bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Res-FLNet: human-robot interaction and collaboration for multi-modal sensing robot autonomous driving tasks based on learning control algorithm
Authors: Wang Shulei
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Res-FLNet presents a cutting-edge solution for addressing autonomous driving tasks in the context of multimodal sensing robots while ensuring privacy protection through Federated Learning (FL). The rapid advancement of autonomous vehicles and robotics has escalated the need for efficient and safe navigation algorithms that also support Human-Robot Interaction and Collaboration. However, the integration of data from diverse sensors like cameras, LiDARs, and radars raises concerns about privacy and data security.

Methods

In this paper, we introduce Res-FLNet, which harnesses the power of ResNet-50 and LSTM models to achieve robust and privacy-preserving autonomous driving. The ResNet-50 model effectively extracts features from visual input, while LSTM captures sequential dependencies in the multimodal data, enabling more sophisticated learning control algorithms. To tackle privacy issues, we employ Federated Learning, enabling model training to be conducted locally on individual robots without sharing raw data. By aggregating model updates from different robots, the central server learns from collective knowledge while preserving data privacy. Res-FLNet can also facilitate Human-Robot Interaction and Collaboration as it allows robots to share knowledge while preserving privacy.

Results and discussion

Our experiments demonstrate the efficacy and privacy preservation of Res-FLNet across four widely-used autonomous driving datasets: KITTI, Waymo Open Dataset, ApolloScape, and BDD100K. Res-FLNet outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy, robustness, and privacy preservation. Moreover, it exhibits promising adaptability and generalization across various autonomous driving scenarios, showcasing its potential for multi-modal sensing robots in complex and dynamic environments.
Prediagnosis ultra-processed food consumption and prognosis of patients with colorectal, lung, prostate, or breast cancer: a large prospective multicenter study
Authors: Pu Jian-Yuan , Xu Wei , Zhu Qian , Sun Wei-Ping , Hu Jie-Jun , Cai Dong , Zhang Jun-Yong , Gong Jian-Ping , Xiong Bin , Zhong Guo-Chao
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

Whether ultra-processed food consumption is associated with cancer prognosis remains unknown. We aimed to test whether prediagnosis ultra-processed food consumption is positively associated with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in patients with colorectal, lung, prostate, or breast cancer.

Methods

This study included 1,100 colorectal cancer patients, 1750 lung cancer patients, 4,336 prostate cancer patients, and 2,443 breast cancer patients. Ultra-processed foods were assessed using the NOVA classification before the diagnosis of the first cancer. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.

Results

High ultra-processed food consumption before cancer diagnosis was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in lung (HRquartile 4 vs. 1: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.40; Ptrend = 0.021) and prostate (HRquartile 4 vs. 1: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.39; Ptrend = 0.017) cancer patients in a nonlinear dose–response manner (all Pnonlinearity < 0.05), whereas no significant results were found for other associations of interest. Subgroup analyses additionally revealed a significantly positive association with colorectal cancer-specific mortality among colorectal cancer patients in stages I and II but not among those in stages III and IV (Pinteraction = 0.006), and with prostate cancer-specific mortality among prostate cancer patients with body mass index <25 but not among those with body mass index ≥25 (Pinteraction = 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that reducing ultra-processed food consumption before cancer diagnosis may improve the overall survival of patients with lung or prostate cancer, and the cancer-specific survival of certain subgroups of patients with colorectal or prostate cancer.
Pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of EBV-associated epithelial cancers
Authors: Low Yi Hua , Loh Celestine Jia Ling , Peh Daniel Yang Yao , Chu Axel Jun Ming , Han Shuting , Toh Han Chong
Published: October 2023

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the most common human viruses, has been associated with both lymphoid and epithelial cancers. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), EBV associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) are amongst the few common epithelial cancers that EBV has been associated with. The pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC has been well described, however, the same cannot be said for primary pulmonary LELC (PPLELC) owing to the rarity of the cancer. In this review, we outline the pathogenesis of EBV-associated NPC and EBVaGCs and their recent advances. By drawing on similarities between NPC and PPLELC, we then also postulated the pathogenesis of PPLELC. A deeper understanding about the pathogenesis of EBV enables us to postulate the pathogenesis of other EBV associated cancers such as PPLELC.
Case Report: A recurrent case of ALK-ALCL after autologous transplantation was successfully treated with BV + a modified CHEP chemotherapy containing mitoxantrone hydrochloride liposome with the addition of chidamide maintenance therapy
Authors: Shang Zhen , Zhang Qi , Liu Wanying , Wu Jiaying , Zhang Yicheng , Xiao Yi
Published: October 2023

Background

ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK-ALCL) is a rare heterogeneous malignancy of T-cell origin.ALK- ALCL has a poor prognosis, with more patients experiencing relapses and refractory to treatment, and its treatment remains challenging. We report a case with bone involvement as the main clinical manifestation of recurrent, and the patient achieved significant partial remission after brentuximab vedotin(BV) combined with a modified CHEP chemotherapy containing mitoxantrone hydrochloride liposome (PLM60) with the addition of chidamide maintenance therapy and received regular follow-up, with a disease-free survival of 16 months to date. A literature review of the clinical presentation and treatment of ALCL was also conducted to identify strategies for its diagnosis and management.

Conclusions

ALK-ALCL with bone involvement as the main manifestation of recurrent is relatively rare. Here, BV combined a modified CHEP chemotherapy containing mitoxantrone hydrochloride liposome was applied for the first time in a patient with relapsed ALK-ALCL, inducing remission and extending survival. However, further prospective studies with many patients are needed to determine the biological characteristics of this rare type of ALK-ALCL and relevant treatment strategies.
The interplay of FLT3 and CXCR4 in acute myeloid leukemia: an ongoing debate
Authors: Klement Laura , Drube Julia
Published: October 2023

FLT3 mutations are very frequent in AML and utilization of FLT3 inhibitors as approved treatment options are very common. Despite the initial success of inhibitor treatment, the development of resistances against this treatment is a major challenge in AML therapy. One of the mechanisms causing resistance is the homing of the leukemic cells in the protective niche of the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM). A pathway mediating homing to the BMM and leukemic cell survival is the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. The analysis of patient samples in several independent studies indicated that FLT3-ITD expression led to higher CXCR4 surface expression. However, several in vitro studies reported contradictory findings, suggesting that FLT3-ITD signaling negatively influenced CXCR4 expression. In this commentary, we provide an overview summarizing the studies dealing with the relationship of FLT3 and CXCR4. Taken together, the current research status is not sufficient to answer the question whether FLT3 and CXCR4 act together or independently in leukemia progression. Systematic analyses in model cell systems are needed to understand the interplay between FLT3 and CXCR4, since this knowledge could lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies for AML patients.
Update on stomata development and action under abiotic stress
Authors: Matkowski Hubert , Daszkowska-Golec Agata
Published: October 2023

Stomata, key gatekeepers of plant hydration, have long been known to play a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of abiotic stressors. However, the complex molecular mechanisms underscoring this role remain unresolved fully and continue to be the subject of research. In the context of water-use efficiency (WUE), a key indicator of a plant’s ability to conserve water, this aspect links intrinsically with stomatal behavior. Given the pivotal role of stomata in modulating water loss, it can be argued that the complex mechanisms governing stomatal development and function will significantly influence a plant’s WUE under different abiotic stress conditions. Addressing these calls for a concerted effort to strengthen plant adaptability through advanced, targeted research. In this vein, recent studies have illuminated how specific stressors trigger alterations in gene expression, orchestrating changes in stomatal pattern, structure, and opening. This reveals a complex interplay between stress stimuli and regulatory sequences of essential genes implicated in stomatal development, such as MUTE, SPCH, and FAMA. This review synthesizes current discoveries on the molecular foundations of stomatal development and behavior in various stress conditions and their implications for WUE. It highlights the imperative for continued exploration, as understanding and leveraging these mechanisms guarantee enhanced plant resilience amid an ever-changing climatic landscape.
The osteopath-parent-child triad in osteopathic care in the first 2 years of life: a qualitative study
Authors: Accardi Caterina , Cerritelli Francesco , Bovo Lorenza , Esteves Jorge E.
Published: October 2023

Background

Enactivism and active inference are two important concepts in the field of osteopathy. While enactivism emphasizes the role of the body and the environment in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world, active inference emphasizes the role of action and perception in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world. Together, these frameworks provide a unique perspective on the practice of osteopathy, and how it can be used to facilitate positive change in patients. Since the neonatal period is a crucial time for development, osteopaths should aim to create a therapeutic relationship. Arguably, through participatory sense-making, osteopaths can help the baby build a generative model (with positive priors) to deal with stress and needs throughout their life.

Aim

Since the literature considers that interactions with the environment, which enact the patients’ experiences, depending on contextual factors and communication between patient and caregiver, this research explored whether there is a correspondence between the indications in the literature and clinical practice in the management of the mother/parent–child dyad during osteopathic care on children aged 0 to 2 years old.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of nine osteopaths with experience in the field of pediatrics. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and constructivist grounded theory was used to conceptualize, collect and analyze data. Codes and categories were actively constructed through an interpretive/constructionist paradigm.

Results

The core category was the idea of the pediatric osteopath as a support for the family, not only for the child. Four additional categories were identified: (1) Preparing a safe environment for both children and parents, (2) Communication, (3) Attachment and synchrony, and (4) Synchronization.

Conclusion

Through participatory sense-making, osteopaths manage contextual factors to establish an effective therapeutic alliance through the osteopath-parent–child triad to facilitate the construction of the child’s internal generative model to promote healthy development. The therapeutic encounter is considered an encounter between embodied subjects, occurring within a field of affordances (ecological niche) that allows the interlocutors to actively participate in creating new meanings through interpersonal synchronization. Participatory sense-making and the establishment of a therapeutic alliance through the osteopath-parent–child triad are crucial to promote healthy development in the child.
Exploring chronic pain related attentional experiences, distress and coping strategies among Arabic-speaking individuals in Jordan and the United Kingdom
Authors: Abudoush Ahmad N. , Ali Khalifa , Kiran Tayyeba , Panagioti Maria , Poliakoff Ellen , Mo Hom Nang , Husain Nusrat
Published: October 2023

Introduction

The lived experiences of chronic pain (CP) among Arabic-speaking populations remain underexplored. A better understanding of these experiences and their associations with attention difficulties, coping mechanisms, and treatment options could lead to improved support for this group.

Methods

This qualitative study utilised a descriptive design and involved one-to-one interviews with 51 participants with CP who had just completed two attention tasks. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured topic guide, transcribed verbatim and translated from Arabic to English before agreeing on the coding framework. Themes and subthemes were extracted using a framework analysis approach.

Results

The study identified six main themes: Factors contributing towards developing or exacerbating CP, the impact of CP on psychosocial functions, including attention, the perceived role of social support, coping strategies for managing CP, perceptions about available treatments and recommendations for interventions.

Discussion

CP significantly impacts individuals’ physical and psychosocial functions, and it is reciprocally associated with attentional difficulties. Despite using various approaches to manage their CP, none of the participants used psychological interventions or counselling. Understanding the diverse impacts of CP and the coping strategies employed to develop culturally sensitive interventions, review current related policies, and improve healthcare services is crucial to managing CP among this population.
Sanitation-related violence against women in informal settlements in Kenya: a quantitative analysis
Authors: Winter Samantha C. , Johnson Laura , Dzombo Millicent N.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Approximately 3.6 billion people around the world do not have access to safe sanitation options. Those lacking access are not only at risk of diarrheal disease, other tropical diseases, and parasitic infections, they are at greater risk of experiencing violence, particularly women and girls. The burden of lack of access to safe sanitation is disproportionately experienced by women in informal settlements in lower- and middle-income countries, where violence rates tend to be higher and access to sanitation lower. Women lacking access to safe toilets often have to walk long distances to access a facility or open site or use shared toilet facilities, which increase their vulnerability to violence.

Methods

We explore the prevalence and multilevel factors associated with women's experiences, observations, and exposure to stories about past-year sanitation-related violence in a probability sample of 550 women in a large informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions.

Results

Findings suggest that social/community engagement and social/cultural beliefs are important considerations for hearing about and observing sanitation-related violence, but less so experiences of sanitation-related violence. Alternatively, individual-level and technological factors may be critical factors in actual experiences of violence.

Discussion

Sanitation-related violence and creating an environment of safety in which women can take care of their sanitation-related needs in ways that also protect them, their families, and their communities is critical for meeting sanitation-related development agendas and goals such as Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
Effect of nixtamalization of maize and heat treatment of soybean on the nutrient, antinutrient, and mycotoxin levels of maize-soybean-based composite flour
Authors: Matendo Rehema Esther , Imathiu Samuel , Udomkun Patchimaporn , Owino Willis O.
Published: October 2023

Poor energy and nutrient-dense complementary food for infants have resulted in malnutrition and poor growth. Some processes are known to improve the nutritional value while reducing the antinutrient factors in food formulations. Maize-soybean-based composite flours from nixtamalized maize and heat-treated soybean were used to formulate six composite flours (CFs). The proximate composition, mineral content, antinutritional effect, mineral molar ratios, and mycotoxin level were investigated. The nixtamalization of maize and the heat treatment of soybean substantially improved the nutritional properties of the CFs. The pH value varied with the nixtamalization process, from 6.82 ± 0.7 to 9.32 ± 0.4. The energy content of the complementary foods was in the range of 354.77 ± 3.2 to 429.56 ± 4 kcal, meeting the minimum standard set for a cereal-based CF, which is 400 kcal. The protein values of the CFs (9.48 ± 0.3 to 13.92 ± 1.92%) on a dry weight basis were slightly below 15% of the recommended levels set by Codex. The antinutrient levels were reduced with nixtamalization and heat treatment. The molar ratio of phytate to minerals (calcium, zinc, and magnesium) was lower than the reported critical value, except for phytate to iron, where only whole maize, nixtamalized maize, and composite flour 3 (CF3) had a molar ratio that exceeded the reported critical value of 1. Although all composite flours were contaminated with mycotoxin, aflatoxin content in CFs ranged from 1.35 ± 0.67 to 13.8 ± 0.29 g/kg and from 0.3 ± 0.07 to 0.63 ± 0.015 mg/kg for fumonisin. Only the control and CFs made from the untreated maize did not meet the EU regulatory threshold (4.0 g/kg) for total aflatoxins and total fumonisin (4 mg/kg). The soybeans were not contaminated with the mycotoxins. The composite flour 5 (Composite flour 25% HS + 75% NixM) can be considered the best composite flour with regard to its nutritional properties, mineral, antinutrient, and mycotoxin content. These findings have shown that nixtamalization and heat treatment can improve the nutritional properties and food safety of composite flours.
Mitigation of drought or a combination of heat and drought stress effects on canola by Thuricin 17, a PGPR-produced compound
Authors: Nazari Mahtab , Smith Donald L.
Published: October 2023

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and the specific compounds they produce have the capacity to mitigate the adverse effects of stressors on plants. An example in this regard is Thuricin 17 (Th17), a signal molecule produced by Bacillus thuringiensis NEB17 (Bt NEB17), a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of Th17 in mitigating drought and the combination of drought and heat stress in canola [Brassica napus (L.)]. Two of the best Th17 concentrations, 10−9 (Th1) M and 10−11 (Th2) M, were used either as seed treatment plus root drenching or foliar spray. Leaf area and biomass accumulation was increased by both application methods of Th1 under moderate and severe drought stress, whereas more promising results were seen from Th2-treated plants under the combination of stressors. Additionally, root length, root surface, and root volume were increased by 21%, 22%, and 23%, respectively, for plants grown from Th1 seed treatment plus root drenching compared to controls under severe drought conditions. Moreover, SOD, POD, and CAT contents were increased by spraying Th1 and Th2 under individual stresses and the combination of heat and drought, respectively. Accordingly, increases in physiological variables were observed for sprayed plants, which also had higher antioxidant contents. These results indicated that plant responses to the compound varied with concentration of Th17 and plant growth conditions. Specifically, when plants were grown under an individual stress condition, either drought or heat, the higher level of Th17 was more effective, whereas the lower dose demonstrated higher positive impacts under the combination of heat and drought. Regarding application method, both seed treatment plus root drenching and foliar spray had the ability to assist plants in alleviating stresses through growth stimulatory mechanisms. Therefore, Th17 has potential to become an environmentally friendly biostimulant, particularly under stressful environmental conditions.
Evaluation of the validated intraoperative bleeding scale in liver surgery: study protocol for a multicenter prospective study
Authors: Aparicio-López Daniel , Asencio-Pascual José Manuel , Blanco-Fernández Gerardo , Cugat-Andorrá Esteban , Gómez-Bravo Miguel Ángel , López-Ben Santiago , Martín-Pérez Elena , Sabater Luis , Ramia José Manuel , Serradilla-Martín Mario
Published: October 2023

Background

Surgical hemostasis has become one of the key principles in the advancement of surgery. Hemostatic agents are commonly administered in many surgical specialties, although the lack of consensus on the definition of intraoperative bleeding or of a standardized system for its classification means that often the most suitable agent is not selected. The recommendations of international organizations highlight the need for a bleeding severity scale, validated in clinical studies, that would allow the selection of the best hemostatic agent in each case. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the VIBe scale (Validated Intraoperative Bleeding Scale) in humans. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the scale's usefulness in liver surgery; to determine the relationship between the extent of bleeding and the hemostatic agent used; and to assess the relationship between the grade of bleeding and postoperative complications.

Methods

Prospective multicenter observational study including 259 liver resections that meet the inclusion criteria: patients scheduled for liver surgery at one of 10 medium-high volume Spanish HPB centers using an open or minimally invasive approach (robotic/laparoscopic/hybrid), regardless of diagnosis, ASA score <4, age ≥18, and who provide signed informed consent during the study period (September 2023 until the required sample size has been recruited). The participating researchers will be responsible for collecting the data and for reporting them to the study coordinators.

Discussion

This study will allow us to evaluate the VIBe scale for intraoperative bleeding in humans, with a view to its subsequent incorporation in daily clinical practice.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05369988?term = serradilla&draw = 2&rank = 3, [NCT0536998].
Combination Effect of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Germination of Different Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties
Authors: Khalid Noriza , Tarnawa Ákos , Balla István , Omar Suhana , Abd Ghani Rosnani , Jolánkai Márton , Kende Zoltán
Published: October 2023

Temperature and salinity stress are currently spreading widely across the globe and have been proven to have a negative impact on maize (Zea mays L.) crops as early as the germination stage. However, more research must be conducted on the interactive or combined effects of salinity and temperature stress on maize germination. This study aims to determine the impact of combined temperature and salinity stress on 16 different maize varieties. The maize seeds were incubated at three different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) and two sodium chloride (NaCl) levels (0 mM and 100 mM) simultaneously. Germination percentage, root and shoot growth, root:shoot length ratio, and seed vigor index (SVI) were recorded and analyzed. The presence of salinity reduced maize germination qualities at all three temperatures tested. However, at high 35 °C temperatures, significant reductions in germination performances were observed compared to lower temperatures with salt stress. Three varieties (V1, V10, and V16) had the best overall germination performance in all three temperatures under saline stress, while V4, V5, V12, and V14 showed higher salt tolerance at 35 °C than at lower temperatures. In conclusion, increased temperature amplifies the salt stress in maize germination, and the varietal effect influences the seed tolerance towards a combination of salt and temperature stress.
Warm-Season Pasture Species Respond to Subsurface Placement of Phosphorus Fertiliser
Authors: McLachlan Jonathan W. , Staker Benjamin J. , Flavel Richard J. , Guppy Chris N.
Published: October 2023

The root traits of many warm-season pasture species have not been characterised thoroughly. Depending on the nature of legume root architecture, alternative phosphorus (P) application strategies may improve the success of legume establishment and persistence, particularly if legumes exhibit a spatially responsive root system. The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the root morphology of several warm-season pasture species and to determine the response of these species to a subsurface application of P fertiliser. Monocultures of two grasses (Panicum coloratum and Digitaria eriantha) and two legumes (Medicago sativa and Desmanthus spp.) were established in pots to investigate root morphology and P acquisition in response to three soil-P distribution treatments. The P fertiliser that was applied to the subsurface ‘band’ layer was labelled with 32P-radioisotope to determine P recovery. There were significant differences in shoot yield and root morphology among the species. The largest shoot yields were usually produced by plants grown in the uniform high-P treatment, while the grasses generally produced longer roots more efficiently than the legumes across the three soil-P distribution treatments. Nevertheless, each species responded to the banded high-P treatment by acquiring more P from the zone of P enrichment (banded high-P = 31% cf., uniform low-P = 3%, and uniform high-P = 9%). This result suggests that a subsurface application of P fertiliser at the planting stage will benefit warm-season pasture species, particularly grasses that are highly responsive to fertiliser placement. Nevertheless, preferential placement of fertiliser below legumes may improve the productivity of this component if their root systems have more time to respond spatially.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics Methods to Predict the Chemical Composition of Cratylia argentea
Authors: Abreu Lucas Freires , Lana Ângela Maria Quintão , Climaco Leonardo Campos , Matrangolo Walter José Rodrigues , Barbosa Elizabeth Pereira , da Silva Karina Toledo , Rowntree Jason E. , da Silva Edilane Aparecida , Simeone Maria Lucia Ferreira
Published: October 2023

Cratylia argentea is a leguminous shrub that has the potential for use as livestock feed in tropical areas. However, time-consuming and labor-intensive methods of chemical analysis limit the understanding of its nutritive value. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a low-cost technology widely used in forage crops to expedite chemical composition assessment. The objective of this study was to develop prediction models to assess the crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and dry matter (DM) of Cratylia based on NIRS and partial least squares analysis. A total of 155 samples were harvested at different maturity levels and used for model development, of which 107 were used for calibration and 48 for external validation. The cross-validation presented a root mean square error of prediction of 0.77, 2.56, 3.43, and 0.42; a ratio of performance to deviation of 4.8, 4.0, 3.8, and 3.4; and an R2 of 0.92, 0.92, 0.87, and 0.84 for CP, NDF, ADF, and DM, respectively. Based on the obtained results, we concluded that NIRS accurately predicted the chemical parameters of Cratylia. Therefore, NIRS can serve as a useful tool for livestock producers and researchers to estimate Cratylia’s nutritive value.
Modeling Dynamics of Soil Erosion by Water Due to Soil Organic Matter Change (1980–2020) in the Steppe Zone of Russia
Authors: Kriuchkov Nikita R. , Makarov Oleg A.
Published: October 2023

This research aims to evaluate the dynamics of soil loss through soil erosion by water in agricultural lands in steppe areas using a modification of the RUSLE2 model from the 1980s to the 2010s. The calculation was performed using a raster model of data that included a model of the slope angle, slope length, soil erodibility, rainfall and snowmelt erosivity factors, types of land use, and cover management factor. All data were taken from open sources. The average soil erosion in the territory studied amounted to 1.48 t ha−1 year−1 in the 1980s and 1.72 t ha−1 year−1 in the 2010s. The discrepancy with other studies was 12% for the level of the 1980s and 2–7% for the level of the 2010s. The main factor leading to an increase in soil loss was soil erodibility due to the loss of soil organic matter, which affected about 52% of the studied lands. The increase in the amount of soil loss occurred against a background of compensating processes: reduction in precipitation and climate change (getting drier), as well as the overgrowth of agricultural lands with natural steppe vegetation. Modified model RUSLE2 has shown good results correlated with other studies for the research area.
Biological Control as Part of the Soybean Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Potential and Challenges
Authors: Bueno Adeney de F. , Sutil Weidson P. , Jahnke Simone M. , Carvalho Geraldo A. , Cingolani Maria Fernanda , Colmenarez Yelitza C. , Corniani Natália
Published: October 2023

Soybean production is usually performed on large scales, requiring simple but efficient pest management to be successful. Soybean fields are inhabited by several species of arthropods, demanding constant development of management practices to prevent pest outbreaks. More recently, stink bugs have become the most important pest group of soybeans in the Neotropics, responsible for up to 60% of the applied insecticides in Brazil. Natural enemies represent an important mortality factor that can keep the damage caused by stink bugs below the economic threshold levels without additional control actions. Thus, Conservation Biological Control (CBC) strategies can be adopted to preserve or even promote the increase in such natural enemies in the fields, or alternatively, massive releases of biocontrol agents in Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) programs could be adopted. Simple practices such as reducing insecticide use (with the adoption of economic thresholds), prioritizing harmless insecticides or biopesticides, and planting resistant soybean cultivars have been adopted in Brazil with positive results. The challenges to increasing the adoption of more complex stink bug management in commodity crops such as soybean may be overcome using the more recent economic incentives in the global agenda of decarbonized agriculture. The potential and challenges of conservation and augmentative biological control are further discussed in this review.
An Analysis of Miscible Displacement and Numerical Modelling of Glyphosate Transport in Three Different Agricultural Soils
Authors: Nahar Kamrun , Niven Robert K.
Published: October 2023

Since the introduction of genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-resistant crops, especially in Australia, the United States, and Canada, the use of glyphosate has exploded, raising concerns about its environmental effects both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. There are several factors that can affect the transport of glyphosate in soil, including the pH of the soil, the iron and aluminium oxides in the soil, and the structure of the soil, as well as the application time and microbial biodegradation in the soil. Furthermore, some field studies have shown that glyphosate, along with its degradation products, can be found deep in the aquatic environment and can contaminate groundwater by leaching, which implies that studying glyphosate leaching through agricultural soils is very crucial. The research in this study involves column-leaching experiments on glyphosate-dosed soils using application and flow rates representative of field conditions with bromide as a non-reactive tracer. To determine whether the observed behaviour of glyphosate is consistent with commonly recognized transport processes, the results obtained were incorporated into a one-dimensional transport model (HYDRUS 1D). Initially, physical transport parameters were determined by fitting experimental bromide breakthrough curves (BTCs) with analytical solutions to advection–dispersion equations (ADEs) for pulse boundary conditions at the upper end and zero-gradient conditions at the lower end. Then, these parameters and those from the sorption experiments were used in HYDRUS 1D to describe glyphosate transport behaviour. After three different glyphosate applications, the columns with soils C and A showed the highest glyphosate leaching rates, which is closely related to their macropore structures since bromide also leached at higher rates. A similar lower glyphosate leaching rate was found for soil B as for bromide BTC, indicating that competition between phosphorus and glyphosate for sorption sites did not result in higher rates of leaching.
STICS Soil–Crop Model Performance for Predicting Biomass and Nitrogen Status of Spring Barley Cropped for 31 Years in a Gleysolic Soil from Northeastern Quebec (Canada)
Authors: Ravelojaona Nomena , Jégo Guillaume , Ziadi Noura , Mollier Alain , Lafond Jean , Karam Antoine , Morel Christian
Published: October 2023

Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an increasingly important cash crop in the province of Quebec (Canada). Soil–crop models are powerful tools for analyzing and supporting sustainable crop production. STICS model has not yet been tested for spring barley grown over several decades. This study was conducted to calibrate and evaluate the STICS model, without annual reinitialization, for predicting aboveground biomass and N nutrition attributes at harvest during 31 years of successive cropping of spring barley grown in soil (silty clay, Humic Gleysol) from the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region (northeastern Quebec, Canada). There is a good agreement between observed and predicted variables during the 31 successive barley cropping years. STICS predicted well biomass accumulation and plant N content with a low relative bias (|normalized mean error| = 0–13%) and small prediction error (normalized root mean square error = 6–25%). Overall, the STICS outputs reproduced the same trends as the field-observed data with various tillage systems and N sources. Predictions of crop attributes were more accurate in years with rainfall close to the long-term average. These ‘newly calibrated’ parameters in STICS for spring barley cropped under continental cold and humid climates require validation using independent observation datasets from other sites.
Enhancing Seed Potato Production from In Vitro Plantlets and Microtubers through Biofertilizer Application: Investigating Effects on Plant Growth, Tuber Yield, Size, and Quality
Authors: Boubaker Hiba , Saadaoui Wassim , Dasgan Hayriye Yildiz , Tarchoun Neji , Gruda Nazim S.
Published: October 2023

Seed potato production often relies on mineral fertilizers. However, biofertilizers offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective means to enhance nutrient uptake, plant growth, yields, and quality while bolstering stress resilience. Two cultivars (‘Spunta’ and ‘Russet’), two in vitro materials as microtubers and plantlets, and four bio-fertilizers were used to produce seed minitubers. These bio-fertilizers included mycorrhiza (T2), microalgae (T3), beneficial bacteria (PGPR) (T4), and vermicompost (T5). Treatment T1, which received 100% mineral nutrients, was used as the control, while the bio-fertilizers were given 40% of the mineral nutrition relative to the control. The study clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the biofertilizers used in improving plant growth parameters, particularly highlighting the efficacy of vermicompost. The highest seed tuber yield of 173.12 g was obtained from the combination of ‘Spunta’ + microtuber + vermicompost’. In both varieties, in vitro microtubers led to a higher seed yield than in vitro plantlets. In terms of tuber diameter, tuber weight, and tuber number, the performance of the ‘Spunta’ cultivar was significantly higher than that of the ‘Russet’ cultivar. Seed tubers derived from in vitro microtubers had a larger diameter and were heavier than those derived from in vitro plantlets. However, seed tubers produced from in vitro plantlets were of a smaller size but more in number. In in vitro potato seed tuber production, we recommend the use of ‘Spunta’ cultivar and in vitro microtuber, supplementing with vermicompost to enhance yield, size, number curbing costs, and eco-friendliness.
Biochemical, Anatomical, Genetic, and Yield Assessment of Seven Rice Genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) Subjected to Drought Stress
Authors: Abo-Youssef Mahmoud I. , Elbagory Mohssen , Elsehely Abdelsalam B. , El-Gammaal Amgad A. , El Denary Medhat E. , Elaty Mohamed S. Abd , Talha Ibrahim A. , Hazman Mohamed , Nehela Yasser , Omara Alaa El-Dein , El-Kallawy Wael H.
Published: October 2023

Drought stress is one of the main environmental challenges that dramatically reduce global rice production within several agricultural ecosystems. Breeding drought-tolerant rice genotypes is an important sustainable strategy to overcome this constraint. In this work, drought tolerance levels were assessed according to biochemical, anatomical, and molecular aspects, which led to selecting three promising crosses (Sakha 107 × Sakha super 300, Sakha 107 × M206, and Sakha 107 × Sakha 108) that were compared with their parents as controls. The antioxidant capabilities of the chosen potential crosses, such as the ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), and total phenolics, were significantly higher compared with their parents under drought stress. Moreover, the promising selected crosses could accumulate greater proline and chlorophyll contents. The potential superiority of the three selected rice crosses was anatomically represented throughout cross-sections of roots, stems, and leaves, which recorded higher values of cross-section diameter, epidermal thickness, cortex thickness, mesophyll thickness, and bundle sheath thickness as well as a broader range of xylem vessel diameters than their parents under a water deficit. The observed superiority of the antioxidant activities in the overall drought-tolerance mechanisms and anatomical characteristics reflected their protective role in the adaptation process under water stress. Molecular analyses using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers suggested two promising crosses (Sakha 107 × Sakha super 300 and Sakha 107 × M206) to be the most suitable crosses for saving water. They had the highest similarity values and were grouped in a distinct cluster. The relative gene expression of OsACS2, OsCML31, OsCYP94C2a, and OsSRO1c was significantly elevated in the two selected drought-tolerant rice genotypes (Sakha 107 × Sakha super 300 and Sakha 107 × M206).
Within-Host Diversity of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Resistome from Healthy Pigs and Pig Farmers, with the Detection of cfr-Carrying Strains and MDR-S. borealis
Authors: Abdullahi Idris Nasir , Lozano Carmen , Simón Carmen , Zarazaga Myriam , Torres Carmen
Published: October 2023

The ecology and diversity of resistome in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from healthy pigs and pig farmers are rarely available as most studies focused on the livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This study aims to characterize the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms, intra-host species diversity (more than one species in a host), and intra-species AMR diversity (same species with more than one AMR profile) in CoNS recovered from the nasal cavities of healthy pigs and pig farmers. One-hundred-and-one CoNS strains previously recovered from 40 pigs and 10 pig farmers from four Spanish pig farms were tested to determine their AMR profiles. Non-repetitive strains were selected (n = 75) and their AMR genes, SCCmec types, and genetic lineages were analyzed by PCR/sequencing. Of the non-repetitive strains, 92% showed a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype, and 52% were mecA-positive, which were associated with SCCmec types V (46.2%), IVb (20.5%), and IVc (5.1%). A total of 28% of the pigs and pig farmers had intra-host species diversity, while 26% had intra-species AMR diversity. High repertoires of AMR genes were detected, including unusual ones such as tetO, ermT, erm43, and cfr. Most important was the detection of cfr (in S. saprophyticus and S. epidermidis-ST16) in pigs and pig farmers; whereas MDR-S. borealis strains were identified in pig farmers. Pig-to-pig transmission of CoNS with similar AMR genes and SCCmec types was detected in 42.5% of pigs. The high level of multidrug, within-host, and intra-species resistome diversity in the nasal CoNS highlights their ability to be AMR gene reservoirs in healthy pigs and pig farmers. The detection of MDR-S. borealis and linezolid-resistant strains underscore the need for comprehensive and continuous surveillance of MDR-CoNS at the pig farm level.
Combining Conventional Organic Solvent Extraction, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, and Chromatographic Techniques to Obtain Pure Betanin from Beetroot for Clinical Purposes
Authors: Da Silva Davi Vieira Teixeira , Baião Diego dos Santos , Magalhães Alviclér , Almeida Nathan Farias , Conte Carlos Adam , Paschoalin Vania Margaret Flosi
Published: October 2023

Red beetroot extract (E162) is a natural colorant that owes its color to betanin, its major red pigment. Betanin displays remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprotective properties mediated by its structure and influence on gene expression. However, the betanin employed in most preclinical assays is a beetroot extract diluted in dextrin, not pure betanin, as no isolated compound is commercially available. This makes its use inaccurate concerning product content estimates and biological effect assessments. Herein, a combination of conventional extraction under orbital shaking and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to purify betanin by semi-preparative HPLC was performed. The employed methodology extracts betalains at over a 90% yield, achieving 1.74 ± 0.01 mg of pure betanin/g beetroot, a 41% yield from beetroot contents increasing to 50 %, considering the betalains pool. The purified betanin exhibited an 85% purity degree against 32 or 72% of a commercial standard evaluated by LC-MS or HPLC methods, respectively. The identity of purified betanin was confirmed by UV-Vis, LC-MS, and 1H NMR. The combination of a conventional extraction, UAE, and semi-preparative HPLC allowed for betanin purification with a high yield, superior purity, and almost three times more antioxidant power compared to commercial betanin, being, therefore, more suitable for clinical purposes.
An Approach for Cancer-Type Classification Using Feature Selection Techniques with Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Almuayqil Saleh N. , Elbashir Murtada K. , Ezz Mohamed , Mohammed Mohanad , Mostafa Ayman Mohamed , Alruily Meshrif , Hamouda Eslam
Published: October 2023

Cancer diagnosis and treatment depend on accurate cancer-type prediction. A prediction model can infer significant cancer features (genes). Gene expression is among the most frequently used features in cancer detection. Deep Learning (DL) architectures, which demonstrate cutting-edge performance in many disciplines, are not appropriate for the gene expression data since it contains a few samples with thousands of features. This study presents an approach that applies three feature selection techniques (Lasso, Random Forest, and Chi-Square) on gene expression data obtained from Pan-Cancer Atlas through the TCGA Firehose Data using R statistical software version 4.2.2. We calculated the feature importance of each selection method. Then we calculated the mean of the feature importance to determine the threshold for selecting the most relevant features. We constructed five models with a simple convolutional neural networks (CNNs) architecture, which are trained using the selected features and then selected the winning model. The winning model achieved a precision of 94.11%, a recall of 94.26%, an F1-score of 94.14%, and an accuracy of 96.16% on a test set.
Coordinated Multi-UAV Reconnaissance Scheme for Multiple Targets
Authors: Lu Qiwen , Qiu Yifeng , Guan Chaotao , Wang Haoyu , Zhu Mengqi , Xu Biao , Li Wenji , Fan Zhun
Published: October 2023

This study addresses dynamic task allocation challenges in coordinated surveillance involving multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A significant concern is the increased UAV flight distance resulting from the assignment of new missions, leading to decreased reconnaissance efficiency. To tackle this issue, we introduce a collaborative multi-target and multi-UAV reconnaissance scheme. Initially, the multitasking constrained multi-objective optimization framework (MTCOM) is employed to optimize task allocation and reconnaissance time in static scenarios. Subsequently, in case of emergency, we iteratively refine the outcomes of static task allocation through an enhanced auction-based distributed algorithm, effectively reducing UAV flight costs in response to new missions, UAV withdrawal, or damage. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed multi-UAV and multi-target cooperative reconnaissance scheme in resolving dynamic task allocation issues. Additionally, our approach achieves a 5.4% reduction in UAV flight distance compared to traditional allocation methods. The main contribution of this paper is to consider a dynamic scenario model involving UAV damage and the emergence of new reconnaissance areas. Then we propose an innovative collaborative multi-target and multi-UAV reconnaissance scheme to address this issue and, finally, conduct experimental simulations to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm.