization components and the linear-circular polarization conversions during propagation. Different from the scalar twisted beams, the orthogonal polarization components of twisted vector beams can be compressed along the same azimuthal angle or the orthogonal azimuthal angles, depending on the signs of the twist intensity coefficients. For an anisotropic twisted optical field, the SoP and the optical field rotate, and the rotation behaviors are sensitively dependent on the twisting coefficients. Furthermore, the two vortex topological charges embedded within the orthogonal polarization component of a twisted vector vortex beam can be simultaneously identified by looking at the interference fringes of the twisting phases. This work reveals that a vector vortex beam and its SoP can be dynamically manipulated by twisting phases.
Broadband, Continuous-Wave, Mid-Infrared Generation Based on ASE Fiber Source
Authors: Wang Kaifeng , Li Xiao , Wang Peng , Hua Weihong , Wang Zefeng , Han Kai
Published: October 2022

The research reports broadband, continuous-wave (CW), mid-infrared generation based on an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), pumped by an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) fiber source. The ASE fiber source has a ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) structure. By injecting another fiber laser with high power and a narrow linewidth into the nonlinear crystal, the phase-matching difference frequency generation (DFG) can be realized at a low pumping threshold. It is shown that during the down-conversion of the ASE fiber source, the intracavity DFG can steadily and effectively generate a broadband mid-infrared laser, with a central wavelength of 3713 nm. The bandwidth of the mid-infrared laser is 122 nm. The pump power of 2 W generates a 0.238 W mid-infrared laser with a pump-idler conversion efficiency of 11.6%. It has tremendous application potential in the research of broadband CW mid-infrared lasers.
A Tunable Multi-Port Fano Resonator Based on Mach-Zehnder Interferometers Coupling with Micro-Ring Resonators
Authors: Xu Yingjie , Lu Lidan , Chen Guang , Liao Jie , Xu Xiaofeng , Ou Jianzhen , Zhu Lianqing
Published: October 2022

Fano resonance has an asymmetric and sharp resonance peak near the resonance wavelength, which can effectively enhance the all-optical signal processing capability and realize silicon photonic switches, sensors, and modulators. In this paper, a silicon photonic Fano resonator with Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure coupling with micro-ring resonators (MRR) is designed. Two MRRs with different quality factors are coupled with two arms of an MZI, and the coupling zone is composed of two half-ring waveguides. Based on the transfer matrix method, the intrinsic and modulated transfer characteristics of the component are analyzed. By adjusting the optical amplitude and phase of MZIs and tuning the resonance wavelength of two MRRs, Fano resonance spectra are simulated at four output ports with the highest extinction ratios of 56.19 dB and maximum slope rates at 2175.74 dB/nm, and the transmission spectra of Fano resonance at the four output ports are experimentally demonstrated. As the four Fano resonance ports of the designed component have different performances, they can be used for various functions simultaneously. The advantage of the proposed scheme is the improvement of the multiplexing capacity and simultaneous utilization of the muti-port for the Fano resonator. Our four-port Fano resonator can be employed in the fields of optical switching, optical computing, and optical interconnect in the future.
Optical Coherence Tomography Following Panretinal Photocoagulation Demonstrating Choroidal Detachment
Authors: Xie Xinyi , Liu Qinghuai , Paulus Yannis Mantas
Published: October 2022

Retinal laser therapy such as panretinal photocoagulation can be associated with complications, including rare cases of choroidal detachment. This report describes high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging after retinal laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) demonstrating choroidal detachment. A series of three sequential patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy who were PRP laser naïve were examined with spectral-domain OCT immediately after green solid-state laser or PASCAL® PRP treatment. All three patients demonstrated a significant choroidal detachment immediately after PRP treatment. By one month after PRP, the choroidal detachment resolved spontaneously in all patients. OCT examinations were performed to detect and evaluate the severity and the change of choroidal detachment and thickness measurements were quantified and demonstrated a mean decrease in choroidal thickness of 122 µm (p < 0.05 in all patients). Conventional green solid-state laser and PASCAL® laser both have the risk of developing complications such as choroidal detachment. While the rate of choroidal detachment has been reported to be quite low, this could be due to subclinical, self-limited, choroidal detachments. The risk could be larger than previously reported using modern high-resolution clinical optical imaging such as OCT.
Optical Vortex Beams with a Symmetric OAM Spectrum beyond a Sector Aperture
Authors: Kotlyar Victor V. , Kovalev Alexey A. , Nalimov Anton G.
Published: October 2022

In this work, we theoretically and numerically show that in the superposition of optical Gaussian vortices with a symmetric OAM spectrum, the normalized orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by the beam and the topological charge (TC) equal TC of the middle constituent vortex. We also show that after passing a sector-shaped aperture, the symmetric superposition preserves the OAM carried, with the TC becoming fractional and proportional to the angle of the sector aperture. As it further propagates in free space after the sector aperture, the TC of the superposition becomes an integer, albeit indefinite, thanks to the aperture edges generating a multitude of extra optical vortices with positive and negative unit TC, irregularly arranged across the beam.
Programmable Parallel Optical Logic Gates on a Multimode Waveguide Engine
Authors: Chen Tao , Dang Zhangqi , Ding Zhenming , Zhang Ziyang
Published: October 2022

Optical logic gates have been proposed and demonstrated on a function programmable waveguide engine constructed using buried silicon nitride waveguides in polymer and a set of thermal electrodes. The device can perform logic AND or OR operations for the input signals A and B, each containing two bits of information, in parallel. The input signals, in the form of binary current values in the electronic domain, are applied to a subset of thermal electrodes, while the computed logic states are converted to optical intensity variations at the single-mode waveguide outputs. The rest of the electrodes work as weights to define the device function, either AND or OR, by adjusting the light interference in the multimode waveguide through thermo-optic effect. Simulations were first performed to reveal the nonlinear response of the received light intensity with respect to the applied current, thus allowing complex and effective manipulation of the light field on the waveguide engine. After chip fabrication and system integration, 65,536 experiments were performed automatically. The data are fed into a sorting program to find the valid settings that satisfy the respective truth table out of the 283,852,800 possible input/weight/output combinations. Four cases of operations for the AND and OR gates are presented in the end, with different bar and contrast values. This simple, low-cost yet powerful engine may be further developed for applications in on-chip photonic computing and signal switching.
Vectorial Manipulation of High-Resolution Focusing Optical Field through a Scattering Medium
Authors: Qi Bote , Shen Lihua , Chew Khian-Hooi , Chen Rui-Pin
Published: October 2022

The manipulation of the polarization states of the light transmitted through a scattering medium has become an emerging field due to the novel fundamental physics interest and potential applications. Here, the manipulation of the polarization states in the focusing high-resolution optical field (points and vector beams) after passing a scattering medium is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. The vector transmission matrix (VTM) of a scattering medium is measured with the vector basis of orthogonally circular polarizations by the two-dimensional (2D) holographic grating combined with the four-step phase-shifting method. The incident wavefronts for the creation of desired high-resolution optical fields through a scattering medium are modulated according to the calculation with the VTM of the medium. The theoretical and experimental results show that the constructed high-resolution optical field with spatially variant states of polarization can be realized through frosted glass. These results provide a new way to vectorially manipulate the constructed high-resolution optical field by passing through a scattering medium.
Quantum Tomography of Two-Qutrit Werner States
Authors: Wang Haigang , He Kan
Published: October 2022

In this article, we introduce a framework for two-qutrit Werner states tomography with Gaussian noise. The measurement scheme is based on the symmetric, informationally complete positive operator-valued measure. To make the framework realistic, we impose the Gaussian noise on the measured states numbers. Through numerical simulation, we successfully reconstructed the two-qutrit Werner states in various experimental scenarios and analyzed the optimal scenario from four aspects: fidelity, purity, entanglement, and coherence.
Design of Ultra-High-Aperture Dual-Range Athermal Infrared Objectives
Authors: Greisukh Grigoriy Isaevitch , Levin Il’ya Anatolievich , Ezhov Eugeniy Grigorievich
Published: October 2022

We present a technique that includes the principles of selecting the layout of the optical scheme and recommendations for the choice of the initial design parameters for designing ultra-high-aperture dual-range athermal infrared objectives. The versatility and efficiency of the proposed technique are demonstrated using examples of the design of the refractive and refractive-diffractive version of the objectives, and the obtained optical performance is discussed.
Van Der Waals Materials for Subdiffractional Light Guidance
Authors: Ermolaev Georgy , Grudinin Dmitriy , Voronin Kirill , Vyshnevyy Andrey , Arsenin Aleksey , Volkov Valentyn
Published: October 2022

Photonics is a natural next technological step after an era of electronics. However, the diffraction limit of light poses severe limitations on photonic elements and dictates their size. Herein, we demonstrate that layered semiconductors solve this challenge thanks to their giant optical anisotropy. In particular, waveguides with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) claddings can operate in a transparency region slightly above (20%) the diffraction limit and even overcome it by 10% around 700 nm, providing an even better confinement than air cladding, but with excitonic losses. Further analysis reveals that van der Waals materials with an in-plane refractive index of about five or an out-of-plane index around two provide subdiffractional and lossless guidance. Therefore, our results establish the route for ultra-dense photonic integration based on layered materials.
Sampling Parallel SOA-MZIs Configuration for All-Optical Simultaneous Frequency Down-Conversion
Authors: Termos Hassan , Mansour Ali
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we expound a modulation concept to contrive simultaneous frequency down-conversion based on a three parallel Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (SOA-MZIs) link by using a band pass sampling method in a Virtual Photonics Inc. simulator. Each SOA-MZI is deployed to achieve a down-converted signal, which has ten replicas related to the first ten harmonic ranks of the sampling signal, at the SOA-MZI outer port. Then, the admixture of the three down-converted signals yields a sampled signal, which is called a simultaneous down-converted signal that contains thirty different replicas. The positive down-conversion gains with top values are reached with the sampling parallel SOA-MZIs link. Moreover, we evaluated the quality of the parallel SOA-MZIs transmission system over orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) complex modulated signals using the error vector magnitude values as a performance index. The utmost bit rate attained is 2 Gbit/s for OFDM modulations.
Thinning of Botryococcus braunii Colony Sheath by Pretreatment Enhances Solvent-Based Hydrocarbon Recovery
Authors: Furuhashi Kenichi , Magota Akinari , Liu Yifan , Hasegawa Fumio , Okada Shigeru , Kaizu Yutaka , Imou Kenji
Published: October 2022

Botryococcus braunii is a green microalga that is attracting attention as an alternative aviation fuel owing to its hydrocarbon production. In this study, we investigated two approaches to reducing the energy required by pretreatment for hydrocarbon recovery by solvent extraction. Saltwater culture has been reported previously only for the B race of Botryococcus braunii; it improved hydrocarbon recovery from the A race too. We developed a hot water rinsing method that reduced the temperature requirement from the 85 °C which was previously reported for the B race. As the salt concentration in the medium increased, the colony sheath that covered the entire colony surface of the Yamanaka strain (race A) became thinner and the hydrocarbon recovery increased. Saltwater culture can be applied to race A without any energy input. Hydrocarbon recovery from the Showa strain (race B) exceeded 90% after nine rinses with 70 °C hot water while maintaining this temperature. Thus, both pretreatments lowered the treatment temperature by at least 15 °C compared to previously reported methods. Both treatments improved hydrocarbon recovery by thinning the colony sheaths.
Cosmology of a Polynomial Model for de Sitter Gauge Theory Sourced by a Fluid
Authors: Lu Jia-An
Published: October 2022

In the de Sitter gauge theory (DGT), the fundamental variables are the de Sitter (dS) connection and the gravitational Higgs/Goldstone field ξA, where A is a 5 dimensional index. Previously, a model for DGT was analyzed, which generalizes the MacDowell–Mansouri gravity to have a variable cosmological constant, Λ=3/l2, where l is related to ξA by ξAξA=l2. It was shown that the model sourced by a perfect fluid does not support a radiation epoch and the accelerated expansion of the parity invariant universe. In this paper, I consider a similar model, namely, the Stelle–West gravity, and couple it to a modified perfect fluid, such that the total Lagrangian 4-form is polynomial in the gravitational variables. The Lagrangian of the modified fluid has a nontrivial variational derivative with respect to l, and as a result, the problems encountered in the previous study no longer appear. Moreover, to explore the elegance of the general theory, as well as to write down the basic framework, I perform the Lagrange–Noether analysis for DGT sourced by a matter field, yielding the field equations and the identities with respect to the symmetries of the system. The resulted formula are dS covariant and do not rely on the existence of the metric field.
Assessing Engineering Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Introductory Quantum Optics
Authors: Bitzenbauer Philipp , Veith Joaquin M. , Girnat Boris , Meyn Jan-Peter
Published: October 2022

Quantum technologies have outgrown mere fundamental research in laboratories over recent years, and will facilitate more and more potentially disruptive applications in a wide range of fields in the future. In foresight, qualification opportunities need to be implemented in order to train qualified specialists, referred to as the future quantum workforce, in various fields. Universities world-wide have launched qualification programmes for engineers focusing on quantum optics and photonics. In many of these programmes, students attend courses on quantum physics contextualized via quantum optics experiments with heralded photons, because: (1) their experimental and physical foundations may be directly leveraged to teaching a number of quantum technology applications, and (2) physics education research has provided empirical evidence, according to which such quantum optics-based approaches are conducive to learning about quantum concepts. While many teachers are confident about the effectiveness of their concepts, there is little empirical evidence due to the lack of content-area-specific research tools. We present a 16-item concept inventory to assess students’ conceptual understanding of quantum optics concepts in the context of experiments with heralded photons adopted from a test instrument published in the literature. We have administered this Quantum Optics Concept Inventory as a post-test to N=216 students after instruction on quantum optics as part of an undergraduate engineering course. We evaluated the instruments’ psychometric quality, both in terms of classical test theory, and using a Rasch scaling approach. The Quantum Optics Concept Inventory enables a reliable measure (α=0.74), and the data gathered show a good fit to the Rasch model. The students’ scores suggest that fundamental quantum effects pose striking learning hurdles to the engineering students. In contrast, most of the students are able to cope with the experimental and technical foundations of quantum optics experiments with heralded photons and their underlying principles, such as the coincidence technique used for the preparation of single-photon states. These findings are in accordance with prior research, and hence, the Quantum Optics Concept Inventory may serve as a fruitful starting point for future empirical research with regard to the education of the future quantum workforce.
Effective Methods Based on Distinct Learning Principles for the Analysis of Hyperspectral Images to Detect Black Sigatoka Disease
Authors: Ugarte Fajardo Jorge , Maridueña-Zavala María , Cevallos-Cevallos Juan , Ochoa Donoso Daniel
Published: October 2022

Current chemical methods used to control plant diseases cause a negative impact on the environment and increase production costs. Accurate and early detection is vital for designing effective protection strategies for crops. We evaluate advanced distributed edge intelligence techniques with distinct learning principles for early black sigatoka disease detection using hyperspectral imaging. We discuss the learning features of the techniques used, which will help researchers improve their understanding of the required data conditions and identify a method suitable for their research needs. A set of hyperspectral images of banana leaves inoculated with a conidial suspension of black sigatoka fungus (Pseudocercospora fijiensis) was used to train and validate machine learning models. Support vector machine (SVM), multilayer perceptron (MLP), neural networks, N-way partial least square–discriminant analysis (NPLS-DA), and partial least square–penalized logistic regression (PLS-PLR) were selected due to their high predictive power. The metrics of AUC, precision, sensitivity, prediction, and F1 were used for the models’ evaluation. The experimental results show that the PLS-PLR, SVM, and MLP models allow for the successful detection of black sigatoka disease with high accuracy, which positions them as robust and highly reliable HSI classification methods for the early detection of plant disease and can be used to assess chemical and biological control of phytopathogens.
Effects of Forest Management on the Insect Assemblage of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) in the Allegheny National Forest
Authors: Larcenaire Craig , Wang Fumin , Holásková Ida , Turcotte Richard , Gutensohn Michael , Park Yong-Lak
Published: October 2022

Over the last decade, the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) in the USA has experienced issues with the regeneration of black cherry (Prunus serotina). This study was conducted to investigate the effects of silvicultural treatment on the insect communities that may affect black cherry pollination and regeneration. We conducted a 2-year study to compare the abundance, richness, and diversity of insects in unmanaged, shelterwood seed-tree, and shelterwood clear-cut stands. Using pan traps, we sampled insects at the ground level and in the canopies of flowering mature black cherry trees. The results of this study showed significant increases in the abundance of insects captured in shelterwood seed-tree stands and in species richness and diversity of insects captured in the canopy of black cherry in shelterwood removal stands, indicating that silvicultural treatment affected the insect community significantly. The dominant insect order was Diptera (true flies, 72.91%, n = 12,668), and Anthalia bulbosa (Diptera: Hybotidae) was the dominant species comprising 33% of all insects found in the canopy of flowering black cherry. The findings in this study could help land managers in managing black cherry for its pollination and natural regeneration.
Chemical Constituents and Their Production in Mexican Oaks (Q. Rugosa, Q. Glabrescens and Q. Obtusata)
Authors: Castillo-Mendoza Elgar , Zamilpa Alejandro , González-Cortazar Manasés , Ble-González Ever A. , Tovar-Sánchez Efraín
Published: October 2022

Mexico is considered one of the main regions of diversification of the genus Quercus (oaks). Oak species are one of the most important tree groups, particularly in temperate forests, due to its diversity and abundance. Some studies have shown that oak contains specialized metabolites with medicinal importance. In this work, the acetonic extract from leaves of three Mexican oaks (Quercus rugosa, Q. glabrescens, and Q. obtusata) was separated using thin-layer chromatography and column chromatography. Chemical identification of the major compounds was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. Nineteen compounds were identified, three belonging to the terpenoid family (ursolic acid, β−amyrin, and β−sitosterol) and 16 from the phenolic family. Of the isolated compounds, seven are new reports for oak species (scopoletin, ursolic acid, β-amyrin, luteolin−7−O−glucoside, kaempferol−3−O−sophoroside, kaempferol−3−O−glucoside, and kaempferol−3−O−sambubioside). More compounds were identified in Q. rugosa followed by Q. glabrescens and then Q. obtusata. The characterization of specialized metabolites in oak species is relevant, from both phytocentric and anthropocentric perspectives.
Synergistic Interaction between Copper and Nitrogen-Uptake, Translocation, and Distribution in Rice Plant
Authors: Cui Xinlong , He Hua , Hu Shengwang , Zhang Banfa , Cai Hongmei
Published: October 2022

Interactions among nutrients have been widely recognized in plants and play important roles in crop growth and yield formation. However, the interplay of Cu and N in rice plants is not yet clear. In this study, rice plants were grown with different combinations of Cu and N supply. The effects of Cu-N interaction on the growth, yield production, Cu and N transport, and gene expression levels were analyzed. The results showed that the effect of N supply on rice growth and yield formation was more pronounced than that of Cu supply. The Cu supply significantly improved the uptake of N (by 9.52–30.64%), while the N supply significantly promoted the root-to-shoot translocation of Cu (by 27.28–38.45%) and distributed more Cu (1.85–19.16%) into the shoots and leaves. The results of qRT-PCR showed that +Cu significantly up-regulated the expression levels of both NO3− and NH4+ transporter genes OsNRTs and OsAMTs, including OsNRT1.1B, OsNRT2.1, OsNRT2.3a, OsNRT2.4, OsAMT1.2, OsAMT1.3, and OsAMT3.1. Meanwhile, +N significantly up-regulated the expression levels of Cu transporter genes OsHMA5 and OsYSL16. In addition, the supply of Cu up-regulated the expression levels of OsGS1;2, OsGS2, and OsNADH-GOGAT to 12.61-, 6.48-, and 6.05-fold, respectively. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a synergistic effect between Cu and N in rice plants. It is expected that our results would be helpful to optimize the application of N and Cu fertilizers in agriculture.
Palyno-Morphological Characteristics as a Systematic Approach in the Identification of Halophytic Poaceae Species from a Saline Environment
Authors: Nazish Moona , Althobaiti Ashwaq T.
Published: October 2022

Pollen morphology of 12 salt-tolerant grasses (Calamagrostis pseudophragmites, Cenchrus biflorus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus pennisetiformis, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, Saccharum griffithii, Saccharum ravennae, Saccharum spontaneum, and Urochloa ramosa) from the Salt Range was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The main aim was the elucidation of taxonomic significance of pollen morphology, which might be useful for taxonomists in the identification of halophytic Poaceae taxa. The described pollen morphology is a good source of taxonomic characteristics that can help in species and genera differentiation. The investigated variations in the pollen micromorphological features and exploration of new palynological traits support and strengthen the systematics of Poaceae. The pollen shape of all studied species was sub-spheroidal, and exine ornamentation includes microechinate-areolate (11 spp.) and microechinate (1 spp.). Two types of pollen apertures were reported, i.e., monoporate (11 spp.) and diporate (Cenchrus pennisetiformis). The annulus was found in all species while operculum was observed only in three species. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the quantitative data. The highest pollen viability values (%) depicted the adaptability of Poaceae taxa in the salt region. Overall, the pollen characteristics in polar and equatorial view, apertures, annulus, operculum, and surface ornamentation of pollen grains of the family Poaceae are of great taxonomic significance for the species identification.
Genome Editing for Sustainable Crop Improvement and Mitigation of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Hamdan Mohd Fadhli , Karlson Chou Khai Soong , Teoh Ee Yang , Lau Su-Ee , Tan Boon Chin
Published: October 2022

Climate change poses a serious threat to global agricultural activity and food production. Plant genome editing technologies have been widely used to develop crop varieties with superior qualities or can tolerate adverse environmental conditions. Unlike conventional breeding techniques (e.g., selective breeding and mutation breeding), modern genome editing tools offer more targeted and specific alterations of the plant genome and could significantly speed up the progress of developing crops with desired traits, such as higher yield and/or stronger resilience to the changing environment. In this review, we discuss the current development and future applications of genome editing technologies in mitigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses on agriculture. We focus specifically on the CRISPR/Cas system, which has been the center of attention in the last few years as a revolutionary genome-editing tool in various species. We also conducted a bibliographic analysis on CRISPR-related papers published from 2012 to 2021 (10 years) to identify trends and potential in the CRISPR/Cas-related plant research. In addition, this review article outlines the current shortcomings and challenges of employing genome editing technologies in agriculture with notes on future prospective. We believe combining conventional and more innovative technologies in agriculture would be the key to optimizing crop improvement beyond the limitations of traditional agricultural practices.
Parallel Differentiation and Plastic Adjustment of Leaf Anatomy in Alpine Arabidopsis arenosa Ecotypes
Authors: Bertel Clara , Kaplenig Dominik , Ralser Maria , Arc Erwann , Kolář Filip , Wos Guillaume , Hülber Karl , Holzinger Andreas , Kranner Ilse , Neuner Gilbert
Published: October 2022

Functional and structural adjustments of plants in response to environmental factors, including those occurring in alpine habitats, can result in transient acclimation, plastic phenotypic adjustments and/or heritable adaptation. To unravel repeatedly selected traits with potential adaptive advantage, we studied parallel (ecotypic) and non-parallel (regional) differentiation in leaf traits in alpine and foothill ecotypes of Arabidopsis arenosa. Leaves of plants from eight alpine and eight foothill populations, representing three independent alpine colonization events in different mountain ranges, were investigated by microscopy techniques after reciprocal transplantation. Most traits clearly differed between the foothill and the alpine ecotype, with plastic adjustments to the local environment. In alpine populations, leaves were thicker, with altered proportions of palisade and spongy parenchyma, and had fewer trichomes, and chloroplasts contained large starch grains with less stacked grana thylakoids compared to foothill populations. Geographical origin had no impact on most traits except for trichome and stomatal density on abaxial leaf surfaces. The strong parallel, heritable ecotypic differentiation in various leaf traits and the absence of regional effects suggests that most of the observed leaf traits are adaptive. These trait shifts may reflect general trends in the adaptation of leaf anatomy associated with the colonization of alpine habitats.
Soil Seed Bank in a Pre-Erosion Cereal-Grass Crop Rotation
Authors: Skuodienė Regina , Matyžiūtė Vilija
Published: October 2022

Soil erosion by water is a serious environmental problem. It is very important to form agrophytocenosis, which is productive on hilly terrain and could effectively protect the soil from erosion. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of a hilly relief on the changes of seeds in a soil of pre-erosion cereal-grass crop rotation. The study included different parts of the hill (summit, midslope, and footslope). The southern exposition slope’s soil was slightly eroded Eutric Retisol (loamic) (RT-eu.lo), and the steepness of the slope was 9–11°. The seed bank was investigated at the depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm. The number of seeds in the soil seed bank during autumn was 20.4% higher than in the spring. The highest number of seeds in the autumn was determined on the summit (40.6 thousand seeds m–2). The highest count during the spring was determined on the midslope of the hill (36.4 thousand seeds m–2). In general, in the soil seed bank of the midslope of the hill, the number of seeds was by 7.8% and 42.4% higher compared to the summit and footslope parts. The highest seed reserve was found in the soil at a 0–5 cm depth (59.4% of the total seed number).
Potential Therapeutic Properties of the Leaf of Cydonia Oblonga Mill. Based on Mineral and Organic Profiles
Authors: Ferreira Diana Melo , de Oliveira Natália M. , Lopes Lara , Machado Jorge , Oliveira Maria Beatriz
Published: October 2022

Leaf extract of Cydonia Oblonga Mill. is interesting for further exploration of the potential of its substrates for therapeutic supplements. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on samples of green (October), yellow (November), and brown (December) quince leaves collected in the region of Pinhel, Portugal. Mineral analysis determined the measurements of the levels of several macro- and micro-elements. Organic analysis assessed the moisture content, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin E, and fatty acid (FA) profiles. Mineral analysis was based on ICP-MS techniques, while the profiles of vitamin E and FA relied on HPLC-DAD-FLD and GC-FID techniques, respectively. Moisture content was determined through infrared hygrometry and TPC was determined by spectrophotometric methods. Regarding the mineral content, calcium, magnesium, and iron were the most abundant minerals. Concerning organic analysis, all leaf samples showed similar moisture content, while the TPC of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and total vitamin E content, the most predominant of which was the α-tocopherol isomer, showed significant variations between green-brown and yellow leaves. FA composition in all leaf samples exhibited higher contents of SFA and PUFA than MUFA, with a predominance of palmitic and linolenic acids. Organic and inorganic analysis of quince leaves allow for the prediction of adequate physiological properties, mainly cardiovascular, pulmonary, and immunological defenses, which with our preliminary in silico studies suggest an excellent supplement to complementary therapy, including drastic pandemic situations.
Molecular Breeding of Water-Saving and Drought-Resistant Rice for Blast and Bacterial Blight Resistance
Authors: Zhang Anning , Liu Yi , Wang Feiming , Kong Deyan , Bi Junguo , Zhang Fenyun , Luo Xingxing , Wang Jiahong , Liu Guolan , Luo Lijun , Yu Xinqiao
Published: October 2022

Rice production is often affected by biotic and abiotic stressors. The breeding of resistant cultivars is a cost-cutting and environmentally friendly strategy to maintain a sustainable high production level. An elite water-saving and drought-resistant rice (WDR), Hanhui3, is susceptible to blast and bacterial blight (BB). This study was conducted to introgress three resistance genes (Pi2, xa5, and Xa23) for blast and BB into Hanhui3, using marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the foreground selection and a whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for the background selection. As revealed by the whole-genome SNP array, the recurrent parent genome (RPG) recovery of the improved NIL was 94.2%. The resistance levels to blast and BB of the improved NIL and its derived hybrids were higher than that of the controls. In addition, the improved NIL and its derived hybrids retained the desired agronomic traits from Hanhui3, such as yield. The improved NIL could be useful to enhance resistance against biotic stressors and produce stable grain yields in Oryza sativa subspecies indica rice breeding programs.
Integrative Pathogenicity Assay and Operational Taxonomy-Based Detection of New Forma Specialis of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Datepalm Wilt
Authors: Haq Imran Ul , Ijaz Siddra , Khan Nabeeha Aslam , Khan Iqrar Ahmad , Ali Hayssam M. , Moya-Elizondo Ernesto A.
Published: October 2022

Pathogenicity-associated genes are highly host-specific and contribute to host-specific virulence. We tailored the traditional Koch’s postulates with integrative omics by hypothesizing that the effector genes associated with host-pathogenicity are determinant markers for virulence, and developed Integrative Pathogenicity (IP) postulates for authenticated pathogenicity testing in plants. To set the criteria, we experimented on datepalm (Phoenix dactylifera) for the vascular wilt pathogen and confirmed the pathogen based on secreted in xylem genes (effectors genes) using genomic and transcriptomic approaches, and found it a reliable solution when pathogenicity is in question. The genic regions ITS, TEF1-α, and RPBII of Fusarium isolates were examined by phylogenetic analysis to unveil the validated operational taxonomy at the species level. The hierarchical tree generated through phylogenetic analysis declared the fungal pathogen as Fusarium oxysporum. Moreover, the Fusarium isolates were investigated at the subspecies level by probing the IGS, TEF1-α, and Pgx4 genic regions to detect the forma specialis of F. oxysporum that causes wilt in datepalm. The phylogram revealed a new forma specialis in F. oxysporum that causes vascular wilt in datepalm.
Evaluation of Salicornia bigelovii Germplasm for Food Use in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates Based on Agronomic Traits and Nutritional Composition
Authors: Lyra Dionysia-Angeliki , Raman Anitha , Hozayen Aly , Zaaboul Rashyd , Abou-Zaid Fouad O. , El-Naggar Ahmed , Mansoor Sherine , Mahmoudi Henda , Ammar Khalil
Published: October 2022

Climate change significantly aggravates the quality of soil and water, especially in desert regions such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt concluding in an alarming increase in salinity in the reservoirs of the natural resources. Saline farming rises as a promising solution, utilizing low-quality water and land resources to grow salt-tolerant varieties of conventional crops and halophytes. Samphire (Salicornia spp.) is among the most popular multi-purpose halophytes that are locally consumed in several countries around the world as a vegetable. Six Salicornia bigelovii genotypes (ICBA-2, ICBA-3, ICBA-4, ICBA-8, ICBA-9, ICBA-10) were evaluated for their agronomic performance and nutritional composition in Dubai in UAE and, for the first time, at the Red Sea Governorate in Egypt in the 2019–2020 season using saline groundwater for irrigation (ECw = 26 and 6.6 dS/m, respectively). ICBA-10 performed well in both locations with high green biomass and seed yield (10.9 kgm−2 and 116.3 gm−2, respectively, in UAE; 7.7 kgm−2 and 82.9 gm−2, respectively, in Egypt). ICBA-10 was, overall, also good in ion accumulation, total amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids content in both locations for shoots and seeds. Our results indicated that a lack of a drainage system and leaching fraction, the silt loam texture and the drip irrigation system might have contributed in the gradual accumulation of salts in the soil at Mubarak Valley at the end of the experiment at a higher level than ICBA. Apart from the agronomic parameters, higher salinity levels also affected ion accumulation, the amino acids and the fatty acids content for both shoots and seeds, whereas the proximate composition was affected to a lesser extent. Our findings on the high unsaturated fatty acids content under higher salinity corroborate the nutritional value of S. bigelovii oil. Due to its euhalophyte nature, S. bigelovii is a valuable source of minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that render it the most promising salt-loving plant for food use.
Optimization of Logistics System with Fuzzy FMEA-AHP Methodology
Authors: Jin Guangying , Meng Qingpu , Feng Wei
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic broke out and the global logistics industry suffered severe losses; therefore, the Fuzzy FMEA-AHP (Fuzzy Failure Mode and Effects Analysis-Analytic Hierarchy Process) method is proposed to analyze the failure reasons of the logistics system in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we have made an optimization on the basis of the FMEA method: the fuzzy is integrated into the FMEA algorithm, referred to as F-RPWN (fuzzy risk priority-weighted number). Meanwhile, the AHP is used to determine the weights of risk indicators. In this article, we consider new logistics failures, such as the failure modes and failure reasons of the logistics system under the COVID-19 pandemic. There are 12 failures that have been determined, and relevant preventive and corrective measures have been recommended to cut off the path of failure propagation and reduce the impact of failures. In addition, the proposed method can help logistics firms, their supply chain partners, and customers with risk management issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Hydraulic Deterioration of Different Drainage Systems on Lining Water Pressure
Authors: Bao Tong , Zhang Sulei , Liu Chang , Xu Qing
Published: October 2022

With the increasing operation time of tunnels, the drainage system cannot fulfil its proper function as a result of the deterioration of traditional waterproof and drainage systems (TWDS), such as the blockage of drainage blind pipes and the failure of drainage boards. Therefore, the lining bears a high water pressure and even causes disasters such as tunnel leakage and lining cracking. An effective solution to mitigate these issues is to adjust the tunnel drainage scheme. In view of this, a composite waterproof and drainage system (CWDS) is proposed in this paper. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed system, a series of model experiments were conducted to study the change law of the seepage field of two drainage systems under different blockage conditions. The study results showed that longitudinal blind pipe blockage caused a more significant increase in water pressure than circular blind pipe blockage. In the case of blind pipe blockage, the water pressure of the TWDS tunnels rise rapidly, while the CWDS tunnels could effectively drain and reduce pressure.
Optimisation Configuration of Overhead-Line Segmentation Switch of a Distribution Network Based on Global Combination Criterion
Authors: Cao Wensi , Li Zhaohui , Li Yuxiang
Published: October 2022

Under certain constraints, the optimisation of the position and number of sectional switches in overhead lines in distribution networks can improve the reliability and economy of the power supply. Therefore, a global combination criterion is proposed to simultaneously evaluate the combination performance of multiple switch positions, which avoids the tedious traditional problem of adjusting only one switch position at a time and that can possibly fall into a local-optimum problem. We directly determine the optimal solution and ensure a global optimum. Firstly, the optimal switching position in each line segment is analysed as an alternative switching position. Subsequently, the optimal installation-position combination that corresponds to a given number of switches is determined according to the global combination criterion. If the constraints are satisfied, the number of switches is increased by one, and the optimal installation-position combination is then determined until the constraints are not satisfied. This process ensures not only the global optimum of the switch position but also the optimum number of switches. Finally, examples are given to demonstrate that the proposed method can further optimise the switch configuration. The utility model effectively improves the device utilisation rate, reduces the influence range of the fault, and improves power supply reliability.
Gas–Liquid Interaction Characteristics in a Multiphase Pump under Different Working Conditions
Authors: Deng Yuxuan , Wang Xiaodong , Xu Jing , Li Yanna , Zhang Yanli , Kuang Chunyan
Published: October 2022

In this study, we analyze gas–liquid interaction characteristics using a heterogeneous two-fluid model to investigate the influence of interphase force on multiphase pump performance. Two-phase transport platforms are used in oil and gas development to eliminate the need for separation equipment and reduce costs. Full-channel numerical calculations were conducted for an axial-flow multiphase pump based on different inlet gas void fractions (IGVFs) and flow rates. The results indicate that the interaction force of each phase is relatively large in the rotor–stator interference region, and the drag, lift, virtual mass, and turbulent dispersion forces increase with an increase in IGVF or when deviating from the design condition (Q = 50 m3/h). The interphase forces (resistance, lift, virtual mass force, and turbulent dispersion) increase considerably in the impeller passage and minimally in the guide blade passage. Under the conditions of small and high flows, the force of each phase changes considerably in the impeller and diffuser passages, respectively. Furthermore, the turbulent kinetic energy in the flow passage corresponds to the change trend of the interphase force, indicating that the interphase force causes energy loss inside a multiphase pump. These results provide essential information for the optimization of the hydraulic design of multiphase pumps.