bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on Calcination of Portland Cement Clinker Using Different Contents of Stainless Steel Slag
Authors: Ju Jiantao , Cao Haibo , Guo Wenke , Luo Ning , Zhang Qiming , Wang Yonggang
Published: May 2024

In order to increase the utilization rate of stainless steel slag, reduce storage needs, and mitigate environmental impacts, this study replaces a portion of limestone with varying amounts of stainless steel slag in the calcination of Portland cement clinker. The study primarily examines the influence of stainless steel slag on the phase composition, microstructure, compressive strength, and free calcium oxide (ƒ-CaO) content of Portland cement clinker. The results show the following: (1) Using stainless steel slag to calcine Portland cement clinker can lower the calcination temperature, reducing industrial production costs and energy consumption. (2) With an increase in the amount of stainless steel slag, the dicalcium silicate (C2S) and tricalcium silicate (C3S) phases in Portland cement clinker initially increase and then decrease; the C3S crystals gradually transform into continuous hexagonal plate-shaped distributions, while the tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF) crystal structures become denser. When the stainless steel slag content is 15%, the dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate phases are at their peak; the C3S crystals are continuously distributed with a relatively dense structure, and C3A and C4AF crystals melt and sinter together, becoming distributed around C3S. (3) As stainless steel slag content increases, the compressive strength of Portland cement clinker at 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days increases and then decreases, while ƒ-CaO content decreases and then increases. When the stainless steel slag content is 15%, the compressive strength at 28 days is at its highest, 64.4 MPa, with the lowest ƒ-CaO content, 0.78%. The test results provide a basis for the utilization of stainless steel slag in the calcination of Portland cement clinker.
Surface Bubbles Emergence as an Indicator for Optimal Concrete Compaction
Authors: Ahmed Hassan , Punkki Jouni
Published: May 2024

Compaction quality significantly influences the strength and durability of concrete in structures. Under-compacting can retain entrapped air, reducing strength, while over-compacting can lead to segregation, creating local variances in strength distribution and modulus of elasticity in the concrete structure. This study examines the widely adopted concept that compaction is optimal when bubbles cease to emerge on the concrete surface. We recorded the surface activity of six comparable concrete specimens during the compaction process using a 4K video camera. Four specimens were compacted using a table vibrator and two with a poker vibrator. From the video frames, we isolated the bubbles for analysis, employing digital image processing techniques to distinguish newly risen bubbles per frame. It was found that the bubbles continuously rose to the surface in all specimens throughout the compaction process, suggesting a need for extended compaction, with some specimens showing a slow in the rate of the bubbles’ emergence. However, upon examining the segregation levels, it was discovered that all the specimens were segregated, some severely, despite the continued bubble emergence. These findings undermine the reliability of using bubble emergence as a principle to stop compaction and support the need for developing online measurement tools for evaluating compaction quality.
A Multi-Objective Pigeon-Inspired Optimization Algorithm for Community Detection in Complex Networks
Authors: Yu Lin , Guo Xiaodan , Zhou Dongdong , Zhang Jie
Published: May 2024

Community structure is a very interesting attribute and feature in complex networks, which has attracted scholars’ attention and research on community detection. Many single-objective optimization algorithms have been migrated and modified to serve community detection problems. Due to the limitation of resolution, the final algorithm implementation effect is not ideal. In this paper, a multi-objective community detection method based on a pigeon-inspired optimization algorithm, MOPIO-Net, is proposed. Firstly, the PIO algorithm is discretized in terms of the solution space representation, position, and velocity-updating strategies to adapt to discrete community detection scenarios. Secondly, by minimizing the two objective functions of community score and community fitness at the same time, the community structure with a tight interior and sparse exterior is obtained. Finally, for the misclassification caused by boundary nodes, a mutation strategy is added to improve the accuracy of the final community recognition. Experiments on synthetic and real networks verify that the proposed algorithm is more accurate in community recognition compared to 11 benchmark algorithms, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the Structure of SO(3): Trace and Canonical Decompositions
Authors: Krupka Demeter , Brajerčík Ján
Published: May 2024

This paper is devoted to some selected topics of the theory of special orthogonal group SO(3). First, we discuss the trace of orthogonal matrices and its relation to the characteristic polynomial; on this basis, the partition of SO(3) formed by conjugation classes is described by trace mapping. Second, we show that every special orthogonal matrix can be expressed as the product of three elementary special orthogonal matrices. Explicit formulas for the decomposition as needed for applications in differential geometry and physics as symmetry transformations are given.
An Examination of Mental Stress in College Students: Utilizing Intelligent Perception Data and the Mental Stress Scale
Authors: Liao Zhixuan , Fan Xiaomao , Ma Wenjun , Shen Yingshan
Published: May 2024

In order to solve the problems of traditional mental stress detection in college students that are time-consuming, random, and subjective, this paper proposes an intelligent perception-driven mental stress assessment method for college students. First, we analyze the factors in SRQ and SCL-90, which can be measured by intelligent sensing methods, including sleep, exercise, social interaction, and environment, and then perform feature extraction. Secondly, we use machine learning methods to build a mental stress assessment model. The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) model is used to explain the training results. Experimental results show that the model proposed in this article can effectively assess the mental stress state of college students. This means that the collection of intelligent perception data based on the mental stress scale can effectively evaluate the mental stress state of college students and provide a new research idea for further developing a non-intrusive and real-time mental stress assessment for college students.
AARF: Autonomous Attack Response Framework for Honeypots to Enhance Interaction Based on Multi-Agent Dynamic Game
Authors: Wang Le , Deng Jianyu , Tan Haonan , Xu Yinghui , Zhu Junyi , Zhang Zhiqiang , Li Zhaohua , Zhan Rufeng , Gu Zhaoquan
Published: May 2024

Highly interactive honeypots can form reliable connections by responding to attackers to delay and capture intranet attacks. However, current research focuses on modeling the attacker as part of the environment and defining single-step attack actions by simulation to study the interaction of honeypots. It ignores the iterative nature of the attack and defense game, which is inconsistent with the correlative and sequential nature of actions in real attacks. These limitations lead to insufficient interaction of the honeypot response strategies generated by the study, making it difficult to support effective and continuous games with attack behaviors. In this paper, we propose an autonomous attack response framework (named AARF) to enhance interaction based on multi-agent dynamic games. AARF consists of three parts: a virtual honeynet environment, attack agents, and defense agents. Attack agents are modeled to generate multi-step attack chains based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) combined with the generic threat framework ATT&CK (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge). The defense agents iteratively interact with the attack behavior chain based on reinforcement learning (RL) to learn to generate honeypot optimal response strategies. Aiming at the sample utilization inefficiency problem of random uniform sampling widely used in RL, we propose the dynamic value label sampling (DVLS) method in the dynamic environment. DVLS can effectively improve the sample utilization during the experience replay phase and thus improve the learning efficiency of honeypot agents under the RL framework. We further couple it with a classic DQN to replace the traditional random uniform sampling method. Based on AARF, we instantiate different functional honeypot models for deception in intranet scenarios. In the simulation environment, honeypots collaboratively respond to multi-step intranet attack chains to defend against these attacks, which demonstrates the effectiveness of AARF. The average cumulative reward of the DQN with DVLS is beyond eight percent, and the convergence speed is improved by five percent compared to a classic DQN.
Election Optimizer Algorithm: A New Meta-Heuristic Optimization Algorithm for Solving Industrial Engineering Design Problems
Authors: Zhou Shun , Shi Yuan , Wang Dijing , Xu Xianze , Xu Manman , Deng Yan
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces the election optimization algorithm (EOA), a meta-heuristic approach for engineering optimization problems. Inspired by the democratic electoral system, focusing on the presidential election, EOA emulates the complete election process to optimize solutions. By simulating the presidential election, EOA introduces a novel position-tracking strategy that expands the scope of effectively solvable problems, surpassing conventional human-based algorithms, specifically, the political optimizer. EOA incorporates explicit behaviors observed during elections, including the party nomination and presidential election. During the party nomination, the search space is broadened to avoid local optima by integrating diverse strategies and suggestions from within the party. In the presidential election, adequate population diversity is maintained in later stages through further campaigning between elite candidates elected within the party. To establish a benchmark for comparison, EOA is rigorously assessed against several renowned and widely recognized algorithms in the field of optimization. EOA demonstrates superior performance in terms of average values and standard deviations across the twenty-three standard test functions and CEC2019. Through rigorous statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a significance level of 0.05, experimental results indicate that EOA consistently delivers high-quality solutions compared to the other benchmark algorithms. Moreover, the practical applicability of EOA is assessed by solving six complex engineering design problems, demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Dynamic Scheduling and Power Allocation with Random Arrival Rates in Dense User-Centric Scalable Cell-Free MIMO Networks
Authors: Shin Kyung-Ho , Kim Jin-Woo , Park Sang-Wook , Yu Ji-Hee , Choi Seong-Gyun , Kim Hyoung-Do , You Young-Hwan , Song Hyoung-Kyu
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we address scheduling methods for queue stabilization and appropriate power allocation techniques in downlink dense user-centric scalable cell-free multiple-input multiple-output (CF-MIMO) networks. Scheduling is performed by the central processing unit (CPU) scheduler using Lyapunov optimization for queue stabilization. In this process, the drift-plus-penalty is utilized, and the control parameter V serves as the weighting factor for the penalty term. The control parameter V is fixed to achieve queue stabilization. We introduce the dynamic V method, which adaptively selects the control parameter V considering the current queue backlog, arrival rate, and effective rate. The dynamic V method allows flexible scheduling based on traffic conditions, demonstrating its advantages over fixed V scheduling methods. In cases where UEs scheduled with dynamic V exceed the number of antennas at the access point (AP), the semi-orthogonal user selection (SUS) algorithm is employed to reschedule UEs with favorable channel conditions and orthogonality. Dynamic V shows the best queue stabilization performance across all traffic conditions. It shows a 10% degraded throughput performance compared to V = 10,000. Max-min fairness (MMF), sum SE maximization, and fractional power allocation (FPA) are widely considered power allocation methods. However, the power allocation method proposed in this paper, combining FPA and queue-based FPA, achieves up to 60% better queue stabilization performance compared to MMF. It is suitable for systems requiring low latency.
Towards the Optimization of a Photovoltaic/Membrane Distillation System for the Production of Pure Water
Authors: Fang Dufei , Amiruddin Damian M. , Kao Imin , Mahajan Devinder , Chen Xuming , Hsiao Benjamin S.
Published: May 2024

The production of pure water plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable green hydrogen production through electrolysis. The current industrial approach for generating pure water relies on energy-intensive techniques such as reverse osmosis. This study unveils a straightforward method to produce pure water, employing real-world units derived from previously simulated and developed laboratory devices. This demonstrated system is cost-effective and boasts low energy consumption, utilizing membrane distillation (MD) driven by the waste heat harnessed from photovoltaic (PV) panels. In a previous study, modeling simulations were conducted to optimize the multi-layered MD system, serving as a blueprint for the construction of prototype devices with a suitable selection of materials, enabling the construction of field-testable units. The most efficient PV-MD device, featuring evaporation and condensation zones constructed from steel sheets and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes, is capable of yielding high-purity water with conductivity levels below 145 μS with high flux rates.
Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles over CoAl Mixed Oxide for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Rochard Guillaume , Genty Eric , Giraudon Jean-Marc , Poupin Christophe , Lamonier Jean-François , Siffert Stéphane , La Parola Valeria , Liotta Leonarda Francesca , Cousin Renaud
Published: May 2024

Catalytic total oxidation is an effective technique for the treatment of industrial VOCs principally resulting from industrial processes using solvents and usually containing mono-aromatics (BTEX) and oxygenated compounds (acetone, ethanol, butanone). The aim of this work is to deposit gold nanoparticles on CoAl mixed oxide issued from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursor by using the deposition precipitation (DP) method, which is applied with two modifications, labeled method (A) and method (B), in order to enhance the interaction of the HAuCl4 precursor with the support. Method (A) involves the hydrolysis of the HAuCl4 precursor after addition of the support, while in method (B), the gold precursor is hydrolyzed before adding the support. The two methods were applied using as support the CoAl mixed oxide and the LDH precursor. Samples were characterized by several physical chemical techniques and evaluated for ethanol total oxidation. Method (B) allowed the ethanol oxidation activity to be enhanced for the resulting Au/CoAlOx catalysts thanks to the high surface concentration of Co2+ and improved reducibility at low temperature. The presence of gold permits to minimize the formation of by-products, notably, methanol, allowed for a total oxidation of ethanol at lower temperature than the corresponding support.
Nutritional Value of Meat and Meat Products and Their Role in Human Health
Authors: Stadnik Joanna
Published: May 2024

Meat and meat products are among the most nutrient-dense food sources in the human diet [...]
Prevalence of T-2 Toxin in the Food and Beverages of Residents Living in a Kashin–Beck-Disease Area of Qamdo, Tibet
Authors: Jiang Tong , Yan Junan , Tan Hongxing , Pu Zhu , Wang Ou , Liu Tao , Chen Zhaoyu , Gao Jiaxiang , Wang Jun , Lin Jianhao , Huo Junsheng , Huang Jian
Published: May 2024

It has been strongly suggested that selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin contamination have a strong relationship with the occurrence and development of Kashin–Beck disease (KBD). In order to provide information for understanding the high prevalence of KBD in Tibet, this study collected the responses to a cubital venous blood and dietary questionnaire of 125 subjects including 75 KBD patients and 50 healthy controls in a KBD-prevalent county (Luolong County) in Tibet, China. A total of 10 household local families were randomly selected in this area, and local diet samples of brick tea, Zanba powder, milk residue, and hulless Barley were collected from these residents. Selenium content in blood was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The T-2 toxin contamination level in food sample was assayed using an ELISA kit. The selenium levels of patients and controls were 42.0 ± 19.8 and 56.06 ± 22.4 μg/L, respectively. The serum selenium level in controls was higher than that in patients, but there was no significant difference, and the serum selenium level both in patients and controls in Tibet was lower than the normal range. The results of the dietary survey showed that the number of respondents who consumed butter tea was large; 46.67% of patients indicated that they drank buttered tea every day, which was significantly higher than in controls. The contents of T-2 toxin in Zanba powder, milk residue, hulless barley and drinking water samples were below the detection limit (0.05 μg/kg); this result was labeled Tr. Unexpectedly, the contents of T-2 toxin in brick tea were higher, with average levels of 424 ± 56 μg/kg in Detong village and 396 ± 24 μg/kg in Langcuo village. For the first time, we report the presence of an extremely high concentration of T-2 toxin in brick tea of Tibet.
Nutritional Outcomes of Bowel Lengthening Procedure in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Niseteo Tena , Šalamon Janečić Mia , Sila Sara , Torić Anuka , Serdar Laura , Višnjić Stjepan , Tolete Velcek Francisca , Mesić Marko , Hojsak Iva
Published: May 2024

Background: Although parenteral nutrition (PN) significantly improves mortality rates in pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS), long-term PN has many possible complications and impacts quality of life. Bowel lengthening procedures (BLPs) increase the contact surface of food and the intestinal mucosa and enable the better absorption of nutrients and liquids, possibly leading to a PN decrease. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with short bowel syndrome who underwent BLPs in the period from January 2016 to January 2022. Overall, eight patients, four male, five born prematurely, underwent BLPs. Results: There was a significant decrease in the percentage of total caloric intake provided via PN and PN volume after the BLPs. The more evident results were seen 6 months after the procedure and at the last follow-up, which was, on average, 31 months after the procedure. Two patients were weaned off PN after their BLPs. Patients remained well nourished during the follow-up. Conclusions: The BLP led to a significant decrease in PN needs and an increase in the food intake; however, significant changes happened more than 6 months after the procedure.
Bariatric Surgery: An Opportunity to Improve Quality of Life and Healthy Habits
Authors: Díaz-González Beatriz Vanessa , Bautista-Castaño Inmaculada , Hernández García Elisabeth , Cornejo Torre Judith , Hernández Hernández Juan Ramón , Serra-Majem Lluis
Published: May 2024

Bariatric surgery therapy (BST) is an effective treatment for obesity; however, little is known about its impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and related factors. This study aimed to evaluate changes in HRQoL and its relationship with weight loss, depression status, physical activity (PA), and nutritional habits after BST. Data were obtained before and 18 months postprocedure from 56 obese patients who underwent BST. We administered four questionnaires: Short Form-36 health survey for HRQoL, 14-item MedDiet adherence questionnaire, Rapid Assessment of PA (RAPA) questionnaire, and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with improvement in HRQoL. After the surgery, MedDiet adherence and HRQoL improved significantly, especially in the physical component. No changes in PA were found. Patients without previous depression have better mental quality of life, and patients who lost more than 25% of %TBWL have better results in physical and mental quality of life. In the multivariable analysis, we found that %TBWL and initial PCS (inversely) were related to the improvement in PCS and initial MCS (inversely) with the MCS change. In conclusion, BST is an effective intervention for obesity, resulting in significant weight loss and improvements in HRQoL and nutritional habits.
Identification and Characterization of the Glutathione S-Transferase Gene Family in Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and Their Potential Roles in Anthocyanin Intracellular Transportation
Authors: Wang Xuxiang , Dong Jiajia , Hu Yiting , Huang Qiaoyu , Lu Xiaoying , Huang Yilin , Sheng Mingyang , Cao Lijun , Xu Buhuai , Li Yongqiang , Zong Yu , Guo Weidong
Published: May 2024

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs, EC 2.5.1.18) constitute a versatile enzyme family with pivotal roles in plant stress responses and detoxification processes. Recent discoveries attributed the additional function of facilitating anthocyanin intracellular transportation in plants to GSTs. Our study identified 178 VcGST genes from 12 distinct subfamilies in the blueberry genome. An uneven distribution was observed among these genes across blueberry’s chromosomes. Members within the same subfamily displayed homogeneity in gene structure and conserved protein motifs, whereas marked divergence was noted among subfamilies. Functional annotations revealed that VcGSTs were significantly enriched in several gene ontology and KEGG pathway categories. Promoter regions of VcGST genes predominantly contain light-responsive, MYB-binding, and stress-responsive elements. The majority of VcGST genes are subject to purifying selection, with whole-genome duplication or segmental duplication serving as key processes that drive the expansion of the VcGST gene family. Notably, during the ripening of the blueberry fruit, 100 VcGST genes were highly expressed, and the expression patterns of 24 of these genes demonstrated a strong correlation with the dynamic content of fruit anthocyanins. Further analysis identified VcGSTF8, VcGSTF20, and VcGSTF22 as prime candidates of VcGST genes involved in the anthocyanin intracellular transport. This study provides a reference for the exploration of anthocyanin intracellular transport mechanisms and paves the way for investigating the spectrum of GST functions in blueberries.
Improving Crop Yield through Increasing Carbon Gain and Reducing Carbon Loss
Authors: Karthick Palanivelu Vikram , Senthil Alagarswamy , Djanaguiraman Maduraimuthu , Anitha Kuppusamy , Kuttimani Ramalingam , Boominathan Parasuraman , Karthikeyan Ramasamy , Raveendran Muthurajan
Published: May 2024

Photosynthesis is a process where solar energy is utilized to convert atmospheric CO2 into carbohydrates, which forms the basis for plant productivity. The increasing demand for food has created a global urge to enhance yield. Earlier, the plant breeding program was targeting the yield and yield-associated traits to enhance the crop yield. However, the yield cannot be further improved without improving the leaf photosynthetic rate. Hence, in this review, various strategies to enhance leaf photosynthesis were presented. The most promising strategies were the optimization of Rubisco carboxylation efficiency, the introduction of a CO2 concentrating mechanism in C3 plants, and the manipulation of photorespiratory bypasses in C3 plants, which are discussed in detail. Improving Rubisco’s carboxylation efficiency is possible by engineering targets such as Rubisco subunits, chaperones, and Rubisco activase enzyme activity. Carbon-concentrating mechanisms can be introduced in C3 plants by the adoption of pyrenoid and carboxysomes, which can increase the CO2 concentration around the Rubisco enzyme. Photorespiration is the process by which the fixed carbon is lost through an oxidative process. Different approaches to reduce carbon and nitrogen loss were discussed. Overall, the potential approaches to improve the photosynthetic process and the way forward were discussed in detail.
Linking Seed Traits and Germination Responses in Caribbean Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest Species
Authors: Londoño-Lemos Viviana , Torres-Gonzáles Alba Marina , Madriñán Santiago
Published: May 2024

Understanding the relationships between seed traits and germination responses is crucial for assessing natural regeneration, particularly in threatened ecosystems like the seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF). This study explored links between seed traits (mass, volume, moisture content, and dispersal type), germination responses (germinability, germination speed (v¯), time to 50% of germination (T50), synchrony, and photoblastism), and physical dormancy (PY) in 65 SDTF species under experimental laboratory conditions. We found that species with smaller seeds (low mass and volume) had higher v¯ and reached T50 faster than species with larger seeds. For moisture content, species with lower moisture content had higher germinability and reached the T50 faster than seeds with high moisture content. Abiotic dispersed species germinated faster and reached the T50 in fewer days. Most of the SDTF species (60%) did not present PY, and the presence of PY was associated with seeds with lower moisture content. As for photoblastism (germination sensitivity to light), we classified the species into three ecological categories: generalists (42 species, non-photoblastic), heliophytes (18 species, positive photoblastic, germination inhibited by darkness), and sciadophytes (5 species, negative photoblastic, light inhibited germination). This study intends to be a baseline for the study of seed ecophysiology in the SDTF.
Factors Influencing Seed Dormancy and Germination and Advances in Seed Priming Technology
Authors: Fu Yanfeng , Ma Li , Li Juncai , Hou Danping , Zeng Bo , Zhang Like , Liu Chunqing , Bi Qingyu , Tan Jinsong , Yu Xinqiao , Bi Junguo , Luo Lijun
Published: May 2024

Seed dormancy and germination play pivotal roles in the agronomic traits of plants, and the degree of dormancy intuitively affects the yield and quality of crops in agricultural production. Seed priming is a pre-sowing seed treatment that enhances and accelerates germination, leading to improved seedling establishment. Seed priming technologies, which are designed to partially activate germination, while preventing full seed germination, have exerted a profound impact on agricultural production. Conventional seed priming relies on external priming agents, which often yield unstable results. What works for one variety might not be effective for another. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the internal factors within the metabolic pathways that influence seed physiology and germination. This review unveils the underlying mechanisms of seed metabolism and germination, the factors affecting seed dormancy and germination, as well as the current seed priming technologies that can result in stable and better germination.
Widening Genetic Diversity Using Embryo Rescue in Cucurbit Crops: A Review
Authors: Reddy Chinreddy Subramanyam , Ramireddy Sahithi , Reddy Umesh K.
Published: May 2024

Embryo rescue is a vital technique in cucurbit breeding and propagation, addressing challenges such as embryo abortion, poor seed viability, and incompatibility barriers. This method involves the excision of immature embryos from seeds followed by their in vitro culture on a nutrient medium, providing an environment conducive to their growth and development. In cucurbits, embryo rescue has been extensively utilized to overcome barriers to hybridization, enabling the production of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids with desired traits. Various factors, including genotype, developmental stage of embryos, and culture conditions, influence the success of embryo rescue in cucurbits. Optimal nutrient formulations, growth regulators, and culture techniques are critical for promoting embryo germination, shoot elongation, and subsequent plantlet establishment. Additionally, embryo rescue facilitates the recovery of valuable genetic material from wild and exotic cucurbit species, expanding genetic diversity and developing novel cultivars with improved traits such as disease resistance, yield, and quality. This review highlights the principles, applications, and advancements in embryo rescue technology in cucurbits, emphasizing its significance in cucurbit breeding programs and crop improvement efforts.
Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria
Authors: Bianco Carmen
Published: May 2024

Global food-production levels may soon be insufficient for feeding the population, and changing climatic conditions could further limit agri-food production [...]
Rational Combination of Selenium Application Rate and Planting Density to Improve Selenium Uptake, Agronomic Traits, and Yield of Dryland Maize
Authors: Gao Fei , Wang Le , Zhao Rong , Wang Yixiong , Ma Yankun , Yang Rulan , Zhang Qi , Wang Chuangyun
Published: May 2024

Exogenous selenium application could effectively improve the selenium absorption of crops affected by different climatic conditions due to changes in the planting environment and planting conditions. We planted maize at planting densities of 67,500 plants ha−1 (D1) and 75,000 plants ha−1 (D2). Five selenium fertilizer gradients of 0 mg m−2 (Se0), 7.5 mg m−2 (Se1), 15.0 mg m−2 (Se2), 22.5 mg m−2 (Se3), and 30.0 mg m−2 (Se4) were applied to investigate the response of the plants to selenium fertilizer application in terms of the gradient selenium absorption and substance accumulation. With the increase in the amount of selenium fertilizer applied, more of the selenium fertilizer will be absorbed and transported from the leaves to the grains, and the selenium content of the grains will gradually increase and exceed the selenium content of leaves. Under the D2 density in 2022, the selenium content of the grains under Se1, Se2, Se3, and Se4 treatments increased by 65.67%, 72.71%, and 250.53%, respectively, compared with that of Se0. A total of 260.55% of the plants showed a gradient of grain > leaf > cob > stalk from the Se2 treatment, and the overall selenium content of the plants increased first and then decreased. Under the D1 density, compared with the Se0, the dry matter mass of the Se1, Se2, Se3, and Se4 treatments significantly improved by 5.84%, 1.49%, and 14.26% in 2021, and significantly improved by 4.84%, 3.50%, and 2.85% in 2022. The 1000-grain weight under Se2, Se3, and Se4 treatments improved by 8.57%, 9.06%, and 15.56% compared to that under the Se0 treatment, and the yield per ha under the Se2, Se3, and Se4 treatments was 18.58%, 9.09%, and 21.42% higher than that under Se0 treatment, respectively. In addition, a reasonable combination of selenium application rate and density could improve the chlorophyll content and stem growth of dryland maize. This lays a foundation for the efficient application of selenium fertilizer and provides an important reference.
Field Examinations on the Application of Novel Biochar-Based Microbial Fertilizer on Degraded Soils and Growth Response of Flue-Cured Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhang Ke , Qi Zhiming , Shaghaleh Hiba , Gao Chao , Chang Tingting , Zhang Jie , Hamoud Yousef Alhaj
Published: May 2024

Southwestern China is receiving excessive chemical fertilizers to meet the challenges of continuous cropping. These practices are deteriorating the soil environment and affecting tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) yield and quality adversely. A novel microbially enriched biochar-based fertilizer was synthesized using effective microorganisms, tobacco stalk biochar and basal fertilizer. A field-scale study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of tobacco grown on degraded soil amended with our novel biochar-based microbial fertilizer (BF). Four treatments of BF (0%, 1.5%, 2.5% and 5%) were applied in the contaminated field to grow tobacco. The application of BF1.5, BF2.5 and BF5.0 increased the available water contents by 9.47%, 1.18% and 2.19% compared to that with BF0 respectively. Maximum growth of tobacco in terms of plant height and leaf area was recorded for BF1.5 compared to BF0. BF1.5, BF2.5 and BF5.0 increased SPAD by 13.18–40.53%, net photosynthetic rate by 5.44–60.42%, stomatal conductance by 8.33–44.44%, instantaneous water use efficiency by 55.41–93.24% and intrinsic water use efficiency by 0.09–24.11%, while they decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration and transpiration rate by 3.85–6.84% and 0.29–47.18% relative to BF0, respectively (p < 0.05). The maximum increase in tobacco yield was recorded with BF1.5 (23.81%) compared to that with BF0. The present study concludes that the application of BF1.5 improves and restores the degraded soil by improving the hydraulic conductivity and by increasing the tobacco yield.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Mechanical Scarification on the Germination and Seedling Stages of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. under Salt Stress
Authors: Nazih Abderrahmane , Baghour Mourad , Maatougui Abdesselam , Aboukhalid Kaoutar , Chiboub Basma , Bazile Didier
Published: May 2024

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a facultative halophyte renowned for its importance in enhancing food security, and it supports forage production across diverse climatic regions. The objective of this study is to examine the impacts of multiple pre-treatment methods on C. quinoa seed (Titicaca cultivar) germination parameters, identify the optimum pre-treatment to diminish the consequence of salinity, and promote the productivity of this crop, especially in marginal environments. For this purpose, a spectrum of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations spanning from 0 to 500 mM and gibberellic acid (GA3) concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 ppm were tested, and mechanical scarification (MS) was carried out. The effect of a combination of these pretreatment NaCl/GA3 and NaCl/MS on the germination parameters of C. quinoa seed was also investigated. The results showed that the total germination, vigor index, and germination index decreased progressively with an increase in salinity. Hence, salinity exhibited a notable influence on most germination parameters. Moreover, seeds scarified with 500 mM of NaCl negatively affected all measured parameters. In contrast, gibberellic acid applied at 200 ppm was effective on most of the parameters measured, particularly under 100 mM of NaCl. These findings indicate that immersing seeds in gibberellic acid could mitigate the adverse impacts of salinity.
Combined Effect of Biological and Organic Fertilizers on Agrobiochemical Traits of Corn (Zea mays L.) under Wastewater Irrigation
Authors: Shirzad Hossein , Siavash Moghaddam Sina , Rahimi Amir , Rezapour Salar , Xiao Jianbo , Popović-Djordjević Jelena
Published: May 2024

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an important annual grain that is cultivated as a food staple around the world. The current study examined the effect of wastewater and a combination of biological and organic fertilizers on the morphological and phytochemical traits of corn, using a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was biological and organic fertilizers at seven levels, including the control (no fertilization), bacterial biological fertilizers (NPK) along with iron and zinc Barvar biofertilizers, fungal biofertilizers made from Mycorrhiza and Trichoderma, biochar, a combination of bacterial and fungal biofertilizers, and a combination of bacterial and fungal biofertilizers with biochar. The second factor was irrigation at two levels (conventional irrigation and irrigation with wastewater). The traits studied included the morphological yield, phenols, flavonoids, polyphenols, glomalin, cadmium content in plant parts, and translocation factor (TF). The results disclosed that the best treatment in regard to the morphological traits was related to conventional water + biochar + mycorrhiza + Trichoderma + NPK. The highest phenol and flavonoid content were observed when biochar + mycorrhiza + Trichoderma + NPK treatments were used in both water treatments. Also, the wastewater + biochar + mycorrhiza + Trichoderma + NPK treatment demonstrated the highest total glomalin and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. The obtained results demonstrate that combined biological and organic fertilizer use on corn plants can effectively alleviate the deleterious effects of cadmium present in wastewater.
Does the Invasive Heracleum mantegazzianum Influence Other Species by Allelopathy?
Authors: Gruľová Daniela , Baranová Beata , Eliašová Adriana , Brun Christelle , Fejér Jozef , Kron Ivan , Campone Luca , Pagliari Stefania , Nastišin Ľuboš , Sedlák Vincent
Published: May 2024

Heracleum mantegazzianum is an invasive species in middle Europe. The mode of action of its invasiveness is still not known. Our study focuses on observation of potential allelopathic influence by the production and release of phytochemicals into its environment. Plant material was collected four times within one season (April, May, June, July 2019) at locality Lekárovce (eastern Slovakia) for comparison of differences in composition and potential allelopathy. Water extracts from collected samples were used for different biological assays. The total phenols and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically. The profile and content of phenolic components, including coumarins, were determined by two techniques of liquid chromatography along with in vitro evaluation of the free radical scavenging activity of extracts (DPPH, Hydroxyl, Superoxide, and FRAP). The changes in composition in extracts in different seasonal periods were evident as well as potential phytotoxic activity in some concentrations on specific model plants. The slight antioxidant activity was noted. The invasiveness of the current species could be supported by the excretion of its phytochemicals into its surroundings and by different modes of action influencing living organisms in its environment.
Wood Distillate Promotes the Tolerance of Lettuce in Extreme Salt Stress Conditions
Authors: Fedeli Riccardo , Celletti Silvia , Loppi Stefano
Published: May 2024

Soil salinization is an adverse phenomenon in agriculture that severely affects crop growth and yield. The use of natural products, such as wood distillate (WD, derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass), could be a sustainable approach to enhance the tolerance of plants cultivated in the saline soils. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of WD, a foliar sprayed at 0.2% (v/v), in lettuce plants subjected to grow under both moderate and high soil sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations (ranging from 0 to 300 mM). The changes in the physiological and biochemical responses of these plants to the varying salt stress conditions allowed the identification of a maximum tolerance threshold (100 mM NaCl), specific to lettuce. Beyond this threshold, levels related to plant defense antioxidant power (antiradical activity) were lowered, while those indicative of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage) were raised, causing significant losses in leaf fresh biomass. On the other hand, WD significantly improved plant growth, enabling plants to survive high salt conditions >200 mM NaCl. Collectively, these observations highlight that treatments with WD could be of paramount importance in coping with current environmental challenges to have better yields under soil conditions of high salt concentrations.
Sulfated Nutrition Modifies Nutrient Content and Photosynthetic Pigment Concentration in Cabbage under Salt Stress
Authors: Pacheco-Sangerman Fresia , Gómez-Merino Fernando Carlos , Peralta-Sánchez María Guadalupe , Trejo-Téllez Libia I.
Published: May 2024

Negative effects of salt stress may be counteracted by adequate management of sulfated nutrition. Herein, we applied 3.50, 4.25, and 5.00 mM SO42− in a nutrient solution to counteract salt stress induced by 75 and 150 mM NaCl in cabbage cv. Royal. The increase in NaCl concentration from 75 to 150 mM reduced the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the shoot. When increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42−, the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in shoots were enhanced, at both concentrations of NaCl. Increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na) concentrations with 75 mM NaCl. With 150 mM NaCl, the increase from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced the contents of Cu and Mn, but also those of Na. Chlorophylls a, b, and total decreased as the concentration of SO42− increased in plants treated with 150 mM NaCl. With 75 mM NaCl, carotenoid concentration had a positive relationship with SO42−. Hence, the 4.25 mM SO42− concentration increased the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the presence of 75 mM NaCl, while, with 150 mM NaCl, it improved the contents of macronutrients except K. The chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio remained close to 3 when the plants were treated with 5.00 mM SO42−, regardless of NaCl. Similarly, this level of SO42− increased the concentration of carotenoids, which translated into reductions in the total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios, indicating a protective effect of the photosynthetic apparatus. It is concluded that higher doses of sulfur favor the accumulation of nutrients and increase the concentration of carotenoids under salt stress.
Review of Crop Wild Relative Conservation and Use in West Asia and North Africa
Authors: Maxted Nigel , Magos Brehm Joana , Abulaila Khaled , Al-Zein Mohammad Souheil , Kehel Zakaria , Yazbek Mariana
Published: May 2024

Ensuring global food security in the face of climate change is critical to human survival. With a predicted human population of 9.6 billion in 2050 and the demand for food supplies expected to increase by 60% globally, but with a parallel potential reduction in crop production for wheat by 6.0%, rice by 3.2%, maize by 7.4%, and soybean by 3.1% by the end of the century, maintaining future food security will be a challenge. One potential solution is new climate-smart varieties created using the breadth of diversity inherent in crop wild relatives (CWRs). Yet CWRs are threatened, with 16–35% regarded as threatened and a significantly higher percentage suffering genetic erosion. Additionally, they are under-conserved, 95% requiring additional ex situ collections and less than 1% being actively conserved in situ; they also often grow naturally in disturbed habitats limiting standard conservation measures. The urgent requirement for active CWR conservation is widely recognized in the global policy context (Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Sustainable Development Goals, the FAO Second Global Plan of Action for PGRFA, and the FAO Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture) and breeders highlight that the lack of CWR diversity is unnecessarily limiting crop improvement. CWRs are not spread evenly across the globe; they are focused in hotspots and the hottest region for CWR diversity is in West Asia and North Africa (WANA). The region has about 40% of global priority taxa and the top 17 countries with maximum numbers of CWR taxa per unit area are all in WANA. Therefore, improved CWR active conservation in WANA is not only a regional but a critical global priority. To assist in the achievement of this goal, we will review the following topics for CWRs in the WANA region: (1) conservation status, (2) community-based conservation, (3) threat status, (4) diversity use, (5) CURE—CWR hub: (ICARDA Centre of Excellence), and (6) recommendations for research priorities. The implementation of the recommendations is likely to significantly improve CWRs in situ and ex situ conservation and will potentially at least double the availability of the full breadth of CWR diversity found in WANA to breeders, and so enhance regional and global food and nutritional security.
Exploring Disease Resistance in Pepper (Capsicum spp.) Germplasm Collection Using Fluidigm SNP Genotyping
Authors: Ro Nayoung , Lee Gi-An , Ko Ho-Cheol , Oh Hyeonseok , Lee Sukyeung , Haile Mesfin , Lee Jundae
Published: May 2024

This study utilized a diverse Capsicum accessions (5658) sourced from various species and geographical regions, deposited at the National Agrobiodiversity Center, Genebank. We employed 19 SNP markers through a Fluidigm genotyping system and screened these accessions against eight prevalent diseases of pepper. This study revealed accessions resistant to individual diseases as well as those exhibiting resistance to multiple diseases, including bacterial spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, phytophthora root rot, and potyvirus. The C. chacoense accessions were identified as resistant materials against bacterial spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and phytophthora root rot, underscoring the robust natural defense mechanisms inherent in the wild Capsicum species and its potential uses as sources of resistance for breeding. C. baccatum species also demonstrated to be a promising source of resistance to major pepper diseases. Generally, disease-resistant germplasm has been identified from various Capsicum species. Originating from diverse locations such as Argentina, Bolivia, and the United Kingdom, these accessions consistently demonstrated resistance, indicating the widespread prevalence of disease-resistant traits across varied environments. Additionally, we selected ten pepper accessions based on their resistance to multiple diseases, including CMV, Phytophthora root rot, potyviruses, and TSWV, sourced from diverse geographical regions like Hungary, Peru, the United States, and the Netherlands. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into disease resistance in Capsicum, crucial for fostering sustainable agricultural practices and advancing crop improvement through breeding strategies.