bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cost of the Epistemic Step: Investigating Scalar Implicatures in Full and Partial Information Contexts
Authors: Spychalska Maria , Reimer Ludmila , Schumacher Petra B. , Werning Markus
Published: July 2021

We present the first ERP experiments that test the online processing of the scalar implicaturesome⇝not allin contexts where the speaker competence assumption is violated. Participants observe game scenarios with four open cards on the table and two closed cards outside of the table, while listening to statements made by a virtual player. In the full access context, the player makes a fully informed statement by referring only to the open cards, ascards on the table; in the partial access context, she makes a partially informed statement by referring to the whole set of cards, ascards in the game. If all of the open cards contain a given object X (Fullset condition), thensome cards on the table contain Xsis inconsistent with thenot allreading, whereas it is unknown whethersome cards in the game contain Xis consistent with this reading. If only a subset of the open cards contains X (Subset condition), then both utterances are known to be consistent with thenot allimplicature. Differential effects are observed depending on the quantifier reading adopted by the participant: For those participants who adopt thenot allreading in the full access context, but not in the partial access context (weak pragmatic reading), a late posterior negativity effect is observed in the partial access context for the Fullset relative to the Subset condition. This effect is argued to reflect inference-driven context retrieval and monitoring processes related to epistemic reasoning involved in evaluating the competence assumption. By contrast, for participants who adopt the logical interpretation ofsome(some and possibly all), an N400 effect is observed in the partial access context, when comparing the Subset against the Fullset condition, which is argued to result from the competition between the two quantifying expressionssome cards on the tableandsome cards in the gamefunctioning in the experiment as scalar alternatives.
Do We Stand Together? The Role of Perceived Personal and Group Threats in Predicting the Majority’s (Un)willingness to Confront Injustice on Behalf of a Minority
Authors: Celikkol Göksu , Jasinskaja-Lahti Inga , Renvik Tuuli Anna , Vetik Raivo , Sam David Lackland
Published: July 2021

Purpose:By utilizing data from Estonia, Finland, and Norway, this study explores how the perceptions of personal and group realistic threats, namely perceived ethnic discrimination and economic insecurity among national majorities, predict their unwillingness to confront injustice on behalf of Russian-speaking minority groups.

Background:Previous research on collective action to promote minorities’ rights and social standing has focused either on minorities’ own actions or factors promoting the willingness of majority group members to engage in collective action on behalf of minorities. In contrast, factors explaining the reluctance of majority group members to engage in collective action on behalf of minority groups have remained less explored. For example, studies have then ignored that the majority members may also feel threatened and may be economically insecure. Furthermore, the possible discrepancy between perceived personal vs. in-group’s situation may influence majority group members’ (un)willingness to confront injustice on behalf of a minority group.

Method:We employed polynomial regression with response surface analysis to analyze data gathered among national majority members in three countries (N= 1,341).

Results:Perceived personal and group realistic threats were associated with heightened unwillingness to confront injustice on behalf of the Russian-speaking minority. Furthermore, participants were more unwilling to confront injustice when they perceived more group than personal threat.

Conclusion:We found that majority group members’ (un)willingness to confront injustice on behalf of the minority is related to how secure they perceive their own and their group status. Our results contribute to previous research by pointing out the important drawbacks of majorities’ support for minorities’ wish for social change.
The Influence of Face Loss on Impulse Buying: An Experimental Study
Authors: Sun Gong , Han Xue , Wang Hanwei , Li Jie , Wang Wangshuai
Published: July 2021

In this research, the effect of face loss on impulsive buying is examined under the background of Chinese culture. Using experimental studies, we examined the mediating effect of emotion and the moderating effect of self-control. The results indicate that individuals who lost their face are more likely to purchase impulsively. For individuals high in self-control, face loss has no significant impact on their impulsive consumption. While for those with low self-control, face loss will significantly enhance their impulsive buying tendency. Finally, implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Individual-Level Interventions for Decreasing Job-Related Stress and Enhancing Coping Strategies Among Nurses: A Systematic Review
Authors: Velana Maria , Rinkenauer Gerhard
Published: July 2021

Background: Nurses are facing unprecedented amounts of pressure because of the ongoing global health challenges. Improving nurses' resilience to job-related stress and enhancing their strategies to cope effectively with stressors are key issues facing many health care institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This literature review aimed to: a) provide a thorough overview of individual-level interventions for stress management among nurses, b) identify measurement tools utilized to evaluate nurses' stress level, and c) provide the best evidence-based recommendations for future research and practice adapted to the current restrictions.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: Studies published between January 2000 and October 2020 were retrieved from the following sources: EBSCOhost, Dortmund University Library, PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Applied Nursing Research, and reference lists from relevant articles.

Review methods: Individual-level interventions with a control group or a placebo intervention were included in the final sample. Primary outcome was defined as a change in individual stress level or stress symptoms which were measured by objective or subjective instruments with evidence of validity. Articles published in English or German were included in the present review.

Results: In total, 27 relevant studies were included into the current review. There are some indications that technology-delivered interventions with relaxation and stress management interventions comprising cognitive-behavioral components might be effective in decreasing stress among nurses and improving their well-being. Furthermore, although there were some attempts to collect objectively measured parameters for assessing the primary outcome of stress, the majority of the interventions utilized self-reported stress scales.

Conclusion: A wide range of interventions are available for nurses. However, it is of utmost importance to develop and implement stress management programs that are conveniently accessible in the workplace and above all, meet the current restrictions for minimizing human contacts. To this end, innovative interventions delivered through digital technology, such as virtual reality, seem to be a promising solution for combating the detrimental impact of stress on nurses. Special attention should be also paid to applying standardized objective measurement tools to allow the assessment of sensitive physiological indices and the generalizability of scientific knowledge.
Altered Functional Connectivity of the Salience Network in Problematic Smartphone Users
Authors: Ahn Jaeun , Lee Deokjong , Namkoong Kee , Jung Young-Chul
Published: July 2021

Smartphones provide convenience in everyday life. Smartphones, however, can elicit adverse effects when used excessively. The purpose of this study was to examine the underlying neurobiological alterations that arise from problematic smartphone use. We performed resting state seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis of 44 problematic smartphone users and 54 healthy controls. This analysis assessed the salience, central executive, default mode, and affective networks. Compared to controls, problematic smartphone users showed enhanced FC within the salience network and between the salience and default mode network. Moreover, we observed decreased FC between the salience and central executive network in problematic smartphone users, compared to controls. These results imply that problematic smartphone use is associated with aberrant FC in key brain networks. Our results suggest that changes in FC of key networks centered around the salience network might be associated with problematic smartphone use.
Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults With Concurrent Hearing and Vision Impairment: A Systematic Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Jaiswal Atul , Martiniello Natalina , Holzhey Peter , Aubin Gabrielle , Dumassais Shirley , Huang Stephanie , Major Geneviève , Mirmiran Roxane , Tangkhpanya Fatima , Boie Norman Robert , Wittich Walter
Published: July 2021

Introduction: As the prevalence of age-related sensory impairment increases, more evidence emerges on the association between uni-sensory and cognitive impairment (CI) in older adults. However, the link between CI and concurrent hearing and vision impairment (referred to as dual sensory impairment/DSI) is not well-understood, and this combined effect may be additive or multiplicative. Moreover, the existing evidence on CI in older adults with DSI is scattered and limited. Through this systematic scoping review, we aim to map existing evidence on CI in older adults with DSI, and to summarize what is known about the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of CI, and tools used to screen or assess CI in older adults with DSI.

Methods and Analysis: We will use the Joanna Briggs Institute framework to perform the review. Eleven databases [MEDLINE, CINAHL/EBSCO, EMBASE, Mednar, WorldWideScience, PsycEXTRA, OAIster, OpenGrey (SIGLE), Global Health, PsycINFO, and Web of Science] and clinical trial registries (ISRCTN Registry, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov) will be searched. Study selection will be completed using Covidence, and data will be extracted using an a priori data extraction tool. To be included, studies had to be peer-reviewed, had older adults with DSI as the focal population, and are related to CI. Data will be presented using a narrative summary with emphasis on implications for future research and practice.

Discussion: Reliable cognitive screening is of the utmost importance for prevention and treatment of CI within DSI population. The study findings will have significant implications for health services delivery and policy research. The summarized findings on the prevalence, incidence, associated risk factors, and CI screening and assessment tools will inform geriatric care. The review will also document knowledge gaps on CI in the DSI population and identify areas of interest for future studies.

Ethics and Dissemination: The scoping study, being a review of existing documents, does not require ethics approval. The findings will be disseminated with relevant stakeholders using knowledge translation activities such as scientific presentations and publications. We intend to use the findings to conduct a Delphi study to evaluate which CI tools are suitable for older population with DSI.
Telehealth-Based Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Features and Challenges
Authors: Khoshrounejad Farnaz , Hamednia Mahsa , Mehrjerd Ameneh , Pichaghsaz Shima , Jamalirad Hossein , Sargolzaei Mahdi , Hoseini Benyamin , Aalaei Shokoufeh
Published: July 2021

Background: As an ever-growing popular service, telehealth catered for better access to high-quality healthcare services. It is more valuable and cost-effective, particularly in the middle of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, this study aimed to systematically review the features and challenges of telehealth-based services developed to support COVID-19 patients and healthcare providers.

Methods: A comprehensive search was done for the English language and peer-reviewed articles published until November 2020 using PubMed and Scopus electronic databases. In this review paper, only studies focusing on the telehealth-based service to support COVID-19 patients and healthcare providers were included. The first author's name, publication year, country of the research, study objectives, outcomes, function type including screening, triage, prevention, diagnosis, treatment or follow-up, target population, media, communication type, guideline-based design, main findings, and challenges were extracted, classified, and tabulated.

Results: Of the 5,005 studies identified initially, 64 met the eligibility criteria. The studies came from 18 countries. Most of them were conducted in the United States and China. Phone calls, mobile applications, videoconferencing or video calls, emails, websites, text messages, mixed-reality, and teleradiology software were used as the media for communication. The majority of studies used a synchronous communication. The articles addressed the prevention, screening, triage, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up aspects of COVID-19 which the most common purpose was the patients' follow-up (34/64, 53%). Thirteen group barriers were identified in the literature, which technology acceptance and user adoption, concerns about the adequacy and accuracy of subjective patient assessment, and technical issues were the most frequent ones.

Conclusion: This review revealed the usefulness of telehealth-based services during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond. The features and challenges identified through the literature can be helpful for a better understanding of current telehealth approaches and pointed out the need for clear guidelines, scientific evidence, and innovative policies to implement successful telehealth projects.
The Influence of Avatar Embodiment on Time Perception - Towards VR for Time-Based Therapy
Authors: Unruh Fabian , Landeck Maximilian , Oberdörfer Sebastian , Lugrin Jean-Luc , Latoschik Marc Erich
Published: July 2021

Psycho-pathological conditions, such as depression or schizophrenia, are often accompanied by a distorted perception of time. People suffering from this conditions often report that the passage of time slows down considerably and that they are “stuck in time.” Virtual Reality (VR) could potentially help to diagnose and maybe treat such mental conditions. However, the conditions in which a VR simulation could correctly diagnose a time perception deviation are still unknown. In this paper, we present an experiment investigating the difference in time experience with and without a virtual body in VR, also known as avatar. The process of substituting a person’s body with a virtual body is called avatar embodiment. Numerous studies demonstrated interesting perceptual, emotional, behavioral, and psychological effects caused by avatar embodiment. However, the relations between time perception and avatar embodiment are still unclear. Whether or not the presence or absence of an avatar is already influencing time perception is still open to question. Therefore, we conducted abetween-subjectsdesign with and without avatar embodiment as well as a real condition (avatarvs.no-avatarvs.real). A group of 105 healthy subjects had to wait for seven and a half minutes in a room without any distractors (e.g., no window, magazine, people, decoration) or time indicators (e.g., clocks, sunlight). The virtual environment replicates the real physical environment. Participants were unaware that they will be asked to estimate their waiting time duration as well as describing their experience of the passage of time at a later stage. Our main finding shows that the presence of an avatar is leading to a significantly faster perceived passage of time. It seems to be promising to integrate avatar embodiment in future VR time-based therapy applications as they potentially could modulate a user’s perception of the passage of time. We also found no significant difference in time perception between therealand the VR conditions (avatar,no-avatar), but further research is needed to better understand this outcome.
The Effect of Aspect and Elevation on Critical Zone Architecture in the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory: A Seismic Refraction Study
Authors: Nielson Travis , Bradford John , Holbrook W. Steven , Seyfried Mark
Published: July 2021

In the northern hemisphere within snow-dominated mountainous watersheds north-facing slopes are commonly more deeply weathered than south-facing slopes. This has been attributed to a more persistent snowpack on the north facing aspects. A persistent snowpack releases its water into the subsurface in a single large pulse, which propagates the water deeper into the subsurface than the series of small pulses characteristic of the intermittent snowpack on south-facing slopes. Johnston Draw is an east-draining catchment in the Reynolds Creek Critical Zone Observatory, Idaho that spans a 300 m elevation gradient. The north-facing slope hosts a persistent snowpack that increases in volume up drainage, while the south-facing slope has intermittent snowpack throughout the drainage. We hypothesize that the largest difference in weathering depth between the two aspects will occur where the difference in snow accumulation between the aspects is also greatest. To test this hypothesis, we conducted four seismic refraction tomography surveys within Johnston Draw from inlet to outlet and perpendicular to drainage direction. From these measurements, we calculate the weathering zone thickness from the P-wave velocity profiles. We conclude that the maximum difference in weathering between aspects occurs ¾ of the way up the drainage from the outlet, where the difference in snow accumulation is highest. Above and below this point, the subsurface is more equally weathered and the snow accumulations are more similar. We also observed that the thickness of the weathering zone increased with decreasing elevation and interpret this to be related to the observed increase soil moisture at lower elevations. Our observations support the hypothesis that deeper snow accumulation leads to deeper weathering when all other variables are held equal. One caveat is the possibility that the denser vegetation contributes to deeper weathering on north-facing slopes via soil retention or higher rates of biological weathering.
Gases Released During Soil Biodisinfestation of Pepper Greenhouses Reduce Survival of Phytophthora capsici Oospores in Northern Spain
Authors: Larregla Santiago , Gandariasbeitia Maite , Ojinaga Mikel , Mendarte Sorkunde , Guerrero María del Mar , Ortiz-Barredo Amaia
Published: July 2021

Phytophthora capsici is one of the oomycetes that affects protected pepper crops in different agroclimatic areas of Spain. Currently, environmentally friendly strategies such as biodisinfestation for plant disease control have become increasingly popular. In this study, the effect of released gases during biodisinfestation with a fresh manures mixture amendment on P. capsici oospore viability was determined. A biodisinfestation trial was performed in a greenhouse located in northern Spain (Biscay), with a mixture of fresh sheep (2 kg m−2) and dry poultry manures (0.5 kg m−2) followed by soil sealing with a transparent polyethylene plastic film for 21 days (onset June 15th). Gases were sampled from the aerial cavity of biodisinfested plots at different days after soil sealing (0–1–2–3–4–7–9–11, and 14 days). Vacutainer tubes were incubated at 20°C with oospores of P. capsici that were previously placed under vacuum and refilled with extracted gases. Treatments assayed were gases from different sampling times (0–1–2–3–4–7–9–11–14 days, and succession of days 1–2–3–4–7–9–11–14) combined with different exposure times (7–14–21 days) at 20°C in the laboratory. Control treatments were included: air-tubes and vacuum-tubes. An additional reference treatment under real field conditions was also considered: buried oospores at 15 cm depth in the biodisinfested plots. Oospore viability was determined with the plasmolysis method. The most effective treatment was the succession of gases collected during all sampling days. The significant but slight reduction in oospore viability by exposure to the different gas treatments was consistent with the low dose of applied amendment and the low soil temperature registered at 15 cm depth during soil biodisinfestation (>25°C−100% time, >35°C−23%, >40°C−3%). The above circumstances might have generated a small quantity of gases with low impact on oospore viability. The biodisinfested soil at 15 cm depth reference treatment showed the lowest oospore viability in all the exposure times assayed. The overlap of thermal and higher biofumigation effects in this treatment could likely be responsible for its greater efficacy. A disinfectant effect purely attributable to released gases throughout biodisinfestation has been demonstrated. We believe that our research will serve as a base for future application in agro-environments with reduced thermal inactivation effects.
Case Report: A 62-Year-Old Woman With Contrast-Induced Encephalopathy Caused by Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysm
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhou Ming , Wang Dong , Liu Tao , Chang Pengfei , Zhang Jie , Zhang Rui , Luo Yumin , Liu Ping
Published: July 2021

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare complication of endovascular treatment and is extensively reported as a transient and reversible phenomenon. This report describes a 62-year-old woman for embolization of an internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. The operation was successful, but postoperation the patient suffered unconsciousness, blindness, hemiplegia, ophthalmoplegia, fever, and seizures. CT of the brain without the contrast showed widespread edema in the right cerebral hemisphere, which is involved in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. She was diagnosed with CIE in time and treated with supportive management as soon as possible, and fortunately, the patient improved a benign course and was discharged without any neurological deficits. This study emphasizes the prevention of the CIE and the importance of early diagnosis and symptomatic treatment.
Insect in vitro System for Toxicology Studies — Current and Future Perspectives
Authors: Cc Sheeja , Arun Damodaran , Divya Lekha
Published: July 2021

In vitro cell culture practices are valuable techniques to understand the mechanisms behind vital in vivo biological processes. In vitro cells have helped us to attain a deeper understanding of functions and mechanisms conserved in the course of evolution. Toxicology studies are inevitable in drug discovery, pesticide development, and many other fields that directly interact with human beings. The proper involvement and regulatory steps that have been taken by animal ethical societies in different parts of the world resulted in the reduced in vivo use of mammals in toxicological studies. Nevertheless, experimental animals are being killed where no replacement is available. The use of mammals could be reduced by using the in vitro systems. Nowadays, invertebrate cell lines are also play important role in toxicology testing. This review analyzes the cause and consequence of insect in vitro models in toxicology studies.
Narrative Review Comparing Principles and Instruments Used in Three Active Surveillance and Control Programmes for Non-EU-regulated Diseases in the Danish Cattle Population
Authors: Nielsen Liza Rosenbaum , Houe Hans , Nielsen Søren Saxmose
Published: July 2021

The objective of this paper is to provide a comparative review of three active surveillance and control programmes in the Danish cattle sector to highlight important differences for decision makers to develop successful programmes. The focus is on differences in purpose, principles, design and instruments applied to achieve the goals stated for each programme for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV), paratuberculosis andSalmonellaDublin. The purposes of the programmes are to reduce economic consequences and improve animal welfare, and forS. Dublin also to prevent zoonotic risk, with varying importance as motivation for the programmes over time. The targets of the BVDV andS. Dublin programmes have been to eradicate the diseases from the Danish cattle population. This goal was successfully reached for BVDV in 2006 where the programme was changed to a surveillance programme after 12 years with an active control programme. TheS. Dublin dairy herd-level prevalence decreased from 25% in 2003 to 6% in 2015, just before the milk quota system was abandoned. Over the last 5 years, the prevalence has increased to 8–9% test-positive dairy herds. It is mandatory to participate, and frequent updates of legislative orders were used over two decades as critical instruments in those two programmes. In contrast, participation in the paratuberculosis programme is voluntary and the goals are to promote participation and reduce the prevalence and economic and welfare consequences of the disease. The daily administration of all three programmes is carried out by the major farmers' organisation, who organise surveillance, IT-solutions and other control tools, projects and communication in collaboration with researchers from the universities, laboratories and, for BVDV andS. Dublin, the veterinary authorities. Differences among the programme designs and instruments are mainly due to the environmental component of paratuberculosis andS. Dublin, as the bacteria able to survive for extended periods outside the host. This extra diffuse source of infection increases the demand for persistent and daily hygiene and management efforts. The lower test sensitivities (than for BVDV) lead to a requirement to perform repeated testing of herds and animals over longer time periods calling for withstanding motivation among farmers.
Generation of Trophoblast-Like Cells From Hypomethylated Porcine Adult Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Arcuri Sharon , Pennarossa Georgia , Gandolfi Fulvio , Brevini Tiziana A. L.
Published: July 2021

The first differentiation event in mammalian embryos is the formation of the trophectoderm, which is the progenitor of the outer epithelial components of the placenta, and which supports the fetus during the intrauterine life. However, the epigenetic and paracrine controls at work in trophectoderm differentiation are still to be fully elucidated and the creation of dedicated in vitro models is desirable to increase our understanding. Here we propose a novel approach based on the epigenetic conversion of adult dermal fibroblasts into trophoblast-like cells. The method combines the use of epigenetic erasing with an ad hoc differentiation protocol. Dermal fibroblasts are erased with 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR) that confers cells a transient high plasticity state. They are then readdressed toward the trophoblast (TR) phenotype, using MEF conditioned medium, supplemented with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and inhibitors of the Activin/Nodal and FGF2 signaling pathways in low O2 conditions. The method here described allows the generation of TR-like cells from easily accessible material, such as dermal fibroblasts, that are very simply propagated in vitro. Furthermore, the strategy proposed is free of genetic modifications that make cells prone to instability and transformation. The TR model obtained may also find useful application in order to better characterize embryo implantation mechanisms and developmental disorders based on TR defects.
Perceptions of Gender Equality among Icelandic Year 10 Adolescents: Population Studies 1992, 2006, and 2014
Authors: Thorsteinsson Einar Baldvin , Hjálmsdóttir Andrea Sigrún , Bjarnason Thoroddur
Published: July 2021

The aim of this research is to outline, for the first time, the changes in attitudes towards gender equality among 10th graders in Iceland based on data obtained from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) in 1992, 2006, and 2014. The sampling proportions were high (85.1% in 1992, 43.2% in 2006, and 77.9% in 2014), thereby reflecting parameters (population values) rather than statistics (sample values). Boys and girls are viewing gender roles as being more equal with time, while, concurrently, girls tend to have more gender-equal attitudes than boys. The present paper provides an unparalleled examination of changes in attitudes towards gender equality. After a backlash in adolescents’ attitudes, revealed in the 2006 study, there are positive signs of more gender-equal attitudes in the 2014 results.
High Accuracy Pre-Harvest Sugarcane Yield Forecasting Model Utilizing Drone Image Analysis, Data Mining, and Reverse Design Method
Authors: Tanut Bhoomin , Waranusast Rattapoom , Riyamongkol Panomkhawn
Published: July 2021

This article presents a new model for forecasting the sugarcane yield that substantially reduces current rates of assessment errors, providing a more reliable pre-harvest assessment tool for sugarcane production. This model, called the Wondercane model, integrates various environmental data obtained from sugar mill surveys and government agencies with the analysis of aerial images of sugarcane fields obtained with drones. The drone images enable the calculation of the proportion of unusable sugarcane (the defect rate) in the field. Defective cane can result from adverse weather or other cultivation issues. The Wondercane model is developed on the principle of determining the yield not through data in regression form but rather through data in classification form. The Reverse Design method and the Similarity Relationship method are applied for feature extraction of the input factors and the target outputs. The model utilizes data mining to recognize and classify the dataset from the sugarcane field. Results show that the optimal performance of the model is achieved when: (1) the number of Input Factors is five, (2) the number of Target Outputs is 32, and (3) the Random Forest algorithm is used. The model recognized the 2019 training data with an accuracy of 98.21%, and then it correctly forecast the yield of the 2019 test data with an accuracy of 89.58% (10.42% error) when compared to the actual yield. The Wondercane model correctly forecast the harvest yield of a 2020 dataset with an accuracy of 98.69% (1.31% error). The Wondercane model is therefore an accurate and robust tool that can substantially reduce the issue of sugarcane yield estimate errors and provide the sugar industry with improved pre-harvest assessment of sugarcane yield.
Microbiological Effectivity Evaluation of New Poultry Farming Organic Waste Recycling
Authors: Gorliczay Edit , Boczonádi Imre , Kiss Nikolett Éva , Tóth Florence Alexandra , Pabar Sándor Attila , Biró Borbála , Kovács László Renátó , Tamás János
Published: July 2021

Due to the intensification of the poultry sector, poultry manure is being produced in increasing quantities, and its on-site management is becoming a critical problem. Animal health problems can be solved by stricter the veterinary and environmental standards. The off-site coupled industrial chicken manure recycling technology (Hosoya compost tea) fundamentally affects the agricultural value of new organic-based products. Due to the limited information available on manure recycling technology-related microbiological changes, this was examined in this study. A pot experiment with a pepper test plant was set up, using two different soils (Arenosol, slightly humous Arenosol) and two different doses (irrigation once a week with 40 mL of compost tea: dose 1, D1; irrigation twice a week with 40 mL of compost tea: dose 2, D2) of compost tea. Compost tea raw materials, compost tea, and compost tea treated soils were tested. The products (granulated manure, compost tea) and their effects were characterized by the following parameters: aerobic bacterial count (log CFU/g), fluorescein diacetate activity (3′,6′-diacetylfluorescein, FDA, µg Fl/g soil), glucosidase enzyme activity (GlA; PNP/µmol/g), and identification of microorganisms in compost tea with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Furthermore, we aimed to investigate how the microbiological indicators tested, and the effect of compost tea on the tested plant, could be interpreted. Based on our results, the microbiological characteristics of the treated soils showed an increase in enzyme activity, in the case of FDA an increase +0.26 μg Fl/g soil at D1, while the GlA increased +1.28 PNP/µmol/g with slightly humous Arenosol soil and increased +2.44 PNP/µmol/g at D1; and the aerobic bacterial count increased +0.15 log CFU/g at D2, +0.35 log CFU/g with slightly humous Arenosol and +0.85 log CFU/g at W8. MALDI-TOF MS results showed that the dominant bacterial genera analyzed were Bacillus sp., Lysinibacillus sp., and Pseudomonas sp. Overall, the microbial inducers we investigated could be a good alternative for evaluating the effects of compost solutions in soil–plant systems. In both soil types, the total chlorophyll content of compost tea-treated pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) had increased as a result of compost tea. D1 is recommended for Arenosol and, D2 for slightly humous Arenosol soil.
Land Degradation Vulnerability Mapping in a Newly-Reclaimed Desert Oasis in a Hyper-Arid Agro-Ecosystem Using AHP and Geospatial Techniques
Authors: Abuzaid Ahmed S. , AbdelRahman Mohamed A. E. , Fadl Mohamed E. , Scopa Antonio
Published: July 2021

Modelling land degradation vulnerability (LDV) in the newly-reclaimed desert oases is a key factor for sustainable agricultural production. In the present work, a trial for using remote sensing data, GIS tools, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was conducted for modeling and evaluating LDV. The model was then applied within 144,566 ha in Farafra, an inland hyper-arid Western Desert Oases in Egypt. Data collected from climate conditions, geological maps, remote sensing imageries, field observations, and laboratory analyses were conducted and subjected to AHP to develop six indices. They included geology index (GI), topographic quality index (TQI), physical soil quality index (PSQI), chemical soil quality index (CSQI), wind erosion quality index (WEQI), and vegetation quality index (VQI). Weights derived from the AHP showed that the effective drivers of LDV in the studied area were as follows: CSQI (0.30) > PSQI (0.29) > VQI (0.17) > TQI (0.12) > GI (0.07) > WEQI (0.05). The LDV map indicated that nearly 85% of the total area was prone to moderate degradation risks, 11% was prone to high risks, while less than 1% was prone to low risks. The consistency ratio (CR) for all studied parameters and indices were less than 0.1, demonstrating the high accuracy of the AHP. The results of the cross-validation demonstrated that the performance of ordinary kriging models (spherical, exponential, and Gaussian) was suitable and reliable for predicting and mapping soil properties. Integrated use of remote sensing data, GIS, and AHP would provide an effective methodology for predicting LDV in desert oases, by which proper management strategies could be adopted to achieve sustainable food security.
Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Agronomic Traits, Essential Oil and Components under Semi-Arid Climate
Authors: Özyazici Gülen
Published: July 2021

Environmental contamination and the excessive use of inorganic fertilizers resulting in stagnant yields of field crops which necessitate the utilization of combined fertilization approach under changing climatic conditions. Current study was aimed to clarify the influence of several fertilizer sources (chemical, organic, organomineral fertilizers) on yield and quality of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The results revealed that the fertilizer sources significantly affected the yield of coriander cultivars. The absence of “Year × Variety × Fertilizer Type” interactions for any of the noted parameters signaled that the detected “Variety × Fertilizer Type” interactions were constant regardless of the year factor. The recorded values of traits according to fertilizer sources different for the plant height from 61.85 to 69.67 cm, number of branches from 5.98 to 7.71 (piece/plant), number of umbels per the main umbel from 5.62 to 7.18 pieces, seed yield from 1.06 to 1.66 t/ha−1, the biological yield from 4.29 to 5.70 t ha−1, harvest index from 25.29 to 29.41%, essential oil ratio from 0.29 to 0.33%, and essential oil yield from 3.1 to 5.6 L ha−1. Erbaa variety was observed to be superior over the rest of the varieties producing the maximum values of 6.5 L ha−1 of essential oil, 0.36% essential oil content, 30.9% harvest index, 1.81 t/ha seed yield, and 5.9 t ha−1 biological yield with the treatment of chemical fertilizers.
Changes in the Microbial Community in Soybean Plots Treated with Biochar and Poultry Litter
Authors: Calderon Rosalie B. , Jeong Changyoon , Ku Hyun-Hwoi , Coghill Lyndon M. , Ju Young Jeong , Kim Nayong , Ham Jong Hyun
Published: July 2021

The application of organic materials that promote beneficial microbial activity is vital to maintaining soil health and crop productivity. We investigated the effect on the soil microbiome of applying biochar (BC), poultry litter (PL), and a combination of biochar and poultry litter (BC/PL) in soybean cultivation at the Red River Research Station (Bossier City, LA, USA). We characterized the microbial profiles, community structure, and co-occurrence network from sequencing data to infer microbial interactions in the soil samples collected in the first and second years of each soil treatment (2016 and 2017, respectively). Our results showed that soil treatments with BC, PL, and a combination of both moderately changed the microbial community composition and structure. In particular, genera significantly affected by the different soil treatments were identified via differential abundance analysis. In addition, canonical correspondence analysis revealed that soil chemical properties, total N in the first year, and total C and pH in the second year influenced the community variability. The differentially enriched bacterial ASVs and co-occurring taxa were linked to nutrient cycling. This study provides insights into the impact of soil carbon amendment on the soil microbiome, a process which favors beneficial bacteria and promotes soybean growth.
Exogenous Application of Thiourea for Improving the Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Sher Ahmad , Wang Xiukang , Sattar Abdul , Ijaz Muhammad , Ul-Allah Sami , Nasrullah Muhammad , Bibi Yamin , Manaf Abdul , Fiaz Sajid , Qayyum Abdul
Published: July 2021

Because it is a staple food, sustainable production of wheat is crucial for global food security. Arid and semi-arid regions are worst affected by climate change, which has resulted in poor productivity of different crops, including wheat. To this end, this study aimed to investigate the effect of foliage-applied thiourea on the growth, yield, and nutritional-quality-related traits of bread wheat. The treatments consisted of thiourea levels (control, 500, and 1000 mg L−1) factorally combined with two diverse wheat cultivars (Gandam-1 and Galaxy-2013) at different growth stages (tillering, booting, and heading) and was repeated over two years. The analysis of the data shows that thiourea treatments and the cultivars significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected the growth, nutritional quality traits, and morphological traits, and the interaction of the two factors was also significant. Improvement in productivity and nutritional quality was observed from the application of thiourea in both cultivars. Galaxy-2013 performed best at 1000 mg L−1 thiourea application for both productivity- and nutritional-quality-related traits at the heading stage. In conclusion, exogenous application of thiourea improves the productivity and nutritional quality of wheat on sandy loam soils in semi-arid regions; however, for wider recommendations, more trials may be conducted across various agro-ecological regions.
Soil Organic Carbon Changes for Croplands across China from 1991 to 2012
Authors: He Wentian , He Ping , Jiang Rong , Yang Jingyi , Drury Craig F. , Smith Ward N. , Grant Brian B. , Zhou Wei
Published: July 2021

Accurate estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) are critical for evaluating the impacts of crop and nutrient management practices on soil sustainability and global climate change. Temporal and spatial variations in topsoil (0–0.20 m) SOC were analyzed using 43,743 soil samples in China’s croplands. The soil database in our study was collected from the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) China Program. The results showed an increasing trend in SOC density (SOCD) for both grain and cash crops from 1991 to 2012. The average SOCD increased by 16.8, 17.4, 11.8 and 8.7% in the north central, northwest, southeast and southwest regions, respectively, whereas average SOCD decreased by 1.3% for the northeast region between the 1991–2001 and 2002–2012 periods. For both grain and cash crops, the SOCD frequency distribution (%) increased in the ranges of 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 Mg C ha−1 from the 1991–2001 to the 2002–2012, but decreased in the ranges of 0–10 and 50–60 Mg C ha−1. Additionally, SOCD increased in most major soil types across China’s cropland regions, except in phaeozems, chernozems and umbrisols, where it decreased by 8.6–18.7% mainly due to water runoff, soil erosion, and low C input. The overall SOC stock (SOCS) in China’s cropland increased by 260 Tg C (23.7 Tg C yr−1) from 1991–2001 to 2002–2012, which was partially due to the increased crop residue return, improved fertilization and adopted conservation tillage over the period. This SOC increase represents a potential offset in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that could help reduce the overall net CO2 emissions in China.
PD-L1/PD-1 and CTLA-4 Expression in Equine Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Porcellato Ilaria , Mecocci Samanta , Brachelente Chiara , Cappelli Katia , Armando Federico , Tognoloni Alessia , Chiaradia Elisabetta , Stefanetti Valentina , Mechelli Luca , Pepe Marco , Gialletti Rodolfo , Passeri Benedetta , Ghelardi Alessandro , Razzuoli Elisabetta
Published: July 2021

In horses, penile squamous cell carcinomas (epSCCs) are among the most common cutaneous neoplastic lesions. These tumors usually arise in benign lesions such as viral plaques and papillomas frequently induced by Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection. In the last decade, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for the treatment of human cancers has demonstrated promising results. Among the most commonly targeted pathways, there is PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and CTLA-4 in the tumor microenvironment of epSCCs to assess the feasibility of an immunotherapeutic approach. Twenty equine epithelial tumors were retrospectively selected and submitted to RT-qPCR for PD-1 and PD-L1 genes. After testing antibodies cross-reactivity by western blotting, immunohistochemistry for PD-L1 and CTLA-4 was performed. Results from RT-qPCR demonstrated that 3/20 cases expressed the PD-L1 gene, whereas the PD-1 gene was not detected. Immunohistochemical positivity for PD-L1 was found only in one case. CTLA-4-positive cells were observe in all cases but were few (Mdn = 4.8; IQR = 2.3–7.1 cells/HPF). In this study group, PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 do not appear to be highly expressed and therefore the use of ICI in epSCCs may not have promising rates of response.
Differentiating Pigs from Wild Boars Based on NR6A1 and MC1R Gene Polymorphisms
Authors: Koseniuk Anna , Smołucha Grzegorz , Natonek-Wiśniewska Małgorzata , Radko Anna , Rubiś Dominika
Published: July 2021

This preliminary study aimed to differentiate domestic pigs from wild boars based on MC1R and NR6A1 polymorphisms and to identify admixture between these genomes. We studied samples obtained from wild boars from two regions of Poland and five pig breeds: Polish Landrace, Polish Large White, Złotnicka White, Pulawska and Duroc. Along the MC1R gene sequence, we identified four polymorphic loci comprising three codons. The “wild type” allele was primarily found in wild boar but also in the Duroc and Złotnicka White breeds. Non-wild type alleles were identified in the vast majority of domestic pig samples and in two wild boar samples. Based on MC1R profiles, we conducted a population study, and revealed admixture between both genomes using STRUCTURE and NETWORK Software. Interestingly, an allelic discrimination assay with NR6A1 g.748C > T TaqMan probes revealed a clear separation of samples into two groups: wild boar samples representing the C allele and domestic breeds representing the T allele. Based on the obtained results, we conclude that NR6A1 g.748C > T is an effective marker for differentiating between wild boars and domestic pigs, where this is supported by MC1R data, to identify admixed profiles. We recommend that a larger sample of genomes is studied to verify this method.
Investigation of the Morphology of Adrenal Glands in Hens Kept in Two Different Housing Systems—A Pilot Study
Authors: Keßler Franziska , Grümpel-Schlüter Angelika , Looft Christian , Petow Stefanie
Published: July 2021

It is difficult to objectively assess the chronic effects of housing systems on livestock and particularly on laying hens. However, this seems to be important in the context of animal welfare. Therefore, we conducted the present study in order to compare the effect of two different housing conditions, single cage (SC) and floor pen (FP), on the morphology of the adrenal gland. A higher amount of interrenal cells, which secrete stress hormones, can lead to a difference in the relation of adrenal and interrenal cells, which could be interpreted as an indication of chronic stress. For this purpose, adrenal glands were extracted, prepared, stained and examined by microscopy, and total area of the cut, total area of interrenal cells and total area of adrenal cells were measured. As a result, all laying hens had a higher percentage of interrenal cells than adrenal cells (FP: interrenal cells/adrenal cells = 78.37%/21.63%; SC: 80.00%/20.00%). The median of adrenal–interrenal ratio did not differ significantly (FP = 0.2503, SC = 0.2499), while the variation of the ratio between laying hens in FP and SC showed a slight tendency of a higher ratio in adrenal glands of FP (p < 0.0870). Body weight and adrenal–interrenal ratio were significantly negatively correlated in laying hens in FP (rS = −0.943, p < 0.0048) but not in SC (rS = −0.162, p = 0.7283). There was no significant correlation between body weight and total cell area for interrenal cells or adrenal cells. Body weight was significantly lower for laying hens kept in SC than for laying hens kept in FP (p < 0.0001). Due to the present results, it can be concluded that keeping laying hens in single cages can have a negative effect on body weight.