bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functions and mechanisms of lactylation in carcinogenesis and immunosuppression
Authors: Su Jing , Zheng Zhuangzhuang , Bian Chenbin , Chang Sitong , Bao Jindian , Yu Huiyuan , Xin Ying , Jiang Xin
Published: August 2023

As critical executors regulating many cellular operations, proteins determine whether living activities can be performed in an orderly and efficient manner. Precursor proteins are inert and must be modified posttranslationally to enable a wide range of protein types and functions. Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are well recognized as being directly associated with carcinogenesis and immune modulation and have emerged as important targets for cancer detection and treatment. Lactylation (Kla), a novel PTM associated with cellular metabolism found in a wide range of cells, interacts with both histone and nonhistone proteins. Unlike other epigenetic changes, Kla has been linked to poor tumor prognosis in all current studies. Histone Kla can affect gene expression in tumors and immunological cells, thereby promoting malignancy and immunosuppression. Nonhistone proteins can also regulate tumor progression and treatment resistance through Kla. In this review, we aimed to summarize the role of Kla in the onset and progression of cancers, metabolic reprogramming, immunosuppression, and intestinal flora regulation to identify new molecular targets for cancer therapy and provide a new direction for combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Corticosteroids in COVID-19: pros and cons
Authors: Bahsoun Aymen , Fakih Yeva , Zareef Rana , Bitar Fadi , Arabi Mariam
Published: August 2023

The wide and rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unanticipated burden on the global healthcare sector. This necessitated a swift response from the international community to reach a solution. Efforts were made in parallel to develop preventative and therapeutic modalities. Since then, drug repurposing has blossomed as a potentially rapid resolution and has included various agents with anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Corticosteroids, being potent anti-inflammatory agents, have been placed under extensive investigation. Various trials have recorded the beneficial outcome of corticosteroids in decreasing the mortality and morbidity of COVID-19. With the high pace of escalating events, the quality and study design of clinical trials are varied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of corticosteroids in COVID-19 disease. It inspects the molecular, pharmacologic, and clinical proof behind this theory.
Linking niche size and phylogenetic signals to predict future soil microbial relative abundances
Authors: Bissett Andrew , Mamet Steven D. , Lamb Eric G. , Siciliano Steven D.
Published: August 2023

Bacteria provide ecosystem services (e.g., biogeochemical cycling) that regulate climate, purify water, and produce food and other commodities, yet their distribution and likely responses to change or intervention are difficult to predict. Using bacterial 16S rRNA gene surveys of 1,381 soil samples from the Biomes of Australian Soil Environment (BASE) dataset, we were able to model relative abundances of soil bacterial taxonomic groups and describe bacterial niche space and optima. Hold out sample validated hypothetical causal networks (structural equation models; SEM) were able to predict the relative abundances of bacterial taxa from environmental data and elucidate soil bacterial niche space. By using explanatory SEM properties as indicators of microbial traits, we successfully predicted soil bacterial response, and in turn potential ecosystem service response, to near-term expected changes in the Australian climate. The methods developed enable prediction of continental-scale changes in bacterial relative abundances, and demonstrate their utility in predicting changes in bacterial function and thereby ecosystem services. These capabilities will be strengthened in the future with growing genome-level data.
Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction ameliorates allergic rhinitis and repairs the airway epithelial barrier by modulating the lung microbiota dysbiosis
Authors: Wei Xiaohan , Ding Mengze , Liang Xiao , Zhang Baoping , Tan Xiaomei , Zheng Zezhong
Published: August 2023

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder, that burdens general well-being. Although the lung is connected to the upper respiratory tract, which is rich in microorganisms, no studies have reported the relationship between lung microbiota and AR. Mahuang Fuzi Xixin decoction (MFXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is widely used to treat AR in the clinic but its underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that lung microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of AR, and MFXD can improve AR by regulating microbiota dysbiosis.

Methods

The ovalbumin-induced mouse AR model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of MFXD on AR. Then 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, untargeted metabolomics, and other molecular biology technology were used to clarify the effects of MFXD on lung microbes dysbiosis and AR progression. Further, the human nasal epithelial cell line (HNEpCs) was used to evaluate the protective effect of MFXD on epithelial barrier damage caused by specific pathogens.

Results

MFXD decreased plasma histamine and IgE levels, ameliorated pathological damage, and diminished the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) in lung and nasal tissues. MFXD altered AR-induced microbiota dysbiosis in the lungs and also plasma metabolites. Oral administration of MFXD altered microbiota dysbiosis in lung and AR-associated metabolic disorders. The dominant bacteria in the lungs of AR mice damaged the airway barrier, and MFXD reversed this change.

Conclusion

This study revealed the correlation between the lung microbiota and AR in the mice model. We confirmed that lung microbiota plays a vital role in AR and that MFXD reduced damage to the epithelial barrier of the lungs and nasal mucosa by regulating lung microbiota and plasma metabolism imbalances. Our research provides a reference for the effect of lung microbiota on AR and provides a new idea for the treatment of AR.
Growth stimulation of two legumes (Vicia faba and Pisum sativum) using phosphate-solubilizing bacteria inoculation
Authors: Janati Walid , Mikou Karima , El Ghadraoui Lahsen , Errachidi Faouzi
Published: August 2023

The application of chemical fertilizers for plant growth and protection is one of the reasons for the environment and ecosystem destruction, thus, sustainable agriculture is gaining popularity in research and among farming communities. Although most soils are high in total phosphorus (P), a large portion is unavailable to plants and regarded as a growth-limiting factor. P-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) exploitation is a newly developed bio-solution for enhancing rhizosphere P availability; however, the effect of these bacteria on soil quality and the different phases of plant growth remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the impact of five strains of PSB, isolated from legume rhizosphere, on the growth of two plants (Vicia faba and Pisum sativum) and certain soil properties. The efficient strains of PSB used are characterized by the P-solubilization, the ACC deaminase activity, the fixation of N, and the IAA, HCN, and siderophores production. The activity of these bacteria is tested in vitro and in vivo under controlled conditions on the growth of the two plants supplemented with the rock P (RP). According to our findings, all PSBs strains outperformed the control in terms of enhancing the growth of the tested legumes with a percentage ranging from 77.78 to 88.88%, respectively. The results showed that all treatments significantly improved plant parameters like nitrogen- (N) and P-content in the plants (67.50, 23.11%), respectively. Also, an increase in the fresh and dry weights of above- (41.17, 38.57%) and below-ground biomasses (56.6, 42.28%), respectively. Compared to the control, this leads to an increase of 72% in root length, 40.91% in plant dry weight, and 40.07% in fresh weight. Rhizospheric soil in PSBs treatments displayed high levels of N, P, and organic matter. All treatments were found to have significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase, basal soil respiration, and β-glucosidase activity than the control. It is concluded that multi-traits PSB can be an alternative for utilizing chemical fertilizers to enhance soil quality and plant growth. Despite the potency of PSBs, its use as a source for the development of sustainable agriculture implies focusing on crop species and adaptation, stress tolerance and climate resilience.
Protein kinase C epsilon activation regulates proliferation, migration, and epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition in rat Schwann cells
Authors: Mohamed Tasnim , Colciago Alessandra , Montagnani Marelli Marina , Moretti Roberta Manuela , Magnaghi Valerio
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Protein kinase type C-ε (PKCε) plays an important role in the sensitization of primary afferent nociceptors, promoting mechanical hyperalgesia. In accordance, we showed that PKCε is present in sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), participating in the control of pain onset and chronification. Recently, it was found that PKCε is also implicated in the control of cell proliferation, promoting mitogenesis and metastatic invasion in some types of cancer. However, its role in the main glial cell of the PNS, the Schwann cells (SCs), was still not investigated.

Methods

Rat primary SCs culture were treated with different pharmacologic approaches, including the PKCε agonist dicyclopropyl-linoleic acid (DCP-LA) 500 nM, the human recombinant brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) 1 nM and the TrkB receptor antagonist cyclotraxin B 10 nM. The proliferation (by cell count), the migration (by scratch test and Boyden assay) as well as some markers of SCs differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process (by qRT-PCR and western blot) were analyzed.

Results

Overall, we found that PKCε is constitutively expressed in SCs, where it is likely involved in the switch from the proliferative toward the differentiated state. Indeed, we demonstrated that PKCε activation regulates SCs proliferation, increases their migration, and the expression of some markers (e.g., glycoprotein P0 and the transcription factor Krox20) of SCs differentiation. Through an autocrine mechanism, BDNF activates TrkB receptor, and controls SCs proliferation via PKCε. Importantly, PKCε activation likely promoted a partial EMT process in SCs.

Discussion

PKCε mediates relevant actions in the neuronal and glial compartment of the PNS. In particular, we posit a novel function for PKCε in the transformation of SCs, assuming a role in the mechanisms controlling SCs' fate and plasticity.
ICTs and interventions in telerehabilitation and their effects on stroke recovery
Authors: Xing Yanghui , Xiao Jianxin , Zeng Buhui , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2023

Telerehabilitation (TR) is a new model to provide rehabilitation services to stroke survivors. It is a promising approach to deliver mainstream interventions for movement, cognitive, speech and language, and other disorders. TR has two major components: information and communication technologies (ICTs) and stroke interventions. ICTs provide a platform on which interventions are delivered and subsequently result in stroke recovery. In this mini-review, we went over features of ICTs that facilitate TR, as well as stroke interventions that can be delivered via TR platforms. Then, we reviewed the effects of TR on various stroke disorders. In most studies, TR is a feasible and effective solution in delivering interventions to patients. It is not inferior to usual care and in-clinic therapy with matching dose and intensity. With new technologies, TR may result in better outcomes than usual care for some disorders. One the other hand, TR also have many limitations that could lead to worse outcomes than traditional rehabilitation. In the end, we discussed major concerns and possible solutions related to TR, and also discussed potential directions for TR development.
Propagation behavior of orbital angular momentum in vector anomalous vortex beams under maritime atmospheric turbulence
Authors: Al-Ahsab Hassan T. , Cheng Qi , Cheng Mingjian , Guo Lixin , Cao Yuancong , Wang ShuaiLing
Published: August 2023

This study explores the propagation properties of orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by a vector anomalous vortex beam (VAVB) in maritime atmospheric turbulence, utilizing the Rytov approximation. A comparative analysis is conducted between the VAVB and Laguerre-Gaussian beam, revealing that the VAVB exhibits a higher detection probability under specific circumstances. This suggests that the VAVB is more suitable for scenarios where maximizing detection probability is critical. The detection probability of the signal OAM mode is affected by the characteristics of maritime atmospheric turbulence and propagation distance, but can be significantly improved by manipulating beam parameters such as wavelength, beam order, beam waist, and quantum number, while considering the characteristics of maritime atmospheric turbulence. Hence, the use of VAVB has the potential to facilitate reliable optical communication in challenging maritime environments.
Rampant chloroplast capture in Sarracenia revealed by plastome phylogeny
Authors: Baldwin Ethan , McNair Mason , Leebens-Mack Jim
Published: August 2023

Introgression can produce novel genetic variation in organisms that hybridize. Sympatric species pairs in the carnivorous plant genus Sarracenia L. frequently hybridize, and all known hybrids are fertile. Despite being a desirable system for studying the evolutionary consequences of hybridization, the extent to which introgression occurs in the genus is limited to a few species in only two field sites. Previous phylogenomic analysis of Sarracenia estimated a highly resolved species tree from 199 nuclear genes, but revealed a plastid genome that is highly discordant with the species tree. Such cytonuclear discordance could be caused by chloroplast introgression (i.e. chloroplast capture) or incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). To better understand the extent to which introgression is occurring in Sarracenia, the chloroplast capture and ILS hypotheses were formally evaluated. Plastomes were assembled de-novo from sequencing reads generated from 17 individuals in addition to reads obtained from the previous study. Assemblies of 14 whole plastomes were generated and annotated, and the remaining fragmented assemblies were scaffolded to these whole-plastome assemblies. Coding sequence from 79 homologous genes were aligned and concatenated for maximum-likelihood phylogeny estimation. The plastome tree is extremely discordant with the published species tree. Plastome trees were simulated under the coalescent and tree distance from the species tree was calculated to generate a null distribution of discordance that is expected under ILS alone. A t-test rejected the null hypothesis that ILS could cause the level of discordance seen in the plastome tree, suggesting that chloroplast capture must be invoked to explain the discordance. Due to the extreme level of discordance in the plastome tree, it is likely that chloroplast capture has been common in the evolutionary history of Sarracenia.
Emotional regulation strategies in daily life: the intensity of emotions and regulation choice
Authors: Kozubal Magdalena , Szuster Anna , Wielgopolan Adrianna
Published: August 2023

Objective

Emotion regulation is an adaptive ability affecting people’s physical and mental health, quality of life and functioning. In the present study we focused on the influence of the intensity of experienced emotions on emotion regulation strategies (ERS) that are applied in everyday life.

Methods

For 7 days the participants kept an online diary where every day they described the situation which had aroused their strongest negative emotions. Next, they identified the emotions, their intensity and the type of applied strategies (acceptance vs. reappraisal vs. rumination vs. distraction vs. suppression). The study involved 88 peopleN= 88, which gives 538 observations.

Results

The obtained results indicate that the intensity of emotions affects the choice of regulation strategies. When the intensity increases, people are more likely to choose the rumination strategy and less likely to choose the reappraisal strategy. However, the expected relationship between the intensity and the number of regulation strategies was not confirmed. In turn, it was gender (male) that turned out to be associated with a greater number of strategies used.

Conclusion

The concern of this research was to look at making regulatory decisions in personally relevant and complex everyday situations. Although the emotions experienced in response to a difficult situation were varied, the intensity of the emotional experience was an important factor determining the choice of a regulation strategy. It indicates that this emotional dimension is a basic and determining aspect in people’s regulatory capabilities. These results also indicate that perhaps men in a situation perceived as stressful and worthy of emotional involvement use more regulatory strategies than women. These findings may find an application in all kinds of psychological interventions (e.g., psychotherapy, anger management therapies).
Diet quality and nutrient density in pregnant women according to adherence to Mediterranean diet
Authors: Castro-Barquero Sara , Larroya Marta , Crispi Fátima , Estruch Ramon , Nakaki Ayako , Paules Cristina , Ruiz-León Ana María , Sacanella Emilio , Freitas Tania , Youssef Lina , Benitez Leticia , Casas Irene , Genero Mariona , Gomez Silvia , Casanovas-Garriga Francesc , Gratacós Eduard , Casas Rosa , Crovetto Francesca
Published: August 2023

Background and aims

The dietary pattern followed during pregnancy, specifically healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, is a key factor in the mother’s and the offspring’s health. Pregnant women dietary intake is not enough to cover the micronutrient requirements of pregnancy, and higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet may improve dietary quality and nutritional density. The aim of the present study was to describe the dietary nutrient intake and diet quality during pregnancy and to evaluate whether a high adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with a more adequate intake of micronutrients.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study with 1,356 pregnant women selected during the routine second trimester ultrasound scan (19–23 weeks’ gestation). Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using a validated 151-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and nutrient density was estimated dividing the absolute nutrient intake by total energy intake. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated with a 17-item Mediterranean diet adherence score. The criterion used for risk of inadequate nutrient intake has been set below two thirds (2/3) of the dietary reference intakes. The differences were assessed by multivariate linear regression models adjusted for confounders.

Results

A significant proportion of pregnant women had an inadequate intake of macro and micronutrient that was lower in those with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (≥12 points, n = 122, 19%), including calcium (the Mediterranean diet high adherence 2.5% vs. low adherence 26.7%, p < 0.001), magnesium (0% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.001), iron (24.5% vs. 74.1%, p < 0.001), and vitamin B9 (0% vs. 29.8%, p < 0.001), vitamin C (0% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.033), and vitamin D (61.5% vs. 92.8%, p < 0.001) intake. High adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with higher intake of protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins (B1, B9, C, D), calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphor, potassium, essential fatty acids, and α-linolenic acid, and with a lower intake of α-linoleic acid and trans fatty acids as compared to low adherence to Mediterranean diet.

Conclusion

High adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with higher diet quality and lower proportion of inadequate micro and macronutrient intake. The Mediterranean diet promotion, particularly among pregnant women, may be a useful and public health strategy to avoid overweight and nutrient deficiencies.
The research for various genotypes and phenotypes related to rare -90 (C>T) β-thalassemia mutation in Ganzhou city, Southern China
Authors: Zhang Hui-Juan , Hu Xiao-Mei , Liu De-Dong
Published: August 2023

Thalassemia is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders affecting the hemoglobin genes leading to decrease synthesis of globin chains of hemoglobin and resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis. It usually contains α- and β-thalassemia, most of common mutation types of which can be detected. However, it’s inclined to miss rare thalassemia mutation types. Here, we analyzed the molecular and hematological characteristics of seven cases with rare β-thalassemia -90 (C>T) (HBB: c.-140 C>T) mutation. Five of them carried β-90 (C>T) heterozygous mutation with a β+ thalassemia trait. One case was αSEA/β-90 genotype with decreasing MCV and MCH obviously, and the other was a β+/β0 intermediate thalassemia patient with β-90/βCD17 genotype, presenting with moderate anemia. A pedigree of one case was analyzed subsequently. It was found that the proband’s maternal grandfather and mother were carriers of α3.7/β-90 double heterozygous thalassemia, who presented that MCV and MCH were decreased normally or slightly, and HbA2 was increased. The proband and his aunt were β-90 (C>T) carriers. It’s necessary to point that the MCV and MCH were much higher in carrier of α3.7/β-90 genotype compared with either αSEA/β-90 genotype or β-90 heterozygous mutation. In this study, we explore the genotypes and phenotypes of four diverse β-90、αSEA/β-90、α3.7/β-90、β-90/βCD17 thalassemia mutations, which enriches the gene profile of β-thalassemia mutation in Chinese population.
The role of network structure in integrated water management: a case study of collaboration and influence for adopting nature-based solutions
Authors: Castro Cyndi Vail , Carney Clint , de Brito Mariana Madruga
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Integrated water management (IWM) involves a range of policies, actions, and organizational processes that go beyond traditional hydrology to consider multifaceted aspects of complex water resource systems. Due to its transdisciplinary nature, IWM comprises input from diverse stakeholders, each with unique perceptions, values, and experiences. However, stakeholders from differing backgrounds may disagree on best practices and collective paths forward. As such, successful IWM must address key governance principles (e.g., information flow, collective decision-making, and power relations) across social and institutional scales. Here, we sought to demonstrate how network structure impacts shared decision-making within IWM.

Methods

We explored a case study in Houston, Texas, USA, where decision-making stakeholders from various sectors and levels of governance engaged in a participatory modeling workshop to improve adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) through IWM. The stakeholders used fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to define an IWM model comprising multifaceted elements and their interrelationships, which influenced the adoption of NBS in Houston. We applied grounded theory and inductive reasoning to categorize tacit belief schemas regarding how stakeholders viewed themselves within the management system. We then used FCM-based modeling to explore how unique NBS policies would translate into more (or less) NBS adoption. Finally, we calculated specific network metrics (e.g., density, hierarchy, and centrality indices) to better understand the structure of human-water relations embedded within the IWM model. We compared the tacit assumptions about stakeholder roles in IWM against the quantitative degrees of influence and collectivism embedded within the stakeholder-defined model.

Results and discussion

Our findings revealed a mismatch between stakeholders' external belief statements about IWM and their internal assumptions through cognitive mapping and participatory modeling. The case study network was characterized by a limited degree of internal coordination (low density index), high democratic potential (low hierarchy index), and high-efficiency management opportunities (high centrality index), which transcended across socio-institutional scales. These findings contrasted with several of the belief schemas described by stakeholders during the group workshop. We describe how ongoing partnership with the stakeholders resulted in an opportunity for adaptive learning, where the NBS planning paradigm began to shift toward trans-scale collaboration aimed at high-leverage management opportunities. We emphasize how network analytics allowed us to better understand the extent to which key governance principles drove the behavior of the IWM model, which we leveraged to form deeper stakeholder partnerships by identifying hidden opportunities for governance transformation.
Photochemical origin of SiC2 in the circumstellar envelope of carbon-rich AGB stars revealed by ALMA
Authors: Feng Yanan , Li Xiaohu , Millar Tom J. , Szczerba Ryszard , Wang Ke , Quan Donghui , Qin Shengli , Fang Xuan , Tuo Juan , Miao Zhenzhen , Ma Rong , Xu Fengwei , Sun Jingfei , Jiang Biwei , Chang Qiang , Yang Jianchao , Hou Gao-Lei , Li Fangfang , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2023

The fact that whether SiC2 is a parent species, formed in the photosphere or as a by-product of high-temperature dust formation, or a daughter species, formed in chemistry driven by the photodestruction of the parent species in the outer envelope, has been debated for a long time. In this study, we analyze the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations of four SiC2 transitions in the circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) of three C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars (AI Vol, II Lup, and RAFGL 4211) and find that SiC2 exhibits an annular, shell-like distribution in these targets, suggesting that SiC2 can be a daughter species in the CSEs of carbon-rich AGB stars. The results may provide important references for future chemical models.
Influence of Variable-Geometry Adjustment on the Matching Characteristics of a Medium Variable Bypass Ratio Compression System
Authors: Luo Qiaodan , Zhao Shengfeng , Zhou Shiji , Xu Huafeng , Sheng Xiaoying
Published: August 2023

The research is based on a full 3D model of a medium variable bypass ratio compression system. The effects of core-driven fan stage (CDFS) VIGV adjustment and forward variable area bypass injector (FVABI) adjustment on the internal flow and component matching characteristics of the compression system during the mode transition process are investigated. The findings of the study reveal that during the mode transition period, the adjustment of variable-geometry components has a negligible impact on the aerodynamic performance of the fan. The closure of the CDFS VIGV has a significant effect on reducing the pressure ratio of the CDFS but only a minor effect on its efficiency. Additionally, the efficiency and pressure ratio of the high-pressure compressor (HPC) increase with the closure of the CDFS VIGV, particularly the second stage of the HPC. When the CDFS VIGV is closed by 30°, the efficiency of the second stage of the HPC increases by 3.4%, while that of the first stage only increases by 3.1%. Under the high bypass mode, increasing the FVABI opening will move the matching point of the CDFS towards the choke boundary. When the FVABI opening increases from 0.30 to 0.58, the efficiency of the CDFS decreases by 3.6%, while the efficiency of the HPC only increases by 0.4%. In summary, closing the CDFS VIGV and increasing the opening of the FVABI will increase the bypass ratio of the compression system, and the former has a more significant impact. When the compression system transitions from the low bypass mode to the high bypass mode, opening of the FVABI should be appropriately reduced to prevent CDFS matching in the operating condition too closely to the choke boundary, thereby maintaining the efficiency of each component of the compression system at a relatively high level.
Innovative Design of an Experimental Jasmine Flower Automated Picker System Using Vertical Gripper and YOLOv5
Authors: Amer Mariam A. , Rajan Pradeep , Mehanny Sherif , Artyszak Arkadiusz , Ahmed Mohamed A. A.
Published: August 2023

Background: Recently, there has been a growing demand for the mechanization of flower harvesting to enhance harvesting efficiency. Therefore, the purpose of the current research was to design a jasmine flower automated picker system (JFAPS). The picking system incorporates a gripper that moves along the third vertical axis using an Intel depth camera and the You Only Look Once (YOLO-V5) deep learning system to locate and detect the flowers. Results: For different design cross-sections, it was observed that the least safe factor of design safety was considered high enough to marginalize any mechanical failure potential. Furthermore, according to the prediction box, the flowers’ center point on the pixel plane was detected, while the real vertical position of the flowers was computed using a deep learning system. Consequently, the gripper moves down to pick the flowers and convey them to the storage system. In these conditions, the detection method’s average precision and recall of flowers were 100% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions: The JFAPS was balanced and efficient in detecting flowers. Therefore, future efforts will be directed at evaluating this system and confirming its efficacy in collecting flowers on an experimental farm.
QTL-seq Identifies Pokkali-Derived QTLs and Candidate Genes for Salt Tolerance at Seedling Stage in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Songtoasesakul Decha , Aesomnuk Wanchana , Pannak Sarinthip , Siangliw Jonaliza Lanceras , Siangliw Meechai , Toojinda Theerayut , Wanchana Samart , Arikit Siwaret
Published: August 2023

Rice is a staple food crop that plays a pivotal role in global food security, feeding more than half of the world’s population. Soil salinity is one of the most important global problems affecting rice productivity. Salt stress at the seedling stage inhibits root growth, impairs nutrient and water uptake, and affects overall plant vigor, resulting in poor establishment and reduced growth. Therefore, acquiring salt tolerance, especially at the seedling stage, is critical for successful rice production in salinity-affected areas. In this study, 160 RILs derived from a cross between Pokkali and KDML105 were evaluated for their salt tolerance at the seedling stage. QTL-seq analysis with this population identified nine QTLs associated with salt tolerance. Through a comprehensive examination of the effects of coding sequence variants of the 360 annotated genes within the QTLs and gene expression under salt stress, 47 candidate genes were prioritized. In particular, Os01g0200700 (metallothionein-like protein) and Os12g0625000 (O-acetylserine (thiol)lyase) were suggested as potential candidates based on annotated functions and expression data. The results provide valuable insights for improving rice productivity and resistance under salt stress conditions during the critical seedling stage.
Research on Digital Credit Behavior of Farmers’ Cooperatives—A Grounded Theory Analysis Based on the “6C” Family Model
Authors: Zheng Yangyang , Lou Jianhong , Mei Linfeng , Lin Yushuang
Published: August 2023

As the main demand side of rural financial services, farmers’ cooperatives are an important part of China’s rural finance. However, due to the lack of effective collateral, farmers’ cooperatives have problems such as difficulty in obtaining loans or expensive loans, which not only hinder the high-quality development of farmers’ cooperatives, but also limit the development of regional rural finance. Digital credit as a new financing model can effectively alleviate the problems of difficult and expensive loans and has received wide attention from the government and academia. Based on this, this paper analyzes the digital credit behavior of farmers’ cooperatives in detail by applying the “6C” family model to the grounded theory, and constructs a theoretical analysis model of farmers’ cooperatives’ digital credit behavior. The findings are as follows: The motivation for the digital credit of farmers’ cooperatives is that the credit procedures are simple, the loan period is short, and the loan interest rate is low; the condition is the farmers’ cooperative reputation advantage and government policy support,; the main form is the participation of cooperatives in short- and long-cycle digital credit; and the consequence is reflected in increasing the income of cooperative members, improving the availability of cooperative loans, promoting cooperative credit building, and achieving sustainable agricultural development. Different participation motivations have different effects on the form of credit. When motivated by simple credit procedures and short loan periods, farmers’ cooperatives choose “Huinong e-loan”; when motivated by simple procedures and low loan interest rates, farmers’ cooperatives choose “Funong Loan”. Different forms of credit will produce different performances. Farmers’ cooperatives choosing “Huinong e-loan” will produce economic performance; farmers’ cooperatives choosing “Funong Loan” will produce economic performance and social performance. In order to deal with the problem of digital credit of farmers’ cooperatives, the government needs to improve the relevant policies and regulations, reduce credit risks, and establish a sound credit system to provide credit guarantees for cooperatives and farmers. Financial institutions need to improve their financial services and innovate financial products and services to meet the multi-level credit needs of cooperatives.
Tourists’ Preferences for Traditional Food Products as Indicators of the Market Potential of Underutilised Species in Cambodia
Authors: Verner Vladimir , Kosova Monika , Chaloupkova Petra , Nguon Samnang , Van Damme Patrick , Kokoska Ladislav
Published: August 2023

Understanding tourists’ perceptions and appreciation of traditional food products (TFPs) is crucial for developing effective marketing and development strategies for poor economies with tourism potential, such as Cambodia. Lots of TFPs are derived from underutilised plant species, which are generally undervalued in economic terms. The aim of the study was to analyse tourists’ familiarity with both conventional (i.e., wider known and used) and underutilised Cambodian TFPs. A total of 1271 international tourists were interviewed in the country’s three most visited regions. A pairwise matrix was used to document tourists’ preferences, χ2 test to determine associations between respondents’ preferences and socio-demographic characteristics, a bivariate probit model to examine factors influencing these attitudes, and an ordered probit model to analyse factors influencing willingness-to-pay for TFPs. A total of 923 respondents (72.6%) were familiar with at least one TFP. Kampot pepper, palm sugar and Rumduol rice were the best-known conventional TFPs, while Maprang, Kramsang and Ma-om were the better-known underutilised TFPs. Willingness-to-buy a TFP increased with prior knowledge of and familiarity with TFPs, education, religion and available budget. Low awareness, a short stay in Cambodia and possible health problems associated with their use were the main barriers to trying a TFP. Greater awareness, better organised distribution, improved packaging and labelling will be needed to increase TFP success among tourists, especially of those defined as underutilised.
An Intelligent Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System for Remote Weather Monitoring in the Agricultural Field
Authors: Kanwal Tabassum , Rehman Saif Ur , Ali Tariq , Mahmood Khalid , Villar Santos Gracia , Lopez Luis Alonso Dzul , Ashraf Imran
Published: August 2023

Agriculture is a critical domain, where technology can have a significant impact on increasing yields, improving crop quality, and reducing environmental impact. The use of renewable energy sources such as solar power in agriculture has gained momentum in recent years due to the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of farming operations. In addition to providing a source of clean energy, solar tracking systems can also be used for remote weather monitoring in the agricultural field. The ability to collect real-time data on weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall can help farmers make informed decisions on irrigation, pest control, and other crop management practices. The main idea of this study is to present a system that can improve the efficiency of solar panels to provide constant power to the sensor in the agricultural field and transfer real-time data to the app. This research presents a mechanism to improve the arrangement of a photovoltaic (PV) array with solar power and to produce maximum energy. The proposed system changes its direction in two axes (azimuth and elevation) by detecting the difference between the position of the sun and the panel to track the sun using a light-dependent resistor. A testbed with a hardware experimental setup is designed to test the system’s capability to track according to the position of the sun effectively. In the end, real-time data are displayed using the Android app, and the weather data are transferred to the app using a GSM/WiFi module. This research improves the existing system, and results showed that the relative increase in power generation was up to 52%. Using intelligent artificial intelligence techniques with the QoS algorithm, the quality of service produced by the existing system is improved.
VGNet: A Lightweight Intelligent Learning Method for Corn Diseases Recognition
Authors: Fan Xiangpeng , Guan Zhibin
Published: August 2023

The automatic recognition of crop diseases based on visual perception algorithms is one of the important research directions in the current prevention and control of crop diseases. However, there are two issues to be addressed in corn disease identification: (1) A lack of multicategory corn disease image datasets that can be used for disease recognition model training. (2) The existing methods for identifying corn diseases have difficulty satisfying the dual requirements of disease recognition speed and accuracy in actual corn planting scenarios. Therefore, a corn diseases recognition system based on pretrained VGG16 is investigated and devised, termed as VGNet, which consists of batch normalization (BN), global average pooling (GAP) and L2 normalization. The performance of the proposed method is improved by using transfer learning for the task of corn disease classification. Experiment results show that the Adam optimizer is more suitable for crop disease recognition than the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm. When the learning rate is 0.001, the model performance reaches a highest accuracy of 98.3% and a lowest loss of 0.035. After data augmentation, the precision of nine corn diseases is between 98.1% and 100%, and the recall value ranges from 98.6% to 100%. What is more, the designed lightweight VGNet only occupies 79.5 MB of space, and the testing time for 230 images is 75.21 s, which demonstrates better transferability and accuracy in crop disease image recognition.
The Impacts of Elevated CO2 Levels on Environmental Risk of Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Soils: Applicable Remediation Approaches for Integrated Benefits
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Zhang Qian , Shan Nan , Guo Hongyan
Published: August 2023

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural fields is a serious health concern because of the high bioavailability and persistent toxicity of heavy metals. Much progress has recently been made with respect to elucidating the impacts of climate change (e.g., elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations) on the environmental behavior of heavy metal pollutants and the associated ecological and health risks. The microbiological responses to elevated CO2 levels are primarily mediated by the C balance in agricultural activities; however, the underlying mechanisms involved in plant–soil–microbe interactions under heavy metal stress are still unclear. Thus, in this study, the challenges and perspectives with regard to controlling heavy metal pollution and optimizing crop yields while reducing greenhouse emissions in agricultural ecosystems responsive to elevated CO2 levels are discussed. Considering the integrated benefits of intensive agriculture and food security under a future changing climate, the summarized findings provided in this study may help to develop applicable remediation approaches for sustainably managing heavy metal polluted soils.
Ventilation Operating Standard for Improving Internal Environment in Pig House Grafting Working Conditions Using CFD
Authors: Oh Byung-Wook , Seo Hyo-Jae , Seo Il-Hwan
Published: August 2023

Many farms utilize closed-type livestock systems to enhance productivity and facilitate effective environmental management. However, the confined nature of these closed spaces poses an increased risk of exposure to harmful gases and organic dust for both workers and livestock. Additionally, the introduction of outside air through ventilation systems can lead to temperature fluctuations within the breeding environment, resulting in potential productivity issues. This research paper employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to develop ventilation operation management plans that address both the working environment and the breeding environment simultaneously. The proposed plans are designed to be easily implemented in practical farm settings. The findings of this study, based on the simulation analysis, indicate that while ventilation is effective in reducing harmful gases and improving the working environment, its efficiency decreases after the initial 3 min of operation. Furthermore, uncontrolled ventilation can cause sudden temperature changes, which may adversely affect the well-being of the livestock. However, when upgraded ventilation structures are implemented, significant improvements in the working environment (an average of 27.3% improvement) can be achieved while maintaining temperature stability for the livestock. These results highlight the importance of referring to the provided ventilation operation management table before commencing work, as it enables workers to improve the working environment while minimizing the potential impact of ventilation on the breeding environment.
Validation and Calibration of Maize Seed–Soil Inter-Parameters Based on the Discrete Element Method
Authors: Zhou Long , Dong Qiu , Yu Jianqun , Wang Yang , Chen Yulong , Li Mingwei , Wang Wenjun , Yu Yajun , Yuan Jun
Published: August 2023

An appropriate contact mechanics model and parameters are key to achieving accurate results in discrete element analyzis. This is necessary to predict the process of contact collision between the soil and maize seed during deposition. In this paper, the contact process between maize seed and soil is analyzed using the maize seed variety (Liangyu 99) and maize-sowing field soil (with three different moisture contents) as research objects. Based on this, the contact process between maize seeds and soil has been analyzed, on the basis of which a mechanical model suitable for simulating the contact process between maize seeds and soil has been explored, and the selection of parameters between heterogeneous particles (maize seed and soil particles) has been investigated. The results showed that adhesion forces have a significant effect on the collision process between seed and soil particles. While the presence of tangential adhesion force can be replaced by increasing the static and rolling friction coefficients, the normal adhesion force cannot be compensated in this way. The Edinburgh Elasto-Plastic Adhesive (EEPA) model is selected in this paper to describe the contact between seed and soil particles. The significance of the input parameters in the EEPA model is investigated using the Plackett–Burman test. The parameters between soil and seed particles are optimized using the central composite design, and the optimal parameter combinations are obtained. The relative error between the simulation and test result of the slope test for the three soil moisture contents is within 5.4%, validating the accuracy of the calibrated parameters.
Interacting Effects of Nitrogen Addition and Mowing on Plant Diversity and Biomass of a Typical Grassland in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Yang Zhaoping , Minggagud Hugjiltu , Wang Qian , Pan Hongyuan
Published: August 2023

It is unclear how N addition and mowing interactively affect grassland community structure and function. We studied the short-term effects of N addition and mowing on the species diversity and biomass of a typical grassland in Inner Mongolia using a split-plot design, with the whole plot representing the mowing treatment and the subplot representing the N addition rate. Three stubble heights were set at 10 cm (M2), 6 cm (M3) and 3 cm (M4), and a no-mowing treatment (M1) was also included. N addition consisted of five rates, i.e., 0 (N1), 2 (N2), 5 (N3), 10 (N4) and 20 (N5) g N m2.yr−1. Mowing significantly increased species diversity. Mowing with a stubble height of 10 cm (M2) significantly increased both species biomass and community biomass. Heavy mowing (3 cm stubble height, M4) weakened the difference in C. squarrosa biomass caused by N addition. Species richness decreased, while community biomass and Leymus chinensis biomass increased significantly with increasing N addition rate. Mowing alleviated the negative effects of N addition on species richness, and this effect was influenced by stubble height. Community biomass and L. chinensis biomass tended to be stable when N addition was greater than 10 g N m2.yr−1. The N saturation threshold of C. squarrosa biomass was much lower than that of community biomass and L. chinensis biomass. Species richness was negatively correlated with the Gini coefficient and litter production, which indicated that light competition and litter accumulation were important factors affecting the decrease in species richness in our study.
Responses of Physiological Traits and Grain Yield to Short Heat Stress during Different Grain-Filling Stages in Summer Maize
Authors: Zhang Wanlu , Niu Shiduo , Yao Jiaxin , Zhang Yipeng , Li Xiao , Dong Huixin , Si Shuang , Li Hang , Li Xuelei , Ren Jianhong , Gao Zhen
Published: August 2023

Maize kernel growth is sensitive to heat stress, which is predicted to result in yield loss. However, the response of maize to short-term heat stress during different kernel-growth stages is still not clear. A 3-year field experiment, included two heat-stress treatments (LSH, lag-stage heat stress; FSH, effective-filling-stage heat stress), was conducted in 2019–2021. The results showed that LSH and FSH significantly reduced the grain yield by 8.7–14.9% and 11.6–17.6%, respectively, compared with the control (CK). LSH mainly reduced the kernel number per ear, and FSH mainly reduced the kernel weight. Heat stress reduced the SPAD and chlorophyll content during the effective-filling stage, but not in the lag stage. Photosynthesis was obviously reduced under heat stress during both stages; however, the photosynthesis rate during the lag stage was higher than during the effective-filling stage. The decreased amplitude of dry matter under LSH was higher than under FSH during the heating period. However, there was no difference between the CK and LSH samples in terms of dry-matter accumulation from the end of heat stress to harvest, which was significantly reduced under FSH. Additionally, decreased starch-synthesis-related enzyme activity, i.e., adenosine diphos-phoglucose pyrophosphprylase, contributed to the kernel number and kernel weight loss in LSH and FSH, respectively. The kernel-growth rate (per ear) was lowered, but the growth duration was not shortened in this study. Consequently, LSH mainly reduced the photosynthesis rate (Pn), resulting in kernel abortion and yield penalty. FSH mainly reduced the Pn and chlorophyll content, which reduced the kernel weight, and increased yield loss.