bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification of bHLH Transcription Factor Family in Malus sieversii and Functional Exploration of MsbHLH155.1 Gene under Valsa Canker Infection
Authors: Jia Shanshan , Liu Xiaojie , Wen Xuejing , Waheed Abdul , Ding Yu , Kahar Gulnaz , Li Xiaoshuang , Zhang Daoyuan
Published: February 2023

Xinjiang wild apple (Malus sieversii) is an ancient relic; a plant with abundant genetic diversity and disease resistance. Several transcription factors were studied in response to different biotic and abiotic stresses on the wild apple. Basic/helix–loop–helix (bHLH) is a large plant transcription factor family that plays important roles in plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses and has been extensively studied in several plants. However, no study has yet been conducted on the bHLH gene in M. sieversii. Based on the genome of M. sieversii, 184 putative MsbHLH genes were identified, and their physicochemical properties were studied. MsbHLH covered 23 subfamilies and lacked two subfamily genes of Arabidopsis thaliana based on the widely used classification method. Moreover, MsbHLH exon–intron structures matched subfamily classification, as evidenced by the analysis of their protein motifs. The analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that many MsbHLH genes share stress- and hormone-related cis-regulatory elements. These MsbHLH transcription factors were found to be involved in plant defense responses based on the protein–protein interactions among the differentially expressed MsbHLHs. Furthermore, 94 MsbHLH genes were differentially expressed in response to pathogenic bacteria. The qRT-PCR results also showed differential expression of MsbHLH genes. To further verify the gene function of bHLH, our study used the transient transformation method to obtain the overexpressed MsbHLH155.1 transgenic plants and inoculated them. Under Valsa canker infection, the lesion phenotype and physiological and biochemical indexes indicated that the antioxidant capacity of plants could increase and reduce the damage caused by membrane peroxidation. This study provides detailed insights into the classification, gene structure, motifs, chromosome distribution, and gene expression of bHLH genes in M. sieversii and lays a foundation for a better understanding disease resistance in plants, as well as providing candidate genes for the development of M. sieversii resistance breeding.
Late Split-Application with Reduced Nitrogen Fertilizer Increases Yield by Mediating Source–Sink Relations during the Grain Filling Stage in Summer Maize
Authors: Deng Tao , Wang Jia-Hui , Gao Zhen , Shen Si , Liang Xiao-Gui , Zhao Xue , Chen Xian-Min , Wu Gong , Wang Xin , Zhou Shun-Li
Published: February 2023

In the North China Plain, the excessive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for ensuring high yield and a single application at sowing for simplifying management in farmer practice lead to low N use efficiency and environmental risk in maize (Zea mays L.) production. However, it is unclear whether and how late split application with a lower level of N fertilizer influences maize yield. To address this question, a two-year field experiment was conducted with two commercial maize cultivars (Zhengdan 958 and Denghai 605) using a lower level of N input (180 kg ha−1) by setting up single application at sowing and split application at sowing and later stages (V12, R1, and R2) with four different ratios, respectively. The maize yield with split-applied 180 kg ha−1 N did not decrease compared to the average yield with 240 kg ha−1 N input in farmer practice, while it increased by 6.7% to 11.5% in the four N split-application treatments compared with that of the single-application control. Morphological and physiological analyses demonstrated that late split application of N (i) increased the net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content and thus promoted the photosynthetic efficiency during the reproductive stages; (ii) promoted the sink capacity via improved kernel number, endosperm cells division, and grain-filling rate; and (iii) increased the final N content and N efficiency in the plant. Therefore, we propose that late split application of N could reduce N fertilizer input and coordinately improve N efficiency and grain yield in summer maize production, which are likely achieved by optimizing the source–sink relations during the grain-filling stage.
Genome-Wide Characterization of the Sulfate Transporter Gene Family in Oilseed Crops: Camelina sativa and Brassica napus
Authors: Heidari Parviz , Hasanzadeh Soosan , Faraji Sahar , Ercisli Sezai , Mora-Poblete Freddy
Published: February 2023

Sulfate transporters (SULTRs) are responsible for the uptake of sulfate (SO42−) ions in the rhizosphere by roots and their distribution to plant organs. In this study, SULTR family members in the genomes of two oilseed crops (Camelina sativa and Brassica napus) were identified and characterized based on their sequence structures, duplication events, phylogenetic relationships, phosphorylation sites, and expression levels. In total, 36 and 45 putative SULTR genes were recognized in the genomes of C. sativa and B. napus, respectively. SULTR proteins were predicted to be basophilic proteins with low hydrophilicity in both studied species. According to the observed phylogenetic relationships, we divided the SULTRs into five groups, out of which the SULTR 3 group showed the highest variation. Additionally, several duplication events were observed between the SULTRs. The first duplication event occurred approximately five million years ago between three SULTR 3.1 genes in C. sativa. Furthermore, two subunits were identified in the 3D structures of the SULTRs, which demonstrated that the active binding sites differed between C. sativa and B. napus. According to the available RNA-seq data, the SULTRs showed diverse expression levels in tissues and diverse responses to stimuli. SULTR 3 was expressed in all tissues. SULTR 3.1 was more upregulated in response to abiotic stresses in C. sativa, while SULTR 3.3 and SULTR 2.1 were upregulated in B. napus. Furthermore, SULTR 3 and SULTR 4.1 were upregulated in response to biotic stresses in B. napus. Additionally, the qPCR data showed that the SULTRs in C. sativa were involved in the plant’s response to salinity. Based on the distribution of cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region, we speculated that SULTRs might be controlled by phytohormones, such as ABA and MeJA. Therefore, it seems likely that SULTR genes in C. sativa have been more heavily influenced by evolutionary processes and have acquired further diversity. The results reveal new insights of the structures and functions of SULTRs in oilseed crops. However, further analyses, related to functional studies, are needed to uncover the role of SULTRs in the plants’ development and growth processes, as well as in their response to stimuli.
Root Exudates Mediate the Processes of Soil Organic Carbon Input and Efflux
Authors: Lei Xue , Shen Yuting , Zhao Jianing , Huang Jiajia , Wang Hui , Yu Yang , Xiao Chunwang
Published: February 2023

Root exudates, as an important form of material input from plants to the soil, regulate the carbon input and efflux of plant rhizosphere soil and play an important role in maintaining the carbon and nutrient balance of the whole ecosystem. Root exudates are notoriously difficult to collect due to their underlying characteristics (e.g., low concentration and fast turnover rate) and the associated methodological challenges of accurately measuring root exudates in native soils. As a result, up until now, it has been difficult to accurately quantify the soil organic carbon input from root exudates to the soil in most studies. In recent years, the contribution and ecological effects of root exudates to soil organic carbon input and efflux have been paid more and more attention. However, the ecological mechanism of soil organic carbon input and efflux mediated by root exudates are rarely analyzed comprehensively. In this review, the main processes and influencing factors of soil organic carbon input and efflux mediated by root exudates are demonstrated. Soil minerals and soil microbes play key roles in the processes. The carbon allocation from plants to soil is influenced by the relationship between root exudates and root functional traits. Compared with the quantity of root exudates, the response of root exudate quality to environmental changes affects soil carbon function more. In the future, the contribution of root exudates in different plants to soil carbon turnover and their relationship with soil nutrient availability will be accurately quantified, which will be helpful to understand the mechanism of soil organic carbon sequestration.
Resistance Inducers for the Protection of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Seedlings against Powdery Mildew Erysiphe alphitoides
Authors: Turczański Krzysztof , Bełka Marta , Spychalski Maciej , Kukawka Rafal , Prasad Raghavendra , Smiglak Marcin
Published: February 2023

Oak powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe alphitoides (Griffon and Maubl.; U. Braun & S. Takam.) is a common disease in European forests. One of the most susceptible species is the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). Presently, a few methods are available to control powdery mildew, e.g., the use of fungicides (e.g., based on citric acid), antagonistic fungi or bacteria, chemical treatments (e.g., sulphur, potassium bicarbonate) or genetic resistance. In our study, we aimed to check the effects of using chitosan derivatives and novel active substances inducing the plants’ natural resistance: benzodiathiadiazole (both in neutral and salt form). 84 pedunculate oak seedlings were subjected to the experiment in three treatment variants (plus positive and negative controls). The plants were treated with active substances and inoculated with E. alphitoides. Although the powdery mildew symptoms appeared in all variants, they were manifested mainly by the mycelium in the form of small spots. The experiment indicated that the highest limitation of powdery mildew mycelium was achieved by applying N-methyl-N-methoxyamide-7-carboxybenzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole (BTHWA). The application of BTHWA reduced disease development by 88.9% when compared to the effects of the other variants.
Vertical Columns with Sustainable Green Cover: Meadow Plants in Urban Design
Authors: Stakelienė Violeta , Pašakinskienė Izolda , Ložienė Kristina , Ryliškis Darius , Skridaila Audrius
Published: February 2023

Unique vertical column structures were constructed for the greening of a structure at the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University, in which a plant cover was formed using the turf rolls of semi-natural meadows that were wrapped on 197 columns, with each column consisting of three equal segments. By evaluating the species composition and the abundance of vegetation in the segments of the columns, we studied how this natural cover changes and what its survival potential is. During the five years of observation, 97 plant species were determined in total. Over time, the initial plant species of fertile soils were mostly replaced by ruderal, nitrophilous, and pioneer plants. Out of the 58 original species, 18 disappeared, while 39 new ones emerged. In the vegetation cover on the north exposition of the building, the original species composition declined faster. The most persistent species were ruderal short-lived Conyza canadensis, Melilotus albus, and Urtica dioica, and long-lived Elytrigia repens. As for vegetation classes, the initial plant communities of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea elatioris vegetation class were partially replaced by the plant communities of the Koelerio-Corynephoretea canescentis and Artemisietea vulgaris classes; however, unformed plant communities finally became prevalent. All directions, including the north, east, south and west, were equally dominated by semi-shade- and semi-light-loving plant species, together with a less abundant representation of light-loving species. Meanwhile, an unexpected establishment of the light-loving annual Arabidopsis arenosa was observed on the least illuminated north exposition. Likewise, the perennial Festuca pratensis, which is particularly resistant to wintering, emerged and spread on all expositions. The vegetation in the vertical columns was dynamic, and the initial plant species significantly diminished in the five years; however, as new species took place, the columns remained sufficiently covered with a green carpet of plants. This study reveals the benefits of using semi-natural meadow turfs in vertical greening of buildings in the harsh climate of a 5b hardiness zone, which is accompanied by distressing climatic fluctuations during the vegetation season.
Growth-Promoting Characteristics of Fungal and Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from a Drought-Tolerant Mint Species Endostemon obtusifolius (E. Mey. ex Benth.) N. E. Br
Authors: Ogbe Abdulazeez A. , Gupta Shubhpriya , Stirk Wendy A. , Finnie Jeffrey F. , Van Staden Johannes
Published: February 2023

Endophytes are primarily endosymbiotic bacteria and fungi that colonize the interior tissues of their host plant. They enhance the host plant’s growth and attenuate adverse effects of biological stress. Endophytic species of many indigenous plants are an untapped resource of plant growth-promoting microorganisms that can mitigate abiotic stress effects. Thus, this study aimed to isolate endophytes from the roots and leaves of the medicinal plant Endostemon obtusifolius to evaluate their in vitro growth-promoting capacities and drought tolerance and to characterize the most promising species. Twenty-six endophytes (fourteen bacteria and twelve fungi) were isolated and cultured from the roots and leaves of E. obtusifolius. All 26 endophytes produced flavonoids, and 14 strains produced phenolic compounds. Of the 11 strains that displayed good free radical scavenging capability (low IC50) in the 1-1-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, only three strains could not survive the highest drought stress treatment (40% polyethylene glycol). These 11 strains were all positive for ammonia and siderophore production and only one strain failed to produce hydrogen cyanide and solubilize phosphate. Seven isolates showed aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and differentially synthesized indole-3-acetic acid. Using molecular tools, two promising symbiotic, drought stress tolerant, and plant growth-enhancing endophytic species (EORB-2 and EOLF-5) were identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa and Fusarium oxysporum. The results of this study demonstrate that P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum should be further investigated for their drought stress mitigation and plant growth enhancement effects as they have the potential to be developed for use in sustainable agricultural practices.
Smart Farming Enhances Bioactive Compounds Content of Panax ginseng on Moderating Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits and Neuroinflammation
Authors: Huang Tianqi , Lee Sangbin , Lee Teamin , Yun Seungbeom , Kim Yongduk , Yang Hyunok
Published: February 2023

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a traditional herbal supplement known to have a variety of pharmacological activities. A smart farm system could provide potential standardization of ginseng seedlings after investigating plant metabolic responses to various parameters in order to design optimal conditions. This research was performed to investigate the effect of smart-farmed ginseng on memory improvement in a scopolamine-induced memory deficit mouse model and an LPS-induced microglial cell model. A smart farming system was applied to culture ginseng. The administration of its extract (S2 extract) under specific culture conditions significantly attenuated cognitive and spatial memory deficits by regulating AKT/ERK/CREB signaling, as well as the cortical inflammation associated with suppression of COX-2 and NLRP3 induced by scopolamine. In addition, S2 extract improved the activation of iNOS and COX-2, and the secretion of NO in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia. Based on the HPLC fingerprint and in vitro data, ginsenosides Rb2 and Rd were found to be the main contributors to the anti-inflammatory effects of the S2 extract. Our findings suggest that integrating a smart farm system may enhance the metabolic productivity of ginseng and provides evidence of its potential impact on natural bioactive compounds of medicinal plants with beneficial qualities, such as ginsenosides Rb2 and Rd.
Hsp90 Gene Is Required for Mi-1-Mediated Resistance of Tomato to the Whitefly Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Pascual Susana , Rodríguez-Álvarez Clara I. , Kaloshian Isgouhi , Nombela Gloria
Published: February 2023

The Mi-1 gene of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) confers resistance against some nematodes and insects, but the resistance mechanisms differ depending on the harmful organism, as a hypersensitive reaction (HR) occurs only in the case of nematodes. The gene Rme1 is required for Mi-1-mediated resistance to nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies, and several additional proteins also play a role in this resistance. Among them, the involvement of the chaperone HSP90 has been demonstrated in Mi-1-mediated resistance for aphids and nematodes, but not for whiteflies. In this work, we studied the implication of the Hsp90 gene in the Mi-1 resistance against the whitefly Bemisia tabaci by means of Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The silencing of the Hsp90 gene in tomato Motelle plants carrying the Mi-1 gene resulted in a decrease in resistance to whiteflies, as oviposition values were significantly higher than those on non-silenced plants. This decrease in resistance was equivalent to that caused by the silencing of the Mi-1 gene itself. Infiltration with the control TRV vector did not alter Mi-1 mediated resistance to B. tabaci. Similar to the Mi-1 gene, silencing of Hsp90-1 occurs partially, as silenced plants showed a significant but not complete suppression of gene expression. Thus, our results demonstrate the requirement of Hsp90 in the Mi-1-mediated resistance to B. tabaci and reinforce the hypothesis of a common model for this resistance to nematodes and insects.
Evaluation of a Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Hybrid F1 Population Phenotypic Diversity and Construction of a Rapid Sucrose Yield Estimation Model for Breeding
Authors: Xu Zhijun , Kong Ran , An Dongsheng , Zhang Xuejiao , Li Qibiao , Nie Huzi , Liu Yang , Su Junbo
Published: February 2023

Sugarcane is the major sugar-producing crop worldwide, and hybrid F1 populations are the primary populations used in breeding. Challenged by the sugarcane genome’s complexity and the sucrose yield’s quantitative nature, phenotypic selection is still the most commonly used approach for high-sucrose yield sugarcane breeding. In this study, a hybrid F1 population containing 135 hybrids was constructed and evaluated for 11 traits (sucrose yield (SY) and its related traits) in a randomized complete-block design during two consecutive growing seasons. The results revealed that all the traits exhibited distinct variation, with the coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 0.09 to 0.35, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) ranging between 2.64 and 2.98, and the broad-sense heritability ranging from 0.75 to 0.84. Correlation analysis revealed complex correlations between the traits, with 30 trait pairs being significantly correlated. Eight traits, including stalk number (SN), stalk diameter (SD), internode length (IL), stalk height (SH), stalk weight (SW), Brix (B), sucrose content (SC), and yield (Y), were significantly positively correlated with sucrose yield (SY). Cluster analysis based on the 11 traits divided the 135 F1 hybrids into three groups, with 55 hybrids in Group I, 69 hybrids in Group II, and 11 hybrids in Group III. The principal component analysis indicated that the values of the first four major components’ vectors were greater than 1 and the cumulative contribution rate reached 80.93%. Based on the main component values of all samples, 24 F1 genotypes had greater values than the high-yielding parent ‘ROC22’ and were selected for the next breeding stage. A rapid sucrose yield estimation equation was established using four easily measured sucrose yield-related traits through multivariable linear stepwise regression. The model was subsequently confirmed using 26 sugarcane cultivars and 24 F1 hybrids. This study concludes that the sugarcane F1 population holds great genetic diversity in sucrose yield-related traits. The sucrose yield estimation model, ySY=2.01xSN+8.32xSD+0.79xB+3.44xSH−47.64, can aid to breed sugarcane varieties with high sucrose yield.
Crystallization Kinetics of Modified Nanocellulose/Monomer Casting Nylon Composites
Authors: He Xiaofeng , Guo Fuqiang , Tang Kaihong , Ge Tiejun
Published: February 2023

Polyisocyanate and caprolactone were used to chemically functionalize nanocellulose (CNF). Composites of CNF, caprolactone-modified nanocellulose (CNF–CL) and polyisocyanate-modified nanocellulose (CNF–JQ)/MC nylon were fabricated by anionic ring-opening polymerization. The effects of the crystal structure, crystal morphology and crystallization process of MC nylon composites have been characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), polarized optical microscopy(POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Isothermal crystallization kinetics were analyzed using the Avrami equation, and the crystallization rate, half-time, and Avrami exponent were calculated. The results show that the nucleation effects of CNF–JQ/MC nylon composites is increased with the CNF–JQ increase, and it is best compared with MC nylon, CNF/MC nylon and CNF–CL/MC nylon composites, so CNF–JQ can play the role of effective nucleating agent in MC nylon. We also discussed the non-isothermal crystallization of the composites. Analysis of the Jeziorny and Mo model demonstrates that the Zc values of CNF, CNF–CL, CNF–JQ/MC nylon composites increase, and the F(T) values decrease in order. This indicates that CNF–JQ can better promote the crystallization rate of non-isothermal crystallization of MC nylon. The results of this work demonstrate that CNF–JQ can be an effective nucleation agent and increase the crystallization rate of MC nylon compared with CNF–CL. The activation energy of the composites was studied using the kissing method, and the results showed that CNF–CL decreased the activation energy of MC nylon, and CNF and CNF–JQ increased the activation energy of MC nylon.
Effect of OH-Group Introduction on Gas and Liquid Separation Properties of Polydecylmethylsiloxane
Authors: Grushevenko Evgenia A. , Rokhmanka Tatiana N. , Borisov Ilya L. , Volkov Alexey V. , Bazhenov Stepan D.
Published: February 2023

Membrane development for specific separation tasks is a current and important topic. In this work, the influence of OH-groups introduced in polydecylmethylsiloxane (PDecMS) was shown on the separation of CO2 from air and aldehydes from hydroformylation reaction media. OH-groups were introduced to PDecMS during hydrosilylation reaction by adding 1-decene with undecenol-1 to polymethylhydrosiloxane, and further cross-linking. Flat sheet composite membranes were developed based on these polymers. For obtained membranes, transport and separation properties were studied for individual gases (CO2, N2, O2) and liquids (1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, heptanal and decanal). Sorption measurements were carried out for an explanation of difference in transport properties. The general trend was a decrease in membrane permeability with the introduction of OH groups. The presence of OH groups in the siloxane led to a significant increase in the selectivity of permeability with respect to acidic components. For example, on comparing PDecMS and OH-PDecMS (~7% OH-groups to decyl), it was shown that selectivity heptanal/1-hexene increased eight times.
A Dual-Wavelength Phosphorescent Anti-Counterfeiting Copolymer Containing Eu(III) and Tb(III)
Authors: Zhao Hui , Wang Zihao , Wang Yongchao , Guo Jiandong , Zhang Aiqin , Jia Husheng , Xu Bingshe
Published: February 2023

The anti-counterfeiting technology of banknotes, bills and negotiable securities is constantly copied, and it is urgent to upgrade its anti-counterfeiting technology. In view of the defect of easy replication of single-wavelength anti-counterfeiting technology, the bonded copolymer PMEuTb was synthesized, employing the technique of first coordination and then polymerization. The molecular structure of copolymer PMEuTb was confirmed by infrared spectrum and UV-vis absorption spectrum. The internal mechanism of negative correlation between initiator concentration and number-average molecular weight Mn of the copolymer was revealed, and the positive correlation between Mn and luminescent behavior of the copolymer was analyzed. The luminescent properties of copolymer PMEuTb with initiator amount of 0.1% were investigated, the copolymer PMEuTb exhibits dual-wavelength emission of green light and red light under the excitation of ultraviolet light at 254 nm and 365 nm. The copolymer has the lifetime of 1.083 ms at 5D4–7F5 transition and 0.665 ms at 5D0–7F2 transition, which belongs to phosphorescent emitting materials. The copolymer remains stable at 240 °C, and variable temperature photoluminescent spectra demonstrate the luminescent intensity remains 85% at 333 K, meeting the requirements of room temperature phosphorescent anti-counterfeiting materials. The luminescent patterns made by standard screen printing display the green and cuticolor logo at 254 nm and 365 nm, respectively, indicating that the bonded phosphors PMEuTb has potential application in phosphorescent anti-counterfeiting.
Combining Polymerization and Templating toward Hyper-Cross-Linked Poly(propargyl aldehyde)s and Poly(propargyl alcohol)s for Reversible H2O and CO2 Capture and Construction of Porous Chiral Networks
Authors: Havelková Lucie , Bashta Bogdana , Hašková Alena , Vagenknechtová Alice , Vyskočilová Eliška , Brus Jiří , Sedláček Jan
Published: February 2023

Two series of hyper-cross-linked microporous polyacetylene networks containing either -[CH=C(CH=O)]- or -[CH=C(CH2OH)]- monomeric units are reported. Networks are prepared by chain-growth copolymerization of acetal-protected propargyl aldehyde and acetal-protected propargyl alcohol with a 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene cross-linker followed by hydrolytic deprotection/detemplating. Deprotection not only liberates reactive CH=O and CH2OH groups in the networks but also modifies the texture of the networks towards higher microporosity and higher specific surface area. The final networks with CH=O and CH2OH groups attached directly to the polyene main chains of the networks have a specific surface area from 400 to 800 m2/g and contain functional groups in a high amount, up to 9.6 mmol/g. The CH=O and CH2OH groups in the networks serve as active centres for the reversible capture of CO2 and water vapour. The water vapour capture capacities of the networks (up to 445 mg/g at 297 K) are among the highest values reported for porous polymers, making these materials promising for cyclic water harvesting from the air. Covalent modification of the networks with (R)-(+)-3-aminopyrrolidine and (S)-(+)-2-methylbutyric acid enables the preparation of porous chiral networks and shows networks with CH=O and CH2OH groups as reactive supports suitable for the anchoring of various functional molecules.
Overlying Strata Dynamic Movement Law and Prediction Method Caused by Longwall Coal-Mining: A Case Study
Authors: Xu Guosheng , Li Dehai , Zhang Yanbin , Li Huigui
Published: February 2023

The surface subsidence caused by underground mining is a spatiotemporal process. The impact of mining on surface structures (houses, highways, railways, dikes, etc.) and structures in rock strata (shafts, roadways, chambers, etc.) is a dynamic process. It is necessary to study the dynamic movement law of the surface and overlying strata in the mining process of the working face to predict the extent of the impact of mining on the aforementioned structures. It provides a reference for pre-reinforcement and post-mining treatment. This paper studies the variation of surface dynamic movement based on the survey line above the working face of Peigou Coal Mine. The numerical simulation model of the overlying strata dynamic movement is established to study the dynamic movement law of rock strata with different depths, and the fitting function of surface and overlying strata dynamic movement is determined. Finally, the subsidence velocity prediction function of the major section of the surface and overlying strata in the Peigou Coal Mine is established. The accuracy of this prediction function is demonstrated by contrasting the subsidence and subsidence velocity curves of the surface subsidence basin survey line with the numerical model. In this paper, a numerical simulation method for the dynamic movement of the surface and overlying strata and a function for predicting the subsidence velocity on the strike major section are established, which provides an important theoretical reference for the dynamic protection of the structures on the surface and in the overlying strata.
A Vertical Fountain Dryer Adjusted for Sawdust and Wood Chips Drying
Authors: Rojcewicz Konrad , Oksiuta Zbigniew
Published: February 2023

This article presents the preliminary results on the drying process in a fountain dryer designed and adapted to drying waist sawdust and/or chips of various morphology and moisture content. In terms of drying technology, it is important to reduce the demand for heat and electricity. The phenomena occurring during the drying of sawdust in a fountain dryer were analyzed. Modifications of a typical fountain dryer were proposed in order to dry the chips, to obtain appropriate moisture and quality suitable for the process of their further granulation for the production of pellets. The test stand and the most important properties of the fountain dryer were described and discussed. Such characteristic aims of the device, i.e., efficiency, combustion, air and exhaust gas flow measurements, among others, were presented. The characteristics of the sawdust drying curves as a function of temperature were also determined. Computer simulations of heat exchange, air, and exhaust gas flow velocities were also performed and compared with the results obtained directly from the modified test stand. The maximum combustion of sawdust measured during startup of the furnace was 0.14 m3/h, which is 0.46 m3 of the fuel consumption for the production of 1000 kg. Drying times of wet sawdust is relatively short and takes ~50 s for (weight of wet sawdust 4.75 kg, with moisture of 35%) the relatively low air temperature of 175 °C.
Fenton Reaction–Unique but Still Mysterious
Authors: Kastanek Frantisek , Spacilova Marketa , Krystynik Pavel , Dlaskova Martina , Solcova Olga
Published: February 2023

This study is devoted to the Fenton reaction, which, despite hundreds of reports in a number of scientific journals, provides opportunities for further investigation of its use as a method of advanced oxidation of organic macro- and micropollutants in its diverse variations and hybrid systems. It transpires that, for example, the choice of the concentrations and ratios of basic chemical substances, i.e., hydrogen peroxide and catalysts based on the Fe2+ ion or other transition metals in homogeneous and heterogeneous arrangements for reactions with various pollutants, is for now the result of the experimental determination of rather randomly selected quantities, requiring further optimizations. The research to date also shows the indispensability of the Fenton reaction related to environmental issues, as it represents the pillar of all advanced oxidation processes, regarding the idea of oxidative hydroxide radicals. This study tries to summarize not only the current knowledge of the Fenton process and identify its advantages, but also the problems that need to be solved. Based on these findings, we identified the necessary steps affecting its further development that need to be resolved and should be the focus of further research related to the Fenton process.
Adhesive Thickness and Ageing Effects on the Mechanical Behaviour of Similar and Dissimilar Single Lap Joints Used in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Ciardiello Raffaele , Boursier Niutta Carlo , Goglio Luca
Published: February 2023

The effects of the adhesive thickness and overlap of a polyurethane adhesive have been studied by using different substrate configurations. Single lap joint (SLJ) specimens have been tested with homologous substrates, carbon fibre-reinforced plastics and painted metal substrates. Furthermore, a configuration with dissimilar substrates has been included in the experimental campaign. Both types of these adhesive and substrates are used in the automotive industry. The bonding procedure has been carried out without a surface treatment in order to quantify the shear strength and stiffness when surface treatments are not used on the substrates, reproducing typical mass production conditions. Three different ageing cycles have been used to evaluate the effects on SLJ specimens. A finite element model that uses cohesive modelling has been built and optimised to assess the differences between the different adopted SLJ configurations.
The Cosmopolitan Vernacular: Korean Shamans (Mudang) in the Global Spirituality Market
Authors: Sarfati Liora
Published: February 2023

Cosmopolitanism has often been used to discuss religions that had been institutionalized, canonized, and then transmitted globally through premodern cultural flows. In contrast, vernacular religions have maintained their local uniqueness in terms of pantheons, belief systems, practices, and ritual objects—even into the 21st century. This article discusses the cultural and societal conditions that have enabled the vernacular traditions of Korean shamanism (musok) to travel globally in real and virtual worlds. Not all Korean shamans (mudang) work with foreigners, but the four ethnographic case studies that this article examines are cosmopolitan practitioners. They assert that spirits can communicate beyond spoken languages, that mudang clients do not have to be Koreans, and that media depictions are a vehicle for making the practice available to more people in Korea and worldwide. Such international activity has become an easily achievable task in hypermodern conditions. The vernacular is flexible in meaning and usage because institutions do not supervise it and it is often an undocumented oral tradition. Mudang constantly recreate musok practices from their personal interpretation of the religious experience. Thus, when musok goes global, it is reinterpreted and transformed to fit the cultural understandings of the target audiences.
Classrooms as Sacred Space: Structures for Holistic Teaching and Learning Practices in Higher Education
Authors: Muñoz Joaquin
Published: February 2023

This article explores the notion of the classroom as a sacred space, through the lenses of Indigeneity and Waldorf-inspired practices to examine the ways pedagogical practices create spaces for learning and holistic well-being. Using a series of qualitative ethnographic studies highlighting courses at higher education institutions in Arizona and Minnesota, this article examines student reflections on experiences within the courses and curricula. Student responses point to conceptions of the course “rituals” that fostered emotional and mental wellness and contrasted these to courses in the “real world” that did the opposite. The article concludes with reflections on structures within the classroom and implications for teaching and learning.
A Framework for Geoconservation in Mining Landscapes: Opportunities for Geopark and GEOfood Approaches in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Ocelli Pinheiro Raphael , Gentilini Sara , Giardino Marco
Published: February 2023

The continuous processes of mining development, since the very beginning of Minas Gerais State’s development, have been giving new attention and meaning to valuable pre-existing features (i.e., cultural, social, and physical-environmental), impacting and recharacterizing not only its municipalities but their essential local or native sociocultural components. At the same time, mining, as one of the central pillars of the Brazilian development model, has put different communities, natural and cultural heritage, and mineral and water resources at risk. The wide concept of geodiversity and the related geoheritage emerge as an alternative for conservation, territorial planning, and sustainable development, to reconcile these spheres. This study developed a comprehensive framework for geoconservation within selected areas of mining landscapes, contributing to insights for the creation of a catalog about geoheritage in the state of Minas Gerais, discussing and analyzing well-established strategies and opportunities based on UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) and the GEOfood brand. We concluded that the mining landscapes of Minas Gerais must be administered as a viable possibility for economic and environmental dynamic actions and activities, strengthening the maintenance of municipalities from the very beginning to after the end of operational activities. Heritage programs such as UGGp and GEOfood enable knowledge sharing and engagement with geoheritage, improving the comprehension and management of the short- and long-term impacts of mining, while elevating geodiversity as a major source of information in the “greening” of mining policies.
Comparisons of Convolutional Neural Network and Other Machine Learning Methods in Landslide Susceptibility Assessment: A Case Study in Pingwu
Authors: Jiang Ziyu , Wang Ming , Liu Kai
Published: February 2023

Landslide is a natural disaster that seriously affects human life and social development. In this study, the characteristics and effectiveness of convolutional neural network (CNN) and conventional machine learning (ML) methods in a landslide susceptibility assessment (LSA) are compared. Six ML methods used in this study are Adaboost, multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP-NN), random forest (RF), naive Bayes, decision tree (DT), and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT). First, the basic knowledge and structures of the CNN and ML methods, and the steps of the LSA are introduced. Then, 11 conditioning factors in three categories in the Hongxi River Basin, Pingwu County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province are chosen to build the train, validation, and test samples. The CNN and ML models are constructed based on these samples. For comparison, indicator methods, statistical methods, and landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) are used. The result shows that the CNN can obtain the highest accuracy (86.41%) and the highest AUC (0.9249) in the LSA. The statistical methods represented by the mean and variance of TP and TN perform more firmly on the possibility of landslide occurrence. Furthermore, the LSMs show that all models can successfully identify most of the landslide points, but for areas with a low frequency of landslides, some models are insufficient. The CNN model demonstrates better results in the recognition of the landslides’ cluster region, this is also related to the convolution operation that takes the surrounding environment information into account. The higher accuracy and more concentrative possibility of CNN in LSA is of great significance for disaster prevention and mitigation, which can help the efficient use of human and material resources. Although CNN performs better than other methods, there are still some limitations, the identification of low-cluster landside areas can be enhanced by improving the CNN model.
Impact of the Antenna Spacing on the Brightness Temperature Maps Retrieved with a Synthetic Aperture Imaging Radiometer
Authors: Anterrieu Eric , Yu Louise
Published: February 2023

For almost five years, phase 0 and phase A studies have been conducted by the French space agency for a second generation of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite devoted to a High Resolution (HR) follow-on mission. Within the frame of the preliminary results obtained with a candidate array for this SMOS-HR project, this contribution focuses on what could happen to any synthetic aperture imaging radiometer when the shortest spacing between the antennas of the interferometric array becomes smaller than a geometrical limit below which the synthesized field of view seems to be wider than the field of view seen by each elementary antenna. It is shown that in such a situation, the inversion of the complex visibilities becomes unstable in presence of noise and this instability is characterized by the undesirable presence of a phantom in the retrieved brightness temperature maps. The origin of this phantom is explained and a solution to cure the interferometric array from that issue is proposed and assessed with the aid of numerical simulations.
Integrated Convective Characteristic Extraction Algorithm for Dual Polarization Radar: Description and Application to a Convective System
Authors: Wang Chao , Wu Chong , Liu Liping
Published: February 2023

To further enhance the application of dual-polarization radar in hail nowcasting, we develop an integrated convective characteristic extraction (ICCE) algorithm based on the storm cell identification and tracking (SCIT) algorithm using dual-polarization radar data and its secondary products (hydrometeor classification data and mesocyclone data). The ICCE identifies and tracks not storm cells but convective systems, and it adds other storm characteristics, such as storm microphysics (hail- and graupel-related) and storm dynamics (mesocyclone-related), to the original storm characteristics, such as storm structure (reflectivity-related) and storm tracking (motion-related). The data of four mesocyclonic hailstorms observed by the two S-band dual-polarization radars in Guangdong Province, China, are utilized, from which we draw the following conclusions: (1) ICCE excels in identifying, characterizing, matching, and tracking convective systems; and (2) the newly added storm microphysics and dynamics characteristics can more accurately quantify the relationship between mesocyclone development, hail growth, and convective system enhancement throughout the evolution of the convective system.
Dynamic Field Retrieval and Analysis of Structural Evolution in Offshore Core Area of Typhoon Higos Based on Ground-Based Radar Observation
Authors: Li Ruiyi , Lu Qifeng , Wei Ming , Wu Lei , Li Ruifeng , Wang Shudong , Liu Hua
Published: February 2023

Three ground-based radars in the Pearl River Delta successfully observed Typhoon Higos (2020), which traveled over the offshore area in the South China Sea. During the observation period, the stratiform region of the outer rainband of HIGOS became active while swirling inward, merging into an unclosed eyewall and spreading outward, but its structure was asymmetric between upwind and downwind. To understand the dynamic mechanism of the asymmetry of the stratiform region in detail, the refined wind speed distributions in the inner core of Higos was retrieved by using the radar observation data and a three-dimensional, variational, direct, data assimilation, Dual-Doppler analysis (DDA). In addition, an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) was conducted with the numerical simulations by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and numerical emulations by Cloud Resolving Model Radar SIMulator (CR-SIM) software to validate the retrieved data. From the OSSE, the emulated retrieved data were comparable with the WRF-out data. The analysis shows that the dynamic mechanisms are different between upwind and downwind in the stratiform rainband. In the former, the inflow sinks in the middle troposphere. In addition, there is an inflow in the lower troposphere, with an outflow aloft the inflow. In the latter, however, the stratiform rainband is primarily influenced by outflow from inside the rainband and inflow from outside the monsoon-related southwesterly winds. The vertical velocity characteristics in the stratiform rainband downwind also differ from those upwind. The upwind updraft was distinct in the middle troposphere, whereas the downwind updraft was caused by the convergence of the outflow from inside the stratiform rainband and the monsoon-related southwesterly inflow in the lower troposphere.
Spatial Downscaling and Gap-Filling of SMAP Soil Moisture to High Resolution Using MODIS Surface Variables and Machine Learning Approaches over ShanDian River Basin, China
Authors: Nadeem Adeel Ahmad , Zha Yuanyuan , Shi Liangsheng , Ali Shoaib , Wang Xi , Zafar Zeeshan , Afzal Zeeshan , Tariq Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman
Published: February 2023

High-resolution soil moisture (SM) information is essential for regional to global hydrological and agricultural applications. The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) offers daily global composites of SM at coarse-resolution 9 and 36 km, with data gaps limiting its local application to depict SM distribution in detail. To overcome the aforementioned problem, a downscaling and gap-filling novel approach was adopted, using random forest (RF) and artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms to downscale SMAP SM data, using land-surface variables from moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard Aqua and Terra satellites from the years 2018 to 2019. Firstly, four combinations (RF+Aqua, RF+Terra, ANN+Aqua, and ANN+Terra) were developed. Each combination downscaled SMAP SM at a high resolution (1 km). These combinations were evaluated by using error matrices and in situ SM at different scales in the ShanDian River (SDR) Basin. The combination RF+Terra showed a better performance, with a low averaged unbiased root mean square error (ubRMSE) of 0.034 m3/m3 and high averaged correlation (R) of 0.54 against the small-, medium-, and large-scale in situ SM. Secondly, the impact of various land covers was examined by using downscaled SMAP and in situ SM. Vegetation attenuation makes woodland more error-prone and less correlated than grassland and farmland. Finally, the RF+Terra and ANN+Terra combinations were selected for their higher accuracy in gap filling of downscaled SMAP SM. The gap-filled downscaled SMAP SM results were compared spatially with China Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS) SM and in situ SM. The RF+Terra combination outcomes were more humid than ANN+Terra combination results in the SDR basin. Overall, the RF+Terra combination gap-filled data showed high R (0.40) and less ubRMSE (0.064 m3/m3) against in situ SM, which was close to CLDAS SM. This study showed that the proposed RF- and ANN-based downscaling methods have a potential to improve the spatial resolution and gap-filling of SMAP SM at a high resolution (1 km).
Monitoring Corn Nitrogen Concentration from Radar (C-SAR), Optical, and Sensor Satellite Data Fusion
Authors: Lapaz Olveira Adrián , Saínz Rozas Hernán , Castro-Franco Mauricio , Carciochi Walter , Nieto Luciana , Balzarini Mónica , Ciampitti Ignacio , Reussi Calvo Nahuel
Published: February 2023

Corn (Zea mays L.) nitrogen (N) management requires monitoring plant N concentration (Nc) with remote sensing tools to improve N use, increasing both profitability and sustainability. This work aims to predict the corn Nc during the growing cycle from Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 (C-SAR) sensor data fusion. Eleven experiments using five fertilizer N rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1) were conducted in the Pampas region of Argentina. Plant samples were collected at four stages of vegetative and reproductive periods. Vegetation indices were calculated with new combinations of spectral bands, C-SAR backscatters, and sensor data fusion derived from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2. Predictive models of Nc with the best fit (R2 = 0.91) were calibrated with spectral band combinations and sensor data fusion in six experiments. During validation of the models in five experiments, sensor data fusion predicted corn Nc with lower error (MAPE: 14%, RMSE: 0.31 %Nc) than spectral band combination (MAPE: 20%, RMSE: 0.44 %Nc). The red-edge (704, 740, 740 nm), short-wave infrared (1375 nm) bands, and VV backscatter were all necessary to monitor corn Nc. Thus, satellite remote sensing via sensor data fusion is a critical data source for predicting changes in plant N status.