bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coherent Noise Suppression of Single-Shot Digital Holographic Phase Via an Untrained Self-Supervised Network
Authors: Tang Ju , Zhang Jiawei , Wu Ji , Di Jianglei , Zhao Jianlin
Published: June 2022

In digital holography, the coherent noise affects the measurement accuracy and reliability greatly due to the high spatial and temporal coherence of the laser. Especially, compared with the speckle noise of intensity in digital holography, the coherent noise of phase contains more medium- and low-frequency characteristics, which hinders the effectiveness of noise suppression algorithms. Here, we propose a single-shot untrained self-supervised network (SUSNet) for the coherent noise suppression of phase, requiring only one noisy phase map to complete the optimization and learning. The SUSNet can smoothen and suppress the background fluctuations, parasitic fringes, and diffraction loops in a noisy phase and shows good generalization performance for samples with different shapes, sizes, and phase ranges. Compared with the traditional algorithms and the ground truth-supervised neural network (DnCNN), the SUSNet has the best noise suppression performance and background smoothing effect. As a result, the SUSNet can suppress the fluctuation range to ∼20% of the original range.
Monogamy of Quantum Entanglement
Authors: Zong Xiao-Lan , Yin Hao-Hao , Song Wei , Cao Zhuo-Liang
Published: June 2022

Unlike classical correlation, quantum entanglement cannot be freely shared among many parties. This restricted shareability of entanglement among multi-party systems is known as monogamy of entanglement, which is one of the most fundamental properties of entanglement. Here, we summarize recent theoretical progress in the field of monogamy of entanglement. We firstly review the standard CKW-type monogamy inequalities in terms of various entanglement measures. In particular, the squashed entanglement and one-way distillable entanglement are monogamous for arbitrary dimensional systems. We then introduce some generalized version of monogamy inequalities which extend and sharpen the traditional ones. We also consider the dual polygamy inequalities for multi-party systems. Moreover, we present two new definitions to define monogamy of entanglement. Finally, some challenges and future directions for monogamy of entanglement are highlighted.
The Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Mediating Glomerular and Tubular Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Williams B. M. , Cliff C. L. , Lee K. , Squires P. E. , Hills C. E.
Published: June 2022

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multi-protein signalling complex integral to the chronic inflammatory response, activated in response to sterile and non-sterile cellular damage. The assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome comprise a two-step process involving nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB)-mediated priming, followed by canonical, non-canonical or alternative signalling pathways. These result in the maturation and release of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL1ß) and interleukin-18 (IL18), which are associated with chronic inflammatory conditions including diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is a condition affecting ∼40% of people with diabetes, the key underlying pathology of which is tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis. There is growing evidence to suggest the involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome in this chronic inflammation. Early deterioration of kidney function begins in the glomerulus, with tubular inflammation dictating the progression of late-stage disease. Priming and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome have been linked to several clinical markers of nephropathy including proteinuria and albuminuria, in addition to morphological changes including mesangial expansion. Treatment options for diabetic nephropathy are limited, and research that examines the impact of directly targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, or associated downstream components are beginning to gain favour, with several agents currently in clinical trials. This review will explore a role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and signalling in mediating inflammation in diabetic nephropathy, specifically in the glomerulus and proximal tubule, before briefly describing the current position of therapeutic research in this field.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Drone System for Multiclass Plant Disease Detection Using an Improved Efficient Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Albattah Waleed , Javed Ali , Nawaz Marriam , Masood Momina , Albahli Saleh
Published: June 2022

The role of agricultural development is very important in the economy of a country. However, the occurrence of several plant diseases is a major hindrance to the growth rate and quality of crops. The exact determination and categorization of crop leaf diseases is a complex and time-required activity due to the occurrence of low contrast information in the input samples. Moreover, the alterations in the size, location, structure of crop diseased portion, and existence of noise and blurriness effect in the input images further complicate the classification task. To solve the problems of existing techniques, a robust drone-based deep learning approach is proposed. More specifically, we have introduced an improved EfficientNetV2-B4 with additional added dense layers at the end of the architecture. The customized EfficientNetV2-B4 calculates the deep key points and classifies them in their related classes by utilizing an end-to-end training architecture. For performance evaluation, a standard dataset, namely, the PlantVillage Kaggle along with the samples captured using a drone is used which is complicated in the aspect of varying image samples with diverse image capturing conditions. We attained the average precision, recall, and accuracy values of 99.63, 99.93, and 99.99%, respectively. The obtained results confirm the robustness of our approach in comparison to other recent techniques and also show less time complexity.
Contrasting Climate Sensitivity of Pinus cembra Tree-Ring Traits in the Carpathians
Authors: Știrbu Marian-Ionuț , Roibu Cătălin-Constantin , Carrer Marco , Mursa Andrei , Unterholzner Lucrezia , Prendin Angela Luisa
Published: June 2022

High-elevation ecosystems are one of the most sensitive to climate change. The analysis of growth and xylem structure of trees from marginal populations, especially the ones growing at the treeline, could provide early-warning signs to better understand species-specific responses to future climate conditions. In this study, we combined classical dendrochronology with wood density and anatomical measurements to investigate the climate sensitivity of Pinus cembra L., a typical European high-elevation tree species distributed in isolated patches in the Carpathians. Samples were collected from the Retezat Mountains, South-Western Romania. We analyzed ring width (TRW), maximum density (MXD), xylem anatomical traits [cell number per ring (CNo), cell density (CD), conduit area (CA), and cell wall thickness (CWT)] time series, split into ring sectors and assessed the relationships with monthly and daily climate records over the last century (1901–2015). The analysis showed a strong dependency of TRW on CNo and MXD on CWT. Summer temperature positively correlated with MXD and CWT [monthly correlation (r) were 0.65 and 0.48 respectively] from the early to late wood but not TRW (r = 0.22). CA positively correlated with water availability (r = 0.37) and negatively correlated with temperature (r = −0.39). This study improves our general understanding of the climate–growth relationships of a European high-elevation tree species and the results could be considered for forecasting population dynamics on projected changes in climate.
Knock-Out of CmNAC-NOR Affects Melon Climacteric Fruit Ripening
Authors: Liu Bin , Santo Domingo Miguel , Mayobre Carlos , Martín-Hernández Ana Montserrat , Pujol Marta , Garcia-Mas Jordi
Published: June 2022

Fruit ripening is an important process that affects fruit quality. A QTL in melon, ETHQV6.3, involved in climacteric ripening regulation, has been found to be encoded by CmNAC-NOR, a homologue of the tomato NOR gene. To further investigate CmNAC-NOR function, we obtained two CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutants (nor-3 and nor-1) in the climacteric Védrantais background. nor-3, containing a 3-bp deletion altering the NAC domain A, resulted in ~8 days delay in ripening without affecting fruit quality. In contrast, the 1-bp deletion in nor-1 resulted in a fully disrupted NAC domain, which completely blocked climacteric ripening. The nor-1 fruits did not produce ethylene, no abscission layer was formed and there was no external color change. Additionally, volatile components were dramatically altered, seeds were not well developed and flesh firmness was also altered. There was a delay in fruit ripening with the nor-1 allele in heterozygosis of ~20 days. Our results provide new information regarding the function of CmNAC-NOR in melon fruit ripening, suggesting that it is a potential target for modulating shelf life in commercial climacteric melon varieties.
Snailase: A Promising Tool for the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Flavonoid Glycosides From Plant Extracts
Authors: Kornpointner Christoph , Scheibelreiter Jakob , Halbwirth Heidi
Published: June 2022

Plants typically contain a broad spectrum of flavonoids in varying concentrations. As a rule, several flavonoid classes occur in parallel, and, even for a single flavonoid, divergent glycosylation patterns are frequently observed, many of which are not commercially available. This can be challenging in studies in which the distribution between flavonoid classes, or features that are not affected by glycosylation patterns, are adressed. In addition, hydrolysis simplifies the quantification process by reducing peak interferences and improving the peak intensity due to the accumulation of the respective aglycone. Effective removal of glycose moieties can also be relevant for technological applications of flavonoid aglycones. Herein, we present a fast and reliable method for the enzymatic hydrolysis glycosides from plant extracts using the commercial enzyme mix snailase, which provided the highest aglycone yields across all investigated flavonoids (aurones: leptosidin, maritimetin, sulfuretin; chalcones: butein, lanceoletin, okanin, phloretin; dihydroflavonols: dihydrokaempferol; flavanones: eriodictyol, hesperetin; flavones: acacetin, apigenin, diosmetin, luteolin; flavonols: isorhamnetin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin; isoflavones: biochanin A, formononetin, genistein) from methanolic extracts of nine plants (Bidens ferulifolia, Coreopsis grandiflora, Fagus sylvatica, Malus×domestica, Mentha×piperita, Petunia×hybrida, Quercus robur, Robinia pseudoacacia, andTrifolium pratense) in comparison to four other enzymes (cellobiase, cellulase, β-glucosidase, and pectinase), as well as to acidic hydrolysis by hydrochloric acid.
Antimicrobial Terpenes Suppressed the Infection Process of Phytophthora in Fennel-Pepper Intercropping System
Authors: Yang Yuxin , Li Ying , Mei Xinyue , Yang Min , Huang Huichuan , Du Fei , Wu Jiaqing , He Yiyi , Sun Junwei , Wang Haining , He Xiahong , Zhu Shusheng , Li Yingbin , Liu Yixiang
Published: June 2022

The interactions between non-host roots and pathogens may be key to the inhibition of soilborne pathogens in intercropping systems. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) can be intercropped with a wide range of other plants to inhibit soilborne pathogens in biodiversity cultivation. However, the key compounds of fennel root exudates involved in the interactions between fennel roots and pathogens are still unknown. Here, a greenhouse experiment confirmed that intercropping with fennel suppressed pepper (Capsicum annuum) blight disease caused by Phytophthora capsici. Experimentally, the roots and root exudates of fennel can effectively interfere with the infection process of P. capsici at rhizosphere soil concentrations by attracting zoospores and inhibiting the motility of the zoospores and germination of the cystospores. Five terpene compounds (D-limonene, estragole, anethole, gamma-terpenes, and beta-myrcene) that were identified in the fennel rhizosphere soil and root exudates were found to interfere with P. capsica infection. D-limonene was associated with positive chemotaxis with zoospores, and a mixture of the five terpene compounds showed a strong synergistic effect on the infection process of P. capsici, especially for zoospore rupture. Furthermore, the five terpene compounds can induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially anethole, in hyphae. ROS accumulation may be one of the antimicrobial mechanisms of terpene compounds. Above all, we proposed that terpene compounds secreted from fennel root play a key role in Phytophthora disease suppression in this intercropping system.
Melatonin-Induced Protection Against Plant Abiotic Stress: Mechanisms and Prospects
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Umair , Mahmood Athar , Awan Masood Iqbal , Maqbool Rizwan , Aamer Muhammad , Alhaithloul Haifa A. S. , Huang Guoqin , Skalicky Milan , Brestic Marian , Pandey Saurabh , El Sabagh Ayman , Qari Sameer H.
Published: June 2022

Global warming in this century increases incidences of various abiotic stresses restricting plant growth and productivity and posing a severe threat to global food production and security. The plant produces different osmolytes and hormones to combat the harmful effects of these abiotic stresses. Melatonin (MT) is a plant hormone that possesses excellent properties to improve plant performance under different abiotic stresses. It is associated with improved physiological and molecular processes linked with seed germination, growth and development, photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and plant defence against other abiotic stresses. In parallel, MT also increased the accumulation of multiple osmolytes, sugars and endogenous hormones (auxin, gibberellic acid, and cytokinins) to mediate resistance to stress. Stress condition in plants often produces reactive oxygen species. MT has excellent antioxidant properties and substantially scavenges reactive oxygen species by increasing the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants under stress conditions. Moreover, the upregulation of stress-responsive and antioxidant enzyme genes makes it an excellent stress-inducing molecule. However, MT produced in plants is not sufficient to induce stress tolerance. Therefore, the development of transgenic plants with improved MT biosynthesis could be a promising approach to enhancing stress tolerance. This review, therefore, focuses on the possible role of MT in the induction of various abiotic stresses in plants. We further discussed MT biosynthesis and the critical role of MT as a potential antioxidant for improving abiotic stress tolerance. In addition, we also addressed MT biosynthesis and shed light on future research directions. Therefore, this review would help readers learn more about MT in a changing environment and provide new suggestions on how this knowledge could be used to develop stress tolerance.
Diversity and Agronomic Performance of Lupinus mutabilis Germplasm in European and Andean Environments
Authors: Gulisano Agata , Alves Sofia , Rodriguez Diego , Murillo Angel , van Dinter Bert-Jan , Torres Andres F. , Gordillo-Romero Milton , Torres Maria de Lourdes , Neves-Martins João , Paulo Maria-João , Trindade Luisa M.
Published: June 2022

The introduction of Lupinus mutabilis (Andean lupin) in Europe will provide a new source of protein and oil for plant-based diets and biomass for bio-based products, while contributing to the improvement of marginal soils. This study evaluates for the first time the phenotypic variability of a large panel of L. mutabilis accessions both in their native environment and over two cropping conditions in Europe (winter crop in the Mediterranean region and summer crop in North-Central Europe), paving the way for the selection of accessions adapted to specific environments. The panel of 225 accessions included both germplasm pools from the Andean region and breeding lines from Europe. Notably, we reported higher grain yield in Mediterranean winter-cropping conditions (18 g/plant) than in the native region (9 g/plant). Instead, North European summer-cropping conditions appear more suitable for biomass production (up to 2 kg/plant). The phenotypic evaluation of 16 agronomical traits revealed significant variation in the panel. Principal component analyses pointed out flowering time, yield, and architecture-related traits as the main factors explaining variation between accessions. The Peruvian material stands out among the top-yielding accessions in Europe, characterized by early lines with high grain yield (e.g., LIB065, LIB072, and LIB155). Bolivian and Ecuadorian materials appear more valuable for the selection of genotypes for Andean conditions and for biomass production in Europe. We also observed that flowering time in the different environments is influenced by temperature accumulation. Within the panel, it is possible to identify both early and late genotypes, characterized by different thermal thresholds (600°C–700°C and 1,000–1,200°C GDD, respectively). Indications on top-yielding and early/late accessions, heritability of morpho-physiological traits, and their associations with grain yield are reported and remain largely environmental specific, underlining the importance of selecting useful genetic resources for specific environments. Altogether, these results suggest that the studied panel holds the genetic potential for the adaptation of L. mutabilis to Europe and provide the basis for initiating a breeding program based on exploiting the variation described herein.
An EMD-Based Adaptive Client Selection Algorithm for Federated Learning in Heterogeneous Data Scenarios
Authors: Chen Aiguo , Fu Yang , Sha Zexin , Lu Guoming
Published: June 2022

Federated learning is a distributed machine learning framework that enables distributed nodes with computation and storage capabilities to train a global model while keeping distributed-stored data locally. This process can promote the efficiency of modeling while preserving data privacy. Therefore, federated learning can be widely applied in distributed conjoint analysis scenarios, such as smart plant protection systems, in which widely networked IoT devices are used to monitor the critical data of plant production to improve crop production. However, the data collected by different IoT devices can be dependent and identically distributed (non-IID), causing the challenge of statistical heterogeneity. Studies have also shown that statistical heterogeneity can lead to a marked decline in the efficiency of federated learning, making it challenging to apply in practice. To promote the efficiency of federated learning in statistical heterogeneity scenarios, an adaptive client selection algorithm for federated learning in statistical heterogeneous scenarios called ACSFed is proposed in this paper. ACSFed can dynamically calculate the possibility of clients being selected to train the model for each communication round based on their local statistical heterogeneity and previous training performance instead of randomly selected clients, and clients with heavier statistical heterogeneity or bad training performance would be more likely selected to participate in the later training. This client selection strategy can enable the federated model to learn the global statistical knowledge faster and thereby promote the convergence of the federated model. Multiple experiments on public benchmark datasets demonstrate these improvements in the efficiency of the models in heterogeneous settings.
MYB1R1 and MYC2 Regulate ω-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase Involved in ABA-Mediated Suberization in the Russet Skin of a Mutant of ‘Dangshansuli’ (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.)
Authors: Wang Qi , Liu Yaping , Wu Xinyi , Wang Lindu , Li Jinchao , Wan Minchen , Jia Bin , Ye Zhenfeng , Liu Lun , Tang Xiaomei , Tao Shutian , Zhu Liwu , Heng Wei
Published: June 2022

Russeting, a disorder of pear fruit skin, is mainly caused by suberin accumulation on the inner part of the outer epidermal cell layers. ABA was identified as a crucial phytohormone in suberification. Here, we demonstrated that the ABA content in russet pear skin was higher than in green skin. Then, ABA was applied to explore the changes in phenotype and suberin composition coupled with RNA-Seq and metabolomics to investigate the probably regulatory pathway of ABA-mediated suberification. The results showed that ABA treatment increased the expression of ω-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD) and the content of α-linolenic acid. We identified 17 PbFADs in white pear, and the expression of PbFAD3a was induced by ABA. In addition, the role of PbFAD3a in promoting suberification has been demonstrated by overexpression in Arabidopsis and VIGS assays in the fruitlets. GUS staining indicated that the promoter of PbFAD3a was activated by ABA. Furthermore, MYC2 and MYB1R1 have been shown to bind to the PbFAD3a promoter directly and this was induced by ABA via yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening and qRT–PCR. In summary, our study found that ABA induces the expression of MYC2 and MYB1R1 and activates the PbFAD3a promoter, contributing to the formation of russet pear skin. Functional identification of key transcription factors will be the goal of future research. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism of ABA-mediated suberization in the russet skin and provide a good foundation for future studies on the formation of russet skin.
Mowing Did Not Alleviate the Negative Effect of Nitrogen Addition on the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in a Temperate Meadow Grassland
Authors: Qin Siqi , Yang Guojiao , Zhang Yang , Song Meixia , Sun Lu , Cui Yangzhe , Dong Jibin , Wang Ning , Liu Xiao , Zheng Peiming , Wang Renqing
Published: June 2022

As nitrogen deposition intensifies under global climate change, understanding the responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to nitrogen deposition and the associated mechanisms are critical for terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, the effects of nitrogen addition and mowing on AM fungal communities in soil and mixed roots were investigated in an Inner Mongolia grassland. The results showed that nitrogen addition reduced the α-diversity of AM fungi in soil rather than that of root. Besides, nitrogen addition altered the composition of AM fungal community in soil. Soil pH and inorganic nitrogen content were the main causes of changes in AM fungal communities affected by nitrogen addition. Mowing and the interaction of nitrogen addition and mowing had no significant effect on AM fungal community diversity. In contrast, while mowing may reduce the negative effects of nitrogen addition on the richness and diversity of plants by alleviating light limitation, it could not do so with the negative effects on AM fungal communities. Furthermore, AM fungal communities clustered phylogenetically in all treatments in both soil and roots, indicating that environmental filtering was the main driving force for AM fungal community assembly. Our results highlight the different responses of AM fungi in the soil and roots of a grassland ecosystem to nitrogen addition and mowing. The study will improve our understanding of the effects of nitrogen deposition on the function of ecosystem.
Fitness and Ecological Risk of Hybrid Progenies of Wild and Herbicide-Tolerant Soybeans With EPSPS Gene
Authors: Liu Laipan , Zhang Li , Fu Jianmei , Shen Wenjing , Fang Zhixiang , Dai Ying , Jia Ruizong , Liu Biao , Liang Jingang
Published: June 2022

Exogenous genes of transgenic crops are usually transferred to their wild-type relatives through pollen-mediated gene flow, which may change the ecological fitness and ability to invade wild populations, resulting in the weeding of wild plants and other unpredictable environmental impacts. In this study, the F1generation of herbicide-resistant soybeans and wild soybeans was obtained by artificial pollination, F2generation seeds were obtained by self-crossing, and the fitness of the parents and their F1and F2generations were tested. The foreign proteinEPSPSwas expressed normally in the hybrid between transgenic and wild soybeans; however, the protein expression was significantly lower than that in transgenic soybeans. The fitness of the F1hybrid between transgenic and wild soybeans was significantly lower than that of its parent. Compared with those of the wild soybeans, the F2generation soybeans improved in some fitness indices, while the emergence rate, pollen germination rate, and number of full seeds per pod, pods per plant, and full seeds per plant did not significantly differ. The aboveground biomass and 100-seed weight of the F2generation were higher than those of wild soybeans. Fitness among the F2-negative plants, homozygous, and heterozygous positive plants did not significantly vary. Improved fitness and presence of foreign genes in the F2soybean were not significantly correlated. As the F2generation of transgenic and wild soybeans had no fitness cost and the flowering stage were overlapped, the foreign gene might still spread in the wild soybean population.
Do Non-climacteric Fruits Share a Common Ripening Mechanism of Hormonal Regulation?
Authors: Fan Dingyu , Wang Wei , Hao Qing , Jia Wensuo
Published: June 2022

Fleshy fruits have been traditionally categorized into climacteric (CL) and non-climacteric (NC) groups. CL fruits share a common ripening mechanism of hormonal regulation, i.e., the ethylene regulation, whereas whether NC fruits share a common mechanism remains controversial. Abscisic acid (ABA) has been commonly thought to be a key regulator in NC fruit ripening; however, besides ABA, many other hormones have been increasingly suggested to play crucial roles in NC fruit ripening. NC fruits vary greatly in their organ origin, constitution, and structure. Development of different organs may be different in the pattern of hormonal regulation. It has been well demonstrated that the growth and development of strawberry, the model of NC fruits, is largely controlled by a hormonal communication between the achenes and receptacle; however, not all NC fruits contain achenes. Accordingly, it is particularly important to understand whether strawberry is indeed able to represent a universal mechanism for the hormonal regulation of NC fruit ripening. In this mini-review, we summarized the recent research advance on the hormone regulation of NC ripening in relation to fruit organ origination, constitution, and structure, whereby analyzing and discussing whether NC fruits may share a common mechanism of hormonal regulation.
Comparative Physiological and Transcriptome Profiles Uncover Salt Tolerance Mechanisms in Alfalfa
Authors: Li Jiali , Ma Maosen , Sun Yanmei , Lu Ping , Shi Haifan , Guo Zhenfei , Zhu Haifeng
Published: June 2022

Salinity is a major limiting factor that affects crop production. Understanding of the mechanisms of plant salt tolerance is critical for improving crop yield on saline land. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage crop, while its salt tolerance mechanisms are largely unknown. The physiological and transcriptomic responses in two contrasting salt tolerant cultivars to salinity stress were investigated in the present study. “Magnum Salt” showed higher salt tolerance than “Adrenalin,” with higher relative germination rate, survival rate, biomass and K+/Na+ ratio after salt treatment. Activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GR, and proline concentrations were upregulated to higher levels in roots and shoots in Magnum Salt than in Adrenalin after salinity stress, except for no difference in GR activity in shoots, and lower levels of O2⋅– and H2O2 were accumulated in leaves. It was interesting to find that salinity caused a decrease in total unsaturated fatty acid in Adrenalin other than Magnum Salt, C18:2 was increased significantly after salinity in Magnum Salt, while it was unaltered in Adrenalin. High quality RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data was obtained from samples of Magnum Salt and Adrenalin at different time points (0, 2, and 26 h). Generally, “phagosome,” “TCA cycle” and “oxidative phosphorylation” pathways were inhibited by salinity stress. Upregulated DEGs in Magnum Salt were specifically enriched in “fatty acid metabolism,” “MAPK signaling” and “hormone signal transduction” pathways. The DEGs involved in ionic homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and fatty acid metabolism could partially explain the difference in salt tolerance between two cultivars. It is suggested that salt tolerance in alfalfa is associated with regulation of ionic homeostasis, antioxidative enzymes and fatty acid metabolism at both transcriptional and physiological level.
Menopause-Related Symptoms and Influencing Factors in Mosuo, Yi, and Han Middle-Aged Women in China
Authors: Wang Jinyi , Lin Yezhe , Gao Limin , Li Xingjun , He Chunhua , Ran Maosheng , Zhao Xudong
Published: June 2022

Although previous studies showed that women’s menopause-related symptoms varied in different ethnic groups and countries, and were affected by specific social and cultural factors, few studies have been conducted to explore menopause-related symptoms and its influencing factors in middle-aged women among ethnic groups in China. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of menopause-related symptoms and its influencing factors among Mosuo, Yi, and Han women in Yongning area of Yunnan province, China. A cross-cultural design by snowball sampling method was used to recruit 208 women aged 40–60 from Yongning Township, Ninglang County, Yunnan province, China. The 11-item Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess menopause-related symptoms. Compared with Yi and Han women, Mosuo women were accorded the highest family status. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that ethnicity, age, family support, and family decision-making patterns were associated with the severity of menopause-related symptoms. Yi and Han women had more severe menopause-related symptoms than Mosuo women. Among the three groups, women living in “female-dominated” and “co-deliberated” households had significantly lower scores of menopause-related symptoms than those in “male-dominated” households. This study indicates that menopause-related symptoms vary among middle-aged women in different ethnic groups. A higher level of female status in the family and family support may be protective factors of menopause-related symptoms in middle-aged women.
Perceived Peer Relationships in Adolescence and Loneliness in Emerging Adulthood and Workplace Contexts
Authors: Chiao Chi , Lin Kuan-Chen , Chyu Laura
Published: June 2022

Background

A common life-course hypothesis is that negative early-life experiences contribute to poor health in later-life. However, little is known about perceived peer relationships during adolescence and the feeling of loneliness in emerging adulthood. This study explores the perception of adolescent peer relationships in a school context and its association with loneliness in adulthood and in workplace contexts.

Methods

This study used data from a cohort sample of 2,520 adolescents from the Taiwan Youth Project (N = 2,520), consisting of eleven waves of data collected from 2000 to 2017. Major measures included the Loneliness Scale (6-item de Jong Gierveld short scale) and perceived peer relationships (classroom cohesion and perceived popularity among classmates) in middle school. Multivariate multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations of perceived peer relationships during adolescence and workplace characteristics with loneliness in adulthood.

Results

Positive perceived peer relationships in adolescence were significantly related to decreased risk of serious social loneliness [Relative risk ratios (RRR) 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58–0.85] and severe social/emotional loneliness (RRR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63–0.91) in adulthood. Workplace satisfaction was a protective factor of severe social/emotional loneliness in employed adults.

Conclusion

Adolescents who perceived peer relationships in middle school as positive were less likely to report social and emotional loneliness during adulthood. Satisfaction in the workplace characteristics was also associated with lower risk of loneliness in adulthood. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
The Impact of Emotional Feedback and Elaborated Feedback of a Pedagogical Agent on Multimedia Learning
Authors: Lang Yueru , Xie Ke , Gong Shaoying , Wang Yanqing , Cao Yang
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to explore the impact of emotional feedback and elaborated feedback provided by a pedagogical agent (PA) on learners' emotions, intrinsic motivation, agent perception, cognitive load, and transfer performance in multimedia learning. The experiment was conducted based on an actual undergraduate course. Undergraduate students (N = 117) were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions, where PA's feedback differed by emotional feedback (with vs. without) and elaborated feedback (elaborated feedback vs. knowledge of results). Results revealed that emotional feedback reduced learners' confusion, activated intrinsic motivation, and enhanced agent perception. In addition, elaborated feedback improved intrinsic motivation, agent perception, and transfer performance but reduced germane cognitive load. Surprisingly, there was no significant interaction between emotional feedback and elaborated feedback. These findings had implications for designing a PA with a feedback fulfilling learners' emotional and cognitive needs to maximize multimedia learning.
Enhanced Originality of Ideas in Women During Ovulation: A Within-Subject Design Study
Authors: Galasinska Katarzyna , Szymkow Aleksandra
Published: June 2022

The signaling theory suggests that creativity may have evolved as a signal for mates. Indeed, its aesthetic value might not have been necessary for survival, but it could have helped to attract a mate, fostering childbearing. If we consider creativity as such a signal, we should expect it will be enhanced in the context related to sexual selection. This hypothesis was tested mainly for men. However, both men and women display physical and mental traits that can attract a mate. Previous studies showed that women can be more creative during their peak fertility. We advanced these findings in the present study, applying reliable measures of menstrual cycle phases (examining saliva and urine samples) and the highly recommended within-subject design. We also introduced and tested possible mediators of the effect. We found women’s ideas to be more original during ovulation compared to non-fertile phases of the ovulatory cycle. The results are discussed in the context of signaling theory and alternative explanations are considered.
Research on the Visual Imagery of Posters Based on the Culture Code Theory of Design
Authors: Wen Luo , Jingjing Wang , Chen Wang , Luyu Sun
Published: June 2022

According to the Culture Code Theory of Design, posters can be divided into strategy aspect, meaning aspect, and technical aspect. This study explored the impact of visual imagery on poster communication and effect focus on the meaning and technical aspects which directly related to the audiences. The visual imagery preference of ten public poster samples is collected from 40 participants by online questionnaire with the semantic differential method. The results show that the audience’s visual imagery at the technical aspect is mainly related to the richness of colors, graphics, and texts. When receiving the information from the meaning aspect of the poster correctly, the visual imagery will be influenced by the type of theme. Most importantly, the same or similar visual imagery at the technical and meaning aspect encourages audiences to explore the deep information of posters. Poster works that keep visual imagery coherent and smooth at the two aspects can achieve a better effect.
Gene–Environment Interactions in Face Categorization: Oxytocin Receptor Genotype x Childcare Experience Shortens Reaction Time
Authors: Neoh Michelle Jin Yee , Setoh Peipei , Bizzego Andrea , Tandiono Moses , Foo Jia Nee , Lee Albert , Bornstein Marc H. , Esposito Gianluca
Published: June 2022

Human faces capture attention, provide information about group belonging, and elicit automatic prepared responses. Early experiences with other-race faces play a critical role in acquiring face expertise, but the exact mechanism through which early experience exerts its influence is still to be elucidated. Genetic factors and a multi-ethnic context are likely involved, but their specific influences have not been explored. This study investigated how oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) genotypes and childcare experience interacted to regulate face categorization in adults. Information about single nucleotide polymorphisms of OXTR (rs53576) and experiences with own- and other-race child caregivers was collected from 89 Singaporean adults, who completed a visual categorization task with own- versus other-race faces. Participants were grouped into A/A homozygotes and G carriers and assigned a score to account for their type of child caregiver experience. A multivariate linear regression model was used to estimate the effect of genetic group, child caregiver experience, and their interaction on categorization reaction time. A significant interaction of genetic group and child caregiver experience (t = 2.48, p = 0.015), as well as main effects of both genetic group (t = −2.17, p = 0.033) and child caregiver experience (t = −4.29, p < 0.001) emerged. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the correlation between categorization reaction time and child caregiver experience was significantly different between the two genetic groups. A significant gene x environment interaction on face categorization appears to represent an indirect pathway through which genes and experiences interact to shape mature social sensitivity to faces in human adults.
The Leader Vitality Scale: Development, Psychometric Assessment, and Validation
Authors: Shapiro Jamie , Donaldson Stewart I.
Published: June 2022

One of the most important units of analysis for positive organizational psychology research is leaders and future leaders in the workplace. Leaders often have a large responsibility for and influence on the well-being and performance of their followers. They also face the unique challenge of serving their followers and the organization while needing to maintain their own vitality and well-being. Vitality can provide a foundation of energy resources to a leader to serve at their full capacity. This study develops and empirically examines a new three factor scale to measure leader vitality which includes physical, psychological, and emotional components. In study 1, a total of 175 participants (including n = 128 leaders) completed the Leader Vitality Scale (LVS) and other positive psychology related measures. Exploratory factor analysis and then confirmatory factor analysis showed that the LVS is hierarchical with three distinct factors, with overall vitality as the higher-order factor. Correlational tests with two established vitality scales for general use showed that the LVS is positively related to existing scales, demonstrating convergent validity. In study 2, data was gathered from 92 top level leaders in the C-Suite (n = 25), vice presidents (n = 23), directors (n = 21), and managers (n = 23) of organizations across the United States. Results showed that LVS scores significantly correlated with life satisfaction, positive emotions, positive functioning at work, and psychological capital. Overall, these findings suggest that the LVS is a valid measure for assessing leader vitality, and can used in future studies of well-being and positive functioning at work.
The Influence of Entrepreneurship on the Innovation Path of Cultural Enterprises Under the Background of Digital Transformation
Authors: Liu Siting , Zhou Yong , Wang Changlin , Yu Yufan
Published: June 2022

This study aims to explore the impact mechanism of the new dimension of entrepreneurship on the innovation performance of enterprises in the context of digital transformation. The relationship between entrepreneurship and enterprise innovation performance is studied in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other high-tech enterprises represented by innovative companies. Firstly, the correlation hypothesis between variables is proposed through the induction and summary of relevant data and academic achievements. Statistical data is collected by means of a questionnaire survey. The content of the questionnaire includes three dimensions: 1. collective innovation, risk-taking, and integrity; 2. the survival performance and growth performance of new ventures; 3. basic information about the enterprise, such as the size, age, type, and classification of different Internet and the location. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) and Advanced Mortar System (AMOS) statistical software are used to carry out statistical and correlation analyses of the valid questionnaires. Finally, the proposed hypothesis is verified through regression analysis. To sum up, the main conclusions are: the correlation coefficients between innovative spirit, adventurous spirit, integrity, and enterprise survival performance are 0.401, 0.426, and 0.393, respectively, which are positive correlations. The correlation coefficients between innovative spirit, adventurous spirit, integrity, and enterprise survival performance are 0.434, 0.367, and 0.536, respectively, and there is a significant and positive correlation. It shows that entrepreneurship and its three dimensions have a significant positive impact on enterprise entrepreneurial performance. The research examines the logical relationship and influence mechanism between the entrepreneurial spirit of entrepreneurs and the innovation performance of enterprises, which has a certain guiding role in the management practice of innovative enterprises in China.
Trait Empathy Modulates Patterns of Personal and Social Emotions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: He Yaji , Zhu Jiajia , Chen Xuhai , Mu Yan
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound consequences on people’s personal and social feelings worldwide. However, little is known about whether individual differences in empathy, a prosocial trait, may affect the emotional feelings under such threat. To address this, we measured 345 Chinese participants’ personal emotions (e.g., active, nervous), social emotions (i.e., fearful and empathetic feelings about various social groups), and their empathy traits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the representational similarity analysis (RSA), we calculated the pattern similarity of personal emotions and found the similarity between the positive and negative emotions was less in the high vs. low empathy groups. In addition, people with high (vs. low) empathy traits were more likely to have fearful and sympathetic feelings about the disease-related people (i.e., depression patients, suspected COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 patients, flu patients, SARS patients, AIDS patients, schizophrenic patients) and showed more pattern dissimilarity in the two social feelings toward the disease-related people. These findings suggest a prominent role of trait empathy in modulating emotions across different domains, strengthening the polarization of personal emotions as well as enlarging social feelings toward a set of stigmatized groups when facing a pandemic threat.
L2M1 and L2M2 Acquisition of Sign Lexicon: The Impact of Multimodality on the Sign Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Schönström Krister , Holmström Ingela
Published: June 2022

In second language research, the concept of cross-linguistic influence or transfer has frequently been used to describe the interaction between the first language (L1) and second language (L2) in the L2 acquisition process. However, less is known about the L2 acquisition of a sign language in general and specifically the differences in the acquisition process of L2M2 learners (learners learning a sign language for the first time) and L2M1 learners (signers learning another sign language) from a multimodal perspective. Our study explores the influence of modality knowledge on learning Swedish Sign Language through a descriptive analysis of the sign lexicon in narratives produced by L2M1 and L2M2 learners, respectively. A descriptive mixed-methods framework was used to analyze narratives of adult L2M1 (n = 9) and L2M2 learners (n = 15), with a focus on sign lexicon, i.e., use and distribution of the sign types such as lexical signs, depicting signs (classifier predicates), fingerspelling, pointing, and gestures. The number and distribution of the signs are later compared between the groups. In addition, a comparison with a control group consisting of L1 signers (n = 9) is provided. The results suggest that L2M2 learners exhibit cross-modal cross-linguistic transfer from Swedish (through higher usage of lexical signs and fingerspelling). L2M1 learners exhibits same-modal cross-linguistic transfer from L1 sign languages (through higher usage of depicting signs and use of signs from L1 sign language and international signs). The study suggests that it is harder for L2M2 learners to acquire the modality-specific lexicon, despite possible underlying gestural knowledge. Furthermore, the study suggests that L2M1 learners’ access to modality-specific knowledge, overlapping access to gestural knowledge and iconicity, facilitates faster L2 lexical acquisition, which is discussed from the perspective of linguistic relativity (including modality) and its role in sign L2 acquisition.
Differences in Prediction May Underlie Language Disorder in Autism
Authors: Ellis Weismer Susan , Saffran Jenny R.
Published: June 2022

Language delay is often one of the first concerns of parents of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and early language abilities predict broader outcomes for children on the autism spectrum. Yet, mechanisms underlying language deficits in autistic children remain underspecified. One prominent component of linguistic behavior is the use of predictions or expectations during learning and processing. Several researcher teams have posited prediction deficit accounts of ASD. The basic assumption of the prediction accounts is that information is processed by making predictions and testing violations against expectations (prediction errors). Flexible (neurotypical) brains attribute differential weights to prediction errors to determine when new learning is appropriate, while autistic individuals are thought to assign disproportionate weight to prediction errors. According to some views, these prediction deficits are hypothesized to lead to higher levels of perceived novelty, resulting in “hyperplasticity” of learning based on the most recent input. In this article, we adopt the perspective that it would be useful to investigate whether language deficits in children with ASD can be attributed to atypical domain-general prediction processes.