bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phonetic Accommodation in Non-native Directed Speech Supports L2 Word Learning and Pronunciation
Authors: Piazza Giorgio , Kalashnikova Marina , Martin Clara D.
Published: August 2023

This study assessed whether Non-native Directed Speech (NNDS) facilitates second language (L2) learning, specifically L2 word learning and production. Spanish participants (N=50) learned novel English words, presented either in NNDS or Native-Directed Speech (NDS), in two tasks: Recognition and Production. Recognition involved matching novel objects to their labels produced in NNDS or NDS. Production required participants to pronounce these objects’ labels. The novel words contained English vowel contrasts, which approximated Spanish vowel categories more (/ɪ-i/) or less (/æ-ɛ/). Participants assigned to the NNDS group recognized novel words faster and learned and pronounced the /ɪ-i/ contrast words better compared to participants in the NDS group. Participants’ ability to discriminate the target vowel contrasts was also assessed before and after the tasks, with no improvement detected in the two groups. These findings support the didactic assumption of NNDS, indicating the relevance of the phonetic adaptations in this register for successful L2 acquisition.
WITHDRAWN: Action detection of Objects Devices Using Deep Learning in IoT Applications
Authors: Rustemli Sabir , Alani Ahmed Yaseen Bishree , Şahin Gökhan
Published: August 2023

Internet of Things (IoT) technology is the communication and communication of smart technological devices with each other. However, with the development of the Internet of Things, the number of smart applications and connected devices is increasing day by day. Deep Learning (DL) method has become necessary to process the large amount of raw data collected, to further develop intelligence and application capabilities. It is seen that the majority of researchers focus on action perception. Direct action detection on IoT devices using deep learning is not a common method. Standard Deep Learning techniques are difficult to use in IoT devices as Deep Learning applications require high CPU, RAM and storage. In the study, unlike the use of deep learning techniques in IoT devices, the action detection process was carried out directly on the edge device. For this, mini-size Deep Learning (DL-Lite) techniques have been applied on the real IoT device. Comparison of IoT devices and mini Deep Learning techniques was carried out according to parameters such as detection accuracy, delay and device temperature resulting from the application of these techniques in IoT devices.
First report of leaf spot on Atractylodes lancea caused by Alternaria gaisen in Japan
Authors: Kawashimo Midori , Sakurai Miki
Published: August 2023

Atractylodes lancea is a medicinal plant that has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicines. In 2020, A. lancea plants with leaf spot were identified in Ibaraki, Japan. We isolated fungi from the leaf spot symptom, and in inoculation tests, the isolate reproduced these symptoms. The isolate was identified as Alternaria gaisen based on conidial morphology and sequences of three genomic regions (rpb2, gapdh, and tef1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot of A. lancea caused by A. gaisen.
In-vivo study of three-dimensional, cervical segmental motion characteristics following anterior cervical fusion with different numbers of fusion levels
Authors: Zhong Yanlong , Zhang Zizhen , Luo Shiwei , Chen Gongxin , Li Chao , Yang Jie , Li Jidong , Li Guoan , Wang Shaobai , Wan Zongmiao
Published: August 2023

Background
The pathogenesis of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and the biomechanical influence following anterior cervical fusion (ACF) surgery with different number of fusion levels remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different numbers of fusion levels on adjacent segments and overall cervical kinematics.
Methods
From October 2018 to August 2020, patients who underwent ACF at our department were screened for enrollment in the study and divided into three groups based on the number of fusion levels: one-, two- and three-level. All subjects underwent pre- and post-operative cervical spine cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)scans at 7 functional positions. The range of motion (ROM) of the superior and inferior adjacent segments as well as the overall cervical, were measured using a 3D-3D registration technique. Changes in the pre- and post-operative ROMs were calculated for each patient. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the cervical spine stiffness scale, VAS and the JOA Scores.
Results
At the superior and inferior adjacent segment, the ROM of three-level were all greater than one-level during left-right bending and flexion-extension (p＜0.05). The global ROM of three-level were significantly smaller than one-level during flexion-extension (p＜0.05). The postoperative ROM of C4-C5 segment was significantly greater than that of C2-C3 (p＜0.05) at flexion-extension. The post-operative VAS、JOA scores showed no significant differences between the three groups(p > 0.05). But the post-operative cervical spine stiffness scores of the three-level was higher than that of the one-level (p＜0.05).
Conclusion
Three-level ACF had increased compensatory motion at the superior or inferior adjacent segments than one-level group at last follow-up and were probably to develop adjacent segment degeneration, which is more common in C4-C5 segment. Compared with the one-level fusion, the global ROM of the three-level decreased slightly and had little effect on the postoperative function of cervical spine.
Comprehensive Analysis of m6A Modification in Immune Infiltration, Metabolism and Drug Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Yunxing , Li Kai , Yuan Yichuan , Wang Chenwei , Yang Zhiwen , Zuo Dinglan , Niu Yi , Qiu Jiliang , Li Binkui , Yuan Yunfei , He Wei
Published: August 2023

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is important in regulating mRNA stability, splicing, and translation, and it also contributes to tumor development. However, there is still limited understanding of the comprehensive effects of m6A modification patterns on the tumor immune microenvironment, metabolism, and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we utilized unsupervised clustering based on the expression of 23 m6A regulators to identify m6A clusters. We identified differential m6A modification patterns and characterized m6A-gene-cluster A, which exhibited poorer survival rates, a higher abundance of Treg cells, and increased expression of TGFβ in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, m6A-gene-cluster A demonstrated higher levels of glycolysis activity, cholesterol metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis. We also found that the m6A score was associated with prognosis and drug resistance. Patients with a low m6A score experienced worse prognoses, which were linked to an abundance of Treg cells, upregulation of TGFβ, and increased metabolic activity. HCC patients with a higher m6A score showed improved prognosis following sorafenib treatment and immunotherapy. In conclusion, we reveals the association between m6A modification patterns and the tumor immune microenvironment, metabolism, and drug resistance in HCC. Furthermore, the m6A score holds potential as a predictive factor for the efficacy of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC.
Adsorptive Removal of Hazardous Eriochrome Black T and Its Metal Complexes from Aqueous Media Using Spent Coffee Grounds
Authors: Jamhour Rasheed M. A. Q. , Al-Msiedeen Ashraf , Al-Faraheed Rand , Esaifan Muayad , Jamhour Mohannad
Published: August 2023

An adsorbent was prepared from the spent coffee grounds (SCG) waste by simple washing and tested for its effective use as a low-cost adsorbent for removing eriochrome black T, an azo dye from wastewater, and its metal ion complexes that might be present in industrial water. Various factors were assessed, such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and temperature using a batch method and fixed bed column adsorption. Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, (SEM) scanning electron microscope, and BET techniques were employed for characterization. The adsorption capacity of EBT at an equilibrium time was 4.95 mg/g and for [EBT-Zn+ 2], [EBT-Pb+ 2], and [EBT-Cu+ 2] complexes were 4.53, 4.72, and 4.70 mg/g, respectively. In the column study, the adsorption capacity increase for EBT and [EBT-Zn+ 2] at a flow rate of 3 ml/min to be 143.8 and 138.4 mg/g. The removal of EBT and its complexes were illustrated by the kinetic data in a good fit with the models of pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm. The calculated thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° showed that the adsorption of EBT and EBT-M was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic at a temperature range of 298–333 K. The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of inexpensive and eco-friendly waste as an option for the adsorption and remediation of polluted water.
Measurement of radon concentration in soil gas and radon exhalation rate from soil samples along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India
Authors: Singh Krishna Pal , Chandra Subhash , Panwar Pooja , Joshi Abhishek , Prasad Ganesh , Gusain G. S. , Ramola R. C.
Published: August 2023

The present study focuses on measuring radon concentrations in soil gas at various depths, radon exhalation rate (surface and mass) from soil samples, and gamma dose rate along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Radon concentration in soil gas, surface, and mass exhalation rates were measured using a portable Smart radon monitor (RnDuo). Furthermore, the gamma dose rate was measured using a pocket radiation monitor. The soil gas radon concentration was varied from 15 ± 4 to 579 ± 82 Bq m-3 at a depth of 25 cm, 10 ± 2 to 533 ± 75 Bq m-3 at a depth of 30 cm, and 9 ± 1 to 680 ± 95 Bq m-3 at a depth of 35 cm. The surface and Mass exhalation rates were found 3 ± 0.7 to 98 ± 3 Bq m−2 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 36 ± 28 Bq m−2 h−1) and 1 ± 0.2 to 95 ± 2 m Bq kg−1 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 30 ± 22 m Bq kg−1 h−1), respectively. The gamma dose rate for the present study area varies from 0.011 ± 0.05 to 0.28 ± 0.05 µSv h−1 with a mean value of 0.17 ± 0.05 µSv h−1. The correlation analysis between the exhalation rates (Mass and surface) and radon concentration of soil gas at various depths was carried out in the current study.
Tropism and infectivity of duck adenovirus type-3 virus in chickens
Authors: Xu Bin , Dai Yin , Wang Qingfeng , Sun Jiayu , Liu Kewei , Liu CuiYan , Liu Hongmei , Li Jinchun , Chen Fangfang
Published: August 2023

Background
Duck adenovirus type-3 (DAdV-3) seriously affects the health of ducks, however, the pathogenicity of the virus in chickens remains unknown. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the pathogenicity and major pathological changes caused by DAdV-3 in chickens.
Results
The specific fragment of the virus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the evolutionary tree showed that the isolated virus belonged to DAdV-3, named HE-AN-2022. The mortality rate of chicks was 100% after subcutaneous inoculation at the neck, while the mortality rate of eye-nose drop inoculation was correlated with the number of infections, with 26.7% of chicks dying if exposed to multiple infections. The main symptoms of chicks before death were hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), ulceration of the glandular stomach and swollen bursa with petechial hemorrhages. Histopathological examination showed swelling, necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and alkaline inclusion bodies in multiple organs. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed that DAdV-3 could infect most organs of chickens, and the gizzard, glandular stomach, bursa, spleen and liver carried the highest amount of virus. Surviving chicks produced extremely high antibody levels. After infecting chickens with DAdV-3 derived from Muscovy ducks, no amino acid mutation was observed in the major mutation regions ORF19B, ORF66 and ORF67 of the virus.
Conclusion
DAdV-3 can infect chickens, causing classic HHS with ulceration of the glandular stomach and swollenbursa with petechial hemorrhages, leading to high mortality in chickens.The major variation domains did not change after infection with the virus in Muscovy ducks and chickens. This is the first study to report the of DAdV-3 in chickens, and this study provides a new basis for the prevention and control of the virus.
Association between gut microbiota and psoriasis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Jin , Xiang Yang , Shen Yingjie , Chen Jiqiu , Liu Lei , Liu Qingsong , Jin Jian , Zhu Shihui
Published: August 2023

Background:
Research has found that the composition of gut microbiota is related to psoriasis and its subtypes. However, the causal effect of gut microbiota on psoriasis is still unclear.
Methods:
A two sample Mendelian randomization randomized study was conducted using the aggregated statistical data of intestinal microbiota in the meta-analysis of the largest available genome-wide association studies conducted by the MiBioGen Alliance. The summary statistical data for psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis, and psoriasis vulgaris are from the FinnGen Alliance R7 release. Reverse variance weighting, maximum likelihood, MR Egger, weighted median, weighted model, MR-PRESSO, and cML MA were used to examine the causal relationship between gut microbiota and psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis, and psoriasis vulgaris. In the forward Mendelian randomization randomization analysis, reverse Gregor Mendel randomization analysis was performed on bacteria found to have causal relationships with psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis and psoriasis vulgaris. Cochran's Q statistics are used to quantify the heterogeneity of Instrumental variables estimation.
Results:
A higher genetically predicted abundance Odoribacter was associated with a reduced risk of psoriasis. While a higher genetically predicted abundance of Ruminiclostridium5 was associated with an increased risk of psoriasis. The genetically predicted relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Akkermansia, Verrucomicrobiales were positively associated with arthropathic psoriasis. A higher genetically predicted abundance of Rikenellaceae served as protective factors for arthropathic psoriasis. Specifically, a higher genetically predicted Atinomycetaceae, Eubacterium fissicatena group, Lactococcus, and Actinomycetales were associated with a higher risk of psoriasis vulgaris. In contrast, higher genetically predicted Odoribacter was a lower risk of psoriasis vulgaris. No significant heterogeneity or level pleiotropy of Instrumental variables estimation was found.
Conclusion:
This MR study offer novel perspectives regarding the prevention, advancement, and therapy of psoriasis by concentrating on specific bacterial groups. Additional research is required to specify the exact mechanism relating the association between gut microbiota and psoriasis along with its classifications.
Microstructure and hot corrosion property of a Si-Co-Y diffusion coating deposited on TiAl-Nb alloy
Authors: Li Xuan , Lv Wei , Xie Xiaoqing , Wei Zekun , Zhang Xuyi , Jia Lina , Zhou Dedong
Published: August 2023

Si-Co-Y diffusion coatings were deposited on TiAl-Nb alloy using pack cementation process. The influence of activators and deposition temperatures on the coating structures was investigated, alongside the coating formation process and hot corrosion performance of the optimized coating in molten salt of 25%NaCl+75%K2SO4 at 850 ℃. The results show that a dense and compact Si-Co-Y diffusion coating can be prepared on TiAl-Nb alloy, with a multi-layered structure including an outmost layer of (Ti,X)Si2 (X represents Co, Al, Nb, Y), an outer layer composed of TiSi2+Ti5Si4+Ti5Si3 mixtures, a middle layer of Ti5Si3, and an inner layer of TiAl2. The coating prepared with AlCl3·6H2O and NH4Cl had many pores. Increase in deposition temperature led to a higher coating growth rate within the range of 1050-1100 oC, but temperature exceeding 1100 ℃ caused the formation of intensive holes in the coating. Hot corrosion tests at high temperatures proved that the Si-Co-Y diffusion coating prepared on TiAl-Nb alloy exhibited excellent hot corrosion resistance in 25%NaCl-75%K2SO4 molten at 850 oC. A protective hot corrosion product scale composed of a TiO2+Na2SiO3+Na2TiO3 outer layer and an Al2O3 middle layer, formed on coating after hot corrosion for 50 h. The scale can effectively inhibit the inward diffusion of corrosion medial of O, Cl and S elements.
Structural characterization and macromolecular structure construction of non-stick coal in Chicheng Mine
Authors: Jia Jinzhang , yang qiang , Liu Baogang , Wang Dongming
Published: August 2023

Given that coal is not a homogeneous substance, it is of great significance to identify and quantify the structural characteristics thereof for comprehensive analysis. In this paper, the non-caking coal in Chicheng Coal Mine was selected as the research object. The C, H, O, N, and S contents in the coal sampleswere obtained by element/industrial analysis experiments. The structural characteristics of aromatic, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and oxygen-containing functional groups in the experimental coal samples were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) experiments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments wereperformed to obtain the occurrence state of N and S elements in coal samples. Nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) experiments provided the carbon skeleton structural information of the coal samples. The macromolecular structure model of non-caking coal in the Chicheng Coal Mine was established on this basis. The molecular formula of non-caking coal in Chicheng Coal Mine was determined to be C207H181O32N3S.The13C NMR-predicted spectrum of the model showed good consistency with the 13C NMR-experimental spectrum obtained from the experiments, providing researchers with reference to the construction ideas and methods of molecular structure models of different coal samples.
VR interventions aimed to induce empathy: a scoping review
Authors: Trevena Lee , Paay Jeni , McDonald Rachael
Published: August 2023

Purpose
To assess the methods and outcomes of virtual reality (VR) interventions aimed at inducing empathy and to evaluate if VR could be used in this manner for disability support worker (DSW) training, as well as highlight areas for future research.
Methods
The authors conducted a scoping review of studies that used VR interventions to induce empathy in participants. We searched three databases for articles published between 1960 and 2021 using “virtual reality” and “empathy” as key terms. The search yielded 707 articles and 44 were reviewed.
Results
VR interventions largely resulted in enhanced empathy skills for participants. Most studies agreed that VR’s ability to facilitate perspective-taking was key to inducing empathy for participants. Samples were often limited to the context of healthcare, medicine, and education.
Conclusions
This literature provides preliminary evidence for the technology’s efficacy for inducing empathy. Identified research gaps relate to limited studies done, study quality and design, best practice intervention characteristics, populations and outcomes of interest, including lack of transfer and data across real-world settings.
The non-vesicle extracellular DNA induces cell transformation associated with horizontal DNA transfer
Authors: Cruz-Sigüenza DA De La , Reyes-Grajeda JP , Velasco-Velázquez MA , Trejo-Becerril Catalina , Pérez-Cárdenas Enrique , Chávez-Blanco Alma Delia , Taja-Chayeb Lucía , Domínguez-Gómez Guadalupe , Ramos-Godinez Pilar , González-Fierro Aurora , Dueñas-González Alfonso
Published: August 2023

Extracellular DNA (exDNA) is a source for liquid biopsy used for cancer diagnosis, therapy selection, and disease monitoring due to its non-invasive nature and ease of extraction. However, exDNA also participates in cancer development and progression by horizontal transfer. In humans, exDNA circulates complexed with extracellular vesicles (EV) and macromolecular complexes such as nucleosomes, lipids, and serum proteins. The present study aimed to demonstrate whether exDNA not associated with EV induces cell transformation and tumorigenesis. For that purpose, the supernatant of the SW480 human colon cancer cell line was processed by ultracentrifugation to obtain a soluble fraction (SF) and a fraction associated with EV (EVF). Primary murine embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) underwent passive transfection with these fractions, and cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell transformation, and tumorigenic assays were performed. Next, exDNA was analyzed by electronic microscopy, and horizontal transfer was assessed by human mutant KRAS in recipient cells via PCR and recipient cell internalization via fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the SF but not the EVF of exDNA induced proliferative and antiapoptotic effects, cell transformation, and tumorigenesis in nude mice, which were reduced by digestion with DNAse I and proteinase K. These effects were associated with horizontal DNA transfer and exDNA internalization into recipient cells. The present results suggest pro-tumorigenic effects of exDNA in the SF that can be offset by enzyme treatment. Further exploration of the horizontal tumor progression phenomenon mediated by exDNA is needed to determine whether its manipulation may play a role in cancer therapy.
Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated with Emodin reverse multidrug resistance of breast cancer via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Gu Honghui , Meng Fansu , Yang Lina , Li Qi , Chen Zhong , Cai Tiange , Yang Zhenjiang , Cai Yu
Published: August 2023

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main reasons affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC). Our previous studies constructed polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated with Emodin (EMO) (E-PLNs) and proved that they can inhibit epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reverse MDR in BC. This study aims to explore the mechanisms by which the EMT involved in MDR and the E-PLNs exerted effects. The prepared E-PLNs were characterized by Dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of drugs or treatments were evaluated by detecting apoptosis, invasion, EMT markers, and drug-resistant related proteins of drug-resistant breast cancer cells in vitro. The results showed that IL-6 could promote proliferation, EMT, invasion and MDR of MCF-7/ADR cell by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, and these effects could be reversed by AG490 or E-PLNs. E-PLNs might be an effective MDR reversal agent for BC.
Effect of Ni2+ and Co2+ Substitution on the Characteristics of the Strontium Aluminium Hexaferrite (SrAl2Fe10O19)
Authors: Joshi Himani , Kumar A. Ruban
Published: August 2023

The nickel and cobalt substituted strontium aluminium hexaferrite Sr1 − xNixAl2Fe10O19/Sr1 − xCoxAl2Fe10O19 (x = 0.1, 0.2) were synthesized via the sol-gel auto-combustion technique using glycine fuel. The particles formed in hexagonal crystal structure with space group P63/mmc. The field-emission scanning microscopy was adopted for morphological analysis, and the images revealed the plate-like formation of the particles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence and oxidation states of all the elements. The vibrating sample magnetometer studies were taken to determine saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc), squareness ratio (Mr/Ms), and energy product (BHmax) values. The electric studies disclosed the presence of relaxations in the system, which was interpreted through Koop and Maxwell-Wagner's model.
Fractal Dimensions and Machine Learning for Detection of Parkinson’s Disease in Resting-State EEG
Authors: Lal Utkarsh , Chikkankod Arjun Vinayak , Longo Luca
Published: August 2023

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is an incurable neurological disorder that degenerates the cerebrospinal nervous system and hinders motor functions. Electroencephalography (EEG) signal analysis can provide reliable information regarding PD conditions. However, EEG is a complex, multi-channel, and non-linear signal with noise that problematizes identifying PD symptoms. A few studies have employed Fractal Dimension (FD) to extract distinguishing PD features from EEG signals. However, no exploratory study exists, as per our knowledge, on the efficiency of the different FD measures. We aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the various FDs that, as feature extraction measures, can discriminate PD patients who are ON and OFF medication from healthy controls using ML architecture. This study has implemented and analyzed several techniques for segmentation, feature extraction, and ML models. The results show that K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classifier with Higuchi FD and 90% overlap for segmented window delivers the highest accuracies, yielding a mean accuracy of 99.65% for PD patients ON medication and 99.45% for PD patients OFF medication, respectively. The model accurately identifies the signs of the disease in resting-state EEG with almost equivalent accuracy in both OFF and ON medication patients. To enhance the interpretability in our study, we leveraged XGB's feature importance to generate brain topographic plots. This integration of Explainable AI (XAI) enhanced the transparency and comprehensibility of our model's classifications. Additionally, a comparison between the performance of FD and a few Entropy measures has also been drawn to validate the significance of FD as a superior feature extraction measure. This study contributes to the body of knowledge with an architectural pipeline for detecting PD in resting-state EEG while emphasizing Fractal Dimension as an effective way of extracting salient features from EEG signals.
Methyl Bromide Alternatives for High Tunnel Strawberry Production in Southern Spain
Authors: López-Aranda José M. , Miranda Luis , Medina Juan J. , Soria Carmen , de los Santos Berta , Romero Fernando , Pérez-Jiménez Rosa M. , Talavera Miguel , Fennimore Steve A. , Santos Bielinski M.
Published: August 2023

Field trials were conducted in two locations in Spain to determine the effect of methyl bromide (MBr) alternatives on soilborne diseases and nematodes, and strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) yields under high-tunnel conditions. Fumigant treatments were applied to the same plots each year. Treatments were MBr + chloropicrin (Pic) (50:50, v/v) at a rate of 400 kg·ha−1; 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) + Pic (65:35, v/v) at 300 kg·ha−1; Pic at 300 kg·ha−1; dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) + Pic (50:50, v/v) at 500 kg·ha−1; propylene oxide at 550 kg·ha−1; dazomet at 400 kg·ha−1; and calcium cyanamide (Ca-cyanamide) at 700 kg·ha−1. A nontreated control was also included. Fumigation with MBr + Pic, 1,3-D + Pic, Pic, and DMDS + Pic consistently improved early and total marketable strawberry yields in both locations. This response was caused by successful soilborne fungus and nematode control, improving strawberry growth and development, which resulted in increased plant canopy diameters and higher strawberry early and total yield.
White-tailed Deer Browsing and Rubbing Preferences for Trees and Shrubs That Produce Nontimber Forest Products
Authors: Hygnstrom Scott E. , Skelton Peter D. , Josiah Scott J. , Gilsdorf Jason M. , Virchow Dallas R. , Brandle James A. , Jayaprakash Anil K. , Eskridge Kent M. , VerCauteren Kurt C.
Published: August 2023

Nontimber forest products (food, herbal medicinals, and woody floral and handicraft products) produced in forest, agroforestry, and horticultural systems can be important sources of income to landowners. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can reduce the quality, quantity, and profitability of forest products by browsing twigs and rubbing stems, resulting in direct and indirect losses to production enterprises. We evaluated deer damage (frequency and intensity of browsing and rubbing) sustained by 26 species of trees and shrubs, the relationships among morphological features of trees and shrubs to damage levels, and the economic impacts of deer damage on the production of nontimber forest products. Levels of browsing were high (frequency >93% and intensity >50%) in most species of trees and shrubs, with the highest intensity (>60%) occurring in chinese chestnut (Castanea mollisima) and dogwood (Cornus spp.), and the lowest (<20%) in ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), curly willow (Salix matsudana), ‘Scarlet Curls’ curly willow, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and pussy willow (Salix caprea). Species of trees or shrubs with one or a few stout stems unprotected by dense branching [e.g., american elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), smooth sumac, and curly willow] sustained the most damage by rubbing. Trees and shrubs with many small diameter stems or with dense tangled branching [e.g. redozier dogwood (Cornus sericea), forsythia (Forsythia suspensa), ‘Flame’ willow (Salix alba), and ‘Streamco’ basket willow (Salix purpurea)] were damaged the least by rubbing. Annual economic costs of deer damage to producers of nontimber forest products can range from $26/acre for pussy willow to $1595/acre for curly willow.
Managers of Latino Workers in the Iowa Horticulture Industry Want Educational Programs to Bridge Language and Cultural Barriers
Authors: Justen Emilie A.K. , Haynes Cynthia , VanDerZanden Ann Marie , Grudens-Schuck Nancy
Published: August 2023

Horticulture is the fastest-growing sector of the agricultural industry, and this is true particularly in Iowa where the number of private horticultural businesses has more than doubled since 1993. The industry is relying more on non-English–speaking employees, especially Spanish-speaking workers, for golf course maintenance, landscape installation, and nursery production. Determining and serving the educational and training needs of a workforce that is not fluent in English is historically difficult for university extension programs. This study assessed educational needs and technical issues of English-speaking managers of primarily Spanish-speaking workers in the horticultural industry in Iowa, with special attention to language and cultural issues. Four focus groups were conducted, with managers recruited in cooperation with state professional horticultural associations. Communication gaps and challenges interpreting cultural differences were cited as key difficulties experienced by managers of Latino workers. The study produced a list of ideas for educational initiatives that would improve lateral (two-way) communications and delivery of Iowa-specific horticultural education and job-site training between English-speaking managers and Latino employees.
High Tunnel Tree Fruit Production: The Final Frontier?
Authors: Lang Gregory A.
Published: August 2023

High tunnel production systems typically use horticultural crops that are annually or biennially herbaceous, high in value, short in stature, and quick to produce. At best, tree fruits may fit only one of these criteria–high value. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) may command high enough values in premium market niches to make high tunnel production strategies worth attempting. Furthermore, sweet cherry production can be a risky endeavor, even in optimal climates, due to the potentially devastating effects of preharvest rain that cause fruit cracking. Consequently, environmental modification by tunnels in regions like the Great Lakes provides a significant risk reduction. Additional potential benefits, such as protection from frosts, diseases, insects, wind scarring, etc., add further production value. Multi-bay high tunnels were constructed in 2005 at two Michigan State University experiment stations, over established and newly planted sweet cherry trees on dwarfing rootstocks, to study and optimize the effects of production environment modification on vegetative and reproductive growth, marketing season extension, and protection of cherries from diseases, insect pests, and/or physiological disorders. Results with tunnels thus far include premium fruit quality and high crop value; increased leaf size and terminal shoot growth; decreased radial trunk growth; decreased chemical pesticide inputs; decreased incidence of cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii) and bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae); increased incidence of powdery mildew (Podosphaera clandestina); inconclusive effects on brown rot (Monolinia fructicola); no or reduced infestation by plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) or cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cingulata); dramatically reduced japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) damage; and increased black cherry aphid (Myzus cerasi) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) populations.
Integrated Pest Management and Biological Control in High Tunnel Production
Authors: Pottorff Laura Pickett , Panter Karen L.
Published: August 2023

Crops grown in high tunnels are just as susceptible to pests and diseases as those grown under greenhouse and field conditions. Crops that lend themselves economically to this type of production system are edible and/or minor crops. Therefore, labeled pesticides for these crops are limited and sometimes nonexistent. However, there is a wide range of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies available to high tunnel producers. These strategies include biological control, which is often left out of traditional IPM programs when labeled pesticides are available. High tunnel production is very conducive to the inclusion of biological controls and allows for a truly IPM system. This article provides a selective overview of common arthropod pests and diseases encountered in high tunnels, as well as strategies that have potential for becoming best management practices in high tunnels with additional research.
Sowing Date, Transplanting Date, and Variety Effect on Transplanted Short-day Onion Production
Authors: Boyhan George E. , Torrance Reid L. , Cook Jeff , Riner Cliff , Hill C. Randell
Published: August 2023

Onions (Allium cepa) produced in southeastern Georgia's Vidalia-growing region are primarily grown from on-farm produced bareroot transplants, which are usually sown at the end of September. These transplants are pulled midwinter (November to January) and reset to their final spacing. This study was to evaluate sowing date, transplanting date, and variety effect on yield and quality of onions. Beginning in the first week of November, onions can be transplanted until the end of December with reasonable yield and quality. For example, in the 2003–04 season, total yield of onions transplanted on 22 Dec. 2003 did not differ from any onions transplanted on earlier dates in November or December. In the 2004–05 season, onions transplanted on 20 Dec. 2004, had lower total yield than onions transplanted in November, but were not different from onions transplanted on 4 Jan. 2005. The propensity of some varieties to form double bulbs can be reduced with later sowing and transplanting dates. Sowing the first week of October rather than the fourth week of September and transplanting in December rather than November can reduce double bulbs in some varieties.
In Vitro Suppression of Soilborne Plant Pathogens by Coir
Authors: Hyder Naveen , Sims James J. , Wegulo Stephen N.
Published: August 2023

Experiments conducted in vitro showed that coir [coconut (Cocos nucifera) mesocarp pith] suppressed growth of soilborne plant pathogens. Mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with an unsterilized coir suspension was strongly inhibited regardless of suspension concentration. Growth of P. capsici on PDA amended with a filter-sterilized coir suspension was uninhibited. Growth of Fusarium solani on water agar (WA) amended with unautoclaved coir was completely inhibited. Growth of F. solani on WA amended with autoclaved coir was uninhibited. Aspergillus terreus recovered from coir inhibited mycelial growth of various soilborne pathogens by up to 75%. The results from this study suggest that coir has the ability to suppress soilborne plant pathogens in vitro and this ability is largely due to microorganisms associated with the substrate.
Getting Started: Writing the Course Syllabus
Authors: Albrecht Mary Lewnes
Published: August 2023

You are assigned a new course to teach and you need to prepare the course syllabus. Regardless of the institution where you work, the syllabus speaks about you as a teacher and mentor. The syllabus also can set the tone for the semester and can get students excited or turned off to your course. Where do you start? Some universities and colleges will have strict guidelines; others provide none. Even when using common sense while preparing the syllabus, many items are overlooked. This feature article provides examples on the various components from the foundational, such as presenting basic course and instructor information, to the more difficult statements, such as appreciation of diversity and student conduct.
Video Evaluation of Table Olive Damage during Harvest with a Canopy Shaker
Authors: Castro-Garcia Sergio , Rosa Uriel A. , Gliever Christopher J. , Smith David , Burns Jacqueline K. , Krueger William H. , Ferguson Louise , Glozer Kitren
Published: August 2023

Table olives (Olea europaea) traditionally are hand harvested when green in color and before physiological maturity is attained. Hand harvesting accounts for the grower's main production costs. Several mechanical harvesting methods have been previously tested. However, tree configuration and fruit injury are major constraints to the adoption of mechanical harvesting. In prior work with a canopy shaker, promising results were attained after critical machine components were reconfigured. In this study, stereo video analysis based on two high-speed cameras operating during the harvesting process were used to identify the sources of fruit damage due to canopy-harvester interaction. Damage was subjectively evaluated after harvest. Fruit mechanically harvested had 35% more bruising and three times as many fruit with broken skin as that of hand-harvested fruit. The main source of fruit damaged in the canopy was the strike-impact of fruit by harvester rods. Implementation of softer padding materials were effective in mitigating fruit injury caused by the impact of rods and hard surfaces. Canopy acceleration was correlated with fruit damage, thus restricting improvements needed for fruit removal efficiency through increased tine frequency.
Seed Germination of Huagaimu, a Critically Endangered Plant Endemic to Southeastern Yunnan, China
Authors: Zheng Yan-Ling , Sun Wei-Bang
Published: August 2023

As a critically endangered tree in the Magnoliaceae family, huagaimu (Manglietiastrum sinicum) is represented by only 10 mature individuals in evergreen broadleaved montane forests of southeastern Yunnan Province, China. Our previous work revealed the existence of a seed dormancy period for this species. The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and moist chilling on breaking seed dormancy in this species. Germination of seeds pretreated for 24 h with gibberellic acid (GA3), α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-benzyladenine, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid indicated that only GA3, at concentrations of 300 and 500 mg·L−1, can significantly break the seed dormancy of huagaimu after 50 days of incubation, with about 66% germination under 500 mg·L−1 GA3. Moist chilling at 4 °C for 3 weeks can also effectively break the seed dormancy of the species, with 56% of seeds treated in this way germinating after 30 days of incubation. The combined treatments of PGRs followed by moist chilling were also conducted. Based on germination results after 30 days of incubation, the seed germination of combined treatments was significantly higher than that of PGR treatments. However, the seeds treated only with moist chilling presented the highest germination percentage among all the treatments.
Pecan Nutrient Element Status and Orchard Soil Fertility in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States
Authors: Wells M. Lenny
Published: August 2023

This survey addresses the current nutritional status of orchards typical of a large portion of the United States pecan (Carya illinoinensis) industry. A leaf nutrition and soil fertility survey was conducted for commercial orchards in a major production area of the U.S. pecan belt, which is located in southern Georgia. The study sampled pecan orchards from 18 July to 5 Aug. 2005 and 17 July to 3 Aug. 2008. All orchards had a history of commercial level orchard management, and represented a wide range of orchards typical of the region. Results indicate that southeastern U.S. pecan producers should focus their nutrient inputs on nitrogen (N), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and copper (Cu) as needed. The survey results show that leaf N can vary widely by season and among orchard locations. Evidence indicates that many growers could likely forego the soil application of phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) until leaf or soil analysis indicates a need. Orchard soil organic matter (SOM) in 2008 averaged 3.63%, and ranged from 1.74% on coarse-textured sandy soils to 5% on sandy loam soils. Both SOM and soil nitrate-N were higher in orchards using clover (Trifolium spp.) as a cool-season orchard groundcover than those using a grass sod only. The mean carbon:S ratio of Georgia pecan orchard soils was 504:1, which may further reduce tree uptake of S from low-S soils.
Tolerance of Selected Bedding Plants to Four Herbicides in Irrigation Water
Authors: Gettys Lyn A. , Haller William T.
Published: August 2023

‘Cocktail Whiskey’ begonia (Begonia semperflorens), ‘Sun Devil Extreme’ vinca (Catharanthus roseus), ‘Million Gold’ melampodium (Melampodium paludosum), and ‘Super Elfin’ impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) plants were irrigated with water treated with quinclorac, topramezone, imazamox, and penoxsulam to identify herbicide concentrations that cause phytotoxic effects. Plants were irrigated four times over a 10-day period with the equivalent of 0.5 inch of treated water during each irrigation and were then irrigated with tap water until they were harvested 28 days after the first herbicide treatment. Visual quality and dry weight data revealed that melampodium was the most sensitive of the bedding plants to quinclorac, imazamox, and penoxsulam, whereas vinca was the most sensitive species to topramezone. Noticeable reductions in visual quality and dry weight of melampodium were evident after exposure to 240, 580, and 10 ppb of quinclorac, imazamox, and penoxsulam, respectively, while dry weight of vinca was reduced after exposure to 110 ppb of topramezone. Current irrigation restrictions on imazamox, penoxsulam, and topramezone are adequate to minimize damage to these bedding plants if herbicide-treated waters are used for four irrigation events. However, irrigation restrictions should be established for quinclorac to prevent damage to sensitive bedding plants such as melampodium.
Improving the Evaluation of Public Garden Educational Programs
Authors: Steil Aaron , Lyons Robert E.
Published: August 2023

Professional staff at public gardens often overlook educational program evaluation for a variety of reasons, but it remains important for program funding and development. This study developed an original, six-step evaluation approach specific to educational programs at public gardens. Interviews subsequently were conducted with 11 executive directors and/or directors of education at 10 public gardens in the United States with proven, high-quality educational programs. Interviews examined the feasibility, practicality, perceived effectiveness, and merits of the original evaluation approach developed in this study. Interview data added clarification to what is known about the current state of educational program evaluation at public gardens and supported and further improved the original evaluation approach to create an improved version.
ELITES ET HISTOIRE: LE MOUVEMENT PAN-EWE ET LADMINISTRATION COLONIALE FRANCAISE AU TOGO
Authors:   Universite de Kara, LaboratoiredEtudes et de RecherchesSur les Pratiques EndogenesPour le Developpement Durable en Afrique (LERPEDDA)., Miesso Abalo , Missiagbeto Adikou ,   Universite de Kara, LaboratoireHistoire et de Developpement de l4afrique (HisDAF).
Published: August 2023

This article aims to analyze the stakes of the pan-Ewe movement in the struggle for liberation which, initiated by the Togolese intellectual elites at the end of the First World War, reached its full extent after the Second World War. These elites, considered as pioneers in the history of the country in this period of political, economic and social crises, have been able to play the role that was theirs, accompanied by the brave ladies of Lome and its surroundings. The essence of the pan-Ewe movement comes down to the determination of traditional or modern elites to create a concept of history in connection with the protest movements whose goal is the reunification of the two Togolese. For this research, it is not a question of abstractly extracting from the pan-Ewe movement the theoretical inconsistencies that led to the mixed results in the struggle for liberation, but of analyzing the spiritual principle of this movement in order to avoid the reach of false subjective opinions which constitute an obstacle for the said movement. Because if the pan-Ewe movement did not succeed in bringing together the two Togos (British and French), with its extension known as pan-Togolese, it knew how to play its role in having led French Togo to its sovereignty. international.
HYDROGEOLOGICAL VARIATIONS IN SAHYADRI GROUP AND SATPURA GROUP OF DECCAN TRAPS: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF REPRESENTATIVE WATERSHEDS FROM THE NANDURBAR DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
Authors:   School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon - 425 001, India., Rokade V.M.
Published: August 2023

Water is an elixir of the life and groundwater is the main source of drinking, irrigation, and industrial water uses. Occurrence and movement of the groundwater is mainly depending on the hydrogeological characteristics of the rocks. About 80% of the Maharashtra state is occupied by Deccan basalt exhibiting diversity in the groundwater development. In present study, an attempt has been made to do comparative study of Gomai watershed and Amaravati watershed for analyzing the hydrogeological behavior of basalts of Sahyadri Group and Satpura Group of Deccan Traps.