bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coumarin-chalcone derivatives as dual NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors targeting oxidative stress and inflammation in neurotoxin-induced HMC3 and BE(2)-M17 cell models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lin Te-Hsien , Chiu Ya-Jen , Lin Chih-Hsin , Chen Yi-Ru , Lin Wenwei , Wu Yih-Ru , Chang Kuo-Hsuan , Chen Chiung-Mei , Lee-Chen Guey-Jen
Published: October 2024

Background

In Parkinson's disease (PD) brains, microglia are activated to release inflammatory factors to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuron, and vice versa. Moreover, neuroinflammation and its synergistic interaction with oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of PD.

Methods

In this study, we investigated whether in-house synthetic coumarin-chalcone derivatives protect human microglia HMC3 and neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17 cells against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP+)-induced neuroinflammation and associated neuronal damage.

Results

Treatment with MPP+ decreased cell viability as well as increased the release of inflammatory mediators including cytokines and nitric oxide in culture medium, and enhanced expression of microglial activation markers CD68 and MHCII in HMC3 cells. The protein levels of NLRP3, CASP1, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were also increased in MPP+-stimulated HMC3 cells. Among the four tested compounds, LM-016, LM-021, and LM-036 at 10 μM counteracted the inflammatory action of MPP+ in HMC3 cells. In addition, LM-021 and LM-036 increased cell viability, reduced lactate dehydrogenase release, ameliorated cellular ROS production, decreased caspase-1, caspase-3 and caspase-6 activities, and promoted neurite outgrowth in MPP+-treated BE(2)-M17 cells. These protective effects were mediated by down-regulating inflammatory NLRP1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as up-regulating antioxidative NRF2, NQO1, GCLC, and PGC-1α, and neuroprotective CREB, BDNF, and BCL2.

Conclusion

The study results strengthen the involvement of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in PD pathogenic mechanisms, and indicate the potential use of LM-021 and LM-036 as dual inflammasome inhibitors in treating both NLRP1- and NLRP3-associated PD.
Voltage-gated potassium channels as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Faulkner Isabel E. , Pajak Rachael Z. , Harte Michael K. , Glazier Jocelyn D. , Hager Reinmar
Published: October 2024

Voltage-gated potassium channels are a widely distributed subgroup of potassium channels responsible for the efflux of potassium in the repolarisation of the cell membrane, and hence contribute to the latency and propagation of action potentials. As they are causal to synaptic transmission, alterations to the structure of these channels can lead to a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases. The Kv3 subfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels are found on many neurons in the brain, including inhibitory interneurons where they contribute to fast-frequency firing. Changes to the firing ability of these interneurons can lead to an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. To date, we have little understanding of the mechanism by which excitatory and inhibitory inputs become imbalanced. This imbalance is associated with cognitive deficits seen across neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, which are currently difficult to treat. In this review, we collate evidence supporting the hypothesis that voltage-gated potassium channels, specifically the Kv3 subfamily, are central to many neurological and psychiatric disorders, and may thus be considered as an effective drug target. The collective evidence provided by the studies reviewed here demonstrates that Kv3 channels may be amenable to novel treatments that modulate the activity of these channels, with the prospect of improved patient outcome.
Early parental vocal contact in neonatal units: rationale and clinical guidelines for implementation
Authors: Filippa Manuela , Kuhn Pierre
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to present clear and evidence-based proposals for the integration of Early Parental Vocal Contact into the clinical practices of neonatal units. In the first part, we present a comprehensive rationale exploring the ontogenesis of voice perception in both term and preterm newborns that establishes a foundational understanding. This knowledge serves as a crucial starting point for developing evidence-based auditory and multisensory interventions aimed at fostering the developmental trajectory of preterm infants. Drawing insights from neuroscience and brain development, our proposals underscore the significance of tailoring auditory environments within neonatal settings. Special attention is given to the unique needs of preterm infants, factoring in their gestational age and maturation levels. In the second part clinical guidelines for implementation are provided and healthcare professionals are supported to assist parents in modulating their vocal interactions, aligning them with the infant’s responses. Furthermore, we provide practical suggestions for engaging in discussions with parents about the content, duration, and frequency of vocal interventions. Finally, we delve into the potential roles of caregivers, parents, and health professionals within this enriched parental vocal interactional environment. Our perspective is firmly grounded in an infant and family-centered developmental care philosophy, aiming to enhance the overall well-being and the neurodevelopment of preterm infants in neonatal units.
Psoriasis complicated with arsenical keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Liu Qianwei , Chen Bailin , Bai Yanping , Zhang Jie , Qi Zhirong
Published: October 2024

Rare cases of arsenical keratosis are attributed to the ingestion of arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicines for conditions such as psoriasis. Arsenic is a potent carcinogen, and squamous cell carcinoma is known to develop in arsenical keratosis. A 51-year-old male patient with a 30-year history of psoriasis and a history of arsenic poisoning presented with suppuration, ulceration, and pain one and a half years after trauma to the right thumb. These symptoms had recurred after wound debridement, lesion resection, and pedicle flap transplantation. Histopathological examination of the skin lesions had suggested squamous cell carcinoma, and subsequent PET-CT examination had shown proliferation and enlargement of lymph nodes. Following right forearm amputation and radiofrequency ablation, additional lumps had been observed, but the patient had declined further surgery. Physical examination showed palpable enlarged axillary lymph nodes, which was confirmed by ultrasound. After three cycles of first-line immunotherapy with toripalimab combined with albumin paclitaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy, masses in the right upper arm were reduced. This case highlights the risks of arsenic-containing medicines used for treating psoriasis. Attention should be paid to the use of standardized treatments in psoriasis, as well as the probability of malignant transformation in arsenical keratosis.
An unusual pattern of endometrial involvement: superficial spreading squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
Authors: Jiang Xiaolin , Han Zhirong , Chun Zhiping , Wen Bingyang , Chen Tingan
Published: October 2024

Background

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of cervical carcinoma. Usually, the cancer metastasizes through lymphatic or hematogenous dissemination. However, it is uncommon for a superficial spreading of cervical cancer to reach the endometrium, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries.

Objectives

In the present study, we report 15 cases of superficial spreading SCC and discuss the possible mechanism involved.

Methods

We collected 15 samples diagnosed by histopathology after surgery. Immunostaining, which included P16, P63, CD138, CD34, D2-40, and Ki-67, were performed for all samples.

Results

All patients were postmenopausal or perimenopausal women. The commonest clinical presentation was vaginal bleeding in 66.67%. All patients were infected with HPV 16. The endometrium was replaced by high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), which involved the endometrial gland, even squeezing into the myometrium and forming SCC. Bilateral fallopian tubes and ovaries involvement was in 1/15. A total of 10/15 (66.67%) of the women had disease of stage 1B or less. All SCCs were moderately or poorly differentiated. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor cells were positive for P63 and P16, with a high Ki-67 labeling index. There was CD138 positive expression in varying degrees, which was strongly and diffusely expressed in 6/15 (40.00%).

Conclusion

Superficial spread of cervical cancer towards the endometrium is a rare but cognizable phenomenon, and a guideline for the management of these cases has not been established. Our present findings suggest that multiple factors may interact with each other simultaneously, contributing to this rare disease.
The prognostic values of lymph node ratio for gynecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Mengmeng , Wang Yisi , Chen Yali , Han Ling , Zheng Ai
Published: October 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the lymph node ratio (LNR) and the prognostic values of gynecological cancer.

Materials and methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Central Cochrane Library were used to search for studies on LNR and gynecological cancer published before 18 April 2024. The effect measure for meta-analysis of primary outcomes was the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Pooled HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models. Sensitivity analysis was applied to evaluate the robustness of the results. The I2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were chosen to illustrate the potential heterogeneity of the risk factors for outcomes. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test and Begg’s funnel plots.

Results

A total of 34 studies with 23,202 cases were included in this meta-analysis. A meta-analysis found that higher LNR was associated with worse OS (HR = 2.42, 95% CI: 2.07–2.83; I2 = 77.4%, p < 0.05), PFS (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.66-2.32; I2 = 0.00%, p > 0.05), and DFS (HR = 3.18, 95% CI: 2.12–4.76; I2 = 64.3%, p < 0.05). Moreover, meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the association between LNR and OS of cervical cancer (CC) (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.94–3.31; I2 = 72.6%, p < 0.05), ovarian cancer (OC) (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.66–2.54; I2 = 76.7%, p < 0.05), endometrial cancer (EC) (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.48–3.16; I2 = 53.6%, p < 0.05), and vulvar cancer (VC) (HR = 8.13, 95% CI: 3.41–19.43; I2 = 57.2%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We observed a clear association between higher LNR and poorer prognosis in our study of patients with gynecological cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine the optimal LNR and whether LNR can guide adjuvant therapy use in gynecological cancer. It is essential to conduct further prospective studies to establish the optimal LNR threshold, determine the minimum threshold of lymph node removal, and investigate whether LNR can serve as a reliable marker for guiding adjuvant therapy choices in gynecological cancer.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, CRD42024541187.
Remotely engaged—The role of job crafting in the change of employees' engagement after an abrupt transition to remote work
Authors: Birman Noa Ariel , Katz-Navon Tal , Vashdi Dana , Hofstetter Hila
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Many employees perceived the move to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic as an abrupt organizational change. While research on work engagement has examined this construct in different contexts, it is unclear what may happen to work engagement in such an extreme context and over the course of time. In the current study, we examined the relationship between time and employees' work engagement after an abrupt change as well as the way job crafting interacts with this relationship. We hypothesized that a pre-transition high level of approach crafting strategies will have a negative effect, harming employees' ability to maintain their engagement over time, while a pre-transition high level of avoidance crafting strategies will actually have a mitigating effect, weakening the decrease in engagement.

Materials

We used a three-wave longitudinal study design, collecting data during the first 3 months of the pandemic. The sample included employees from different organizations across the U.S randomly recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. We utilized a multilevel repeated measures approach to analyze the data.

Results

Results supported our first hypothesis, demonstrating a negative relationship between time and engagement such that engagement declined over time. Our second hypothesis was partially supported, showing that the job crafting strategy of increasing challenging demands moderated the relationship between time and engagement, such that for employees that job craft by increasing their challenging demands, at the onset of the transition, the decrease in work engagement over time was more substantial. We did not find support for our hypothesis regarding the positive effect of avoidance crafting strategies on the decrease in work engagement.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the tendency to job craft by pursuing more challenging demands at the onset of the pandemic, as an approach strategy of job crafting, gives employees an unnecessary added workload that requires the use of more resources. Over time, this extra load, depletes resource reservoirs and prohibits remaining engaged over time. In contrast, other types of approach crafting strategies seem to have no such harmful effect. Our findings highlight the importance of context, suggesting that under specifics conditions some job crafting strategies may be more energy draining than others.
Development of an evaluation system for rational drug use in patients with chronic kidney disease using the Delphi method
Authors: Yao Wenjie , Ye Xiaolan , Zhang Guobing , Ren Yan , Gao Qilong , Ren Xinfeng , Liu Yao , Huang Ping , Zheng Jianlan
Published: October 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-4 present a significant clinical challenge due to the absence of a systematic approach to managing associated medication-related problems (MRPs). This lack of a structured framework hinders the timely identification and effective intervention for these complications, potentially compromising patient safety and prognosis.

Objective

This study aims to leverage the Delphi method to establish an evaluation index for a rational drug use evaluation system dedicated to CKD patients in stages 3-4. This system will function as a platform for the continuous identification and management of MRPs, ultimately contributing to improved medication safety and patient outcomes.

Methods

This research uses the modified Delphi technique to develop an evaluation system for rational drug use in patients with chronic kidney disease. The initial questionnaire was developed by literature review for patients with chronic kidney disease. Twenty-six senior experts formed a panel in order to evaluate items across two Delphi rounds. Consensus was defined as at least 95% agreement (first round) and 85% agreement (second round), agreeing with an average score of at least 4.5 (first round) and 4.0 (second round). Items that fulfill the stipulated criteria are eligible for inclusion in the consensus list.

Results

All experts participated in both rounds (100% response rate). Consensus was achieved on three patient-related items in the first round of 34 items. Based on expert feedback, 18 revised items were included in the second round after refining, restructuring, and removing some elements. Following two rounds of consultation, 20 items achieved consensus, encompassing aspects such as drug selection, dosage assessment, treatment duration, prescription and dispensing practices, patient-related factors, and other relevant considerations.

Conclusion

This study has successfully identified 20 key evaluation indicators for a rational drug use evaluation system specifically designed for CKD patients in stages 3 and 4. This system will serve as a tool for continuous MRP identification and timely intervention, ultimately enhancing medication safety and patient prognosis.
Toward self-regulated learning: effects of different types of data-driven feedback on pupils’ mathematics word problem-solving performance
Authors: Huang Jun , Cai Yining , Lv Ziying , Huang Yuanbo , Zheng Xiao-Li
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Mathematical word problems refer to word problems where the information that is presented needs to be integrated, typically into a mathematical formula, to arrive at a solution to the problem. When solving mathematics word problems, elementary school students often have difficulties improving their performance due to a lack of self-regulated learning (SRL). However, SRL can be developed by adopting an appropriate teaching approach which offers quantitative feedback or learning prompts. With the sophistication of interactive and data-driven feedback technology, it is possible to provide timely and personalized strategies for promoting students’ SRL.

Methods

In this study, an interactive e-book editing platform was used to design self-regulation-level-based feedback(SRLF) and task-level-based feedback(TLF) teaching models, which were respectively conducted in two similar fifth-grade classes for the mathematics word problem solving lessons.

Results

Using ANCOVA and repeated ANOVA, this study found that (1) the SRLF had a remarkably greater impact on elementary school students’ mathematics word problem-solving performance than the TLF, with a partial η2-value of .107; (2) In the short period of time, there was no significant difference between the two kinds of feedback on the learners’ SRL. The TLF was slightly superior to the SRLF, especially in terms of total self-regulated learning scores and cognitive strategies; (3) The TLF had a significant interaction effect on self-regulated learning and cognitive strategies, respectively with a partial η2-value of .059 and .056.
Study on the Accurate Magnetic Field Analytical Model of an Inertial Magnetic Levitation Actuator Considering End Effects
Authors: Wu Qianqian , Chen Yiran , Yuan Guokai , An Fengyan , Liu Bilong
Published: October 2024

To address the demand for low noise and high stealthiness in ships and other vessels, this paper innovatively proposes an inertial magnetic levitation actuator based on non-uniform-sized Halbach permanent magnet arrays. To improve control accuracy, it is necessary to establish an accurate analytical model of the magnetic field and then obtain an accurate electromagnetic force model. However, the distortion of the magnetic field at the ends produces end effects, resulting in thrust fluctuations that affect the actuator’s control accuracy. Therefore, considering the end effects is necessary to establish an accurate analytical model of the magnetic field. To analyze the end leakage magnetic field of the Halbach array, the concept of a mechanical pseudo-cycle in the actuator is proposed, and the cycle of a Fourier series is redefined. A completed analytical expression of the Halbach array magnetic field distribution is derived by the new Fourier series, in which the end leakage magnetic field is contained. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by solving the analytical model of the magnetic field, and the analytical results are compared with finite element simulations and experimental tests.
A Mechanical Fault Diagnosis Method for UCG-Type On-Load Tap Changers in Converter Transformers Based on Multi-Feature Fusion
Authors: Shi Yanhui , Ruan Yanjun , Li Liangchuang , Zhang Bo , Yuan Kaiwen , Luo Zhao , Huang Yichao , Xia Mao , Li Siqi , Lu Sizhao
Published: October 2024

The On-Load Tap Changer (OLTC) is the only movable mechanical component in a converter transformer. To ensure the reliable operation of the OLTC and to promptly detect mechanical faults in OLTCs to prevent them from developing into electrical faults, this paper proposes a fault diagnosis method for OLTCs based on a combination of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm and Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) with multi-feature fusion. Firstly, a multi-feature extraction method based on time/frequency domain statistics, synchrosqueezed wavelet transform, singular value decomposition, and multi-scale modal decomposition is proposed. Meanwhile, the random forest algorithm is used to screen features to eliminate the influence of redundant features on the accuracy of fault diagnosis. Secondly, the PSO algorithm is introduced to optimize the hyperparameters of LSSVM to obtain optimal parameters, thereby constructing an optimal LSSVM fault diagnosis model. Finally, different types of feature combinations are utilized for fault diagnosis, and the impact of these feature combinations on the fault diagnosis results is compared. Experimental results indicate that features of different types can complement each other, making the OLTC state information carried by multi-dimensional features more comprehensive, which helps to improve the accuracy of fault diagnosis. Compared with four traditional fault diagnosis methods, the proposed method performs better in fault diagnosis accuracy, achieving the highest accuracy of 98.58%, which can help to detect mechanical faults in the OLTC early and reduce the system’s downtime.
Fuel-Efficient and Fault-Tolerant CubeSat Orbit Correction via Machine Learning-Based Adaptive Control
Authors: Ramezani Mahya , Alandihallaj Mohammadamin , Hein Andreas M.
Published: October 2024

The increasing deployment of CubeSats in space missions necessitates the development of efficient and reliable orbital maneuvering techniques, particularly given the constraints on fuel capacity and computational resources. This paper presents a novel two-level control architecture designed to enhance the accuracy and robustness of CubeSat orbital maneuvers. The proposed method integrates a J2-optimized sequence at the high level to leverage natural perturbative effects for fuel-efficient orbit corrections, with a gated recurrent unit (GRU)-based low-level controller that dynamically adjusts the maneuver sequence in real-time to account for unmodeled dynamics and external disturbances. A Kalman filter is employed to estimate the pointing accuracy, which represents the uncertainties in the thrust direction, enabling the GRU to compensate for these uncertainties and ensure precise maneuver execution. This integrated approach significantly enhances both the positional accuracy and fuel efficiency of CubeSat maneuvers. Unlike traditional methods, which either rely on extensive pre-mission planning or computationally expensive control algorithms, our architecture efficiently balances fuel consumption with real-time adaptability, making it well-suited for the resource constraints of CubeSat platforms. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated through a series of simulations, including an orbit correction scenario and a Monte Carlo analysis. The results demonstrate that the integrated J2-GRU system significantly improves positional accuracy and reduces fuel consumption compared to traditional methods. Even under conditions of high uncertainty, the GRU-based control layer effectively compensates for errors in thrust direction, maintaining a low miss distance throughout the maneuvering period. Additionally, the GRU’s simpler architecture provides computational advantages over more complex models such as long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, making it more suitable for onboard CubeSat implementations.
Natural Recovery Dynamics of Alfalfa Field Soils under Different Degrees of Mechanical Compaction
Authors: Gao Aimin , Sun Wei
Published: October 2024

Soil compaction in alfalfa fields has become increasingly severe due to the mechanization of animal husbandry and the increased use of heavy agricultural machinery. Perennial alfalfa land undergoes mechanical compaction several times during the planting period without mechanical tillage. The compacted soil structure may recover through moisture changes, freezing and thawing cycles, and plant growth, but the extent and rate of this recovery remain unknown. In this study, alfalfa plots with two different soil types (medium loam and sandy) in Gansu, China, were selected to address these issues. The areas of the plots were 120 m × 25 m and 80 m × 40 m, respectively. In the third year after sowing, three types of agricultural machinery with grounding pressures of 88 kPa, 69 kPa, and 48 kPa were used to compact the soil one, three, five, and seven times. The interval between replicates was 1 h. Each treatment had one plot of 10 m × 5 m, and the experiment was repeated 4 times, totaling 44 plots. Changes in soil bulk density, soil cone index, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured after 1, 4, 8, and 17 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the post-compaction soil bulk density and soil cone index largely influenced the recovery of the compacted soil. Recovery became problematic once the soil bulk density exceeded 1.5 g/cm3. The soil bulk density recovery rate varied across different soil layers, with the top layer recovering faster than more profound layers. The initial state could be restored when the change in post-compaction soil bulk density was minimal. Sandy soil recovered faster than medium-loam soil. The recovery of the soil cone index in each layer of medium-loam soil under lower compaction was more noticeable than that under severe compaction. However, with undergrounding pressures of 88 kPa and 69 kPa, the soil cone index could not fully recover after multiple compactions. The recovery of soil-saturated hydraulic conductivity in both soil types was slower and less pronounced. The recovery of soil-saturated hydraulic conductivity in medium-loam soil was slower than that in sandy loam. After 7 compactions and 17 weeks under a grounding pressure of 88 kPa, the saturated hydraulic conductivity remained below 20% of its initial value of 20 mm/h. In contrast, sandy soils recovered faster, reaching 60 mm/h within a week of each compaction event. This research is crucial for ensuring high and stable alfalfa yields and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Growth and Productivity of Coffea arabica var. Esperanza L4A5 in Different Agroforestry Systems in the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica
Authors: Morales Peña Victor Hugo , Mora Garcés Argenis , Virginio Filho Elias De Melo , Villatoro Sánchez Mario
Published: October 2024

This study focused on evaluating the growth and productivity of Coffea arabica var. Esperanza L4A5 in different agroforestry systems in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, a non-traditional area for coffee cultivation due to its low altitude and challenging climatic conditions. Three tree coverages were investigated, in combination with two types of differentiated fertilization (physical and chemical), comparing the results with full sun coffee plots as a control: (1) Albizia saman, (2) Hymenaea courbaril + Erythrina poeppigiana, and (3) Anacardium excelsum + Erythrina poeppigiana. The results showed that tree associations significantly reduced the mortality of coffee plants and increased both the height and mature cherry production compared to full sun treatments. In particular, the tree coverages associated with chemical and physical fertilization achieved the highest growth and production rates, with A. excelsum + E. poeppigiana and H. courbaril + E. poeppigiana standing out with maximum mature cherry productions of 3.35 t/ha and 3.28 t/ha, respectively. Growth analysis revealed that rapid initial growth, especially under chemical fertilization, is crucial for maximizing productivity, although a rapid slowdown in growth was also observed after reaching the peak. These findings underscore the importance of combining tree coverages with appropriate fertilization strategies to optimize coffee production in agroforestry systems, particularly in low-altitude areas like the Costa Rican Caribbean. This study concludes that agroforestry systems not only improve the resilience of coffee crops to adverse environmental conditions but can also be a viable strategy for increasing productivity in non-conventional regions. This suggests the need for further research to assess the long-term impacts on soil health, biodiversity, and the economic viability of these systems.
Calibration and Experimental Verification of Finite Element Parameters for Alfalfa Conditioning Model
Authors: Jin Qiao , You Yong , Wang Haiyi , Ma Xueting , Wang Liang , Wang Decheng , Fang Xianfa
Published: October 2024

Conditioning is an important step in harvesting alfalfa hay, as squeezing and bending alfalfa stems can break down the stem fibers and accelerate the drying rate of alfalfa. The quality of alfalfa hay is directly affected by the conditioning effect. The finite element method (FEM) can quantitatively analyze the interaction relationship between alfalfa and conditioning rollers, which is of great significance for improving conditioning effects and optimizing conditioning systems. The accuracy of material engineering parameters directly affects the simulation results. Due to the small diameter and thin stem wall of alfalfa, some of its material parameters are difficult to measure or have low measurement accuracy. Based on this background, this study proposed a method for calibrating the finite element parameters of thin-walled plant stems. By conducting radial tensile, shear, bending, and radial compression tests on alfalfa stems and combining with the constitutive relationship of the material, the range of engineering parameters for the stems was preliminarily obtained. By conducting a Plackett–Burman experiment, the parameters that affect the maximum shearing force of stems were determined, including Poisson’s ratio in the isotropic plane, radial elastic modulus, and the sliding friction coefficient between the alfalfa stem and steel plate. By conducting the steepest ascent experiment and Box–Behnken experiment, the optimal values of Poisson’s ratio, radial elastic modulus, and sliding friction coefficient were obtained to be 0.42, 28.66 MPa, and 0.60, respectively. Finally, the double-shear experiment, radial compression experiment, and conditioning experiment were used to evaluate the accuracy of the parameters. The results showed that the average relative error between the maximum shear and the measured value was 0.88%, and the average relative error between the maximum radial contact force and the measured value was 2.13%. In the conditioning experiment, the load curve showed the same trend as the measured curve, and the simulation results could demonstrate the stress process and failure mode of alfalfa stems. The modeling and calibration method can effectively predict the stress and failure of alfalfa during conditioning.
The Impact of Long-Term Security on the Return of Rural Labor Force: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Hanyue , Yang Jie , Xu Dingde
Published: October 2024

Since the rural revival, the return of the rural labor force has become a trend. Different ways of returning to the rural labor force contain different policy implications. Based on the data of 8209 households in the China Labor Force Dynamic Survey, the probit model was used to explore the impact of long-term security in urban and rural areas on different return ways of the rural labor force. The results show that: (1) 18% of farmers choose to return, of which 3% and 10% choose active return and passive return, respectively, and 10% and 6% choose long-term return and short-term return, respectively. (2) The improvement in urban long-term security will inhibit the return of farmers (including active return and passive return), and the improvement in rural long-term security will promote farmers’ return behavior (including active return, passive return, long-term return, and short-term return). (3) The improvement of rural long-term security will promote the return of the first and second generations of rural households (including active return, passive return, long-term return, and short-term return), and the improvement of urban long-term security will restrain the return of the first generation of rural households (including active returns).
Smallholder Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Their Effect on Household Food Security: Evidence from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Maziya Mbongeni , Mvelase Lungani , Dlamini Mbuyazwe Michael
Published: October 2024

Climate change poses a significant risk to the long-term viability of smallholder agriculture in developing countries. Climate change has a direct effect on agricultural output, ultimately impacting the food security of smallholder farmers. However, the link between climate change and food security in developing countries is underexplored. This article investigates the effect of climate change adaptation strategies on household food security. A survey was conducted among 400 smallholder farmers in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal using a stratified random sampling procedure. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that factors such as access to credit, access to government funding, and participation in agricultural groups play an important role in supporting adaptation to climate change. Adaptation to climate change is associated with reduced levels of food insecurity. These results underscore the important role of climate change adaptation in enhancing household food security. The study recommends that programmes that target smallholder farmers should focus on enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers.
Unraveling the Function of Stress Kinase in the Progeny of Soybean Plants Grown from Low-Temperature Pretreated Seeds
Authors: Radkova Mariana , Revalska Miglena , Iantcheva Anelia
Published: October 2024

The research work was carried out with the progeny of two soybean cultivars, Richy and Izidor, from the years 2019 and 2020. Plants were grown from seeds pretreated with low temperature (2–5 °C) before sowing for two periods of treatment: 12 days marked as “treated control” (tr. K) and 22 days marked as “treated” (tr.); and “non-treated” (K0) used as a control. Transcriptional profiles of the gene encoding a stress protein kinase were evaluated after the application of abiotic stresses caused by the following: 150 mM NaCl solution/salinity stress/for 24 h; 350 mM mannitol solution/drought stress/for 24 h; and low temperature (4 °C) for 72 h. Transcript levels were established by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in leaf tissue collected from seedlings of the 2019 and 2020 progeny of “tr. K”, “tr.”, and “K0” samples. Analyses determining the quantity of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were performed. The expression of investigated stress kinase was highly upregulated after the application of abiotic stress caused by 150 mM solution of NaCl and to a lesser extent by 350 mM solution of mannitol. Detected transcript levels depend on the type of sample out of “tr. K”, “tr.”, and “K0”; the progeny; and the genotype.
Straw Return or No Tillage? Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Based on Soil Organic Carbon Contents, Carbon Emissions, and Crop Yields in China
Authors: Yan Yanfei , Li Haoyu , Zhang Min , Liu Xiwei , Zhang Lingxin , Wang Yaokuo , Yang Min , Cai Ruiguo
Published: October 2024

Conservation tillage methods, including straw return (SR) and no tillage (NT), are widely used to improve the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and crop yield. However, applying SR or NT separately has become a common practice for farmers producing different crops or those in different regions. Evaluating the effects of SR or NT on the SOC content, carbon emissions, and crop yield are important for guiding the correct application of conservation tillage and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis based on 1014 sets of data obtained in China to assess the effects of SR and NT on the SOC content, carbon emissions, and crop yield. Compared with no straw return, SR increased the SOC content and crop yield by 10% and 8.6%, respectively, but with no significant impact on carbon emissions. Compared with conventional tillage, NT increased the SOC content by 2.9% and reduced the carbon emissions and crop yield by 18% and 3.9%, respectively. We also found that SR combined with NT had an additive effect, where the combination improved SOC more than applying SR or NT alone. If applying SR or NT alone, the specific climatic conditions, soil characteristics, and field management strategies need to be considered to maximize SOC. In particular, SR should be used in limited hydrothermal conditions (low temperature or low precipitation) and areas where rice–wheat rotation is implemented. NT can be used under any climate conditions, but it can effectively increase the SOC content in continuous wheat cropping areas.
Influence of Wheat Cultivars, Infection Level, and Climate after Anthesis on Efficacy of Fungicide for Control of Fusarium Head Blight in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China
Authors: Xu Fei , Wang Hongqi , Feng Chaohong , Shi Ruijie , Liu Jihong , Wang Junmei , Fan Hua , Bai Lei , Li Xiaoqing , Hu Xiaoli , Li Lijuan , Liu Lulu , Li Yahong , Han Zihang , Liu Wei , Song Yuli , Zhou Yilin
Published: October 2024

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the Fusarium graminearum species complex, causes significant losses in grain yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum) by inducing floret sterility. Grains become contaminated with mycotoxins, especially deoxynivalenol (DON), making them unsuitable for consumption. To clarify the impact of wheat cultivar resistance, infection level, and climate after anthesis on the efficacy of a fungicide for the control of FHB, we treated two moderately susceptible cultivars and 11 susceptible cultivars with fungicide (48% phenamacril + tebuconazole) at anthesis over two years. FHB incidence (INC), disease severity index (DSI), Fusarium-damaged kernels, DON contamination, thousand-kernel weight, and yield were evaluated under artificially inoculated and naturally infected field trials in 2018 and 2021. The results of multi-factor variance analysis show that the control efficacy with respect to INC and DSI is affected by cultivar, fungicide, infection level, and climatic conditions including the average daily temperature, average daily relative humidity, and total rainfall from anthesis to 21 days after anthesis (p < 0.01). Notably, cultivar resistance (deviance = 13.34, 9.55, and 11.22) is more important than fungicide (deviance = 5.77, 6.66, and 6.69) to control the efficacy of INC, DSI, and DON. The results also suggest that infection level appears to be more important than cultivars and fungicide to control the efficacy of INC, and more important than fungicide to control the efficacy of DSI. Total rainfall is more important than other climatic factors. Our results reveal that fungicide is more effective in moderately susceptible cultivars (‘Zhengmai 9023’ and ‘Xinong 979’, 89.5%~98.9%) and some susceptible cultivars than in other susceptible cultivars (‘Zhengmai 7698’ and ‘Zhoumai 27’, 51.9%~67.2%). Thus, integrating cultivar resistance with fungicide application can be an effective strategy for the management of FHB and DON in winter wheat in the Huang-huai-hai Plain of China.
Opportunities to Improve the Recommendation of Plant Varieties under the Recommended List (RL) System
Authors: Yang Chin Jian , Russell Joanne , Mackay Ian , Powell Wayne
Published: October 2024

Recommended List (RL) is the UK plant variety recommendation system introduced in 1944 for supporting growers in making decisions on variety choices. The current RL system is heavily focused on single-trial analyses developed in the 1980s without making full use of information across varieties and trial sites. Given the statistical advances that have been developed and adopted elsewhere, it is timely to review and update the methods for data analysis in RL. In addition, threats from climate change challenge the prediction of variety performance in future environments. Better variety recommendations, particularly for matching varieties to specific environments can be achieved through the improved modeling of effects from genetics, environments, and genetic-by-environment interactions. Here, we evaluate grain yield data from 153 spring barley varieties that were trialed for RL from 2002 to 2019. Our results show that the current RL system produces poor and inconsistent predictions on variety performance across environments. Improvement in RL can be achieved by using mixed models that account for genetic relationships among varieties, and additional improvement is possible if genetic-by-environment interaction can be modeled accurately. We highlight the relevance and importance of genomics in both variety registration and recommendation.
Responses of Growth, Enzyme Activity, and Flower Bud Differentiation of Pepper Seedlings to Nitrogen Concentration at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Yan Zhengnan , Cao Xiuxiu , Bing Lixue , Song Jinxiu , Qi Ye , Han Qingyan , Yang Yanjie , Lin Duo
Published: October 2024

The concentration of nitrogen fertilizer is matched with the nutrient requirements in different growth stages of plants, which coordinates their vegetative and reproductive growth. In this study, the influences of nitrogen concentration before and after initiation of flower bud differentiation (first and second stage, respectively) on pepper seedling quality were studied. The chlorophyll a content, sucrose synthase activity, and sucrose phosphate synthase activity of pepper seedlings grown under moderate nitrogen (15 mmol L−1) in the first stage combined with high nitrogen (25.61 mmol L−1) in the second stage were 15.7%, 39.3%, and 34.6% higher than those of the same nitrogen concentration (15 mmol L−1) in the first and second stages treatment, respectively. The regression model also showed that the values of flower bud diameter, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, and glutamine synthetase activity of pepper were high under the condition of moderate nitrogen in the first stage and higher nitrogen in the second stage. In addition, the results of comprehensive evaluation showed that moderate nitrogen (15 mmol L−1) in the first stage and high nitrogen (25.61 mmol L−1) in the second stage treatment ranked first, which improved carbon and nitrogen metabolism, increased biomass accumulation, and promoted the flower bud differentiation and flowering of pepper seedlings.
Effect of Replacing Corn Grain and Soybean Meal with Field Peas at Different Levels on Feed Intake, Milk Production, and Metabolism in Dairy Cows under a Restrictive Grazing
Authors: Pulido Ruben G. , Beltran Ignacio E. , Aleixo Jorge A. , Morales Álvaro G. , Gutierrez Marcelo , Ponce Matias , Melendez Pedro
Published: October 2024

This study assessed the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) and corn grain with field peas in the concentrate of grazing dairy cows on milk production, intake, ruminal fermentation, and blood indicators. Twelve multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were utilized in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, comprising three periods and three treatments: (1) Pea-0 (Control diet): 6 kg dry matter (DM) of fresh pasture, 7.2 kg DM of grass silage, and 7 kg DM of a concentrate containing 0% pea; (2) Pea-30: Control diet with the concentrate composed of 30% pea; (3) Pea-60: Control diet with the concentrate composed of 60% pea. The effect of treatments on productive and metabolic parameters was evaluated using linear-mixed models. Pasture and total DM intake, milk production, and composition were unaffected by treatments. Despite the concentrates being isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, crude protein (CP) intake was slightly higher in Pea-30 and significantly higher in Pea-60 due to higher pasture CP content in the pasture grazed by these groups, leading to higher milk urea content, though within recommended ranges. Blood parameters showed no significant changes, except for plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, which was lowest in the Pea-60 treatment; however, all values were within ranges not indicative of subclinical ketosis. Ruminal fermentation parameters were similar across treatments. These findings support the use of field peas as a viable alternative to replace SBM and corn grain in concentrates, enabling similar milk production and composition in grazing dairy cows.
Sensor-Based and Visual Behavioral Profiling of Dry Holstein Cows Presenting Distinct Median Core Body Temperatures
Authors: Bönmann Nicolle F. F. , Mendonça Luis G. D. , Sellmer Ramos Isabella , Fritz Rebecca , Gamarra Caio , Duhatschek Douglas , de Oliveira Raphael S. S. , Scanavez Alexandre L. A. , Belem Thiago S. , Lucy Matthew C. , Moraes Joao G. N.
Published: October 2024

The consequences of heat stress during the dry period can extend into the postpartum period, affecting health and productivity in the subsequent lactation. We hypothesized that cows with distinct core body temperatures (CBTs) would exhibit disparate behaviors associated with different degrees of heat generation or dissipation. The primary objective was to investigate behavioral differences of dry Holstein cows (n = 50) classified as high-temperature (HT) or low-temperature (LT), based on median CBT during the summer months using visual observations and accelerometer technology. A secondary objective was to investigate the transcriptome of white blood cells (WBCs) collected from a subgroup of HT and LT cows (n = 5; per group). Minor behavior differences were observed during the visual observations (performed for a total of 16h/cow). Based on automated monitoring system (AMS) data, collected 24/7 over a period of 42 days per cow, HT cows displayed higher periods of high activity and lower periods of inactivity prepartum and diminished rumination time postpartum than LT cows. There were 16 differently expressed genes (DEGs) in WBCs of HT compared to LT cows. Several of the identified DEGs have been previously associated with heat stress. The observed trends in the AMS data indicate that CBT and patterns of activity prepartum may serve as valuable predictors for identifying dairy cows with distinct tolerance to heat stress.