bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centro de Estudos Geográficos: 80 anos, 80 fotografias. Cadernos da Fototeca, 2
Authors: Francisco Roque de Oliveira
Published: November 2024

This second volume of the Cadernos da Fototeca collection was designed to serve as a memorial to the exhibition Centre for Geographical Studies: 80 years, 80 photos, organised by the CEG’s Photo Library as part of the celebrations of the founding of this scientific research unit in April 1943. In the photographic notebook included here, we have kept the essence of the structure and narrative itinerary that we planned for the photographs shown in the on-site exhibition, which was held at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon between May and September 2023. The dissemination of these images is a privileged opportunity to promote the contemporary re-reading and re-appropriation of this very valuable corpus of geographical photographs.
Post-humanist artistic research by production of performance and Techno-Lab workshops in Sapmi
Authors: Griniuk Marija
Published: November 2024

We are living in times of data-driven selves and data-defined artistic personas, an age in which the action of border-crossing has become a normative within an artistic work and an artist's life. We might cross the physical borders or the borders of our normatives. Each case of border-crossing awakens our awareness. The question of how an artwork is made is now as sharp as ever before. Contemporary technologies involving AI are opening a wide spectrum of possibilities for enhancing creativity and sustainability within the creation of performance artworks, which is traditionally seen as an individual process of a human creator. The main research question within this study is as follows: How can performance and workshop creation through collaboration between humans and AI and humans and technology be understood as post-humanist artistic research? The sub-question is: How is such a creation process different from artistic creation using traditional tools associated with artistic work? These questions are answered by investigating a case of Techno-Lab in Sapmi and a performance artwork creation process through the method of post-humanist artistic research. The key findings outline the main differences of post-humanist vs. anthropocentric artistic research and art production. The findings can be used to change the current normatives and enhance the radical transcorporeality through interconnections between humans and non-humans—in particular, technology and AI. The findings are relevant to art education and artistic practice representatives.
A pilot study: relationship between Bisphenol A, Bisphenol-glucuronide and total 25 hydroxy vitamin D in maternal-child pairs in a South African population
Authors: Gounden Verena , Naidoo Rajen N. , Chuturgoon Anil
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) during early development particularly in-utero has been linked to a wide range of pathology. Over the last two decades the importance of vitamin D in maternal and child health has been highlighted. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the relationship of BPA and its naturally occurring metabolite BPA-glucuronide (BPA-g) with 25-hydoxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels in South African mother-child pairs.

Methods

Third-trimester serum maternal samples and matching cord blood samples were analyzed for BPA and BPA-g using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and 25OHD3 and 25OHD2 using high performance liquid chromatography. A total of 58 maternal and child pairs were analyzed.

Results

More than fifty percent of maternal-child pairs were noted to be vitamin D deficient or insufficient using the Endocrine Society Practice guidelines cut-off of 50 nmol/L. Spearman rank correlation and Kruskal Wallis analysis did not show statistically significant relationship between cord 25OHD (total) and maternal and cord BPA-g concentrations. Analysis of covariance after controlling for confounders showed a significant relationship between cord BPA-g levels and cord 25OHD levels (p=0.03) as well as between maternal BPA-g levels (p=0.04) and cord total 25OHD levels (p=0.04).

Discussion

The findings of the current study indicate a possible relationship with BPA/BPA-g and fetal/early infant Vitamin D levels that needs to be further investigated in this population.
Spatial impact effects of coupled coordination between forestry factor endowment and technological progress bias on forestry industry structural upgrading in China
Authors: Jiang Yu , Liao Yuanwei , Shen Canyu
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The biased technological progress coordinated with factor endowment is an important support for achieving sustainable development in the forestry industry. This study focused on the coupled coordination relationship between forestry factor endowment and technological progress bias, analyzing their spatial impacts on the upgrading of forestry industry structure. The aim is to fully leverage the driving force of technological progress to promote sustainable development of the forestry economy.

Methods

Covering the years from 2005 to 2021, this study calculated the coupling coordination and constructed spatial econometric models to empirically analyze its spatial impacts on the rationalization, advancement, and ecologicalization of the forestry industry structure.

Results and Discussion

The results indicated that the overall level of coupling coordination was relatively low, with certain differences among provinces. The upgrading of the forestry industry structure showed significant spatial correlation, and after considering the cumulative effects of industrial structure upgrading, there existed a positive spatial spillover effect among regions. The improvement of coupling coordination promoted the rationalization and ecologicalization of industrial structure. However, in the short term, it had a negative impact on advancement. For the four major regions, the low level of coupling coordination and regional differences remained key obstacles hindering the promotion of industrial structure upgrading through technological progress. Therefore, there is a need to further optimize the coupling coordination between factor endowment and technological progress bias and place greater emphasis on regional coordinated development. This study may provide new insights into the development of the forestry industry from the perspective of the coupling of factors and technology, emphasizing the necessity of coupling forestry resource endowment with technological progress.
Case Report: Concurrent de novo pathogenic variants in the LMNA gene as a cause of sporadic partial lipodystrophy
Authors: Santos José L. , Miranda José Patricio , Lagos Carlos F. , Cortés Víctor A.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Inherited lipodystrophies are a group of rare diseases defined by severe reduction in adipose tissue mass and classified as generalized or partial. We report a non-familial (sporadic) case of partial lipodystrophy caused by a novel genetic mechanism involving closely linked de novo pathogenic variants in the LMNA gene.

Methods

A female adult with partial lipodystrophy and her parents were evaluated for gene variants across the exome under different mendelian inheritance models (autosomal dominant, recessive, compound heterozygous, and X-linked) to find pathogenic variants. Body composition was assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

The patient showed absence of adipose tissue in the limbs; preservation of adiposity in the face, neck, and trunk; muscular hypertrophy, hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance. DXA revealed a fat mass of 15.4%, with android-to-gynoid ratio, trunk/limb, and trunk/leg ratios exceeding the published upper limits of 90% reference intervals. Two heterozygous missense de novo pathogenic variants in cis within the LMNA gene were found in the proband: p.Y481H and p.K486N (NP_733821.1). These variants have functional effects and were reported in inherited Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy 2 (p.Y481H) and familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (p.K486N). Molecular modeling analyses provided additional insights into the protein instability conferred by these variants in the lamin A/C Ig-like domain.

Conclusion

In a case of sporadic partial lipodystrophy, we describe two concurrent de novo pathogenic variants within the same gene (LMNA) as a novel pathogenic mechanism. This finding expands the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of partial lipodystrophy and laminopathy syndromes.
Case report: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis patient presented with a mass in the aortic root
Authors: Teng Yinyan , Chen Mei , Chen Zhongwei , Zhang Xiaowei , Li Zhongyun , Liao Shusheng
Published: November 2024

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects small- and medium-sized blood vessels in the body, representing a rare entity. Cardiac involvement was identified as an independent risk factor for death in GPA patients, yet it has not been systematically elucidated in previous literature. Cardiac lesions in patients with GPA can manifest in various ways, such as pericarditis, myocarditis, coronary vasculitis, valvular abnormalities, conduction system abnormalities, and heart failure. Herein, we report a 55-year-old woman with GPA; she had a 2-year history of recurrent episodes of headache, accompanying sickness, and fatigue, which have been aggravated for the past half-month. The main manifestation is presenting as a mass in the aortic root, which was successfully diagnosed by multimodality imaging (including two-dimensional echocardiography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and computed tomography). After treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, the patient’s symptoms significantly improved and she remained asymptomatic over 6 months of follow-up. This article will enrich our knowledge about cardiac involvement in GPA patients and highlights the value of imaging, especially ultrasound, in the diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of this condition.
High heterogeneity of cross-reactive immunoglobulins in multiple sclerosis presumes combining of B-cell epitopes for diagnostics: a case-control study
Authors: Ovchinnikova Leyla A. , Eliseev Igor E. , Dzhelad Samir S. , Simaniv Taras O. , Klimina Ksenia M. , Ivanova Maria , Ilina Elena N. , Zakharova Maria N. , Illarioshkin Sergey N. , Rubtsov Yury P. , Gabibov Alexander G. , Lomakin Yakov A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease triggered by a combination of genetic traits and external factors. Autoimmune nature of MS is proven by the identification of pathogenic T cells, but the role of autoantibody-producing B cells is less clear. A comprehensive understanding of the development of neuroinflammation and the identification of targeted autoantigens are crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Methods

An expression library of 44-mer overlapping peptides from a panel of putative autoantigenic human proteins was employed for modified Phage ImmunoPrecipitation Sequencing (PhIP-Seq) to identify B cell peptide epitopes from MS patients. Individual peptides extracted by PhIP-Seq were tested by ELISA to characterize their affinity towards IgG from both MS patients and healthy donors (HD). Three candidate auto-peptides were used for isolating autoreactive antigen-specific IgGs from the serum of MS patients.

Results

Autoantibody screening revealed high heterogeneity of IgG response in MS. The autoantigenic genesis of the PhIP-Seq-identified peptides was further strengthened by clinical ELISA testing of 11 HD and 16 MS donors. Validation experiments on independent cohorts of 22 HD and 28 MS patients confirmed statistically significant elevated titers of IgG specific to spectrin alpha chain (SPTAN1) in the serum of MS patients compared to HD. The levels of anti-SPTAN1 IgG correlated in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Isolated autoreactive antigen-specific IgG exhibited increased cross-reactivity to a panel of PhIP-Seq-identified antigenic peptides. Serum IgG from MS patients were reactive to latent membrane protein (LMP1) of Epstein-Barr virus, a potential trigger of MS. Discovered antigenic peptides from SPTAN1, protein-tyrosine kinase 6 (PTK6), periaxin (PRX), and LMP1 were tested as potential biomarker panel for MS diagnostics. We concluded that the combination of particular peptides from SPTAN1, PTK6, PRX and LMP1 could be implemented as a four-peptide biomarker panel for MS diagnosis (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.818 for discriminating between HD and MS).

Conclusions

This study supports the concept that the specificity of autoreactive IgG in MS is highly heterogeneous. Despite that we suggest that the combination of several B-cell epitopes could be employed as reliable and simple test for MS diagnostics.
Integrated immunogenomic analyses of high-grade serous ovarian cancer reveal vulnerability to combination immunotherapy
Authors: Gronauer Raphael , Madersbacher Leonie , Monfort-Lanzas Pablo , Floriani Gabriel , Sprung Susanne , Zeimet Alain Gustave , Marth Christian , Fiegl Heidelinde , Hackl Hubert
Published: November 2024

Background

The efficacy of immunotherapies in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is limited, but clinical trials investigating the potential of combination immunotherapy including poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are ongoing. Homologous recombination repair deficiency or BRCAness and the composition of the tumor microenvironment appear to play a critical role in determining the therapeutic response.

Methods

We conducted comprehensive immunogenomic analyses of HGSOC using data from several patient cohorts. Machine learning methods were used to develop a classification model for BRCAness from gene expression data. Integrated analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data was used to delineate the tumor immune microenvironment and was validated by immunohistochemistry. The impact of PARPi and BRCA1 mutations on the activation of immune-related pathways was studied using ovarian cancer cell lines, RNA sequencing, and immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

We identified a 24-gene signature that predicts BRCAness. Comprehensive immunogenomic analyses across patient cohorts identified samples with BRCAness and high immune infiltration. Further characterization of these samples revealed increased infiltration of immunosuppressive cells, including tumor-associated macrophages expressing TREM2, C1QA, and LILRB4, as specified by single-cell RNA sequencing data and gene expression analysis of samples from patients receiving combination therapy with PARPi and anti-PD-1. Our findings show also that genomic instability and PARPi activated the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in vitro and the downstream innate immune response in a similar manner to HGSOC patients with BRCAness status. Finally, we have developed a web application (https://ovrseq.icbi.at) and an associated R package OvRSeq, which allow for comprehensive characterization of ovarian cancer patient samples and assessment of a vulnerability score that enables stratification of patients to predict response to the combination immunotherapy.

Conclusions

Genomic instability in HGSOC affects the tumor immune environment, and TAMs play a crucial role in modulating the immune response. Based on various datasets, we have developed a diagnostic application that uses RNA sequencing data not only to comprehensively characterize HGSOC but also to predict vulnerability and response to combination immunotherapy.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) reveals the effects of cascade dam development on the distribution patterns of aquatic biodiversity in mountain rivers
Authors: Shen Yanjun , Zhou Xinxin , Zhang Yufeng , Li Qinghua , Zhang Jiaming , Cheng Ruli
Published: November 2024

The rich and special biodiversity in mountain rivers is experiencing a continuous decline due to the influence of climate change and anthropogenic factors. To explore the alterations in the distribution of aquatic biodiversity in mountain rivers in the context of cascade dam development, the environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding technique was used to examine the aquatic biodiversity of the Wujiang River, a representative mountain river with an 11-stage cascade dam. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of aquatic organisms in the Wujiang River mainstem was conducted, and 17 phyla and 38 classes were detected in the 36 water samples. The most abundant group is the benthic organisms, and the least abundant group is the amphibians. The results of the diversity analysis showed a clear longitudinal distribution pattern of aquatic organisms along the altitudinal gradient, with higher richness of aquatic organism communities the further to the lower reaches. Meanwhile, RDA analysis revealed that altitude, dissolved oxygen, reservoir length, and reservoir construction time were the key environmental factors influencing the distribution of aquatic organisms in the Wujiang River mainstem. The findings of this research also showed the applicability of the eDNA method in detecting aquatic biodiversity.
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD): current perspectives on pathogenesis, therapeutic strategies, and animal models
Authors: Hong Xiao , Huang Shuo , Jiang He , Ma Qing , Qiu Jiang , Luo Qihan , Cao Chunlu , Xu Yiyang , Chen Fuzhe , Chen Yufan , Sun Chunfeng , Fu Haozhe , Liu Yiming , Li Changyu , Chen Fangming , Qiu Ping
Published: November 2024

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It encompasses conditions such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of oxidative stress, abnormal lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, various forms of cell death (including apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis), intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, liver immune response, cell autophagy, and epigenetic abnormalities in the pathogenesis of ALD. Currently, abstinence, corticosteroids, and nutritional therapy are the traditional therapeutic interventions for ALD. Emerging therapies for ALD mainly include the blockade of inflammatory pathways, the promotion of liver regeneration, and the restoration of normal microbiota. Summarizing the advances in animal models of ALD will facilitate a more systematic investigation of the pathogenesis of ALD and the exploration of therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the latest insight into the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of ALD, as well as the pros and cons of ALD rodent models, providing a basis for further research on therapeutic strategies for ALD.
The survey of the status of self-stigma of depression and its relationship with demographic factors in Gonabad, Iran
Authors: Tehrani Hadi , Naddafi Fatemehzahra , Nejatian Mahbobeh , Jafari Alireza
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Depression is a common mental illness. Depression stigma can reduce individuals’ desire to seek mental health services. No study has investigated depression self-stigma and its relationship with demographic factors in the general population of Gonabad city in Iran. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the relationship between depression self-stigma and demographic factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,075 Iranians living in Gonabad city in 2024. Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select participants. Data collection tools included demographic data and the self-stigma of depression scale (SSDS). Higher SSDS scores indicate greater depression self-stigma. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 with the independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation.

Results

The mean (± SD) of self-stigma of depression (SSD) was 42.51 (9.31). Only 16.1% of the participants mentioned that they had a mental disorder, and 17.2% reported that they had been referred to a psychologist. Based on the results, males had more SSD (p = 0.028), help-seeking inhibition (p < 0.001), and shame (p = 0.002) than females. There were no significant relationships between education level, economic status, age group, occupation, and marital status with SSD (p > 0.05). Individuals with a history of mental disorder had higher SSD (p = 0.011) and help-seeking inhibition (p = 0.004). People who did not obtain information related to mental illness had more help-seeking inhibition (p = 0.001). Based on the Pearson correlation results, a positive and significant correlation coefficient was observed between the subscales of SSDS (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results of the study showed that SSD level was 42.51 ± 9.31 from 70. SSD is one of the main obstacles to help-seeking and treatment, so providing knowledge and awareness in this area is essential to the community.
Ripples of change: transforming lives and communities through sport in Colombia
Authors: Ponciano Núñez Pedro Danilo , Lyras Alexis , Matus-Castillo Carlos , Giakoni-Ramírez Frano , Duclos-Bastias Daniel
Published: November 2024

The Colombianitos Foundation (CF) is a pioneering youth development organization that utilizes football as a pedagogical instrument to promote life skills, civic values, and social inclusion in vulnerable communities across Colombia. This study aims to challenge the foundational assumption that sport can catalyze positive change and impart civic values, by investigating the perceived change and efficacy of the CFs Goals for a Better Life program on positive youth development in Colombia. Employing a qualitative research methodology, 28 in-depth interviews with administrators and coaches were conducted, followed by a content analysis to identify thematic patterns. The findings reveal CF's transformative capacity in cultivating human capital, social and societal capital, and distinct programmatic characteristics. CF's interventions foster significant behavioral changes, such as improved conflict resolution and non-violent communication, while promoting essential life skills and social cohesion. Moreover, the study illustrates CF's role in generating a ripple effect, wherein the benefits extend beyond individual participants to their families and the broader community. CF challenges entrenched gender norms through its mixed-gender team structure, aligning with SDG 5, and demonstrates a commitment to fostering peaceful, inclusive societies in line with SDG 16. By grounding its approach in evidence-based evaluation and leveraging strategic partnerships, CF exemplifies a sustainable model of sport-for-development. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of sport's potential to drive long-term social transformation, offering empirical insights for future research and intervention design in post-conflict and marginalized settings.
A Simulated Annealing Algorithm for the Generalized Quadratic Assignment Problem
Authors: McKendall Alan , Dhungel Yugesh
Published: November 2024

The generalized quadratic assignment problem (GQAP) involves assigning a set of facilities to a set of locations such that the sum of the assignment and transportation costs is minimized. Unlike the traditional one-to-one assignment problem, the GQAP is a many-to-one assignment problem. That is, multiple facilities can be assigned to each location without exceeding the capacity of the location. This research was motivated by the problem of assigning multiple facilities (e.g., machines or equipment) to locations at manufacturing plants. Another well-known application of the GQAP includes the assignment of facilities (i.e., containers) to locations (i.e., storage areas) in container yards. This paper presents simple but very effective approximation algorithms for solving real-world, large-size GQAP instances quickly without spending a lot of time setting the algorithm parameters, since there are few parameters to set. More specifically, a construction algorithm is used to generate an initial solution for the proposed problem, and the initial solution is improved using a simulated annealing algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithms is tested with respect to solution quality and computation time on a set of test problems available in the literature. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Analysis of Dynamic Flow Loss of High Water-Based Emulsion Pump
Authors: Wan Lirong , Yin Yuang , Sun Zhiyuan , Sun Gaozuo , Qi Guoqing , Zhang Ruwei
Published: November 2024

The emulsion pump’s flow loss directly affects its performance and efficiency. However, the annular plunger chamber leakage and valve core hysteresis are challenging to avoid during operation. This study systematically investigated the impact of the annular gap in the plunger cavity on emulsion pump performance. Using theoretical analysis and computational fluid dynamics methods, it explored the mechanism of the port valve hysteresis during discharge. The simulation results show that the leakage of the annular gap is proportional to the gap thickness and the inlet pressure and inversely proportional to the dynamic viscosity of the emulsion. With the increase of plunger eccentricity, the leakage increases slowly. The increase in the outlet diameter of the port valve will lead to more significant hysteresis of the valve core. The change of outlet pressure has little effect on the hysteresis and flow of the spool, and the response speed of the wing-guided bevel discharge valve is faster than that of the ordinary poppet valve. Considering the above factors, the flow distribution process of the emulsion pump can be accurately analyzed, providing a reference for pump optimization.
Biochar as a Multi-Action Substance Used to Improve Soil Properties in Horticultural and Agricultural Crops—A Review
Authors: Kozioł Agnieszka , Paliwoda Dominika , Mikiciuk Grzegorz , Benhadji Nadhira
Published: November 2024

With climate change escalating to global proportions over the past decade, along with a growing population, methods are being sought to help the natural and cultivated environment function in an ecologically balanced manner. Over the past few years, there has been a significantly increased interest in research on the use of natural substances for sustainable agriculture and horticulture. One of the most effective solutions to the emerging need is biochar, which has been the subject of environmental research for years due to its potential to increase soil carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, remediate contaminated soil, and alleviate anthropogenic pressures. There is evidence of improved soil fertility and increased crop yields in agricultural production after biochar application. Our work comprehensively describes the effects of biochar on soil properties, crop productivity, and mitigating environmental stresses, and its remediation potential in heavy metal-contaminated soils. We analyzed a wide range of the literature on the most important properties of biochar for various potential uses. We summarized the results of research work over the past two decades to analyze soil and plant responses to biochar application.
Automatic Counting and Location of Rice Seedlings in Low Altitude UAV Images Based on Point Supervision
Authors: Li Cheng , Deng Nan , Mi Shaowei , Zhou Rui , Chen Yineng , Deng Yuezhao , Fang Kui
Published: November 2024

The number of rice seedlings and their spatial distribution are the main agronomic components for determining rice yield. However, the above agronomic information is manually obtained through visual inspection, which is not only labor-intensive and time-consuming but also low in accuracy. To address these issues, this paper proposes RS-P2PNet, which automatically counts and locates rice seedlings through point supervision. Specifically, RS-P2PNet first adopts Resnet as its backbone and introduces mixed local channel attention (MLCA) in each stage. This allows the model to pay attention to the task-related feature in the spatial and channel dimensions and avoid interference from the background. In addition, a multi-scale feature fusion module (MSFF) is proposed by adding different levels of features from the backbone. It combines the shallow details and high-order semantic information of rice seedlings, which can improve the positioning accuracy of the model. Finally, two rice seedling datasets, UERD15 and UERD25, with different resolutions, are constructed to verify the performance of RS-P2PNet. The experimental results show that the MAE values of RS-P2PNet reach 1.60 and 2.43 in the counting task, and compared to P2PNet, they are reduced by 30.43% and 9.32%, respectively. In the localization task, the Recall rates of RS-P2PNet reach 97.50% and 96.67%, exceeding those of P2PNet by 1.55% and 1.17%, respectively. Therefore, RS-P2PNet has effectively accomplished the counting and localization of rice seedlings. In addition, the MAE and RMSE of RS-P2PNet on the public dataset DRPD reach 1.7 and 2.2, respectively, demonstrating good generalization.
Hyperspectral Characterization of Coffee Leaf Miner (Leucoptera coffeella) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) Infestation Levels: A Detailed Analysis
Authors: Orlando Vinicius Silva Werneck , Galo Maria de Lourdes Bueno Trindade , Martins George Deroco , Lingua Andrea Maria , de Assis Gleice Aparecida , Belcore Elena
Published: November 2024

Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world. However, it has been a challenge to manage the main pest affecting the plant’s foliar part, the Coffee Leaf Miner (CLM) Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). To mitigate this, remote sensing has been employed to spectrally characterize various stresses on coffee trees. This study establishes the groundwork for efficient pest detection by investigating the spectral characteristics of CLM infestation at different levels. This research aims to characterize the spectral signature of leaves at different CLM levels of infestation and identify the optimal spectral regions for discriminating these levels. To achieve this, hyperspectral reflectance measurements were made of healthy and infested leaves, and the classes of infested leaves were grouped into minimally, moderately, and severely infested. As the infestation level rises, the 700 nm region becomes increasingly suitable for distinguishing between infestation levels, with the visible region also proving significant, particularly during severe infestations. Reflectance thresholds established in this study provide a foundation for agronomic references related to CLM. These findings lay the essential groundwork for enhancing monitoring and early detection systems and underscore the value of terrestrial hyperspectral data for developing sustainable pest management strategies in coffee crops.
A Flexible Wearable Sensor for In Situ Non-Destructive Detection of Plant Leaf Transpiration Information
Authors: Li Zhikang , Mao Hanping , Li Lizhi , Wei Yazhou , Yu Yongsheng , Zhao Mingxue , Liu Ze
Published: November 2024

This paper investigates an in situ, non-destructive detection sensor based on flexible wearable technology that can reflect the intensity of plant transpiration. The sensor integrates four components: a flexible substrate, a humidity-sensing element, a temperature-sensing element, and a self-adhesive film. It is capable of accurately and continuously measuring the temperature, humidity, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) on the leaf surface, thus providing information on plant transpiration. We combined the humidity-sensitive material graphene oxide (GO) with a PDMS-GO-SDS flexible substrate as the humidity-sensing element of the sensor. This element exhibits high sensitivity, fast response, and excellent biocompatibility with plant interfaces. The humidity monitoring sensitivity of the sensor reaches 4456 pF/% RH, while the temperature sensing element has a sensitivity of approximately 3.93 Ω/°C. Additionally, tracking tests were conducted on tomato plants in a natural environment, and the experimental results were consistent with related research findings. This sensor can be used to monitor plant growth during agricultural production and facilitate precise crop management, helping to advance smart agriculture in the Internet of Things (IoT) for plants.
Soil Heating Significantly Increases Leaf Magnesium Concentration and Fruit Yield in Tomatoes Produced in a Plastic Greenhouse During Winter
Authors: Lv Haofeng , Luan Jiaming , Guo Yunjie , Liang Jijie , Li Xiangjun , Sun Xiupeng , Zhou Weiwei , Liang Bin
Published: November 2024

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency frequently occurs in tomato leaves grown in plastic greenhouses during winter in northern China. In this study, field experiments were conducted to test the effects of soil temperature and the potassium (K) fertilizer application rate on tomato K and Mg absorption and fruit yield. The treatments were soil non-heating (control) and soil heating with electric hotlines, with three K2O application rates (180 kg ha−1, 580 kg ha−1, and 980 kg ha−1). The soil heating treatments increased the average soil temperature by 2.1 °C during the day, significantly increasing leaf Mg and chlorophyll concentrations by 21.3% (from 6.86 to 8.32 g·kg−1) and 12% (from 1.25 to 1.40 mg·g−1), respectively, and fruit yield by 5.5% (from 150 to 158.2 t·ha−1) and significantly decreasing the leaf K concentration by 10.5% (from 29.4 to 26.3 g·kg−1). However, the K fertilizer application rate had no significant effect on fruit yield and leaf K and chlorophyll concentrations. Moreover, the soil non-heating treatments showed a significant negative correlation between leaf K and Mg concentrations. Low soil temperature exacerbates K–Mg ion antagonism, which is the main driving factor for Mg deficiency in winter greenhouse tomatoes. Soil heating can significantly promote Mg absorption and improve fruit yield in tomatoes produced in plastic greenhouses during winter. The results of this study provide theoretical and technical support for regulating Mg nutrition in tomatoes grown in plastic greenhouses in northern China.
Enhancing Soil Microbial Activity and Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) Yield in Organic Farming Through Biofertilizer and Green Manure Applications
Authors: Górski Rafał , Niewiadomska Alicja , Płaza Anna , Wolna-Maruwka Agnieszka , Swędrzyńska Dorota , Głuchowska Katarzyna , Rosa Robert
Published: November 2024

At present, there is growing consumer interest in Triticum spelta L., which has high nutritional value. This species is recommended for cultivation in organic farming. In this system of agriculture, biofertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilization. Biofertilizers stimulate plant growth by providing nutrients through the biological fixation of molecular nitrogen from the air or by increasing the availability of insoluble nutrients in the soil and by synthesizing substances that stimulate plant growth. Green manure biomass and root secretions provide growth material for soil microorganisms, and microorganisms return nutrients to the soil and plants through nutrient decomposition and conversion. Considering the many benefits of using biofertilizers and growing cereals with cover crops for green manure in cereal rotations, field research was carried out on an organic farm to evaluate the soil microbes and the amount of biomass from green manures and their follow-up effect on Triticum spelta L. yields using biofertilizers. Two factors were researched: (I) biofertilizers: control object (no biofertilizer), Azotobacter chroococcum + Azospirillum lipoferum Br 17, Arthrobacter agilis + Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, and combined application of atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria with phosphate solubilizing bacteria; (II) green manures: control object (no green manure application), Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium pratense L. + Lolium multiflorum L., and Lolium multiflorum L. The results show that the most favorable abundance of microorganisms determined in the soil after harvesting Hordeum vulgare L. was recorded after the application of biofertilizers containing atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria under a mixture of Trifolium pratense L. with Lolium multiflorum L. Plowing green manure from a mixture of Trifolium pratense L. with Lolium multiflorum L. resulted in an average increase of 39% in grain yield of Triticum spelta L., while the application of a biofertilizer containing Azotobacter chroococcum + Azospirillum lipoferum Br 17 + Arthrobacter agilis + Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum resulted in an average increase of 63%. The proposed spelt wheat cultivation technique can be recommended for agricultural practice due to the positive response of grain yield, but it may also be an important direction for further research to reduce the negative impact of agriculture on the environment.
The Effect of Multi-Component Foliar Fertilisers on Yield and Quality of Grain and Straw of Triticale
Authors: Januszkiewicz Rafał , Kulczycki Grzegorz , Sacała Elżbieta
Published: November 2024

The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an innovative multi-nutrient fertiliser (PRO complete) applied foliarly with a standard fertiliser (TRA complete) in triticale crops. PRO complete contained macronutrients (N, P, K), micronutrients (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, with Fe and Zn complexed with amino acids), and trace elements (Cr, I, Li, Se—combined with plant extracts). TRA complete had the same quantitative composition, but the micronutrients and trace elements were in mineral form or in complex with EDTA. The experiment was conducted on triticale grown in a soil culture in a growing hall. The triticale yield and quality were determined. The fertilisers had no significant effect on straw yield and macronutrient (N, P, K, Mg, Ca) content in straw and grain. They caused a significant increase in grain yield, but PRO complete was more effective, also in terms of increasing the content of some micronutrients, particularly in straw. Both fertilisers increased the content of Cr, Li, and Se in straw. The application of the fertilisers contributed to some extent to triticale biofortification. In conclusion, the use of foliar multi-compound fertilisers is a beneficial choice for optimising crop yield and quality. However, their chemical composition and dosage should be further developed.
Stakeholder Views on the Potential Benefits and Feasibility of an Equestrian Industry-Specific Health, Safety and Welfare Management System
Authors: Chapman Meredith , Fenner Kate , Thomas Matthew J. W. , Thompson Kirrilly
Published: November 2024

With the growth of the equestrian industry, risk exposure and the obligation to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of humans and horses remain front and centre. As there has been no apparent reduction in non-fatal human horse-related injuries, we asked industry stakeholders to discuss their current management and risk mitigation practices and highlight potential barriers to improving these processes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 stakeholders from Australian equestrian work- (n = 9) and non-work- (n = 11) related organisations to determine the potential benefits and feasibility of adopting an industry-specific health, safety, and welfare (HSW) management system. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management framework, often used by high-risk industries, guided deductive data coding. Most participants preferred formal HSW management systems and supported improvements in their current HSW practices. Industry gaps included (1) lack of training, education material, and competency; (2) social licence to operate (SLO) regarding horse welfare; and (3) management of and resistance to change. Industry barriers included (1) lack of good governance and (2) poor safety culture related to tradition and human behaviours. Most stakeholders sought further collaboration, HSW guidance materials, and national industry representation opportunities, with supporting the concept of an adaptable industry-specific HSW management system. Further multi-sector equestrian stakeholder engagement is recommended to determine the feasibility of adopting and modifying (ISO) 45001:2018 as a suitable equestrian industry-specific HSW management system.
Exploring Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Dysregulation in Lung Tissues of Offspring Rats Exposed to Prenatal Polystyrene Microplastics: Effects of Melatonin Treatment
Authors: Yu Hong-Ren , Tsai Ching-Yi , Chen Wei-Ling , Liu Po-Yu , Tain You-Lin , Sheen Jiunn-Ming , Huang Yi-Siang , Tiao Mao-Meng , Chiu Chih-Yung
Published: November 2024

Metabolomics research provides a clearer understanding of an organism’s metabolic state and enables a more accurate representation of its functional performance. This study aimed to investigate changes in the metabolome of lung tissues resulting from prenatal exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and to understand the underlying mechanisms of lung damage in rat offspring. We conducted metabolomic analyses of lung tissue from seven-day-old rat pups exposed to prenatal PS-MPs. Our findings revealed that prenatal exposure to PS-MPs led to significantly increased oxidative stress in lung tissues, characterized by notable imbalances in nucleic acid metabolism and altered profiles of specific amino acids. Furthermore, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of melatonin treatment on lung function in 120-day-old offspring and found that melatonin treatment significantly improved lung function and histologic change in the affected offspring. This study provides valuable biological insights into the mechanisms underlying lung damage caused by prenatal PS-MPs exposure. Future studies should focus on validating the results of animal experiments in humans, exploring additional therapeutic mechanisms of melatonin, and developing suitable protocols for clinical use.
Benefits of Using Pomace from Sea Buckthorn Fruit (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) in the Production of Rye Bread for a Strategy of Sustainable Production and Consumption
Authors: Banach Joanna Katarzyna , Majewska Katarzyna , Piłat Beata , Grzywińska-Rąpca Małgorzata
Published: November 2024

The aim of the research was to optimize the addition of sea buckthorn pomace to rye bread for sustainable production and consumption. Profit analysis was used to evaluate the optimal impact of added pomace on bread quality. The effects of the management of the by-product (pomace) during the maceration of sea buckthorn fruit pulp were determined on the basis of process efficiency balance. The research materials included five baking variants of bread containing type 720 rye flour, differing in the level of pomace added (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%). The bread was produced in laboratory conditions on rye sourdough using the three-phase method. The impact of pomace addition on the quality of baked goods was determined by assessing the content of nutritional and energy components, nutritional and building materials, and bioactive compounds. The results show that greater qualitative benefits, including health benefits, were obtained when rye bread was enriched with 15 and 20% pomace. These results have been confirmed by PROFIT analysis. The analysis of the efficiency balance of the sea buckthorn fruit pulp maceration process showed that it is more beneficial to subject these substrates to the processes of drying at 50 °C, separation (removal of seeds), and grinding than it is to use enzymatic maceration.
Performance Comparison of Vertex Block Descent and Position Based Dynamics Algorithms Using Cloth Simulation in Unity
Authors: Ma Jun , Sung Nak-Jun , Choi Min-Hyung , Hong Min
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a comparative study of the Vertex Block Descent (VBD) and Position-Based Dynamics (PBD) algorithms, focusing on their performance in physical simulation tasks. Unity, a versatile physics engine, served as the simulation platform for the experiments. Among various types of physical simulations of deformable objects, fluids, and cloth dynamics, cloth simulations were chosen for implementation with both algorithms. The experimental setup ensured identical parameters, including time steps and movement behavior, for both algorithms across scenarios involving hanging, object-to-object collisions, and self-collisions. The results indicate that while the performance difference in frames per second (fps) between the two algorithms is negligible for simulations with a small number of nodes, the VBD algorithm consistently outperforms the PBD algorithm as the node count increases. Furthermore, this study provides practical guidelines for maintaining real-time performance, detailing the maximum node count each algorithm can support, while sustaining a minimum threshold of 30 fps, which is necessary for real-time applications. The comparison was conducted using CPU-based computation to establish a baseline for future studies in GPU-accelerated environments, where parallel processing is expected to further highlight the performance advantages of VBD. Future work will extend this research by evaluating additional physical simulation models, including the Mass-Spring System and Extended Position-Based Dynamics (XPBD), and developing optimizations to enhance the efficiency and scalability of these algorithms.
Path Planning for Yarn Changing Robots Based on NRBO and Dynamic Obstacle Avoidance Strategy
Authors: Shi Weimin , Liang Qiang , Sun Lei
Published: November 2024

To address the shortcomings of traditional bionic algorithms in path planning, such as inefficient search processes, extended planning distances and times, and suboptimal dynamic obstacle avoidance, this paper introduces a fusion algorithm called NRBO-DWA. This algorithm is specifically applied to plan the path for a tube-changing robot in a knitting workshop. The process begins with spatial modeling based on the actual parameters of the workshop, followed by the development of a comprehensive, objective function for the robot in line with the relevant constraints. The NRBO algorithm is then integrated with the DWA algorithm to boost its dynamic obstacle avoidance capabilities, while a path correction mechanism is introduced to minimize unnecessary detours. Finally, a comparative experiment is designed to evaluate the algorithm against the GA, PSO, and SSA algorithms. Simulation results demonstrate that in a dynamically complex 3D environment, the NRBO-DWA algorithm outperforms in terms of higher 3D search efficiency, shorter total path length, and faster planning times.