bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of α-MnO2 on Carbon Fibers Modified with Carbon Nanotubes for Ultrafast Flexible Supercapacitors in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes with Wide Voltage Windows
Authors: Li Mai , Zhu Kailan , Zhao Hanxue , Meng Zheyi , Wang Chunrui , Chu Paul K.
Published: June 2022

In this study, α-MnO2 and Fe2O3 nanomaterials are prepared on a carbon fiber modified with carbon nanotubes to produce the nonbinder core–shell positive (α-MnO2@CNTs/CC) and negative (Fe2O3@CNTs/CC) electrodes that can be operated in a wide voltage window in ultrafast asymmetrical flexible supercapacitors. MnO2 and Fe2O3 have attracted wide research interests as electrode materials in energy storage applications because of the abundant natural resources, high theoretical specific capacities, environmental friendliness, and low cost. The electrochemical performance of each electrode is assessed in 1 M Na2SO4 and the energy storage properties of the supercapacitors consisting of the two composite electrodes are determined in Na2SO4 and EMImBF4 electrolytes in the 2 V and 4 V windows. The 2 V supercapacitor can withstand a large scanning rate of 5000 mV S−1 without obvious changes in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves, besides showing a maximum energy density of 57.29 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 833.35 W kg−1. Furthermore, the supercapacitor retains 87.06% of the capacity after 20,000 galvanostatic charging and discharging (GCD) cycles. The 4 V flexible supercapacitor shows a discharging time of 1260 s and specific capacitance of 124.8 F g−1 at a current of 0.5 mA and retains 87.77% of the initial specific capacitance after 5000 GCD cycles. The mechanical robustness and practicality are demonstrated by physical bending and the powering of LED arrays. In addition, the contributions of the active materials to the capacitive properties and the underlying mechanisms are explored and discussed
Using the Haney Soil Test to Predict Nitrogen Requirements in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Sanyal Debankur , Graham Christopher
Published: June 2022

Managing nitrogen (N) is one of the of the biggest challenges in achieving environmental and economic sustainability in the agroecosystem. As N fertilizer prices have increased significantly, farmers are considering a revised N recommendation to optimize crop production, while addressing negative environmental impacts of excess N in water bodies. This study analyzes the accuracy of using the Haney Soil Test (HST) to predict the N requirement (HSTNR) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a semi-arid climate. The accuracy of the HST to predict the economically optimum N rate (EONR) was dependent on in-season precipitation. In drought conditions, the HSTNR was 33 kg N ha−1 lower on average than the EONR. Conversely, in wetter years, the HSTNR was 35 kg N ha−1 higher than the EONR. Net return was approximately USD 19 ha−1 lower than that with the EONR under both precipitation scenarios. Similar differences were found for protein content. There was a strong correlation between soil respiration and the soil health calculation, within the HST, and the difference between the net return on yield from the HSTNR and the EONR yield. These indicators may serve as useful metrics for formulating soil health-based N recommendations in winter wheat. However, in drought-prone areas, the HSTNR may significantly underpredict the EONR in many years due to an overestimation of N mineralization.
SARS-CoV-2 Mutant Spectra at Different Depth Levels Reveal an Overwhelming Abundance of Low Frequency Mutations
Authors: Martínez-González Brenda , Soria María Eugenia , Vázquez-Sirvent Lucía , Ferrer-Orta Cristina , Lobo-Vega Rebeca , Mínguez Pablo , de la Fuente Lorena , Llorens Carlos , Soriano Beatriz , Ramos-Ruíz Ricardo , Cortón Marta , López-Rodríguez Rosario , García-Crespo Carlos , Somovilla Pilar , Durán-Pastor Antoni , Gallego Isabel , de Ávila Ana Isabel , Delgado Soledad , Morán Federico , López-Galíndez Cecilio , Gómez Jordi , Enjuanes Luis , Salar-Vidal Llanos , Esteban-Muñoz Mario , Esteban Jaime , Fernández-Roblas Ricardo , Gadea Ignacio , Ayuso Carmen , Ruíz-Hornillos Javier , Verdaguer Nuria , Domingo Esteban , Perales Celia
Published: June 2022

Populations of RNA viruses are composed of complex and dynamic mixtures of variant genomes that are termed mutant spectra or mutant clouds. This applies also to SARS-CoV-2, and mutations that are detected at low frequency in an infected individual can be dominant (represented in the consensus sequence) in subsequent variants of interest or variants of concern. Here we briefly review the main conclusions of our work on mutant spectrum characterization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and SARS-CoV-2 at the nucleotide and amino acid levels and address the following two new questions derived from previous results: (i) how is the SARS-CoV-2 mutant and deletion spectrum composition in diagnostic samples, when examined at progressively lower cut-off mutant frequency values in ultra-deep sequencing; (ii) how the frequency distribution of minority amino acid substitutions in SARS-CoV-2 compares with that of HCV sampled also from infected patients. The main conclusions are the following: (i) the number of different mutations found at low frequency in SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectra increases dramatically (50- to 100-fold) as the cut-off frequency for mutation detection is lowered from 0.5% to 0.1%, and (ii) that, contrary to HCV, SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectra exhibit a deficit of intermediate frequency amino acid substitutions. The possible origin and implications of mutant spectrum differences among RNA viruses are discussed.
Recent Advances in the Use of Molecular Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections
Authors: Gerace Elisabetta , Mancuso Giuseppe , Midiri Angelina , Poidomani Stefano , Zummo Sebastiana , Biondo Carmelo
Published: June 2022

Infections caused by bacteria have a major impact on public health-related morbidity and mortality. Despite major advances in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections, the latter continue to represent a significant economic and social burden worldwide. The WHO compiled a list of six highly virulent multidrug-resistant bacteria named ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) responsible for life-threatening diseases. Taken together with Clostridioides difficile, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter spp., (C. jejuni and C. coli), Legionella spp., Salmonella spp., and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, all of these microorganisms are the leading causes of nosocomial infections. The rapid and accurate detection of these pathogens is not only important for the early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy, but also for resolving outbreaks and minimizing subsequent antimicrobial resistance. The need for ever-improving molecular diagnostic techniques is also of fundamental importance for improving epidemiological surveillance of bacterial infections. In this review, we aim to discuss the recent advances on the use of molecular techniques based on genomic and proteomic approaches for the diagnosis of bacterial infections. The advantages and limitations of each of the techniques considered are also discussed.
Sero-Epidemiology of Coxiella burnetii Infection in Small Ruminants in the Eastern Region of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Amin Freeha , Ali Shahzad , Javid Arshad , Imran Muhammad , Rashid Muhammad Imran , Mertens-Scholz Katja , Neubauer Heinrich
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Q fever in sheep and goats in Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan in the Punjab of Pakistan. Q fever is a widely reported zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella (C.) burnetii. The main reservoirs are small ruminants that excrete the bacteria in birth by-products in high numbers. Thus, the bacteria can also be detected in the air and the dust of livestock farms. The infection is often asymptomatic in ruminants, but it can lead to reproductive disorders. This cross-sectional study found that a significant number (n = 43; 11.3%) of 300 randomly selected small ruminants of nine tehsils were seropositive using a commercially available ELISA. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in goats (17.1%) than in sheep (4.9%). Binary logistic regression analysis proved that species, age, and breed have a significant effect on the prevalence of Q fever. Tick infestation, contact with animal fomites, contact with other animals, production system, and health status of an animal had a significant impact on the prevalence of Q fever. These findings on Q fever in animals can be used to improve the visibility of this zoonotic disease. These findings will help local health authorities to focus on the origin of the problem and facilitate applying preventive measures to the affected livestock farms.
Evolutionary and Mutational Characterization of the First H5N8 Subtype Influenza A Virus in Humans
Authors: Ding Lin , Li Jie , Li Xue , Qu Bingqian
Published: June 2022

Highly pathogenic influenza A virus H5 subtype remains a risk for transmission in humans. The H5N8 subtype has caused multiple outbreaks in poultry in Europe over the past few winters. During one recent outbreak in poultry in Astrakhan, workers on the farm were also infected. So far, little is known about how this virus evolves and adapts to infect humans. Here, we performed a time-resolved phylogenetic analysis of 129 HA sequences representing all 1891 available H5N8 viruses collected from 2010 to 2020. We also conducted a whole-genome scan on the human virus at the protein level. We found that H5N8 viruses have spilled over in 34 European countries during the flu season of 2020–2021. These viruses underwent two significant evolutionary steps during 2015–2016 and after 2018. Furthermore, we characterized a number of critical mutations in all viral proteins except PB1-F2, which contribute to increased virulence and avian-to-human adaptation. Our findings suggested that the accumulated mutations under evolution led to quantitative and qualitative changes, likely allowing the virus to spread to humans. Given that the H5N8 virus is co-circulating with other H5 viruses in Europe, the risk of a pandemic should not be underestimated. Continental surveillance and pandemic preparedness are to be established.
Epidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among the Pakistani Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shoukat Tehniat , Awan Usman Ayub , Mahmood Tahir , Afzal Muhammad Sohail , Wasif Samia , Ahmed Haroon , Cao Jianping
Published: June 2022

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To comprehensively characterize the disease condition in Pakistan for future reference, we ascertained the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and predisposing factors in the Pakistani population over a 20-year period. We systematically reviewed research articles published in English (2000–2020) from PubMed and Google Scholar. The search results 26 publications involving 10,924 people and 2611 seropositive cases. The toxoplasmosis seropositivity rate was higher in women (25.44%) as compared to men (21.48%) and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, seropositivity was high among people with direct contact with cats, who consumed uncooked meat and raw vegetables, had poor education, and lived in rural areas. The 35–65-year age group had the highest prevalence rate of T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma infection was significantly more prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (25.87%) than in Punjab (20.42%) (p < 0.001). This is the first comprehensive analysis of T. gondii infection epidemiology in Pakistan. It reveals a high frequency of infection among women. We strongly encourage further research to aid patient care and the development of more efficient diagnostic tests and preventative techniques.
SARS-CoV-2-Induced Pathology—Relevance to COVID-19 Pathophysiology
Authors: Zinserling Vsevolod A. , Semenova Natalia Yu , Bikmurzina Anastasia E. , Kruglova Natalia M. , Rybalchenko Oksana V. , Markov Alexander G.
Published: June 2022

In spite of intensive studies of different aspects of a new coronavirus infection, many issues still remain unclear. In a screening analysis of histopathology in l200 lethal cases, authors succeeded in performing a wide spectrum of immune histochemical reactions (CD2, CD 3, CD 4, CD 5, CD 7, CD 8, CD14, CD 20, CD 31, CD 34, CD 56, CD 57, CD 68, CD 163, collagen 1,3, spike protein SARS-CoV-2, caspase-3, MLCM; ACE2 receptor, occludin, and claudin-1 and -3) and electron microscopy. The results of the histological and IHC studies of deceased people with varying degrees of severity of coronavirus infection confirmed the ability of these pathogens to cause cytoproliferative changes, primarily in epithelial and endothelial cells. Lesions of various organs are possible, while the reasons for significant differences in organotropy remain unclear. Severe respiratory failure in COVID-19 in humans is associated with a very peculiar viral pneumonia. In the pathogenesis of COVID-19, the most important role is played by lesions of the microcirculatory bed, the genesis of which requires further study, but direct viral damage is most likely. Endothelial damage can be associated with both thrombosis in vessels of various calibers, leading to characteristic complications, and the development of DIC syndrome with maximal kidney damage. Such lesions can be the basis of clinically diagnosed septic shock, while usually there are no morphological data in favor of classical sepsis caused by bacteria or fungi. A massive infiltration of the lung tissue and other organs, mainly by T lymphocytes, including those with suppressor properties, makes it necessary to conduct a differential diagnosis between the morphological manifestation of the protective cellular immune response and direct viral lesions but does not exclude the hypothesis of an immunopathological component of pathogenesis. In many of the deceased, even in the absence of clear clinical symptoms, a variety of extrapulmonary lesions were also detected. The mechanism of their development probably has a complex nature: direct lesions associated with the generalization of viral infection and vascular disorders associated with endothelial damage and having an autoimmune nature. Many aspects of the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection require further comprehensive study.
Jacques Rancière and Care Ethics: Four Lessons in (Feminist) Emancipation
Authors: Bourgault Sophie
Published: June 2022

This paper proposes a conversation between Jacques Rancière and feminist care ethicists. It argues that there are important resonances between these two bodies of scholarship, thanks to their similar indictments of Western hierarchies and binaries, their shared invitation to “blur boundaries” and embrace a politics of “impropriety”, and their views on the significance of storytelling/narratives and of the ordinary. Drawing largely on Disagreement, Proletarian Nights, and The Ignorant Schoolmaster: Five Lessons in Intellectual Emancipation, I also indicate that Rancière’s work offers crucial and timely insights for care ethicists on the importance of attending to desire and hope in research, the inevitability of conflict in social transformation, and the need to think together the transformation of care work/practices and of dominant social norms.
Violence and Care: Fanon and the Ethics of Care on Harm, Trauma, and Repair
Authors: FitzGerald Maggie
Published: June 2022

According to Frantz Fanon, the psychological and social-political are deeply intertwined in the colonial context. Psychologically, the colonizers perceive the colonized as inferior and the colonized internalize this in an inferiority complex. This psychological reality is co-constitutive of and by material relations of power—the imaginary of inferiority both creates and is created by colonial relations of power. It is also in this context that violence takes on significant political import: violence deployed by the colonized to rebel against these colonial relations and enact a different world will also be violent in its fundamental disruption of this imaginary. The ethics of care, on the other hand, does not seem to sit well with violence, and thus Fanon’s political theory more generally. Care ethics is concerned with everything we do to maintain and repair our worlds as well as reasonably possible. Violence, which ruptures our psycho-affective, material, and social-political realities, seems antithetical to this task. This article seeks to reconsider this apparent antinomy between violence and care via a dialogue between Fanon and the ethics of care. In so doing, this article mobilizes a relational conceptualization of violence that allows for the possibility that certain violences may, in fact, be justifiable from a care ethics perspective. At the same time, I contend that violence in any form will also eventually demand a caring response. Ultimately, this productive reading of Fanon’s political theory and the ethics of care encourages both postcolonial philosophers and care ethicists alike to examine critically the relation between violence and care, and the ways in which we cannot a priori draw lines between the two.
Fiber-Optic Based Laser Wakefield Accelerated Electron Beams and Potential Applications in Radiotherapy Cancer Treatments
Authors: Roa Dante , Kuo Jeffrey , Moyses Harry , Taborek Peter , Tajima Toshiki , Mourou Gerard , Tamanoi Fuyuhiko
Published: June 2022

Ultra-compact electron beam technology based on laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) could have a significant impact on radiotherapy treatments. Recent developments in LWFA high-density regime (HD-LWFA) and low-intensity fiber optically transmitted laser beams could allow for cancer treatments with electron beams from a miniature electronic source. Moreover, an electron beam emitted from a tip of a fiber optic channel could lead to new endoscopy-based radiotherapy, which is not currently available. Low-energy (10 keV–1 MeV) LWFA electron beams can be produced by irradiating high-density nano-materials with a low-intensity laser in the range of ~1014 W/cm2. This energy range could be useful in radiotherapy and, specifically, brachytherapy for treating superficial, interstitial, intravascular, and intracavitary tumors. Furthermore, it could unveil the next generation of high-dose-rate brachytherapy systems that are not dependent on radioactive sources, do not require specially designed radiation-shielded rooms for treatment, could be portable, could provide a selection of treatment energies, and would significantly reduce operating costs to a radiation oncology clinic.
Luminescence and Gamma Spectroscopy of Phosphate Glass Doped with Nd3+/Yb3+ and Their Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Charfi Bilel , Damak Kamel , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Hussein Khalid I. , Alshehri Ali M. , Elkhoshkhany Nehal , Assiri Abdullah L. , Alshehri Khaled F. , Reben Manuela , Yousef El Sayed
Published: June 2022

A new glass with a composition of 40P2O5-30ZnO-20LiCl-10BaF2 (in mol%), doped with 3.5Nd2O3-3.5Yb2O3, was fabricated by the quenching melt technique. The luminescence (PL) and gamma spectroscopy of the glass were investigated systematically. The spectroscopic parameters of the prepared glass, such as the optical energy gap, Judd–Ofelt parameters Ωk (where k = 2, 4 and 6), lifetimes and branching ratio of the Nd3+/Yb3+ level, were evaluated. Moreover, the shielding parameters, such as the linear and mass attenuation coefficients, mean free path and half-value layer, were evaluated. The prepared glass had a spectroscopic quality factor (Ω4/Ω6) of 0.84, which is about three-times larger than that of the most standard laser host, Nd3+:YAG. The energy of the 2P1/2 (Nd3+) level (~23,250 cm−1) was twice the energy of the Yb3+ transition (~10,290 cm−1). The value of the emission cross section (σem(λ)) of Nd3+:4F3/2→4I9/2 and Yb3+:2F5/2→2F7/2 were 2.23 × 10−24 cm2 and 2.88 × 10−24 cm2, respectively. The fabricated glass had a high emission cross section and low mean free path parameters, which makes the fabricated glass a potential candidate for multifunctional applications, such as laser emissions for medical purposes.
The Effect of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy in Promoting Pyroptosis of HPV-Infected Cells
Authors: Wei Junxiao , Peng Xiaoming , Wang Sijia , Xu Meinian , Liu Hui , Zhong Yixiu , Chen Xi , Wang Qi , Huang Xiaowen , Zeng Kang
Published: June 2022

5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is highly effective in the treatment of condyloma acuminata (CA). Previous research has indicated that ALA-PDT could induce cell death by different mechanisms, including apoptosis and autophagy, but the role of pyroptosis in ALA-PDT remains uncertain. Thus, this study aimed to explore whether pyroptosis is a potential mechanism of ALA-PDT killing human papillomavirus (HPV) infected cells. HPV-positive HeLa cells were exposed to ALA-PDT, then cell viability assay, lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) assay, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and western blot were used to evaluate pyroptosis induced by ALA-PDT. Results suggested that ALA-PDT enhanced the expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, and the production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. In addition, ALA-PDT induced the production of ROS and led to the destruction of the cell membrane. The inhibition of pyroptosis reduced the killing of HeLa cells by ALA-PDT. This study demonstrates that ALA-PDT induces pyroptosis in HPV-positive cells, which provides some explanation for the mechanism of ALA-PDT to treat CA and HPV infection-related diseases.
Nonextensive Statistics in High Energy Collisions
Authors: Rocha Lucas Q. , Megías Eugenio , Trevisan Luis A. , Olimov Khusniddin K. , Liu Fuhu , Deppman Airton
Published: June 2022

The present paper reports on the methods of the systematic analysis of the high-energy collision distributions—in particular, those adopted by Jean Cleymans. The analysis of data on high-energy collisions, using non-extensive statistics, represents an important part of Jean Cleymans scientific activity in the last decade. The methods of analysis, developed and employed by Cleymans, are discussed and compared with other similar methods. As an example, analyses of a set of the data of proton-proton collisions at the center-of-mass energies, s=0.9 and 7 TeV, are provided applying different methods and the results obtained are discussed. This line of research has the potential to enlarge our understanding of strongly interacting systems and to be continued in the future.
Nuclear C(e, e′p) Transparencies in a Relativistic Glauber Model
Authors: Cosyn Wim , Ryckebusch Jan
Published: June 2022

In light of the recent Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) data for the nuclear 12C(e,e′p) transparencies, calculations, obtained in a relativistic multiple scattering Glauber approximation, are discussed. The shell-separated 12C transparencies are shown and it is concluded that the p-shell nucleons are 75% more transparent than the s-shell ones. The presented comparisons between the calculations made here and the current 12C(e,e′p) data show no clear indication for the onset of color transparency when implemented within the color diffusion model with standard parameters.
The Tip of the Iceberg: Cryopreservation Needs for Meeting the Challenge of Exceptional Plant Conservation
Authors: Pence Valerie C. , Bruns Emily Beckman
Published: June 2022

Cryopreservation is increasingly important as a conservation tool, particularly for threatened exceptional species. The goal of this study was to investigate the current knowledge of plant cryopreservation through a search of the literature in Web of Science and align that with the 775 species currently identified on the Working List of Exceptional Plants. While there is a good foundation in plant cryopreservation research, particularly with economically important species, there are significant gaps in research on families that contain the largest numbers of currently known exceptional species, including the Dipterocarpaceae, Rhizophoraceae, and Pittosporaceae. Even families well represented in both in the literature and on the List of Exceptional Plants had much less overlap at the level of genus. Tropical trees, a significant portion of exceptional species, were not as well represented in the literature as herbaceous species. Over 70% of all articles dealt with in vitro cryopreservation, with much less emphasis on other methods (seed, embryo, dormant bud, and pollen) that will be more cost-effective for species where they can be applied. While the research on plant cryopreservation to date provides a strong foundation and is being utilized effectively for conserving the diversity of a number of economically important species, this study revealed significant gaps that can help prioritize future research to more effectively conserve the diversity of threatened exceptional species.
Phylogenomic Analysis Reconstructed the Order Matoniales from Paleopolyploidy Veil
Authors: Shu Jiang-Ping , Wang Hao , Shen Hui , Wang Rui-Jiang , Fu Qiang , Wang Yong-Dong , Jiao Yuan-Nian , Yan Yue-Hong
Published: June 2022

Phylogenetic conflicts limit our understanding of the evolution of terrestrial life under multiple whole genome duplication events, and the phylogeny of early terrestrial plants remains full of controversy. Although much incongruence has been solved with so-called robust topology based on single or lower copy genes, the evolutionary mechanisms behind phylogenetic conflicts such as polyploidization remain poorly understood. Here, through decreasing the effects of polyploidization and increasing the samples of species, which represent all four orders and eight families that comprise early leptosporangiate ferns, we have reconstructed a robust phylogenetic tree and network with 1125 1-to-1 orthologs based on both coalescent and concatenation methods. Our data consistently suggest that Matoniales, as a monophyletic lineage including Matoniaceae and Dipteridaceae, should be redefined as an ordinal rank. Furthermore, we have identified and located at least 11 whole-genome duplication events within the evolutionary history of four leptosporangiates lineages, and associated polyploidization with higher speciation rates and mass extinction events. We hypothesize that paleopolyploidization may have enabled leptosporangiate ferns to survive during mass extinction events at the end Permian period and then flourish throughout the Mesozoic era, which is supported by extensive fossil records. Our results highlight how ancient polyploidy can result in rapid species radiation, thus causing phylogenetic conflicts yet allowing plants to survive and thrive during mass extinction events.
Enhanced Synthesis of Foreign Nuclear Protein Stimulates Viral Reproduction via the Induction of γ-Thionin Expression
Authors: Sheshukova Ekaterina V. , Ershova Natalia M. , Lipskerov Fedor A. , Komarova Tatiana V.
Published: June 2022

Plants are a promising platform for recombinant protein production. Here we propose a novel approach to increase the level of viral vector-mediated recombinant protein synthesis. This approach is based on the hypothesis that antiviral protection is weakened during the antibacterial cellular response. We suggested that introduced to the cell foreign nuclear localized proteins, including effectors such as bacterial nucleomodulins, can interfere with the import of cellular nuclear proteins and launch antibacterial defense reactions, creating favorable conditions for cytoplasmic virus reproduction. Here, we performed synthesis of an artificial nuclear protein—red fluorescent protein (mRFP) fused with a nuclear localization sequence (NLS)—in plant cells as a mimetic of a bacterial effector. Superproduction of mRFP:NLS induced Nicotiana benthamiana γ-thionin (NbγThio) mRNA accumulation. Both NLS-containing protein synthesis and increased NbγThio expression stimulated reproduction of the viral vector based on the genome of crucifer-infecting tobacco mosaic virus (crTMV) in N. benthamiana leaves. We isolated the NbγThio gene promoter (PrγThio) and showed that PrγThio activity sharply increased in response to massive synthesis of GFP fused with NLS. We conclude that NLS-induced PrγThio activation and increased accumulation of Nbγthio mRNA led to the stimulation of GFP expression from crTMV: GFP vector in the transient expression system.
Prediction of Heterosis for Agronomic Traits in Half-Diallel Cross of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Drought Stress Using Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Salem Khaled F. M. , Alghuthaymi Mousa A. , Elabd Abdelmoaty B. , Elabsawy Elsayed A. , Mierah Hossam H.
Published: June 2022

Rice breeders are encouraged to classify potential F1-hybrids without crossing all viable mixtures by testing depending on genetic distance due to lack of labor and time in yield trials. The goals of this research were to establish heterosis and investigate the relationship between genomic distance and agronomic attributes under drought. Half-diallel mating design, 28 F1′s and 8 parents were evaluated under drought and genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. In total, 39 alleles were detected. Results indicated that the greatest heterotic effects for grain yield were observed in Sakha 103 × Sakha 104 and GZ7576-10-3-2-1 × Giza 179, which gave 29.32–22.57% heterosis, respectively. Heterosis for grain yield in these crosses occurred as a rise in panicle weight, filled grains per panicle, low sterility and 100-grain weight. Correlations of marker-based genetic distance with mid-parent heterosis were positively and significantly correlated with sterility percentage (r = 0.390 *, p < 0.05). However, better-parent heterosis was positively and significantly correlated with sterility percentage (r = 0.352 *, p < 0.05) and grain yield per plant (r = 0.345 *, p < 0.05). Associations indicate that high grain yield and low sterility of rice crosses can be expected from microsatellite marker-defined distances of parents. This study indicated that genetic distance is very effective for heterosis prediction in breeding programs.
Particle-Based Imaging Tools Revealing Water Flows in Maize Nodal Vascular Plexus
Authors: Zubairova Ulyana S. , Kravtsova Aleksandra Yu. , Romashchenko Alexander V. , Pushkareva Anastasiia A. , Doroshkov Alexey V.
Published: June 2022

In plants, water flows are the major driving force behind growth and play a crucial role in the life cycle. To study hydrodynamics, methods based on tracking small particles inside water flows attend a special place. Thanks to these tools, it is possible to obtain information about the dynamics of the spatial distribution of the flux characteristics. In this paper, using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we show that gadolinium chelate, used as an MRI contrast agent, marks the structural characteristics of the xylem bundles of maize stem nodes and internodes. Supplementing MRI data, the high-precision visualization of xylem vessels by laser scanning microscopy was used to reveal the structural and dimensional characteristics of the stem vascular system. In addition, we propose the concept of using prototype “Y-type xylem vascular connection” as a model of the elementary connection of vessels within the vascular system. A Reynolds number could match the microchannel model with the real xylem vessels.
Feasibility of Old Bark and Wood Waste Recycling
Authors: Kulikova Yuliya , Sukhikh Stanislav , Babich Olga , Yuliya Margina , Krasnovskikh Marina , Noskova Svetlana
Published: June 2022

The pulp and paper industry leads to the formation of significant amounts of bark and wood waste (BWW), which is mostly dumped, causing negative climate and environmental impacts. This article presents an overview of methods for recycling BWW, as well as the results of assessing the resource potential of old bark waste based on physicochemical and thermal analysis. It was found that using BWW as a plant-growing substrate is challenging because it was observed that bark waste is phytotoxic. The C:N waste ratio is far from optimum; moreover, it has a low biodegradation rate (less than 0.15% per year). The calorific value content of BWW ranged from 7.7 to 18.9 MJ/kg on d.m., the ash content was from 4% to 22%, and the initial moisture content was from 60.8% to 74.9%, which allowed us to draw conclusions about the feasibility of using hydrothermal methods for their processing to obtain biofuel and for the unreasonableness of using traditional thermal methods (combustion, pyrolysis, gasification).
Surface Modifications of Wheat Cultivar Bologna upon Treatment with Non-Equilibrium Gaseous Plasma
Authors: Holc Matej , Vesel Alenka , Zaplotnik Rok , Paul Domen , Primc Gregor , Mozetič Miran , Gselman Peter , Recek Nina
Published: June 2022

Seeds of wheat cultivar Bologna were treated with a low-pressure, inductively coupled, radio frequency oxygen plasma. E-mode and H-mode plasma at the real powers of 25 and 275 W, respectively, was used at treatment times of 0.1–300 s. Plasma affected seed surface chemistry, determined by XPS, and surface topography, visualized by SEM. The combined effects of functionalization and etching modified seed surface wettability. The water contact angle (WCA) exponentially decreased with treatment time and correlated with the product of discharge power and treatment time well. Super-hydrophilicity was seen at a few 1000 Ws, and the necessary condition was over 35 at.% of surface oxygen. Wettability also correlated well with O-atom dose, where super-hydrophilicity was seen at 1024–1025 m−2. A relatively high germination percentage was seen, up to 1000 Ws (O-atom dose 1023–1024 m−2), while seed viability remained unaffected only up to about 100 Ws. Extensively long treatments decreased germination percentage and viability.
Exogenously Supplemented Proline and Phenylalanine Improve Growth, Productivity, and Oil Composition of Salted Moringa by Up-Regulating Osmoprotectants and Stimulating Antioxidant Machinery
Authors: Atteya Amira K. G. , El-Serafy Rasha S. , El-Zabalawy Khaled M. , Elhakem Abeer , Genaidy Esmail A. E.
Published: June 2022

Salinity is linked to poor plant growth and a reduction in global food output. Therefore, there is an essential need for plant adaptation and mitigation of salinity stress conditions. Plants combat salinity stress influences by promoting a set of physiological, biochemical, and molecular actions. Tremendous mechanisms are being applied to induce plant stress tolerance, involving amino acid application. For evaluating the growth and productivity of Moringa oleifera trees grown under salt stress conditions, moringa has been cultivated under different levels of salinity and subjected to a foliar spray of proline (Pro) and phenylalanine (Phe) amino acids. Moringa plants positively responded to the lowest level of salinity as the leaves, inflorescences, seeds, and oil yields have been increased, but the growth and productivity slightly declined with increasing salinity levels after that. However, Pro and Phe applications significantly ameliorate these effects, particularly, Pro-treatments which decelerated chlorophyll and protein degradation and enhanced vitamin C, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. A slight reduction in mineral content was observed under the high levels of salinity. Higher osmoprotectants (proline, protein, and total soluble sugars) content was given following Pro treatment in salted and unsalted plants. A significant reduction in oil yield was obtained as affected by salinity stress. Additionally, salinity exhibited a reduction in oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), and linolenic (C18:3) acids, and an increase in stearic (C18:0), palmitic (C16:0), eicosenoic (C20:2), and behenic (C22:0) acids. Generally, Pro and Phe treatments overcome the harmful effects of salinity in moringa trees by stimulating the osmoprotectants, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity, causing higher dry matter accumulation and better defense against salinity stress.
Mesoamerican Cypripedium: Mycorrhizal Contributions to Promote Their Conservation as Critically Endangered Species
Authors: Moreno-Camarena Mauricio , Ortega-Larrocea María Pilar
Published: June 2022

In the valuable orchid genus Cypripedium, the section Irapeana consists of a distinctive group of Mesoamerican species that is formed by Cypripedium dickinsonianum Hágsater, C. irapeanum Lex., and C. molle Lindl. All lady slipper orchids exhibit different distributions and abundances. Data analysis that used herbarium accessions and field investigations indicated that the habitats of these three species have been dramatically reduced. Prospecting for suitable habitats based on climatic, vegetation, and soil parameters allows us to predict potential distributions. Conservation strategies, such as ex situ propagation by asymbiotic and symbiotic approaches, have indicated that the culture media used are a determining factor for seedling development. Mycorrhizal isolates play a main role in the compatibility and further development of germinated seeds. The fungi isolated from adult plants belong to two different families, which makes it possible that widely distributed C. irapeanum populations will be fungal-specific as well as restricted for C. molle. Root mycorrhization patterns occur high on the secondary roots. In contrast with other species of the genus, in situ germination can occur over a short period of two months, but we have documented periods as long as ten years. Cypripedium is a highly problematic genus for ex situ conservation because the germination requirements and cultures are poorly documented, and there is great urgency for in situ conservation to develop strategies for identifying hotspot habitats and actualize the protection status to avoid extinction of this genus.
Phenotypic Differences and Physiological Responses of Salt Resistance of Walnut with Four Rootstock Types
Authors: Ji Xinying , Tang Jiali , Fan Wei , Li Baoxin , Bai Yongchao , He Junxing , Pei Dong , Zhang Junpei
Published: June 2022

Walnut is one of the world’s four largest nuts. Currently, the bottleneck in walnut breeding is the production of resistant variants. Soil salinization is a global problem, and the use of salt-tolerant rootstocks is a basic strategy to overcome the challenge of sustained walnut production. Providing a scientific basis for the selection of walnut salt-tolerant rootstocks is possible by studying the physiological and biochemical response characteristics and salt tolerance variations of different walnut genotypes under salt stress. In the present study, seedlings of four genotypes of walnut rootstocks, including J1 (Juglans hindsii), J2 (J. mandshurica), J3 (J. regia × J. mandshurica), and J4 (J. regia × J. hindsii), were employed as test materials to conduct a 28-day pot experiment under NaCl stress with five NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mmol/L). Under different NaCl treatment concentrations, seedling morphology, growth indices, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic parameters, relative electrical conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro), soluble sugar (SS), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the leaves were examined. Salt stress altered the morphological characteristics and growth indices of seedlings from four genotypes to varying degrees. In addition, according to the analysis of physiological and biochemical data, salt stress had a considerable impact on both the physiological and biochemical processes of seedlings. Salt stress decreased the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters of four genotypes, the REC, MDA content, Pro content, and SS content of each genotype increased by different degrees, and the enzymatic activities showed different trends. The salt tolerance of rootstocks was evaluated thoroughly using principal component analysis and membership function analysis based on the 16 parameters. The results of a comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance showed that the order of salt tolerance of the four genotypes was J4 > J1 > J3 > J2, which corresponded to the order of the morphological symptoms of salt injury. In conclusion, J4 has strong salt tolerance and is an important germplasm resource for walnut salt-tolerant rootstock breeding.
A Homotopy Method for the Constrained Inverse Problem in the Multiphase Porous Media Flow
Authors: Liu Tao , Xia Kaiwen , Zheng Yuanjin , Yang Yanxiong , Qiu Ruofeng , Qi Yunfei , Liu Chao
Published: June 2022

This paper considers the constrained inverse problem based on the nonlinear convection-diffusion equation in the multiphase porous media flow. To solve this problem, a widely convergent homotopy method is introduced and proposed. To evaluate the performance of the mentioned method, two numerical examples are presented. This method turns out to have wide convergence region and strong anti-noise ability.
Biochar Effect on the Benzo[a]pyrene Degradation Rate in the Cu Co-Contaminated Haplic Chernozem under Model Vegetation Experiment Conditions
Authors: Sushkova Svetlana , Minkina Tatiana , Dudnikova Tamara , Barbashev Andrey , Antonenko Elena , Chernikova Natalia , Barakhov Anatoly , Shuvaev Evgeny , Bakoeva Gulnora , Nazarenko Olga , Mushtaq Waseem
Published: June 2022

The research of the fundamentals of the behavior of behavior in the soil–plant system during their co-contamination is of high interest because of the absence of technologies for the creation of effective, environmentally friendly and cost-effective remediation methods, as well as integrated systems for predicting the quality of soils co-contaminated with HMs and PAHs. The unique model vegetation experiment was studied with Haplic Chernozem contaminated by one of the priority organic toxicants, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), applied alone and co-contaminated with Cu with the subsequent vegetation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and spring barley plants (Hordeum sativum Distichum). Biochar obtained from sunflower husks was used as a sorbent for the remediation of the contaminated soil. It was established that by increasing the BaP amount applied to the soil, the rate of BaP degradation improved. The effect was enhanced in the presence of biochar and decreased in the case of joint co-contamination with Cu, which is especially expressed for the soil of tomato plants. The half-degradation time of the BaP molecule varied from 8 up to 0.2 years for tomatoes and barley.
Optimization of Hemp Bast Microfiber Production Using Response Surface Modelling
Authors: Mhlongo Jessica Tsakani , Nuapia Yannick , Tlhaole Boitumelo , Mahlangu Oranso Themba , Etale Anita
Published: June 2022

Non-wood biomass is particularly attractive as a cellulose source because of the lower lignin content. However, optimal cellulose extraction conditions are required as lignin content varies between plant sources. Further, the use of organic acids in place of harsh mineral acids is of interest in “greening” the cellulose production process. This study sought to establish optimum parameters for the extraction of cellulose microfibers (CMFs) from hemp (Cannabis sativa) biomass, using maleic and formic acids. Hemp fibers were pre-treated in NaOH (4 wt%) and aqueous chlorite in acetate buffer before ultrasonic treatment to break down bundles. The CMFs produced were compared with those generated from sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine combinations of three processing conditions, including acid concentration (45–64%), hydrolysis time (30–90 min), and temperature (45–65 °C). A central composite design (RSM-CCD) model with 21 experimental runs was optimized using MODDE 13.1 software. The model suitably described the data (R2 = 0.99; R2adj = 0.96). Microfibers with an average width of 6.91 µm, crystallinity range 40–75%, and good thermal stability were produced. Crystallinity was influenced by all three factors. The optimal crystallinity predicted by the model was 83.21%, which could be achieved using formic acid 62 wt% formic acid, 36 min hydrolysis time, and 47 °C hydrolysis temperature. These conditions resulted in a crystallinity degree of 82%. These data suggest formic acid can be used as an alternative to sulfuric acid for synthesis of cellulose microfibers from biodegradable hemp waste fibers.
The Readiness of the Water Utilities in Bulgaria for Transition toward a Circular Economy
Authors: Dimova Galina , Dimitrova Sonya , Kostova Irina , Lazarova Svetlana , Ribarova Irina , Stoyanov Dean , Tonev Radoslav , Tsanov Emil , Valchev Dobril
Published: June 2022

Urban water systems are still in their infancy regarding the transition toward a circular economy, despite the sporadic successful examples worldwide. This paper was aimed at analyzing the preparedness of four water utilities in Bulgaria for the implementation of circular economy principles and solutions. These utilities provide water supply and sewerage services to about 30% of the population in Bulgaria. SWOT analysis was used as a core tool. Publicly available data such as nonrevenue water, pressure management, energy demand, network digitalization, and sludge utilization were used to explore the internal factors. The external environment was considered through the legislative and socioeconomic framework, climate change, etc. Finally, the credibility of the conclusions was verified in workshops with the water utilities. The key positive outcomes were that the external factors favor the shift to circular systems, while the major weakness, i.e., the aged infrastructure, is actually a good opportunity for the implementation of modern and circular solutions. The efficient collaboration of water utilities with other actors is a precondition for the development of a sustainable market for “circular” products.
Optimization of a Multilevel Inverter Design Used for Photovoltaic Systems under Variable Switching Controllers
Authors: Alateeq Ayoob , Almalaq Yasser , Alateeq Abdulaziz
Published: June 2022

Among multilevel inverters (MLIs), two-level inverters are the most common. However, this inverter type cannot maintain total harmonic distortion (THD) due to its limited number of levels. Reductions in THD are inversely proportional to the number of levels where increased output occurs in diverse ways, and the use of fewer components with low harmonic distortion is necessary for such reductions. This work proposes a seven-level (7L) MLI design with a small number of components and low harmonic distortion. The proposed MLI is combined with switched capacitor (SC) cells to promote output levels and at the same time to boost the input voltage. The connections between the capacitor and the source are based on the series to parallel topology, where the charging and discharging of the SC cells are caused by fluctuations in their connection. The output of the SC cell is combined with an H-bridge inverter controlled by a proposed PWM controller. The simulation result of the SC 7L inverter was completed using LTspice software. A comparison of the proposed topology with that of other current MLI led to better validation results. The proposed design shows a reduction in the THD with fewer components. The cost and size of the proposed inverter is minimal due to the smaller number of components. Ohmic load and inductive ohmic load were used as loads for the system.