bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New horizons in the sociology of sport
Authors: Giulianotti Richard , Thiel Ansgar
Published: February 2023

The relevance of a sociological view on the problems of society has never been as important as it is today. To quote the editors of the journal Nature in their editorial, Time for the Social Sciences, from 2015: if you want science to deliver for society, you need to support a capacity to understand that society. In other words, the technological and scientific disciplines cannot simply transfer their findings into everyday life without knowing how society works. But this realisation does not seem to have caught on everywhere. The sociology of sport is entering a critical period that will shape its development and potential transformation over the next decade. In this paper, we review key features and trends within the sociology of sport in recent times, and set out potential future challenges and ways forward for the subdiscipline. Accordingly, our discussion spans a wide range of issues concerning the sociology of sport, including theories and approaches, methods, and substantive research topics. We also discuss the potential contributions of the sociology of sport to addressing key societal challenges. To examine these issues, the paper is organized into three main parts. First, we identify three main concentric challenges, or types of peripheral status, that sociologists of sport must confront: as social scientists, as sociologists, and as sociologists of sport, respectively. Second, we consider various strengths within the positions of sociology and the sociology of sport. Third, in some detail, we set out several ways forward for the sociology of sport with respect to positioning within academe, scaling up research, embracing the glocal and cosmopolitan aspects of sociology, enhancing plurality in theory, improving transnational coordination, promoting horizontal collaborations, and building greater public engagement. The paper is underpinned by over 60 years (combined) of work within the sociology of sport, including extensive international research and teaching.
Plant-beneficial Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus spp. from Kumaon Himalayas and their drought tolerance response
Authors: Sati Diksha , Pande Veni , Samant Mukesh
Published: February 2023

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been shown to augment plant responses against drought and other abiotic stresses. In the present study, we isolated 27 bacteria from the rhizosphere of various plants cultivated in the Kumaon Himalayas., and to measure their abiotic stress tolerance, these 27 isolates were subjected to variations in pH, temperature, and drought. All 27 isolates were also screened for various plant growth-promoting traits. Among these, the four isolates RR1, ASC1, AFS3, and NG4 demonstrated various plant growth promotion activities including the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, ammonia, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase production, and concomitantly high tolerance to abiotic stresses. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing of these four isolates validated their identities as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus sp. Finally, to assess the in-vivo drought tolerance potential of these four isolates, a pot-trial experiment was undertaken in wheat cultivar VL-892. The results demonstrated that inoculating wheat plants with these four PGPR isolates greatly improved plant growth under drought circumstances by increasing root and shoot length and both fresh and dry weight of root and shoot. This study endeavors to discover the biochemical and molecular diversity of cultivable PGPR in six remotely located districts of Uttarakhand. In conclusion, the drought-tolerant PGPR strains described in this study are plant-beneficial and can effectively mobilize nutrients under drought conditions. Consequently, they could be used as bioinoculants to alleviate drought stress in wheat plants, in a sustainable manner. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of exploring the diversity and characterization of PGPR from the Kumaon Himalayas and their drought evaluation.
Efficacy of pericapsular nerve group block vs. fascia iliaca compartment block for Hip surgeries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ying Haifeng , Chen Lingyang , Yin Danyang , Ye Yongqing , Chen Jian
Published: February 2023

Objective

The review aimed to compare outcomes of pericapsular nerve group block (PENG) vs. fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for patients undergoing hip surgeries.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and Web of Science comparing PENG vs. FICB for pain control after hip surgeries were included in the review.

Results

Six RCTs were included. 133 patients received PENG block and were compared with 125 patients receiving FICB. Our analysis showed no difference in 6 h (MD: −0.19 95% CI: −1.18, 0.79 I2 = 97% p = 0.70), 12 h (MD: 0.04 95% CI: −0.44, 0.52 I2 = 72% p = 0.88) and 24 h (MD: 0.09 95% CI: −1.03, 1.21 I2 = 97% p = 0.87) pain scores between PENG and FICB groups. Pooled analysis showed that mean opioid consumption in morphine equivalents was significantly less with PENG as compared to FICB (MD: −8.63 95% CI: −14.45, −2.82 I2 = 84% p = 0.004). Meta-analysis of three RCTs showed no variation in the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the two groups. The quality of evidence on GRADE was mostly moderate.

Conclusion

Moderate quality of evidence suggests that PENG may result in better analgesia than FICB in patients undergoing hip surgeries. Data on motor-sparing ability and complications are scarce to draw conclusions. Further large-scale and high-quality RCTs should be conducted to supplement current findings.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022350342.
Global research trends on platelet-rich plasma for tendon and ligament injuries from the past two decades: A bibliometric and visualized study
Authors: Xu Jie , Du Wanli , Xue Xiali , Chen Meng , Zhou Wenqi , Luo Xiaobing
Published: February 2023

Background

In sports medicine, tendon and ligament injuries are the most prevalent conditions, and with the booming of sports competition, the incidence of sports injuries is gradually increasing, investigating more potent therapeutic options is therefore becoming increasingly crucial. Platelet-rich plasma therapy has gained popularity as an effective and secure treatment in recent years. Currently, a faceted systematic and clear visual analysis is lacking in this research area.

Methods

The literature related to using platelet-rich plasma to treat ligament and tendon injuries from 2003 to 2022 in the core dataset of the Web of Science database was collected and analyzed visually using Citespace 6.1 software. Research hotspots and development trends were analyzed in terms of high-impact countries or regions, authors, research institutions, keywords, and cited literature.

Results

The literature comprised a total of 1,827 articles. The annual publication volume of relevant literature has demonstrated a significant development tendency as the field of platelet-rich plasma research for tendon and ligament injuries has heated up in recent years. With 678 papers, the United States came in top place, followed by China with 187 papers. Hosp Special Surg ranked first with 56 papers. The hot research topics analyzed by keywords were tennis elbow, anterior cruciate ligament, rotator cuff repair, achilles tendon, mesenchymal stem cells, guided tissue regeneration, network meta analysis, chronic patellar tendinopathy, and follow up.

Conclusion

Analysis of the research literature over the past 20 years shows that the United States and China will continue to dominate in terms of volume of publications based on annual volume and trends, with some collaboration among high-impact authors and further collaboration still needed in different countries and institutions. Platelet-rich plasma is widely used in the treatment of tendon ligament injuries. Its clinical efficacy is influenced by a number of factors, the main ones being the inconsistency in the preparation and composition of platelet-rich plasma and its related preparations, and the differences in efficacy due to different activation methods of platelet-rich plasma, as well as factors such as injection time, injection site, administration method, number of administrations, acidity and evaluation methods, In addition, the applicability to different injury diseases remains controversial. In recent years, the molecular biology of platelet-rich plasma for tendon ligament therapy has received increasing attention.
Novel p22 and p30 dual-proteins combination based indirect ELISA for detecting antibodies against African swine fever virus
Authors: Li Jianda , Jiao Jian , Liu Na , Ren Sufang , Zeng Hao , Peng Jun , Zhang Yuyu , Guo Lihui , Liu Fei , Lv Tingting , Chen Zhi , Sun Wenbo , Hrabchenko Nataliia , Yu Jiang , Wu Jiaqiang
Published: February 2023

Introduction

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection is one of the most complex and fatal hemorrhagic viral diseases, causing a devastating loss to the swine industry. Since no effective vaccine is available, prevention and control of ASFV heavily depends on early diagnostic detection.

Methods

In this study, a novel indirect ELISA was established for detecting antibodies against ASFV using dual-proteins, p22 and p30. Recombinants p22 and p30 were expressed and purified from E.coli vector system by recombined plasmids pET-KP177R and pET-CP204L. p22 and p30 were mixed as antigens for developing the indirect ELISA.

Results

Through optimizing coating concentrations of p30 and p22, coating ratio (p30: p22 = 1:3), and serum dilution (as 1:600), the established ELISA performed higher specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability against ASFV-positive serum. Furthermore, 184 clinical serum samples from suspected diseased pigs were verified the established ELISA in clinical diagnosis. The results showed that compared with two commercial ELISA kits, the established ELISA possessed higher sensitivity and almost uniform coincidence rate.

Conclusion

The novel indirect ELISA based on dual-proteins p30 and p22 performed a valuable role in diagnostic detection of ASFV, providing a broad insight into serological diagnostic methods of ASFV.
Renal Vessel Extension With Cryopreserved Vascular Grafts: Overcoming Surgical Pitfalls in Living Donor Kidney Transplant
Authors: Fallani Guido , Maroni Lorenzo , Bonatti Chiara , Comai Giorgia , Buzzi Marina , Cuna Vania , Vasuri Francesco , Caputo Francesca , Prosperi Enrico , Pisani Federico , Pisillo Beatrice , Maurino Ludovica , Odaldi Federica , Bertuzzo Valentina Rosa , Tondolo Francesco , Busutti Marco , Zanfi Chiara , Del Gaudio Massimo , La Manna Gaetano , Ravaioli Matteo
Published: February 2023

In LDKT, right kidneys and kidneys with anomalous vascularization are often deferred because of concerns on complications and vascular reconstructions. To date, only few reports have examined renal vessel extension with cryopreserved vascular grafts in LDKT. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of renal vessel extension on short-term outcomes and ischemia times in LDKT. From 2012 to 2020, recipients of LDKT with renal vessels extension were compared with standard LDKT recipients. Subset analysis of rights grafts and grafts with anomalous vascularization, with or without renal vessel extension, was performed. Recipients of LDKT with (n = 54) and without (n = 91) vascular extension experienced similar hospital stays, surgical complications and DGF rates. For grafts with multiple vessels, renal vessel extension granted a faster implantation time (44±5 vs. 72±14 min), which resulted comparable to that of standard anatomy grafts. Right kidney grafts with vascular extension had a faster implantation time compared to right kidney grafts without vascular lengthening (43±5 vs. 58±9 min), and a comparable implantation time to left kidney grafts. Renal vessel extension with cryopreserved vascular grafts allows faster implantation time in right kidney grafts or grafts with anomalous vascularization, maintaining similar surgical and functional outcomes.
Assembly and Production Line Designing, Balancing and Scheduling with Inaccurate Data: A Survey and Perspectives
Authors: Sotskov Yuri N.
Published: February 2023

Assembly lines (conveyors) are traditional means of large-scale and mass-scale productions. An assembly line balancing problem is needed for optimizing the assembly process by configuring and designing an assembly line for the same or similar types of final products. This problem consists of designing the assembly line and distributing the total workload for manufacturing each unit of the fixed product to be assembled among the ordered workstations along the constructed assembly line. The assembly line balancing research is focused mainly on simple assembly line balancing problems, which are restricted by a set of conditions making a considered assembly line ideal for research. A lot of published research has been carried out in order to describe and solve (usually heuristically) more realistic generalized assembly line balancing problems. Assembly line designing, balancing and scheduling problems with not deterministic (stochastic, fuzzy or uncertain) parameters have been investigated in many published research works. This paper is about the design and optimization methods for assembly and disassembly lines. We survey the recent developments for designing, balancing and scheduling assembly (disassembly) lines. New formulations of simple assembly line balancing problems are presented in order to take into account modifications and uncertainties characterized by real assembly productions.
Origami-Inspired Soft Pneumatic Actuators: Generalization and Design Optimization
Authors: Zaghloul Abdelrahman , Bone Gary M.
Published: February 2023

Soft actuators are essential to soft robots and can also be used with rigid-bodied robots. This paper is focused on methods for improving the applicability of origami-inspired soft pneumatic actuators (OSPA). Our method for rapidly fabricating OSPA is shown to be capable of making a range of actuator sizes out of different materials. The largest OSPA has a force-to-weight ratio of 124, and can lift a 44 kg mass using a −85 kPa supply pressure. Experiments with a smaller OSPA demonstrate that it can perform 150,000 contraction/extension cycles while carrying a 2 kg mass with minimal degradation due to its materials and design. Compared to other OSPAs for which fatigue tests were reported, our accordion pattern OSPA has the best values of work-to-mass ratio, max. force, and fatigue life. A computationally efficient FEA-based constrained optimization method for maximizing an OSPA’s work output is then proposed. A 55% improvement in the work output was predicted, while validation experiments with OSPA prototypes showed a 53% improvement. While these improvement percentages are very similar, the values of the predicted stroke and work output are about 16% larger than the experimental values. The optimization requires only ~5 h to run on a common laptop.
Motivations of Volunteering during Crises—Perspectives of Polish Youths during the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
Authors: Sengupta Debashish , Verghese Aniisu K. , Rys Maciej
Published: February 2023

Volunteering work has always played a key role in dealing with crises around the world. Understanding the motivations behind volunteering during a crisis could not only explain such behaviour but also become a guide for the government for future policies, to non-governmental organizations for attracting and recruiting more volunteers, for companies to attract and engage young talent and for society to encourage volunteering more. The present military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in an influx of over six million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Given the phenomenal response of Polish people towards welcoming the Ukrainian refugees and, in general, the favourable attitude of the youth in Poland towards extending humanitarian aid to them, our present study examines the motivations of Polish youths behind volunteering during crises. The study also examined how volunteering has influenced their lives and future, besides understanding the barriers to volunteering. The research participants were Polish youths aged between 17–30 years of age. The participants were from both genders, students as well as working professionals. To take part, they had to prove that they took an active role in volunteering during a crisis and were able to share their personal stories and emotions in English. The findings of the research revealed normative, hedonic, eudaimonic and personal motivators behind volunteering during crises, with greater dominance of hedonic motivators, followed by normative, then eudaimonic and personal motivators. The influence of a mix of collectivist and individualistic cultures of Poland, with a progressive lean towards individualism, is clear in shaping the motivations behind the volunteering of these Polish youths. The role of intrinsic motivation is more pronounced when it comes to volunteering during crises.
Study on the Influence of Nozzle Ablation on the Performance of the Solid Rocket Motor
Authors: Huang Weiqiang , Wang Chunguang , Zhang Kaining , Wang Zhihong , Tian Weiping
Published: February 2023

As a key component of the solid rocket motor, nozzle ablation is very important to the performance of the motor. In order to study the influence of the law of nozzle ablation on motor performance, a two-dimensional axisymmetric model of a ground state nozzle and vacuum state nozzle before and after ablation was constructed on the basis of a reference profile, and the change law of pressure, temperature and velocity with ablation were studied. The comprehensive performance of the nozzle before and after ablation was calculated to evaluate the influence of ablation on motor performance. It was found that the profile ablation changed the shock wave distribution in the flow field of the expansion section, and the appearance of the ablation step also led to a new internal shock wave. The gas was compressed, and the flow direction, velocity, pressure, temperature, etc., were changed. After the ablation, the temperature and pressure of the nozzle outlet location increased, the velocity decreased, and the total thrust and specific impulse decreased.
Parameter Adaptive Sliding Mode Force Control for Aerospace Electro-Hydraulic Load Simulator
Authors: Huang Jing , Song Zhenkun , Wu Jiale , Guo Haoyu , Qiu Cheng , Tan Qifan
Published: February 2023

The aerospace electro-hydraulic servo simulator is used to simulate the air load received during flight, and is used for the performance test and acceptance test of aerospace servo actuators on the ground. The force loading accuracy of the load simulator is an important assessment index. Because the loading system and the actuator system to be tested are coupled together, the free displacement of the system to be tested during loading will bring huge disturbance to the loading system, thus how to suppress external interference has always been a hot issue in the control field. This paper addresses this issue under the influence of nonlinear friction and uncertain external disturbance. First, the exact mathematical model of the system is derived, and the characteristics of the system are described by the state equations. Second, in order to obtain the relevant parameters in the controller, the system parameters are identified. Third, the parameter adaptive sliding mode force control based on the reaching law is proposed, and the performance of the control algorithm is analyzed theoretically. Finally, the new control method is applied in the aerospace electro-hydraulic servo simulator, and the results show that the new control algorithm can suppress the external interference by 95% or more, and the control accuracy is more than 97%, which fully demonstrates the effectiveness of the control method.
Optimization Design and Performance Evaluation of U-Shaped Area Operation Procedures in Complex Apron
Authors: Liu Yingli , Hu Minghua , Yin Jianan , Su Jiaming , Wang Shuce , Zhao Zheng
Published: February 2023

In view of the common U-shaped apron structure of large- and medium-sized airports at home and abroad, this study considered the optimization design and performance evaluation of the U-shaped apron operation procedure. First, by analyzing the physical structure characteristics and traffic operation characteristics of the U-shaped area, exclusive, partition-shared, and global-shared operation procedures of the U-shaped area were designed, and differentiated apron-operation rules and traffic models were constructed for different types of operation procedures. Then, from the perspectives of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection, a multi-dimensional evaluation index system of U-shaped area operation performance is established, and a classification measurement and comprehensive evaluation method based on critique is proposed. Finally, a traffic simulation model was established based on airport network topology modeling. We used Monte Carlo methods for the simulation in Python 3.6, and the experimental results show that, in the scenario of high-density traffic operation, compared with exclusive and partition-shared procedures, the implementation effect of the global shared procedure is very significant, and the apron operation capacity increased by 14.8% and 5.0%, respectively. The probability of aircraft conflict decreased by 32.2% and 11.8%, respectively, and the time of single conflict relief decreased by 16.1 s and 10.6 s, respectively. The average resource utilization in each U-shaped area increased by 66% and 25%, respectively, while the average daily carbon emissions of a single aircraft were reduced by 16.7 kg and 11.0 kg and the average daily fuel consumption of a single aircraft were reduced by 3.6 kg and 2.4 kg, respectively. The proposed method is scientific and effective and can provide theoretical and methodological support for optimizing the configuration of the scene operation mode of complex airports and for improving flight operation efficiency.
Numerical Analysis of the Magnus Effect on the Forces Past an Axisymmetric Body at High Incidence
Authors: Jiménez-Varona José
Published: February 2023

Rolling motion is the motion where a body flies at a constant pitch angle α with respect to the freestream velocity vector, while undergoing a constant angular rotation p about its longitudinal axis. An effect of this motion is the appearance of a Magnus force and moment, which add to the static forces and moments. One problem that arises at high angles of attack is that the flow is not symmetric in these conditions, leading to a non-zero side force at a zero spin rate. Additionally, the roughness induces a roll angle effect on the side and normal forces, and therefore on the moments. Then, at low roll rates, the prediction is difficult to assess due to the complex interactions due to the moving walls, roughness and shedding vortices that appear at the leeside. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an appropriate tool for investigating these non-linear effects, particularly at high angles of attack. It can help provide a more accurate model of the forces and moments and provide insight into the complex flow field. It is necessary to use high-level turbulence models, transient calculations and fine grids in order to capture the flow field and obtain accurate forces, moments and their derivatives. The calculations have shown that the flow is not symmetrical with the roll rate. There are differences depending on the sign of the spin velocity. The Magnus forces are difficult to determine from the total forces, as there are significant non-linear effects.
Low Concentrations of Eucalyptus Essential Oil Induce Age, Sex, and Mating Status-Dependent Stimulatory Responses in Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Pineda Maria , Alves Emanuel Lucas de Andrade , Antunes Julia Almeida , Carvalho Vinícius de Castro , Haddi Khalid
Published: February 2023

Plant-extracted essential oils are generally suggested as potential sources for alternatives to synthetic insecticides in insect pest control strategies. The increased interest in the use of essential oils derives from the generalized perception of their safety for the environment, human health, and non-target organisms as well as a lower risk of resistance development. However, studies on essential oils have largely focused on their activity on targeted insect pests while overlooking their potential unintended effects on insect biological and reproductive traits, especially with sublethal exposures. Here, we first determined the toxicity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil to adults of Drosophila suzukii and assessed the effects of low concentrations (i.e., LC5 and LC20) in old (5–7 days) and mated flies. Subsequently, we assessed longevity and fecundity in newly emerged virgin flies from four couples’ combinations: unexposed couples, exposed females, exposed males, and exposed couples to the low concentration LC20. Our results show that eucalyptus essential oil has good insecticidal activity against adults of D. suzukii. However, compared to untreated flies, the exposure to low concentrations enhanced the females’ fecundity only when both old and mated female and male flies were exposed, while the females’ but not males’ life span was extended only in couples where newly emerged virgin females were exposed. Our findings suggest that although the eucalyptus essential oil may be a good control alternative for adult D. suzukii, its age-, sex-, and mating status-dependent stimulatory responses mediated by exposure to low concentrations need to be considered and further investigated.
Wine and Health: From the Perspective of Alvise Cornaro to the Latest Scientific Opinions
Authors: Lante Anna , Marangon Matteo , Vincenzi Simone , Lomolino Giovanna , Crapisi Antonella , Pasini Gabriella , Malavasi Stefania , Curioni Andrea
Published: February 2023

In this opinion article we explore the link between regular wine consumption and human health, starting from the teachings that Alvise Cornaro, a Scholar at the University of Padova, left us, especially on his “La Vita Sobria”, a treatise published in Padova in 1558. A key role in his suggested diet is reserved for wine, an alcoholic beverage that, he advocated, should be consumed regularly, a concept that fits well with the central role that wine played in the Middle age society. Indeed, at that time, wine was consumed in large quantities, and it was generally mixed with water to make the latter safer for consumption. Monks and doctors also used wine as a medicine, as this was regularly administered to sick people of all ages to cure their illnesses. Wine maintained a similar role until the middle of the 20th Century, shifting from a source of energy to a pleasure, even if moderate wine consumption has been reported by epidemiological studies as having health benefits, particularly in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, any level of alcohol intake has recently been recognized as harmful, an occurrence that the modern wine industry is tackling by increasing the production of wines with reduced alcohol content. Nevertheless, nowadays, wine continues to be consumed for the pleasure it can provide and for its role as a social catalyzer.
Social Capital in Cooperative Memberships and Farmers’ Access to Bank Credit–Evidence from Fujian, China
Authors: Yu Liyan , Nilsson Jerker , Zhan Feng , Cheng Song
Published: February 2023

For rural communities in poor countries to develop, farmers need money to invest in their farms. However, with limited assets of their own and poor conditions for obtaining loans, the farmers’ operations suffer. This study explores how farmers’ chances of obtaining a bank loan are related to the social capital that they receive from their cooperative membership. The data originated from 743 farmers in Fujian province, China, and was analyzed with the help of the instrumental variable probit (IV-probit) regression model. The results show that (a) cooperative members have a higher chance of obtaining a bank loan compared to non-members; (b) cooperative membership positively influences the chances of obtaining a bank loan for farmers with no acquaintances in banks and government or off-farm work; and (c) among farmers with higher financial knowledge, cooperative members are more likely to receive a bank loan than non-members are. Therefore, the conclusion provides empirical evidence for the financial function of cooperatives to farmers. The findings are especially relevant for cooperatives in developing countries, and they call for farmers and cooperatives to establish cooperative financial institutions. Moreover, the research conclusions point out the direction for further improving the financial effect of cooperatives.
Effects of Growth Regulator and Planting Density on Cotton Yield and N, P, and K Accumulation in Direct-Seeded Cotton
Authors: Hu Tianran , Liu Zhenyu , Jin Dian , Chen Yuan , Zhang Xiang , Chen Dehua
Published: February 2023

[Objective] This study aims to analyze the effects of the plant growth regulator Miantaijin (N,N-dimethyl piperidinium chloride and 2-N,N-diethylaminoethyl caproate) and planting density on yield and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake and accumulation in cotton. The results will clarify the high-yield cultivation techniques in the cotton direct seeding after wheat harvesting cropping system in the Yangtze River Basin. [Method] In 2017 and 2018, the cotton cultivar Guoxinzao 11-1 was planted at 3 densities (75,000, 90,000, and 105,000 plants·ha−1), and 3 Miantaijin doses (0, 1170, and 2340 mL·ha−1) were imposed. [Results] The results show that the highest yield (3551.3–3687.5 kg·ha−1) was achieved with a 90,000 and 105,000 plant·ha−1 density and 1170 mL·ha−1 of Miantaijin (seedling stage: 90 mL·ha−1, peak squaring stage: 180 mL·ha−1, peak flowering stage: 360 mL·ha−1, and peak bolling stage: 540 mL·ha−1). Under these conditions, the uptakes of N, P, and K were also the highest, up to 117.8 kg·ha−1, 77.4 kg·ha−1, and 116.4 kg·ha−1, respectively. N uptake was the highest from the peak flowering to peak squaring stage, while the highest uptakes of P and K were both detected from the peak squaring to peak flowering stages. We also found significant linear positive correlations between yield and the total absorptions and accumulations of N, P, and K, especially during the peak flowering–peak bolling stage. [Conclusions] The optimum dose of Miantaijin with a medium and high density could enhance the absorption of N, P, and K during the whole growth period of the cotton population, especially in the peak flowering–boll opening stage. This resulted in the highest yield of direct-seeded cotton after wheat harvesting.
Evaluating, Screening and Selecting Yardlong Bean [Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.] for Resistance to Common Cutworm (Spodoptera litura Fabricius)
Authors: Yao Tianchi , Xu Yufei , Jiang Huiyan , Chen Xinxin , Liu Xiaofeng , Chen Huatao , Zhang Hongmei , Xing Guangnan
Published: February 2023

The yardlong bean [Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.] is an important vegetable crop, but it is prone to pest infestation. Therefore, breeding insect-resistant varieties is essential to reduce pesticide applications and to increase bean quality and yield. In the present study, 64 yardlong bean varieties were screened for their resistance to the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura Fabricius). In the greenhouse, leaves, pods, and seeds of yardlong beans were harmed by naturally occurring common cutworms. Seventeen insect-resistant and four insect-susceptible yardlong bean varieties were identified based on the weight of the nine-day-old larvae and 72 h weight increases of 4th instar larvae through feeding newly hatched and 4th instar larvae, respectively. Subsequent verification feeding experiments with newly hatched larvae showed that Zhuzaidou and Pingtangjiangdou’s insect resistance are the weakest and Jiangdou No.5, j-1, Zhijiangtezao No. 30, and Changcaidou have the strongest insect resistance. In 21 yardlong bean varieties, starch content and larval weight showed negative correlation and there was positive correlation between crude protein and larval weight, but almost neither of them reached significant levels. Through organ antibiotic and antixenotic experiments, it was concluded that common cutworms preferred feeding on yardlong bean leaves, and the weight increase of common cutworms feeding on leaves was higher than that of pods and seeds. These insect-resistant yardlong bean varieties warrant further investigation in basic antibiosis mechanism research in yardlong beans and can serve as germplasm resources for breeding programs engaged in reducing pesticide usage.
Chemical and Biological Response of Four Soil Types to Lime Application: An Incubation Study
Authors: Ding Zhifeng , Ren Bailin , Chen Yuhang , Yang Qiongyao , Zhang Mingkui
Published: February 2023

The soils of four citrus orchards in western Zhejiang were studied in this research. In order to explore the effects of lime on soil chemical properties and bacterial communities, the incubation experiment was conducted with six different dosages of lime addition, 0, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2 g/kg, respectively. The results showed that soil pH increased significantly (p < 0.05) and the contents of exchangeable acid decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at the early stage of lime application. As time went by, the reacidification existed in the soil of each treatment, mainly reflected in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in soil pH. Liming increased the nitrate nitrogen content and decreased the ammonium nitrogen content in the four soils. However, the responses of other nutrient indexes to lime varied in different soils, which might be due to the different degrees of soil acidification. In general, the addition of lime increased the soil integrated fertility index (IFI) and improved the soil nutrient status. The application of lime under 2.4 g/kg significantly improved the structure of bacterial community and increased the relative abundance of soil bacterial community species, while the application of lime above 4.8 g/kg might inhibit the growth and activity of microorganisms, resulting in the reduction of soil microbial biomass and diversity. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that lime affected the bacterial community mainly by reducing the content of soil active acid and exchangeable acid. At the same time, network analysis showed that the bacterial community had a stronger buffer capacity against external disturbances after lime application. In conclusion, the addition of lime with appropriate amount (2.4~4.8 g/kg, corresponding to a field application rate of 5.8~11.5 t/ha) in acid orchard soil could improve soil properties, soil integrated fertility, and the diversity and stability of the bacterial community.
Phosphorus Application during Rapeseed Season Combined with Straw Return Improves Crop Productivity and Soil Bacterial Diversity in Rape-Rice Rotation
Authors: Zhang Rong-ping , Huang Zheng , Ashen Rigui , Zhou Ning-ning , Zhou Lin , Feng Ting-yu , Zhang Ke-yuan , Liao Xue-huan , Aer Lise , Ma Peng
Published: February 2023

Rape-rice rotation uses large amounts of phosphate fertilizers with low utilization rates and large amounts of straw. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a suitable phosphorus fertilizer application mode for straw-returning in a rape-rice rotation system. The treatments were: P application with straw return (T2) and without straw return (T1), no P application in either rapeseed season (P1), application of 120 kg·ha−1 P2O5 on rapeseed and 90 kg·ha−1 P2O5 on rice (P2), application of 120 kg·ha−1 P2O5 only on rapeseed (P3), and application of 90 kg·ha−1 P2O5 only on rice (P4). The results showed that the maximum rapeseed grain yields of T2P3 were increased by 15.57% and 21.05% in 2019 and 18.02% and 32.69% in 2020 compared with those of T2P2 and T2P4, respectively. In the rice season, the maximum yields of T2P3 increased by 17.31% and 6.67% in 2019 and 16.42% and 5.23% in 2020 compared to those of T2P2 and T2P4, respectively. Meanwhile, soil bacterial diversity reached its highest under the T2P3 and T2P2 treatments, but the difference was not statistically significant. Straw return combined with phosphorus application of 120 kg·ha−1 during rape season increased crop productivity and diversity of the soil bacterial community structure during rape-rice rotation.
Effect of Water Regime, Nitrogen Level, and Biostimulant Application on the Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Wild Rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC]
Authors: Candido Vincenzo , Cantore Vito , Castronuovo Donato , Denora Michele , Schiattone Maria Immacolata , Sergio Lucrezia , Todorovic Mladen , Boari Francesca
Published: February 2023

The use of biostimulants in agriculture is an emerging technique that can contribute to improved production and resource use efficiency. This research was carried out in southern Italy to evaluate the biostimulating effects of seaweed extract (SW) and azoxystrobin (AZ) on wild rocket subjected to two water regimes (WRs) and three nitrogen levels (NLs), and grown in pots under unheated greenhouse conditions. The following treatments were compared: (i) two WRs: restoration of 100% (WR100) and 50% (WR50) of crop evapotranspiration; (ii) three NLs: 0 (N0), 75 (N75), or 150 (N150) kg ha−1 of N; and (iii) three biostimulants (BSs): an untreated control (C), and the application of AZ or SW. This paper reports the effects on N uptake (Nup), N use efficiency (NUE), and water use efficiency (WUE). The following indicators of NUE were assessed: apparent recovery efficiency (RE), internal utilization efficiency (IE), partial productivity factor (PFPn) of N supplied, agronomic efficiency (AE), and physiological efficiency (PE). The following indicators of WUE were assessed: photosynthetic WUE (p_WUE), yield WUE (Y_WUE), biomass WUE (B_WUE), and irrigation yield WUE (IY_WUE). The indicators of NUE were affected differently by treatments. RE was 20% higher with SW. IE was higher with AZ. PFPn increased by 10.4 and 8.1% with AZ and SW, respectively. AE increased by 10.9 and 19.9% after applying AZ and SW, respectively. PE rose by 6.7 and 9.3% after applying AZ and SW. AZ and SW improved p_WUE, mainly under water deficit (interaction of WR × BS). With AZ application, Y_WUE, B_WUE, and IY_WUE were higher by 17.8, 13.8, and 19.3%, respectively, while the application of SW resulted in a smaller increase (9.5–7.7 and 9.9%). SW and AZ were shown to be effective through the moderate improvement of wild rocket’s nitrogen and water use efficiency. The two biostimulants were more effective at improving p_WUE in water deficit conditions, proving to be particularly useful for farmers operating with water scarcity. Therefore, they can provide valuable support to farmers by improving the sustainability of resource use.
Effect of Inoculants and Sealing Delay on the Fermentation Quality of Early Harvested Wheat Forage
Authors: Serva Lorenzo , Currò Sarah , Andrighetto Igino , Marchesini Giorgio , Magrin Luisa
Published: February 2023

Winter cereal silages can suffer from an inadequate fermentative path which can lead to aerobic instability. We evaluate the pre-ensiled conditions influencing the final fermentative quality and its aerobic stability. We studied the use of hetero/homofermentative inoculants on two early-harvest wheat samples (312 and 348 g/kg of dry matter—DM levels) undergoing three ensiling delays. The fermentative profiles were evaluated during the first ten d of ensiling, at 60 d and after 7 and 14 d of aerobic exposure. Aerobic stability was recorded during fourteen d after the silo opening. Significant (p < 0.05) differences of the final fermentative profile were related mainly to DM levels at harvest, while the use of the inoculant affected only the acetic acid significantly. Finally, the sealing delay did not significantly affect the silage fermentative profile. The overall aerobic stability was 59.2 ± 23.6 h, and cumulative temperatures were lower than 438 for seven d of aerobic exposure and higher than 1526 for 14 d. Although the homofermentative inoculants reduced the counts of yeasts in the final silage for the earlier harvested wheat, the other samples showed yeasts counts of ~4.9 Log10 colony-forming units/g, with the presence of spoilage fungi (Pichia and Geotricum).
Crop Productivity, Economic Advantage, and Photosynthetic Characteristics in a Corn-Peanut Intercropping System
Authors: Li Yanhong , Wang Lei , Zhao Bin , Liu Peng , Zhang Jiwang , Dong Shuting , Shi Deyang
Published: February 2023

Corn-peanut intercropping is an important element of China’s agricultural planting model as it confers ecological benefits and increases yield. The aim of this study was to explore the productivity differences between intercropping and monoculture by using the 13C isotope tracer labelling method. Corn hybrid Denghai 618 (DH618) and peanut variety Huayu 22 (HY22) were used as test materials under three planting methods, single corn, SM; single peanut, SP; and corn-peanut intercropping, IM and IP, respectively, during two growing seasons. The results showed that IM increased yield by 59.7% and 62.3% compared with SM, respectively. IP reduced yield by 31.3% and 32.3% compared with SP, respectively. IM significantly increased the photosynthetic rate, leaf area, 13C assimilation distribution, and dry matter accumulation of summer corn, which led to an increase in the kernel number and grain yield. The decrease in intercropped peanut yield was mainly caused by a decrease in the full-pod rate and number of pods per plant. The decrease in peanut yield did not affect the production of intercropping benefit due to the larger intercropping advantage and land equivalence ratio. Corn-peanut intercropping yielded greater economic benefits than monoculture. These results showed the utility of the peanut-corn intercropping model.
Numerical Simulation of the Trajectory of UAVs Electrostatic Droplets Based on VOF-UDF Electro-Hydraulic Coupling and High-Speed Camera Technology
Authors: Liu Changxi , Hu Jun , Li Yufei , Zhao Shengxue , Li Qingda , Zhang Wei , Zhao Mingming
Published: February 2023

The electrostatic spray technology can significantly improve the utilization rate of liquid medicine under the operation characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with small load and low spray volume. To explore the settlement law of electrostatic droplets, further improve the amount of droplets deposited in target crops, and reduce the loss of missing target, this study adopted the method of combining numerical simulation and high-speed photography to study the movement characteristics of electrostatic droplets of UAV induction conical electrostatic nozzle. Based on the droplet spatial dynamics theory, a user-defined function and volume of fluid (UDF-VOF) multiphase spray model is established to simulate the trajectory of electrostatic droplet. TEMA software is used to analyze the droplet motion image under electrostatic field, and the characteristic parameters, such as trajectory and velocity are obtained. Theoretical analysis and spray test results show that the main factors affecting electrostatic droplet settlement are charging voltage, droplet falling distance, and airflow velocity. The optimal charging voltage of electrostatic droplet is 14 kv, the maximum charge-mass ratio is 1.04 mC/kg, and the average particle size is 209.77 μm. The numerical simulation results show that spray height, charging voltage, and lateral wind speed have significant effects on droplet sedimentation. The results of high-speed camera analysis show that the induced electric field causes the droplet to adsorb the target crop, resulting in the droplet movement trajectory deflection.
An Overview of Exertional Heat Illness in Thoroughbred Racehorses: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Rationale
Authors: Brownlow Meg , Mizzi James Xavier
Published: February 2023

Exertional heat illness (EHI) is a complex medical disease. The thoroughbred (TB) racehorse is at considerable risk because of the intensity of its exercise activity and its high rate of metabolic heat production. The pathophysiology of EHI can combine aspects of both the heat toxicity pathway and the heat sepsis or endotoxemic pathway. Treatment regimes depend upon the detection of earliest clinical signs, rapid assessment, aggressive cooling and judicious use of ancillary medications. Ice-cold water provides the most rapid cooling, consistent with the need to lower core body temperature before tissue damage occurs. Research into EHI/HS by inducing the condition experimentally is ethically unjustifiable. Consequently, leading researchers in the human field have conceded that “most of our knowledge has been gained from anecdotal incidents, gathered from military personnel and athletes who have collapsed during or following physical activity, and that retrospective and case studies have provided important evidence regarding recognition and treatment of EHI”. The authors’ review into EHI shares that perspective, and the recommendations made herein are based on observations of heat-affected racehorses at the racetrack and their response, or lack of response, to treatment. From 2014 to 2018, 73 race meetings were attended, and of the 4809 individual starters, signs of EHI were recorded in 457. That observational study formed the basis for a series of articles which have been published under the title, ‘EHI in Thoroughbred racehorses in eastern Australia’, and forms the background for this review.
Examination of Shape Variation of the Skull in British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, and Van Cats
Authors: Gündemir Ozan , Szara Tomasz , Yalin Ebru Eravci , Karabagli Murat , Mutlu Zihni , Yilmaz Osman , Büyükünal Serkan Kemal , Blagojevic Milos , Parés-Casanova Pere M.
Published: February 2023

A variety of skull shapes are frequently used for discrimination between animal species, breeds, and sexes. In this study, skulls of three different breeds of cats were examined by the geometric morphometric method, with the aim of revealing skull shape differences. For this purpose, 27 cats (6 British Shorthair, 7 Scottish Fold, and 14 Van cats) were used. The skulls of cats were modeled by computed tomography. Geometric morphometrics was applied using dorsal (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) and lateral (8 landmarks, 63 semilandmarks) skull projections on these models. Centroid size differences between the breeds were statistically insignificant. However, the differences in shape were statistically significant for both the dorsal view and lateral view. Shape variation was less in the British Shorthair than in other breeds. Shape differences generally occurred around the orbit. In the skull of Scottish Folds, the orbit was situated more caudally than in other breeds. The British Shorthair had the largest orbital ring. In dorsal view, the Scottish Fold had the largest orbital diameter. The orbital ring of Van cats was smallest in both dorsal and lateral views. In the canonical variate analysis, it was seen that the breeds were separated from each other. The shape difference in the skull between different cat breeds could be revealed by geometric morphometrics. The results of this study provide useful information for taxonomy.