bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flight-Fecundity Trade-offs: A Possible Mechanistic Link in Plant–Herbivore–Pollinator Systems
Authors: Davidowitz Goggy , Bronstein Judith L. , Tigreros Natasha
Published: April 2022

Plant–herbivore and plant–pollinator interactions are both well-studied, but largely independent of each other. It has become increasingly recognized, however, that pollination and herbivory interact extensively in nature, with consequences for plant fitness. Here, we explore the idea that trade-offs in investment in insect flight and reproduction may be a mechanistic link between pollination and herbivory. We first provide a general background on trade-offs between flight and fecundity in insects. We then focus on Lepidoptera; larvae are generally herbivores while most adults are pollinators, making them ideal to study these links. Increased allocation of resources to flight, we argue, potentially increases a Lepidopteran insect pollinator’s efficiency, resulting in higher plant fitness. In contrast, allocation of resources to reproduction in the same insect species reduces plant fitness, because it leads to an increase in herbivore population size. We examine the sequence of resource pools available to herbivorous Lepidopteran larvae (maternally provided nutrients to the eggs, as well as leaf tissue), and to adults (nectar and nuptial gifts provided by the males to the females), which potentially are pollinators. Last, we discuss how subsequent acquisition and allocation of resources from these pools may alter flight–fecundity trade-offs, with concomitant effects both on pollinator performance and the performance of larval herbivores in the next generation. Allocation decisions at different times during ontogeny translate into costs of herbivory and/or benefits of pollination for plants, mechanistically linking herbivory and pollination.
Unveiling Differences in Root Defense Mechanisms Between Tolerant and Susceptible Olive Cultivars to Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Cardoni Martina , Gómez-Lama Cabanás Carmen , Valverde-Corredor Antonio , Villar Rafael , Mercado-Blanco Jesús
Published: April 2022

Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO), caused by the soil-borne vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae, is one of the most devastating diseases affecting olive, the woody crop. One of the best VWO management measures is the use of tolerant cultivars. Yet, our knowledge about defense mechanisms that operate at the root level to explain tolerance to this disease is incomplete. Moreover, most of the approaches so far followed focus only on a specific mechanistic level (e.g., genetic, physiological, or biochemical) rather than on a holistic/multilevel perspective. In this study, eighteen root functional traits, the time-course expression of nine defense-related genes, the root lignin content, and the root membrane permeability were evaluated in six olive varieties differing in their level of tolerance/susceptibility to VWO. The aim was to find links between the level of tolerance to VWO and specific root defense mechanisms at the structural, genetic, biochemical, and physiological levels. Tolerant and susceptible cultivars showed substantial differences in the root system architecture and root lignin content. VWO-susceptible cultivars presented roots with higher specific length and area, but lower diameter and larger number of forks and tips compared to tolerant varieties that also showed less branched roots, higher root diameter, and larger basal content of lignin. Interestingly, VWO-tolerant varieties significantly increased their root lignin content and root membrane permeability after inoculation with V. dahliae. These results were seldom (or not at all) observed in the susceptible plants. At the genetic level, genes related to defense mechanisms, such as cell wall lignin biosynthesis (C4H and CO-MT), production of hydrolytic enzymes able to degrade the fungal cell wall (β-1.3-glucanase), and activation of innate immunity (BAK1 and WRKY5) increased their expression in tolerant cultivars from early moments after inoculation, in contrast to the susceptible ones. These results showed that differences in the root system architecture and lignin content may greatly determine the performance of olive against colonization and invasion by V. dahliae. Moreover, the increase in root membrane permeability in the presence of the pathogen was a typical response of tolerant cultivars. Finally, VWO-tolerant cultivars were able to mount a more intense and rapid defense-related genetic response to respond to the attack by V. dahliae.
Cell Fate Decisions Within the Vascular Cambium–Initiating Wood and Bast Formation
Authors: Haas Aylin S. , Shi Dongbo , Greb Thomas
Published: April 2022

Precise coordination of cell fate decisions is a hallmark of multicellular organisms. Especially in tissues with non-stereotypic anatomies, dynamic communication between developing cells is vital for ensuring functional tissue organization. Radial plant growth is driven by a plant stem cell niche known as vascular cambium, usually strictly producing secondary xylem (wood) inward and secondary phloem (bast) outward, two important structures serving as much-needed CO2 depositories and building materials. Because of its bidirectional nature and its developmental plasticity, the vascular cambium serves as an instructive paradigm for investigating principles of tissue patterning. Although genes and hormones involved in xylem and phloem formation have been identified, we have a yet incomplete picture of the initial steps of cell fate transitions of stem cell daughters into xylem and phloem progenitors. In this mini-review perspective, we describe two possible scenarios of cell fate decisions based on the current knowledge about gene regulatory networks and how cellular environments are established. In addition, we point out further possible research directions.
Histone Modification and Chromatin Remodeling During the Seed Life Cycle
Authors: Ding Xiali , Jia Xuhui , Xiang Yong , Jiang Wenhui
Published: April 2022

Seeds are essential for the reproduction and dispersion of spermatophytes. The seed life cycle from seed development to seedling establishment proceeds through a series of defined stages regulated by distinctive physiological and biochemical mechanisms. The role of histone modification and chromatin remodeling in seed behavior has been intensively studied in recent years. In this review, we summarize progress in elucidating the regulatory network of these two kinds of epigenetic regulation during the seed life cycle, especially in two model plants, rice and Arabidopsis. Particular emphasis is placed on epigenetic effects on primary tissue formation (e.g., the organized development of embryo and endosperm), pivotal downstream gene expression (e.g., transcription of DOG1 in seed dormancy and repression of seed maturation genes in seed-to-seedling transition), and environmental responses (e.g., seed germination in response to different environmental cues). Future prospects for understanding of intricate interplay of epigenetic pathways and the epigenetic mechanisms in other commercial species are also proposed.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of KCS Gene Family in Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) Under Fusarium kyushuense and Drought Stress Conditions
Authors: Rizwan Hafiz Muhammad , Shaozhong Fang , Li Xiaoting , Bilal Arshad Muhammad , Yousef Ahmed Fathy , Chenglong Yang , Shi Meng , Jaber Mohammed Y. M. , Anwar Muhammad , Hu Shuai-Ya , Yang Qiang , Sun Kaiwei , Ahmed Mohamed A. A. , Min Zheng , Oelmüller Ralf , Zhimin Lin , Chen Faxing
Published: April 2022

Plant and fruit surfaces are covered with cuticle wax and provide a protective barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses. Cuticle wax consists of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and their derivatives. β-Ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of VLCFAs and provides a precursor for the synthesis of cuticle wax, but the KCS gene family was yet to be reported in the passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). In this study, thirty-two KCS genes were identified in the passion fruit genome and phylogenetically grouped as KCS1-like, FAE1-like, FDH-like, and CER6-like. Furthermore, thirty-one PeKCS genes were positioned on seven chromosomes, while one PeKCS was localized to the unassembled genomic scaffold. The cis-element analysis provides insight into the possible role of PeKCS genes in phytohormones and stress responses. Syntenic analysis revealed that gene duplication played a crucial role in the expansion of the PeKCS gene family and underwent a strong purifying selection. All PeKCS proteins shared similar 3D structures, and a protein–protein interaction network was predicted with known Arabidopsis proteins. There were twenty putative ped-miRNAs which were also predicted that belong to nine families targeting thirteen PeKCS genes. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation results were highly associated with fatty acid synthase and elongase activity, lipid metabolism, stress responses, and plant-pathogen interaction. The highly enriched transcription factors (TFs) including ERF, MYB, Dof, C2H2, TCP, LBD, NAC, and bHLH were predicted in PeKCS genes. qRT-PCR expression analysis revealed that most PeKCS genes were highly upregulated in leaves including PeKCS2, PeKCS4, PeKCS8, PeKCS13, and PeKCS9 but not in stem and roots tissues under drought stress conditions compared with controls. Notably, most PeKCS genes were upregulated at 9th dpi under Fusarium kyushuense biotic stress condition compared to controls. This study provides a basis for further understanding the functions of KCS genes, improving wax and VLCFA biosynthesis, and improvement of passion fruit resistance.
Inorganic Nitrogen Enhances the Drought Tolerance of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Tree Species in the Short-Term, but May Aggravate Their Water Shortage in the Mid-Term
Authors: Liu Fangyan , Zhou Yuheng , Zhang Shike , Liu Nan
Published: April 2022

With global climate change, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and drought have been well documented to cause substantial challenges for tropical and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. Here, we conducted an experiment that measured the physiological responses of the seedlings of three dominant tree species (Tabebuia chrysantha, Elaeocarpus sylvestris, and Bischofia javanica) of the evergreen broad-leaved forests in South China under control (CT), drought stress (D), N addition (N), and drought stress plus N addition (N+D). We found that N addition significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, abscisic acid (ABA) content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), but significantly increased the content of proline (PRO), and the activities of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), and glutamine synthetase (GS) in the three species under D. Meanwhile, we also found that under drought conditions, N addition promoted the leaf transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (Amax) of the three species. These results indicate that N addition can enhance the drought tolerance of the three species by osmotic adjustment and protecting the photosystem. However, the enhancement in Amax and E will cause plants to face more severe drought conditions, especially B. javanica (large tree species). This study helps to explain why the evergreen broad-leaved forests in South China are gradually degrading to shrublands in recent decades.
Mechanism of Sugarbeet Seed Germination Enhanced by Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Chu Chenggen , Poore Rachael Claire , Bolton Melvin D. , Fugate Karen K.
Published: April 2022

Seed germination is a critical first stage of plant development but can be arrested by factors including dormancy and environmental conditions. Strategies to enhance germination are of interest to plant breeders to ensure the ability to utilize the genetic potential residing inside a dormant seed. In this study, seed germination in two sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L.) lines F1004 and F1015 through incubating seeds in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution was improved over 70% relative to germinating seeds through water incubation. It was further found that low germination from water incubation was caused by physical dormancy in F1015 seeds with initial seed imbibition blocked by the seed pericarp, and physiological dormancy in F1004 seeds with germination compromised due to the physiological condition of the embryo. To identify genes that are differentially expressed in response to cellular activities promoted by H2O2 during overcoming different type of dormancies, an RNA-Seq study was carried out and found H2O2 treatment during germination accelerated the degradation of seed stored mRNAs that were synthesized before or during seed storage to provide protections and maintain the dormant state. Comparison of transcripts in H2O2-treated seeds between the two sugarbeet lines identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were higher in F1004 for alleviating physiological dormancy were known to relative to gene expression regulation. The research established that H2O2 overcomes both physical and physiological dormancies by hastening the transition of seeds from dormancy into germination. More DEGs related to gene expression regulation were involved in relieving physiological dormancy which provides new knowledge about the role of exogenous H2O2 as a signaling molecule for regulating gene activities during germination. Moreover, the protocol using H2O2 to promote germination will be useful for rescuing plant germplasms with poor germination.
Sexual Violence at University: Are Varsity Athletes More at Risk?
Authors: Parent Sylvie , Daigneault Isabelle , Radziszewski Stephanie , Bergeron Manon
Published: April 2022

Some studies report that the sport context increases the risk of exposure to sexual violence for athletes. In contrast, others indicate a protective effect of sport participation against sexual violence, particularly among varsity athletes. Studies of sexual violence towards varsity athletes are limited by their failure to include control groups and various known risk factors such as age, graduate level, gender and sexual identity, disability status, international and Indigenous student status, and childhood sexual abuse. The purpose of the present study is to fill in these gaps to determine whether varsity athletes are at greater risk than non-athletes of sexual violence towards them or whether, on the contrary, involvement in a varsity sport is coherent with the Sport Protection Hypothesis. Data for this article come from the ESSIMU study (Enquête sur la Sexualité, la Sécurité et les Interactions en Milieu Universitaire), a broad survey of students, professors, and other employees at six francophone universities regarding sexual violence on university campuses. A total of 6,485 students with complete data on sexual violence, athlete status, and gender were included in the study. From this total, 267 participants identified themselves as varsity athletes. Data were analyzed using a series of logistic regressions on each form of violence using athlete status as a predictor and characteristics associated with sexual violence victimization or distinguishing between varsity athletes and non-athletes as confounding variables. When considering all confounding variables in the regression analyses on four yearly incidence rates of sexual violence, the results revealed that being a varsity athlete did not significantly increase the risk of exposure to sexual violence at university. All considered other variables were more significant predictors of the past year’s risk of sexual violence victimization than athlete status was.
“Is There Room for Both Loves?”: The Experience of Couplehood Among Women Living With a Widower With Young Children
Authors: Peichich-Aizen Talia , Segal-Engelchin Dorit
Published: April 2022

Very few studies to date have explored the couplehood relationship in blended families with young children created after widowhood. This study sought to add to our knowledge of this issue by examining the couplehood experience of women who started a family with a widower with young children, with no children of their own. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 Israeli women aged 32–78 years. The findings indicate that many participants feel that the deceased wife continues to be present in their partner’s life and that she is an integral part of their couplehood relationship. The participants described two subsystems existing alongside the couple subsystem with their partner, namely, the partner’s spousal subsystem with his first wife; and a triadic subsystem consisting of the woman, her partner, and his deceased wife. The perceived presence of the first wife raised poignant questions concerning the place of the two women in the partner’s life. Participants’ narratives revealed the dissonance between understanding and acknowledging their partner’s continuing bond with and affection for his deceased wife on the one hand, and recognition of his love for them on the other hand. The findings shed light on the complexity inherent in a couple relationship with a widower and may assist professionals who provide support to blended families in understanding the unique challenges faced by these women. This would enable them to tailor their counseling and the therapeutic process to the particular needs of these women.
Correlates of Positivity Among a Sample of Lebanese University Students
Authors: Moussa Sara , Malaeb Diana , Obeid Sahar , Hallit Souheil
Published: April 2022

Background

People say it is hard to stay truly positive in Lebanon. Studies showed that 63% of Lebanese young adults are highly dissatisfied with their country. In fact, young adults are the most vulnerable population to stressors in Lebanon since their future is at stake and it is their time to shape their lives in a country that cripples them. This study aimed to assess factors (flourishing, religious coping, experiences in life, and the economic burden) associated with positivity among a sample of Lebanese university students despite the various stressors they are facing on top of the economic collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2021. A total of 333 participants (219 females and 114 males; mean age = 22.95 ± 4.79 years) was recruited through convenience sampling and snowball technique through several areas in Lebanon’s governorates. A linear regression taking the positivity score as the dependent variable was adopted and all variables that showed a correlation > │0.24│ in absolute value were entered in the final model as independent.

Results

A linear regression taking the positivity score as the dependent variable showed that more positive experiences in life (Beta = 0.49; 95% CI 0.35–0.62), more flourishing (Beta = 0.10; 95% CI 0.05–0.14), living in rural area compared to urban (Beta = 3.06; 95% CI 2.02–4.11), and female gender (Beta = 1.56; 95% CI 0.50–2.61) were significantly associated with more positivity (NagelkerkeR2of the model = 45.8%).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the youth’s positivity is strongly affected by age, gender, residency, and the country they live in that will both directly and indirectly shape their life experiences and their ability to flourish and prosper. Along with all the efforts done to help during this collapse and alleviate the stress that young adults are enduring, follow-up studies are still needed to determine accurate coping techniques that pushes these young adults to think positively in a country where negativity reigns and all else fails.
Impact of Legal Traditions on Forensic Mental Health Treatment Worldwide
Authors: Beis Pavlos , Graf Marc , Hachtel Henning
Published: April 2022

Background

Forensic psychiatry is a subspecialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill offenders. However, forensic treatment standards vary. Differences arise among forensic treatment standards, due to variations in either the legal framework, the general psychiatric treatment standards, or the forensic training standards. Thus, to date there is no evidence-based pattern for how forensic services should be organized and provided.

Aims

The aim of this article is to compare forensic services in various countries in order to contribute to the current debate on international forensic treatment standards, by informing about existing differences in available policies.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted by reviewing the academic literature regarding forensic treatment around the world. Studies were identified from Pub-Med and Google-Scholar. Keywords for the search included “forensic psychiatry,” “mentally ill offenders,” “legal framework,” “jurisdiction,” and the names of geographical regions.

Results

Forensic treatment admission varies significantly around the world. There are countries that do not recognize forensic psychiatry as a subspecialty, whereas other countries apply insufficient forensic training. Most countries provide inpatient treatment for mentally ill offenders. However, service organization varies, including where the services are delivered (prisons, high-security hospitals, and general psychiatric departments). Forensic services are mainly centralized, although the need for outpatient care is emerging. This manuscript updates the findings of a chapter by Anne G. Crocker, James D. Livingston, and Marichelle C. Leclair that conducted an international review on the organization of forensic mental health services internationally, by legal framework. We were also inspired by the classification of legal frameworks from that chapter conducting the present review. Building upon that chapter we reviewed current literature about forensic mental health treatment from countries with different legal traditions, accentuated similarities and differences among them and highlighted that further follow-up research is needed, aiming the optimization of forensic treatment standards.

Discussion

Differences may originate mainly from variations in the legal tradition. These differences combined with the limited evidence on the effectiveness of the intervention imply the need for the optimization of forensic treatment standards on an international level. Therefore, further follow-up studies are needed.
Cost-effectiveness of Same-day Discharge Surgery for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Shi Yangyang , Zhu Peipei , Jia Jie , Shao Zengwu , Yang Shuhua , Chen Wei , Zhang Ke , Tong Wei , Tian Hongtao
Published: April 2022

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) causes a great medical burden globally, and the same-day discharge (SDD) method has previously been considered to be cost saving. However, a standard cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is needed to evaluated the benefits of SDD when performing THA from the perspective of both economic and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Eighty-four participants undergoing primary THA were randomized to either the SDD group or the inpatient group. Outcomes were assessed by an independent orthopedist who was not in the surgical team, using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), SF-36 scores and the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). All the cost information was also collected.

Results

The mean stay of patients in the SDD group was 21.70 ± 3.45 h, while the inpatient group was 78.15 ± 26.36 h. This trial did not detect any significant differences in OHS and QALYs. The total cost in the SDD group was significantly lower than that in the inpatient group (¥69,771.27 ± 6,608.00 vs. ¥80,666.17 ± 8,421.96, p < 0.001). From the perspective of total cost, when measuring OHS, the incremental effect was −0.12 and the incremental cost was –¥10,894.90. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 90,790.83. When measuring QALYs, the incremental effect was 0.02, and the ICER was negative. Sensitivity analysis produced similar results.

Conclusions

SDD has an acceptable likelihood of being more cost-effective than the traditional inpatient option. After conducting cost–utility analysis, SDD resulted in better QALYs, while significantly reducing the total cost.
Contextual Factors and Motor Skills in Indigenous Amazon Forest and Urban Indigenous Children
Authors: Duarte Marcelo Gonçalves , Valentini Nadia Cristina , Nobre Glauber Carvalho , Benda Rodolfo Novellino
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the contextual factors, motor performance, and body mass index across indigenous land children, indigenous urban children, and non-indigenous urban children. A number of 153 children, both sexes (71 girls, 46.4%), from 8 to 10 years were assessed. The Test of Motor Gross Development-3 was utilized. Indigenous land children showed higher motor performance (η2ρ = 0.37 and η2ρ = 0.19 locomotor and object control, respectively) than indigenous urban children (p < 0.03) and non-indigenous urban children (p < 0.01); Indigenous urban children showed higher motor performance than non-indigenous urban children (p < 0.01). Body mass index was similar across groups (η2ρ = 0,02; p = 0.15). Motor performance of indigenous land children was explained by the contextual factors that lead to a more active lifestyle, unsupervised free time, and play outside. In urban areas, behavior was similar, and although indigenous urban children kept some play tradition, it was not strong enough to be a protective factor for the motor performance.
Pandemics and Human Capital: Panel Data Evidence From 122 Countries
Authors: Sun Jianmin , Cai Kaihao , Shen Hongzhou
Published: April 2022

This study investigates the determinants of human capital stocks, measured by the Penn World Table data, in the panel dataset of 122 countries from 1996 to 2019. The special role is given to the World Pandemics Uncertainty index to measure pandemics uncertainty across countries. The paper finds that per capita gross domestic product and population increase human capital stocks. The decline in fertility rates leads to a higher level of human capital. The interesting evidence is that pandemics' uncertainty decreases human capital. These findings are valid when we focus on both the high-income and the middle/low-income economies. These results are against the Becker-Lewis theory's validity since sources of uncertainty are negatively related to human capital.
Research Metrics for Health Science Schools: A Conceptual Exploration and Proposal
Authors: Gemechu Nigussie , Werbick Meghan , Yang Michelle , Hyder Adnan A.
Published: April 2022

Research is a critical component of the public health enterprise, and a key component of universities and schools of public health and medicine. To satisfy varying levels of stakeholders in the field of public health research, accurately measuring the return on investment (ROI) is important; unfortunately, there is no approach or set of defined metrics that are universally accepted for such assessment. We propose a research metrics framework to address this gap in higher education. After a selected review of existing frameworks, we identified seven elements of the generic research lifecycle (five internal to an institution and two external). A systems approach was then used to broadly define four parts of each element: inputs, processes, outputs, and outcomes (or impacts). Inputs include variables necessary to execute research activities such as human capital and finances. Processes are the pathways of measurement to track research performance through all phases of a study. Outputs entail immediate products from research; and outcomes/impacts demonstrate the contribution research makes within and beyond an institution. This framework enables the tracking and measurement of research investments to outcomes. We acknowledge some of the challenges in applying this framework including the lack of standardization in research metrics, disagreement on defining impact among stakeholders, and limitations in resources for implementing the framework and collecting relevant data. However, we suggest that this proposed framework is a systematic way to raise awareness about the role of research and standardize the measurement of ROI across health science schools and universities.
Bacteria Can Unlock an Essential Nutrient for Plants
Authors: Hall Jackson R. , Sher Andrew W. , Varga Tamas , Doty Sharon L.
Published: April 2022

Just like you and me, plants need a balanced diet to be healthy. However, while we can get most of our nutrients from the foods we eat, plants get their food from photosynthesis—and photosynthesis only provides sugar. A sugar-only diet would not be healthy for you, and it is not healthy for a plant, either. Plants need to get other essential nutrients from the soil around them, and it is not always easy. How do plants get around this? By partnering up with bacteria! In this article, we will note a few key details of these helpful microbes and explain where we found them. We will also describe a few experiments we performed to discover how they help plants to get one particular nutrient, phosphorus.
Helping People Hear Better With “Smart” Hearing Devices
Authors: Goehring Tobias , Monaghan Jessica
Published: April 2022

Millions of people around the world have difficulty hearing. Hearing aids and cochlear implants help people hear better, especially in quiet places. Unfortunately, these devices do not always help in noisy situations like busy classrooms or restaurants. This means that a person with hearing loss may struggle to follow a conversation with friends or family and may avoid going out. We used methods from the field of artificial intelligence to develop “smart” hearing aids and cochlear implants that can get rid of background noise. We play many different sounds into a computer program, which learns to pick out the speech sounds and filter out unwanted background noises. Once the computer program has been trained, it is then tested on new examples of noisy speech and can be incorporated into hearing aids or cochlear implants. These “smart” approaches can help people with hearing loss understand speech better in noisy situations.
A Recipe for Plant Diversity in Subarctic Alaska
Authors: Stehn Sarah E. , Roland Carl A.
Published: April 2022

Hungry for a little plant diversity? Let us mix some up! First, we gather available ingredients—a bit of soil, a few nutrients, and a selection of nearby plants. Then, we add them together, pour them onto a landscape and let our concoction sit. Sound easy enough? But wait… was that soil we used too acidic? Did we add enough liquid? Was our landscape flat or tilted? How can we adjust our recipe to grow the most plant species in one place? As plant ecologists, we travel to remote places in subarctic Alaska to look at which species grow there. At each place, we record the condition of the environment and tally the number of plant species we find. Over 1,000’s of visits, we now have a pretty good recipe for cooking up plant diversity! By learning about where plant diversity is high now, we can help protect it into the future.
Sensing and Stimulating Electrodes for Electroceuticals
Authors: Liu Xiao , Wang Kezhong , González-González María Alejandra , Romero-Ortega Mario , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: April 2022

Electroceuticals is an emerging field that combines the technology in conductive materials with their ability to interface with biological systems. The development of highly conductive electrodes to monitor human health in real-time while simultaneously delivering stimulation promises to revolutionize medical science. Aspects to consider during development include the desired shape, electrode material properties, number of active sites, carriers used, and methods of deployment and activation. Novel organic-conductor based electrode compositions offer properties unattainable with conventional metal electrodes. Emerging innovative deployment strategies communicate directly with target tissues while minimizing damage to the surrounding biological environment. Here we highlight the recent reported technology on platinized graphene fibers (sutrode), a high performance electrode, capable of recording electrophysiological signals from small autonomic nerves, which could bring us closer to the ultimate goal: modulating the activity of individual organs with high selectivity and precision for a therapeutic medical outcome. An in-depth understanding of electrode materials and methods of fabrication and deployment can provide unprecedented opportunities for electroceutical research.
Development and Validation of a Novel Hypoxia Score for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Yang Kaiyan , Shen Zhaolong , Yin Ning , Quan Jun , Wang Mengwen , Gao Kai
Published: April 2022

Hypoxia plays a major role in various tumor types. However, few studies have concentrated on the prognostic model of hypoxia-related genes in rectal cancer and the effect of hypoxia on neutrophil-mediated immunosuppression. We performed Kaplan–Meier analysis, random survival forest analysis, and Cox regression analysis on 342 hypoxia-related genes, constructed hypoxia score in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort, and verified them in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Then the patients were divided into two groups according to the risk level. The overall survival rate of the high-risk (HRisk) group was significantly higher than that of the low-risk (LRisk) group (GEO, p < 0.001; TCGA, p = 0.016). Through receiver operating characteristic and decision curve analysis, the nomogram based on hypoxia score has excellent prediction ability. Functional enrichment analysis showed that hypoxia, metastasis, inflammation, immunity, and other related pathways were enriched. The HRisk group was associated with lower tumor purity, higher immune and stromal score, higher neutrophils, and lower activated memory CD4 + T cells. More importantly, the checkpoint of neutrophil-mediated immunosuppression increased in the HRisk group. In conclusion, a hypoxia score based on 5 hypoxia-related genes can be used to predict the prognosis of rectal cancer and ANLN with a cancer-suppressing effect and SRPX (Sushi Repeat Containing Protein X-Linked) with a cancer-promoting effect may be potential therapeutic targets for rectal cancer.
Experimental Study on Fluidization Behaviors of Wet Rice Threshed Materials with Hot Airflow
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li Yaoming , Xu Lizhang , Liu Yanbin , Ji Kuizhou , Jiang Sheng
Published: April 2022

Among food crops, rice has the largest planting area, the highest yield per unit area and the largest total yield in China. However, cleaning performance is reduced by the high moisture content of rice during the harvesting process. In order to decrease the adhesion among wet rice threshed mixtures and improve the cleaning performance, the method of hot airflow cleaning was proposed. Firstly, the fluidization characteristics of wet sticky rice under the action of hot air were compared with those of dry particles. In this work, the minimum suspension velocity and the fastest suspension time were used and quantified to characterize the fluidization characteristics. It was found that the minimum suspension velocity and the fastest suspension time of the wet rice threshed mixture are both higher than those of dry particles due to the liquid bridge force. Moreover, the dispersion degree of the wet rice threshed mixture can be improved by the hot airflow due to the decrease in the surface water content of impurities. Secondly, the influence of the temperature and vibration frequency in the air-and-screen cleaning device on the dispersion characteristics of the wet rice threshed mixture were investigated. The accumulation mass was measured to quantify the dispersion degree. It was found that the increase in vibration frequency has little effect on the dispersion of the wet rice threshed mixture. The accumulation mass on the front of the sieve decreases slightly with the increase in the gas temperature range from ambient temperature to 30 °C. Then, the dispersion degree increases rapidly when the temperature exceeds 40 °C. The dispersion effect is the best when the temperature is 50 °C and the vibration frequency is 5 Hz. These results provide a basis for the cleaning of the wet rice threshed mixture in a combine harvester.
Effect of Feeding Stage and Density of Whiteflies on Subsequent Aphid Performance on Tobacco Plants
Authors: Li Yang , Qu Cheng , Yan Xueyan , Sun Xia , Yin Ziyi , Zhao Haipeng
Published: April 2022

Bemisia tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a cosmopolitan, highly polyphagous agricultural pest, which has the capacity to displace other native insect herbivores. Here, equipped with an integrated approach, the effect of developmental stages and feeding density of whiteflies on Myzus persicae performance in tobacco plants are investigated. Bioassay results showed that B. tabaci nymphs, but not adult, pre-infestation significantly reduced survival and fecundity of M. persicae, and the strongest resistance to M. persicae was detected at the medium density (9–10 nymphs/cm2). Neither low nor high feeding density of B. tabaci nymphs triggered visible resistance to aphids. However, no significant results were detected in salicylate-deficient NahG plants after B. tabaci nymph infestation. In addition to performance distinctions, hormone quantification and qPCR results revealed very different effects for nymph and adult whitefly stages on the defense responses in tobacco. B. tabaci nymph infestation significantly increased SA accumulation and SA-responsive genes (PR-1a, PR-2a) expression but suppressed JA-regulated responses. In contrast, tobacco plants responded to adult infestation by slightly increasing in both SA- and JA-regulated defenses. Furthermore, higher transcription level of Bt56, coding gene of a secretory salivary effector, was recorded in nymphs vs. adults, while silencing of Bt56 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) partly impaired the aphid resistance induced by B. tabaci nymphs. These results proved that the induction of tobacco defense responses varied with the feeding stages of whiteflies: nymphs of B. tabaci, but not adults, induced a defense response against aphids, with a density threshold for this induced resistance.
Yield and Quality of Romaine Lettuce at Different Daily Light Integral in an Indoor Controlled Environment
Authors: Matysiak Bożena , Ropelewska Ewa , Wrzodak Anna , Kowalski Artur , Kaniszewski Stanisław
Published: April 2022

In this study, the effect of different photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and photoperiod on biomass production, morphological traits, photosynthetic performance, sensory attributes, and image texture parameters of indoor cultivated romaine lettuce was evaluated. Two cultivars of lettuce Lactuca sativa var. longifolium namely ‘Casual’ (Syngenta)—midi romaine lettuce with medium-compact heads—and ‘Elizium’ (Enza Zaden)—a mini type (Little Gem) with compact heavy heads—were used. PPFD of 160 and 240 µmol m−2 s−1 and photoperiod of 16 and 20 h were applied, and Daily Light Integral (DLI) values were 9.2, 11.5, 13.8, and 17.3 mol m−2 day−1. The experiment lasted 30 days in the Indoor Controlled Environment Agriculture facility. DLI equal to 17.3 mol m−2 per day for cv. ‘Casual’ and 11.5–17.3 mol m−2 per day for cv. ‘Elizium’ allowed to obtain a very high fresh weight, 350 and 240 g, respectively, within 30 days of cultivation in an indoor plant production facility. The application of the lowest PPFD 160 µmol m−2 s−1 and 16 h photoperiod (9.2 mol m−2 per day DLI) resulted in the lowest fresh weight, the number of leaves and head circumference. The level of nitrate, even at the lowest DLI, was below the limit imposed by European Community Regulation. The cv. ‘Elizium’ lettuce grown at PPFD 240 µmol m−2 s−1 and 16 h photoperiod had the highest overall sensory quality. The cv. ‘Casual’ lettuce grown at PPFD 160 µmol m−2 s−1 and 20 h photoperiod had the lowest sensory quality. The samples subjected to different photoperiod and PPFD were also successively distinguished in an objective and non-destructive way using image features and machine learning algorithms. The average accuracy for the leaf samples of cv. ‘Casual’ lettuce reached 98.75% and for cv. ‘Elizium’ cultivar—86.25%. The obtained relationship between DLI and yield, as well as the quality of romaine lettuce, can be used in practice to improve romaine lettuce production in an Indoor Controlled Environment.
Investigating the Antibacterial Characteristics of Japanese Bamboo
Authors: Ramful Raviduth , Sunthar Thefye P. M. , Kamei Kaeko , Pezzotti Giuseppe
Published: April 2022

Natural materials, such as bamboo, is able to withstand the rough conditions posed by its environment, such as resistance to degradation by microorganisms, due to notable antibacterial characteristics. The methods of extraction exert a significant influence on the effectiveness of bamboo-derived antibacterial agents. In this study, the antibacterial characteristics of various types of Japanese bamboo, namely, Kyoto-Moso, Kyushu-Moso and Kyushu-Madake were investigated by considering an extraction and a non-extraction method. The characterization of the efficacy of antibacterial agents of various bamboo samples derived from both methods of extractions was conducted using an in vitro cultured bacteria technique consisting of E. coli and S. aureus. Antibacterial test results based on colony-forming units showed that antibacterial agents derived from the non-extraction method yielded better efficacy when tested against E. coli and S. aureus. Most specimens displayed maximum antibacterial efficacy following a 48-h period. The antibacterial agents derived from thermally modified bamboo powder via the non-extraction method showed improved antibacterial activity against S. aureus specifically. In contrast, absorbance results indicated that antibacterial agents derived from the extraction method yielded poor efficacy when tested against both E. coli and S. aureus. From FTIR analysis, characteristic bands assigned to the C-O and C-H functional groups in lignin were recognized as responsible for the antibacterial trait observed in both natural and thermally modified Japanese bamboo powder. Techniques to exploit the antibacterial characteristics present in bamboo by identification of antibacterial source and adoption of adequate methods of extraction are key steps in taking advantage of this attribute in numerous applications involving bamboo-derived products such as laminates and textile fabrics.
Effect of Diet and Essential Oils on the Fatty Acid Composition, Oxidative Stability and Microbiological Profile of Marchigiana Burgers
Authors: Fusaro Isa , Cavallini Damiano , Giammarco Melania , Serio Annalisa , Mammi Ludovica M. E. , De Matos Vettori Julio , Lanzoni Lydia , Formigoni Andrea , Vignola Giorgio
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of including linseed (L) or linseed plus vitamin E (LE) in the diet of Marchigiana young bulls on the oxidative stability, color measurements, microbiological profile and fatty acid composition (FA) of burgers treated with and without a blend of essential oils (Rosmarinus officinalis and Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) (EOs). For this aim, the burgers were analysed for pH, thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content, Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP), vitamin E and colour measurements (L, a*, b) at 3, 6, 9, 12 days of storage: the TBARs were the highest in group L compared to C and LE after 12 days of storage (0.98, 0.73, and 0.63 mg MDA/kg, respectively). The TBARS content was also influenced by the use of EO compared to burgers not treated with EO (p < 0.05). The vitamin E content was influenced by the diet (p < 0.01), but not by the EO. The meat of the L group showed the lowest value of redness (a*) compared to C and LE (p < 0.01), while the use of EO did not affect colour parameters. The microbiological profile of the burgers showed a lower Pseudomonas count for L and LE at T0 (2.82 ± 0.30 and 2.30 ± 0.52 Log CFU/g, respectively) compared to C (3.90 ± 0.38 Log CFU/g), while the EO did not influence the microbiological profile. The FA composition was analysed at 0 and 12 days. The burgers from the LE group showed the highest value of polyunsaturated FA compared to the L and C groups (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the inclusion of vitamin E in a concentrate rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids is useful to limit intramuscular fat oxidation and to preserve the colour stability of burgers from young Marchigiana bulls enriched with healthy fatty acids. Moreover, linseed and vitamin E had a positive effect on microbial loads and growth dynamics, containing microbial development through time.
Unveiling the Antioxidant Therapeutic Functionality of Sustainable Olive Pomace Active Ingredients
Authors: Quero Javier , Ballesteros Lina F. , Ferreira-Santos Pedro , Velderrain-Rodriguez Gustavo R. , Rocha Cristina M. R. , Pereira Ricardo N. , Teixeira José A. , Martin-Belloso Olga , Osada Jesús , Rodríguez-Yoldi María Jesús
Published: April 2022

Olive pomace (OP) is the main residue that results from olive oil production. OP is rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, so its use in the treatments of diseases related to oxidative stress, such as cancer, could be considered. The present work aimed to study the biological properties of different OP extracts, obtained by ohmic heating-assisted extraction and conventional heating, using water and 50% ethanol, in the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer through Caco-2 cell models. Additionally, an in-silico analysis was performed to identify the phenolic intestinal absorption and Caco-2 permeability. The extracts were chemically characterized, and it was found that the Ohmic-hydroethanolic (OH-EtOH) extract had the highest antiproliferative effect, probably due to its higher content of phenolic compounds. The OH-EtOH induced potential modifications in the mitochondrial membrane and led to apoptosis by cell cycle arrest in the G1/S phases with activation of p53 and caspase 3 proteins. In addition, this extract protected the intestine against oxidative stress (ROS) caused by H2O2. Therefore, the bioactive compounds present in OP and recovered by applying a green technology such as ohmic-heating, show promising potential to be used in food, nutraceutical, and biomedical applications, reducing this waste and facilitating the circular economy.
Autostereoscopic 3D Display System for 3D Medical Images
Authors: Kang Dongwoo , Choi Jin-Ho , Hwang Hyoseok
Published: April 2022

Recent advances in autostereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) display systems have led to innovations in consumer electronics and vehicle systems (e.g., head-up displays). However, medical images with stereoscopic depth provided by 3D displays have yet to be developed sufficiently for widespread adoption in diagnostics. Indeed, many stereoscopic 3D displays necessitate special 3D glasses that are unsuitable for clinical environments. This paper proposes a novel glasses-free 3D autostereoscopic display system based on an eye tracking algorithm and explores its viability as a 3D navigator for cardiac computed tomography (CT) images. The proposed method uses a slit-barrier with a backlight unit, which is combined with an eye tracking method that exploits multiple machine learning techniques to display 3D images. To obtain high-quality 3D images with minimal crosstalk, the light field 3D directional subpixel rendering method combined with the eye tracking module is applied using a user’s 3D eye positions. Three-dimensional coronary CT angiography images were volume rendered to investigate the performance of the autostereoscopic 3D display systems. The proposed system was trialed by expert readers, who identified key artery structures faster than with a conventional two-dimensional display without reporting any discomfort or 3D fatigue. With the proposed autostereoscopic 3D display systems, the 3D medical image navigator system has the potential to facilitate faster diagnoses with improved accuracy.